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Bokros M, Balukoff NC, Grunfeld A, Sebastiao M, Beurel E, Bourgault S, Lee S. RNA tailing machinery drives amyloidogenic phase transition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2316734121. [PMID: 38805292 PMCID: PMC11161805 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316734121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The RNA tailing machinery adds nucleotides to the 3'-end of RNA molecules that are implicated in various biochemical functions, including protein synthesis and RNA stability. Here, we report a role for the RNA tailing machinery as enzymatic modifiers of intracellular amyloidogenesis. A targeted RNA interference screen identified Terminal Nucleotidyl-transferase 4b (TENT4b/Papd5) as an essential participant in the amyloidogenic phase transition of nucleoli into solid-like Amyloid bodies. Full-length-and-mRNA sequencing uncovered starRNA, a class of unusually long untemplated RNA molecules synthesized by TENT4b. StarRNA consists of short rRNA fragments linked to long, linear mixed tails that operate as polyanionic stimulators of amyloidogenesis in cells and in vitro. Ribosomal intergenic spacer noncoding RNA (rIGSRNA) recruit TENT4b in intranucleolar foci to coordinate starRNA synthesis driving their amyloidogenic phase transition. The exoribonuclease RNA Exosome degrades starRNA and functions as a general suppressor of cellular amyloidogenesis. We propose that amyloidogenic phase transition is under tight enzymatic control by the RNA tailing and exosome axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bokros
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, Cancer Epigenetics Program, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
| | - Nathan C. Balukoff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, Cancer Epigenetics Program, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
| | - Alex Grunfeld
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, Cancer Epigenetics Program, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
| | - Mathew Sebastiao
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, MontrealQCH3C 3P8, Canada
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications, PROTEO, Montreal, QCH3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Eléonore Beurel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
| | - Steve Bourgault
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, MontrealQCH3C 3P8, Canada
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications, PROTEO, Montreal, QCH3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Stephen Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, Cancer Epigenetics Program, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
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2
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Klinaki E, Ogrodnik M. In the land of not-unhappiness: On the state-of-the-art of targeting aging and age-related diseases by biomedical research. Mech Ageing Dev 2024; 219:111929. [PMID: 38561164 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2024.111929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The concept of the Land of Not-Unhappiness refers to the potential achievement of eliminating the pathologies of the aging process. To inform of how close we are to settling in the land, we summarize and review the achievements of research on anti-aging interventions over the last hundred years with a specific focus on strategies that slow down metabolism, compensate for aging-related losses, and target a broad range of age-related diseases. We critically evaluate the existing interventions labeled as "anti-aging," such as calorie restriction, exercise, stem cell administration, and senolytics, to provide a down-to-earth evaluation of their current applicability in counteracting aging. Throughout the text, we have maintained a light tone to make it accessible to non-experts in biogerontology, and provide a broad overview for those considering conducting studies, research, or seeking to understand the scientific basis of anti-aging medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Klinaki
- Ludwig Boltzmann Research Group Senescence and Healing of Wounds, Vienna 1200, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Centre in Cooperation with AUVA, Vienna 1200, Austria; Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mikolaj Ogrodnik
- Ludwig Boltzmann Research Group Senescence and Healing of Wounds, Vienna 1200, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Centre in Cooperation with AUVA, Vienna 1200, Austria; Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria.
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3
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Hurley K, Ozaki M, Philippot Q, Galvin L, Crosby D, Kirwan M, Gill DR, Alysandratos KD, Jenkins G, Griese M, Nathan N, Borie R. A roadmap to precision treatments for familial pulmonary fibrosis. EBioMedicine 2024; 104:105135. [PMID: 38718684 PMCID: PMC11096859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) in adults and children (chILD) are a heterogeneous group of lung disorders leading to inflammation, abnormal tissue repair and scarring of the lung parenchyma often resulting in respiratory failure and death. Inherited factors directly cause, or contribute significantly to the risk of developing ILD, so called familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF), and monogenic forms may have a poor prognosis and respond poorly to current treatments. Specific, variant-targeted or precision treatments are lacking. Clinical trials of repurposed drugs, anti-fibrotic medications and specific treatments are emerging but for many patients no interventions exist. We convened an expert working group to develop an overarching framework to address the existing research gaps in basic, translational, and clinical research and identified areas for future development of preclinical models, candidate medications and innovative clinical trials. In this Position Paper, we summarise working group discussions, recommendations, and unresolved questions concerning precision treatments for FPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Killian Hurley
- Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland; Tissue Engineering Research Group, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Mari Ozaki
- Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland; Tissue Engineering Research Group, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Quentin Philippot
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, PHERE, Hôpital Bichat, AP-HP, Service de Pneumologie A, Centre Constitutif du Centre de Référence des Maladies Pulmonaires Rares, FHU APOLLO, Paris, France; Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Respiratory Diseases, Inserm U1152, UFR de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, 75018, Paris, France
| | - Liam Galvin
- European Pulmonary Fibrosis Federation, Overijse, Belgium
| | | | - Mary Kirwan
- Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deborah R Gill
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom; Gene Medicine Research Group, Radcliffe Department of Medicine (NDCLS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos-Dionysios Alysandratos
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Gisli Jenkins
- Imperial College London, 4615, National Heart & Lung Institute, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Matthias Griese
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Nadia Nathan
- Sorbonne Université, Pediatric Pulmonology and Reference Center for Rare Lung Diseases RespiRare, Inserm U933 Laboratory of Childhood Genetic Diseases, Armand Trousseau Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Raphael Borie
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, PHERE, Hôpital Bichat, AP-HP, Service de Pneumologie A, Centre Constitutif du Centre de Référence des Maladies Pulmonaires Rares, FHU APOLLO, Paris, France
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4
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Tao X, Zhu Z, Wang L, Li C, Sun L, Wang W, Gong W. Biomarkers of Aging and Relevant Evaluation Techniques: A Comprehensive Review. Aging Dis 2024; 15:977-1005. [PMID: 37611906 PMCID: PMC11081160 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.00808-1] [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: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of developing chronic illnesses and disabilities is increasing with age. To predict and prevent aging, biomarkers relevant to the aging process must be identified. This paper reviews the known molecular, cellular, and physiological biomarkers of aging. Moreover, we discuss the currently available technologies for identifying these biomarkers, and their applications and potential in aging research. We hope that this review will stimulate further research and innovation in this emerging and fast-growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Tao
- Department of Research, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ziman Zhu
- Beijing Rehabilitation Medicine Academy, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Liguo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chunlin Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Liwei Sun
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Radiology, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Weijun Gong
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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5
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van Dorst MMAR, Pyuza JJ, Nkurunungi G, Kullaya VI, Smits HH, Hogendoorn PCW, Wammes LJ, Everts B, Elliott AM, Jochems SP, Yazdanbakhsh M. Immunological factors linked to geographical variation in vaccine responses. Nat Rev Immunol 2024; 24:250-263. [PMID: 37770632 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00941-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination is one of medicine's greatest achievements; however, its full potential is hampered by considerable variation in efficacy across populations and geographical regions. For example, attenuated malaria vaccines in high-income countries confer almost 100% protection, whereas in low-income regions these same vaccines achieve only 20-50% protection. This trend is also observed for other vaccines, such as bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), rotavirus and yellow fever vaccines, in terms of either immunogenicity or efficacy. Multiple environmental factors affect vaccine responses, including pathogen exposure, microbiota composition and dietary nutrients. However, there has been variable success with interventions that target these individual factors, highlighting the need for a better understanding of their downstream immunological mechanisms to develop new ways of modulating vaccine responses. Here, we review the immunological factors that underlie geographical variation in vaccine responses. Through the identification of causal pathways that link environmental influences to vaccine responsiveness, it might become possible to devise modulatory compounds that can complement vaccines for better outcomes in regions where they are needed most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes M A R van Dorst
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jeremia J Pyuza
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Gyaviira Nkurunungi
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Vesla I Kullaya
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Hermelijn H Smits
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Linda J Wammes
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Bart Everts
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Alison M Elliott
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Simon P Jochems
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
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6
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Li S, Xin Q, Fang G, Deng Y, Yang F, Qiu C, Yang Y, Lan C. Upregulation of mitochondrial telomerase reverse transcriptase mediates the preventive effect of physical exercise on pathological cardiac hypertrophy via improving mitochondrial function and inhibiting oxidative stress. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166859. [PMID: 37643691 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Physical exercise is a non-pharmacological intervention that helps prevent pathological cardiac hypertrophy. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) has non-telomeric functions such as protection against mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, and its myocardial expression is upregulated by physical exercise. Here, we found that physical exercise caused myocardial upregulation of mitochondrial TERT and sustenance during transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Overexpression of mitochondrial-targeted TERT (mito-TERT) via adeno-associated virus serotype 9 carrying the TERT-coding sequence fused with N-terminal mitochondrial-targeting sequence improved cardiac function and attenuated cardiac hypertrophy. Mechanistically, mito-TERT ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which were associated with improving the activity and subunit composition of complex I. Remarkably, the telomerase activator TA-65 also exhibited an antihypertrophic effect. Collectively, our results reveal a significant role for mito-TERT in mediating the antihypertrophic effect of physical exercise and demonstrate that TERT is a potential drug target for treating cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China; School of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Qian Xin
- Department of Cardiology, Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Guangyao Fang
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China; School of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yi Deng
- Department of General Practice, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Fengyuan Yang
- Department of Nephrology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Chenming Qiu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yongjian Yang
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China; School of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Cong Lan
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China; School of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
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7
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Klump BM, Schmidt JC. Advances in understanding telomerase assembly. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:2093-2101. [PMID: 38108475 PMCID: PMC10754283 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is a complex ribonucleoprotein scaffolded by the telomerase RNA (TR). Telomere lengthening by telomerase is essential to maintain the proliferative potential of stem cells and germ cells, and telomerase is inappropriately activated in the majority of cancers. Assembly of TR with its 12 protein co-factors and the maturation of the 5'- and 3'-ends of TR have been the focus of intense research efforts over the past two decades. High-resolution Cryo-EM structures of human telomerase, high-throughput sequencing of the 3' end of TR, and live cell imaging of various telomerase components have significantly advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern telomerase biogenesis, yet many important questions remain unaddressed. In this review, we will summarize these recent advances and highlight the remaining key questions with the ultimate goal of targeting telomerase assembly to suppress telomere maintenance in cancer cells or to promote telomerase activity in patients affected by telomere shortening disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basma M. Klump
- Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, College of Natural Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A
| | - Jens C. Schmidt
- Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A
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8
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Yan S, Lin S, Qiu H, Wang X, He Y, Wang C, Huang Y. Regulation of telomerase towards tumor therapy. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:228. [PMID: 38111043 PMCID: PMC10726632 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01181-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is an aging-related disease, while aging plays an important role in the development process of tumor, thus the two are inextricably associated. Telomere attrition is one of the recognized hallmark events of senescence. Hence, targeting telomerase which could extends telomere sequences to treat tumors is widely favored. Cancer cells rely on high activity of telomerase to maintain a strong proliferative potential. By inhibiting the expression or protein function of telomerase, the growth of cancer cells can be significantly suppressed. In addition, the human immune system itself has a defense system against malignant tumors. However, excessive cell division results in dramatic shortening on telomeres and decline in the function of immune organs that facilitates cancer cell evasion. It has been shown that increasing telomerase activity or telomere length of these immune cells can attenuate senescence, improve cellular viability, and enhance the immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumor. In this paper, we review the telomerase-targeting progress using different anti-tumor strategies from the perspectives of cancer cells and immune cells, respectively, as well as tracking the preclinical and clinical studies of some representative drugs for the prevention or treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- Lumiere Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Song Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Hongxin Qiu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Xining Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yijun He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Chuanle Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yan Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
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9
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Adegunsoye A, Gonzales NM, Gilad Y. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Disease Biology and the Evidence for Their In Vitro Utility. Annu Rev Genet 2023; 57:341-360. [PMID: 37708421 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-022123-090319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Many human phenotypes are impossible to recapitulate in model organisms or immortalized human cell lines. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a way to study disease mechanisms in a variety of differentiated cell types while circumventing ethical and practical issues associated with finite tissue sources and postmortem states. Here, we discuss the broad utility of iPSCs in genetic medicine and describe how they are being used to study musculoskeletal, pulmonary, neurologic, and cardiac phenotypes. We summarize the particular challenges presented by each organ system and describe how iPSC models are being used to address them. Finally, we discuss emerging iPSC-derived organoid models and the potential value that they can bring to studies of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayodeji Adegunsoye
- Genetics, Genomics, and Systems Biology, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, and the Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA;
| | - Natalia M Gonzales
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; ,
| | - Yoav Gilad
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; ,
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Vissers LTW, van der Burg M, Lankester AC, Smiers FJW, Bartels M, Mohseny AB. Pediatric Bone Marrow Failure: A Broad Landscape in Need of Personalized Management. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7185. [PMID: 38002797 PMCID: PMC10672506 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12227185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Irreversible severe bone marrow failure (BMF) is a life-threatening condition in pediatric patients. Most important causes are inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFSs) and (pre)malignant diseases, such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and (idiopathic) aplastic anemia (AA). Timely treatment is essential to prevent infections and bleeding complications and increase overall survival (OS). Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) provides a cure for most types of BMF but cannot restore non-hematological defects. When using a matched sibling donor (MSD) or a matched unrelated donor (MUD), the OS after HSCT ranges between 60 and 90%. Due to the introduction of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) to prevent graft versus host disease (GVHD), alternative donor HSCT can reach similar survival rates. Although HSCT can restore ineffective hematopoiesis, it is not always used as a first-line therapy due to the severe risks associated with HSCT. Therefore, depending on the underlying cause, other treatment options might be preferred. Finally, for IBMFSs with an identified genetic etiology, gene therapy might provide a novel treatment strategy as it could bypass certain limitations of HSCT. However, gene therapy for most IBMFSs is still in its infancy. This review summarizes current clinical practices for pediatric BMF, including HSCT as well as other disease-specific treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte T. W. Vissers
- Laboratory for Pediatric Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Willem-Alexander Children’s Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.T.W.V.); (M.v.d.B.)
| | - Mirjam van der Burg
- Laboratory for Pediatric Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Willem-Alexander Children’s Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.T.W.V.); (M.v.d.B.)
| | - Arjan C. Lankester
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Willem-Alexander Children’s Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.C.L.); (F.J.W.S.)
| | - Frans J. W. Smiers
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Willem-Alexander Children’s Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.C.L.); (F.J.W.S.)
| | - Marije Bartels
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Alexander B. Mohseny
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Willem-Alexander Children’s Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.C.L.); (F.J.W.S.)
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11
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Valeeva LR, Abdulkina LR, Agabekian IA, Shakirov EV. Telomere biology and ribosome biogenesis: structural and functional interconnections. Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 101:394-409. [PMID: 36989538 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2022-0383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures that play a pivotal role in the protection and maintenance of eukaryotic chromosomes. Telomeres and the enzyme telomerase, which replenishes telomeric DNA lost during replication, are important factors necessary to ensure continued cell proliferation. Cell proliferation is also dependent on proper and efficient protein synthesis, which is carried out by ribosomes. Mutations in genes involved in either ribosome biogenesis or telomere biology result in cellular abnormalities and can cause human genetic diseases, defined as ribosomopathies and telomeropathies, respectively. Interestingly, recent discoveries indicate that many of the ribosome assembly and rRNA maturation factors have additional noncanonical functions in telomere biology. Similarly, several key proteins and enzymes involved in telomere biology, including telomerase, have unexpected roles in rRNA transcription and maturation. These observations point to an intriguing cross-talk mechanism potentially explaining the multiple pleiotropic symptoms of mutations in many causal genes identified in various telomeropathy and ribosomopathy diseases. In this review, we provide a brief summary of eukaryotic telomere and rDNA loci structures, highlight several universal features of rRNA and telomerase biogenesis, evaluate intriguing interconnections between telomere biology and ribosome assembly, and conclude with an assessment of overlapping features of human diseases of telomeropathies and ribosomopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liia R Valeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
| | - Liliia R Abdulkina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia
| | - Inna A Agabekian
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia
| | - Eugene V Shakirov
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
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Klump BM, Perez GI, Patrick EM, Adams-Boone K, Cohen SB, Han L, Yu K, Schmidt JC. TCAB1 prevents nucleolar accumulation of the telomerase RNA to facilitate telomerase assembly. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112577. [PMID: 37267110 PMCID: PMC10569210 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Localization of a variety of RNAs to non-membrane-bound cellular compartments such as nucleoli and Cajal bodies is critical for their stability and function. The molecular mechanisms that underly the recruitment and exclusion of RNAs from these phase-separated organelles is incompletely understood. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein composed of the reverse transcriptase protein telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the telomerase RNA (TR), and several auxiliary proteins, including TCAB1. Here we show that in the absence of TCAB1, a large fraction of TR is tightly bound to the nucleolus, while TERT is largely excluded from the nucleolus, reducing telomerase assembly. This suggests that nuclear compartmentalization by the non-membrane-bound nucleolus counteracts telomerase assembly, and TCAB1 is required to retain TR in the nucleoplasm. Our work provides insight into the mechanism and functional consequences of RNA recruitment to organelles formed by phase separation and demonstrates that TCAB1 plays an important role in telomerase assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basma M Klump
- Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, College of Natural Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Gloria I Perez
- Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Eric M Patrick
- Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Kate Adams-Boone
- Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Scott B Cohen
- Children's Medical Research Institute and University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Li Han
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Kefei Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jens C Schmidt
- Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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13
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Choi YJ, Kim MS, Rhoades JH, Johnson NM, Berry CT, Root S, Chen Q, Tian Y, Fernandez RJ, Cramer Z, Adams-Tzivelekidis S, Li N, Johnson FB, Lengner CJ. Patient-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatostellate Organoids Establish a Basis for Liver Pathologies in Telomeropathies. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:451-472. [PMID: 37302654 PMCID: PMC10404563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a telomere biology disorder caused primarily by mutations in the DKC1 gene. Patients with DC and related telomeropathies resulting from premature telomere dysfunction experience multiorgan failure. In the liver, DC patients present with nodular hyperplasia, steatosis, inflammation, and cirrhosis. However, the mechanism responsible for telomere dysfunction-induced liver disease remains unclear. METHODS We used isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) harboring a causal DC mutation in DKC1 or a CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9)-corrected control allele to model DC liver pathologies. We differentiated these iPSCs into hepatocytes (HEPs) or hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) followed by generation of genotype-admixed hepatostellate organoids. Single-cell transcriptomics were applied to hepatostellate organoids to understand cell type-specific genotype-phenotype relationships. RESULTS Directed differentiation of iPSCs into HEPs and stellate cells and subsequent hepatostellate organoid formation revealed a dominant phenotype in the parenchyma, with DC HEPs becoming hyperplastic and also eliciting a pathogenic hyperplastic, proinflammatory response in stellate cells independent of stellate cell genotype. Pathogenic phenotypes in DKC1-mutant HEPs and hepatostellate organoids could be rescued via suppression of serine/threonine kinase AKT (protein kinase B) activity, a central regulator of MYC-driven hyperplasia downstream of DKC1 mutation. CONCLUSIONS Isogenic iPSC-derived admixed hepatostellate organoids offer insight into the liver pathologies in telomeropathies and provide a framework for evaluating emerging therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jun Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Melissa S Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joshua H Rhoades
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicolette M Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Corbett T Berry
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah Root
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Qijun Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yuhua Tian
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rafael J Fernandez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Zvi Cramer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephanie Adams-Tzivelekidis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - F Brad Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Christopher J Lengner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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14
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Ignatieva EV, Yudin NS, Larkin DM. Compilation and functional classification of telomere length-associated genes in humans and other animal species. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2023; 27:283-292. [PMID: 37293446 PMCID: PMC10244590 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-23-34] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are the terminal regions of chromosomes that ensure their stability while cell division. Telomere shortening initiates cellular senescence, which can lead to degeneration and atrophy of tissues, so the process is associated with a reduction in life expectancy and predisposition to a number of diseases. An accelerated rate of telomere attrition can serve as a predictor of life expectancy and health status of an individual. Telomere length is a complex phenotypic trait that is determined by many factors, including the genetic ones. Numerous studies (including genome-wide association studies, GWAS) indicate the polygenic nature of telomere length control. The objective of the present study was to characterize the genetic basis of the telomere length regulation using the GWAS data obtained during the studies of various human and other animal populations. To do so, a compilation of the genes associated with telomere length in GWAS experiments was collected, which included information on 270 human genes, as well as 23, 22, and 9 genes identified in the cattle, sparrow, and nematode, respectively. Among them were two orthologous genes encoding a shelterin protein (POT1 in humans and pot-2 in C. elegans). Functional analysis has shown that telomere length can be influenced by genetic variants in the genes encoding: (1) structural components of telomerase; (2) the protein components of telomeric regions (shelterin and CST complexes); (3) the proteins involved in telomerase biogenesis and regulating its activity; (4) the proteins that regulate the functional activity of the shelterin components; (5) the proteins involved in telomere replication and/or capping; (6) the proteins involved in the alternative telomere lengthening; (7) the proteins that respond to DNA damage and are responsible for DNA repair; (8) RNA-exosome components. The human genes identified by several research groups in populations of different ethnic origins are the genes encoding telomerase components such as TERC and TERT as well as STN1 encoding the CST complex component. Apparently, the polymorphic loci affecting the functions of these genes may be the most reliable susceptibility markers for telomere-related diseases. The systematized data about the genes and their functions can serve as a basis for the development of prognostic criteria for telomere length-associated diseases in humans. Information about the genes and processes that control telomere length can be used for marker-assisted and genomic selection in the farm animals, aimed at increasing the duration of their productive lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V Ignatieva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - N S Yudin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - D M Larkin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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15
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Zhao N, Yin G, Liu C, Zhang W, Shen Y, Wang D, Lin Z, Yang J, Mao J, Guo R, Zhang Y, Wang F, Liu Z, Lu X, Liu L. Critically short telomeres derepress retrotransposons to promote genome instability in embryonic stem cells. Cell Discov 2023; 9:45. [PMID: 37130870 PMCID: PMC10154409 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00538-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres, at the ends of chromosomes, protect chromosomes from fusion and preserve genomic stability. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying telomere attrition-induced genome instability remain to be understood. We systematically analyzed the expression of retrotransposons and performed genomic sequencing of different cell and tissue types with telomeres of varying lengths due to telomerase deficiency. We found that critically short telomeres altered retrotransposon activity to promote genomic instability in mouse embryonic stem cells, as evidenced by elevated numbers of single nucleotide variants, indels and copy number variations (CNVs). Transpositions of retrotransposons such as LINE1 resulting from the short telomeres can also be found in these genomes with elevated number of mutations and CNVs. Retrotransposon activation is linked to increased chromatin accessibility, and reduced heterochromatin abundance correlates with short telomeres. Re-elongation of telomeres upon recovery of telomerase partly represses retrotransposons and heterochromatin accumulation. Together, our findings suggest a potential mechanism by which telomeres maintain genomic stability by suppressing chromatin accessibility and retrotransposon activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Guoxing Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dan Wang
- 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhenzhen Lin
- 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jian Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Renpeng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongwang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Xinyi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
- College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
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16
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Zhang L, Ge X, Jin H, Lu D, Chen S, Zhang Y, Wang X, Xu H, Ao W, Zhang Y. Discovery, optimization and biological evaluation of novel HBsAg production inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115387. [PMID: 37187088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health problem. HBsAg inhibitors are expected to reduce the production of HBsAg via inhibiting host proteins PAPD5 & PAPD7 and finally achieve the ideal goal of "functional cure". In this work, a series of tetrahydropyridine (THP) derivatives with a bridged ring were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibiting HBsAg production and HBV DNA activity. Among them, compound 17i was identified as potent HBsAg production inhibitor with excellent in vitro anti-HBV potency (HBV DNA EC50 = 0.018 μM, HBsAg EC50 = 0.044 μM) and low toxicity (CC50 > 100 μM). Moreover, 17i exhibited favorable in vitro/in vivo DMPK properties in mice. 17i could also significantly reduce serum HBsAg and HBV DNA levels (1.08 and 1.04 log units, respectively) in HBV transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xingfeng Ge
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Dandan Lu
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shuo Chen
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaojin Wang
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hongjiang Xu
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wangwei Ao
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Yinsheng Zhang
- Pharmaceutical R&D Institute, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, 1099 Fuying Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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17
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Mannherz W, Agarwal S. Thymidine nucleotide metabolism controls human telomere length. Nat Genet 2023; 55:568-580. [PMID: 36959362 PMCID: PMC11000509 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01339-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length in humans is associated with lifespan and severe diseases, yet the genetic determinants of telomere length remain incompletely defined. Here we performed genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 functional telomere length screening and identified thymidine (dT) nucleotide metabolism as a limiting factor in human telomere maintenance. Targeted genetic disruption using CRISPR-Cas9 revealed multiple telomere length control points across the thymidine nucleotide metabolism pathway: decreasing dT nucleotide salvage via deletion of the gene encoding nuclear thymidine kinase (TK1) or de novo production by knockout of the thymidylate synthase gene (TYMS) decreased telomere length, whereas inactivation of the deoxynucleoside triphosphohydrolase-encoding gene SAMHD1 lengthened telomeres. Remarkably, supplementation with dT alone drove robust telomere elongation by telomerase in cells, and thymidine triphosphate stimulated telomerase activity in a substrate-independent manner in vitro. In induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients with genetic telomere biology disorders, dT supplementation or inhibition of SAMHD1 promoted telomere restoration. Our results demonstrate a critical role of thymidine metabolism in controlling human telomerase and telomere length, which may be therapeutically actionable in patients with fatal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Mannherz
- Division of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Initiative for RNA Medicine, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suneet Agarwal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Initiative for RNA Medicine, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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18
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Wang L, Li J, Lin Y, Dang K, Wan J, Meng S, Qiu X, Wang Q, Mu L, Ding D, Luo H, Tang J. Comparative transcriptomics analysis at the key stage of maize ear development dissect heterosis. THE PLANT GENOME 2023; 16:e20293. [PMID: 36478177 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Important traits related to maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield, such as kernel row number, ear length, kernel number per row, are determined during the development of female inflorescence. There is a significant positive correlation between yield component and the activity of inflorescence meristem (IM). To find the key stage of heterosis in the development of the ear, immature ears (from the IM stage until the end of the floral meristem [FM] stage) of Yudan888 and its parent lines were sampled to assay phenotype and for comparative transcriptomics analysis. The immature ear length of Yudan888 at the IM stage fitted an additive (mid-parental) model, but it showed high parental dominance at the spikelet-pair meristem (SPM) stage. Comparative analysis of transcriptomes suggested significant differences between additive and nonadditive expression patterns for different developmental stages. The number of distinct maternal or paternal genes (DMP) (genes expressed only in one parental line and their hybrid but silenced in another line) was greater than ABF1 (genes expressed in both parental lines but silenced in hybrid) at each stage. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment suggested that the cell redox homeostasis genes with overdominance expression patterns in hybrids have an important contribution to heterosis. According to our research, an ear length heterosis network was established. The discovery of the inflection point for ear length heterosis allows us for inferring that the transition state of IM to SPM may be the starting point of ear length heterosis. These findings improved the understanding of maize ear length heterosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangfa Wang
- College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural Univ., Changsha, 410128, China
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- Hebi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hebi, 458030, China
| | - Juan Li
- College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural Univ., Changsha, 410128, China
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- Hebi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hebi, 458030, China
| | - Kuntai Dang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Jiong Wan
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Shujun Meng
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Xiaoqian Qiu
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Qiyue Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Liqin Mu
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Dong Ding
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Hongbing Luo
- College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural Univ., Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Jihua Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural Univ., Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
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19
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Revy P, Kannengiesser C, Bertuch AA. Genetics of human telomere biology disorders. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:86-108. [PMID: 36151328 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes that prevent the activation of DNA damage response and repair pathways. Numerous factors localize at telomeres to regulate their length, structure and function, to avert replicative senescence or genome instability and cell death. In humans, Mendelian defects in several of these factors can result in abnormally short or dysfunctional telomeres, causing a group of rare heterogeneous premature-ageing diseases, termed telomeropathies, short-telomere syndromes or telomere biology disorders (TBDs). Here, we review the TBD-causing genes identified so far and describe their main functions associated with telomere biology. We present molecular aspects of TBDs, including genetic anticipation, phenocopy, incomplete penetrance and somatic genetic rescue, which underlie the complexity of these diseases. We also discuss the implications of phenotypic and genetic features of TBDs on fundamental aspects related to human telomere biology, ageing and cancer, as well as on diagnostic, therapeutic and clinical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Revy
- INSERM UMR 1163, Laboratory of Genome Dynamics in the Immune System, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Paris, France.
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Paris, France.
| | - Caroline Kannengiesser
- APHP Service de Génétique, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France
- Inserm U1152, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Alison A Bertuch
- Departments of Paediatrics and Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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20
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Alonso-Gonzalez A, Tosco-Herrera E, Molina-Molina M, Flores C. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the role of genetics in the era of precision medicine. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1152211. [PMID: 37181377 PMCID: PMC10172674 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1152211] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, rare progressive lung disease, characterized by lung scarring and the irreversible loss of lung function. Two anti-fibrotic drugs, nintedanib and pirfenidone, have been demonstrated to slow down disease progression, although IPF mortality remains a challenge and the patients die after a few years from diagnosis. Rare pathogenic variants in genes that are involved in the surfactant metabolism and telomere maintenance, among others, have a high penetrance and tend to co-segregate with the disease in families. Common recurrent variants in the population with modest effect sizes have been also associated with the disease risk and progression. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) support at least 23 genetic risk loci, linking the disease pathogenesis with unexpected molecular pathways including cellular adhesion and signaling, wound healing, barrier function, airway clearance, and innate immunity and host defense, besides the surfactant metabolism and telomere biology. As the cost of high-throughput genomic technologies continuously decreases and new technologies and approaches arise, their widespread use by clinicians and researchers is efficiently contributing to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Here we provide an overview of the genetic factors known to be involved in IPF pathogenesis and discuss how they will continue to further advance in this field. We also discuss how genomic technologies could help to further improve IPF diagnosis and prognosis as well as for assessing genetic risk in unaffected relatives. The development and validation of evidence-based guidelines for genetic-based screening of IPF will allow redefining and classifying this disease relying on molecular characteristics and contribute to the implementation of precision medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitana Alonso-Gonzalez
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Eva Tosco-Herrera
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Maria Molina-Molina
- Servei de Pneumologia, Laboratori de Pneumologia Experimental, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Flores
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Fernando Pessoa Canarias, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- *Correspondence: Carlos Flores,
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21
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Zheng B, Fu J. Telomere dysfunction in some pediatric congenital and growth-related diseases. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1133102. [PMID: 37077333 PMCID: PMC10106694 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1133102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere wear and dysfunction may lead to aging-related diseases. Moreover, increasing evidence show that the occurrence, development, and prognosis of some pediatric diseases are also related to telomere dysfunction. In this review, we systematically analyzed the relationship between telomere biology and some pediatric congenital and growth-related diseases and proposed new theoretical basis and therapeutic targets for the treatment of these diseases.
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22
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Chu CM, Yu HH, Kao TL, Chen YH, Lu HH, Wu ET, Yang YL, Lin CH, Lin SY, Tsai MJM, Chien YH, Hwu WL, Chen WP, Lee NC, Tseng CK. A missense variant in the nuclear localization signal of DKC1 causes Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome. NPJ Genom Med 2022; 7:64. [PMID: 36309505 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-022-00335-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome (HHS) is the most severe form of dyskeratosis congenita (DC) and is caused by mutations in genes involved in telomere maintenance. Here, we identified male siblings from a family with HHS carrying a hemizygous mutation (c.1345C > G, p.R449G), located in the C-terminal nuclear localization signal (NLS) of the DKC1 gene. These patients exhibit progressive cerebellar hypoplasia, recurrent infections, pancytopenia due to bone marrow failure, and short leukocyte telomere lengths. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis suggested defects in the NLRP3 inflammasome in monocytes and the activation and maturation of NK cells and B cells. In experiments using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients, DKC1_R449G iPSCs had short telomere lengths due to reduced levels of human telomerase RNA (hTR) and increased cytosolic proportions of DKC1. Treatment with dihydroquinolizinone RG7834 and 3'deoxyanosine cordycepin rescued telomere length in patient-derived iPSCs. Together, our findings not only provide new insights into immunodeficiency in DC patients but also provide treatment options for telomerase insufficiency disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Mei Chu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hui Yu
- Department of Pediatrics National Taiwan University Children's Hospital Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Ling Kao
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Chen
- Center for Frontier Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Hsuan Lu
- Center for Frontier Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - En-Ting Wu
- Department of Pediatrics National Taiwan University Children's Hospital Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Li Yang
- Department of Pediatrics National Taiwan University Children's Hospital Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Hsien Lin
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Yu Lin
- Depatment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Ju Melody Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics National Taiwan University Children's Hospital Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Hsiu Chien
- Department of Pediatrics National Taiwan University Children's Hospital Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Genetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wuh-Liang Hwu
- Department of Pediatrics National Taiwan University Children's Hospital Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Genetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Pin Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ni-Chung Lee
- Department of Pediatrics National Taiwan University Children's Hospital Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Medical Genetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chi-Kang Tseng
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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23
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Abstract
Germline genetic defects impairing telomere length maintenance may result in severe medical conditions in humans, from aplastic anemia and myeloid neoplasms to interstitial lung disease and liver cirrhosis, from childhood (dyskeratosis congenita) to old age (pulmonary fibrosis). The molecular mechanisms underlying these clinically distinct disorders are pathologically excessive telomere erosion, limiting cell proliferation and differentiation, tissue regeneration, and increasing genomic instability. Recent findings also indicate that telomere shortening imbalances stem cell fate and is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response and the senescent-associated secretory phenotype. Bone marrow failure is the most common phenotype in patients with telomere diseases. Pulmonary fibrosis is a typical phenotype in older patients, and disease progression appears faster than in pulmonary fibrosis not associated with telomeropathies. Liver cirrhosis may present in isolation or in combination with other phenotypes. Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion and may be confirmed by telomere length measurement and genetic testing. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques have improved genetic testing; today, at least 16 genes have been implicated in telomeropathies. NGS also allows tracking of clonal hematopoiesis and malignant transformation. Patients with telomere diseases are at high risk of developing cancers, including myeloid neoplasms and head and neck cancer. However, treatment options are still limited. Transplant modalities (bone marrow, lung, and liver) may be definitive to the respective organ involvement but limited by donor availability, comorbidities, and impact on other affected organs. In clinical trials, androgens elongate telomeres of peripheral blood leukocytes and improve hematopoiesis. Further understanding of how telomere erosion impairs organ function and how somatic mutations evolve in the hematopoietic tissue may help develop new strategies to treat and prevent telomere diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius S Carvalho
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Willian R Gomes
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Calado
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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24
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Batista LFZ, Dokal I, Parker R. Telomere biology disorders: time for moving towards the clinic? Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:882-891. [PMID: 36057525 PMCID: PMC9509473 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are a group of rare diseases caused by mutations that impair telomere maintenance. Mutations that cause reduced levels of TERC/hTR, the telomerase RNA component, are found in most TBD patients and include loss-of-function mutations in hTR itself, in hTR-binding proteins [NOP10, NHP2, NAF1, ZCCHC8, and dyskerin (DKC1)], and in proteins required for hTR processing (PARN). These patients show diverse clinical presentations that most commonly include bone marrow failure (BMF)/aplastic anemia (AA), pulmonary fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. There are no curative therapies for TBD patients. An understanding of hTR biogenesis, maturation, and degradation has identified pathways and pharmacological agents targeting the poly(A) polymerase PAPD5, which adds 3'-oligoadenosine tails to hTR to promote hTR degradation, and TGS1, which modifies the 5'-cap structure of hTR to enhance degradation, as possible therapeutic approaches. Critical next steps will be clinical trials to establish the effectiveness and potential side effects of these compounds in TBD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Z Batista
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Genome Integrity, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Inderjeet Dokal
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Roy Parker
- Department of Biochemistry and Biofrontiers Instiute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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25
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Nagpal N, Tai AK, Nandakumar J, Agarwal S. Domain specific mutations in dyskerin disrupt 3' end processing of scaRNA13. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:9413-9425. [PMID: 36018809 PMCID: PMC9458449 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in DKC1 (encoding dyskerin) cause telomere diseases including dyskeratosis congenita (DC) by decreasing steady-state levels of TERC, the non-coding RNA component of telomerase. How DKC1 mutations variably impact numerous other snoRNAs remains unclear, which is a barrier to understanding disease mechanisms in DC beyond impaired telomere maintenance. Here, using DC patient iPSCs, we show that mutations in the dyskerin N-terminal extension domain (NTE) dysregulate scaRNA13. In iPSCs carrying the del37L NTE mutation or engineered to carry NTE mutations via CRISPR/Cas9, but not in those with C-terminal mutations, we found scaRNA13 transcripts with aberrant 3' extensions, as seen when the exoribonuclease PARN is mutated in DC. Biogenesis of scaRNA13 was rescued by repair of the del37L DKC1 mutation by genome-editing, or genetic or pharmacological inactivation of the polymerase PAPD5, which counteracts PARN. Inspection of the human telomerase cryo-EM structure revealed that in addition to mediating intermolecular dyskerin interactions, the NTE interacts with terminal residues of the associated snoRNA, indicating a role for this domain in 3' end definition. Our results provide mechanistic insights into the interplay of dyskerin and the PARN/PAPD5 axis in the biogenesis and accumulation of snoRNAs beyond TERC, broadening our understanding of ncRNA dysregulation in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Nagpal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital; Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Harvard Stem Cell Institute; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research; Harvard Initiative in RNA Medicine; Boston, MA, USA
| | - Albert K Tai
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Data Intensive Studies Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Jayakrishnan Nandakumar
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Suneet Agarwal
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 617 919 4610; Fax: +1 617 919 3359;
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26
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Dokal I, Tummala H, Vulliamy T. Inherited bone marrow failure in the pediatric patient. Blood 2022; 140:556-570. [PMID: 35605178 PMCID: PMC9373017 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020006481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited bone marrow (BM) failure syndromes are a diverse group of disorders characterized by BM failure, usually in association with ≥1 extrahematopoietic abnormalities. BM failure, which can involve ≥1 cell lineages, often presents in the pediatric age group. Furthermore, some children initially labeled as having idiopathic aplastic anemia or myelodysplasia represent cryptic cases of inherited BM failure. Significant advances in the genetics of these syndromes have been made, identifying more than 100 disease genes, giving insights into normal hematopoiesis and how it is disrupted in patients with BM failure. They have also provided important information on fundamental biological pathways, including DNA repair: Fanconi anemia (FA) genes; telomere maintenance: dyskeratosis congenita (DC) genes; and ribosome biogenesis: Shwachman-Diamond syndrome and Diamond-Blackfan anemia genes. In addition, because these disorders are usually associated with extrahematopoietic abnormalities and increased risk of cancer, they have provided insights into human development and cancer. In the clinic, genetic tests stemming from the recent advances facilitate diagnosis, especially when clinical features are insufficient to accurately classify a disorder. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using fludarabine-based protocols has significantly improved outcomes, particularly in patients with FA or DC. Management of some other complications, such as cancer, remains a challenge. Recent studies have suggested the possibility of new and potentially more efficacious therapies, including a renewed focus on hematopoietic gene therapy and drugs [transforming growth factor-β inhibitors for FA and PAPD5, a human poly(A) polymerase, inhibitors for DC] that target disease-specific defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inderjeet Dokal
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, London, United Kingdom; and
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Barts Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hemanth Tummala
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, London, United Kingdom; and
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Barts Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Vulliamy
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, London, United Kingdom; and
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Barts Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
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27
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Choo S, Lorbeer FK, Regalado SG, Short SB, Wu S, Rieser G, Bertuch AA, Hockemeyer D. Editing TINF2 as a potential therapeutic approach to restore telomere length in dyskeratosis congenita. Blood 2022; 140:608-618. [PMID: 35421215 PMCID: PMC9373014 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021013750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the TINF2 gene, encoding the shelterin protein TIN2, cause telomere shortening and the inherited bone marrow (BM) failure syndrome dyskeratosis congenita (DC). A lack of suitable model systems limits the mechanistic understanding of telomere shortening in the stem cells and thus hinders the development of treatment options for BM failure. Here, we endogenously introduced TIN2-DC mutations in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to dissect the disease mechanism and identify a gene-editing strategy that rescued the disease phenotypes. The hESCs with the T284R disease mutation exhibited the short telomere phenotype observed in DC patients. Yet, telomeres in mutant hESCs did not trigger DNA damage responses at telomeres or show exacerbated telomere shortening when differentiated into telomerase-negative cells. Disruption of the mutant TINF2 allele by introducing a frameshift mutation in exon 2 restored telomere length in stem cells and the replicative potential of differentiated cells. Similarly, we introduced TIN2-DC disease variants in human HSPCs to assess the changes in telomere length and proliferative capacity. Lastly, we showed that editing at exon 2 of TINF2 that restored telomere length in hESCs could be generated in TINF2-DC patient HSPCs. Our study demonstrates a simple genetic intervention that rescues the TIN2-DC disease phenotype in stem cells and provides a versatile platform to assess the efficacy of potential therapeutic approaches in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunga Choo
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Franziska K Lorbeer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Samuel G Regalado
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Sarah B Short
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Shannon Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Gabrielle Rieser
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Alison A Bertuch
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Dirk Hockemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA; and
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
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28
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Tummala H, Walne A, Dokal I. The biology and management of dyskeratosis congenita and related disorders of telomeres. Expert Rev Hematol 2022; 15:685-696. [PMID: 35929966 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2022.2108784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a multisystem syndrome characterized by mucocutaneous abnormalities, bone marrow failure, and predisposition to cancer. Studies over the last 25 years have led to the identification of 18 disease genes. These have a principal role in telomere maintenance, and patients usually have very short/abnormal telomeres. The advances have also led to the unification of DC with a number of other diseases, now collectively referred to as the telomeropathies or telomere biology disorders. WHAT IS COVERED Clinical features, genetics, and biology of the different subtypes. Expert view on diagnosis, treatment of the hematological complications and future. EXPERT VIEW As these are very pleotropic disorders affecting multiple organs, a high index of suspicion is necessary to make the diagnosis. Telomere length measurement and genetic analysis of the disease genes have become useful diagnostic tools. Although hematological defects can respond to danazol/oxymetholone, the only current curative treatment for these is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using fludarabine-based conditioning protocols. New therapies are needed where danazol/oxymetholone is ineffective and HSCT is not feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemanth Tummala
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Amanda Walne
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Inderjeet Dokal
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Department of Haematology, Barts Health, London, UK
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29
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Ma H, Wu X, Li Y, Xia Y. Research Progress in the Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Targets, and Drug Development of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:963054. [PMID: 35935869 PMCID: PMC9349351 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.963054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal interstitial lung disease. Recent studies have identified the key role of crosstalk between dysregulated epithelial cells, mesenchymal, immune, and endothelial cells in IPF. In addition, genetic mutations and environmental factors (e.g., smoking) have also been associated with the development of IPF. With the recent development of sequencing technology, epigenetics, as an intermediate link between gene expression and environmental impacts, has also been reported to be implicated in pulmonary fibrosis. Although the etiology of IPF is unknown, many novel therapeutic targets and agents have emerged from clinical trials for IPF treatment in the past years, and the successful launch of pirfenidone and nintedanib has demonstrated the promising future of anti-IPF therapy. Therefore, we aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and pathogenic factors of IPF, which would be helpful for the diagnosis of IPF, the development of anti-fibrotic drugs, and improving the prognosis of patients with IPF. In this study, we summarized the pathogenic mechanism, therapeutic targets and clinical trials from the perspective of multiple cell types, gene mutations, epigenetic and environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Ma
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuyi Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province/Rehabilitation Medicine Research Institute, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province/Rehabilitation Medicine Research Institute, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Xia
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province/Rehabilitation Medicine Research Institute, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Xia,
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30
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Abstract
Despite excellent vaccines, resurgent outbreaks of hepatitis A have caused thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths within the United States in recent years. There is no effective antiviral therapy for hepatitis A, and many aspects of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) replication cycle remain to be elucidated. Replication requires the zinc finger protein ZCCHC14 and noncanonical TENT4 poly(A) polymerases with which it associates, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, we show that ZCCHC14 and TENT4A/B are required for viral RNA synthesis following translation of the viral genome in infected cells. Cross-linking immunoprecipitation sequencing (CLIP-seq) experiments revealed that ZCCHC14 binds a small stem-loop in the HAV 5' untranslated RNA possessing a Smaug recognition-like pentaloop to which it recruits TENT4. TENT4 polymerases lengthen and stabilize the 3' poly(A) tails of some cellular and viral mRNAs, but the chemical inhibition of TENT4A/B with the dihydroquinolizinone RG7834 had no impact on the length of the HAV 3' poly(A) tail, stability of HAV RNA, or cap-independent translation of the viral genome. By contrast, RG7834 inhibited the incorporation of 5-ethynyl uridine into nascent HAV RNA, indicating that TENT4A/B function in viral RNA synthesis. Consistent with potent in vitro antiviral activity against HAV (IC50 6.11 nM), orally administered RG7834 completely blocked HAV infection in Ifnar1-/- mice, and sharply reduced serum alanine aminotransferase activities, hepatocyte apoptosis, and intrahepatic inflammatory cell infiltrates in mice with acute hepatitis A. These results reveal requirements for ZCCHC14-TENT4A/B in hepatovirus RNA synthesis, and suggest that TENT4A/B inhibitors may be useful for preventing or treating hepatitis A in humans.
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31
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Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of the Novel Hepatitis B Virus Expression Inhibitor GST-HG131 in Healthy Chinese Subjects: a First-in-Human Single- and Multiple-Dose Escalation Trial. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0009422. [PMID: 35404074 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00094-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
GST-HG131, a novel dihydroquinolizinone (DHQ) compound, has been shown to reduce circulating levels of HBsAg in animals. This first-in-human trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of GST-HG131 in healthy Chinese subjects. This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase Ia clinical trial that was conducted in two parts. Part A was a single-ascending-dose (SAD; GST-HG131 10 30, 60, 100, 150, 200, 250 or 300 mg or placebo) study, which also assessed the food effect of GST-HG131 100 mg. Part B was a multiple-ascending-dose (MAD; GST-HG131 30, 60 or 100 mg or placebo BID) study. Tolerability assessments included adverse events, vital signs, 12-lead electrocardiogram, physical examination, and clinical laboratory tests. PK analyses were conducted in blood, urine, and fecal samples. Single doses of GST-HG131 ≤ 300 mg and multiple doses of GST-HG131 ≤ 60 mg were generally safe and well tolerated; however, multiple dosing was stopped at GST-HG131 100 mg, as pre-defined stopping rules specified in the protocol were met (Grade II drug related AEs of nausea and dizziness in >50% of subjects). In the SAD study, median tmax of GST-HG131 was 1-6 h, and t1/2 ranged from 3.88 h to 14.3 h. PK parameters were proportional to dose. Exposure was reduced after food intake. In the MAD study, steady-state was attained on day 4, and there was no apparent plasma accumulation of GST-HG131 on day 7 (Racc < 1.5). In conclusion, GST-HG131 exhibited an acceptable safety profile in healthy subjects at single doses ranging from 10-300 mg and multiple doses (BID) ranging from 30-60 mg, and the MAD doses (30 mg and 60 mg BID) that potentially meet the therapeutic AUC requirements. These findings imply GST-HG131 has potential as a therapeutic option for CHB infection. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT04499443.).
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32
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Rossiello F, Jurk D, Passos JF, d'Adda di Fagagna F. Telomere dysfunction in ageing and age-related diseases. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:135-147. [PMID: 35165420 PMCID: PMC8985209 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00842-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 102.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ageing organisms accumulate senescent cells that are thought to contribute to body dysfunction. Telomere shortening and damage are recognized causes of cellular senescence and ageing. Several human conditions associated with normal ageing are precipitated by accelerated telomere dysfunction. Here, we systematize a large body of evidence and propose a coherent perspective to recognize the broad contribution of telomeric dysfunction to human pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Rossiello
- IFOM Foundation-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Diana Jurk
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - João F Passos
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna
- IFOM Foundation-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation, Milan, Italy.
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), Pavia, Italy.
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33
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Dorgaleleh S, Naghipoor K, Hajimohammadi Z, Dastaviz F, Oladnabi M. Molecular insight of dyskeratosis congenita: Defects in telomere length homeostasis. J Clin Transl Res 2022; 8:20-30. [PMID: 35097237 PMCID: PMC8791241] [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: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare disease and is a heterogenous disorder, with its inheritance patterns as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked recessive. This disorder occurs due to faulty maintenance of telomeres in stem cells. This congenital condition is diagnosed with three symptoms: oral leukoplakia, nail dystrophy, and abnormal skin pigmentation. However, because it has a wide range of symptoms, it may have phenotypes similar to other diseases. For this reason, it is necessary to use methods of measuring the Telomere Length (TL) and determining the shortness of the telomere in these patients so that it can be distinguished from other diseases. Today, the Next Generation Sequencing technique accurately detects mutations in the target genes. AIM This work aims to review and summarize how each of the DC genes is involved in TL, and how to diagnose and differentiate the disease using clinical signs and methods to measure TL. It also offers treatments for DC patients, such as Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Androgen therapy. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS In DC patients, the genes involved in telomere homeostasis are mutated. Because these patients may have an overlapping phenotype with other diseases, it is best to perform whole-exome sequencing after genetics counseling to find the relevant mutation. As DC is a multi-systemic disease, we need to monitor patients frequently through annual lung function tests, ultrasounds, gynecological examinations, and skin examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Dorgaleleh
- 1Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Karim Naghipoor
- 1Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Zahra Hajimohammadi
- 2Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farzad Dastaviz
- 1Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Morteza Oladnabi
- 3Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran,4Gorgan Congenital Malformations Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran,
Corresponding author: Morteza Oladnabi Department of Medical Genetics, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. Tel: +981732459995
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Yuen JSK, Stout AJ, Kawecki NS, Letcher SM, Theodossiou SK, Cohen JM, Barrick BM, Saad MK, Rubio NR, Pietropinto JA, DiCindio H, Zhang SW, Rowat AC, Kaplan DL. Perspectives on scaling production of adipose tissue for food applications. Biomaterials 2022; 280:121273. [PMID: 34933254 PMCID: PMC8725203 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
With rising global demand for food proteins and significant environmental impact associated with conventional animal agriculture, it is important to develop sustainable alternatives to supplement existing meat production. Since fat is an important contributor to meat flavor, recapitulating this component in meat alternatives such as plant based and cell cultured meats is important. Here, we discuss the topic of cell cultured or tissue engineered fat, growing adipocytes in vitro that could imbue meat alternatives with the complex flavor and aromas of animal meat. We outline potential paths for the large scale production of in vitro cultured fat, including adipogenic precursors during cell proliferation, methods to adipogenically differentiate cells at scale, as well as strategies for converting differentiated adipocytes into 3D cultured fat tissues. We showcase the maturation of knowledge and technology behind cell sourcing and scaled proliferation, while also highlighting that adipogenic differentiation and 3D adipose tissue formation at scale need further research. We also provide some potential solutions for achieving adipose cell differentiation and tissue formation at scale based on contemporary research and the state of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S K Yuen
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Andrew J Stout
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - N Stephanie Kawecki
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, 410 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, 610 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sophia M Letcher
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Sophia K Theodossiou
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Julian M Cohen
- W. M. Keck Science Department, Pitzer College, 925 N Mills Ave, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
| | - Brigid M Barrick
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Michael K Saad
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Natalie R Rubio
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Jaymie A Pietropinto
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Hailey DiCindio
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Sabrina W Zhang
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Amy C Rowat
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, 410 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, 610 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tissue Engineering Resource Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
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Galati A, Scatolini L, Micheli E, Bavasso F, Cicconi A, Maccallini P, Chen L, Roake CM, Schoeftner S, Artandi SE, Gatti M, Cacchione S, Raffa GD. The S-adenosylmethionine analog sinefungin inhibits the trimethylguanosine synthase TGS1 to promote telomerase activity and telomere lengthening. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:42-52. [PMID: 34817067 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in many genes that control the expression, the function, or the stability of telomerase cause telomere biology disorders (TBDs), such as dyskeratosis congenita, pulmonary fibrosis, and aplastic anemia. Mutations in a subset of the genes associated with TBDs cause reductions of the telomerase RNA moiety hTR, thus limiting telomerase activity. We have recently found that loss of the trimethylguanosine synthase TGS1 increases both hTR abundance and telomerase activity and leads to telomere elongation. Here, we show that treatment with the S-adenosylmethionine analog sinefungin inhibits TGS1 activity, increases the hTR levels, and promotes telomere lengthening in different cell types. Our results hold promise for restoring telomere length in stem and progenitor cells from TBD patients with reduced hTR levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Galati
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
| | - Livia Scatolini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
| | - Emanuela Micheli
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Bavasso
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cicconi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Maccallini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
| | - Lu Chen
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program-Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caitlin M Roake
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Stefan Schoeftner
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli studi di Trieste, Italy
| | - Steven E Artandi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Maurizio Gatti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Cacchione
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
| | - Grazia D Raffa
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
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Stem cells at odds with telomere maintenance and protection. Trends Cell Biol 2022; 32:527-536. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Bhoopalan SV, Wlodarski M, Reiss U, Triplett B, Sharma A. Reduced-intensity conditioning-based hematopoietic cell transplantation for dyskeratosis congenita: Single-center experience and literature review. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29177. [PMID: 34086408 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone marrow failure in dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) is progressive, and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only curative treatment. However, outcomes after HCT are suboptimal because of mucosal, vascular, pulmonary, and hepatic fragility, which can be exacerbated by chemotherapy conditioning and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). These toxicities can be mitigated by reducing the intensity of the conditioning regimen. PROCEDURES We performed a retrospective analysis on pediatric patients with DKC who underwent HCT at our institution between 2008 and 2019. RESULTS We identified nine patients (median age, 5.7 years) who underwent HCT with a fludarabine-based reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (n = 8), tacrolimus/pentostatin (n = 1), or cyclosporine/MMF (n = 1). The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 19 days (range, 13-26 days), and the median time to platelet engraftment was 18 days (range, 17-43 days). Lung function, as measured by spirometry in six patients, remained stable during post-HCT observation. Six patients (67%) remain alive, with a median follow-up of 73.5 months. CONCLUSION Because of toxicity after myeloablative conditioning, RIC is becoming standard for HCT in DKC. These results suggest that RIC regimen is feasible and safe for patients with DKC and does not accelerate pulmonary damage in the short-to-medium term after HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcin Wlodarski
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Ulrike Reiss
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Brandon Triplett
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Akshay Sharma
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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Maturation and shuttling of the yeast telomerase RNP: assembling something new using recycled parts. Curr Genet 2021; 68:3-14. [PMID: 34476547 PMCID: PMC8801399 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01210-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
As the limiting component of the budding yeast telomerase, the Tlc1 RNA must undergo multiple consecutive modifications and rigorous quality checks throughout its lifecycle. These steps will ensure that only correctly processed and matured molecules are assembled into telomerase complexes that subsequently act at telomeres. The complex pathway of Tlc1 RNA maturation, involving 5'- and 3'-end processing, stabilisation and assembly with the protein subunits, requires at least one nucleo-cytoplasmic passage. Furthermore, it appears that the pathway is tightly coordinated with the association of various and changing proteins, including the export factor Xpo1, the Mex67/Mtr2 complex, the Kap122 importin, the Sm7 ring and possibly the CBC and TREX-1 complexes. Although many of these maturation processes also affect other RNA species, the Tlc1 RNA exploits them in a new combination and, therefore, ultimately follows its own and unique pathway. In this review, we highlight recent new insights in maturation and subcellular shuttling of the budding yeast telomerase RNA and discuss how these events may be fine-tuned by the biochemical characteristics of the varying processing and transport factors as well as the final telomerase components. Finally, we indicate outstanding questions that we feel are important to be addressed for a complete understanding of the telomerase RNA lifecycle and that could have implications for the human telomerase as well.
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Vieri M, Brümmendorf TH, Beier F. Treatment of telomeropathies. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2021; 34:101282. [PMID: 34404536 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2021.101282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Telomeropathies or telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are a group of rare diseases characterised by altered telomere maintenance. Most patients with TBDs show pathogenic variants of genes that encode factors involved in the prevention of telomere shortening. Particularly in adults, TBDs mostly present themselves with heterogeneous clinical features that often include bone marrow failure, hepatopathies, interstitial lung disease and other organ sites. Different degrees of severity are also observed among patients with TBDs, ranging from very severe syndromes manifesting themselves in early childhood, such as Revesz syndrome, Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome, and Coats plus disease, to dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) and adult-onset "cryptic" forms of TBD, which often affect fewer organ systems. Overall, the most relevant clinical complications of TBD are bone marrow failure, lung fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. In this review, we summarise recent advances in the management and treatment of TBD and provide a brief overview of the various treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Vieri
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Germany.
| | - Tim H Brümmendorf
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Germany.
| | - Fabian Beier
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Germany.
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40
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Loh NY, Noordam R, Christodoulides C. Telomere length and metabolic syndrome traits: A Mendelian randomisation study. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13445. [PMID: 34312982 PMCID: PMC8373272 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Observational studies have revealed associations between short leucocyte telomere length (LTL), a TL marker in somatic tissues and multiple Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) traits. Animal studies have supported these findings by showing that increased telomere attrition leads to adipose tissue dysfunction and insulin resistance. We investigated the associations between genetically instrumented LTL and MetS traits using Mendelian Randomisation (MR). Fifty-two independent variants identified at FDR<0.05 from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) including 78,592 Europeans and collectively accounting for 2.93% of LTL variance were selected as genetic instruments for LTL. Summary-level data for MetS traits and for the MetS as a binary phenotype were obtained from the largest publicly available GWAS and two-sample MR analyses were used to estimate the associations of LTL with these traits. The combined effect of the genetic instruments was modelled using inverse variance weighted regression and sensitivity analyses with MR-Egger, weighted-median and MR-PRESSO were performed to test for and correct horizonal pleiotropy. Genetically instrumented longer LTL was associated with higher waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (β = 0.045 SD, SE = 0.018, p = 0.01), raised systolic (β = 1.529 mmHg, SE = 0.332, p = 4x10-6 ) and diastolic (β = 0.633 mmHg, SE = 0.222, p = 0.004) blood pressure, and increased MetS risk (OR = 1.133, 95% CI 1.057-1.215). Consistent results were obtained in sensitivity analyses, which provided no evidence of unbalanced horizontal pleiotropy. Telomere shortening might not be a major driver of cellular senescence and dysfunction in human adipose tissue. Future experimental studies should examine the mechanistic bases for the links between longer LTL and increased upper-body fat distribution and raised blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nellie Y. Loh
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism Radcliffe Department of Medicine University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Raymond Noordam
- Department of Internal Medicine Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Constantinos Christodoulides
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism Radcliffe Department of Medicine University of Oxford Oxford UK
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Abstract
Telomere biology disorders (TBD) are a heterogeneous group of diseases arising from germline mutations affecting genes involved in telomere maintenance. Telomeres are DNA-protein structures at chromosome ends that maintain chromosome stability; their length affects cell replicative potential and senescence. A constellation of bone marrow failure, pulmonary fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and premature greying is suggestive, however incomplete penetrance results in highly variable manifestations, with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as the most common presentation. Currently, the true extent of TBD burden is unknown as there is no established diagnostic criteria and the disorder often is unrecognised and underdiagnosed. There is no gold standard for measuring telomere length and not all TBD-related mutations have been identified. There is no specific cure and the only treatment is organ transplantation, which has poor outcomes. This review summarises the current literature and discusses gaps in understanding and areas of need in managing TBD.
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Chemical inhibition of PAPD5/7 rescues telomerase function and hematopoiesis in dyskeratosis congenita. Blood Adv 2021; 4:2717-2722. [PMID: 32559291 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a pediatric bone marrow failure syndrome caused by germline mutations in telomere biology genes. Mutations in DKC1 (the most commonly mutated gene in DC), the 3' region of TERC, and poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) cause reduced levels of the telomerase RNA component (TERC) by reducing its stability and accelerating TERC degradation. We have previously shown that depleting wild-type DKC1 levels by RNA interference or expression of the disease-associated A353V mutation in the DKC1 gene leads to decay of TERC, modulated by 3'-end oligoadenylation by noncanonical poly(A) polymerase 5 (PAPD5) followed by 3' to 5' degradation by EXOSC10. Furthermore, the constitutive genetic silencing of PAPD5 is sufficient to rescue TERC levels, restore telomerase function, and elongate telomeres in DKC1_A353V mutant human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Here, we tested a novel PAPD5/7 inhibitor (RG7834), which was originally discovered in screens against hepatitis B viral loads in hepatic cells. We found that treatment with RG7834 rescues TERC levels, restores correct telomerase localization in DKC1 and PARN-depleted cells, and is sufficient to elongate telomeres in DKC1_A353V hESCs. Finally, treatment with RG7834 significantly improved definitive hematopoietic potential from DKC1_A353V hESCs, indicating that the chemical inhibition of PAPD5 is a potential therapy for patients with DC and reduced TERC levels.
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Telomeres in Interstitial Lung Disease. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10071384. [PMID: 33808277 PMCID: PMC8037770 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) encompass a group of conditions involving fibrosis and/or inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends which protect against genome instability. At each cell division, telomeres shorten, but the telomerase complex partially counteracts progressive loss of telomeres by catalysing the synthesis of telomeric repeats. Once critical telomere shortening is reached, cell cycle arrest or apoptosis are triggered. Telomeres progressively shorten with age. A number of rare genetic mutations have been identified in genes encoding for components of the telomerase complex, including telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomerase RNA component (TERC), in familial and, less frequently, in sporadic fibrotic ILDs. Defects in telomerase result in extremely short telomeres. More rapidly progressive disease is observed in fibrotic ILD patients with telomere gene mutations, regardless of underlying diagnosis. Associations with common single nucleotide polymorphisms in telomere related genes have also been demonstrated for various ILDs. Shorter peripheral blood telomere lengths compared to age-matched healthy individuals are found in a proportion of patients with fibrotic ILDs, and in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) have been linked to worse survival, independently of disease severity. Greater susceptibility to immunosuppressant-induced side effects in patients with short telomeres has been described in patients with IPF and with fibrotic HP. Here, we discuss recent evidence for the involvement of telomere length and genetic variations in the development, progression, and treatment of fibrotic ILDs.
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Qin J, Autexier C. Regulation of human telomerase RNA biogenesis and localization. RNA Biol 2021; 18:305-315. [PMID: 32813614 PMCID: PMC7954027 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1809196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of telomeres is essential for genome integrity and replicative capacity in eukaryotic cells. Telomerase, the ribonucleoprotein complex that catalyses telomere synthesis is minimally composed of a reverse transcriptase and an RNA component. The sequence and structural domains of human telomerase RNA (hTR) have been extensively characterized, while the regulation of hTR transcription, maturation, and localization, is not fully understood. Here, we provide an up-to-date review of hTR, with an emphasis on current breakthroughs uncovering the mechanisms of hTR maturation and localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Qin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Jewish General Hospital, Lady Davis Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chantal Autexier
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Jewish General Hospital, Lady Davis Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Chakravarti D, LaBella KA, DePinho RA. Telomeres: history, health, and hallmarks of aging. Cell 2021; 184:306-322. [PMID: 33450206 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The escalating social and economic burden of an aging world population has placed aging research at center stage. The hallmarks of aging comprise diverse molecular mechanisms and cellular systems that are interrelated and act in concert to drive the aging process. Here, through the lens of telomere biology, we examine how telomere dysfunction may amplify or drive molecular biological processes underlying each hallmark of aging and contribute to development of age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer. The intimate link of telomeres to aging hallmarks informs preventive and therapeutic interventions designed to attenuate aging itself and reduce the incidence of age-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepavali Chakravarti
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kyle A LaBella
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Grill S, Nandakumar J. Molecular mechanisms of telomere biology disorders. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100064. [PMID: 33482595 PMCID: PMC7948428 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.014017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic mutations that affect telomerase function or telomere maintenance result in a variety of diseases collectively called telomeropathies. This wide spectrum of disorders, which include dyskeratosis congenita, pulmonary fibrosis, and aplastic anemia, is characterized by severely short telomeres, often resulting in hematopoietic stem cell failure in the most severe cases. Recent work has focused on understanding the molecular basis of these diseases. Mutations in the catalytic TERT and TR subunits of telomerase compromise activity, while others, such as those found in the telomeric protein TPP1, reduce the recruitment of telomerase to the telomere. Mutant telomerase-associated proteins TCAB1 and dyskerin and the telomerase RNA maturation component poly(A)-specific ribonuclease affect the maturation and stability of telomerase. In contrast, disease-associated mutations in either CTC1 or RTEL1 are more broadly associated with telomere replication defects. Yet even with the recent surge in studies decoding the mechanisms underlying these diseases, a significant proportion of dyskeratosis congenita mutations remain uncharacterized or poorly understood. Here we review the current understanding of the molecular basis of telomeropathies and highlight experimental data that illustrate how genetic mutations drive telomere shortening and dysfunction in these patients. This review connects insights from both clinical and molecular studies to create a comprehensive view of the underlying mechanisms that drive these diseases. Through this, we emphasize recent advances in therapeutics and pinpoint disease-associated variants that remain poorly defined in their mechanism of action. Finally, we suggest future avenues of research that will deepen our understanding of telomere biology and telomere-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherilyn Grill
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jayakrishnan Nandakumar
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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Block TM, Young JAT, Javanbakht H, Sofia MJ, Zhou T. Host RNA quality control as a hepatitis B antiviral target. Antiviral Res 2020; 186:104972. [PMID: 33242518 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of the host RNA polyadenylating polymerases, PAPD5 and PAPD7 (PAPD5/7), with dihydroquinolizinone, a small orally available, molecule, results in a rapid and selective degradation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA, and hence reduction in the amounts of viral gene products. DHQ, is a first in class investigational agent and could represent an entirely new category of HBV antivirals. PAPD5 and PAPD7 are non-canonical, cell specified, polyadenylating polymerases, also called terminal nucleotidyl transferases 4B and 4A (TENT4B/A), respectively. They are involved in the degradation of poor-quality cell transcripts, mostly non-coding RNAs and in the maturation of a sub-set of transcripts. They also appear to play a role in shielding some mRNA from degradation. The results of studies with DHQ, along with other recent findings, provide evidence that repression of the PAPD5/7 arm of the cell "RNA quality control" pathway, causes a profound (multi-fold) reduction rather than increase, in the amount of HBV pre-genomic, pre-core and HBsAg mRNA levels in tissue culture and animal models, as well. In this review we will briefly discuss the need for new HBV therapeutics and provide background about HBV transcription. We also discuss cellular degradation of host transcripts, as it relates to a new family of anti-HBV drugs that interfere with these processes. Finally, since HBV mRNA maturation appears to be selectively sensitive to PAPD5/7 inhibition in hepatocytes, we discuss the possibility of targeting host RNA "quality control" as an antiviral strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John A T Young
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Hassan Javanbakht
- SQZ Biotechnologies, 200 Arsenal Yards Blvd, Suite 210, Watertown, MA, 02472, USA.
| | - Michael J Sofia
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA, 18974, USA.
| | - Tianlun Zhou
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA.
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Yu C, Ding S. Therapeutic strategies targeting somatic stem cells: Chemical approaches. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115824. [PMID: 33126088 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115824] [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: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic modulation of fate and behavior of somatic stem cells can generate safe and functional cells ex vivo for cell-based therapy, or to repair and regenerate damaged tissues in vivo. Chemical approaches involving small molecules have provided promising approaches for modulating cellular fate and function. These strategies offer opportunities that support regenerative medicine. Here, we discuss strategies targeting somatic stem cells through chemical approaches, highlighting their progression as well as future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yu
- Institute of Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Sheng Ding
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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49
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End Products of Telomere Research. Cell Stem Cell 2020; 26:804-805. [PMID: 32502401 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Most rare inherited telomere biology disorders and some common aging-related diseases are associated with shortened telomeres. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, insights into one of the rarest genetic causes of these disorders led to the discovery (Nagpal et al., 2020) of small molecules that lengthen telomeres.
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50
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Nagpal N, Agarwal S. Telomerase RNA processing: Implications for human health and disease. Stem Cells 2020; 38:10.1002/stem.3270. [PMID: 32875693 PMCID: PMC7917152 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are composed of repetitive DNA sequences that are replenished by the enzyme telomerase to maintain the self-renewal capacity of stem cells. The RNA component of human telomerase (TERC) is the essential template for repeat addition by the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), and also serves as a scaffold for several factors comprising the telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP). Unique features of TERC regulation and function have been informed not only through biochemical studies but also through human genetics. Disease-causing mutations impact TERC biogenesis at several levels including RNA transcription, post-transcriptional processing, folding, RNP assembly, and trafficking. Defects in TERC reduce telomerase activity and impair telomere maintenance, thereby causing a spectrum of degenerative diseases called telomere biology disorders (TBDs). Deciphering mechanisms of TERC dysregulation have led to a broader understanding of noncoding RNA biology, and more recently points to new therapeutic strategies for TBDs. In this review, we summarize over two decades of work revealing mechanisms of human telomerase RNA biogenesis, and how its disruption causes human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Nagpal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Initiative for RNA Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Suneet Agarwal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Initiative for RNA Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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