1
|
Zhang K, Aung T, Yao E, Chuang PT. Lung patterning: Is a distal-to-proximal gradient of cell allocation and fate decision a general paradigm?: A gradient of distal-to-proximal distribution and differentiation of tip progenitors produces distinct compartments in the lung. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300083. [PMID: 38010492 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300083] [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: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies support a model in which the progeny of SOX9+ epithelial progenitors at the distal tip of lung branches undergo cell allocation and differentiation sequentially along the distal-to-proximal axis. Concomitant with the elongation and ramification of lung branches, the descendants of the distal SOX9+ progenitors are distributed proximally, express SOX2, and differentiate into cell types in the conducting airways. Amid subsequent sacculation, the distal SOX9+ progenitors generate alveolar epithelial cells to form alveoli. Sequential cell allocation and differentiation are integrated with the branching process to generate a functional branching organ. This review focuses on the roles of SOX9+ cells as precursors for new branches, as the source of various cell types in the conducting airways, and as progenitors of the alveolar epithelium. All of these processes are controlled by multiple signaling pathways. Many mouse mutants with defective lung branching contain underlying defects in one or more steps of cell allocation and differentiation of SOX9+ progenitors. This model provides a framework to understand the molecular basis of lung phenotypes and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of lung patterning. It builds a foundation on which comparing and contrasting the mechanisms employed by different branching organs in diverse species can be made.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Zhang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thin Aung
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Erica Yao
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Pao-Tien Chuang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Assoni G, La Pietra V, Digilio R, Ciani C, Licata NV, Micaelli M, Facen E, Tomaszewska W, Cerofolini L, Pérez-Ràfols A, Varela Rey M, Fragai M, Woodhoo A, Marinelli L, Arosio D, Bonomo I, Provenzani A, Seneci P. HuR-targeted agents: An insight into medicinal chemistry, biophysical, computational studies and pharmacological effects on cancer models. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114088. [PMID: 34942276 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Human antigen R (HuR) protein is an RNA-binding protein, ubiquitously expressed in human tissues, that orchestrates target RNA maturation and processing both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. A survey of known modulators of the RNA-HuR interactions is followed by a description of its structure and molecular mechanism of action - RRM domains, interactions with RNA, dimerization, binding modes with naturally occurring and synthetic HuR inhibitors. Then, the review focuses on HuR as a validated molecular target in oncology and briefly describes its role in inflammation. Namely, we show ample evidence for the involvement of HuR in the hallmarks and enabling characteristics of cancer, reporting findings from in vitro and in vivo studies; and we provide abundant experimental proofs of a beneficial role for the inhibition of HuR-mRNA interactions through silencing (CRISPR, siRNA) or pharmacological inhibition (small molecule HuR inhibitors).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Assoni
- Chemistry Department, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milan, Italy; Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Valeria La Pietra
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosangela Digilio
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Caterina Ciani
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Nausicaa Valentina Licata
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Micaelli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Elisa Facen
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Weronika Tomaszewska
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Linda Cerofolini
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Interuniversity Consortium for Magnetic Resonance of Metalloproteins (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Anna Pérez-Ràfols
- Giotto Biotech S.R.L., Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Marta Varela Rey
- Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marco Fragai
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Interuniversity Consortium for Magnetic Resonance of Metalloproteins (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Ashwin Woodhoo
- Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Functional Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Galician Agency of Innovation (GAIN), Xunta de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160 Derio, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao 48013, Spain
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Arosio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "G. Natta" (SCITEC), National Research Council (CNR), Via C. Golgi 19, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Isabelle Bonomo
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Provenzani
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy.
| | - Pierfausto Seneci
- Chemistry Department, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ameis D, Liu F, Kirby E, Patel D, Keijzer R. The RNA-binding protein Quaking regulates multiciliated and basal cell abundance in the developing lung. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 320:L557-L567. [PMID: 33438508 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00481.2019] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) form complexes with RNA, changing how the RNA is processed and thereby regulating gene expression. RBPs are important sources of gene regulation during organogenesis, including the development of lungs. The RBP called Quaking (QK) is critical for embryogenesis, yet it has not been studied in the developing lung. Here, we show that QK is widely expressed during rat lung development and into adulthood. The QK isoforms QK5 and QK7 colocalize to the nuclei of nearly all lung cells. QK6 is present in the nuclei and cytoplasm of mesenchymal cells and is only present in the epithelium during branching morphogenesis. QK knockdown in embryonic lung explants caused a greater number of multiciliated cells to appear in the airways, at the expense of basal cells. The mRNA of multiciliated cell genes and the abundance of FOXJ1/SOX2+ cells increased after knockdown, whereas P63/SOX2+ cells decreased. The cytokine IL-6, a known regulator of multiciliated cell differentiation, had increased mRNA levels after QK knockdown, although protein levels remained unchanged. Further studies are necessary to confirm whether QK acts as a blocker for the IL-6-induced differentiation of basal cells into multiciliated cells, and a conditional QK knockout would likely lead to additional discoveries on QK's role during lung development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Ameis
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatrics & Child Health and Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Biology of Breathing Theme, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Franklin Liu
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatrics & Child Health and Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Biology of Breathing Theme, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Eimear Kirby
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatrics & Child Health and Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Biology of Breathing Theme, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Daywin Patel
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatrics & Child Health and Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Biology of Breathing Theme, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Richard Keijzer
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatrics & Child Health and Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Biology of Breathing Theme, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lourou N, Gavriilidis M, Kontoyiannis DL. Lessons from studying the AU-rich elements in chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. J Autoimmun 2019; 104:102334. [PMID: 31604649 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AU-rich elements (AREs) comprise one of the most widely studied families of regulatory RNA structures met in RNAs engaged in complex immunological reactions. A multitude of genetic, molecular, holistic and functional studies have been utilized for the analyses of the AREs and their interactions to proteins that bind to them. Data stemming from these studies brought forth a world of RNA-related check-points against infection, chronic inflammation, tumor associated immunity, and autoimmunity; and the interest to capitalize the interactions of AREs for clinical management and therapy. They also provided lessons on the cellular capabilities of post-transcriptional control. Originally thought as transcript-restricted regulators of turnover and translation, ARE-binding proteins do in fact harbor great versatility and interactivity across nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments; and act as functional coordinators of immune-cellular programs. Harnessing these deterministic functions requires extensive knowledge of their synergies or antagonisms at a cell-specific level; but holds great promise since it can provide the efficacy of combinatorial therapies with single agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niki Lourou
- School of Biology, Department of Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maxim Gavriilidis
- School of Biology, Department of Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Division of Immunology, Alexander Fleming Biomedical Sciences Research Center, Greece
| | - Dimitris L Kontoyiannis
- School of Biology, Department of Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Division of Immunology, Alexander Fleming Biomedical Sciences Research Center, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lal S, Cheung EC, Zarei M, Preet R, Chand SN, Mambelli-Lisboa NC, Romeo C, Stout MC, Londin E, Goetz A, Lowder CY, Nevler A, Yeo CJ, Campbell PM, Winter JM, Dixon DA, Brody JR. CRISPR Knockout of the HuR Gene Causes a Xenograft Lethal Phenotype. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:696-707. [PMID: 28242812 PMCID: PMC5466444 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-16-0361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, whereas colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. The RNA-binding protein HuR (ELAVL1) supports a pro-oncogenic network in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer cells through enhanced HuR expression. Using a publically available database, HuR expression levels were determined to be increased in primary PDA and colorectal cancer tumor cohorts as compared with normal pancreas and colon tissues, respectively. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was successfully used to delete the HuR gene in both PDA (MIA PaCa-2 and Hs 766T) and colorectal cancer (HCT116) cell lines. HuR deficiency has a mild phenotype, in vitro, as HuR-deficient MIA PaCa-2 (MIA.HuR-KO(-/-)) cells had increased apoptosis when compared with isogenic wild-type (MIA.HuR-WT(+/+)) cells. Using this isogenic system, mRNAs were identified that specifically bound to HuR and were required for transforming a two-dimensional culture into three dimensional (i.e., organoids). Importantly, HuR-deficient MIA PaCa-2 and Hs 766T cells were unable to engraft tumors in vivo compared with control HuR-proficient cells, demonstrating a unique xenograft lethal phenotype. Although not as a dramatic phenotype, CRISPR knockout HuR HCT116 colon cancer cells (HCT.HuR-KO(-/-)) showed significantly reduced in vivo tumor growth compared with controls (HCT.HuR-WT(+/+)). Finally, HuR deletion affects KRAS activity and controls a subset of pro-oncogenic genes.Implications: The work reported here supports the notion that targeting HuR is a promising therapeutic strategy to treat GI malignancies. Mol Cancer Res; 15(6); 696-707. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Lal
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Edwin C Cheung
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mahsa Zarei
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ranjan Preet
- Department of Cancer Biology and University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Saswati N Chand
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole C Mambelli-Lisboa
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Carmella Romeo
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthew C Stout
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric Londin
- Computational Medicine Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Austin Goetz
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Cinthya Y Lowder
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Avinoam Nevler
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Charles J Yeo
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Paul M Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jordan M Winter
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Dan A Dixon
- Department of Cancer Biology and University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
| | - Jonathan R Brody
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yin Y, Castro AM, Hoekstra M, Yan TJ, Kanakamedala AC, Dehner LP, Hill DA, Ornitz DM. Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 Regulation by MicroRNAs Controls Lung Development and Links DICER1 Loss to the Pathogenesis of Pleuropulmonary Blastoma. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005242. [PMID: 25978641 PMCID: PMC4433140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB) is the primary neoplastic manifestation of a pediatric cancer predisposition syndrome that is associated with several diseases including cystic nephroma, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma, and ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor. The primary pathology of PPB, epithelial cysts with stromal hyperplasia and risk for progression to a complex primitive sarcoma, is associated with familial heterozygosity and lesion-associated epithelial loss-of-heterozygosity of DICER1. It has been hypothesized that loss of heterozygosity of DICER1 in lung epithelium is a non-cell autonomous etiology of PPB and a critical pathway that regulates lung development; however, there are no known direct targets of epithelial microRNAs (miRNAs) in the lung. Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 (FGF9) is expressed in the mesothelium and epithelium during lung development and primarily functions to regulate lung mesenchyme; however, there are no known mechanisms that regulate FGF9 expression during lung development. Using mouse genetics and molecular phenotyping of human PPB tissue, we show that FGF9 is overexpressed in lung epithelium in the initial multicystic stage of Type I PPB and that in mice lacking epithelial Dicer1, or induced to overexpress epithelial Fgf9, increased Fgf9 expression results in pulmonary mesenchymal hyperplasia and a multicystic architecture that is histologically and molecularly indistinguishable from Type I PPB. We further show that miR-140 is expressed in lung epithelium, regulates epithelial Fgf9 expression, and regulates pseudoglandular stages of lung development. These studies identify an essential miRNA-FGF9 pathway for lung development and a non-cell autonomous signaling mechanism that contributes to the mesenchymal hyperplasia that is characteristic of Type I PPB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Yin
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Angela M. Castro
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Marrit Hoekstra
- Department of Pathology, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Yan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ajay C. Kanakamedala
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Louis P. Dehner
- Lauren V. Ackerman Division of Surgical Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - D. Ashley Hill
- Lauren V. Ackerman Division of Surgical Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DAH); (DMO)
| | - David M. Ornitz
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DAH); (DMO)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zago M, Sheridan JA, Nair P, Rico de Souza A, Gallouzi IE, Rousseau S, Di Marco S, Hamid Q, Eidelman DH, Baglole CJ. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent retention of nuclear HuR suppresses cigarette smoke-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression independent of DNA-binding. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74953. [PMID: 24086407 PMCID: PMC3785509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor that responds to man-made environmental toxicants, has emerged as an endogenous regulator of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) by a mechanism that is poorly understood. In this study, we first used AhR-deficient (AhR−/−) primary pulmonary cells, together with pharmacological tools to inhibit new RNA synthesis, to show that the AhR is a prominent factor in the destabilization of Cox-2 mRNA. The destabilization of Cox-2 mRNA and subsequent suppression of cigarette smoke-induced COX-2 protein expression by the AhR was independent of its ability to bind the dioxin response element (DRE), thereby differentiating the DRE-driven toxicological AhR pathway from its anti-inflammatory abilities. We further describe that the AhR destabilizes Cox-2 mRNA by sequestering HuR within the nucleus. The role of HuR in AhR stabilization of Cox-2 mRNA was confirmed by knockdown of HuR, which resulted in rapid Cox-2 mRNA degradation. Finally, in the lungs of AhR−/− mice exposed to cigarette smoke, there was little Cox-2 mRNA despite robust COX-2 protein expression, a finding that correlates with almost exclusive cytoplasmic HuR within the lungs of AhR−/− mice. Therefore, we propose that the AhR plays an important role in suppressing the expression of inflammatory proteins, a function that extends beyond the ability of the AhR to respond to man-made toxicants. These findings open the possibility that a DRE-independent AhR pathway may be exploited therapeutically as an anti-inflammatory target.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Azo Compounds/pharmacology
- Cell Nucleus/drug effects
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Cells, Cultured
- Cyclooxygenase 2/genetics
- Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism
- DNA/metabolism
- ELAV Proteins/metabolism
- Fibroblasts/drug effects
- Fibroblasts/enzymology
- Fibroblasts/pathology
- Humans
- Lung/pathology
- Mice
- Models, Biological
- Prostaglandins/biosynthesis
- Protein Binding/drug effects
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Protein Transport/drug effects
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- RNA Stability/drug effects
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/chemistry
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/deficiency
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Smoking/adverse effects
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Zago
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Parameswaran Nair
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela Rico de Souza
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Imed-Eddine Gallouzi
- Department of Biochemistry and the Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Simon Rousseau
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sergio Di Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and the Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Qutayba Hamid
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David H. Eidelman
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Carolyn J. Baglole
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yan W, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Cho SJ, Chen X. HuR is necessary for mammary epithelial cell proliferation and polarity at least in part via ΔNp63. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45336. [PMID: 23028944 PMCID: PMC3445479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
HuR, a RNA binding protein, is known to function as a tumor maintenance gene in breast cancer and associated with tumor growth and poor prognosis. However, the cellular function of this protein remains largely unknown in normal mammary epithelial cells. Here, we showed that in immortalized MCF10A mammary epithelial cells, HuR knockdown inhibits cell proliferation and enhances premature senescence. We also showed that in three-dimensional culture, MCF10A cells with HuR knockdown form abnormal acini with filled lumen and an aberrant expression pattern of the extracellular matrix protein laminin V. In addition, we showed that HuR knockdown increases ΔNp63, but decreases wild-type p53, expression in MCF10A cells. Moreover, we showed that ΔNp63 knockdown partially rescues the proliferative defect induced by HuR knockdown in MCF10A cells. Consistent with this, we identified two U-rich elements in the 3'-untranslated region of p63 mRNA, to which HuR specifically binds. Finally, we showed that HuR knockdown enhances ΔNp63 mRNA translation but has no effect on p63 mRNA turnover. Together, our data suggest that HuR maintains cell proliferation and polarity of mammary epithelial cells at least in part via ΔNp63.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wensheng Yan
- Comparative Oncology Laboratory, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Yanhong Zhang
- Comparative Oncology Laboratory, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Jin Zhang
- Comparative Oncology Laboratory, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Seong-Jun Cho
- Comparative Oncology Laboratory, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Xinbin Chen
- Comparative Oncology Laboratory, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kafasla P, Karakasiliotis I, Kontoyiannis DL. Decoding the functions of post-transcriptional regulators in the determination of inflammatory states: focus on macrophage activation. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2012; 4:509-23. [PMID: 22761012 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation involves a continuum of intercellular interactions and cellular responses targeting infectious or tissue damage while maintaining homeostasis. At its core, this continuum encompasses the alternating phenotypes of innate immune cells; each phenotype is typified by the expression of molecules which either support host defence or aid tissue restoration and the resolution of inflammation. The aberrant persistence of any such phenotype can drive chronic inflammatory pathology. For macrophages, these phenotypes arise as changes in cellular plasticity because of adaptation. As such their underlying gene expression programs may not be determined by robust transcriptomic and epigenetic programs but by more flexible means like post-transcriptional mechanisms affecting mRNA use. These mechanisms require the assemblies of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and non-coding RNAs onto specific elements on their RNA targets in Ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs) which control mRNA maturation, turnover and translation. The collection of RNPs within a cell defines the ribonome, that is, a high order system of coordinative post-transcriptional determination. mRNAs involved in the definition of different macrophage activation phenotypes share elements of RBP recognition rendering them amenable to ribonomic regulation. The molecular features of their cognitive RBPs and the pathologies developing in the corresponding mouse mutants support their involvement in inflammatory reactions. We view this information in the context of macrophage activation states to propose that these states can be determined via differential--synergistic or antagonistic--RNP associations. In doing so, we substantiate the need for the use of systems platforms to model RNP hierarchies controlling the continuum of inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Kafasla
- Institute of Immunology, Biomedical Sciences Research Center Alexander Fleming, Vari, Greece
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rawlins EL, Perl AK. The a"MAZE"ing world of lung-specific transgenic mice. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2011; 46:269-82. [PMID: 22180870 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2011-0372ps] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to give a comprehensive overview of transgenic mouse lines suitable for studying gene function and cellular lineage relationships in lung development, homeostasis, injury, and repair. Many of the mouse strains reviewed in this Perspective have been widely shared within the lung research community, and new strains are continuously being developed. There are many transgenic lines that target subsets of lung cells, but it remains a challenge for investigators to select the correct transgenic modules for their experiment. This review covers the tetracycline- and tamoxifen-inducible systems and focuses on conditional lines that target the epithelial cells. We point out the limitations of each strain so investigators can choose the system that will work best for their scientific question. Current mesenchymal and endothelial lines are limited by the fact that they are not lung specific. These lines are summarized in a brief overview. In addition, useful transgenic reporter mice for studying lineage relationships, promoter activity, and signaling pathways will complete our lung-specific conditional transgenic mouse shopping list.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Rawlins
- Children's Hospital Medical Center, Divisions of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|