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Yang D, Jian Z, Tang C, Chen Z, Zhou Z, Zheng L, Peng X. Zebrafish Congenital Heart Disease Models: Opportunities and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5943. [PMID: 38892128 PMCID: PMC11172925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115943] [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: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are common human birth defects. Genetic mutations potentially cause the exhibition of various pathological phenotypes associated with CHDs, occurring alone or as part of certain syndromes. Zebrafish, a model organism with a strong molecular conservation similar to humans, is commonly used in studies on cardiovascular diseases owing to its advantageous features, such as a similarity to human electrophysiology, transparent embryos and larvae for observation, and suitability for forward and reverse genetics technology, to create various economical and easily controlled zebrafish CHD models. In this review, we outline the pros and cons of zebrafish CHD models created by genetic mutations associated with single defects and syndromes and the underlying pathogenic mechanism of CHDs discovered in these models. The challenges of zebrafish CHD models generated through gene editing are also discussed, since the cardiac phenotypes resulting from a single-candidate pathological gene mutation in zebrafish might not mirror the corresponding human phenotypes. The comprehensive review of these zebrafish CHD models will facilitate the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of CHDs and offer new opportunities for their treatments and intervention strategies.
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Coppola U, Kenney J, Waxman JS. A Foxf1-Wnt-Nr2f1 cascade promotes atrial cardiomyocyte differentiation in zebrafish. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.13.584759. [PMID: 38558972 PMCID: PMC10980076 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.13.584759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Nr2f transcription factors (TFs) are conserved regulators of vertebrate atrial cardiomyocyte (AC) differentiation. However, little is known about the mechanisms directing Nr2f expression in ACs. Here, we identified a conserved enhancer 3' to the nr2f1a locus, which we call 3'reg1-nr2f1a (3'reg1), that can promote Nr2f1a expression in ACs. Sequence analysis of the enhancer identified putative Lef/Tcf and Foxf TF binding sites. Mutation of the Lef/Tcf sites within the 3'reg1 reporter, knockdown of Tcf7l1a, and manipulation of canonical Wnt signaling support that Tcf7l1a is derepressed via Wnt signaling to activate the transgenic enhancer and promote AC differentiation. Similarly, mutation of the Foxf binding sites in the 3'reg1 reporter, coupled with gain- and loss-of-function analysis supported that Foxf1 promotes expression of the enhancer and AC differentiation. Functionally, we find that Wnt signaling acts downstream of Foxf1 to promote expression of the 3'reg1 reporter within ACs and, importantly, both Foxf1 and Wnt signaling require Nr2f1a to promote a surplus of differentiated ACs. CRISPR-mediated deletion of the endogenous 3'reg1 abrogates the ability of Foxf1 and Wnt signaling to produce surplus ACs in zebrafish embryos. Together, our data support that downstream members of a conserved regulatory network involving Wnt signaling and Foxf1 function on a nr2f1a enhancer to promote AC differentiation in the zebrafish heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Coppola
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jennifer Kenney
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joshua S. Waxman
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Developmental Biology Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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3
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Chowdhury G, Umeda K, Ohyanagi T, Nasu K, Yamasu K. Involvement of nr2f genes in brain regionalization and eye development during early zebrafish development. Dev Growth Differ 2024; 66:145-160. [PMID: 38263801 PMCID: PMC11457503 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12912] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F (Nr2f) proteins are essential for brain development in mice, but little is known about their precise roles and their evolutionary diversification. In the present study, the expression patterns of major nr2f genes (nr2f1a, nr2f1b, and nr2f2) during early brain development were investigated in zebrafish. Comparisons of their expression patterns revealed similar but temporally and spatially distinct patterns after early somite stages in the brain. Frameshift mutations in the three nr2f genes, achieved using the CRISPR/Cas9 method, resulted in a smaller telencephalon and smaller eyes in the nr2f1a mutants; milder forms of those defects were present in the nr2f1b and nr2f2 mutants. Acridine orange staining revealed enhanced cell death in the brain and/or eyes in all nr2f homozygous mutants. The expression of regional markers in the brain did not suggest global defects in brain regionalization; however, shha expression in the preoptic area and hypothalamus, as well as fgf8a expression in the anterior telencephalon, was disturbed in nr2f1a and nr2f1b mutants, potentially leading to a defective telencephalon. Specification of the retina and optic stalk was also significantly affected. The overexpression of nr2f1b by injection of mRNA disrupted the anterior brain at a high dose, and the expression of pax6a in the eyes and fgf8a in the telencephalon at a low dose. The results of these loss- and gain-of-function approaches showed that nr2f genes regulate the development of the telencephalon and eyes in zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazlima Chowdhury
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
- Department of Aquatic Environment and Resource ManagementSher‐e‐Bangla Agricultural UniversityDhakaBangladesh
| | - Koto Umeda
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
| | - Takero Ohyanagi
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
| | - Kouhei Nasu
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
| | - Kyo Yamasu
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
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Odogwu NM, Hagen C, Nelson TJ. Transcriptome studies of congenital heart diseases: identifying current gaps and therapeutic frontiers. Front Genet 2023; 14:1278747. [PMID: 38152655 PMCID: PMC10751320 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1278747] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) are genetically complex and comprise a wide range of structural defects that often predispose to - early heart failure, a common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Transcriptome studies of CHD in human pediatric patients indicated a broad spectrum of diverse molecular signatures across various types of CHD. In order to advance research on congenital heart diseases (CHDs), we conducted a detailed review of transcriptome studies on this topic. Our analysis identified gaps in the literature, with a particular focus on the cardiac transcriptome signatures found in various biological specimens across different types of CHDs. In addition to translational studies involving human subjects, we also examined transcriptomic analyses of CHDs in a range of model systems, including iPSCs and animal models. We concluded that RNA-seq technology has revolutionized medical research and many of the discoveries from CHD transcriptome studies draw attention to biological pathways that concurrently open the door to a better understanding of cardiac development and related therapeutic avenue. While some crucial impediments to perfectly studying CHDs in this context remain obtaining pediatric cardiac tissue samples, phenotypic variation, and the lack of anatomical/spatial context with model systems. Combining model systems, RNA-seq technology, and integrating algorithms for analyzing transcriptomic data at both single-cell and high throughput spatial resolution is expected to continue uncovering unique biological pathways that are perturbed in CHDs, thus facilitating the development of novel therapy for congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nkechi Martina Odogwu
- Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Clinton Hagen
- Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Timothy J. Nelson
- Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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Gafranek JT, D'Aniello E, Ravisankar P, Thakkar K, Vagnozzi RJ, Lim HW, Salomonis N, Waxman JS. Sinus venosus adaptation models prolonged cardiovascular disease and reveals insights into evolutionary transitions of the vertebrate heart. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5509. [PMID: 37679366 PMCID: PMC10485058 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41184-y] [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: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
How two-chambered hearts in basal vertebrates have evolved from single-chamber hearts found in ancestral chordates remains unclear. Here, we show that the teleost sinus venosus (SV) is a chamber-like vessel comprised of an outer layer of smooth muscle cells. We find that in adult zebrafish nr2f1a mutants, which lack atria, the SV comes to physically resemble the thicker bulbus arteriosus (BA) at the arterial pole of the heart through an adaptive, hypertensive response involving smooth muscle proliferation due to aberrant hemodynamic flow. Single cell transcriptomics show that smooth muscle and endothelial cell populations within the adapting SV also take on arterial signatures. Bulk transcriptomics of the blood sinuses flanking the tunicate heart reinforce a model of greater equivalency in ancestral chordate BA and SV precursors. Our data simultaneously reveal that secondary complications from congenital heart defects can develop in adult zebrafish similar to those in humans and that the foundation of equivalency between flanking auxiliary vessels may remain latent within basal vertebrate hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T Gafranek
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Enrico D'Aniello
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Padmapriyadarshini Ravisankar
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Kairavee Thakkar
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Ronald J Vagnozzi
- Division of Cardiology, Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation (CFReT), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Hee-Woong Lim
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Nathan Salomonis
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
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Martin KE, Ravisankar P, Beerens M, MacRae CA, Waxman JS. Nr2f1a maintains atrial nkx2.5 expression to repress pacemaker identity within venous atrial cardiomyocytes of zebrafish. eLife 2023; 12:e77408. [PMID: 37184369 PMCID: PMC10185342 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77408] [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: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of cardiomyocyte identity is vital for normal heart development and function. However, our understanding of cardiomyocyte plasticity remains incomplete. Here, we show that sustained expression of the zebrafish transcription factor Nr2f1a prevents the progressive acquisition of ventricular cardiomyocyte (VC) and pacemaker cardiomyocyte (PC) identities within distinct regions of the atrium. Transcriptomic analysis of flow-sorted atrial cardiomyocytes (ACs) from nr2f1a mutant zebrafish embryos showed increased VC marker gene expression and altered expression of core PC regulatory genes, including decreased expression of nkx2.5, a critical repressor of PC differentiation. At the arterial (outflow) pole of the atrium in nr2f1a mutants, cardiomyocytes resolve to VC identity within the expanded atrioventricular canal. However, at the venous (inflow) pole of the atrium, there is a progressive wave of AC transdifferentiation into PCs across the atrium toward the arterial pole. Restoring Nkx2.5 is sufficient to repress PC marker identity in nr2f1a mutant atria and analysis of chromatin accessibility identified an Nr2f1a-dependent nkx2.5 enhancer expressed in the atrial myocardium directly adjacent to PCs. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of the putative nkx2.5 enhancer leads to a loss of Nkx2.5-expressing ACs and expansion of a PC reporter, supporting that Nr2f1a limits PC differentiation within venous ACs via maintaining nkx2.5 expression. The Nr2f-dependent maintenance of AC identity within discrete atrial compartments may provide insights into the molecular etiology of concurrent structural congenital heart defects and associated arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall E Martin
- Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Padmapriyadarshini Ravisankar
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Manu Beerens
- Divisions of Cardiovascular Medicine, Genetics and Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Calum A MacRae
- Divisions of Cardiovascular Medicine, Genetics and Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
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Wang H, Lin X, Wang Z, He S, Dong B, Lyu G. Differential lncRNA/mRNA expression profiling and ceRNA network analyses in amniotic fluid from foetuses with ventricular septal defects. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14962. [PMID: 36874970 PMCID: PMC9979828 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14962] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be involved in the regulation of numerous biological processes in embryonic development. We aimed to explore lncRNA expression profiles in ventricular septal defects (VSDs) and reveal their potential roles in heart development. Methods Microarray analyses were performed to screen differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs) and mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) in the amniotic fluid between the VSD group and the control group. Bioinformatics analyses were further used to identify the functional enrichment and signaling pathways of important mRNAs. Then, a coding-noncoding gene coexpression (CNC) network and competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network were drawn. Finally, qRT‒PCR was performed to verify several hub lncRNAs and mRNAs in the network. Results A total of 710 DE-lncRNAs and 397 DE-mRNAs were identified in the VSD group. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the DE-mRNAs were enriched in cardiac development-related biological processes and pathways, including cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway. Four VSD related mRNAs was used to construct the CNC network, which included 149 pairs of coexpressing lncRNAs and mRNAs. In addition, a ceRNA network, including 15 lncRNAs, 194 miRNAs, and four mRNAs, was constructed to reveal the potential regulatory relationship between lncRNAs and protein-coding genes. Finally, seven RNAs in the ceRNA network were validated, including IDS, NR2F2, GPC3, LINC00598, GATA3-AS1, PWRN1, and LINC01551. Conclusion Our study identified some lncRNAs and mRNAs may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for foetuses with VSD, and described the lncRNA-associated ceRNA network in the progression of VSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaming Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xi Lin
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Fujian Cancer Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zecheng Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shaozheng He
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Bingtian Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Guorong Lyu
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Maternal and Child Health Service Technology, Quanzhou Medical College, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
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8
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Perl E, Ravisankar P, Beerens ME, Mulahasanovic L, Smallwood K, Sasso MB, Wenzel C, Ryan TD, Komár M, Bove KE, MacRae CA, Weaver KN, Prada CE, Waxman JS. Stx4 is required to regulate cardiomyocyte Ca 2+ handling during vertebrate cardiac development. HGG ADVANCES 2022; 3:100115. [PMID: 35599850 PMCID: PMC9114686 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2022.100115] [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: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Requirements for vesicle fusion within the heart remain poorly understood, despite the multitude of processes that necessitate proper intracellular trafficking within cardiomyocytes. Here, we show that Syntaxin 4 (STX4), a target-Soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment receptor (t-SNARE) protein, is required for normal vertebrate cardiac conduction and vesicular transport. Two patients were identified with damaging variants in STX4. A patient with a homozygous R240W missense variant displayed biventricular dilated cardiomyopathy, ectopy, and runs of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, sensorineural hearing loss, global developmental delay, and hypotonia, while a second patient displayed severe pleiotropic abnormalities and perinatal lethality. CRISPR/Cas9-generated stx4 mutant zebrafish exhibited defects reminiscent of these patients' clinical presentations, including linearized hearts, bradycardia, otic vesicle dysgenesis, neuronal atrophy, and touch insensitivity by 3 days post fertilization. Imaging of Vamp2+ vesicles within stx4 mutant zebrafish hearts showed reduced docking to the cardiomyocyte sarcolemma. Optical mapping of the embryonic hearts coupled with pharmacological modulation of Ca2+ handling together support that zebrafish stx4 mutants have a reduction in L-type Ca2+ channel modulation. Transgenic overexpression of zebrafish Stx4R241W, analogous to the first patient's STX4R240W variant, indicated that the variant is hypomorphic. Thus, these data show an in vivo requirement for SNAREs in regulating normal embryonic cardiac function and that variants in STX4 are associated with pleiotropic human disease, including cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliyahu Perl
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Padmapriyadarshini Ravisankar
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Manu E. Beerens
- Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lejla Mulahasanovic
- Praxis für Humangenetik, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany,CeGaT GmbH, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Kelly Smallwood
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Marion Bermúdez Sasso
- Institute for Clinical Genetics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Saxony, Germany
| | - Carina Wenzel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas D. Ryan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Matej Komár
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Saxony, Germany
| | - Kevin E. Bove
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Division of Pathology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Calum A. MacRae
- Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Genetics and Network Medicine Divisions, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - K. Nicole Weaver
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Carlos E. Prada
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joshua S. Waxman
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA,Corresponding author
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Song M, Yuan X, Racioppi C, Leslie M, Stutt N, Aleksandrova A, Christiaen L, Wilson MD, Scott IC. GATA4/5/6 family transcription factors are conserved determinants of cardiac versus pharyngeal mesoderm fate. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabg0834. [PMID: 35275720 PMCID: PMC8916722 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg0834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
GATA4/5/6 transcription factors play essential, conserved roles in heart development. To understand how GATA4/5/6 modulates the mesoderm-to-cardiac fate transition, we labeled, isolated, and performed single-cell gene expression analysis on cells that express gata5 at precardiac time points spanning zebrafish gastrulation to somitogenesis. We found that most mesendoderm-derived lineages had dynamic gata5/6 expression. In the absence of Gata5/6, the population structure of mesendoderm-derived cells was substantially altered. In addition to the expected absence of cardiac mesoderm, we confirmed a concomitant expansion of cranial-pharyngeal mesoderm. Moreover, Gata5/6 loss led to extensive changes in chromatin accessibility near cardiac and pharyngeal genes. Functional analyses in zebrafish and the tunicate Ciona, which has a single GATA4/5/6 homolog, revealed that GATA4/5/6 acts upstream of tbx1 to exert essential and cell-autonomous roles in promoting cardiac and inhibiting pharyngeal mesoderm identity. Overall, cardiac and pharyngeal mesoderm fate choices are achieved through an evolutionarily conserved GATA4/5/6 regulatory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyi Song
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Xuefei Yuan
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Claudia Racioppi
- Center for Developmental Genetics, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meaghan Leslie
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nathan Stutt
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Anastasiia Aleksandrova
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lionel Christiaen
- Center for Developmental Genetics, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Corresponding author. (M.D.W.); (I.C.S.)
| | - Ian C. Scott
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Corresponding author. (M.D.W.); (I.C.S.)
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10
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Coppola U, Waxman JS. Origin and evolutionary landscape of Nr2f transcription factors across Metazoa. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254282. [PMID: 34807940 PMCID: PMC8608329 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 2 Group F (Nr2f) orphan nuclear hormone transcription factors (TFs) are fundamental regulators of many developmental processes in invertebrates and vertebrates. Despite the importance of these TFs throughout metazoan development, previous work has not clearly outlined their evolutionary history. RESULTS We integrated molecular phylogeny with comparisons of intron/exon structure, domain architecture, and syntenic conservation to define critical evolutionary events that distinguish the Nr2f gene family in Metazoa. Our data indicate that a single ancestral eumetazoan Nr2f gene predated six main Bilateria subfamilies, which include single Nr2f homologs, here referred to as Nr2f1/2/5/6, that are present in invertebrate protostomes and deuterostomes, Nr2f1/2 homologs in agnathans, and Nr2f1, Nr2f2, Nr2f5, and Nr2f6 orthologs that are found in gnathostomes. Four cnidarian Nr2f1/2/5/6 and three agnathan Nr2f1/2 members are each due to independent expansions, while the vertebrate Nr2f1/Nr2f2 and Nr2f5/Nr2f6 members each form paralogous groups that arose from the established series of whole-genome duplications (WGDs). Nr2f6 members are the most divergent Nr2f subfamily in gnathostomes. Interestingly, in contrast to the other gnathostome Nr2f subfamilies, Nr2f5 has been independently lost in numerous vertebrate lineages. Furthermore, our analysis shows there are differential expansions and losses of Nr2f genes in teleosts following their additional rounds of WGDs. CONCLUSION Overall, our analysis of Nr2f gene evolution helps to reveal the origins and previously unrecognized relationships of this ancient TF family, which may allow for greater insights into the conservation of Nr2f functions that shape Metazoan body plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Coppola
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Joshua S. Waxman
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
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11
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Wiesinger A, Boink GJJ, Christoffels VM, Devalla HD. Retinoic acid signaling in heart development: Application in the differentiation of cardiovascular lineages from human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2589-2606. [PMID: 34653403 PMCID: PMC8581056 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) signaling plays an important role during heart development in establishing anteroposterior polarity, formation of inflow and outflow tract progenitors, and growth of the ventricular compact wall. RA is also utilized as a key ingredient in protocols designed for generating cardiac cell types from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). This review discusses the role of RA in cardiogenesis, currently available protocols that employ RA for differentiation of various cardiovascular lineages, and plausible transcriptional mechanisms underlying this fate specification. These insights will inform further development of desired cardiac cell types from human PSCs and their application in preclinical and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Wiesinger
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard J J Boink
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Vincent M Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Harsha D Devalla
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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12
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Luo H, Zhang Y, Deng Y, Li L, Sheng Z, Yu Y, Lin Y, Chen X, Feng P. Nxhl Controls Angiogenesis by Targeting VE-PTP Through Interaction With Nucleolin. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:728821. [PMID: 34733844 PMCID: PMC8558974 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.728821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise regulation of angiogenesis is required for organ development, wound repair, and tumor progression. Here, we identified a novel gene, nxhl (New XingHuo light), that is conserved in vertebrates and that plays a crucial role in vascular integrity and angiogenesis. Bioinformatic analysis uncovered its essential roles in development based on co-expression with several key developmental genes. Knockdown of nxhl in zebrafish causes global and pericardial edema, loss of blood circulation, and vascular defects characterized by both reduced vascularization in intersegmental vessels and decreased sprouting in the caudal vein plexus. The nxhl gene also affects human endothelial cell behavior in vitro. We found that nxhl functions in part by targeting VE-PTP through interaction with NCL (nucleolin). Loss of ptprb (a VE-PTP ortholo) in zebrafish resulted in defects similar to nxhl knockdown. Moreover, nxhl deficiency attenuates tumor invasion and proteins (including VE-PTP and NCL) associated with angiogenesis and EMT. These findings illustrate that nxhl can regulate angiogenesis via a novel nxhl-NCL-VE-PTP axis, providing a new therapeutic target for modulating vascular formation and function, especially for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglin Luo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yongde Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Yanfei Deng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Lequn Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhaoan Sheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yanling Yu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Pengfei Feng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, China
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13
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Wang Z, Wang H, Zhang Y, Yu F, Yu L, Zhang C. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis to characterize cells and gene expression landscapes in atrial septal defect. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:9660-9673. [PMID: 34514716 PMCID: PMC8505850 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize the cells and gene expression landscape in atrial septal defect (ASD). We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of cells derived from cardiac tissue of an ASD patient. Unsupervised clustering analysis was performed to identify different cell populations, followed by the investigation of the cellular crosstalk by analysing ligand-receptor interactions across cell types. Finally, differences between ASD and normal samples for all cell types were further investigated. An expression matrix of 18,411 genes in 6487 cells was obtained and used in this analysis. Five cell types, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts and macrophages were identified. ASD showed a decreased proportion of cardiomyocytes and an increased proportion of fibroblasts. There was more cellular crosstalk among cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts and macrophages, especially between fibroblast and macrophage. For all cell types, the majority of the DEGs were downregulated in ASD samples. For cardiomyocytes, there were 199 DEGs (42 upregulated and 157 downregulated) between ASD and normal samples. PPI analysis showed that cardiomyocyte marker gene FABP4 interacted with FOS, while FOS showed interaction with NPPA. Cell trajectory analysis showed that FABP4, FOS, and NPPA showed different expression changes along the pseudotime trajectory. Our results showed that single-cell RNA sequencing provides a powerful tool to study DEG profiles in the cell subpopulations of interest at the single-cell level. These findings enhance the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of ASD at both the cellular and molecular level and highlight potential targets for the treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zunzhe Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Huating Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ya Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Fangpu Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Liwen Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
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14
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Martin KE, Waxman JS. Atrial and Sinoatrial Node Development in the Zebrafish Heart. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8020015. [PMID: 33572147 PMCID: PMC7914448 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper development and function of the vertebrate heart is vital for embryonic and postnatal life. Many congenital heart defects in humans are associated with disruption of genes that direct the formation or maintenance of atrial and pacemaker cardiomyocytes at the venous pole of the heart. Zebrafish are an outstanding model for studying vertebrate cardiogenesis, due to the conservation of molecular mechanisms underlying early heart development, external development, and ease of genetic manipulation. Here, we discuss early developmental mechanisms that instruct appropriate formation of the venous pole in zebrafish embryos. We primarily focus on signals that determine atrial chamber size and the specialized pacemaker cells of the sinoatrial node through directing proper specification and differentiation, as well as contemporary insights into the plasticity and maintenance of cardiomyocyte identity in embryonic zebrafish hearts. Finally, we integrate how these insights into zebrafish cardiogenesis can serve as models for human atrial defects and arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall E. Martin
- Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joshua S. Waxman
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Correspondence:
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15
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Pulkkinen HH, Kiema M, Lappalainen JP, Toropainen A, Beter M, Tirronen A, Holappa L, Niskanen H, Kaikkonen MU, Ylä-Herttuala S, Laakkonen JP. BMP6/TAZ-Hippo signaling modulates angiogenesis and endothelial cell response to VEGF. Angiogenesis 2021; 24:129-144. [PMID: 33021694 PMCID: PMC7921060 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-020-09748-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The BMP/TGFβ-Smad, Notch and VEGF signaling guides formation of endothelial tip and stalk cells. However, the crosstalk of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling has remained largely unknown. We demonstrate that BMP family members regulate VEGFR2 and Notch signaling, and act via TAZ-Hippo signaling pathway. BMPs were found to be regulated after VEGF gene transfer in C57/Bl6 mice and in a porcine myocardial ischemia model. BMPs 2/4/6 were identified as endothelium-specific targets of VEGF. BMP2 modulated VEGF-mediated endothelial sprouting via Delta like Canonical Notch Ligand 4 (DLL4). BMP6 modulated VEGF signaling by regulating VEGFR2 expression and acted via Hippo signaling effector TAZ, known to regulate cell survival/proliferation, and to be dysregulated in cancer. In a matrigel plug assay in nude mice BMP6 was further demonstrated to induce angiogenesis. BMP6 is the first member of BMP family found to directly regulate both Hippo signaling and neovessel formation. It may thus serve as a target in pro/anti-angiogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Pulkkinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - M Kiema
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J P Lappalainen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Eastern Finland and Eastern Finland Laboratory Centre, Kuopio, Finland
| | - A Toropainen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - M Beter
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - A Tirronen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - L Holappa
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - H Niskanen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - M U Kaikkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - S Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Science Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Johanna P Laakkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
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16
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Yao Y, Marra AN, Yelon D. Pathways Regulating Establishment and Maintenance of Cardiac Chamber Identity in Zebrafish. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:13. [PMID: 33572830 PMCID: PMC7912383 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate heart is comprised of two types of chambers-ventricles and atria-that have unique morphological and physiological properties. Effective cardiac function depends upon the distinct characteristics of ventricular and atrial cardiomyocytes, raising interest in the genetic pathways that regulate chamber-specific traits. Chamber identity seems to be specified in the early embryo by signals that establish ventricular and atrial progenitor populations and trigger distinct differentiation pathways. Intriguingly, chamber-specific features appear to require active reinforcement, even after myocardial differentiation is underway, suggesting plasticity of chamber identity within the developing heart. Here, we review the utility of the zebrafish as a model organism for studying the mechanisms that establish and maintain cardiac chamber identity. By combining genetic and embryological approaches, work in zebrafish has revealed multiple players with potent influences on chamber fate specification and commitment. Going forward, analysis of cardiomyocyte identity at the single-cell level is likely to yield a high-resolution understanding of the pathways that link the relevant players together, and these insights will have the potential to inform future strategies in cardiac tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Deborah Yelon
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (Y.Y.); (A.N.M.)
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17
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Bernheim S, Meilhac SM. Mesoderm patterning by a dynamic gradient of retinoic acid signalling. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190556. [PMID: 32829679 PMCID: PMC7482219 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA), derived from vitamin A, is a major teratogen, clinically recognized in 1983. Identification of its natural presence in the embryo and dissection of its molecular mechanism of action became possible in the animal model with the advent of molecular biology, starting with the cloning of its nuclear receptor. In normal development, the dose of RA is tightly controlled to regulate organ formation. Its production depends on enzymes, which have a dynamic expression profile during embryonic development. As a small molecule, it diffuses rapidly and acts as a morphogen. Here, we review advances in deciphering how endogenously produced RA provides positional information to cells. We compare three mesodermal tissues, the limb, the somites and the heart, and discuss how RA signalling regulates antero-posterior and left-right patterning. A common principle is the establishment of its spatio-temporal dynamics by positive and negative feedback mechanisms and by antagonistic signalling by FGF. However, the response is cell-specific, pointing to the existence of cofactors and effectors, which are as yet incompletely characterized. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Contemporary morphogenesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ségolène Bernheim
- Imagine-Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Heart Morphogenesis, 75015 Paris, France
- INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Sigolène M. Meilhac
- Imagine-Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Heart Morphogenesis, 75015 Paris, France
- INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Paris, France
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18
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Perl E, Waxman JS. Reiterative Mechanisms of Retinoic Acid Signaling during Vertebrate Heart Development. J Dev Biol 2019; 7:jdb7020011. [PMID: 31151214 PMCID: PMC6631158 DOI: 10.3390/jdb7020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tightly-regulated levels of retinoic acid (RA) are critical for promoting normal vertebrate development. The extensive history of research on RA has shown that its proper regulation is essential for cardiac progenitor specification and organogenesis. Here, we discuss the roles of RA signaling and its establishment of networks that drive both early and later steps of normal vertebrate heart development. We focus on studies that highlight the drastic effects alternative levels of RA have on early cardiomyocyte (CM) specification and cardiac chamber morphogenesis, consequences of improper RA synthesis and degradation, and known effectors downstream of RA. We conclude with the implications of these findings to our understanding of cardiac regeneration and the etiologies of congenital heart defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliyahu Perl
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
- The Heart Institute and Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- The Heart Institute and Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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19
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Song YC, Dohn TE, Rydeen AB, Nechiporuk AV, Waxman JS. HDAC1-mediated repression of the retinoic acid-responsive gene ripply3 promotes second heart field development. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008165. [PMID: 31091225 PMCID: PMC6538190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Coordinated transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms that direct development of the later differentiating second heart field (SHF) progenitors remain largely unknown. Here, we show that a novel zebrafish histone deacetylase 1 (hdac1) mutant allele cardiac really gone (crg) has a deficit of ventricular cardiomyocytes (VCs) and smooth muscle within the outflow tract (OFT) due to both cell and non-cell autonomous loss in SHF progenitor proliferation. Cyp26-deficient embryos, which have increased retinoic acid (RA) levels, have similar defects in SHF-derived OFT development. We found that nkx2.5+ progenitors from Hdac1 and Cyp26-deficient embryos have ectopic expression of ripply3, a transcriptional co-repressor of T-box transcription factors that is normally restricted to the posterior pharyngeal endoderm. Furthermore, the ripply3 expression domain is expanded anteriorly into the posterior nkx2.5+ progenitor domain in crg mutants. Importantly, excess ripply3 is sufficient to repress VC development, while genetic depletion of Ripply3 and Tbx1 in crg mutants can partially restore VC number. We find that the epigenetic signature at RA response elements (RAREs) that can associate with Hdac1 and RA receptors (RARs) becomes indicative of transcriptional activation in crg mutants. Our study highlights that transcriptional repression via the epigenetic regulator Hdac1 facilitates OFT development through directly preventing expression of the RA-responsive gene ripply3 within SHF progenitors. Congenital heart defects are the most common malformations found in newborns, with many of these defects disrupting development of the outflow tract, the structure where blood is expelled from the heart. Despite their frequency, we do not have a grasp of the molecular and genetic mechanisms that underlie most congenital heart defects. Here, we show that zebrafish embryos containing a mutation in a gene called histone deacetylase 1 (hdac1) have smaller hearts with a reduction in the size of the ventricle and outflow tract. Hdac1 proteins limit accessibility to DNA and repress gene expression. We find that loss of Hdac1 in zebrafish embryos leads to increased expression of genes that are also induced by excess retinoic acid, a teratogen that induces similar outflow tract defects. Genetic loss-of-function studies support that ectopic expression of ripply3, a common target of both Hdac1 and retinoic acid signaling that is normally restricted to a subset of posterior pharyngeal cells, contributes to the smaller hearts found in zebrafish hdac1 mutants. Our study establishes a mechanism whereby the coordinated repression of genes downstream of Hdac1 and retinoic acid signaling is necessary for normal vertebrate outflow tract development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuntao Charlie Song
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America.,Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Tracy E Dohn
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America.,Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Ariel B Rydeen
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America.,Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Alex V Nechiporuk
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
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20
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Dohn TE, Ravisankar P, Tirera FT, Martin KE, Gafranek JT, Duong TB, VanDyke TL, Touvron M, Barske LA, Crump JG, Waxman JS. Nr2f-dependent allocation of ventricular cardiomyocyte and pharyngeal muscle progenitors. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007962. [PMID: 30721228 PMCID: PMC6377147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple syndromes share congenital heart and craniofacial muscle defects, indicating there is an intimate relationship between the adjacent cardiac and pharyngeal muscle (PM) progenitor fields. However, mechanisms that direct antagonistic lineage decisions of the cardiac and PM progenitors within the anterior mesoderm of vertebrates are not understood. Here, we identify that retinoic acid (RA) signaling directly promotes the expression of the transcription factor Nr2f1a within the anterior lateral plate mesoderm. Using zebrafish nr2f1a and nr2f2 mutants, we find that Nr2f1a and Nr2f2 have redundant requirements restricting ventricular cardiomyocyte (CM) number and promoting development of the posterior PMs. Cre-mediated genetic lineage tracing in nr2f1a; nr2f2 double mutants reveals that tcf21+ progenitor cells, which can give rise to ventricular CMs and PM, more frequently become ventricular CMs potentially at the expense of posterior PMs in nr2f1a; nr2f2 mutants. Our studies reveal insights into the molecular etiology that may underlie developmental syndromes that share heart, neck and facial defects as well as the phenotypic variability of congenital heart defects associated with NR2F mutations in humans. Many developmental syndromes include both congenital heart and craniofacial defects, necessitating a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the correlation of these defects. During early vertebrate development, cardiac and pharyngeal muscle cells originate from adjacent, partially overlapping progenitor fields within the anterior mesoderm. However, signals that allocate the cells from the adjacent cardiac and pharyngeal muscle progenitor fields are not understood. Mutations in the gene NR2F2 are associated with variable types of congenital heart defects in humans. Our recent work demonstrates that zebrafish Nr2f1a is the functional equivalent to Nr2f2 in mammals and promotes atrial development. Here, we identify that zebrafish nr2f1a and nr2f2 have redundant requirements at earlier stages of development than nr2f1a alone to restrict the number of ventricular CMs in the heart and promote posterior pharyngeal muscle development. Therefore, we have identified an antagonistic mechanism that is necessary to generate the proper number of cardiac and pharyngeal muscle progenitors in vertebrates. These studies provide evidence to help explain the variability of congenital heart defects from NR2F2 mutations in humans and a novel molecular framework for understanding developmental syndromes with heart and craniofacial defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy E. Dohn
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Padmapriyadarshini Ravisankar
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Fouley T. Tirera
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Master’s Program in Genetics, Department of Life Sciences, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Kendall E. Martin
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Molecular Genetics and Human Genetics Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Jacob T. Gafranek
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Tiffany B. Duong
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Master’s Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Terri L. VanDyke
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Melissa Touvron
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Lindsey A. Barske
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - J. Gage Crump
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Joshua S. Waxman
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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21
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Barske L, Rataud P, Behizad K, Del Rio L, Cox SG, Crump JG. Essential Role of Nr2f Nuclear Receptors in Patterning the Vertebrate Upper Jaw. Dev Cell 2018; 44:337-347.e5. [PMID: 29358039 PMCID: PMC5801120 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The jaw is central to the extensive variety of feeding and predatory behaviors across vertebrates. The bones of the lower but not upper jaw form around an early-developing cartilage template. Whereas Endothelin1 patterns the lower jaw, the factors that specify upper-jaw morphology remain elusive. Here, we identify Nuclear Receptor 2f genes (Nr2fs) as enriched in and required for upper-jaw formation in zebrafish. Combinatorial loss of Nr2fs transforms maxillary components of the upper jaw into lower-jaw-like structures. Conversely, nr2f5 misexpression disrupts lower-jaw development. Genome-wide analyses reveal that Nr2fs repress mandibular gene expression and early chondrogenesis in maxillary precursors. Rescue of lower-jaw defects in endothelin1 mutants by reducing Nr2f dosage further demonstrates that Nr2f expression must be suppressed for normal lower-jaw development. We propose that Nr2fs shape the upper jaw by protecting maxillary progenitors from early chondrogenesis, thus preserving cells for later osteogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Barske
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, W.M. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Pauline Rataud
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, W.M. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kasra Behizad
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, W.M. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Lisa Del Rio
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, W.M. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Samuel G Cox
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, W.M. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - J Gage Crump
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, W.M. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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