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Zhou H, Xu J, Pan L. Functions of the Muscleblind-like protein family and their role in disease. Cell Commun Signal 2025; 23:97. [PMID: 39966885 PMCID: PMC11837677 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-025-02102-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2025] [Indexed: 02/20/2025] Open
Abstract
Conserved proteins are characterized by their functions remaining nearly constant throughout evolutionary history, both vertically through time and horizontally across species. In this review, we focus on a class of conserved proteins known as the Muscleblind-like (MBNL) family. As RNA-binding proteins, MBNL family members interact with pre-mRNAs through evolutionarily conserved tandem zinc finger domains and play critical roles in various RNA metabolic processes, including alternative splicing, mRNA stability, trafficking, regulation of subcellular localization, and alternative polyadenylation. Dysregulation of MBNL proteins can lead to severe consequences. Initially, research primarily associated MBNL proteins with myotonic dystrophy. However, recent studies have revealed their involvement in a broad spectrum of physiological and pathological processes, such as embryonic tissue differentiation and circulatory disorders. Furthermore, the emerging role of MBNL proteins in cancer sheds light on a novel aspect of these evolutionarily ancient proteins. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the MBNL family, emphasizing its structure, the mechanisms underlying its biological functions, and its roles in various diseases.Subject terms: Muscleblind-like-like protein, RNA-binding proteins, Alternative splicing, Tumor, Myotonic dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiachi Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Liusheng Pan
- Department of anesthesiology, Yuexi Hospital of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Xinyi, China.
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2
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Bader Eddin L, Nagoor Meeran MF, Kumar Jha N, Goyal SN, Ojha S. Isoproterenol mechanisms in inducing myocardial fibrosis and its application as an experimental model for the evaluation of therapeutic potential of phytochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Animal Model Exp Med 2025; 8:67-91. [PMID: 39690876 PMCID: PMC11798751 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12496] [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: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 12/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac injury initiates repair mechanisms and results in cardiac remodeling and fibrosis, which appears to be a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, mainly collagen in the cardiac interstitium. Many experimental studies have demonstrated that fibrotic injury in the heart is reversible; therefore, it is vital to understand different molecular mechanisms that are involved in the initiation, progression, and resolution of cardiac fibrosis to enable the development of antifibrotic agents. Of the many experimental models, one of the recent models that has gained renewed interest is isoproterenol (ISP)-induced cardiac fibrosis. ISP is a synthetic catecholamine, sympathomimetic, and nonselective β-adrenergic receptor agonist. The overstimulated and sustained activation of β-adrenergic receptors has been reported to induce biochemical and physiological alterations and ultimately result in cardiac remodeling. ISP has been used for decades to induce acute myocardial infarction. However, the use of low doses and chronic administration of ISP have been shown to induce cardiac fibrosis; this practice has increased in recent years. Intraperitoneal or subcutaneous ISP has been widely used in preclinical studies to induce cardiac remodeling manifested by fibrosis and hypertrophy. The induced oxidative stress with subsequent perturbations in cellular signaling cascades through triggering the release of free radicals is considered the initiating mechanism of myocardial fibrosis. ISP is consistently used to induce fibrosis in laboratory animals and in cardiomyocytes isolated from animals. In recent years, numerous phytochemicals and synthetic molecules have been evaluated in ISP-induced cardiac fibrosis. The present review exclusively provides a comprehensive summary of the pathological biochemical, histological, and molecular mechanisms of ISP in inducing cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. It also summarizes the application of this experimental model in the therapeutic evaluation of natural as well as synthetic compounds to demonstrate their potential in mitigating myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujain Bader Eddin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health SciencesUAE UniversityAl AinUnited Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Fizur Nagoor Meeran
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health SciencesUAE UniversityAl AinUnited Arab Emirates
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- School of Bioengineering & BiosciencesLovely Professional UniversityPhagwaraIndia
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha UniversityChennaiIndia
| | - Samer N. Goyal
- Shri Vile Parle Kelvani Mandal's Institute of PharmacyDhuleMaharashtraIndia
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health SciencesUAE UniversityAl AinUnited Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health SciencesUnited Arab Emirates UniversityAl AinUnited Arab Emirates
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3
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Bailey LR, Bugg D, Reichardt IM, Ortaç CD, Nagle A, Gunaje J, Martinson A, Johnson R, MacCoss MJ, Sakamoto T, Kelly DP, Regnier M, Davis JM. MBNL1 Regulates Programmed Postnatal Switching Between Regenerative and Differentiated Cardiac States. Circulation 2024; 149:1812-1829. [PMID: 38426339 PMCID: PMC11147738 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.066860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Discovering determinants of cardiomyocyte maturity is critical for deeply understanding the maintenance of differentiated states and potentially reawakening endogenous regenerative programs in adult mammalian hearts as a therapeutic strategy. Forced dedifferentiation paired with oncogene expression is sufficient to drive cardiac regeneration, but elucidation of endogenous developmental regulators of the switch between regenerative and mature cardiomyocyte cell states is necessary for optimal design of regenerative approaches for heart disease. MBNL1 (muscleblind-like 1) regulates fibroblast, thymocyte, and erythroid differentiation and proliferation. Hence, we examined whether MBNL1 promotes and maintains mature cardiomyocyte states while antagonizing cardiomyocyte proliferation. METHODS MBNL1 gain- and loss-of-function mouse models were studied at several developmental time points and in surgical models of heart regeneration. Multi-omics approaches were combined with biochemical, histological, and in vitro assays to determine the mechanisms through which MBNL1 exerts its effects. RESULTS MBNL1 is coexpressed with a maturation-association genetic program in the heart and is regulated by the MEIS1/calcineurin signaling axis. Targeted MBNL1 overexpression early in development prematurely transitioned cardiomyocytes to hypertrophic growth, hypoplasia, and dysfunction, whereas loss of MBNL1 function increased cardiomyocyte cell cycle entry and proliferation through altered cell cycle inhibitor transcript stability. Moreover, MBNL1-dependent stabilization of estrogen-related receptor signaling was essential for maintaining cardiomyocyte maturity in adult myocytes. In accordance with these data, modulating MBNL1 dose tuned the temporal window of neonatal cardiac regeneration, where increased MBNL1 expression arrested myocyte proliferation and regeneration and MBNL1 deletion promoted regenerative states with prolonged myocyte proliferation. However, MBNL1 deficiency was insufficient to promote regeneration in the adult heart because of cell cycle checkpoint activation. CONCLUSIONS Here, MBNL1 was identified as an essential regulator of cardiomyocyte differentiated states, their developmental switch from hyperplastic to hypertrophic growth, and their regenerative potential through controlling an entire maturation program by stabilizing adult myocyte mRNAs during postnatal development and throughout adulthood. Targeting loss of cardiomyocyte maturity and downregulation of cell cycle inhibitors through MBNL1 deletion was not sufficient to promote adult regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan R.J. Bailey
- Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Darrian Bugg
- Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Isabella M. Reichardt
- Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - C. Dessirée Ortaç
- Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Abigail Nagle
- Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Jagadambika Gunaje
- Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Amy Martinson
- Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | | | - Tomoya Sakamoto
- Cardiovascular Institute, Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Daniel P. Kelly
- Cardiovascular Institute, Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Michael Regnier
- Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Center for Translational Muscle Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Jennifer M. Davis
- Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Center for Translational Muscle Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Völkers M, Preiss T, Hentze MW. RNA-binding proteins in cardiovascular biology and disease: the beat goes on. Nat Rev Cardiol 2024; 21:361-378. [PMID: 38163813 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-023-00958-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac development and function are becoming increasingly well understood from different angles, including signalling, transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. By contrast, the importance of the post-transcriptional landscape of cardiac biology largely remains to be uncovered, building on the foundation of a few existing paradigms. The discovery during the past decade of hundreds of additional RNA-binding proteins in mammalian cells and organs, including the heart, is expected to accelerate progress and has raised intriguing possibilities for better understanding the intricacies of cardiac development, metabolism and adaptive alterations. In this Review, we discuss the progress and new concepts on RNA-binding proteins and RNA biology and appraise them in the context of common cardiovascular clinical conditions, from cell and organ-wide perspectives. We also discuss how a better understanding of cardiac RNA-binding proteins can fill crucial knowledge gaps in cardiology and might pave the way to developing better treatments to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Völkers
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg and Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Preiss
- Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthias W Hentze
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg, Germany.
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5
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Acharya P, Parkins S, Tranter M. RNA binding proteins as mediators of pathological cardiac remodeling. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1368097. [PMID: 38818408 PMCID: PMC11137256 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1368097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play a central in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, which can account for up to 50% of all variations in protein expression within a cell. Following their binding to target RNAs, RBPs most typically confer changes in gene expression through modulation of alternative spicing, RNA stabilization/degradation, or ribosome loading/translation rate. All of these post-transcriptional regulatory processes have been shown to play a functional role in pathological cardiac remodeling, and a growing body of evidence is beginning to identify the mechanistic contribution of individual RBPs and their cardiac RNA targets. This review highlights the mechanisms of RBP-dependent post-transcriptional gene regulation in cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts and our current understanding of how RNA binding proteins functionally contribute to pathological cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Acharya
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Sharon Parkins
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Michael Tranter
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
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Chen B, Shi B, Zhou Z, Cui Y, Zeng G, Cheng L, Zhang X, Luo K, Li C, Zhu Z, Zhang Z, Zheng J, He X. Targeting a cardiac abundant and fibroblasts-specific piRNA (CFRPi) to attenuate and reverse cardiac fibrosis in pressure-overloaded heart failure. Transl Res 2024; 267:10-24. [PMID: 38302394 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis under chronic pressure overload is an end-stage adverse remodeling of heart. However, current heart failure treatments barely focus on anti-fibrosis and the effects are limited. We aimed to seek for a cardiac abundant and cardiac fibrosis specific piRNA, exploring its underlying mechanism and therapeutic potential. Whole transcriptome sequencing and the following verification experiments identified a highly upregulated piRNA (piRNA-000691) in transverse aortic constriction (TAC) mice, TAC pig, and heart failure human samples, which was abundant in heart and specifically expressed in cardiac fibroblasts. CFRPi was gradually increased along with the progression of heart failure, which was illustrated to promote cardiac fibrosis by gain- and loss-of-function experiments in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of CFRPi in mice alleviated cardiac fibrosis, reversed decline of systolic and diastolic functions from TAC 6 weeks to 8 weeks. Mechanistically, CFRPi inhibited APLN, a protective peptide that increased in early response and became exhausted at late stage. Knockdown of APLN in vitro notably aggravated cardiac fibroblasts activation and proliferation. In vitro and in vivo evidence both indicated Pi3k-AKT-mTOR as the downstream effector pathway of CFRPi-APLN interaction. Collectively, we here identified CFPPi as a heart abundant and cardiac fibrosis specific piRNA. Targeting CFRPi resulted in a sustainable increase of APLN and showed promising therapeutical prospect to alleviate fibrosis, rescue late-stage cardiac dysfunction, and prevent heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Bozhong Shi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Zijie Zhou
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yue Cui
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Guowei Zeng
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Lingyan Cheng
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiaoyang Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Kai Luo
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Cong Li
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Zhongqun Zhu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China; Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Zhifang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China.
| | - Jinghao Zheng
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China; Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China.
| | - Xiaomin He
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China; Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; 1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China.
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7
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Goldsmith R, Tsan YC, Scissors R, Helms A, Brody M. In Vitro Assessment of Cardiac Fibroblast Activation at Physiologic Stiffness. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e1025. [PMID: 38600839 PMCID: PMC11013569 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.1025] [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] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) are an essential cell type in cardiac physiology, playing diverse roles in maintaining structural integrity, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, and tissue repair. Under normal conditions, these cells reside in the interstitium in a quiescent state poised to sense and respond to injury by synthesizing and secreting collagen, vimentin, hyaluronan, and other ECM components. In response to mechanical and chemical stimuli, these "resident" fibroblasts can undergo a transformation through a continuum of activation states into what is commonly known as a "myofibroblast," in a process critical for injury response. Despite progress in understanding the contribution of fibroblasts to cardiac health and disease, much remains unknown about the signaling mediating this activation, in part owing to technical challenges in evaluating CF function and activation status in vitro. Given their role in monitoring the ECM, CFs are acutely sensitive to stiffness and pressure. High basal activation of isolated CFs is common due to the super-physiologic stiffness of traditional cell culture substrates, making assays dependent on quiescent cells challenging. To overcome this problem, cell culture parameters must be tightly controlled, and the use of dishes coated with biocompatible reduced-stiffness substrates, such as 8-kPa polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), has shown promise in reducing basal activation of fibroblasts. Here, we describe cell culture protocol for maintaining CF quiescence in vitro to enable a dynamic range for the assessment of activation status in response to fibrogenic stimuli using PDMS-coated coverslips. Our protocol provides a cost-effective tool to study fibroblast signaling and activity, allowing researchers to better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in cardiac fibrosis. © 2024 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Generation of 8-kPa polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/gelatin-coated coverslips for cardiac fibroblast cell culture Basic Protocol 2: Isolation of adult cardiac fibroblasts and plating onto PDMS coverslips Basic Protocol 3: Assessment of cardiac fibroblast activation by α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) immunocytochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.S. Goldsmith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Y-C Tsan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - R.E. Scissors
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - A.S. Helms
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - M.J. Brody
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
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8
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He C, Gu L, Li A, Li Y, Xiao R, Liao J, Mu J, Gan Y, Peng M, Mohan G, Liu W, Xu L, Guo S. Recombinant Slit2 attenuates tracheal fibroblast activation in benign central airway obstruction by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. Mol Cell Probes 2024; 73:101947. [PMID: 38122948 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2023.101947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Airway fibrosis is among the pathological manifestations of benign central airway obstruction noted in the absence of effective treatments and requires new drug targets to be developed. Slit guidance ligand 2-roundabout guidance receptor 1 (Slit2-Robo1) is involved in fibrosis and organ development. However, its significance in airway fibrosis has not yet been reported. The study explored how the recombinant protein Slit2 functions in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-mediated airway fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. In this study, Slit2 expression initially increased in the tracheal granulation tissues of patients with tracheobronchial stenosis but decreased in the fibrotic tissue. In primary rat tracheal fibroblasts (RTFs), recombinant Slit2 inhibited the expression of extracellular matrices such as Timp1, α-SMA, and COL1A2, whereas recombinant TGF-β1 promoted the expression of Robo1, α-SMA, and COL1A2. Slit2 and TGF-β1 played a mutual inhibitory role in RTFs. Slit2 supplementation and Robo1 downregulation inhibited excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition induced by TGF-β1 in RTFs via the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway. Ultimately, exogenous Slit2 and Robo1 knockdown-mediated attenuation of airway fibrosis were validated in a trauma-induced rat airway obstruction model. These findings demonstrate that recombinant Slit2 alleviated pathologic tracheobronchial healing by attenuating excessive ECM deposition. Slit2-Robo1 is an attractive target for further exploring the mechanisms and treatment of benign central airway obstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan He
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China
| | - Lei Gu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Anmao Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China
| | - Yishi Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China
| | - Jiaxin Liao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China
| | - Junhao Mu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China
| | - Yiling Gan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China
| | - Mingyu Peng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China
| | - Giri Mohan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The 900th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force, People's Liberation Army, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350025, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China.
| | - Shuliang Guo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China.
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9
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Engel A, Ludwig N, Grandke F, Wagner V, Kern F, Fehlmann T, Schmartz GP, Aparicio-Puerta E, Henn D, Walch-Rückheim B, Hannig M, Rupf S, Meese E, Laschke MW, Keller A. Skin treatment with non-thermal plasma modulates the immune system through miR-223-3p and its target genes. RNA Biol 2024; 21:31-44. [PMID: 38828710 PMCID: PMC11152102 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2024.2361571] [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] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-thermal plasma, a partially ionized gas, holds significant potential for clinical applications, including wound-healing support, oral therapies, and anti-tumour treatments. While its applications showed promising outcomes, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We thus apply non-thermal plasma to mouse auricular skin and conducted non-coding RNA sequencing, as well as single-cell blood sequencing. In a time-series analysis (five timepoints spanning 2 hours), we compare the expression of microRNAs in the plasma-treated left ears to the unexposed right ears of the same mice as well as to the ears of unexposed control mice. Our findings indicate specific effects in the treated ears for a set of five miRNAs: mmu-miR-144-5p, mmu-miR-144-3p, mmu-miR-142a-5p, mmu-miR-223-3p, and mmu-miR-451a. Interestingly, mmu-miR-223-3p also exhibits an increase over time in the right non-treated ear of the exposed mice, suggesting systemic effects. Notably, this miRNA, along with mmu-miR-142a-5p and mmu-miR-144-3p, regulates genes and pathways associated with wound healing and tissue regeneration (namely ErbB, FoxO, Hippo, and PI3K-Akt signalling). This co-regulation is particularly remarkable considering the significant seed dissimilarities among the miRNAs. Finally, single-cell sequencing of PBMCs reveals the downregulation of 12 from 15 target genes in B-cells, Cd4+ and Cd8+ T-cells. Collectively, our data provide evidence for a systemic effect of non-thermal plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Engel
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Nicole Ludwig
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
- Center for Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Friederike Grandke
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Viktoria Wagner
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Fabian Kern
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Clinical Bioinformatics (CLIB), Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tobias Fehlmann
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Georges P. Schmartz
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Dominic Henn
- Department of Plastic Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Barbara Walch-Rückheim
- Center of Human und Molecular Biology (ZHMB), Virology & Immunology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Matthias Hannig
- Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Stefan Rupf
- Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Eckart Meese
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Matthias W. Laschke
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Andreas Keller
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Clinical Bioinformatics (CLIB), Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Saarbrücken, Germany
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10
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Wu Q, Yao Q, Hu T, Yu J, Jiang K, Wan Y, Tang Q. Dapagliflozin protects against chronic heart failure in mice by inhibiting macrophage-mediated inflammation, independent of SGLT2. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101334. [PMID: 38118414 PMCID: PMC10772464 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The specific mechanism of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor in heart failure (HF) needs to be elucidated. In this study, we use SGLT2-global-knockout (KO) mice to assess the mechanism of SGLT2 inhibitor on HF. Dapagliflozin ameliorates both myocardial infarction (MI)- and transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced HF. Global SGLT2 deficiency does not exert protection against adverse remodeling in both MI- and TAC-induced HF models. Dapagliflozin blurs MI- and TAC-induced HF phenotypes in SGLT2-KO mice. Dapagliflozin causes major changes in cardiac fibrosis and inflammation. Based on single-cell RNA sequencing, dapagliflozin causes significant differences in the gene expression profile of macrophages and fibroblasts. Moreover, dapagliflozin directly inhibits macrophage inflammation, thereby suppressing cardiac fibroblasts activation. The cardio-protection of dapagliflozin is blurred in mice treated with a C-C chemokine receptor type 2 antagonist. Taken together, the protective effects of dapagliflozin against HF are independent of SGLT2, and macrophage inhibition is the main target of dapagliflozin against HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Metabolic and Chronic Diseases, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China
| | - Qi Yao
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Metabolic and Chronic Diseases, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China
| | - Tongtong Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Metabolic and Chronic Diseases, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China
| | - Jiabin Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Metabolic and Chronic Diseases, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China
| | - Kebing Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Metabolic and Chronic Diseases, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China
| | - Ying Wan
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Metabolic and Chronic Diseases, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China
| | - Qizhu Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Metabolic and Chronic Diseases, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China.
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11
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Ruffenach G, Medzikovic L, Sun W, Hong J, Eghbali M. Functions of RNA-Binding Proteins in Cardiovascular Disease. Cells 2023; 12:2794. [PMID: 38132114 PMCID: PMC10742114 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242794] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is under tight regulation from the chromatin structure that regulates gene accessibility by the transcription machinery to protein degradation. At the transcript level, this regulation falls on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RBPs are a large and diverse class of proteins involved in all aspects of a transcript's lifecycle: splicing and maturation, localization, stability, and translation. In the past few years, our understanding of the role of RBPs in cardiovascular diseases has expanded. Here, we discuss the general structure and function of RBPs and the latest discoveries of their role in pulmonary and systemic cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Ruffenach
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Molecular Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (W.S.)
| | - Lejla Medzikovic
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Molecular Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (W.S.)
| | - Wasila Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Molecular Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (W.S.)
| | - Jason Hong
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Mansoureh Eghbali
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Molecular Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (W.S.)
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12
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Verbeeren J, Teixeira J, Garcia SMDA. The Muscleblind-like protein MBL-1 regulates microRNA expression in Caenorhabditis elegans through an evolutionarily conserved autoregulatory mechanism. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011109. [PMID: 38134228 PMCID: PMC10773944 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The Muscleblind-like (MBNL) family is a highly conserved set of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that regulate RNA metabolism during the differentiation of various animal tissues. Functional insufficiency of MBNL affects muscle and central nervous system development, and contributes to the myotonic dystrophies (DM), a set of incurable multisystemic disorders. Studies on the regulation of MBNL genes are essential to provide insight into the gene regulatory networks controlled by MBNL proteins and to understand how dysregulation within these networks causes disease. In this study, we demonstrate the evolutionary conservation of an autoregulatory mechanism that governs the function of MBNL proteins by generating two distinct protein isoform types through alternative splicing. Our aim was to further our understanding of the regulatory principles that underlie this conserved feedback loop in a whole-organismal context, and to address the biological significance of the respective isoforms. Using an alternative splicing reporter, our studies show that, during development of the Caenorhabditis elegans central nervous system, the orthologous mbl-1 gene shifts production from long protein isoforms that localize to the nucleus to short isoforms that also localize to the cytoplasm. Using isoform-specific CRISPR/Cas9-generated strains, we showed that expression of short MBL-1 protein isoforms is required for healthy neuromuscular function and neurodevelopment, while expression of long MBL-1 protein isoforms is dispensable, emphasizing a key role for cytoplasmic functionalities of the MBL-1 protein. Furthermore, RNA-seq and lifespan analyses indicated that short MBL-1 isoforms are crucial regulators of miRNA expression and, in consequence, required for normal lifespan. In conclusion, this study provides support for the disruption of cytoplasmic RNA metabolism as a contributor in myotonic dystrophy and paves the way for further exploration of miRNA regulation through MBNL proteins during development and in disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Verbeeren
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joana Teixeira
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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13
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Baldwin TA, Teuber JP, Kuwabara Y, Subramani A, Lin SCJ, Kanisicak O, Vagnozzi RJ, Zhang W, Brody MJ, Molkentin JD. Palmitoylation-dependent regulation of cardiomyocyte Rac1 signaling activity and minor effects on cardiac hypertrophy. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105426. [PMID: 37926281 PMCID: PMC10716590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
S-palmitoylation is a reversible lipid modification catalyzed by 23 S-acyltransferases with a conserved zinc finger aspartate-histidine-histidine-cysteine (zDHHC) domain that facilitates targeting of proteins to specific intracellular membranes. Here we performed a gain-of-function screen in the mouse and identified the Golgi-localized enzymes zDHHC3 and zDHHC7 as regulators of cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiomyocyte-specific transgenic mice overexpressing zDHHC3 show cardiac disease, and S-acyl proteomics identified the small GTPase Rac1 as a novel substrate of zDHHC3. Notably, cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure in zDHHC3 transgenic mice is preceded by enhanced Rac1 S-palmitoylation, membrane localization, activity, downstream hypertrophic signaling, and concomitant induction of all Rho family small GTPases whereas mice overexpressing an enzymatically dead zDHHC3 mutant show no discernible effect. However, loss of Rac1 or other identified zDHHC3 targets Gαq/11 or galectin-1 does not diminish zDHHC3-induced cardiomyopathy, suggesting multiple effectors and pathways promoting decompensation with sustained zDHHC3 activity. Genetic deletion of Zdhhc3 in combination with Zdhhc7 reduces cardiac hypertrophy during the early response to pressure overload stimulation but not over longer time periods. Indeed, cardiac hypertrophy in response to 2 weeks of angiotensin-II infusion is not diminished by Zdhhc3/7 deletion, again suggesting other S-acyltransferases or signaling mechanisms compensate to promote hypertrophic signaling. Taken together, these data indicate that the activity of zDHHC3 and zDHHC7 at the cardiomyocyte Golgi promote Rac1 signaling and maladaptive cardiac remodeling, but redundant signaling effectors compensate to maintain cardiac hypertrophy with sustained pathological stimulation in the absence of zDHHC3/7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya A Baldwin
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - James P Teuber
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yasuhide Kuwabara
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Araskumar Subramani
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Suh-Chin J Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Onur Kanisicak
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ronald J Vagnozzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Weiqi Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Mental Health, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Matthew J Brody
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
| | - Jeffery D Molkentin
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
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14
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Golubeva VA, Dorn LE, Gilbert CJ, Rabolli CP, Das AS, Wanasinghe VS, Veress R, Terentyev D, Accornero F. Loss of YTHDF2 Alters the Expression of m 6A-Modified Myzap and Causes Adverse Cardiac Remodeling. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2023; 8:1180-1194. [PMID: 37791304 PMCID: PMC10543918 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2023.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
How post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, such as through N6-methyladenosine (m6A) messenger RNA methylation, impacts heart function is not well understood. We found that loss of the m6A binding protein YTHDF2 in cardiomyocytes of adult mice drove cardiac dysfunction. By proteomics, we found myocardial zonula adherens protein (MYZAP) within the top up-regulated proteins in knockout cardiomyocytes. We further demonstrated that YTHDF2 binds m6A-modified Myzap messenger RNA and controls its stability. Cardiac overexpression of MYZAP has been associated with cardiomyopathy. Thus, our findings provide an important new mechanism for the YTHDF2-dependent regulation of this target and therein its novel role in the maintenance of cardiac homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volha A. Golubeva
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lisa E. Dorn
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Christopher J. Gilbert
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Charles P. Rabolli
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Anindhya Sundar Das
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Vishmi S. Wanasinghe
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Roland Veress
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Dmitry Terentyev
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Federica Accornero
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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15
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Shi DL. RNA-Binding Proteins as Critical Post-Transcriptional Regulators of Cardiac Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12004. [PMID: 37569379 PMCID: PMC10418649 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial injury causes death to cardiomyocytes and leads to heart failure. The adult mammalian heart has very limited regenerative capacity. However, the heart from early postnatal mammals and from adult lower vertebrates can fully regenerate after apical resection or myocardial infarction. Thus, it is of particular interest to decipher the mechanism underlying cardiac regeneration that preserves heart structure and function. RNA-binding proteins, as key regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression to coordinate cell differentiation and maintain tissue homeostasis, display dynamic expression in fetal and adult hearts. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated their importance for the survival and proliferation of cardiomyocytes following neonatal and postnatal cardiac injury. Functional studies suggest that RNA-binding proteins relay damage-stimulated cell extrinsic or intrinsic signals to regulate heart regenerative capacity by reprogramming multiple molecular and cellular processes, such as global protein synthesis, metabolic changes, hypertrophic growth, and cellular plasticity. Since manipulating the activity of RNA-binding proteins can improve the formation of new cardiomyocytes and extend the window of the cardiac regenerative capacity in mammals, they are potential targets of therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular disease. This review discusses our evolving understanding of RNA-binding proteins in regulating cardiac repair and regeneration, with the aim to identify important open questions that merit further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Li Shi
- Department of Medical Research, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524001, China
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology (CNRS-UMR7622), Institute de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France
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16
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Nelson AR, Bugg D, Davis J, Saucerman JJ. Network model integrated with multi-omic data predicts MBNL1 signals that drive myofibroblast activation. iScience 2023; 26:106502. [PMID: 37091233 PMCID: PMC10119756 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding protein muscleblind-like1 (MBNL1) was recently identified as a central regulator of cardiac wound healing and myofibroblast activation. To identify putative MBNL1 targets, we integrated multiple genome-wide screens with a fibroblast network model. We expanded the model to include putative MBNL1-target interactions and recapitulated published experimental results to validate new signaling modules. We prioritized 14 MBNL1 targets and developed novel fibroblast signaling modules for p38 MAPK, Hippo, Runx1, and Sox9 pathways. We experimentally validated MBNL1 regulation of p38 expression in mouse cardiac fibroblasts. Using the expanded fibroblast model, we predicted a hierarchy of MBNL1 regulated pathways with strong influence on αSMA expression. This study lays a foundation to explore the network mechanisms of MBNL1 signaling central to fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders R. Nelson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, 5th Floor, PO Box 800735, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0735, USA
| | - Darrian Bugg
- Department of Lab Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street Box 357470, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jennifer Davis
- Department of Lab Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street Box 357470, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, PO Box 355061, Seattle, WA 98195-5061, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, PO Box 358056, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jeffrey J. Saucerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, PO Box 800759, Charlottesville, VA 22903 , USA
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17
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Gupta JP, Jenkins PM. Ankyrin-B is lipid-modified by S-palmitoylation to promote dendritic membrane scaffolding of voltage-gated sodium channel Na V1.2 in neurons. Front Physiol 2023; 14:959660. [PMID: 37064897 PMCID: PMC10098127 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.959660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal ankyrin-B is an intracellular scaffolding protein that plays multiple roles in the axon. By contrast, relatively little is known about the function of ankyrin-B in dendrites, where ankyrin-B is also localized in mature neurons. Recently, we showed that ankyrin-B acts as a scaffold for the voltage-gated sodium channel, NaV1.2, in dendrites of neocortical pyramidal neurons. How ankyrin-B is itself targeted to the dendritic membrane is not well understood. Here, we report that ankyrin-B is lipid-modified by S-palmitoylation to promote dendritic localization of NaV1.2. We identify the palmitoyl acyl transferase zDHHC17 as a key mediator of ankyrin-B palmitoylation in heterologous cells and in neurons. Additionally, we find that zDHHC17 regulates ankyrin-B protein levels independently of its S-acylation function through a conserved binding mechanism between the ANK repeat domain of zDHHC17 and the zDHHC ankyrin-repeat binding motif of ankyrin-B. We subsequently identify five cysteines in the N-terminal ankyrin repeat domain of ankyrin-B that are necessary for ankyrin-B palmitoylation. Mutation of these five cysteines to alanines not only abolishes ankyrin-B palmitoylation, but also prevents ankyrin-B from scaffolding NaV1.2 at dendritic membranes of neurons due to ankyrin-B's inability to localize properly at dendrites. Thus, we show palmitoylation is critical for localization and function of ankyrin-B at dendrites. Strikingly, loss of ankyrin-B palmitoylation does not affect ankyrin-B-mediated axonal cargo transport of synaptic vesicle synaptotagmin-1 in neurons. This is the first demonstration of S-palmitoylation of ankyrin-B as an underlying mechanism required for ankyrin-B localization and function in scaffolding NaV1.2 at dendrites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie P. Gupta
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Paul M. Jenkins
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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18
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Rowland MB, Moore PE, Bui C, Correll RN. Assessing wound closure in mice using skin-punch biopsy. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:101989. [PMID: 36602903 PMCID: PMC9826969 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Defects in myofibroblast function may cause wound healing defects in a variety of tissue types. Here we describe a simple skin-punch biopsy approach to screen mouse models for defects in wound closure that does not require extensive surgical training or expensive equipment. Experimental results may serve as an initial proof of concept to determine whether further investigation is necessary or if defects in myofibroblast function observed in other systems also result in reduced skin wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary B Rowland
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA.
| | - Patrick E Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA
| | - Chuong Bui
- Alabama Life Research Institute, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA
| | - Robert N Correll
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA.
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19
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Bailey LRJ, Bugg D, Reichardt IM, Ortaç CD, Gunaje J, Johnson R, MacCoss MJ, Sakamoto T, Kelly DP, Regnier M, Davis JM. MBNL1 regulates programmed postnatal switching between regenerative and differentiated cardiac states. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.16.532974. [PMID: 36993225 PMCID: PMC10055038 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.16.532974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Discovering determinants of cardiomyocyte maturity and the maintenance of differentiated states is critical to both understanding development and potentially reawakening endogenous regenerative programs in adult mammalian hearts as a therapeutic strategy. Here, the RNA binding protein Muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) was identified as a critical regulator of cardiomyocyte differentiated states and their regenerative potential through transcriptome-wide control of RNA stability. Targeted MBNL1 overexpression early in development prematurely transitioned cardiomyocytes to hypertrophic growth, hypoplasia, and dysfunction, whereas loss of MBNL1 function increased cardiomyocyte cell cycle entry and proliferation through altered cell cycle inhibitor transcript stability. Moreover, MBNL1-dependent stabilization of the estrogen-related receptor signaling axis was essential for maintaining cardiomyocyte maturity. In accordance with these data, modulating MBNL1 dose tuned the temporal window of cardiac regeneration, where enhanced MBNL1 activity arrested myocyte proliferation, and MBNL1 deletion promoted regenerative states with prolonged myocyte proliferation. Collectively these data suggest MBNL1 acts as a transcriptome-wide switch between regenerative and mature myocyte states postnatally and throughout adulthood.
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20
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Hume RD, Deshmukh T, Doan T, Shim WJ, Kanagalingam S, Tallapragada V, Rashid F, Marcuello M, Blessing D, Selvakumar D, Raguram K, Pathan F, Graham D, Ounzain S, Kizana E, Harvey RP, Palpant NJ, Chong JJ. PDGF-AB Reduces Myofibroblast Differentiation Without Increasing Proliferation After Myocardial Infarction. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
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21
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Bretherton RC, Reichardt IM, Zabrecky KA, Goldstein AJ, Bailey LRJ, Bugg D, McMillen TS, Kooiker KB, Flint GV, Martinson A, Gunaje J, Koser F, Plaster E, Linke WA, Regnier M, Moussavi-Harami F, Sniadecki NJ, DeForest CA, Davis J. Correcting dilated cardiomyopathy with fibroblast-targeted p38 deficiency. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.23.523684. [PMID: 36747691 PMCID: PMC9900749 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.23.523684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Inherited mutations in contractile and structural genes, which decrease cardiomyocyte tension generation, are principal drivers of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)- the leading cause of heart failure 1,2 . Progress towards developing precision therapeutics for and defining the underlying determinants of DCM has been cardiomyocyte centric with negligible attention directed towards fibroblasts despite their role in regulating the best predictor of DCM severity, cardiac fibrosis 3,4 . Given that failure to reverse fibrosis is a major limitation of both standard of care and first in class precision therapeutics for DCM, this study examined whether cardiac fibroblast-mediated regulation of the heart's material properties is essential for the DCM phenotype. Here we report in a mouse model of inherited DCM that prior to the onset of fibrosis and dilated myocardial remodeling both the myocardium and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffen from switches in titin isoform expression, enhanced collagen fiber alignment, and expansion of the cardiac fibroblast population, which we blocked by genetically suppressing p38α in cardiac fibroblasts. This fibroblast-targeted intervention unexpectedly improved the primary cardiomyocyte defect in contractile function and reversed ECM and dilated myocardial remodeling. Together these findings challenge the long-standing paradigm that ECM remodeling is a secondary complication to inherited defects in cardiomyocyte contractile function and instead demonstrate cardiac fibroblasts are essential contributors to the DCM phenotype, thus suggesting DCM-specific therapeutics will require fibroblast-specific strategies.
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22
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Li Y, Li C, Liu Q, Wang L, Bao AX, Jung JP, Dodlapati S, Sun J, Gao P, Zhang X, Francis J, Molkentin JD, Fu X. Loss of Acta2 in cardiac fibroblasts does not prevent the myofibroblast differentiation or affect the cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 171:117-132. [PMID: 36007455 PMCID: PMC10478266 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In response to myocardial infarction (MI), quiescent cardiac fibroblasts differentiate into myofibroblasts mediating tissue repair. One of the most widely accepted markers of myofibroblast differentiation is the expression of Acta2 which encodes smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMαA) that is assembled into stress fibers. However, the requirement of Acta2/SMαA in the myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts and its role in post-MI cardiac repair remained unknown. To answer these questions, we generated a tamoxifen-inducible cardiac fibroblast-specific Acta2 knockout mouse line. Surprisingly, mice that lacked Acta2 in cardiac fibroblasts had a normal post-MI survival rate. Moreover, Acta2 deletion did not affect the function or histology of infarcted hearts. No difference was detected in the proliferation, migration, or contractility between WT and Acta2-null cardiac myofibroblasts. Acta2-null cardiac myofibroblasts had a normal total filamentous actin level and total actin level. Acta2 deletion caused a significant compensatory increase in the transcription level of non-Acta2 actin isoforms, especially Actg2 and Acta1. Moreover, in myofibroblasts, the transcription levels of cytoplasmic actin isoforms were significantly higher than those of muscle actin isoforms. In addition, we found that myocardin-related transcription factor-A is critical for myofibroblast differentiation but is not required for the compensatory effects of non-Acta2 isoforms. In conclusion, the Acta2 deletion does not prevent the myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts or affect the post-MI cardiac repair, and the increased expression and stress fiber formation of non-SMαA actin isoforms and the functional redundancy between actin isoforms are able to compensate for the loss of Acta2 in cardiac myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Li
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Chaoyang Li
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Qianglin Liu
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Leshan Wang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Adam X Bao
- Department of Biological Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jangwook P Jung
- Department of Biological Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Sanjeev Dodlapati
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Jiangwen Sun
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Peidong Gao
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Xujia Zhang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Joseph Francis
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jeffery D Molkentin
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Xing Fu
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
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23
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Peripheral Blood DNA Methylation Profiles Do Not Predict Endoscopic Post-Operative Recurrence in Crohn's Disease Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810467. [PMID: 36142381 PMCID: PMC9503775 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810467] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Prediction of endoscopic post-operative recurrence (POR) in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients following ileocolonic resection (ICR) using clinical risk factors alone has thus far been inadequate. While peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) DNA methylation has shown promise as a tool for predicting recurrence in cancer, no data in CD patients exists. Therefore, this study explored the association and predictive value of PBL DNA methylation in CD patients following ICR. From a cohort of 117 CD patients undergoing ICR, epigenome-wide PBL methylation profiles from 25 carefully selected patients presenting either clear endoscopic remission (n = 12) or severe recurrence (n = 13) were assessed using the Illumina MethylationEPIC (850K) array. No statistically significant differentially methylated positions (DMPs) or regions (DMRs) associated with endoscopic POR were identified (FDR p ≤ 0.05), further evidenced by the low accuracy (0.625) following elastic net classification analysis. Nonetheless, interrogating the most significant differences in methylation suggested POR-associated hypermethylation in the MBNL1, RAB29 and LEPR genes, respectively, which are involved in intestinal fibrosis, inflammation and wound healing. Notably, we observed a higher estimated proportion of monocytes in endoscopic POR compared to remission. Altogether, we observed limited differences in the genome-wide DNA methylome among CD patients with and without endoscopic POR. We therefore conclude that PBL DNA methylation is not a feasible predictive tool in post-operative CD.
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24
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Yao L, Rathnakar BH, Kwon HR, Sakashita H, Kim JH, Rackley A, Tomasek JJ, Berry WL, Olson LE. Temporal control of PDGFRα regulates the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition in wound healing. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111192. [PMID: 35977484 PMCID: PMC9423027 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts differentiate into myofibroblasts by acquiring new contractile function. This is important for tissue repair, but it also contributes to organ fibrosis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) promotes tissue repair and fibrosis, but the relationship between PDGF and myofibroblasts is unclear. Using mice with lineage tracing linked to PDGF receptor α (PDGFRα) gene mutations, we examine cell fates during skin wound healing. Elevated PDGFRα signaling increases proliferation but unexpectedly delays the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, suggesting that PDGFRα must be downregulated for myofibroblast differentiation. In contrast, deletion of PDGFRα decreases proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation by reducing serum response factor (SRF) nuclear localization. Consequences of SRF deletion resemble PDGFRα deletion, but deletion of two SRF coactivators, MRTFA and MRTFB, specifically eliminates myofibroblasts. Our findings suggest a scenario where PDGFRα signaling initially supports proliferation of fibroblast progenitors to expand their number during early wound healing but, later, PDGFRα downregulation facilitates fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longbiao Yao
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Bharath H Rathnakar
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Hae Ryong Kwon
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Hiromi Sakashita
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Jang H Kim
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Alex Rackley
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - James J Tomasek
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - William L Berry
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Lorin E Olson
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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25
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Kuppe C, Ramirez Flores RO, Li Z, Hayat S, Levinson RT, Liao X, Hannani MT, Tanevski J, Wünnemann F, Nagai JS, Halder M, Schumacher D, Menzel S, Schäfer G, Hoeft K, Cheng M, Ziegler S, Zhang X, Peisker F, Kaesler N, Saritas T, Xu Y, Kassner A, Gummert J, Morshuis M, Amrute J, Veltrop RJA, Boor P, Klingel K, Van Laake LW, Vink A, Hoogenboezem RM, Bindels EMJ, Schurgers L, Sattler S, Schapiro D, Schneider RK, Lavine K, Milting H, Costa IG, Saez-Rodriguez J, Kramann R. Spatial multi-omic map of human myocardial infarction. Nature 2022; 608:766-777. [PMID: 35948637 PMCID: PMC9364862 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05060-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death worldwide1. Although advances have been made in acute treatment, an incomplete understanding of remodelling processes has limited the effectiveness of therapies to reduce late-stage mortality2. Here we generate an integrative high-resolution map of human cardiac remodelling after myocardial infarction using single-cell gene expression, chromatin accessibility and spatial transcriptomic profiling of multiple physiological zones at distinct time points in myocardium from patients with myocardial infarction and controls. Multi-modal data integration enabled us to evaluate cardiac cell-type compositions at increased resolution, yielding insights into changes of the cardiac transcriptome and epigenome through the identification of distinct tissue structures of injury, repair and remodelling. We identified and validated disease-specific cardiac cell states of major cell types and analysed them in their spatial context, evaluating their dependency on other cell types. Our data elucidate the molecular principles of human myocardial tissue organization, recapitulating a gradual cardiomyocyte and myeloid continuum following ischaemic injury. In sum, our study provides an integrative molecular map of human myocardial infarction, represents an essential reference for the field and paves the way for advanced mechanistic and therapeutic studies of cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Kuppe
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ricardo O Ramirez Flores
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany
- Informatics for Life, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Zhijian Li
- Institute for Computational Genomics, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sikander Hayat
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rebecca T Levinson
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany
- Informatics for Life, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xian Liao
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Monica T Hannani
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jovan Tanevski
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Knowledge Technologies, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Florian Wünnemann
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - James S Nagai
- Institute for Computational Genomics, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Maurice Halder
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - David Schumacher
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sylvia Menzel
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gideon Schäfer
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Konrad Hoeft
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mingbo Cheng
- Institute for Computational Genomics, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Susanne Ziegler
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Xiaoting Zhang
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Peisker
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nadine Kaesler
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Turgay Saritas
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yaoxian Xu
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
| | - Astrid Kassner
- Erich and Hanna Klessmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Development, Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Jan Gummert
- Heart and Diabetes Center, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Michiel Morshuis
- Heart and Diabetes Center, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Junedh Amrute
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rogier J A Veltrop
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research IMCAR, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Boor
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Karin Klingel
- Cardiopathology, Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Linda W Van Laake
- Department of Cardiology, Regenerative Medicine Center and Circulatory Health Lab, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aryan Vink
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Remco M Hoogenboezem
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric M J Bindels
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leon Schurgers
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne Sattler
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Denis Schapiro
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebekka K Schneider
- Institute of Cell and Tumor Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kory Lavine
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hendrik Milting
- Erich and Hanna Klessmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Development, Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Ivan G Costa
- Institute for Computational Genomics, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julio Saez-Rodriguez
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Informatics for Life, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany.
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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26
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Chen X, Wu J, Li Z, Han J, Xia P, Shen Y, Ma J, Liu X, Zhang J, Yu P. Advances in The Study of RNA-binding Proteins in Diabetic Complications. Mol Metab 2022; 62:101515. [PMID: 35597446 PMCID: PMC9168169 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been reported that diabetes mellitus affects 435 million people globally as a primary health care problem. Despite many therapies available, many diabetes remains uncontrolled, giving rise to irreversible diabetic complications that pose significant risks to patients’ wellbeing and survival. Scope of Review In recent years, as much effort is put into elucidating the posttranscriptional gene regulation network of diabetes and diabetic complications; RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are found to be vital. RBPs regulate gene expression through various post-transcriptional mechanisms, including alternative splicing, RNA export, messenger RNA translation, RNA degradation, and RNA stabilization. Major Conclusions Here, we summarized recent studies on the roles and mechanisms of RBPs in mediating abnormal gene expression in diabetes and its complications. Moreover, we discussed the potential and theoretical basis of RBPs to treat diabetes and its complications. • Mechanisms of action of RBPs involved in diabetic complications are summarized and elucidated. • We discuss the theoretical basis and potential of RBPs for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. • We summarize the possible effective drugs for diabetes based on RBPs promoting the development of future therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiaqiang Wu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhangwang Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiashu Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Panpan Xia
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yunfeng Shen
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jianyong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, USA
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330006, China.
| | - Peng Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
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27
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Properties and Functions of Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts in Myocardial Infarction. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091386. [PMID: 35563692 PMCID: PMC9102016 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The adult mammalian heart contains abundant interstitial and perivascular fibroblasts that expand following injury and play a reparative role but also contribute to maladaptive fibrotic remodeling. Following myocardial infarction, cardiac fibroblasts undergo dynamic phenotypic transitions, contributing to the regulation of inflammatory, reparative, and angiogenic responses. This review manuscript discusses the mechanisms of regulation, roles and fate of fibroblasts in the infarcted heart. During the inflammatory phase of infarct healing, the release of alarmins by necrotic cells promotes a pro-inflammatory and matrix-degrading fibroblast phenotype that may contribute to leukocyte recruitment. The clearance of dead cells and matrix debris from the infarct stimulates anti-inflammatory pathways and activates transforming growth factor (TGF)-β cascades, resulting in the conversion of fibroblasts to α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing myofibroblasts. Activated myofibroblasts secrete large amounts of matrix proteins and form a collagen-based scar that protects the infarcted ventricle from catastrophic complications, such as cardiac rupture. Moreover, infarct fibroblasts may also contribute to cardiac repair by stimulating angiogenesis. During scar maturation, fibroblasts disassemble α-SMA+ stress fibers and convert to specialized cells that may serve in scar maintenance. The prolonged activation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the infarct border zone and in the remote remodeling myocardium may contribute to adverse remodeling and to the pathogenesis of heart failure. In addition to their phenotypic plasticity, fibroblasts exhibit remarkable heterogeneity. Subsets with distinct phenotypic profiles may be responsible for the wide range of functions of fibroblast populations in infarcted and remodeling hearts.
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28
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Varzideh F, Kansakar U, Donkor K, Wilson S, Jankauskas SS, Mone P, Wang X, Lombardi A, Santulli G. Cardiac Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction: Functional Contribution of microRNAs to Inflammation and Fibrosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:863238. [PMID: 35498051 PMCID: PMC9043126 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.863238] [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: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
After an ischemic injury, the heart undergoes a complex process of structural and functional remodeling that involves several steps, including inflammatory and fibrotic responses. In this review, we are focusing on the contribution of microRNAs in the regulation of inflammation and fibrosis after myocardial infarction. We summarize the most updated studies exploring the interactions between microRNAs and key regulators of inflammation and fibroblast activation and we discuss the recent discoveries, including clinical applications, in these rapidly advancing fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahimeh Varzideh
- Department of Medicine, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), New York, NY, United States
| | - Urna Kansakar
- Department of Medicine, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), New York, NY, United States
| | - Kwame Donkor
- Department of Medicine, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Scott Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stanislovas S. Jankauskas
- Department of Medicine, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), New York, NY, United States
| | - Pasquale Mone
- Department of Medicine, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Xujun Wang
- Department of Medicine, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), New York, NY, United States
| | - Angela Lombardi
- Department of Medicine, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gaetano Santulli
- Department of Medicine, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein Institute for Aging Research, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation (INI), New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Gaetano Santulli,
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29
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Del Re DP. Hippo-Yap signaling in cardiac and fibrotic remodeling. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 26:100492. [PMID: 36644337 PMCID: PMC9836231 DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2022.100492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac injury initiates a tissue remodeling process in which aberrant fibrosis plays a significant part, contributing to impaired contractility of the myocardium and the progression to heart failure. Fibrotic remodeling is characterized by the activation, proliferation, and differentiation of quiescent fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, and the resulting effects on the extracellular matrix and inflammatory milieu. Molecular mechanisms underlying fibroblast fate decisions and subsequent cardiac fibrosis are complex and remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence has implicated the Hippo-Yap signaling pathway, originally discovered as a fundamental regulator of organ size, as an important mechanism that modulates fibroblast activity and adverse remodeling in the heart, while also exerting distinct cell type-specific functions that dictate opposing outcomes on heart failure. This brief review will focus on Hippo-Yap signaling in cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts, and other non-myocytes, and present mechanisms by which it may influence the course of cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction.
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30
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Li JR, Tang M, Li Y, Amos CI, Cheng C. Genetic variants associated mRNA stability in lung. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:196. [PMID: 35272635 PMCID: PMC8915503 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08405-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) analyses have been widely used to identify genetic variants associated with gene expression levels to understand what molecular mechanisms underlie genetic traits. The resultant eQTLs might affect the expression of associated genes through transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation. In this study, we attempt to distinguish these two types of regulation by identifying genetic variants associated with mRNA stability of genes (stQTLs). Results Here, we presented a computational framework that takes advantage of recently developed methods to infer the mRNA stability of genes based on RNA-seq data and performed association analysis to identify stQTLs. Using the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) lung RNA-Seq data, we identified a total of 142,801 stQTLs for 3942 genes and 186,132 eQTLs for 4751 genes from 15,122,700 genetic variants for 13,476 genes on the autosomes, respectively. Interestingly, our results indicated that stQTLs were enriched in the CDS and 3’UTR regions, while eQTLs are enriched in the CDS, 3’UTR, 5’UTR, and upstream regions. We also found that stQTLs are more likely than eQTLs to overlap with RNA binding protein (RBP) and microRNA (miRNA) binding sites. Our analyses demonstrate that simultaneous identification of stQTLs and eQTLs can provide more mechanistic insight on the association between genetic variants and gene expression levels. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08405-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Rong Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mabel Tang
- Department of BioSciences, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yafang Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher I Amos
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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31
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Bugg D, Bailey LRJ, Bretherton RC, Beach KE, Reichardt IM, Robeson KZ, Reese AC, Gunaje J, Flint G, DeForest CA, Stempien-Otero A, Davis J. MBNL1 drives dynamic transitions between fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in cardiac wound healing. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:419-433.e10. [PMID: 35176223 PMCID: PMC8929295 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic fibroblast to myofibroblast state transitions underlie the heart's fibrotic response. Because transcriptome maturation by muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) promotes differentiated cell states, this study investigated whether tactical control of MBNL1 activity could alter myofibroblast activity and fibrotic outcomes. In healthy mice, cardiac fibroblast-specific overexpression of MBNL1 transitioned the fibroblast transcriptome to that of a myofibroblast and after injury promoted myocyte remodeling and scar maturation. Both fibroblast- and myofibroblast-specific loss of MBNL1 limited scar production and stabilization, which was ascribed to negligible myofibroblast activity. The combination of MBNL1 deletion and injury caused quiescent fibroblasts to expand and adopt features of cardiac mesenchymal stem cells, whereas transgenic MBNL1 expression blocked fibroblast proliferation and drove the population into a mature myofibroblast state. These data suggest MBNL1 is a post-transcriptional switch, controlling fibroblast state plasticity during cardiac wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrian Bugg
- Department of Lab Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Logan R J Bailey
- Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ross C Bretherton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Kylie E Beach
- Department of Lab Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Kalen Z Robeson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Anna C Reese
- Department of Lab Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jagadambika Gunaje
- Department of Lab Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Galina Flint
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Cole A DeForest
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Davis
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Lab Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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32
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Okumura K, Saito M, Isogai E, Tokunaga Y, Hasegawa Y, Araki K, Wakabayashi Y. Functional polymorphism in Pak1-3'UTR alters skin tumor susceptibility by alternative polyadenylation. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2323-2333.e12. [PMID: 35240107 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We identified a functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) that is responsible for the Skin tumor modifier of MSM 1a locus. Candidate SNPs in the 3'UTR of Pak1 from resistance strain MSM/Ms were introduced into susceptible strain FVB/N using CRISPR/Cas9. DMBA/TPA skin carcinogenesis experiments revealed an SNP (Pak1-3'UTR-6C>T: rs31627325) that strongly suppressed skin tumors. Furthermore, Muscleblind-Like Splicing Regulator 1 bound more strongly to FVB-allele (6C/C) and regulated the transcript length in the 3'UTR of Pak1 and tumorigenesis via polyadenylation. Therefore, the alternative polyadenylation of Pak1 is cis-regulated by rs31627325.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Okumura
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, 666-2, Nitonacho, Chuouku, Chiba, 260-8717, Japan
| | - Megumi Saito
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, 666-2, Nitonacho, Chuouku, Chiba, 260-8717, Japan
| | - Eriko Isogai
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, 666-2, Nitonacho, Chuouku, Chiba, 260-8717, Japan
| | - Yurika Tokunaga
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, 666-2, Nitonacho, Chuouku, Chiba, 260-8717, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Hasegawa
- Laboratory of Clinical Omics Research, Department of Applied Genomics, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7, Kazusa-kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, 292-0818, Japan
| | - Kimi Araki
- Division of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1, Honjo, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yuichi Wakabayashi
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, 666-2, Nitonacho, Chuouku, Chiba, 260-8717, Japan.
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Nam YJ. Translational perspectives on cardiac reprogramming. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 122:14-20. [PMID: 34210578 PMCID: PMC8712611 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Loss of cardiac muscle after cardiac injury is replaced by cardiac fibrosis, due to very limited regenerative capacity of the heart. Although initially beneficial, persistent cardiac fibrosis leads to pump failure and conduction abnormalities, common modes of death following cardiac injury. Thus, directly reprogramming cardiac fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocyte-like cells (iCMs) by forced expression of cardiogenic factors (referred to as cardiac reprogramming) is particularly attractive in that it targets cardiac fibroblasts, a major source of cardiac fibrosis, to induce new cardiac muscle. Over the last decade, remarkable progresses have been made on cardiac reprogramming, particularly focusing on how to enhance conversion of fibroblasts to iCMs in vitro. However, it still remains elusive whether this new regenerative approach can be translated into clinical practice. This review discusses progresses and challenges of cardiac reprogramming in the translational context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jae Nam
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA,Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA,To whom correspondence may be addressed: Young-Jae Nam, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville , Tennessee 37232, USA, Phone: 615-936-5436,
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Chronic isoprenaline/phenylephrine vs. exclusive isoprenaline stimulation in mice: critical contribution of alpha 1-adrenoceptors to early cardiac stress responses. Basic Res Cardiol 2022; 117:15. [PMID: 35286475 PMCID: PMC8921177 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00920-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system is a major driver of cardiac remodeling, exerting its effects through both α-, and β-adrenoceptors (α-, β-ARs). As the relative contribution of subtype α1-AR to cardiac stress responses remains poorly investigated, we subjected mice to either subcutaneous perfusion with the β-AR agonist isoprenaline (ISO, 30 mg/kg × day) or to a combination of ISO and the stable α1-AR agonist phenylephrine (ISO/PE, 30 mg/kg × day each). Telemetry analysis revealed similar hemodynamic responses under both ISO and ISO/PE treatment i.e., permanently increased heart rates and only transient decreases in mean blood pressure during the first 24 h. Echocardiography and single cell analysis after 1 week of exposure showed that ISO/PE-, but not ISO-treated animals established α1-AR-mediated inotropic responsiveness to acute adrenergic stimulation. Morphologically, additional PE perfusion limited concentric cardiomyocyte growth and enhanced cardiac collagen deposition during 7 days of treatment. Time-course analysis demonstrated a diverging development in transcriptional patterns at day 4 of treatment i.e., increased expression of selected marker genes Xirp2, Nppa, Tgfb1, Col1a1, Postn under chronic ISO/PE treatment which was either less pronounced or absent in the ISO group. Transcriptome analyses at day 4 via RNA sequencing demonstrated that additional PE treatment caused a marked upregulation of genes allocated to extracellular matrix and fiber organization along with a more pronounced downregulation of genes involved in metabolic processes, muscle adaptation and cardiac electrophysiology. Consistently, transcriptome changes under ISO/PE challenge more effectively recapitulated early transcriptional alterations in pressure overload-induced experimental heart failure and in human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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35
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Li X, Li N, Li B, Feng Y, Zhou D, Chen G. Noncoding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins in diabetic wound healing. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 50:128311. [PMID: 34438011 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Poor wound healing is a common complication in diabetic patients. It often leads to intractable infections and lower limb amputations and is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. NcRNAs, which can regulate gene expression, have emerged as important regulators of various physiological processes. Herein, we summarize the diverse roles of ncRNAs in the key stages of diabetic wound healing, including inflammation, angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Meanwhile, the potential use of ncRNAs as novel therapeutic targets for wound healing in diabetic patients is also discussed. In addition, we summarize the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in the regulation of gene expression and signaling pathways during skin repair, which may provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention for this potentially devastating disease. However, so far, research on the modulated drug based on ncRNAs that lead to significantly altered gene expression in diabetic patients is scarce. We have compiled some drugs that may be able to modulate ncRNAs, which significantly regulate the gene expression in diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingxin Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Feng
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, People's Republic of China; Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Guangxi Normal University, People's Republic of China.
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36
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Umbarkar P, Ejantkar S, Tousif S, Lal H. Mechanisms of Fibroblast Activation and Myocardial Fibrosis: Lessons Learned from FB-Specific Conditional Mouse Models. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092412. [PMID: 34572061 PMCID: PMC8471002 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the world. Cardiac fibrosis is associated with HF progression. Fibrosis is characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components. This is a physiological response to tissue injury. However, uncontrolled fibrosis leads to adverse cardiac remodeling and contributes significantly to cardiac dysfunction. Fibroblasts (FBs) are the primary drivers of myocardial fibrosis. However, until recently, FBs were thought to play a secondary role in cardiac pathophysiology. This review article will present the evolving story of fibroblast biology and fibrosis in cardiac diseases, emphasizing their recent shift from a supporting to a leading role in our understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiac diseases. Indeed, this story only became possible because of the emergence of FB-specific mouse models. This study includes an update on the advancements in the generation of FB-specific mouse models. Regarding the underlying mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis, we will focus on the pathways that have been validated using FB-specific, in vivo mouse models. These pathways include the TGF-β/SMAD3, p38 MAPK, Wnt/β-Catenin, G-protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK), and Hippo signaling. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying fibroblast activation and fibrosis may provide a novel therapeutic target for the management of adverse fibrotic remodeling in the diseased heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Umbarkar
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
- Correspondence: (P.U.); (H.L.); Tel.: +1-205-996-4248 (P.U.); +1-205-996-4219 (H.L.); Fax: +1-205-975-5104 (H.L.)
| | - Suma Ejantkar
- School of Health Professions, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Sultan Tousif
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Hind Lal
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
- Correspondence: (P.U.); (H.L.); Tel.: +1-205-996-4248 (P.U.); +1-205-996-4219 (H.L.); Fax: +1-205-975-5104 (H.L.)
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Algeciras L, Palanca A, Maestro D, RuizdelRio J, Villar AV. Epigenetic alterations of TGFβ and its main canonical signaling mediators in the context of cardiac fibrosis. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2021; 159:38-47. [PMID: 34119506 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological process that presents a continuous overproduction of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the myocardium, which negatively influences the progression of many cardiac diseases. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is the main ligand that triggers the production of pro-fibrotic ECM proteins. In the cardiac fibrotic process, TGFβ and its canonical signaling mediators are tightly regulated at different levels as well as epigenetically. Cardiac fibroblasts are one of the most important TGFβ target cells activated after cardiac injury. TGFβ-driven fibroblast activation is subject to epigenetic modulation and contributes to the progression of cardiac fibrosis, mainly through the expression of pro-fibrotic molecules implicated in the disease. In this review, we describe epigenetic regulation related to canonical TGFβ signaling in cardiac fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Algeciras
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Ana Palanca
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain; Departamento de Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - David Maestro
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Jorge RuizdelRio
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Ana V Villar
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain; Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain.
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Navvabi N, Kolikova P, Hosek P, Zitricky F, Navvabi A, Vycital O, Bruha J, Palek R, Rosendorf J, Liska V, Pitule P. Altered Expression of MBNL Family of Alternative Splicing Factors in Colorectal Cancer. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 18:295-306. [PMID: 33893082 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Colorectal cancer is currently the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths and recently, alternative splicing has risen as its important regulator and potential treatment target. In the present study, we analyzed gene expression of the MBNL family of regulators of alternative splicing in various stages of colorectal cancer development, together with the MBNL-target splicing events in FOXP1 and EPB41L3 genes and tumor-related CD44 variants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples of tumor tissue and non-malignant mucosa from 108 patients were collected. After RNA isolation and reverse transcription, the relative gene expression of a selected gene panel was tested by quantitative real-time PCR, followed by statistical analysis. RESULTS MBNL expression was decreased in tumor tissue compared to non-tumor mucosa. In addition, lower expression was observed for the variants of FOXP1 and EPB41L3, while higher expression in tumor tissue was detected both for total CD44 and its cancer-related variants 3 and 6. Transcript levels of the MBNL genes were not found to be related to any of the studied clinicopathological characteristics. Multiple significant associations were identified in the target gene panel, including higher transcript levels of FOXP1 and CD44v3 in patients with distant metastases and connections between recurrence-free survival and altered levels of FOXP1 and CD44v3. CONCLUSION Our results identified for the first-time deregulation of MBNL genes in colorectal cancer. Down-regulation of their transcripts in tumor tissue compared to matched non-tumor mucosa can lead to transition of alternative splicing patterns towards a less differentiated phenotype, which highlights the importance of alternative splicing regulation for tumor growth and propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazila Navvabi
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Kolikova
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Hosek
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Zitricky
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Azita Navvabi
- Biological Center, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technologies in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan University, Hormozgan, Iran
| | - Ondrej Vycital
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Bruha
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Richard Palek
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Jachym Rosendorf
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Vaclav Liska
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Pitule
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic; .,Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
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Eguchi A, Coleman R, Gresham K, Gao E, Ibetti J, Chuprun JK, Koch WJ. GRK5 is a regulator of fibroblast activation and cardiac fibrosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2012854118. [PMID: 33500351 PMCID: PMC7865138 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012854118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological remodeling of the heart is a hallmark of chronic heart failure (HF) and these structural changes further perpetuate the disease. Cardiac fibroblasts are the critical cell type that is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the heart. Stress conditions, such as a myocardial infarction (MI), can activate quiescent fibroblasts into synthetic and contractile myofibroblasts. G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) is an important mediator of cardiovascular homeostasis through dampening of GPCR signaling, and is expressed in the heart and up-regulated in human HF. Of note, GRK5 has been demonstrated to translocate to the nucleus in cardiomyocytes in a calcium-calmodulin (Ca2+-CAM)-dependent manner, promoting hypertrophic gene transcription through activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Interestingly, NFAT is also involved in fibroblast activation. GRK5 is highly expressed and active in cardiac fibroblasts; however, its pathophysiological role in these crucial cardiac cells is unknown. We demonstrate using adult cardiac fibroblasts that genetic deletion of GRK5 inhibits angiotensin II (AngII)-mediated fibroblast activation. Fibroblast-specific deletion of GRK5 in mice led to decreased fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy after chronic AngII infusion or after ischemic injury compared to nontransgenic littermate controls (NLCs). Mechanistically, we show that nuclear translocation of GRK5 is involved in fibroblast activation. These data demonstrate that GRK5 is a regulator of fibroblast activation in vitro and cardiac fibrosis in vivo. This adds to previously published data which demonstrate the potential beneficial effects of GRK5 inhibition in the context of cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akito Eguchi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Ryan Coleman
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Kenneth Gresham
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Erhe Gao
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Jessica Ibetti
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - J Kurt Chuprun
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Walter J Koch
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140;
- Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
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40
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Liu Y, Yin Z, Xu X, Liu C, Duan X, Song Q, Tuo Y, Wang C, Yang J, Yin S. Crosstalk between the activated Slit2-Robo1 pathway and TGF-β1 signalling promotes cardiac fibrosis. ESC Heart Fail 2021; 8:447-460. [PMID: 33236535 PMCID: PMC7835586 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.13095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Previous reports indicated that the Slit2-Robo signalling pathway is involved in embryonic heart development and fibrosis in other solid organs, but its function in adult cardiac fibrosis has not been investigated. Here, we investigate the role of the Slit2-Robo1 signalling pathway in cardiac fibrosis. METHODS AND RESULTS The right atrial tissue samples were obtained from patients with valvular heart disease complicated by atrial fibrillation during heart valve surgery and from healthy heart donors. The fibrotic animal model is created by performing transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery. The Robo1, Slit2, TGF-β1, and collagen I expression levels in human and animal samples were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Echocardiography measured the changes in heart size and cardiac functions of animals. Angiotensin II (Ang II), Slit2-siRNA, TGF-β1-siRNA, recombinant Slit2, and recombinant TGF-β1 were transfected to cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) respectively to observe their effects on collagen I expression level. The right atrial appendage of patients with valvular heart disease complicated by atrial fibrillation found significantly up-regulated Slit2, Robo1, TGF-β1, and collagen I expression levels. TAC surgery leads to heart enlargement, cardiac fibrosis, and up-regulation of Slit2, Robo1, TGF-β1, and collagen I expression levels in animal model. Robo1 antagonist R5 and TGF-β1 antagonist SB431542 suppressed cardiac fibrosis in TAC mice. Treatment with 100 nM Ang II in CFs caused significantly increased Slit2, Robo1, Smad2/3, TGF-β1, collagen I, PI3K, and Akt expression levels. Transfecting Slit2-siRNA and TGF-β1-siRNA, respectively, into rat CFs significantly down-regulated Smad2/3 and collagen I expression, inhibiting the effects of Ang II. Recombinant Slit2 activated the TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway in CFs and up-regulated Periostin, Robo1, and collagen I expression. CONCLUSIONS The Slit2-Robo1 signalling pathway interfered with the TGF-β1/Smad pathway and promoted cardiac fibrosis. Blockade of Slit2-Robo1 might be a new treatment for cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqi Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- NCH Key Laboratory of Assisted CirculationSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ziwei Yin
- Division of BiosciencesUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Xueqin Xu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- NCH Key Laboratory of Assisted CirculationSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Chen Liu
- NCH Key Laboratory of Assisted CirculationSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaoying Duan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- NCH Key Laboratory of Assisted CirculationSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Qinlan Song
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- NCH Key Laboratory of Assisted CirculationSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ying Tuo
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Cuiping Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery ICU, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Stomatological HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Shengli Yin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- NCH Key Laboratory of Assisted CirculationSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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41
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Xu Y, Liang C, Luo Y, Zhang T. MBNL1 regulates isoproterenol-induced myocardial remodelling in vitro and in vivo. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:1100-1115. [PMID: 33295096 PMCID: PMC7812249 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial remodelling is a common phenomenon in cardiovascular diseases, which threaten human health and the quality of life. Due to the lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment methods, the molecular mechanism of myocardial remodelling should be explored in depth. In this study, we observed the high expression of MBNL1 in cardiac tissue and peripheral blood of an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy mouse model. MBNL1 promoted ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis by stabilizing Myocardin mRNA in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, an increase in MBNL1 may induce the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes treated with ISO via TNF-α signalling. Interestingly, MBNL1 can be activated by p300 in cardiomyocytes treated with ISO. At last, Myocardin can reverse activate the expression of MBNL1. These results suggest that MBNL1 may be a potential target for the early diagnosis and clinical treatment of myocardial remodelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xu
- College of Life Sciences and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Chen Liang
- College of Life Sciences and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Ying Luo
- College of Biological Science and TechnologyHubei Minzu UniversityEnshiChina
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Occurrence and Intervention of Rheumatic diseasesHubei Minzu UniversityEnshiChina
| | - Tongcun Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
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42
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Li J, Yang T, Tang H, Sha Z, Chen R, Chen L, Yu Y, Rowe GC, Das S, Xiao J. Inhibition of lncRNA MAAT Controls Multiple Types of Muscle Atrophy by cis- and trans-Regulatory Actions. Mol Ther 2020; 29:1102-1119. [PMID: 33279721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle atrophy is associated with negative outcomes in a variety of diseases. Identification of a common therapeutic target would address a significant unmet clinical need. Here, we identify a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) (muscle-atrophy-associated transcript, lncMAAT) as a common regulator of skeletal muscle atrophy. lncMAAT is downregulated in multiple types of muscle-atrophy models both in vivo (denervation, Angiotensin II [AngII], fasting, immobilization, and aging-induced muscle atrophy) and in vitro (AngII, H2O2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]-induced muscle atrophy). Gain- and loss-of-function analysis both in vitro and in vivo reveals that downregulation of lncMAAT is sufficient to induce muscle atrophy, while overexpression of lncMAAT can ameliorate multiple types of muscle atrophy. Mechanistically, lncMAAT negatively regulates the transcription of miR-29b through SOX6 by a trans-regulatory module and increases the expression of the neighboring gene Mbnl1 by a cis-regulatory module. Therefore, overexpression of lncMAAT may represent a promising therapy for muscle atrophy induced by different stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Haifei Tang
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zhao Sha
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Glenn C Rowe
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Saumya Das
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02214, USA
| | - Junjie Xiao
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
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43
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Francisco J, Zhang Y, Jeong JI, Mizushima W, Ikeda S, Ivessa A, Oka S, Zhai P, Tallquist MD, Del Re DP. Blockade of Fibroblast YAP Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis and Dysfunction Through MRTF-A Inhibition. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2020; 5:931-945. [PMID: 33015415 PMCID: PMC7524792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2020.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Fibrotic remodeling of the heart in response to injury contributes to heart failure, yet therapies to treat fibrosis remain elusive. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is activated in cardiac fibroblasts by myocardial infarction, and genetic inhibition of fibroblast YAP attenuates myocardial infarction-induced cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis. YAP promotes myofibroblast differentiation and associated extracellular matrix gene expression through engagement of TEA domain transcription factor 1 and subsequent de novo expression of myocardin-related transcription factor A. Thus, fibroblast YAP is a promising therapeutic target to prevent fibrotic remodeling and heart failure.
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Key Words
- AngII, angiotensin II
- Hippo signaling
- MCM, Mer-Cre-Mer
- MI, myocardial infarction
- MRTF-A, myocardin-related transcription factor A
- Mkl1, megakaryoblastic leukemia 1
- NRCF, neonatal rat cardiac fibroblast
- PDGFR, platelet-derived growth factor receptor
- PE, phenylephrine
- SMA, smooth muscle actin
- TEAD, TEA domain transcription factor
- TGF, transforming growth factor
- YAP
- YAP, yes-associated protein
- cardiac fibrosis
- heart failure
- mRNA, messenger ribonucleic acid
- myocardial infarction
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Francisco
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Jae Im Jeong
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Wataru Mizushima
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Shohei Ikeda
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Andreas Ivessa
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Shinichi Oka
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Peiyong Zhai
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Michelle D Tallquist
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Dominic P Del Re
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
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Bugg D, Bretherton R, Kim P, Olszewski E, Nagle A, Schumacher AE, Chu N, Gunaje J, DeForest CA, Stevens K, Kim DH, Davis J. Infarct Collagen Topography Regulates Fibroblast Fate via p38-Yes-Associated Protein Transcriptional Enhanced Associate Domain Signals. Circ Res 2020; 127:1306-1322. [PMID: 32883176 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.119.316162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Myocardial infarction causes spatial variation in collagen organization and phenotypic diversity in fibroblasts, which regulate the heart's ECM (extracellular matrix). The relationship between collagen structure and fibroblast phenotype is poorly understood but could provide insights regarding the mechanistic basis for myofibroblast heterogeneity in the injured heart. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of collagen organization in cardiac fibroblast fate determination. METHODS AND RESULTS Biomimetic topographies were nanofabricated to recapitulate differential collagen organization in the infarcted mouse heart. Here, adult cardiac fibroblasts were freshly isolated and cultured on ECM topographical mimetics for 72 hours. Aligned mimetics caused cardiac fibroblasts to elongate while randomly organized topographies induced circular morphology similar to the disparate myofibroblast morphologies measured in vivo. Alignment cues also induced myofibroblast differentiation, as >60% of fibroblasts formed αSMA (α-smooth muscle actin) stress fibers and expressed myofibroblast-specific ECM genes like Postn (periostin). By contrast, random organization caused 38% of cardiac fibroblasts to express αSMA albeit with downregulated myofibroblast-specific ECM genes. Coupling topographical cues with the profibrotic agonist, TGFβ (transforming growth factor beta), additively upregulated myofibroblast-specific ECM genes independent of topography, but only fibroblasts on flat and randomly oriented mimetics had increased percentages of fibroblasts with αSMA stress fibers. Increased tension sensation at focal adhesions induced myofibroblast differentiation on aligned mimetics. These signals were transduced by p38-YAP (yes-associated protein)-TEAD (transcriptional enhanced associate domain) interactions, in which both p38 and YAP-TEAD (yes-associated protein transcriptional enhanced associate domain) binding were required for myofibroblast differentiation. By contrast, randomly oriented mimetics did not change focal adhesion tension sensation or enrich for p38-YAP-TEAD interactions, which explains the topography-dependent diversity in fibroblast phenotypes observed here. CONCLUSIONS Spatial variations in collagen organization regulate cardiac fibroblast phenotype through mechanical activation of p38-YAP-TEAD signaling, which likely contribute to myofibroblast heterogeneity in the infarcted myocardium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrian Bugg
- Pathology (D.B., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Center for Cardiovascular Biology (D.B., R.B., E.O., A.N., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Ross Bretherton
- Bioengineering (R.B., P.K., E.O., A.N., N.C., C.A.D., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Center for Cardiovascular Biology (D.B., R.B., E.O., A.N., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Peter Kim
- Bioengineering (R.B., P.K., E.O., A.N., N.C., C.A.D., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Emily Olszewski
- Bioengineering (R.B., P.K., E.O., A.N., N.C., C.A.D., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Center for Cardiovascular Biology (D.B., R.B., E.O., A.N., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Abigail Nagle
- Bioengineering (R.B., P.K., E.O., A.N., N.C., C.A.D., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Center for Cardiovascular Biology (D.B., R.B., E.O., A.N., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | | | - Nick Chu
- Bioengineering (R.B., P.K., E.O., A.N., N.C., C.A.D., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Jagadambika Gunaje
- Pathology (D.B., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Center for Cardiovascular Biology (D.B., R.B., E.O., A.N., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Cole A DeForest
- Bioengineering (R.B., P.K., E.O., A.N., N.C., C.A.D., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (C.A.D., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Chemical Engineering (C.A.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Kelly Stevens
- Bioengineering (R.B., P.K., E.O., A.N., N.C., C.A.D., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Pathology (D.B., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (C.A.D., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle.,Center for Cardiovascular Biology (D.B., R.B., E.O., A.N., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Deok-Ho Kim
- Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (D.-H.K.).,Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (D.-H.K.)
| | - Jennifer Davis
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology (D.B., R.B., E.O., A.N., J.G., K.S., J.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
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45
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Bretherton R, Bugg D, Olszewski E, Davis J. Regulators of cardiac fibroblast cell state. Matrix Biol 2020; 91-92:117-135. [PMID: 32416242 PMCID: PMC7789291 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are the primary regulator of cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM). In response to disease stimuli cardiac fibroblasts undergo cell state transitions to a myofibroblast phenotype, which underlies the fibrotic response in the heart and other organs. Identifying regulators of fibroblast state transitions would inform which pathways could be therapeutically modulated to tactically control maladaptive extracellular matrix remodeling. Indeed, a deeper understanding of fibroblast cell state and plasticity is necessary for controlling its fate for therapeutic benefit. p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is part of the noncanonical transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway, is a central regulator of fibroblast to myofibroblast cell state transitions that is activated by chemical and mechanical stress signals. Fibroblast intrinsic signaling, local and global cardiac mechanics, and multicellular interactions individually and synergistically impact these state transitions and hence the ECM, which will be reviewed here in the context of cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Bretherton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
| | - Darrian Bugg
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, 850 Republican, #343, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
| | - Emily Olszewski
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
| | - Jennifer Davis
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, United States; Department of Pathology, University of Washington, 850 Republican, #343, Seattle, WA 98109, United States; Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, United States; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, United States.
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46
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Seachrist DD, Hannigan MM, Ingles NN, Webb BM, Weber-Bonk KL, Yu P, Bebek G, Singh S, Sizemore ST, Varadan V, Licatalosi DD, Keri RA. The transcriptional repressor BCL11A promotes breast cancer metastasis. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:11707-11719. [PMID: 32576660 PMCID: PMC7450125 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The phenotypes of each breast cancer subtype are defined by their transcriptomes. However, the transcription factors that regulate differential patterns of gene expression that contribute to specific disease outcomes are not well understood. Here, using gene silencing and overexpression approaches, RNA-Seq, and splicing analysis, we report that the transcription factor B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 11A (BCL11A) is highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and drives metastatic disease. Moreover, BCL11A promotes cancer cell invasion by suppressing the expression of muscleblind-like splicing regulator 1 (MBNL1), a splicing regulator that suppresses metastasis. This ultimately increases the levels of an alternatively spliced isoform of integrin-α6 (ITGA6), which is associated with worse patient outcomes. These results suggest that BCL11A sustains TNBC cell invasion and metastatic growth by repressing MBNL1-directed splicing of ITGA6 Our findings also indicate that BCL11A lies at the interface of transcription and splicing and promotes aggressive TNBC phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcie D Seachrist
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Molly M Hannigan
- Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Natasha N Ingles
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Bryan M Webb
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Kristen L Weber-Bonk
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Peng Yu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and TEES-AgriLife Center for Bioinformatics and Genomic Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Gurkan Bebek
- Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Salendra Singh
- Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Steven T Sizemore
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Richard L. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Vinay Varadan
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Donny D Licatalosi
- Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ruth A Keri
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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47
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Yadava RS, Kim YK, Mandal M, Mahadevan K, Gladman JT, Yu Q, Mahadevan MS. MBNL1 overexpression is not sufficient to rescue the phenotypes in a mouse model of RNA toxicity. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:2330-2338. [PMID: 30997488 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by an expanded (CTG)n tract in the 3'UTR of the DM protein kinase (DMPK) gene. The RNA transcripts produced from the expanded allele sequester or alter the function of RNA-binding proteins (MBNL1, CUGBP1, etc.). The sequestration of MBNL1 results in RNA-splicing defects that contribute to disease. Overexpression of MBNL1 in skeletal muscle has been shown to rescue some of the DM1 features in a mouse model and has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for DM1. Here, we sought to confirm if overexpression of MBNL1 rescues the phenotypes in a different mouse model of RNA toxicity. Using an inducible mouse model of RNA toxicity in which expression of the mutant DMPK 3'UTR results in RNA foci formation, MBNL1 sequestration, splicing defects, myotonia and cardiac conduction defects, we find that MBNL1 overexpression did not rescue skeletal muscle function nor beneficially affect cardiac conduction. Surprisingly, MBNL1 overexpression also did not rescue myotonia, though variable rescue of Clcn1 splicing and other splicing defects was seen. Additionally, contrary to the previous study, we found evidence for increased muscle histopathology with MBNL1 overexpression. Overall, we did not find evidence for beneficial effects from overexpression of MBNL1 as a means to correct RNA toxicity mediated by mRNAs containing an expanded DMPK 3'UTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh S Yadava
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Yun K Kim
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mahua Mandal
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Jordan T Gladman
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Qing Yu
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mani S Mahadevan
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Hao K, Lei W, Wu H, Wu J, Yang Z, Yan S, Lu XA, Li J, Xia X, Han X, Deng W, Zhong G, Zhao ZA, Hu S. LncRNA- Safe contributes to cardiac fibrosis through Safe- Sfrp2-HuR complex in mouse myocardial infarction. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:7282-7297. [PMID: 31695768 PMCID: PMC6831303 DOI: 10.7150/thno.33920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: As a hallmark of various heart diseases, cardiac fibrosis ultimately leads to end-stage heart failure. Anti-fibrosis is a potential therapeutic strategy for heart failure. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of heart diseases that promise to serve as therapeutic targets. However, few lncRNAs have been directly implicated in cardiac fibrosis. Methods: The lncRNA expression profiles were assessed by microarray in cardiac fibrotic and remote ventricular tissues in mice with myocardial infarction. The mechanisms and functional significance of lncRNA-AK137033 in cardiac fibrosis were further investigated with both in vitro and in vivo models. Results: We identified 389 differentially expressed lncRNAs in cardiac fibrotic and remote ventricular tissues in mice with myocardial infarction. Among them, a lncRNA (AK137033) we named Safe was enriched in the nuclei of fibroblasts, and elevated in both myocardial infarction and TGF-β-induced cardiac fibrosis. Knockdown of Safe prevented TGF-β-induced fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, aberrant cell proliferation and secretion of extracellular matrix proteins in vitro, and mended the impaired cardiac function in mice suffering myocardial infarction. In vitro studies indicated that knockdown of Safe significantly inhibited the expression of its neighboring gene Sfrp2, and vice versa. The Sfrp2 overexpression obviously disturbed the regulatory effects of Safe shRNAs in both the in vitro cultured cardiac fibroblasts and myocardial infarction-induced fibrosis. Dual-Luciferase assay demonstrated that Safe and Sfrp2 mRNA stabilized each other via their complementary binding at the 3'-end. RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay indicated that RNA binding protein HuR could bind to Safe-Sfrp2 RNA duplex, whereas the knockdown of HuR dramatically reduced the stabilization of Safe and Sfrp2 mRNAs, down-regulated their expression in cardiac fibroblasts, and thus inhibited TGF-β-induced fibrosis. The Safe overexpression partially restrained the phenotype change of cardiac fibroblasts induced by Sfrp2 shRNAs, but not that induced by HuR shRNAs. Conclusions: Our study identifies Safe as a critical regulator of cardiac fibrosis, and demonstrates Safe-Sfrp2-HuR complex-mediated Sfrp2 mRNA stability is the underlying mechanism of Safe-regulated cardiac fibrosis. Fibroblast-enriched Safe could represent a novel target for anti-fibrotic therapy in heart diseases.
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49
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Khalil H, Kanisicak O, Vagnozzi RJ, Johansen AK, Maliken BD, Prasad V, Boyer JG, Brody MJ, Schips T, Kilian KK, Correll RN, Kawasaki K, Nagata K, Molkentin JD. Cell-specific ablation of Hsp47 defines the collagen-producing cells in the injured heart. JCI Insight 2019; 4:e128722. [PMID: 31393098 PMCID: PMC6693833 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.128722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen production in the adult heart is thought to be regulated by the fibroblast, although cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells also express multiple collagen mRNAs. Molecular chaperones are required for procollagen biosynthesis, including heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47). To determine the cell types critically involved in cardiac injury–induced fibrosis theHsp47 gene was deleted in cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, or myofibroblasts. Deletion ofHsp47 from cardiomyocytes during embryonic development or adult stages, or deletion from adult endothelial cells, did not affect cardiac fibrosis after pressure overload injury. However, myofibroblast-specific ablation of Hsp47; blocked fibrosis and deposition of collagens type I, III, and V following pressure overload as well as significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy. Fibroblast-specific Hsp47-deleted mice showed lethality after myocardial infarction injury, with ineffective scar formation and ventricular wall rupture. Similarly, only myofibroblast-specific deletion of Hsp47reduced fibrosis and disease in skeletal muscle in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy. Mechanistically, deletion of Hsp47 from myofibroblasts reduced mRNA expression of fibrillar collagens and attenuated their proliferation in the heart without affecting paracrine secretory activity of these cells. The results show that myofibroblasts are the primary mediators of tissue fibrosis and scar formation in the injured adult heart, which unexpectedly affects cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Khalil
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Onur Kanisicak
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,Department of Pathology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Bryan D. Maliken
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Vikram Prasad
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Justin G. Boyer
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Matthew J. Brody
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Tobias Schips
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Katja K. Kilian
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Robert N. Correll
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Kunito Kawasaki
- Institute for Protein Dynamics, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nagata
- Institute for Protein Dynamics, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jeffery D. Molkentin
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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50
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Rehman M, Vodret S, Braga L, Guarnaccia C, Celsi F, Rossetti G, Martinelli V, Battini T, Long C, Vukusic K, Kocijan T, Collesi C, Ring N, Skoko N, Giacca M, Del Sal G, Confalonieri M, Raspa M, Marcello A, Myers MP, Crovella S, Carloni P, Zacchigna S. High-throughput screening discovers antifibrotic properties of haloperidol by hindering myofibroblast activation. JCI Insight 2019; 4:123987. [PMID: 30996132 PMCID: PMC6538355 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.123987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a hallmark in the pathogenesis of various diseases, with very limited therapeutic solutions. A key event in the fibrotic process is the expression of contractile proteins, including α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) by fibroblasts, which become myofibroblasts. Here, we report the results of a high-throughput screening of a library of approved drugs that led to the discovery of haloperidol, a common antipsychotic drug, as a potent inhibitor of myofibroblast activation. We show that haloperidol exerts its antifibrotic effect on primary murine and human fibroblasts by binding to sigma receptor 1, independent from the canonical transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway. Its mechanism of action involves the modulation of intracellular calcium, with moderate induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress response, which in turn abrogates Notch1 signaling and the consequent expression of its targets, including αSMA. Importantly, haloperidol also reduced the fibrotic burden in 3 different animal models of lung, cardiac, and tumor-associated fibrosis, thus supporting the repurposing of this drug for the treatment of fibrotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Corrado Guarnaccia
- Biotechnology Development, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvio Celsi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Rossetti
- Computational Biomedicine Section, Institute of Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chiara Collesi
- Molecular Medicine, and
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Natasa Skoko
- Biotechnology Development, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Molecular Medicine, and
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giannino Del Sal
- National Laboratory CIB, Area Science Park Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marcello Raspa
- National Research Council, CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Michael P. Myers
- Protein Networks Laboratories, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Biotechnology Development, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Carloni
- Computational Biomedicine Section, Institute of Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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