1
|
Foglio E, D'Avorio E, Nieri R, Russo MA, Limana F. Epicardial EMT and cardiac repair: an update. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:219. [PMID: 39026298 PMCID: PMC11264588 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03823-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in both heart development and injury response and involves dynamic cellular changes that are essential for cardiogenesis and myocardial repair. Specifically, epicardial EMT is a crucial process in which epicardial cells lose polarity, migrate into the myocardium, and differentiate into various cardiac cell types during development and repair. Importantly, following EMT, the epicardium becomes a source of paracrine factors that support cardiac growth at the last stages of cardiogenesis and contribute to cardiac remodeling after injury. As such, EMT seems to represent a fundamental step in cardiac repair. Nevertheless, endogenous EMT alone is insufficient to stimulate adequate repair. Redirecting and amplifying epicardial EMT pathways offers promising avenues for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and treatment approaches for heart disease. In this review, we present a synthesis of recent literature highlighting the significance of epicardial EMT reactivation in adult heart disease patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Foglio
- Technoscience, Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico Pontino, Latina, Italy
| | - Erica D'Avorio
- Dipartimento di Promozione delle Scienze Umane e della Qualità della Vita, San Raffaele University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Nieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Federica Limana
- Dipartimento di Promozione delle Scienze Umane e della Qualità della Vita, San Raffaele University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Laboratorio di Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ma X, Zhao J, Feng Y. Epicardial SMARCA4 deletion exacerbates cardiac injury in myocardial infarction and is related to the inhibition of epicardial epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 191:76-87. [PMID: 38718920 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2024.05.001] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The reactivated adult epicardium produces epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to benefit the recovery of the heart after myocardial infarction (MI). SMARCA4 is the core catalytic subunit of the chromatin re-modeling complex, which has the potential to target some reactivated epicardial genes in MI. However, the effects of epicardial SMARCA4 on MI remain uncertain. This study found that SMARCA4 was activated over time in epicardial cells following MI, and some of activated cells belonged to downstream differentiation types of EPDCs. This study used tamoxifen to induce lineage tracing and SMARCA4 deletion from epicardial cells in Wt1-CreER;Smarca4fl/fl;Rosa26-RFP adult mice. Epicardial SMARCA4 deletion reduces the number of epicardial cells in adult mice, which was related to changes in the activation, proliferation, and apoptosis of epicardial cells. Epicardial SMARCA4 deletion reduced collagen deposition and angiogenesis in the infarcted area, exacerbated cardiac injury in MI. The exacerbation of cardiac injury was related to the inhibition of generation and differentiation of EPDCs. The alterations in EPDCs were associated with inhibited transition between E-CAD and N-CAD during the epicardial EMT, coupled with the down-regulation of WT1, SNAIL1, and PDGF signaling. In conclusion, this study suggests that Epicardial SMARCA4 plays a critical role in cardiac injury caused by MI, and its regulatory mechanism is related to epicardial EMT. Epicardial SMARCA4 holds potential as a novel molecular target for treating MI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Ma
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jianjun Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Feng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jang J, Accornero F, Li D. Epigenetic determinants and non-myocardial signaling pathways contributing to heart growth and regeneration. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 257:108638. [PMID: 38548089 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect worldwide. Defective cardiac myogenesis is either a major presentation or associated with many types of congenital heart disease. Non-myocardial tissues, including endocardium and epicardium, function as a supporting hub for myocardial growth and maturation during heart development. Recent research findings suggest an emerging role of epigenetics in nonmyocytes supporting myocardial development. Understanding how growth signaling pathways in non-myocardial tissues are regulated by epigenetic factors will likely identify new disease mechanisms for congenital heart diseases and shed lights for novel therapeutic strategies for heart regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Jang
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43215, USA.
| | - Federica Accornero
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Deqiang Li
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43215, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nie Y, Song C, Huang H, Mao S, Ding K, Tang H. Chromatin modifiers in human disease: from functional roles to regulatory mechanisms. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:12. [PMID: 38584203 PMCID: PMC10999406 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00175-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of transcriptional regulation has revealed the vital role of chromatin modifiers in human diseases from the beginning of functional exploration to the process of participating in many types of disease regulatory mechanisms. Chromatin modifiers are a class of enzymes that can catalyze the chemical conversion of pyrimidine residues or amino acid residues, including histone modifiers, DNA methyltransferases, and chromatin remodeling complexes. Chromatin modifiers assist in the formation of transcriptional regulatory circuits between transcription factors, enhancers, and promoters by regulating chromatin accessibility and the ability of transcription factors to acquire DNA. This is achieved by recruiting associated proteins and RNA polymerases. They modify the physical contact between cis-regulatory factor elements, transcription factors, and chromatin DNA to influence transcriptional regulatory processes. Then, abnormal chromatin perturbations can impair the homeostasis of organs, tissues, and cells, leading to diseases. The review offers a comprehensive elucidation on the function and regulatory mechanism of chromatin modifiers, thereby highlighting their indispensability in the development of diseases. Furthermore, this underscores the potential of chromatin modifiers as biomarkers, which may enable early disease diagnosis. With the aid of this paper, a deeper understanding of the role of chromatin modifiers in the pathogenesis of diseases can be gained, which could help in devising effective diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yali Nie
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Chao Song
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Lab of Big Data and Imaging Artificial Intelligence, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Lab of Big Data and Imaging Artificial Intelligence, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Shuqing Mao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Kai Ding
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Huifang Tang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Lab of Big Data and Imaging Artificial Intelligence, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Singh AK, Allington G, Viviano S, McGee S, Kiziltug E, Ma S, Zhao S, Mekbib KY, Shohfi JP, Duy PQ, DeSpenza T, Furey CG, Reeves BC, Smith H, Sousa AMM, Cherskov A, Allocco A, Nelson-Williams C, Haider S, Rizvi SRA, Alper SL, Sestan N, Shimelis H, Walsh LK, Lifton RP, Moreno-De-Luca A, Jin SC, Kruszka P, Deniz E, Kahle KT. A novel SMARCC1 BAFopathy implicates neural progenitor epigenetic dysregulation in human hydrocephalus. Brain 2024; 147:1553-1570. [PMID: 38128548 PMCID: PMC10994532 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrocephalus, characterized by cerebral ventriculomegaly, is the most common disorder requiring brain surgery in children. Recent studies have implicated SMARCC1, a component of the BRG1-associated factor (BAF) chromatin remodelling complex, as a candidate congenital hydrocephalus gene. However, SMARCC1 variants have not been systematically examined in a large patient cohort or conclusively linked with a human syndrome. Moreover, congenital hydrocephalus-associated SMARCC1 variants have not been functionally validated or mechanistically studied in vivo. Here, we aimed to assess the prevalence of SMARCC1 variants in an expanded patient cohort, describe associated clinical and radiographic phenotypes, and assess the impact of Smarcc1 depletion in a novel Xenopus tropicalis model of congenital hydrocephalus. To do this, we performed a genetic association study using whole-exome sequencing from a cohort consisting of 2697 total ventriculomegalic trios, including patients with neurosurgically-treated congenital hydrocephalus, that total 8091 exomes collected over 7 years (2016-23). A comparison control cohort consisted of 1798 exomes from unaffected siblings of patients with autism spectrum disorder and their unaffected parents were sourced from the Simons Simplex Collection. Enrichment and impact on protein structure were assessed in identified variants. Effects on the human fetal brain transcriptome were examined with RNA-sequencing and Smarcc1 knockdowns were generated in Xenopus and studied using optical coherence tomography imaging, in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence. SMARCC1 surpassed genome-wide significance thresholds, yielding six rare, protein-altering de novo variants localized to highly conserved residues in key functional domains. Patients exhibited hydrocephalus with aqueductal stenosis; corpus callosum abnormalities, developmental delay, and cardiac defects were also common. Xenopus knockdowns recapitulated both aqueductal stenosis and cardiac defects and were rescued by wild-type but not patient-specific variant SMARCC1. Hydrocephalic SMARCC1-variant human fetal brain and Smarcc1-variant Xenopus brain exhibited a similarly altered expression of key genes linked to midgestational neurogenesis, including the transcription factors NEUROD2 and MAB21L2. These results suggest de novo variants in SMARCC1 cause a novel human BAFopathy we term 'SMARCC1-associated developmental dysgenesis syndrome', characterized by variable presence of cerebral ventriculomegaly, aqueductal stenosis, developmental delay and a variety of structural brain or cardiac defects. These data underscore the importance of SMARCC1 and the BAF chromatin remodelling complex for human brain morphogenesis and provide evidence for a 'neural stem cell' paradigm of congenital hydrocephalus pathogenesis. These results highlight utility of trio-based whole-exome sequencing for identifying pathogenic variants in sporadic congenital structural brain disorders and suggest whole-exome sequencing may be a valuable adjunct in clinical management of congenital hydrocephalus patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amrita K Singh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Garrett Allington
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Stephen Viviano
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Emre Kiziltug
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shaojie Ma
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shujuan Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kedous Y Mekbib
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - John P Shohfi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Phan Q Duy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Tyrone DeSpenza
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Charuta G Furey
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Benjamin C Reeves
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hannah Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - André M M Sousa
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Adriana Cherskov
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - August Allocco
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Shozeb Haider
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, University College London School of Pharmacy, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- UCL Centre for Advanced Research Computing, University College London, London, WC1H 9RN, UK
| | - Syed R A Rizvi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, University College London School of Pharmacy, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Seth L Alper
- Division of Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Division of Nephrology and Vascular Biology Research Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nenad Sestan
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Hermela Shimelis
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology section, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University Faculty of Health Sciences, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren K Walsh
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology section, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University Faculty of Health Sciences, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard P Lifton
- Laboratory of Human Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andres Moreno-De-Luca
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology section, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University Faculty of Health Sciences, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Radiology, Diagnostic Medicine Institute, Geisinger, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - Sheng Chih Jin
- Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Engin Deniz
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Kristopher T Kahle
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Peterson EA, Sun J, Chen X, Wang J. Neutrophils facilitate the epicardial regenerative response after zebrafish heart injury. Dev Biol 2024; 508:93-106. [PMID: 38286185 PMCID: PMC10923159 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.01.011] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Despite extensive studies on endogenous heart regeneration within the past 20 years, the players involved in initiating early regeneration events are far from clear. Here, we assessed the function of neutrophils, the first-responder cells to tissue damage, during zebrafish heart regeneration. We detected rapid neutrophil mobilization to the injury site after ventricular amputation, peaking at 1-day post-amputation (dpa) and resolving by 3 dpa. Further analyses indicated neutrophil mobilization coincides with peak epicardial cell proliferation, and recruited neutrophils associated with activated, expanding epicardial cells at 1 dpa. Neutrophil depletion inhibited myocardial regeneration and significantly reduced epicardial cell expansion, proliferation, and activation. To explore the molecular mechanism of neutrophils on the epicardial regenerative response, we performed scRNA-seq analysis of 1 dpa neutrophils and identified enrichment of the FGF and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. Pharmacological inhibition of FGF signaling indicated its' requirement for epicardial expansion, while neutrophil depletion blocked MAPK/ERK signaling activation in epicardial cells. Ligand-receptor analysis indicated the EGF ligand, hbegfa, is released from neutrophils and synergizes with other FGF and MAPK/ERK factors for induction of epicardial regeneration. Altogether, our studies revealed that neutrophils quickly motivate epicardial cells, which later accumulate at the injury site and contribute to heart regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Peterson
- Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jisheng Sun
- Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jinhu Wang
- Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li J, Ma ZY, Cui YF, Cui YT, Dong XH, Wang YZ, Fu YY, Xue YD, Tong TT, Ding YZ, Zhu YM, Huang HJ, Zhao L, Lv HZ, Xiong LZ, Zhang K, Han YX, Ban T, Huo R. Cardiac-specific deletion of BRG1 ameliorates ventricular arrhythmia in mice with myocardial infarction. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:517-530. [PMID: 37880339 PMCID: PMC10834533 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01170-y] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant ventricular arrhythmia (VA) after myocardial infarction (MI) is mainly caused by myocardial electrophysiological remodeling. Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) is an ATPase catalytic subunit that belongs to a family of chromatin remodeling complexes called Switch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable Chromatin (SWI/SNF). BRG1 has been reported as a molecular chaperone, interacting with various transcription factors or proteins to regulate transcription in cardiac diseases. In this study, we investigated the potential role of BRG1 in ion channel remodeling and VA after ischemic infarction. Myocardial infarction (MI) mice were established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, and electrocardiogram (ECG) was monitored. Epicardial conduction of MI mouse heart was characterized in Langendorff-perfused hearts using epicardial optical voltage mapping. Patch-clamping analysis was conducted in single ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from the mice. We showed that BRG1 expression in the border zone was progressively increased in the first week following MI. Cardiac-specific deletion of BRG1 by tail vein injection of AAV9-BRG1-shRNA significantly ameliorated susceptibility to electrical-induced VA and shortened QTc intervals in MI mice. BRG1 knockdown significantly enhanced conduction velocity (CV) and reversed the prolonged action potential duration in MI mouse heart. Moreover, BRG1 knockdown improved the decreased densities of Na+ current (INa) and transient outward potassium current (Ito), as well as the expression of Nav1.5 and Kv4.3 in the border zone of MI mouse hearts and in hypoxia-treated neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes. We revealed that MI increased the binding among BRG1, T-cell factor 4 (TCF4) and β-catenin, forming a transcription complex, which suppressed the transcription activity of SCN5A and KCND3, thereby influencing the incidence of VA post-MI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Zi-Yue Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yun-Feng Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ying-Tao Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xian-Hui Dong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yong-Zhen Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yu-Yang Fu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ya-Dong Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ting-Ting Tong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ying-Zi Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ya-Mei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Hai-Jun Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Hong-Zhao Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ling-Zhao Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yu-Xuan Han
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Tao Ban
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China.
- Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Rong Huo
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Weinberger M, Simões FC, Gungoosingh T, Sauka-Spengler T, Riley PR. Distinct epicardial gene regulatory programs drive development and regeneration of the zebrafish heart. Dev Cell 2024; 59:351-367.e6. [PMID: 38237592 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.12.012] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Unlike the adult mammalian heart, which has limited regenerative capacity, the zebrafish heart fully regenerates following injury. Reactivation of cardiac developmental programs is considered key to successfully regenerating the heart, yet the regulation underlying the response to injury remains elusive. Here, we compared the transcriptome and epigenome of the developing and regenerating zebrafish epicardia. We identified epicardial enhancer elements with specific activity during development or during adult heart regeneration. By generating gene regulatory networks associated with epicardial development and regeneration, we inferred genetic programs driving each of these processes, which were largely distinct. Loss of Hif1ab, Nrf1, Tbx2b, and Zbtb7a, central regulators of the regenerating epicardial network, in injured hearts resulted in elevated epicardial cell numbers infiltrating the wound and excess fibrosis after cryoinjury. Our work identifies differences between the regulatory blueprint deployed during epicardial development and regeneration, underlining that heart regeneration goes beyond the reactivation of developmental programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Weinberger
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7TY, Oxfordshire, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Filipa C Simões
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7TY, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Trishalee Gungoosingh
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7TY, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, Oxfordshire, UK; Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA.
| | - Paul R Riley
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7TY, Oxfordshire, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Torban E, Goodyer P. Wilms' tumor gene 1: lessons from the interface between kidney development and cancer. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2024; 326:F3-F19. [PMID: 37916284 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00248.2023] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1990, mutations of the Wilms' tumor-1 gene (WT1), encoding a transcription factor in the embryonic kidney, were found in 10-15% of Wilms' tumors; germline WT1 mutations were associated with hereditary syndromes involving glomerular and reproductive tract dysplasia. For more than three decades, these discoveries prompted investigators to explore the embryonic role of WT1 and the mechanisms by which loss of WT1 leads to malignant transformation. Here, we discuss how alternative splicing of WT1 generates isoforms that act in a context-specific manner to activate or repress target gene transcription. WT1 also regulates posttranscriptional regulation, alters the epigenetic landscape, and activates miRNA expression. WT1 functions at multiple stages of kidney development, including the transition from resting stem cells to committed nephron progenitor, which it primes to respond to WNT9b signals from the ureteric bud. WT1 then drives nephrogenesis by activating WNT4 expression and directing the development of glomerular podocytes. We review the WT1 mutations that account for Denys-Drash syndrome, Frasier syndrome, and WAGR syndrome. Although the WT1 story began with Wilms' tumors, an understanding of the pathways that link aberrant kidney development to malignant transformation still has some important gaps. Loss of WT1 in nephrogenic rests may leave these premalignant clones with inadequate DNA repair enzymes and may disturb the epigenetic landscape. Yet none of these observations provide a complete picture of Wilms' tumor pathogenesis. It appears that the WT1 odyssey is unfinished and still holds a great deal of untilled ground to be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Torban
- Department of Medicine, McGill University and Research Institute of McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Paul Goodyer
- Department of Human Genetics, Montreal Children's Hospital and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Montreal Children's Hospital and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fang T, Wang X, Huangfu N. Superfamily II helicases: the potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1309491. [PMID: 38152606 PMCID: PMC10752008 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1309491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) still maintain high morbidity and mortality globally. Helicases, a unique class of enzymes, are extensively implicated in the processes of nucleic acid (NA) metabolism across various organisms. They play a pivotal role in gene expression, inflammatory response, lipid metabolism, and so forth. However, abnormal helicase expression has been associated with immune response, cancer, and intellectual disability in humans. Superfamily II (SFII) is one of the largest and most diverse of the helicase superfamilies. Increasing evidence has implicated SFⅡ helicases in the pathogenesis of multiple CVDs. In this review, we comprehensively review the regulation mechanism of SFⅡ helicases in CVDs including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathies, and heart failure, which will contribute to the investigation of ideal therapeutic targets for CVDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianxiang Fang
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Centre for Cardiovascular Disease of Ningbo, Ningbo, China
| | - Xizhi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ning Huangfu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Centre for Cardiovascular Disease of Ningbo, Ningbo, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ma ZY, Li J, Dong XH, Cui YT, Cui YF, Ban T, Huo R. The role of BRG1 in epigenetic regulation of cardiovascular diseases. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 957:176039. [PMID: 37678658 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176039] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases have been closely linked to abnormal epigenetic regulation. In the context of epigenetic regulation, BRG1, a pivotal SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzyme, emerges as a key epigenetic regulator with significant impact on the development and progression of cardiovascular disorders. From the perspective of epigenetic regulation of cardiovascular diseases, BRG1 emerges as a pivotal SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzyme, functioning as a key epigenetic regulator. It exerts substantial influence on the development and progression of cardiovascular disorders by exerting precise control over gene expression and protein levels. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of BRG1's epigenetic regulatory role in cardiovascular disease is essential for unraveling its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. This paper summarizes and discusses the function of BRG1 in the epigenetic regulation of cardiovascular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yue Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Xian-Hui Dong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Ying-Tao Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Yun-Feng Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Tao Ban
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Drug Research and Development of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases in Frigid Zone, The National Development and Reform Commission, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, PR China; Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Rong Huo
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Boogerd CJ, Perini I, Kyriakopoulou E, Han SJ, La P, van der Swaan B, Berkhout JB, Versteeg D, Monshouwer-Kloots J, van Rooij E. Cardiomyocyte proliferation is suppressed by ARID1A-mediated YAP inhibition during cardiac maturation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4716. [PMID: 37543677 PMCID: PMC10404286 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40203-2] [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: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The inability of adult human cardiomyocytes to proliferate is an obstacle to efficient cardiac regeneration after injury. Understanding the mechanisms that drive postnatal cardiomyocytes to switch to a non-regenerative state is therefore of great significance. Here we show that Arid1a, a subunit of the switching defective/sucrose non-fermenting (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex, suppresses postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferation while enhancing maturation. Genome-wide transcriptome and epigenome analyses revealed that Arid1a is required for the activation of a cardiomyocyte maturation gene program by promoting DNA access to transcription factors that drive cardiomyocyte maturation. Furthermore, we show that ARID1A directly binds and inhibits the proliferation-promoting transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ, indicating ARID1A sequesters YAP/TAZ from their DNA-binding partner TEAD. In ischemic heart disease, Arid1a expression is enhanced in cardiomyocytes of the border zone region. Inactivation of Arid1a after ischemic injury enhanced proliferation of border zone cardiomyocytes. Our study illuminates the pivotal role of Arid1a in cardiomyocyte maturation, and uncovers Arid1a as a crucial suppressor of cardiomyocyte proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis J Boogerd
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Ilaria Perini
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eirini Kyriakopoulou
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Su Ji Han
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Phit La
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Britt van der Swaan
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jari B Berkhout
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Danielle Versteeg
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jantine Monshouwer-Kloots
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eva van Rooij
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Du J, Yuan X, Deng H, Huang R, Liu B, Xiong T, Long X, Zhang L, Li Y, She Q. Single-cell and spatial heterogeneity landscapes of mature epicardial cells. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:894-907. [PMID: 37719196 PMCID: PMC10499659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.07.011] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Tbx18, Wt1, and Tcf21 have been identified as epicardial markers during the early embryonic stage. However, the gene markers of mature epicardial cells remain unclear. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis was performed with the Seurat, Monocle, and CellphoneDB packages in R software with standard procedures. Spatial transcriptomics was performed on chilled Visium Tissue Optimization Slides (10x Genomics) and Visium Spatial Gene Expression Slides (10x Genomics). Spatial transcriptomics analysis was performed with Space Ranger software and R software. Immunofluorescence, whole-mount RNA in situ hybridization and X-gal staining were performed to validate the analysis results. Spatial transcriptomics analysis revealed distinct transcriptional profiles and functions between epicardial tissue and non-epicardial tissue. Several gene markers specific to postnatal epicardial tissue were identified, including Msln, C3, Efemp1, and Upk3b. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that cardiac cells from wildtype mouse hearts (from embryonic day 9.5 to postnatal day 9) could be categorized into six major cell types, which included epicardial cells. Throughout epicardial development, Wt1, Tbx18, and Upk3b were consistently expressed, whereas genes including Msln, C3, and Efemp1 exhibited increased expression during the mature stages of development. Pseudotime analysis further revealed two epicardial cell fates during maturation. Moreover, Upk3b, Msln, Efemp1, and C3 positive epicardial cells were enriched in extracellular matrix signaling. Our results suggested Upk3b, Efemp1, Msln, C3, and other genes were mature epicardium markers. Extracellular matrix signaling was found to play a critical role in the mature epicardium, thus suggesting potential therapeutic targets for heart regeneration in future clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Du
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Haijun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Rongzhong Huang
- Precision Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Tianhua Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xianglin Long
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center for Novel Target and Therapeutic Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Yingrui Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Qiang She
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Berkeley B, Tang MNH, Brittan M. Mechanisms regulating vascular and lymphatic regeneration in the heart after myocardial infarction. J Pathol 2023; 260:666-678. [PMID: 37272582 PMCID: PMC10953458 DOI: 10.1002/path.6093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction, caused by a thrombus or coronary vascular occlusion, leads to irreversible ischaemic injury. Advances in early reperfusion strategies have significantly reduced short-term mortality after myocardial infarction. However, survivors have an increased risk of developing heart failure, which confers a high risk of death at 1 year. The capacity of the injured neonatal mammalian heart to regenerate has stimulated extensive research into whether recapitulation of developmental regeneration programmes may be beneficial in adult cardiovascular disease. Restoration of functional blood and lymphatic vascular networks in the infarct and border regions via neovascularisation and lymphangiogenesis, respectively, is a key requirement to facilitate myocardial regeneration. An improved understanding of the endogenous mechanisms regulating coronary vascular and lymphatic expansion and function in development and in adult patients after myocardial infarction may inform future therapeutic strategies and improve translation from pre-clinical studies. In this review, we explore the underpinning research and key findings in the field of cardiovascular regeneration, with a focus on neovascularisation and lymphangiogenesis, and discuss the outcomes of therapeutic strategies employed to date. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn Berkeley
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Michelle Nga Huen Tang
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Mairi Brittan
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wu Z, Shi Y, Cui Y, Xing X, Zhang L, Liu D, Zhang Y, Dong J, Jin L, Pang M, Xiao RP, Zhu Z, Xiong JW, Tong X, Zhang Y, Wang S, Tang F, Zhang B. Single-cell analysis reveals an Angpt4-initiated EPDC-EC-CM cellular coordination cascade during heart regeneration. Protein Cell 2023; 14:350-368. [PMID: 37155312 PMCID: PMC10166170 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwac010] [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: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammals exhibit limited heart regeneration ability, which can lead to heart failure after myocardial infarction. In contrast, zebrafish exhibit remarkable cardiac regeneration capacity. Several cell types and signaling pathways have been reported to participate in this process. However, a comprehensive analysis of how different cells and signals interact and coordinate to regulate cardiac regeneration is unavailable. We collected major cardiac cell types from zebrafish and performed high-precision single-cell transcriptome analyses during both development and post-injury regeneration. We revealed the cellular heterogeneity as well as the molecular progress of cardiomyocytes during these processes, and identified a subtype of atrial cardiomyocyte exhibiting a stem-like state which may transdifferentiate into ventricular cardiomyocytes during regeneration. Furthermore, we identified a regeneration-induced cell (RIC) population in the epicardium-derived cells (EPDC), and demonstrated Angiopoietin 4 (Angpt4) as a specific regulator of heart regeneration. angpt4 expression is specifically and transiently activated in RIC, which initiates a signaling cascade from EPDC to endocardium through the Tie2-MAPK pathway, and further induces activation of cathepsin K in cardiomyocytes through RA signaling. Loss of angpt4 leads to defects in scar tissue resolution and cardiomyocyte proliferation, while overexpression of angpt4 accelerates regeneration. Furthermore, we found that ANGPT4 could enhance proliferation of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, and promote cardiac repair in mice after myocardial infarction, indicating that the function of Angpt4 is conserved in mammals. Our study provides a mechanistic understanding of heart regeneration at single-cell precision, identifies Angpt4 as a key regulator of cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration, and offers a novel therapeutic target for improved recovery after human heart injuries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zekai Wu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yuan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yueli Cui
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xin Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Liya Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Da Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yutian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ji Dong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Meijun Pang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Rui-Ping Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zuoyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jing-Wei Xiong
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiangjun Tong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shiqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Singh AK, Viviano S, Allington G, McGee S, Kiziltug E, Mekbib KY, Shohfi JP, Duy PQ, DeSpenza T, Furey CG, Reeves BC, Smith H, Ma S, Sousa AMM, Cherskov A, Allocco A, Nelson-Williams C, Haider S, Rizvi SRA, Alper SL, Sestan N, Shimelis H, Walsh LK, Lifton RP, Moreno-De-Luca A, Jin SC, Kruszka P, Deniz E, Kahle KT. A novel SMARCC1 -mutant BAFopathy implicates epigenetic dysregulation of neural progenitors in hydrocephalus. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.03.19.23287455. [PMID: 36993720 PMCID: PMC10055611 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.19.23287455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Importance Hydrocephalus, characterized by cerebral ventriculomegaly, is the most common disorder requiring brain surgery. A few familial forms of congenital hydrocephalus (CH) have been identified, but the cause of most sporadic cases of CH remains elusive. Recent studies have implicated SMARCC1 , a component of the B RG1- a ssociated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex, as a candidate CH gene. However, SMARCC1 variants have not been systematically examined in a large patient cohort or conclusively linked with a human syndrome. Moreover, CH-associated SMARCC1 variants have not been functionally validated or mechanistically studied in vivo . Objectives The aims of this study are to (i) assess the extent to which rare, damaging de novo mutations (DNMs) in SMARCC1 are associated with cerebral ventriculomegaly; (ii) describe the clinical and radiographic phenotypes of SMARCC1 -mutated patients; and (iii) assess the pathogenicity and mechanisms of CH-associated SMARCC1 mutations in vivo . Design setting and participants A genetic association study was conducted using whole-exome sequencing from a cohort consisting of 2,697 ventriculomegalic trios, including patients with neurosurgically-treated CH, totaling 8,091 exomes collected over 5 years (2016-2021). Data were analyzed in 2023. A comparison control cohort consisted of 1,798 exomes from unaffected siblings of patients with autism spectrum disorder and their unaffected parents sourced from the Simons simplex consortium. Main outcomes and measures Gene variants were identified and filtered using stringent, validated criteria. Enrichment tests assessed gene-level variant burden. In silico biophysical modeling estimated the likelihood and extent of the variant impact on protein structure. The effect of a CH-associated SMARCC1 mutation on the human fetal brain transcriptome was assessed by analyzing RNA-sequencing data. Smarcc1 knockdowns and a patient-specific Smarcc1 variant were tested in Xenopus and studied using optical coherence tomography imaging, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Results SMARCC1 surpassed genome-wide significance thresholds in DNM enrichment tests. Six rare protein-altering DNMs, including four loss-of-function mutations and one recurrent canonical splice site mutation (c.1571+1G>A) were detected in unrelated patients. DNMs localized to the highly conserved DNA-interacting SWIRM, Myb-DNA binding, Glu-rich, and Chromo domains of SMARCC1 . Patients exhibited developmental delay (DD), aqueductal stenosis, and other structural brain and heart defects. G0 and G1 Smarcc1 Xenopus mutants exhibited aqueductal stenosis and cardiac defects and were rescued by human wild-type SMARCC1 but not a patient-specific SMARCC1 mutant. Hydrocephalic SMARCC1 -mutant human fetal brain and Smarcc1 -mutant Xenopus brain exhibited a similarly altered expression of key genes linked to midgestational neurogenesis, including the transcription factors NEUROD2 and MAB21L2 . Conclusions SMARCC1 is a bona fide CH risk gene. DNMs in SMARCC1 cause a novel human BAFopathy we term " S MARCC1- a ssociated D evelopmental D ysgenesis S yndrome (SaDDS)", characterized by cerebral ventriculomegaly, aqueductal stenosis, DD, and a variety of structural brain or cardiac defects. These data underscore the importance of SMARCC1 and the BAF chromatin remodeling complex for human brain morphogenesis and provide evidence for a "neural stem cell" paradigm of human CH pathogenesis. These results highlight the utility of trio-based WES for identifying risk genes for congenital structural brain disorders and suggest WES may be a valuable adjunct in the clinical management of CH patients. KEY POINTS Question: What is the role of SMARCC1 , a core component of the B RG1- a ssociated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex, in brain morphogenesis and congenital hydrocephalus (CH)? Findings: SMARCC1 harbored an exome-wide significant burden of rare, protein-damaging de novo mutations (DNMs) (p = 5.83 × 10 -9 ) in the largest ascertained cohort to date of patients with cerebral ventriculomegaly, including treated CH (2,697 parent-proband trios). SMARCC1 contained four loss-of-function DNMs and two identical canonical splice site DNMs in a total of six unrelated patients. Patients exhibited developmental delay, aqueductal stenosis, and other structural brain and cardiac defects. Xenopus Smarcc1 mutants recapitulated core human phenotypes and were rescued by the expression of human wild-type but not patient-mutant SMARCC1 . Hydrocephalic SMARCC1 -mutant human brain and Smarcc1 -mutant Xenopus brain exhibited similar alterationsin the expression of key transcription factors that regulate neural progenitor cell proliferation. Meaning: SMARCC1 is essential for human brain morphogenesis and is a bona fide CH risk gene. SMARCC1 mutations cause a novel human BAFopathy we term " S MARCC1- a ssociated D evelopmental D ysgenesis S yndrome (SaDDS)". These data implicate epigenetic dysregulation of fetal neural progenitors in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus, with diagnostic and prognostic implications for patients and caregivers.
Collapse
|
17
|
Bise T, Pfefferli C, Bonvin M, Taylor L, Lischer HEL, Bruggmann R, Jaźwińska A. The regeneration-responsive element careg monitors activation of Müller glia after MNU-induced damage of photoreceptors in the zebrafish retina. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1160707. [PMID: 37138703 PMCID: PMC10149768 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1160707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to mammals, zebrafish can regenerate their damaged photoreceptors. This capacity depends on the intrinsic plasticity of Müller glia (MG). Here, we identified that the transgenic reporter careg, a marker of regenerating fin and heart, also participates in retina restoration in zebrafish. After methylnitrosourea (MNU) treatment, the retina became deteriorated and contained damaged cell types including rods, UV-sensitive cones and the outer plexiform layer. This phenotype was associated with the induction of careg expression in a subset of MG until the reconstruction of the photoreceptor synaptic layer. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) analysis of regenerating retinas revealed a population of immature rods, defined by high expression of rhodopsin and the ciliogenesis gene meig1, but low expression of phototransduction genes. Furthermore, cones displayed deregulation of metabolic and visual perception genes in response to retina injury. Comparison between careg:EGFP expressing and non-expressing MG demonstrated that these two subpopulations are characterized by distinct molecular signatures, suggesting their heterogenous responsiveness to the regenerative program. Dynamics of ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation showed that TOR signaling became progressively switched from MG to progenitors. Inhibition of TOR with rapamycin reduced the cell cycle activity, but neither affected careg:EGFP expression in MG, nor prevented restoration of the retina structure. This indicates that MG reprogramming, and progenitor cell proliferation might be regulated by distinct mechanisms. In conclusion, the careg reporter detects activated MG, and provides a common marker of regeneration-competent cells in diverse zebrafish organs, including the retina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bise
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Marylène Bonvin
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lea Taylor
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Heidi E. L. Lischer
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rémy Bruggmann
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anna Jaźwińska
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Anna Jaźwińska,
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Li C, Wang T, Gu J, Qi S, Li J, Chen L, Wu H, Shi L, Song C, Li H, Zhu L, Lu Y, Zhou Q. SMARCC2 mediates the regulation of DKK1 by the transcription factor EGR1 through chromatin remodeling to reduce the proliferative capacity of glioblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:990. [PMID: 36418306 PMCID: PMC9684443 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05439-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Switch/sucrose-nonfermenting (SWI/SNF) complexes play a key role in chromatin remodeling. Recent studies have found that SMARCC2, as the core subunit of the fundamental module of the complex, plays a key role in its early assembly. In this study, we found a unique function of SMARCC2 in inhibiting the progression of glioblastoma by targeting the DKK1 signaling axis. Low expression of SMARCC2 is found in malignant glioblastoma (GBM) compared with low-grade gliomas. SMARCC2 knockout promoted the proliferation of glioblastoma cells, while its overexpression showed the opposite effect. Mechanistically, SMARCC2 negatively regulates transcription by dynamically regulating the chromatin structure and closing the promoter region of the target gene DKK1, which can be bound by the transcription factor EGR1. DKK1 knockdown significantly reduced the proliferation of glioblastoma cell lines by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT pathway. We also studied the functions of the SWIRM and SANT domains of SMARCC2 and found that the SWIRM domain plays a more important role in the complete chromatin remodeling function of SMARCC2. In addition, in vivo studies confirmed that overexpression of SMARCC2 could significantly inhibit the size of intracranial gliomas in situ in nude mice. Overall, this study shows that SMARCC2, as a tumor suppressor, inhibits the proliferation of glioblastoma by targeting the transcription of the oncogene DKK1 through chromatin remodeling, indicating that SMARCC2 is a potentially attractive therapeutic target in glioblastoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiyang Li
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Wang
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junwei Gu
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songtao Qi
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China ,grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Nanfang Neurology Research Institution, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China ,Nanfang Glioma Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junjie Li
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Chen
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hang Wu
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510000 Guangzhou, Guangdong P.R. China
| | - Linyong Shi
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chong Song
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liwen Zhu
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuntao Lu
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China ,grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Nanfang Neurology Research Institution, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China ,Nanfang Glioma Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Neurosurgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China ,grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Nanfang Neurology Research Institution, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China ,Nanfang Glioma Center, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Harris RE. Regeneration enhancers: a field in development. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C1548-C1554. [PMID: 36252130 PMCID: PMC9829460 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00403.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The ability to regenerate tissues and organs following damage is not equally distributed across metazoans, and even highly related species can vary considerably in their regenerative capacity. Studies of animals with high regenerative potential have shown that factors expressed during normal development are often reactivated upon damage and required for successful regeneration. As such, regenerative potential may not be dictated by the presence or absence of the necessary genes, but whether such genes are appropriately activated following injury. The identification of damage-responsive enhancers that regulate regenerative gene expression in multiple species and tissues provides possible mechanistic insight into this phenomenon. Enhancers that are reused from developmental programs, and those that are potentially unique to regeneration, have been characterized individually and at a genome-wide scale. A better understanding of the regulatory events that, direct and in some cases limit, regenerative capacity is an important step in developing new methods to manipulate and augment regeneration, particularly in tissues that do not have this ability, including those of humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin E. Harris
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhao K, Mao Y, Li Y, Yang C, Wang K, Zhang J. The roles and mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in pathological myocardial remodeling. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:952949. [PMID: 36093141 PMCID: PMC9458904 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.952949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological myocardial remodeling was still one of the leading causes of death worldwide with an unmet therapeutic need. A growing number of researchers have addressed the role of epigenome changes in cardiovascular diseases, paving the way for the clinical application of novel cardiovascular-related epigenetic targets in the future. In this review, we summarized the emerged advances of epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, Histone posttranslational modification, Adenosine disodium triphosphate (ATP)-dependent chromatin remodeling, Non-coding RNA, and RNA modification, in pathological myocardial remodeling. Also, we provided an overview of the mechanisms that potentially involve the participation of these epigenetic regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yukang Mao
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yansong Li
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuanxi Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Cardiology, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Kai Wang
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Zhang
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Maselli D, Matos RS, Johnson RD, Martella D, Caprettini V, Chiappini C, Camelliti P, Campagnolo P. Porcine Organotypic Epicardial Slice Protocol: A Tool for the Study of Epicardium in Cardiovascular Research. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:920013. [PMID: 35924218 PMCID: PMC9339655 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.920013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The epicardium has recently gained interest in the cardiovascular field due to its capacity to support heart regeneration after ischemic injury. Models to study the epicardium of large animals in vitro are limited and mainly based on epicardial cell isolation/differentiation from stem cells, followed by 2D cells culture. In this method paper, we describe the procedure to obtain and culture 3D organotypic heart slices presenting an intact epicardium, as a novel model to study the epicardial physiology and activation. Epicardial slices are obtained from porcine hearts using a high-precision vibratome and retain a healthy epicardial layer embedded in its native extracellular environment and connected with other cardiac cells (cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, vascular cells etc.). Epicardial slices can be cultured for 72 h, providing an ideal model for studying the epicardium physiology or perform pharmacological interventions/gene therapy approaches. We also report on methods to assesses the viability and composition of the epicardial slices, and evaluate their architecture in 3D through tissue decoloration. Finally, we present a potential application for a nanomaterial-based gene transfer method for tracking of epicardial cells within the slice. Crucially, given the similarity in morphology and physiology of porcine heart with its human counterpart, our system provides a platform for translational research while providing a clinically relevant and ethical alternative to the use of small animals in this type of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Maselli
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Rolando S. Matos
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert D. Johnson
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Davide Martella
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Caprettini
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ciro Chiappini
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patrizia Camelliti
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Campagnolo
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Docshin PM, Karpov AA, Mametov MV, Ivkin DY, Kostareva AA, Malashicheva AB. Mechanisms of Regenerative Potential Activation in Cardiac Mesenchymal Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1283. [PMID: 35740305 PMCID: PMC9220771 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recovery of the contractile function of the heart and the regeneration of the myocardium after ischemic injury are contemporary issues in regenerative medicine and cell biology. This study aimed to analyze early transcriptional events in cardiac tissue after infarction and to explore the cell population that can be isolated from myocardial tissue. We induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats by permanent ligation of the left coronary artery and showed a change in the expression pattern of Notch-associated genes and Bmp2/Runx2 in post-MI tissues using RNA sequencing and RT-PCR. We obtained primary cardiac mesenchymal cell (CMC) cultures from postinfarction myocardium by enzymatic dissociation of tissues, which retained part of the activation stimulus and had a pronounced proliferative potential, assessed using a "xCELLigence" real-time system. Hypoxia in vitro also causes healthy CMCs to overexpress Notch-associated genes and Bmp2/Runx2. Exogenous activation of the Notch signaling pathway by lentiviral transduction of healthy CMCs resulted in a dose-dependent activation of the Runx2 transcription factor but did not affect the activity of the Bmp2 factor. Thus, the results of this study showed that acute hypoxic stress could cause short-term activation of the embryonic signaling pathways Notch and Bmp in CMCs, and this interaction is closely related to the processes of early myocardial remodeling after a heart attack. The ability to correctly modulate and control the corresponding signals in the heart can help increase the regenerative capacity of the myocardium before the formation of fibrotic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel M. Docshin
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, 197341 St. Petersburg, Russia; (P.M.D.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Andrei A. Karpov
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 194156 St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Center of Experimental Pharmacology, Saint Petersburg State Chemical Pharmaceutical University, 197022 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Malik V. Mametov
- Department of Pathophysiology, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, 197022 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Dmitry Y. Ivkin
- Center of Experimental Pharmacology, Saint Petersburg State Chemical Pharmaceutical University, 197022 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Anna A. Kostareva
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, 197341 St. Petersburg, Russia; (P.M.D.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Anna B. Malashicheva
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, 197341 St. Petersburg, Russia; (P.M.D.); (A.A.K.)
- Laboratory of Regenerative Biomedicine, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Scherba JC, Halushka MK, Andersen ND, Maleszewski JJ, Landstrom AP, Bursac N, Glass C. BRG1 is a biomarker of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in human heart specimens. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7996. [PMID: 35581268 PMCID: PMC9114001 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11829-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic disease of the sarcomere that causes otherwise unexplained cardiac hypertrophy and is associated with sudden death. While previous studies showed the role of the epigenetic modifier Brg1 in mouse models of HCM, additional work is needed to identify its role in humans. We tested the hypothesis that BRG1 expression is increased in periods of cardiac remodeling during fetal growth and in development of HCM. We employed immunohistochemical staining to evaluate protein expression of BRG1 in 796 human cardiac specimens (81 from patients with HCM) and describe elevated BRG1 expression in human fetal hearts in early development. In addition, we not only demonstrate increased expression of BRG1 in HCM, but we also show that other diseases that lead to heart failure have similar BRG1 expression to healthy controls. Inhibition of BRG1 in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes significantly decreases MYH7 and increases MYH6, suggesting a regulatory role for BRG1 in the pathological imbalance of the two myosin heavy chain isoforms in human HCM. These data are the first demonstration of BRG1 as a specific biomarker for human HCM and provide foundation for future studies of epigenetics in human cardiac disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob C Scherba
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Marc K Halushka
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Nicholas D Andersen
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Joseph J Maleszewski
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Andrew P Landstrom
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Carolyn Glass
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, 217AM Davison Bldg, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, Box 3712 DUHS, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Marques IJ, Ernst A, Arora P, Vianin A, Hetke T, Sanz-Morejón A, Naumann U, Odriozola A, Langa X, Andrés-Delgado L, Zuber B, Torroja C, Osterwalder M, Simões FC, Englert C, Mercader N. Wt1 transcription factor impairs cardiomyocyte specification and drives a phenotypic switch from myocardium to epicardium. Development 2022; 149:274789. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
During development, the heart grows by addition of progenitor cells to the poles of the primordial heart tube. In the zebrafish, Wilms tumor 1 transcription factor a (wt1a) and b (wt1b) genes are expressed in the pericardium, at the venous pole of the heart. From this pericardial layer, the proepicardium emerges. Proepicardial cells are subsequently transferred to the myocardial surface and form the epicardium, covering the myocardium. We found that while wt1a and wt1b expression is maintained in proepicardial cells, it is downregulated in pericardial cells that contribute cardiomyocytes to the developing heart. Sustained wt1b expression in cardiomyocytes reduced chromatin accessibility of specific genomic loci. Strikingly, a subset of wt1a- and wt1b-expressing cardiomyocytes changed their cell-adhesion properties, delaminated from the myocardium and upregulated epicardial gene expression. Thus, wt1a and wt1b act as a break for cardiomyocyte differentiation, and ectopic wt1a and wt1b expression in cardiomyocytes can lead to their transdifferentiation into epicardial-like cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ines J. Marques
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Ernst
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Prateek Arora
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Andrej Vianin
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Hetke
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Andrés Sanz-Morejón
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares CNIC, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Uta Naumann
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Adolfo Odriozola
- Department of Microscopic Anatomy and Structural Biology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Langa
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | | | - Benoît Zuber
- Department of Microscopic Anatomy and Structural Biology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Carlos Torroja
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares CNIC, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Marco Osterwalder
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Filipa C. Simões
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Christoph Englert
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena 07745, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Nadia Mercader
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares CNIC, Madrid 28029, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wang T, Peng B, Luo T, Tian D, Zhao Z, Fu Z, Li Q. ZEB1 recruit Brg1 to regulate airway remodeling epithelial-mesenchymal transition in asthma. Exp Physiol 2022; 107:515-526. [PMID: 35138000 DOI: 10.1113/ep090212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
What is the central question of this study? The aim was to investigate the function of Brg1 in airway remodeling epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of asthma and identify the transcription factor (TF) of Brg1 which bind to the protomer of E-cadherin. What is the main finding and its importance? This study highlighted an important molecular mechanism involving chromatin remodeling factor Brahma-related gene-1 (Brg1) that played a critical role in airway remodeling EMT of asthma and demonstrated ZEB1 was the key TF recruiting Brg1. This finding might offer new insights into gene-based therapy for asthma. ABSTRACT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of airway remodeling happens in children with asthma. Reduction of epithelial marker E-cadherin is reported to be one of the initiating factors of EMT. Our previous study shows that chromatin remodeling factor Brahma-related gene-1 (Brg1) could regulate the expression of E-cadherin indirectly, but the transcription factor (TF) involved in the recruitment of Brg1 in asthma is unknown. Here, we studied the function of Brg1 in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model (lung-specific conditional Brg1 (Brg1-/- ) knockdown mice) and human bronchial epithelial 16HBE cells stably expressing Brg1 shRNA. Our results showed that Brg1 was involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in asthmatic mice by detecting the expression of EMT markers. Meanwhile, we identified that Brg1 participated in the TGF-β induced EMT of 16HBE cells. We observed that Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and Brg1 colocalized in the EMT of TGF-β induced 16HBE cells. Further results revealed that ZEB1 recruited Brg1 and bound to the promoter region (+3563/3715) to regulate E-cadherin expression. Thus, ZEB1 might be the key TF to recruit Brg1 in airway remodeling EMT of asthma and might be a novel therapeutic target. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- Department of Respiratory Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Bingming Peng
- Department of Respiratory Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Tingting Luo
- Department of Respiratory Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Daiyin Tian
- Department of Respiratory Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Zhihua Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Zhou Fu
- Department of Respiratory Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Qubei Li
- Department of Respiratory Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Differential requirements for different subfamilies of the mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes in myoblast cell cycle progression and expression of the Pax7 regulator. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194801. [PMID: 35217218 PMCID: PMC8948540 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (mSWI/SNF) families of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes are established co-regulators of gene expression. mSWI/SNF complexes can be assembled into three major subfamilies: BAF (BRG1 or BRM-Associated Factor), PBAF (Polybromo containing BAF), or ncBAF (non-canonical BAF) that are distinguished by the presence of mutually exclusive subunits. The mechanisms by which each subfamily contributes to the establishment or function of specific cell lineages are poorly understood. Here, we determined the contributions of the BAF, ncBAF, and PBAF complexes to myoblast proliferation via knock down (KD) of distinguishing subunits from each complex. KD of subunits unique to the BAF or the ncBAF complexes reduced myoblast proliferation rate, while KD of PBAF-specific subunits did not affect proliferation. RNA-seq from proliferating KD myoblasts targeting Baf250A (BAF complex), Brd9 (ncBAF complex), or Baf180 (PBAF complex) showed mis-regulation of a limited number of genes. KD of Baf250A specifically reduced the expression of Pax7, which is required for myoblast proliferation, concomitant with decreased binding of Baf250A to and impaired chromatin remodeling at the Pax7 gene promoter. Although Brd9 also bound to the Pax7 promoter, suggesting occupancy by the ncBAF complex, no changes were detected in Pax7 gene expression, Pax7 protein expression or chromatin remodeling at the Pax7 promoter upon Brd9 KD. The data indicate that the BAF subfamily of the mSWI/SNF enzymes is specifically required for myoblast proliferation via regulation of Pax7 expression.
Collapse
|
27
|
Maselli D, Matos RS, Johnson RD, Chiappini C, Camelliti P, Campagnolo P. Epicardial slices: an innovative 3D organotypic model to study epicardial cell physiology and activation. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:7. [PMID: 35039552 PMCID: PMC8764051 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-021-00202-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The epicardium constitutes an untapped reservoir for cardiac regeneration. Upon heart injury, the adult epicardium re-activates, leading to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and differentiation. While interesting mechanistic and therapeutic findings arose from lower vertebrates and rodent models, the introduction of an experimental system representative of large mammals would undoubtedly facilitate translational advancements. Here, we apply innovative protocols to obtain living 3D organotypic epicardial slices from porcine hearts, encompassing the epicardial/myocardial interface. In culture, our slices preserve the in vivo architecture and functionality, presenting a continuous epicardium overlaying a healthy and connected myocardium. Upon thymosin β4 treatment of the slices, the epicardial cells become activated, upregulating epicardial and EMT genes, resulting in epicardial cell mobilization and differentiation into epicardial-derived mesenchymal cells. Our 3D organotypic model enables to investigate the reparative potential of the adult epicardium, offering an advanced tool to explore ex vivo the complex 3D interactions occurring within the native heart environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Maselli
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - R S Matos
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - R D Johnson
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - C Chiappini
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, SE1 9RT, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Camelliti
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - P Campagnolo
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences & Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Streef TJ, Smits AM. Epicardial Contribution to the Developing and Injured Heart: Exploring the Cellular Composition of the Epicardium. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:750243. [PMID: 34631842 PMCID: PMC8494983 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.750243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The epicardium is an essential cell population during cardiac development. It contributes different cell types to the developing heart through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and it secretes paracrine factors that support cardiac tissue formation. In the adult heart the epicardium is a quiescent layer of cells which can be reactivated upon ischemic injury, initiating an embryonic-like response in the epicardium that contributes to post-injury repair processes. Therefore, the epicardial layer is considered an interesting target population to stimulate endogenous repair mechanisms. To date it is still not clear whether there are distinct cell populations in the epicardium that contribute to specific lineages or aid in cardiac repair, or that the epicardium functions as a whole. To address this putative heterogeneity, novel techniques such as single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA seq) are being applied. In this review, we summarize the role of the epicardium during development and after injury and provide an overview of the most recent insights into the cellular composition and diversity of the epicardium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anke M. Smits
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Pagiatakis C, Di Mauro V. The Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Therapeutic Targeting of Cardiomyopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168721. [PMID: 34445422 PMCID: PMC8395924 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies (CMPs) are a heterogeneous group of myocardial diseases accountable for the majority of cases of heart failure (HF) and/or sudden cardiac death (SCD) worldwide. With the recent advances in genomics, the original classification of CMPs on the basis of morphological and functional criteria (dilated (DCM), hypertrophic (HCM), restrictive (RCM), and arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy (AVC)) was further refined into genetic (inherited or familial) and acquired (non-inherited or secondary) forms. Despite substantial progress in the identification of novel CMP-associated genetic variations, as well as improved clinical recognition diagnoses, the functional consequences of these mutations and the exact details of the signaling pathways leading to hypertrophy, dilation, and/or contractile impairment remain elusive. To date, global research has mainly focused on the genetic factors underlying CMP pathogenesis. However, growing evidence shows that alterations in molecular mediators associated with the diagnosis of CMPs are not always correlated with genetic mutations, suggesting that additional mechanisms, such as epigenetics, may play a role in the onset or progression of CMPs. This review summarizes published findings of inherited CMPs with a specific focus on the potential role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating these cardiac disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Pagiatakis
- IRCCS-Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (V.D.M.)
| | - Vittoria Di Mauro
- IRCCS-Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), Milan Unit, National Research Council, Via Fantoli 16/15, 20138 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (V.D.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Every Beat You Take-The Wilms' Tumor Suppressor WT1 and the Heart. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147675. [PMID: 34299295 PMCID: PMC8306835 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly three decades ago, the Wilms’ tumor suppressor Wt1 was identified as a crucial regulator of heart development. Wt1 is a zinc finger transcription factor with multiple biological functions, implicated in the development of several organ systems, among them cardiovascular structures. This review summarizes the results from many research groups which allowed to establish a relevant function for Wt1 in cardiac development and disease. During development, Wt1 is involved in fundamental processes as the formation of the epicardium, epicardial epithelial-mesenchymal transition, coronary vessel development, valve formation, organization of the cardiac autonomous nervous system, and formation of the cardiac ventricles. Wt1 is further implicated in cardiac disease and repair in adult life. We summarize here the current knowledge about expression and function of Wt1 in heart development and disease and point out controversies to further stimulate additional research in the areas of cardiac development and pathophysiology. As re-activation of developmental programs is considered as paradigm for regeneration in response to injury, understanding of these processes and the molecules involved therein is essential for the development of therapeutic strategies, which we discuss on the example of WT1.
Collapse
|
31
|
Hesse J, Owenier C, Lautwein T, Zalfen R, Weber JF, Ding Z, Alter C, Lang A, Grandoch M, Gerdes N, Fischer JW, Klau GW, Dieterich C, Köhrer K, Schrader J. Single-cell transcriptomics defines heterogeneity of epicardial cells and fibroblasts within the infarcted murine heart. eLife 2021; 10:e65921. [PMID: 34152268 PMCID: PMC8216715 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the adult heart, the epicardium becomes activated after injury, contributing to cardiac healing by secretion of paracrine factors. Here, we analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing combined with RNA in situ hybridization and lineage tracing of Wilms tumor protein 1-positive (WT1+) cells, the cellular composition, location, and hierarchy of epicardial stromal cells (EpiSC) in comparison to activated myocardial fibroblasts/stromal cells in infarcted mouse hearts. We identified 11 transcriptionally distinct EpiSC populations, which can be classified into three groups, each containing a cluster of proliferating cells. Two groups expressed cardiac specification markers and sarcomeric proteins suggestive of cardiomyogenic potential. Transcripts of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-responsive genes were enriched in EpiSC consistent with an epicardial hypoxic niche. Expression of paracrine factors was not limited to WT1+ cells but was a general feature of activated cardiac stromal cells. Our findings provide the cellular framework by which myocardial ischemia may trigger in EpiSC the formation of cardioprotective/regenerative responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hesse
- Department of Molecular Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Christoph Owenier
- Department of Molecular Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Tobias Lautwein
- Biologisch-Medizinisches-Forschungszentrum (BMFZ), Genomics & Transcriptomics Laboratory, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Ria Zalfen
- Department of Molecular Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Jonas F Weber
- Algorithmic Bioinformatics, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Zhaoping Ding
- Department of Molecular Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Christina Alter
- Department of Molecular Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Alexander Lang
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Maria Grandoch
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Norbert Gerdes
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Jens W Fischer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Gunnar W Klau
- Algorithmic Bioinformatics, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Christoph Dieterich
- Section of Bioinformatics and Systems Cardiology, Klaus Tschira Institute for Integrative Computational Cardiology and Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Karl Köhrer
- Biologisch-Medizinisches-Forschungszentrum (BMFZ), Genomics & Transcriptomics Laboratory, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Jürgen Schrader
- Department of Molecular Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sun X, Malandraki-Miller S, Kennedy T, Bassat E, Klaourakis K, Zhao J, Gamen E, Vieira JM, Tzahor E, Riley PR. The extracellular matrix protein agrin is essential for epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during heart development. Development 2021; 148:261801. [PMID: 33969874 PMCID: PMC8172119 DOI: 10.1242/dev.197525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
During heart development, epicardial cells residing within the outer layer undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migrate into the underlying myocardium to support organ growth and morphogenesis. Disruption of epicardial EMT results in embryonic lethality, yet its regulation is poorly understood. Here, we report epicardial EMT within the mesothelial layer of the mouse embryonic heart at ultra-high resolution using scanning electron microscopy combined with immunofluorescence analyses. We identified morphologically active EMT regions that associated with key components of the extracellular matrix, including the basement membrane-associated proteoglycan agrin. Deletion of agrin resulted in impaired EMT and compromised development of the epicardium, accompanied by downregulation of Wilms' tumor 1. Agrin enhanced EMT in human embryonic stem cell-derived epicardial-like cells by decreasing β-catenin and promoting pFAK localization at focal adhesions, and promoted the aggregation of dystroglycan within the Golgi apparatus in murine epicardial cells. Loss of agrin resulted in dispersal of dystroglycan in vivo, disrupting basement membrane integrity and impairing EMT. Our results provide new insights into the role of the extracellular matrix in heart development and implicate agrin as a crucial regulator of epicardial EMT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- Burdon-Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.,British Heart Foundation - Oxbridge Centre of Regenerative Medicine, CRM, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Sophia Malandraki-Miller
- Burdon-Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.,British Heart Foundation - Oxbridge Centre of Regenerative Medicine, CRM, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Tahnee Kennedy
- Burdon-Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.,British Heart Foundation - Oxbridge Centre of Regenerative Medicine, CRM, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Elad Bassat
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Konstantinos Klaourakis
- Burdon-Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.,British Heart Foundation - Oxbridge Centre of Regenerative Medicine, CRM, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Jia Zhao
- Burdon-Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.,British Heart Foundation - Oxbridge Centre of Regenerative Medicine, CRM, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Elisabetta Gamen
- Burdon-Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.,British Heart Foundation - Oxbridge Centre of Regenerative Medicine, CRM, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Joaquim Miguel Vieira
- Burdon-Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.,British Heart Foundation - Oxbridge Centre of Regenerative Medicine, CRM, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Eldad Tzahor
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Paul R Riley
- Burdon-Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.,British Heart Foundation - Oxbridge Centre of Regenerative Medicine, CRM, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Pagiatakis C, Musolino E, Gornati R, Bernardini G, Papait R. Epigenetics of aging and disease: a brief overview. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:737-745. [PMID: 31811572 PMCID: PMC8084772 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01430-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Aging is an important risk factor for several human diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders, resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors (e.g., diet, smoking, obesity and stress), which, at molecular level, cause changes in gene expression underlying the decline of physiological function. Epigenetics, which include mechanisms regulating gene expression independently of changes to DNA sequence, regulate gene expression by modulating the structure of chromatin or by regulating the binding of transcriptional machinery to DNA. Several studies showed that an impairment of epigenetic mechanisms promotes alteration of gene expression underlying several aging-related diseases. Alteration of these mechanisms is also linked with changes of gene expression that occurs during aging processes of different tissues. In this review, we will outline the potential role of epigenetics in the onset of two age-related pathologies, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Collapse
|
34
|
Yuan P, Cheedipudi SM, Rouhi L, Fan S, Simon L, Zhao Z, Hong K, Gurha P, Marian AJ. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Uncovers Paracrine Functions of the Epicardial-Derived Cells in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2021; 143:2169-2187. [PMID: 33726497 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.052928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) manifests with sudden death, arrhythmias, heart failure, apoptosis, and myocardial fibro-adipogenesis. The phenotype typically starts at the epicardium and advances transmurally. Mutations in genes encoding desmosome proteins, including DSP (desmoplakin), are major causes of ACM. METHODS To delineate contributions of the epicardium to the pathogenesis of ACM, the Dsp allele was conditionally deleted in the epicardial cells in mice upon expression of tamoxifen-inducible Cre from the Wt1 locus. Wild type (WT) and Wt1-CreERT2:DspW/F were crossed to Rosa26mT/mG (R26mT/mG) dual reporter mice to tag the epicardial-derived cells with the EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) reporter protein. Tagged epicardial-derived cells from adult Wt1-CreERT2:R26mT/mG and Wt1-CreERT2: R26mT/mG:DspW/F mouse hearts were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell staining and sequenced by single-cell RNA sequencing. RESULTS WT1 (Wilms tumor 1) expression was progressively restricted postnatally and was exclusive to the epicardium by postnatal day 21. Expression of Dsp was reduced in the epicardial cells but not in cardiac myocytes in the Wt1-CreERT2:DspW/F mice. The Wt1-CreERT2:DspW/F mice exhibited premature death, cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, myocardial fibro-adipogenesis, and apoptosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing of ≈18 000 EGFP-tagged epicardial-derived cells identified genotype-independent clusters of endothelial cells, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and a very small cluster of cardiac myocytes, which were confirmed on coimmunofluorescence staining of the myocardial sections. Differentially expressed genes between the paired clusters in the 2 genotypes predicted activation of the inflammatory and mitotic pathways-including the TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1) and fibroblast growth factors-in the epicardial-derived fibroblast and epithelial clusters, but predicted their suppression in the endothelial cell cluster. The findings were corroborated by analysis of gene expression in the pooled RNA-sequencing data, which identified predominant dysregulation of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and dysregulation of 146 genes encoding the secreted proteins (secretome), including genes in the TGFβ1 pathway. Activation of the TGFβ1 and its colocalization with fibrosis in the Wt1-CreERT2:R26mT/mG:DspW/F mouse heart was validated by complementary methods. CONCLUSIONS Epicardial-derived cardiac fibroblasts and epithelial cells express paracrine factors, including TGFβ1 and fibroblast growth factors, which mediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and contribute to the pathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis, apoptosis, arrhythmias, and cardiac dysfunction in a mouse model of ACM. The findings uncover contributions of the epicardial-derived cells to the pathogenesis of ACM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yuan
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine (P.Y., S.M.C., L.R., S.F., P.G., A.J.M.).,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, China (P.Y., K.H.)
| | - Sirisha M Cheedipudi
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine (P.Y., S.M.C., L.R., S.F., P.G., A.J.M.)
| | - Leila Rouhi
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine (P.Y., S.M.C., L.R., S.F., P.G., A.J.M.)
| | - Siyang Fan
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine (P.Y., S.M.C., L.R., S.F., P.G., A.J.M.)
| | - Lukas Simon
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics and School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (L.S., Z.Z.)
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics and School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (L.S., Z.Z.)
| | - Kui Hong
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, China (P.Y., K.H.)
| | - Priyatansh Gurha
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine (P.Y., S.M.C., L.R., S.F., P.G., A.J.M.)
| | - Ali J Marian
- Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine (P.Y., S.M.C., L.R., S.F., P.G., A.J.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Wang YL, Yu SN, Shen HR, Wang HJ, Wu XP, Wang QL, Zhou B, Tan YZ. Thymosin β4 released from functionalized self-assembling peptide activates epicardium and enhances repair of infarcted myocardium. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:4262-4280. [PMID: 33754060 PMCID: PMC7977468 DOI: 10.7150/thno.52309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The epicardium plays an important role in cardiomyogenesis during development, while it becomes quiescent in adult heart during homeostasis. This study investigates the efficiency of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) release with RPRHQGVM conjugated to the C-terminus of RADA16-I (RADA-RPR), the functionalized self-assembling peptide (SAP), to activate the epicardium and repairing the infarcted myocardium. Methods: The functionalized SAP was constituted with self-assembling motif, Tβ4-binding site, and cell adhesive ligand. Myocardial infarction (MI) models of the transgenic mice were established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. At one week after intramyocardial injection of Tβ4-conjugated SAP, the activation of the epicardium was assessed. At four weeks after implantation, the migration and differentiation of epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) as well as angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and myocardial regeneration were examined. Results: We found that the designer RADA-RPR bound Tβ4 and adhered to EPDCs and that Tβ4 released from the functionalized SAP could effectively activate the epicardium and induce EPDCs to differentiate towards cardiovascular cells as well as lymphatic endothelial cells. Moreover, SAP-released Tβ4 (SAP-Tβ4) promoted proliferation of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and myocardial regeneration were enhanced in the MI models at 4 weeks after delivery of SAP-Tβ4 along with attenuation of adverse myocardial remodeling and significantly improved cardiac function. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that sustained release of Tβ4 from the functionalized SAP can activate the epicardium and effectively enhance the repair of infarcted myocardium. We believe the delivery of SAP-Tβ4 may be a promising strategy for MI therapy.
Collapse
|
36
|
Funamoto M, Sunagawa Y, Katanasaka Y, Shimizu K, Miyazaki Y, Sari N, Shimizu S, Mori K, Wada H, Hasegawa K, Morimoto T. Histone Acetylation Domains Are Differentially Induced during Development of Heart Failure in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1771. [PMID: 33578969 PMCID: PMC7916721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation by epigenetic regulators has been shown to activate the transcription of hypertrophic response genes, which subsequently leads to the development and progression of heart failure. However, nothing is known about the acetylation of the histone tail and globular domains in left ventricular hypertrophy or in heart failure. The acetylation of H3K9 on the promoter of the hypertrophic response gene was significantly increased in the left ventricular hypertrophy stage, whereas the acetylation of H3K122 did not increase in the left ventricular hypertrophy stage but did significantly increase in the heart failure stage. Interestingly, the interaction between the chromatin remodeling factor BRG1 and p300 was significantly increased in the heart failure stage, but not in the left ventricular hypertrophy stage. This study demonstrates that stage-specific acetylation of the histone tail and globular domains occurs during the development and progression of heart failure, providing novel insights into the epigenetic regulatory mechanism governing transcriptional activity in these processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Funamoto
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; (M.F.); (Y.S.); (Y.K.); (K.S.); (Y.M.); (N.S.); (S.S.); (K.H.)
- Kyoto Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, 1-1 Fukakusa Mukaihatacho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan;
| | - Yoichi Sunagawa
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; (M.F.); (Y.S.); (Y.K.); (K.S.); (Y.M.); (N.S.); (S.S.); (K.H.)
- Kyoto Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, 1-1 Fukakusa Mukaihatacho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan;
- Shizuoka General Hospital, 4-27-1 Kitaando, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka 420-8527, Japan;
| | - Yasufumi Katanasaka
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; (M.F.); (Y.S.); (Y.K.); (K.S.); (Y.M.); (N.S.); (S.S.); (K.H.)
- Kyoto Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, 1-1 Fukakusa Mukaihatacho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan;
- Shizuoka General Hospital, 4-27-1 Kitaando, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka 420-8527, Japan;
| | - Kana Shimizu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; (M.F.); (Y.S.); (Y.K.); (K.S.); (Y.M.); (N.S.); (S.S.); (K.H.)
- Kyoto Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, 1-1 Fukakusa Mukaihatacho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan;
| | - Yusuke Miyazaki
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; (M.F.); (Y.S.); (Y.K.); (K.S.); (Y.M.); (N.S.); (S.S.); (K.H.)
- Kyoto Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, 1-1 Fukakusa Mukaihatacho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan;
- Shizuoka General Hospital, 4-27-1 Kitaando, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka 420-8527, Japan;
| | - Nurmila Sari
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; (M.F.); (Y.S.); (Y.K.); (K.S.); (Y.M.); (N.S.); (S.S.); (K.H.)
| | - Satoshi Shimizu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; (M.F.); (Y.S.); (Y.K.); (K.S.); (Y.M.); (N.S.); (S.S.); (K.H.)
- Kyoto Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, 1-1 Fukakusa Mukaihatacho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan;
| | - Kiyoshi Mori
- Shizuoka General Hospital, 4-27-1 Kitaando, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka 420-8527, Japan;
| | - Hiromichi Wada
- Kyoto Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, 1-1 Fukakusa Mukaihatacho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan;
| | - Koji Hasegawa
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; (M.F.); (Y.S.); (Y.K.); (K.S.); (Y.M.); (N.S.); (S.S.); (K.H.)
- Kyoto Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, 1-1 Fukakusa Mukaihatacho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan;
| | - Tatsuya Morimoto
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; (M.F.); (Y.S.); (Y.K.); (K.S.); (Y.M.); (N.S.); (S.S.); (K.H.)
- Kyoto Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, 1-1 Fukakusa Mukaihatacho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan;
- Shizuoka General Hospital, 4-27-1 Kitaando, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka 420-8527, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Redpath AN, Smart N. Recapturing embryonic potential in the adult epicardium: Prospects for cardiac repair. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 10:511-521. [PMID: 33222384 PMCID: PMC7980211 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Research into potential targets for cardiac repair encompasses recognition of tissue‐resident cells with intrinsic regenerative properties. The adult vertebrate heart is covered by mesothelium, named the epicardium, which becomes active in response to injury and contributes to repair, albeit suboptimally. Motivation to manipulate the epicardium for treatment of myocardial infarction is deeply rooted in its central role in cardiac formation and vasculogenesis during development. Moreover, the epicardium is vital to cardiac muscle regeneration in lower vertebrate and neonatal mammalian‐injured hearts. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the biology of the mammalian epicardium in development and injury. Considering present challenges in the field, we further contemplate prospects for reinstating full embryonic potential in the adult epicardium to facilitate cardiac regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andia N Redpath
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Regenerative Medicine, Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicola Smart
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Regenerative Medicine, Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Zhang X, Wang C, Zhao D, Chen X, Zhang C, Zheng J, Liu X. Zinc deficiency induces abnormal development of the myocardium by promoting SENP5 overexpression. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242606. [PMID: 33211757 PMCID: PMC7676719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational zinc deficiency is a cause of congenital heart disease in the fetus, and sentrin/small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-specific proteases (SENPs) as deSUMOylation enzymes play a crucial role in the development of cardiac structures. However, current studies of the regulation and function of SENP in zinc-deficient status during heart development remain limited. In this study, SUMO1 modification was found to gradually decrease during heart development, and the level of SENP5 exhibited a similar trend to SUMO1 conjugation. In addition, zinc deficiency resulted in cardiac dysplasia, increased cell apoptosis, decreased cell viability, and differentiation inhibition of hiPSC-CMs. In order to investigate the function of SENP5 in zinc deficiency, hiPSC-CMs were transfected with SENP5 small interfering RNA. The negative effects of zinc lacking conditions were reversed with depletion of SENP5. It was confirmed that zinc deficiency induced abnormal differentiation of hiPSCs and increased apoptosis of hiPSC-CMs by promoting SENP5 overexpression, which led to cardiac dysplasia. Thus, it was concluded that SENP5 regulates the SUMO1 deconjugation during heart development and zinc deficiency may reduce conjugated SUMO by promoting SENP5 overexpression, which induces abnormal development of the myocardium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Neonatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Cuancuan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Dan Zhao
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Xuhong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin Binhai New Area Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Jun Zheng
- Department of Neonatology, Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Xiaozhi Liu
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth Central Hospital of Tianjin, Tianjin, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
The Role of BRG1 in Antioxidant and Redox Signaling. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:6095673. [PMID: 33014273 PMCID: PMC7512085 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6095673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Redox homeostasis is regulated by critical molecules that modulate antioxidant and redox signaling (ARS) within the cell. Imbalances among these molecules can lead to oxidative stress and damage to cell functions, causing a variety of diseases. Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), also known as SMARCA4, is the central ATPase catalytic subunit of the switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex, which plays a core role in DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcriptional regulation. Numerous recent studies show that BRG1 is involved in the regulation of various cellular processes associated with ARS. BRG1, as a major factor in chromatin remodeling, is essential for the repair of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and the activation of antioxidant genes under oxidative stress. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the roles of BRG1 in redox homeostasis is crucial to understand the normal functioning as well as pathological mechanisms. In this review, we summarized and discussed the role of BRG1 in the regulation of ARS.
Collapse
|
40
|
Akerberg BN, Pu WT. Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Heart Development. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a036756. [PMID: 31818853 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A transcriptional program implemented by transcription factors and epigenetic regulators governs cardiac development and disease. Mutations in these factors are important causes of congenital heart disease. Here, we review selected recent advances in our understanding of the transcriptional and epigenetic control of heart development, including determinants of cardiac transcription factor chromatin occupancy, the gene regulatory network that regulates atrial septation, the chromatin landscape and cardiac gene regulation, and the role of Brg/Brahma-associated factor (BAF), nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylation (NuRD), and Polycomb epigenetic regulatory complexes in heart development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brynn N Akerberg
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - William T Pu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Wang S, Wang P, Liang D, Wang Y. BRG1 Is Dispensable for Sertoli Cell Development and Functions in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124358. [PMID: 32575410 PMCID: PMC7353015 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells are somatic supporting cells in spermatogenic niche and play critical roles in germ cell development, but it is yet to be understood how epigenetic modifiers regulate Sertoli cell development and contribution to spermatogenesis. BRG1 (Brahma related gene 1) is a catalytic subunit of the mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex and participates in transcriptional regulation. The present study aimed to define the functions of BRG1 in mouse Sertoli cells during mouse spermatogenesis. We found that BRG1 protein was localized in the nuclei of both Sertoli cells and germ cells in seminiferous tubules. We further examined the requirement of BRG1 in Sertoli cell development using a Brg1 conditional knockout mouse model and two Amh-Cre mouse strains to specifically delete Brg1 gene from Sertoli cells. We found that the Amh-Cre mice from Jackson Laboratory had inefficient recombinase activities in Sertoli cells, while the other Amh-Cre strain from the European Mouse Mutant Archive achieved complete Brg1 deletion in Sertoli cells. Nevertheless, the conditional knockout of Brg1 from Sertoli cells by neither of Amh-Cre strains led to any detectable abnormalities in the development of either Sertoli cells or germ cells, suggesting that BRG1-SWI/SNF complex is dispensable to the functions of Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; (S.W.); (P.W.)
| | - Pengxiang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; (S.W.); (P.W.)
| | - Dongli Liang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; (S.W.); (P.W.)
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (Y.W.); Tel.: +86-21-54345023 (D.L.); +1-517-3531416 (Y.W.)
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (Y.W.); Tel.: +86-21-54345023 (D.L.); +1-517-3531416 (Y.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Suzuki N, Ochi H. Regeneration enhancers: A clue to reactivation of developmental genes. Dev Growth Differ 2020; 62:343-354. [PMID: 32096563 PMCID: PMC7383998 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
During tissue and organ regeneration, cells initially detect damage and then alter nuclear transcription in favor of tissue/organ reconstruction. Until recently, studies of tissue regeneration have focused on the identification of relevant genes. These studies show that many developmental genes are reused during regeneration. Concurrently, comparative genomics studies have shown that the total number of genes does not vastly differ among vertebrate taxa. Moreover, functional analyses of developmental genes using various knockout/knockdown techniques demonstrated that the functions of these genes are conserved among vertebrates. Despite these data, the ability to regenerate damaged body parts varies widely between animals. Thus, it is important to determine how regenerative transcriptional programs are triggered and why animals with low regenerative potential fail to express developmental genes after injury. Recently, we discovered relevant enhancers and named them regeneration signal-response enhancers (RSREs) after identifying their activation mechanisms in a Xenopus laevis transgenic system. In this review, we summarize recent studies of injury/regeneration-associated enhancers and then discuss their mechanisms of activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanoka Suzuki
- Amphibian Research CenterHiroshima UniversityHigashi‐HiroshimaJapan
| | - Haruki Ochi
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science ResearchFaculty of MedicineYamagata UniversityYamagataJapan
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Ruiz-Meana M, Bou-Teen D, Ferdinandy P, Gyongyosi M, Pesce M, Perrino C, Schulz R, Sluijter JPG, Tocchetti CG, Thum T, Madonna R. Cardiomyocyte ageing and cardioprotection: consensus document from the ESC working groups cell biology of the heart and myocardial function. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 116:1835-1849. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Advanced age is a major predisposing risk factor for the incidence of coronary syndromes and comorbid conditions which impact the heart response to cardioprotective interventions. Advanced age also significantly increases the risk of developing post-ischaemic adverse remodelling and heart failure after ischaemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. Some of the signalling pathways become defective or attenuated during ageing, whereas others with well-known detrimental consequences, such as glycoxidation or proinflammatory pathways, are exacerbated. The causative mechanisms responsible for all these changes are yet to be elucidated and are a matter of active research. Here, we review the current knowledge about the pathophysiology of cardiac ageing that eventually impacts on the increased susceptibility of cells to IR injury and can affect the efficiency of cardioprotective strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Ruiz-Meana
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-CV, CIBER-CV, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Bou-Teen
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-CV, CIBER-CV, Madrid, Spain
| | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mariann Gyongyosi
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maurizio Pesce
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale Cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Perrino
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joost P G Sluijter
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carlo G Tocchetti
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Interdepartmental Center of Clinical and Translational Sciences (CIRCET), Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute for Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Institute of Cardiology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Glass NR, Takasako M, Er PX, Titmarsh DM, Hidalgo A, Wolvetang EJ, Little MH, Cooper-White JJ. Multivariate patterning of human pluripotent cells under perfusion reveals critical roles of induced paracrine factors in kidney organoid development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaw2746. [PMID: 31934619 PMCID: PMC6949035 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw2746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Creating complex multicellular kidney organoids from pluripotent stem cells shows great promise. Further improvements in differentiation outcomes, patterning, and maturation of specific cell types are, however, intrinsically limited by standard tissue culture approaches. We describe a novel full factorial microbioreactor array-based methodology to achieve rapid interrogation and optimization of this complex multicellular differentiation process in a facile manner. We successfully recapitulate early kidney tissue patterning events, exploring more than 1000 unique conditions in an unbiased and quantitative manner, and define new media combinations that achieve near-pure renal cell type specification. Single-cell resolution identification of distinct renal cell types within multilayered kidney organoids, coupled with multivariate analysis, defined the definitive roles of Wnt, fibroblast growth factor, and bone morphogenetic protein signaling in their specification, exposed retinoic acid as a minimal effector of nephron patterning, and highlighted critical contributions of induced paracrine factors on cell specification and patterning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nick R. Glass
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Minoru Takasako
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Flemington Rd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Pei Xuan Er
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Flemington Rd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Drew M. Titmarsh
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alejandro Hidalgo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ernst J. Wolvetang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- UQ Centre in Stem Cell and Regenerative Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Melissa H. Little
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Flemington Rd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Justin J. Cooper-White
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- UQ Centre in Stem Cell and Regenerative Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Biomedical Manufacturing, Manufacturing Flagship, CSIRO, Clayton, VIC 3169, Australia
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Rodriguez AM, Kang J. Regeneration enhancers: Starting a journey to unravel regulatory events in tissue regeneration. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 97:47-54. [PMID: 30953740 PMCID: PMC6783330 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Regeneration, an ability to replace lost body parts, is widespread across animal species. While mammals poorly regenerate most tissues, teleost fish and urodele amphibians possess remarkable regenerative capacity. Earlier work demonstrated that genes driving regeneration are evolutionarily conserved, indicating that a key factor in diverse tissue regeneration is not the presence or absence of regeneration-driving genes but the mechanisms controlling activation of these genes after injury. Thus, understanding the regulatory events of tissue regeneration could provide the means for unlocking latent capacities for tissue regeneration. After injury, cells undergo extensive epigenetic changes to establish new transcriptional programs for tissue regeneration. Gene transcription in eukaryotes is a complicated process that requires specific interactions between trans-acting regulators and cis-regulatory DNA elements. Among cis-regulatory elements, enhancers are essential to control precise gene expression. Recently, multiple regeneration/injury-associated enhancers have been identified in several model organisms. In this review, we highlight recently discovered regeneration/injury enhancers and their specific characteristics. We also discuss how abnormal regulation of regeneration enhancers influences animal development and physiology. Investigation of regeneration enhancers potentially allows us to begin understanding the fundamental biology of tissue regeneration and inspires new solutions for manipulating regenerative ability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anjelica M Rodriguez
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Junsu Kang
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Liu CF, Tang WW. Epigenetics in Cardiac Hypertrophy and Heart Failure. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2019; 4:976-993. [PMID: 31909304 PMCID: PMC6938823 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome affecting millions of people around the world. Over the past decade, the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators in HF has been discussed extensively. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing techniques have contributed substantial progress in our understanding of the role of DNA methylation, post-translational modifications of histones, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent chromatin conformation and remodeling, and non-coding RNAs in HF pathophysiology. In this review, we summarize epigenomic studies on human and animal models in HF.
Collapse
Key Words
- BET, bromodomain
- EZH2, Enhancer of zeste homolog 2
- HAT, histone acetyltransferase
- HDAC, histone deacetylase
- HDM, histone demethylase
- HF, heart failure
- HMT, histone methyltransferase
- PRC2, polycomb repressor complex 2
- PTMs, post-translational modifications
- TAD, topologically associating domains
- TMAO, trimethylamine N-oxide
- cardiac hypertrophy
- epigenetics
- heart failure
- lnc-RNAs, long ncRNAs
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Feng Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - W.H. Wilson Tang
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Li Z, Chen B, Dong W, Kong M, Shao Y, Fan Z, Yu L, Wu D, Lu J, Guo J, Xu Y. The Chromatin Remodeler Brg1 Integrates ROS Production and Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition to Promote Liver Fibrosis in Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:245. [PMID: 31750301 PMCID: PMC6842935 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trans-differentiation of endothelial cells to myofibroblast contributes to liver fibrosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a key role in endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) although the underlying epigenetic mechanism is unclear. Here we report that endothelial conditional knockout of Brg1, a chromatin remodeling protein, attenuated liver fibrosis in mice. Brg1 deficiency in endothelial cells was paralleled by a decrease in ROS production and blockade of EndMT both in vivo and in vitro. The ability of BRG1 to regulate ROS production and EndMT was abolished by NOX4 depletion or inhibition. Further analysis revealed that BRG1 interacted with SMAD3 and AP-1 to mediate TGF-β induced NOX4 transcription in endothelial cells. Mechanistically, BRG1 recruited various histone modifying enzymes to alter the chromatin structure surrounding the NOX4 locus thereby activating its transcription. In conclusion, our data uncover a novel epigenetic mechanism that links NOX4-dependent ROS production to EndMT and liver fibrosis. Targeting the BRG1-NOX4 axis may yield novel therapeutics against liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Baoyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Shao
- Cardiovascular Disease and Research Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liming Yu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dongmei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology on Medical Plants of Jiangsu Province and School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China.,College of Health Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology on Medical Plants of Jiangsu Province and School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China.,College of Health Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Junli Guo
- Cardiovascular Disease and Research Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Wang S, Yu J, Kane MA, Moise AR. Modulation of retinoid signaling: therapeutic opportunities in organ fibrosis and repair. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 205:107415. [PMID: 31629008 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.107415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The vitamin A metabolite, retinoic acid, is an important signaling molecule during embryonic development serving critical roles in morphogenesis, organ patterning and skeletal and neural development. Retinoic acid is also important in postnatal life in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, while retinoid-based therapies have long been used in the treatment of a variety of cancers and skin disorders. As the number of people living with chronic disorders continues to increase, there is great interest in extending the use of retinoid therapies in promoting the maintenance and repair of adult tissues. However, there are still many conflicting results as we struggle to understand the role of retinoic acid in the multitude of processes that contribute to tissue injury and repair. This review will assess our current knowledge of the role retinoic acid signaling in the development of fibroblasts, and their transformation to myofibroblasts, and of the potential use of retinoid therapies in the treatment of organ fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suya Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jianshi Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Maureen A Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Alexander R Moise
- Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Biology and Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Aging is associated with a progressive decline in cardiovascular structure and function. Accumulating evidence links cardiovascular aging to epigenetic alterations encompassing a complex interplay of DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modifications, and dynamic nucleosome occupancy governed by numerous epigenetic factors. Advances in genomics technology have led to a profound understanding of chromatin reorganization in both cardiovascular aging and diseases. This review summarizes recent discoveries in epigenetic mechanisms involved in cardiovascular aging and diseases and discusses potential therapeutic strategies to retard cardiovascular aging and conquer related diseases through the rejuvenation of epigenetic signatures to a young state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Zhang
- From the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (W.Z., G.-H.L.).,National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics (W.Z., G.-H.L.), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration (W.Z., M.S., J.Q., G.-H.L.), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (W.Z., M.S., J.Q., G.-H.L.)
| | - Moshi Song
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology (M.S.), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration (W.Z., M.S., J.Q., G.-H.L.), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (W.Z., M.S., J.Q., G.-H.L.)
| | - Jing Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology (J.Q.), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration (W.Z., M.S., J.Q., G.-H.L.), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (W.Z., M.S., J.Q., G.-H.L.)
| | - Guang-Hui Liu
- From the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (W.Z., G.-H.L.).,National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics (W.Z., G.-H.L.), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration (W.Z., M.S., J.Q., G.-H.L.), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (W.Z., M.S., J.Q., G.-H.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
Heart failure is a major cause of death worldwide owing to the inability of the adult human heart to regenerate after a heart attack. However, many vertebrate species are capable of complete cardiac regeneration following injury. In this Review, we discuss the various model organisms of cardiac regeneration, and outline what they have taught us thus far about the cellular and molecular responses essential for optimal cardiac repair. We compare across different species, highlighting evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of regeneration and demonstrating the importance of developmental gene expression programmes, plasticity of the heart and the pathophysiological environment for the regenerative response. Additionally, we discuss how the findings from these studies have led to improvements in cardiac repair in preclinical models such as adult mice and pigs, and discuss the potential to translate these findings into therapeutic approaches for human patients following myocardial infarction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor L Price
- Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Joaquim M Vieira
- Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Paul R Riley
- Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| |
Collapse
|