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Huang S, Li Y, Wang B, Zhou Z, Li Y, Shen L, Cong J, Han L, Xiang X, Xia J, He D, Zhao Z, Zhou Y, Li Q, Dai G, Shen H, Lin T, Wu A, Jia J, Xiao D, Li J, Zhao W, Lin X. Hepatocyte-specific METTL3 ablation by Alb-iCre mice (GPT), but not by Alb-Cre mice (JAX), resulted in acute liver failure (ALF) and postnatal lethality. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:7217-7248. [PMID: 38656880 PMCID: PMC11087113 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205753] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
AIM In 2019, to examine the functions of METTL3 in liver and underlying mechanisms, we generated mice with hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous knockout (METTL3Δhep) by simultaneously crossing METTL3fl/fl mice with Alb-iCre mice (GPT) or Alb-Cre mice (JAX), respectively. In this study, we explored the potential reasons why hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous disruption by Alb-iCre mice (GPT), but not by Alb-Cre mice (JAX), resulted in acute liver failure (ALF) and then postnatal lethality. MAIN METHODS Mice with hepatocyte-specific METTL3 knockout were generated by simultaneously crossing METTL3fl/fl mice with Alb-iCre mice (GPT; Strain No. T003814) purchased from the GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., (Nanjing, China) or with Alb-Cre mice (JAX; Strain No. 003574) obtained from The Jackson Laboratory, followed by combined-phenotype analysis. The publicly available RNA-sequencing data deposited in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database under the accession No.: GSE198512 (postnatal lethality), GSE197800 (postnatal survival) and GSE176113 (postnatal survival) were mined to explore the potential reasons why hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous deletion by Alb-iCre mice (GPT), but not by Alb-Cre mice (JAX), leads to ALF and then postnatal lethality. KEY FINDINGS Firstly, we observed that hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous deficiency by Alb-iCre mice (GPT) or by Alb-Cre mice (JAX) caused liver injury, abnormal lipid accumulation and apoptosis. Secondly, we are surprised to find that hepatocyte-specific METTL3 homozygous deletion by Alb-iCre mice (GPT), but not by Alb-Cre mice (JAX), led to ALF and then postnatal lethality. Our findings clearly demonstrated that METTL3Δhep mice (GPT), which are about to die, exhibited the severe destruction of liver histological structure, suggesting that METTL3Δhep mice (GPT) nearly lose normal liver function, which subsequently contributes to ALF, followed by postnatal lethality. Finally, we unexpectedly found that as the compensatory growth responses of hepatocytes to liver injury induced by METTL3Δhep (GPT), the proliferation of METTL3Δhep hepatocytes (GPT), unlike METTL3Δhep hepatocytes (JAX), was not evidenced by the significant increase of Ki67-positive hepatocytes, not accompanied by upregulation of cell-cycle-related genes. Moreover, GO analysis revealed that upregulated genes in METTL3Δhep livers (GPT), unlike METTL3Δhep livers (JAX), are not functionally enriched in terms associated with cell cycle, cell division, mitosis, microtubule cytoskeleton organization, spindle organization, chromatin segregation and organization, and nuclear division, consistent with the loss of compensatory proliferation of METTL3Δhep hepatocytes (GPT) observed in vivo. Thus, obviously, the loss of the compensatory growth capacity of METTL3Δhep hepatocytes (GPT) in response to liver injury might contribute to, at least partially, ALF and subsequently postnatal lethality of METTL3Δhep mice (GPT). SIGNIFICANCE These findings from this study and other labs provide strong evidence that these phenotypes (i.e., ALF and postnatal lethality) of METTL3Δhep mice (GPT) might be not the real functions of METTL3, and closely related with Alb-iCre mice (GPT), suggesting that we should remind researchers to use Alb-iCre mice (GPT) with caution to knockout gene in hepatocytes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Huang
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yingchun Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
| | - Bingjie Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhihao Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yonglong Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Lingjun Shen
- Department of Tuberculosis, Yunnan Clinical Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Jinge Cong
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Liuxin Han
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Xudong Xiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Jiawei Xia
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Danhua He
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhanlin Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qiwen Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Guanqi Dai
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hanzhang Shen
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Taoyan Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Aibing Wu
- Central People’s Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Junshuang Jia
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Dong Xiao
- Cancer Research Institute, Experimental Education and Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Li
- Radiotherapy Center, the First People’s Hospital of Chenzhou, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423000, China
| | - Wentao Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Xiaolin Lin
- Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
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Lin TY, Jia JS, Luo WR, Lin XL, Xiao SJ, Yang J, Xia JW, Zhou C, Zhou ZH, Lin SJ, Li QW, Yang ZZ, Lei Y, Yang WQ, Shen HF, Huang SH, Wang SC, Chen LB, Yang YL, Xue SW, Li YL, Dai GQ, Zhou Y, Li YC, Wei F, Rong XX, Luo XJ, Zhao BX, Huang WH, Xiao D, Sun Y. ThermomiR-377-3p-induced suppression of Cirbp expression is required for effective elimination of cancer cells and cancer stem-like cells by hyperthermia. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:62. [PMID: 38419081 PMCID: PMC10903011 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02983-3] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, the development of adjunctive therapeutic hyperthermia for cancer therapy has received considerable attention. However, the mechanisms underlying hyperthermia resistance are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of cold‑inducible RNA binding protein (Cirbp) in regulating hyperthermia resistance and underlying mechanisms in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, tumor sphere formation assay, qRT-PCR, Western blot were employed to examine the effects of hyperthermia (HT), HT + oridonin(Ori) or HT + radiotherapy (RT) on the proliferation and stemness of NPC cells. RNA sequencing was applied to gain differentially expressed genes upon hyperthermia. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments were used to evaluate the effects of RNAi-mediated Cirbp silencing or Cirbp overexpression on the sensitivity or resistance of NPC cells and cancer stem-like cells to hyperthermia by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, tumorsphere formation assay and apoptosis assay, and in subcutaneous xenograft animal model. miRNA transient transfection and luciferase reporter assay were used to demonstrate that Cirbp is a direct target of miR-377-3p. The phosphorylation levels of key members in ATM-Chk2 and ATR-Chk1 pathways were detected by Western blot. RESULTS Our results firstly revealed that hyperthermia significantly attenuated the stemness of NPC cells, while combination treatment of hyperthermia and oridonin dramatically increased the killing effect on NPC cells and cancer stem cell (CSC)‑like population. Moreover, hyperthermia substantially improved the sensitivity of radiation‑resistant NPC cells and CSC‑like cells to radiotherapy. Hyperthermia noticeably suppressed Cirbp expression in NPC cells and xenograft tumor tissues. Furthermore, Cirbp inhibition remarkably boosted anti‑tumor‑killing activity of hyperthermia against NPC cells and CSC‑like cells, whereas ectopic expression of Cirbp compromised tumor‑killing effect of hyperthermia on these cells, indicating that Cirbp overexpression induces hyperthermia resistance. ThermomiR-377-3p improved the sensitivity of NPC cells and CSC‑like cells to hyperthermia in vitro by directly suppressing Cirbp expression. More importantly, our results displayed the significantly boosted sensitization of tumor xenografts to hyperthermia by Cirbp silencing in vivo, but ectopic expression of Cirbp almost completely counteracted hyperthermia-mediated tumor cell-killing effect against tumor xenografts in vivo. Mechanistically, Cirbp silencing-induced inhibition of DNA damage repair by inactivating ATM-Chk2 and ATR-Chk1 pathways, decrease in stemness and increase in cell death contributed to hyperthermic sensitization; conversely, Cirbp overexpression-induced promotion of DNA damage repair, increase in stemness and decrease in cell apoptosis contributed to hyperthermia resistance. CONCLUSION Taken together, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized role for Cirbp in positively regulating hyperthermia resistance and suggest that thermomiR-377-3p and its target gene Cirbp represent promising targets for therapeutic hyperthermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao-Yan Lin
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jun-Shuang Jia
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wei-Ren Luo
- Cancer Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Lin
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China
| | - Sheng-Jun Xiao
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Department of Imaging, Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, 422000, China
| | - Jia-Wei Xia
- The Third People's Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming, 650041, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Zhi-Hao Zhou
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Shu-Jun Lin
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qi-Wen Li
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhi-Zhi Yang
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ye Lei
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Wen-Qing Yang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hong-Fen Shen
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Shi-Hao Huang
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Sheng-Chun Wang
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Lin-Bei Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yu-Lin Yang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Shu-Wen Xue
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yong-Long Li
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Guan-Qi Dai
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ying-Chun Li
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Fang Wei
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Xiang Rong
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guang‑zhou, 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Luo
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China
| | - Bing-Xia Zhao
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Wen-Hua Huang
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Translation of Medical 3D Printing Application, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangdong Medical Innovation Platform for Translation of 3D Printing Application, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
- Orthopaedic Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China.
| | - Dong Xiao
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
- Guangzhou Southern Medical Laboratory Animal Sci.&Tech. Co.,Ltd, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Education of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Department of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Yan Sun
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Subchondral Bone Osteoblasts into Chondrocyte-like Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102582. [PMID: 36289842 PMCID: PMC9599480 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage defects with exposure of subchondral bone often seen in osteoarthritic conditions has long been a great challenge, especially with a focus on the feasibility of in situ cartilage regeneration through minimally invasive procedures. Osteoblasts that situate in the subchondral bone plate may be considered a potentially vital endogenous source of cells for cartilage resurfacing through direct reprogramming into chondrocytes. Microarray-based gene expression profiles were generated to compare tissue-specific transcripts between subchondral bone and cartilage of mice and to assess age-dependent differences of chondrocytes as well. On osteoblast cell lines established from mouse proximal tibial subchondral bone, sequential screening by co-transduction of transcription factor (TF) genes that distinguish chondrocytes from osteoblasts reveals a shortlist of potential reprogramming factors exhibiting combined effects in inducing chondrogenesis of subchondral bone osteoblasts. A further combinatorial approach unexpectedly identified two 3-TF combinations containing Sox9 and Sox5 that exhibit differences in reprogramming propensity with the third TF c-Myc or Plagl1, which appeared to direct the converted chondrocytes toward either a superficial or a deeper zone phenotype. Thus, our approach demonstrates the possibility of converting osteoblasts into two major chondrocyte subpopulations with two combinations of three genes (Sox9, Sox5, and c-Myc or Plagl1). The findings may have important implications for developing novel in situ regeneration strategies for the reconstruction of full-thickness cartilage defects.
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Li D, Wang X, Yi T, Zhang L, Feng L, Zhang M, He Y, Gang S. LncRNA MINCR attenuates osteoarthritis progression via sponging miR-146a-5p to promote BMPR2 expression. Cell Cycle 2022; 21:2417-2432. [PMID: 35848848 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2099191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The purposes of this study are to explore the function and regulatory mechanism of a novel lncRNA MYC-Induced Long non-coding RNA (MINCR) in osteoarthritis (OA). The expression of lncRNA MINCR, miR-146a-5p, and bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2), Sry-type high-mobility-group box 9 (SOX9), collagen type II alpha 1 (COL2A1), Aggrecan, metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), MMP13, COL2A1, and Aggrecan were determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) in vitro and in vivo. And distribution and expression of MINCR were examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, Annexin V-FITC/Propidium Iodide (PI), and Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining in vitro and in vivo. The anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) rat model was constructed to analyze the MINCR/miR-146a-5p/BMPR2 axis in vivo. The cartilage degeneration was determined by pathological staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Safranin O staining. The binding relationship between MINCR and miR-146a-5p, and between miR-146a-5p and BMPR2 were determined by a dual-luciferase reporter gene, RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay, and RNA-pull down assays. Here, MINCR and BMPR2 were downregulated whereas miR-146a-5p was upregulated in OA cartilage tissues compared with control as well as IL-1β-induced chondrocytes compared with normal chondrocytes. Function experiments indicated that MINCR upregulation promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM)-degeneration. We also proved the binding relationship between MINCR and miR-146a-5p, and the BMPR2 acted as a target of miR-146a-5p. Mechanism analysis using rescue experiments in vitro and in vivo, MINCR silencing reversed the effects of miR-146a-5p downregulation in OA. Overexpression of miR-146a-5p also reversed the function of BMPR2 overexpression in OA. These data indicated that MINCR prevented OA progression via targeting miR-146a-5p to promote BMPR2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyun Li
- Department of Preventive Treatment of Disease, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- Department of Preventive Treatment of Disease, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Tengda Yi
- Department of Preventive Treatment of Disease, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Preventive Treatment of Disease, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Lirui Feng
- Department of Preventive Treatment of Disease, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Mingxing Zhang
- Department of Preventive Treatment of Disease, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Yongsheng He
- Research and development center, The Yunnan Labreal Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Kunming, China
| | - Shunkui Gang
- Department of Preventive Treatment of Disease, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
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Generation and characterization of genome-modified chondrocyte-like cells from the zebra finch cell line immortalized by c-MYC expression. Front Zool 2022; 19:18. [PMID: 35690812 PMCID: PMC9188209 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-022-00464-x] [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: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to their cost effectiveness, ease of use, and unlimited supply, immortalized cell lines are used in place of primary cells for a wide range of research purposes, including gene function studies, CRISPR-based gene editing, drug metabolism tests, and vaccine or therapeutic protein production. Although immortalized cell lines have been established for a range of animal species, there is still a need to develop such cell lines for wild species. The zebra finch, which is used widely as a model species to study the neurobiological basis of human speech disorders, has been employed in several functional studies involving gene knockdown or the introduction of exogenous transgenes in vivo; however, the lack of an immortalized zebra finch cell line has hampered precise genome editing studies. RESULTS Here, we established an immortalized cell line by a single genetic event, expression of the c-MYC oncogene, in zebra finch embryonic fibroblasts and examined its potential suitability for gene targeting investigations. Retroviral vector-mediated transduction of c-MYC was used to immortalize zebra finch primary fibroblasts; the transformed cells proliferated stably over several passages, resulting in the expression of chondrocyte-specific genes. The transfection efficiency of the immortalized cells was much higher than that of the primary cells. Targeted knockout of the SOX9 gene, which plays a role in the differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cells into chondrocytes, was conducted in vitro and both apoptosis and decreased expression levels of chondrogenic marker genes were observed in edited cells. CONCLUSIONS The c-MYC induced immortalized chondrocyte-like cell line described here broadens the available options for establishing zebra finch cell lines, paves the way for in-depth biological researches, and provides convenient approaches for biotechnology studies, particularly genomic modification research.
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A real-time pluripotency reporter for the long-term and real-time monitoring of pluripotency changes in induced pluripotent stem cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:4445-4458. [PMID: 35575836 PMCID: PMC9186763 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204083] [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: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To master the technology of reprogramming mouse somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which will lay a good foundation for setting up a technology platform on reprogramming human cancer cells into iPSCs. Mouse iPSCs (i.e., Oct4-GFP miPSCs) was successfully generated from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) harboring Oct4-EGFP transgene by introducing four factors, Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4, under mESC (Murine embryonic stem cells) culture conditions. Oct4-GFP miPSCs were similar to mESCs in morphology, proliferation, mESC-specific surface antigens and gene expression. Additionally, Oct4-GFP miPSCs could be cultured in suspension to form embryoid bodies (EBs) and differentiate into cell types of the three germ layers in vitro. Moreover, Oct4-GFP miPSCs could develop to teratoma and chimera in vivo. Unlike cell cycle distribution of MEFs, Oct4-GFP miPSCs are similar to mESCs in the cell cycle structure which consists of higher S phase and lower G1 phase. More importantly, our data demonstrated that MEFs harboring Oct4-EGFP transgene did not express GFP, until they were reprogrammed to the pluripotent stage (iPSCs), while the GFP expression was progressively lost when these pluripotent Oct4-GFP miPSCs exposed to EB-mediated differentiation conditions, suggesting the pluripotency of Oct4-GFP miPSCs can be real-time monitored over long periods of time via GFP assay. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that Oct4-GFP miPSC line is successfully established, which will lay a solid foundation for setting up a technology platform on reprogramming cancer cells into iPSCs. Furthermore, this pluripotency reporter system permits the long-term real-time monitoring of pluripotency changes in a live single-cell, and its progeny.
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Direct Conversion of Bovine Dermal Fibroblasts into Myotubes by Viral Delivery of Transcription Factor bMyoD. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12094688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Direct reprogramming of somatic cells to myoblasts and myotubes holds great potential for muscle development, disease modeling and regenerative medicine. According to recent studies, direct conversion of fibroblasts to myoblasts was performed by using a transcription factor, myoblast determination protein (MyoD), which belongs to a family of myogenic regulatory factors. Therefore, MyoD is considered to be a key driver in the generation of induced myoblasts. In this study, we compared the direct phenotypic conversion of bovine dermal fibroblasts (BDFs) into myoblasts and myotubes by supplementing a transcription factor, bovine MyoD (bMyoD), in the form of recombinant protein or the bMyoD gene, through retroviral vectors. As a result, the delivery of the bMyoD gene to BDFs was more efficient for inducing reprogramming, resulting in direct conversion to myoblasts and myotubes, when compared with protein delivery. BDFs cultured with retrovirus encoding bMyoD increased myogenic gene expression, such as MyoG, MYH3 and MYMK. In addition, the cells expressed myoblast or myotube-specific marker proteins, MyoG and Desmin, respectively. Our findings provide an informative tool for the myogenesis of domestic-animal-derived somatic cells via transgenic technology. By using this method, a new era of regenerative medicine and cultured meat is expected.
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Liu Y, Li YQ, Huang SH, Li YL, Xia JW, Jia JS, Wei F, Wang JH, Dai GQ, Wang YC, Li XY, Han LX, Zhang XL, Xiang XD, Zhao WT, Xiao D, Lin XL. Liver-specific over-expression of Cripto-1 in transgenic mice promotes hepatocyte proliferation and deregulated expression of hepatocarcinogenesis-related genes and signaling pathways. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:21155-21190. [PMID: 34517344 PMCID: PMC8457585 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the role of embryonic gene Cripto-1 (CR-1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using hepatocyte-specific CR-1-overexpressing transgenic mice. The expression of truncated 1.7-kb CR-1 transcript (SF-CR-1) was significantly higher than the full-length 2.0-kb CR-1 transcript (FL-CR-1) in a majority of HCC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, CR-1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in HCC tissues than adjacent normal liver tissues. Hepatocyte-specific over-expression of CR-1 in transgenic mice enhanced hepatocyte proliferation after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (2/3 PHx). CR-1 over-expression significantly increased in vivo xenograft tumor growth of HCC cells in nude mice and in vitro HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. CR-1 over-expression in the transgenic mouse livers deregulated HCC-related signaling pathways such as AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, Stat3, MAPK/ERK, JNK, TGF-β and Notch, as well as expression of HCC-related genes such as CD5L, S100A8, S100A9, Timd4, Orm2, Orm3, PDK4, DMBT1, G0S2, Plk2, Plk3, Gsta1 and Gsta2. However, histological signs of precancerous lesions, hepatocyte dysplasia or HCC formation were not observed in the livers of 3-, 6- or 8-month-old hepatocyte-specific CR-1-overexpressing transgenic mice. These findings demonstrate that liver-specific CR-1 overexpression in transgenic mice deregulates signaling pathways and genes associated with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yan-Qing Li
- Department of Hematology, Central Hospital of Xuhui District, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Shi-Hao Huang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yong-Long Li
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Wei Xia
- The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Jun-Shuang Jia
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Fang Wei
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Hong Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Guan-Qi Dai
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yu-Cai Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Li
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Liu-Xin Han
- The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Xiao-Ling Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Xu-Dong Xiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Yunnan Cancer Center), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Wen-Tao Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Yunnan Cancer Center), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Dong Xiao
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Lin
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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9
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Choi DH, Lee KE, Park J, Park YJ, Lee JY, Park YS. Cell-Permeable Oct4 Gene Delivery Enhances Stem Cell-like Properties of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9357. [PMID: 34502264 PMCID: PMC8430778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct conversion of one cell type into another is a trans-differentiation process. Recent advances in fibroblast research revealed that epithelial cells can give rise to fibroblasts by epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Conversely, fibroblasts can also give rise to epithelia by undergoing a mesenchymal to epithelial transition. To elicit stem cell-like properties in fibroblasts, the Oct4 transcription factor acts as a master transcriptional regulator for reprogramming somatic cells. Notably, the production of gene complexes with cell-permeable peptides, such as low-molecular-weight protamine (LMWP), was proposed to induce reprogramming without cytotoxicity and genomic mutation. We designed a complex with non-cytotoxic LMWP to prevent the degradation of Oct4 and revealed that the positively charged cell-permeable LMWP helped condense the size of the Oct4-LMWP complexes (1:5 N:P ratio). When the Oct4-LMWP complex was delivered into mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), stemness-related gene expression increased while fibroblast intrinsic properties decreased. We believe that the Oct4-LMWP complex developed in this study can be used to reprogram terminally differentiated somatic cells or convert them into stem cell-like cells without risk of cell death, improving the stemness level and stability of existing direct conversion techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Hyeon Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (D.H.C.); (K.E.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Kyeong Eun Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (D.H.C.); (K.E.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Jiwon Park
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (D.H.C.); (K.E.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Yoon Jeong Park
- Department of Dental Regenerative Bioengineering and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea;
- Central Research Institute, Nano Intelligent Biomedical Engineering Corporation (NIBEC), School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea;
| | - Jue-Yeon Lee
- Central Research Institute, Nano Intelligent Biomedical Engineering Corporation (NIBEC), School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea;
| | - Yoon Shin Park
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (D.H.C.); (K.E.L.); (J.P.)
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10
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Yang X, Zhou Y, Chen Z, Chen C, Han C, Li X, Tian H, Cheng X, Zhang K, Zhou T, Zhao J. Curcumenol mitigates chondrocyte inflammation by inhibiting the NF‑κB and MAPK pathways, and ameliorates DMM‑induced OA in mice. Int J Mol Med 2021; 48:192. [PMID: 34435650 PMCID: PMC8416138 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.5025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, an increasing number of individuals are affected by osteoarthritis (OA), resulting in a heavy socioeconomic burden. OA in knee joints is caused by the release of inflammatory cytokines and subsequent biomechanical and structural deterioration. To determine its anti‑inflammatory function, the current study investigated the use of the plant‑derived medicine, curcumenol, in OA treatment. Curcumenol was not cytotoxic to ATDC5 chondrocytes and primary chondrocytes, as determined using a cell viability test. When these cells were treated with TNF‑α and IL‑1β to induce inflammation, curcumenol treatment inhibited the progression of inflammation by inactivating the NF‑κB and MAPK signaling pathways, as well as decreasing the expression levels of MMP3 (as indicated by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting). Moreover, to analyze metabolic and catabolic status in high‑density and pellet culture, catalytic changes and the degradation of the extracellular matrix induced by TNF‑α and IL‑1β, were evaluated by alcian blue staining. These catalytic deteriorations were ameliorated by curcumenol. Using curcumenol in disease management, the mechanical and metabolic disruption of cartilage caused in the destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM) model was prevented in vivo. Thus, curcumenol mitigated inflammation in ATDC5 chondrocytes and primary mice chondrocytes, and also ameliorated OA in a DMM‑induced mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqian Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Chen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Chen Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Xunlin Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Haijun Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofei Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Tangjun Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
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11
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Dian MJ, Li J, Zhang XL, Li ZJ, Zhou Y, Zhou W, Zhong QL, Pang WQ, Lin XL, Liu T, Liu YA, Li YL, Han LX, Zhao WT, Jia JS, Xiao SJ, Xiao D, Xia JW, Hao WC. MST4 negatively regulates the EMT, invasion and metastasis of HCC cells by inactivating PI3K/AKT/Snail1 axis. J Cancer 2021; 12:4463-4477. [PMID: 34149910 PMCID: PMC8210547 DOI: 10.7150/jca.60008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and has a poor prognosis due to the high incidence of invasion and metastasis-related progression. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive, and valuable biomarkers for predicting invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis of HCC patients are still lacking. Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on HCC tissues (n = 325), and the correlations between MST4 expression of the clinical HCC tissues, the clinicopathologic features, and survival were further evaluated. The effects of MST4 on HCC cell migratory and invasive properties in vitro were evaluated by Transwell and Boyden assays. The intrahepatic metastasis mouse model was established to evaluate the HCC metastasis in vivo. The PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, and a specific siRNA against Snail1 were used to investigate the roles of PI3K/AKT pathway and Snail1 in MST4-regulated EMT, migration, and invasion of HCC cells, respectively. Results: In this study, by comprehensively analyzing our clinical data, we discovered that low MST4 expression is highly associated with the advanced progression of HCC and serves as a prognostic biomarker for HCC patients of clinical-stage III-IV. Functional studies indicate that MST4 inactivation induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC cells, promotes their migratory and invasive potential in vitro, and facilitates their intrahepatic metastasis in vivo, whereas MST4 overexpression exhibits the opposite phenotypes. Mechanistically, MST4 inactivation elevates the expression and nuclear translocation of Snail1, a key EMT transcription factor (EMT-TF), through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thus inducing the EMT phenotype of HCC cells, and enhancing their invasive and metastatic potential. Moreover, a negative correlation between MST4 and p-AKT, Snail1, and Ki67 and a positive correlation between MST4 and E-cadherin were determined in clinical HCC samples. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that MST4 suppresses EMT, invasion, and metastasis of HCC cells by modulating the PI3K/AKT/Snail1 axis, suggesting that MST4 may be a potential prognostic biomarker for aggressive and metastatic HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Juan Dian
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.,Institute of Comparative Medicine & Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Li
- Radiotherapy Center, the First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423000, China
| | - Xiao-Ling Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Zi-Jian Li
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qiu-Ling Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wen-Qian Pang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Lin
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yi-An Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yong-Long Li
- Institute of Comparative Medicine & Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Liu-Xin Han
- The third people's hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Wen-Tao Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Yunnan Cancer Center), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Jun-Shuang Jia
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Sheng-Jun Xiao
- Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Dong Xiao
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.,Institute of Comparative Medicine & Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Wei Xia
- The third people's hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Wei-Chao Hao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliation Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510062, China
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12
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Fráguas-Eggenschwiler M, Eggenschwiler R, Söllner JH, Cortnumme L, Vondran FWR, Cantz T, Ott M, Niemann H. Direct conversion of porcine primary fibroblasts into hepatocyte-like cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9334. [PMID: 33927320 PMCID: PMC8085017 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88727-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The pig is an important model organism for biomedical research, mainly due to its extensive genetic, physiological and anatomical similarities with humans. Until date, direct conversion of somatic cells into hepatocyte-like cells (iHeps) has only been achieved in rodents and human cells. Here, we employed lentiviral vectors to screen a panel of 12 hepatic transcription factors (TF) for their potential to convert porcine fibroblasts into hepatocyte-like cells. We demonstrate for the first time, hepatic conversion of porcine somatic cells by over-expression of CEBPα, FOXA1 and HNF4α2 (3TF-piHeps). Reprogrammed 3TF-piHeps display a hepatocyte-like morphology and show functional characteristics of hepatic cells, including albumin secretion, Dil-AcLDL uptake, storage of lipids and glycogen and activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP2C33 (CYP2C9 in humans). Moreover, we show that markers of mature hepatocytes are highly expressed in 3TF-piHeps, while fibroblastic markers are reduced. We envision piHeps as useful cell sources for future studies on drug metabolism and toxicity as well as in vitro models for investigation of pig-to-human infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Fráguas-Eggenschwiler
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. .,Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Reto Eggenschwiler
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Translational Hepatology and Stem Cell Biology, REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jenny-Helena Söllner
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Leon Cortnumme
- Translational Hepatology and Stem Cell Biology, REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Cantz
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Translational Hepatology and Stem Cell Biology, REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Niemann
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. .,Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.
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