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Wang SS, Hall ML, Lee E, Kim SC, Ramesh N, Lee SH, Jang JY, Bold RJ, Ku JL, Hwang CI. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing identifies stage- and subtype-specific DNA methylation signatures in pancreatic cancer. iScience 2024; 27:109414. [PMID: 38532888 PMCID: PMC10963232 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109414] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), no recurrent metastasis-specific mutation has been found, suggesting that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, are the major contributors of late-stage disease progression. Here, we performed the first whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) on mouse and human PDAC organoid models to identify stage-specific and molecular subtype-specific DNA methylation signatures. With this approach, we identified thousands of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that can distinguish between the stages and molecular subtypes of PDAC. Stage-specific DMRs are associated with genes related to nervous system development and cell-cell adhesions, and are enriched in promoters and bivalent enhancers. Subtype-specific DMRs showed hypermethylation of GATA6 foregut endoderm transcriptional networks in the squamous subtype and hypermethylation of EMT transcriptional networks in the progenitor subtype. These results indicate that aberrant DNA methylation contributes to both PDAC progression and subtype differentiation, resulting in significant and reoccurring DNA methylation patterns with diagnostic and prognostic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Madison L. Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - EunJung Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Soon-Chan Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korean Cell Line Bank, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Neha Ramesh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sang Hyub Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin-Young Jang
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Richard J. Bold
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Ja-Lok Ku
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korean Cell Line Bank, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chang-Il Hwang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Xu L, Ma X, Zhang X, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Gong S, Wu N, Zhang P, Feng X, Guo J, Zhao M, Ren Z, Zhang P. hsa_circ_0007919 induces LIG1 transcription by binding to FOXA1/TET1 to enhance the DNA damage response and promote gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:195. [PMID: 38044421 PMCID: PMC10694898 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01887-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in the occurrence and development of cancer and chemoresistance. DNA damage repair contributes to the proliferation of cancer cells and resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. However, the role of circRNAs in the regulation of DNA damage repair needs clarification. METHODS RNA sequencing analysis was applied to identify the differentially expressed circRNAs. qRT-PCR was conducted to confirm the expression of hsa_circ_0007919, and CCK-8, FCM, single-cell gel electrophoresis and IF assays were used to analyze the proliferation, apoptosis and gemcitabine (GEM) resistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Xenograft model and IHC experiments were conducted to confirm the effects of hsa_circ_0007919 on tumor growth and DNA damage in vivo. RNA sequencing and GSEA were applied to confirm the downstream genes and pathways of hsa_circ_0007919. FISH and nuclear-cytoplasmic RNA fractionation experiments were conducted to identify the cellular localization of hsa_circ_0007919. ChIRP, RIP, Co-IP, ChIP, MS-PCR and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to confirm the interaction among hsa_circ_0007919, FOXA1, TET1 and the LIG1 promoter. RESULTS We identified a highly expressed circRNA, hsa_circ_0007919, in GEM-resistant PDAC tissues and cells. High expression of hsa_circ_0007919 correlates with poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of PDAC patients. Hsa_circ_0007919 inhibits the DNA damage, accumulation of DNA breaks and apoptosis induced by GEM in a LIG1-dependent manner to maintain cell survival. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0007919 recruits FOXA1 and TET1 to decrease the methylation of the LIG1 promoter and increase its transcription, further promoting base excision repair, mismatch repair and nucleotide excision repair. At last, we found that GEM enhanced the binding of QKI to the introns of hsa_circ_0007919 pre-mRNA and the splicing and circularization of this pre-mRNA to generate hsa_circ_0007919. CONCLUSIONS Hsa_circ_0007919 promotes GEM resistance by enhancing DNA damage repair in a LIG1-dependent manner to maintain cell survival. Targeting hsa_circ_0007919 and DNA damage repair pathways could be a therapeutic strategy for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiuzhong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Shuai Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Nai Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Shangqiu Municipal Hospital, Shangqiu, China
| | - Xinyu Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jiaxuan Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zeqiang Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
| | - Pengbo Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
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3
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Yang ZZ, Parchem RJ. The role of noncoding RNAs in pancreatic birth defects. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:1785-1808. [PMID: 37066622 PMCID: PMC10579456 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2178] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Congenital defects in the pancreas can cause severe health issues such as pancreatic cancer and diabetes which require lifelong treatment. Regenerating healthy pancreatic cells to replace malfunctioning cells has been considered a promising cure for pancreatic diseases including birth defects. However, such therapies are currently unavailable in the clinic. The developmental gene regulatory network underlying pancreatic development must be reactivated for in vivo regeneration and recapitulated in vitro for cell replacement therapy. Thus, understanding the mechanisms driving pancreatic development will pave the way for regenerative therapies. Pancreatic progenitor cells are the precursors of all pancreatic cells which use epigenetic changes to control gene expression during differentiation to generate all of the distinct pancreatic cell types. Epigenetic changes involving DNA methylation and histone modifications can be controlled by noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Indeed, increasing evidence suggests that ncRNAs are indispensable for proper organogenesis. Here, we summarize recent insight into the role of ncRNAs in the epigenetic regulation of pancreatic development. We further discuss how disruptions in ncRNA biogenesis and expression lead to developmental defects and diseases. This review summarizes in vivo data from animal models and in vitro studies using stem cell differentiation as a model for pancreatic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyue Zoey Yang
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ronald J Parchem
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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4
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Lyu X, Rowley MJ, Kulik MJ, Dalton S, Corces VG. Regulation of CTCF loop formation during pancreatic cell differentiation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6314. [PMID: 37813869 PMCID: PMC10562423 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41964-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription reprogramming during cell differentiation involves targeting enhancers to genes responsible for establishment of cell fates. To understand the contribution of CTCF-mediated chromatin organization to cell lineage commitment, we analyzed 3D chromatin architecture during the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into pancreatic islet organoids. We find that CTCF loops are formed and disassembled at different stages of the differentiation process by either recruitment of CTCF to new anchor sites or use of pre-existing sites not previously involved in loop formation. Recruitment of CTCF to new sites in the genome involves demethylation of H3K9me3 to H3K9me2, demethylation of DNA, recruitment of pioneer factors, and positioning of nucleosomes flanking the new CTCF sites. Existing CTCF sites not involved in loop formation become functional loop anchors via the establishment of new cohesin loading sites containing NIPBL and YY1 at sites between the new anchors. In both cases, formation of new CTCF loops leads to strengthening of enhancer promoter interactions and increased transcription of genes adjacent to loop anchors. These results suggest an important role for CTCF and cohesin in controlling gene expression during cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Lyu
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China.
| | - M Jordan Rowley
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Michael J Kulik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Stephen Dalton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Victor G Corces
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Zhang X, Zhang Y, Wang C, Wang X. TET (Ten-eleven translocation) family proteins: structure, biological functions and applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:297. [PMID: 37563110 PMCID: PMC10415333 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01537-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ten-eleven translocation (TET) family proteins (TETs), specifically, TET1, TET2 and TET3, can modify DNA by oxidizing 5-methylcytosine (5mC) iteratively to yield 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC), and 5-carboxycytosine (5caC), and then two of these intermediates (5fC and 5caC) can be excised and return to unmethylated cytosines by thymine-DNA glycosylase (TDG)-mediated base excision repair. Because DNA methylation and demethylation play an important role in numerous biological processes, including zygote formation, embryogenesis, spatial learning and immune homeostasis, the regulation of TETs functions is complicated, and dysregulation of their functions is implicated in many diseases such as myeloid malignancies. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that TET2 is able to catalyze the hydroxymethylation of RNA to perform post-transcriptional regulation. Notably, catalytic-independent functions of TETs in certain biological contexts have been identified, further highlighting their multifunctional roles. Interestingly, by reactivating the expression of selected target genes, accumulated evidences support the potential therapeutic use of TETs-based DNA methylation editing tools in disorders associated with epigenetic silencing. In this review, we summarize recent key findings in TETs functions, activity regulators at various levels, technological advances in the detection of 5hmC, the main TETs oxidative product, and TETs emerging applications in epigenetic editing. Furthermore, we discuss existing challenges and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chaofu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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6
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Bacos K, Perfilyev A, Karagiannopoulos A, Cowan E, Ofori JK, Bertonnier-Brouty L, Rönn T, Lindqvist A, Luan C, Ruhrmann S, Ngara M, Nilsson Å, Gheibi S, Lyons CL, Lagerstedt JO, Barghouth M, Esguerra JL, Volkov P, Fex M, Mulder H, Wierup N, Krus U, Artner I, Eliasson L, Prasad RB, Cataldo LR, Ling C. Type 2 diabetes candidate genes, including PAX5, cause impaired insulin secretion in human pancreatic islets. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:163612. [PMID: 36656641 PMCID: PMC9927941 DOI: 10.1172/jci163612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is caused by insufficient insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells. To identify candidate genes contributing to T2D pathophysiology, we studied human pancreatic islets from approximately 300 individuals. We found 395 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in islets from individuals with T2D, including, to our knowledge, novel (OPRD1, PAX5, TET1) and previously identified (CHL1, GLRA1, IAPP) candidates. A third of the identified expression changes in islets may predispose to diabetes, as expression of these genes associated with HbA1c in individuals not previously diagnosed with T2D. Most DEGs were expressed in human β cells, based on single-cell RNA-Seq data. Additionally, DEGs displayed alterations in open chromatin and associated with T2D SNPs. Mouse KO strains demonstrated that the identified T2D-associated candidate genes regulate glucose homeostasis and body composition in vivo. Functional validation showed that mimicking T2D-associated changes for OPRD1, PAX5, and SLC2A2 impaired insulin secretion. Impairments in Pax5-overexpressing β cells were due to severe mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, we discovered PAX5 as a potential transcriptional regulator of many T2D-associated DEGs in human islets. Overall, we have identified molecular alterations in human pancreatic islets that contribute to β cell dysfunction in T2D pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Bacos
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and
| | | | - Alexandros Karagiannopoulos
- Unit of Islet Cell Exocytosis, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Scania University Hospital, Malmö, Scania, Sweden
| | - Elaine Cowan
- Unit of Islet Cell Exocytosis, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Scania University Hospital, Malmö, Scania, Sweden
| | - Jones K. Ofori
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and
| | - Ludivine Bertonnier-Brouty
- Endocrine Cell Differentiation, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Malmö, Scania, Sweden
| | - Tina Rönn
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and
| | - Andreas Lindqvist
- Neuroendocrine Cell Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science
| | - Cheng Luan
- Unit of Islet Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Sciences
| | - Sabrina Ruhrmann
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and
| | - Mtakai Ngara
- Neuroendocrine Cell Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science
| | - Åsa Nilsson
- Human Tissue Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences
| | - Sevda Gheibi
- Molecular Metabolism Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, and
| | - Claire L. Lyons
- Molecular Metabolism Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, and
| | - Jens O. Lagerstedt
- Unit of Islet Cell Exocytosis, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Scania University Hospital, Malmö, Scania, Sweden
| | | | - Jonathan L.S. Esguerra
- Unit of Islet Cell Exocytosis, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Scania University Hospital, Malmö, Scania, Sweden
| | - Petr Volkov
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and
| | - Malin Fex
- Molecular Metabolism Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, and
| | - Hindrik Mulder
- Molecular Metabolism Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, and
| | - Nils Wierup
- Neuroendocrine Cell Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science
| | - Ulrika Krus
- Human Tissue Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences
| | - Isabella Artner
- Endocrine Cell Differentiation, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Malmö, Scania, Sweden
| | - Lena Eliasson
- Unit of Islet Cell Exocytosis, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Scania University Hospital, Malmö, Scania, Sweden
| | - Rashmi B. Prasad
- Genomics, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Scania University Hospital, Malmö, Scania, Sweden.,Institute of Molecular Medicine (FIMM), Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Luis Rodrigo Cataldo
- Molecular Metabolism Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, and,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Ling
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and
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7
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Aldous N, Elsayed AK, Alajez NM, Abdelalim EM. iPSC-Derived Pancreatic Progenitors Lacking FOXA2 Reveal Alterations in miRNA Expression Targeting Key Pancreatic Genes. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:1082-1097. [PMID: 36749553 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10515-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we reported that forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) is required for the development of human pancreatic α- and β-cells. However, whether miRNAs play a role in regulating pancreatic genes during pancreatic development in the absence of FOXA2 expression is largely unknown. Here, we aimed to capture the dysregulated miRNAs and to identify their pancreatic-specific gene targets in pancreatic progenitors (PPs) derived from wild-type induced pluripotent stem cells (WT-iPSCs) and from iPSCs lacking FOXA2 (FOXA2-/-iPSCs). To identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs), and genes (DEGs), two different FOXA2-/-iPSC lines were differentiated into PPs. FOXA2-/- PPs showed a significant reduction in the expression of the main PP transcription factors (TFs) in comparison to WT-PPs. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated significant reduction in the mRNA expression of genes involved in the development and function of exocrine and endocrine pancreas. Furthermore, miRNA profiling identified 107 downregulated and 111 upregulated DEmiRs in FOXA2-/- PPs compared to WT-PPs. Target prediction analysis between DEmiRs and DEGs identified 92 upregulated miRNAs, predicted to target 1498 downregulated genes in FOXA2-/- PPs. Several important pancreatic TFs essential for pancreatic development were targeted by multiple DEmiRs. Selected DEmiRs and DEGs were further validated using RT-qPCR. Our findings revealed that FOXA2 expression is crucial for pancreatic development through regulating the expression of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine genes targeted by a set of miRNAs at the pancreatic progenitor stage. These data provide novel insights of the effect of FOXA2 deficiency on miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks controlling pancreatic development and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura Aldous
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar.,Diabetes Research Center (DRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed K Elsayed
- Diabetes Research Center (DRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nehad M Alajez
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar.,Translational Cancer and Immunity Center (TCIC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Essam M Abdelalim
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar. .,Diabetes Research Center (DRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar.
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