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Tang DD. Dissecting a Brake for Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Movement. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2024; 70:435-436. [PMID: 38568237 PMCID: PMC11160410 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2024-0120ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dale D Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology Albany Medical College Albany, New York
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2
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Allen-Gondringer A, Gau D, Dutta P, Roy P. Haplo-insufficiency of Profilin1 in vascular endothelial cells is beneficial but not sufficient to confer protection against experimentally induced atherosclerosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.06.570450. [PMID: 38106044 PMCID: PMC10723386 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.06.570450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in various aspects of atherosclerosis, a key driver of ischemic heart disease. Actin-binding protein Profilin1 (Pfn1) is overexpressed in atherosclerotic plaques in human disease, and Pfn1, when partially depleted globally in all cell types, confers atheroprotection in vivo . This study investigates the impact of endothelial cell (EC)-specific partial loss of Pfn1 expression in atherosclerosis development. We utilized mice engineered for conditional heterozygous knockout of the Pfn1 gene in ECs, with atherosclerosis induced by depletion of hepatic LDL receptor by gene delivery of PCSK9 combined with high-cholesterol diet. Our studies show that partial depletion of EC Pfn1 has certain beneficial effects marked by dampening of select pro-atherogenic cytokines (CXCL10 and IL7) with concomitant reduction in cytotoxic T cell abundance but is not sufficient to reduce hyperlipidemia and confer atheroprotection in vivo . In light of these findings, we conclude that atheroprotective phenotype conferred by global Pfn1 haplo-insufficiency requires contributions of additional cell types that are relevant for atherosclerosis progression.
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Motaln H, Rogelj B. The Role of c-Abl Tyrosine Kinase in Brain and Its Pathologies. Cells 2023; 12:2041. [PMID: 37626851 PMCID: PMC10453230 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiated status, low regenerative capacity and complex signaling make neuronal tissues highly susceptible to translating an imbalance in cell homeostasis into cell death. The high rate of neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly population confirms this. The multiple and divergent signaling cascades downstream of the various stress triggers challenge researchers to identify the central components of the stress-induced signaling pathways that cause neurodegeneration. Because of their critical role in cell homeostasis, kinases have emerged as one of the key regulators. Among kinases, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (Abelson kinase) c-Abl appears to be involved in both the normal development of neural tissue and the development of neurodegenerative pathologies when abnormally expressed or activated. However, exactly how c-Abl mediates the progression of neurodegeneration remains largely unexplored. Here, we summarize recent findings on the involvement of c-Abl in normal and abnormal processes in nervous tissue, focusing on neurons, astrocytes and microglial cells, with particular reference to molecular events at the interface between stress signaling, DNA damage, and metabolic regulation. Because inhibition of c-Abl has neuroprotective effects and can prevent neuronal death, we believe that an integrated view of c-Abl signaling in neurodegeneration could lead to significantly improved treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Motaln
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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Wang R, Khan S, Liao G, Wu Y, Tang DD. Nestin Modulates Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Migration by Affecting Spatial Rearrangement of Vimentin Network and Focal Adhesion Assembly. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193047. [PMID: 36231009 PMCID: PMC9562664 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle cell migration plays a role in the progression of airway remodeling, a hallmark of allergic asthma. However, the mechanisms that regulate cell migration are not yet entirely understood. Nestin is a class VI intermediate filament protein that is involved in the proliferation/regeneration of neurons, cancer cells, and skeletal muscle. Its role in cell migration is not fully understood. Here, nestin knockdown (KD) inhibited the migration of human airway smooth muscle cells. Using confocal microscopy and the Imaris software, we found that nestin KD attenuated focal adhesion sizes during cell spreading. Moreover, polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) and vimentin phosphorylation at Ser-56 have been previously shown to affect focal adhesion assembly. Here, nestin KD reduced Plk1 phosphorylation at Thr-210 (an indication of Plk1 activation), vimentin phosphorylation at Ser-56, the contacts of vimentin filaments to paxillin, and the morphology of focal adhesions. Moreover, the expression of vimentin phosphorylation-mimic mutant S56D (aspartic acid substitution at Ser-56) rescued the migration, vimentin reorganization, and focal adhesion size of nestin KD cells. Together, our results suggest that nestin promotes smooth muscle cell migration. Mechanistically, nestin regulates Plk1 phosphorylation, which mediates vimenitn phosphorylation, the connection of vimentin filaments with paxillin, and focal adhesion assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Dale D. Tang
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(518)-262-6416; Fax: +1-(518)-262-8101
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Current Understanding of Asthma Pathogenesis and Biomarkers. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172764. [PMID: 36078171 PMCID: PMC9454904 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a heterogeneous lung disease with variable phenotypes (clinical presentations) and distinctive endotypes (mechanisms). Over the last decade, considerable efforts have been made to dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms of asthma. Aberrant T helper type 2 (Th2) inflammation is the most important pathological process for asthma, which is mediated by Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-5, IL-4, and IL-13. Approximately 50% of mild-to-moderate asthma and a large portion of severe asthma is induced by Th2-dependent inflammation. Th2-low asthma can be mediated by non-Th2 cytokines, including IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor-α. There is emerging evidence to demonstrate that inflammation-independent processes also contribute to asthma pathogenesis. Protein kinases, adapter protein, microRNAs, ORMDL3, and gasdermin B are newly identified molecules that drive asthma progression, independent of inflammation. Eosinophils, IgE, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and periostin are practical biomarkers for Th2-high asthma. Sputum neutrophils are easily used to diagnose Th2-low asthma. Despite progress, more studies are needed to delineate complex endotypes of asthma and to identify new and practical biomarkers for better diagnosis, classification, and treatment.
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6
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Smooth Muscle Myosin Localizes at the Leading Edge and Regulates the Redistribution of Actin-regulatory Proteins during Migration. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152334. [PMID: 35954178 PMCID: PMC9367404 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152334] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle cell migration plays an essential role in airway development, repair, and remodeling. Smooth muscle myosin II has been traditionally thought to localize in the cytoplasm solely and regulates cell migration by affecting stress fiber formation and focal adhesion assembly. In this study, we unexpectedly found that 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) and myosin-11 (MYH11), important components of smooth muscle myosin, were present at the edge of lamellipodia. The knockdown of MLC20 or MYH11 attenuated the recruitment of c-Abl, cortactinProfilin-1 (Pfn-1), and Abi1 to the cell edge. Moreover, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) colocalized with integrin β1 at the tip of protrusion. The inhibition of MLCK attenuated the recruitment of c-Abl, cortactin, Pfn-1, and Abi1 to the cell edge. Furthermore, MLCK localization at the leading edge was reduced by integrin β1 knockdown. Taken together, our results demonstrate that smooth muscle myosin localizes at the leading edge and orchestrates the recruitment of actin-regulatory proteins to the tip of lamellipodia. Mechanistically, integrin β1 recruits MLCK to the leading edge, which catalyzes MLC20 phosphorylation. Activated myosin regulates the recruitment of actin-regulatory proteins to the leading edge, and promotes lamellipodial formation and migration.
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7
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Verma SK, Deshmukh V, Thatcher K, Belanger KK, Rhyner A, Meng S, Holcomb R, Bressan M, Martin J, Cooke J, Wythe J, Widen S, Lincoln J, Kuyumcu-Martinez M. RBFOX2 is required for establishing RNA regulatory networks essential for heart development. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:2270-2286. [PMID: 35137168 PMCID: PMC8881802 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human genetic studies identified a strong association between loss of function mutations in RBFOX2 and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). There are currently no Rbfox2 mouse models that recapitulate HLHS. Therefore, it is still unknown how RBFOX2 as an RNA binding protein contributes to heart development. To address this, we conditionally deleted Rbfox2 in embryonic mouse hearts and found profound defects in cardiac chamber and yolk sac vasculature formation. Importantly, our Rbfox2 conditional knockout mouse model recapitulated several molecular and phenotypic features of HLHS. To determine the molecular drivers of these cardiac defects, we performed RNA-sequencing in Rbfox2 mutant hearts and identified dysregulated alternative splicing (AS) networks that affect cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) mediated by Rho GTPases. We identified two Rho GTPase cycling genes as targets of RBFOX2. Modulating AS of these two genes using antisense oligos led to cell cycle and cell-ECM adhesion defects. Consistently, Rbfox2 mutant hearts displayed cell cycle defects and inability to undergo endocardial-mesenchymal transition, processes dependent on cell-ECM adhesion and that are seen in HLHS. Overall, our work not only revealed that loss of Rbfox2 leads to heart development defects resembling HLHS, but also identified RBFOX2-regulated AS networks that influence cell-ECM communication vital for heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil K Verma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Vaibhav Deshmukh
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Thatcher
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Herma Heart Institute, Children's WI, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - KarryAnne K Belanger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Alexander M Rhyner
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Organ Repair and Renewal, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shu Meng
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Richard Joshua Holcomb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Michael Bressan
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599, USA
| | - James F Martin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Organ Repair and Renewal, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Cardiomyocyte Renewal Lab;Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX77030, USA
| | - John P Cooke
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joshua D Wythe
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Organ Repair and Renewal, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Cardiomyocyte Renewal Lab;Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX77030, USA
| | - Steven G Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Joy Lincoln
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Herma Heart Institute, Children's WI, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Muge N Kuyumcu-Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd. Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Wang R, Wang Y, Liao G, Chen B, Panettieri RA, Penn RB, Tang DD. Abi1 mediates airway smooth muscle cell proliferation and airway remodeling via Jak2/STAT3 signaling. iScience 2022; 25:103833. [PMID: 35198891 PMCID: PMC8851273 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a complex pulmonary disorder with multiple pathological mechanisms. A key pathological feature of chronic asthma is airway remodeling, which is largely attributed to airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperplasia that contributes to thickening of the airway wall and further drives asthma pathology. The cellular processes that mediate ASM cell proliferation are not completely elucidated. Using multiple approaches, we demonstrate that the adapter protein Abi1 (Abelson interactor 1) is upregulated in ∼50% of ASM cell cultures derived from patients with asthma. Loss-of-function studies demonstrate that Abi1 regulates the activation of Jak2 (Janus kinase 2) and STAT3 (signal transducers and activators of transcription 3) as well as the proliferation of both nonasthmatic and asthmatic human ASM cell cultures. These findings identify Abi1 as a molecular switch that activates Jak2 kinase and STAT3 in ASM cells and demonstrate that a dysfunctional Abi1-associated pathway contributes to the progression of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruping Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Yinna Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Guoning Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Bohao Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Reynold A. Panettieri
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Raymond B. Penn
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Dale D. Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
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9
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Liao G, Wang R, Tang DD. Plk1 Regulates Caspase-9 Phosphorylation at Ser-196 and Apoptosis of Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2022; 66:223-234. [PMID: 34705620 PMCID: PMC8845127 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0192oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle thickening, a key characteristic of chronic asthma, is largely attributed to increased smooth muscle cell proliferation and reduced smooth muscle apoptosis. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that participates in the pathogenesis of airway smooth muscle remodeling. Although the role of Plk1 in cell proliferation and migration is recognized, its function in smooth muscle apoptosis has not been previously investigated. Caspase-9 (Casp9) is a key enzyme that participates in the execution of apoptosis. Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196 and Thr-125 is implicated in regulating its activity in cancer cells and epithelial cells. Here, exposure of human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells to platelet-derived growth factorfor 24 hours enhanced the expression of Plk1 and Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196, but not Thr-125. Overexpression of Plk1 in HASM cells increased Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196. Moreover, the expression of Plk1 increased the levels of pro-Casp9 and pro-Casp3 and inhibited apoptosis, demonstrating a role of Plk1 in inhibiting apoptosis. Knockdown of Plk1 reduced Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196, reduced pro-Casp9/3 expression, and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196 was upregulated in asthmatic HASM cells, which was associated with increased Plk1 expression. Knockdown of Plk1 in asthmatic HASM cells decreased Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196 and enhanced apoptosis. Together, these studies disclose a previously unknown mechanism that the Plk1-Casp9/3 pathway participates in the controlling of smooth muscle apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoning Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Ruping Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Dale D Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
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10
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Joseph C, Tatler AL. Pathobiology of Airway Remodeling in Asthma: The Emerging Role of Integrins. J Asthma Allergy 2022; 15:595-610. [PMID: 35592385 PMCID: PMC9112045 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s267222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway remodeling is a complex clinical feature of asthma that involves long-term disruption and modification of airway architecture, which contributes significantly to airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and lung function decline. It is characterized by thickening of the airway smooth muscle layer, deposition of a matrix below the airway epithelium, resulting in subepithelial fibrosis, changes within the airway epithelium, leading to disruption of the barrier, and excessive mucous production and angiogenesis within the airway wall. Airway remodeling contributes to stiffer and less compliant airways in asthma and leads to persistent, irreversible airflow obstruction. Current asthma treatments aim to reduce airway inflammation and exacerbations but none are targeted towards airway remodeling. Inhibiting the development of airway remodeling or reversing established remodeling has the potential to dramatically improve symptoms and disease burden in asthmatic patients. Integrins are a family of transmembrane heterodimeric proteins that serve as the primary receptors for extracellular matrix (ECM) components, mediating cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions to initiate intracellular signaling cascades. Cells present within the lungs, including structural and inflammatory cells, express a wide and varying range of integrin heterodimer combinations and permutations. Integrins are emerging as an important regulator of inflammation, repair, remodeling, and fibrosis in the lung, particularly in chronic lung diseases such as asthma. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge on integrins in the asthmatic airway and how these integrins promote the remodeling process, and emphasize their potential involvement in airway disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Joseph
- Centre for Respiratory Research, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Amanda L Tatler
- Centre for Respiratory Research, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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11
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Wang Y, Liao G, Wang R, Tang DD. Acetylation of Abelson interactor 1 at K416 regulates actin cytoskeleton and smooth muscle contraction. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21811. [PMID: 34369620 PMCID: PMC8800440 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100415r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Actin cytoskeletal reorganization plays an important role in regulating smooth muscle contraction, which is essential for the modulation of various physiological functions including airway tone. The adapter protein Abi1 (Abelson interactor 1) participates in the control of smooth muscle contraction. The mechanisms by which Abi1 coordinates smooth muscle function are not fully understood. Here, we found that contractile stimulation elicited Abi1 acetylation in human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells. Mutagenesis analysis identified lysine‐416 (K416) as a major acetylation site. Replacement of K416 with Q (glutamine) enhanced the interaction of Abi1 with neuronal Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome protein (N‐WASP), an important actin‐regulatory protein. Moreover, the expression of K416Q Abi1 promoted actin polymerization and smooth muscle contraction without affecting myosin light chain phosphorylation at Ser‐19 and vimentin phosphorylation at Ser‐56. Furthermore, p300 is a lysine acetyltransferase that catalyzes acetylation of histone and non‐histone proteins in various cell types. Here, we discovered that a portion of p300 was localized in the cytoplasm of HASM cells. Knockdown of p300 reduced the agonist‐induced Abi1 acetylation in HASM cells and in mouse airway smooth muscle tissues. Smooth muscle conditional knockout of p300 inhibited actin polymerization and the contraction of airway smooth muscle tissues without affecting myosin light chain phosphorylation and vimentin phosphorylation. Together, our results suggest that contractile stimulation induces Abi1 acetylation via p300 in smooth muscle. Acetylation at K416 promotes the coupling of Abi1 with N‐WASP, which facilitates actin polymerization and smooth muscle contraction. This is a novel acetylation‐dependent regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in smooth muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinna Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Guoning Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Ruping Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Dale D Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
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Abstract
Dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton is an essential feature for virtually all actin-dependent cellular processes, including cell migration, cell cycle progression, chromatin remodeling and gene expression, and even the DNA damage response. An altered actin cytoskeleton is a structural hallmark associated with numerous pathologies ranging from cardiovascular diseases to immune disorders, neurological diseases and cancer. The actin cytoskeleton in cells is regulated through the orchestrated actions of a myriad of actin-binding proteins. In this Review, we provide a brief overview of the structure and functions of the actin-monomer-binding protein profilin-1 (Pfn1) and then discuss how dysregulated expression of Pfn1 contributes to diseases associated with the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Gau
- Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Partha Roy
- Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh.,Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 306 Center for Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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13
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Li Y, Guo X, Xue G, Wang H, Wang Y, Wang W, Yang S, Ni Q, Chen J, Lv L, Zhao Y, Ye M, Zhang L. RNA Splicing of the Abi1 Gene by MBNL1 contributes to macrophage-like phenotype modulation of vascular smooth muscle cell during atherogenesis. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13023. [PMID: 33759281 PMCID: PMC8088461 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) switch to macrophage-like cells after cholesterol loading, and this change may play an important role in atherogenesis. Muscleblind-like splicing regulator 1 (MBNL1) is a well-known splicing factor that has been implicated in many cellular processes. However, the role of MBNL1 in VSMC macrophage-like transdifferentiation is largely unknown. In this study, we aim to characterize the role of MBNL1-induced gene splicing during atherogenesis. METHODS The expression of MBNL1 and Abelson interactor 1 (Abi1) splice variants (Abi1-e10 and Abi1-Δe10) was compared between artery tissues from healthy donors and atherosclerosis patients. Regulatory mechanisms of MBNL1-induced Abi1 gene splicing were studied, and the signal pathways mediated by Abi1 splice variants were investigated in VSMC. RESULTS Loss of MBNL1 was found in the macrophage-like VSMC (VSMC-M) in artery wall from atherosclerosis patients. In vitro and in vivo evidence confirmed that Abi1 is one of the MBNL1 target genes. Loss of MBNL1 significantly induces the Abi1-Δe10 isoform expression. Compared to the known actin organization activities of the Abi1 gene, we discovered a novel action of Abi1-Δe10, whereby Abi1-Δe10 activates Rac1 independent of upstream stimulation and triggers the Rac1-NOX1-ROS pathway, which results in increased expression of transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). While Abi1-Δe10 inhibits contractile VSMC biomarkers expression and cell contraction, it stimulates VSMC proliferation, migration and macrophage-like transdifferentiation. CONCLUSION Loss-of-function of MBNL1 activates VSMC-M transdifferentiation to promote atherogenesis through regulating Abi1 RNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangjiang Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanhua Xue
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuli Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weilun Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuofei Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qihong Ni
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaquan Chen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Lv
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiping Zhao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Ye
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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