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COUP-TFII in Kidneys, from Embryos to Sick Adults. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051181. [PMID: 35626336 PMCID: PMC9139597 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) is an orphan nuclear hormone receptor of unknown ligands. This molecule has two interesting features: (1) it is a developmental gene, and (2) it is a potential hormone receptor. Here, we describe the possible roles of COUP-TFII in the organogenesis of the kidneys and protection from adult renal diseases, primarily in mouse models. COUP-TFII is highly expressed in embryos, including primordial kidneys, and is essential for the formation of metanephric mesenchyme and the survival of renal precursor cells. Although the expression levels of COUP-TFII are low and its functions are unknown in healthy adults, it serves as a reno-protectant molecule against acute kidney injury. These are good examples of how developmental genes exhibit novel functions in the etiology of adult diseases. We also discuss the ongoing research on the roles of COUP-TFII in podocyte development and diabetic kidney disease. In addition, the identification of potential ligands suggests that COUP-TFII might be a novel therapeutic target for renal diseases in the future.
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Steglich A, Kessel F, Hickmann L, Gerlach M, Lachmann P, Gembardt F, Lesche M, Dahl A, Federlein A, Schweda F, Hugo CPM, Todorov VT. Renin cells with defective Gsα/cAMP signaling contribute to renal endothelial damage. Pflugers Arch 2019; 471:1205-1217. [PMID: 31388748 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-019-02298-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Synthesis of renin in renal renin-producing cells (RPCs) is controlled via the intracellular messenger cAMP. Interference with cAMP-mediated signaling by inducible knockout of Gs-alpha (Gsα) in RPCs of adult mice resulted in a complex adverse kidney phenotype. Therein, glomerular endothelial damage was most striking. In this study, we investigated whether Gsα knockout leads to a loss of RPCs, which itself may contribute to the endothelial injury. We compared the kidney phenotype of three RPC-specific conditional mouse lines during continuous induction of recombination. Mice expressing red fluorescent reporter protein tdTomato (tdT) in RPCs served as controls. tdT was also expressed in RPCs of the other two strains used, namely with RPC-specific Gsα knockout (Gsα mice) or with RPC-specific diphtheria toxin A expression (DTA mice, in which the RPCs should be diminished). Using immunohistological analysis, we found that RPCs decreased by 82% in the kidneys of Gsα mice as compared with controls. However, the number of tdT-positive cells was similar in the two strains, demonstrating that after Gsα knockout, the RPCs persist as renin-negative descendants. In contrast, both renin-positive and tdT-labeled cells decreased by 80% in DTA mice suggesting effective RPC ablation. Only Gsα mice displayed dysregulated endothelial cell marker expression indicating glomerular endothelial damage. In addition, a robust induction of genes involved in tissue remodelling with microvascular damage was identified in tdT-labeled RPCs isolated from Gsα mice. We concluded that Gsα/renin double-negative RPC progeny essentially contributes for the development of glomerular endothelial damage in our Gsα-deficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Steglich
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Friederike Kessel
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Linda Hickmann
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Gerlach
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Core Facility Cellular Imaging (CFCI), Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Lachmann
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Florian Gembardt
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mathias Lesche
- Dresden-concept Genome Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- Dresden-concept Genome Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Federlein
- Institute of Physiology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Frank Schweda
- Institute of Physiology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian P M Hugo
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vladimir T Todorov
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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Lachmann P, Hickmann L, Steglich A, Al-Mekhlafi M, Gerlach M, Jetschin N, Jahn S, Hamann B, Wnuk M, Madsen K, Djonov V, Chen M, Weinstein LS, Hohenstein B, Hugo CPM, Todorov VT. Interference with Gs α-Coupled Receptor Signaling in Renin-Producing Cells Leads to Renal Endothelial Damage. J Am Soc Nephrol 2017; 28:3479-3489. [PMID: 28775003 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2017020173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular cAMP, the production of which is catalyzed by the α-subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsα), controls renin synthesis and release by juxtaglomerular (JG) cells of the kidney, but may also have relevance for the physiologic integrity of the kidney. To investigate this possibility, we generated mice with inducible knockout of Gsα in JG cells and monitored them for 6 months after induction at 6 weeks of age. The knockout mapped exclusively to the JG cells of the Gsα-deficient animals. Progressive albuminuria occurred in Gsα-deficient mice. Compared with controls expressing wild-type Gsα alleles, the Gsα-deficient mice had enlarged glomeruli with mesangial expansion, injury, and FSGS at study end. Ultrastructurally, the glomerular filtration barrier of the Gsα-deficient animals featured endothelial gaps, thickened basement membrane, and fibrin-like intraluminal deposits, which are classic signs of thrombotic microangiopathy. Additionally, we found endothelial damage in peritubular capillaries and vasa recta. Because deficiency of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) results in thrombotic microangiopathy, we addressed the possibility that Gsα knockout may result in impaired VEGF production. We detected VEGF expression in JG cells of control mice, and cAMP agonists regulated VEGF expression in cultured renin-producing cells. Our data demonstrate that Gsα deficiency in JG cells of adult mice results in kidney injury, and suggest that JG cells are critically involved in the maintenance and protection of the renal microvascular endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lachmann
- Experimental Nephrology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III and
| | - Linda Hickmann
- Experimental Nephrology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III and
| | - Anne Steglich
- Experimental Nephrology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III and
| | - Moath Al-Mekhlafi
- Experimental Nephrology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III and
| | - Michael Gerlach
- Experimental Nephrology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III and
| | - Niels Jetschin
- Experimental Nephrology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III and
| | - Steffen Jahn
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Brigitte Hamann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Monika Wnuk
- Department of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kirsten Madsen
- Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; and
| | - Valentin Djonov
- Department of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Min Chen
- Metabolic Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda
| | - Lee S Weinstein
- Metabolic Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda
| | - Bernd Hohenstein
- Experimental Nephrology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III and
| | - Christian P M Hugo
- Experimental Nephrology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III and
| | - Vladimir T Todorov
- Experimental Nephrology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III and
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Holmes RS, Spradling-Reeves KD, Cox LA. Mammalian Glutamyl Aminopeptidase Genes (ENPEP) and Proteins: Comparative Studies of a Major Contributor to Arterial Hypertension. JOURNAL OF DATA MINING IN GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2017; 8:2. [PMID: 29900035 PMCID: PMC5995572 DOI: 10.4172/2153-0602.1000211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glutamyl aminopeptidase (ENPEP) is a member of the M1 family of endopeptidases which are mammalian type II integral membrane zinc-containing endopeptidases. ENPEP is involved in the catabolic pathway of the renin-angiotensin system forming angiotensin III, which participates in blood pressure regulation and blood vessel formation. Comparative ENPEP amino acid sequences and structures and ENPEP gene locations were examined using data from several mammalian genome projects. Mammalian ENPEP sequences shared 71-98% identities. Five N-glycosylation sites were conserved for all mammalian ENPEP proteins examined although 9-18 sites were observed, in each case. Sequence alignments, key amino acid residues and predicted secondary and tertiary structures were also studied, including transmembrane and cytoplasmic sequences and active site residues. Highest levels of human ENPEP expression were observed in the terminal ileum of the small intestine and in the kidney cortex. Mammalian ENPEP genes contained 20 coding exons. The human ENPEP gene promoter and first coding exon contained a CpG island (CpG27) and at least 6 transcription factor binding sites, whereas the 3'-UTR region contained 7 miRNA target sites, which may contribute to the regulation of ENPEP gene expression in tissues of the body. Phylogenetic analyses examined the relationships of mammalian ENPEP genes and proteins, including primate, other eutherian, marsupial and monotreme sources, using chicken ENPEP as a primordial sequence for comparative purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger S Holmes
- Department of Genetics and Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Griffith Institute for Drug Design and School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Kimberly D Spradling-Reeves
- Department of Genetics and Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Laura A Cox
- Department of Genetics and Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Lachmann P, Selbmann J, Hickmann L, Hohenstein B, Hugo C, Todorov VT. The PPAR-gamma-binding sequence Pal3 is necessary for basal but dispensable for high-fat diet regulated human renin expression in the kidney. Pflugers Arch 2017; 469:1349-1357. [PMID: 28534088 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-017-1994-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We reported earlier that PPAR-gamma regulates renin transcription through a human-specific atypical binding sequence termed hRen-Pal3. Here we developed a mouse model to investigate the functional relevance of the hRen-Pal3 sequence in vivo since it might be responsible for the increased renin production in obesity and thus for the development of accompanying arterial hypertension. We used bacterial artificial chromosome construct and co-placement strategy to generate two transgenic mouse lines expressing the human renin gene from identical genomic locus without affecting the intrinsic mouse renin expression. One line carried a wild-type hRen-Pal3 in the transgene (Pal3wt strain) and the other a mutated non-functional Pal3 (Pal3mut strain). Human renin expression was correctly targeted to the renin-producing juxtaglomerular (JG) cells of kidney in both lines. However, Pal3mut mice had lower basal human renin expression. Since human renin does not recognize mouse angiotensinogen as substrate, the blood pressure was not different between the strains. Stimulation of renin production with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril equipotentially stimulated the human renin expression in Pal3wt and Pal3mut mice. High-fat diet for 10 weeks which is known to activate PPAR-gamma failed to increase human renin mRNA in kidneys of either strain. These findings showed that the human renin PPAR-gamma-binding sequence hRen-Pal3 is essential for basal renin expression but dispensable for the cell-specific and high-fat diet regulated renin expression in the kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lachmann
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jenny Selbmann
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Linda Hickmann
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bernd Hohenstein
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Hugo
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vladimir T Todorov
- Experimental Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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Wu SP, Yu CT, Tsai SY, Tsai MJ. Choose your destiny: Make a cell fate decision with COUP-TFII. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 157:7-12. [PMID: 26658017 PMCID: PMC4724268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell fate specification is a critical process to generate cells with a wide range of characteristics from stem and progenitor cells. Emerging evidence demonstrates that the orphan nuclear receptor COUP-TFII serves as a key regulator in determining the cell identity during embryonic development. The present review summarizes our current knowledge on molecular mechanisms by which COUP-TFII employs to define the cell fates, with special emphasis on cardiovascular and renal systems. These novel insights pave the road for future studies of regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- San-Pin Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
| | - Cheng-Tai Yu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sophia Y Tsai
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Ming-Jer Tsai
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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PPARgamma-Dependent Control of Renin Expression: Molecular Mechanisms and Pathophysiological Relevance. PPAR Res 2013; 2013:451016. [PMID: 24288524 PMCID: PMC3832966 DOI: 10.1155/2013/451016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last years accumulating evidence demonstrated that the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) regulates the expression of renin gene and thus the overall renin production. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the transcriptional control of the renin gene by PPARgamma received from variety of models ranging from cell culture to transgenic animals. The molecular mechanisms of the PPARgamma action on renin are particularly interesting because they are featured by two newly described characteristics: one of them is the recently identified PPARgamma target sequence Pal3 which is specific for the human renin gene and mediates exceptionally high sensitivity to transactivation; the other is the potentiating effect of PPARgamma on the cAMP signaling in the renin-producing cells. Furthermore, I discuss the need for generating of additional transgenic animal models which are more appropriate with regard to the role of the PPARgamma-dependent regulation of the renin gene expression in human diseases such as arterial hypertension and metabolic syndrome.
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