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Perl AL, Pokorny JL, Green KJ. Desmosomes at a glance. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261899. [PMID: 38940346 PMCID: PMC11234380 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261899] [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] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes are relatives of ancient cadherin-based junctions, which emerged late in evolution to ensure the structural integrity of vertebrate tissues by coupling the intermediate filament cytoskeleton to cell-cell junctions. Their ability to dynamically counter the contractile forces generated by actin-associated adherens junctions is particularly important in tissues under high mechanical stress, such as the skin and heart. Much more than the simple cellular 'spot welds' depicted in textbooks, desmosomes are in fact dynamic structures that can sense and respond to changes in their mechanical environment and external stressors like ultraviolet light and pathogens. These environmental signals are transmitted intracellularly via desmosome-dependent mechanochemical pathways that drive the physiological processes of morphogenesis and differentiation. This Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster review desmosome structure and assembly, highlight recent insights into how desmosomes integrate chemical and mechanical signaling in the epidermis, and discuss desmosomes as targets in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbey L Perl
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jenny L Pokorny
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kathleen J Green
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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2
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Simpson CL, Tiwaa A, Zaver SA, Johnson CJ, Chu EY, Harms PW, Gudjonsson JE. ERK hyperactivation in epidermal keratinocytes impairs intercellular adhesion and drives Grover disease pathology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.30.591953. [PMID: 38746263 PMCID: PMC11092613 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.30.591953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Grover disease is an acquired dermatologic disorder characterized by pruritic vesicular and eroded skin lesions. While its pathologic features are well-defined, including impaired cohesion of epidermal keratinocytes, the etiology of Grover disease remains unclear and it lacks any FDA-approved therapy. Interestingly, drug-induced Grover disease occurs in patients treated with B-RAF inhibitors that can paradoxically activate C-RAF and the downstream kinase MEK. We recently identified hyperactivation of MEK and ERK as key drivers of Darier disease, which is histologically identical to Grover disease, supporting our hypothesis that they share a pathogenic mechanism. To model drug-induced Grover disease, we treated human keratinocytes with clinically utilized B-RAF inhibitors dabrafenib or vemurafenib and leveraged a fluorescent biosensor to confirm they activated ERK, which disrupted intercellular junctions and compromised keratinocyte sheet integrity. Consistent with clinical data showing concomitant MEK blockade prevents Grover disease in patients receiving B-RAF inhibitors, we found that MEK inhibition suppressed excess ERK activity to rescue cohesion of B-RAF-inhibited keratinocytes. Validating these results, we demonstrated ERK hyperactivation in skin biopsies of vemurafenib-induced Grover disease, but also in spontaneous Grover disease. In sum, our data define a pathogenic role for ERK hyperactivation in Grover disease and support MEK inhibition as a therapeutic strategy. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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Simmons DW, Malayath G, Schuftan DR, Guo J, Oguntuyo K, Ramahdita G, Sun Y, Jordan SD, Munsell MK, Kandalaft B, Pear M, Rentschler SL, Huebsch N. Engineered tissue geometry and Plakophilin-2 regulate electrophysiology of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:016118. [PMID: 38476404 PMCID: PMC10932571 DOI: 10.1063/5.0160677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Engineered heart tissues have been created to study cardiac biology and disease in a setting that more closely mimics in vivo heart muscle than 2D monolayer culture. Previously published studies suggest that geometrically anisotropic micro-environments are crucial for inducing "in vivo like" physiology from immature cardiomyocytes. We hypothesized that the degree of cardiomyocyte alignment and prestress within engineered tissues is regulated by tissue geometry and, subsequently, drives electrophysiological development. Thus, we studied the effects of tissue geometry on electrophysiology of micro-heart muscle arrays (μHM) engineered from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Elongated tissue geometries elicited cardiomyocyte shape and electrophysiology changes led to adaptations that yielded increased calcium intake during each contraction cycle. Strikingly, pharmacologic studies revealed that a threshold of prestress and/or cellular alignment is required for sodium channel function, whereas L-type calcium and rapidly rectifying potassium channels were largely insensitive to these changes. Concurrently, tissue elongation upregulated sodium channel (NaV1.5) and gap junction (Connexin 43, Cx43) protein expression. Based on these observations, we leveraged elongated μHM to study the impact of loss-of-function mutation in Plakophilin 2 (PKP2), a desmosome protein implicated in arrhythmogenic disease. Within μHM, PKP2 knockout cardiomyocytes had cellular morphology similar to what was observed in isogenic controls. However, PKP2-/- tissues exhibited lower conduction velocity and no functional sodium current. PKP2 knockout μHM exhibited geometrically linked upregulation of sodium channel but not Cx43, suggesting that post-translational mechanisms, including a lack of ion channel-gap junction communication, may underlie the lower conduction velocity observed in tissues harboring this genetic defect. Altogether, these observations demonstrate that simple, scalable micro-tissue systems can provide the physiologic stresses necessary to induce electrical remodeling of iPS-CM to enable studies on the electrophysiologic consequences of disease-associated genomic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Simmons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Ganesh Malayath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - David R. Schuftan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Jingxuan Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Kasoorelope Oguntuyo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Ghiska Ramahdita
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Yuwen Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Samuel D. Jordan
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Mary K. Munsell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Brennan Kandalaft
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Missy Pear
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Stacey L. Rentschler
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Nathaniel Huebsch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
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Stevens TL, Coles S, Sturm AC, Hoover CA, Borzok MA, Mohler PJ, El Refaey M. Molecular Pathways and Animal Models of Arrhythmias. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1441:1057-1090. [PMID: 38884769 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44087-8_67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Arrhythmias account for over 300,000 annual deaths in the United States, and approximately half of all deaths are associated with heart disease. Mechanisms underlying arrhythmia risk are complex; however, work in humans and animal models over the past 25 years has identified a host of molecular pathways linked with both arrhythmia substrates and triggers. This chapter will focus on select arrhythmia pathways solved by linking human clinical and genetic data with animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler L Stevens
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sara Coles
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amy C Sturm
- Genomic Medicine Institute, 23andMe, Sunnyvale, CA, USA
| | - Catherine A Hoover
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield, PA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Maegen A Borzok
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield, PA, USA
| | - Peter J Mohler
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mona El Refaey
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Gonzalez G, Nelson AC, Holman AR, Whitehead AJ, LaMontagne E, Lian R, Vatsyayan R, Dayeh SA, Engler AJ. Conductive electrospun polymer improves stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte function and maturation. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122363. [PMID: 37898021 PMCID: PMC10841997 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122363] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Despite numerous efforts to generate mature human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs), cells often remain immature, electrically isolated, and may not reflect adult biology. Conductive polymers are attractive candidates to facilitate electrical communication between hPSC-CMs, especially at sub-confluent cell densities or diseased cells lacking cell-cell junctions. Here we electrospun conductive polymers to create a conductive fiber mesh and assess if electrical signal propagation is improved in hPSC-CMs seeded on the mesh network. Matrix characterization indicated fiber structure remained stable over weeks in buffer, scaffold stiffness remained near in vivo cardiac stiffness, and electrical conductivity scaled with conductive polymer concentration. Cells remained adherent and viable on the scaffolds for at least 5 days. Transcriptomic profiling of hPSC-CMs cultured on conductive substrates for 3 days showed upregulation of cardiac and muscle-related genes versus non-conductive fibers. Structural proteins were more organized and calcium handling was improved on conductive substrates, even at sub-confluent cell densities; prolonged culture on conductive scaffolds improved membrane depolarization compared to non-conductive substrates. Taken together, these data suggest that blended, conductive scaffolds are stable, supportive of electrical coupling in hPSC-CMs, and promote maturation, which may improve our ability to model cardiac diseases and develop targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisselle Gonzalez
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Aileena C Nelson
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Alyssa R Holman
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Erin LaMontagne
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Rachel Lian
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ritwik Vatsyayan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Shadi A Dayeh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Adam J Engler
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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Ng R, Gokhan I, Stankey P, Akar FG, Campbell SG. Chronic diastolic stretch unmasks conduction defects in an in vitro model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H1373-H1385. [PMID: 37830983 PMCID: PMC10977872 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00709.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
We seek to elucidate the precise nature of mechanical loading that precipitates conduction deficits in a concealed-phase model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). ACM is a progressive disorder often resulting from mutations in desmosomal proteins. Exercise has been shown to worsen disease progression and unmask arrhythmia vulnerability, yet the underlying pathomechanisms may depend on the type and intensity of exercise. Because exercise causes myriad changes to multiple inter-dependent hemodynamic parameters, it is difficult to isolate its effects to specific changes in mechanical load. Here, we use engineered heart tissues (EHTs) with iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes expressing R451G desmoplakin, an ACM-linked mutation, which results in a functionally null model of desmoplakin (DSP). We also use a novel bioreactor to independently perturb tissue strain at different time points during the cardiac cycle. We culture EHTs under three strain regimes: normal physiological shortening; increased diastolic stretch, simulating high preload; and isometric culture, simulating high afterload. DSPR451G EHTs that have been cultured isometrically undergo adaptation, with no change in action potential parameters, conduction velocity, or contractile function, a phenotype confirmed by global proteomic analysis. However, when DSPR451G EHTs are subjected to increased diastolic stretch, they exhibit concomitant reductions in conduction velocity and the expression of connexin-43. These effects are rescued by inhibition of both lysosome activity and ERK signaling. Our results indicate that the response of DSPR451G EHTs to mechanical stimuli depends on the strain and the timing of the applied stimulus, with increased diastolic stretch unmasking conduction deficits in a concealed-phase model of ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Ng
- Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | | | | | - Fadi G Akar
- Cardiovascular Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Stuart G Campbell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Zaver SA, Sarkar MK, Egolf S, Zou J, Tiwaa A, Capell BC, Gudjonsson JE, Simpson CL. Targeting SERCA2 in organotypic epidermis reveals MEK inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for Darier disease. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e170739. [PMID: 37561594 PMCID: PMC10561730 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.170739] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutation of the ATP2A2 gene encoding sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2 (SERCA2) was linked to Darier disease more than 2 decades ago; however, there remain no targeted therapies for this disorder causing recurrent skin blistering and infections. Since Atp2a2-knockout mice do not phenocopy its pathology, we established a human tissue model of Darier disease to elucidate its pathogenesis and identify potential therapies. Leveraging CRISPR/Cas9, we generated human keratinocytes lacking SERCA2, which replicated features of Darier disease, including weakened intercellular adhesion and defective differentiation in organotypic epidermis. To identify pathogenic drivers downstream of SERCA2 depletion, we performed RNA sequencing and proteomics analysis. SERCA2-deficient keratinocytes lacked desmosomal and cytoskeletal proteins required for epidermal integrity and exhibited excess MAPK signaling, which modulates keratinocyte adhesion and differentiation. Immunostaining patient biopsies substantiated these findings, with lesions showing keratin deficiency, cadherin mislocalization, and ERK hyperphosphorylation. Dampening ERK activity with MEK inhibitors rescued adhesive protein expression and restored keratinocyte sheet integrity despite SERCA2 depletion or chemical inhibition. In sum, coupling multiomic analysis with human organotypic epidermis as a preclinical model, we found that SERCA2 haploinsufficiency disrupts critical adhesive components in keratinocytes via ERK signaling and identified MEK inhibition as a treatment strategy for Darier disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam A. Zaver
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, and
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mrinal K. Sarkar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Shaun Egolf
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jonathan Zou
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Afua Tiwaa
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Brian C. Capell
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Cory L. Simpson
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, and
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Moazzen H, Bolaji MD, Leube RE. Desmosomes in Cell Fate Determination: From Cardiogenesis to Cardiomyopathy. Cells 2023; 12:2122. [PMID: 37681854 PMCID: PMC10487268 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172122] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes play a vital role in providing structural integrity to tissues that experience significant mechanical tension, including the heart. Deficiencies in desmosomal proteins lead to the development of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC). The limited availability of preventative measures in clinical settings underscores the pressing need to gain a comprehensive understanding of desmosomal proteins not only in cardiomyocytes but also in non-myocyte residents of the heart, as they actively contribute to the progression of cardiomyopathy. This review focuses specifically on the impact of desmosome deficiency on epi- and endocardial cells. We highlight the intricate cross-talk between desmosomal proteins mutations and signaling pathways involved in the regulation of epicardial cell fate transition. We further emphasize that the consequences of desmosome deficiency differ between the embryonic and adult heart leading to enhanced erythropoiesis during heart development and enhanced fibrogenesis in the mature heart. We suggest that triggering epi-/endocardial cells and fibroblasts that are in different "states" involve the same pathways but lead to different pathological outcomes. Understanding the details of the different responses must be considered when developing interventions and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Moazzen
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Wendlingweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.D.B.); (R.E.L.)
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Vielmuth F, Radeva MY, Yeruva S, Sigmund AM, Waschke J. cAMP: A master regulator of cadherin-mediated binding in endothelium, epithelium and myocardium. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2023; 238:e14006. [PMID: 37243909 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of cadherin-mediated cell adhesion is crucial not only for maintaining tissue integrity and barrier function in the endothelium and epithelium but also for electromechanical coupling within the myocardium. Therefore, loss of cadherin-mediated adhesion causes various disorders, including vascular inflammation and desmosome-related diseases such as the autoimmune blistering skin dermatosis pemphigus and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Mechanisms regulating cadherin-mediated binding contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases and may also be used as therapeutic targets. Over the last 30 years, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) has emerged as one of the master regulators of cell adhesion in endothelium and, more recently, also in epithelial cells as well as in cardiomyocytes. A broad spectrum of experimental models from vascular physiology and cell biology applied by different generations of researchers provided evidence that not only cadherins of endothelial adherens junctions (AJ) but also desmosomal contacts in keratinocytes and the cardiomyocyte intercalated discs are central targets in this scenario. The molecular mechanisms involve protein kinase A- and exchange protein directly activated by cAMP-mediated regulation of Rho family GTPases and S665 phosphorylation of the AJ and desmosome adaptor protein plakoglobin. In line with this, phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors such as apremilast have been proposed as a therapeutic strategy to stabilize cadherin-mediated adhesion in pemphigus and may also be effective to treat other disorders where cadherin-mediated binding is compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Vielmuth
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mariya Y Radeva
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sunil Yeruva
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna M Sigmund
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Waschke
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Chen B, Yuan C, Guo T, Liu J, Yang B, Lu Z. Molecular Mechanism of m6A Methylation Modification Genes METTL3 and FTO in Regulating Heat Stress in Sheep. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11926. [PMID: 37569302 PMCID: PMC10419070 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat stress is an important environmental factor affecting livestock production worldwide. Primary hepatocytes and preadipocytes derived from Hu sheep were used to establish a heat stress model. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that heat induction significantly increased the expression levels of heat stress protein (HSP) genes and the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification genes: methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3), methyltransferase-like protein 14 (METTL14), and fat mass and obesity associated protein (FTO). Heat stress simultaneously promoted cell apoptosis. Transcriptome sequencing identified 3980 upregulated genes and 2420 downregulated genes related to heat stress. A pathway enrichment analysis of these genes revealed significant enrichment in fatty acid biosynthesis, degradation, and the PI3K-Akt and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways. Overexpression of METTL3 in primary hepatocytes led to significant downregulation of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP110, and significantly increased mRNA m6A methylation; FTO interference generated the opposite results. Primary adipocytes showed similar results. Transcriptome analysis of cells under METTL3 (or FTO) inference and overexpression revealed differentially expressed genes enriched in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, as well as the PI3K-Akt and Ras signaling pathways. We speculate that METTL3 may increase the level of m6A methylation to inhibit fat deposition and/or inhibit the expression of HSP genes to enhance the body's resistance to heat stress, while the FTO gene generated the opposite molecular mechanism. This study provides a scientific basis and theoretical support for sheep feeding and management practices during heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.C.); (C.Y.); (T.G.); (J.L.)
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Chao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.C.); (C.Y.); (T.G.); (J.L.)
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Tingting Guo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.C.); (C.Y.); (T.G.); (J.L.)
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Jianbin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.C.); (C.Y.); (T.G.); (J.L.)
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Bohui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.C.); (C.Y.); (T.G.); (J.L.)
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Zengkui Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.C.); (C.Y.); (T.G.); (J.L.)
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
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Totland MZ, Omori Y, Sørensen V, Kryeziu K, Aasen T, Brech A, Leithe E. Endocytic trafficking of connexins in cancer pathogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023:166812. [PMID: 37454772 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166812] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Gap junctions are specialized regions of the plasma membrane containing clusters of channels that provide for the diffusion of ions and small molecules between adjacent cells. A fundamental role of gap junctions is to coordinate the functions of cells in tissues. Cancer pathogenesis is usually associated with loss of intercellular communication mediated by gap junctions, which may affect tumor growth and the response to radio- and chemotherapy. Gap junction channels consist of integral membrane proteins termed connexins. In addition to their canonical roles in cell-cell communication, connexins modulate a range of signal transduction pathways via interactions with proteins such as β-catenin, c-Src, and PTEN. Consequently, connexins can regulate cellular processes such as cell growth, migration, and differentiation through both channel-dependent and independent mechanisms. Gap junctions are dynamic plasma membrane entities, and by modulating the rate at which connexins undergo endocytosis and sorting to lysosomes for degradation, cells rapidly adjust the level of gap junctions in response to alterations in the intracellular or extracellular milieu. Current experimental evidence indicates that aberrant trafficking of connexins in the endocytic system is intrinsically involved in mediating the loss of gap junctions during carcinogenesis. This review highlights the role played by the endocytic system in controlling connexin degradation, and consequently gap junction levels, and discusses how dysregulation of these processes contributes to the loss of gap junctions during cancer development. We also discuss the therapeutic implications of aberrant endocytic trafficking of connexins in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yasufumi Omori
- Department of Molecular and Tumour Pathology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | | | | | - Trond Aasen
- Patologia Molecular Translacional, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreas Brech
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Section for Physiology and Cell Biology, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Sproule TJ, Philip VM, Chaudhry NA, Roopenian DC, Sundberg JP. Seven naturally variant loci serve as genetic modifiers of Lamc2jeb induced non-Herlitz junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa in mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288263. [PMID: 37437067 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a group of rare genetic disorders that compromise the structural integrity of the skin such that blisters and subsequent erosions occur after minor trauma. While primary genetic risk of all subforms of EB adhere to Mendelian patterns of inheritance, their clinical presentations and severities can vary greatly, implying genetic modifiers. The Lamc2jeb mouse model of non-Herlitz junctional EB (JEB-nH) demonstrated that genetic modifiers can contribute substantially to the phenotypic variability of JEB and likely other forms of EB. The innocuous changes in an 'EB related gene', Col17a1, have shown it to be a dominant modifier of Lamc2jeb. This work identifies six additional Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) that modify disease in Lamc2jeb/jeb mice. Three QTL include other known 'EB related genes', with the strongest modifier effect mapping to a region including the epidermal hemi-desmosomal structural gene dystonin (Dst-e/Bpag1-e). Three other QTL map to intervals devoid of known EB-associated genes. Of these, one contains the nuclear receptor coactivator Ppargc1a as its primary candidate and the others contain related genes Pparg and Igf1, suggesting modifier pathways. These results, demonstrating the potent disease modifying effects of normally innocuous genetic variants, greatly expand the landscape of genetic modifiers of EB and therapeutic approaches that may be applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Sproule
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Vivek M Philip
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Nabig A Chaudhry
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | | | - John P Sundberg
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
- Department of Dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
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13
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Kneitz H, Frings V, Kircher S, Goebeler M. Expression of Connexin 43 in Granular Cell Tumors of the Skin, Tongue and Esophagus. Dermatopathology (Basel) 2023; 10:184-192. [PMID: 37366801 DOI: 10.3390/dermatopathology10020026] [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: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Granular cell tumors (GCT) are rare neoplasms of Schwann cell origin occurring in the skin and in other organs. The etiopathogenesis of GCT is yet poorly understood. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most broadly expressed gap junction protein in humans, the tumoral role of which has been investigated in several types of tumors. Its role in GCT of the skin, oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract is as yet unknown. METHODS Herein, we present a study on the immunohistochemical expression of Cx43 in GCT of the skin (n = 15), tongue (n = 4) and esophagus (n = 3). Immunolabeling was scored positive (weak (+), moderate (++) or strong (+++)). RESULTS Cx43 was expressed by all cases of GCT of the skin, tongue and esophagus (22/22), showing moderate to strong staining. All tissue sections of GCT were characterized by a diffuse, cytoplasmic staining pattern of the tumor cells. None of those showed membranous or nuclear staining. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that Cx43 probably plays an important role in the development of this rare tumor entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermann Kneitz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Verena Frings
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kircher
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Goebeler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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14
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Zaver SA, Sarkar MK, Egolf S, Zou J, Tiwaa A, Capell BC, Gudjonsson JE, Simpson CL. Targeting SERCA2 in organotypic epidermis reveals MEK inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for Darier disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.07.531620. [PMID: 36945477 PMCID: PMC10028894 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.07.531620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Mutation of the ATP2A2 gene encoding sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2 (SERCA2) was linked to Darier disease more than two decades ago; however, there remain no targeted therapies for this disorder causing recurrent skin blistering and infections. Since Atp2a2 knockout mice do not phenocopy its pathology, we established a human tissue model of Darier disease to elucidate its pathogenesis and identify potential therapies. Leveraging CRISPR/Cas9, we generated human keratinocytes lacking SERCA2, which replicated features of Darier disease, including weakened intercellular adhesion and defective differentiation in organotypic epidermis. To identify pathogenic drivers downstream of SERCA2 depletion, we performed RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis. SERCA2-deficient keratinocytes lacked desmosomal and cytoskeletal proteins required for epidermal integrity and exhibited excess MAP kinase signaling, which modulates keratinocyte adhesion and differentiation. Immunostaining patient biopsies substantiated these findings with lesions showing keratin deficiency, cadherin mis-localization, and ERK hyper-phosphorylation. Dampening ERK activity with MEK inhibitors rescued adhesive protein expression and restored keratinocyte sheet integrity despite SERCA2 depletion or chemical inhibition. In sum, coupling multi-omic analysis with human organotypic epidermis as a pre-clinical model, we found that SERCA2 haploinsufficiency disrupts critical adhesive components in keratinocytes via ERK signaling and identified MEK inhibition as a treatment strategy for Darier disease.
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15
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Vallverdú-Prats M, Carreras D, Pérez GJ, Campuzano O, Brugada R, Alcalde M. Alterations in Calcium Handling Are a Common Feature in an Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Cell Model Triggered by Desmosome Genes Loss. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032109. [PMID: 36768439 PMCID: PMC9917020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiac disease characterized by fibrofatty replacement of the myocardium. Deleterious variants in desmosomal genes are the main cause of ACM and lead to common and gene-specific molecular alterations, which are not yet fully understood. This article presents the first systematic in vitro study describing gene and protein expression alterations in desmosomes, electrical conduction-related genes, and genes involved in fibrosis and adipogenesis. Moreover, molecular and functional alterations in calcium handling were also characterized. This study was performed d with HL1 cells with homozygous knockouts of three of the most frequently mutated desmosomal genes in ACM: PKP2, DSG2, and DSC2 (generated by CRISPR/Cas9). Moreover, knockout and N-truncated clones of DSP were also included. Our results showed functional alterations in calcium handling, a slower calcium re-uptake was observed in the absence of PKP2, DSG2, and DSC2, and the DSP knockout clone showed a more rapid re-uptake. We propose that the described functional alterations of the calcium handling genes may be explained by mRNA expression levels of ANK2, CASQ2, ATP2A2, RYR2, and PLN. In conclusion, the loss of desmosomal genes provokes alterations in calcium handling, potentially contributing to the development of arrhythmogenic events in ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vallverdú-Prats
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
| | - David Carreras
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
| | - Guillermo J. Pérez
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
- Department of Medical Sciences, Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 21005 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Campuzano
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
- Department of Medical Sciences, Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 21005 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
- Department of Medical Sciences, Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 21005 Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Josep Trueta, 17007 Girona, Spain
| | - Mireia Alcalde
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona, 17190 Salt, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +872-98-70-87
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16
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Teng ACT, Gu L, Di Paola M, Lakin R, Williams ZJ, Au A, Chen W, Callaghan NI, Zadeh FH, Zhou YQ, Fatah M, Chatterjee D, Jourdan LJ, Liu J, Simmons CA, Kislinger T, Yip CM, Backx PH, Gourdie RG, Hamilton RM, Gramolini AO. Tmem65 is critical for the structure and function of the intercalated discs in mouse hearts. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6166. [PMID: 36257954 PMCID: PMC9579145 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33303-y] [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: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The intercalated disc (ICD) is a unique membrane structure that is indispensable to normal heart function, yet its structural organization is not completely understood. Previously, we showed that the ICD-bound transmembrane protein 65 (Tmem65) was required for connexin43 (Cx43) localization and function in cultured mouse neonatal cardiomyocytes. Here, we investigate the functional and cellular effects of Tmem65 reductions on the myocardium in a mouse model by injecting CD1 mouse pups (3-7 days after birth) with recombinant adeno-associated virus 9 (rAAV9) harboring Tmem65 shRNA, which reduces Tmem65 expression by 90% in mouse ventricles compared to scrambled shRNA injection. Tmem65 knockdown (KD) results in increased mortality which is accompanied by eccentric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy within 3 weeks of injection and progression to dilated cardiomyopathy with severe cardiac fibrosis by 7 weeks post-injection. Tmem65 KD hearts display depressed hemodynamics as measured echocardiographically as well as slowed conduction in optical recording accompanied by prolonged PR intervals and QRS duration in electrocardiograms. Immunoprecipitation and super-resolution microscopy demonstrate a physical interaction between Tmem65 and sodium channel β subunit (β1) in mouse hearts and this interaction appears to be required for both the establishment of perinexal nanodomain structure and the localization of both voltage-gated sodium channel 1.5 (NaV1.5) and Cx43 to ICDs. Despite the loss of NaV1.5 at ICDs, whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology did not reveal reductions in Na+ currents but did show reduced Ca2+ and K+ currents in Tmem65 KD cardiomyocytes in comparison to control cells. We conclude that disrupting Tmem65 function results in impaired ICD structure, abnormal cardiac electrophysiology, and ultimately cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen C T Teng
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada.
| | - Liyang Gu
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Michelle Di Paola
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Robert Lakin
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Zachary J Williams
- The Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech. Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Aaron Au
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Wenliang Chen
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Neal I Callaghan
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Farigol Hakem Zadeh
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Yu-Qing Zhou
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Meena Fatah
- The Labatt Family Heart Centre (Dept. of Pediatrics) and Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON., M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Diptendu Chatterjee
- The Labatt Family Heart Centre (Dept. of Pediatrics) and Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON., M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - L Jane Jourdan
- The Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech. Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Jack Liu
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Craig A Simmons
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Thomas Kislinger
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Christopher M Yip
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Peter H Backx
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Robert G Gourdie
- The Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech. Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Robert M Hamilton
- The Labatt Family Heart Centre (Dept. of Pediatrics) and Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children & Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON., M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Anthony O Gramolini
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada.
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17
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Zhu Y, Zheng B, Cai C, Lin Z, Qin H, Liu H, Cui C, Chen M. Febuxostat increases ventricular arrhythmogenesis through calcium handling dysregulation in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Toxicol Sci 2022; 189:216-224. [PMID: 35866629 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Febuxostat is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor used to reduce the formation of uric acid and prevent gout attacks. Previous studies have suggested that febuxostat was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, including atrial fibrillation, compared with allopurinol, another anti-hyperuricemia drug. Whereas in our clinical practice, we identified two cases of febuxostat-associated ventricular tachycardia events. The proarrhythmogenic effects of febuxostat on human cardiomyocytes and underlined mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed real time cell analysis (RTCA) and calcium transient to investigate the effects of febuxostat on the cytotoxicity and electrophysiology properties of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). Up to 10 μM febuxostat treatment did not show toxicity to cell viability. However, 48-hour febuxostat exposure generated dose-dependent increased irregular calcium transients and decreased calcium transient amplitude. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis indicated that the MAPK signaling pathway was enriched in the febuxostat-treated group, especially the protein kinases JNK. Western blotting of three main protein kinases demonstrated that JNK activation is related to febuxostat-induced arrythmia rather than ERK or p38. The dysfunctional calcium dynamics of febuxostat-treated hiPSC-CMs could be ameliorated by SP600125, the inhibitor of JNK. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that febuxostat increases the predisposition to ventricular arrythmia by dysregulating calcium dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhu
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Bingyu Zheng
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Cheng Cai
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zhiqiao Lin
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Huiyuan Qin
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Hailei Liu
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Chang Cui
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Minglong Chen
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
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18
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Werder RB, Liu T, Abo KM, Lindstrom-Vautrin J, Villacorta-Martin C, Huang J, Hinds A, Boyer N, Bullitt E, Liesa M, Silverman EK, Kotton DN, Cho MH, Zhou X, Wilson AA. CRISPR interference interrogation of COPD GWAS genes reveals the functional significance of desmoplakin in iPSC-derived alveolar epithelial cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo6566. [PMID: 35857525 PMCID: PMC9278866 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo6566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified dozens of loci associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) susceptibility; however, the function of associated genes in the cell type(s) affected in disease remains poorly understood, partly due to a lack of cell models that recapitulate human alveolar biology. Here, we apply CRISPR interference to interrogate the function of nine genes implicated in COPD by GWAS in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (iAT2s). We find that multiple genes implicated by GWAS affect iAT2 function, including differentiation potential, maturation, and/or proliferation. Detailed characterization of the GWAS gene DSP demonstrates that it regulates iAT2 cell-cell junctions, proliferation, mitochondrial function, and response to cigarette smoke-induced injury. Our approach thus elucidates the biological function, as well as disease-relevant consequences of dysfunction, of genes implicated in COPD by GWAS in type 2 alveolar epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon B. Werder
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Tao Liu
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kristine M. Abo
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | | | - Carlos Villacorta-Martin
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Jessie Huang
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Anne Hinds
- Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Nathan Boyer
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Esther Bullitt
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Marc Liesa
- Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Institut de Biologia Molecular De Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), Barcelona, Catalonia 08028, Spain
| | - Edwin K. Silverman
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Darrell N. Kotton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Michael H. Cho
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrew A. Wilson
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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19
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Song Y, Zhao X, Aihemaiti A, Haire A, Gao Y, Niu C, Yang P, Liu G, Jia G, Wusiman A. The Mechanism of Heat Stress Resistance During Spermatogenesis in Turpan Black Sheep. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:846981. [PMID: 35769319 PMCID: PMC9236572 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.846981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat stress can affect the reproductive function of livestock and cause harm to animal production, which can seriously damage the economic interests of livestock producers. Therefore, it is important to explore the effect of heat stress on reproductive function to improve livestock production. In this study, the experimental animals Turpan black sheep and Suffolk sheep were selected as controls, each with 10 sheep, and the reproductive physiological performance was measured in Turpan, China from April to August when there was no heat stress to strong heat stress. The results showed that the sperm density, vitality, and kinematic parameters of Suffolk sheep were significantly lower than that in Turpan black sheep (p < 0.01) after heat stress, while the sperm acrosome malfunctions and DNA damage were significantly higher in Suffolk sheep (p < 0.01). In addition, the endogenous levels of reproductive hormones and oxidative stress indicators in the blood of Turpan black sheep were stable before and after heat stress treatment, while Suffolk sheep showed different degrees of fluctuations. There was no significant difference in testicular histomorphology between the two after heat stress treatment. However, Suffolk sheep showed a significantly decreased number of spermatocytes after heat stress treatment (p < 0.05). It was found that during meiosis, the proportion of cells in the meiotic zygotene stage of Suffolk sheep was significantly higher than that of Turpan black sheep. To investigate the mechanism of normal spermatogenesis in Turpan black sheep under heat stress, we performed RNA-Seq analysis on the testis. The results showed that there were 3,559 differential genes in Turpan black sheep before and after heat stress, with 2,118 up-regulated genes and 1,441 down-regulated genes. The enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG showed that the differential genes are mainly involved in cellular component organization or biogenesis, cell cycle process, mitotic cell cycle process, meiotic cell cycle process, double-strand break repair and Rap1 signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, Cell cycle, signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells Oocyte meiosis. Genes related to spermatogenesis, SYCP2, TDRD9, BRDT, CEP120, BRCA1, etc. were significantly up-regulated in Turpan black sheep after heat stress. In summary, our results showed that the up-regulation of genes involved in spermatogenesis protects the normal production of sperm in Turpan black sheep under HS, thereby achieving normal reproductive function.Our research systematically elucidated the mechanism of heat stress resistance during spermatogenesis in Turpan black sheep and provided potential possibilities for the subsequent breeding of new heat-resistant breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Song
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xi Zhao
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Aikebaier Aihemaiti
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Aerman Haire
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Chao Niu
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Peng Yang
- Tuokexun County Huishang Ecological Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Turpan, China
| | - Guoshi Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Gongxue Jia
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
- *Correspondence: Gongxue Jia
| | - Abulizi Wusiman
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
- Abulizi Wusiman
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20
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Huang Z, Zhang Z, Zhou C, Liu L, Huang C. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition: The history, regulatory mechanism, and cancer therapeutic opportunities. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e144. [PMID: 35601657 PMCID: PMC9115588 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a program wherein epithelial cells lose their junctions and polarity while acquiring mesenchymal properties and invasive ability. Originally defined as an embryogenesis event, EMT has been recognized as a crucial process in tumor progression. During EMT, cell–cell junctions and cell–matrix attachments are disrupted, and the cytoskeleton is remodeled to enhance mobility of cells. This transition of phenotype is largely driven by a group of key transcription factors, typically Snail, Twist, and ZEB, through epigenetic repression of epithelial markers, transcriptional activation of matrix metalloproteinases, and reorganization of cytoskeleton. Mechanistically, EMT is orchestrated by multiple pathways, especially those involved in embryogenesis such as TGFβ, Wnt, Hedgehog, and Hippo, suggesting EMT as an intrinsic link between embryonic development and cancer progression. In addition, redox signaling has also emerged as critical EMT modulator. EMT confers cancer cells with increased metastatic potential and drug resistant capacity, which accounts for tumor recurrence in most clinic cases. Thus, targeting EMT can be a therapeutic option providing a chance of cure for cancer patients. Here, we introduce a brief history of EMT and summarize recent advances in understanding EMT mechanisms, as well as highlighting the therapeutic opportunities by targeting EMT in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Chengwei Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
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21
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Zhou X, Li M, Cheng Q, Shao Y, Wang W, Du Q, Liu J, Yang Y. Methylselenocysteine Potentiates Etoposide-Induced Cytotoxicity by Enhancing Gap Junction Activity. Biol Pharm Bull 2022; 45:467-476. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b21-00893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
| | - Man Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
| | - Qianqian Cheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
| | - Yu Shao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
| | - Qianyu Du
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
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22
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Wei X, Chang ACH, Chang H, Xu S, Xue Y, Zhang Y, Lei M, Chang ACY, Zhang Q. Hypoglycemia-Exacerbated Mitochondrial Connexin 43 Accumulation Aggravates Cardiac Dysfunction in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:800185. [PMID: 35369285 PMCID: PMC8967291 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.800185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a complex multifaceted disease responsible for elevated heart failure (HF) morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with DCM exhibit subclinical diastolic dysfunction, progression toward systolic impairment, and abnormal electrophysiology. Hypoglycemia events that occur spontaneously or due to excess insulin administration threaten the lives of patients with DM—with the increased risk of sudden death. However, the molecular underpinnings of this fatal disease remain to be elucidated. Methods and Results Here, we used the established streptozotocin-induced DCM murine model to investigate how hypoglycemia aggravates DCM progression. We confirmed connexin 43 (Cx43) dissociation from cell–cell interaction and accumulation at mitochondrial inner membrane both in the cardiomyocytes of patients with DM and DCM murine. Here, we observed that cardiac diastolic function, induced by chronic hyperglycemia, was further aggravated upon hypoglycemia challenge. Similar contractile defects were recapitulated using neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes (NMVMs) under glucose fluctuation challenges. Using immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry, we identified and validated that hypoglycemia challenge activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPK kinase) (MEK)/extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) and inhibits phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathways, which results in Cx43 phosphorylation by Src protein and translocation to mitochondria in cardiomyocytes. To determine causality, we overexpressed a mitochondrial targeting Cx43 (mtCx43) using adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2)/9. At normal blood glucose levels, mtCx43 overexpression recapitulated cardiac diastolic dysfunction as well as aberrant electrophysiology in vivo. Our findings give support for therapeutic targeting of MEK/ERK/Src and PI3K/Akt/Src pathways to prevent mtCx43-driven DCM. Conclusion DCM presents compensatory adaptation of mild mtCx43 accumulation, yet acute hypoglycemia challenges result in further accumulation of mtCx43 through the MEK/ERK/Src and PI3K/Akt/Src pathways. We provide evidence that Cx43 mislocalization is present in hearts of patients with DM hearts, STZ-induced DCM murine model, and glucose fluctuation challenged NMVMs. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that mtCx43 is responsible for inducing aberrant contraction and disrupts electrophysiology in cardiomyocytes and our results support targeting of mtCx43 in treating DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Wei
- Department of Cardiology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Andrew Chia Hao Chang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haishuang Chang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yilin Xue
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanxin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Lei
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Alex Chia Yu Chang
- Department of Cardiology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Alex Chia Yu Chang
| | - Qingyong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Qingyong Zhang
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23
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Hegazy M, Perl AL, Svoboda SA, Green KJ. Desmosomal Cadherins in Health and Disease. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2022; 17:47-72. [PMID: 34425055 PMCID: PMC8792335 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-042320-092912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Desmosomal cadherins are a recent evolutionary innovation that make up the adhesive core of highly specialized intercellular junctions called desmosomes. Desmosomal cadherins, which are grouped into desmogleins and desmocollins, are related to the classical cadherins, but their cytoplasmic domains are tailored for anchoring intermediate filaments instead of actin to sites of cell-cell adhesion. The resulting junctions are critical for resisting mechanical stress in tissues such as the skin and heart. Desmosomal cadherins also act as signaling hubs that promote differentiation and facilitate morphogenesis, creating more complex and effective tissue barriers in vertebrate tissues. Interference with desmosomal cadherin adhesive and supra-adhesive functions leads to a variety of autoimmune, hereditary, toxin-mediated, and malignant diseases. We review our current understanding of how desmosomal cadherins contribute to human health and disease, highlight gaps in our knowledge about their regulation and function, and introduce promising new directions toward combatting desmosome-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marihan Hegazy
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Abbey L. Perl
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Sophia A. Svoboda
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Kathleen J. Green
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA,Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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24
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Abdelzaher WY, Bahaa HA, Elkhateeb R, Atta M, Fawzy MA, Ahmed AF, Rofaeil RR. Role of JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in protective effect of sildenafil in cyclophosphamide-induced placental injury in rats. Life Sci 2022; 293:120354. [PMID: 35074407 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Chemotherapeutic agents; cyclophosphamide (CYC) is used for treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Grievously, CYC is non-selective as it affects both tumor and healthy cells resulting in systemic toxicity including placenta. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, sildenafil (Sild) on CYC-induced placental injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two female Wister rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups. Group 1: control pregnant group; Group 2: Sild-treated pregnant rats; Group 3: pregnant rats received CYC; Group 4: pregnant rats received Sild and CYC. Placental malondialdehyde (MDA), total nitrite/nitrate (NOx), reduced glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), platelet growth factor (PlGF), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cleaved caspase-3 were measured. Histological changes, Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B (NF-κB), Connexin 43 (GJA1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immuno-expressions were also evaluated. KEY FINDINGS CYC showed significant decrease in placental GSH, NOx, PlGF, GJA1 and PCNA immuno-expressions but significant increase in placental MDA, TNF-α, JNK, P38MAPK, ERK, caspase-3 and NF-kB immuno-expression. Sild showed significant improvement in all oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic parameters. SIGNIFICANCE Sild is a promising protective drug against placental injury induced by CYC through antagonizing MAPK (JNK, ERK, and p38) signaling pathway with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haitham Ahmed Bahaa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia 61511, Egypt
| | - Reham Elkhateeb
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia 61511, Egypt
| | - Medhat Atta
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia 61511, Egypt
| | - Michael Atef Fawzy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61511, Egypt
| | - Amira F Ahmed
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, 61511, Egypt
| | - Remon Roshdy Rofaeil
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia 61511, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology, Deraya University, New Minia, Egypt.
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25
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Bueno-Beti C, Asimaki A. Histopathological Features and Protein Markers of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:746321. [PMID: 34950711 PMCID: PMC8688541 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.746321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heritable heart muscle disease characterized by syncope, palpitations, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) especially in young individuals. It is estimated to affect 1:5,000 individuals in the general population, with >60% of patients bearing one or more mutations in genes coding for desmosomal proteins. Desmosomes are intercellular adhesion junctions, which in cardiac myocytes reside within the intercalated disks (IDs), the areas of mechanical and electrical cell-cell coupling. Histologically, ACM is characterized by fibrofatty replacement of cardiac myocytes predominantly in the right ventricular free wall though left ventricular and biventricular forms have also been described. The disease is characterized by age-related progression, vast phenotypic manifestation and incomplete penetrance, making proband diagnosis and risk stratification of family members particularly challenging. Key protein redistribution at the IDs may represent a specific diagnostic marker but its applicability is still limited by the need for a myocardial sample. Specific markers of ACM in surrogate tissues, such as the blood and the buccal epithelium, may represent a non-invasive, safe and inexpensive alternative for diagnosis and cascade screening. In this review, we shall cover the most relevant biomarkers so far reported and discuss their potential impact on the diagnosis, prognosis and management of ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angeliki Asimaki
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Müller L, Hatzfeld M, Keil R. Desmosomes as Signaling Hubs in the Regulation of Cell Behavior. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:745670. [PMID: 34631720 PMCID: PMC8495202 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.745670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes are intercellular junctions, which preserve tissue integrity during homeostatic and stress conditions. These functions rely on their unique structural properties, which enable them to respond to context-dependent signals and transmit them to change cell behavior. Desmosome composition and size vary depending on tissue specific expression and differentiation state. Their constituent proteins are highly regulated by posttranslational modifications that control their function in the desmosome itself and in addition regulate a multitude of desmosome-independent functions. This review will summarize our current knowledge how signaling pathways that control epithelial shape, polarity and function regulate desmosomes and how desmosomal proteins transduce these signals to modulate cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Müller
- Department for Pathobiochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Mechthild Hatzfeld
- Department for Pathobiochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - René Keil
- Department for Pathobiochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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27
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Unal YC, Yavuz B, Ozcivici E, Mese G. The role of connexins in breast cancer: from misregulated cell communication to aberrant intracellular signaling. Tissue Barriers 2021; 10:1962698. [PMID: 34355641 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2021.1962698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of clinical advancements and improved diagnostic techniques, breast cancers are the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths in women worldwide. Although 70% of early breast cancers can be cured, there are no efficient therapies against metastatic breast cancers. Several factors including connexins and gap junctions play roles in breast tumorigenesis. Connexins are critical for cellular processes as a linkage between connexin mutations and hereditary disorders demonstrated their importance for tissue homeostasis. Further, alterations in their expression, localization and channel activities were observed in many cancers including breast cancer. Both channel-dependent and independent functions of connexins were reported in initiation and progression of cancers. Unlike initial reports suggesting tumor suppressor functions, connexins and gap junctions have stage, context and isoform dependent effects in breast cancers similar to other cancers. In this review, we tried to describe the current understanding of connexins in tumorigenesis specifically in breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yagmur Ceren Unal
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Busra Yavuz
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Engin Ozcivici
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gulistan Mese
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
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28
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Abstract
Desmoplakin (DSP), encoded by the DSP gene, is the main desmosome component and is abundant in the myocardial tissue. There are three DSP isoforms that assume the role of supporting structural stability through intercellular adhesion. It has been found that DSP regulates the transcription of adipogenic and fibrogenic genes, and maintains appropriate electrical conductivity by regulating gap junctions and ion channels. DSP is essential for normal myocardial development and the maintenance of its structural functions. Studies have suggested that DSP gene mutations are associated with a variety of hereditary cardiomyopathy, such as arrhythmia cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), left ventricular noncompaction, and is also closely associated with the Carvajal syndrome, Naxos disease, and erythro-keratodermia-cardiomyopathy syndrome with skin and heart damage. The structure and function of DSP, as well as the clinical manifestations of DSP-related cardiomyopathy were reviewed in this article.
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29
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Yang T, Gu X, Jia L, Guo J, Tang Q, Zhu J, Zhao W, Feng Z. DSG2 expression is low in colon cancer and correlates with poor survival. BMC Gastroenterol 2021; 21:7. [PMID: 33407183 PMCID: PMC7789404 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-020-01588-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Desmoglein2 (DSG2) is a transmembrane protein that helps regulate intercellular connections and contributes to desmosome assembly. Desmosome are associated with cell adhesion junctions, which play an important role in cancer progression specially cancer cell migration and invasion. However, DSG2 expression in colon cancer (CC) and its association with CC patients’ overall survival (OS) are still unclear. Methods We collected 587 CC samples, 41 colitis tissues and 114 pericarcinomatous tissues, as well as corresponding clinicopathological data about the patients who contributed them. All samples were tested immunohistochemically in tissue microarrays. Kaplan–Meier method was used for calculating patient survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses was used for investigating DGS2 link with CC patient’s clinicopathological factors. Bioinformatics analysis was also used in study. Results The results showed that DSG2 expression was lower in CC tissues than in pericarcinomatous tissues (P < 0.001). DSG2 expression was associated with differentiation (P = 0.033), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.045), distant metastasis (P = 0.006) and AJCC stage (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis indicated that poor OS in patients with CC was associated with low DSG2 expression (P < 0.001), tumor size (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), distant metastasis (P < 0.001), AJCC stage (P < 0.001) and venous invasion (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, low DSG2 expression (P < 0.001), distant metastasis (P < 0.001), AJCC stage (P = 0.002), venous invasion (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for CC patients. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that low DSG2 expression affects protein activation, regulates the P53-related pathway in CC, and activates the EGFR pathway. Conclusions The results suggest that low DSG2 expression is associated with poor survival for CC patients. DSG2 could be a prognostic biomarker for CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yang
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Department of Pathology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xuan Gu
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Department of Pathology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Lizhou Jia
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Department of Pathology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jiaojiao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Department of Pathology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Qi Tang
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Huadong Medical Institute of Biotechniques, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
| | - Zhenqing Feng
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Department of Pathology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Jiangsu Key Lab. of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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30
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Nath A, Oak A, Chen KY, Li I, Splichal RC, Portis J, Foster S, Walton SP, Chan C. Palmitate-Induced IRE1-XBP1-ZEB Signaling Represses Desmoplakin Expression and Promotes Cancer Cell Migration. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:240-248. [PMID: 33106375 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Elevated uptake of saturated fatty acid palmitate is associated with metastatic progression of cancer cells; however, the precise signaling mechanism behind the phenomenon is unclear. The loss of cell adhesion proteins, such as desmoplakin (DSP), is a key driving event in the transformation of cancer cells to more aggressive phenotypes. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which palmitate induces the loss of DSP in liver and breast cancer cells. We propose that palmitate activates the IRE1-XBP1 branch of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway to upregulate the ZEB transcription factor, leading to transcriptional repression of DSP. Using liver and breast cancer cells treated with palmitate, we found loss of DSP leads to increased cell migration independent of E-cadherin. We report that the ZEB family of transcription factors function as direct transcriptional repressors of DSP. CRISPR-mediated knockdown of IRE1 confirmed that the transcription of ZEB, loss of DSP, and enhanced migration in the presence of palmitate is dependent on the IRE1-XBP1 pathway. In addition, by analyzing the somatic expression and copy number variation profiles of over 11,000 tumor samples, we corroborate our hypothesis and establish the clinical relevance of DSP loss via ZEB in human cancers. IMPLICATIONS: Provides mechanistic link on palmitate-induced activation of IRE1α to cancer cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritro Nath
- Genetics Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Amrita Oak
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Kevin Y Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Irene Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - R Chauncey Splichal
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Jason Portis
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Sean Foster
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - S Patrick Walton
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Christina Chan
- Genetics Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. .,Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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31
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Schinner C, Olivares-Florez S, Schlipp A, Trenz S, Feinendegen M, Flaswinkel H, Kempf E, Egu DT, Yeruva S, Waschke J. The inotropic agent digitoxin strengthens desmosomal adhesion in cardiac myocytes in an ERK1/2-dependent manner. Basic Res Cardiol 2020; 115:46. [PMID: 32556797 PMCID: PMC7299919 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-020-0805-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Desmosomal proteins are components of the intercalated disc and mediate cardiac myocyte adhesion. Enhancement of cardiac myocyte cohesion, referred to as "positive adhesiotropy", was demonstrated to be a function of sympathetic signaling and to be relevant for a sufficient inotropic response. We used the inotropic agent digitoxin to investigate the link between inotropy and adhesiotropy. In contrast to wild-type hearts, digitoxin failed to enhance pulse pressure in perfused mice hearts lacking the desmosomal protein plakoglobin which was paralleled with abrogation of plaque thickening indicating that positive inotropic response requires intact desmosomal adhesion. Atomic force microscopy revealed that digitoxin increased the binding force of the adhesion molecule desmoglein-2 at cell-cell contact areas. This was paralleled by enhanced cardiac myocyte cohesion in both HL-1 cardiac myocytes and murine cardiac slices as determined by dissociation assays as well as by accumulation of desmosomal proteins at cell-cell contact areas. However, total protein levels or cytoskeletal anchorage were not affected. siRNA-mediated depletion of desmosomal proteins abrogated increase of cell cohesion demonstrating that intact desmosomal adhesion is required for positive adhesiotropy. Mechanistically, digitoxin caused activation of ERK1/2. In line with this, inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling abrogated the effects of digitoxin on cell-cell adhesion and desmosomal reorganization. These results show that the positive inotropic agent digitoxin enhances cardiac myocyte cohesion with reorganization of desmosomal proteins in an ERK1/2-dependent manner. Desmosomal adhesion seems to be important for a sufficient positive inotropic response of digitoxin treatment, which can be of medical relevance for the treatment of heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Schinner
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 11, 80336, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silvana Olivares-Florez
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 11, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Angela Schlipp
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 11, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Trenz
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 11, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Manouk Feinendegen
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 11, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Heinrich Flaswinkel
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ellen Kempf
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 11, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Desalegn Tadesse Egu
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 11, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Sunil Yeruva
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 11, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Waschke
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Pettenkoferstraße 11, 80336, Munich, Germany.
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32
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Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Molecular Insights for Improved Therapeutic Design. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2020; 7:jcdd7020021. [PMID: 32466575 PMCID: PMC7345706 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd7020021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited disorder characterized by structural and electrical cardiac abnormalities, including myocardial fibro-fatty replacement. Its pathological ventricular substrate predisposes subjects to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). ACM is a notorious cause of SCD in young athletes, and exercise has been documented to accelerate its progression. Although the genetic culprits are not exclusively limited to the intercalated disc, the majority of ACM-linked variants reside within desmosomal genes and are transmitted via Mendelian inheritance patterns; however, penetrance is highly variable. Its natural history features an initial “concealed phase” that results in patients being vulnerable to malignant arrhythmias prior to the onset of structural changes. Lack of effective therapies that target its pathophysiology renders management of patients challenging due to its progressive nature, and has highlighted a critical need to improve our understanding of its underlying mechanistic basis. In vitro and in vivo studies have begun to unravel the molecular consequences associated with disease causing variants, including altered Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Characterization of ACM mouse models has facilitated the evaluation of new therapeutic approaches. Improved molecular insight into the condition promises to usher in novel forms of therapy that will lead to improved care at the clinical bedside.
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Schinner C, Erber BM, Yeruva S, Schlipp A, Rötzer V, Kempf E, Kant S, Leube RE, Mueller TD, Waschke J. Stabilization of desmoglein-2 binding rescues arrhythmia in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. JCI Insight 2020; 5:130141. [PMID: 32376797 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.130141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a genetic disease causing arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death with only symptomatic therapy available at present. Mutations of desmosomal proteins, including desmoglein-2 (Dsg2) and plakoglobin (Pg), are the major cause of AC and have been shown to lead to impaired gap junction function. Recent data indicated the involvement of anti-Dsg2 autoantibodies in AC pathogenesis. We applied a peptide to stabilize Dsg2 binding similar to a translational approach to pemphigus, which is caused by anti-desmoglein autoantibodies. We provide evidence that stabilization of Dsg2 binding by a linking peptide (Dsg2-LP) is efficient to rescue arrhythmia in an AC mouse model immediately upon perfusion. Dsg2-LP, designed to cross-link Dsg2 molecules in proximity to the known binding pocket, stabilized Dsg2-mediated interactions on the surface of living cardiomyocytes as revealed by atomic force microscopy and induced Dsg2 oligomerization. Moreover, Dsg2-LP rescued disrupted cohesion induced by siRNA-mediated Pg or Dsg2 depletion or l-tryptophan, which was applied to impair overall cadherin binding. Dsg2-LP rescued connexin-43 mislocalization and conduction irregularities in response to impaired cardiomyocyte cohesion. These results demonstrate that stabilization of Dsg2 binding by Dsg2-LP can serve as a novel approach to treat arrhythmia in patients with AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Schinner
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Markus Erber
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sunil Yeruva
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Angela Schlipp
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Vera Rötzer
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ellen Kempf
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kant
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rudolf E Leube
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas D Mueller
- Department of Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jens Waschke
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
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Wang Y, Li C, Shi L, Chen X, Cui C, Huang J, Chen B, Hall DD, Pan Z, Lu M, Hong J, Song LS, Zhao S. Integrin β1D Deficiency-Mediated RyR2 Dysfunction Contributes to Catecholamine-Sensitive Ventricular Tachycardia in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2020; 141:1477-1493. [PMID: 32122157 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.119.043504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a hereditary heart disease characterized by fatty infiltration, life-threatening arrhythmias, and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. The guideline for management of ARVC in patients is to improve quality of life by reducing arrhythmic symptoms and to prevent sudden cardiac death. However, the mechanism underlying ARVC-associated cardiac arrhythmias remains poorly understood. METHODS Using protein mass spectrometry analyses, we identified that integrin β1 is downregulated in ARVC hearts without changes to Ca2+-handling proteins. As adult cardiomyocytes express only the β1D isoform, we generated a cardiac specific β1D knockout mouse model and performed functional imaging and biochemical analyses to determine the consequences of integrin β1D loss on function in the heart in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS Integrin β1D deficiency and RyR2 Ser-2030 hyperphosphorylation were detected by Western blotting in left ventricular tissues from patients with ARVC but not in patients with ischemic or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Using lipid bilayer patch clamp single channel recordings, we found that purified integrin β1D protein could stabilize RyR2 function by decreasing RyR2 open probability, mean open time, and increasing mean close time. Also, β1D knockout mice exhibited normal cardiac function and morphology but presented with catecholamine-sensitive polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, consistent with increased RyR2 Ser-2030 phosphorylation and aberrant Ca2+ handling in β1D knockout cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, we revealed that loss of DSP (desmoplakin) induces integrin β1D deficiency in ARVC mediated through an ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2)-fibronectin-ubiquitin/lysosome pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that integrin β1D deficiency represents a novel mechanism underlying the increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ARVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing (Y.W., C.L., X.C., C.C., M.L., S.Z.)
| | - Chunyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing (Y.W., C.L., X.C., C.C., M.L., S.Z.)
| | - Ling Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China (L.S., Z.P.)
| | - Xiuyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing (Y.W., C.L., X.C., C.C., M.L., S.Z.)
| | - Chen Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing (Y.W., C.L., X.C., C.C., M.L., S.Z.)
| | | | - Biyi Chen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City (B.C., D.D.H., L.-S.S.)
| | - Duane D Hall
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City (B.C., D.D.H., L.-S.S.)
| | - Zhenwei Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China (L.S., Z.P.)
| | - Minjie Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing (Y.W., C.L., X.C., C.C., M.L., S.Z.)
| | - Jiang Hong
- Department of Cardiology, Fujian Institute of Coronary Heart Disease, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, China (J.H.)
- Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China (J.H.)
| | - Long-Sheng Song
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City (B.C., D.D.H., L.-S.S.)
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City (L.-S.S.)
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA (L.-S.S.)
| | - Shihua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing (Y.W., C.L., X.C., C.C., M.L., S.Z.)
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Totland MZ, Rasmussen NL, Knudsen LM, Leithe E. Regulation of gap junction intercellular communication by connexin ubiquitination: physiological and pathophysiological implications. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:573-591. [PMID: 31501970 PMCID: PMC7040059 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gap junctions consist of arrays of intercellular channels that enable adjacent cells to communicate both electrically and metabolically. Gap junctions have a wide diversity of physiological functions, playing critical roles in both excitable and non-excitable tissues. Gap junction channels are formed by integral membrane proteins called connexins. Inherited or acquired alterations in connexins are associated with numerous diseases, including heart failure, neuropathologies, deafness, skin disorders, cataracts and cancer. Gap junctions are highly dynamic structures and by modulating the turnover rate of connexins, cells can rapidly alter the number of gap junction channels at the plasma membrane in response to extracellular or intracellular cues. Increasing evidence suggests that ubiquitination has important roles in the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation of connexins as well as in the modulation of gap junction endocytosis and post-endocytic sorting of connexins to lysosomes. In recent years, researchers have also started to provide insights into the physiological roles of connexin ubiquitination in specific tissue types. This review provides an overview of the advances made in understanding the roles of connexin ubiquitination in the regulation of gap junction intercellular communication and discusses the emerging physiological and pathophysiological implications of these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Zachrisson Totland
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424, Oslo, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nikoline Lander Rasmussen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424, Oslo, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Lars Mørland Knudsen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424, Oslo, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Edward Leithe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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Green KJ, Jaiganesh A, Broussard JA. Desmosomes: Essential contributors to an integrated intercellular junction network. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 31942240 PMCID: PMC6944264 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20942.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of adhesive connections between cells was critical for the evolution of multicellularity and for organizing cells into complex organs with discrete compartments. Four types of intercellular junction are present in vertebrates: desmosomes, adherens junctions, tight junctions, and gap junctions. All are essential for the development of the embryonic layers and organs as well as adult tissue homeostasis. While each junction type is defined as a distinct entity, it is now clear that they cooperate physically and functionally to create a robust and functionally diverse system. During evolution, desmosomes first appeared in vertebrates as highly specialized regions at the plasma membrane that couple the intermediate filament cytoskeleton at points of strong cell–cell adhesion. Here, we review how desmosomes conferred new mechanical and signaling properties to vertebrate cells and tissues through their interactions with the existing junctional and cytoskeletal network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen J Green
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Avinash Jaiganesh
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joshua A Broussard
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Cohen-Barak E, Godsel LM, Koetsier JL, Hegazy M, Kushnir-Grinbaum D, Hammad H, Danial-Farran N, Harmon R, Khayat M, Bochner R, Peled A, Rozenblat M, Krausz J, Sarig O, Johnson JL, Ziv M, Shalev SA, Sprecher E, Green KJ. The Role of Desmoglein 1 in Gap Junction Turnover Revealed through the Study of SAM Syndrome. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 140:556-567.e9. [PMID: 31465738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.08.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
An effective epidermal barrier requires structural and functional integration of adherens junctions, tight junctions, gap junctions (GJ), and desmosomes. Desmosomes govern epidermal integrity while GJs facilitate small molecule transfer across cell membranes. Some patients with severe dermatitis, multiple allergies, and metabolic wasting (SAM) syndrome, caused by biallelic desmoglein 1 (DSG1) mutations, exhibit skin lesions reminiscent of erythrokeratodermia variabilis, caused by mutations in connexin (Cx) genes. We, therefore, examined whether SAM syndrome-causing DSG1 mutations interfere with Cx expression and GJ function. Lesional skin biopsies from SAM syndrome patients (n = 7) revealed decreased Dsg1 and Cx43 plasma membrane localization compared with control and nonlesional skin. Cultured keratinocytes and organotypic skin equivalents depleted of Dsg1 exhibited reduced Cx43 expression, rescued upon re-introduction of wild-type Dsg1, but not Dsg1 constructs modeling SAM syndrome-causing mutations. Ectopic Dsg1 expression increased cell-cell dye transfer, which Cx43 silencing inhibited, suggesting that Dsg1 promotes GJ function through Cx43. As GJA1 gene expression was not decreased upon Dsg1 loss, we hypothesized that Cx43 reduction was due to enhanced protein degradation. Supporting this, PKC-dependent Cx43 S368 phosphorylation, which signals Cx43 turnover, increased after Dsg1 depletion, while lysosomal inhibition restored Cx43 levels. These data reveal a role for Dsg1 in regulating epidermal Cx43 turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eran Cohen-Barak
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Dermatology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel; Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lisa M Godsel
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jennifer L Koetsier
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Marihan Hegazy
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Helwe Hammad
- Department of Dermatology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | | | - Robert Harmon
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Morad Khayat
- The Genetic Institute, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Ron Bochner
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alon Peled
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mati Rozenblat
- Department of Dermatology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Judit Krausz
- Department of Pathology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Ofer Sarig
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jodi L Johnson
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael Ziv
- Department of Dermatology, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Stavit A Shalev
- Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel; The Genetic Institute, "Emek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Eli Sprecher
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kathleen J Green
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Transcriptomic Analysis Provides Novel Insights into Heat Stress Responses in Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9060387. [PMID: 31238576 PMCID: PMC6617286 DOI: 10.3390/ani9060387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The general increase in global temperatures has meant that heat stress has become an increasingly significant problem for sheep. This has both direct and indirect impact on their physiological functions, productivity, and health of sheep. Sheep generally live in high-temperature environments; however, the genes and pathways that play regulatory roles in the heat stress responses of sheep remain unclear. In this study, we applied RNA-Seq technology to analyze liver tissues of sheep from heat-stressed and control groups, and screened genes and pathways related to sheep heat stress. This work provides a theoretical foundation for the breeding and production of heat-resistant sheep. Abstract With the intensified and large-scale development of sheep husbandry and global warming, sheep heat stress has become an increasingly important issue. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms related to sheep responses to heat stress. In this study, transcriptomic analysis of liver tissues of sheep in the presence and absence of heat stress was conducted, with the goal of identifying genes and pathways related to regulation when under such stress. After a comparison with the sheep reference genome, 440,226,436 clean reads were obtained from eight libraries. A p-value ≤ 0.05 and fold change ≥ 2 were taken as thresholds for categorizing differentially expressed genes, of which 1137 were identified. The accuracy and reliability of the RNA-Seq results were confirmed by qRT-PCR. The identified differentially expressed genes were significantly associated with 419 GO terms and 51 KEGG pathways, which suggested their participation in biological processes such as response to stress, immunoreaction, and fat metabolism. This study’s results provide a comprehensive overview of sheep heat stress-induced transcriptional expression patterns, laying a foundation for further analysis of the molecular mechanisms of sheep heat stress.
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Elliott PM, Anastasakis A, Asimaki A, Basso C, Bauce B, Brooke MA, Calkins H, Corrado D, Duru F, Green KJ, Judge DP, Kelsell D, Lambiase PD, McKenna WJ, Pilichou K, Protonotarios A, Saffitz JE, Syrris P, Tandri H, Te Riele A, Thiene G, Tsatsopoulou A, van Tintelen JP. Definition and treatment of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: an updated expert panel report. Eur J Heart Fail 2019; 21:955-964. [PMID: 31210398 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.1534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is 35 years since the first description of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and more than 20 years since the first reports establishing desmosomal gene mutations as a major cause of the disease. Early advances in the understanding of the clinical, pathological and genetic architecture of ARVC resulted in consensus diagnostic criteria, which proved to be sensitive but not entirely specific for the disease. In more recent years, clinical and genetic data from families and the recognition of a much broader spectrum of structural disorders affecting both ventricles and associated with a propensity to ventricular arrhythmia have raised many questions about pathogenesis, disease terminology and clinical management. In this paper, we present the conclusions of an expert round table that aimed to summarise the current state of the art in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies and to define future research priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perry M Elliott
- University College London & St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Aris Anastasakis
- Unit of Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre, Athens, Greece
| | - Angeliki Asimaki
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St Georges University, London, UK
| | - Cristina Basso
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua-Azienda Ospedaliera, Padua, Italy
| | - Barbara Bauce
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua-Azienda Ospedaliera, Padua, Italy
| | - Matthew A Brooke
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Hugh Calkins
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua-Azienda Ospedaliera, Padua, Italy
| | - Firat Duru
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kathleen J Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel P Judge
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - David Kelsell
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Pier D Lambiase
- University College London & St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - William J McKenna
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kalliopi Pilichou
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua-Azienda Ospedaliera, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Jeffrey E Saffitz
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Syrris
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Hari Tandri
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anneline Te Riele
- Division of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gaetano Thiene
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua-Azienda Ospedaliera, Padua, Italy
| | | | - J Peter van Tintelen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Genetics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Schinner C, Erber BM, Yeruva S, Waschke J. Regulation of cardiac myocyte cohesion and gap junctions via desmosomal adhesion. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2019; 226:e13242. [PMID: 30582290 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Mutations in desmosomal proteins can induce arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy with life-threatening arrhythmia. Previous data demonstrated adrenergic signalling to be important to regulate desmosomal cohesion in cardiac myocytes. Here, we investigated how signalling pathways including adrenergic signalling, PKC and SERCA regulate desmosomal adhesion and how this controls gap junctions (GJs) in cardiac myocytes. METHODS Immunostaining, Western blot, dissociation assay and multi-electrode array were applied in HL-1 cardiac myocytes to evaluate localization, expression and function of desmosomal and GJ components. cAMP levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS Activation of PKC by PMA or adrenergic signalling increased cell cohesion and desmoglein-2 and desmoplakin localization at cell-cell junctions, whereas tryptophan (Trp) treatment to inhibit cadherin binding or inhibition of SERCA by thapsigargin reduced cell cohesion, while cAMP elevation rescued this effect. Despite no changes in protein expression, accumulation of GJ protein connexin-43 was detectable at cell-cell contacts in parallel to increased cohesion. Disruption of cell cohesion by Trp, PMA or thapsigargin impaired conduction of excitation comparable to GJ inhibition. cAMP elevation was effective to improve arrhythmia after Trp treatment. Weakened cell cohesion by Trp or depletion of desmoglein-2 or plakoglobin blocked signalling via the β1-adrenergic receptor. Moreover, silencing of desmosomal proteins increased arrhythmia and reduced conduction velocity, which were rescued by cAMP elevation. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate the interplay of GJs, desmosomes and the β1-adrenergic receptor with regulation of their function by cell cohesion, adrenergic and PKC signalling or SERCA inhibition. These results support the identification of new targets to treat arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Schinner
- Faculty of Medicine; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich; Munich Germany
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - Bernd M. Erber
- Faculty of Medicine; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich; Munich Germany
| | - Sunil Yeruva
- Faculty of Medicine; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich; Munich Germany
| | - Jens Waschke
- Faculty of Medicine; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich; Munich Germany
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Biancucci M, Minasov G, Banerjee A, Herrera A, Woida PJ, Kieffer MB, Bindu L, Abreu-Blanco M, Anderson WF, Gaponenko V, Stephen AG, Holderfield M, Satchell KJF. The bacterial Ras/Rap1 site-specific endopeptidase RRSP cleaves Ras through an atypical mechanism to disrupt Ras-ERK signaling. Sci Signal 2018; 11:eaat8335. [PMID: 30279169 PMCID: PMC6309442 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aat8335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway is critical for controlling cell proliferation, and its aberrant activation drives the growth of various cancers. Because many pathogens produce toxins that inhibit Ras activity, efforts to develop effective Ras inhibitors to treat cancer could be informed by studies of Ras inhibition by pathogens. Vibrio vulnificus causes fatal infections in a manner that depends on multifunctional autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin, a toxin that releases bacterial effector domains into host cells. One such domain is the Ras/Rap1-specific endopeptidase (RRSP), which site-specifically cleaves the Switch I domain of the small GTPases Ras and Rap1. We solved the crystal structure of RRSP and found that its backbone shares a structural fold with the EreA/ChaN-like superfamily of enzymes. Unlike other proteases in this family, RRSP is not a metalloprotease. Through nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and nucleotide exchange assays, we determined that the processing of KRAS by RRSP did not release any fragments or cause KRAS to dissociate from its bound nucleotide but instead only locally affected its structure. However, this structural alteration of KRAS was sufficient to disable guanine nucleotide exchange factor-mediated nucleotide exchange and prevent KRAS from binding to RAF. Thus, RRSP is a bacterial effector that represents a previously unrecognized class of protease that disconnects Ras from its signaling network while inducing limited structural disturbance in its target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Biancucci
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - George Minasov
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Avik Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Alfa Herrera
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Patrick J Woida
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Matthew B Kieffer
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lakshman Bindu
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Maria Abreu-Blanco
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Wayne F Anderson
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Vadim Gaponenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Matthew Holderfield
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Karla J F Satchell
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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