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Hawiger J. Advances and transgressions of nuclear transport checkpoint inhibitors. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1181-1184. [PMID: 38574737 PMCID: PMC11081865 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Hawiger
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, USA.
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2
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Chiusa M, Lee YA, Zhang MZ, Harris RC, Sherrill T, Lindner V, Brooks CR, Yu G, Fogo AB, Flynn CR, Zienkiewicz J, Hawiger J, Zent R, Pozzi A. Cytoplasmic retention of the DNA/RNA-binding protein FUS ameliorates organ fibrosis in mice. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e175158. [PMID: 38488009 PMCID: PMC10940094 DOI: 10.1172/jci175158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Uncontrolled accumulation of extracellular matrix leads to tissue fibrosis and loss of organ function. We previously demonstrated in vitro that the DNA/RNA-binding protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) promotes fibrotic responses by translocating to the nucleus, where it initiates collagen gene transcription. However, it is still not known whether FUS is profibrotic in vivo and whether preventing its nuclear translocation might inhibit development of fibrosis following injury. We now demonstrate that levels of nuclear FUS are significantly increased in mouse models of kidney and liver fibrosis. To evaluate the direct role of FUS nuclear translocation in fibrosis, we used mice that carry a mutation in the FUS nuclear localization sequence (FUSR521G) and the cell-penetrating peptide CP-FUS-NLS that we previously showed inhibits FUS nuclear translocation in vitro. We provide evidence that FUSR521G mice or CP-FUS-NLS-treated mice showed reduced nuclear FUS and fibrosis following injury. Finally, differential gene expression analysis and immunohistochemistry of tissues from individuals with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis revealed significant upregulation of FUS and/or collagen genes and FUS protein nuclear localization in diseased organs. These results demonstrate that injury-induced nuclear translocation of FUS contributes to fibrosis and highlight CP-FUS-NLS as a promising therapeutic option for organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Chiusa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | - Youngmin A. Lee
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ming-Zhi Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | - Raymond C. Harris
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Taylor Sherrill
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Volkhard Lindner
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Health Institute for Research, Scarborough, Maine, USA
| | - Craig R. Brooks
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | - Gang Yu
- Department of Neuroscience, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Agnes B. Fogo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Charles R. Flynn
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jozef Zienkiewicz
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jacek Hawiger
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Roy Zent
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ambra Pozzi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Zhang L, Luo L, Liu C, Li Z. Novel KMT2B gene mutation in MUC4 positive low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Diagn Pathol 2024; 19:30. [PMID: 38347522 PMCID: PMC10860237 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-024-01458-5] [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: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma(LGFM)is a rare fibrosarcoma, which mainly occurs in young people and is mostly seen in the trunk and limbs. The tumor is usually FUS-CREB3L2 fusion caused by t(7;16)(q32-34;p11)chromosome translocation, and rarely FUS-CREB3L1 and EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusion. MUC4 diffuse strong positive can be used as a specific index of LGFM. LGFM is similar to Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma(SEF) and may have the same origin. CASE PRESENTATION We report a case of LGFM in the chest wall. A female who is 59 years old. In 2016, CT showed dense nodule shadow and focal thickening of the left pleura, the patient underwent surgery, Pathological report that low to moderate malignant fibrosarcoma(fibromyxoid type). The CT re-examination in 2021 showed that the tumors on the left chest wall were significantly larger than before. Pathological examination showed the disease is composed of alternating collagen like and mucinous areas. Under high-power microscope, the tumor cells are consistent in shape, spindle or short spindle, and the tumor cells are arranged in bundles. In local areas, the density of tumor cells is significantly increased, mixed with collagen fibers, and small focal SEF appear. The result of immunohistochemistry showed that SMA, Desmin, CD34, STAT6, S100, SOX10, HMB45 and Melan A were negative, EMA was weakly positive, MUC4 was diffuse and strongly positive, and Ki67 index was low (3%). CONCLUSION Sequencing results showed that MET, EGFR, KMT2B and RET gene were mutated in LGFM, and KMT2B gene had cancer promoting effect, but there was no literature report in LGFM, which may be of certain significance for the diagnosis and treatment of LGFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liying Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luqiao Luo
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
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Rekad Z, Ruff M, Radwanska A, Grall D, Ciais D, Van Obberghen-Schilling E. Coalescent RNA-localizing and transcriptional activities of SAM68 modulate adhesion and subendothelial basement membrane assembly. eLife 2023; 12:e85165. [PMID: 37585334 PMCID: PMC10431919 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell interactions with their extracellular matrix are essential for vascular homeostasis and expansion. Large-scale proteomic analyses aimed at identifying components of integrin adhesion complexes have revealed the presence of several RNA binding proteins (RBPs) of which the functions at these sites remain poorly understood. Here, we explored the role of the RBP SAM68 (Src associated in mitosis, of 68 kDa) in endothelial cells. We found that SAM68 is transiently localized at the edge of spreading cells where it participates in membrane protrusive activity and the conversion of nascent adhesions to mechanically loaded focal adhesions by modulation of integrin signaling and local delivery of β-actin mRNA. Furthermore, SAM68 depletion impacts cell-matrix interactions and motility through induction of key matrix genes involved in vascular matrix assembly. In a 3D environment SAM68-dependent functions in both tip and stalk cells contribute to the process of sprouting angiogenesis. Altogether, our results identify the RBP SAM68 as a novel actor in the dynamic regulation of blood vessel networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Rekad
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBVNiceFrance
| | - Michaël Ruff
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBVNiceFrance
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Qiao H, Zienkiewicz J, Liu Y, Hawiger J. Activation of thousands of genes in the lungs and kidneys by sepsis is countered by the selective nuclear blockade. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1221102. [PMID: 37638006 PMCID: PMC10450963 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1221102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The steady rise of sepsis globally has reached almost 49 million cases in 2017, and 11 million sepsis-related deaths. The genomic response to sepsis comprising multi-system stage of raging microbial inflammation has been reported in the whole blood, while effective treatment is lacking besides anti-microbial therapy and supportive measures. Here we show that, astoundingly, 6,237 significantly expressed genes in sepsis are increased or decreased in the lungs, the site of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Moreover, 5,483 significantly expressed genes in sepsis are increased or decreased in the kidneys, the site of acute injury (AKI). This massive genomic response to polymicrobial sepsis is countered by the selective nuclear blockade with the cell-penetrating Nuclear Transport Checkpoint Inhibitor (NTCI). It controlled 3,735 sepsis-induced genes in the lungs and 1,951 sepsis-induced genes in the kidneys. The NTCI also reduced without antimicrobial therapy the bacterial dissemination: 18-fold in the blood, 11-fold in the lungs, and 9-fold in the spleen. This enhancement of bacterial clearance was not significant in the kidneys. Cumulatively, identification of the sepsis-responsive host's genes and their control by the selective nuclear blockade advances a better understanding of the multi-system mechanism of sepsis. Moreover, it spurs much-needed new diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Qiao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, TN, United States
| | - Jozef Zienkiewicz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, TN, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, Tennessee, TN, United States
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, TN, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, Tennessee, TN, United States
| | - Jacek Hawiger
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, TN, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, Tennessee, TN, United States
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, TN, United States
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Cerrato CP, Langel Ü. An update on cell-penetrating peptides with intracellular organelle targeting. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2022; 19:133-146. [PMID: 35086398 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2022.2034784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) technologies represent an important strategy to address drug delivery to specific intracellular compartments by covalent conjugation to targeting sequences, potentially enabling strategies to combat most diseases. AREAS COVERED This updated review article provides an overview of current intracellular organelle targeting by CPP. The targeting strategies of CPP and CPP/cargo complexes to specific cells or intracellular organelles are summarized, and the review provides an update on the current data for their pharmacological and therapeutical applications. EXPERT OPINION Targeted drug delivery is moving from the level of tissue or specific pathogenic cell to the level of specific organelle that is the target of the drug, an important aspect in drug design and development. Organelle-targeted drug delivery results in improved efficacy, ability to control mode of action, reduction of undesired toxicities and side effects, and possibility to overcome drug resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Liu Y, Zienkiewicz J, Boyd KL, Smith TE, Xu ZQ, Hawiger J. Hyperlipidemic hypersensitivity to lethal microbial inflammation and its reversal by selective targeting of nuclear transport shuttles. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11907. [PMID: 34099795 PMCID: PMC8184916 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91395-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperlipidemia, the hallmark of Metabolic Syndrome that afflicts millions of people worldwide, exacerbates life-threatening infections. We present a new evidence for the mechanism of hyperlipidemic hypersensitivity to microbial inflammation caused by pathogen-derived inducer, LPS. We demonstrate that hyperlipidemic animals succumbed to a non-lethal dose of LPS whereas normolipidemic controls survived. Strikingly, survival of hyperlipidemic animals was restored when the nuclear import of stress-responsive transcription factors (SRTFs), Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins (SREBPs), and Carbohydrate-Responsive Element-Binding Proteins (ChREBPs) was impeded by targeting the nuclear transport checkpoint with cell-penetrating, biselective nuclear transport modifier (NTM) peptide. Furthermore, the burst of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, microvascular endothelial injury in the liver, lungs, heart, and kidneys, and trafficking of inflammatory cells were also suppressed. To dissect the role of nuclear transport signaling pathways we designed and developed importin-selective NTM peptides. Selective targeting of the importin α5, ferrying SRTFs and ChREBPs, protected 70-100% hyperlipidemic animals. Targeting importin β1, that transports SREBPs, was only effective after 3-week treatment that lowered blood triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, and averted fatty liver. Thus, the mechanism of hyperlipidemic hypersensitivity to lethal microbial inflammation depends on metabolic and proinflammatory transcription factors mobilization, which can be counteracted by targeting the nuclear transport checkpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jozef Zienkiewicz
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kelli L Boyd
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Taylor E Smith
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Zhi-Qi Xu
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jacek Hawiger
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 21st Avenue South, T-1218, MCN, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this study was to summarize recent findings about the role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in acute kidney injury and in progression of chronic kidney injury. RECENT FINDINGS There is increasing evidence that EGFR activation occurs as a response to either ischemic or toxic kidney injury and EGFR signalling plays an important role in recovery of epithelial integrity. However, with incomplete recovery or in conditions predisposing to progressive glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury, aberrant persistent EGFR signalling is a causal mediator of progressive fibrotic injury. New studies have implicated activation of HIPPO/YAP signalling as a component of EGFR's actions in the kidney. There is also new evidence for sex disparities in kidney EGFR expression and activation after injury, with a male predominance that is mediated by androgens. SUMMARY There is increasing evidence for an important role for EGFR signalling in mediation of kidney injury, raising the possibility that interruption of the signalling cascade could limit progression of development of progressive kidney fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond C Harris
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Center for Kidney Disease, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Abstract
The Vanderbilt O'Brien Kidney Center (VOKC) is one of the eight National Institutes of Health P30-funded centers in the United States. The mission of these core-based centers is to provide technical and conceptual support to enhance and facilitate research in the field of kidney diseases. The goal of the VOKC is to provide support to understand mechanisms and identify potential therapies for acute and chronic kidney disease. The services provided by the VOKC are meant to help the scientific community to have the right support and tools as well as to select the right animal model, statistical analysis, and clinical study design to perform innovative research and translate discoveries into personalized care to prevent, diagnose, and cure kidney disease. To achieve these goals, the VOKC has in place a program to foster collaborative investigation into critical questions of kidney disease, to personalize diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease, and to disseminate information about kidney disease and the benefits of VOKC services and research. The VOKC is complemented by state-of-the-art cores and an education and outreach program whose goals are to provide an educational platform to enhance the study of kidney disease, to publicize information about services available through the VOKC, and to provide information about kidney disease to patients and other interested members of the community. In this review, we highlight the major services and contributions of the VOKC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Pozzi
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.,Vanderbilt Center for Kidney Disease, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.,Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Raymond C Harris
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.,Vanderbilt Center for Kidney Disease, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.,Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee
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