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Dardas Z, Fatih JM, Jolly A, Dawood M, Du H, Grochowski CM, Jones EG, Jhangiani SN, Wehrens XHT, Liu P, Bi W, Boerwinkle E, Posey JE, Muzny DM, Gibbs RA, Lupski JR, Coban-Akdemir Z, Morris SA. NODAL variants are associated with a continuum of laterality defects from simple D-transposition of the great arteries to heterotaxy. Genome Med 2024; 16:53. [PMID: 38570875 PMCID: PMC10988827 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01312-9] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NODAL signaling plays a critical role in embryonic patterning and heart development in vertebrates. Genetic variants resulting in perturbations of the TGF-β/NODAL signaling pathway have reproducibly been shown to cause laterality defects in humans. To further explore this association and improve genetic diagnosis, the study aims to identify and characterize a broader range of NODAL variants in a large number of individuals with laterality defects. METHODS We re-analyzed a cohort of 321 proband-only exomes of individuals with clinically diagnosed laterality congenital heart disease (CHD) using family-based, rare variant genomic analyses. To this cohort we added 12 affected subjects with known NODAL variants and CHD from institutional research and clinical cohorts to investigate an allelic series. For those with candidate contributory variants, variant allele confirmation and segregation analysis were studied by Sanger sequencing in available family members. Array comparative genomic hybridization and droplet digital PCR were utilized for copy number variants (CNV) validation and characterization. We performed Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)-based quantitative phenotypic analyses to dissect allele-specific phenotypic differences. RESULTS Missense, nonsense, splice site, indels, and/or structural variants of NODAL were identified as potential causes of heterotaxy and other laterality defects in 33 CHD cases. We describe a recurrent complex indel variant for which the nucleic acid secondary structure predictions implicate secondary structure mutagenesis as a possible mechanism for formation. We identified two CNV deletion alleles spanning NODAL in two unrelated CHD cases. Furthermore, 17 CHD individuals were found (16/17 with known Hispanic ancestry) to have the c.778G > A:p.G260R NODAL missense variant which we propose reclassification from variant of uncertain significance (VUS) to likely pathogenic. Quantitative HPO-based analyses of the observed clinical phenotype for all cases with p.G260R variation, including heterozygous, homozygous, and compound heterozygous cases, reveal clustering of individuals with biallelic variation. This finding provides evidence for a genotypic-phenotypic correlation and an allele-specific gene dosage model. CONCLUSION Our data further support a role for rare deleterious variants in NODAL as a cause for sporadic human laterality defects, expand the repertoire of observed anatomical complexity of potential cardiovascular anomalies, and implicate an allele specific gene dosage model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zain Dardas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jawid M Fatih
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Angad Jolly
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Moez Dawood
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Haowei Du
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Edward G Jones
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Shalini N Jhangiani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xander H T Wehrens
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Baylor Genetics, Houston, TX, 77021, USA
| | - Weimin Bi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Baylor Genetics, Houston, TX, 77021, USA
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer E Posey
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Donna M Muzny
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zeynep Coban-Akdemir
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Shaine A Morris
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Yadav ML, Ranjan P, Das P, Jain D, Kumar A, Mohapatra B. Implication of rare genetic variants of NODAL and ACVR1B in congenital heart disease patients from Indian population. Exp Cell Res 2021; 409:112869. [PMID: 34666056 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112869] [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: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
NODAL signaling plays an essential role in vertebrate embryonic patterning and heart development. Accumulating evidences suggest that genetic mutations in TGF-β/NODAL signaling pathway can cause congenital heart disease in humans. To investigate the implication of NODAL signaling in isolated cardiovascular malformation, we have screened 300 non-syndromic CHD cases and 200 controls for NODAL and ACVR1B by Sanger sequencing and identified two rare missense (c.152C > T; p.P51L and c.981 T > A; p.D327E) variants in NODAL and a novel missense variant c.1035G > A; p.M345I in ACVR1B. All these variants are absent in 200 controls. Three-dimensional protein-modelling demonstrates that both p.P51L and p.D327E variations of NODAL and p.M345I mutation of ACVR1B, affect the tertiary structure of respective proteins. Variants of NODAL (p.P51L and p.D327E) and ACVR1B (p.M345I), significantly reduce the transactivation of AR3-Luc, (CAGA)12-Luc and (SBE)4-Luc promoters. Moreover, qRT-PCR results have also deciphered a reduction in the expression of cardiac-enriched transcription factors namely Gata4, Nkx2-5, and Tbx5 in both the mutants of NODAL. Decreased expression of, Gata4, Nkx2-5, Tbx5, and lefty is observed in p.M345I mutant of ACVR1B as well. Additionally, reduced phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 in response to these variants, suggests impaired NODAL signaling and possibly responsible for defective cell fate decision and differentiation of cardiomyocytes leading to CHD phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manohar Lal Yadav
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Prashant Ranjan
- Center of Genetic Disorders, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Parimal Das
- Center of Genetic Disorders, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dharmendra Jain
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Bhagyalaxmi Mohapatra
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Llobat L. Pluripotency and Growth Factors in Early Embryonic Development of Mammals: A Comparative Approach. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8050078. [PMID: 34064445 PMCID: PMC8147802 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8050078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of early events in mammalian embryonic development is a complex process. In the early stages, pluripotency, cellular differentiation, and growth should occur at specific times and these events are regulated by different genes that are expressed at specific times and locations. The genes related to pluripotency and cellular differentiation, and growth factors that determine successful embryonic development are different (or differentially expressed) among mammalian species. Some genes are fundamental for controlling pluripotency in some species but less fundamental in others, for example, Oct4 is particularly relevant in bovine early embryonic development, whereas Oct4 inhibition does not affect ovine early embryonic development. In addition, some mechanisms that regulate cellular differentiation do not seem to be clear or evolutionarily conserved. After cellular differentiation, growth factors are relevant in early development, and their effects also differ among species, for example, insulin-like growth factor improves the blastocyst development rate in some species but does not have the same effect in mice. Some growth factors influence genes related to pluripotency, and therefore, their role in early embryo development is not limited to cell growth but could also involve the earliest stages of development. In this review, we summarize the differences among mammalian species regarding the regulation of pluripotency, cellular differentiation, and growth factors in the early stages of embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Llobat
- Research Group Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (PROVAGINBIO), Department of Animal Production and Health, Veterinary Public Health and Food Science and Technology (PASAPTA) Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Valencia, Spain
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Varshney A, Chahal G, Santos L, Stolper J, Hallab JC, Nim HT, Nikolov M, Yip A, Ramialison M. Human Cardiac Transcription Factor Networks. SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11597-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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5
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Zhao H, Jin Y. Signaling networks in the control of pluripotency. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2017; 46:141-148. [PMID: 28806594 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2017.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are characterized by their ability of unlimited self-renewal in vitro and pluripotent developmental potential, which endows them with great values in basic research and future clinical application. However, realization of full potential of ESCs is dependent on the elucidation of molecular mechanisms governing ESCs, among which signaling pathways play critical roles. A great deal of efforts has been made in the past decades to understand what and how signaling pathways contribute to the establishment and maintenance of pluripotency. In this review, we discuss signaling networks in both mouse and human ESCs, focusing on signals involved in the control of self-renewal and differentiation. In addition, the modulation of signaling pathways by pluripotency-associated transcription factors is also briefly summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanzhi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Jin
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Haplodeficiency of activin receptor-like kinase 4 alleviates myocardial infarction-induced cardiac fibrosis and preserves cardiac function. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2017; 105:1-11. [PMID: 28214509 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis (CF), a repairing process following myocardial infarction (MI), is characterized by abnormal proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) resulting in inevitable resultant heart failure. TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β)/ALK5 (Activin receptor-like kinase 5)/Smad2/3/4 pathways have been reported to be involved in the process. Recent studies have implicated both activin and its specific downstream component ALK4 in stimulating fibrosis in non-cardiac organs. We recently reported that ALK4 is upregulated in the pressure-overloaded heart and its partial inhibition attenuated the pressure overload-induced CF and cardiac dysfunction. However, the role of ALK4 in the pathogenesis of MI-induced CF, which is usually more severe than that induced by pressure-overload, remains unknown. Here we report: 1) In a wild-type mouse model of MI, ALK4 upregulation was restricted in the fibroblasts of the infarct border zone; 2) In contrast, ALK4+/- mice with a haplodeficiency of ALK4 gene, showed a significantly attenuated CF in the border zone, with a smaller scar size, a preserved cardiac function and an improved survival rate post-MI; 3) Similarly to pressure-overloaded heart, these beneficial effects might be through a partial inactivation of the Smad3/4 pathway but not MAPK cascades; 4) The apoptotic rate of the cardiomyocytes were indistinguishable in the border zone of the wild-type control and ALK4+/- mice; 5) Cardiac fibroblasts isolated from ALK4+/- mice showed reduced migration, proliferation and ECM synthesis in response to hypoxia. These results indicate that partial inhibition of ALK4 may reduce MI-induced CF, suggesting ALK4 as a novel target for inhibition of unfavorable CF and for preservation of LV systolic function induced by not only pressure-overload but also MI.
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7
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Shoni M, Lui KO, Vavvas DG, Muto MG, Berkowitz RS, Vlahos N, Ng SW. Protein kinases and associated pathways in pluripotent state and lineage differentiation. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2015; 9:366-87. [PMID: 24998240 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x09666140616130217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2014] [Revised: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases (PKs) mediate the reversible conversion of substrate proteins to phosphorylated forms, a key process in controlling intracellular signaling transduction cascades. Pluripotency is, among others, characterized by specifically expressed PKs forming a highly interconnected regulatory network that culminates in a finely-balanced molecular switch. Current high-throughput phosphoproteomic approaches have shed light on the specific regulatory PKs and their function in controlling pluripotent states. Pluripotent cell-derived endothelial and hematopoietic developments represent an example of the importance of pluripotency in cancer therapeutics and organ regeneration. This review attempts to provide the hitherto known kinome profile and the individual characterization of PK-related pathways that regulate pluripotency. Elucidating the underlying intrinsic and extrinsic signals may improve our understanding of the different pluripotent states, the maintenance or induction of pluripotency, and the ability to tailor lineage differentiation, with a particular focus on endothelial cell differentiation for anti-cancer treatment, cell-based tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shu-Wing Ng
- 221 Longwood Avenue, BLI- 449A, Boston MA 02115, USA.
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8
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Richter A, Valdimarsdottir L, Hrafnkelsdottir HE, Runarsson JF, Omarsdottir AR, Ward-van Oostwaard D, Mummery C, Valdimarsdottir G. BMP4 promotes EMT and mesodermal commitment in human embryonic stem cells via SLUG and MSX2. Stem Cells 2014; 32:636-48. [PMID: 24549638 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) initiate differentiation in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) but the exact mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. We demonstrate here that SLUG and MSX2, transcription factors involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, essential features of gastrulation in development and tumor progression, are important mediators of BMP4-induced differentiation in hESCs. Phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 colocalized with the SLUG protein at the edges of hESC colonies where differentiation takes place. The upregulation of the BMP target SLUG was direct as shown by the binding of phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 to its promoter, which interrupted the formation of adhesion proteins, resulting in migration. Knockdown of SLUG by short hairpin RNA blocked these changes, confirming an important role for SLUG in BMP-mediated mesodermal differentiation. Furthermore, BMP4-induced MSX2 expression leads to mesoderm formation and then preferential differentiation toward the cardiovascular lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Richter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioMedical Center, University of Iceland, Iceland
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9
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Lin HS, Gong JN, Su R, Chen MT, Song L, Shen C, Wang F, Ma YN, Zhao HL, Yu J, Li WW, Huang LX, Xu XH, Zhang JW. miR-199a-5p inhibits monocyte/macrophage differentiation by targeting the activin A type 1B receptor gene and finally reducing C/EBPα expression. J Leukoc Biol 2014; 96:1023-35. [PMID: 25258381 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1a0514-240r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
miRNAs are short, noncoding RNAs that regulate expression of target genes at post-transcriptional levels and function in many important cellular processes, including differentiation, proliferation, etc. In this study, we observed down-regulation of miR-199a-5p during monocyte/macrophage differentiation of HL-60 and THP-1 cells, as well as human CD34(+) HSPCs. This down-regulation of miR-199a-5p resulted from the up-regulation of PU.1 that was demonstrated to regulate transcription of the miR-199a-2 gene negatively. Overexpression of miR-199a-5p by miR-199a-5p mimic transfection or lentivirus-mediated gene transfer significantly inhibited monocyte/macrophage differentiation of the cell lines or HSPCs. The mRNA encoding an ACVR1B was identified as a direct target of miR-199a-5p. Gradually increased ACVR1B expression level was detected during monocyte/macrophage differentiation of the leukemic cell lines and HSPCs, and knockdown of ACVR1B resulted in inhibition of monocyte/macrophage differentiation of HL-60 and THP-1 cells, which suggested that ACVR1B functions as a positive regulator of monocyte/macrophage differentiation. We demonstrated that miR-199a-5p overexpression or ACVR1B knockdown promoted proliferation of THP-1 cells through increasing phosphorylation of Rb. We also demonstrated that the down-regulation of ACVR1B reduced p-Smad2/3, which resulted in decreased expression of C/EBPα, a key regulator of monocyte/macrophage differentiation, and finally, inhibited monocyte/macrophage differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Shuang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Nan Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Su
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Tai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Li Song
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Ni Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hua-Lu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Wei Li
- Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Li-Xia Huang
- First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China; and
| | - Xin-Hua Xu
- Taizhou Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jun-Wu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China;
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Wu L, Jia Z, Yan L, Wang W, Wang J, Zhang Y, Zhou C. Angiotensin II promotes cardiac differentiation of embryonic stem cells via angiotensin type 1 receptor. Differentiation 2013; 86:23-9. [PMID: 23933399 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
As embryonic stem cells (ESCs) represent an attractive candidate cell source for obtaining cardiomyocytes to be used in cell replacement therapy, it is thus of considerable importance to understand the mechanism by which cardiac differentiation is regulated. In previous studies, we have shown that angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) expressed in cardiomyocytes derived from mouse embryonic stem cells. However, little is known about the role of AT1R in cardiac differentiation, which plays a key role in cardiac physiology and pharmacology. In the present study, we demonstrated that AT1R agonist significantly enhanced cardiac differentiation as determined by increased percentage of beating embryoid bodies and a higher expression level of cardiac markers. On the contrary, AT1R agonist stimulated differentiation was reversed in the presence of AT1R antagonist. In addition, by administering selective inhibitors we found that the effect of AT1R was driven via extracellular-signal regulated kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. These findings suggest that AT1R signaling plays a key role in cardiac differentiation of ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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11
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Lee TJ, Jang J, Kang S, Jin M, Shin H, Kim DW, Kim BS. Enhancement of osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells by mesodermal lineage induction with BMP-4 and FGF2 treatment. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.11.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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12
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Abstract
Heart attack remains the leading cause of death in both men and women worldwide. Stem cell-based therapies, including the use of engineered cardiac tissues, have the potential to treat the massive cell loss and pathological remodeling resulting from heart attack. Specifically, embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are a promising source for generation of therapeutically relevant numbers of functional cardiomyocytes and engineering of cardiac tissues in vitro. This review will describe methodologies for successful differentiation of pluripotent stem cells towards the cardiovascular cell lineages as they pertain to the field of cardiac tissue engineering. The emphasis will be placed on comparing the functional maturation in engineered cardiac tissues and developing heart and on methods to quantify cardiac electrical and mechanical function at different spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Liau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Cardiology, Duke University, Room 136 Hudson Hall, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Liu J, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Guo C, Gong Y, Yang S, Ma M, Li Z, Gao WQ, He Z. Generation, characterization, and potential therapeutic applications of cardiomyocytes from various stem cells. Stem Cells Dev 2012; 21:2095-110. [PMID: 22428725 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Myocardial cell transplantation emerges as a novel therapeutic strategy for heart failure, but this approach has been hampered by severe shortage of human cardiomyocytes. We have recently induced mouse embryonic stem cells to differentiate into embryoid bodies and eventually, cardiomyocytes. Here, we address recent advancements in cardiomyocyte differentiation from cardiac stem cells and pluripotent stem cells. We highlight the methodologies, using growth factors, endoderm-like cell cocultures, small molecules, and biomaterials, in directing the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes. The characterization and identification of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes by morphological, phenotypic, and functional features are also discussed. Notably, increasing evidence demonstrates that cardiomyocytes may be generated from the stem cells of several tissues outside the cardiovascular system, including skeletal muscles, bone marrow, testes, placenta, amniotic fluid, and adipose tissues. We further address the potential applications of cardiomyocytes derived from various kinds of stem cells. The differentiation of stem cells into functional cardiomyocytes, especially from an extra-cardiac stem cell source, would circumvent the scarcity of heart donors and human cardiomyocytes, and, most importantly, it would offer an ideal and promising cardiomyocyte source for cell therapy and tissue engineering in treating heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfang Liu
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Bernardo AS, Faial T, Gardner L, Niakan KK, Ortmann D, Senner CE, Callery EM, Trotter MW, Hemberger M, Smith JC, Bardwell L, Moffett A, Pedersen RA. BRACHYURY and CDX2 mediate BMP-induced differentiation of human and mouse pluripotent stem cells into embryonic and extraembryonic lineages. Cell Stem Cell 2012; 9:144-55. [PMID: 21816365 PMCID: PMC3567433 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2011.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Revised: 04/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BMP is thought to induce hESC differentiation toward multiple lineages including mesoderm and trophoblast. The BMP-induced trophoblast phenotype is a long-standing paradox in stem cell biology. Here we readdressed BMP function in hESCs and mouse epiblast-derived cells. We found that BMP4 cooperates with FGF2 (via ERK) to induce mesoderm and to inhibit endoderm differentiation. These conditions induced cells with high levels of BRACHYURY (BRA) that coexpressed CDX2. BRA was necessary for and preceded CDX2 expression; both genes were essential for expression not only of mesodermal genes but also of trophoblast-associated genes. Maximal expression of the latter was seen in the absence of FGF but these cells coexpressed mesodermal genes and moreover they differed in cell surface and epigenetic properties from placental trophoblast. We conclude that BMP induces human and mouse pluripotent stem cells primarily to form mesoderm, rather than trophoblast, acting through BRA and CDX2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia S Bernardo
- The Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK.
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Ghrelin promotes differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2011; 32:1239-45. [PMID: 21804576 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2011.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Ghrelin is involved in regulating the differentiation of mesoderm-derived precursor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ghrelin modulated the differentiation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells into cardiomyocytes and, if so, whether the effect was mediated by growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1α (GHS-R1α). METHODS Cardiomyocyte differentiation from hES cells was performed according to an embryoid body (EB)-based protocol. The cumulative percentage of beating EBs was calculated. The expression of cardiac-specific markers including cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) was detected using RT-PCR, real-time PCR and Western blot. The dispersed beating EBs were examined using immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS The percentage of beating EBs and the expression of cTnI were significantly increased after ghrelin (0.1 and 1 nmol/L) added into the differentiation medium. From 6 to 18 d of differentiation, the increased expression of cTnI and α-MHC by ghrelin (1 nmol/L) was time-dependent, and in line with the alteration of the percentages of beating EBs. Furthermore, the dispersed beating EBs were double-positively immunostained with antibodies against cTnI and α-actinin. However, blockage of GHS-R1α with its specific antagonist D-[lys(3)]-GHRP-6 (1 μmol/L) did not alter the effects of ghrelin on cardiomyocyte differentiation. CONCLUSION Our data show that ghrelin enhances the generation of cardiomyocytes from hES cells, which is not mediated via GHS-R1α.
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