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Zhang Z, Wang W, Wei Y, Gu Y, Wang Y, Li X, Wang W. Cloning, tissue distribution of desert hedgehog (dhh) gene and expression profiling during different developmental stages of Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae. Gene Expr Patterns 2022; 46:119277. [PMID: 36152995 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2022.119277] [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: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
As a crucial member of the Hedgehog (Hh) protein family, desert hedgehog (dhh) plays a vital role in multiple developmental processes, cell differentiation and tissue homeostasis. However, it is unclear how it regulates development in fish. In this study, we cloned and characterized the dhh gene from Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae. The full-length cDNA of Pydhh comprises 3194 bp, with a 1386 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a polypeptide of 461 amino acids with a typical HH-signal domain, Hint-N and Hint-C domains. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that the putative PyDHH protein sequence was highly conserved across species, especially in the typical domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the PyDHH clustered within the Pleuronectiformes. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that Pydhh was detected in fourteen different tissues in adult-female and adult-male marbled flounder, and nine different tissues in juvenile fish. During early embryonic development stages, the expression of Pydhh was revealed high levels at hatching stage of embryo development. Moreover, the relative expression of Pydhh was significantly higher in the juvenile liver than adults', and higher in the female skin than the male skin. To further investigate its location, the in situ hybridization (ISH) assay was performed, the results showed that the hybridization signal was obviously expressed in the immune organs of Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae, with weak signal expression in the other tissues. Our results suggested that Pydhh is highly conserved among species and plays a vital role in embryonic development and formation of immune related organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biology and Aquaculture of Northern Fishes in Liaoning Province, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Wenjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biology and Aquaculture of Northern Fishes in Liaoning Province, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yanchao Wei
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biology and Aquaculture of Northern Fishes in Liaoning Province, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yixin Gu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biology and Aquaculture of Northern Fishes in Liaoning Province, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biology and Aquaculture of Northern Fishes in Liaoning Province, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Xuejie Li
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biology and Aquaculture of Northern Fishes in Liaoning Province, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biology and Aquaculture of Northern Fishes in Liaoning Province, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China.
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2
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Platova S, Poliushkevich L, Kulakova M, Nesterenko M, Starunov V, Novikova E. Gotta Go Slow: Two Evolutionarily Distinct Annelids Retain a Common Hedgehog Pathway Composition, Outlining Its Pan-Bilaterian Core. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214312. [PMID: 36430788 PMCID: PMC9695228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214312] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling is one of the key regulators of morphogenesis, cell differentiation, and regeneration. While the Hh pathway is present in all bilaterians, it has mainly been studied in model animals such as Drosophila and vertebrates. Despite the conservatism of its core components, mechanisms of signal transduction and additional components vary in Ecdysozoa and Deuterostomia. Vertebrates have multiple copies of the pathway members, which complicates signaling implementation, whereas model ecdysozoans appear to have lost some components due to fast evolution rates. To shed light on the ancestral state of Hh signaling, models from the third clade, Spiralia, are needed. In our research, we analyzed the transcriptomes of two spiralian animals, errantial annelid Platynereis dumerilii (Nereididae) and sedentarian annelid Pygospio elegans (Spionidae). We found that both annelids express almost all Hh pathway components present in Drosophila and mouse. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of the core pathway components and built multiple sequence alignments of the additional key members. Our results imply that the Hh pathway compositions of both annelids share more similarities with vertebrates than with the fruit fly. Possessing an almost complete set of single-copy Hh pathway members, lophotrochozoan signaling composition may reflect the ancestral features of all three bilaterian branches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Platova
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Zoological Institute RAS, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | | | - Milana Kulakova
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Zoological Institute RAS, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (E.N.)
| | | | - Viktor Starunov
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Zoological Institute RAS, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Elena Novikova
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Zoological Institute RAS, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (E.N.)
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3
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Nguyen NM, Cho J. Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors as Targeted Cancer Therapy and Strategies to Overcome Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031733. [PMID: 35163655 PMCID: PMC8835893 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a highly conserved pathway that plays a vital role during embryonic development. Recently, uncontrolled activation of this pathway has been demonstrated in various types of cancer. Therefore, Hh pathway inhibitors have emerged as an important class of anti-cancer agents. Unfortunately, however, their reputation has been tarnished by the emergence of resistance during therapy, necessitating clarification of mechanisms underlying the drug resistance. In this review, we briefly overview canonical and non-canonical Hh pathways and their inhibitors as targeted cancer therapy. In addition, we summarize the mechanisms of resistance to Smoothened (SMO) inhibitors, including point mutations of the drug binding pocket or downstream molecules of SMO, and non-canonical mechanisms to reinforce Hh pathway output. A distinct mechanism involving loss of primary cilia is also described to maintain GLI activity in resistant tumors. Finally, we address the main strategies to circumvent the drug resistance. These strategies include the development of novel and potent inhibitors targeting different components of the canonical Hh pathway or signaling molecules of the non-canonical pathway. Further studies are necessary to avoid emerging resistance to Hh inhibitors and establish an optimal customized regimen with improved therapeutic efficacy to treat various types of cancer, including basal cell carcinoma.
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4
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Roman-Trufero M, Dillon N. The UBE2D ubiquitin conjugating enzymes: Potential regulatory hubs in development, disease and evolution. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1058751. [PMID: 36578786 PMCID: PMC9790923 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1058751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination of cellular proteins plays critical roles in key signalling pathways and in the regulation of protein turnover in eukaryotic cells. E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes function as essential intermediates in ubiquitination reactions by acting as ubiquitin donors for the E3 ubiquitin ligase enzymes that confer substrate specificity. The members of the UBE2D family of E2 enzymes are involved in regulating signalling cascades through ubiquitination of target proteins that include receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and components of the Hedgehog, TGFβ and NFκB pathways. UBE2D enzymes also function in transcriptional control by acting as donors for ubiquitination of histone tails by the Polycomb protein Ring1B and the DNA methylation regulator UHRF1 as well as having roles in DNA repair and regulation of the level of the tumour suppressor p53. Here we review the functional roles and mechanisms of regulation of the UBE2D proteins including recent evidence that regulation of the level of UBE2D3 is critical for controlling ubiquitination of specific targets during development. Cellular levels of UBE2D3 have been shown to be regulated by phosphorylation, which affects folding of the protein, reducing its stability. Specific variations in the otherwise highly conserved UBE2D3 protein sequence in amniotes and in a subgroup of teleost fishes, the Acanthomorpha, suggest that the enzyme has had important roles during vertebrate evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Roman-Trufero
- Centre for Haematology, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niall Dillon
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Marca JEL, Somers WG. The Drosophila gonads: models for stem cell proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. AIMS GENETICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3934/genet.2014.1.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe male and female gonads of Drosophila melanogaster have developed into powerful model systems for both the study of stem cell behaviours, and for understanding how stem cell misregulation can lead to cancers. Using these systems, one is able to observe and manipulate the resident stem cell populations in vivo with a great deal of licence. The tractability of the testis and ovary also allow researchers to explore a range of cellular mechanisms, such as proliferation and polarity, as well as the influence exerted by the local environment through a host of highly-conserved signalling pathways. Importantly, many of the cellular behaviours and processes studied in the Drosophila testis and ovary are known to be disrupted, or otherwise misregulated, in human tumourigenic cells. Here, we review the mechanisms relating to stem cell behaviour, though we acknowledge there are many other fascinating aspects of gametogenesis, including the invasive behaviour of migratory border cells in the Drosophila ovary that, though relevant to the study of tumourigenesis, will unfortunately not be covered.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. La Marca
- Department of Genetics, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
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6
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Curry RN, Glasgow SM. The Role of Neurodevelopmental Pathways in Brain Tumors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:659055. [PMID: 34012965 PMCID: PMC8127784 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.659055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruptions to developmental cell signaling pathways and transcriptional cascades have been implicated in tumor initiation, maintenance and progression. Resurgence of aberrant neurodevelopmental programs in the context of brain tumors highlights the numerous parallels that exist between developmental and oncologic mechanisms. A deeper understanding of how dysregulated developmental factors contribute to brain tumor oncogenesis and disease progression will help to identify potential therapeutic targets for these malignancies. In this review, we summarize the current literature concerning developmental signaling cascades and neurodevelopmentally-regulated transcriptional programs. We also examine their respective contributions towards tumor initiation, maintenance, and progression in both pediatric and adult brain tumors and highlight relevant differentiation therapies and putative candidates for prospective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N. Curry
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX, United States
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Stacey M. Glasgow
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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7
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Brady MV, Vaccarino FM. Role of SHH in Patterning Human Pluripotent Cells towards Ventral Forebrain Fates. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040914. [PMID: 33923415 PMCID: PMC8073580 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexities of human neurodevelopment have historically been challenging to decipher but continue to be of great interest in the contexts of healthy neurobiology and disease. The classic animal models and monolayer in vitro systems have limited the types of questions scientists can strive to answer in addition to the technical ability to answer them. However, the tridimensional human stem cell-derived organoid system provides the unique opportunity to model human development and mimic the diverse cellular composition of human organs. This strategy is adaptable and malleable, and these neural organoids possess the morphogenic sensitivity to be patterned in various ways to generate the different regions of the human brain. Furthermore, recapitulating human development provides a platform for disease modeling. One master regulator of human neurodevelopment in many regions of the human brain is sonic hedgehog (SHH), whose expression gradient and pathway activation are responsible for conferring ventral identity and shaping cellular phenotypes throughout the neural axis. This review first discusses the benefits, challenges, and limitations of using organoids for studying human neurodevelopment and disease, comparing advantages and disadvantages with other in vivo and in vitro model systems. Next, we explore the range of control that SHH exhibits on human neurodevelopment, and the application of SHH to various stem cell methodologies, including organoids, to expand our understanding of human development and disease. We outline how this strategy will eventually bring us much closer to uncovering the intricacies of human neurodevelopment and biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flora M. Vaccarino
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Yale Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Correspondence:
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8
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Arraf AA, Yelin R, Reshef I, Jadon J, Abboud M, Zaher M, Schneider J, Vladimirov FK, Schultheiss TM. Hedgehog Signaling Regulates Epithelial Morphogenesis to Position the Ventral Embryonic Midline. Dev Cell 2020; 53:589-602.e6. [PMID: 32437643 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Despite much progress toward understanding how epithelial morphogenesis is shaped by intra-epithelial processes including contractility, polarity, and adhesion, much less is known regarding how such cellular processes are coordinated by extra-epithelial signaling. During embryogenesis, the coelomic epithelia on the two sides of the chick embryo undergo symmetrical lengthening and thinning, converging medially to generate and position the dorsal mesentery (DM) in the embryonic midline. We find that Hedgehog signaling, acting through downstream effectors Sec5 (ExoC2), an exocyst complex component, and RhoU (Wrch-1), a small GTPase, regulates coelomic epithelium morphogenesis to guide DM midline positioning. These effects are accompanied by changes in epithelial cell-cell alignment and N-cadherin and laminin distribution, suggesting Hedgehog regulation of cell organization within the coelomic epithelium. These results indicate a role for Hedgehog signaling in regulating epithelial morphology and provide an example of how transcellular signaling can modulate specific cellular processes to shape tissue morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa A Arraf
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Ronit Yelin
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Inbar Reshef
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Julian Jadon
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Manar Abboud
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Mira Zaher
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Jenny Schneider
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Fanny K Vladimirov
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Thomas M Schultheiss
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
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9
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Mishra AK, Bernardo-Garcia FJ, Fritsch C, Humberg TH, Egger B, Sprecher SG. Patterning mechanisms diversify neuroepithelial domains in the Drosophila optic placode. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007353. [PMID: 29677185 PMCID: PMC5937791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system develops from monolayered neuroepithelial sheets. In a first step patterning mechanisms subdivide the seemingly uniform epithelia into domains allowing an increase of neuronal diversity in a tightly controlled spatial and temporal manner. In Drosophila, neuroepithelial patterning of the embryonic optic placode gives rise to the larval eye primordium, consisting of two photoreceptor (PR) precursor types (primary and secondary), as well as the optic lobe primordium, which during larval and pupal stages develops into the prominent optic ganglia. Here, we characterize a genetic network that regulates the balance between larval eye and optic lobe precursors, as well as between primary and secondary PR precursors. In a first step the proneural factor Atonal (Ato) specifies larval eye precursors, while the orphan nuclear receptor Tailless (Tll) is crucial for the specification of optic lobe precursors. The Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathways act upstream of Ato and Tll to coordinate neural precursor specification in a timely manner. The correct spatial placement of the boundary between Ato and Tll in turn is required to control the precise number of primary and secondary PR precursors. In a second step, Notch signaling also controls a binary cell fate decision, thus, acts at the top of a cascade of transcription factor interactions to define PR subtype identity. Our model serves as an example of how combinatorial action of cell extrinsic and cell intrinsic factors control neural tissue patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cornelia Fritsch
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Boris Egger
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Simon G. Sprecher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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10
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Characterization of neural stem cells modified with hypoxia/neuron-specific VEGF expression system for spinal cord injury. Gene Ther 2017; 25:27-38. [PMID: 29155421 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2017.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an incurable disease causing an ischemic environment and functional defect, thus a new therapeutic approach is needed for SCI treatment. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent therapeutic gene to treat SCI via angiogenesis and neuroprotection, and both tissue-specific gene expression and high gene delivery efficiency are important for successful gene therapy. Here we design the hypoxia/neuron dual-specific gene expression system (pEpo-NSE) and efficient gene delivery platform can be achieved by the combination ex vivo gene therapy with erythropoietin (Epo) enhancer, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) promoter and neural stem cells (NSCs). An in vitro model, NSCs transfected with pEpo-NSE were consistently and selectively overexpressing therapeutic genes in response to neural differentiation and hypoxic conditions. Also, in SCI model, ex vivo gene therapy using pEpo-NSE system with NSCs significantly enhanced gene delivery efficiency compared with pEpo-NSE system gene therapy alone. However, microarray analysis reveals that introducing exogenous pEpo-NSE and VEGF triggers biological pathways in NSCs such as glycolysis and signaling pathways such as Ras and mitogen-activated protein kinase, leading to cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Collectively, it indicates that the pEpo-NSE gene expression system works stably in NSCs and ex vivo gene therapy using pEpo-NSE system with NSCs improves gene expression efficiency. However, exogenously introduced pEpo-NSE system has an influence on gene expression profiles in NSCs. Therefore, when we consider ex vivo gene therapy for SCI, the effects of changes in gene expression profiles in NSCs on safety should be investigated.
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Abstract
Signaling pathways direct organogenesis, often through concentration-dependent effects on cells. The hedgehog pathway enables cells to sense and respond to hedgehog ligands, of which the best studied is sonic hedgehog. Hedgehog signaling is essential for development, proliferation, and stem cell maintenance, and it is a driver of certain cancers. Lipid metabolism has a profound influence on both hedgehog signal transduction and the properties of the ligands themselves, leading to changes in the strength of hedgehog signaling and cellular functions. Here we review the evolving understanding of the relationship between lipids and hedgehog signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Blassberg
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - John Jacob
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN), Level 6, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK. .,Department of Neurology, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK. .,Milton Keynes University Hospital, Standing Way, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD, UK.
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12
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Sato NS, Maekawa R, Ishiura H, Mitsui J, Naruse H, Tokushige SI, Sugie K, Tate G, Shimizu J, Goto J, Tsuji S, Shiio Y. Partial duplication of DHH causes minifascicular neuropathy: A novel mutation detection of DHH. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2017; 4:415-421. [PMID: 28589169 PMCID: PMC5454394 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Minifascicular neuropathy (MN) is an extremely rare developmental malformation in which peripheral nerves are composed of many small fascicles. Only one patient with MN with 46XY gonadal dysgenesis (GD) was found to carry a mutation affecting the start codon in desert hedgehog (DHH). We identified an identical novel rearrangement mutation of DHH in two consanguineous families with MN, confirming mutations in DHH cause MN with 46XY GD. The patients with the 46XY karyotype developed GD, whereas a patient with the 46XX karyotype did not. These findings further support that DHH has important roles in perineural formation and male gonadal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Saito Sato
- Department of Neurology Graduate School of Medicine The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan.,Department of Neurology Tokyo Teishin Hospital Tokyo Japan
| | - Risa Maekawa
- Department of Neurology Tokyo Teishin Hospital Tokyo Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ishiura
- Department of Neurology Graduate School of Medicine The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Jun Mitsui
- Department of Neurology Graduate School of Medicine The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Hiroya Naruse
- Department of Neurology Graduate School of Medicine The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan.,Department of Neurology Tokyo Teishin Hospital Tokyo Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Tokushige
- Department of Neurology Graduate School of Medicine The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Kazuma Sugie
- Department of Neurology Nara Medical University Nara Japan
| | - Genshu Tate
- Department of Surgical Pathology Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital Kanagawa Japan
| | - Jun Shimizu
- Department of Neurology Graduate School of Medicine The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Jun Goto
- Department of Neurology Graduate School of Medicine The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan.,Department of Neurology International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital Tokyo Japan
| | - Shoji Tsuji
- Department of Neurology Graduate School of Medicine The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Yasushi Shiio
- Department of Neurology Tokyo Teishin Hospital Tokyo Japan
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13
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Bangs F, Anderson KV. Primary Cilia and Mammalian Hedgehog Signaling. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017; 9:cshperspect.a028175. [PMID: 27881449 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a028175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 400] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
It has been a decade since it was discovered that primary cilia have an essential role in Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in mammals. This discovery came from screens in the mouse that identified a set of genes that are required for both normal Hh signaling and for the formation of primary cilia. Since then, dozens of mouse mutations have been identified that disrupt cilia in a variety of ways and have complex effects on Hedgehog signaling. Here, we summarize the genetic and developmental studies used to deduce how Hedgehog signal transduction is linked to cilia and the complex effects that perturbation of cilia structure can have on Hh signaling. We conclude by describing the current status of our understanding of the cell-type-specific regulation of ciliogenesis and how that determines the ability of cells to respond to Hedgehog ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Bangs
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065
| | - Kathryn V Anderson
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065
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14
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Li D, Cheng S, Zhang W, Wang M, Sun C, Zhang C, Wang Y, Jin J, Zhang Y, Li B. Hedgehog-Gli1 signaling regelates differentiation of chicken (Gallus gallus) embryonic stem cells to male germ cells. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 182:9-20. [PMID: 28483168 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Gli1 is an important signaling molecular in Hedgehog signaling pathway. In our study, we explored the adjustment effect of Hedgehog-Gli1 signaling pathway on chicken male germ cells differentiation based on the transcriptome-wide analyses of chicken ESCs, primordial germ cells (PGCs) and spermatogonia stem cells (SSCs) that were associated with male germ cell differentiation. We screened out Hedgehog signaling pathway and identified 8 candidated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Wnt3a, Wnt16, Wnt8a, HHIPL1, Gli1, BMP6, BMP7 and TTLL4. These DEGs expression change trend among blastoderm, genital ridge and testes, from which ESCs, PGCs and SSCs were isolated was the same as RNA-Seq data with quantitative RT-PCR evaluation. Based on retinoic acid (RA) induction of ESCs to SSCs in vitro, Gli1 overexpression has the ability to induce ESCs differentiation and SSCs-like cells formation and high expression of related reproductive genes, like Cvh, C-kit, Blamp1, Prmd14, Stra8, Dazl, integrin α6 and integrin β1 and so on in vitro. While RNAi knockdown of Gli1 can protect ESCs from differentiating into SSCs and correspondingly reduce the expression of the associated reproductive gene in vivo and vitro. Immunochemistry results showed that Gli1 overexpression could increase the expression of PGCs markers Cvh and C-kit and SSCs markers integrin α6 and integrin β1 in vivo, while Gli1 knockdown can have the opposite effect in vivo and in vitro. PAS stain and flow cytometry (FCM) evaluation results indicated the quantity of germ cells is decrease or increase with Gli1 knockdown or overexpression. Collectively, these results uncovered a novel function of Gli1 and demonstrated Hedgehog-Gli1 signaling pathway involved in chicken male germ cell differentiation, where it acts as a facilitator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoze Cheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Man Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Changhua Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yilin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Jin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yani Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bichun Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Abstract
The process of sexual differentiation is central for reproduction of almost all metazoan and therefore for maintenance of practically all multicellular organisms. In sex development we can distinguish two different processes: First, sex determination is the developmental decision that directs the undifferentiated embryo into a sexually dimorphic individual. In mammals, sex determination equals gonadal development. The second process known as sex differentiation takes place once the sex determination decision has been made through factors produced by the gonads that determine the development of the phenotypic sex. Most of the knowledge on the factors involved in sexual development came from animal models and from studies of cases in whom the genetic or the gonadal sex does not match the phenotypical sex, i.e., patients affected by disorders of sex development (DSD). Generally speaking, factors influencing sex determination are transcriptional regulators, whereas factors important for sex differentiation are secreted hormones and their receptors. This review focuses on the factors involved in gonadal determination, and whenever possible, references on the "prismatic" clinical cases are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Biason-Lauber
- Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 5, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
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16
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Planar cell polarity signaling in the uterus directs appropriate positioning of the crypt for embryo implantation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E8079-E8088. [PMID: 27911818 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1614946113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocyst implantation is a complex process requiring coordination of a dynamic sequence of embryo-uterine interactions. Blood vessels enter the uterus from the mesometrium, demarcating the uterus into mesometrial (M) and antimesometrial (AM) domains. Implantation occurs along the uterine longitudinal axis within specialized implantation chambers (crypts) that originate within the evaginations directed from the primary lumen toward the AM domain. The morphological orientation of crypts in rodent uteri was recognized more than a century ago, but the mechanism remained unknown. Here we provide evidence that planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling orchestrates directed epithelial evaginations to form crypts for implantation in mice. Uterine deletion of Vang-like protein 2, but not Vang-like protein 1, conferred aberrant PCP signaling, misdirected epithelial evaginations, defective crypt formation, and blastocyst attachment, leading to severely compromised pregnancy outcomes. The study reveals a previously unrecognized role for PCP in executing spatial cues for crypt formation and implantation. Because PCP is an evolutionarily conserved phenomenon, our study is likely to inspire implantation studies of this signaling pathway in humans and other species.
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17
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Choe S, Bond CW, Harrington DA, Stupp SI, McVary KT, Podlasek CA. Peptide amphiphile nanofiber hydrogel delivery of sonic hedgehog protein to the cavernous nerve to promote regeneration and prevent erectile dysfunction. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2016; 13:95-101. [PMID: 27609775 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2016.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) has high impact on quality of life in prostatectomy, diabetic and aging patients. An underlying mechanism is cavernous nerve (CN) injury, which causes ED in up to 80% of prostatectomy patients. We examine how sonic hedgehog (SHH) treatment with innovative peptide amphiphile nanofiber hydrogels (PA), promotes CN regeneration after injury. SHH and its receptors patched (PTCH1) and smoothened (SMO) are localized in PG neurons and glia. SMO undergoes anterograde transport to signal to downstream targets. With crush injury, PG neurons degenerate and undergo apoptosis. SHH protein decreases, SMO localization changes to the neuronal cell surface, and anterograde transport stops. With SHH treatment SHH is taken up at the injury site and undergoes retrograde transport to PG neurons, allowing SMO transport to occur, and neurons remain intact. SHH treatment prevents neuronal degeneration, maintains neuronal, glial and downstream target signaling, and is significant as a regenerative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Choe
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christopher W Bond
- Department of Allergy/Immunology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Samuel I Stupp
- Simpson-Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kevin T McVary
- Division of Urology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Carol A Podlasek
- Departments of Urology, Physiology and Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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18
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Lisovsky A, Zhang DKY, Sefton MV. Effect of methacrylic acid beads on the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway and macrophage polarization in a subcutaneous injection mouse model. Biomaterials 2016; 98:203-14. [PMID: 27264502 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) (MAA) beads promote a vascular regenerative response when used in diabetic wound healing. Previous studies reported that MAA beads modulated the expression of sonic hedgehog (Shh) and inflammation related genes in diabetic wounds. The aim of this work was to follow up on these observations in a subcutaneous injection model to study the host response in the absence of the confounding factors of diabetic wound healing. In this model, MAA beads improved vascularization in healthy mice of both sexes compared to control poly(methyl methacrylate) (MM) beads, with a stronger effect seen in males than females. MAA-induced vessels were perfusable, as evidenced from the CLARITY-processed images. In Shh-Cre-eGFP/Ptch1-LacZ non-diabetic transgenic mice, the increased vessel formation was accompanied by a higher density of cells expressing GFP (Shh) and β-Gal (patched 1, Ptch1) suggesting MAA enhanced the activation of the Shh pathway. Ptch1 is the Shh receptor and a target of the pathway. MAA beads also modulated the inflammatory cell infiltrate in CD1 mice: more neutrophils and more macrophages were noted with MAA relative to MM beads at days 1 and 7, respectively. In addition, MAA beads biased macrophages towards a MHCII-CD206+ ("M2") polarization state. This study suggests that the Shh pathway and an altered inflammatory response are two elements of the complex mechanism whereby MAA-based biomaterials effect vascular regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Lisovsky
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Suite 407, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
| | - David K Y Zhang
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Suite 407, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
| | - Michael V Sefton
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Suite 407, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Suite 407, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9.
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19
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Yao T, Lu R, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Zhao C, Lin R, Lin Z. Cervical cancer stem cells. Cell Prolif 2016; 48:611-25. [PMID: 26597379 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of cancer stem cells (CSC) has been established over the past decade or so, and their role in carcinogenic processes has been confirmed. In this review, we focus on cervical CSCs, including (1) their purported origin, (2) markers used for cervical CSC identification, (3) alterations to signalling pathways in cervical cancer and (4) the cancer stem cell niche. Although cervical CSCs have not yet been definitively identified and characterized, future studies pursuing them as therapeutic targets may provide novel insights for treatment of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.,Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Gene Regulation and Target Therapy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Rongbiao Lu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Yizhen Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ya Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Chenyang Zhao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Rongchun Lin
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Zhongqiu Lin
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
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20
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Lin FX, Du SX, Liu DZ, Hu QX, Yu GY, Wu CC, Zheng GZ, Xie D, Li XD, Chang B. Naringin promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells by up-regulating Foxc2 expression via the IHH signaling pathway. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:5098-5107. [PMID: 27904711 PMCID: PMC5126353 DOI: pmid/27904711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Naringin is an active compound extracted from Rhizoma Drynariae, and studies have revealed that naringin can promote proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). In this study, we explored whether naringin could promote osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by upregulating Foxc2 expression via the Indian hedgehog (IHH) signaling pathway. BMSCs were cultured in basal medium, basal medium with naringin, osteogenic induction medium, osteogenic induction medium with naringin and osteogenic induction medium with naringin in the presence of the IHH inhibitor cyclopamine (CPE). We examined cell proliferation by using a WST-8 assay, and differentiation by Alizarin Red S staining (for mineralization) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. In addition, we detected core-binding factor α1 (Cbfα1), osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARγ2) and Foxc2 expression by using RT-PCR. We also determined Foxc2 and IHH protein levels by western blotting. Naringin increased the mineralization of BMSCs, as shown by Alizarin red S assays, and induced ALP activity. In addition, naringin significantly increased the mRNA levels of Foxc2, Cbfα1, OCN, and BSP, while decreasing PPARγ2 mRNA levels. Furthermore, the IHH inhibitor CPE inhibited the osteogenesis-potentiating effects of naringin. Naringin increased Foxc2 and stimulated the activation of IHH, as evidenced by increased expression of proteins that were inhibited by CPE. Our findings indicate that naringin promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by up-regulating Foxc2 expression via the IHH signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-xiang Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Shi-xin Du
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - De-zhong Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Qin-xiao Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen UniversityShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Guo-yong Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen UniversityShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Chu-cheng Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen UniversityShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Gui-zhou Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen UniversityShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Da Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen UniversityShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xue-dong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Bo Chang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
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21
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Xie S, Zhang X, Chen W, Xie C, Chen W, Cheng P, Zhou Y, Chen B. Developmental Status: Impact of Short-Term Ischemia on Follicular Survival of Whole Ovarian Transplantation in a Rabbit Model. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135049. [PMID: 26271079 PMCID: PMC4536045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemia is the first mechanism that provokes the loss of follicles in ovarian grafts over the long term. In whole ovarian transplantation, it remains unknown, however, how changes in follicular development are influenced by short-term ischemia. Fresh whole ovarian orthotopic auto-transplantation was performed in rabbits with 45 min ischemia, and the impact of ischemia on follicular survival and development status was evaluated at different time-points (1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month). Assessment of follicular quantity and morphology was carried out via histologic analysis. Follicle proliferating status was evidenced by immunostaining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the Hedgehog signaling pathway (Patched and Gli); was verified via TUNEL assay. Quantitative PCR was carried out to quantify the mRNA of target genes including PCNA, Patched, Gli, Caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl-2. Compared with its contralateral fresh controls, the morphology, proliferation and apoptosis of the follicles in the grafts showed no significant differences and most primordial follicles were quiescent. However, morphology and proliferation status were significantly decreased 1 week after grafting, in comparison with the longitudinal grafting time. Patched and Gli in the Hedgehog signaling pathway were activated in only the follicles of the grafts. Short-term ischemia slightly impacts follicular survival and development status in whole ovarian grafting. Receiving intervention in the first week post-transplantation might be helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Xie
- Obstetrical Department, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Surgical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Wenming Chen
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Chichi Xie
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Wenwei Chen
- Transplantation Centre, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Pu Cheng
- Oncological Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medcine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
- * E-mail: (YZ); (BC)
| | - Bicheng Chen
- Transplantation Centre, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
- * E-mail: (YZ); (BC)
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22
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Molecular signalling in hepatocellular carcinoma: Role of and crosstalk among WNT/ß-catenin, Sonic Hedgehog, Notch and Dickkopf-1. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 29:209-17. [PMID: 25965442 PMCID: PMC4444031 DOI: 10.1155/2015/172356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. In the majority of cases, there is evidence of existing chronic liver disease from a variety of causes including viral hepatitis B and C, alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Identification of the signalling pathways used by hepatocellular carcinoma cells to proliferate, invade or metastasize is of paramount importance in the discovery and implementation of successfully targeted therapies. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin, Notch and Hedgehog pathways play a critical role in regulating liver cell proliferation during development and in controlling crucial functions of the adult liver in the initiation and progression of human cancers. β-catenin was identified as a protein interacting with the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin at the cell-cell junction, and has been shown to be one of the most important mediators of the Wnt signalling pathway in tumourigenesis. Investigations into the role of Dikkopf-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma have demonstrated controversial results, with a decreased expression of Dickkopf-1 and soluble frizzled-related protein in various cancers on one hand, and as a possible negative prognostic indicator of hepatocellular carcinoma on the other. In the present review, the authors focus on the Wnt⁄β-catenin, Notch and Sonic Hedgehog pathways, and their interaction with Dikkopf-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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23
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Zhao J, Liu L, Wan Y, Zhang Y, Zhuang Q, Zhong X, Hong Z, Peng J. Inhibition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Total Alkaloids of Rubus alceifolius Poir Involves Suppression of Hedgehog Signaling. Integr Cancer Ther 2015; 14:394-401. [PMID: 25917815 DOI: 10.1177/1534735415583553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effects of total alkaloids of Rubus alceifolius Poir (TARAP) on the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and furthermore investigated the possible molecular mechanisms mediating its anticancer activity. METHODS We implanted nude mice with human HCC HepG2 cells and fed them with vehicle (physiological saline) or 3 g/kg/day dose of TARAP 5 days per week for 21 days. We determined the in vitro effect of TARAP on the migration and invasion of HepG2 cells by transwell assay. We evaluated SHH signaling components' (SHH, PTCH, SMO, and Gli1) expression levels by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Activity of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in supernatants was analyzed by zymography. The expression of the MMPs and their specific tissue inhibitor (tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases, TIMP-1, 2) in HCC tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS We discovered that TARAP inhibited hepatocellular migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In addition, TARAP decreased the expression of SHH, PTCH, SMO, and Gli1 in HCC mouse tumors at both transcriptional and translational levels. Moreover, TARAP inhibited the activity of MMP2 and MMP9. We found that TARAP reduced the expression of MMP2 and MMP9, as well as the tissue inhibitor of MMPs. CONCLUSION Our study showed that TARAP inhibits HCC migration and invasion likely through suppression of the hedgehog pathway. This may, in part, explain its anticancer properties. These results suggest that total alkaloids in Rubus alceifolius may have potential as a novel antimetastasis drug in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyan Zhao
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Liya Liu
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yun Wan
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Qunchuan Zhuang
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhong
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Zhenfeng Hong
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Jun Peng
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
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24
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Lauing KL, Cortes M, Domowicz MS, Henry JG, Baria AT, Schwartz NB. Aggrecan is required for growth plate cytoarchitecture and differentiation. Dev Biol 2014; 396:224-36. [PMID: 25446537 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The proteoglycan aggrecan is a prominent component of the extracellular matrix in growth plate cartilage. A naturally occurring, recessive, perinatally lethal mutation in the aggrecan core protein gene, cmd(bc) (Acan(cmd-Bc)), that deletes the entire protein-coding sequence provided a model in which to characterize the phenotypic and morphologic effects of aggrecan deletion on skeletal development. We also generated a novel transgenic mouse, Tg(COL2A1-ACAN), that has the chick ACAN coding sequence driven by the mouse COL2A1 promoter to enable the production of cmd(bc)/cmd(bc); Tg(COL2A1-ACAN) rescue embryos. These were used to assess the impact of aggrecan on growth plate organization, chondrocyte survival and proliferation, and the expression of mRNAs encoding chondrocyte differentiation markers and growth factors. Homozygous mutant (cmd(bc)/cmd(bc)) embryos exhibited severe defects in all skeletal elements with deformed and shortened (50%) limb elements. Expression of aggrecan in rescue embryos reversed the skeletal defects to varying degrees with a 20% increase in limb element length and near-full reversal (80%) of size and diameter of the ribcage and vertebrae. Aggrecan-null growth plates were devoid of matrix and lacked chondrocyte organization and differentiation, while those of the rescue embryos exhibited matrix production concomitant with partial zonation of chondrocytes having proliferative and hypertrophic morphologies. Deformation of the trachea, likely the cause of the mutation's lethality, was reduced in the rescue embryos. Aggrecan-null embryos also had abnormal patterns of COL10A1, SOX9, IHH, PTCH1, and FGFR3 mRNA expression in the growth plate. Expression of chick aggrecan in the rescue embryos notably increased COLX expression, accompanied by the reappearance of a hypertrophic zone and IHH expression. Significantly, in transgenic rescue embryos, the cell death and decreased proliferation phenotypes exhibited by the mutants were reversed; both were restored to wild-type levels. These findings suggest that aggrecan has a major role in regulating the expression of key growth factors and signaling molecules during development of cartilaginous tissue and is essential for proper chondrocyte organization, morphology, and survival during embryonic limb development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L Lauing
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL 60637, USA
| | - Mauricio Cortes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Miriam S Domowicz
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL 60637, USA
| | - Judith G Henry
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL 60637, USA
| | - Alexis T Baria
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL 60637, USA
| | - Nancy B Schwartz
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL 60637, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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25
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Moser JJ, Fritzler MJ, Rattner JB. Ultrastructural characterization of primary cilia in pathologically characterized human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors. BMC Clin Pathol 2014; 14:40. [PMID: 25228849 PMCID: PMC4164667 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6890-14-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary cilia are non-motile sensory cytoplasmic organelles that are involved in cell cycle progression. Ultrastructurally, the primary cilium region is complex, with normal ciliogenesis progressing through five distinct morphological stages in human astrocytes. Defects in early stages of ciliogenesis are key features of astrocytoma/glioblastoma cell lines and provided the impetus for the current study which describes the morphology of primary cilia in molecularly characterized human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors. METHODS Seven surgically resected human GBM tissue samples were molecularly characterized according to IDH1/2 mutation status, EGFR amplification status and MGMT promoter methylation status and were examined for primary cilia expression and structure using indirect immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. RESULTS We report for the first time that primary cilia are disrupted in the early stages of ciliogenesis in human GBM tumors. We confirm that immature primary cilia and basal bodies/centrioles have aberrant ciliogenesis characteristics including absent paired vesicles, misshaped/swollen vesicular hats, abnormal configuration of distal appendages, and discontinuity of centriole microtubular blades. Additionally, the transition zone plate is able to form in the absence of paired vesicles on the distal end of the basal body and when a cilium progresses beyond the early stages of ciliogenesis, it has electron dense material clumped along the transition zone and a darkening of the microtubules at the proximal end of the cilium. CONCLUSIONS Primary cilia play a role in a variety of human cancers. Previously primary cilia structure was perturbed in cultured cell lines derived from astrocytomas/glioblastomas; however there was always some question as to whether these findings were a cell culture phenomena. In this study we confirm that disruptions in ciliogenesis at early stages do occur in GBM tumors and that these ultrastructural findings bear resemblance to those previously observed in cell cultures. This is the first study to demonstrate that defects in cilia expression and function are a true hallmark of GBM tumors and correlate with their unrestrained growth. A review of the current ultrastructural profiles in the literature provides suggestions as to the best possible candidate protein that underlies defects in the early stages of ciliogenesis within GBM tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna J Moser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Marvin J Fritzler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jerome B Rattner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Kramann R, DiRocco DP, Humphreys BD. Understanding the origin, activation and regulation of matrix-producing myofibroblasts for treatment of fibrotic disease. J Pathol 2013; 231:273-89. [PMID: 24006178 DOI: 10.1002/path.4253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis and scar formation results from chronic progressive injury in virtually every tissue and affects a growing number of people around the world. Myofibroblasts drive fibrosis, and recent work has demonstrated that mesenchymal cells, including pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts, are their main progenitors. Understanding the cellular mechanisms of pericyte/fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, myofibroblast proliferation and the key signalling pathways that regulate these processes is essential to develop novel targeted therapeutics for the growing patient population suffering from solid organ fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about different progenitor cells of myofibroblasts, discuss major pathways that regulate their transdifferentiation and discuss the current status of novel targeted anti-fibrotic therapeutics in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Kramann
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; RWTH Aachen University, Division of Nephrology, Aachen, Germany
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Castro JJ, Méndez JP, Coral-Vázquez RM, Soriano-Ursúa MA, Damian-Matsumura P, Benítez-Granados J, Rosas-Vargas H, Canto P. In vitro and molecular modeling analysis of two mutant desert hedgehog proteins associated with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. DNA Cell Biol 2013; 32:524-30. [PMID: 23786321 PMCID: PMC3753129 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2013.2052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations of Desert hedgehog (DHH) have been associated to 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis (PGD) and to mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD); however, there have been no functional studies of mutations described in DHH. To determine if mutations p.L162P and Δ1086delG yield functional impairment, we performed in vitro and in silico analysis of both DHH mutants. In complementary DNA of DHH, we performed site-directed mutagenesis, which was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Protein extracts were obtained from HEK293cells transfected with different constructs and analyzed by Western blot; besides, densitometric analysis of chemiluminescent signals was performed. In addition, the structure of the wt-DHH and its two mutant proteins was inferred using in silico protein molecular modeling. In the Western blot analysis, we observed the absence of signal for p.L162P in DHH-N and a diminished signal for Δ1086delG in DHH-C, when compared to wt-DHH. Protein modeling showed notable conformational changes for the side chains of p.L162P, while the secondary structure was drastically modified in Δ1086delG, when compared to wt-DHH. To our knowledge, this is the first study focused to determine by in vitro studies, the effect of two specific mutations in DHH associated with 46,XY PGD and MGD. Our results suggest that both mutations have a deleterious effect on the expression of the DHH mutant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Joram Castro
- División de Investigación Biomédica, Subdirección de Enseñanza e Investigación, Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, México, D.F., México
| | - Juan Pablo Méndez
- Unidad de Investigación en Obesidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., México
- Clínica de Obesidad, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán,” México, D.F., México
| | - Ramón Mauricio Coral-Vázquez
- Sección de Posgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México, D.F., México
- Subdirección de Enseñanza e Investigación, Centro Médico Nacional “20 de Noviembre,” Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, México, D.F., México
| | | | - Pablo Damian-Matsumura
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), México, D.F., México
| | - Jesús Benítez-Granados
- División de Investigación Biomédica, Subdirección de Enseñanza e Investigación, Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, México, D.F., México
| | - Haydee Rosas-Vargas
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI-IMSS, México, D.F., México
| | - Patricia Canto
- División de Investigación Biomédica, Subdirección de Enseñanza e Investigación, Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, México, D.F., México
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Matsumaru D, Haraguchi R, Moon AM, Satoh Y, Nakagata N, Yamamura KI, Takahashi N, Kitazawa S, Yamada G. Genetic analysis of the role of Alx4 in the coordination of lower body and external genitalia formation. Eur J Hum Genet 2013; 22:350-7. [PMID: 23942202 PMCID: PMC3925283 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2013.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Revised: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although several syndromes include abnormalities of both the ventral body wall and external genitalia, the developmental bases of this correlation are largely unknown. Naturally occurring mutations in Aristaless-like 4 (Alx4, Strong's luxoid: Alx4Lst) have ventral body wall and pelvic girdle abnormalities. We sought to determine whether the development of the genital tubercle (GT) and its derivatives, the external genitalia, is affected by this mutation. We thus performed genetic and tissue labeling analyses in mutant mice. Alx4Lst/Lst mutants displayed hypoplasia of the dorsal GT and reduced expression of Fibronectin. We analyzed cell migration during GT formation by tissue labeling experiments and discovered that the cells located in the proximal segment of the umbilical cord (infra-umbilical mesenchyme) migrate toward the dorsal part of the GT. The Alx4Lst/Lst mutants also displayed augmented expression of Hh signal-related genes. Hence, we analyzed a series of combinatorial mutants for Alx4, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and GLI-Kruppel family member 3 (Gli3). These phenotype–genotype analyses suggested a genetic interaction between Alx4 and Hh signaling during GT formation. Moreover, Hh gain-of-function mutants phenocopied some of these phenotypes. These observations reveal novel information regarding the pathogenic mechanisms of syndromic lower ventral body malformations, which are largely unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Matsumaru
- 1] Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan [2] Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ryuma Haraguchi
- 1] Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan [2] Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan [3] Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Anne M Moon
- Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Yoshihiko Satoh
- 1] Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan [2] Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naomi Nakagata
- Division of Reproductive Engineering, Center for Animal Resources and Development, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Yamamura
- Division of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoki Takahashi
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sohei Kitazawa
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Gen Yamada
- 1] Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan [2] Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Jeng KS, Sheen IS, Jeng WJ, Yu MC, Hsiau HI, Chang FY, Tsai HH. Activation of the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway occurs in the CD133 positive cells of mouse liver cancer Hepa 1-6 cells. Onco Targets Ther 2013; 6:1047-55. [PMID: 23950652 PMCID: PMC3741084 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s44828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The important role of cancer stem cells in carcinogenesis has been emphasized in research. CD133+ cells have been mentioned as liver cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Some researchers have proposed that the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis and that the pathway activation occurs mainly in cancer stem cells. We investigated whether the activation of the Shh pathway occurs in CD133+ cells from liver cancer. Materials and methods We used magnetic sorting to isolate CD133+ cells from mouse cancer Hepa 1–6 cells. To examine the clonogenicity, cell culture and soft agar colony formation assay were performed between CD133+ and CD133− cells. To study the activation of the Shh pathway, we examined the mRNA expressions of Shh, patched homolog 1 (Ptch-1), glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli-1), and smoothened homolog (Smoh) by real-time polymerase chain reaction of both CD133+ and CD133− cells. Results The number (mean ± standard deviation) of colonies of CD133+ cells and CD133− cells was 1,031.0 ± 104.7 and 119.7 ± 17.6 respectively. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Their clonogenicity was 13.7% ± 1.4% and 1.6% ± 0.2% respectively with a statistically significant difference found (P < 0.001). CD133+ cells and CD133− cells were found to have statistically significant differences in Shh mRNA and Smoh mRNA (P = 0.005 and P = 0.043 respectively). Conclusion CD133+ Hepa 1–6 cells have a significantly higher colony proliferation and clonogenicity. The Shh pathway is activated in these cells that harbor stem cell features, with an underexpression of Shh mRNA and an overexpression of Smoh mRNA. Blockade of the Shh signaling pathway may be a potential therapeutic strategy for hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Shyang Jeng
- Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Hasebe T, Fu L, Miller TC, Zhang Y, Shi YB, Ishizuya-Oka A. Thyroid hormone-induced cell-cell interactions are required for the development of adult intestinal stem cells. Cell Biosci 2013; 3:18. [PMID: 23547658 PMCID: PMC3621685 DOI: 10.1186/2045-3701-3-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian intestine has long been used as a model to study organ-specific adult stem cells, which are essential for organ repair and tissue regeneration throughout adult life. The establishment of the intestinal epithelial cell self-renewing system takes place during perinatal development when the villus-crypt axis is established with the adult stem cells localized in the crypt. This developmental period is characterized by high levels of plasma thyroid hormone (T3) and T3 deficiency is known to impair intestinal development. Determining how T3 regulates adult stem cell development in the mammalian intestine can be difficult due to maternal influences. Intestinal remodeling during amphibian metamorphosis resembles perinatal intestinal maturation in mammals and its dependence on T3 is well established. A major advantage of the amphibian model is that it can easily be controlled by altering the availability of T3. The ability to manipulate and examine this relatively rapid and localized formation of adult stem cells has greatly assisted in the elucidation of molecular mechanisms regulating their formation and further revealed evidence that supports conservation in the underlying mechanisms of adult stem cell development in vertebrates. Furthermore, genetic studies in Xenopus laevis indicate that T3 actions in both the epithelium and the rest of the intestine, most likely the underlying connective tissue, are required for the formation of adult stem cells. Molecular analyses suggest that cell-cell interactions involving hedgehog and BMP pathways are critical for the establishment of the stem cell niche that is essential for the formation of the adult intestinal stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hasebe
- Department of Biology, Nippon Medical School, 2-297-2 Nakahara-ku, Kosugi-cho, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 211-0063, Japan.
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31
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Schwarz M, Münzel PA, Braeuning A. Non-melanoma skin cancer in mouse and man. Arch Toxicol 2012; 87:783-98. [PMID: 23266722 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-012-0998-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
As a frontier organ, skin is exposed to different environmental and/or occupational chemicals which cause cutaneous cancers in experimental animals. In mice, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthrancene (DMBA) and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) are frequently used as skin model tumor initiator and promoter, respectively. The sequential administration of DMBA and TPA leads to the appearance of a large number of benign papillomas, of which some convert later into invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). At the molecular level, initiation of carcinogenesis in mouse skin consists in the mutational activation of the Ha-ras oncoprotein. HA-RAS mutations are rare in human SCC, but HA-RAS-mutated tumors appear in melanoma patients treated with B-raf inhibitors, indicating that initiated, HA-RAS-mutated stem cells also reside in human skin. Similarly, UV-induced human SCC show footprint mutations in the tumor suppressor gene TP53 which are also observed in UV-induced mouse SCC. Strong species differences exist with respect to phorbol ester-mediated tumor promotion. While certain mouse strains are very susceptible, other rodent species are much less sensitive. Likewise, humans appear to be much more resistant to phorbol ester-mediated skin toxicity. Papilloma formation as a result of a chemical insult is uncommon in men, questioning the relevance of this preneoplastic lesion for humans. However, skin tumorigenesis in the experimental situation and in humans appears to follow common molecular mechanisms, even though there are species differences in the morphological correlates to the preneoplastic state. Therefore, we recommend not simply labeling them as irrelevant for human risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schwarz
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstr. 56, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.
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Jeng KS, Sheen IS, Jeng WJ, Lin CC, Lin CK, Su JC, Yu MC, Fang HY. High expression of patched homolog-1 messenger RNA and glioma-associated oncogene-1 messenger RNA of sonic hedgehog signaling pathway indicates a risk of postresection recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2012; 20:464-73. [PMID: 22911366 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-012-2593-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high recurrence rate after resection. Abnormal activation of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway contributing to the carcinogenesis of some organs had been reported. We hypothesize that activation of SHH pathway contributes to the recurrence of HCC after surgical resection. METHODS In a prospective study, from January 2006 to June 2010, a total of 50 consecutive patients with HCC after curative resection were enrolled. The ratio of the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) of SHH, patched homolog-1 (PTCH-1) and glioma-associated oncogene-1 (GLI-1) between HCC tissues and the paired noncancerous liver tissues were measured. Both the clinicopathologic characteristics and these ratios were compared between those with recurrence and those without recurrence. They were also compared between those with and without survival. RESULTS There was a statistically significant correlation among the ratios of PTCH-1 mRNA and serum AFP level (p = 0.045), tumor size (p = 0.001), vascular permeation (p = 0.043) and tumor, node, metastasis staging system (TNM) stage (p = 0.003). A borderline significant correlation was found among ratios of GLI-1 mRNA and tumor size (p = 0.062) and TNM stage (p = 0.051). There was no such significant correlation between SHH mRNA and any parameter. Both the ratios of PTCH-1 mRNA and GLI-1 mRNA significantly adversely affected recurrence (p = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively) and survival (p < 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Expression of PTCH-1 mRNA and GLI-1 mRNA in HCC tissues is a potential biomarker to predict postresection disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Shyang Jeng
- Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
Leukemia progression and relapse is fueled by leukemia stem cells (LSC) that are resistant to current treatments. In the progression of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), blast crisis progenitors are capable of adopting more primitive but deregulated stem cell features with acquired resistance to targeted therapies. This in turn promotes LSC behavior characterized by aberrant self-renewal, differentiation, and survival capacity. Multiple reports suggest that cell cycle alterations, activation of critical signaling pathways, aberrant microenvironmental cues from the hematopoietic niche, and aberrant epigenetic events and deregulation of RNA processing may facilitate the enhanced survival and malignant transformation of CML progenitors. Here we review the molecular evolution of CML LSC that promotes CML progression and relapse. Recent advances in these areas have identified novel targets that represent important avenues for future therapeutic approaches aimed at selectively eradicating the LSC population while sparing normal hematopoietic progenitors in patients suffering from chronic myeloid malignancies.
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Abstract
Disorders of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical. Many of the genes required for gonad development have been identified by analysis of DSD patients. However, the use of knockout and transgenic mouse strains have contributed enormously to the study of gonad gene function and interactions within the development network. Although the genetic basis of mammalian sex determination and differentiation has advanced considerably in recent years, a majority of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis patients still cannot be provided with an accurate diagnosis. Some of these unexplained DSD cases may be due to mutations in novel DSD genes or genomic rearrangements affecting regulatory regions that lead to atypical gene expression. Here, we review our current knowledge of mammalian sex determination drawing on insights from human DSD patients and mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Eggers
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Andrew Sinclair
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
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Frick A, Grammel D, Schmidt F, Pöschl J, Priller M, Pagella P, von Bueren AO, Peraud A, Tonn JC, Herms J, Rutkowski S, Kretzschmar HA, Schüller U. Proper cerebellar development requires expression of β1-integrin in Bergmann glia, but not in granule neurons. Glia 2012; 60:820-32. [PMID: 22374686 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
β1-class integrins play essential roles both in developmental biology as well as in cancer. Particularly, a Nestin-driven deletion of β1-integrin receptors results in severe abnormalities of brain development including a laminar disorganization of cerebellar granule neurons. However, since Nestin is expressed in all kinds of neural precursors, these data do not allow conclusions to be drawn about the role of β1-integrins in distinct neuronal and glial cell types. By generating conditional knockout mice using granule cell-specific Math1-promoter sequences, we show here that the expression of β1-integrins in granule neurons is dispensable for the development of the cerebellum. Also, deletion of β1-integrin from tumors that arise in a mouse model of granule cell precursor-derived medulloblastoma did not result in a significant survival benefit. Last, expression levels of β1-integrin in human medulloblastoma samples did not predict patient's outcome. However, a β1-integrin knockout using hGFAP-promoter sequences led to cerebellar hypoplasia, inappropriate positioning of Bergmann glia cells in the molecular layer, undirected outgrowth of radial glia fibers, and granule cell ectopia. We therefore conclude that β1-integrin expression in cerebellar granule neurons is not essential during normal development or medulloblastoma formation. In fact, it is the expression of β1-integrin in glia that is crucial for the proper development of the cerebellar cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Frick
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
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Li Y, Zhang D, Chen C, Ruan Z, Li Y, Huang Y. MicroRNA-212 displays tumor-promoting properties in non-small cell lung cancer cells and targets the hedgehog pathway receptor PTCH1. Mol Biol Cell 2012; 23:1423-34. [PMID: 22357618 PMCID: PMC3327317 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e11-09-0777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of microRNA-212 promoted cell cycle progression and cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in non–small cell lung cancer cells. PTCH1, a receptor of hedgehog pathway, is a functional target of miR-212. The role of miR-212 in cell proliferation may be mediated by PTCH1. Dysexpression of microRNAs has been found in many tumors, including lung cancer. The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays an important role during normal development, and the abnormal regulation of its members has also been related to many tumors. However, little is known about the relationship between microRNA and the Hh pathway. In this paper, we report microRNA-212 (miR-212) playing a role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and targeting PTCH1, a receptor of the Hh pathway. We found that miR-212 was up-regulated when cells were treated with 4ß-12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). We ectopically expressed miR-212 in NSCLC cell lines to examine the influence of miR-212 overexpression. The results showed that overexpression of miR-212 in NSCLC cells promoted cell cycle progression and cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The promoting effects of miR-212 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were partially reversed by the miR-212 inhibitor anti-miR-212. These results suggested that miR-212 might have tumor-promoting properties. Potential targets of miR-212 were predicted, and we showed tumor suppressor PTCH1 was a functional target of miR-212. PTCH1 may be responsible for the effect of miR-212 on cell proliferation. Altogether, our results indicated that miR-212 was involved in tumorigenesis, and the oncogenic activity of miR-212 in NSCLC cells was due, in part, to suppression of PTCH1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
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Hasebe T, Kajita M, Fu L, Shi YB, Ishizuya-Oka A. Thyroid hormone-induced sonic hedgehog signal up-regulates its own pathway in a paracrine manner in the Xenopus laevis intestine during metamorphosis. Dev Dyn 2011; 241:403-14. [PMID: 22190352 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.23723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During Xenopus laevis metamorphosis, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is directly induced by thyroid hormone (TH) at the transcription level as one of the earliest events in intestinal remodeling. However, the regulation of other components of this signaling pathway remains to be analyzed. Here, we analyzed the spatiotemporal expression of Patched (Ptc)-1, Smoothened (Smo), Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3 during natural and TH-induced intestinal remodeling. RESULTS We show that all of the genes examined are transiently up-regulated in the mesenchymal tissues during intestinal metamorphosis. CONCLUSIONS Interestingly, in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors, Gli2 but not the others was induced by TH, suggesting that Gli2 is a direct TH response gene, while the others are likely indirect ones. Furthermore, we demonstrate by the organ culture experiment that overexpression of Shh enhances the expression of Ptc-1, Smo, and Glis even in the absence of TH, indicating that Shh regulates its own pathway components during intestinal remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hasebe
- Department of Biology, Nippon Medical School, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.
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The hedgehog pathway conditions the bone microenvironment for osteolytic metastasis of breast cancer. Int J Breast Cancer 2011; 2012:298623. [PMID: 22295244 PMCID: PMC3262601 DOI: 10.1155/2012/298623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2011] [Revised: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment at the site of tumor metastasis plays a key role in determining the fate of the metastasizing tumor cells. This ultimately has a direct impact on the progression of cancer. Bone is the preferred site of metastasis of breast cancer. Painful, debilitating osteolytic lesions are formed as a result of crosstalk between breast cancer cells and cells in the bone, predominantly the osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In this paper, we have discussed the temporal and spatial role of hedgehog (Hh) signaling in influencing the fate of metastatic breast cancer cells in bone. By virtue of its secreted ligands, the Hh pathway is capable of homotypic and heterotypic signaling and consequently altering the microenvironment in the bone. We also have put into perspective the therapeutic implications of using Hh inhibitors to prevent and/or treat bone metastases of breast cancer.
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Ingham PW, Nakano Y, Seger C. Mechanisms and functions of Hedgehog signalling across the metazoa. Nat Rev Genet 2011; 12:393-406. [PMID: 21502959 DOI: 10.1038/nrg2984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 434] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog proteins constitute one of a small number of families of secreted signals that have a central role in the development of metazoans. Genetic analyses in flies, fish and mice have uncovered the major components of the pathway that transduces Hedgehog signals, and recent genome sequence projects have provided clues about its evolutionary origins. In this Review we provide an updated overview of the mechanisms and functions of this signalling pathway, highlighting the conserved and divergent features of the pathway, as well as some of the common themes in its deployment that have emerged from recent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip W Ingham
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore.
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Spratlin JL, Chu Q, Koski S, King K, Mulder K. Targeting metastatic upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. World J Clin Oncol 2011; 2:135-49. [PMID: 21611088 PMCID: PMC3100479 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v2.i3.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2010] [Revised: 11/20/2010] [Accepted: 11/27/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) tumors, including adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and biliary tree, have traditionally been difficult to treat with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. There has been little drug development success in treating these cancers over the last 20 years, perhaps a reflection of a combination of the aggressive biology of these tumors, the void in effective and specific drug development for these varied tumors, and the lack of properly designed, biologically-based clinical trials. Recently, so called "targeted agents" have risen to the forefront in the care of cancer patients and have made strong impacts in many areas of oncology, particularly gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), colon, breast, and lung cancers. Unfortunately, slow progress has been made using such agents in upper GI tumors. However, more recently, trials in some tumor types have demonstrated gains in progression free survival and overall survival. In this review, we discuss the drugs and pathways that have been most successful in the treatment of upper GI tumors and present the relevant data supporting their use for each tumor site. Additionally, we will explore a few novel pathways that may prove effective in the treatment of upper GI malignancies in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Spratlin
- Jennifer L Spratlin, Quincy Chu, Sheryl Koski, Karen King, Karen Mulder, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Latasa MJ, Cosgaya JM. Regulation of retinoid receptors by retinoic acid and axonal contact in Schwann cells. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17023. [PMID: 21386894 PMCID: PMC3046125 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schwann cells (SCs) are the cell type responsible for the formation of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). As retinoic acid (RA) and other retinoids have a profound effect as regulators of the myelination program, we sought to investigate how their nuclear receptors levels were regulated in this cell type. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present study, by using Schwann cells primary cultures from neonatal Wistar rat pups, as well as myelinating cocultures of Schwann cells with embryonic rat dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons, we have found that sustained expression of RXR-γ depends on the continuous presence of a labile activator, while axonal contact mimickers produced an increase in RXR-γ mRNA and protein levels, increment that could be prevented by RA. The upregulation by axonal contact mimickers and the transcriptional downregulation by RA were dependent on de novo protein synthesis and did not involve changes in mRNA stability. On the other hand, RAR-β mRNA levels were only slightly modulated by axonal contact mimickers, while RA produced a strong transcriptional upregulation that was independent of de novo protein synthesis without changes in mRNA stability. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE All together, our results show that retinoid receptors are regulated in a complex manner in Schwann cells, suggesting that they could have a prominent role as regulators of Schwann cell physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Jesus Latasa
- Department of Endocrine and Nervous System Physiopathology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Miguel Cosgaya
- Department of Endocrine and Nervous System Physiopathology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Dentice M. Hedgehog-mediated regulation of thyroid hormone action through iodothyronine deiodinases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2011; 15:493-504. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2011.553607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Zhu W, You Z, Li T, Yu C, Tao G, Hu M, Chen X. Correlation of hedgehog signal activation with chemoradiotherapy sensitivity and survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2010; 41:386-93. [PMID: 21127038 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyq217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the significance of hedgehog signaling pathway in chemoradiotherapy sensitivity and its effect on the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS In the present study, we used the method of immunohistochemistry to examine the expression status of two hedgehog components, PTCH1 and glioma-associated oncogene GLI-1, in 100 pre-treated biopsy specimens of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS We find that high levels of PTCH1 and GLI-1 were detected in 76.0 and 72.0% of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. Significant associations of high PTCH1 and GLI-1 expression with large tumor size (both P = 0.01), locoregional progression (P= 0.001 and 0.003, respectively) and the lack of complete response to chemoradiotherapy (P= 0.008 and 0.01, respectively) were observed. Univariate analysis revealed that high PTCH1 and GLI-1 expression was associated with poor locoregional progression-free survival, distant progression-free survival and overall survival. Furthermore, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with high PTCH1 and GLI-1 expression have the shorter survival time than the subgroups with negative and low PTCH1 and GLI-1 expression. In multivariate analysis, PTCH1 and GLI-1 expression status were both evaluated as independent prognostic factors for locoregional progression-free survival, distant progression-free survival and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an important role for the activation of hedgehog signaling in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression and that PTCH1 and GLI-1 expression may be significantly associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma resistance to chemoradiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Zhu
- Department of Radiotherapy, First Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, Jiangsu 223200, People's Republic of China
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Wang Q, Huang C, Zeng F, Xue M, Zhang X. Activation of the Hh pathway in periosteum-derived mesenchymal stem cells induces bone formation in vivo: implication for postnatal bone repair. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2010; 177:3100-11. [PMID: 20971735 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.100060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
While the essential role of periosteum in cortical bone repair and regeneration is well established, the molecular pathways that control the early osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of periosteal stem/progenitor cells during repair processes are unclear. Using a murine segmental bone graft transplantation model, we isolated a population of early periosteum-callus-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PCDSCs) from the healing autograft periosteum. These cells express typical mesenchymal stem cell markers and are capable of differentiating into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. Characterization of these cells demonstrated that activation of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway effectively promoted osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of PCDSCs in vitro and induced bone formation in vivo. To determine the role of the Hh pathway in adult bone repair, we deleted Smoothened (Smo), the receptor that transduces all Hh signals at the onset of bone autograft repair via a tamoxifen-inducible RosaCreER mouse model. We found that deletion of Smo markedly reduced osteogenic differentiation of isolated PCDSCs and further resulted in a near 50% reduction in periosteal bone callus formation at the cortical bone junction as determined by MicroCT and histomorphometric analyses. These data strongly suggest that the Hh pathway plays an important role in adult bone repair via enhancing differentiation of periosteal progenitors and that activation of the Hh pathway at the onset of healing could be beneficial for repair and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Wang
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
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Li JJ, Shanmugasundaram V, Reddy S, Fleischer LL, Wang Z, Smith Y, Harter WG, Yue WS, Swaroop M, Li L, Ji CX, Dettling D, Osak B, Fitzgerald LR, Conradi R. Smoothened antagonists for hair inhibition. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2010; 20:4932-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Revised: 06/04/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Abstract
The differentiation of embryonic stem cells along the endothelial cell lineage requires a tightly coordinated sequence of events that are regulated in both space and time. Although significant gaps remain in this process, major strides have been made over the past 10 years in identifying the growth factors, signal transduction pathways, and transcription factors that function together as critical mediators of this process. Examples of some of the signal transduction pathways include the hedgehog (HH), WNT, BMP, and Notch pathways. A complex interplay between growth factors, and activation of a variety of signal transduction pathways leads to the induction of transcriptional programs that promote the differentiation of embryonic stem cells along the endothelial lineage and ultimately into arterial, venous, and lymphatic endothelial cells. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying endothelial differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Le Bras
- Division of Cardiology, and Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine and the Center for Vascular Biology Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Wu WKK, Cho CH, Lee CW, Wu K, Fan D, Yu J, Sung JJY. Proteasome inhibition: a new therapeutic strategy to cancer treatment. Cancer Lett 2010; 293:15-22. [PMID: 20133049 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2009.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2009] [Revised: 12/01/2009] [Accepted: 12/02/2009] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system is a major pathway for protein degradation. Targeting this pathway using proteasome inhibitors represents a novel approach for the treatment of cancer. Proteasome inhibitors lower cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in solid and hematologic malignancies through multiple mechanisms, including stabilization of cell cycle regulators and pro-apoptotic factors, stimulation of bone morphogenetic protein signaling, inhibition of protein translation, and sensitization to ligand-induced apoptosis. In this connection, proteasome inhibition activates macroautophagy, a compensatory protein degradation system, as well as other pro-survival signaling pathways. Inhibition of these auto-protective responses sensitizes cancer cells to the anti-proliferative effects of proteasome inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Ka Kei Wu
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Moser JJ, Fritzler MJ, Rattner JB. Primary ciliogenesis defects are associated with human astrocytoma/glioblastoma cells. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:448. [PMID: 20017937 PMCID: PMC2806408 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2009] [Accepted: 12/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Primary cilia are non-motile sensory cytoplasmic organelles that have been implicated in signal transduction, cell to cell communication, left and right pattern embryonic development, sensation of fluid flow, regulation of calcium levels, mechanosensation, growth factor signaling and cell cycle progression. Defects in the formation and/or function of these structures underlie a variety of human diseases such as Alström, Bardet-Biedl, Joubert, Meckel-Gruber and oral-facial-digital type 1 syndromes. The expression and function of primary cilia in cancer cells has now become a focus of attention but has not been studied in astrocytomas/glioblastomas. To begin to address this issue, we compared the structure and expression of primary cilia in a normal human astrocyte cell line with five human astrocytoma/glioblastoma cell lines. Methods Cultured normal human astrocytes and five human astrocytoma/glioblastoma cell lines were examined for primary cilia expression and structure using indirect immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Monospecific antibodies were used to detect primary cilia and map the relationship between the primary cilia region and sites of endocytosis. Results We show that expression of primary cilia in normal astrocytes is cell cycle related and the primary cilium extends through the cell within a unique structure which we show to be a site of endocytosis. Importantly, we document that in each of the five astrocytoma/glioblastoma cell lines fully formed primary cilia are either expressed at a very low level, are completely absent or have aberrant forms, due to incomplete ciliogenesis. Conclusions The recent discovery of the importance of primary cilia in a variety of cell functions raises the possibility that this structure may have a role in a variety of cancers. Our finding that the formation of the primary cilium is disrupted in cells derived from astrocytoma/glioblastoma tumors provides the first evidence that altered primary cilium expression and function may be part of some malignant phenotypes. Further, we provide the first evidence that ciliogenesis is not an all or none process; rather defects can arrest this process at various points, particularly at the stage subsequent to basal body association with the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna J Moser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Navet S, Andouche A, Baratte S, Bonnaud L. Shh and Pax6 have unconventional expression patterns in embryonic morphogenesis in Sepia officinalis (Cephalopoda). Gene Expr Patterns 2009; 9:461-7. [PMID: 19683074 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2009.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2009] [Revised: 08/05/2009] [Accepted: 08/07/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cephalopods show a very complex nervous system, particularly derived when compared to other molluscs. In vertebrates, the setting up of the nervous system depends on genes such as Shh and Pax6. In this paper we assess Shh and Pax6 expression patterns during Sepia officinalis development by whole-mount in situ hybridization. In vertebrates, Shh has been shown to indirectly inhibit Pax6. This seems to be the case in cephalopods as the expression patterns of these genes do not overlap during S. officinalis development. Pax6 is expressed in the optic region and brain and Shh in gut structures, as already seen in vertebrates and Drosophila. Thus, both genes show expression in analogous structures in vertebrates. Surprisingly, they also exhibit unconventional expressions such as in gills for Pax6 and ganglia borders for Shh. They are also expressed in many cephalopods' derived characters among molluscs as in arm suckers for Pax6 and beak producing tissues, nuchal organ and neural cord of the arms for Shh. This new data supports the fact that molecular control patterns have evolved with the appearance of morphological novelties in cephalopods as shown in this new model, S. officinalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Navet
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Département Milieux et Peuplements Aquatiques, Laboratoire Biologie des ORganismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, UMR MNHN USM 401, CNRS 7208, IRD 207, UPMC, Paris, France.
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Bambakidis NC, Horn EM, Nakaji P, Theodore N, Bless E, Dellovade T, Ma C, Wang X, Preul MC, Coons SW, Spetzler RF, Sonntag VKH. Endogenous stem cell proliferation induced by intravenous hedgehog agonist administration after contusion in the adult rat spinal cord. J Neurosurg Spine 2009; 10:171-6. [PMID: 19278333 DOI: 10.3171/2008.10.spi08231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECT Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a glycoprotein molecule that upregulates the transcription factor Gli1. The Shh protein plays a critical role in the proliferation of endogenous neural precursor cells when directly injected into the spinal cord after a spinal cord injury in adult rodents. Small-molecule agonists of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway were used in an attempt to reproduce these findings through intravenous administration. METHODS The expression of Gli1 was measured in rat spinal cord after the intravenous administration of an Hh agonist. Ten adult rats received a moderate contusion and were treated with either an Hh agonist (10 mg/kg, intravenously) or vehicle (5 rodents per group) 1 hour and 4 days after injury. The rats were killed 5 days postinjury. Tissue samples were immediately placed in fixative. Samples were immunohistochemically stained for neural precursor cells, and these cells were counted. RESULTS Systemic dosing with an Hh agonist significantly upregulated Gli1 expression in the spinal cord (p < 0.005). After spinal contusion, animals treated with the Hh agonist had significantly more nestin-positive neural precursor cells around the rim of the lesion cavity than in vehicle-treated controls (means +/- SDs, 46.9 +/- 12.9 vs 20.9 +/- 8.3 cells/hpf, respectively, p < 0.005). There was no significant difference in the area of white matter injury between the groups. CONCLUSIONS An intravenous Hh agonist at doses that upregulate spinal cord Gli1 transcription also increases the population of neural precursor cells after spinal cord injury in adult rats. These data support previous findings based on injections of Shh protein directly into the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Bambakidis
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and Neurological Institute, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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