1
|
Zhang C, Li Y, Chakraborty A, Li Y, Rebello KR, Ren P, Luo W, Zhang L, Lu HS, Cassis LA, Coselli JS, Daugherty A, LeMaire SA, Shen YH. Aortic Stress Activates an Adaptive Program in Thoracic Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells That Maintains Aortic Strength and Protects Against Aneurysm and Dissection in Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:234-252. [PMID: 36579645 PMCID: PMC9877188 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When aortic cells are under stress, such as increased hemodynamic pressure, they adapt to the environment by modifying their functions, allowing the aorta to maintain its strength. To understand the regulation of this adaptive response, we examined transcriptomic and epigenomic programs in aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) during the adaptive response to AngII (angiotensin II) infusion and determined its importance in protecting against aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD). METHODS We performed single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-seq) analyses in a mouse model of sporadic AAD induced by AngII infusion. We also examined the direct effects of YAP (yes-associated protein) on the SMC adaptive response in vitro. The role of YAP in AAD development was further evaluated in AngII-infused mice with SMC-specific Yap deletion. RESULTS In wild-type mice, AngII infusion increased medial thickness in the thoracic aorta. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed an adaptive response in thoracic SMCs characterized by upregulated genes with roles in wound healing, elastin and collagen production, proliferation, migration, cytoskeleton organization, cell-matrix focal adhesion, and PI3K-PKB/Akt (phosphoinositide-3-kinase-protein kinase B/Akt) and TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta) signaling. ScATAC-seq analysis showed increased chromatin accessibility at regulatory regions of adaptive genes and revealed the mechanical sensor YAP/transcriptional enhanced associate domains as a top candidate transcription complex driving the expression of these genes (eg, Lox, Col5a2, Tgfb2). In cultured human aortic SMCs, cyclic stretch activated YAP, which directly bound to adaptive gene regulatory regions (eg, Lox) and increased their transcript abundance. SMC-specific Yap deletion in mice compromised this adaptive response in SMCs, leading to an increased AAD incidence. CONCLUSIONS Aortic stress triggers the systemic epigenetic induction of an adaptive response (eg, wound healing, proliferation, matrix organization) in thoracic aortic SMCs that depends on functional biomechanical signal transduction (eg, YAP signaling). Our study highlights the importance of the adaptive response in maintaining aortic homeostasis and preventing AAD in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Abhijit Chakraborty
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Kimberly R Rebello
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Pingping Ren
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Wei Luo
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Lin Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S.L., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S.L., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Joseph S Coselli
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.S.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S.L., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S.L., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.S.)
| | - Ying H Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
The Krüppel-like factor 15-NFATc1 axis ameliorates podocyte injury: a novel rationale for using glucocorticoids in proteinuria diseases. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:1305-1318. [PMID: 32478397 DOI: 10.1042/cs20200075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Podocyte injury and loss contribute to proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis and eventually kidney failure. Recent studies have demonstrated that the loss of Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) in podocytes increases the susceptibility to injury; however, the mechanism underlying the protective effects on podocyte injury remains incompletely understood. Herein, we showed that KLF15 ameliorates podocyte injury through suppressing NFAT signaling and the salutary effects of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone in podocyte were partially mediated by the KLF15-NFATc1 axis. We found that KLF15 was significantly reduced in glomerular cells of proteinuric patients and in ADR-, LPS- or HG-treated podocyets in vitro. Overexpression of KLF15 attenuated podocyte apoptosis induced by ADR, LPS or HG and resulted in decreased expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and increased expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Conversely, the flow cytometry analysis and TUNEl assay demonstrated that loss of KLF15 accelerated podocyte apoptosis and we further found that 11R-VIVIT, a specific NFAT inhibitor, and NFATc1-siRNA rescued KLF15-deficient induced podocyte apoptosis. Meanwhile, Western blot and RT-qPCR showed that the expression of NFATc1 was up-regulated in KLF15 silenced podocytes and reduced in KLF15 overexpressed podocytes. Mechanistically, ChIP analysis showed that KLF15 bound to the NFATc1 promoter region -1984 to -1861base pairs upstream of the transcription start site and the binding amount was decreased after treatment with LPS. The dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that NFATc1 was a direct target of KLF15. In addition, we found that in vitro treatment with dexamethasone induced a decrease of NFATc1 expression in podocytes and was abrogated by knockdown of KLF15. Hence, our results identify the critical role of the KLF15-NFATc1 axis in podocyte injury and loss, which may be involved in mediating the salutary effects of dexamethasone in podocytes.
Collapse
|
3
|
Cole AJ, Iyengar M, Panesso-Gómez S, O'Hayer P, Chan D, Delgoffe GM, Aird KM, Yoon E, Bai S, Buckanovich RJ. NFATC4 promotes quiescence and chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer. JCI Insight 2020; 5:131486. [PMID: 32182216 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.131486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of chemotherapy resistance is a major problem in ovarian cancer. One understudied mechanism of chemoresistance is the induction of quiescence, a reversible nonproliferative state. Unfortunately, little is known about regulators of quiescence. Here, we identify the master transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 4 (NFATC4) as a regulator of quiescence in ovarian cancer. NFATC4 is enriched in ovarian cancer stem-like cells and correlates with decreased proliferation and poor prognosis. Treatment of cancer cells with cisplatin resulted in NFATC4 nuclear translocation and activation of the NFATC4 pathway, while inhibition of the pathway increased chemotherapy response. Induction of NFATC4 activity resulted in a marked decrease in proliferation, G0 cell cycle arrest, and chemotherapy resistance, both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, NFATC4 drove a quiescent phenotype in part via downregulation of MYC. Together, these data identify NFATC4 as a driver of quiescence and a potential new target to combat chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Cole
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mangala Iyengar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Santiago Panesso-Gómez
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Patrick O'Hayer
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel Chan
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Greg M Delgoffe
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katherine M Aird
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Euisik Yoon
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Shoumei Bai
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ronald J Buckanovich
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Garcia-Vaz E, McNeilly AD, Berglund LM, Ahmad A, Gallagher JR, Dutius Andersson AM, McCrimmon RJ, Zetterqvist AV, Gomez MF, Khan F. Inhibition of NFAT Signaling Restores Microvascular Endothelial Function in Diabetic Mice. Diabetes 2020; 69:424-435. [PMID: 31806622 DOI: 10.2337/db18-0870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Central to the development of diabetic macro- and microvascular disease is endothelial dysfunction, which appears well before any clinical sign but, importantly, is potentially reversible. We previously demonstrated that hyperglycemia activates nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) in conduit and medium-sized resistance arteries and that NFAT blockade abolishes diabetes-driven aggravation of atherosclerosis. In this study, we test whether NFAT plays a role in the development of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. NFAT-dependent transcriptional activity was elevated in skin microvessels of diabetic Akita (Ins2 +/- ) mice when compared with nondiabetic littermates. Treatment of diabetic mice with the NFAT blocker A-285222 reduced NFATc3 nuclear accumulation and NFAT-luciferase transcriptional activity in skin microvessels, resulting in improved microvascular function, as assessed by laser Doppler imaging and iontophoresis of acetylcholine and localized heating. This improvement was abolished by pretreatment with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor l-N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, while iontophoresis of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside eliminated the observed differences. A-285222 treatment enhanced dermis endothelial NO synthase expression and plasma NO levels of diabetic mice. It also prevented induction of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and osteopontin, lowered plasma endothelin-1 and blood pressure, and improved mouse survival without affecting blood glucose. In vivo inhibition of NFAT may represent a novel therapeutic modality to preserve endothelial function in diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Garcia-Vaz
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Alison D McNeilly
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee, Dundee, U.K
| | - Lisa M Berglund
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Abrar Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jennifer R Gallagher
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee, Dundee, U.K
| | | | - Rory J McCrimmon
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee, Dundee, U.K
| | - Anna V Zetterqvist
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria F Gomez
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Faisel Khan
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee, Dundee, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Inoue K, Tian X, Velazquez H, Soda K, Wang Z, Pedigo CE, Wang Y, Cross E, Groener M, Shin JW, Li W, Hassan H, Yamamoto K, Mundel P, Ishibe S. Inhibition of Endocytosis of Clathrin-Mediated Angiotensin II Receptor Type 1 in Podocytes Augments Glomerular Injury. J Am Soc Nephrol 2019; 30:2307-2320. [PMID: 31511362 PMCID: PMC6900791 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2019010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system remains a cornerstone in reducing proteinuria and progression of kidney failure, effects believed to be the result of reduction in BP and glomerular hyperfiltration. However, studies have yielded conflicting results on whether podocyte-specific angiotensin II (AngII) signaling directly induces podocyte injury. Previous research has found that after AngII stimulation, β-arrestin-bound angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) is internalized in a clathrin- and dynamin-dependent manner, and that Dynamin1 and Dynamin2 double-knockout mice exhibit impaired clathrin-mediated endocytosis. METHODS We used podocyte-specific Dyn double-knockout mice to examine AngII-stimulated AT1R internalization and signaling in primary podocytes and controls. We also examined the in vivo effect of AngII in these double-knockout mice through renin-angiotensin system blockers and through deletion of Agtr1a (which encodes the predominant AT1R isoform expressed in kidney, AT1aR). We tested calcium influx, Rac1 activation, and lamellipodial extension in control and primary podocytes of Dnm double-knockout mice treated with AngII. RESULTS We confirmed augmented AngII-stimulated AT1R signaling in primary Dnm double-knockout podocytes resulting from arrest of clathrin-coated pit turnover. Genetic ablation of podocyte Agtr1a in Dnm double-knockout mice demonstrated improved albuminuria and kidney function compared with the double-knockout mice. Isolation of podocytes from Dnm double-knockout mice revealed abnormal membrane dynamics, with increased Rac1 activation and lamellipodial extension, which was attenuated in Dnm double-knockout podocytes lacking AT1aR. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that inhibiting aberrant podocyte-associated AT1aR signaling pathways has a protective effect in maintaining the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Inoue
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Xuefei Tian
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Heino Velazquez
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Keita Soda
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Zhen Wang
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Christopher E Pedigo
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ying Wang
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Elizabeth Cross
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Marwin Groener
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jee-Won Shin
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Wei Li
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Hossam Hassan
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Koichi Yamamoto
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan; and
| | - Peter Mundel
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shuta Ishibe
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut;
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Choi C, Kim T, Chang KT, Min K. DSCR1-mediated TET1 splicing regulates miR-124 expression to control adult hippocampal neurogenesis. EMBO J 2019; 38:e101293. [PMID: 31304631 PMCID: PMC6627232 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018101293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation and microRNAs interact to control adult hippocampal neurogenesis is not fully understood. Here, we show that Down syndrome critical region 1 (DSCR1) protein plays a key role in adult hippocampal neurogenesis by modulating two epigenetic factors: TET1 and miR-124. We find that DSCR1 mutant mice have impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis. DSCR1 binds to TET1 introns to regulate splicing of TET1, thereby modulating TET1 level. Furthermore, TET1 controls the demethylation of the miRNA-124 promoter to modulate miR-124 expression. Correcting the level of TET1 in DSCR1 knockout mice is sufficient to prevent defective adult neurogenesis. Importantly, restoring DSCR1 level in a Down syndrome mouse model effectively rescued adult neurogenesis and learning and memory deficits. Our study reveals that DSCR1 plays a critical upstream role in epigenetic regulation of adult neurogenesis and provides insights into potential therapeutic strategy for treating cognitive defects in Down syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiyeol Choi
- Department of Biological SciencesSchool of Life SciencesUlsan National Institute of Science and TechnologyUlsanKorea
- National Creative Research Initiative Center for ProteostasisUlsan National Institute of Science and TechnologyUlsanKorea
| | - Taehoon Kim
- Department of Biological SciencesSchool of Life SciencesUlsan National Institute of Science and TechnologyUlsanKorea
- National Creative Research Initiative Center for ProteostasisUlsan National Institute of Science and TechnologyUlsanKorea
| | - Karen T Chang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic InstituteKeck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Kyung‐Tai Min
- Department of Biological SciencesSchool of Life SciencesUlsan National Institute of Science and TechnologyUlsanKorea
- National Creative Research Initiative Center for ProteostasisUlsan National Institute of Science and TechnologyUlsanKorea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zeng P, Chen J, Meng Y, Zhou Y, Yang J, Cui Q. Defining Essentiality Score of Protein-Coding Genes and Long Noncoding RNAs. Front Genet 2018; 9:380. [PMID: 30356729 PMCID: PMC6189311 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Measuring the essentiality of genes is critically important in biology and medicine. Here we proposed a computational method, GIC (Gene Importance Calculator), which can efficiently predict the essentiality of both protein-coding genes and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) based on only sequence information. For identifying the essentiality of protein-coding genes, GIC outperformed well-established computational scores. In an independent mouse lncRNA dataset, GIC also achieved an exciting performance (AUC = 0.918). In contrast, the traditional computational methods are not applicable to lncRNAs. Moreover, we explored several potential applications of GIC score. Firstly, we revealed a correlation between gene GIC score and research hotspots of genes. Moreover, GIC score can be used to evaluate whether a gene in mouse is representative for its homolog in human by dissecting its cross-species difference. This is critical for basic medicine because many basic medical studies are performed in animal models. Finally, we showed that GIC score can be used to identify candidate genes from a transcriptomics study. GIC is freely available at http://www.cuilab.cn/gic/.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zeng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Centre for Noncoding RNA Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Centre for Noncoding RNA Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhong Meng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Centre for Noncoding RNA Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Centre for Noncoding RNA Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jichun Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Centre for Noncoding RNA Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Cui
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Centre for Noncoding RNA Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Blanco F, Heinonen SE, Gurzeler E, Berglund LM, Dutius Andersson AM, Kotova O, Jönsson-Rylander AC, Ylä-Herttuala S, Gomez MF. In vivo inhibition of nuclear factor of activated T-cells leads to atherosclerotic plaque regression in IGF-II/LDLR -/-ApoB 100/100 mice. Diab Vasc Dis Res 2018; 15:302-313. [PMID: 29499628 PMCID: PMC6039864 DOI: 10.1177/1479164118759220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Despite vast clinical experience linking diabetes and atherosclerosis, the molecular mechanisms leading to accelerated vascular damage are still unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of nuclear factor of activated T-cells inhibition on plaque burden in a novel mouse model of type 2 diabetes that better replicates human disease. METHODS & RESULTS IGF-II/LDLR-/-ApoB100/100 mice were generated by crossbreeding low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice that synthesize only apolipoprotein B100 (LDLR-/-ApoB100/100) with transgenic mice overexpressing insulin-like growth factor-II in pancreatic β cells. Mice have mild hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia and develop complex atherosclerotic lesions. In vivo treatment with the nuclear factor of activated T-cells blocker A-285222 for 4 weeks reduced atherosclerotic plaque area and degree of stenosis in the brachiocephalic artery of IGF-II/LDLR-/-ApoB100/100 mice, as assessed non-invasively using ultrasound biomicroscopy prior and after treatment, and histologically after termination. Treatment had no impact on plaque composition (i.e. muscle, collagen, macrophages). The reduced plaque area could not be explained by effects of A-285222 on plasma glucose, insulin or lipids. Inhibition of nuclear factor of activated T-cells was associated with increased expression of atheroprotective NOX4 and of the anti-oxidant enzyme catalase in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. CONCLUSION Targeting the nuclear factor of activated T-cells signalling pathway may be an attractive approach for the treatment of diabetic macrovascular complications.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apolipoprotein B-100
- Apolipoproteins B/deficiency
- Apolipoproteins B/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/prevention & control
- Brachiocephalic Trunk/drug effects
- Brachiocephalic Trunk/metabolism
- Brachiocephalic Trunk/pathology
- Catalase/metabolism
- Cells, Cultured
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/deficiency
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/genetics
- Male
- Mice, 129 Strain
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- NADPH Oxidase 4/metabolism
- NFATC Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- NFATC Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Oxidative Stress/drug effects
- Phenotype
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Signal Transduction
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Blanco
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre (LUDC), Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Departamento de Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Suvi E Heinonen
- Bioscience, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Erika Gurzeler
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lisa M Berglund
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre (LUDC), Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Anna-Maria Dutius Andersson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre (LUDC), Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Olga Kotova
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre (LUDC), Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Ann-Cathrine Jönsson-Rylander
- Bioscience, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maria F Gomez
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre (LUDC), Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hishida A, Nakatochi M, Akiyama M, Kamatani Y, Nishiyama T, Ito H, Oze I, Nishida Y, Hara M, Takashima N, Turin TC, Watanabe M, Suzuki S, Ibusuki R, Shimoshikiryo I, Nakamura Y, Mikami H, Ikezaki H, Furusyo N, Kuriki K, Endoh K, Koyama T, Matsui D, Uemura H, Arisawa K, Sasakabe T, Okada R, Kawai S, Naito M, Momozawa Y, Kubo M, Wakai K. Genome-Wide Association Study of Renal Function Traits: Results from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study. Am J Nephrol 2018; 47:304-316. [PMID: 29779033 DOI: 10.1159/000488946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a rapidly growing, worldwide public health problem. Recent advances in genome-wide-association studies (GWAS) revealed several genetic loci associated with renal function traits worldwide. METHODS We investigated the association of genetic factors with the levels of serum creatinine (SCr) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in Japanese population-based cohorts analyzing the GWAS imputed data with 11,221 subjects and 12,617,569 variants, and replicated the findings with the 148,829 hospital-based Japanese subjects. RESULTS In the discovery phase, 28 variants within 4 loci (chromosome [chr] 2 with 8 variants including rs3770636 in the LDL receptor related protein 2 gene locus, on chr 5 with 2 variants including rs270184, chr 17 with 15 variants including rs3785837 in the BCAS3 gene locus, and chr 18 with 3 variants including rs74183647 in the nuclear factor of -activated T-cells 1 gene locus) reached the suggestive level of p < 1 × 10-6 in association with eGFR and SCr, and 2 variants on chr 4 (including rs78351985 in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein gene locus) fulfilled the suggestive level in association with the risk of CKD. In the replication phase, 25 variants within 3 loci (chr 2 with 7 variants, chr 17 with 15 variants and chr 18 with 3 variants) in association with eGFR and SCr, and 2 variants on chr 4 associated with the risk of CKD became nominally statistically significant after Bonferroni correction, among which 15 variants on chr 17 and 3 variants on chr 18 reached genome-wide significance of p < 5 × 10-8 in the combined study meta-analysis. The associations of the loci on chr 2 and 18 with eGFR and SCr as well as that on chr 4 with CKD risk have not been previously reported in the Japanese and East Asian populations. CONCLUSION Although the present GWAS of renal function traits included the largest sample of Japanese participants to date, we did not identify novel loci for renal traits. However, we identified the novel associations of the genetic loci on chr 2, 4, and 18 with renal function traits in the Japanese population, suggesting these are transethnic loci. Further investigations of these associations are expected to further validate our findings for the potential establishment of personalized prevention of renal disease in the Japanese and East Asian populations.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Asian People/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4/genetics
- Cohort Studies
- Creatinine/blood
- Female
- Genetic Loci
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Genome-Wide Association Study
- Glomerular Filtration Rate
- Humans
- Japan/epidemiology
- Kidney/physiopathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Prevalence
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/blood
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/genetics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asahi Hishida
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nakatochi
- Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masato Akiyama
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Kamatani
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nishiyama
- Department of Public Health, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Hidemi Ito
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Isao Oze
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Nishida
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Megumi Hara
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Takashima
- Department of Health Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Tanvir Chowdhury Turin
- Department of Family Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Miki Watanabe
- Department of Public Health, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sadao Suzuki
- Department of Public Health, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Rie Ibusuki
- Department of International Island and Community Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Ippei Shimoshikiryo
- Department of International Island and Community Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yohko Nakamura
- Cancer Prevention Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Chiba, Japan
| | - Haruo Mikami
- Cancer Prevention Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ikezaki
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Norihiro Furusyo
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kiyonori Kuriki
- Laboratory of Public Health, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kaori Endoh
- Laboratory of Public Health, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Teruhide Koyama
- Department of Epidemiology for Community Health and Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Matsui
- Department of Epidemiology for Community Health and Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Uemura
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Health Biosciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Kokichi Arisawa
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Health Biosciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Tae Sasakabe
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Rieko Okada
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sayo Kawai
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mariko Naito
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Michiaki Kubo
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kenji Wakai
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 Expression by Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells Attenuates the Differentiated Phenotype. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2017; 68:127-42. [PMID: 27159620 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The development of numerous types of cardiovascular disease is associated with alteration of the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype. We have previously shown that abdominal aortic aneurysm progression in a mouse model of the disease is associated with reduced differentiation of SMCs within the lesion and that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is critical to initiation and progression of the aneurysms. The current studies used human aortic SMC (hASMC) cultures to better characterize mechanisms responsible for COX-2-dependent modulation of the SMC phenotype. Depending on the culture conditions, hASMCs expressed multiple characteristics of a differentiated and contractile phenotype, or a dedifferentiated and secretory phenotype. The pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 promoted the differentiated phenotype, whereas treatment with the COX-2-derived metabolite prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increased characteristics of the dedifferentiated phenotype. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition or siRNA-mediated knockdown of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), the enzyme that functions downstream of COX-2 during the synthesis of PGE2, significantly increased expression of characteristics of the differentiated SMC phenotype. Therefore, our findings suggest that COX-2 and mPGES-1-dependent synthesis of PGE2 contributes to a dedifferentiated hASMC phenotype and that mPGES-1 may provide a novel pharmacological target for treatment of cardiovascular diseases where altered SMC differentiation has a causative role.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cardiometabolic diseases increasingly afflict our aging, dysmetabolic population. Complex signals regulating low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) and frizzled protein family members - the plasma membrane receptors for the cadre of Wnt polypeptide morphogens - contribute to the control of cardiovascular homeostasis. RECENT FINDINGS Both canonical (β-catenin-dependent) and noncanonical (β-catenin-independent) Wnt signaling programs control vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cell phenotypic modulation in cardiometabolic disease. LRP6 limits VSM proliferation, reduces arteriosclerotic transcriptional reprogramming, and preserves insulin sensitivity while LRP5 restrains foam cell formation. Adipose, skeletal muscle, macrophages, and VSM have emerged as important sources of circulating Wnt ligands that are dynamically regulated during the prediabetes-diabetes transition with cardiometabolic consequences. Platelets release Dkk1, a LRP5/LRP6 inhibitor that induces endothelial inflammation and the prosclerotic endothelial-mesenchymal transition. By contrast, inhibitory secreted frizzled-related proteins shape the Wnt signaling milieu to limit myocardial inflammation with ischemia-reperfusion injury. VSM sclerostin, an inhibitor of canonical Wnt signaling in bone, restrains remodeling that predisposes to aneurysm formation, and is downregulated in aneurysmal vessels by epigenetic methylation. SUMMARY Components of the Wnt signaling cascade represent novel targets for pharmacological intervention in cardiometabolic disease. Conversely, strategies targeting the Wnt signaling cascade for other therapeutic purposes will have cardiovascular consequences that must be delineated to establish clinically useful pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin Gay
- Department of Internal Medicine-Endocrine Division, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chen J, Cui X, Qian Z, Li Y, Kang K, Qu J, Li L, Gou D. Multi-omics analysis reveals regulators of the response to PDGF-BB treatment in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:781. [PMID: 27716141 PMCID: PMC5053085 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3122-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a lethal disease with pronounced narrowing of pulmonary vessels due to abnormal cell proliferation. The platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) is well known as a potent mitogen for smooth muscle cell proliferation. To better understand how this growth factor regulates pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation, we sought to characterize the response to PDGF-BB stimulation at system-wide levels, including the transcriptome and proteome. Results In this study, we identified 1611 mRNAs (transcriptome), 207 proteins (proteome) differentially expressed in response to PDGF-BB stimulation in PASMCs based on RNA-sequencing and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) assay. Transcription factor (TF)-target network analysis revealed that PDGF-BB regulated gene expression potentially via TFs including HIF1A, JUN, EST1, ETS1, SMAD1, FOS, SP1, STAT1, LEF1 and CEBPB. Among them, SMAD1-involved BMPR2/SMADs axis plays a significant role in PAH development. Interestingly, we observed that the expression of BMPR2 was decreased in both mRNA and protein level in response to PDGF-BB. Further study revealed that BMPR2 is the direct target of miR-376b that is up-regulated upon PDGF-BB treatment. Finally, EdU incorporation assay showed that miR-376b promoted proliferation of PASMCs. Conclusion This integrated analysis of PDGF-BB-regulated transcriptome and proteome was performed for the first time in normal PASMCs, which revealed a crosstalk between PDGF signaling and BMPR2/SMADs axis. Further study demonstrated that PDGF-BB-induced miR-376b upregulation mediated the downregulation of BMPR2, which led to expression change of its downstream targets and promoted proliferation of PASMCs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3122-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jidong Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China.,Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Xiaolei Cui
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Zhengjiang Qian
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China.,Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Yanjiao Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China.,Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Kang Kang
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Junle Qu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Li Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China.
| | - Deming Gou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zetterqvist AV, Blanco F, Öhman J, Kotova O, Berglund LM, de Frutos Garcia S, Al-Naemi R, Wigren M, McGuire PG, Gonzalez Bosc LV, Gomez MF. Nuclear factor of activated T cells is activated in the endothelium of retinal microvessels in diabetic mice. J Diabetes Res 2015; 2015:428473. [PMID: 25918731 PMCID: PMC4396720 DOI: 10.1155/2015/428473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains unclear but hyperglycemia is an established risk factor. Endothelial dysfunction and changes in Ca2+ signaling have been shown to precede the onset of DR. We recently demonstrated that high extracellular glucose activates the Ca(2+)/calcineurin-dependent transcription factor NFAT in cerebral arteries and aorta, promoting the expression of inflammatory markers. Here we show, using confocal immunofluorescence, that NFAT is expressed in the endothelium of retinal microvessels and is readily activated by high glucose. This was inhibited by the NFAT blocker A-285222 as well as by the ectonucleotidase apyrase, suggesting a mechanism involving the release of extracellular nucleotides. Acute hyperglycemia induced by an IP-GTT (intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test) resulted in increased NFATc3 nuclear accumulation and NFAT-dependent transcriptional activity in retinal vessels of NFAT-luciferase reporter mice. In both Akita (Ins2(+/-) ) and streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice, NFAT transcriptional activity was elevated in retinal vessels. In vivo inhibition of NFAT with A-285222 decreased the expression of OPN and ICAM-1 mRNA in retinal vessels, prevented a diabetes driven downregulation of anti-inflammatory IL-10 in retina, and abrogated the increased vascular permeability observed in diabetic mice. Results identify NFAT signaling as a putative target for treatment of microvascular complications in diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna V. Zetterqvist
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Fabiana Blanco
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden
- Departamento de Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Jenny Öhman
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Olga Kotova
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Lisa M. Berglund
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sergio de Frutos Garcia
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Raed Al-Naemi
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Maria Wigren
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Paul G. McGuire
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Laura V. Gonzalez Bosc
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Maria F. Gomez
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden
- *Maria F. Gomez:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Integration of proteomic and transcriptomic profiles identifies a novel PDGF-MYC network in human smooth muscle cells. Cell Commun Signal 2014; 12:44. [PMID: 25080971 PMCID: PMC4422302 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-014-0044-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) has been implicated in the proliferation, migration and synthetic activities of smooth muscle cells that characterize physiologic and pathologic tissue remodeling in hollow organs. However, neither the molecular basis of PDGFR-regulated signaling webs, nor the extent to which specific components within these networks could be exploited for therapeutic benefit has been fully elucidated. Results Expression profiling and quantitative proteomics analysis of PDGF-treated primary human bladder smooth muscle cells identified 1,695 genes and 241 proteins as differentially expressed versus non-treated cells. Analysis of gene expression data revealed MYC, JUN, EGR1, MYB, RUNX1, as the transcription factors most significantly networked with up-regulated genes. Forty targets were significantly altered at both the mRNA and protein levels. Proliferation, migration and angiogenesis were the biological processes most significantly associated with this signature, and MYC was the most highly networked master regulator. Alterations in master regulators and gene targets were validated in PDGF-stimulated smooth muscle cells in vitro and in a model of bladder injury in vivo. Pharmacologic inhibition of MYC and JUN confirmed their role in SMC proliferation and migration. Network analysis identified the diaphanous-related formin 3 as a novel PDGF target regulated by MYC and JUN, which was necessary for PDGF-stimulated lamellipodium formation. Conclusions These findings provide the first systems-level analysis of the PDGF-regulated transcriptome and proteome in normal smooth muscle cells. The analyses revealed an extensive cohort of PDGF-dependent biological processes and connected key transcriptional effectors to their regulation, significantly expanding current knowledge of PDGF-stimulated signaling cascades. These observations also implicate MYC as a novel target for pharmacological intervention in fibroproliferative expansion of smooth muscle, and potentially in cancers in which PDGFR-dependent signaling or MYC activation promote tumor progression.
Collapse
|
15
|
Nuclear factor of activated T cells regulates neutrophil recruitment, systemic inflammation, and T-cell dysfunction in abdominal sepsis. Infect Immun 2014; 82:3275-88. [PMID: 24866796 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01569-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The signaling mechanisms regulating neutrophil recruitment, systemic inflammation, and T-cell dysfunction in polymicrobial sepsis are not clear. This study explored the potential involvement of the calcium/calcineurin-dependent transcription factor, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), in abdominal sepsis. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) triggered NFAT-dependent transcriptional activity in the lung, spleen, liver, and aorta in NFAT-luciferase reporter mice. Treatment with the NFAT inhibitor A-285222 prior to CLP completely prevented sepsis-induced NFAT activation in all these organs. Inhibition of NFAT activity reduced sepsis-induced formation of CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL5 chemokines and edema as well as neutrophil infiltration in the lung. Notably, NFAT inhibition efficiently reduced the CLP-evoked increases in HMBG1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and CXCL5 levels in plasma. Moreover, administration of A-285222 restored sepsis-induced T-cell dysfunction, as evidenced by markedly decreased apoptosis and restored proliferative capacity of CD4 T cells. Along these lines, treatment with A-285222 restored gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and IL-4 levels in the spleen, which were markedly reduced in septic mice. CLP-induced formation of regulatory T cells (CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+)) in the spleen was also abolished in A-285222-treated animals. All together, these novel findings suggest that NFAT is a powerful regulator of pathological inflammation and T-cell immune dysfunction in abdominal sepsis. Thus, our data suggest that NFAT signaling might be a useful target to protect against respiratory failure and immunosuppression in patients with sepsis.
Collapse
|
16
|
Zetterqvist AV, Berglund LM, Blanco F, Garcia-Vaz E, Wigren M, Dunér P, Andersson AMD, To F, Spegel P, Nilsson J, Bengtsson E, Gomez MF. Inhibition of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) suppresses accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetic mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65020. [PMID: 23755169 PMCID: PMC3670844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective of the Study Diabetic patients have a much more widespread and aggressive form of atherosclerosis and therefore, higher risk for myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease and stroke, but the molecular mechanisms leading to accelerated damage are still unclear. Recently, we showed that hyperglycemia activates the transcription factor NFAT in the arterial wall, inducing the expression of the pro-atherosclerotic protein osteopontin. Here we investigate whether NFAT activation may be a link between diabetes and atherogenesis. Methodology and Principal Findings Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in apolipoprotein E−/− mice resulted in 2.2 fold increased aortic atherosclerosis and enhanced pro-inflammatory burden, as evidenced by elevated blood monocytes, endothelial activation- and inflammatory markers in aorta, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma. In vivo treatment with the NFAT blocker A-285222 for 4 weeks completely inhibited the diabetes-induced aggravation of atherosclerosis, having no effect in non-diabetic mice. STZ-treated mice exhibited hyperglycemia and higher plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, but these were unaffected by A-285222. NFAT-dependent transcriptional activity was examined in aorta, spleen, thymus, brain, heart, liver and kidney, but only augmented in the aorta of diabetic mice. A-285222 completely blocked this diabetes-driven NFAT activation, but had no impact on the other organs or on splenocyte proliferation or cytokine secretion, ruling out systemic immunosuppression as the mechanism behind reduced atherosclerosis. Instead, NFAT inhibition effectively reduced IL-6, osteopontin, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, CD68 and tissue factor expression in the arterial wall and lowered plasma IL-6 in diabetic mice. Conclusions Targeting NFAT signaling may be a novel and attractive approach for the treatment of diabetic macrovascular complications.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Apolipoproteins E/deficiency
- Apolipoproteins E/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/blood
- Atherosclerosis/complications
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- Blood Glucose/metabolism
- Body Weight/drug effects
- Cholesterol/blood
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/complications
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/pathology
- Disease Progression
- Inflammation/pathology
- Interleukin-6/blood
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Monocytes/metabolism
- NFATC Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- NFATC Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/pathology
- Pyrazoles/pharmacokinetics
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa M. Berglund
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Fabiana Blanco
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Eliana Garcia-Vaz
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Maria Wigren
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Pontus Dunér
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Fong To
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Peter Spegel
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jan Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Eva Bengtsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Maria F. Gomez
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Effectiveness of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition in limiting abdominal aortic aneurysm progression in mice correlates with a differentiated smooth muscle cell phenotype. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2013; 60:520-9. [PMID: 22967986 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0b013e318270b968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a chronic condition that often progress over years to produce a weakened aorta with increased susceptibility for rupture, and currently, there are no pharmacological treatments available to slow disease progression. AAA development has been characterized by increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inactivation of COX-2 before disease initiation reduces AAA incidence in a mouse model of the disease. The current study determined the effectiveness of COX-2 inhibition on AAA progression when treatment was begun after initiation of the disease. COX-2 inhibitor treatment with celecoxib was initiated after angiotensin II-induced AAA formation in a strain of nonhyperlipidemic mice that we have previously identified as highly susceptible to AAA development. When analyzed at different time points during progression of the disease, celecoxib treatment significantly reduced the incidence and severity of AAAs. The celecoxib treatment also protected the mice from aortic rupture and death. The aneurysmal lesion displayed an altered smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype, whereas celecoxib treatment was associated with increased expression of differentiated SMC markers and reduced dedifferentiation marker expression during AAA progression. Maintenance of a differentiated SMC phenotype is associated with the effectiveness of COX-2 inhibition for limiting AAA progression in nonhyperlipidemic mice.
Collapse
|
18
|
Ramiro-Diaz JM, Nitta CH, Maston LD, Codianni S, Giermakowska W, Resta TC, Gonzalez Bosc LV. NFAT is required for spontaneous pulmonary hypertension in superoxide dismutase 1 knockout mice. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2013; 304:L613-25. [PMID: 23475768 PMCID: PMC3652021 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00408.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated reactive oxygen species are implicated in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) limits superoxide bioavailability, and decreased SOD activity is associated with PH. A decrease in SOD activity is expected to increase superoxide and reduce hydrogen peroxide levels. Such an imbalance of superoxide/hydrogen peroxide has been implicated as a mediator of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activation in epidermal cells. We have shown that NFATc3 is required for chronic hypoxia-induced PH. However, it is unknown whether NFATc3 is activated in the pulmonary circulation in a mouse model of decreased SOD1 activity and whether this leads to PH. Therefore, we hypothesized that an elevated pulmonary arterial superoxide/hydrogen peroxide ratio activates NFATc3, leading to PH. We found that SOD1 knockout (KO) mice have elevated pulmonary arterial wall superoxide and decreased hydrogen peroxide levels compared with wild-type (WT) littermates. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was elevated in SOD1 KO and was associated with pulmonary arterial remodeling. Vasoreactivity to endothelin-1 was also greater in SOD1 KO vs. WT mice. NFAT activity and NFATc3 nuclear localization were increased in pulmonary arteries from SOD1 KO vs. WT mice. Administration of A-285222 (selective NFAT inhibitor) decreased RVSP, arterial wall thickness, vasoreactivity, and NFAT activity in SOD1 KO mice to WT levels. The SOD mimetic, tempol, also reduced NFAT activity, NFATc3 nuclear localization, and RVSP to WT levels. These findings suggest that an elevated superoxide/hydrogen peroxide ratio activates NFAT in pulmonary arteries, which induces vascular remodeling and increases vascular reactivity leading to PH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Ramiro-Diaz
- Vascular Physiology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Syndecan-4 signaling via NFAT regulates extracellular matrix production and cardiac myofibroblast differentiation in response to mechanical stress. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2012.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
20
|
Pont JNA, McArdle CA, López Bernal A. Oxytocin-stimulated NFAT transcriptional activation in human myometrial cells. Mol Endocrinol 2012; 26:1743-56. [PMID: 22902539 PMCID: PMC3507519 DOI: 10.1210/me.2012-1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a peptide hormone that binds the OXT receptor on myometrial cells, initiating an intracellular signaling cascade, resulting in accumulation of intracellular calcium and smooth muscle contraction. In other systems, an elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) stimulates nuclear translocation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), which is transcriptionally active in arterial and ileal smooth muscle. Here we have investigated the role of NFAT in the mechanism of action of OXT. Human myometrial cells expressed all five NFAT isoforms (NFATC1-C4 and -5). Myometrial cells were transduced with a recombinant adenovirus expressing a NFATC1-EFP reporter, and a semi-automated imaging system was used to monitor effects of OXT on reporter localization in live cells. OXT induced a concentration-dependent nuclear translocation of NFATC1-EFP in a reversible manner, which was inhibited by OXT antagonists and calcineurin inhibitors. Pulsatile stimulation with OXT caused intermittent, pulse-frequency-dependent, nuclear translocation of NFATC1-EFP, which was more efficient than sustained stimulation. OXT induced nuclear translocation of endogenous NFAT that was transcriptionally active, because OXT stimulated activity of a NFAT-response element-luciferase reporter and induced calcineurin-NFAT dependent expression of RGS2, RCAN1, and PTGS2 (COX2) mRNA. Furthermore, OXT-dependent transcription was dependent on protein neosynthesis; cycloheximide abolished RGS2 transcription but augmented RCAN1 and COX2 transcriptional readouts. This study identifies a novel signaling mechanism within the myometrium, whereby calcineurin-NFAT signaling mediates OXT-induced transcriptional activity. Furthermore, we show NFATC1-EFP is responsive to pulses of OXT, a mechanism by which myometrial cells could decode OXT pulse frequency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason N A Pont
- Bristol University, School of Clinical Sciences, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol BS1 3NY, United Kingdom.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Is the antiproteinuric effect of cyclosporine a independent of its immunosuppressive function in T cells? Int J Nephrol 2012; 2012:809456. [PMID: 22778954 PMCID: PMC3384901 DOI: 10.1155/2012/809456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2012] [Revised: 04/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The antiproteinuric effect of cyclosporine A(CsA) has been believed to result from its immunosuppressive effect on the transcription factor NFAT in T cells. However, current evidences supporting this hypothesis are missing. A recent study showed that CsA has a direct antiproteinuric effect on podocytes, suggesting a novel non-immunosuppressive mechanism for CsA's antiproteinuric effect. Conditional NFATc1 activation in podoyctes per se is sufficient to induce proteinuria in mice, indicating that NFAT activation in podocytes is a critical pathogenic molecular event leading to podocyte injury and proteinuria. Meanwhile, evidence showed that TRPC6-mediated Ca(2+) influx stimulates NFAT-dependent TRPC6 expression. Altogether, these advances in podocyte research indicate that calcineurin-NFAT signal or calcineurin-synaptopodin axis has a direct proteinuric effect on podocytes which raises the possibility of developing specific antiproteinuric drugs that lack the unwanted effects of calcineurin or NFAT inhibition.
Collapse
|
22
|
Lohman AW, Billaud M, Straub AC, Johnstone SR, Best AK, Lee M, Barr K, Penuela S, Laird DW, Isakson BE. Expression of pannexin isoforms in the systemic murine arterial network. J Vasc Res 2012; 49:405-16. [PMID: 22739252 DOI: 10.1159/000338758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Pannexins (Panx) form ATP release channels and it has been proposed that they play an important role in the regulation of vascular tone. However, distribution of Panx across the arterial vasculature is not documented. METHODS We tested antibodies against Panx1, Panx2 and Panx3 on human embryonic kidney cells (which do not endogenously express Panx proteins) transfected with plasmids encoding each Panx isoform and Panx1(-/-) mice. Each of the Panx antibodies was found to be specific and was tested on isolated arteries using immunocytochemistry. RESULTS We demonstrated that Panx1 is the primary isoform detected in the arterial network. In large arteries, Panx1 is primarily in endothelial cells, whereas in small arteries and arterioles it localizes primarily to the smooth muscle cells. Panx1 was the predominant isoform expressed in coronary arteries, except in arteries less than 100 µm where Panx3 became detectable. Only Panx3 was expressed in the juxtaglomerular apparatus and cortical arterioles. The pulmonary artery and alveoli had expression of all 3 Panx isoforms. No Panx isoforms were detected at the myoendothelial junctions. CONCLUSION We conclude that the specific localized expression of Panx channels throughout the vasculature points towards an important role for these channels in regulating the release of ATP throughout the arterial network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W Lohman
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lee MY, Garvey SM, Ripley ML, Wamhoff BR. Genome-wide microarray analyses identify the protein C receptor as a novel calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells-dependent gene in vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2012; 31:2665-75. [PMID: 21903947 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.111.235960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Calcineurin (Cn) and the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors are critical in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) development and pathology. Here, we used a genomics approach to identify and validate NFAT gene targets activated during platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-induced SMC phenotypic modulation. METHODS AND RESULTS Genome-wide expression arrays were used to identify genes both (1) differentially activated in response to PDGF-BB and (2) whose differential expression was reduced by both the Cn inhibitor cyclosporin A and the NFAT inhibitor A-285222. The 20 most pharmacologically sensitive genes were validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of PDGF-BB-stimulated SMCs in the presence of Cn/NFAT inhibitors, including the VIVIT peptide. In all experiments, protein C receptor (PROCR) gene activation was reduced. We showed that PROCR expression was virtually absent in untreated, quiescent SMCs. PDGF-BB stimulation, however, induced significant PROCR promoter activation and downstream protein expression in a Cn/NFAT-dependent manner. Mutation of a species-conserved, NFAT binding motif significantly attenuated PDGF-BB-induced PROCR promoter activity, thereby distinguishing NFAT as the first PROCR transcriptional activator to date. Moreover, SMC PROCR expression was upregulated in the neointima as early as 7 days following acute vascular injury in rat carotid arteries. CONCLUSION We hereby report PROCR as a novel, NFAT-dependent gene that may be implicated in vascular restenosis and consequent inward remodeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Y Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP): revisiting the efficacy of sample preparation, sonication, quantification of sheared DNA, and analysis via PCR. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26015. [PMID: 22046253 PMCID: PMC3201960 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2011] [Accepted: 09/15/2011] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The “quantitative” ChIP, a tool commonly used to study protein-DNA interactions in cells and tissue, is a difficult assay often plagued with technical error. We present, herein, the process required to merge multiple protocols into a quick, reliable and easy method and an approach to accurately quantify ChIP DNA prior to performing PCR. We demonstrate that high intensity sonication for at least 30 min is required for full cellular disruption and maximum DNA recovery because ChIP lysis buffers fail to lyse formaldehyde-fixed cells. In addition, extracting ChIP DNA with chelex-100 yields samples that are too dilute for evaluation of shearing efficiency or quantification via nanospectrophotometry. However, DNA extracted from the Mock-ChIP supernatant via the phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol (PCIA) method can be used to evaluate DNA shearing efficiency and used as the standard in a fluorescence-based microplate assay. This enabled accurate quantification of DNA in chelex-extracted ChIP samples and normalization to total DNA concentration prior to performing real-time PCR (rtPCR). Thus, a quick ChIP assay that can be completed in nine bench hours over two days has been validated along with a rapid, accurate and repeatable way to quantify ChIP DNA. The resulting rtPCR data more accurately depicts treatment effects on protein-DNA interactions of interest.
Collapse
|
25
|
Halterman JA, Kwon HM, Zargham R, Bortz PDS, Wamhoff BR. Nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2011; 31:2287-96. [PMID: 21757659 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.111.232165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The tonicity-responsive transcription factor, nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5/tonicity enhancer binding protein [TonEBP]), has been well characterized in numerous cell types; however, NFAT5 function in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is unknown. Our main objective was to determine the role of NFAT5 regulation in SMCs. METHODS AND RESULTS We showed that NFAT5 is regulated by hypertonicity in SMCs and is upregulated in atherosclerosis and neointimal hyperplasia. RNAi knockdown of NFAT5 inhibited basal expression of several SMC differentiation marker genes, including smooth muscle α actin (SMαA). Bioinformatic analysis of SMαA revealed 7 putative NFAT5 binding sites in the first intron, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed NFAT5 enrichment of intronic DNA. Overexpression of NFAT5 increased SMαA promoter-intron activity, which requires an NFAT5 cis element at +1012, whereas dominant-negative NFAT5 decreased SMαA promoter-intron activity. Because it is unlikely that SMCs experience extreme changes in tonicity, we investigated other stimuli and uncovered 2 novel NFAT5-inducing factors: angiotensin II, a contractile agonist, and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), a potent mitogen in vascular injury. Angiotensin II stimulated NFAT5 translocation and activity, and NFAT5 knockdown inhibited an angiotensin II-mediated upregulation of SMαA mRNA. PDGF-BB increased NFAT5 protein, and loss of NFAT5 inhibited PDGF-BB-induced SMC migration. CONCLUSIONS We have identified NFAT5 as a novel regulator of SMC phenotypic modulation and have uncovered the role of NFAT5 in angiotensin II-induced SMαA expression and PDGF-BB-stimulated SMC migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Halterman
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wang Y, Jarad G, Tripathi P, Pan M, Cunningham J, Martin DR, Liapis H, Miner JH, Chen F. Activation of NFAT signaling in podocytes causes glomerulosclerosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2010; 21:1657-66. [PMID: 20651158 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2009121253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutant forms of TRPC6 can activate NFAT-dependent transcription in vitro via calcium influx and activation of calcineurin. The same TRPC6 mutants can cause FSGS, but whether this involves an NFAT-dependent mechanism is unknown. Here, we generated mice that allow conditional induction of NFATc1. Mice with NFAT activation in nascent podocytes in utero developed proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis postnatally, resembling FSGS. NFAT activation in adult mice also caused progressive proteinuria and FSGS. Ultrastructural studies revealed podocyte foot process effacement and deposition of extracellular matrix. NFAT activation did not initially affect expression of podocin, synaptopodin, and nephrin but reduced their expression as glomerular injury progressed. In contrast, we observed upregulation of Wnt6 and Fzd9 in the mutant glomeruli before the onset of significant proteinuria, suggesting a potential role for Wnt signaling in the pathogenesis of NFAT-induced podocyte injury and FSGS. These results provide in vivo evidence for the involvement of NFAT signaling in podocytes, proteinuria, and glomerulosclerosis. Furthermore, this study suggests that NFAT activation may be a key intermediate step in the pathogenesis of mutant TRPC6-mediated FSGS and that suppression of NFAT activity may contribute to the antiproteinuric effects of calcineurin inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinqiu Wang
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Garvey SM, Sinden DS, Schoppee Bortz PD, Wamhoff BR. Cyclosporine up-regulates Krüppel-like factor-4 (KLF4) in vascular smooth muscle cells and drives phenotypic modulation in vivo. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2010; 333:34-42. [PMID: 20089806 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.109.163949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclosporine A (CSA, calcineurin inhibitor) has been shown to block both vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation in cell culture and vessel neointimal formation following injury in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine molecular and pathological effects of CSA on VSMCs. Using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence microscopy, we show that CSA up-regulated the expression of Krüppel-like factor-4 (KLF4) in VSMCs. KLF4 plays a key role in regulating VSMC phenotypic modulation. KLF4 antagonizes proliferation, facilitates migration, and down-regulates VSMC differentiation marker gene expression. We show that the VSMC differentiation marker genes smooth muscle alpha-actin (ACTA2), transgelin (TAGLN), smoothelin (SMTN), and myocardin (MYOCD) are all down-regulated by CSA in VSMC monoculture, whereas cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor-1A (CDKN1A) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) are up-regulated. CSA did not affect the abundance of the VSMC microRNA (MIR) markers MIR143 and MIR145. Administration of CSA to rat carotid artery in vivo resulted in acute and transient suppression of ACTA2, TAGLN, SMTN, MYOCD, and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (MYH11) mRNA levels. The tumor suppressor genes KLF4, p53, and CDKN1A, however, were up-regulated, as well as MMP3, MMP9, and collagen-VIII. CSA-treated arteries showed remarkable remodeling, including breakdown of the internal elastic lamina and reorientation of VSMCs, as well as increased KLF4 immunostaining in VSMCs and endothelial cells. Altogether, these data show that cyclosporin up-regulates KLF4 expression and promotes phenotypic modulation of VSMCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Garvey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|