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Li H, Chang HM, Li S, Klausen C, Shi Z, Leung PC. Characterization of the roles of amphiregulin and transforming growth factor β1 in microvasculature-like formation in human granulosa-lutein cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:968166. [PMID: 36092732 PMCID: PMC9448859 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.968166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) is an essential component that regulates angiogenesis during corpus luteum formation. Amphiregulin (AREG) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) are two intrafollicular factors that possess opposite functions in directing corpus luteum development and progesterone synthesis in human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells. However, whether AREG or TGF-β1 regulates the VE-cadherin expression and subsequent angiogenesis in the human corpus luteum remains to be elucidated. Results showed that hGL cells cultured on Matrigel spontaneously formed capillary-like and sprout-like microvascular networks. Results of specific inhibitor treatment and small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown revealed that AREG promoteed microvascular-like formation in hGL cells by upregulating the VE-cadherin expression mediated by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway. However, TGF-β1 suppressed microvascular-like formation in hGL cells by downregulating VE-cadherin expression mediated by the activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)5-Sma- and Mad-related protein (SMAD)2/3/4 signaling pathway. Collectively, this study provides important insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms by which TGF-β1 and AREG differentially regulate corpus luteum formation in human ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hsun-Ming Chang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Hsun-Ming Chang, ; Peter C.K. Leung,
| | - Saijiao Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Christian Klausen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Zhendan Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Peter C.K. Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Hsun-Ming Chang, ; Peter C.K. Leung,
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Chang HM, Bai L, Zhu YM, Leung PCK. Connective tissue growth factor mediates bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced increase in hyaluronan production in luteinized human granulosa cells. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:65. [PMID: 35395768 PMCID: PMC8991488 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00937-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyaluronan is the main component of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) matrix, and it maintains the basic structure of the COC during ovulation. As a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) has been identified as a critical regulator of mammalian folliculogenesis and ovulation. However, whether BMP2 can regulate the production of hyaluronan in human granulosa cells has never been elucidated. METHODS In the present study, we investigated the effect of BMP2 on the production of hyaluronan and the underlying molecular mechanism using both immortalized (SVOG) and primary human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells. The expression of three hyaluronan synthases (including HAS1, HAS2 and HAS3) were examined following cell incubation with BMP2 at different concentrations. The concentrations of the hyaluronan cell culture medium were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The TGF-β type I receptor inhibitors (dorsomorphin and DMH-1) and small interfering RNAs targeting ALK2, ALK3, ALK6 and SMAD4 were used to investigate the involvement of TGF-β type I receptor and SMAD-dependent pathway. RESULTS Our results showed that BMP2 treatment significantly increased the production of hyaluronan by upregulating the expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2). In addition, BMP2 upregulates the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which subsequently mediates the BMP2-induced increases in HAS2 expression and hyaluronan production because overexpression of CTGF enhances, whereas knockdown of CTGF reverses, these effects. Notably, using kinase inhibitor- and siRNA-mediated knockdown approaches, we demonstrated that the inductive effect of BMP2 on the upregulation of CTGF is mediated by the ALK2/ALK3-mediated SMAD-dependent signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide new insight into the molecular mechanism by which BMP2 promotes the production of hyaluronan in human granulosa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Room 317, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Long Bai
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Room 317, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Yi-Min Zhu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Room 317, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Room 317, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
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Luo X, Chang HM, Yi Y, Sun Y, Leung PCK. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 inhibits growth differentiation factor 8-induced cell signaling via upregulation of gremlin2 expression in human granulosa-lutein cells. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:173. [PMID: 34838049 PMCID: PMC8626944 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00854-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8) and their functional receptors are expressed in human ovarian follicles, and these two intrafollicular factors play essential roles in regulating follicle development and luteal function. As BMP antagonists, gremlin1 (GREM1) and gremlin2 (GREM2) suppress BMP signaling through blockage of ligand-receptor binding. However, whether BMP2 regulates the expression of GREM1 and GREM2 in follicular development remains to be determined. METHODS In the present study, we investigated the effect of BMP2 on the expression of GREM1 and GREM2 and the underlying mechanisms in human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells. An established immortalized human granulosa cell line (SVOG) and primary hGL cells were used as study models. The expression of GREM1 and GREM2 were examined following cell incubation with BMP2 at different concentrations and time courses. The TGF-β type I inhibitors (dorsomorphin, DMH-1 and SB431542) and small interfering RNAs targeting ALK2, ALK3, SMAD2/3, SMAD1/5/8 and SMAD4 were used to investigate the involvement of the SMAD-dependent pathway. RESULTS Our results showed that BMP2 significantly increased the expression of GREM2 (but not GREM1) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Using a dual inhibition approach combining kinase inhibitors and siRNA-mediated knockdown, we found that the BMP2-induced upregulation of GREM2 expression was mediated by the ALK2/3-SMAD1/5-SMAD4 signaling pathway. Moreover, we demonstrated that BMP2 pretreatment significantly attenuated the GDF8-induced phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3, and this suppressive effect was reversed by knocking down GREM2 expression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms by which BMP2 modulates the cellular activity induced by GDF8 through the upregulated expression of their antagonist (GREM2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Luo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Room 317, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Provincial Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases (Reproductive Medicine) Clinical Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Room 317, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Yuyin Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Room 317, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Yingpu Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Henan Provincial Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases (Reproductive Medicine) Clinical Research Center, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Room 317, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
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Liu S, Chang HM, Yi Y, Yao YQ, Leung PCK. SMAD-dependent signaling mediates morphogenetic protein 6-induced stimulation of connective tissue growth factor in luteinized human granulosa cells†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:445-456. [PMID: 31210269 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz108] [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: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (also known as CTGF or CCN2) is a secreted matricellular protein that belongs to the CCN family. With wide-ranging biological activities and tissue expression patterns, CTGF plays a critical role in regulating various cellular functions. In the female reproductive system, CTGF is highly expressed in granulosa cells in growing ovarian follicles and is involved in the regulation of follicular development, ovulation, and luteal function. In the mammalian ovary, bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) is an important intraovarian modulator of follicular development. In this study, we demonstrated that BMP6 treatment significantly increased the expression of CTGF in both primary and immortalized human granulosa cells. Using both pharmacological inhibitors and Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown approaches, we showed that ALK2 and ALK3 type I receptors are required for BMP6-induced cellular activities. Furthermore, this effect is most likely mediated by a Sma- and Mad-related protein (SMAD)-dependent pathway. Our studies provide novel insight into the molecular mechanisms by which an intraovarian growth factor affects the production of another factor via a paracrine effect in human granulosa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Air Force General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yuyin Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yuan-Qing Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Tumor-suppressor microRNA-139-5p restrains bladder cancer cell line ECV-304 properties via targeting Connexin 43. Chin Med J (Engl) 2020; 132:2354-2361. [PMID: 31567382 PMCID: PMC6819043 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000000455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: In our previous paper, we demonstrated that Connexin 43 (CX43) was highly expressed in bladder cancer (BC) tissues. But the molecular mechanism about microRNAs (miRNAs) regulation upstream of CX43 in BC has not been well elucidated and remains to be further studied. MicroRNA-139-5p (miR-139-5p) is a tumor suppressor in progression of multifarious cancers including BC. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of CX43/miR-139-5p in tumorigenesis of BC are still not well illustrated. The specific objective of our study was to inquiry the effect of CX43/miR-139-5p on BC progression and its underlying mechanism. Methods: The bioinformatics analysis softwares were applied to predict the miRNAs in the upstream of CX43. First, the expression levels of miR-139-5p in BC tissues (tumor) and paracancer tissues (normal) were investigated using the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression level of miR-139-5p in three human BC cell lines 5637, T24, ECV-304 and a human bladder epithelial immortalized cell line SV-HUC-1 (normal control). Then si-CX43, si-control, miR-139-5p mimic, and its negative control (NC) were transfected into BC cell line ECV-304. The relationship of miR-139-5p and CX43 was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to test the mRNA and protein expression level of CX43. The proliferation of ECV-304 and T24 cells were examined by cell counting kit-8. The migration and invasion of ECV-304 cells were tested by transwell assay. To determine whether miR-139-5p would affect cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting CX43, we executed the rescue assay. The comparison between two groups was analyzed by Student's t test, and comparisons among multiple samples were performed by one-way analysis of variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: The expression of miR-139-5p was remarkably down-regulated in BC tissues (tumor vs. normal, 2.286 ± 0.017 vs. 3.211 ± 0.034, t = 11.540, P < 0.0001) and cell lines (P < 0.01 in all BC cell lines). Besides, we also indicated that over-expression of miR-139-5p reduced the proliferation of ECV-304 (P = 0.001) and T24 cells (P = 0.005). Moreover, miR-139-5p over-expression weakened the invasion (P = 0.001) and migration (P = 0.001) of ECV-304 cells. Furthermore, the relative luciferase activity of CX43-wild type construct was distinctly lessened by up-regulation of miR-139-5p (miR-139-5p mimic NC vs. miR-139-5p mimic, 0.916 ± 0.063 vs. 0.356 ± 0.048, t = 7.085, P = 0.002), nevertheless the activity of CX43-mutant type construct was untouched (miR-139-5p mimic NC vs. miR-139-5p mimic, 0.918 ± 0.057 vs. 0.878 ± 0.039, t = 0.577, P = 0.595). Finally, the rescue assay revealed that CX43 deletion enhanced the depressor effect of miR-139-5p on ECV-304 cell proliferation (P < 0.01), invasion (P = 0.028), and migration (P = 0.014). Conclusion: MiR-139-5p, as a tumor-suppressor, repressed cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in BC, which might be achieved by regulating CX43.
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Valer JA, Sánchez-de-Diego C, Pimenta-Lopes C, Rosa JL, Ventura F. ACVR1 Function in Health and Disease. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111366. [PMID: 31683698 PMCID: PMC6912516 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A receptor type I (ACVR1) encodes for a bone morphogenetic protein type I receptor of the TGFβ receptor superfamily. It is involved in a wide variety of biological processes, including bone, heart, cartilage, nervous, and reproductive system development and regulation. Moreover, ACVR1 has been extensively studied for its causal role in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic disorder characterised by progressive heterotopic ossification. ACVR1 is linked to different pathologies, including cardiac malformations and alterations in the reproductive system. More recently, ACVR1 has been experimentally validated as a cancer driver gene in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a malignant childhood brainstem glioma, and its function is being studied in other cancer types. Here, we review ACVR1 receptor function and signalling in physiological and pathological processes and its regulation according to cell type and mutational status. Learning from different functions and alterations linked to ACVR1 is a key step in the development of interdisciplinary research towards the identification of novel treatments for these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Valer
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Cristina Sánchez-de-Diego
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carolina Pimenta-Lopes
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
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