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Jin L, Han Z, Mao X, Lu J, Yan B, Lu Y, Liang L, Wang L, Yu Y, Sun K. Genome-wide profiling of angiogenic cis-regulatory elements unravels cis-regulatory SNPs for vascular abnormality. Sci Data 2024; 11:467. [PMID: 38719891 PMCID: PMC11078952 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03272-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is extensively involved in embryonic development and requires complex regulation networks, whose defects can cause a variety of vascular abnormalities. Cis-regulatory elements control gene expression at all developmental stages, but they have not been studied or profiled in angiogenesis yet. In this study, we exploited public DNase-seq and RNA-seq datasets from a VEGFA-stimulated in vitro angiogenic model, and carried out an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and chromatin accessibility across the entire process. Totally, we generated a bank of 47,125 angiogenic cis-regulatory elements with promoter (marker by H3K4me3) and/or enhancer (marker by H3K27ac) activities. Motif enrichment analysis revealed that these angiogenic cis-regulatory elements interacted preferentially with ETS family TFs. With this tool, we performed an association study using our WES data of TAPVC and identified rs199530718 as a cis-regulatory SNP associated with disease risk. Altogether, this study generated a genome-wide bank of angiogenic cis-regulatory elements and illustrated its utility in identifying novel cis-regulatory SNPs for TAPVC, expanding new horizons of angiogenesis as well as vascular abnormality genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Jin
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Zhenyuan Han
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Xiaotong Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jieru Lu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, 323050, China
| | - Bingqian Yan
- Department of NICU, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Yiwen Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lili Liang
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Yu Yu
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Kun Sun
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Rius Rigau A, Li YN, Matei AE, Györfi AH, Bruch PM, Koziel S, Devakumar V, Gabrielli A, Kreuter A, Wang J, Dietrich S, Schett G, Distler JHW, Liang M. Characterization of Vascular Niche in Systemic Sclerosis by Spatial Proteomics. Circ Res 2024; 134:875-891. [PMID: 38440901 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.323299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease that can serve as a model to study vascular changes in response to inflammation, autoimmunity, and fibrotic remodeling. Although microvascular changes are the earliest histopathologic manifestation of SSc, the vascular pathophysiology remains poorly understood. METHODS We applied spatial proteomic approaches to deconvolute the heterogeneity of vascular cells at the single-cell level in situ and characterize cellular alterations of the vascular niches of patients with SSc. Skin biopsies of patients with SSc and control individuals were analyzed by imaging mass cytometry, yielding a total of 90 755 cells including 2987 endothelial cells and 4096 immune cells. RESULTS We identified 7 different subpopulations of blood vascular endothelial cells (VECs), 2 subpopulations of lymphatic endothelial cells, and 3 subpopulations of pericytes. A novel population of CD34+;αSMA+ (α-smooth muscle actin);CD31+ VECs was more common in SSc, whereas endothelial precursor cells were decreased. Co-detection by indexing and tyramide signal amplification confirmed these findings. The microenvironment of CD34+;αSMA+;CD31+ VECs was enriched for immune cells and myofibroblasts, and CD34+;αSMA+;CD31+ VECs expressed markers of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The density of CD34+;αSMA+;CD31+ VECs was associated with clinical progression of fibrosis in SSc. CONCLUSIONS Using spatial proteomics, we unraveled the heterogeneity of vascular cells in control individuals and patients with SSc. We identified CD34+;αSMA+;CD31+ VECs as a novel endothelial cell population that is increased in patients with SSc, expresses markers for endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and is located in close proximity to immune cells and myofibroblasts. CD34+;αSMA+;CD31+ VEC counts were associated with clinical outcomes of progressive fibrotic remodeling, thus providing a novel cellular correlate for the crosstalk of vasculopathy and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleix Rius Rigau
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (A.R.R., G.S., J.H.W.D., M.L.), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (A.R.R., G.S., J.H.W.D., M.L.), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yi-Nan Li
- Clinic for Rheumatology (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
- Hiller Research Center (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
| | - Alexandru-Emil Matei
- Clinic for Rheumatology (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
- Hiller Research Center (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
| | - Andrea-Hermina Györfi
- Clinic for Rheumatology (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
- Hiller Research Center (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
| | - Peter-Martin Bruch
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany (P.-M.B., S.K., S.D.)
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Düsseldorf, Aachen Bonn Cologne, Germany (P.-M.B., S.K., S.D.)
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, Heidelberg, Germany (P.-M.B., S.K., S.D.)
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany (P.-M.B., S.D.)
| | - Sarah Koziel
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany (P.-M.B., S.K., S.D.)
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Düsseldorf, Aachen Bonn Cologne, Germany (P.-M.B., S.K., S.D.)
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, Heidelberg, Germany (P.-M.B., S.K., S.D.)
- Düsseldorf School of Oncology, Germany (S.K.)
| | - Veda Devakumar
- Clinic for Rheumatology (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
- Hiller Research Center (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
| | - Armando Gabrielli
- Clinic for Rheumatology (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
- Hiller Research Center (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
- Fondazione di Medicina Molecolare e Terapia Cellulare, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy (A.G.)
| | - Alexander Kreuter
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Helios St. Johannes Klinik Duisburg, Germany (A.K.)
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Helios St. Elisabeth Klinik Oberhausen, University Witten-Herdecke, Germany (A.K.)
| | - Jiucun Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital (J.W., M.L.), Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China (J.W.)
- Research Unit of Dissecting the Population Genetics and Developing New Technologies for Treatment and Prevention of Skin Phenotypes and Dermatological Diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, P. R. China (J.W.)
| | - Sascha Dietrich
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany (P.-M.B., S.K., S.D.)
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Düsseldorf, Aachen Bonn Cologne, Germany (P.-M.B., S.K., S.D.)
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, Heidelberg, Germany (P.-M.B., S.K., S.D.)
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany (P.-M.B., S.D.)
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (A.R.R., G.S., J.H.W.D., M.L.), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (A.R.R., G.S., J.H.W.D., M.L.), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (A.R.R., G.S., J.H.W.D., M.L.), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (A.R.R., G.S., J.H.W.D., M.L.), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
- Clinic for Rheumatology (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
- Hiller Research Center (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
| | - Minrui Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (A.R.R., G.S., J.H.W.D., M.L.), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (A.R.R., G.S., J.H.W.D., M.L.), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
- Clinic for Rheumatology (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
- Hiller Research Center (Y.-N.L., A.-E.M., A.-H.G., V.D., A.G., J.H.W.D., M.L.), University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Germany
- Department of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital (J.W., M.L.), Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
- Huashan Rare Disease Center (M.L.), Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
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Ko J, Noviani M, Chellamuthu VR, Albani S, Low AHL. The Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis: The Origin of Fibrosis and Interlink with Vasculopathy and Autoimmunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14287. [PMID: 37762589 PMCID: PMC10532389 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease associated with increased mortality and poor morbidity, impairing the quality of life in patients. Whilst we know that SSc affects multiple organs via vasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis, its exact pathophysiology remains elusive. Microvascular injury and vasculopathy are the initial pathological features of the disease. Clinically, the vasculopathy in SSc is manifested as Raynaud's phenomenon (reversible vasospasm in reaction to the cold or emotional stress) and digital ulcers due to ischemic injury. There are several reports that medications for vasculopathy, such as bosentan and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) modulators, improve not only vasculopathy but also dermal fibrosis, suggesting that vasculopathy is important in SSc. Although vasculopathy is an important initial step of the pathogenesis for SSc, it is still unclear how vasculopathy is related to inflammation and fibrosis. In this review, we focused on the clinical evidence for vasculopathy, the major cellular players for the pathogenesis, including pericytes, adipocytes, endothelial cells (ECs), and myofibroblasts, and their signaling pathway to elucidate the relationship among vasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsuk Ko
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.K.); (M.N.); (S.A.)
| | - Maria Noviani
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.K.); (M.N.); (S.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-National University of Singapore Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore;
| | - Vasuki Ranjani Chellamuthu
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-National University of Singapore Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore;
| | - Salvatore Albani
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.K.); (M.N.); (S.A.)
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-National University of Singapore Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore;
| | - Andrea Hsiu Ling Low
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.K.); (M.N.); (S.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore
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4
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Ovadia S, Cui G, Elkon R, Cohen-Gulkar M, Zuk-Bar N, Tuoc T, Jing N, Ashery-Padan R. SWI/SNF complexes are required for retinal pigmented epithelium differentiation and for the inhibition of cell proliferation and neural differentiation programs. Development 2023; 150:dev201488. [PMID: 37522516 PMCID: PMC10482007 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic development, tissue-specific transcription factors and chromatin remodelers function together to ensure gradual, coordinated differentiation of multiple lineages. Here, we define this regulatory interplay in the developing retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), a neuroectodermal lineage essential for the development, function and maintenance of the adjacent retina. We present a high-resolution spatial transcriptomic atlas of the developing mouse RPE and the adjacent ocular mesenchyme obtained by geographical position sequencing (Geo-seq) of a single developmental stage of the eye that encompasses young and more mature ocular progenitors. These transcriptomic data, available online, reveal the key transcription factors and their gene regulatory networks during RPE and ocular mesenchyme differentiation. Moreover, conditional inactivation followed by Geo-seq revealed that this differentiation program is dependent on the activity of SWI/SNF complexes, shown here to control the expression and activity of RPE transcription factors and, at the same time, inhibit neural progenitor and cell proliferation genes. The findings reveal the roles of the SWI/SNF complexes in controlling the intersection between RPE and neural cell fates and the coupling of cell-cycle exit and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Ovadia
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Guizhong Cui
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Department of Basic Research, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Ran Elkon
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Mazal Cohen-Gulkar
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Nitay Zuk-Bar
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Tran Tuoc
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University of Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany
| | - Naihe Jing
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Department of Basic Research, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Ruth Ashery-Padan
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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5
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Mikhailova EV, Romanova IV, Bagrov AY, Agalakova NI. Fli1 and Tissue Fibrosis in Various Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031881. [PMID: 36768203 PMCID: PMC9915382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Being initially described as a factor of virally-induced leukemias, Fli1 (Friend leukemia integration 1) has attracted considerable interest lately due to its role in both healthy physiology and a variety of pathological conditions. Over the past few years, Fli1 has been found to be one of the crucial regulators of normal hematopoiesis, vasculogenesis, and immune response. However, abnormal expression of Fli1 due to genetic predisposition, epigenetic reprogramming (modifications), or environmental factors is associated with a few diseases of different etiology. Fli1 hyperexpression leads to malignant transformation of cells and progression of cancers such as Ewing's sarcoma. Deficiency in Fli1 is implicated in the development of systemic sclerosis and hypertensive disorders, which are often accompanied by pronounced fibrosis in different organs. This review summarizes the initial findings and the most recent advances in defining the role of Fli1 in diseases of different origin with emphasis on its pro-fibrotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Mikhailova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 Thorez Avenue, 194223 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Irina V. Romanova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 Thorez Avenue, 194223 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Natalia I. Agalakova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 Thorez Avenue, 194223 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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6
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Ng CJ, Liu A, Venkataraman S, Ashworth KJ, Baker CD, O'Rourke R, Vibhakar R, Jones KL, Di Paola J. Single-cell transcriptional analysis of human endothelial colony-forming cells from patients with low VWF levels. Blood 2022; 139:2240-2251. [PMID: 35143643 PMCID: PMC8990376 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021010683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a key role in normal hemostasis, and deficiencies of VWF lead to clinically significant bleeding. We sought to identify novel modifiers of VWF levels in endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). ECFCs were isolated from patients with low VWF levels (plasma VWF antigen levels between 30 and 50 IU/dL) and from healthy controls. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used as an additional control cell line. Cells were characterized for their Weibel Palade body (WPB) content and VWF release. scRNA-seq of all cell lines was performed to evaluate for gene expression heterogeneity and for candidate modifiers of VWF regulation. Candidate modifiers identified by scRNA-seq were further characterized with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) experiments to evaluate for effects on VWF. We observed that ECFCs derived from patients with low VWF demonstrated alterations in baseline WPB metrics and exhibit impaired VWF release. scRNA-seq analyses of these endothelial cells revealed overall decreased VWF transcription, mosaicism of VWF expression, and genes that are differentially expressed in low VWF ECFCs and control endothelial cells (control ECs). An siRNA screen of potential VWF modifiers provided further evidence of regulatory candidates, and 1 such candidate, FLI1, alters the transcriptional activity of VWF. In conclusion, ECFCs from individuals with low VWF demonstrate alterations in their baseline VWF packaging and release compared with control ECs. scRNA-seq revealed alterations in VWF transcription, and siRNA screening identified multiple candidate regulators of VWF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Ng
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Alice Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Katrina J Ashworth
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; and
| | - Christopher D Baker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Rebecca O'Rourke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Cell Biology and
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Jorge Di Paola
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; and
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7
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Li P, Wu Y, Hamlett ED, Goodwin AJ, Halushka PV, Carroll SL, Liu M, Fan H. Suppression of Fli-1 protects against pericyte loss and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Ther 2022; 30:1451-1464. [PMID: 35038582 PMCID: PMC9077320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain pericytes regulate cerebral blood flow, maintain the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and facilitate the removal of amyloid β (Aβ) which is critical to healthy brain activity. Pericyte loss has been observed in brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and animal models. Our previous data demonstrated that friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli-1), an ETS transcription factor, governs pericyte viability in murine sepsis; however, the role of Fli-1 and its impact on pericyte loss in AD remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that Fli-1 expression was up-regulated in postmortem brains from a cohort of human AD donors and in 5xFAD mice, which corresponded with a decreased pericyte number, elevated inflammatory mediators, and increased Aβ accumulation as compared to cognitively normal individuals and WT mice. Antisense oligonucleotide Fli-1 Gapmer administrated via intrahippocampal injection decelerated pericyte loss, decreased inflammatory response, ameliorated cognitive deficits, improved BBB dysfunction, and reduced Aβ deposition in 5xFAD mice. Fli-1 Gapmer-mediated inhibition of Fli-1 protected against Aβ accumulation-induced human brain pericyte apoptosis in vitro. Overall, these studies indicate that Fli-1 contributes to pericyte loss, inflammatory response, Aβ deposition, vascular dysfunction and cognitive decline, and suggest that inhibition of Fli-1 may represent novel therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Eric D Hamlett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Andrew J Goodwin
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Perry V Halushka
- Department of Medicine and Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425; Department of Pharmacology and, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Steven L Carroll
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Meng Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425.
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8
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Böhm M. In search of the needle in a haystack: Finding a suitable serum biomarker for monitoring disease activity of systemic sclerosis. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:880-886. [PMID: 34121239 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Böhm
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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9
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Miura S, Watanabe Y, Saigusa R, Yamashita T, Nakamura K, Hirabayashi M, Miyagawa T, Yoshizaki A, Trojanowska M, Sato S, Asano Y. Fli1 deficiency suppresses RALDH1 activity of dermal dendritic cells and related induction of regulatory T cells: a possible role in scleroderma. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:137. [PMID: 33964960 PMCID: PMC8106158 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02520-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (RALDH1)-producing dermal dendritic cells (DCs), a conventional DC subset regulating skin fibrosis, are decreased in the involved skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this study, we investigated the contribution of Fli1 deficiency, a potential predisposing factor of SSc, to the phenotypical alteration of RALDH1-producing dermal DCs by using SSc model mice and SSc skin samples. METHODS Bleomycin (BLM)-induced skin fibrosis was generated with Fli1+/- and wild-type mice. The proportions of DC and CD4+ T cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry in the dermis of BLM-treated mice. Fli1 expression in dermal DCs was evaluated by immunofluorescence with skin samples of SSc and healthy control subjects. RESULTS RALDH activity of dermal DCs was significantly decreased in BLM-treated Fli1+/- mice compared with BLM-treated wild-type mice, whereas the proportion of CD103-CD11b- dermal DCs, a major DC subset producing RALDH1 in response to BLM injection, was comparable between groups. Relevant to this finding, the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the dermis was decreased in BLM-treated Fli1+/- mice relative to BLM-treated wild-type mice, while the proportions of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells were unaltered. In the involved skin of SSc patients, Fli1 was downregulated in CD11c+ cells, including dermal DCs. CONCLUSIONS Fli1 deficiency inhibits RALDH1 activity of CD103-CD11b- dermal DCs and related induction of Tregs in BLM-treated mice. Considering Fli1 reduction in SSc dermal DCs, Fli1deficiency may impair the dermal DC-Treg system, contributing to the development of skin fibrosis in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Miura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Yusuke Watanabe
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
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10
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Huang J, Sun L, Mennigen JA, Liu Y, Liu S, Zhang M, Wang Q, Tu W. Developmental toxicity of the novel PFOS alternative OBS in developing zebrafish: An emphasis on cilia disruption. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 409:124491. [PMID: 33223314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, sodium p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzene sulfonate (OBS) has emerged as a substitute for PFOS with large demand and application in the Chinese market. However, little is known about potential developmental effects of OBS. In this study, zebrafish embryos were acutely exposed to different concentrations of OBS and the positive control PFOS for a comparative developmental toxicity assessment. OBS caused hatching delays, body axis curvature, neurobehavioral inhibition and abnormal cardiovascular development. These organismal effects were accompanied by change of development related genes expression profile, in which some cases were similar to PFOS. Overall, the toxic effects induced by OBS were generally milder than that of PFOS. Further investigation suggested that both OBS and PFOS disrupted ciliogenesis, evidenced by the ciliary immunostaining, changes in gene expression of kinesin family, dynein arm family and tubulin family members, as well as downregulation of the abundance of motor proteins including KIF3C, DYNC1H1 and DYNC1LI1. The influence of PFOS was stronger than that of OBS on ciliary genes and proteins. Molecular docking analysis revealed that both OBS and PFOS fitted into the motor proteins tightly, but binding affinity between OBS and motor proteins was lower than PFOS. Collectively, OBS and PFOS may act on ciliary motor proteins to interfere with ciliogenesis, leading to ciliary dysfunction and providing a novel probable action mode linked to developmental toxicity. This raises concerns regarding the health risks of the novel PFOS alternative OBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huang
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China; Research Institute of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330012, China
| | - Liwei Sun
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | | | - Yu Liu
- Research Institute of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330012, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Research Institute of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330012, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Research Institute of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330012, China
| | - Qiyu Wang
- Research Institute of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330012, China.
| | - Wenqing Tu
- Research Institute of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330012, China.
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11
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Fukui Y, Nakamura K, Hirabayashi M, Miyagawa T, Toyama S, Omatsu J, Awaji K, Ikawa T, Norimatsu Y, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. Serum vasohibin-1 levels: A potential marker of dermal and pulmonary fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:951-958. [PMID: 33682189 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vasohibin-1 (VASH-1) is a potent anti-angiogenic factor mainly produced by endothelial cells. In addition, VASH-1 prevents TGF-β-dependent activation of renal fibroblasts. Since systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy and fibrosis of multiple organs, VASH-1 may be involved in the development of this disease. In this study, we investigated the potential role of VASH-1 in SSc by evaluating the clinical correlation between serum VASH-1 levels and the expression of VASH-1 in SSc-involved skin. Serum VASH-1 levels were higher in SSc patients, especially those with diffuse cutaneous involvement, than in healthy controls and positively correlated with skin score. Furthermore, SSc patients with interstitial lung disease had significantly elevated levels of serum VASH-1 as compared to those without. Importantly, serum VASH-1 levels correlated inversely with both the percentage of predicted vital capacity and the percentage of predicted diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide and positively with serum KL-6 levels, but not serum surfactant protein D levels. In SSc-involved skin, VASH1 mRNA was remarkably upregulated compared with healthy control skin, but the major source of VASH-1 was not clear. Fli1 deficiency, a predisposing factor inducing SSc-like endothelial properties, did not affect VASH-1 expression in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Collectively, these results suggest that VASH-1 upregulation in the skin and sera is linked to dermal and pulmonary fibrotic changes in SSc, while the contribution of VASH-1 to SSc vasculopathy seems to be limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Fukui
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Omatsu
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Awaji
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ikawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Norimatsu
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Yamashita K, Kawasaki A, Matsushita T, Furukawa H, Kondo Y, Okiyama N, Nagaoka S, Shimada K, Sugii S, Katayama M, Hirohata S, Okamoto A, Chiba N, Suematsu E, Setoguchi K, Migita K, Sumida T, Tohma S, Hamaguchi Y, Hasegawa M, Sato S, Kawaguchi Y, Takehara K, Tsuchiya N. Association of functional (GA)n microsatellite polymorphism in the FLI1 gene with susceptibility to human systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 59:3553-3562. [PMID: 32696043 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Susceptibility genes that can account for characteristic features of SSc such as fibrosis, vasculopathy and autoimmunity remain to be determined. In mice, deficiency of Friend leukaemia integration 1 transcription factor (Fli1) causes SSc-like disease with these features. The human FLI1 gene contains (GA)n microsatellite, which has been shown to be associated with expression level. Because microsatellite polymorphisms are difficult to capture by genome-wide association studies, we directly genotyped FLI1 (GA)n microsatellite and examined its association with SSc. METHODS Genomic DNA from 639 Japanese SSc patients and 851 healthy controls was genotyped for (GA)n microsatellite using the fragment assay. The cut-off repeat number for susceptibility to SSc was determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Association with susceptibility and clinical characteristics was examined using logistic regression analysis. FLI1 mRNA levels were determined using quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS Based on the ROC analysis, (GA)n alleles with ≥22 repeats were collectively defined as L alleles and alleles with ≤21 repeats as S alleles. (GA)n L alleles were significantly associated with susceptibility to SSc (P = 5.0e-04, odds ratio 1.34, additive model). Significant association was observed both in diffuse cutaneous and limited cutaneous SSc. Among the SSc, (GA)n L alleles were significantly enriched in the patients with a modified Rodnan total skin thickness score ≥10 compared with those with a score <10. FLI1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in healthy controls carrying (GA)n L alleles as compared with non-carriers. CONCLUSION Extended repeat alleles of FLI1 (GA)n microsatellite may be associated with lower FLI1 mRNA levels and susceptibility to human SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Yamashita
- Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Aya Kawasaki
- Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Hiroshi Furukawa
- Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Sagamihara Hospital, Sagamihara, Japan.,Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital, Kiyose, Japan
| | - Yuya Kondo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Naoko Okiyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shouhei Nagaoka
- Department of Rheumatology, Yokohama Minami Kyosai Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kota Shimada
- Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Sagamihara Hospital, Sagamihara, Japan.,Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Shoji Sugii
- Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Masao Katayama
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shunsei Hirohata
- Department of Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Akira Okamoto
- Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Himeji Medical Center, Himeji, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Chiba
- Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Morioka Medical Center, Morioka, Japan
| | - Eiichi Suematsu
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keigo Setoguchi
- Allergy and Immunological Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Migita
- Department of Rheumatology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takayuki Sumida
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shigeto Tohma
- Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Sagamihara Hospital, Sagamihara, Japan.,Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital, Kiyose, Japan
| | | | - Minoru Hasegawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kawaguchi
- Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Naoyuki Tsuchiya
- Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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13
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He YS, Yang XK, Hu YQ, Xiang K, Pan HF. Emerging role of Fli1 in autoimmune diseases. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 90:107127. [PMID: 33234418 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107127] [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: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The Ets transcription factor family exerts crucial role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and migration. Friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli1), a member of the Ets family, is expressed in fibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells. Fli1 gene is participated in the development, proliferation, activation, migration and other processes of immune cells. Fli1 can also affect the function of immune cells by regulating cytokines and chemokines. Emerging evidence has shown that Fli1 is implicated in the etiology of several autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this review, we mainly discuss the current evidence for the role of Fli1 in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Sheng He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Ke Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yu-Qian Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kun Xiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hai-Feng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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14
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Nakamura K, Taniguchi T, Hirabayashi M, Yamashita T, Saigusa R, Miura S, Takahashi T, Toyama T, Ichimura Y, Yoshizaki A, Trojanowska M, Fujiu K, Nagai R, Sato S, Asano Y. Altered Properties of Endothelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Underlying the Development of Scleroderma-like Vasculopathy in KLF5 +/- ;Fli-1 +/- Mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2020; 72:2136-2146. [PMID: 32627966 DOI: 10.1002/art.41423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In prevous studies, we established a new animal model, KLF5+/- ;Fli-1+/- mice, in which fundamental pathologic features of systemic sclerosis (SSc) are broadly recapitulated. SSc vasculopathy is believed to occur as a result of impaired vascular remodeling, but its detailed mechanism of action remains unknown. To address this, the present study investigated the properties of dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMECs), bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPCs), and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), a precursor of pericytes, in KLF5+/- ;Fli-1+/- mice. METHODS Neovascularization and angiogenesis were assessed in KLF5+/- ;Fli-1+/- mice by in vivo Matrigel plug assay and in vitro tube formation assay, respectively. The properties of mouse BM-EPCs and BM-MSCs were assessed with in vitro studies. Dermal vasculature was visualized in vivo by injecting the mice with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated dextran. RESULTS Neovascularization was diminished in skin-embedded Matrigel plugs from KLF5+/- ;Fli-1+/- mice. DMECs from KLF5+/- ;Fli-1+/- mice showed defective tubulogenic activity, decreased expression of VE-cadherin and CD31, and an imbalance in the expression of Notch1/Dll4, suggesting that angiogenesis and anastomosis are disturbed. KLF5+/- ;Fli-1+/- mouse BM-MSCs exhibited enhanced proliferation and migration and increased collagen production following stimulation with transforming growth factor β1, indicating that these cells differentiate preferentially into myofibroblasts rather than pericytes. KLF5+/- ;Fli-1+/- mouse BM-EPCs displayed a transition toward mesenchymal cells, suggesting that vasculogenesis is impaired. Wound healing was delayed in KLF5+/- ;Fli-1+/- mice (mean ± SD healing time 15.67 ± 0.82 days versus 13.50 ± 0.84 days; P = 0.0017), and the vascular network was poorly developed in wound scar tissue. CONCLUSION The characteristics observed in the KLF5+/- ;Fli-1+/- mouse model - specifically, impaired neovascularization and vascular maturation - are similar to those observed in human SSc, and could be at least partially attributable to the induction of SSc-like properties in DMECs, BM-EPCs, and BM-MSCs. These findings indicate the critical contribution of Klf5 and Fli1 deficiency in vascular cells and related cell precursors to the development of SSc vasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouki Nakamura
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Miura
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Tetsuo Toyama
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Ichimura
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis Center, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katsuhito Fujiu
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryozo Nagai
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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15
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The Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis: An Understanding Based on a Common Pathologic Cascade across Multiple Organs and Additional Organ-Specific Pathologies. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092687. [PMID: 32825112 PMCID: PMC7565034 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune and vascular disease resulting in fibrosis of various organs with unknown etiology. Accumulating evidence suggests that a common pathologic cascade across multiple organs and additional organ-specific pathologies underpin SSc development. The common pathologic cascade starts with vascular injury due to autoimmune attacks and unknown environmental factors. After that, dysregulated angiogenesis and defective vasculogenesis promote vascular structural abnormalities, such as capillary loss and arteriolar stenosis, while aberrantly activated endothelial cells facilitate the infiltration of circulating immune cells into perivascular areas of various organs. Arteriolar stenosis directly causes pulmonary arterial hypertension, scleroderma renal crisis and digital ulcers. Chronic inflammation persistently activates interstitial fibroblasts, leading to the irreversible fibrosis of multiple organs. The common pathologic cascade interacts with a variety of modifying factors in each organ, such as keratinocytes and adipocytes in the skin, esophageal stratified squamous epithelia and myenteric nerve system in gastrointestinal tract, vasospasm of arterioles in the heart and kidney, and microaspiration of gastric content in the lung. To better understand SSc pathogenesis and develop new disease-modifying therapies, it is quite important to understand the complex pathogenesis of SSc from the two distinct perspectives, namely the common pathologic cascade and additional organ-specific pathologies.
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16
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Mariani L, Weinand K, Gisselbrecht SS, Bulyk ML. MEDEA: analysis of transcription factor binding motifs in accessible chromatin. Genome Res 2020; 30:736-748. [PMID: 32424069 PMCID: PMC7263192 DOI: 10.1101/gr.260877.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering the interplay between chromatin accessibility and transcription factor (TF) binding is fundamental to understanding transcriptional regulation, control of cellular states, and the establishment of new phenotypes. Recent genome-wide chromatin accessibility profiling studies have provided catalogs of putative open regions, where TFs can recognize their motifs and regulate gene expression programs. Here, we present motif enrichment in differential elements of accessibility (MEDEA), a computational tool that analyzes high-throughput chromatin accessibility genomic data to identify cell-type-specific accessible regions and lineage-specific motifs associated with TF binding therein. To benchmark MEDEA, we used a panel of reference cell lines profiled by ENCODE and curated by the ENCODE Project Consortium for the ENCODE-DREAM Challenge. By comparing results with RNA-seq data, ChIP-seq peaks, and DNase-seq footprints, we show that MEDEA improves the detection of motifs associated with known lineage specifiers. We then applied MEDEA to 610 ENCODE DNase-seq data sets, where it revealed significant motifs even when absolute enrichment was low and where it identified novel regulators, such as NRF1 in kidney development. Finally, we show that MEDEA performs well on both bulk and single-cell ATAC-seq data. MEDEA is publicly available as part of our Glossary-GENRE suite for motif enrichment analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mariani
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Kathryn Weinand
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics PhD Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Stephen S Gisselbrecht
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Martha L Bulyk
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics PhD Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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17
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Ota Y, Kuwana M. Endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Eur J Rheumatol 2019; 7:S139-S146. [PMID: 31922471 DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by excessive fibrosis, microvasculopathy, and autoimmunity. Endothelial cell (EC) injury and subsequent endothelial cell dysfunction is believed to be an initial event that eventually leads to a vicious pathogenic cycle. This process is further enhanced by defective angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, as the vascular repair machinery does not work properly. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are functionally and quantitatively insufficient to recover the endothelium in SSc patients. The dysfunctional ECs and EPCs not only trigger the formation of typical vascular lesions, such as progressive intimal fibrosis in small arteries and the loss of capillaries, but also promote a series of inflammatory and profibrotic processes, such as endothelial-mesenchymal transition and recruitment and accumulation of monocytic EPCs with profibrotic properties. These processes together contribute to the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the affected tissue. This review features current insights into the roles of ECs and EPCs in the pathogenesis of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Ota
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Abstract
The stilbenoid combretastatin and its derivatives are potent inhibitors of angiogenesis and cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. They disrupt cytoskeletal dynamics and modulate cell morphology, motility, and invasion. Hence they have been viewed as potential as anticancer agents. The impediments of poor solubility and bioavailability and the spontaneous geometric isomerisation of combretastatin into an inactive form have led to intensive efforts towards evolving novel analogues to provide more efficacious biological outcome. Importantly, isomerically stable and biologically active cis-restricted analogues have been synthesised and tested. However, very few analogues have been tested in preclinical models to assess their effects on processes relevant to cancer development and progression. Hence the accent here is on the signalling systems operated by the new derivatives and their biological effects with reference to cancer progression. Combretastatins modulate an extensive network of signalling emphasising their varied versatility. Harnessing these systems and accentuating or counteracting aberrant signalling could open potential avenues of approach to the designing of novel derivatives with enhanced performance. The import of mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, which co-ordinates growth factor receptor signalling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition activation and angiogenic signalling, is emphasised. It may be viewed as a prime target for allosteric inhibition in combination with combretastatin analogues to ascertain their potential in cancer control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajanan V Sherbet
- School of Engineering, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.,The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, California
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19
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Miyagawa T, Asano Y, Saigusa R, Hirabayashi M, Yamashita T, Taniguchi T, Takahashi T, Nakamura K, Miura S, Yoshizaki A, Miyagaki T, Sato S. A potential contribution of trappin‐2 to the development of vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33:753-760. [DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Y. Asano
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - R. Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - M. Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - K. Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - S. Miura
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - A. Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Miyagaki
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - S. Sato
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
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20
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Yamashita T, Asano Y, Saigusa R, Taniguchi T, Hirabayashi M, Miyagawa T, Nakamura K, Miura S, Yoshizaki A, Trojanowska M, Sato S. Cyclophosphamide Pulse Therapy Normalizes Vascular Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of Systemic Sclerosis Vasculopathy. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 139:1150-1160. [PMID: 30508546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse, a standard treatment for systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease, elicits a disease-modifying effect on SSc vasculopathy, such as fostering microvascular de-remodeling. To investigate the molecular mechanism by which cyclophosphamide mitigates SSc vasculopathy, we employed endothelial cell-specific Fli1 knockout mice that mimic the functional and structural vascular abnormalities characteristic of SSc. Biweekly cyclophosphamide injection improved vascular permeability and structural abnormalities of endothelial cell-specific Fli1 knockout mice in 2 weeks and in 3 months, respectively. In endothelial cell-specific Fli1 knockout mice, a single dose of cyclophosphamide was sufficient to normalize the decreased expression of α-smooth muscle actin in dermal blood vessels and improve the impaired neovascularization in skin-embedded Matrigel plug. Under the same condition, the decreased expression of vascular endothelial cadherin, platelet-derived growth factor B, S1P1, and CCN1 (molecules associated with angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis) was reversed along with the reversal of endothelial Fli1 expression. In SSc patients, serum CCN1 levels were significantly increased after intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse. Taken together, these results indicate that cyclophosphamide improves Fli1 deficiency-dependent vascular changes by normalizing the expression of angiogenesis- and vasculogenesis-related molecules and endothelial Fli1, which may help to explain the beneficial effect of cyclophosphamide on SSc vasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Miura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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21
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Li P, Zhou Y, Goodwin AJ, Cook JA, Halushka PV, Zhang XK, Wilson CL, Schnapp LM, Zingarelli B, Fan H. Fli-1 Governs Pericyte Dysfunction in a Murine Model of Sepsis. J Infect Dis 2018; 218:1995-2005. [PMID: 30053030 PMCID: PMC6217724 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pericytes are vascular mural cells and are embedded in the basement membrane of the microvasculature. Recent studies suggest a role for pericytes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microvascular dysfunction and mortality, but the mechanisms of pericyte loss in sepsis are largely unknown. Methods By using a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced murine model of sepsis, we observed that CLP led to lung and renal pericyte loss and reduced lung pericyte density and pericyte/endothelial cell (EC) coverage. Results Up-regulated Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli-1) messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein levels were found in lung pericytes from CLP mice in vivo and in LPS-stimulated lung pericytes in vitro. Knockout of Fli-1 in Foxd1-derived pericytes prevented CLP-induced pericyte loss, vascular leak, and improved survival. Disrupted Fli-1 expression by small interfering RNA inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in cultured lung pericytes. Furthermore, CLP-induced pericyte pyroptosis was mitigated in pericyte Fli-1 knockout mice. Conclusions Our findings suggest that Fli-1 is a potential therapeutic target in sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Andrew J Goodwin
- Divisions of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - James A Cook
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Perry V Halushka
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Xian K Zhang
- Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Carole L Wilson
- Divisions of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Lynn M Schnapp
- Divisions of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Basilia Zingarelli
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Ohio
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
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22
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Asano Y. What can we learn from Fli1-deficient mice, new animal models of systemic sclerosis? JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2018; 3:6-13. [PMID: 35382130 DOI: 10.1177/2397198318758221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a complex multifactorial disease characterized by autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and selective organ fibrosis. A series of genetic and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that environmental influences play a central role in the onset of systemic sclerosis, while genetic factors determine the susceptibility to and the severity of this disease. Therefore, the identification of predisposing factors related to environmental influences would provide us with an informative clue to better understand the pathological process of this disease. Based on this concept, the deficiency of transcription factor Friend leukemia virus integration 1, which is epigenetically suppressed in systemic sclerosis, seems to be a potential candidate acting as the predisposing factor of this disease. Indeed, Fli1-mutated mice serve as a set of useful disease models to disclose the complex pathology of systemic sclerosis. This article overviews the recent advancement in systemic sclerosis animal models associated with Friend leukemia virus integration 1 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo - Japan
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23
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Certainties and uncertainties concerning the contribution of pericytes to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2017; 3:14-20. [DOI: 10.5301/jsrd.5000254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The role of pericytes in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unclear because of the difficulty in phenotyping them. They are mainly distributed in the pre-capillary, capillary and post-capillary abluminal side of non-muscular micro-vessels, express platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs), and preside over vascular integrity and regeneration. By establishing close contact with many endothelial cells, a single pericyte can regulate ion influx, mechanical stress, leukocyte diapedesis, and platelet activation. Moreover, under pathological conditions such as SSc, pericytes may acquire a contractile phenotype and respond to various stimuli, including endothelin, angiotensin II and reactive oxygen species. The pericytes of SSc patients share some molecular patterns with myofibroblasts or fibroblasts, including A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 12 (ADAM-12), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), the extra domain A (ED-A) variant of fibronectin, and Thy-1. Following stimulation with PDGF-β or transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), pericytes may acquire a myofibroblast phenotype, and produce extracellular matrix or indirectly promote fibroblast activation. They may also contribute to fibrosis by means of epigenetic regulation. The pericyte plasmalemma is particularly rich in caveolae containing caveolin-1, a deficit of which has been associated with defective vessel tone control and lung fibrosis in mice. Consequently, dysfunctional pericytes may underlie the microangiopathy and fibrosis observed in SSc patients. However, given its variability in biological behaviour and the lack of a pan-pericyte marker, the exact role of these cells in SSc warrants further investigation.
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24
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Angiogenesis Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:5345673. [PMID: 28791304 PMCID: PMC5534276 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5345673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vascular injury and fibrosis and by an impaired angiogenesis which cannot ensure an efficient vascular recovery. Vascular injury is responsible for hypoxia and tissual ischemia which are the primary triggers for angiogenesis and are not able to induce a compensatory angiogenesis. This review article is focused on current knowledge on the mechanisms responsible for angiogenesis dysregulation in systemic sclerosis.
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25
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Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M, Bruni C, Chora I, Bellando-Randone S, Lepri G, De Paulis A, Guiducci S. The "myth" of loss of angiogenesis in systemic sclerosis: a pivotal early pathogenetic process or just a late unavoidable event? Arthritis Res Ther 2017; 19:162. [PMID: 28683836 PMCID: PMC5501068 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-017-1370-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is considered a disease dominated by a "loss of angiogenesis", although in its early phases evidence indicates a disturbed angiogenic response only. In fact, microvascular changes are primarily due to endothelial cell injury, triggering downstream significant enlargement of the capillary in an inflammatory environment, followed by capillary rupture (microhemorrhages). Subsequent pro-angiogenic efforts lead to an aberrant angiogenesis and, eventually, to a total loss of vessel repair and regeneration (loss of angiogenesis). This clearly suggests that the pathogenetic process has a steady progression: from an early excessive pro-angiogenesis, to an aberrant microvascular regeneration, then ending with a late loss of angiogenesis. Herein, we suggest the loss of angiogenesis should not be considered as an overall "myth" characterizing systemic sclerosis but as a very late event of the vascular pathogenesis. Future research should be oriented essentially on the earlier phases dominated by excessive pro-angiogenesis and microvascular aberration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 18, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 18, 50139, Florence, Italy.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 18, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Ines Chora
- Department of Internal Medicine, São João Hospital Center, Al Prof Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 18, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Gemma Lepri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 18, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Amato De Paulis
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Centre for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Corso Umberto I, 40, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 18, 50139, Florence, Italy
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