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Kentistou KA, Lim BEM, Kaisinger LR, Steinthorsdottir V, Sharp LN, Patel KA, Tragante V, Hawkes G, Gardner EJ, Olafsdottir T, Wood AR, Zhao Y, Thorleifsson G, Day FR, Ozanne SE, Hattersley AT, O'Rahilly S, Stefansson K, Ong KK, Beaumont RN, Perry JRB, Freathy RM. Rare variant associations with birth weight identify genes involved in adipose tissue regulation, placental function and insulin-like growth factor signalling. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.03.24305248. [PMID: 38633783 PMCID: PMC11023655 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.03.24305248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Investigating the genetic factors influencing human birth weight may lead to biological insights into fetal growth and long-term health. Genome-wide association studies of birth weight have highlighted associated variants in more than 200 regions of the genome, but the causal genes are mostly unknown. Rare genetic variants with robust evidence of association are more likely to point to causal genes, but to date, only a few rare variants are known to influence birth weight. We aimed to identify genes that harbour rare variants that impact birth weight when carried by either the fetus or the mother, by analysing whole exome sequence data in UK Biobank participants. We annotated rare (minor allele frequency <0.1%) protein-truncating or high impact missense variants on whole exome sequence data in up to 234,675 participants with data on their own birth weight (fetal variants), and up to 181,883 mothers who reported the birth weight of their first child (maternal variants). Variants within each gene were collapsed to perform gene burden tests and for each associated gene, we compared the observed fetal and maternal effects. We identified 8 genes with evidence of rare fetal variant effects on birth weight, of which 2 also showed maternal effects. One additional gene showed evidence of maternal effects only. We observed 10/11 directionally concordant associations in an independent sample of up to 45,622 individuals (sign test P=0.01). Of the genes identified, IGF1R and PAPPA2 (fetal and maternal-acting) have known roles in insulin-like growth factor bioavailability and signalling. PPARG, INHBE and ACVR1C (all fetal-acting) have known roles in adipose tissue regulation and rare variants in the latter two also showed associations with favourable adiposity patterns in adults. We highlight the dual role of PPARG in both adipocyte differentiation and placental angiogenesis. NOS3, NRK, and ADAMTS8 (fetal and maternal-acting) have been implicated in both placental function and hypertension. Analysis of rare coding variants has identified regulators of fetal adipose tissue and fetoplacental angiogenesis as determinants of birth weight, as well as further evidence for the role of insulin-like growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Kentistou
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Brandon E M Lim
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Lena R Kaisinger
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Luke N Sharp
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Kashyap A Patel
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Gareth Hawkes
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Eugene J Gardner
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Andrew R Wood
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Yajie Zhao
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Felix R Day
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Andrew T Hattersley
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Stephen O'Rahilly
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Kari Stefansson
- deCODE genetics/Amgen, Inc., 102 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Ken K Ong
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Robin N Beaumont
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - John R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Rachel M Freathy
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Tangseefa P, Jin H, Zhang H, Xie M, Ibáñez CF. Human ACVR1C missense variants that correlate with altered body fat distribution produce metabolic alterations of graded severity in knock-in mutant mice. Mol Metab 2024; 81:101890. [PMID: 38307384 PMCID: PMC10863331 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101890] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Genome-wide studies have identified three missense variants in the human gene ACVR1C, encoding the TGF-β superfamily receptor ALK7, that correlate with altered waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (WHR/BMI), a measure of body fat distribution. METHODS To move from correlation to causation and understand the effects of these variants on fat accumulation and adipose tissue function, we introduced each of the variants in the mouse Acvr1c locus and investigated metabolic phenotypes in comparison with a null mutation. RESULTS Mice carrying the I195T variant showed resistance to high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, increased catecholamine-induced adipose tissue lipolysis and impaired ALK7 signaling, phenocopying the null mutants. Mice with the I482V variant displayed an intermediate phenotype, with partial resistance to HFD-induced obesity, reduction in subcutaneous, but not visceral, fat mass, decreased systemic lipolysis and reduced ALK7 signaling. Surprisingly, mice carrying the N150H variant were metabolically indistinguishable from wild type under HFD, although ALK7 signaling was reduced at low ligand concentrations. CONCLUSION Together, these results validate ALK7 as an attractive drug target in human obesity and suggest a lower threshold for ALK7 function in humans compared to mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawanrat Tangseefa
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, 102206 Beijing, China; Peking University School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Jin
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Houyu Zhang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, 102206 Beijing, China; Peking University School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Meng Xie
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; Peking University School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge 14157, Sweden
| | - Carlos F Ibáñez
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, 102206 Beijing, China; Peking University School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
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3
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Kumar V, Stewart JH. Obesity, bone marrow adiposity, and leukemia: Time to act. Obes Rev 2024; 25:e13674. [PMID: 38092420 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13674] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Obesity has taken the face of a pandemic with less direct concern among the general population and scientific community. However, obesity is considered a low-grade systemic inflammation that impacts multiple organs. Chronic inflammation is also associated with different solid and blood cancers. In addition, emerging evidence demonstrates that individuals with obesity are at higher risk of developing blood cancers and have poorer clinical outcomes than individuals in a normal weight range. The bone marrow is critical for hematopoiesis, lymphopoiesis, and myelopoiesis. Therefore, it is vital to understand the mechanisms by which obesity-associated changes in BM adiposity impact leukemia development. BM adipocytes are critical to maintain homeostasis via different means, including immune regulation. However, obesity increases BM adiposity and creates a pro-inflammatory environment to upregulate clonal hematopoiesis and a leukemia-supportive environment. Obesity further alters lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis via different mechanisms, which dysregulate myeloid and lymphoid immune cell functions mentioned in the text under different sequentially discussed sections. The altered immune cell function during obesity alters hematological malignancies and leukemia susceptibility. Therefore, obesity-induced altered BM adiposity, immune cell generation, and function impact an individual's predisposition and severity of leukemia, which should be considered a critical factor in leukemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - John H Stewart
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Bisevac J, Katta K, Petrovski G, Moe MC, Noer A. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Activation Induces Differentiation in Human Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells Cultured Ex Vivo. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1829. [PMID: 37509479 PMCID: PMC10377110 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Human limbal epithelial stem cells (hLESCs) continuously replenish lost or damaged human corneal epithelial cells. The percentage of stem/progenitor cells in autologous ex vivo expanded tissue is essential for the long-term success of transplantation in patients with limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency. However, the molecular processes governing the stemness and differentiation state of hLESCs remain uncertain. Therefore, we sought to explore the impact of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation on hLESCs by treating ex vivo expanded hLESC cultures with GSK-3 inhibitor LY2090314. Real-time qRT-PCR and microarray data reveal the downregulation of stemness (TP63), progenitor (SOX9), quiescence (CEBPD), and proliferation (MKI67, PCNA) genes and the upregulation of genes for differentiation (CX43, KRT3) in treated- compared to non-treated samples. The pathway activation was shown by AXIN2 upregulation and enhanced levels of accumulated β-catenin. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot confirmed the findings for most of the above-mentioned markers. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling profile demonstrated an upregulation of WNT1, WNT3, WNT5A, WNT6, and WNT11 gene expression and a downregulation for WNT7A and DKK1 in the treated samples. No significant differences were found for WNT2, WNT16B, WIF1, and DKK2 gene expression. Overall, our results demonstrate that activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in ex vivo expanded hLESCs governs the cells towards differentiation and reduces proliferation and stem cell maintenance capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Bisevac
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kirankumar Katta
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Hf Rikshospitalet, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten Carstens Moe
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Agate Noer
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
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Cao S, Yuan Q, Dong Q, Liu X, Liu W, Zhai X, Zhang C, Liu H, Tang M, Wei S, Chen Y. Activin receptor-like kinase 7 promotes apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells via activating Smad2/3 signaling in diabetic atherosclerosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:926433. [PMID: 36059980 PMCID: PMC9428160 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.926433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a vital accelerator in the late phase of diabetic atherosclerosis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate whether activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7)-Smad2/3 pathway plays an important role in VSMC apoptosis of diabetic atherosclerosis. It was shown that ALK7 expression was obviously elevated in the aorta of ApoE−/− mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Inhibition of ALK7 expression significantly improved the stability of atherosclerotic plaques and reduced cell apoptosis. Further experiments showed that ALK7 knockdown stabilized atherosclerotic plaques by reducing VSMC apoptosis via activating Smad2/3. Our study uncovered the important role of ALK7-Smad2/3 signaling in VSMCs apoptosis, which might be a potential therapeutic target in diabetic atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengchuan Cao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiuhuan Yuan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qianqian Dong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xilong Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Weikang Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Zhai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chuanxin Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mengxiong Tang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Yuguo Chen, ; Shujian Wei, ; Mengxiong Tang,
| | - Shujian Wei
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Yuguo Chen, ; Shujian Wei, ; Mengxiong Tang,
| | - Yuguo Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Yuguo Chen, ; Shujian Wei, ; Mengxiong Tang,
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Goebel EJ, Ongaro L, Kappes EC, Vestal K, Belcheva E, Castonguay R, Kumar R, Bernard DJ, Thompson TB. The orphan ligand, activin C, signals through activin receptor-like kinase 7. eLife 2022; 11:78197. [PMID: 35736809 PMCID: PMC9224996 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin ligands are formed from two disulfide-linked inhibin β (Inhβ) subunit chains. They exist as homodimeric proteins, as in the case of activin A (ActA; InhβA/InhβA) or activin C (ActC; InhβC/InhβC), or as heterodimers, as with activin AC (ActAC; InhβA:InhβC). While the biological functions of ActA and activin B (ActB) have been well characterized, little is known about the biological functions of ActC or ActAC. One thought is that the InhβC chain functions to interfere with ActA production by forming less active ActAC heterodimers. Here, we assessed and characterized the signaling capacity of ligands containing the InhβC chain. ActC and ActAC activated SMAD2/3-dependent signaling via the type I receptor, activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7). Relative to ActA and ActB, ActC exhibited lower affinity for the cognate activin type II receptors and was resistant to neutralization by the extracellular antagonist, follistatin. In mature murine adipocytes, which exhibit high ALK7 expression, ActC elicited a SMAD2/3 response similar to ActB, which can also signal via ALK7. Collectively, these results establish that ActC and ActAC are active ligands that exhibit a distinct signaling receptor and antagonist profile compared to other activins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erich J Goebel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Emily C Kappes
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Kylie Vestal
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | | | | | | | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Thomas B Thompson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
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7
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Koprulu M, Zhao Y, Wheeler E, Dong L, Rocha N, Li C, Griffin JD, Patel S, Van de Streek M, Glastonbury CA, Stewart ID, Day FR, Luan J, Bowker N, Wittemans LBL, Kerrison ND, Cai L, Lucarelli DME, Barroso I, McCarthy MI, Scott RA, Saudek V, Small KS, Wareham NJ, Semple RK, Perry JRB, O’Rahilly S, Lotta LA, Langenberg C, Savage DB. Identification of Rare Loss-of-Function Genetic Variation Regulating Body Fat Distribution. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:1065-1077. [PMID: 34875679 PMCID: PMC8947777 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Biological and translational insights from large-scale, array-based genetic studies of fat distribution, a key determinant of metabolic health, have been limited by the difficulty in linking predominantly noncoding variants to specific gene targets. Rare coding variant analyses provide greater confidence that a specific gene is involved, but do not necessarily indicate whether gain or loss of function (LoF) would be of most therapeutic benefit. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to identify genes/proteins involved in determining fat distribution. METHODS We combined the power of genome-wide analysis of array-based rare, nonsynonymous variants in 450 562 individuals in the UK Biobank with exome-sequence-based rare LoF gene burden testing in 184 246 individuals. RESULTS The data indicate that the LoF of 4 genes (PLIN1 [LoF variants, P = 5.86 × 10-7], INSR [LoF variants, P = 6.21 × 10-7], ACVR1C [LoF + moderate impact variants, P = 1.68 × 10-7; moderate impact variants, P = 4.57 × 10-7], and PDE3B [LoF variants, P = 1.41 × 10-6]) is associated with a beneficial effect on body mass index-adjusted waist-to-hip ratio and increased gluteofemoral fat mass, whereas LoF of PLIN4 (LoF variants, P = 5.86 × 10-7 adversely affects these parameters. Phenotypic follow-up suggests that LoF of PLIN1, PDE3B, and ACVR1C favorably affects metabolic phenotypes (eg, triglycerides [TGs] and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol concentrations) and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, whereas PLIN4 LoF has adverse health consequences. INSR LoF is associated with lower TG and HDL levels but may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION This study robustly implicates these genes in the regulation of fat distribution, providing new and in some cases somewhat counterintuitive insight into the potential consequences of targeting these molecules therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mine Koprulu
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Yajie Zhao
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Eleanor Wheeler
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Liang Dong
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Nuno Rocha
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Chen Li
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - John D Griffin
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development, and Medical, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Satish Patel
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Marcel Van de Streek
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Campus, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | | | - Isobel D Stewart
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Felix R Day
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Jian’an Luan
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Nicholas Bowker
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Laura B L Wittemans
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Big Data Institute at the Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Nicola D Kerrison
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Lina Cai
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Debora M E Lucarelli
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- D.M.E.L. is currently an employee of Enhanc3D Genomics Ltd
| | - Inês Barroso
- Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research (EXCEED), Genetics of Complex Traits, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 2HZ, UK
| | - Mark I McCarthy
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
- M.McM.’s current address is Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Robert A Scott
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Vladimir Saudek
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Kerrin S Small
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Campus, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Nicholas J Wareham
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Robert K Semple
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - John R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Stephen O’Rahilly
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Luca A Lotta
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Claudia Langenberg
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Computational Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: Claudia Langenberg, MD, Dr Med, PhD, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
| | - David B Savage
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- David B. Savage, MBCHB, PhD, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Box 289, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
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