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Raab M, Christodoulou E, Krishnankutty R, Gradinaru A, Walker AD, Olaizola P, Younger NT, Lyons AM, Jarman EJ, Gournopanos K, von Kriegsheim A, Waddell SH, Boulter L. Van Gogh-like 2 is essential for the architectural patterning of the mammalian biliary tree. J Hepatol 2024; 81:108-119. [PMID: 38460794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.02.030] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In the developing liver, bipotent epithelial progenitor cells undergo lineage segregation to form hepatocytes, which constitute the bulk of the liver parenchyma, and biliary epithelial cells (cholangiocytes), which comprise the bile duct (a complex tubular network that is critical for normal liver function). Notch and TGFβ signalling promote the formation of a sheet of biliary epithelial cells, the ductal plate, that organises into discontinuous tubular structures. How these structures elongate and connect to form a continuous duct remains undefined. We aimed to define the mechanisms by which the ductal plate transitions from a simple sheet of epithelial cells into a complex and connected bile duct. METHODS By combining single-cell RNA sequencing of embryonic mouse livers with genetic tools and organoid models we functionally dissected the role of planar cell polarity in duct patterning. RESULTS We show that the planar cell polarity protein VANGL2 is expressed late in intrahepatic bile duct development and patterns the formation of cell-cell contacts between biliary cells. The patterning of these cell contacts regulates the normal polarisation of the actin cytoskeleton within biliary cells and loss of Vangl2 function results in the abnormal distribution of cortical actin remodelling, leading to the failure of bile duct formation. CONCLUSIONS Planar cell polarity is a critical step in the post-specification sculpture of the bile duct and is essential for establishing normal tissue architecture. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Like other branched tissues, such as the lung and kidney, the bile ducts use planar cell polarity signalling to coordinate cell movements; however, how these biochemical signals are linked to ductular patterning remains unclear. Here we show that the core planar cell polarity protein VANGL2 patterns how cell-cell contacts form in the mammalian bile duct and how ductular cells transmit confluent mechanical changes along the length of a duct. This work sheds light on how biological tubes are patterned across mammalian tissues (including within the liver) and will be important in how we promote ductular growth in patients where the duct is mis-patterned or poorly formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Raab
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Ersi Christodoulou
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | | | - Andreea Gradinaru
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | | | - Paula Olaizola
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | | | | | - Edward Joseph Jarman
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | | | | | | | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
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Luo J, Zhang Y, Jayaprakash S, Zhuang L, He J. Cross-Species Insights into Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Provide an Alternative View on Research Advancement. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5646. [PMID: 38891834 PMCID: PMC11171680 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115646] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is a prevalent hereditary disorder that affects the kidneys, characterized by the development of an excessive number of fluid-filled cysts of varying sizes in both kidneys. Along with the progression of ADPKD, these enlarged cysts displace normal kidney tissue, often accompanied by interstitial fibrosis and inflammation, and significantly impair renal function, leading to end-stage renal disease. Currently, the precise mechanisms underlying ADPKD remain elusive, and a definitive cure has yet to be discovered. This review delineates the epidemiology, pathological features, and clinical diagnostics of ADPKD or ADPKD-like disease across human populations, as well as companion animals and other domesticated species. A light has been shed on pivotal genes and biological pathways essential for preventing and managing ADPKD, which underscores the importance of cross-species research in addressing this complex condition. Treatment options are currently limited to Tolvaptan, dialysis, or surgical excision of large cysts. However, comparative studies of ADPKD across different species hold promise for unveiling novel insights and therapeutic strategies to combat this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Luo
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; (J.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.)
| | - Yuan Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; (J.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.)
| | - Sakthidasan Jayaprakash
- Department of Biotechnology, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Tamil Nadu 603103, India;
| | - Lenan Zhuang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; (J.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.)
| | - Jin He
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; (J.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.Z.)
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Cui Y, Ru M, Wang Y, Weng L, Haji RA, Liang H, Zeng Q, Wei Q, Xie X, Yin C, Huang J. Epigenetic regulation of H3K27me3 in laying hens with fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome induced by high-energy and low-protein diets. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:374. [PMID: 38627644 PMCID: PMC11022457 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10270-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in the modern poultry industry is primarily caused by nutrition. Despite encouraging progress on FLHS, the mechanism through which nutrition influences susceptibility to FLHS is still lacking in terms of epigenetics. RESULTS In this study, we analyzed the genome-wide patterns of trimethylated lysine residue 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) enrichment by chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq), and examined its association with transcriptomes in healthy and FLHS hens. The study results indicated that H3K27me3 levels were increased in the FLHS hens on a genome-wide scale. Additionally, H3K27me3 was found to occupy the entire gene and the distant intergenic region, which may function as silencer-like regulatory elements. The analysis of transcription factor (TF) motifs in hypermethylated peaks has demonstrated that 23 TFs are involved in the regulation of liver metabolism and development. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in fatty acid metabolism, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism. The hub gene identified from PPI network is fatty acid synthase (FASN). Combined ChIP-seq and transcriptome analysis revealed that the increased H3K27me3 and down-regulated genes have significant enrichment in the ECM-receptor interaction, tight junction, cell adhesion molecules, adherens junction, and TGF-beta signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the trimethylation modification of H3K27 has been shown to have significant regulatory function in FLHS, mediating the expression of crucial genes associated with the ECM-receptor interaction pathway. This highlights the epigenetic mechanisms of H3K27me3 and provides insights into exploring core regulatory targets and nutritional regulation strategies in FLHS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Meng Ru
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Linjian Weng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Ramlat Ali Haji
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Haiping Liang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Qingjie Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Qing Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Xianhua Xie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Chao Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Jianzhen Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China.
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Schaub JR, Chen JY, Turner SM. Integrins in biliary injury and fibrosis. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2024; 40:85-91. [PMID: 38190346 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000000995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Current treatment options for cholangiopathies are severely limited and there is thus a critical need to identify and develop therapies. This review discusses the role of integrins in biliary injury and fibrosis and their potential as therapeutic targets. RECENT FINDINGS There are a diverse set of roles that integrins play in biliary injury and fibrosis. Some integrins activate TGF-β signaling or are involved in sensing of the extracellular matrix, making them attractive targets for biliary fibrosis. In recent work, autoantibodies to α v β 6 were identified in patients with PSC, supporting the relevance of this integrin in the disease. In addition, a role for α 2 β 1 in cyst formation was identified in a mouse model of polycystic liver disease. Leukocyte integrins (e.g. α E β 7 and α 4 β 7 ) contribute to lymphocyte trafficking, making them potential targets for biliary inflammation; however, this has not yet translated to the clinic. SUMMARY While all members of the same family of proteins, integrins have diverse roles in the pathogenesis of biliary disease. Targeting one or multiple of these integrins may slow or halt the progression of biliary injury and fibrosis by simultaneously impacting different pathologic cells and processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Y Chen
- Department of Medicine
- The Liver Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Ray K. Understanding remodelling of bile ducts to promote polycystic liver disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:759. [PMID: 37789058 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00852-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Ray
- Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, .
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