1
|
Coleman DJ, Keane P, Chin PS, Ames L, Kellaway S, Blair H, Khan N, Griffin J, Holmes E, Maytum A, Potluri S, Strate L, Koscielniak K, Raghavan M, Bushweller J, Heidenreich O, Rabbitts T, Cockerill PN, Bonifer C. Pharmacological inhibition of RAS overcomes FLT3 inhibitor resistance in FLT3-ITD+ AML through AP-1 and RUNX1. iScience 2024; 27:109576. [PMID: 38638836 PMCID: PMC11024925 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
AML is characterized by mutations in genes associated with growth regulation such as internal tandem duplications (ITD) in the receptor kinase FLT3. Inhibitors targeting FLT3 (FLT3i) are being used to treat patients with FLT3-ITD+ but most relapse and become resistant. To elucidate the resistance mechanism, we compared the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) of leukemic cells from patients before and after relapse, which revealed that the GRNs of drug-responsive patients were altered by rewiring their AP-1-RUNX1 axis. Moreover, FLT3i induces the upregulation of signaling genes, and we show that multiple cytokines, including interleukin-3 (IL-3), can overcome FLT3 inhibition and send cells back into cycle. FLT3i leads to loss of AP-1 and RUNX1 chromatin binding, which is counteracted by IL-3. However, cytokine-mediated drug resistance can be overcome by a pan-RAS inhibitor. We show that cytokines instruct AML growth via the transcriptional regulators AP-1 and RUNX1 and that pan-RAS drugs bypass this barrier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J.L. Coleman
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter Keane
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paulynn S. Chin
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Luke Ames
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sophie Kellaway
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Helen Blair
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Naeem Khan
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - James Griffin
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Elizabeth Holmes
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alexander Maytum
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sandeep Potluri
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Lara Strate
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kinga Koscielniak
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Manoj Raghavan
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - John Bushweller
- School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Princess Máxima Centrum of Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Terry Rabbitts
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Peter N. Cockerill
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Constanze Bonifer
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kellaway SG, Potluri S, Keane P, Blair HJ, Ames L, Worker A, Chin PS, Ptasinska A, Derevyanko PK, Adamo A, Coleman DJL, Khan N, Assi SA, Krippner-Heidenreich A, Raghavan M, Cockerill PN, Heidenreich O, Bonifer C. Leukemic stem cells activate lineage inappropriate signalling pathways to promote their growth. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1359. [PMID: 38355578 PMCID: PMC10867020 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45691-4] [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: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is caused by multiple mutations which dysregulate growth and differentiation of myeloid cells. Cells adopt different gene regulatory networks specific to individual mutations, maintaining a rapidly proliferating blast cell population with fatal consequences for the patient if not treated. The most common treatment option is still chemotherapy which targets such cells. However, patients harbour a population of quiescent leukemic stem cells (LSCs) which can emerge from quiescence to trigger relapse after therapy. The processes that allow such cells to re-grow remain unknown. Here, we examine the well characterised t(8;21) AML sub-type as a model to address this question. Using four primary AML samples and a novel t(8;21) patient-derived xenograft model, we show that t(8;21) LSCs aberrantly activate the VEGF and IL-5 signalling pathways. Both pathways operate within a regulatory circuit consisting of the driver oncoprotein RUNX1::ETO and an AP-1/GATA2 axis allowing LSCs to re-enter the cell cycle while preserving self-renewal capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie G Kellaway
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
- Blood Cancer and Stem Cells, Centre for Cancer Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Sandeep Potluri
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter Keane
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Helen J Blair
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Luke Ames
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alice Worker
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paulynn S Chin
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anetta Ptasinska
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Assunta Adamo
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Daniel J L Coleman
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Naeem Khan
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Salam A Assi
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Manoj Raghavan
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter N Cockerill
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Princess Maxima Center of Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Constanze Bonifer
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kellaway SG, Keane P, Kennett E, Bonifer C. RUNX1-EVI1 disrupts lineage determination and the cell cycle by interfering with RUNX1 and EVI1 driven gene regulatory networks. Haematologica 2021; 106:1569-1580. [PMID: 32299907 PMCID: PMC8168488 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.241885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematological malignancies are characterized by a block in differentiation, which in many cases is caused by recurrent mutations affecting the activity of hematopoietic transcription factors. RUNX1-EVI1 is a fusion protein encoded by the t(3;21) translocation linking two transcription factors required for normal hematopoiesis. RUNX1-EVI1 expression is found in myelodysplastic syndrome, secondary acute my eloid leukemia, and blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia; with clinical outcomes being worse than in patients with RUNX1-ETO, RUNX1 or EVI1 mutations alone. RUNX1-EVI1 is usually found as a secondary mutation, therefore the molecular mechanisms underlying how RUNX1-EVI1 alone contributes to poor prognosis are unknown. In order to address this question, we induced expression of RUNX1-EVI1 in hematopoietic cells derived from an embryonic stem cell d i fferentiation model. Induction resulte d in disruption of t he RUNX1-dependent endothelial-hematopoietic transition, blocked the cell cycle and undermined cell fate decisions in multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells. Integrative analyses of gene expression with chromatin and transcription factor binding data demonstrated that RUNX1- EVI1 binding caused a re-distribution of endogenous RUNX1 within the genome and interfered with both RUNX1 and EVI1 regulated gene expression programs. In summary, RUNX1-EVI1 expression alone leads to extensive epigenetic reprogramming which is incompatible with healthy blood production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie G Kellaway
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter Keane
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ella Kennett
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Constanze Bonifer
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Potluri S, Assi SA, Chin PS, Coleman DJL, Pickin A, Moriya S, Seki N, Heidenreich O, Cockerill PN, Bonifer C. Isoform-specific and signaling-dependent propagation of acute myeloid leukemia by Wilms tumor 1. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109010. [PMID: 33882316 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109010] [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: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is caused by recurrent mutations in members of the gene regulatory and signaling machinery that control hematopoietic progenitor cell growth and differentiation. Here, we show that the transcription factor WT1 forms a major node in the rewired mutation-specific gene regulatory networks of multiple AML subtypes. WT1 is frequently either mutated or upregulated in AML, and its expression is predictive for relapse. The WT1 protein exists as multiple isoforms. For two main AML subtypes, we demonstrate that these isoforms exhibit differential patterns of binding and support contrasting biological activities, including enhanced proliferation. We also show that WT1 responds to oncogenic signaling and is part of a signaling-responsive transcription factor hub that controls AML growth. WT1 therefore plays a central and widespread role in AML biology.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Base Sequence
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Chromatin/chemistry
- Chromatin/metabolism
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/genetics
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/metabolism
- Early Growth Response Protein 1/genetics
- Early Growth Response Protein 1/metabolism
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Gene Regulatory Networks
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/classification
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Protein Isoforms/antagonists & inhibitors
- Protein Isoforms/genetics
- Protein Isoforms/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein/genetics
- RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Sp1 Transcription Factor/genetics
- Sp1 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Translocation, Genetic
- WT1 Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- WT1 Proteins/genetics
- WT1 Proteins/metabolism
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/genetics
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Potluri
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B152TT, UK.
| | - Salam A Assi
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B152TT, UK
| | - Paulynn S Chin
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B152TT, UK
| | - Dan J L Coleman
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B152TT, UK
| | - Anna Pickin
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B152TT, UK
| | - Shogo Moriya
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naohiko Seki
- Department of Functional Genomics, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Herschel Building, Level 6, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; Prinses Máxima Centrum for Pediatric Oncology, Postbus 113, 3720 AC Bilthoven, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter N Cockerill
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B152TT, UK
| | - Constanze Bonifer
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B152TT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bevington SL, Keane P, Soley JK, Tauch S, Gajdasik DW, Fiancette R, Matei-Rascu V, Willis CM, Withers DR, Cockerill PN. IL-2/IL-7-inducible factors pioneer the path to T cell differentiation in advance of lineage-defining factors. EMBO J 2020; 39:e105220. [PMID: 32930455 PMCID: PMC7667885 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
When dormant naïve T cells first become activated by antigen-presenting cells, they express the autocrine growth factor IL-2 which transforms them into rapidly dividing effector T cells. During this process, hundreds of genes undergo epigenetic reprogramming for efficient activation, and also for potential reactivation after they return to quiescence as memory T cells. However, the relative contributions of IL-2 and T cell receptor signaling to this process are unknown. Here, we show that IL-2 signaling is required to maintain open chromatin at hundreds of gene regulatory elements, many of which control subsequent stimulus-dependent alternative pathways of T cell differentiation. We demonstrate that IL-2 activates binding of AP-1 and STAT5 at sites that can subsequently bind lineage-determining transcription factors, depending upon what other external factors exist in the local T cell environment. Once established, priming can also be maintained by the stroma-derived homeostatic cytokine IL-7, and priming diminishes if Il7r is subsequently deleted in vivo. Hence, IL-2 is not just a growth factor; it lays the foundation for T cell differentiation and immunological memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Bevington
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter Keane
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jake K Soley
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Saskia Tauch
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Dominika W Gajdasik
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Remi Fiancette
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Veronika Matei-Rascu
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Claire M Willis
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - David R Withers
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter N Cockerill
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Assi SA, Imperato MR, Coleman DJL, Pickin A, Potluri S, Ptasinska A, Chin PS, Blair H, Cauchy P, James SR, Zacarias-Cabeza J, Gilding LN, Beggs A, Clokie S, Loke JC, Jenkin P, Uddin A, Delwel R, Richards SJ, Raghavan M, Griffiths MJ, Heidenreich O, Cockerill PN, Bonifer C. Subtype-specific regulatory network rewiring in acute myeloid leukemia. Nat Genet 2019; 51:151-162. [PMID: 30420649 PMCID: PMC6330064 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-018-0270-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease caused by a variety of alterations in transcription factors, epigenetic regulators and signaling molecules. To determine how different mutant regulators establish AML subtype-specific transcriptional networks, we performed a comprehensive global analysis of cis-regulatory element activity and interaction, transcription factor occupancy and gene expression patterns in purified leukemic blast cells. Here, we focused on specific subgroups of subjects carrying mutations in genes encoding transcription factors (RUNX1, CEBPα), signaling molecules (FTL3-ITD, RAS) and the nuclear protein NPM1). Integrated analysis of these data demonstrates that each mutant regulator establishes a specific transcriptional and signaling network unrelated to that seen in normal cells, sustaining the expression of unique sets of genes required for AML growth and maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salam A Assi
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Daniel J L Coleman
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anna Pickin
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sandeep Potluri
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anetta Ptasinska
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paulynn Suyin Chin
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Helen Blair
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK
| | - Pierre Cauchy
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sally R James
- Section of Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - L Niall Gilding
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrew Beggs
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sam Clokie
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory, Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Justin C Loke
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Phil Jenkin
- CMT Laboratory NHS Blood & Transplant, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ash Uddin
- CMT Laboratory NHS Blood & Transplant, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ruud Delwel
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Richards
- Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Manoj Raghavan
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Michael J Griffiths
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory, Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK
- Princess Maxima Centrum for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter N Cockerill
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Constanze Bonifer
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tao H, Song ZY, Ding XS, Yang JJ, Shi KH, Li J. LncRNAs and miRs as epigenetic signatures in diabetic cardiac fibrosis: new advances and perspectives. Endocrine 2018; 62:281-291. [PMID: 30054866 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-018-1688-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiac complication of diabetes, which further lead to heartfailure. It is known that diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis is a key pathogenic factor contributing topathological changes in DCM. However, pathogenetic mechanisms underlying diabetes cardiac fibrosis arestill elusive. Recent studies have indicated that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a key role in diabetescardiac fibrosis. The increasing complexity of epigenetic regulator poses great challenges to ourconventional conceptions regarding how ncRNAs regulate diabetes cardiac fibrosis. METHODS We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for manuscripts published prior to April 2018 using keywords "Diabetic cardiomyopathy" AND " diabetes cardiac fibrosis " OR " noncoding RNAs " OR " longnoncoding RNAs " OR " microRNAs " OR "epigenetic". Manuscripts were collated, studied and carriedforward for discussion where appropriate. RESULTS Based on the view that during diabetic cardiac fibrosis, ncRNAs are able to regulate diabetic cardiac fibrosisby targeting genes involved in epigenetic pathways. Many studies have focused on ncRNAs, an epigeneticregulator deregulating protein-coding genes in diabetic cardiac fibrosis, to identify potential therapeutictargets. Recent advances and new perspectives have found that long noncoding RNAs and microRNAs,exert their own effects on the progression of diabetic cardiac fibrosis. CONCLUSION We firstly examine the growing role of ncRNAs characteristics and ncRNAs-regulated genes involved indiabetic cardiac fibrosis. Then, we provide several possible therapeutic strategies and highlight the potentialof molecular mechanisms in which targeting epigenetic regulators are considered as an effective means of treating diabetic cardiac fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Tao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 230601, Hefei, China
| | - Zheng-Yu Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuan-Sheng Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jing-Jing Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 230601, Hefei, China
| | - Kai-Hu Shi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 230601, Hefei, China.
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province, 210028, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jun Li
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, 230032, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Suzuki N, Vojnovic N, Lee KL, Yang H, Gradin K, Poellinger L. HIF-dependent and reversible nucleosome disassembly in hypoxia-inducible gene promoters. Exp Cell Res 2018; 366:181-191. [PMID: 29574021 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia causes dramatic changes in gene expression profiles, and the mechanism of hypoxia-inducible transcription has been analyzed for use as a model system of stress-inducible gene regulation. In this study, changes in chromatin organization in promoters of hypoxia-inducible genes were investigated during hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions. Most of the hypoxia-inducible gene promoters were hypersensitive to DNase I under both normal and hypoxic conditions, and our data indicate an immediate recruitment of transcription factors under hypoxic conditions. In some of the hypoxia-inducible promoters, nucleosome-free DNA regions (NFRs) were established in parallel with hypoxia-induced transcription. We also show that the hypoxia-inducible formation of NFRs requires that hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) bind to the promoters together with the transcriptional coactivator CBP. Within 1 h after the hypoxia exposure was ended (reoxygenation), HIF complexes were dissociated from the promoter regions. Within 24 h of reoxygenation, the hypoxia-induced transcription returned to basal levels and the nucleosome structure was reassembled in the hypoxia-inducible NFRs. Nucleosome reassembly required the function of the transcriptional coregulator SIN3A. Thus, reversible changes in nucleosome organization mediated by transcription factors are notable features of stress-inducible gene regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Norio Suzuki
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Oxygen Biology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Nikola Vojnovic
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kian-Leong Lee
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Henry Yang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Katarina Gradin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lorenz Poellinger
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Brignall R, Cauchy P, Bevington SL, Gorman B, Pisco AO, Bagnall J, Boddington C, Rowe W, England H, Rich K, Schmidt L, Dyer NP, Travis MA, Ott S, Jackson DA, Cockerill PN, Paszek P. Integration of Kinase and Calcium Signaling at the Level of Chromatin Underlies Inducible Gene Activation in T Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2017; 199:2652-2667. [PMID: 28904128 PMCID: PMC5632840 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1602033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
TCR signaling pathways cooperate to activate the inducible transcription factors NF-κB, NFAT, and AP-1. In this study, using the calcium ionophore ionomycin and/or PMA on Jurkat T cells, we show that the gene expression program associated with activation of TCR signaling is closely related to specific chromatin landscapes. We find that calcium and kinase signaling cooperate to induce chromatin remodeling at ∼2100 chromatin regions, which demonstrate enriched binding motifs for inducible factors and correlate with target gene expression. We found that these regions typically function as inducible enhancers. Many of these elements contain composite NFAT/AP-1 sites, which typically support cooperative binding, thus further reinforcing the need for cooperation between calcium and kinase signaling in the activation of genes in T cells. In contrast, treatment with PMA or ionomycin alone induces chromatin remodeling at far fewer regions (∼600 and ∼350, respectively), which mostly represent a subset of those induced by costimulation. This suggests that the integration of TCR signaling largely occurs at the level of chromatin, which we propose plays a crucial role in regulating T cell activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Brignall
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Cauchy
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah L Bevington
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Bethany Gorman
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Angela O Pisco
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - James Bagnall
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Boddington
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - William Rowe
- Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
| | - Hazel England
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Rich
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; and
| | - Lorraine Schmidt
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel P Dyer
- Warwick Systems Biology Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Travis
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; and
| | - Sascha Ott
- Warwick Systems Biology Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Dean A Jackson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Peter N Cockerill
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom;
| | - Pawel Paszek
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Suzuki N, Gradin K, Poellinger L, Yamamoto M. Regulation of hypoxia-inducible gene expression after HIF activation. Exp Cell Res 2017; 356:182-186. [PMID: 28286304 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia causes dramatic changes in the expression profiles of genes that encode glycolytic enzymes, vascular endothelial growth factors, erythropoietin, and other factors in a tissue-specific manner through activating hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) such as HIF1α and HIF2α. It has been elucidated that the activity of HIFs is fundamentally regulated by their protein stability in an oxygen-dependent manner. However, little is known about how stabilized HIFs regulate transcription of their target genes in hypoxic cells. Additionally, the roles of HIF3α, the third member of the HIFs, are still enigma due to its various splicing variants and the complicated phenotypes of Hif3a-gene modified mouse lines. Here, we summarize how molecular systems fine-tune hypoxia-inducible transcription with the cooperation of HIFs and their negative regulators, including IPAS, one of the HIF3α splicing variants. Since epigenetic mechanisms contribute to stress-inducible and cell-type specific gene regulation, the HIF-dependent reorganization of nucleosome structures in hypoxia-inducible gene promoters is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Norio Suzuki
- Division of Oxygen Biology, United Centers for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Katarina Gradin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Lorenz Poellinger
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bevington SL, Cauchy P, Withers DR, Lane PJL, Cockerill PN. T Cell Receptor and Cytokine Signaling Can Function at Different Stages to Establish and Maintain Transcriptional Memory and Enable T Helper Cell Differentiation. Front Immunol 2017; 8:204. [PMID: 28316598 PMCID: PMC5334638 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Experienced T cells exhibit immunological memory via a rapid recall response, responding to restimulation much faster than naïve T cells. The formation of immunological memory starts during an initial slow response, when naïve T cells become transformed to proliferating T blast cells, and inducible immune response genes are reprogrammed as active chromatin domains. We demonstrated that these active domains are supported by thousands of priming elements which cooperate with inducible transcriptional enhancers to enable efficient responses to stimuli. At the conclusion of this response, a small proportion of these cells return to the quiescent state as long-term memory T cells. We proposed that priming elements can be established in a hit-and-run process dependent on the inducible factor AP-1, but then maintained by the constitutive factors RUNX1 and ETS-1. This priming mechanism may also function to render genes receptive to additional differentiation-inducing factors such as GATA3 and TBX21 that are encountered under polarizing conditions. The proliferation of recently activated T cells and the maintenance of immunological memory in quiescent memory T cells are also dependent on various cytokine signaling pathways upstream of AP-1. We suggest that immunological memory is established by T cell receptor signaling, but maintained by cytokine signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Bevington
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK
| | - Pierre Cauchy
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK
| | - David R Withers
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK
| | - Peter J L Lane
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK
| | - Peter N Cockerill
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cockerill PN. Receptor Signaling Directs Global Recruitment of Pre-existing Transcription Factors to Inducible Elements. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2016; 89:591-596. [PMID: 28018147 PMCID: PMC5168834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression programs are largely regulated by the tissue-specific expression of lineage-defining transcription factors or by the inducible expression of transcription factors in response to specific stimuli. Here I will review our own work over the last 20 years to show how specific activation signals also lead to the wide-spread re-distribution of pre-existing constitutive transcription factors to sites undergoing chromatin reorganization. I will summarize studies showing that activation of kinase signaling pathways creates open chromatin regions that recruit pre-existing factors which were previously unable to bind to closed chromatin. As models I will draw upon genes activated or primed by receptor signaling in memory T cells, and genes activated by cytokine receptor mutations in acute myeloid leukemia. I also summarize a hit-and-run model of stable epigenetic reprograming in memory T cells, mediated by transient Activator Protein 1 (AP-1) binding, which enables the accelerated activation of inducible enhancers.
Collapse
|
13
|
Integrated genome-scale analysis of the transcriptional regulatory landscape in a blood stem/progenitor cell model. Blood 2016; 127:e12-23. [DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-10-677393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Key Points
New genome-wide maps for 17 TFs, 3 histone modifications, DNase I sites, Hi-C, and Promoter Capture Hi-C in a stem/progenitor model. Integrated analysis shows that chromatin loops in a stem/progenitor model are characterized by specific TF occupancy patterns.
Collapse
|
14
|
Bevington SL, Cauchy P, Piper J, Bertrand E, Lalli N, Jarvis RC, Gilding LN, Ott S, Bonifer C, Cockerill PN. Inducible chromatin priming is associated with the establishment of immunological memory in T cells. EMBO J 2016; 35:515-35. [PMID: 26796577 PMCID: PMC4772849 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201592534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunological memory is a defining feature of vertebrate physiology, allowing rapid responses to repeat infections. However, the molecular mechanisms required for its establishment and maintenance remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that the first steps in the acquisition of T-cell memory occurred during the initial activation phase of naïve T cells by an antigenic stimulus. This event initiated extensive chromatin remodeling that reprogrammed immune response genes toward a stably maintained primed state, prior to terminal differentiation. Activation induced the transcription factors NFAT and AP-1 which created thousands of new DNase I-hypersensitive sites (DHSs), enabling ETS-1 and RUNX1 recruitment to previously inaccessible sites. Significantly, these DHSs remained stable long after activation ceased, were preserved following replication, and were maintained in memory-phenotype cells. We show that primed DHSs maintain regions of active chromatin in the vicinity of inducible genes and enhancers that regulate immune responses. We suggest that this priming mechanism may contribute to immunological memory in T cells by facilitating the induction of nearby inducible regulatory elements in previously activated T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Bevington
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Pierre Cauchy
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jason Piper
- Warwick Systems Biology Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Elisabeth Bertrand
- Section of Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Naveen Lalli
- Warwick Systems Biology Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Rebecca C Jarvis
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Liam Niall Gilding
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sascha Ott
- Warwick Systems Biology Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Constanze Bonifer
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter N Cockerill
- Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Diffuse parenchymal lung disease as first clinical manifestation of GATA-2 deficiency in childhood. BMC Pulm Med 2015; 15:8. [PMID: 25879889 PMCID: PMC4340788 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-015-0006-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background GATA-2 transcription factor deficiency has recently been described in patients with a propensity towards myeloid malignancy associated with other highly variable phenotypic features: chronic leukocytopenias (dendritic cell-, monocyto-, granulocyto-, lymphocytopenia), increased susceptibility to infections, lymphatic vasculature abnormalities, and sensorineural deafness. Patients often suffer from opportunistic respiratory infections; chronic pulmonary changes have been found in advanced disease. Case presentation We present a case of a 17-year-old previously healthy Caucasian male who was admitted to the hospital with fever, malaise, headache, cough and dyspnea. A chest X-ray revealed bilateral interstitial infiltrates and pneumonia was diagnosed. Despite prompt clinical improvement under antibiotic therapy, interstitial changes remained stable. A high resolution computer tomography showed severe diffuse parenchymal lung disease, while the patient’s pulmonary function tests were normal and he was asymptomatic. Lung tissue biopsy revealed chronic reparative and resorptive reaction with organizing vasculitis. At the time of the initial presentation to the hospital, serological signs of acute infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were present; EBV viremia with atypical serological response persisted during two-year follow up. No other infectious agents were found. Marked monocytopenia combined with B-cell lymphopenia led to a suspicion of GATA-2 deficiency. Diagnosis was confirmed by detection of the previously published heterozygous mutation in GATA2 (c.1081 C > T, p.R361C). The patient’s brother and father were both carriers of the same genetic defect. The brother had no clinically relevant ailments despite leukocyte changes similar to the index patient. The father suffered from spondylarthritis, and apart from B-cell lymphopenia, no other changes within the leukocyte pool were seen. Conclusion We conclude that a diagnosis of GATA-2 deficiency should be considered in all patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease presenting together with leukocytopenia, namely monocyto-, dendritic cell- and B-lymphopenia, irrespective of severity of the clinical phenotype. Genetic counseling and screening for GATA2 mutations within the patient’s family should be provided as the phenotype is highly variable and carriers without apparent immunodeficiency are still in danger of developing myeloid malignancy. A prompt recognition of this rare condition helps to direct clinical treatment strategies and follow-up procedures.
Collapse
|
16
|
Mognol GP, de Araujo-Souza PS, Robbs BK, Teixeira LK, Viola JP. Transcriptional regulation of thec-Mycpromoter by NFAT1 involves negative and positive NFAT-responsive elements. Cell Cycle 2014; 11:1014-28. [DOI: 10.4161/cc.11.5.19518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
|
17
|
Gjidoda A, Tagore M, McAndrew MJ, Woods A, Floer M. Nucleosomes are stably evicted from enhancers but not promoters upon induction of certain pro-inflammatory genes in mouse macrophages. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93971. [PMID: 24705533 PMCID: PMC3976374 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin is thought to act as a barrier for binding of cis-regulatory transcription factors (TFs) to their sites on DNA and recruitment of the transcriptional machinery. Here we have analyzed changes in nucleosome occupancy at the enhancers as well as at the promoters of three pro-inflammatory genes when they are induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in primary mouse macrophages. We find that nucleosomes are removed from the distal enhancers of IL12B and IL1A, as well as from the distal and proximal enhancers of IFNB1, and that clearance of enhancers correlates with binding of various cis-regulatory TFs. We further show that for IFNB1 the degree of nucleosome removal correlates well with the level of induction of the gene under different conditions. Surprisingly, we find that nucleosome occupancy at the promoters of IL12B and IL1A does not change significantly when the genes are induced, and that a considerably fraction of the cells is occupied by nucleosomes at any given time. We hypothesize that competing nucleosomes at the promoters of IL12B and IL1A may play a role in limiting the size of transcriptional bursts in individual cells, which may be important for controlling cytokine production in a population of immune cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison Gjidoda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Mohita Tagore
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Michael J. McAndrew
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Alexander Woods
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Monique Floer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dahiya S, Liu Y, Nonnemacher MR, Dampier W, Wigdahl B. CCAAT enhancer binding protein and nuclear factor of activated T cells regulate HIV-1 LTR via a novel conserved downstream site in cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88116. [PMID: 24551078 PMCID: PMC3925103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional control of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) promoter, the long terminal repeat (LTR), is achieved by interactions with cis-acting elements present both upstream and downstream of the start site. In silico transcription factor binding analysis of the HIV-1 subtype B LTR sequences revealed a potential downstream CCAAT enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) binding site. This binding site (+158 to+172), designated DS3, was found to be conserved in 67% of 3,858 unique subtype B LTR sequences analyzed in terms of nucleotide sequence as well as physical location in the LTR. DS3 was found to be well represented in other subtypes as well. Interestingly, DS3 overlaps with a previously identified region that bind members of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of proteins. NFATc2 exhibited a higher relative affinity for DS3 as compared with members of the C/EBP family (C/EBP α and β). DS3 was able to compete efficiently with the low-affinity upstream C/EBP binding site I with respect to C/EBP binding, suggesting utilization of both NFAT and C/EBP. Moreover, cyclosporine A treatment, which has been shown to prevent dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NFAT isoforms, resulted in enhanced C/EBPα binding. The interactions at DS3 were also validated in an integrated HIV-1 LTR in chronically infected U1 cells. A binding knockout of DS3 demonstrated reduced HIV-1 LTR-directed transcription under both basal and interleukin-6-stimulated conditions only in cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage cells and not in cells of T-cell origin. Thus, the events at DS3 positively regulate the HIV-1 promoter in cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satinder Dahiya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Yujie Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael R. Nonnemacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Will Dampier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Brian Wigdahl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Baxter EW, Mirabella F, Bowers SR, James SR, Bonavita AM, Bertrand E, Strogantsev R, Hawwari A, Bert AG, Gonzalez de Arce A, West AG, Bonifer C, Cockerill PN. The inducible tissue-specific expression of the human IL-3/GM-CSF locus is controlled by a complex array of developmentally regulated enhancers. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 189:4459-69. [PMID: 23024272 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The closely linked human IL-3 and GM-CSF genes are tightly regulated and are expressed in activated T cells and mast cells. In this study, we used transgenic mice to study the developmental regulation of this locus and to identify DNA elements required for its correct activity in vivo. Because these two genes are separated by a CTCF-dependent insulator, and the GM-CSF gene is regulated primarily by its own upstream enhancer, the main objective in this study was to identify regions of the locus required for correct IL-3 gene expression. We initially found that the previously identified proximal upstream IL-3 enhancers were insufficient to account for the in vivo activity of the IL-3 gene. However, an extended analysis of DNase I-hypersensitive sites (DHSs) spanning the entire upstream IL-3 intergenic region revealed the existence of a complex cluster of both constitutive and inducible DHSs spanning the -34- to -40-kb region. The tissue specificity of these DHSs mirrored the activity of the IL-3 gene, and included a highly inducible cyclosporin A-sensitive enhancer at -37 kb that increased IL-3 promoter activity 40-fold. Significantly, inclusion of this region enabled correct in vivo regulation of IL-3 gene expression in T cells, mast cells, and myeloid progenitor cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Euan W Baxter
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wurster AL, Precht P, Pazin MJ. NF-κB and BRG1 bind a distal regulatory element in the IL-3/GM-CSF locus. Mol Immunol 2011; 48:2178-88. [PMID: 21831442 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2011.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2011] [Revised: 07/17/2011] [Accepted: 07/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
We investigated gene regulation at the IL-3/GM-CSF gene cluster. We found BRG1, a SWI/SNF remodeling ATPase, bound a distal element, CNSa. BRG1 binding was strongest in differentiated, stimulated T helper cells, paralleling IL-3 and GM-CSF expression. Depletion of BRG1 reduced IL-3 and GM-CSF transcription. BAF-specific SWI/SNF subunits bound to this locus and regulated IL-3 expression. CNSa was in closed chromatin in fibroblasts, open chromatin in differentiated T helper cells, and moderately open chromatin in naïve (undifferentiated) T helper cells; BRG1 was required for the most open state. CNSa increased transcription of a reporter in an episomal expression system, in a BRG1-dependent manner. The NF-κB subunit RelA/p65 bound CNSa in activated T helper cells. Inhibition of NF-κB blocked BRG1 binding to CNSa, chromatin opening at CNSa, and activation of IL-3 and GM-CSF. Together, these findings suggest CNSa is a distal enhancer that binds BRG1 and NF-κB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Wurster
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
Chromatin is by its very nature a repressive environment which restricts the recruitment of transcription factors and acts as a barrier to polymerases. Therefore the complex process of gene activation must operate at two levels. In the first instance, localized chromatin decondensation and nucleosome displacement is required to make DNA accessible. Second, sequence-specific transcription factors need to recruit chromatin modifiers and remodellers to create a chromatin environment that permits the passage of polymerases. In this review I will discuss the chromatin structural changes that occur at active gene loci and at regulatory elements that exist as DNase I hypersensitive sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter N Cockerill
- Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Law M, Morales JL, Mottram LF, Iyer A, Peterson BR, August A. Structural requirements for the inhibition of calcium mobilization and mast cell activation by the pyrazole derivative BTP2. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2011; 43:1228-39. [PMID: 21558014 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2011.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2010] [Revised: 04/11/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mast cells play a critical role in the development of the allergic response. Upon activation by allergens and IgE via the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcɛRI), these cells release histamine and other functional mediators that initiate and propagate immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Mast cells also secrete cytokines that can regulate immune activity. These processes are controlled, in whole or part, by increases in intracellular Ca(2+) induced by the FcɛRI. We show here that N-(4-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl)-4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide (BTP2), a pyrazole derivative, inhibits activation-induced Ca(2+) influx in the rat basophil cell line RBL-2H3 and in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs), without affecting global tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins or phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases Erk1/2, JNK and p38. BTP2 also inhibits activation-induced degranulation and secretion of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) by BMMCs, which correlates with the inhibition of Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT) translocation. In vivo, BTP2 inhibits antigen-induced histamine release. Structure-activity relationship analysis indicates that substitution at the C3 or C5 position of the pyrazole moiety on BTP2 (5-trifluoromethyl-3-methyl-pyrazole or 3-trifluoromethyl-5-methyl-pyrazole, respectively) affected its activity, with the trifluoromethyl group at the C3 position being critical to its activity. We conclude that BTP2 and related compounds may be potent modulators of mast cell responses and potentially useful for the treatment of symptoms of allergic inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mankit Law
- Center for Molecular Immunology and Infectious Disease, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Tshori S, Nechushtan H. Mast cell transcription factors--regulators of cell fate and phenotype. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2011; 1822:42-8. [PMID: 21236338 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2010.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2010] [Revised: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 12/30/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors have a key role in mast cell differentiation and response of differentiated mast cells to external stimuli. During differentiation of progenitor cells to mast cells, a role for different GATA transcription factors in combination with PU.1 expression and downregulation of C/EBPα has been described. Notch pathway has been proposed to have a role in mast cell development. The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor expression is upregulated in later stages of mast cells differentiation, but it is not expressed in the closely related basophiles. In differentiated mast cells, there is a role for transcription factors both in determining the specific mast cell phenotype and in the response to immune stimuli such as IgE-Ag. A large number of transcription factors, including AP-1 family proteins, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and STAT5, are modulated by these stimuli. These transcription factors and related protein modulators form a complex transcription factor network. They can form stimuli regulated specific heterodimers and common inhibitors can move from one protein to another. Transcription factors are the key regulators of mast cell physiology. Modulation of key transcription by such means as the therapeutic siRNA may hopefully allow us to modulate mast cell function, obtaining clinical benefit in a variety of diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mast cells in inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sagi Tshori
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Chromatin mechanisms regulating gene expression in health and disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2011; 711:12-25. [PMID: 21627039 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8216-2_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
It is now well established that the interplay of sequence-specific DNA binding proteins with chromatin components and the subsequent expression of differential genetic programs is the major determinant of developmental decisions. The last years have seen an explosion of basic research that has significantly enhanced our understanding of the basic principles of gene expression control. While many questions are still open, we are now at the stage where we can exploit this knowledge to address questions of how deregulated gene expression and aberrant chromatin programming contributes to disease processes. This chapter will give a basic introduction into the principles of epigenetics and the determinants of chromatin structure and will discuss the molecular mechanisms of aberrant gene regulation in blood cell diseases, such as inflammation and leukemia.
Collapse
|
25
|
Ringrose L. How do RNA sequence, DNA sequence, and chromatin properties regulate splicing? F1000 BIOLOGY REPORTS 2010; 2:74. [PMID: 21173847 PMCID: PMC2989630 DOI: 10.3410/b2-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent genome-wide studies have revealed a remarkable correspondence between nucleosome positions and exon-intron boundaries, and several studies have implicated specific histone modifications in regulating alternative splicing. In addition, recent progress in cracking the ‘splicing code’ shows that sequence motifs carried on the nascent RNA molecule itself are sufficient to accurately predict tissue-specific alternative splicing patterns. Together, these studies shed light on the complex interplay between RNA sequence, DNA sequence, and chromatin properties in regulating splicing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Ringrose
- IMBA - Institute of Molecular Biotechnology Dr Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna Austria
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
An epigenetic chromatin remodeling role for NFATc1 in transcriptional regulation of growth and survival genes in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Blood 2010; 116:3899-906. [PMID: 20664054 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-12-257378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors functions as integrators of multiple signaling pathways by binding to chromatin in combination with other transcription factors and coactivators to regulate genes central for cell growth and survival in hematopoietic cells. Recent experimental evidence has implicated the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of various malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying NFATc1 regulation of genes controlling lymphoma cell growth and survival is still unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the transcription factor NFATc1 regulates gene expression in DLBCL cells through a chromatin remodeling mechanism that involves recruitment of the SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable chromatin remodeling complex ATPase enzyme SMARCA4 (also known as Brahma-related gene 1) to NFATc1 targeted gene promoters. The NFATc1/Brahma-related gene 1 complex induces promoter DNase I hypersensitive sites and recruits other transcription factors to the active chromatin site to regulate gene transcription. Targeting NFATc1 with specific small hairpin RNA inhibits DNase I hypersensitive site formation and down-regulates target gene expression. Our data support a novel epigenetic control mechanism for the transcriptional regulation of growth and survival genes by NFATc1 in the pathophysiology of DLBCL and suggests that targeting NFATc1 could potentially have therapeutic value.
Collapse
|
27
|
Bowers SR, Calero-Nieto FJ, Valeaux S, Fernandez-Fuentes N, Cockerill PN. Runx1 binds as a dimeric complex to overlapping Runx1 sites within a palindromic element in the human GM-CSF enhancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 38:6124-34. [PMID: 20483917 PMCID: PMC2952845 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkq356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Runx1 is a developmentally regulated transcription factor that is essential for haemopoiesis. Runx1 can bind as a monomer to the core consensus sequence TGTGG, but binds more efficiently as a hetero-dimer together with the non-DNA binding protein CBFβ as a complex termed core binding factor (CBF). Here, we demonstrated that CBF can also assemble as a dimeric complex on two overlapping Runx1 sites within the palindromic sequence TGTGGCTGCCCACA in the human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor enhancer. Furthermore, we demonstrated that binding of Runx1 to the enhancer is rigidly controlled at the level of chromatin accessibility, and is dependent upon prior induction of NFAT and AP-1, which disrupt a positioned nucleosome in this region. We employed in vivo footprinting to demonstrate that, upon activation of the enhancer, both sites are efficiently occupied. In vitro binding assays confirmed that two CBF complexes can bind this site simultaneously, and transfection assays demonstrated that both sites contribute significantly to enhancer function. Computer modelling based on the Runx1/CBFβ/DNA crystal structure further revealed that two molecules of CBF could potentially bind to this class of palindromic sequence as a dimeric complex in a conformation whereby both Runx1 and CBFβ within the two CBF complexes are closely aligned.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarion R Bowers
- Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Oakford PC, James SR, Qadi A, West AC, Ray SN, Bert AG, Cockerill PN, Holloway AF. Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of the GM-CSF promoter by RUNX1. Leuk Res 2010; 34:1203-13. [PMID: 20439113 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2010.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2009] [Revised: 03/12/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The RUNX1 gene, which is essential for normal hematopoiesis, is frequently rearranged by the t(8;21) chromosomal translocation in acute myeloid leukemia. The resulting RUNX1-ETO fusion protein contributes to leukemic progression by directing aberrant association of transcriptional cofactors and epigenetic modifiers to RUNX1 target genes. For example, the GM-CSF gene is activated by RUNX1, but is repressed by RUNX1-ETO. Here we show that RUNX1 normally cooperates with the histone acetyltransferase, CBP, to regulate GM-CSF expression at two levels. Firstly, it directs the establishment of a competent chromatin environment at the GM-CSF promoter prior to gene activation. It then participates in the transcriptional activation of the promoter in response to immune stimuli. In contrast, RUNX1-ETO, which cannot associate with CBP, is unable to transactivate the GM-CSF promoter and is associated with the generation of a repressive chromatin environment at the promoter.
Collapse
|
29
|
Lichtinger M, Hoogenkamp M, Krysinska H, Ingram R, Bonifer C. Chromatin regulation by RUNX1. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2010; 44:287-90. [PMID: 20194037 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2010.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2010] [Accepted: 02/05/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor RUNX1 is essential for definitive hematopoiesis and is required for the expression of a number of important hematopoietic regulator genes. It was recently shown that RUNX1 acts within a narrow developmental window during which it cannot be replaced by other members of the RUNX transcription factor family. Studies of the molecular basis of this phenomenon revealed that RUNX1 is required for the opening of chromatin of important hematopoietic regulator genes and for the formation, but not the maintenance of stable transcription factor complexes on these genes. However, the chromatin opening activity of RUNX1 is context dependent, indicating that it cooperates with alternate transcription factors at different stages of hematopoietic development. This review summarizes recent results on the regulation of chromatin structure by RUNX1 in developing hematopoietic cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Lichtinger
- Section of Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS97TF, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mirabella F, Baxter EW, Boissinot M, James SR, Cockerill PN. The human IL-3/granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor locus is epigenetically silent in immature thymocytes and is progressively activated during T cell development. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 184:3043-54. [PMID: 20147630 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0901364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The closely linked IL-3 and GM-CSF genes are located within a cluster of cytokine genes co-expressed in activated T cells. Their activation in response to TCR signaling pathways is controlled by specific, inducible upstream enhancers. To study the developmental regulation of this locus in T lineage cells, we created a transgenic mouse model encompassing the human IL-3 and GM-CSF genes plus the known enhancers. We demonstrated that the IL-3/GM-CSF locus undergoes progressive stages of activation, with stepwise increases in active modifications and the proportion of cytokine-expressing cells, throughout the course of T cell differentiation. Looking first at immature cells, we found that the IL-3/GM-CSF locus was epigenetically silent in CD4/CD8 double positive thymocytes, thereby minimizing the potential for inappropriate activation during the course of TCR selection. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the locus did not reach its maximal transcriptional potential until after T cells had undergone blast cell transformation to become fully activated proliferating T cells. Inducible locus activation in mature T cells was accompanied by noncoding transcription initiating within the enhancer elements. Significantly, we also found that memory CD4 positive T cells, but not naive T cells, maintain a remodeled chromatin structure resembling that seen in T blast cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Mirabella
- Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Calero-Nieto FJ, Bert AG, Cockerill PN. Transcription-dependent silencing of inducible convergent transgenes in transgenic mice. Epigenetics Chromatin 2010; 3:3. [PMID: 20180972 PMCID: PMC2830199 DOI: 10.1186/1756-8935-3-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2009] [Accepted: 01/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Silencing of transgenes in mice is a common phenomenon typically associated with short multi-copy transgenes. We have investigated the regulation of the highly inducible human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating-factor gene (Csf2) in transgenic mice. Results In the absence of any previous history of transcriptional activation, this transgene was expressed in T lineage cells at the correct inducible level in all lines of mice tested. In contrast, the transgene was silenced in a specific subset of lines in T cells that had encountered a previous episode of activation. Transgene silencing appeared to be both transcription-dependent and mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Silencing was accompanied by loss of DNase I hypersensitive sites and inability to recruit RNA polymerase II upon stimulation. This pattern of silencing was reflected by increased methylation and decreased acetylation of histone H3 K9 in the transgene. We found that silenced lines were specifically associated with a single pair of tail-to-tail inverted repeated copies of the transgene embedded within a multi-copy array. Conclusions Our study suggests that epigenetic transgene silencing can result from convergent transcription of inverted repeats which can lead to silencing of an entire multi-copy transgene array. This mechanism may account for a significant proportion of the reported cases of transgene inactivation in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando J Calero-Nieto
- Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hyperactivated NF-{kappa}B and AP-1 transcription factors promote highly accessible chromatin and constitutive transcription across the interleukin-6 gene promoter in metastatic breast cancer cells. Mol Cell Biol 2009; 29:5488-504. [PMID: 19687301 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01657-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6), involved in cancer-related inflammation, acts as an autocrine and paracrine growth factor, which promotes angiogenesis, metastasis, and subversion of immunity, and changes the response to hormones and to chemotherapeutics. We explored transcription mechanisms involved in differential IL-6 gene expression in breast cancer cells with different metastatic properties. In weakly metastatic MCF7 cells, histone H3 K9 methylation, HP1 binding, and weak recruitment of AP-1 Fra-1/c-Jun, NF-kappaB p65 transcription factors, and coactivators is indicative of low chromatin accessibility and gene transcription at the IL-6 gene promoter. In highly metastatic MDA-MB231 cells, strong DNase, MNase, and restriction enzyme accessibility, as well potent constitutive transcription of the IL-6 gene promoter, coincide with increased H3 S10 K14 phosphoacetylation and promoter enrichment of AP-1 Fra-1/c-Jun and NF-kappaB p65 transcription factors and MSK1, CBP/p300, Brg1, and Ezh2 cofactors. Complementation, silencing, and kinase inhibitor experiments further demonstrate involvement of AP-1 Fra-1/c-Jun and NF-kappaB p65/RelB members, but not of the alpha estrogen receptor in promoting chromatin accessibility and transcription across the IL-6 gene promoter in metastatic breast cancer cells. Finally, the natural withanolide Withaferin A was found to repress IL-6 gene transcription in metastatic breast cancer cells upon dual inhibition of NF-kappaB and AP-1 Fra-1 transcription factors and silencing of IL-6 promoter chromatin accessibility.
Collapse
|
33
|
Santangelo S, Cousins DJ, Winkelmann N, Triantaphyllopoulos K, Staynov DZ. Chromatin structure and DNA methylation of the IL-4 gene in human T(H)2 cells. Chromosome Res 2009; 17:485-96. [PMID: 19521787 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-009-9040-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2008] [Revised: 04/19/2009] [Accepted: 04/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human T(H)2 cell differentiation results in the selective demethylation of several specific CpG dinucleotides in the IL-4 and IL-13 genes, which are expressed in activated T(H)2, but not T(H)1, cells. This demethylation is accompanied by the appearance of six DNase I hypersensitive sites within 1.4 kb at the 5'-end of the IL-4 gene. Micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digestion revealed that in both T(H)1 and T(H)2 cells nine nucleosomes with a repeat length of 201 bp are identically positioned around the 5'-end of the IL-4 gene. However, only in T(H)2 cells are six out of the eight intervening linkers exposed to DNase I. This suggests that a major perturbation of the higher-order chromatin structure occurs above the level of the nucleosome in vivo. It is observed in cells that are poised for expression but which are not actively expressing the gene (i.e. resting T(H)2 cells). Notably, all the demethylated CpGs in T(H)2 cells are found in DNA that is accessible to DNase I. This may suggest that the opening of the chromatin structure allows binding of specific trans-acting factors that prevent de novo methylation.
Collapse
|
34
|
Bowers SR, Mirabella F, Calero-Nieto FJ, Valeaux S, Hadjur S, Baxter EW, Merkenschlager M, Cockerill PN. A conserved insulator that recruits CTCF and cohesin exists between the closely related but divergently regulated interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor genes. Mol Cell Biol 2009; 29:1682-93. [PMID: 19158269 PMCID: PMC2655614 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01411-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2008] [Revised: 11/05/2008] [Accepted: 01/09/2009] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The human interleukin-3 (IL-3) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating-factor (GM-CSF, or CSF2) gene cluster arose by duplication of an ancestral gene. Although just 10 kb apart and responsive to the same signals, the IL-3 and GM-CSF genes are nevertheless regulated independently by separate, tissue-specific enhancers. To understand the differential regulation of the IL-3 and GM-CSF genes we have investigated a cluster of three ubiquitous DNase I-hypersensitive sites (DHSs) located between the two genes. We found that each site contains a conserved CTCF consensus sequence, binds CTCF, and recruits the cohesin subunit Rad21 in vivo. The positioning of these sites relative to the IL-3 and GM-CSF genes and their respective enhancers is conserved between human and mouse, suggesting a functional role in the organization of the locus. We found that these sites effectively block functional interactions between the GM-CSF enhancer and either the IL-3 or the GM-CSF promoter in reporter gene assays. These data argue that the regulation of the IL-3 and the GM-CSF promoters depends on the positions of their enhancers relative to the conserved CTCF/cohesin-binding sites. We suggest that one important role of these sites is to enable the independent regulation of the IL-3 and GM-CSF genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarion R Bowers
- Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
The chromatin of active genes is not in a permanently open conformation. J Mol Biol 2008; 386:290-9. [PMID: 19136010 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.12.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2008] [Revised: 11/17/2008] [Accepted: 12/19/2008] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative measurements of local chromatin accessibility to DNase I in 15-day chicken embryo erythrocyte nuclei have been performed using a range of nuclease concentrations and real-time TaqMan PCR to monitor the loss of short ( approximately 80 bp) amplicons. At the beta-globin locus, well-established DNase I hypersensitive sites stand out against a background in which actively transcribed gene sequences (e.g., beta-adult and beta-hatching) are no more sensitive than the nearby constitutive heterochromatin that has previously been shown to form the 30-nm fibre structure. Similar observations were made at the lysozyme locus containing the active Gas41 gene and also at the GAPDH locus. We conclude that active genes are not continuously held in an open 'beads-on-a-string' configuration, but adopt a 30-nm-type structure most of the time. This implies that the compact nucleosomal supercoil re-forms in the wake of the polymerase complex.
Collapse
|
36
|
Lefevre P, Witham J, Lacroix CE, Cockerill PN, Bonifer C. The LPS-induced transcriptional upregulation of the chicken lysozyme locus involves CTCF eviction and noncoding RNA transcription. Mol Cell 2008; 32:129-39. [PMID: 18851839 PMCID: PMC2581490 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2008.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2008] [Revised: 04/29/2008] [Accepted: 07/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Transcription of the lysozyme gene is rapidly induced by proinflammatory stimuli such as treatment with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here we show that this induction involves both the relief of repression mediated by the enhancer-blocking protein CTCF that binds to a negative regulatory element at −2.4 kb, and the activation of two flanking enhancer elements. The downstream enhancer has promoter activity, and LPS stimulation initiates the transient synthesis of a noncoding RNA (LINoCR) transcribed through the −2.4 kb element. Expression of LINoCR is correlated with IKKα recruitment, histone H3 phosphoacetylation in the transcribed region, the repositioning of a nucleosome over the CTCF binding site, and, eventually, CTCF eviction. Each of these events requires transcription elongation. Our data reveal a transcription-dependent mechanism of chromatin remodeling that switches a cis-regulatory region from a repressive to an active conformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Lefevre
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
How transcription factors program chromatin—Lessons from studies of the regulation of myeloid-specific genes. Semin Immunol 2008; 20:257-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2008.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2007] [Accepted: 05/15/2008] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
38
|
Epigenetic regulation and nucleosome positioning in the human TATA-less IL-1α promoter. Genes Immun 2008; 9:582-90. [DOI: 10.1038/gene.2008.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
39
|
Mast cell transcriptional networks. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2008; 41:82-90. [PMID: 18406636 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2008.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2008] [Accepted: 02/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Unregulated activation of mast cells can contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory and allergic diseases, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis. Absence of mast cells in animal models can lead to impairment in the innate immune response to parasites and bacterial infections. Aberrant clonal accumulation and proliferation of mast cells can result in a variety of diseases ranging from benign cutaneous mastocytosis to systemic mastocytosis or mast cell leukemia. Understanding mast cell differentiation provides important insights into mechanisms of lineage selection during hematopoiesis and can provide targets for new drug development to treat mast cell disorders. In this review, we discuss controversies related to development, sites of origin, and the transcriptional program of mast cells.
Collapse
|
40
|
Cockerill PN. NFAT is well placed to direct both enhancer looping and domain-wide models of enhancer function. Sci Signal 2008; 1:pe15. [PMID: 18385038 DOI: 10.1126/stke.113pe15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) plays a central role in activating gene expression at the level of chromatin structure. A study now reveals that NFAT may also help to organize chromatin domains and enable enhancer-promoter communication. In activated T cells, inducible intrachromosomal looping occurs between the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene promoter and two NFAT-dependent enhancers located at -9 kb and +3 kb. This topology places the TNF-alpha gene and the adjacent lymphotoxin (LT) genes in separate loops, thereby allowing independent regulation of the TNF-alpha gene within a multigene locus. These findings build on other studies that indicate that NFAT is intimately associated with activities that disrupt nucleosomes within enhancers and mobilize nucleosomes across extensive chromatin domains linking enhancers and promoters. Taken together, these studies highlight NFAT as a factor that creates a chromatin environment that is permissive for both the recruitment and the clustering of factors that control transcription at promoters and enhancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter N Cockerill
- Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Brettingham-Moore KH, Sprod OR, Chen X, Oakford P, Shannon MF, Holloway AF. Determinants of a transcriptionally competent environment at the GM-CSF promoter. Nucleic Acids Res 2008; 36:2639-53. [PMID: 18344520 PMCID: PMC2377420 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkn117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is produced by T cells, but not B cells, in response to immune signals. GM-CSF gene activation in response to T-cell stimulation requires remodelling of chromatin associated with the gene promoter, and these changes do not occur in B cells. While the CpG methylation status of the murine GM-CSF promoter shows no correlation with the ability of the gene to respond to activation, we find that the basal chromatin environment of the gene promoter influences its ability to respond to immune signals. In unstimulated T cells but not B cells, the GM-CSF promoter is selectively marked by enrichment of histone acetylation, and association of the chromatin-remodelling protein BRG1. BRG1 is removed from the promoter upon activation concomitant with histone depletion and BRG1 is required for efficient chromatin remodelling and transcription. Increasing histone acetylation at the promoter in T cells is paralleled by increased BRG1 recruitment, resulting in more rapid chromatin remodelling, and an associated increase in GM-CSF mRNA levels. Furthermore, increasing histone acetylation in B cells removes the block in chromatin remodelling and transcriptional activation of the GM-CSF gene. These data are consistent with a model in which histone hyperacetylation and BRG1 enrichment at the GM-CSF promoter, generate a chromatin environment competent to respond to immune signals resulting in gene activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K H Brettingham-Moore
- Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 58, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Role of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium content and calcium ATPase activity in the control of cell growth and proliferation. Pflugers Arch 2008; 457:673-85. [PMID: 18188588 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-007-0428-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2007] [Accepted: 12/11/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ca(2+), the main second messenger, is central to the regulation of cellular growth. There is increasing evidence that cellular growth and proliferation are supported by a continuous store-operated Ca(2+) influx. By controlling store refilling, the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA) also controls store-operated calcium entry and, thus, cell growth. In this review, we discuss data showing the involvement of SERCA in the regulation of proliferation and hypertrophy. First, we describe the Ca(2+)-related signaling pathways involved in cell growth. Then, we present evidence that SERCA controls proliferation of differentiated cells and hypertrophic growth of cardiomyocytes, and discuss the role of SERCA isoforms. Last, we consider the potential therapeutic applications of increasing SERCA activity for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and of modulating SERCA and SR content for the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
|
43
|
Hoogenkamp M, Krysinska H, Ingram R, Huang G, Barlow R, Clarke D, Ebralidze A, Zhang P, Tagoh H, Cockerill PN, Tenen DG, Bonifer C. The Pu.1 locus is differentially regulated at the level of chromatin structure and noncoding transcription by alternate mechanisms at distinct developmental stages of hematopoiesis. Mol Cell Biol 2007; 27:7425-38. [PMID: 17785440 PMCID: PMC2169062 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00905-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ets family transcription factor PU.1 is crucial for the regulation of hematopoietic development. Pu.1 is activated in hematopoietic stem cells and is expressed in mast cells, B cells, granulocytes, and macrophages but is switched off in T cells. Many of the transcription factors regulating Pu.1 have been identified, but little is known about how they organize Pu.1 chromatin in development. We analyzed the Pu.1 promoter and the upstream regulatory element (URE) using in vivo footprinting and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. In B cells, Pu.1 was bound by a set of transcription factors different from that in myeloid cells and adopted alternative chromatin architectures. In T cells, Pu.1 chromatin at the URE was open and the same transcription factor binding sites were occupied as in B cells. The transcription factor RUNX1 was bound to the URE in precursor cells, but binding was down-regulated in maturing cells. In PU.1 knockout precursor cells, the Ets factor Fli-1 compensated for the lack of PU.1, and both proteins could occupy a subset of Pu.1 cis elements in PU.1-expressing cells. In addition, we identified novel URE-derived noncoding transcripts subject to tissue-specific regulation. Our results provide important insights into how overlapping, but different, sets of transcription factors program tissue-specific chromatin structures in the hematopoietic system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Hoogenkamp
- University of Leeds, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St. James's University Hospital, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|