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Tan TS, Common JEA, Lim JSY, Badowski C, Firdaus MJ, Leonardi SS, Lane EB. A cell-based drug discovery assay identifies inhibition of cell stress responses as a new approach to treatment of epidermolysis bullosa simplex. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:272475. [PMID: 34643242 PMCID: PMC8542385 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the skin fragility disorder epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), mutations in keratin 14 (K14, also known as KRT14) or keratin 5 (K5, also known as KRT5) lead to keratinocyte rupture and skin blistering. Severe forms of EBS are associated with cytoplasmic protein aggregates, with elevated kinase activation of ERK1 and ERK2 (ERK1/2; also known as MAPK3 and MAPK1, respectively), suggesting intrinsic stress caused by misfolded keratin protein. Human keratinocyte EBS reporter cells stably expressing GFP-tagged EBS-mimetic mutant K14 were used to optimize a semi-automated system to quantify the effects of test compounds on keratin aggregates. Screening of a protein kinase inhibitor library identified several candidates that reduced aggregates and impacted on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling. EGF ligand exposure induced keratin aggregates in EBS reporter keratinocytes, which was reversible by EGFR inhibition. EBS keratinocytes treated with a known EGFR inhibitor, afatinib, were driven out of activation and towards quiescence with minimal cell death. Aggregate reduction was accompanied by denser keratin filament networks with enhanced intercellular cohesion and resilience, which when extrapolated to a whole tissue context would predict reduced epidermal fragility in EBS patients. This assay system provides a powerful tool for discovery and development of new pathway intervention therapeutic avenues for EBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong San Tan
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648.,Institute of Medical Biology, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648
| | - John E A Common
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648.,Institute of Medical Biology, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648
| | - John S Y Lim
- A*STAR Microscopy Platform, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648
| | - Cedric Badowski
- Institute of Medical Biology, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648
| | - Muhammad Jasrie Firdaus
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648.,Institute of Medical Biology, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648
| | - Steven S Leonardi
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648
| | - E Birgitte Lane
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648.,Institute of Medical Biology, A*STAR, Immunos Building, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore138648
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Xu W, Dielubanza E, Maisel A, Leung K, Mustoe T, Hong S, Galiano R. Staphylococcus aureus impairs cutaneous wound healing by activating the expression of a gap junction protein, connexin-43 in keratinocytes. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:935-947. [PMID: 32409862 PMCID: PMC11072219 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03545-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic wounds have been considered as major medical problems that may result in expensive healthcare. One of the common causes of chronic wounds is bacterial contamination that leads to persistent inflammation and unbalanced host cell immune responses. Among the bacterial strains that have been identified from chronic wounds, Staphylococcus aureus is the most common strain. We previously observed that S. aureus impaired mouse cutaneous wound healing by delaying re-epithelialization. Here, we investigated the mechanism of delayed re-epithelialization caused by S. aureus infection. With the presence of S. aureus exudate, the migration of in vitro cultured human keratinocytes was significantly inhibited and connexin-43 (Cx43) was upregulated. Inhibition of keratinocyte migration by S. aureus exudate disappeared in keratinocytes where the expression of Cx43 knocked down. Protein kinase phosphorylation array showed that phosphorylation of Akt-S473 was upregulated by S. aureus exudate. In vivo study of Cx43 in S. aureus-infected murine splinted cutaneous wound model showed upregulation of Cx43 in the migrating epithelial edge by S. aureus infection. Treatment with a PI3K/Akt inhibitor reduced Cx43 expression and overcame the wound closure impairment by S. aureus infection in the mouse model. This may contribute to the development of treatment to bacterium-infected wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, USA.
| | - Elodi Dielubanza
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Amanda Maisel
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Kai Leung
- Division of Combat Wound Repair, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JB Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, 78234, USA
| | - Thomas Mustoe
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Seok Hong
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Robert Galiano
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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EGF and a GSK3 Inhibitor Deplete Junctional E-cadherin and Stimulate Proliferation in the Mature Mammalian Ear. J Neurosci 2020; 40:2618-2632. [PMID: 32079647 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2630-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory hair cell losses underlie the vast majority of permanent hearing and balance deficits in humans, but many nonmammalian vertebrates can fully recover from hearing impairments and balance dysfunctions because supporting cells (SCs) in their ears retain lifelong regenerative capacities that depend on proliferation and differentiation as replacement hair cells. Most SCs in vertebrate ears stop dividing during embryogenesis; and soon after birth, vestibular SCs in mammals transition to lasting quiescence as they develop massively thickened circumferential F-actin bands at their E-cadherin-rich adherens junctions. Here, we report that treatment with EGF and a GSK3 inhibitor thinned the circumferential F-actin bands throughout the sensory epithelium of cultured utricles that were isolated from adult mice of either sex. That treatment also caused decreases in E-cadherin, β-catenin, and YAP in the striola, and stimulated robust proliferation of mature, normally quiescent striolar SCs. The findings suggest that E-cadherin-rich junctions, which are not present in the SCs of the fish, amphibians, and birds which readily regenerate hair cells, are responsible in part for the mammalian ear's vulnerability to permanent balance and hearing deficits.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Millions of people are affected by hearing and balance deficits that arise when loud sounds, ototoxic drugs, infections, and aging cause hair cell losses. Such deficits are permanent for humans and other mammals, but nonmammals can recover hearing and balance after supporting cells regenerate replacement hair cells. Mammalian supporting cells lose the capacity to proliferate around the time they develop unique, exceptionally reinforced, E-cadherin-rich intercellular junctions. Here, we report the discovery of a pharmacological treatment that thins F-actin bands, depletes E-cadherin, and stimulates proliferation in long-quiescent supporting cells within a balance epithelium from adult mice. The findings suggest that high E-cadherin in those supporting cell junctions may be responsible, in part, for the permanence of hair cell loss in mammals.
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Green KJ, Jaiganesh A, Broussard JA. Desmosomes: Essential contributors to an integrated intercellular junction network. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 31942240 PMCID: PMC6944264 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20942.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of adhesive connections between cells was critical for the evolution of multicellularity and for organizing cells into complex organs with discrete compartments. Four types of intercellular junction are present in vertebrates: desmosomes, adherens junctions, tight junctions, and gap junctions. All are essential for the development of the embryonic layers and organs as well as adult tissue homeostasis. While each junction type is defined as a distinct entity, it is now clear that they cooperate physically and functionally to create a robust and functionally diverse system. During evolution, desmosomes first appeared in vertebrates as highly specialized regions at the plasma membrane that couple the intermediate filament cytoskeleton at points of strong cell–cell adhesion. Here, we review how desmosomes conferred new mechanical and signaling properties to vertebrate cells and tissues through their interactions with the existing junctional and cytoskeletal network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen J Green
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Avinash Jaiganesh
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joshua A Broussard
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Antony J, Thiery JP, Huang RYJ. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition: lessons from development, insights into cancer and the potential of EMT-subtype based therapeutic intervention. Phys Biol 2019; 16:041004. [PMID: 30939460 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ab157a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental developmental process wherein polarized epithelial cells lose their junctional architecture and apical-basal polarity to become motile mesenchymal cells, and there is emerging evidence for its role in propagating tumor dissemination. While many multifaceted nodules converge onto the EMT program, in this review we will highlight the fundamental biology of the signaling schemas that enable EMT. In many cancers, the property of tumor dissemination and metastasis is closely associated with re-enabling developmental properties such as EMT. We discuss the molecular complexity of the tumor heterogeneity in terms of EMT-based gene expression molecular subtypes, and the rewiring of critical signaling nodules in the subtypes displaying higher degrees of EMT can be therapeutically exploited. Specifically in the context of a deadly malignancy such as ovarian cancer where there are no defined mutations or limited biomarkers for developing targeted therapy or personalized medicine, we highlight the importance of identifying EMT-based subtypes that will improve therapeutic intervention. In ovarian cancer, the poor prognosis mesenchymal 'Mes' subtype presents with amplified signaling of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) AXL, extensive crosstalk with other RTKs such as cMET, EGFR and HER2, and sustained temporal activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) leading to induction of EMT transcription factor Slug, underscoring a pathway addiction in Mes that can be therapeutically targeted. We will further examine the emergence of therapeutic modalities in these EMT subtypes and finally conclude with potential interdisciplinary biophysical methodologies to provide additional insights in deciphering the mechanistic and biochemical aspects of EMT. This review intends to provide an overview of the cellular and molecular changes accompanying epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in development and the requisition of this evolutionarily conserved pathway in cancer progression and metastatic disease. Specifically, in a heterogeneous disease such as ovarian cancer lacking defined targetable mutations, the identification of EMT-based subtypes has opened avenues to tailor precision personalized medicine. In particular, using the oncogenic RTK AXL as an example, we will highlight how this classification enables EMT-subtype specific identification of targets that could improve treatment options for patients and how there is a growing need for biophysical approaches to model dynamic processes such as EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Antony
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States of America
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6
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Garcia MA, Nelson WJ, Chavez N. Cell-Cell Junctions Organize Structural and Signaling Networks. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2018; 10:a029181. [PMID: 28600395 PMCID: PMC5773398 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a029181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell-cell junctions link cells to each other in tissues, and regulate tissue homeostasis in critical cell processes that include tissue barrier function, cell proliferation, and migration. Defects in cell-cell junctions give rise to a wide range of tissue abnormalities that disrupt homeostasis and are common in genetic abnormalities and cancers. Here, we discuss the organization and function of cell-cell junctions primarily involved in adhesion (tight junction, adherens junction, and desmosomes) in two different epithelial tissues: a simple epithelium (intestine) and a stratified epithelium (epidermis). Studies in these tissues reveal similarities and differences in the organization and functions of different cell-cell junctions that meet the requirements for the specialized functions of each tissue. We discuss cell-cell junction responses to genetic and environmental perturbations that provide further insights into their roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Garcia
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - W James Nelson
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Natalie Chavez
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
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Lysne D, Johns J, Walker A, Ecker R, Fowler C, Lawson KR. P-cadherin potentiates ligand-dependent EGFR and IGF-1R signaling in dysplastic and malignant oral keratinocytes. Oncol Rep 2014; 32:2541-8. [PMID: 25322858 DOI: 10.3892/or.2014.3545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral and oropharyngeal cancer together constitute the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with over 400,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Early detection is paramount, as the 5-year survival rate for these cancers decreases markedly once tumors have become regionally invasive. In many tissues, including oral epithelia, neoplastic progression is accompanied by alterations in expression of the epithelial cell adhesion molecules E-cadherin and P-cadherin. Oral epithelia is one of only a few tissues in which P-cadherin levels have been noted to increase in dysplasia and well-differentiated carcinomas and decrease in advanced malignancies. In the present study, P-cadherin was overexpressed in both dysplastic and malignant oral keratinocytes to characterize the mechanisms by which aberrantly expressed P-cadherin may modulate tumor progression. We found that P-cadherin was able to potentiate ligand-dependent signaling of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) in malignant keratinocytes and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in dysplastic cells. P-cadherin prolonged activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in both cell lines and also increased the magnitude of AKT phosphorylation in dysplastic cells. P-cadherin overexpression alone was sufficient to increase steady-state levels of the mesenchymal transcription factor Snail, increase cell motility and also induce morphological changes in dysplastic keratinocytes. Taken together, these data suggest that the aberrantly elevated levels of P-cadherin which occur in early oral tumor development may play a critical role in the augmentation of neoplastic signaling networks and in the further acquisition of aggressive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desseree Lysne
- Department of Biochemistry, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - James Johns
- Department of Biochemistry, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Andrew Walker
- Department of Biochemistry, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Rachel Ecker
- Department of Biochemistry, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Christopher Fowler
- Department of Biochemistry, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Kathryn R Lawson
- Department of Biochemistry, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
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Osikov MV, Telesheva LF, Likhacheva AG. Effect of local application of epidermal growth factor on innate immunity and cell composition of destruction focus in experimental thermal injury. Bull Exp Biol Med 2014; 157:307-10. [PMID: 25065306 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-014-2552-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on innate immunity and cellular composition of the destruction focus in the third-degree (IIIA) burn (skin contact with an object heated to 100°C; 4% body surface) was studied in experiments on outbred albino rats. On days 7-28 after burn, blood count of phagocytes and their absorbing capacity and oxygen-dependent metabolism increased, which correlated with the increase in serum IL-1β level and neutrophil count in the destruction focus. Local application of rhEGF led to earlier (on day 14) normalization of the count and functional activity of blood phagocytes and decrease in serum IL-1β level and accelerated neutrophil and lymphocyte replacement with fibroblasts in the focus of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Osikov
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Chelyabinsk State Medical Academy, Chelyabinsk, Russia,
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Safferling K, Sütterlin T, Westphal K, Ernst C, Breuhahn K, James M, Jäger D, Halama N, Grabe N. Wound healing revised: a novel reepithelialization mechanism revealed by in vitro and in silico models. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 203:691-709. [PMID: 24385489 PMCID: PMC3840932 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201212020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Experimental analysis and computational modeling of epidermal wound closure in 3D suggests an important role for surrounding tissue in determining epithelial cell movement and fate. Wound healing is a complex process in which a tissue’s individual cells have to be orchestrated in an efficient and robust way. We integrated multiplex protein analysis, immunohistochemical analysis, and whole-slide imaging into a novel medium-throughput platform for quantitatively capturing proliferation, differentiation, and migration in large numbers of organotypic skin cultures comprising epidermis and dermis. Using fluorescent time-lag staining, we were able to infer source and final destination of keratinocytes in the healing epidermis. This resulted in a novel extending shield reepithelialization mechanism, which we confirmed by computational multicellular modeling and perturbation of tongue extension. This work provides a consistent experimental and theoretical model for epidermal wound closure in 3D, negating the previously proposed concepts of epidermal tongue extension and highlighting the so far underestimated role of the surrounding tissue. Based on our findings, epidermal wound closure is a process in which cell behavior is orchestrated by a higher level of tissue control that 2D monolayer assays are not able to capture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Safferling
- Hamamatsu Tissue Imaging and Analysis Center, BIOQUANT, and 2 Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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HUANG BINBIN, SUN LONGE, CAO JIANCHUN, ZHANG YUNYUN, WU QIONG, ZHANG JUNJIE, GE YANLI, FU LIU, WANG ZHIRONG. Downregulation of the GnT-V gene inhibits metastasis and invasion of BGC823 gastric cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2013; 29:2392-400. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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