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Wang Z, Jin C, Li P, Li Y, Tang J, Yu Z, Jiao T, Ou J, Wang H, Zou D, Li M, Mang X, Liu J, Lu Y, Li K, Zhang N, Yu J, Miao S, Wang L, Song W. Identification of quiescent FOXC2 + spermatogonial stem cells in adult mammals. eLife 2023; 12:RP85380. [PMID: 37610429 PMCID: PMC10446825 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In adult mammals, spermatogenesis embodies the complex developmental process from spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) to spermatozoa. At the top of this developmental hierarchy lie a series of SSC subpopulations. Their individual identities as well as the relationships with each other, however, remain largely elusive. Using single-cell analysis and lineage tracing, we discovered both in mice and humans the quiescent adult SSC subpopulation marked specifically by forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2). All spermatogenic progenies can be derived from FOXC2+ SSCs and the ablation of FOXC2+ SSCs led to the depletion of the undifferentiated spermatogonia pool. During germline regeneration, FOXC2+ SSCs were activated and able to completely restore the process. Germ cell-specific Foxc2 knockout resulted in an accelerated exhaustion of SSCs and eventually led to male infertility. Furthermore, FOXC2 prompts the expressions of negative regulators of cell cycle thereby ensures the SSCs reside in quiescence. Thus, this work proposes that the quiescent FOXC2+ SSCs are essential for maintaining the homeostasis and regeneration of spermatogenesis in adult mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Pengyu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yiran Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Jielin Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Zhixin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Tao Jiao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Jinhuan Ou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Dingfeng Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Mengzhen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Xinyu Mang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Ning Zhang
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU), School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Jia Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Shiying Miao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Linfang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
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Reis LM, Maheshwari M, Capasso J, Atilla H, Dudakova L, Thompson S, Zitano L, Lay-Son G, Lowry RB, Black J, Lee J, Shue A, Kremlikova Pourova R, Vaneckova M, Skalicka P, Jedlickova J, Trkova M, Williams B, Richard G, Bachman K, Seeley AH, Costakos D, Glaser TM, Levin AV, Liskova P, Murray JC, Semina EV. Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome: more than meets the eye. J Med Genet 2023; 60:368-379. [PMID: 35882526 PMCID: PMC9912354 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2022-108646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) is characterised by typical anterior segment anomalies, with or without systemic features. The discovery of causative genes identified ARS subtypes with distinct phenotypes, but our understanding is incomplete, complicated by the rarity of the condition. METHODS Genetic and phenotypic characterisation of the largest reported ARS cohort through comprehensive genetic and clinical data analyses. RESULTS 128 individuals with causative variants in PITX2 or FOXC1, including 81 new cases, were investigated. Ocular anomalies showed significant overlap but with broader variability and earlier onset of glaucoma for FOXC1-related ARS. Systemic anomalies were seen in all individuals with PITX2-related ARS and the majority of those with FOXC1-related ARS. PITX2-related ARS demonstrated typical umbilical anomalies and dental microdontia/hypodontia/oligodontia, along with a novel high rate of Meckel diverticulum. FOXC1-related ARS exhibited characteristic hearing loss and congenital heart defects as well as previously unrecognised phenotypes of dental enamel hypoplasia and/or crowding, a range of skeletal and joint anomalies, hypotonia/early delay and feeding disorders with structural oesophageal anomalies in some. Brain imaging revealed highly penetrant white matter hyperintensities, colpocephaly/ventriculomegaly and frequent arachnoid cysts. The expanded phenotype of FOXC1-related ARS identified here was found to fully overlap features of De Hauwere syndrome. The results were used to generate gene-specific management plans for the two types of ARS. CONCLUSION Since clinical features of ARS vary significantly based on the affected gene, it is critical that families are provided with a gene-specific diagnosis, PITX2-related ARS or FOXC1-related ARS. De Hauwere syndrome is proposed to be a FOXC1opathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda M Reis
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mohit Maheshwari
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jenina Capasso
- Pediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Genetics, Flaum Eye Institute, Golisano Children's Hospital and University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Huban Atilla
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Lubica Dudakova
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Samuel Thompson
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Lia Zitano
- Department of Medical Genetics, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Guillermo Lay-Son
- Unidad de Genética, División de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - R Brian Lowry
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jennifer Black
- Center for Development, Behavior, and Genetics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Joseph Lee
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ann Shue
- Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University and Stanford Children's Health, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Radka Kremlikova Pourova
- Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Manuela Vaneckova
- Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Skalicka
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Jedlickova
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Trkova
- Gennet, Centre for Fetal Medicine and Reproductive Genetics, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Kristine Bachman
- Department of Pediatrics, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrea H Seeley
- Department of Pediatrics, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Deborah Costakos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Thomas M Glaser
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, UC-Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, USA
| | - Alex V Levin
- Pediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Genetics, Flaum Eye Institute, Golisano Children's Hospital and University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Petra Liskova
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jeffrey C Murray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Elena V Semina
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Motojima M, Tanaka M, Kume T. Foxc1 and Foxc2 are indispensable for maintenance of progenitors of nephron and stroma in the developing kidney. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:276938. [PMID: 36073617 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nephron development proceeds with reciprocal interactions among three layers: nephron progenitors (NPs), ureteric buds, and stromal progenitors (SPs). We found Foxc1 and Foxc2 (Foxc1/2) expression in NPs and SPs. Systemic deletion of Foxc1/2 two days after the onset of metanephros development (E13.5) resulted in epithelialization of NPs and ectopic formation of renal vesicles. NP-specific deletion did not cause these phenotypes, indicating that Foxc1/2 in other cells (likely in SPs) contributed to the maintenance of NPs. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed NP and SP subpopulations, the border between committed NPs and renewing NPs, and similarity among cortical interstitium and vascular smooth muscle type cells. Integrated analysis of the control and knockout data indicated transformation of some NPs to strange cells expressing markers of vascular endothelium, reduced numbers of self-renewing NP and SP populations, downregulation of crucial genes for kidney development such as Fgf20 and Frem1 in NPs, and Foxd1 and Sall1 in SPs. It also revealed upregulation of genes that were not usually expressed in NPs and SPs. Thus, Foxc1/2 maintains NPs and SPs by regulating the expression of multiple genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Motojima
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Masayuki Tanaka
- Medical Science College Office, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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4
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Hilliard S, Tortelote G, Liu H, Chen CH, El-Dahr S. Single-Cell Chromatin and Gene-Regulatory Dynamics of Mouse Nephron Progenitors. J Am Soc Nephrol 2022; 33:1308-1322. [PMID: 35383123 PMCID: PMC9257825 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2021091213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We reasoned that unraveling the dynamic changes in accessibility of genomic regulatory elements and gene expression at single-cell resolution will inform the basic mechanisms of nephrogenesis. METHODS We performed single-cell ATAC-seq and RNA-seq both individually (Singleomes; Six2GFPcells) and jointly in the same cells (Multiomes; kidneys) to generate integrated chromatin and transcriptional maps in mouse embryonic and neonatal nephron progenitor cells (NPCs). RESULTS WWe demonstrate that singleomes and multiomes are comparable in assigning most cell states, identification of new cell type markers, and defining the transcription factors driving cell identity. However, multiomes are more precise in defining the progenitor population. Multiomes identified a "pioneer" bHLH/Fox motif signature in NPCs. Moreover, we identified a subset of Fox factors exhibiting high chromatin activity in podocytes. One of these Fox factors, Foxp1, is important for nephrogenesis. Key nephrogenic factors are distinguished by strong correlation between linked generegulatory elements and gene expression. CONCLUSION Mapping the regulatory landscape at single-cell resolution informs the regulatory hierarchy of nephrogenesis. Paired single-cell epigenomes and transcriptomes of nephron progenitors should provide a foundation to understand prenatal programming, regeneration following injury, and ex vivo nephrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Hilliard
- S Hilliard, Section of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, United States
| | - Giovane Tortelote
- G Tortelote, Section of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, United States
| | - Hongbing Liu
- H Liu, Section of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleasn, United States
| | - Chao-Hui Chen
- C Chen, Section of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, United States
| | - Samir El-Dahr
- S El-Dahr, Section of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, United States
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5
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Li Y, Yu M, Tan L, Xue S, Du X, Wu X, Xu H, Shen Q. Robo2 and Gen1 Coregulate Ureteric Budding by Activating the MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Mice. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:807898. [PMID: 35071283 PMCID: PMC8766746 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.807898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are some of the most common developmental defects and have a complicated etiology, indicating an interaction of (epi-) genetic and environmental factors. Single gene mutations and copy number variations (CNVs) do not explain most cases of CAKUT, and simultaneous contributions of more than one gene (di-, oligo-, or polygenic effects; i.e., complex genetics) may lead to the pathogenesis of CAKUT. Robo2 plays a key role in regulating ureteric bud (UB) formation in the embryo, with mutations leading to supernumerary kidneys. Gen1 is a candidate gene associated with CAKUT because of its important role in early metanephric development in mice. We established a mouse model with double disruption of Robo2 and Gen1 using a piggyBac transposon and found that double gene mutation led to significantly increased CAKUT phenotypes in Robo2PB/+Gen1PB/+ mouse offspring, especially a duplicated collecting system. Increased ectopic UB formation was observed in the Robo2PB/+Gen1PB/+ mice during the embryonic period. Robo2 and Gen1 exert synergistic effects on mouse kidney development, promoting cell proliferation by activating the GDNF/RET pathway and downstream MAPK/ERK signaling. Our findings provide a disease model for CAKUT as an oligogenic disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxin Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghui Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihong Tan
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Xue
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuanjin Du
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohui Wu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Shen
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Takenoshita M, Takechi M, Vu Hoang T, Furutera T, Akagawa C, Namangkalakul W, Aoto K, Kume T, Miyashin M, Iwamoto T, Iseki S. Cell lineage- and expression-based inference of the roles of forkhead box transcription factor Foxc2 in craniofacial development. Dev Dyn 2021; 250:1125-1139. [PMID: 33667029 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Foxc2 is a member of the winged helix/forkhead (Fox) box family of transcription factors. Loss of function of Foxc2 causes craniofacial abnormalities such as cleft palate and deformed cranial base, but its role during craniofacial development remains to be elucidated. RESULTS The contributions of Foxc2-positive and its descendant cells to the craniofacial structure at E18.5 were examined using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre driver mouse (Foxc2-CreERT2) crossed with the R26R-LacZ reporter mouse. Foxc2 expression at E8.5 is restricted to the cranial mesenchyme, contributing to specific components including the cranial base, sensory capsule, tongue, upper incisor, and middle ear. Expression at E10.5 was still positively regulated in most of those regions. In situ hybridization analysis of Foxc2 and its closely related gene, Foxc1, revealed that expression domains of these genes largely overlap in the cephalic mesenchyme. Meanwhile, the tongue expressed Foxc2 but not Foxc1, and its development was affected by the neural crest-specific deletion of Foxc2 in mice (Wnt1-Cre; Foxc2fl/fl ). CONCLUSIONS Foxc2 is expressed in cranial mesenchyme that contributes to specific craniofacial tissue components from an early stage, and it seems to be involved in their development in cooperation with Foxc1. Foxc2 also has its own role in tongue development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manami Takenoshita
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Takechi
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tri Vu Hoang
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiko Furutera
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chisaki Akagawa
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Worachat Namangkalakul
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazushi Aoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Development of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Michiyo Miyashin
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Iwamoto
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Iseki
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
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Phenotype expansion of heterozygous FOXC1 pathogenic variants toward involvement of congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT). Genet Med 2020; 22:1673-1681. [PMID: 32475988 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-0844-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the most common cause of chronic kidney disease in childhood and adolescence. We aim to identify novel monogenic causes of CAKUT. METHODS Exome sequencing was performed in 550 CAKUT-affected families. RESULTS We discovered seven FOXC1 heterozygous likely pathogenic variants within eight CAKUT families. These variants are either never reported, or present in <5 alleles in the gnomAD database with ~141,456 controls. FOXC1 is a causal gene for Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome type 3 and anterior segment dysgenesis 3. Pathogenic variants in FOXC1 have not been detected in patients with CAKUT yet. Interestingly, mouse models for Foxc1 show severe CAKUT phenotypes with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. The FOXC1 variants are enriched in the CAKUT cohort compared with the control. Genotype-phenotype correlations showed that Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome or anterior segment dysgenesis can be caused by both truncating and missense pathogenic variants, and the missense variants are located at the forkhead domain. In contrast, for CAKUT, there is no truncating pathogenic variant, and all variants except one are located outside the forkhead domain. CONCLUSION We thereby expanded the phenotype of FOXC1 pathogenic variants toward involvement of CAKUT, which can potentially be explained by allelism.
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8
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Ouyang N, Li H, Wang M, Shen H, Si J, Shen G. The Transcription Factor Foxc1 Promotes Osteogenesis by Directly Regulating Runx2 in Response of Intermittent Parathyroid Hormone (1-34) Treatment. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:592. [PMID: 32431614 PMCID: PMC7216818 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is crucial for bone remodeling. Intermittent PTH (1–34) administration stimulates osteogenesis and promotes bone formation; however, the possible targets and underlying mechanisms still remain unclear. In this study, functional links between PTH and Foxc1, a transcription factor reported to be predominant in skeletal development and formation, were indicated. We determined the impacts of Foxc1 on in vitro osteogenic differentiation and in vivo bone regeneration under intermittent PTH induction, and further explored its possible targets. We found that the expression level of Foxc1 was upregulated during osteogenic induction by intermittent PTH treatment, and the elevated expression of Foxc1 induced by PTH was inhibited by PTH1R silencing, while rescued by intermittent PTH supplement. By gain- and loss-of-function strategies targeting Foxc1 in MC3T3-E1 cells, we demonstrated that Foxc1 could promote in vitro osteogenic differentiation by intermittent PTH induction. Moreover, immunofluorescence analysis indicated the nuclear co-localization of Foxc1 with Runx2. Luciferase-reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis further confirmed that Foxc1 could bind to the P1 promoter region of Runx2 directly, which plays an indispensable part in osteogenic differentiation and bone mineralization. Meanwhile, we also revealed that Foxc1 could promote bone regeneration induced by intermittent PTH treatment in vivo. Taken together, this study revealed the role and mechanism of Foxc1 on in vitro osteogenic differentiation and in vivo bone regeneration in response of intermittent PTH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningjuan Ouyang
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongliang Li
- Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Minjiao Wang
- Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongzhou Shen
- Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiawen Si
- Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Guofang Shen
- Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
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9
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Nilsson D, Heglind M, Arani Z, Enerbäck S. Foxc2 is essential for podocyte function. Physiol Rep 2019; 7:e14083. [PMID: 31062503 PMCID: PMC6503019 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Foxc2 is one of the earliest podocyte markers during glomerular development. To circumvent embryonic lethal effects of global deletion of Foxc2, and to specifically investigate the role of Foxc2 in podocytes, we generated mice with a podocyte-specific Foxc2 deletion. Mice carrying the homozygous deletion developed early proteinuria which progressed rapidly into end stage kidney failure and death around postnatal day 10. Conditional loss of Foxc2 in podocytes caused typical characteristics of podocyte injury, such as podocyte foot process effacement and podocyte microvillus transformation, probably caused by disruption of the slit diaphragm. These effects were accompanied by a redistribution of several proteins known to be necessary for correct podocyte structure. One target gene that showed reduced glomerular expression was Nrp1, the gene encoding neuropilin 1, a protein that has been linked to diabetic nephropathy and proteinuria. We could show that NRP1 was regulated by Foxc2 in vitro, but podocyte-specific ablation of Nrp1 in mice did not generate any phenotype in terms of proteinuria, suggesting that the gene might have more important roles in endothelial cells than in podocytes. Taken together, this study highlights a critical role for Foxc2 as an important gene for podocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Nilsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Mikael Heglind
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Zahra Arani
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Sven Enerbäck
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
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10
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Sieber KB, Batorsky A, Siebenthall K, Hudkins KL, Vierstra JD, Sullivan S, Sur A, McNulty M, Sandstrom R, Reynolds A, Bates D, Diegel M, Dunn D, Nelson J, Buckley M, Kaul R, Sampson MG, Himmelfarb J, Alpers CE, Waterworth D, Akilesh S. Integrated Functional Genomic Analysis Enables Annotation of Kidney Genome-Wide Association Study Loci. J Am Soc Nephrol 2019; 30:421-441. [PMID: 30760496 PMCID: PMC6405142 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2018030309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Linking genetic risk loci identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to their causal genes remains a major challenge. Disease-associated genetic variants are concentrated in regions containing regulatory DNA elements, such as promoters and enhancers. Although researchers have previously published DNA maps of these regulatory regions for kidney tubule cells and glomerular endothelial cells, maps for podocytes and mesangial cells have not been available. METHODS We generated regulatory DNA maps (DNase-seq) and paired gene expression profiles (RNA-seq) from primary outgrowth cultures of human glomeruli that were composed mainly of podocytes and mesangial cells. We generated similar datasets from renal cortex cultures, to compare with those of the glomerular cultures. Because regulatory DNA elements can act on target genes across large genomic distances, we also generated a chromatin conformation map from freshly isolated human glomeruli. RESULTS We identified thousands of unique regulatory DNA elements, many located close to transcription factor genes, which the glomerular and cortex samples expressed at different levels. We found that genetic variants associated with kidney diseases (GWAS) and kidney expression quantitative trait loci were enriched in regulatory DNA regions. By combining GWAS, epigenomic, and chromatin conformation data, we functionally annotated 46 kidney disease genes. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate a powerful approach to functionally connect kidney disease-/trait-associated loci to their target genes by leveraging unique regulatory DNA maps and integrated epigenomic and genetic analysis. This process can be applied to other kidney cell types and will enhance our understanding of genome regulation and its effects on gene expression in kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Batorsky
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | - Jeff D Vierstra
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Aakash Sur
- Phase Genomics Inc., Seattle, Washington
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, and
| | - Michelle McNulty
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and
| | | | - Alex Reynolds
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, Washington
| | - Daniel Bates
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, Washington
| | - Morgan Diegel
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, Washington
| | - Douglass Dunn
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jemma Nelson
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael Buckley
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rajinder Kaul
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, Washington
| | - Matthew G Sampson
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and
| | - Jonathan Himmelfarb
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Kidney Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Charles E Alpers
- Department of Anatomic Pathology
- Kidney Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Shreeram Akilesh
- Department of Anatomic Pathology,
- Kidney Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
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11
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Lu P, Yin B, Liu L. MicroRNA-138 Suppresses Osteoblastic Differentiation of Valvular Interstitial Cells in Degenerative Calcific Aortic Valve Disease. Int Heart J 2018; 60:136-144. [PMID: 30464116 DOI: 10.1536/ihj.18-086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the function of miR-138 in the pathogenesis of degenerative calcific aortic valve disease (DCAVD).Aortic valve calcification tissue and normal tissue from DCAVD patients were collected to detect the expression of miR-138 by qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemical staining was performed to identify the phenotype of valve interstitial cells. QRT-PCR was performed to analyze the expression of miR-138, Runx2, MSX2, and ALP at day 7 after osteogenic differentiation. Alkaline phosphatase activity assay was performed at day 14 after osteogenic differentiation. Alizarin red staining was used to analyze the calcium nodule formation. TargetScan was used to predict potential targets of miR-138. QRT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to analyze the expression of FOXC1 in valve interstitial cells (VICs). The aortic valve calcification was evaluated by quantitative analysis of the velocity in the aortic annulus and transvalvular pressure gradients.In this study, we demonstrated the role of miR-138 in VIC osteogenesis. QRT-PCR results revealed miR-138 was significantly down-regulated in calcified aortic valves compared with non-calcified valves. MiR-138 overexpression inhibited VIC osteogenic differentiation in vitro, while down-regulation of miR-138 enhanced the process. Target prediction analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed FOXC1 was a direct target of miR-138. Further research found FOXC1 overexpression promoted VIC osteogenic differentiation. In addition, animal experiments validated indirectly miR-138 could suppress aortic valve calcification.Our findings suggest miR-138 could function as a new inhibitor of VIC osteogenic differentiation, which may act by targeting FOXC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Lu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University
| | - Beibei Yin
- Department of Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University
| | - Luqi Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University
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12
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Foxc2 and BMP2 Induce Osteogenic/Odontogenic Differentiation and Mineralization of Human Stem Cells from Apical Papilla. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:2363917. [PMID: 30147726 PMCID: PMC6083741 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2363917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
As a transcription factor regulated by bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), Forkhead c2 (Foxc2) plays a pivot role in osteogenesis/odontogenesis. However, the role of Foxc2 and BMP2 in regulating osteo-/odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) is still uncertain. In this research, overexpression of Foxc2 gene significantly improved the proliferation of SCAP four days and eight days after transfection, but overexpression of both Foxc2 and BMP2 genes significantly inhibited the proliferation of SCAP eight days after transfection. RT-qPCR and western blot results indicated that SCAP-Foxc2-BMP2 significantly upregulated osteo-/odontogenic genes and proteins at most of the time points in SCAP after transfection. Moreover, SCAP-Foxc2-BMP2 formed notably more alkaline phosphatase-positive and alizarin red-positive mineralized nodules than other three group cells sixteen days after transfection. In conclusion, our findings revealed that Foxc2 and BMP2 synergistically promoted osteo-/odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of SCAP in vitro.
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13
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Liu CF, Angelozzi M, Haseeb A, Lefebvre V. SOX9 is dispensable for the initiation of epigenetic remodeling and the activation of marker genes at the onset of chondrogenesis. Development 2018; 145:dev164459. [PMID: 30021842 PMCID: PMC6078338 DOI: 10.1242/dev.164459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
SOX9 controls cell lineage fate and differentiation in major biological processes. It is known as a potent transcriptional activator of differentiation-specific genes, but its earliest targets and its contribution to priming chromatin for gene activation remain unknown. Here, we address this knowledge gap using chondrogenesis as a model system. By profiling the whole transcriptome and the whole epigenome of wild-type and Sox9-deficient mouse embryo limb buds, we uncover multiple structural and regulatory genes, including Fam101a, Myh14, Sema3c and Sema3d, as specific markers of precartilaginous condensation, and we provide evidence of their direct transactivation by SOX9. Intriguingly, we find that SOX9 helps remove epigenetic signatures of transcriptional repression and establish active-promoter and active-enhancer marks at precartilage- and cartilage-specific loci, but is not absolutely required to initiate these changes and activate transcription. Altogether, these findings widen our current knowledge of SOX9 targets in early chondrogenesis and call for new studies to identify the pioneer and transactivating factors that act upstream of or along with SOX9 to prompt chromatin remodeling and specific gene activation at the onset of chondrogenesis and other processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Feng Liu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Marco Angelozzi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Abdul Haseeb
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Véronique Lefebvre
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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14
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Motojima M, Kume T, Matsusaka T. Foxc1 and Foxc2 are necessary to maintain glomerular podocytes. Exp Cell Res 2017; 352:265-272. [PMID: 28223138 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Foxc1 and Foxc2 (Foxc1/2) are transcription factors involved in many biological processes. In adult kidneys, expression of Foxc1/2 is confined to the glomerular epithelial cells, i.e., podocytes. To bypass embryonic lethality of Foxc1/2 null mice, mice ubiquitously expressing inducible-Cre (ROSA26-CreERT2) or mice expressing Cre in podocytes (Nephrin-Cre) were mated with floxed-Foxc1 and floxed-Foxc2 mice. The CreERT2 was activated in adult mice by administrations of tamoxifen. Eight weeks after tamoxifen treatment, ROSA26-CreERT2; Foxc1+/flox; Foxc2flox/flox mice developed microalbuminuria, while ROSA26-Cre ERT2; Foxc1flox/flox; Foxc2+/flox mice had no microalbuminuria. The kidneys of conditional-Foxc1/2 null mice showed proteinaceous casts, protein reabsorption droplets in tubules and huge vacuoles in podocytes, indicating severe podocyte injury and massive proteinuria. Comparison of gene expression profiles revealed that Foxc1/2 maintain expression of genes necessary for podocyte function such as podocin and Cxcl12. In addition, mice with an innate podocyte-specific deletion of Foxc1/2 by Nephrin-Cre develop similar podocyte injury. These results demonstrate dose-dependence of Foxc1/2 gene in maintaining the podocyte with a more critical role for Foxc2 than Foxc1 and a critical role of Foxc1/2 in regulating expression of genes that maintain podocyte integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Motojima
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Taiji Matsusaka
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
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15
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Liu CF, Samsa WE, Zhou G, Lefebvre V. Transcriptional control of chondrocyte specification and differentiation. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 62:34-49. [PMID: 27771362 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A milestone in the evolutionary emergence of vertebrates was the invention of cartilage, a tissue that has key roles in modeling, protecting and complementing the bony skeleton. Cartilage is elaborated and maintained by chondrocytes. These cells derive from multipotent skeletal progenitors and they perform highly specialized functions as they proceed through sequential lineage commitment and differentiation steps. They form cartilage primordia, the primary skeleton of the embryo. They then transform these primordia either into cartilage growth plates, temporary drivers of skeletal elongation and endochondral ossification, or into permanent tissues, namely articular cartilage. Chondrocyte fate decisions and differentiated activities are controlled by numerous extrinsic and intrinsic cues, and they are implemented at the gene expression level by transcription factors. The latter are the focus of this review. Meritorious efforts from many research groups have led over the last two decades to the identification of dozens of key chondrogenic transcription factors. These regulators belong to all types of transcription factor families. Some have master roles at one or several differentiation steps. They include SOX9 and RUNX2/3. Others decisively assist or antagonize the activities of these masters. They include TWIST1, SOX5/6, and MEF2C/D. Many more have tissue-patterning roles and regulate cell survival, proliferation and the pace of cell differentiation. They include, but are not limited to, homeodomain-containing proteins and growth factor signaling mediators. We here review current knowledge of all these factors, one superclass, class, and family at a time. We then compile all knowledge into transcriptional networks. We also identify remaining gaps in knowledge and directions for future research to fill these gaps and thereby provide novel insights into cartilage disease mechanisms and treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Feng Liu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
| | - William E Samsa
- Department of Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Guang Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Véronique Lefebvre
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
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