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Yu T, Li G, Wang C, Li N, Yao R, Wang J. Defective Joint Development and Maintenance in GDF6-Related Multiple Synostoses Syndrome. J Bone Miner Res 2023; 38:568-577. [PMID: 36744814 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multiple synostoses syndromes (SYNS) are a group of rare genetic bone disorders characterized by multiple joint fusions. We previously reported an SYNS4-causing GDF6 c.1330 T > A (p.Tyr444Asn) mutation, which reduced Noggin-induced GDF6 inhibition and enhanced SMAD1/5/8 signaling. However, the mechanisms by which GDF6 gain-of-function mutation alters joint formation and the comprehensive molecular portraits of SYNS4 remain unclear. Herein, we introduce the p.Tyr443Asn (orthologous to the human GDF6 p.Tyr444Asn) mutation into the mouse Gdf6 locus and report the results of extensive phenotype analysis, joint development investigation, and transcriptome profiling of Gdf6 p.Tyr443Asn limb buds. Gdf6 p.Tyr443Asn knock-in mice recapitulated the morphological features of human SYNS4, showing joint fusion in the wrists, ankles, phalanges, and auditory ossicles. Analysis of mouse embryonic forelimbs demonstrated joint interzone formation defects and excess chondrogenesis in Gdf6 p.Tyr443Asn knock-in mice. Further, RNA sequencing of forelimb buds revealed enhanced bone formation and upregulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in mice carrying the Gdf6 p.Tyr443Asn mutation. Because tightly regulated BMP signaling is critical for skeletal development and joint morphogenesis, our study shows that enhancing GDF6 activity has a significant impact on both prenatal joint development and postnatal joint maintenance. © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yu
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoqiang Li
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Niu Li
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruen Yao
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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2
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GDF6 Knockdown in a Family with Multiple Synostosis Syndrome and Speech Impairment. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091354. [PMID: 34573339 PMCID: PMC8470939 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple synostoses syndrome type 4 (SYNS4; MIM 617898) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by carpal-tarsal coalition and otosclerosis-associated hearing loss. SYSN4 has been associated with GDF6 gain-of-function mutations. Here we report a five-generation SYNS4 family with a reduction in GDF6 expression resulting from a chromosomal breakpoint 3' of GDF6. A 30-year medical history of the family indicated bilateral carpal-tarsal coalition in ~50% of affected family members and acquired otosclerosis-associated hearing loss in females only, whereas vertebral fusion was present in all affected family members, most of whom were speech impaired. All vertebral fusions were acquired postnatally in progressive fashion from a very early age. Thinning across the 2nd cervical vertebral interspace (C2-3) in the proband during infancy progressed to block fusion across C2-7 and T3-7 later in life. Carpal-tarsal coalition and pisiform expansion were bilaterally symmetrical within, but varied greatly between, affected family members. This is the first report of SYNS4 in a family with reduced GDF6 expression indicating a prenatal role for GDF6 in regulating development of the joints of the carpals and tarsals, the pisiform, ears, larynx, mouth and face and an overlapping postnatal role in suppression of aberrant ossification and synostosis of the joints of the inner ear (otosclerosis), larynx and vertebrae. RNAseq gene expression analysis indicated >10 fold knockdown of NOMO3, RBMXL1 and NEIL2 in both primary fibroblast cultures and fresh white blood cells. Together these results provide greater insight into the role of GDF6 in skeletal joint development.
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Bademci G, Abad C, Cengiz FB, Seyhan S, Incesulu A, Guo S, Fitoz S, Atli EI, Gosstola NC, Demir S, Colbert BM, Seyhan GC, Sineni CJ, Duman D, Gurkan H, Morton CC, Dykxhoorn DM, Walz K, Tekin M. Long-range cis-regulatory elements controlling GDF6 expression are essential for ear development. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4213-4217. [PMID: 32369452 DOI: 10.1172/jci136951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms governing the development of the mammalian cochlea, the hearing organ, remain largely unknown. Through genome sequencing in 3 subjects from 2 families with nonsyndromic cochlear aplasia, we identified homozygous 221-kb and 338-kb deletions in a noncoding region on chromosome 8 with an approximately 200-kb overlapping section. Genomic location of the overlapping deleted region started from approximately 350 kb downstream of GDF6, which codes for growth and differentiation factor 6. Otic lineage cells differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from an affected individual showed reduced expression of GDF6 compared with control cells. Knockout of Gdf6 in a mouse model resulted in cochlear aplasia, closely resembling the human phenotype. We conclude that GDF6 plays a necessary role in early cochlear development controlled by cis-regulatory elements located within an approximately 500-kb region of the genome in humans and that its disruption leads to deafness due to cochlear aplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guney Bademci
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Clemer Abad
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Filiz B Cengiz
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Serhat Seyhan
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Armagan Incesulu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University School of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Shengru Guo
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Suat Fitoz
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emine Ikbal Atli
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Nicholas C Gosstola
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Selma Demir
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Brett M Colbert
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Gozde Cosar Seyhan
- Department of Dermatology, Bakirkoy Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Claire J Sineni
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Duygu Duman
- Department of Audiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hakan Gurkan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Cynthia C Morton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Derek M Dykxhoorn
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, and
| | - Katherina Walz
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, and
| | - Mustafa Tekin
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, and.,Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Deng P, Yu Y, Hong C, Wang CY. Growth differentiation factor 6, a repressive target of EZH2, promotes the commitment of human embryonic stem cells to mesenchymal stem cells. Bone Res 2020; 8:39. [PMID: 33298857 PMCID: PMC7672114 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-020-00116-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have significant potential for cell-mediated bone regeneration. Our recent study revealed that inhibiting the epigenetic regulator EZH2 plays a key role in promoting the mesodermal differentiation of hESCs. In this study, an epigenome-wide analysis of hESCs and MSCs revealed that growth differentiation factor 6 (GDF6), which is involved in bone formation, was the most upregulated gene associated with MSCs compared to hESCs. Furthermore, we identified GDF6 as a repressive target of EZH2 and found that ectopic GDF6 selectively promoted hESC differentiation towards the mesodermal lineage and enriched the MSC population. Our results provide molecular insights governing the mesenchymal commitment of hESCs and identify an inducing factor that offers strong promise for the future of regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pend Deng
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Yongxin Yu
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Christine Hong
- Section of Orthodontics, Division of Growth and Development, School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Cun-Yu Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Broad Stem Cell Research Institute and Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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Martens H, Hennies I, Getwan M, Christians A, Weiss AC, Brand F, Gjerstad AC, Christians A, Gucev Z, Geffers R, Seeman T, Kispert A, Tasic V, Bjerre A, Lienkamp SS, Haffner D, Weber RG. Rare heterozygous GDF6 variants in patients with renal anomalies. Eur J Hum Genet 2020; 28:1681-1693. [PMID: 32737436 PMCID: PMC7784874 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-0678-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Although over 50 genes are known to cause renal malformation if mutated, the underlying genetic basis, most easily identified in syndromic cases, remains unsolved in most patients. In search of novel causative genes, whole-exome sequencing in a patient with renal, i.e., crossed fused renal ectopia, and extrarenal, i.e., skeletal, eye, and ear, malformations yielded a rare heterozygous variant in the GDF6 gene encoding growth differentiation factor 6, a member of the BMP family of ligands. Previously, GDF6 variants were reported to cause pleiotropic defects including skeletal, e.g., vertebral, carpal, tarsal fusions, and ocular, e.g., microphthalmia and coloboma, phenotypes. To assess the role of GDF6 in the pathogenesis of renal malformation, we performed targeted sequencing in 193 further patients identifying rare GDF6 variants in two cases with kidney hypodysplasia and extrarenal manifestations. During development, gdf6 was expressed in the pronephric tubule of Xenopus laevis, and Gdf6 expression was observed in the ureteric tree of the murine kidney by RNA in situ hybridization. CRISPR/Cas9-derived knockout of Gdf6 attenuated migration of murine IMCD3 cells, an effect rescued by expression of wild-type but not mutant GDF6, indicating affected variant function regarding a fundamental developmental process. Knockdown of gdf6 in Xenopus laevis resulted in impaired pronephros development. Altogether, we identified rare heterozygous GDF6 variants in 1.6% of all renal anomaly patients and 5.4% of renal anomaly patients additionally manifesting skeletal, ocular, or auricular abnormalities, adding renal hypodysplasia and fusion to the phenotype spectrum of GDF6 variant carriers and suggesting an involvement of GDF6 in nephrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Martens
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Imke Hennies
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maike Getwan
- Department of Medicine, Renal Division, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,Institute of Anatomy and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anne Christians
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna-Carina Weiss
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Brand
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ann Christin Gjerstad
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arne Christians
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Zoran Gucev
- Medical Faculty Skopje, University Children's Hospital, 1000, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Robert Geffers
- Genome Analytics Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Tomáš Seeman
- Department of Paediatrics and Transplantation Center, University Hospital Motol, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andreas Kispert
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Velibor Tasic
- Medical Faculty Skopje, University Children's Hospital, 1000, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Anna Bjerre
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Soeren S Lienkamp
- Department of Medicine, Renal Division, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,Institute of Anatomy and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dieter Haffner
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruthild G Weber
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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