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Morishima N, Kamada Y, Ota H, Iwagami Y, Takahashi H, Shimosaka M, Sakon D, Kondo J, Yamada M, Kumada T, Eguchi H, Miyoshi E. Serum levels of the N-terminal fragment of connective tissue growth factor is a novel biomarker for chronic pancreatitis. Pract Lab Med 2024; 40:e00402. [PMID: 38828385 PMCID: PMC11143898 DOI: 10.1016/j.plabm.2024.e00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation of the pancreas is considered to be one of the causes of pancreatic cancer. However, the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is very difficult in the pancreas, where biopsies are difficult to perform. The prevalence of CP is estimated to be many times more common than in patients with actual symptomatic CP. In recent years, abnormal cleavage of certain proteins has attracted attention as a biomarker for CP other than pancreatic enzymes. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is one of the growth factors involved in tissue repair and other processes and is increased by stimulation of transforming growth factor-β, suggesting a relationship of CTGF with fibrosis. In this study, we measured the total length of CTGF in blood and N-terminal fragment CTGF in 48 cases of chronic pancreatitis, 64 cases of pancreatic cancer and 45 healthy volunteers (HV). Interestingly, we found that blood N-terminal fragment CTGF level was significantly increased in CP and pancreatic cancer patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed serum levels of N-terminal fragment CTGF, CRP and amylase were significant and independent variables for the differential diagnosis of CP from HV. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that area under the curve (AUC) value of serum N-terminal fragment CTGF level was 0.933, which can differentiate between CP and HV. Several factors would be involved in the increase in serum N-terminal fragment CTGF level. In conclusion, serum N-terminal fragment CTGF level is a promising new biomarker for CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Morishima
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kamada
- Department of Advanced Metabolic Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiyori Ota
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hidenori Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Munefumi Shimosaka
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sakon
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jumpei Kondo
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | | | - Takashi Kumada
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Gifu Kyoritsu University, 5-50, Kitagata-cho, Ogaki, 503-8550, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Eiji Miyoshi
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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2
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Monsen VT, Attramadal H. Structural insights into regulation of CCN protein activities and functions. J Cell Commun Signal 2023:10.1007/s12079-023-00768-5. [PMID: 37245184 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00768-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CCN proteins play important functions during development, in repair mechanisms following tissue injury, as well as in pathophysiologic mechanisms of metastasis of cancer. CCNs are secreted proteins that have a multimodular structure and are categorized as matricellular proteins. Although the prevailing view is that CCN proteins regulate biologic processes by interacting with a wide array of other proteins in the microenvironment of the extracellular matrix, the molecular mechanisms of action of CCN proteins are still poorly understood. Not dissuading the current view, however, the recent appreciation that these proteins are signaling proteins in their own right and may even be considered preproproteins controlled by endopeptidases to release a C-terminal bioactive peptide has opened new avenues of research. Also, the recent resolution of the crystal structure of two of the domains of CCN3 have provided new knowledge with implications for the entire CCN family. These resolved structures in combination with structural predictions based upon the AlphaFold artificial intelligence tool provide means to shed new light on CCN functions in context of the notable literature in the field. CCN proteins have emerged as important therapeutic targets in several disease conditions, and clinical trials are currently ongoing. Thus, a review that critically discusses structure - function relationship of CCN proteins, in particular as it relates to interactions with other proteins in the extracellular milieu and on the cell surface, as well as to cell signaling activities of these proteins, is very timely. Suggested mechanism for activation and inhibition of signaling by the CCN protein family (graphics generated with BioRender.com ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivi Talstad Monsen
- Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Håvard Attramadal
- Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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3
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Cáceres-Ayala C, Mira RG, Acuña MJ, Brandan E, Cerpa W, Rebolledo DL. Episodic Binge-like Ethanol Reduces Skeletal Muscle Strength Associated with Atrophy, Fibrosis, and Inflammation in Young Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021655. [PMID: 36675170 PMCID: PMC9861047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Binge Drinking (BD) corresponds to episodes of ingestion of large amounts of ethanol in a short time, typically ≤2 h. BD occurs across all populations, but young and sports-related people are especially vulnerable. However, the short- and long-term effects of episodic BD on skeletal muscle function have been poorly explored. Young rats were randomized into two groups: control and episodic Binge-Like ethanol protocol (BEP) (ethanol 3 g/kg IP, 4 episodes of 2-days ON-2-days OFF paradigm). Muscle function was evaluated two weeks after the last BEP episode. We found that rats exposed to BEP presented decreased muscle strength and increased fatigability, compared with control animals. Furthermore, we observed that skeletal muscle from rats exposed to BEP presented muscle atrophy, evidenced by reduced fiber size and increased expression of atrophic genes. We also observed that BEP induced fibrotic and inflammation markers, accompanied by mislocalization of nNOSµ and high levels of protein nitration. Our findings suggest that episodic binge-like ethanol exposure alters contractile capacity and increases fatigue by mechanisms involving atrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation, which remain for at least two weeks after ethanol clearance. These pathological features are common to several neuromuscular diseases and might affect muscle performance and health in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Cáceres-Ayala
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6213515, Chile
- Laboratorio de Función y Patología Neuronal, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Rodrigo G. Mira
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6213515, Chile
- Laboratorio de Función y Patología Neuronal, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - María José Acuña
- Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8370854, Chile
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Enrique Brandan
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 7510157, Chile
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Waldo Cerpa
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6213515, Chile
- Laboratorio de Función y Patología Neuronal, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (D.L.R.)
| | - Daniela L. Rebolledo
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6213515, Chile
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (D.L.R.)
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4
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Clyne CD, Kusnadi KP, Cowcher A, Morgan J, Yang J, Fuller PJ, Young MJ. Regulation of mineralocorticoid receptor activation by circadian protein TIMELESS. J Mol Endocrinol 2023; 70:JME-21-0279. [PMID: 36099062 DOI: 10.1530/jme-21-0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates cardiorenal physiology and disease. Ligand-dependent MR transactivation involves a conformational change in the MR and recruitment of coregulatory proteins to form a unique DNA-binding complex at the hormone response element in target gene promoters. Differences in the recruitment of coregulatory proteins can promote tissue-, ligand- or gene-specific transcriptional outputs. The goal of this study was to evaluate the circadian protein TIMELESS as a selective regulator of MR transactivation. TIMELESS has an established role in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair. TIMELESS may not be central to mammalian clock function and does not bind DNA; however, RNA and protein levels oscillate over 24 h. Co-expression of TIMELESS down-regulated MR transactivation of an MR-responsive reporter in HEK293 cells, yet enhanced transactivation mediated by other steroid receptors. TIMELESS markedly inhibited MR transactivation of synthetic and native gene promoters and expression of MR target genes in H9c2 cardiac myoblasts. Immunofluorescence showed aldosterone induces colocalisation of TIMELESS and MR, although a direct interaction was not confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. Potential regulation of circadian clock targets cryptochrome 1 and 2 by TIMELESS was not detected. However, our data suggest that these effects may involve TIMELESS coactivation of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Taken together, these data suggest that TIMELESS may contribute to MR transcriptional outputs via enhancing ERα inhibitory actions on MR transactivation. Given the variable expression of TIMELESS in different cell types, these data offer new opportunities for the development of MR modulators with selective actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin D Clyne
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kevin P Kusnadi
- Cardiovascular Endocrinology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander Cowcher
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
| | - James Morgan
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jun Yang
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
| | - Peter J Fuller
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
| | - Morag J Young
- Cardiovascular Endocrinology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- University of Melbourne and Baker HDI Department of Cardiometabolic Health and Disease, Melbourne, Australia
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5
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Rayrikar AY, Wagh GA, Santra MK, Patra C. Ccn2a-FGFR1-SHH signaling is necessary for intervertebral disc homeostasis and regeneration in adult zebrafish. Development 2023; 150:dev201036. [PMID: 36458546 PMCID: PMC10108606 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is the primary cause of back pain in humans. However, the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of IVD degeneration is poorly understood. This study shows that zebrafish IVDs possess distinct and non-overlapping zones of cell proliferation and cell death. We find that, in zebrafish, cellular communication network factor 2a (ccn2a) is expressed in notochord and IVDs. Although IVD development appears normal in ccn2a mutants, the adult mutant IVDs exhibit decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death leading to IVD degeneration. Moreover, Ccn2a overexpression promotes regeneration through accelerating cell proliferation and suppressing cell death in wild-type aged IVDs. Mechanistically, Ccn2a maintains IVD homeostasis and promotes IVD regeneration by enhancing outer annulus fibrosus cell proliferation and suppressing nucleus pulposus cell death through augmenting FGFR1-SHH signaling. These findings reveal that Ccn2a plays a central role in IVD homeostasis and regeneration, which could be exploited for therapeutic intervention in degenerated human discs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amey Y. Rayrikar
- Department of Developmental Biology, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
- S P Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
| | - Ganesh A. Wagh
- Department of Developmental Biology, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
- S P Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
| | - Manas K. Santra
- National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
| | - Chinmoy Patra
- Department of Developmental Biology, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
- S P Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
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6
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Shoeibi N, Ansari-Astaneh MR, Sedaghat MR, Shokoohi Rad S. Effect of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection on Corneal in vivo Biomechanics: A Pilot Study. J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2019; 14:151-156. [PMID: 31114651 PMCID: PMC6504725 DOI: 10.4103/jovr.jovr_257_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection on corneal biomechanical parameters as measured by the ocular response analyzer (ORA) and Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology (CorVis). Methods In this prospective pilot study, ORA and CorVis parameters were recorded before and after a three-month course of IVB injection therapy in 16 patients in the injected and the contralateral non-injected control eyes. The changes in the recorded parameters in each group and the differences between the two groups were evaluated and compared. Results None of the changes in ORA parameters were statistically significant in the injected and non-injected groups before and three months after injection, except for corneal resistance factor (CRF) in injected eyes (paired t-test, P = 0.039). The differences in corneal hysteresis (CH) and CRF were not statistically significant between the two groups (P = 0.441 and 0.236, respectively), but significant differences were noted between corneal compensated IOP (IOPcc) and Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg) (P = 0.045 and 0.047, respectively). None of the changes in CorVis parameters were statistically significant in the groups before and at the end of study, except for the time of first corneal applanation (TAp1 ms) in the injected group (P = 0.040, paired t-test). Differences in TAp1, length of the second corneal applanation (LAp2 mm), velocity of the second corneal applanation (VAp2 m/s), intraocular pressure (IOP), and central corneal thickness (CCT) also showed borderline significance between the two groups. Conclusion In this pilot study IVB injection could change CRF, IOPcc, IOPg, and TAP1 as measured by ORA and CorVis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser Shoeibi
- Eye Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Retina Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Ansari-Astaneh
- Eye Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Retina Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Sedaghat
- Eye Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Cornea Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Saeed Shokoohi Rad
- Eye Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Cornea Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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7
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Kaasbøll OJ, Gadicherla AK, Wang JH, Monsen VT, Hagelin EMV, Dong MQ, Attramadal H. Connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) is a matricellular preproprotein controlled by proteolytic activation. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:17953-17970. [PMID: 30262666 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; now often referred to as CCN2) is a secreted protein predominantly expressed during development, in various pathological conditions that involve enhanced fibrogenesis and tissue fibrosis, and in several cancers and is currently an emerging target in several early-phase clinical trials. Tissues containing high CCN2 activities often display smaller degradation products of full-length CCN2 (FL-CCN2). Interpretation of these observations is complicated by the fact that a uniform protein structure that defines biologically active CCN2 has not yet been resolved. Here, using DG44 CHO cells engineered to produce and secrete FL-CCN2 and cell signaling and cell physiological activity assays, we demonstrate that FL-CCN2 is itself an inactive precursor and that a proteolytic fragment comprising domains III (thrombospondin type 1 repeat) and IV (cystine knot) appears to convey all biologically relevant activities of CCN2. In congruence with these findings, purified FL-CCN2 could be cleaved and activated following incubation with matrix metalloproteinase activities. Furthermore, the C-terminal fragment of CCN2 (domains III and IV) also formed homodimers that were ∼20-fold more potent than the monomeric form in activating intracellular phosphokinase cascades. The homodimer elicited activation of fibroblast migration, stimulated assembly of focal adhesion complexes, enhanced RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells, and promoted mammosphere formation of MCF-7 mammary cancer cells. In conclusion, CCN2 is synthesized and secreted as a preproprotein that is autoinhibited by its two N-terminal domains and requires proteolytic processing and homodimerization to become fully biologically active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Jørgen Kaasbøll
- From the Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ashish K Gadicherla
- From the Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jian-Hua Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206 Beijing, China
| | - Vivi Talstad Monsen
- From the Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Else Marie Valbjørn Hagelin
- From the Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Meng-Qiu Dong
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206 Beijing, China
| | - Håvard Attramadal
- From the Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway.
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8
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Ma B, Jing R, Liu J, Yang L, Li J, Qin L, Cui L, Pei C. CTGF Contributes to the Development of Posterior Capsule Opacification: an in vitro and in vivo study. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:437-448. [PMID: 29725265 PMCID: PMC5930476 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.23946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a crucial factor that plays a major role in the process of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). However, the effects of CTGF on the proliferation and migration of lens epithelial cells (LECs) and on the mechanism of the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and extracellular matrix (ECM) in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) as well as the effects of shRNA-mediated CTGF knockdown on the development of PCO in rats remain unclear. In the present study, we found that CTGF promoted EMT, proliferation, migration and the expression of p-ERK1/2 protein in HLECs but exerted little effect on the expression of p-p38 and p-JNK1/2 proteins. MEK inhibitor U0126 effectively restrained the CTGF-induced expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (Fn) and type I collagen (COL-1) in HLECs. CTGF knockdown effectively postponed the onset of PCO in the rats and significantly reduced the expression of α-SMA in the capsule. In conclusion, CTGF contributed to the development of PCO presumably by promoting proliferation, migration of LECs, EMT specific protein expression and ECM synthesis in HLECs, which is dependent on ERK signalling. Furthermore, blocking CTGF effectively inhibited PCO in the rats and the EMT specific protein expression in the lens capsule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruihua Jing
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lan Yang
- Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Eastern Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingming Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li Qin
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lijun Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Cheng Pei
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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9
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Mokalled MH, Patra C, Dickson AL, Endo T, Stainier DYR, Poss KD. Injury-induced ctgfa directs glial bridging and spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish. Science 2017; 354:630-634. [PMID: 27811277 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf2679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Unlike mammals, zebrafish efficiently regenerate functional nervous system tissue after major spinal cord injury. Whereas glial scarring presents a roadblock for mammalian spinal cord repair, glial cells in zebrafish form a bridge across severed spinal cord tissue and facilitate regeneration. We performed a genome-wide profiling screen for secreted factors that are up-regulated during zebrafish spinal cord regeneration. We found that connective tissue growth factor a (ctgfa) is induced in and around glial cells that participate in initial bridging events. Mutations in ctgfa disrupted spinal cord repair, and transgenic ctgfa overexpression or local delivery of human CTGF recombinant protein accelerated bridging and functional regeneration. Our study reveals that CTGF is necessary and sufficient to stimulate glial bridging and natural spinal cord regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayssa H Mokalled
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Chinmoy Patra
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Amy L Dickson
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Toyokazu Endo
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Didier Y R Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Kenneth D Poss
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Butler GS, Connor AR, Sounni NE, Eckhard U, Morrison CJ, Noël A, Overall CM. Degradomic and yeast 2-hybrid inactive catalytic domain substrate trapping identifies new membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MMP14) substrates: CCN3 (Nov) and CCN5 (WISP2). Matrix Biol 2016; 59:23-38. [PMID: 27471094 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Members of the CCN family of matricellular proteins are cytokines linking cells to the extracellular matrix. We report that CCN3 (Nov) and CCN5 (WISP2) are novel substrates of MMP14 (membrane-type 1-matrix metalloproteinase, MT1-MMP) that we identified using MMP14 "inactive catalytic domain capture" (ICDC) as a yeast two-hybrid protease substrate trapping platform in parallel with degradomics mass spectrometry screens for MMP14 substrates. CCN3 and CCN5, previously unknown substrates of MMPs, were biochemically validated as substrates of MMP14 and other MMPs in vitro-CCN5 was processed in the variable region by MMP14 and MMP2, as well as by MMP1, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 15. CCN1, 2 and 3 are proangiogenic factors yet we found novel opposing activity of CCN5 that was potently antiangiogenic in an aortic ring vessel outgrowth model. MMP14, a known regulator of angiogenesis, cleaved CCN5 and abrogated the angiostatic activity. CCN3 was also processed in the variable region by MMP14 and MMP2, and by MMP1, 8 and 9. In addition to the previously reported cleavages of CCN1 and CCN2 by several MMPs we found that MMPs 8, 9, and 1 process CCN1, and MMP8 and MMP9 also process CCN2. Thus, our study reveals additional and pervasive family-wide processing of CCN matricellular proteins/cytokines by MMPs. Furthermore, CCN5 cleavage by proangiogenic MMPs results in removal of an angiogenic brake held by CCN5. This highlights the importance of thorough dissection of MMP substrates that is needed to reveal higher-level control mechanisms beyond type IV collagen and other extracellular matrix protein remodelling in angiogenesis. SUMMARY We find CCN family member cleavage by MMPs is more pervasive than previously reported and includes CCN3 (Nov) and CCN5 (WISP2). CCN5 is a novel antiangiogenic factor, whose function is abrogated by proangiogenic MMP cleavage. By processing CCN proteins, MMPs regulate cell responses angiogenesis in connective tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina S Butler
- Centre for Blood Research, Departments of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Andrea R Connor
- Centre for Blood Research, Departments of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nor Eddine Sounni
- Centre for Blood Research, Departments of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ulrich Eckhard
- Centre for Blood Research, Departments of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Charlotte J Morrison
- Centre for Blood Research, Departments of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Agnès Noël
- Centre for Blood Research, Departments of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Christopher M Overall
- Centre for Blood Research, Departments of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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Bhandari S, Bakke I, Kumar J, Beisvag V, Sandvik AK, Thommesen L, Varro A, Nørsett KG. Connective tissue growth factor is activated by gastrin and involved in gastrin-induced migration and invasion. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 475:119-24. [PMID: 27179776 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been reported in gastric adenocarcinoma and in carcinoid tumors. The aim of this study was to explore a possible link between CTGF and gastrin in gastric epithelial cells and to study the role of CTGF in gastrin induced migration and invasion of AGS-GR cells. The effects of gastrin were studied using RT-qPCR, Western blot and assays for migration and invasion. We report an association between serum gastrin concentrations and CTGF abundancy in the gastric corpus mucosa of hypergastrinemic subjects and mice. We found a higher expression of CTGF in gastric mucosa tissue adjacent to tumor compared to normal control tissue. We showed that gastrin induced expression of CTGF in gastric epithelial AGS-GR cells via MEK, PKC and PKB/AKT pathways. CTGF inhibited gastrin induced migration and invasion of AGS-GR cells. We conclude that CTGF expression is stimulated by gastrin and involved in remodeling of the gastric epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabin Bhandari
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ingunn Bakke
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - J Kumar
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Vidar Beisvag
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Arne K Sandvik
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Liv Thommesen
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Andrea Varro
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Kristin G Nørsett
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Central Norway Regional Health Authority (RHA), Stjørdal, Norway.
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Klaassen I, van Geest RJ, Kuiper EJ, van Noorden CJF, Schlingemann RO. The role of CTGF in diabetic retinopathy. Exp Eye Res 2015; 133:37-48. [PMID: 25819453 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2014.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) contributes to fibrotic responses in diabetic retinopathy, both before clinical manifestations occur in the pre-clinical stage of diabetic retinopathy (PCDR) and in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), the late clinical stage of the disease. CTGF is a secreted protein that modulates the actions of many growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, leading to tissue reorganization, such as ECM formation and remodeling, basal lamina (BL) thickening, pericyte apoptosis, angiogenesis, wound healing and fibrosis. In PCDR, CTGF contributes to thickening of the retinal capillary BL and is involved in loss of pericytes. In this stage, CTGF expression is induced by advanced glycation end products, and by growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. In PDR, the switch from neovascularization to a fibrotic phase - the angio-fibrotic switch - in PDR is driven by CTGF, in a critical balance with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We discuss here the roles of CTGF in the pathogenesis of DR in relation to ECM remodeling and wound healing mechanisms, and explore whether CTGF may be a potential novel therapeutic target in the clinical management of early as well as late stages of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingeborg Klaassen
- Ocular Angiogenesis Group, Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Rob J van Geest
- Ocular Angiogenesis Group, Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Esther J Kuiper
- Ocular Angiogenesis Group, Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J F van Noorden
- Ocular Angiogenesis Group, Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reinier O Schlingemann
- Ocular Angiogenesis Group, Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Welch MD, Howlett M, Halse HM, Greene WK, Kees UR. Novel CT domain-encoding splice forms of CTGF/CCN2 are expressed in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Leuk Res 2015; 39:913-20. [PMID: 26138615 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) has been shown previously to be aberrantly expressed in a high proportion of paediatric precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (pre-B ALL), suggesting a potential oncogenic role in this tumour type. We therefore assessed CTGF mRNA transcript diversity in B-lineage ALL using primary patient specimens and cell lines. METHODS CTGF mRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and Northern blotting. We performed a structural analysis of CTGF mRNA by nested reverse-transcriptase PCR and examined CTGF protein diversity by immunoblotting. RESULTS Northern blot analysis of pre-B ALL cell lines revealed short CTGF transcripts that were expressed in association with the active phase of cellular growth. Structural analysis confirmed the synthesis of several novel CTGF mRNA isoforms in B-lineage ALL cell lines that were uniformly characterised by the retention of the coding sequence for the C-terminal (CT) domain. One of these novel spliceforms was expressed in a majority (70%) of primary pre-B ALL patient specimens positive for canonical CTGF mRNA. Evidence that these alternative transcripts have coding potential was provided by cryptic CTGF proteins of predicted size detected by immunoblotting. CONCLUSION This study identifies for the first time alternative splicing of the CTGF gene and shows that a short CTGF splice variant associated with cell proliferation is expressed in most cases of primary CTGF-positive pre-B ALL. This novel variant encoding only the CT domain may play a role in pre-B ALL tumorigenesis and/or progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Welch
- Division of Children's Leukemia and Cancer Research, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - M Howlett
- Division of Children's Leukemia and Cancer Research, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - H M Halse
- Division of Children's Leukemia and Cancer Research, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - W K Greene
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - U R Kees
- Division of Children's Leukemia and Cancer Research, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
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Ahmad A, Askari S, Befekadu R, Hahn-Strömberg V. Investigating the association between polymorphisms in connective tissue growth factor and susceptibility to colon carcinoma. Mol Med Rep 2014; 11:2493-503. [PMID: 25502877 PMCID: PMC4337474 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.3083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
There have been numerous studies on the gene expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in colorectal cancer, however very few have investigated polymorphisms in this gene. The present study aimed to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CTGF gene are associated with a higher susceptibility to colon cancer and/or an invasive tumor growth pattern. The CTGF gene was genotyped for seven SNPs (rs6918698, rs1931002, rs9493150, rs12526196, rs12527705, rs9399005 and rs12527379) by pyrosequencing. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples (n=112) from patients diagnosed with colon carcinoma, and an equal number of blood samples from healthy controls, were selected for genomic DNA extraction. The complexity index was measured using images of tumor samples (n=64) stained for cytokeratin-8. The images were analyzed and correlated with the identified CTGF SNPs and clinicopathological parameters of the patients, including age, gender, tumor penetration, lymph node metastasis, systemic metastasis, differentiation and localization of tumor. It was demonstrated that the frequency of the SNP rs6918698 GG genotype was significantly associated (P=0.05) with an increased risk of colon cancer, as compared with the GC and CC genotypes. The other six SNPs (rs1931002, rs9493150, rs12526196, rs12527705, rs9399005 and rs12527379) exhibited no significant difference in the genotype and allele frequencies between patients diagnosed with colon carcinoma and the normal healthy population. A trend was observed between genotype variation at rs6918698 and the complexity index (P=0.052). The complexity index and genotypes for any of the studied SNPs were not significantly correlated with clinical or pathological parameters of the patients. These results indicate that the rs6918698 GG genotype is associated with an increased risk of developing colon carcinoma, and genetic variations at the rs6918698 are associated with the growth pattern of the tumor. The present results may facilitate the identification of potential biomarkers of the disease in addition to drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro 701 81, Sweden
| | - Shlear Askari
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro 701 81, Sweden
| | - Rahel Befekadu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section for Transfusion Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro 701 85, Sweden
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Gibson DJ, Pi L, Sriram S, Mao C, Petersen BE, Scott EW, Leask A, Schultz GS. Conditional knockout of CTGF affects corneal wound healing. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:2062-70. [PMID: 24627144 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.13-12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to elucidate the role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in healthy eyes and wounded corneas of mice and rabbits. Conditional knockout mice were used to determine the role of CTGF in corneal healing. METHODS CTGF expression was determined using transgenic mice carrying CTGF promoter driven-eGFP, quantitative RT-PCR, and immunofluorescent staining. Mice that carried two floxed CTGF alleles and a Cre/ERT2 transgene under the control of human ubiquitin C (ubc) promoter were used to conditionally delete CTGF gene in a tamoxifen-inducible manner. Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) was used to generate an acute corneal wound and corneal re-epithelialization was assessed by fluorescein staining. RESULTS Connective tissue growth factor expression was found in multiple ocular tissues with relatively high levels in the corneal endothelium, lens subcapsular epithelium, and in the vasculature of the iris and retina. Wounded corneas responded with an immediate upregulation of CTGF in the epithelium at the wound margin and a sustained CTGF induction during re-epithelialization. At the onset of haze formation, CTGF protein becomes more focused in the basal epithelium. Deletion of the CTGF gene caused a 40% reduction (P < 0.01) in the cornea re-epithelialization rate in knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS Connective tissue growth factor is expressed in the naïve cornea, lens, iris, and retina, and is expressed immediately after epithelial injury. Loss of CTGF impairs efficient re-epithelialization of corneal wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Gibson
- Institute for Wound Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States
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Pei C, Ma B, Kang QY, Qin L, Cui LJ. Effects of transforming growth factor β2 and connective tissue growth factor on induction of epithelial mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix synthesis in human lens epithelial cells. Int J Ophthalmol 2013; 6:752-7. [PMID: 24392320 DOI: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2013.06.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the effects of transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on transdifferentiation of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) cultured in vitro and synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM). METHODS HLECs were treated with TGF-β2 (0, 0.5, 1.0, 5, 10µg/L) and CTGF (0, 15, 30, 60, 100µg/L) for different times (0, 24, 48, 72h) in vitro and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), the main component of the extracellular matrix type I collagen (Col-1) and fibronectin (Fn) were measured by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western-blot. RESULTS TGF-β2 and CTGF significantly increased expression of α-SMA mRNA and protein (P<0.05, P<0.001), Fn mRNA and protein (P<0.001), Col-1 mRNA and protein (P<0.001). TGF-β2 could induce HLECs expression of CTGF mRNA and protein in dose-dependent manner (P<0.05, P<0.001). TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs to express α-SMA, Fn and Col-1 in time-dependent manner. Each time of TGF-β2 and CTGF induced HELCs expression of α-SMA, Fn, Col-1 mRNA and protein was significant increase compared with control (P<0.05, P<0.001). CONCLUSION TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs epithelial mesenchymal transition and ECM synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Pei
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Bo Ma
- Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Qian-Yan Kang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Li Qin
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Li-Jun Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
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