1
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Brückner A, Brandtner A, Rieck S, Matthey M, Geisen C, Fels B, Stei M, Kusche-Vihrog K, Fleischmann BK, Wenzel D. Site-specific genetic and functional signatures of aortic endothelial cells at aneurysm predilection sites in healthy and AngII ApoE -/- mice. Angiogenesis 2024:10.1007/s10456-024-09933-9. [PMID: 38965173 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-024-09933-9] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Aortic aneurysm is characterized by a pathological dilation at specific predilection sites of the vessel and potentially results in life-threatening vascular rupture. Herein, we established a modified "Häutchen method" for the local isolation of endothelial cells (ECs) from mouse aorta to analyze their spatial heterogeneity and potential role in site-specific disease development. When we compared ECs from aneurysm predilection sites of healthy mice with adjacent control segments we found regulation of genes related to extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis and inflammation, all pathways playing a critical role in aneurysm development. We also detected enhanced cortical stiffness of the endothelium at these sites. Gene expression of ECs from aneurysms of the AngII ApoE-/- model when compared to sham animals mimicked expression patterns from predilection sites of healthy animals. Thus, this work highlights a striking genetic and functional regional heterogeneity in aortic ECs of healthy mice, which defines the location of aortic aneurysm formation in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Brückner
- Life&Brain Center, Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Adrian Brandtner
- Life&Brain Center, Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sarah Rieck
- Life&Brain Center, Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaela Matthey
- Department of Systems Physiology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology, Ruhr University of Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Caroline Geisen
- Life&Brain Center, Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benedikt Fels
- Institute of Physiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner SiteHamburg/Luebeck/Kiel, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Marta Stei
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kristina Kusche-Vihrog
- Institute of Physiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner SiteHamburg/Luebeck/Kiel, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Bernd K Fleischmann
- Life&Brain Center, Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniela Wenzel
- Life&Brain Center, Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- Department of Systems Physiology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology, Ruhr University of Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
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2
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Weng W, Deng Y, Deviatiiarov R, Hamidi S, Kajikawa E, Gusev O, Kiyonari H, Zhang G, Sheng G. ETV2 induces endothelial, but not hematopoietic, lineage specification in birds. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202402694. [PMID: 38570190 PMCID: PMC10992995 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202402694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular system develops from the lateral plate mesoderm. Its three primary cell lineages (hematopoietic, endothelial, and muscular) are specified by the sequential actions of conserved transcriptional factors. ETV2, a master regulator of mammalian hemangioblast development, however, is absent in the chicken genome and acts downstream of NPAS4L in zebrafish. Here, we investigated the epistatic relationship between NPAS4L and ETV2 in avian hemangioblast development. We showed that ETV2 is deleted in all 363 avian genomes analyzed. Mouse ETV2 induced LMO2, but not NPAS4L or SCL, expression in chicken mesoderm. Squamate (lizards, geckos, and snakes) genomes contain both NPAS4L and ETV2 In Madagascar ground gecko, both genes were expressed in developing hemangioblasts. Gecko ETV2 induced only LMO2 in chicken mesoderm. We propose that both NPAS4L and ETV2 were present in ancestral amniote, with ETV2 acting downstream of NPAS4L in endothelial lineage specification. ETV2 may have acted as a pioneer factor by promoting chromatin accessibility of endothelial-specific genes and, in parallel with NPAS4L loss in ancestral mammals, has gained similar function in regulating blood-specific genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Weng
- https://ror.org/02cgss904 International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuan Deng
- Beijing Genome Institute (BGI), Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruslan Deviatiiarov
- https://ror.org/02cgss904 International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Sofiane Hamidi
- https://ror.org/02cgss904 International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | | | - Oleg Gusev
- https://ror.org/02cgss904 International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
- Life Improvement by Future Technologies (LIFT) Center, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Guojie Zhang
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guojun Sheng
- https://ror.org/02cgss904 International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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3
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Inoue T, Takase R, Uchida K, Kodo K, Suda K, Watanabe Y, Yoshiura KI, Kunimatsu M, Ishizaki R, Azuma K, Inai K, Muneuchi J, Furutani Y, Akagawa H, Yamagishi H. The c.1617del variant of TMEM260 is identified as the most frequent single gene determinant for Japanese patients with a specific type of congenital heart disease. J Hum Genet 2024; 69:215-222. [PMID: 38409496 PMCID: PMC11043032 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-024-01225-w] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Although the molecular mechanisms underlying congenital heart disease (CHD) remain poorly understood, recent advances in genetic analysis have facilitated the exploration of causative genes for CHD. We reported that the pathogenic variant c.1617del of TMEM260, which encodes a transmembrane protein, is highly associated with CHD, specifically persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA), the most severe cardiac outflow tract (OFT) defect. Using whole-exome sequencing, the c.1617del variant was identified in two siblings with PTA in a Japanese family and in three of the 26 DNAs obtained from Japanese individuals with PTA. The c.1617del of TMEM260 has been found only in East Asians, especially Japanese and Korean populations, and the frequency of this variant in PTA is estimated to be next to that of the 22q11.2 deletion, the most well-known genetic cause of PTA. Phenotype of patients with c.1617del appears to be predominantly in the heart, although TMEM260 is responsible for structural heart defects and renal anomalies syndrome (SHDRA). The mouse TMEM260 variant (p.W535Cfs*56), synonymous with the human variant (p.W539Cfs*9), exhibited truncation and downregulation by western blotting, and aggregation by immunocytochemistry. In situ hybridization demonstrated that Tmem260 is expressed ubiquitously during embryogenesis, including in the development of cardiac OFT implicated in PTA. This expression may be regulated by a ~ 0.8 kb genomic region in intron 3 of Tmem260 that includes multiple highly conserved binding sites for essential cardiac transcription factors, thus revealing that the c.1617del variant of TMEM260 is the major single-gene variant responsible for PTA in the Japanese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Inoue
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryuta Takase
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keiko Uchida
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
- Keio University Health Center, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kazuki Kodo
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Suda
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoriko Watanabe
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
- Research Institute of Medical Mass Spectrometry, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koh-Ichiro Yoshiura
- Department of Human Genetics, Division of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Leading Medical Research Core Unit, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masaya Kunimatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Reina Ishizaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenko Azuma
- Institute for Comprehensive Medical Sciences, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Inai
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Muneuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyushu Hospital, Japan Community Healthcare Organization, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Furutani
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Akagawa
- Institute for Comprehensive Medical Sciences, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamagishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Preventive Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Rengel BD, Schuler-Faccini L, Fraga LR, Vianna FSL, Kowalski TW. Possible New Candidates Involved to Thalidomide-Related Limbs and Cardiac Defects: A Systems Biology Approach. Biochem Genet 2024:10.1007/s10528-024-10790-w. [PMID: 38689186 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-024-10790-w] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Thalidomide is a known teratogen that causes malformations especially in heart and limbs. Its mechanism of teratogenicity is still not fully elucidated. Recently, a new target of thalidomide was described, TBX5, and was observed a new interaction between HAND2 and TBX5 that is disrupted in the presence of thalidomide. Therefore, our study aimed to raise potential candidates for thalidomide teratogenesis, through systems biology, evaluating HAND2 and TBX5 interaction and heart and limbs malformations of thalidomide. Genes and proteins related to TBX5 and HAND2 were selected through TF2DNA, REACTOME, Human Phenotype Ontology, and InterPro databases. Networks were assembled using STRING © database. Network analysis were performed in Cytoscape © and R v3.6.2. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis was performed through gene expression omnibus. We constructed a network for HAND2 and TBX5 interaction; a network for heart and limbs malformations of TE; and the two joined networks. We observed that EP300 protein seemed to be important in all networks. We also looked for proteins containing C2H2 domain in the assembled networks. ZIC3, GLI1, GLI3, ZNF148, and PRDM16 were the ones present in both heart and limbs malformations of TE networks. Furthermore, in the DGE analysis after treatment with thalidomide, we observed that FANCB, ESCO2, and XRCC2 were downregulated and present both in heart and limbs networks. Through systems biology, we were able to point to different new proteins and genes, and selected specially EP300, which was important in all the analyzed networks, to be further evaluated in the TE teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Duarte Rengel
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lavínia Schuler-Faccini
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lucas Rosa Fraga
- National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Sales Luiz Vianna
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Ramiro Barcelos Street, 2350, Porto Alegre, CEP 90035-903, Brazil.
| | - Thayne Woycinck Kowalski
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Ramiro Barcelos Street, 2350, Porto Alegre, CEP 90035-903, Brazil.
- Bioinformatics Core, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, HCPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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5
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Arriojas A, Patalano S, Macoska J, Zarringhalam K. A Bayesian noisy logic model for inference of transcription factor activity from single cell and bulk transcriptomic data. NAR Genom Bioinform 2023; 5:lqad106. [PMID: 38094309 PMCID: PMC10716740 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqad106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of high-throughput sequencing has made it possible to measure the expression of genes at relatively low cost. However, direct measurement of regulatory mechanisms, such as transcription factor (TF) activity is still not readily feasible in a high-throughput manner. Consequently, there is a need for computational approaches that can reliably estimate regulator activity from observable gene expression data. In this work, we present a noisy Boolean logic Bayesian model for TF activity inference from differential gene expression data and causal graphs. Our approach provides a flexible framework to incorporate biologically motivated TF-gene regulation logic models. Using simulations and controlled over-expression experiments in cell cultures, we demonstrate that our method can accurately identify TF activity. Moreover, we apply our method to bulk and single cell transcriptomics measurements to investigate transcriptional regulation of fibroblast phenotypic plasticity. Finally, to facilitate usage, we provide user-friendly software packages and a web-interface to query TF activity from user input differential gene expression data: https://umbibio.math.umb.edu/nlbayes/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argenis Arriojas
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Susan Patalano
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Jill Macoska
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Kourosh Zarringhalam
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
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6
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Saleki K, Alijanizadeh P, Azadmehr A. Is neuropilin-1 the neuroimmune initiator of multi-system hyperinflammation in COVID-19? Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115558. [PMID: 37748412 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115558] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A major immunopathological feature of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is excessive inflammation in the form of "cytokine storm". The storm is characterized by injurious levels of cytokines which form a complicated network damaging different organs, including the lungs and the brain. The main starter of "cytokine network" hyperactivation in COVID-19 has not been discovered yet. Neuropilins (NRPs) are transmembrane proteins that act as neuronal guidance and angiogenesis modulators. The crucial function of NRPs in forming the nervous and vascular systems has been well-studied. NRP1 and NRP2 are the two identified homologs of NRP. NRP1 has been shown as a viral entry pathway for SARS-CoV2, which facilitates neuroinvasion by the virus within the central or peripheral nervous systems. These molecules directly interact with various COVID-19-related molecules, such as specific regions of the spike protein (major immune element of SARS-CoV2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, VEGFR1/2, and ANGPTL4 (regulator of vessel permeability and integrity). NRPs mainly play a role in hyperinflammatory injury of the CNS and lungs, and also the liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart in COVID-19 patients. New findings have suggested NRPs good candidates for pharmacotherapy of COVID-19. However, therapeutic targeting of NRP1 in COVID-19 is still in the preclinical phase. This review presents the implications of NRP1 in multi-organ inflammation-induced injury by SARS-CoV2 and provides insights for NRP1-targeting treatments for COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiarash Saleki
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Department of e-Learning, Virtual School of Medical Education and Management, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences(SBMU), Tehran, Iran; USERN Office, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Parsa Alijanizadeh
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; USERN Office, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Abbas Azadmehr
- Immunology Department, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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7
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Arriojas A, Patalano S, Macoska J, Zarringhalam K. A Bayesian Noisy Logic Model for Inference of Transcription Factor Activity from Single Cell and Bulk Transcriptomic Data. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.03.539308. [PMID: 37205561 PMCID: PMC10187261 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.03.539308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The advent of high-throughput sequencing has made it possible to measure the expression of genes at relatively low cost. However, direct measurement of regulatory mechanisms, such as Transcription Factor (TF) activity is still not readily feasible in a high-throughput manner. Consequently, there is a need for computational approaches that can reliably estimate regulator activity from observable gene expression data. In this work, we present a noisy Boolean logic Bayesian model for TF activity inference from differential gene expression data and causal graphs. Our approach provides a flexible framework to incorporate biologically motivated TF-gene regulation logic models. Using simulations and controlled over-expression experiments in cell cultures, we demonstrate that our method can accurately identify TF activity. Moreover, we apply our method to bulk and single cell transcriptomics measurements to investigate transcriptional regulation of fibroblast phenotypic plasticity. Finally, to facilitate usage, we provide user-friendly software packages and a web-interface to query TF activity from user input differential gene expression data: https://umbibio.math.umb.edu/nlbayes/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argenis Arriojas
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Susan Patalano
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Jill Macoska
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Kourosh Zarringhalam
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
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8
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Kocere A, Lalonde RL, Mosimann C, Burger A. Lateral thinking in syndromic congenital cardiovascular disease. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049735. [PMID: 37125615 PMCID: PMC10184679 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049735] [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] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Syndromic birth defects are rare diseases that can present with seemingly pleiotropic comorbidities. Prime examples are rare congenital heart and cardiovascular anomalies that can be accompanied by forelimb defects, kidney disorders and more. Whether such multi-organ defects share a developmental link remains a key question with relevance to the diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and long-term care of affected patients. The heart, endothelial and blood lineages develop together from the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM), which also harbors the progenitor cells for limb connective tissue, kidneys, mesothelia and smooth muscle. This developmental plasticity of the LPM, which founds on multi-lineage progenitor cells and shared transcription factor expression across different descendant lineages, has the potential to explain the seemingly disparate syndromic defects in rare congenital diseases. Combining patient genome-sequencing data with model organism studies has already provided a wealth of insights into complex LPM-associated birth defects, such as heart-hand syndromes. Here, we summarize developmental and known disease-causing mechanisms in early LPM patterning, address how defects in these processes drive multi-organ comorbidities, and outline how several cardiovascular and hematopoietic birth defects with complex comorbidities may be LPM-associated diseases. We also discuss strategies to integrate patient sequencing, data-aggregating resources and model organism studies to mechanistically decode congenital defects, including potentially LPM-associated orphan diseases. Eventually, linking complex congenital phenotypes to a common LPM origin provides a framework to discover developmental mechanisms and to anticipate comorbidities in congenital diseases affecting the cardiovascular system and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Kocere
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Molecular Life Science, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robert L. Lalonde
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Christian Mosimann
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Alexa Burger
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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9
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Parab S, Setten E, Astanina E, Bussolino F, Doronzo G. The tissue-specific transcriptional landscape underlines the involvement of endothelial cells in health and disease. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 246:108418. [PMID: 37088448 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108418] [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: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) that line vascular and lymphatic vessels are being increasingly recognized as important to organ function in health and disease. ECs participate not only in the trafficking of gases, metabolites, and cells between the bloodstream and tissues but also in the angiocrine-based induction of heterogeneous parenchymal cells, which are unique to their specific tissue functions. The molecular mechanisms regulating EC heterogeneity between and within different tissues are modeled during embryogenesis and become fully established in adults. Any changes in adult tissue homeostasis induced by aging, stress conditions, and various noxae may reshape EC heterogeneity and induce specific transcriptional features that condition a functional phenotype. Heterogeneity is sustained via specific genetic programs organized through the combinatory effects of a discrete number of transcription factors (TFs) that, at the single tissue-level, constitute dynamic networks that are post-transcriptionally and epigenetically regulated. This review is focused on outlining the TF-based networks involved in EC specialization and physiological and pathological stressors thought to modify their architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushant Parab
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Elisa Setten
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Elena Astanina
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Federico Bussolino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Doronzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
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10
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Rengel BD, Kowalski TW, Bremm JM, do Amaral Gomes J, Schüler-Faccini L, Vianna FSL, Fraga LR. Genetic evaluation of HAND2 gene and its effects on thalidomide embryopathy. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:1354-1363. [PMID: 36177858 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2092] [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: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HAND2 is a transcription factor important for embryonic development, required for limbs and cardiovascular development. Thalidomide is a drug responsible to a spectrum of congenital anomalies known as Thalidomide Embryopathy (TE), which includes mainly limb and heart defects. It is known that HAND2 interaction with TBX5, an important protein for limbs and heart development, is inhibited by Thalidomide. The aim of this study was to evaluate and characterize HAND2 in the context of TE, and to evaluate its variability in TE individuals. METHODS DNA from 35 TE subjects was extracted from saliva samples and PCR was performed for amplification and Sanger sequencing of HAND2 coding sequence. RESULTS The analysis showed only one variant; a synonymous variant p.P51 (rs59621536) in exon 1 found in three individuals. Further in silico evaluation confirmed highly HAND2 conservation, being the 3'UTR the most polymorphic region of the gene. Additional computational analyses classified the variant as neutral, without alteration in splicing and miRNA sites. In silico predictions pointed to alteration of two CpG islands adjacent to the variant; however, we did not observe any alterations on the methylation pattern of HAND2 gene in our sample. Moreover, alteration of the binding site of MeCP2, a nuclear protein involved in DNA methylation, was predicted along with alteration in HAND2 mRNA structure. CONCLUSIONS Considering HAND2 being a well conserved gene, further studies with a larger sample should be performed to evaluate the role this gene on genetic susceptibility to TE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Duarte Rengel
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Genomic Medicine Laboratory at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Thayne Woycinck Kowalski
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Genomic Medicine Laboratory at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Bioinformatics Core, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, HCPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Centro Universitário CESUCA, Cachoeirinha, Brazil
| | - João Matheus Bremm
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Julia do Amaral Gomes
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Genomic Medicine Laboratory at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lavínia Schüler-Faccini
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Sales Luiz Vianna
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Genomic Medicine Laboratory at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lucas Rosa Fraga
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Evolution, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brazilian Teratogen Information Service (SIAT), Medical Genetics Service of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Genomic Medicine Laboratory at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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11
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Yeung MW, Wang S, van de Vegte YJ, Borisov O, van Setten J, Snieder H, Verweij N, Said MA, van der Harst P. Twenty-Five Novel Loci for Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: A Genome-Wide Association Study in >45 000 Individuals and Meta-Analysis of >100 000 Individuals. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:484-501. [PMID: 34852643 PMCID: PMC8939707 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.317007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a widely accepted marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Twenty susceptibility loci for cIMT were previously identified and the identification of additional susceptibility loci furthers our knowledge on the genetic architecture underlying atherosclerosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We performed 3 genome-wide association studies in 45 185 participants from the UK Biobank study who underwent cIMT measurements and had data on minimum, mean, and maximum thickness. We replicated 15 known loci and identified 20 novel loci associated with cIMT at P<5×10-8. Seven novel loci (ZNF385D, ADAMTS9, EDNRA, HAND2, MYOCD, ITCH/EDEM2/MMP24, and MRTFA) were identified in all 3 phenotypes. An additional new locus (LOXL1) was identified in the meta-analysis of the 3 phenotypes. Sex interaction analysis revealed sex differences in 7 loci including a novel locus (SYNE3) in males. Meta-analysis of UK Biobank data with a previous meta-analysis led to identification of three novel loci (APOB, FIP1L1, and LOXL4). Transcriptome-wide association analyses implicated additional genes ARHGAP42, NDRG4, and KANK2. Gene set analysis showed an enrichment in extracellular organization and the PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor) signaling pathway. We found positive genetic correlations of cIMT with coronary artery disease rg=0.21 (P=1.4×10-7), peripheral artery disease rg=0.45 (P=5.3×10-5), and systolic blood pressure rg=0.30 (P=4.0×10-18). A negative genetic correlation between average of maximum cIMT and high-density lipoprotein was found rg=-0.12 (P=7.0×10-4). CONCLUSIONS Genome-wide association meta-analyses in >100 000 individuals identified 25 novel loci associated with cIMT providing insights into genes and tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms of proatherosclerotic processes. We found evidence for shared biological mechanisms with cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wai Yeung
- Department of Cardiology (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Siqi Wang
- Department of Cardiology (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology (S.W., H.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands (M.W.Y., J.v.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - Yordi J. van de Vegte
- Department of Cardiology (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Oleg Borisov
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University Hospital Bonn, Germany (O.B.)
| | - Jessica van Setten
- Department of Epidemiology (S.W., H.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology (S.W., H.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Niek Verweij
- Department of Cardiology (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - M. Abdullah Said
- Department of Cardiology (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Pim van der Harst
- Department of Cardiology (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands (M.W.Y., J.v.S., P.v.d.H.)
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12
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Wu S, Huang Y, Huang X, Dai X. Lipopolysaccharide Accelerates Neuropilin-1 Protein Degradation by Activating the Large GTPase Dynamin-1 in Macrophages. Inflammation 2022; 45:1162-1173. [DOI: 10.1007/s10753-021-01610-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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13
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Zheng M, Erhardt S, Ai D, Wang J. Bmp Signaling Regulates Hand1 in a Dose-Dependent Manner during Heart Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189835. [PMID: 34576009 PMCID: PMC8465227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signaling pathway and the basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor Hand1 are known key regulators of cardiac development. In this study, we investigated the Bmp signaling regulation of Hand1 during cardiac outflow tract (OFT) development. In Bmp2 and Bmp4loss-of-function embryos with varying levels of Bmp in the heart, Hand1 is sensitively decreased in response to the dose of Bmp expression. In contrast, Hand1 in the heart is dramatically increased in Bmp4 gain-of-function embryos. We further identified and characterized the Bmp/Smad regulatory elements in Hand1. Combined transfection assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments indicated that Hand1 is directly activated and bound by Smads. In addition, we found that upon the treatment of Bmp2 and Bmp4, P19 cells induced Hand1 expression and favored cardiac differentiation. Together, our data indicated that the Bmp signaling pathway directly regulates Hand1 expression in a dose-dependent manner during heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Zheng
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.Z.); (S.E.)
| | - Shannon Erhardt
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.Z.); (S.E.)
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Di Ai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.Z.); (S.E.)
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
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14
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Immune Tolerance of the Human Decidua. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10020351. [PMID: 33477602 PMCID: PMC7831321 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The endometrium is necessary for implantation, complete development of the placenta, and a successful pregnancy. The endometrium undergoes repeated cycles of proliferation, decidualization (differentiation), and shedding during each menstrual cycle. The endometrium—including stromal, epithelial, vascular endothelial, and immune cells—is both functionally and morphologically altered in response to progesterone, causing changes in the number and types of immune cells. Immune cells make up half of the total number of endometrial cells during implantation and menstruation. Surprisingly, immune tolerant cells in the endometrium (uterine natural killer cells, T cells, and macrophages) have two conflicting functions: to protect the body by eliminating pathogenic microorganisms and other pathogens and to foster immunological change to tolerate the embryo during pregnancy. One of the key molecules involved in this control is the cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15), which is secreted by endometrial stromal cells. Recently, it has been reported that IL-15 is directly regulated by the transcription factor heart- and neural crest derivatives-expressed protein 2 in endometrial stromal cells. In this review, we outline the significance of the endometrium and immune cell population during menstruation and early pregnancy and describe the factors involved in immune tolerance and their involvement in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy.
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15
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Correction to: Epigenetic and Transcriptional Networks Underlying Atrial Fibrillation. Circ Res 2020; 127:e143-e146. [DOI: 10.1161/res.0000000000000429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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16
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van Ouwerkerk AF, Hall AW, Kadow ZA, Lazarevic S, Reyat JS, Tucker NR, Nadadur RD, Bosada FM, Bianchi V, Ellinor PT, Fabritz L, Martin J, de Laat W, Kirchhof P, Moskowitz I, Christoffels VM. Epigenetic and Transcriptional Networks Underlying Atrial Fibrillation. Circ Res 2020; 127:34-50. [PMID: 32717170 PMCID: PMC8315291 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.316574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have uncovered over a 100 genetic loci associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia. Many of the top AF-associated loci harbor key cardiac transcription factors, including PITX2, TBX5, PRRX1, and ZFHX3. Moreover, the vast majority of the AF-associated variants lie within noncoding regions of the genome where causal variants affect gene expression by altering the activity of transcription factors and the epigenetic state of chromatin. In this review, we discuss a transcriptional regulatory network model for AF defined by effector genes in Genome-wide association studies loci. We describe the current state of the field regarding the identification and function of AF-relevant gene regulatory networks, including variant regulatory elements, dose-sensitive transcription factor functionality, target genes, and epigenetic states. We illustrate how altered transcriptional networks may impact cardiomyocyte function and ionic currents that impact AF risk. Last, we identify the need for improved tools to identify and functionally test transcriptional components to define the links between genetic variation, epigenetic gene regulation, and atrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette F. van Ouwerkerk
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amelia W. Hall
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zachary A. Kadow
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sonja Lazarevic
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jasmeet S. Reyat
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Nathan R. Tucker
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Masonic Medical Research Institute, Utica, NY, USA
| | - Rangarajan D. Nadadur
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Fernanda M. Bosada
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Valerio Bianchi
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick T. Ellinor
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- SWBH and UHB NHS Trusts, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jim Martin
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas, 77030
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Wouter de Laat
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- SWBH and UHB NHS Trusts, Birmingham, UK
- University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ivan Moskowitz
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Vincent M. Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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17
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Murata H, Tanaka S, Tsuzuki-Nakao T, Kido T, Kakita-Kobayashi M, Kida N, Hisamatsu Y, Tsubokura H, Hashimoto Y, Kitada M, Okada H. The transcription factor HAND2 up-regulates transcription of the IL15 gene in human endometrial stromal cells. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9596-9605. [PMID: 32444497 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic changes of the human endometrium, such as proliferation, secretion, and decidualization, occur during regular menstrual cycles. Heart- and neural crest derivatives-expressed transcript 2 (HAND2) is a key transcription factor in progestin-induced decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). It has been suggested that HAND2 regulates interleukin 15 (IL15), a key immune factor required for the activation and survival of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Activated uNK cells can promote spiral artery remodeling and secrete cytokines to induce immunotolerance. To date, no studies have evaluated the transcription factors that regulate IL15 expression in human ESCs. In the present study, we examined whether HAND2 controls IL15 transcriptional regulation in human ESCs. Quantitative RT-PCR and histological analyses revealed that HAND2 and IL15 levels increase considerably in the secretory phase of human endometrium tissues. Results from ChIP-quantitative PCR suggested that HAND2 binds to a putative HAND2 motif, which we identified in the upstream region of the human IL15 gene through in silico analysis. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we found that the upstream region of the human IL15 gene up-regulates reporter gene activities in response to estradiol and a progestin representative (medroxyprogesterone) in ESCs. The upstream region of the human IL15 gene also exhibited increasing responsiveness to transfection with a HAND2 expression vector. Of note, deletion and substitution variants of the putative HAND2 motif in the upstream region of IL15 did not respond to HAND2 transfection. These findings confirm that HAND2 directly up-regulates human IL15 transcription in ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromi Murata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Susumu Tanaka
- Department of Anatomy, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoko Tsuzuki-Nakao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeharu Kido
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Naoko Kida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoji Hisamatsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tsubokura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Hashimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaaki Kitada
- Department of Anatomy, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Okada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
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18
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Ishizaki-Asami R, Uchida K, Tsuchihashi T, Shibata A, Kodo K, Emoto K, Mikoshiba K, Takahashi T, Yamagishi H. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 2 as a novel marker of vasculature to delineate processes of cardiopulmonary development. Dev Biol 2019; 458:237-245. [PMID: 31758944 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) involving the outflow tract (OFT), such as persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA), lead to mortality and morbidity with implications not only in the heart, but also in the pulmonary vasculature. The mechanisms of pulmonary artery (PA) development and the etiologies underlying PA disorders associated with CHD remain poorly understood partly because of a specific marker for PA development is nonexistent. The three subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R1, 2, and 3) are intracellular Ca2+ channels that are essential for many tissues and organs. We discovered that IP3R2 was expressed in the vasculature and heart during development using transgenic mice, in which a LacZ marker gene was knocked into the IP3R2 locus. Whole-mount and section LacZ staining showed that IP3R2-LacZ-positive cells were detectable exclusively in the smooth muscle cells, or tunica media, of PA, merging into αSMA-positive cells during development. Furthermore, our analyses suggested that IP3R2-LacZ positive PA smooth muscle layers gradually elongate from the central PA to the peripheral PAs from E13.5 to E18.5, supporting the distal angiogenesis theory for the development of PA, whereas IP3R2-LacZ was rarely expressed in smooth muscle cells in the pulmonary trunk. Crossing IP3R-LacZ mice with mice hypomorphic for Tbx1 alleles revealed that PTA of Tbx1 mutants may result from agenesis or hypoplasia of the pulmonary trunk; thus, the left and right central to peripheral PAs connect directly to the dorsal side of the truncus arteriosus in these mutants. Additionally, we found hypercellular interstitial mesenchyme and delayed maturation of the lung endoderm in the Tbx1 mutant lungs. Our study identifies IP3R2 as a novel marker for clear visualization of PA during development and can be utilized for studying cardiopulmonary development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reina Ishizaki-Asami
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Keiko Uchida
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan; Health Center, Keio University, 4-1-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 223-8521, Japan.
| | - Takatoshi Tsuchihashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Municipal Hospital, 12-1 Shinkawadōri, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-0013, Japan
| | - Akimichi Shibata
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Japanese Red Cross Ashikaga Hospital, 284-1 Yobe-cho, Ashikaga, Tochigi, 326-0843, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kodo
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Katsura Emoto
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Keio University Hospital, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Mikoshiba
- SIAIS (Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies), ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China; Toho University, Faculty of Science, Miyama 2-2-1, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan; Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, Center for Brain Sciences, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takao Takahashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamagishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
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19
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Inman KE, Caiaffa CD, Melton KR, Sandell LL, Achilleos A, Kume T, Trainor PA. Foxc2 is required for proper cardiac neural crest cell migration, outflow tract septation, and ventricle expansion. Dev Dyn 2019; 247:1286-1296. [PMID: 30376688 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proper development of the great vessels of the heart and septation of the cardiac outflow tract requires cardiac neural crest cells. These cells give rise to the parasympathetic cardiac ganglia, the smooth muscle layer of the great vessels, some cardiomyocytes, and the conotruncal cushions and aorticopulmonary septum of the outflow tract. Ablation of cardiac neural crest cells results in defective patterning of each of these structures. Previous studies have shown that targeted deletion of the forkhead transcription factor C2 (Foxc2), results in cardiac phenotypes similar to that derived from cardiac neural crest cell ablation. RESULTS We report that Foxc2-/- embryos on the 129s6/SvEv inbred genetic background display persistent truncus arteriosus and hypoplastic ventricles before embryonic lethality. Foxc2 loss-of-function resulted in perturbed cardiac neural crest cell migration and their reduced contribution to the outflow tract as evidenced by lineage tracing analyses together with perturbed expression of the neural crest cell markers Sox10 and Crabp1. Foxc2 loss-of-function also resulted in alterations in PlexinD1, Twist1, PECAM1, and Hand1/2 expression in association with vascular and ventricular defects. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate Foxc2 is required for proper migration of cardiac neural crest cells, septation of the outflow tract, and development of the ventricles. Developmental Dynamics 247:1286-1296, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly E Inman
- Department of Natural Sciences, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, Ohio
| | | | - Kristin R Melton
- Section of Neonatology, Pulmonary and Perinatal Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lisa L Sandell
- Department of Oral Immunology & Infectious Diseases, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Annita Achilleos
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Paul A Trainor
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas
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Xia M, Luo W, Jin H, Yang Z. HAND2-mediated epithelial maintenance and integrity in cardiac outflow tract morphogenesis. Development 2019; 146:dev.177477. [PMID: 31201155 DOI: 10.1242/dev.177477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
During embryogenesis, epithelial organization is the prerequisite for organogenesis, in particular, for establishing the tubular structure. Recent studies provided hints about epithelial formation in early heart development, which has not been systemically explored. Here, we revealed a gradient of HAND2 protein in the cardiac progenitors in the anterior dorsal pericardial wall (aDPW) and adjacent transition zone (TZ) in the outflow tract (OFT). Deletion of Hand2 caused cell arrest and accumulation in the TZ leading to defective morphogenesis. While apicobasal cell polarity was unaffected, the key epithelial elements of adherens junction and cell-matrix adhesion were disrupted in the TZ of Hand2 mutant mice, indicating poorly formed epithelium. RNA-seq analysis revealed altered regulation of the contractile fiber and actin cytoskeleton, which affected cardiomyocyte differentiation. Furthermore, we have identified Stars as being transcriptionally controlled by HAND2. STARS facilitates actin polymerization that is essential for anchoring the adhesive molecules to create cell adhesion. Thus, we have uncovered a new function of HAND2 in mediating epithelial maintenance and integrity in OFT morphogenesis. Meanwhile, this study provides insights to understanding cardiac progenitor contribution to OFT development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Wen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Hengwei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Zhongzhou Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
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Type 2 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibits the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension via calcium signaling and apoptosis. Heart Vessels 2018; 34:724-734. [PMID: 30460575 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-018-1304-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease associated with vasoconstriction and remodeling. Intracellular Ca2+ signaling regulates the contraction of pulmonary arteries and the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs); however, it is not clear which molecules related to Ca2+ signaling contribute to the progression of PAH. In this study, we found the specific expression of type 2 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R2), which is an intracellular Ca2+ release channel, on the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum in mouse PASMCs, and demonstrated its inhibitory role in the progression of PAH using a chronic hypoxia-induced PAH mouse model. After chronic hypoxia exposure, IP3R2-/- mice exhibited the significant aggravation of PAH, as determined by echocardiography and right ventricular hypertrophy, with significantly greater medial wall thickness by immunohistochemistry than that of wild-type mice. In IP3R2-/- murine PASMCs with chronic hypoxia, a TUNEL assay revealed the significant suppression of apoptosis, whereas there was no significant change in proliferation. Thapsigargin-induced store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) was significantly enhanced in IP3R2-/- PASMCs in both normoxia and hypoxia based on in vitro fluorescent Ca2+ imaging. Furthermore, the enhancement of SOCE in IP3R2-/- PASMCs was remarkably suppressed by the addition of DPB162-AE, an inhibitor of the stromal-interacting molecule (STIM)-Orai complex which is about 100 times more potent than 2-APB. Our results indicate that IP3R2 may inhibit the progression of PAH by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting SOCE via the STIM-Orai pathway in PASMCs. These findings suggest a previously undetermined role of IP3R in the development of PAH and may contribute to the development of targeted therapies.
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García-Padilla C, Aránega A, Franco D. The role of long non-coding RNAs in cardiac development and disease. AIMS GENETICS 2018; 5:124-140. [PMID: 31435517 PMCID: PMC6698576 DOI: 10.3934/genet.2018.2.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cells display a set of RNA molecules at one time point, reflecting thus the cellular transcriptional steady state, configuring therefore its transcriptome. It is basically composed of two different classes of RNA molecules; protein-coding RNAs (cRNAs) and protein non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Sequencing of the human genome and subsequently the ENCODE project identified that more than 80% of the genome is transcribed in some type of RNA. Importantly, only 3% of these transcripts correspond to protein-coding RNAs, pointing that ncRNAs are as important or even more as cRNAs. ncRNAs have pivotal roles in development, differentiation and disease. Non-coding RNAs can be classified into two distinct classes according to their length; i.e., small (<200 nt) and long (>200 nt) noncoding RNAs. The structure, biogenesis and functional roles of small non-coding RNA have been widely studied, particularly for microRNAs (miRNAs). In contrast to microRNAs, our current understanding of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is limited. In this manuscript, we provide state-of-the art review of the functional roles of long non-coding RNAs during cardiac development as well as an overview of the emerging role of these ncRNAs in distinct cardiac diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diego Franco
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
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Metodieva SN, Nikolova DN, Cherneva RV, Dimova II, Petrov DB, Toncheva DI. Expression Analysis of Angiogenesis-Related Genes in Bulgarian Patients with Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 97:86-94. [DOI: 10.1177/030089161109700116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Aims and background Angiogenesis is a key process in the early stages of tumor development. In this study we aimed to evaluate the expression of a panel of angiogenesis-related genes in a group of Bulgarian patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and study design We analyzed the expression of 84 genes associated with the angiogenic process in 12 NSCLCs of two histological subtypes: 7 adenocarcinomas and 5 squamous cell carcinomas. Eight peripheral nontumorous tissues were used as controls. We performed real-time PCR on pathway-specific gene arrays (SABiosciences). Results Our pilot study identified upregulated genes in early-stage NSCLC including growth factors (TGFA and EFNA3), the adhesion molecule THBS2, cytokines and chemokines (MDK, CXCL9, CXCL10), and the serine protease PLAU. Several genes showed downregulation including one growth factor (FIGF), the receptors for growth factors TEK and S1PR1 as well as adhesion molecules (COL4A3 and CDH5), the cytokine IL6, the matrix protein LEP and the transcription factor NOTCH4. The study demonstrated deregulated genes specific for the two histological subtypes including the transcription factor HAND2, which was overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas but not adenocarcinomas. Conclusions Despite the limited number of patients, our results demonstrated the potential of angiogenesis-related genes as biomarkers in the early stages of NSCLC development. Free full text available at www.tumorionline.it
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Danail Borisov Petrov
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital for Pulmonary Diseases “St Sofia”, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Gaustad JV, Simonsen TG, Andersen LMK, Rofstad EK. Vascular abnormalities and development of hypoxia in microscopic melanoma xenografts. J Transl Med 2017; 15:241. [PMID: 29183378 PMCID: PMC5706333 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1347-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Studies investigating the oxygenation status and the development of hypoxia in microscopic tumors are sparse. The purpose of this study was to measure the extent of hypoxia in microscopic melanoma xenografts and to search for possible mechanisms leading to the development of hypoxia in these tumors. Methods A-07, D-12, R-18, and U-25 human melanoma xenografts grown in dorsal window chambers or as flank tumors were used as preclinical tumor models. Morphologic and functional parameters of vascular networks were assessed with intravital microscopy, and the expression of angiogenesis-related genes was assessed with quantitative PCR. Microvessels, pericytes, and the extent of hypoxia were assessed by immunohistochemistry in microscopic tumors by using CD31, αSMA, and pimonidazole as markers, and the extent of radiobiological hypoxia was assessed in macroscopic flank tumors. Results Macroscopic R-18 and U-25 tumors showed extensive hypoxia, whereas macroscopic A-07 and D-12 tumors were less hypoxic. R-18 and U-25 tumors developed hypoxic regions before they reached a size of 2–3 mm in diameter, whereas A-07 and D-12 tumors of similar size did not show hypoxic regions. The development of hypoxic regions was not caused by low vessel density, but was rather a result of inadequate vascular function. Inadequate vascular function was not caused by low vessel diameters or long vessel segments, but was associated with poor vascular pericyte coverage. Poor pericyte coverage was associated with the expression of eight angiogenesis-related genes. Conclusions Two of the four investigated melanoma models developed hypoxic regions in microscopic tumors, and the development of hypoxia was associated with poor vascular pericyte coverage and inadequate vascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon-Vidar Gaustad
- Group of Radiation Biology and Tumor Physiology, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Trude G Simonsen
- Group of Radiation Biology and Tumor Physiology, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lise Mari K Andersen
- Group of Radiation Biology and Tumor Physiology, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway
| | - Einar K Rofstad
- Group of Radiation Biology and Tumor Physiology, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway
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Zhang M, Li FX, Liu XY, Huang RT, Xue S, Yang XX, Li YJ, Liu H, Shi HY, Pan X, Qiu XB, Yang YQ. MESP1 loss-of-function mutation contributes to double outlet right ventricle. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:2747-2754. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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A HAND to TBX5 Explains the Link Between Thalidomide and Cardiac Diseases. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1416. [PMID: 28469241 PMCID: PMC5431093 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01641-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease is the leading cause of death in the first year of life. Mutations only in few genes have been linked to some cases of CHD. Thalidomide was used by pregnant women for morning sickness but was removed from the market because it caused severe malformations including CHDs. We used both in silico docking software, and in vitro molecular and biochemical methods to document a novel interaction involving Thalidomide, TBX5, and HAND2. Thalidomide binds readily to TBX5 through amino acids R81, R82, and K226 all implicated in DNA binding. It reduces TBX5 binding to DNA by 40%, and suppresses TBX5 mediated activation of the NPPA and VEGF promoters by 70%. We documented a novel interaction between TBX5 and HAND2, and showed that a p.G202V HAND2 variant associated with CHD and coronary artery diseases found in a large Lebanese family with high consanguinity, drastically inhibited this interaction by 90%. Similarly, thalidomide inhibited the TBX5/HAND2 physical interaction, and the in silico docking revealed that the same amino acids involved in the interaction of TBX5 with DNA are also involved in its binding to HAND2. Our results establish a HAND2/TBX5 pathway implicated in heart development and diseases.
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Transcription of the non-coding RNA upperhand controls Hand2 expression and heart development. Nature 2016; 539:433-436. [PMID: 27783597 DOI: 10.1038/nature20128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
HAND2 is an ancestral regulator of heart development and one of four transcription factors that control the reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes. Deletion of Hand2 in mice results in right ventricle hypoplasia and embryonic lethality. Hand2 expression is tightly regulated by upstream enhancers that reside within a super-enhancer delineated by histone H3 acetyl Lys27 (H3K27ac) modifications. Here we show that transcription of a Hand2-associated long non-coding RNA, which we named upperhand (Uph), is required to maintain the super-enhancer signature and elongation of RNA polymerase II through the Hand2 enhancer locus. Blockade of Uph transcription, but not knockdown of the mature transcript, abolished Hand2 expression, causing right ventricular hypoplasia and embryonic lethality in mice. Given the substantial number of uncharacterized promoter-associated long non-coding RNAs encoded by the mammalian genome, the Uph-Hand2 regulatory partnership offers a mechanism by which divergent non-coding transcription can establish a permissive chromatin environment.
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Type 1 and 3 inositol trisphosphate receptors are required for extra-embryonic vascular development. Dev Biol 2016; 418:89-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Tumor necrosis is an important hallmark of aggressive endometrial cancer and associates with hypoxia, angiogenesis and inflammation responses. Oncotarget 2016; 6:39676-91. [PMID: 26485755 PMCID: PMC4741854 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Tumor necrosis is associated with aggressive features of endometrial cancer and poor prognosis. Here, we investigated gene expression patterns and potential treatment targets related to presence of tumor necrosis in primary endometrial cancer lesions. Methods and Results By DNA microarray analysis, expression of genes related to tumor necrosis reflected multiple tumor-microenvironment interactions like tissue hypoxia, angiogenesis and inflammation pathways. A tumor necrosis signature of 38 genes and a related patient cluster (Cluster I, 67% of the cases) were associated with features of aggressive tumors such as type II cancers, estrogen receptor negative tumors and vascular invasion. Further, the tumor necrosis signature was increased in tumor cells grown in hypoxic conditions in vitro. Multiple genes with increased expression are known to be activated by HIF1A and NF-kB. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the presence of tumor necrosis within primary tumors is associated with hypoxia, angiogenesis and inflammation responses. HIF1A, NF-kB and PI3K/mTOR might be potential treatment targets in aggressive endometrial cancers with presence of tumor necrosis.
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Souilhol C, Perea-Gomez A, Camus A, Beck-Cormier S, Vandormael-Pournin S, Escande M, Collignon J, Cohen-Tannoudji M. NOTCH activation interferes with cell fate specification in the gastrulating mouse embryo. Development 2016; 142:3649-60. [PMID: 26534985 DOI: 10.1242/dev.121145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
NOTCH signalling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway involved in intercellular communication essential for cell fate choices during development. Although dispensable for early aspects of mouse development, canonical RBPJ-dependent NOTCH signalling has been shown to influence lineage commitment during embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation. NOTCH activation in ESCs promotes the acquisition of a neural fate, whereas its suppression favours their differentiation into cardiomyocytes. This suggests that NOTCH signalling is implicated in the acquisition of distinct embryonic fates at early stages of mammalian development. In order to investigate in vivo such a role for NOTCH signalling in shaping cell fate specification, we use genetic approaches to constitutively activate the NOTCH pathway in the mouse embryo. Early embryonic development, including the establishment of anterior-posterior polarity, is not perturbed by forced NOTCH activation. By contrast, widespread NOTCH activity in the epiblast triggers dramatic gastrulation defects. These are fully rescued in a RBPJ-deficient background. Epiblast-specific NOTCH activation induces acquisition of neurectoderm identity and disrupts the formation of specific mesodermal precursors including the derivatives of the anterior primitive streak, the mouse organiser. In addition, we show that forced NOTCH activation results in misregulation of NODAL signalling, a major determinant of early embryonic patterning. Our study reveals a previously unidentified role for canonical NOTCH signalling during mammalian gastrulation. It also exemplifies how in vivo studies can shed light on the mechanisms underlying cell fate specification during in vitro directed differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Souilhol
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Fonctionnelle de la Souris, Département de Biologie du Développement et Cellules Souches, 25 rue du docteur Roux, Paris F-75015, France CNRS URA 2578, Paris F-75015, France
| | - Aitana Perea-Gomez
- Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS, UMR7592, Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris F-75205, France
| | - Anne Camus
- Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS, UMR7592, Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris F-75205, France
| | - Sarah Beck-Cormier
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Fonctionnelle de la Souris, Département de Biologie du Développement et Cellules Souches, 25 rue du docteur Roux, Paris F-75015, France CNRS URA 2578, Paris F-75015, France
| | - Sandrine Vandormael-Pournin
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Fonctionnelle de la Souris, Département de Biologie du Développement et Cellules Souches, 25 rue du docteur Roux, Paris F-75015, France CNRS URA 2578, Paris F-75015, France
| | - Marie Escande
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Fonctionnelle de la Souris, Département de Biologie du Développement et Cellules Souches, 25 rue du docteur Roux, Paris F-75015, France CNRS URA 2578, Paris F-75015, France
| | - Jérôme Collignon
- Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS, UMR7592, Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris F-75205, France
| | - Michel Cohen-Tannoudji
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Fonctionnelle de la Souris, Département de Biologie du Développement et Cellules Souches, 25 rue du docteur Roux, Paris F-75015, France CNRS URA 2578, Paris F-75015, France
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Reho JJ, Shetty A, Dippold RP, Mahurkar A, Fisher SA. Unique gene program of rat small resistance mesenteric arteries as revealed by deep RNA sequencing. Physiol Rep 2015; 3:3/7/e12450. [PMID: 26156969 PMCID: PMC4552530 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep sequencing of RNA samples from rat small mesenteric arteries (MA) and aorta (AO) identified common and unique features of their gene programs. ∼5% of mRNAs were quantitatively differentially expressed in MA versus AO. Unique transcriptional control in MA smooth muscle is suggested by the selective or enriched expression of transcription factors Nkx2-3, HAND2, and Tcf21 (Capsulin). Enrichment in AO of PPAR transcription factors and their target genes of mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation is consistent with slow (oxidative) tonic smooth muscle. In contrast MA was enriched in contractile and calcium channel mRNAs suggestive of components of fast (glycolytic) phasic smooth muscle. Myosin phosphatase regulatory subunit paralogs Mypt1 and p85 were expressed at similar levels, while smooth muscle MLCK was the only such kinase expressed, suggesting functional redundancy of the former but not the latter in accordance with mouse knockout studies. With regard to vaso-regulatory signals, purinergic receptors P2rx1 and P2rx5 were reciprocally expressed in MA versus AO, while the olfactory receptor Olr59 was enriched in MA. Alox15, which generates the EDHF HPETE, was enriched in MA while eNOS was equally expressed, consistent with the greater role of EDHF in the smaller arteries. mRNAs that were not expressed at a level consistent with impugned function include skeletal myogenic factors, IKK2, nonmuscle myosin, and Gnb3. This screening analysis of gene expression in the small mesenteric resistance arteries suggests testable hypotheses regarding unique aspects of small artery function in the regional control of blood flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Reho
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Amol Shetty
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Rachael P Dippold
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Anup Mahurkar
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Steven A Fisher
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
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VanDusen NJ, Casanovas J, Vincentz JW, Firulli BA, Osterwalder M, Lopez-Rios J, Zeller R, Zhou B, Grego-Bessa J, De La Pompa JL, Shou W, Firulli AB. Hand2 is an essential regulator for two Notch-dependent functions within the embryonic endocardium. Cell Rep 2014; 9:2071-83. [PMID: 25497097 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Hand2 plays critical roles during cardiac morphogenesis via expression and function within myocardial, neural crest, and epicardial cell populations. Here, we show that Hand2 plays two essential Notch-dependent roles within the endocardium. Endocardial ablation of Hand2 results in failure to develop a patent tricuspid valve, intraventricular septum defects, and hypotrabeculated ventricles, which collectively resemble the human congenital defect tricuspid atresia. We show endocardial Hand2 to be an integral downstream component of a Notch endocardium-to-myocardium signaling pathway and a direct transcriptional regulator of Neuregulin1. Additionally, Hand2 participates in endocardium-to-endocardium-based cell signaling, with Hand2 mutant hearts displaying an increased density of coronary lumens. Molecular analyses further reveal dysregulation of several crucial components of Vegf signaling, including VegfA, VegfR2, Nrp1, and VegfR3. Thus, Hand2 functions as a crucial downstream transcriptional effector of endocardial Notch signaling during both cardiogenesis and coronary vasculogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J VanDusen
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jose Casanovas
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Joshua W Vincentz
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Beth A Firulli
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Marco Osterwalder
- Developmental Genetics, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Javier Lopez-Rios
- Developmental Genetics, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Zeller
- Developmental Genetics, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bin Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Joaquim Grego-Bessa
- Department of Developmental Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - José Luis De La Pompa
- Cardiovascular Developmental Biology Program, Cardiovascular Development and Repair Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Weinian Shou
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Anthony B Firulli
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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Aupperlee MD, Zhao Y, Tan YS, Leipprandt JR, Bennett J, Haslam SZ, Schwartz RC. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is a key mediator of hormone-induced leukocyte infiltration in the pubertal female mammary gland. Endocrinology 2014; 155:2301-13. [PMID: 24693965 PMCID: PMC4020926 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
It is well documented that macrophages and eosinophils play important roles in normal murine pubertal mammary gland development. Although it is accepted that estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) are key players in mammary gland development, the roles these hormones might play in regulating the actions of leukocytes in that process is an understudied area. We show here that P and E, respectively, induce unique, but overlapping, sets of proinflammatory and angiogenic cytokines and chemokines, in the pubertal female BALB/c mammary gland, as well as induce infiltration of macrophages and eosinophils to the mammary periepithelium. This extends earlier studies showing P induction of proinflammatory products in pubertal and adult mammary epithelial organoids and P-induced in vivo infiltration of leukocytes to the adult mammary periepithelium. Importantly, epidermal growth factor receptor-signaling, which is likely mediated by amphiregulin (Areg), a downstream mediator of E and P, is both necessary and sufficient for both E- and P-induced recruitment of macrophages and eosinophils to the pubertal mammary periepithelium. We further show that receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), although not sufficient of itself to cause macrophage and eosinophil recruitment, contributes to an optimal response to P. The potency of Areg is highlighted by the fact that it is sufficient to induce macrophage and eosinophil recruitment at levels equivalent to that induced by either E or P. Our finding of a dominant role for Areg in hormonally induced leukocyte recruitment to the pubertal mammary gland parallels its dominance in regulating ductal outgrowth and its role in P-induced proliferation in the pubertal gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Aupperlee
- Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program, Departments of Physiology (M.D.A., Y.Z., Y.S.T., J.R.L., J.B., S.Z.H.) and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (R.C.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
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Tamura M, Amano T, Shiroishi T. The Hand2 Gene Dosage Effect in Developmental Defects and Human Congenital Disorders. Curr Top Dev Biol 2014; 110:129-52. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405943-6.00003-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Björck HM, Renner J, Maleki S, Nilsson SFE, Kihlberg J, Folkersen L, Karlsson M, Ebbers T, Eriksson P, Länne T. Characterization of shear-sensitive genes in the normal rat aorta identifies Hand2 as a major flow-responsive transcription factor. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52227. [PMID: 23284944 PMCID: PMC3527404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Shear forces play a key role in the maintenance of vessel wall integrity. Current understanding regarding shear-dependent gene expression is mainly based on in vitro or in vivo observations with experimentally deranged shear, hence reflecting acute molecular events in relation to flow. Our objective was to combine computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations with global microarray analysis to study flow-dependent vessel wall biology in the aortic wall under physiological conditions. Methods and Results Male Wistar rats were used. Animal-specific wall shear stress (WSS) magnitude and vector direction were estimated using CFD based on aortic geometry and flow information acquired by magnetic resonance imaging. Two distinct flow pattern regions were identified in the normal rat aortic arch; the distal part of the lesser curvature being exposed to low WSS and a non-uniform vector direction, and a region along the greater curvature being subjected to markedly higher levels of WSS and a uniform vector direction. Microarray analysis identified numerous novel mechanosensitive genes, including Trpc4 and Fgf12, and confirmed well-known ones, e.g. Klf2 and Nrf2. Gene ontology analysis revealed an over-representation of genes involved in transcriptional regulation. The most differentially expressed gene, Hand2, is a transcription factor previously shown to be involved in extracellular matrix remodeling. HAND2 protein was endothelial specific and showed higher expression in the regions exposed to low WSS with disturbed flow. Conclusions Microarray analysis validated the CFD-defined WSS regions in the rat aortic arch, and identified numerous novel shear-sensitive genes. Defining the functional importance of these genes in relation to atherosusceptibility may provide important insight into the understanding of vascular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M Björck
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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Abstract
The allantois is the embryonic precursor of the umbilical cord in mammals and is one of several embryonic regions, including the yolk sac and dorsal aorta, that undergoes vasculogenesis, the de novo formation of blood vessels. Despite its importance in establishing the chorioallantoic placenta and umbilical circulation, the allantois frequently is overlooked in embryologic studies. Nonetheless, recent studies demonstrate that vasculogenesis, vascular remodeling, and angiogenesis are essential allantois functions in the establishment of the chorioallantoic placenta. Here, we review blood vessel formation in the murine allantois, highlighting the expression of genes and involvement of pathways common to vasculogenesis or angiogenesis in other parts of the embryo. We discuss experimental techniques available for manipulation of the allantois that are unavailable for yolk sac or dorsal aorta, and review how this system has been used as a model system to discover new genes and mechanisms involved in vessel formation. Finally, we discuss the potential of the allantois as a model system to provide insights into disease and therapeutics.
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Xu W, Ahmad A, Dagenais S, Iyer RK, Innis JW. Chromosome 4q deletion syndrome: Narrowing the cardiovascular critical region to 4q32.2-q34.3. Am J Med Genet A 2012; 158A:635-40. [DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.34425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2011] [Accepted: 11/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Pagiatakis C, Gordon JW, Ehyai S, McDermott JC. A novel RhoA/ROCK-CPI-17-MEF2C signaling pathway regulates vascular smooth muscle cell gene expression. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:8361-70. [PMID: 22275376 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.286203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is a fundamental aspect of normal development and vascular disease. During contraction, VSMCs modulate calcium sensitivity through RhoA/ROCK-mediated inhibition of the myosin light chain phosphatase complex (MLCP). Previous studies have demonstrated that this signaling pathway functions in parallel to increase the expression of smooth muscle genes through the myocardin-family of co-activators. MEF2C fulfills a critical role in VSMC differentiation and regulates myocardin expression, leading us to investigate whether the RhoA/ROCK signaling cascade might regulate MEF2 activity. Depolarization-induced calcium signaling increased the expression of myocardin, which was sensitive to ROCK and p38 MAPK inhibition. We previously identified protein phosphatase 1α (PP1α), a known catalytic subunit of the MLCP in VSMCs, as a potent repressor of MEF2 activity. PP1α inhibition resulted in increased expression of myocardin, while ectopic expression of PP1α inhibited the induction of myocardin by MEF2C. Consistent with these data, shRNA-mediated suppression of a PP1α inhibitor, CPI-17, reduced myocardin expression and inhibited VSMC differentiation, suggesting a pivotal role for CPI-17 in regulating MEF2 activity. These data constitute evidence of a novel signaling cascade that links RhoA-mediated calcium sensitivity to MEF2-dependent myocardin expression in VSMCs through a mechanism involving p38 MAPK, PP1α, and CPI-17.
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Barron F, Woods C, Kuhn K, Bishop J, Howard MJ, Clouthier DE. Downregulation of Dlx5 and Dlx6 expression by Hand2 is essential for initiation of tongue morphogenesis. Development 2011; 138:2249-59. [PMID: 21558373 DOI: 10.1242/dev.056929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Lower jaw development is a complex process in which multiple signaling cascades establish a proximal-distal organization. These cascades are regulated both spatially and temporally and are constantly refined through both induction of normal signals and inhibition of inappropriate signals. The connective tissue of the tongue arises from cranial neural crest cell-derived ectomesenchyme within the mandibular portion of the first pharyngeal arch and is likely to be impacted by this signaling. Although the developmental mechanisms behind later aspects of tongue development, including innervation and taste acquisition, have been elucidated, the early patterning signals driving ectomesenchyme into a tongue lineage are largely unknown. We show here that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Hand2 plays key roles in establishing the proximal-distal patterning of the mouse lower jaw, in part through establishing a negative-feedback loop in which Hand2 represses Dlx5 and Dlx6 expression in the distal arch ectomesenchyme following Dlx5- and Dlx6-mediated induction of Hand2 expression in the same region. Failure to repress distal Dlx5 and Dlx6 expression results in upregulation of Runx2 expression in the mandibular arch and the subsequent formation of aberrant bone in the lower jaw along with proximal-distal duplications. In addition, there is an absence of lateral lingual swelling expansion, from which the tongue arises, resulting in aglossia. Hand2 thus appears to establish a distal mandibular arch domain that is conducive for lower jaw development, including the initiation of tongue mesenchyme morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francie Barron
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Vincentz JW, Barnes RM, Firulli AB. Hand factors as regulators of cardiac morphogenesis and implications for congenital heart defects. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH. PART A, CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR TERATOLOGY 2011; 91:485-94. [PMID: 21462297 PMCID: PMC3119928 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Revised: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Almost 15 years of careful study have established the related basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factors Hand1 and Hand2 as critical for heart development across evolution. Hand factors make broad contributions, revealed through animal models, to the development of multiple cellular lineages that ultimately contribute to the heart. They perform critical roles in ventricular cardiomyocyte growth, differentiation, morphogenesis, and conduction. They are also important for the proper development of the cardiac outflow tract, epicardium, and endocardium. Molecularly, they function both through DNA binding and through protein-protein interactions, which are regulated transcriptionally, posttranscriptionally by microRNAs, and posttranslationally through phosphoregulation. Although direct Hand factor transcriptional targets are progressively being identified, confirmed direct targets of Hand factor transcriptional activity in the heart are limited. Identification of these targets will be critical to model the mechanisms by which Hand factor bHLH interactions affect developmental pathways. Improved understanding of Hand factor-mediated transcriptional cascades will be necessary to determine how Hand factor dysregulation translates to human disease phenotypes. This review summarizes the insight that animal models have provided into the regulation and function of these factors during heart development, in addition to the recent findings that suggest roles for HAND1 and HAND2 in human congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua W. Vincentz
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, 1044 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5225, USA
| | - Ralston M. Barnes
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, 1044 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5225, USA
| | - Anthony B. Firulli
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, 1044 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5225, USA
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Dioxin exposure of human CD34+ hemopoietic cells induces gene expression modulation that recapitulates its in vivo clinical and biological effects. Toxicology 2011; 283:18-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2011.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Revised: 01/25/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors are essential for the development of the second heart field. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2011; 51:58-66. [PMID: 21382375 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2011.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2010] [Revised: 02/04/2011] [Accepted: 02/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) occur in 0.5-1% of live births, yet the underlying genetic etiology remains mostly unknown. Recently, a new source of myocardial cells, namely the second heart field (SHF), was discovered in the splanchnic mesoderm. Abnormal development of the SHF leads to a spectrum of outflow tract defects, such as persistent truncus arteriosus and tetralogy of Fallot. Intracellular Ca(2+) signaling is known to be essential for many aspects of heart biology including heart development, but its role in the SHF is uncertain. Here, we analyzed mice deficient for genes encoding inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP(3)Rs), which are intracellular Ca(2+) release channels on the endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum that mediate Ca(2+) mobilization. Mouse embryos that are double mutant for IP(3)R type 1 and type 3 (IP(3)R1(-/-)IP(3)R3(-/-)) show hypoplasia of the outflow tract and the right ventricle, reduced expression of specific molecular markers and enhanced apoptosis of mesodermal cells in the SHF. Gene expression analyses suggest that IP(3)R-mediated Ca(2+) signaling may involve, at least in part, the Mef2C-Smyd1 pathway, a transcriptional cascade essential for the SHF. These data reveal that IP(3)R type 1 and type 3 may play a redundant role in the development of the SHF.
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Gene knock-outs of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors types 1 and 2 result in perturbation of cardiogenesis. PLoS One 2010; 5. [PMID: 20824138 PMCID: PMC2931702 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R1, 2, and 3) are intracellular Ca2+ release channels that regulate various vital processes. Although the ryanodine receptor type 2, another type of intracellular Ca2+ release channel, has been shown to play a role in embryonic cardiomyocytes, the functions of the IP3Rs in cardiogenesis remain unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We found that IP3R1(-/-)-IP3R2(-/-) double-mutant mice died in utero with developmental defects of the ventricular myocardium and atrioventricular (AV) canal of the heart by embryonic day (E) 11.5, even though no cardiac defect was detectable in IP3R1(-/-) or IP3R2(-/-) single-mutant mice at this developmental stage. The double-mutant phenotype resembled that of mice deficient for calcineurin/NFATc signaling, and NFATc was inactive in embryonic hearts from the double knockout-mutant mice. The double mutation of IP3R1/R2 and pharmacologic inhibition of IP3Rs mimicked the phenotype of the AV valve defect that result from the inhibition of calcineurin, and it could be rescued by constitutively active calcineurin. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest an essential role for IP3Rs in cardiogenesis in part through the regulation of calcineurin-NFAT signaling.
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Yin C, Kikuchi K, Hochgreb T, Poss KD, Stainier DYR. Hand2 regulates extracellular matrix remodeling essential for gut-looping morphogenesis in zebrafish. Dev Cell 2010; 18:973-84. [PMID: 20627079 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2010.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2009] [Revised: 02/19/2010] [Accepted: 03/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is critical for organogenesis, yet its molecular regulation is poorly understood. In zebrafish, asymmetric migration of the epithelial lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) displaces the gut leftward, allowing correct placement of the liver and pancreas. To observe LPM migration at cellular resolution, we transgenically expressed EGFP under the control of the regulatory sequences of the bHLH transcription factor gene hand2. We found that laminin is distributed along the LPM/gut boundary during gut looping, and that it appears to become diminished by the migrating hand2-expressing cells. Laminin diminishment is necessary for LPM migration and is dependent on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Loss of Hand2 function causes reduced MMP activity and prolonged laminin deposition at the LPM/gut boundary, leading to failed asymmetric LPM migration and gut looping. Our study reveals an unexpected role for Hand2, a key regulator of cell specification and differentiation, in modulating ECM remodeling during organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyue Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Programs in Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Human Genetics, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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Abe M, Michikami I, Fukushi T, Abe A, Maeda Y, Ooshima T, Wakisaka S. Hand2 regulates chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Bone 2010; 46:1359-68. [PMID: 19932774 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2009.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2009] [Revised: 11/10/2009] [Accepted: 11/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hand2 is a transcription factor of the basic helix-loop-helix family that plays essential roles during development. Hand2 determines the anterior-posterior axis during limb development and there is also substantial evidence that Hand2 regulates limb skeletogenesis. However, little is known about how Hand2 might regulate skeletogenesis. Here we show that, in a limb bud micromass culture system, over-expression of Hand2 represses chondrogenesis and the expression of chondrocytic genes, Sox9, type II collagen and aggrecan. Furthermore, we show that Hand2 is induced by the activation of canonical Wnt signaling, which strongly represses chondrogenesis. Surprisingly, Hand2 repressed chondrogenesis in a DNA binding- and dimer formation-independent manner. To examine the in vivo role of Hand2 in mice, we targeted the expression of Hand2 to the cartilage using regulatory elements from the collagen II gene. The resulting transgenic mice displayed a dwarf phenotype, with axial, appendicular and craniofacial skeletal deformities. Hand2 strongly inhibited chondrogenesis in the axial and cranial base skeleton. In the sternum, Hand2 inhibited endochondral ossification by slowing chondrocyte maturation. These data support a model of Hand2 regulating endochondral ossification via at least two steps: (1) determination of the site of chondrogenesis by outlining the region of the future cartilage template and (2) regulation of the rate of chondrocyte maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Abe
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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Firulli AB, Firulli BA, Wang J, Rogers RH, Conway SJ. Gene replacement strategies to test the functional redundancy of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. Pediatr Cardiol 2010; 31:438-48. [PMID: 20155416 PMCID: PMC3581321 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-010-9669-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/26/2010] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors control developmental decisions for a wide range of embryonic cell types. Hand1 and Hand2 are closely related bHLH proteins that control cardiac, craniofacial, and limb development. Within the developing heart, Hand1 expression becomes restricted predominantly to the left ventricle, whereas Hand2 becomes restricted predominantly to the left ventricle, for which findings have shown each Hand factor to be necessary for normal chamber formation. Forced overexpression of Hand1 throughout the early developing heart induces abnormal interventricular septal development, with resulting pathogenesis of congenital heart defects. To investigate the potential transcriptional mechanisms involved in heart morphogenesis by Hand2, this study used a replacement targeting approach to knock Hand2 into the Hand1 locus and ectopically express one copy of Hand2 within the endogenous Hand1 expression domain in the developing hearts of transgenic mice. The findings show that high-percentage Hand1 ( Hand2 ) chimeras die at birth and exhibit a range of congenital heart defects. These findings suggest that Hand factors may act via unique transcriptional mechanisms mediated by bHLH factor partner choice, supporting the notion that alterations of Hand factor stoichiometry may be as deleterious to normal heart morphogenesis as Hand factor loss of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony B. Firulli
- Riley Heart Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, Room R4 W379, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Beth A. Firulli
- Riley Heart Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, Room R4 W379, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Riley Heart Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, Room R4 W379, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Rhonda H. Rogers
- Riley Heart Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, Room R4 W379, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Simon J. Conway
- Riley Heart Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, Room R4 W379, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Maione F, Molla F, Meda C, Latini R, Zentilin L, Giacca M, Seano G, Serini G, Bussolino F, Giraudo E. Semaphorin 3A is an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor that blocks tumor growth and normalizes tumor vasculature in transgenic mouse models. J Clin Invest 2009; 119:3356-72. [PMID: 19809158 DOI: 10.1172/jci36308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2008] [Accepted: 08/06/2009] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor growth and progression rely upon angiogenesis, which is regulated by pro- and antiangiogenic factors, including members of the semaphorin family. By analyzing 3 different mouse models of multistep carcinogenesis, we show here that during angiogenesis, semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) is expressed in ECs, where it serves as an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis that is present in premalignant lesions and lost during tumor progression. Pharmacologic inhibition of endogenous Sema3A during the angiogenic switch, the point when pretumoral lesions initiate an angiogenic phase that persists throughout tumor growth, enhanced angiogenesis and accelerated tumor progression. By contrast, when, during the later stages of carcinogenesis following endogenous Sema3A downmodulation, Sema3A was ectopically reintroduced into islet cell tumors by somatic gene transfer, successive waves of apoptosis ensued, first in ECs and then in tumor cells, resulting in reduced vascular density and branching and inhibition of tumor growth and substantially extended survival. Further, long-term reexpression of Sema3A markedly improved pericyte coverage of tumor blood vessels, something that is thought to be a key property of tumor vessel normalization, and restored tissue normoxia. We conclude, therefore, that Sema3A is an endogenous and effective antiangiogenic agent that stably normalizes the tumor vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Maione
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Torino School of Medicine, Candiolo, Italy
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Barillot W, Tréguer K, Faucheux C, Fédou S, Thézé N, Thiébaud P. Induction and modulation of smooth muscle differentiation in Xenopus embryonic cells. Dev Dyn 2009; 237:3373-86. [PMID: 18855898 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
By comparison with skeletal or cardiac developmental programs, little is known regarding the specific factors that promote specification and differentiation of smooth muscle cells from pluripotent cells. We have analyzed the developmental expression of a subset of smooth muscle genes during Xenopus early development and showed that similar to mammals and avians, Xenopus smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) is a highly specific marker of smooth muscle differentiation. Embryonic cells from animal pole explants of Xenopus blastula can be induced by basic fibroblast growth factor, Wnt, and bone morphogenetic protein signals to adopt the smooth muscle pathway. Explants from early embryos that contain neural crest cells can also differentiate into cells expressing smooth muscle genes. We examined the interplay of several transcription factors, that is SRF, myocardin, and GATA6, that induce the expression of SM-MHC in animal cap cells and found that myocardin-dependent expression of smooth muscle genes in animal cap cells is synergized by SRF but is strongly antagonized by GATA6.
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Neuropilin-1/GIPC1 signaling regulates alpha5beta1 integrin traffic and function in endothelial cells. PLoS Biol 2009; 7:e25. [PMID: 19175293 PMCID: PMC2631072 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2008] [Accepted: 12/11/2008] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin 1 (Nrp1) is a coreceptor for vascular endothelial growth factor A165 (VEGF-A165, VEGF-A164 in mice) and semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A). Nevertheless, Nrp1 null embryos display vascular defects that differ from those of mice lacking either VEGF-A164 or Sema3A proteins. Furthermore, it has been recently reported that Nrp1 is required for endothelial cell (EC) response to both VEGF-A165 and VEGF-A121 isoforms, the latter being incapable of binding Nrp1 on the EC surface. Taken together, these data suggest that the vascular phenotype caused by the loss of Nrp1 could be due to a VEGF-A164/SEMA3A-independent function of Nrp1 in ECs, such as adhesion to the extracellular matrix. By using RNA interference and rescue with wild-type and mutant constructs, we show here that Nrp1 through its cytoplasmic SEA motif and independently of VEGF-A165 and SEMA3A specifically promotes α5β1-integrin-mediated EC adhesion to fibronectin that is crucial for vascular development. We provide evidence that Nrp1, while not directly mediating cell spreading on fibronectin, interacts with α5β1 at adhesion sites. Binding of the homomultimeric endocytic adaptor GAIP interacting protein C terminus, member 1 (GIPC1), to the SEA motif of Nrp1 selectively stimulates the internalization of active α5β1 in Rab5-positive early endosomes. Accordingly, GIPC1, which also interacts with α5β1, and the associated motor myosin VI (Myo6) support active α5β1 endocytosis and EC adhesion to fibronectin. In conclusion, we propose that Nrp1, in addition to and independently of its role as coreceptor for VEGF-A165 and SEMA3A, stimulates through its cytoplasmic domain the spreading of ECs on fibronectin by increasing the Rab5/GIPC1/Myo6-dependent internalization of active α5β1. Nrp1 modulation of α5β1 integrin function can play a causal role in the generation of angiogenesis defects observed in Nrp1 null mice. The vascular system is a hierarchical network of blood vessels lined by endothelial cells that, by means of the transmembrane integrin proteins, bind to the surrounding proteinaceous extracellular matrix (ECM). Integrins are required for proper cardiovascular development and exist in bent (inactive) and extended (active) shapes that are correspondingly unable and able to attach to the ECM. Extracellular guidance cues, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and semaphorins, bind the transmembrane protein neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) and then activate biochemical signals that, respectively, activate or inactivate endothelial integrins. Here, we show that Nrp1, via its short cytoplasmic domain and independently of vascular endothelial growth factor and semaphorins, specifically promotes endothelial cell attachment to the ECM protein fibronectin, which is known to be crucial for vascular development. Notably, Nrp1 favors cell adhesion by associating with fibronectin-binding integrins and promoting the fast vesicular traffic of their extended form back and forth from the endothelial cell-to-ECM contacts. Binding of the Nrp1 cytoplasmic domain with the adaptor protein GIPC1, which in turn associates with proteins required for integrin internalization and vesicle motility, is required as well. It is likely that such an integrin treadmill could act as a major regulator of cell adhesion in general. The transmembrane protein neuropilin-1 promotes endothelial cell attachment to the extracellular matrix by enhancing active integrin treadmilling at cell-adhesion sites.
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