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Mazzotta C, Ingelfinger JR, Grabowski EF. Shiga toxin down-regulates ERG protein in endothelial cells and impairs angiogenesis. Thromb Res 2024; 240:109038. [PMID: 38850807 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.109038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shiga toxin (Stx) can activate inflammatory signaling, leading to vascular dysfunction and promotion of a pro-thrombotic tissue microenvironment. Stx can trigger the development of the enterohemorrhagic (childhood) hemolytic uremic syndrome (eHUS), a triad of thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and acute kidney injury, often requiring dialysis. Additional features may include damage to other organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, brain and cardiovascular system; death occurs in 2-5 %. eHUS is a thrombotic microangiopathy; thus, endothelial cell (EC) injury and platelet fibrin thrombus formation in glomerular arterioles and in the arterioles of other affected organs are likely. To elucidate mechanisms of this microangiopathy, we examined in human ECs the regulation of the platelet adhesion proteins P-selectin and von Willebrand factor (VWF), along with the downregulation of erythroblast-transformation-specific transcription factor (ERG) a key regulator of angiogenesis and megakaryocyte development. METHODS VWF, P-selectin, and ERG levels were determined using immunofluorescence and Western blot in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Stx-1 or both, versus normal controls. Capillary morphogenesis on Matrigel was performed using HUVECs treated, for 22 h with TNF-α, Stx-1, or both, or treated 4 h with Stx-1 alone or in combination with TNF-α for 22 h. RESULTS Stx-1 significantly reduced ERG and VWF expression on HUVECs, but upregulated P-selectin expression. ERG levels decreased with Stx-1 alone or in combination with TNF-α, in the nuclear, perinuclear and cytoplasmatic regions. Stx-1 reduced capillary morphogenesis, while Stx-1-TNF-α combined treatment reduced capillary morphogenesis still further. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of Stx-1 or TNF-α or both treatments, ECs were activated, expressing higher levels of P-selectin and lower levels of VWF. Our findings, further, provide evidence that Stx-1 downregulates ERG, repressing angiogenesis in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celestina Mazzotta
- Cardiovascular Thrombosis Laboratory, Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, *Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Julie R Ingelfinger
- Nephology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eric F Grabowski
- Cardiovascular Thrombosis Laboratory, Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, *Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, United States.
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2
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Liu Y, Li X, Cao C, Ding H, Shi X, Zhang J, Li H. Critical role of Slc22a8 in maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity after experimental cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2024:271678X241264401. [PMID: 39068534 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x241264401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage significantly affects the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients. This project employed multi-omics analysis to identify key factors regulating BBB disruption during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. An integrated analysis of three transcriptome sequencing datasets from mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) models identified eight downregulated genes in endothelial cells. Additionally, transcriptome analysis of BBB (cortex) and non-BBB (lung) endothelium of E13.5 mice revealed 2,102 upregulated genes potentially associated with BBB integrity. The eight downregulated genes were intersected with the 2,102 BBB-related genes and mapped using single-cell RNA sequencing data, revealing that solute carrier family 22 member 8 (Slc22a8) is specifically expressed in endothelial cells and pericytes and significantly decreases after MCAO/R. This finding was validated in the mouse MCAO/R model at both protein and mRNA levels in this study. External overexpression of Slc22a8 using a lentivirus carrying Tie2 improved Slc22a8 and tight junction protein levels and reduced BBB leakage after MCAO/R, accompanied by Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation. In conclusion, this study suggested that MCAO/R-induced downregulation of Slc22a8 expression may be a crucial mechanism underlying BBB disruption. Interventions that promote Slc22a8 expression or enhance its function hold promise for improving the prognosis of patients with cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chang Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xuan Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Juyi Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Haiying Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Zhang J, Huang S, Zhu Z, Gatt A, Liu J. E-selectin in vascular pathophysiology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1401399. [PMID: 39100681 PMCID: PMC11294169 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1401399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Selectins are a group of Ca2+-dependent, transmembrane type I glycoproteins which attract cell adhesion and migration. E-selectin is exclusively expressed in endothelial cells, and its expression is strongly enhanced upon activation by pro-inflammatory cytokines. The interaction of E-selectin with its ligands on circulating leukocytes captures and slows them down, further facilitating integrin activation, firm adhesion to endothelial cells and transmigration to tissues. Oxidative stress induces endothelial cell injury, leading to aberrant expression of E-selectin. In addition, the elevated level of E-selectin is positively related to high risk of inflammation. Dysregulation of E-selectin has been found in several pathological conditions including acute kidney injury (AKI), pulmonary diseases, hepatic pathology, Venous thromboembolism (VTE). Deletion of the E-selectin gene in mice somewhat ameliorates these complications. In this review, we describe the mechanisms regulating E-selectin expression, the interaction of E-selectin with its ligands, the E-selectin physiological and pathophysiological roles, and the therapeutical potential of targeting E-selectin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shengshi Huang
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Microvascular Aging, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiying Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Alex Gatt
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Haematology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Ju Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Microvascular Aging, Jinan, China
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4
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Ying Z, Lyu L, Xu X, Wen Z, Xue J, Chen M, Li Z, Jiang L, Chen T. Resident vascular Sca1 + progenitors differentiate into endothelial cells in vascular remodeling via miR-145-5p/ERG signaling pathway. iScience 2024; 27:110080. [PMID: 38883819 PMCID: PMC11176791 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) damage or dysfunction serves as the initial event in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. Progenitor cells have been postulated to be able to differentiate into ECs, facilitate endothelial regeneration, and alleviate vascular pathological remodeling. However, the precise cellular origins and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identified an increasing population of progenitors expressing stem cell antigen 1 (Sca1) during vascular remodeling in mice. Using both mouse femoral artery injury and vein graft models, we determined that Sca1+ cells differentiate into ECs, restored endothelium in arterial and venous remodeling processes. Notably, we have observed that the differentiation of Sca1+ cells into ECs is negatively regulated by the microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p)-Erythroblast transformation-specific-related gene (ERG) pathway. Inhibiting miR-145-5p promoted Sca1+ cell differentiation and reduced neointimal formation after vascular injury. Finally, a similar downregulation of miR-145-5p in human arteriovenous fistula was observed comparing to healthy veins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangquan Ying
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Lingxia Lyu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Xiaodong Xu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Zuoshi Wen
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Jianing Xue
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Mengjia Chen
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Zhoubin Li
- Department of Lung Transplantation and General Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Liujun Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315010, China
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5
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İş Ö, Wang X, Reddy JS, Min Y, Yilmaz E, Bhattarai P, Patel T, Bergman J, Quicksall Z, Heckman MG, Tutor-New FQ, Can Demirdogen B, White L, Koga S, Krause V, Inoue Y, Kanekiyo T, Cosacak MI, Nelson N, Lee AJ, Vardarajan B, Mayeux R, Kouri N, Deniz K, Carnwath T, Oatman SR, Lewis-Tuffin LJ, Nguyen T, Carrasquillo MM, Graff-Radford J, Petersen RC, Jr Jack CR, Kantarci K, Murray ME, Nho K, Saykin AJ, Dickson DW, Kizil C, Allen M, Ertekin-Taner N. Gliovascular transcriptional perturbations in Alzheimer's disease reveal molecular mechanisms of blood brain barrier dysfunction. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4758. [PMID: 38902234 PMCID: PMC11190273 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48926-6] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
To uncover molecular changes underlying blood-brain-barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, we performed single nucleus RNA sequencing in 24 Alzheimer's disease and control brains and focused on vascular and astrocyte clusters as main cell types of blood-brain-barrier gliovascular-unit. The majority of the vascular transcriptional changes were in pericytes. Of the vascular molecular targets predicted to interact with astrocytic ligands, SMAD3, upregulated in Alzheimer's disease pericytes, has the highest number of ligands including VEGFA, downregulated in Alzheimer's disease astrocytes. We validated these findings with external datasets comprising 4,730 pericyte and 150,664 astrocyte nuclei. Blood SMAD3 levels are associated with Alzheimer's disease-related neuroimaging outcomes. We determined inverse relationships between pericytic SMAD3 and astrocytic VEGFA in human iPSC and zebrafish models. Here, we detect vast transcriptome changes in Alzheimer's disease at the gliovascular-unit, prioritize perturbed pericytic SMAD3-astrocytic VEGFA interactions, and validate these in cross-species models to provide a molecular mechanism of blood-brain-barrier disintegrity in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özkan İş
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Joseph S Reddy
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Yuhao Min
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Elanur Yilmaz
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Prabesh Bhattarai
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tulsi Patel
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Zachary Quicksall
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Michael G Heckman
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Birsen Can Demirdogen
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Launia White
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Shunsuke Koga
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Vincent Krause
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Yasuteru Inoue
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Mehmet Ilyas Cosacak
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within Helmholtz Association, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nastasia Nelson
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Annie J Lee
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Badri Vardarajan
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard Mayeux
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Naomi Kouri
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Kaancan Deniz
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Troy Carnwath
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Laura J Lewis-Tuffin
- Mayo Clinic Florida Cytometry and Cell Imaging Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Thuy Nguyen
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Ronald C Petersen
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Kejal Kantarci
- Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Kwangsik Nho
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Andrew J Saykin
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Caghan Kizil
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mariet Allen
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Nilüfer Ertekin-Taner
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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Zhou Y, Xu L, Jin P, Li N, Chen X, Yang A, Qi H. NET-targeted nanoparticles for antithrombotic therapy in pregnancy. iScience 2024; 27:109823. [PMID: 38756418 PMCID: PMC11097077 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. There is still an unmet need for safe and effective treatment options for DVT during pregnancy. Recent research has shown that neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation plays a very vital role in thrombosis. We created nanoparticles surface-modified by neutrophil elastase (NE)-binding peptide that can target activated neutrophils specifically in vitro and in vivo. Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB NPs) designed in the core scavenges abnormally elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vascular microenvironment and acts as a photothermal agent to mediate photothermal therapy (PTT) to damage fibrin network structure. Based on the data we have included, this noninvasive therapeutic approach is considered safe for both mothers and the fetus. Furthermore, our findings indicate that this therapeutic approach has a significant alleviation effect on intrauterine growth restriction caused by maternal thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Guiyang 550003, China
- Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Guiyang 550003, China
- Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Pingsong Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Xuehai Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Anyu Yang
- Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Hongbo Qi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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Vellingiri V, Balaji Ragunathrao VA, Joshi JC, Akhter MZ, Anwar M, Banerjee S, Dudek S, Tsukasaki Y, Pinho S, Mehta D. Endothelial ERG programs neutrophil transcriptome for sustained anti-inflammatory vascular niche. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.591799. [PMID: 38746216 PMCID: PMC11092576 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.591799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Neutrophils (PMNs) reside as a marginated pool within the vasculature, ready for deployment during infection. However, how endothelial cells (ECs) control PMN extravasation and activation to strengthen tissue homeostasis remains ill-defined. Here, we found that the vascular ETS-related gene (ERG) is a generalized mechanism regulating PMN activity in preclinical tissue injury models and human patients. We show that ERG loss in ECs rewired PMN-transcriptome, enriched for genes associated with the CXCR2-CXCR4 signaling. Rewired PMNs compromise mice survival after pneumonia and induced lung vascular inflammatory injury following adoptive transfer into naïve mice, indicating their longevity and inflammatory activity memory. Mechanistically, EC-ERG restricted PMN extravasation and activation by upregulating the deubiquitinase A20 and downregulating the NFκB-IL8 cascade. Rescuing A20 in EC-Erg -/- endothelium or suppressing PMN-CXCR2 signaling rescued EC control of PMN activation. Findings deepen our understanding of EC control of PMN-mediated inflammation, offering potential avenues for targeting various inflammatory diseases. Highlights ERG regulates trans-endothelial neutrophil (PMN) extravasation, retention, and activationLoss of endothelial (EC) ERG rewires PMN-transcriptomeAdopted transfer of rewired PMNs causes inflammation in a naïve mouse ERG transcribes A20 and suppresses CXCR2 function to inactivate PMNs. In brief/blurb The authors investigated how vascular endothelial cells (EC) control polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) extravasation, retention, and activation to strengthen tissue homeostasis. They showed that EC-ERG controls PMN transcriptome into an anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory lineage by synthesizing A20 and suppressing PMNs-CXCR2 signaling, defining EC-ERG as a target for preventing neutrophilic inflammatory injury.
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8
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Lin Y, Gahn J, Banerjee K, Dobreva G, Singhal M, Dubrac A, Ola R. Role of endothelial PDGFB in arterio-venous malformations pathogenesis. Angiogenesis 2024; 27:193-209. [PMID: 38070064 PMCID: PMC11021264 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-023-09900-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Arterial-venous malformations (AVMs) are direct connections between arteries and veins without an intervening capillary bed. Either familial inherited or sporadically occurring, localized pericytes (PCs) drop is among the AVMs' hallmarks. Whether impaired PC coverage triggers AVMs or it is a secondary event is unclear. Here we evaluated the role of the master regulator of PC recruitment, Platelet derived growth factor B (PDGFB) in AVM pathogenesis. Using tamoxifen-inducible deletion of Pdgfb in endothelial cells (ECs), we show that disruption of EC Pdgfb-mediated PC recruitment and maintenance leads to capillary enlargement and organotypic AVM-like structures. These vascular lesions contain non-proliferative hyperplastic, hypertrophic and miss-oriented capillary ECs with an altered capillary EC fate identity. Mechanistically, we propose that PDGFB maintains capillary EC size and caliber to limit hemodynamic changes, thus restricting expression of Krüppel like factor 4 and activation of Bone morphogenic protein, Transforming growth factor β and NOTCH signaling in ECs. Furthermore, our study emphasizes that inducing or activating PDGFB signaling may be a viable therapeutic approach for treating vascular malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhu Lin
- Experimental Pharmacology Mannheim (EPM), European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johannes Gahn
- Experimental Pharmacology Mannheim (EPM), European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Kuheli Banerjee
- Experimental Pharmacology Mannheim (EPM), European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Gergana Dobreva
- Department of Cardiovascular Genomics and Epigenomics, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mahak Singhal
- Laboratory of AngioRhythms, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alexandre Dubrac
- Centre de Recherche, CHU St. Justine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
- Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Roxana Ola
- Experimental Pharmacology Mannheim (EPM), European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
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9
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Milinkovic M, Soldatovic I, Zivaljevic V, Bozic V, Zivotic M, Tatic S, Dundjerovic D. Comprehensive Investigation of Angiogenesis, PASS Score and Immunohistochemical Factors in Risk Assessment of Malignancy for Paraganglioma and Pheochromocytoma. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:849. [PMID: 38667494 PMCID: PMC11049119 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14080849] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A challenging task in routine practice is finding the distinction between benign and malignant paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas. The aim of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of angiogenesis by assessing intratumoral microvascular density (MVD) with immunohistochemical (IHC) markers (CD31, CD34, CD105, ERG), and S100 immunoreactivity, Ki67 proliferative index, succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB) expressiveness, tumor size with one the most utilized score Pheochromocytoma of Adrenal Gland Scales Score (PASS), using tissue microarray (TMA) with 115 tumor samples, 61 benign (PASS < 4) and 54 potentially malignant (PASS ≥ 4). We found no notable difference between intratumoral MVD and potentially malignant behavior. The group of potentially malignant tumors is significantly larger in size, has lower intratumoral MVD, and a decreased number of S100 labeled sustentacular cells. Both groups have low proliferative activity (mean Ki67 is 1.02 and 1.22, respectively). Most tumors maintain SDHB expression, only 6 cases (5.2%) showed a loss of expression (4 of them in PASS < 4 group and 2 in PASS ≥ 4). PASS score is easily available for assessment and complemented with markers of biological behavior to complete the risk stratification algorithm. Size is directly related to PASS score and malignancy. Intratumoral MVD is extensively developed but it is not crucial in evaluating the malignant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Milinkovic
- Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Ivan Soldatovic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Vladan Zivaljevic
- Clinic for Endocrine Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Vesna Bozic
- Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Maja Zivotic
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Z.); (S.T.); (D.D.)
| | - Svetislav Tatic
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Z.); (S.T.); (D.D.)
| | - Dusko Dundjerovic
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Z.); (S.T.); (D.D.)
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10
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Keshavanarayana P, Spill F. A mechanical modeling framework to study endothelial permeability. Biophys J 2024; 123:334-348. [PMID: 38169215 PMCID: PMC10870174 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, is made up of endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin protein forms a bond with VE-cadherin from neighboring cells to determine the size of gaps between the cells and thereby regulate the size of particles that can cross the endothelium. Chemical cues such as thrombin, along with mechanical properties of the cell and extracellular matrix are known to affect the permeability of endothelial cells. Abnormal permeability is found in patients suffering from diseases including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and COVID-19. Even though some of the regulatory mechanisms affecting endothelial permeability are well studied, details of how several mechanical and chemical stimuli acting simultaneously affect endothelial permeability are not yet understood. In this article, we present a continuum-level mechanical modeling framework to study the highly dynamic nature of the VE-cadherin bonds. Taking inspiration from the catch-slip behavior that VE-cadherin complexes are known to exhibit, we model the VE-cadherin homophilic bond as cohesive contact with damage following a traction-separation law. We explicitly model the actin cytoskeleton and substrate to study their role in permeability. Our studies show that mechanochemical coupling is necessary to simulate the influence of the mechanical properties of the substrate on permeability. Simulations show that shear between cells is responsible for the variation in permeability between bicellular and tricellular junctions, explaining the phenotypic differences observed in experiments. An increase in the magnitude of traction force due to disturbed flow that endothelial cells experience results in increased permeability, and it is found that the effect is higher on stiffer extracellular matrix. Finally, we show that the cylindrical monolayer exhibits higher permeability than the planar monolayer under unconstrained cases. Thus, we present a contact mechanics-based mechanochemical model to investigate the variation in the permeability of endothelial monolayer due to multiple loads acting simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabian Spill
- School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
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11
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Zhang J, Zhang S, Xu S, Zhu Z, Li J, Wang Z, Wada Y, Gatt A, Liu J. Oxidative Stress Induces E-Selectin Expression through Repression of Endothelial Transcription Factor ERG. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1835-1843. [PMID: 37930129 PMCID: PMC10694031 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress induces a prothrombotic state through enhancement of adhesion properties of the endothelium. E-selectin, an endothelial cell adhesion molecule, becomes a therapeutic target for venous thrombosis, whereas the regulatory mechanisms of its expression have not been fully understood. In the present study, we report that H2O2 treatment increases expression of E-selectin but decreases expression of the endothelial transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) in HUVECs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In BALB/c mice treated with hypochlorous acid, E-selectin expression is increased and ERG expression is decreased in endothelial cells of the brain and lung. RNA interference of ERG upregulates E-selectin expression, whereas transfection of ERG-expressing plasmid downregulates E-selectin expression in HUVECs. Knockdown or overexpression of ERG comprises H2O2-induced E-selectin expression in HUVECs. Deletion of the Erg gene in mice results in embryonic lethality at embryonic days 10.5-12.5, and E-selectin expression is increased in the Erg-/- embryos. No chromatin loop was found on the E-selectin gene or its promoter region by capture high-throughput chromosome conformation capture. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assay determined that the -127 ERG binding motif mediates ERG-repressed E-selectin promoter activity. In addition, ERG decreases H2O2-induced monocyte adhesion. Together, ERG represses the E-selectin gene transcription and inhibits oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shanhu Xu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiying Zhu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zengjin Wang
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Youichiro Wada
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alex Gatt
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta
- Hematology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Ju Liu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
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12
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Fanoodi A, Maharati A, Akhlaghipour I, Rahimi HR, Moghbeli M. MicroRNAs as the critical regulators of tumor angiogenesis in liver cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 251:154913. [PMID: 37931431 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignancies in human digestive system. Despite the recent therapeutic methods, there is a high rate of mortality among liver cancer patients. Late diagnosis in the advanced tumor stages can be one of the main reasons for the poor prognosis in these patients. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms of liver cancer can be helpful for the early stage tumor detection and treatment. Vascular expansion in liver tumors can be one of the important reasons for poor prognosis and aggressiveness. Therefore, anti-angiogenic drugs are widely used in liver cancer patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have key roles in the regulation of angiogenesis in liver tumors. Due to the high stability of miRNAs in body fluids, these factors are widely used as the non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic markers in cancer patients. Regarding, the importance of angiogenesis during liver tumor growth and invasion, in the present review, we discussed the role of miRNAs in regulation of angiogenesis in these tumors. It has been reported that miRNAs mainly exert an anti-angiogenic function by regulation of tumor microenvironment, transcription factors, and signaling pathways in liver tumors. This review can be an effective step to suggest the miRNAs for the non-invasive early detection of malignant and invasive liver tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Fanoodi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Maharati
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Iman Akhlaghipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Rahimi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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13
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Pass CG, Palzkill V, Tan J, Kim K, Thome T, Yang Q, Fazzone B, Robinson ST, O’Malley KA, Yue F, Scali ST, Berceli SA, Ryan TE. Single-Nuclei RNA-Sequencing of the Gastrocnemius Muscle in Peripheral Artery Disease. Circ Res 2023; 133:791-809. [PMID: 37823262 PMCID: PMC10599805 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.323161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a growing epidemic with limited effective treatment options. Here, we provide a single-nuclei atlas of PAD limb muscle to facilitate a better understanding of the composition of cells and transcriptional differences that comprise the diseased limb muscle. METHODS We obtained gastrocnemius muscle specimens from 20 patients with PAD and 12 non-PAD controls. Nuclei were isolated and single-nuclei RNA-sequencing was performed. The composition of nuclei was characterized by iterative clustering via principal component analysis, differential expression analysis, and the use of known marker genes. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine differences in gene expression between PAD and non-PAD nuclei, as well as subsequent analysis of intercellular signaling networks. Additional histological analyses of muscle specimens accompany the single-nuclei RNA-sequencing atlas. RESULTS Single-nuclei RNA-sequencing analysis indicated a fiber type shift with patients with PAD having fewer type I (slow/oxidative) and more type II (fast/glycolytic) myonuclei compared with non-PAD, which was confirmed using immunostaining of muscle specimens. Myonuclei from PAD displayed global upregulation of genes involved in stress response, autophagy, hypoxia, and atrophy. Subclustering of myonuclei also identified populations that were unique to PAD muscle characterized by metabolic dysregulation. PAD muscles also displayed unique transcriptional profiles and increased diversity of transcriptomes in muscle stem cells, regenerating myonuclei, and fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells. Analysis of intercellular communication networks revealed fibro-adipogenic progenitors as a major signaling hub in PAD muscle, as well as deficiencies in angiogenic and bone morphogenetic protein signaling which may contribute to poor limb function in PAD. CONCLUSIONS This reference single-nuclei RNA-sequencing atlas provides a comprehensive analysis of the cell composition, transcriptional signature, and intercellular communication pathways that are altered in the PAD condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline G. Pass
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (C.G.P., V.P., J.T., K.K., T.T., Q.Y., T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Victoria Palzkill
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (C.G.P., V.P., J.T., K.K., T.T., Q.Y., T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Jianna Tan
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (C.G.P., V.P., J.T., K.K., T.T., Q.Y., T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Kyoungrae Kim
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (C.G.P., V.P., J.T., K.K., T.T., Q.Y., T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Trace Thome
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (C.G.P., V.P., J.T., K.K., T.T., Q.Y., T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Qingping Yang
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (C.G.P., V.P., J.T., K.K., T.T., Q.Y., T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Brian Fazzone
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
- Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.)
| | - Scott T. Robinson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
- Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.)
| | - Kerri A. O’Malley
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
- Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.)
| | - Feng Yue
- Department of Animal Sciences (F.Y.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
- Myology Institute (F.Y., T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Salvatore T. Scali
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
- Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.)
| | - Scott A. Berceli
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
- Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL (B.F., S.T.R., K.A.O., S.T.S., S.A.B.)
| | - Terence E. Ryan
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (C.G.P., V.P., J.T., K.K., T.T., Q.Y., T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
- Center for Exercise Science (T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
- Myology Institute (F.Y., T.E.R.), The University of Florida, Gainesville
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14
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Zhang Y, Tao J, Wang R, Xuan H, Chen Z, Xiao L, Ding H, Sun Z. Prognostic value of E‑26 transformation‑specific‑related gene in prostate cancer based on immunohistochemistry analysis. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:296. [PMID: 37274473 PMCID: PMC10236269 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
E-26 transformation-specific-related gene (ERG) has been implicated in prostate cancer; however, its prognostic role remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association of ERG with the prognosis after radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer. Patient data were collected at the Huadong Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University, between January 2016 and March 2020. ERG protein expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. Independent-sample t-tests and χ2 tests were used to evaluate prostate cancer prognosis depending on ERG levels. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate biochemical failure-free survival (BFFS) and the log-rank test was used to test the distribution. Prognostic factors were determined using Cox regression analysis. The median patient age was 69 years (range, 47-82 years). The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and free-PSA levels before treatment were 9.58 ng/ml (range, 0.003-187.400 ng/ml) and 1.13 ng/ml (range, 0.0059-30.6100 ng/ml), respectively. ERG protein expression was positive in 43 (16.6%) and negative in 216 (83.4%) cases. The median follow-up period and BFFS were 30 and 28 months, respectively. There was a significant difference in biochemical recurrence (P=0.017) between patients with positive and negative ERG expression. Patients with positive ERG expression had significantly worse BFFS curves compared with those with negative ERG expression (P=0.0038). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, positive ERG expression was found to be an independent prognostic factor in patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy (hazard ratio, 4.08; 95% confidence interval, 2.03-8.17; P=0.000074). In conclusion, positive ERG expression is an independent prognostic risk factor for prostate cancer. These findings may be valuable for improvements in the clinical application of ERG immunohistochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Jing Tao
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Rangrang Wang
- Department of Surgery, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Haojie Xuan
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Haiyong Ding
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Zhongquan Sun
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
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15
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Hashimoto Y, Greene C, Munnich A, Campbell M. The CLDN5 gene at the blood-brain barrier in health and disease. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:22. [PMID: 36978081 PMCID: PMC10044825 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00424-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The CLDN5 gene encodes claudin-5 (CLDN-5) that is expressed in endothelial cells and forms tight junctions which limit the passive diffusions of ions and solutes. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells and associated pericytes and end-feet of astrocytes, is a physical and biological barrier to maintain the brain microenvironment. The expression of CLDN-5 is tightly regulated in the BBB by other junctional proteins in endothelial cells and by supports from pericytes and astrocytes. The most recent literature clearly shows a compromised BBB with a decline in CLDN-5 expression increasing the risks of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, epilepsy, brain calcification and dementia. The purpose of this review is to summarize the known diseases associated with CLDN-5 expression and function. In the first part of this review, we highlight the recent understanding of how other junctional proteins as well as pericytes and astrocytes maintain CLDN-5 expression in brain endothelial cells. We detail some drugs that can enhance these supports and are being developed or currently in use to treat diseases associated with CLDN-5 decline. We then summarise mutagenesis-based studies which have facilitated a better understanding of the physiological role of the CLDN-5 protein at the BBB and have demonstrated the functional consequences of a recently identified pathogenic CLDN-5 missense mutation from patients with alternating hemiplegia of childhood. This mutation is the first gain-of-function mutation identified in the CLDN gene family with all others representing loss-of-function mutations resulting in mis-localization of CLDN protein and/or attenuated barrier function. Finally, we summarize recent reports about the dosage-dependent effect of CLDN-5 expression on the development of neurological diseases in mice and discuss what cellular supports for CLDN-5 regulation are compromised in the BBB in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Hashimoto
- Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin, D02 VF25, Ireland.
| | - Chris Greene
- Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin, D02 VF25, Ireland
| | - Arnold Munnich
- Institut Imagine, INSERM UMR1163, Université Paris Cité, Paris, F-75015, France
- Departments of Pediatric Neurology and Medical Genetics, Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Cité, Paris, F-75015, France
| | - Matthew Campbell
- Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin, D02 VF25, Ireland.
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16
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Afshar Y, Ma F, Quach A, Jeong A, Sunshine HL, Freitas V, Jami-Alahmadi Y, Helaers R, Li X, Pellegrini M, Wohlschlegel JA, Romanoski CE, Vikkula M, Iruela-Arispe ML. Transcriptional drifts associated with environmental changes in endothelial cells. eLife 2023; 12:e81370. [PMID: 36971339 PMCID: PMC10168696 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental cues, such as physical forces and heterotypic cell interactions play a critical role in cell function, yet their collective contributions to transcriptional changes are unclear. Focusing on human endothelial cells, we performed broad individual sample analysis to identify transcriptional drifts associated with environmental changes that were independent of genetic background. Global gene expression profiling by RNA sequencing and protein expression by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry directed proteomics distinguished endothelial cells in vivo from genetically matched culture (in vitro) samples. Over 43% of the transcriptome was significantly changed by the in vitro environment. Subjecting cultured cells to long-term shear stress significantly rescued the expression of approximately 17% of genes. Inclusion of heterotypic interactions by co-culture of endothelial cells with smooth muscle cells normalized approximately 9% of the original in vivo signature. We also identified novel flow dependent genes, as well as genes that necessitate heterotypic cell interactions to mimic the in vivo transcriptome. Our findings highlight specific genes and pathways that rely on contextual information for adequate expression from those that are agnostic of such environmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalda Afshar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Feyiang Ma
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Austin Quach
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Anhyo Jeong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Hannah L Sunshine
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoUnited States
| | - Vanessa Freitas
- Departament of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao PauloLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Yasaman Jami-Alahmadi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Raphael Helaers
- Human Molecular Genetics, de Duve Institute, University of LouvainBrusselsBelgium
| | - Xinmin Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - James A Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Casey E Romanoski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Miikka Vikkula
- Human Molecular Genetics, de Duve Institute, University of LouvainBrusselsBelgium
- WELBIO department, WEL Research InstituteWavreBelgium
| | - M Luisa Iruela-Arispe
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoUnited States
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17
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Phillips CM, Stamatovic SM, Keep RF, Andjelkovic AV. Epigenetics and stroke: role of DNA methylation and effect of aging on blood-brain barrier recovery. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:14. [PMID: 36855111 PMCID: PMC9972738 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00414-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Incomplete recovery of blood-brain barrier (BBB) function contributes to stroke outcomes. How the BBB recovers after stroke remains largely unknown. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic factors play a significant role in regulating post-stroke BBB recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the epigenetic and transcriptional profile of cerebral microvessels after thromboembolic (TE) stroke to define potential causes of limited BBB recovery. RNA-sequencing and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) analyses were performed using microvessels isolated from young (6 months) and old (18 months) mice seven days poststroke compared to age-matched sham controls. DNA methylation profiling of poststroke brain microvessels revealed 11,287 differentially methylated regions (DMR) in old and 9818 DMR in young mice, corresponding to annotated genes. These DMR were enriched in genes encoding cell structural proteins (e.g., cell junction, and cell polarity, actin cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix), transporters and channels (e.g., potassium transmembrane transporter, organic anion and inorganic cation transporters, calcium ion transport), and proteins involved in endothelial cell processes (e.g., angiogenesis/vasculogenesis, cell signaling and transcription regulation). Integrated analysis of methylation and RNA sequencing identified changes in cell junctions (occludin), actin remodeling (ezrin) as well as signaling pathways like Rho GTPase (RhoA and Cdc42ep4). Aging as a hub of aberrant methylation affected BBB recovery processes by profound alterations (hypermethylation and repression) in structural protein expression (e.g., claudin-5) as well as activation of a set of genes involved in endothelial to mesenchymal transformation (e.g., Sox9, Snai1), repression of angiogenesis and epigenetic regulation. These findings revealed that DNA methylation plays an important role in regulating BBB repair after stroke, through regulating processes associated with BBB restoration and prevalently with processes enhancing BBB injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea M Phillips
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Svetlana M Stamatovic
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Michigan, 7520A MSRB I, 1150 W Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5602, USA
| | - Richard F Keep
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, University of Michigan, 7520A MSRB I, 1150 W Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5602, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anuska V Andjelkovic
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Michigan, 7520A MSRB I, 1150 W Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5602, USA. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, University of Michigan, 7520A MSRB I, 1150 W Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5602, USA.
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18
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Wang Y, Huang Z, Sun M, Huang W, Xia L. ETS transcription factors: Multifaceted players from cancer progression to tumor immunity. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188872. [PMID: 36841365 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
The E26 transformation specific (ETS) family comprises 28 transcription factors, the majority of which are involved in tumor initiation and development. Serving as a group of functionally heterogeneous gene regulators, ETS factors possess a structurally conserved DNA-binding domain. As one of the most prominent families of transcription factors that control diverse cellular functions, ETS activation is modulated by multiple intracellular signaling pathways and post-translational modifications. Disturbances in ETS activity often lead to abnormal changes in oncogenicity, including cancer cell survival, growth, proliferation, metastasis, genetic instability, cell metabolism, and tumor immunity. This review systematically addresses the basics and advances in studying ETS factors, from their tumor relevance to clinical translational utility, with a particular focus on elucidating the role of ETS family in tumor immunity, aiming to decipher the vital role and clinical potential of regulation of ETS factors in the cancer field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhao Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Mengyu Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Limin Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China.
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19
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Schafer CM, Martin-Almedina S, Kurylowicz K, Dufton N, Osuna-Almagro L, Wu ML, Johnson CF, Shah AV, Haskard DO, Buxton A, Willis E, Wheeler K, Turner S, Chlebicz M, Scott RP, Kovats S, Cleuren A, Birdsey GM, Randi AM, Griffin CT. Cytokine-Mediated Degradation of the Transcription Factor ERG Impacts the Pulmonary Vascular Response to Systemic Inflammatory Challenge. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.08.527788. [PMID: 36798267 PMCID: PMC9934599 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.08.527788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Background During infectious diseases, pro-inflammatory cytokines transiently destabilize interactions between adjacent vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to facilitate the passage of immune molecules and cells into tissues. However, in the lung the resulting vascular hyperpermeability can lead to organ dysfunction. Previous work identified the transcription factor ERG as a master regulator of endothelial homeostasis. Here we investigate whether the sensitivity of pulmonary blood vessels to cytokine-induced destabilization is due to organotypic mechanisms affecting the ability of endothelial ERG to protect lung ECs from inflammatory injury. Methods Cytokine-dependent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of ERG was analyzed in cultured Human Umbilical Vein ECs (HUVECs). Systemic administration of TNFα or the bacterial cell wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to cause a widespread inflammatory challenge in mice; ERG protein levels were assessed by immunoprecipitation, immunoblot, and immunofluorescence. Murine Erg deletion was genetically induced in ECs ( Erg fl/fl ;Cdh5(PAC)Cre ERT2 ), and multiple organs were analyzed by histology, immunostaining, and electron microscopy. Results In vitro, TNFα promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of ERG in HUVECs, which was blocked by the proteasomal inhibitor MG132. In vivo, systemic administration of TNFα or LPS resulted in a rapid and substantial degradation of ERG within lung ECs, but not ECs of the retina, heart, liver, or kidney. Pulmonary ERG was also downregulated in a murine model of influenza infection. Erg fl/fl ;Cdh5(PAC)-Cre ERT2 mice spontaneously recapitulated aspects of inflammatory challenges, including lung-predominant vascular hyperpermeability, immune cell recruitment, and fibrosis. These phenotypes were associated with a lung-specific decrease in the expression of Tek , a gene target of ERG previously implicated in maintaining pulmonary vascular stability during inflammation. Conclusions Collectively, our data highlight a unique role for ERG in pulmonary vascular function. We propose that cytokine-induced ERG degradation and subsequent transcriptional changes in lung ECs play critical roles in the destabilization of pulmonary blood vessels during infectious diseases.
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20
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Wiseman JA, Dragunow M, I-H Park T. Cell Type-Specific Nuclei Markers: The Need for Human Brain Research to Go Nuclear. Neuroscientist 2023; 29:41-61. [PMID: 34459315 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211037351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Identifying and interrogating cell type-specific populations within the heterogeneous milieu of the human brain is paramount to resolving the processes of normal brain homeostasis and the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. While brain cell type-specific markers are well established, most are localized on cellular membranes or within the cytoplasm, with limited literature describing those found in the nucleus. Due to the complex cytoarchitecture of the human brain, immunohistochemical studies require well-defined cell-specific nuclear markers for more precise and efficient quantification of the cellular populations. Furthermore, efficient nuclear markers are required for cell type-specific purification and transcriptomic interrogation of archived human brain tissue through nuclei isolation-based RNA sequencing. To sate the growing demand for robust cell type-specific nuclear markers, we thought it prudent to comprehensively review the current literature to identify and consolidate a novel series of robust cell type-specific nuclear markers that can assist researchers across a range of neuroscientific disciplines. The following review article collates and discusses several key and prospective cell type-specific nuclei markers for each of the major human brain cell types; it then concludes by discussing the potential applications of cell type-specific nuclear workflows and the power of nuclear-based neuroscientific research.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Wiseman
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Mike Dragunow
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Neurosurgical Research Unit, The Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Hugh Green Biobank, The Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thomas I-H Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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21
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Chen CC, Chu PY, Lin HY. Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Clinical Value and Possible Mechanisms of ATAD1 Down-Regulation in Human Prostate Adenocarcinoma. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1742. [PMID: 36362897 PMCID: PMC9698943 DOI: 10.3390/life12111742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is the most common histological subtype of prostate cancer. Post-treatment biochemical recurrence is a challenging issue. ATAD1 (ATPase Family AAA Domain Containing 1) plays a vital role in mitochondrial proteostasis and apoptosis activity, while its clinical value in PRAD and its impact on the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain unanswered. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical value and possible mechanisms of ATAD1 in PRAD via multi-omics analysis. Using cBioPortal, we confirmed that ATAD1 alteration was associated with gene expression and unfavorable DFS. Deep deletion predominantly occurred in PRAD. By integrating DriverDBv3 and GEPIA2, we noted ATAD1 downregulation in PRAD tissues compared to normal tissues, associated with unfavorable DFS in PRAD patients. DNA repair genes ATM, PARP1and BRCA2 had positive associations with ATAD1 expression. We found that the generalization value of ATAD1 could be applied to other cancers such as KIRC and UCEC. In addition, LinkedOmics identified that the functional involvement of ATAD1 participates in mitochondrial structure and cell cycle progression. Using TIMER analysis, we demonstrated that ATAD1 downregulation correlated with an immunosuppressive TME. Furthermore, we accessed a GSE55062 dataset on UALCAN and discovered the involvement of ERG-mediated transcriptional repression on ATAD1 downregulation. Cross-association screening of shATAD1 efficacy vs. altered mRNAs identified 190 perturbed mRNAs. Then, functional enrichment analysis using the Metascape omics tool recognized that shATAD1-perturbed mRNAs are primarily in charge of the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway and lipid metabolic processes. In conclusion, multi-omics results reveal that ATAD1 downregulation is a clinical biomarker for pathological diagnosis and prognosis for patients with PRAD. Reduced ATAD1 may be involved in the enhanced activity of mitochondria and cell cycle, as well as possibly shaping an immunosuppressive TME. ERG serves as an upstream transcriptional repressor of ATAD1. Downstream mechanisms of ATAD1 are involved in Wnt/β-catenin pathway and lipid metabolic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Chi Chen
- Section of Urology, Departments of Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yi Chu
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- Department of Health Food, Chung Chou University of Science and Technology, Changhua 510, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Lin
- Research Assistant Center, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
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22
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Gomez-Salinero JM, Itkin T, Houghton S, Badwe C, Lin Y, Kalna V, Dufton N, Peghaire CR, Yokoyama M, Wingo M, Lu TM, Li G, Xiang JZ, Hsu YMS, Redmond D, Schreiner R, Birdsey GM, Randi AM, Rafii S. Cooperative ETS Transcription Factors Enforce Adult Endothelial Cell Fate and Cardiovascular Homeostasis. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:882-899. [PMID: 36713285 PMCID: PMC7614113 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00128-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Current dogma dictates that during adulthood, endothelial cells (ECs) are locked in an immutable stable homeostatic state. By contrast, herein we show that maintenance of EC fate and function are linked and active processes, which depend on the constitutive cooperativity of only two ETS-transcription factors (TFs) ERG and Fli1. While deletion of either Fli1 or ERG manifest subtle vascular dysfunction, their combined genetic deletion in adult EC results in acute vasculopathy and multiorgan failure, due to loss of EC fate and integrity, hyperinflammation, and spontaneous thrombosis, leading to death. ERG and Fli1 co-deficiency cause rapid transcriptional silencing of pan- and organotypic vascular core genes, with dysregulation of inflammation and coagulation pathways. Vascular hyperinflammation leads to impaired hematopoiesis with myeloid skewing. Accordingly, enforced ERG and FLI1 expression in adult human mesenchymal stromal cells activates vascular programs and functionality enabling engraftment of perfusable vascular network. GWAS-analysis identified vascular diseases are associated with FLI1/Erg mutations. Constitutive expression of ERG and Fli1 uphold EC fate, physiological function, and resilience in adult vasculature; while their functional loss can contribute to systemic human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus M Gomez-Salinero
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Tomer Itkin
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Sean Houghton
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Chaitanya Badwe
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Yang Lin
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Viktoria Kalna
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Human Genetics and Computational Biology GSK, UK (current address)
| | - Neil Dufton
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Microvascular Research, William Harvey Research Centre, UK (current address)
| | - Claire R Peghaire
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm UMR1034, Biology of Cardiovascular Diseases, Pessac, France (current address)
| | - Masataka Yokoyama
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Wingo
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Tyler M. Lu
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ge Li
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | | | - Yen-Michael Sheng Hsu
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (current address)
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (current address)
| | - David Redmond
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Ryan Schreiner
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Graeme M Birdsey
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anna M Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
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23
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Vasuri F, Germinario G, Ciavarella C, Carroli M, Motta I, Valente S, Cescon M, D’Errico A, Pasquinelli G, Ravaioli M. Trophism and Homeostasis of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Graft Cells during Preservation, with and without Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11091329. [PMID: 36138808 PMCID: PMC9495341 DOI: 10.3390/biology11091329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the homeostasis and trophism of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in vivo in different stages of liver graft donation, in order to understand the effects of graft ischemia and perfusion on LSEC activity in liver grafts. Special attention was paid to grafts that underwent hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE). Forty-seven donors were prospectively enrolled, and two distinct biopsies were performed in each case: one allocation biopsy (at the stage of organ allocation) and one post-perfusion biopsy, performed after graft implant in the recipients. In all biopsies, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analyses were carried out for the endothelial markers CD34, ERG, Nestin, and VEGFR-2. We observed an increase in CD34 immunoreactivity in LSEC during the whole preservation/perfusion period (p < 0.001). Nestin and ERG expression was low in allocation biopsies, but increased in post-perfusion biopsies, in both immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR (p < 0.001). An inverse correlation was observed between ERG positivity and donor age. Our results indicate that LSEC trophism is severely depressed in liver grafts, but it is restored after reperfusion in standard conditions. The execution of HOPE seems to improve this recovery, confirming the effectiveness of this machine perfusion technique in restoring endothelial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Vasuri
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuliana Germinario
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Ciavarella
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Carroli
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilenia Motta
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia D’Errico
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Ravaioli
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-214-4810
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24
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Caporarello N, Lee J, Pham TX, Jones DL, Guan J, Link PA, Meridew JA, Marden G, Yamashita T, Osborne CA, Bhagwate AV, Huang SK, Nicosia RF, Tschumperlin DJ, Trojanowska M, Ligresti G. Dysfunctional ERG signaling drives pulmonary vascular aging and persistent fibrosis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4170. [PMID: 35879310 PMCID: PMC9314350 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular dysfunction is a hallmark of chronic diseases in elderly. The contribution of the vasculature to lung repair and fibrosis is not fully understood. Here, we performed an epigenetic and transcriptional analysis of lung endothelial cells (ECs) from young and aged mice during the resolution or progression of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. We identified the transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) as putative orchestrator of lung capillary homeostasis and repair, and whose function is dysregulated in aging. ERG dysregulation is associated with reduced chromatin accessibility and maladaptive transcriptional responses to injury. Loss of endothelial ERG enhances paracrine fibroblast activation in vitro, and impairs lung fibrosis resolution in young mice in vivo. scRNA-seq of ERG deficient mouse lungs reveales transcriptional and fibrogenic abnormalities resembling those associated with aging and human lung fibrosis, including reduced number of general capillary (gCap) ECs. Our findings demonstrate that lung endothelial chromatin remodeling deteriorates with aging leading to abnormal transcription, vascular dysrepair, and persistent fibrosis following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Caporarello
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jisu Lee
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tho X Pham
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dakota L Jones
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jiazhen Guan
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick A Link
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Meridew
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Grace Marden
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Collin A Osborne
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Aditya V Bhagwate
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Steven K Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Roberto F Nicosia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Maria Trojanowska
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giovanni Ligresti
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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25
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Thomann S, Tóth M, Sprengel SD, Liermann J, Schirmacher P. Digital Staging of Hepatic Hemangiomas Reveals Spatial Heterogeneity in Endothelial Cell Composition and Vascular Senescence. J Histochem Cytochem 2022; 70:531-541. [DOI: 10.1369/00221554221112701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic hemangioma (HH) is the most common benign primary liver tumor; however, despite its high prevalence, a stage-specific classification of this tumor is currently missing. For a spatial stage-specific classification, a tissue microarray (TMA) consisting of 98 HHs and 80 hemangioma margins and 78 distant liver tissues was digitally analyzed for the expression of 16 functional and vascular niche-specific markers. For cross-correlation of histopathology and functional characteristics, computed tomography/MRI imaging data of 28 patients were analyzed. Functional and morphological analyses revealed a high level of intra- and interpatient heterogeneity, and morphological heterogeneity was observed with regard to cellularity, vascular diameter, and endothelial cell subtype composition. While regressed hemangiomas were characterized by low blood vessel density, low beta-catenin levels, and a microvascular phenotype, non-regressed HHs showed a pronounced cellular and architectural heterogeneity. Functionally, cellular senescence–associated p16 expression identified an HH subgroup with high vascular density and increased lymphatic endothelial cell content. Histological HH regions may be grouped into spatially defined morphological compartments that may reflect the current region-specific disease stage. The stage-specific classification of HHs with signs of regression and vascular senescence may allow a better disease course–based and cell state–based subtyping of these benign vascular lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Thomann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Systems Immunology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcell Tóth
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon David Sprengel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jakob Liermann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Schirmacher
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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26
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PGC1 alpha coactivates ERG fusion to drive antioxidant target genes under metabolic stress. Commun Biol 2022; 5:416. [PMID: 35508713 PMCID: PMC9068611 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03385-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of ERG gene fusion; from developing prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions to hormone resistant high grade prostate cancer (PCa) dictates disease progression, altered androgen metabolism, proliferation and metastasis1–3. ERG driven transcriptional landscape may provide pro-tumorigenic cues in overcoming various strains like hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, inflammation and oxidative stress. However, insights on the androgen independent regulation and function of ERG during stress are limited. Here, we identify PGC1α as a coactivator of ERG fusion under various metabolic stress. Deacetylase SIRT1 is necessary for PGC1α-ERG interaction and function. We reveal that ERG drives the expression of antioxidant genes; SOD1 and TXN, benefitting PCa growth. We observe increased expression of these antioxidant genes in patients with high ERG expression correlates with poor survival. Inhibition of PGC1α-ERG axis driven transcriptional program results in apoptosis and reduction in PCa xenografts. Here we report a function of ERG under metabolic stress which warrants further studies as a therapeutic target for ERG fusion positive PCa. PGC1α acts as a co-activator of the ERG transcription factor during metabolic stress resulting in antioxidant functionsand inhibition of the PGC1α-ERG driven transcriptional program reduces prostate cancer growth by inducing ROS mediated apoptosis.
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27
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HDAC11 promotes both NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD and caspase-3/GSDME pathways causing pyroptosis via ERG in vascular endothelial cells. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:112. [PMID: 35279683 PMCID: PMC8918356 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00906-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11), a sole member of the class IV HDAC subfamily, participates in various cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence showed that pyroptosis was a form of inflammatory programmed cell death and is critical for atherosclerosis (AS). However, little is known about the effect of HDAC11 on endothelial cell pyroptosis in AS. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of HDAC11 in vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis and its molecular mechanism. Firstly, we found that HDAC11 expression was up-regulated and pyroptosis occurred in the aorta of ApoE−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 or 12 weeks. Then, in vitro study found the treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) resulted in pyroptosis, as evidenced by activation of caspase-1 and caspase-3 activation, cleavage of downstream gasdermin D (GSDMD) and gasdermin E (GSDME/DFNA5), the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-18, as well as elevation of LDH activity and increase of propidium iodide (PI)-positive cells. Besides, TNF-α increased HDAC11 expression and induced pyroptosis via TNFR1 in HUVECs. HDAC11 knockdown mitigated pyroptosis by suppressing both NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD and caspase-3/GSDME pathways in TNF-α-induced HUVECs. Moreover, GSDME knockdown by siRNA significantly decreased pyroptosis and inflammatory response, while treatment with disulfiram or necrosulfonamide (NSA) further augmented the inhibitory effects of GSDME siRNA on pyroptosis and inflammatory response. Further studies found HDAC11 formed a complex with ERG and decreased the acetylation levels of ERG. More importantly, ERG knockdown augmented vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis in TNF-α-induced HUVECs. Taken together, our study suggests that HDAC11 might promote both NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD and caspase-3/GSDME pathways leading to pyroptosis via regulation of ERG acetylation in HUVECs. Modulation of HDAC11 may serve as a potential target for therapeutic strategies of AS.
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Abstract
Blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity is critical for proper function of the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we show that the endothelial Unc5B receptor controls BBB integrity by maintaining Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Inducible endothelial-specific deletion of Unc5B in adult mice leads to BBB leak from brain capillaries that convert to a barrier-incompetent state with reduced Claudin-5 and increased PLVAP expression. Loss of Unc5B decreases BBB Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and β-catenin overexpression rescues Unc5B mutant BBB defects. Mechanistically, the Unc5B ligand Netrin-1 enhances Unc5B interaction with the Wnt co-receptor LRP6, induces its phosphorylation and activates Wnt/β-catenin downstream signaling. Intravenous delivery of antibodies blocking Netrin-1 binding to Unc5B causes a transient BBB breakdown and disruption of Wnt signaling, followed by neurovascular barrier resealing. These data identify Netrin-1-Unc5B signaling as a ligand-receptor pathway that regulates BBB integrity, with implications for CNS diseases. The authors show that Netrin-1-Unc5B signaling controls blood-brain barrier integrity by maintaining Wnt/b-catenin signaling and that delivery of antibodies blocking Netrin-1 binding to Unc5B causes transient and size-selective BBB breakdown.
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Lorenzin F, Demichelis F. Past, Current, and Future Strategies to Target ERG Fusion-Positive Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051118. [PMID: 35267426 PMCID: PMC8909394 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In addition to its role in development and in the vascular and hematopoietic systems, ERG plays a central role in prostate cancer. Approximately 40–50% of prostate cancer cases are characterized by ERG gene fusions, which lead to ERG overexpression. Importantly, inhibition of ERG activity in prostate cancer cells decreases their viability. Therefore, inhibiting ERG might represent an important step to improve treatment efficacy for patients with ERG-positive prostate tumors. Here, we summarize the attempts made over the past years to repress ERG activity, the current use of ERG fusion detection and the strategies that might be utilized in the future to treat ERG fusion-positive tumors. Abstract The ETS family member ERG is a transcription factor with physiological roles during development and in the vascular and hematopoietic systems. ERG oncogenic activity characterizes several malignancies, including Ewing’s sarcoma, leukemia and prostate cancer (PCa). In PCa, ERG rearrangements with androgen-regulated genes—mostly TMPRSS2—characterize a large subset of patients across disease progression and result in androgen receptor (AR)-mediated overexpression of ERG in the prostate cells. Importantly, PCa cells overexpressing ERG are dependent on ERG activity for survival, further highlighting its therapeutic potential. Here, we review the current understanding of the role of ERG and its partners in PCa. We discuss the strategies developed in recent years to inhibit ERG activity, the current therapeutic utility of ERG fusion detection in PCa patients, and the possible future approaches to target ERG fusion-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Lorenzin
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.D.)
| | - Francesca Demichelis
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.D.)
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Tharakan B, Hunter FA, Muthusamy S, Randolph S, Byrd C, Rao VN, Reddy ESP, Childs EW. ETS-Related Gene Activation Preserves Adherens Junctions and Permeability in Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Shock 2022; 57:309-315. [PMID: 34907119 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000001899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT ERG (ETS-related gene) is a member of the ETS (Erythroblast-transformation specific) family of transcription factors abundantly present in vascular endothelial cells. Recent studies demonstrate that ERG has important roles in blood vessel stability and angiogenesis. However, it is unclear how ERG is potentially involved in microvascular barrier functions and permeability. A wide variety of diseases and clinical conditions including trauma-hemorrhagic shock and burn injury are associated with microvascular dysfunctions, which causes excessive microvascular permeability, tissue edema and eventually, multiple organ dysfunction and death. The main purpose of this study was to determine the specific role of ERG in regulating microvascular permeability in human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMEC) and to evaluate if exogenous ERG will protect the barrier. The HLMECs were grown on Transwell inserts as monolayers and were transfected with ERG CRISPR/cas9 knockdown plasmid, ERG CRISPR activation plasmid, recombinant ERG protein or their respective controls. Recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was used as an inducer of permeability for evaluating the effect of ERG activation on permeability. Changes in barrier integrity and permeability were studied using monolayer permeability assay and immunofluorescence of adherens junction proteins (VE-cadherin and β-catenin) respectively. CRISPR/cas9-based ERG knockdown as well as VEGF treatment induced monolayer hyperpermeability, VE-cadherin, and β-catenin junctional relocation and cytoskeletal F-actin stress fiber formation. CRISPR based ERG activation and recombinant ERG transfection attenuated VEGF-induced monolayer hyperpermeability. ERG activation preserved the adherens junctions and cytoskeleton. These results demonstrate that ERG is a potent regulator of barrier integrity and permeability in human lung microvascular endothelial cells and endogenously or exogenously enhancing ERG provides protection against barrier dysfunction and hyperpermeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binu Tharakan
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Felicia A Hunter
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Sonya Randolph
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Crystal Byrd
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Veena N Rao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - E Shyam P Reddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ed W Childs
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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Koopmans T, van Beijnum H, Roovers EF, Tomasso A, Malhotra D, Boeter J, Psathaki OE, Versteeg D, van Rooij E, Bartscherer K. Ischemic tolerance and cardiac repair in the spiny mouse (Acomys). NPJ Regen Med 2021; 6:78. [PMID: 34789755 PMCID: PMC8599451 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-021-00188-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease and by extension myocardial infarction is the primary cause of death worldwide, warranting regenerative therapies to restore heart function. Current models of natural heart regeneration are restricted in that they are not of adult mammalian origin, precluding the study of class-specific traits that have emerged throughout evolution, and reducing translatability of research findings to humans. Here, we present the spiny mouse (Acomys spp.), a murid rodent that exhibits bona fide regeneration of the back skin and ear pinna, as a model to study heart repair. By comparing them to ordinary mice (Mus musculus), we show that the acute injury response in spiny mice is similar, but with an associated tolerance to infarction through superior survivability, improved ventricular conduction, and near-absence of pathological remodeling. Critically, spiny mice display increased vascularization, altered scar organization, and a more immature phenotype of cardiomyocytes, with a corresponding improvement in heart function. These findings present new avenues for mammalian heart research by leveraging unique tissue properties of the spiny mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Koopmans
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Henriette van Beijnum
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elke F Roovers
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Antonio Tomasso
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Divyanshu Malhotra
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jochem Boeter
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Olympia E Psathaki
- Department of Biology and Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs), Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Danielle Versteeg
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eva van Rooij
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kerstin Bartscherer
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Biology and Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs), Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany.
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Genes Associated with Disturbed Cerebral Neurogenesis in the Embryonic Brain of Mouse Models of Down Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101598. [PMID: 34680993 PMCID: PMC8535956 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), also known as trisomy 21, is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability. Although the mechanism remains unknown, delayed brain development is assumed to be involved in DS intellectual disability. Analyses with human with DS and mouse models have shown that defects in embryonic cortical neurogenesis may lead to delayed brain development. Cre-loxP-mediated chromosomal engineering has allowed the generation of a variety of mouse models carrying various partial Mmu16 segments. These mouse models are useful for determining genotype–phenotype correlations and identifying dosage-sensitive genes involved in the impaired neurogenesis. In this review, we summarize several candidate genes and pathways that have been linked to defective cortical neurogenesis in DS.
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Analysis on the healing of gastrointestinal ulceration by using Hemospray. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19050. [PMID: 34561540 PMCID: PMC8463595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98664-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Healing of gastrointestinal ulcers after Hemospray application was reported in literature. The pathophysiological mechanism of action of hemostatic powders is not elucidated so far. A prospective animal model was performed to evaluate the effect of Hemospray application on the healing process of artificially induced ulcers of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. In 10 pigs, 20 ulcers were created in each the upper and the lower gastrointestinal tract by endoscopic mucosal resection. 50% of the pigs were immediately treated with Hemospray application, the others were not treated. Ulcer size was measured endoscopically on day 0, 2, and 7. On day 7 the ulcers were histopathological evaluated for capillary ingrowth and the thickness of the collagen layer. After 7 days the sizes of the ulcers decreased significantly (stomach: − 22.8% with Hemospray application, − 19% without Hemospray application; rectum: − 50.8% with Hemospray application, − 49.5% without Hemospray application; p = 0.005–0.037), but without significant difference between both groups. This study shows no significant effect of the hemostatic powder Hemospray on ulcer healing in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract compared with untreated controls, neither harmful nor beneficial. However, some trends merit further trials in patients and may indicate a possible mechanism of accelerated mucosal healing.
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Harel S, Sanchez V, Moamer A, Sanchez-Galan JE, Abid Hussein MN, Mayaki D, Blanchette M, Hussain SNA. ETS1, ELK1, and ETV4 Transcription Factors Regulate Angiopoietin-1 Signaling and the Angiogenic Response in Endothelial Cells. Front Physiol 2021; 12:683651. [PMID: 34381375 PMCID: PMC8350579 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.683651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is the main ligand of Tie-2 receptors. It promotes endothelial cell (EC) survival, migration, and differentiation. Little is known about the transcription factors (TFs) in ECs that are downstream from Tie-2 receptors. Objective The main objective of this study is to identify the roles of the ETS family of TFs in Ang-1 signaling and the angiogenic response. Methods In silico enrichment analyses that were designed to predict TF binding sites of the promotors of eighty-six Ang-1-upregulated genes showed significant enrichment of ETS1, ELK1, and ETV4 binding sites in ECs. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed for different time periods to recombinant Ang-1 protein and mRNA levels of ETS1, ELK1, and ETV4 were measured with qPCR and intracellular localization of these transcription factors was assessed with immunofluorescence. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and reporter assays were used to assess activation of ETS1, ELK1, and ETV4 in response to Ang-1 exposure. The functional roles of these TFs in Ang-1-induced endothelial cell survival, migration, differentiation, and gene regulation were evaluated by using a loss-of-function approach (transfection with siRNA oligos). Results Ang-1 exposure increased ETS1 mRNA levels but had no effect on ELK1 or ETV4 levels. Immunostaining revealed that in control ECs, ETS1 has nuclear localization whereas ELK1 and ETV4 are localized to the nucleus and the cytosol. Ang-1 exposure increased nuclear intensity of ETS1 protein and enhanced nuclear mobilization of ELK1 and ETV4. Selective siRNA knockdown of ETS1, ELK1, and ETV4 showed that these TFs are required for Ang-1-induced EC survival and differentiation of cells, while ETS1 and ETV4 are required for Ang-1-induced EC migration. Moreover, ETS1, ELK1, and ETV4 knockdown inhibited Ang-1-induced upregulation of thirteen, eight, and nine pro-angiogenesis genes, respectively. Conclusion We conclude that ETS1, ELK1, and ETV4 transcription factors play significant angiogenic roles in Ang-1 signaling in ECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Harel
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Veronica Sanchez
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alaa Moamer
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Javier E Sanchez-Galan
- School of Computer Science, McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mohammad N Abid Hussein
- School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Aldar University College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dominique Mayaki
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Blanchette
- School of Computer Science, McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sabah N A Hussain
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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ERG Immunoreactivity in Blastic Hematolymphoid Neoplasms: Diagnostic Pitfall in the Workup of Undifferentiated Malignant Neoplasms. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2021; 30:42-48. [PMID: 34261976 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Undifferentiated malignant neoplasms pose diagnostic challenges, and reliable immunohistochemical markers with well-characterized staining profiles are desirable when characterizing them. Our initial observation of erythroblast transformation specific regulated gene-1 (ERG) reactivity in myeloid sarcomas led us to broadly explore the utility of ERG as a marker of immature hematolymphoid neoplasms presenting in extramedullary sites. We stained 207 immature and mature hematolymphoid lesions as well as 39 benign hematolymphoid tissues and found weak-to-moderate ERG immunopositivity in 15 of 16 (94%) acute myeloid leukemias/myeloid sarcomas, including 4 of 5 (80%) CD34-negative/CD117-negative acute myeloid leukemias/myeloid sarcomas. ERG positivity was also seen in all 9 cases of B-lymphoblastic and T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, all 3 cases of hematogone hyperplasia, and all 4 cases of systemic mastocytosis. ERG was negative in 148 mature B-cell and T-cell lymphomas, including 2 high-grade B-cell lymphomas and 2 blastoid variant mantle cell lymphomas; 23 histiocytic/dendritic cell neoplasms; 2 indolent T-lymphoblastic proliferations; and 2 blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms. We conclude that ERG immunoreactivity may pose a significant diagnostic pitfall in the workup of undifferentiated malignant neoplasms, particularly those presenting in extramedullary sites.
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Marsman J, Gimenez G, Day RC, Horsfield JA, Jones GT. A non-coding genetic variant associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm alters ERG gene regulation. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:554-565. [PMID: 31691800 PMCID: PMC7068029 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a major cause of sudden death in the elderly. While AAA has some overlapping genetic and environmental risk factors with atherosclerosis, there are substantial differences, and AAA-specific medication is lacking. A recent meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies has identified four novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) specifically associated with AAA. Here, we investigated the gene regulatory function for one of four non-coding SNPs associated with AAA, rs2836411, which is located in an intron of the ERG gene. Rs2836411 resides within a >70 kb super-enhancer that has high levels of H3K27ac and H3K4me1 in vascular endothelial and haematopoietic cell types. Enhancer luciferase assays in cell lines showed that the risk allele significantly alters enhancer activity. The risk allele also correlates with reduced ERG expression in aortic and other vascular tissues. To identify whether rs2836411 directly contacts the promoters of ERG and/or of genes further away, we performed allele-specific circular chromosome conformation capture sequencing. In vascular endothelial cells, which express ERG, the SNP region interacts highly within the super-enhancer, while in vascular smooth muscle cells, which do not express ERG, the interactions are distributed across a wider region that includes neighbouring genes. Furthermore, the risk allele has fewer interactions within the super-enhancer compared to the protective allele. In conclusion, our results indicate that rs2836411 likely affects ERG expression by altering enhancer activity and changing local chromatin interactions. ERG is involved in vascular development, angiogenesis, and inflammation in atherosclerosis; therefore mechanistically, rs2836411 could contribute to AAA by modulating ERG levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Marsman
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Gregory Gimenez
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Robert C Day
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Julia A Horsfield
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Gregory T Jones
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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Chen X, Qin Y, Zhang Z, Xing Z, Wang Q, Lu W, Yuan H, Du C, Yang X, Shen Y, Zhao B, Shao H, Wang X, Wu H, Qi Y. Hyper-SUMOylation of ERG Is Essential for the Progression of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:652284. [PMID: 33842551 PMCID: PMC8032903 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.652284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemia is a malignant disease of hematopoietic tissue characterized by the differentiation arrest and malignant proliferation of immature hematopoietic precursor cells in bone marrow. ERG (ETS-related gene) is an important member of the E26 transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factor family that plays a crucial role in physiological and pathological processes. However, the role of ERG and its modification in leukemia remains underexplored. In the present study, we stably knocked down or overexpressed ERG in leukemia cells and observed that ERG significantly promotes the proliferation and inhibits the differentiation of AML (acute myeloid leukemia) cells. Further experiments showed that ERG was primarily modified by SUMO2, which was deconjugated by SENP2. PML promotes the SUMOylation of ERG, enhancing its stability. Arsenic trioxide decreased the expression level of ERG, further promoting cell differentiation. Furthermore, the mutation of SUMO sites in ERG inhibited its ability to promote the proliferation and inhibit the differentiation of leukemia cells. Our results demonstrated the crucial role of ERG SUMOylation in the development of AML, providing powerful targeted therapeutic strategies for the clinical treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuanyuan Qin
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhengcao Xing
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Congcong Du
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yajie Shen
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Biying Zhao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Huanjie Shao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai, China
| | - Hongmei Wu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yitao Qi
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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Endothelial ERG alleviates cardiac fibrosis via blocking endothelin-1-dependent paracrine mechanism. Cell Biol Toxicol 2021; 37:873-890. [PMID: 33469864 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-021-09581-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac endothelium communicates closely with adjacent cardiac cells by multiple cytokines and plays critical roles in regulating fibroblasts proliferation, activation, and collagen synthesis during cardiac fibrosis. E26 transformation-specific (ETS)-related gene (ERG) belongs to the ETS transcriptional factor family and is required for endothelial cells (ECs) homeostasis and cardiac development. This study aims at investigating the potential role and molecular basis of ERG in fibrotic remodeling within the adult heart. We observed that ERG was abundant in murine hearts, especially in cardiac ECs, but decreased during cardiac fibrosis. ERG knockdown within murine hearts caused spontaneously cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction, accompanied by the activation of multiple Smad-dependent and independent pathways. However, the direct silence of ERG in cardiac fibroblasts did not affect the expression of fibrotic markers. Intriguingly, ERG knockdown in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) promoted the secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1), which subsequently accelerated the proliferation, phenotypic transition, and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts in a paracrine manner. Suppressing ET-1 with either a neutralizing antibody or a receptor blocker abolished ERG knockdown-mediated deleterious effect in vivo and in vitro. This pro-fibrotic effect was also negated by RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-peptide magnetic nanoparticles target delivery of ET-1 small interfering RNA to ECs in mice. More importantly, we proved that endothelial ERG overexpression notably prevented pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis. Collectively, endothelial ERG alleviates cardiac fibrosis via blocking ET-1-dependent paracrine mechanism and it functions as a candidate for treating cardiac fibrosis. • ERG is abundant in murine hearts, especially in cardiac ECs, but decreased during fibrotic remodeling. • ERG knockdown causes spontaneously cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. • ERG silence in HUVECs promotes the secretion of endothelin-1, which in turn activates cardiac fibroblasts in a paracrine manner. • Endothelial ERG overexpression prevents pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis.
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Li L, Liu Q, Shang T, Song W, Xu D, Allen TD, Wang X, Jeong J, Lobe CG, Liu J. Aberrant Activation of Notch1 Signaling in Glomerular Endothelium Induces Albuminuria. Circ Res 2021; 128:602-618. [PMID: 33435713 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.316970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Glomerular capillaries are lined with a highly specialized fenestrated endothelium and contribute to the glomerular filtration barrier. The Notch signaling pathway is involved in regulation of glomerular filtration barrier, but its role in glomerular endothelium has not been investigated due to the embryonic lethality of animal models with genetic modification of Notch pathway components in the endothelium. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of aberrant activation of the Notch signaling in glomerular endothelium and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS We established the ZEG-NICD1 (notch1 intracellular domain)/Tie2-tTA/Tet-O-Cre transgenic mouse model to constitutively activate Notch1 signaling in endothelial cells of adult mice. The triple transgenic mice developed severe albuminuria with significantly decreased VE-cadherin (vascular endothelial cadherin) expression in the glomerular endothelium. In vitro studies showed that either NICD1 (Notch1 intracellular domain) lentiviral infection or treatment with Notch ligand DLL4 (delta-like ligand 4) markedly reduced VE-cadherin expression and increased monolayer permeability of human renal glomerular endothelial cells. In addition, Notch1 activation or gene knockdown of VE-cadherin reduced the glomerular endothelial glycocalyx. Further investigation demonstrated that activated Notch1 suppression of VE-cadherin was through the transcription factors SNAI1 (snail family transcriptional repressor 1) and ERG (Ets related gene), which bind to the -373 E-box and the -134/-118 ETS (E26 transformation-specific) element of the VE-cadherin promoter, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal novel regulatory mechanisms whereby endothelial Notch1 signaling dictates the level of VE-cadherin through the transcription factors SNAI1 and ERG, leading to dysfunction of glomerular filtration barrier and induction of albuminuria. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Li
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center (L.L., Q.L., J.L.), Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,School of Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China (L.L., T.S., W.S., X.W.)
| | - Qiang Liu
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center (L.L., Q.L., J.L.), Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Tongyao Shang
- School of Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China (L.L., T.S., W.S., X.W.)
| | - Wei Song
- School of Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China (L.L., T.S., W.S., X.W.)
| | - Dongmei Xu
- Department of Nephrology (D.X.), Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Thaddeus D Allen
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Division, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre (T.D.A., J.J., C.G.L.), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics (T.D.A., C.G.L.), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Tradewind BioScience, Daly City, California (T.D.A.)
| | - Xia Wang
- School of Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China (L.L., T.S., W.S., X.W.)
| | - James Jeong
- General Internal Medicine, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (J.J.)
| | - Corrinne G Lobe
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Division, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre (T.D.A., J.J., C.G.L.), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics (T.D.A., C.G.L.), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ju Liu
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center (L.L., Q.L., J.L.), Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Han E, Kim J, Jung MJ, Chin S, Lee JH, Won KY, Moon A. ERG and nestin: useful markers of immature vessels and novel prognostic markers in renal cell carcinoma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2021; 14:116-125. [PMID: 33532029 PMCID: PMC7847495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 90% of all renal malignancy. Because a rich vasculature is an outstanding feature of RCC, information on the blood vessels of RCC might explain its tumor characteristics. Several researchers have noted the effects of tumor vessels on the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of tumors; however, a clear association has not been established. We hypothesized that the immaturity of the neovasculature may be an important clinicopathologic characteristic forprognosis of RCC patients. ERG and nestin are new vascular markers that regulate vascular homeostasis and angiogenesis. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated how ERG and nestin were expressed with respect to tumor characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS IHC staining for ERG, nestin, CD31, and CD34 was performed for 217 renal tumors, including clear-cell RCC (ccRCC; n = 184), papillary RCC (pRCC; n = 14), chromophobe RCC (chRCC; n = 14), and oncocytoma (n = 5). RESULTS Vascular endothelial cells from normal kidney consistently showed strong nuclear expression of ERG and nestin. Conversely, a loss of ERG and nestin expression was observed in endothelial cells of some tumor blood vessels, which was associated with tumor progression. In particular, the loss of ERG expression was significantly associated with progression-free survival and overall survival (univariate analyses: P = 0.027 and P = 0.004, respectively; multivariate analyses: P = 0.030 and P = 0.046, respectively). CONCLUSION A loss of ERG and nestin expression is associated with tumor progression, and loss of ERG is a powerful prognostic marker for ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunkyung Han
- Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of MedicineBucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoon Kim
- Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of MedicineBucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jung Jung
- Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of MedicineBucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Susie Chin
- Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of MedicineBucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Lee
- Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of MedicineCheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Yeoun Won
- Department of Pathology, Kyung Hee University Hostpital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University, College of MedicineSeoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ahrim Moon
- Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of MedicineBucheon, Republic of Korea
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Dong F, Zhao X, Wang J, Huang X, Li X, Zhang L, Dong H, Liu F, Fan M. Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the expression of von Willebrand factor by downregulation of transcription factor ERG in endothelial cells. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2020; 35:321-330. [PMID: 33107067 PMCID: PMC7983977 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a semi‐synthetic derivative of artemisinin, has effective antitumor and anti‐inflammatory actions. von Willebrand factor (vWF), a large multifunctional glycoprotein, has a prominent function in hemostasis and is a key factor in thrombus formation. In addition, vWF has been regarded as a prospective biomarker for the diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction. In our experiment, we observed that 25 μM DHA specifically downregulated the expression of vWF mRNA and protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Further investigations demonstrated that this DHA‐decreased vWF expression was mediated by the transcription factor ERG and not GATA3. Luciferase activity assay confirmed that DHA regulated the ERG binding with the −56 ETS‐binding motif on the human vWF promoter. Thus, the −56 ETS motif on the vWF promoter region regulates the expression of vWF gene which is induced by DHA. Taken together, we proved that DHA decreased the vWF transcription through the downregulation of ERG in HUVECs. As vWF plays a key role in vascular homeostasis, our findings suggest a new role of DHA in vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyun Dong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, 89 Guhuai Road, Jining, Shandong, 272029, China
| | - Xinghai Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Jianning Wang
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Xiao Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16369 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250011, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, 88 Wenhuadong Street, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Haixin Dong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, 89 Guhuai Road, Jining, Shandong, 272029, China
| | - Fuhong Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Mengge Fan
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China.,Graduate School, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 6699 Qingdao Road, Jinan, 250000, China
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PRL-2 phosphatase is required for vascular morphogenesis and angiogenic signaling. Commun Biol 2020; 3:603. [PMID: 33097786 PMCID: PMC7584612 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01343-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphatases are essential modulators of angiogenesis and have been identified as novel therapeutic targets in cancer and anti-angiogenesis. The roles of atypical Phosphatase of Regenerative Liver (PRL) phosphatases in this context remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the biological function of PRL phosphatases in developmental angiogenesis in the postnatal mouse retina and in cell culture. We show that endothelial cells in the retina express PRL-2 encoded by the Ptp4a2 gene, and that inducible endothelial and global Ptp4a2 mutant mice exhibit defective retinal vascular outgrowth, arteriovenous differentiation, and sprouting angiogenesis. Mechanistically, PTP4A2 deletion limits angiogenesis by inhibiting endothelial cell migration and the VEGF-A, DLL-4/NOTCH-1 signaling pathway. This study reveals the importance of PRL-2 as a modulator of vascular development.
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Mazzotta C, Marden G, Farina A, Bujor A, Trojanowski MA, Trojanowska M. FLI1 and ERG protein degradation is regulated via Cathepsin B lysosomal pathway in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Microcirculation 2020; 28:e12660. [PMID: 32979864 PMCID: PMC7988617 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific, important regulators of endothelial cell homeostasis, are reduced in microvascular endothelial cells in scleroderma patients, and their deficiency has been implicated in disease pathogenesis. The goal of this study was to identify the mechanisms involved in the protein turnover of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in microvascular endothelial cells. Methods The effects of lysosome and proteosome inhibitors on friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific levels were assessed by Western blotting and capillary morphogenesis. The effect of scleroderma and control sera on the levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific was examined. Results The reduction in the protein levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in response to interferon α or Poly:(IC) was reversed by blocking either lysosomal (leupeptin and Cathepsin B inhibitor) or proteosomal degradation (MG132). MG132, leupeptin or CTSB‐(i) also counteracted the anti‐angiogenic effects of Poly:(IC) or interferon α. Scleroderma sera reduced protein levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in comparison to control sera. Treatment with CTSB(i) increased the levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in a majority of serum‐treated samples. Conclusions Inhibition of cathepsin B was effective in reversing the reduction of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific protein levels after treatment with interferon α or scleroderma sera, suggesting that targeting cathepsin B may have a beneficial effect in SSc vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celestina Mazzotta
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Grace Marden
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alessandra Farina
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andreea Bujor
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcin A Trojanowski
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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An inhibitor of endothelial ETS transcription factors promotes physiologic and therapeutic vessel regression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:26494-26502. [PMID: 33020273 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015980117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
During the progression of ocular diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy, overgrowth of retinal blood vessels results in the formation of pathological neovascular tufts that impair vision. Current therapeutic options for treating these diseases include antiangiogenic strategies that can lead to the undesirable inhibition of normal vascular development. Therefore, strategies that eliminate pathological neovascular tufts while sparing normal blood vessels are needed. In this study we exploited the hyaloid vascular network in murine eyes, which naturally undergoes regression after birth, to gain mechanistic insights that could be therapeutically adapted for driving neovessel regression in ocular diseases. We found that endothelial cells of regressing hyaloid vessels underwent down-regulation of two structurally related E-26 transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factors, ETS-related gene (ERG) and Friend leukemia integration 1 (FLI1), prior to apoptosis. Moreover, the small molecule YK-4-279, which inhibits the transcriptional and biological activity of ETS factors, enhanced hyaloid regression in vivo and drove Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) tube regression and apoptosis in vitro. Importantly, exposure of HUVECs to sheer stress inhibited YK-4-279-induced apoptosis, indicating that low-flow vessels may be uniquely susceptible to YK-4-279-mediated regression. We tested this hypothesis by administering YK-4-279 to mice in an oxygen-induced retinopathy model that generates disorganized and poorly perfused neovascular tufts that mimic human ocular diseases. YK-4-279 treatment significantly reduced neovascular tufts while sparing healthy retinal vessels, thereby demonstrating the therapeutic potential of this inhibitor.
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Zheng B, Wang H, Cui G, Guo Q, Si L, Yan H, Fang D, Jiang L, Jiang Z, Zhou J. ERG-Associated lncRNA (ERGAL) Promotes the Stability and Integrity of Vascular Endothelial Barrier During Dengue Viral Infection via Interaction With miR-183-5p. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:477. [PMID: 33014896 PMCID: PMC7506072 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) continues to be a major public health problem. DENV infection will cause mild dengue and severe dengue. Severe dengue is clinically manifested as serious complications, including dengue hemorrhagic fever and/or dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS), which is mainly characterized by vascular leakage. Currently, the pathogenesis of severe dengue is not elucidated thoroughly, and there are no known therapeutic targets for controlling the disease effectively. This study aimed to further reveal the potential molecular mechanism of severe dengue. In this study, the long non-coding RNA, ERG-associated lncRNA (lncRNA-ERGAL), was activated and significantly up-regulated in DENV-infected vascular endothelial cells. After knockdown of lncRNA-ERGAL, the expression of ERG, VE-cadherin, and claudin-5 was repressed; besides, cell apoptosis was enhanced, and cytoskeletal remodeling was disordered, leading to instability and increased permeability of vascular endothelial barrier during DENV infection. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay showed lncRNA-ERGAL to be mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. Moreover, the expression of miR-183-5p was found to increase during DENV infection and revealed to regulate ERG, junction-associated proteins, and the cytoskeletal structure after overexpression and knockdown. Then, ERGAL was confirmed to interact with miR-183-5p by luciferase reporter assay. Collectively, ERGAL acted as a miRNA sponge that can promote stability and integrity of vascular endothelial barrier during DENV infection via binding to miR-183-5p, thus revealing the potential molecular mechanism of severe dengue and providing a foundation for a promising clinical target in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojia Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohui Cui
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianfang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lulu Si
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijun Yan
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danyun Fang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lifang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenyou Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junmei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Abstract
Vascularization is a major hurdle in complex tissue and organ engineering. Tissues greater than 200 μm in diameter cannot rely on simple diffusion to obtain nutrients and remove waste. Therefore, an integrated vascular network is required for clinical translation of engineered tissues. Microvessels have been described as <150 μm in diameter, but clinically they are defined as <1 mm. With new advances in super microsurgery, vessels less than 1 mm can be anastomosed to the recipient circulation. However, this technical advancement still relies on the creation of a stable engineered microcirculation that is amenable to surgical manipulation and is readily perfusable. Microvascular engineering lays on the crossroads of microfabrication, microfluidics, and tissue engineering strategies that utilize various cellular constituents. Early research focused on vascularization by co-culture and cellular interactions, with the addition of angiogenic growth factors to promote vascular growth. Since then, multiple strategies have been utilized taking advantage of innovations in additive manufacturing, biomaterials, and cell biology. However, the anatomy and dynamics of native blood vessels has not been consistently replicated. Inconsistent results can be partially attributed to cell sourcing which remains an enigma for microvascular engineering. Variations of endothelial cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and stem cells have all been used for microvascular network fabrication along with various mural cells. As each source offers advantages and disadvantages, there continues to be a lack of consensus. Furthermore, discord may be attributed to incomplete understanding about cell isolation and characterization without considering the microvascular architecture of the desired tissue/organ.
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Moh-Moh-Aung A, Fujisawa M, Ito S, Katayama H, Ohara T, Ota Y, Yoshimura T, Matsukawa A. Decreased miR-200b-3p in cancer cells leads to angiogenesis in HCC by enhancing endothelial ERG expression. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10418. [PMID: 32591615 PMCID: PMC7320004 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67425-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor ERG (erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS)-related gene) is essential in endothelial differentiation and angiogenesis, in which microRNA (miR)-200b-3p targeting site is expected by miRNA target prediction database. miR-200b is known decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the functional relation between ERG and miR-200b-3p, originating from pre-miR-200b, in HCC angiogenesis remains unclear. We investigated whether hepatocyte-derived miR-200b-3p governs angiogenesis in HCC by targeting endothelial ERG. Levels of miR-200b-3p in HCC tissues were significantly lower than those in adjacent non-HCC tissues. Poorly differentiated HCC cell line expressed lower level of miR-200b-3p compared to well-differentiated HCC cell lines. The numbers of ERG-positive endothelial cells were higher in HCC tissues than in adjacent non-HCC tissues. There was a negative correlation between the number of ERG-positive cells and miR-200b-3p expression in HCC tissues. Culture supernatants of HCC cell lines with miR-200b-3p-overexpression reduced cell migration, proliferation and tube forming capacity in endothelial cells relative to the control, while those with miR-200b-3p-inhibition augmented the responses. Exosomes isolated from HCC culture supernatants with miR-200b-3p overexpression suppressed endothelial ERG expression. These results suggest that exosomal miR-200b-3p from hepatocytes suppresses endothelial ERG expression, and decreased miR-200b-3p in cancer cells promotes angiogenesis in HCC tissues by enhancing endothelial ERG expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aye Moh-Moh-Aung
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Fujisawa
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Sachio Ito
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Katayama
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Ohara
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Yoko Ota
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Teizo Yoshimura
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Akihiro Matsukawa
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.
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4-hydroxy-2-nonenal decreases coronary endothelial cell migration: Potentiation by aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 inhibition. Vascul Pharmacol 2020; 131:106762. [PMID: 32585188 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2020.106762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) is a reactive aldehyde, which is involved in oxidative stress associated pathogenesis. The cellular toxicity of 4HNE is mitigated by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 2. Thus, we hypothesize that ALDH2 inhibition exacerbates 4HNE-induced decrease in coronary endothelial cell (EC) migration in vitro. To test our hypothesis, we pharmacologically inhibited ALDH2 in cultured mouse coronary ECs (MCECs) by disulfiram (DSF) (2.5 μM) before challenging the cells with different doses of 4HNE (25, 50 and 75 μM) for 4, 12, 16 and 24 h. We evaluated MCEC migration by scratch wound migration assay. 4HNE attenuated MCEC migration significantly relative to control (P < .05), which was exacerbated with DSF pretreatment (P < .05). DSF pretreatment exacerbated 4HNE-induced decrease in ALDH2 activity in MCECs. Next, we showed that 75 μM 4HNE significantly decreased the intracellular mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and other promigratory genes compared to control, which were further decreased by DSF pretreatment. 75 μM 4HNE also decreased the protein levels of VEGFR2, FAK, phospho-FAK, Src and paxillin in MCECs. Thus, we conclude that ALDH2 inhibition potentiates 4HNE-induced decrease in MCECs migration in vitro.
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Mitochondria-Endoplasmic Reticulum Contacts in Reactive Astrocytes Promote Vascular Remodeling. Cell Metab 2020; 31:791-808.e8. [PMID: 32220306 PMCID: PMC7139200 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes have emerged for playing important roles in brain tissue repair; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We show that acute injury and blood-brain barrier disruption trigger the formation of a prominent mitochondrial-enriched compartment in astrocytic endfeet, which enables vascular remodeling. Integrated imaging approaches revealed that this mitochondrial clustering is part of an adaptive response regulated by fusion dynamics. Astrocyte-specific conditional deletion of Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) suppressed perivascular mitochondrial clustering and disrupted mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites. Functionally, two-photon imaging experiments showed that these structural changes were mirrored by impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake leading to abnormal cytosolic transients within endfeet in vivo. At the tissue level, a compromised vascular complexity in the lesioned area was restored by boosting mitochondrial-ER perivascular tethering in MFN2-deficient astrocytes. These data unmask a crucial role for mitochondrial dynamics in coordinating astrocytic local domains and have important implications for repairing the injured brain.
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Sasaki J, Zhang Z, Oh M, Pobocik A, Imazato S, Shi S, Nör J. VE-Cadherin and Anastomosis of Blood Vessels Formed by Dental Stem Cells. J Dent Res 2020; 99:437-445. [PMID: 32028818 PMCID: PMC7088203 DOI: 10.1177/0022034520902458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
It is known that dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be induced to differentiate into vasculogenic endothelial (VE) cells. However, the process that results in sprouting and anastomosis of DPSC-derived vessels remains unclear. Here, we performed studies to understand the mechanisms underpinning the anastomosis of the host vasculature with blood vessels generated by DPSCs (a model for mesenchymal stem cells). VE-cadherin-silenced primary human DPSCs seeded in tooth slice/scaffolds and transplanted into the subcutaneous space of immunodeficient mice generated fewer functional blood vessels (i.e., anastomosed with the host vasculature) than control DPSCs transduced with scrambled sequences. Both VE-cadherin-silenced and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1)-silenced cells showed a decrease in the number of capillary sprouts in vitro. Interestingly, DPSC stably transduced with a VE-cadherin reporter demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces VE-cadherin expression in sprouting DPSCs undergoing anastomosis, but not in quiescent DPSCs. To begin to understand the mechanisms regulating VE-cadherin, we stably silenced MEK1 and observed that VEGF was no longer able to induce VE-cadherin expression and capillary sprout formation. Notably ERG, a transcriptional factor downstream from MEK/ERK, binds to the promoter region of VE-cadherin (chip assay) and is induced by VEGF in DPSCs. Collectively, these data defined a signaling pathway triggered by VEGF that results in phosphorylation of MEK1/ERK and activation of ERG leading to expression of VE-cadherin, which is required for anastomosis of DPSC-derived blood vessels. In conclusion, these results unveiled a signaling pathway that enables the generation of functional blood vessels upon vasculogenic differentiation of DPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.I. Sasaki
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomaterials Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita City, Osaka, Japan
| | - Z. Zhang
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - M. Oh
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - A.M. Pobocik
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - S. Imazato
- Department of Biomaterials Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita City, Osaka, Japan
| | - S. Shi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J.E. Nör
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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