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Lu HJ, Koju N, Sheng R. Mammalian integrated stress responses in stressed organelles and their functions. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1095-1114. [PMID: 38267546 PMCID: PMC11130345 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01225-0] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The integrated stress response (ISR) triggered in response to various cellular stress enables mammalian cells to effectively cope with diverse stressful conditions while maintaining their normal functions. Four kinases (PERK, PKR, GCN2, and HRI) of ISR regulate ISR signaling and intracellular protein translation via mediating the phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 α (eIF2α) at Ser51. Early ISR creates an opportunity for cells to repair themselves and restore homeostasis. This effect, however, is reversed in the late stages of ISR. Currently, some studies have shown the non-negligible impact of ISR on diseases such as ischemic diseases, cognitive impairment, metabolic syndrome, cancer, vanishing white matter, etc. Hence, artificial regulation of ISR and its signaling with ISR modulators becomes a promising therapeutic strategy for relieving disease symptoms and improving clinical outcomes. Here, we provide an overview of the essential mechanisms of ISR and describe the ISR-related pathways in organelles including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. Meanwhile, the regulatory effects of ISR modulators and their potential application in various diseases are also enumerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Jun Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Nirmala Koju
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Rui Sheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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2
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Cai DL, Chan Y, Kong YM, Liu YZ, Guo Y, Cai AQ, Zhu BS. Ginsenoside Rg1 promotes fetal hemoglobin production in vitro: A potential therapeutic avenue for β-thalassemia. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 968:176404. [PMID: 38382804 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176404] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
β-thalassemia, a globally prevalent genetic disorder, urgently requires innovative treatment options. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction stands as a key therapeutic approach. This investigation focused on Ginsenoside Rg1 from the Panax genus for HbF induction. Employing K562 cells and human erythroid precursor cells (ErPCs) derived from neonatal cord blood, the study tested Rg1 at different concentrations. We measured its effects on γ-globin mRNA levels and HbF expression, alongside assessments of cell proliferation and differentiation. In K562 cells, Rg1 at 400 μM significantly increased γ-globin mRNA expression by 4.24 ± 1.08-fold compared to the control. In ErPCs, the 800 μM concentration was most effective, leading to an over 80% increase in F-cells and a marked upregulation in HbF expression. Notably, Rg1 did not adversely affect cell proliferation or differentiation, with the 200 μM concentration showing an increase in γ-globin mRNA by 2.33 ± 0.58-fold, and the 800 μM concentration enhancing HbF expression by 2.59 ± 0.03-fold in K562 cells. Our results underscore Rg1's potential as an effective and safer alternative for β-thalassemia treatment. By significantly enhancing HbF levels without cytotoxicity, Rg1 offers a notable advantage over traditional treatments like Hydroxyurea. While promising, these in vitro findings warrant further in vivo exploration to confirm Rg1's therapeutic efficacy and to unravel its underlying mechanistic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Ling Cai
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China; Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Ying Chan
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China; Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China; Department of Medical Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Preconception Health Birth in Western China, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, China
| | - Ya-Min Kong
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China; Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China; Department of Medical Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Preconception Health Birth in Western China, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, China
| | - Yi-Ze Liu
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Ai-Qi Cai
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China; Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China; Department of Medical Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Preconception Health Birth in Western China, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, China
| | - Bao-Sheng Zhu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China; Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China; Department of Medical Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Preconception Health Birth in Western China, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, China.
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3
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Bhalla N, Bhargav A, Yadav SK, Singh AK. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to cure sickle cell disease: A review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1036939. [PMID: 36910492 PMCID: PMC9995916 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1036939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) had first been mentioned in the literature a century ago. Advancement in the molecular basis of the pathophysiology of the disease opens the door for various therapeutic options. Though life-extending treatments are available for treating patients with SCD, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only option as of yet. A major obstacle before HSCT to cure patients with SCD is the availability of donors. Matched sibling donors are available only for a small percentage of patients. To expand the donor pool, different contrasting approaches of allogeneic HSCT like T-cell replete and deplete have been tested. None of those tested approaches have been without the risk of GvHD and graft rejection. Other limitations such as transplantation-related infections and organ dysfunction caused by the harsh conditioning regimen need to be addressed on a priority basis. In this review, we will discuss available allogeneic HSCT approaches to cure SCD, as well as recent advancements to make the approach safer. The center of interest is using megadose T-cell-depleted bone marrow in conjugation with donor-derived CD8 veto T cells to achieve engraftment and tolerance across MHC barriers, under reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). This approach is in phase I/II clinical trial at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre and is open to patients with hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishka Bhalla
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Anjali Bhargav
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
| | | | - Aloukick Kumar Singh
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
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Elagooz R, Dhara AR, Gott RM, Adams SE, White RA, Ghosh A, Ganguly S, Man Y, Owusu-Ansah A, Mian OY, Gurkan UA, Komar AA, Ramamoorthy M, Gnanapragasam MN. PUM1 mediates the posttranscriptional regulation of human fetal hemoglobin. Blood Adv 2022; 6:6016-6022. [PMID: 35667093 PMCID: PMC9699939 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switching at about the time of birth involves a shift in expression from γ-globin to β-globin in erythroid cells. Effective re-expression of fetal γ-globin can ameliorate sickle cell anemia and β-thalassemia. Despite the physiological and clinical relevance of this switch, its posttranscriptional regulation is poorly understood. Here, we identify Pumilo 1 (PUM1), an RNA-binding protein with no previously reported functions in erythropoiesis, as a direct posttranscriptional regulator of β-globin switching. PUM1, whose expression is regulated by the erythroid master transcription factor erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF/KLF1), peaks during erythroid differentiation, binds γ-globin messenger RNA (mRNA), and reduces γ-globin (HBG1) mRNA stability and translational efficiency, which culminates in reduced γ-globin protein levels. Knockdown of PUM1 leads to a robust increase in fetal hemoglobin (∼22% HbF) without affecting β-globin levels in human erythroid cells. Importantly, targeting PUM1 does not limit the progression of erythropoiesis, which provides a potentially safe and effective treatment strategy for sickle cell anemia and β-thalassemia. In support of this idea, we report elevated levels of HbF in the absence of anemia in an individual with a novel heterozygous PUM1 mutation in the RNA-binding domain (p.(His1090Profs∗16); c.3267_3270delTCAC), which suggests that PUM1-mediated posttranscriptional regulation is a critical player during human hemoglobin switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Elagooz
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Anita R. Dhara
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Rose M. Gott
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Sarah E. Adams
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Rachael A. White
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Arnab Ghosh
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Shinjini Ganguly
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Yuncheng Man
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Amma Owusu-Ansah
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Omar Y. Mian
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Umut A. Gurkan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Anton A. Komar
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Mahesh Ramamoorthy
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Merlin Nithya Gnanapragasam
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
- Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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5
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Bou-Fakhredin R, De Franceschi L, Motta I, Cappellini MD, Taher AT. Pharmacological Induction of Fetal Hemoglobin in β-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease: An Updated Perspective. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060753. [PMID: 35745672 PMCID: PMC9227505 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant amount of attention has recently been devoted to the mechanisms involved in hemoglobin (Hb) switching, as it has previously been established that the induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production in significant amounts can reduce the severity of the clinical course in diseases such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). While the induction of HbF using lentiviral and genome-editing strategies has been made possible, they present limitations. Meanwhile, progress in the use of pharmacologic agents for HbF induction and the identification of novel HbF-inducing strategies has been made possible as a result of a better understanding of γ-globin regulation. In this review, we will provide an update on all current pharmacological inducer agents of HbF in β-thalassemia and SCD in addition to the ongoing research into other novel, and potentially therapeutic, HbF-inducing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayan Bou-Fakhredin
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.B.-F.); (I.M.)
| | - Lucia De Franceschi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Verona, 37128 Verona, Italy;
| | - Irene Motta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.B.-F.); (I.M.)
- UOC General Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.B.-F.); (I.M.)
- UOC General Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.D.C.); (A.T.T.)
| | - Ali T. Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Correspondence: (M.D.C.); (A.T.T.)
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6
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Lopez NH, Li B, Palani C, Siddaramappa U, Takezaki M, Xu H, Zhi W, Pace BS. Salubrinal induces fetal hemoglobin expression via the stress-signaling pathway in human sickle erythroid progenitors and sickle cell disease mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261799. [PMID: 35639781 PMCID: PMC9154101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the HBB gene leading to hemoglobin S production and polymerization under hypoxia conditions leading to vaso-occlusion, chronic hemolysis, and progressive organ damage. This disease affects ~100,000 people in the United States and millions worldwide. An effective therapy for SCD is fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction by pharmacologic agents such as hydroxyurea, the only Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for this purpose. Therefore, the goal of our study was to determine whether salubrinal (SAL), a selective protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor, induces HbF expression through the stress-signaling pathway by activation of p-eIF2α and ATF4 trans-activation in the γ-globin gene promoter. Sickle erythroid progenitors treated with 24μM SAL increased F-cells levels 1.4-fold (p = 0.021) and produced an 80% decrease in reactive oxygen species. Western blot analysis showed SAL enhanced HbF protein by 1.6-fold (p = 0.0441), along with dose-dependent increases of p-eIF2α and ATF4 levels. Subsequent treatment of SCD mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of SAL (5mg/kg) produced peak plasma concentrations at 6 hours. Chronic treatments of SCD mice with SAL mediated a 2.3-fold increase in F-cells (p = 0.0013) and decreased sickle erythrocytes supporting in vivo HbF induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole H. Lopez
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Biaoru Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Chithra Palani
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Umapathy Siddaramappa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology Augusta University, Augusta GA, United States of America
| | - Mayuko Takezaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Wenbo Zhi
- Center for Biotechnology & Genomic Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Betty S. Pace
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW HRI is the heme-regulated elF2α kinase that phosphorylates the α-subunit of elF2. Although the role of HRI in inhibiting globin synthesis in erythroid cells is well established, broader roles of HRI in translation have been uncovered recently. This review is to summarize the new discoveries of HRI in stress erythropoiesis and in fetal γ-globin expression. RECENT FINDINGS HRI and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) mRNAs are highly expressed in early erythroblasts. Inhibition of protein synthesis by HRI-phosphorylated elF2α (elF2αP) is necessary to maintain protein homeostasis in both the cytoplasm and mitochondria. In addition, HRI-elF2αP specifically enhances translation of ATF4 mRNA leading to the repression of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. ATF4-target genes are most highly activated during iron deficiency to maintain mitochondrial function, redox homeostasis, and to enable erythroid differentiation. HRI is therefore a master translation regulator of erythropoiesis sensing intracellular heme concentrations and oxidative stress for effective erythropoiesis. Intriguingly, HRI-elF2αP-ATF4 signaling also inhibits fetal hemoglobin production in human erythroid cells. SUMMARY The primary function of HRI is to maintain protein homeostasis accompanied by the induction of ATF4 to mitigate stress. Role of HRI-ATF4 in γ-globin expression raises the potential of HRI as a therapeutic target for hemoglobinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane-Jane Chen
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Shuping Zhang
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China
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Sharma N, Nagaraj C, Nagy BM, Marsh LM, Bordag N, Zabini D, Wygrecka M, Klepetko W, Gschwandtner E, Genové G, Heinemann A, Weir EK, Kwapiszewska G, Olschewski H, Olschewski A. RGS5 Determines Neutrophil Migration in the Acute Inflammatory Phase of Bleomycin-Induced Lung Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179342. [PMID: 34502263 PMCID: PMC8430858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) represents a widespread system of controllers of cellular responses. The activities of the R4 subfamily of RGSs have been elucidated in allergic pulmonary diseases. However, the R4 signaling in other inflammatory lung diseases, with a strong cellular immune response, remained unexplored. Thus, our study aimed to discern the functional relevance of the R4 family member, RGS5, as a potential modulating element in this context. Gene profiling of the R4 subfamily showed increased RGS5 expression in human fibrosing lung disease samples. In line with this, RGS5 was markedly increased in murine lungs following bleomycin injury. RGS knock-out mice (RGS-/-) had preserved lung function while control mice showed significant combined ventilatory disorders three days after bleomycin application as compared to untreated control mice. Loss of RGS5 was associated with a significantly reduced neutrophil influx and tissue myeloperoxidase expression. In the LPS lung injury model, RGS5-/- mice also failed to recruit neutrophils into the lung, which was accompanied by reduced tissue myeloperoxidase levels after 24 h. Our in-vitro assays showed impaired migration of RGS5-/- neutrophils towards chemokines despite preserved Ca2+ signaling. ERK dephosphorylation might play a role in reduced neutrophil migration in our model. As a conclusion, loss of RGS5 preserves lung function and attenuates hyperinflammation in the acute phase of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and LPS-induced lung injury. Targeting RGS5 might alleviate the severity of exacerbations in interstitial lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sharma
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, 8010 Graz, Austria; (N.S.); (C.N.); (B.M.N.); (L.M.M.); (N.B.); (D.Z.); (G.K.); (H.O.)
- Experimental Anaesthesiology, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Chandran Nagaraj
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, 8010 Graz, Austria; (N.S.); (C.N.); (B.M.N.); (L.M.M.); (N.B.); (D.Z.); (G.K.); (H.O.)
| | - Bence M. Nagy
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, 8010 Graz, Austria; (N.S.); (C.N.); (B.M.N.); (L.M.M.); (N.B.); (D.Z.); (G.K.); (H.O.)
| | - Leigh M. Marsh
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, 8010 Graz, Austria; (N.S.); (C.N.); (B.M.N.); (L.M.M.); (N.B.); (D.Z.); (G.K.); (H.O.)
| | - Natalie Bordag
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, 8010 Graz, Austria; (N.S.); (C.N.); (B.M.N.); (L.M.M.); (N.B.); (D.Z.); (G.K.); (H.O.)
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Diana Zabini
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, 8010 Graz, Austria; (N.S.); (C.N.); (B.M.N.); (L.M.M.); (N.B.); (D.Z.); (G.K.); (H.O.)
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Malgorzata Wygrecka
- Department of Biochemistry, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Walter Klepetko
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (W.K.); (E.G.)
| | - Elisabeth Gschwandtner
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (W.K.); (E.G.)
| | - Guillem Genové
- Integrated CardioMetabolic Centre (ICMC), Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Huddinge, Sweden;
| | - Akos Heinemann
- Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - E Kenneth Weir
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Grazyna Kwapiszewska
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, 8010 Graz, Austria; (N.S.); (C.N.); (B.M.N.); (L.M.M.); (N.B.); (D.Z.); (G.K.); (H.O.)
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Horst Olschewski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, 8010 Graz, Austria; (N.S.); (C.N.); (B.M.N.); (L.M.M.); (N.B.); (D.Z.); (G.K.); (H.O.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Andrea Olschewski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, 8010 Graz, Austria; (N.S.); (C.N.); (B.M.N.); (L.M.M.); (N.B.); (D.Z.); (G.K.); (H.O.)
- Experimental Anaesthesiology, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-(0)316-385-72057
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The methyltransferase PRMT1 regulates γ-globin translation. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100417. [PMID: 33587951 PMCID: PMC7966866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of fetal hemoglobin to overcome adult β-globin gene deficiency is an effective therapeutic strategy to ameliorate human β-hemoglobinopathies. Previous work has revealed that fetal γ-globin can be translationally induced via integrated stress signaling, but other studies have indicated that activating stress may eventually suppress γ-globin expression transcriptionally. The mechanism by which γ-globin expression is regulated at the translational level remains largely unknown, limiting our ability to determine whether activating stress is a realistic therapeutic option for these disorders. In this study, we performed a functional CRISPR screen targeting protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) to look for changes in γ-globin expression in K562 cells. We not only discovered that several specific PRMTs may block γ-globin transcription, but also revealed PRMT1 as a unique family member that is able to suppress γ-globin synthesis specifically at the translational level. We further identified that a non-AUG uORF within the 5' untranslated region of γ-globin serves as a barrier for translation, which is bypassed upon PRMT1 deficiency. Finally, we found that this novel mechanism of γ-globin suppression could be pharmacologically targeted by the PRMT1 inhibitor, furamidine dihydrochloride. These data raise new questions regarding methyltransferase function and may offer a new therapeutic direction for β-hemoglobinopathies.
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The HRI-regulated transcription factor ATF4 activates BCL11A transcription to silence fetal hemoglobin expression. Blood 2021; 135:2121-2132. [PMID: 32299090 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020005301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactivation of fetal hemoglobin remains a critical goal in the treatment of patients with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. Previously, we discovered that silencing of the fetal γ-globin gene requires the erythroid-specific eIF2α kinase heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI), suggesting that HRI might present a pharmacologic target for raising fetal hemoglobin levels. Here, via a CRISPR-Cas9-guided loss-of-function screen in human erythroblasts, we identify transcription factor ATF4, a known HRI-regulated protein, as a novel γ-globin regulator. ATF4 directly stimulates transcription of BCL11A, a repressor of γ-globin transcription, by binding to its enhancer and fostering enhancer-promoter contacts. Notably, HRI-deficient mice display normal Bcl11a levels, suggesting species-selective regulation, which we explain here by demonstrating that the analogous ATF4 motif at the murine Bcl11a enhancer is largely dispensable. Our studies uncover a linear signaling pathway from HRI to ATF4 to BCL11A to γ-globin and illustrate potential limits of murine models of globin gene regulation.
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11
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Gurumurthy A, Wu Q, Nar R, Paulsen K, Trumbull A, Fishman RC, Brand M, Strouboulis J, Qian Z, Bungert J. TFII-I/Gtf2i and Erythro-Megakaryopoiesis. Front Physiol 2020; 11:590180. [PMID: 33101065 PMCID: PMC7546208 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.590180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
TFII-I is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that positively or negatively regulates gene expression. TFII-I has been implicated in neuronal and immunologic diseases as well as in thymic epithelial cancer. Williams–Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is caused by a large hemizygous deletion on chromosome 7q11.23 which encompasses 26–28 genes, including GTF2I, the human gene encoding TFII-I. A subset of WBS patients has recently been shown to present with macrocytosis, a mild anemia characterized by enlarged erythrocytes. We conditionally deleted the TFII-I/Gtf2i gene in adult mice by tamoxifen induced Cre-recombination. Bone marrow cells revealed defects in erythro-megakaryopoiesis and an increase in expression of the adult β-globin gene. The data show that TFII-I acts as a repressor of β–globin gene transcription and that it is implicated in the differentiation of erythro-megakaryocytic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Gurumurthy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, UF Health Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Qiong Wu
- Division of Medicine and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Rukiye Nar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, UF Health Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Kimberly Paulsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, UF Health Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Alexis Trumbull
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, UF Health Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ryan C Fishman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, UF Health Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Marjorie Brand
- Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - John Strouboulis
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zhijian Qian
- Division of Medicine and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jörg Bungert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, UF Health Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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12
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Shah F, Dwivedi M. Pathophysiology and recent therapeutic insights of sickle cell disease. Ann Hematol 2020; 99:925-935. [PMID: 32157419 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-020-03977-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive blood disorder which occurs due to point mutation in the β-globin chain of hemoglobin. Since the past decades, various therapies have been put forth, which are based on obstructing pathophysiological mechanisms of SCD including inhibition of Gardos channel and cation fluxes which in turn prevents sickle erythrocyte destruction and dehydration. The pharmacological approaches are based on the mechanism of reactivating γ-globin expression by utilizing fetal hemoglobin (HbF)-inducing drugs such as hydroxyurea. In SCD, gene therapy could be considered as a promising tool which involves modifying mutation at the gene-specific target by either promoting insertion or deletion of globins. Although there are various therapies emerged so far in the treatment of SCD, many of them have faced a major setback in most of developing countries in terms of cost, unavailability of expertise, and suitable donor. Therefore, in addition to pathophysiological aspects, this review will discuss new advancements and approaches made in the therapeutic domain of SCD including a viewpoint of modulating hemoglobin in SCD by the intervention of probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firdosh Shah
- C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Uka Tarsadia University, Maliba Campus, Gopal Vidyanagar, Bardoli-Mahuva Road, Dist. Surat, Tarsadi, Bardoli, Gujarat, 394350, India
| | - Mitesh Dwivedi
- C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Uka Tarsadia University, Maliba Campus, Gopal Vidyanagar, Bardoli-Mahuva Road, Dist. Surat, Tarsadi, Bardoli, Gujarat, 394350, India.
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13
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Heme-regulated eIF2α kinase in erythropoiesis and hemoglobinopathies. Blood 2020; 134:1697-1707. [PMID: 31554636 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019001915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As essential components of hemoglobin, iron and heme play central roles in terminal erythropoiesis. The impairment of this process in iron/heme deficiency results in microcytic hypochromic anemia, the most prevalent anemia globally. Heme-regulated eIF2α kinase, also known as heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI), is a key heme-binding protein that senses intracellular heme concentrations to balance globin protein synthesis with the amount of heme available for hemoglobin production. HRI is activated during heme deficiency to phosphorylate eIF2α (eIF2αP), which simultaneously inhibits the translation of globin messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and selectively enhances the translation of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) mRNA to induce stress response genes. This coordinated translational regulation is a universal hallmark across the eIF2α kinase family under various stress conditions and is termed the integrated stress response (ISR). Inhibition of general protein synthesis by HRI-eIF2αP in erythroblasts is necessary to prevent proteotoxicity and maintain protein homeostasis in the cytoplasm and mitochondria. Additionally, the HRI-eIF2αP-ATF4 pathway represses mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling, specifically in the erythroid lineage as a feedback mechanism of erythropoietin-stimulated erythropoiesis during iron/heme deficiency. Furthermore, ATF4 target genes are most highly activated during iron deficiency to maintain mitochondrial function and redox homeostasis, as well as to enable erythroid differentiation. Thus, heme and translation regulate erythropoiesis through 2 key signaling pathways, ISR and mTORC1, which are coordinated by HRI to circumvent ineffective erythropoiesis (IE). HRI-ISR is also activated to reduce the severity of β-thalassemia intermedia in the Hbbth1/th1 murine model. Recently, HRI has been implicated in the regulation of human fetal hemoglobin production. Therefore, HRI-ISR has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for hemoglobinopathies.
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14
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Romero AM, Ramos-Alonso L, Alepuz P, Puig S, Martínez-Pastor MT. Global translational repression induced by iron deficiency in yeast depends on the Gcn2/eIF2α pathway. Sci Rep 2020; 10:233. [PMID: 31937829 PMCID: PMC6959253 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57132-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential element for all eukaryotic organisms because it participates as a redox active cofactor in a wide range of biological processes, including protein synthesis. Translation is probably the most energy consuming process in cells. Therefore, one of the initial responses of eukaryotic cells to stress or nutrient limitation is the arrest of mRNA translation. In first instance, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to iron deficiency by activating iron acquisition and remodeling cellular metabolism in order to prioritize essential over non-essential iron-dependent processes. We have determined that, despite a global decrease in transcription, mRNA translation is actively maintained during a short-term exposure to iron scarcity. However, a more severe iron deficiency condition induces a global repression of translation. Our results indicate that the Gcn2-eIF2α pathway limits general translation at its initiation step during iron deficiency. This bulk translational inhibition depends on the uncharged tRNA sensing Gcn1-Gcn20 complex. The involvement of the Gcn2-eIF2α pathway in the response to iron deficiency highlights its central role in the eukaryotic response to stress or nutritional deprivation, which is conserved from yeast to mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia María Romero
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino 7, E-46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucía Ramos-Alonso
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino 7, E-46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paula Alepuz
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universitat de València, Doctor Moliner 50, E-46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.,ERI Biotecmed, Universitat de València, Doctor Moliner 50, E-46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sergi Puig
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino 7, E-46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
| | - María Teresa Martínez-Pastor
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universitat de València, Doctor Moliner 50, E-46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
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15
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Park SH, Lee CM, Dever DP, Davis TH, Camarena J, Srifa W, Zhang Y, Paikari A, Chang AK, Porteus MH, Sheehan VA, Bao G. Highly efficient editing of the β-globin gene in patient-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to treat sickle cell disease. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7955-7972. [PMID: 31147717 PMCID: PMC6735704 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a monogenic disorder that affects millions worldwide. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only available cure. Here, we demonstrate the use of CRISPR/Cas9 and a short single-stranded oligonucleotide template to correct the sickle mutation in the β-globin gene in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from peripheral blood or bone marrow of patients with SCD, with 24.5 ± 7.6% efficiency without selection. Erythrocytes derived from gene-edited cells showed a marked reduction of sickle cells, with the level of normal hemoglobin (HbA) increased to 25.3 ± 13.9%. Gene-corrected SCD HSPCs retained the ability to engraft when transplanted into non-obese diabetic (NOD)-SCID-gamma (NSG) mice with detectable levels of gene correction 16-19 weeks post-transplantation. We show that, by using a high-fidelity SpyCas9 that maintained the same level of on-target gene modification, the off-target effects including chromosomal rearrangements were significantly reduced. Taken together, our results demonstrate efficient gene correction of the sickle mutation in both peripheral blood and bone marrow-derived SCD HSPCs, a significant reduction in sickling of red blood cells, engraftment of gene-edited SCD HSPCs in vivo and the importance of reducing off-target effects; all are essential for moving genome editing based SCD treatment into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Hyun Park
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ciaran M Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daniel P Dever
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Timothy H Davis
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joab Camarena
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Waracharee Srifa
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yankai Zhang
- Texas Children’s Hematology Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Alireza Paikari
- Texas Children’s Hematology Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Alicia K Chang
- Texas Children’s Hematology Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Matthew H Porteus
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Vivien A Sheehan
- Texas Children’s Hematology Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gang Bao
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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16
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Zanette DL, Santiago RP, Leite IPR, Santana SS, da Guarda C, Maffili VV, Ferreira JRD, Adanho CSA, Yahouedehou SCMA, Menezes IL, Goncalves MS. Differential gene expression analysis of sickle cell anemia in steady and crisis state. Ann Hum Genet 2019; 83:310-317. [PMID: 30698275 DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell anemia is one of the most prevalent genetic diseases worldwide, showing great clinical heterogeneity. This study compared the gene expression patterns between sickle cell anemia pediatric patients in steady state and in crisis state, as compared to age-paired, healthy individuals. RNA sequencing was performed from these groups of patients/controls using Illumina HiSeq 2500 equipment. The resulting differentially expressed genes were loaded into QIAGEN's ingenuity pathway analysis. The results showed that EIF2 pathway and NRF2-mediated oxidative stress-response pathways were more highly activated both in steady state and in crisis patients, as compared to healthy individuals. In addition, we found increased activation of eIF4 and p70S6K signaling pathways in crisis state compared to healthy individuals. The transcription factor GATA-1 was found exclusively in steady state while SPI was found exclusively in crisis state. IL6 and VEGFA were found only in crisis state, while IL-1B was found exclusively in steady state. The regulator effects analysis revealed IgG1 as an upstream regulator in steady state compared to healthy individuals, resulting in invasion of prostate cancer cell lines as the disease/function outcome. For crisis-state patients versus healthy individuals, two networks of regulator effects revealed STAT1, CD40LG, TGM2, IRF7, IRF4, and IRF1 acting as upstream regulators, resulting in disease/function outcomes, including engulfment of cells and aggregation of blood cells and inflammation of joints. Our results indicated genes and pathways that can provide clues on the molecular events involved in the severity of sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalila L Zanette
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz - Fiocruz/BA, 40296710, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Rayra P Santiago
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz - Fiocruz/BA, 40296710, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Ivana Paula Ribeiro Leite
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz - Fiocruz/BA, 40296710, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.,Hospital Pediátrico Professor Hosannah de Oliveira, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Sanzio S Santana
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz - Fiocruz/BA, 40296710, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Caroline da Guarda
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz - Fiocruz/BA, 40296710, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Vitor V Maffili
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz - Fiocruz/BA, 40296710, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Isa Lyra Menezes
- Hospital Pediátrico Professor Hosannah de Oliveira, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marilda Souza Goncalves
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz - Fiocruz/BA, 40296710, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.,Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170115, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil
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17
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Grevet JD, Lan X, Hamagami N, Edwards CR, Sankaranarayanan L, Ji X, Bhardwaj SK, Face CJ, Posocco DF, Abdulmalik O, Keller CA, Giardine B, Sidoli S, Garcia BA, Chou ST, Liebhaber SA, Hardison RC, Shi J, Blobel GA. Domain-focused CRISPR screen identifies HRI as a fetal hemoglobin regulator in human erythroid cells. Science 2018; 361:285-290. [PMID: 30026227 PMCID: PMC6257981 DOI: 10.1126/science.aao0932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Increasing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels in adult red blood cells provides clinical benefit to patients with sickle cell disease and some forms of β-thalassemia. To identify potentially druggable HbF regulators in adult human erythroid cells, we employed a protein kinase domain-focused CRISPR-Cas9-based genetic screen with a newly optimized single-guide RNA scaffold. The screen uncovered the heme-regulated inhibitor HRI (also known as EIF2AK1), an erythroid-specific kinase that controls protein translation, as an HbF repressor. HRI depletion markedly increased HbF production in a specific manner and reduced sickling in cultured erythroid cells. Diminished expression of the HbF repressor BCL11A accounted in large part for the effects of HRI depletion. Taken together, these results suggest HRI as a potential therapeutic target for hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D Grevet
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xianjiang Lan
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicole Hamagami
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christopher R Edwards
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Xinjun Ji
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Saurabh K Bhardwaj
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Carolyne J Face
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David F Posocco
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Osheiza Abdulmalik
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Cheryl A Keller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Belinda Giardine
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ben A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stella T Chou
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stephen A Liebhaber
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ross C Hardison
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Junwei Shi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Gerd A Blobel
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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18
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Metformin induces FOXO3-dependent fetal hemoglobin production in human primary erythroid cells. Blood 2018; 132:321-333. [PMID: 29884740 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-11-814335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Induction of red blood cell (RBC) fetal hemoglobin (HbF; α2γ2) ameliorates the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD) by reducing the concentration of sickle hemoglobin (HbS; α2βS2) to inhibit its polymerization. Hydroxyurea (HU), the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for SCD, acts in part by inducing HbF; however, it is not fully effective, reflecting the need for new therapies. Whole-exome sequence analysis of rare genetic variants in SCD patients identified FOXO3 as a candidate regulator of RBC HbF. We validated these genomic findings through loss- and gain-of-function studies in normal human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells induced to undergo erythroid differentiation. FOXO3 gene silencing reduced γ-globin RNA levels and HbF levels in erythroblasts, whereas overexpression of FOXO3 produced the opposite effect. Moreover, treatment of primary CD34+ cell-derived erythroid cultures with metformin, an FDA-approved drug known to enhance FOXO3 activity in nonerythroid cells, caused dose-related FOXO3-dependent increases in the percentage of HbF protein and the fraction of HbF-immunostaining cells (F cells). Combined HU and metformin treatment induced HbF additively and reversed the arrest in erythroid maturation caused by HU treatment alone. HbF induction by metformin in erythroid precursors was dependent on FOXO3 expression and did not alter expression of BCL11A, MYB, or KLF1. Collectively, our data implicate FOXO3 as a positive regulator of γ-globin expression and identify metformin as a potential therapeutic agent for SCD.
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19
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Burwick N, Aktas BH. The eIF2-alpha kinase HRI: a potential target beyond the red blood cell. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:1171-1177. [PMID: 29063813 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1397133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The eIF2α kinase heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI) is one of four well-described kinases that phosphorylate eIF2α in response to various cell stressors, resulting in reduced ternary complex formation and attenuation of mRNA translation. Although HRI is well known for its role as a heme sensor in erythroid progenitors, pharmacologic activation of HRI has been demonstrated to have anti-cancer activity across a wide range of tumor sub-types. Here, the potential of HRI activators as novel cancer therapeutics is explored. Areas covered: We provide an introduction to eIF2 signaling pathways in general, and specifically review data on the eIF2α kinase HRI in erythroid and non-erythroid cells. We review aspects of targeting eIF2 signaling in cancer and highlight promising data using HRI activators against tumor cells. Expert opinion: Pharmacologic activation of HRI inhibits tumor growth as a single agent without appreciable toxicity in vivo. The ability of HRI activators to provide direct and sustained eIF2α phosphorylation without inducing oxidative stress or broad eIF2α kinase activation may be especially advantageous for tolerability. Combination therapy with established therapeutics may further augment anti-cancer activity to overcome disease resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Burwick
- a Division of hematology , VA Puget Sound Health Care System , Seattle , WA , USA.,b Division of Hematology , University of Washington School of Medicine , Seattle WA , USA
| | - Bertal H Aktas
- c Department of Medicine , Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
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20
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Sripichai O, Fucharoen S. Fetal hemoglobin regulation in β-thalassemia: heterogeneity, modifiers and therapeutic approaches. Expert Rev Hematol 2016; 9:1129-1137. [PMID: 27801605 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2016.1255142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stress erythropoiesis induces fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression in β-thalassemias, however the level of expression is highly variable. The last decade has seen dramatic advances in our understanding of the molecular regulators of HbF production and the genetic factors associated with HbF levels, leading to the promise of new methods of the clinical induction of HbF. Areas covered: This article will review the heterogeneity and genetic modifiers of HbF and HbF induction therapy in β-thalassemia. Expert commentary: One promising curative β-thalassemia therapy is to induce HbF synthesis in β-thalassemic erythrocytes to therapeutic levels before clinical symptom occurs. Further understanding of HbF level variation and regulation is needed in order to predict the response from HbF-inducing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orapan Sripichai
- a Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences , Mahidol University , Nakhonpathom , Thailand
| | - Suthat Fucharoen
- a Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences , Mahidol University , Nakhonpathom , Thailand
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21
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Zhang M, Mishra S, Sakthivel R, Fontoura BMA, Nussenzweig V. UIS2: A Unique Phosphatase Required for the Development of Plasmodium Liver Stages. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005370. [PMID: 26735921 PMCID: PMC4712141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium salivary sporozoites are the infectious form of the malaria parasite and are dormant inside salivary glands of Anopheles mosquitoes. During dormancy, protein translation is inhibited by the kinase UIS1 that phosphorylates serine 59 in the eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). De-phosphorylation of eIF2α-P is required for the transformation of sporozoites into the liver stage. In mammalian cells, the de-phosphorylation of eIF2α-P is mediated by the protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). Using a series of genetically knockout parasites we showed that in malaria sporozoites, contrary to mammalian cells, the eIF2α-P phosphatase is a member of the PP2C/PPM phosphatase family termed UIS2. We found that eIF2α was highly phosphorylated in uis2 conditional knockout sporozoites. These mutant sporozoites maintained the crescent shape after delivery into mammalian host and lost their infectivity. Both uis1 and uis2 were highly transcribed in the salivary gland sporozoites but uis2 expression was inhibited by the Pumilio protein Puf2. The repression of uis2 expression was alleviated when sporozoites developed into liver stage. While most eukaryotic phosphatases interact transiently with their substrates, UIS2 stably bound to phosphorylated eIF2α, raising the possibility that high-throughput searches may identify chemicals that disrupt this interaction and prevent malaria infection. Malaria is transmitted to humans by female mosquitoes as they take a blood meal. Plasmodium sporozoites are the infectious and quiescent forms of malaria parasites, which reside in the salivary glands of mosquitoes. Global protein synthesis is inhibited in sporozoites through phosphorylation of the translational factor eIF2α. However, the development of the parasites in the host liver requires de-phosphorylation of eIF2α-P. We find that a unique Plasmodium phosphatase termed UIS2 de-phosphorylates eIF2α-P in malaria. The eIF2α is highly phosphorylated in the uis2 mutant sporozoites. The uis2 mutant parasites did not change their morphology after delivery into the host and could not properly infect the host. We also showed that UIS2 expression was inhibited by the Pumilio protein Puf2. However, this repression was relieved when sporozoites developed into liver stage. In sum, our findings revealed a new mechanism that evolved to control eIF2α dephosphorylation and suggest that identification of UIS2 inhibitors may be useful in anti-malaria therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Satish Mishra
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ramanavelan Sakthivel
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Beatriz M. A. Fontoura
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Victor Nussenzweig
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
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Pule GD, Mowla S, Novitzky N, Wiysonge CS, Wonkam A. A systematic review of known mechanisms of hydroxyurea-induced fetal hemoglobin for treatment of sickle cell disease. Expert Rev Hematol 2015; 8:669-79. [PMID: 26327494 DOI: 10.1586/17474086.2015.1078235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AIM To report on molecular mechanisms of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction by hydroxyurea (HU) for the treatment of sickle cell disease. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review. RESULTS Studies have provided consistent associations between genomic variations in HbF-promoting loci and variable HbF level in response to HU. Numerous signal transduction pathways have been implicated, through the identification of key genomic variants in BCL11A, HBS1L-MYB, SAR1 or XmnI polymorphism that predispose the response to the treatment, and signal transduction pathways that modulate γ-globin expression (cAMP/cGMP; Giα/c-Jun N-terminal kinase/Jun; methylation and miRNA). Three main molecular pathways have been reported: i) Epigenetic modifications, transcriptional events and signaling pathways involved in HU-mediated response, ii) Signaling pathways involving HU-mediated response and iii) Post-transcriptional pathways (regulation by miRNAs). CONCLUSIONS The complete picture of HU-mediated mechanisms of HbF production in Sickle Cell Disease remains elusive. Research on post-transcriptional mechanisms could lead to therapeutic targets that may minimize alterations to the cellular transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gift D Pule
- a 1 Department of Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review will provide an overview of the translational regulation of globin mRNAs and integrated stress response (ISR) during erythropoiesis by heme-regulated eIF2α kinase (HRI). HRI is an intracellular heme sensor that coordinates heme and globin synthesis in erythropoiesis by inhibiting protein synthesis of globins and heme biosynthetic enzymes during heme deficiency. RECENT FINDINGS It has been demonstrated recently that HRI also activates the eIF2αP-activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) ISR in primary erythroid precursors to combat oxidative stress. During chronic iron/heme deficiency in vivo, this HRI-eIF2αP-ATF4 signaling is necessary both to reduce oxidative stress and to promote erythroid differentiation. Augmenting eIF2αP signaling by the small molecule salubrinal, which inhibits dephosphorylation of eIF2αP, reduces excess α-globin synthesis and enhances translation of ATF4 mRNA in mouse β-thalassemic erythroid precursors. Intriguingly, salubrinal treatment of differentiating human CD34⁺ cells in culture increases fetal hemoglobin production with a concomitant decrease of adult hemoglobin by a posttranscriptional mechanism. SUMMARY HRI-eIF2αP-ATF4 stress signaling is important not only to inhibit excess globin synthesis during erythropoiesis, but is also critical for adaptation to oxidative stress and for enhancing effective erythropoiesis. Modulation of this signaling pathway with small chemicals may provide a novel therapy for hemoglobinopathy.
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Perrine SP, Pace BS, Faller DV. Targeted fetal hemoglobin induction for treatment of beta hemoglobinopathies. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2014; 28:233-48. [PMID: 24589264 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2013.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Fetal globin (gamma globin; HBG) is normally expressed during fetal life and prevents the clinical manifestations of beta hemoglobinopathies before birth. HBG genes are normally integrated in hematopoietic stem cells in all humans, and are at least partially amenable to reactivation. Inducing expression of fetal globin (HBG) gene expression to 60% to 70% of alpha globin synthesis produces a β-thalassemia trait phenotype, and reduces anemia. Tailoring combinations of therapeutics to patient subsets characterized for quantitative trait loci which modulate basal fetal hemoglobin and erythroid cell survival should provide effective amelioration of clinical symptoms in β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan P Perrine
- Hemoglobinopathy-Thalassemia Research Unit, Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L-909, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Betty S Pace
- Department of Pediatrics and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Douglas V Faller
- Cancer Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Abstract
Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction can ameliorate the clinical severity of sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. We previously reported that activation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) stress pathway increased HbF through a posttranscriptional mechanism. In this study, we explored the underlying means by which salubrinal, an activator of eIF2α signaling, enhances HbF production in primary human erythroid cells. Initial experiments eliminated changes in globin messenger RNA (mRNA) stability or cellular location and reduction of adult hemoglobin as possible salubrinal mechanisms. We then determined that salubrinal selectively increased the number of actively translating ribosomes on γ-globin mRNA. This enhanced translation efficiency occurred in the recovery phase of the stress response as phosphorylation of eIF2α and global protein synthesis returned toward baseline. These findings highlight γ-globin mRNA translation as a novel mechanism for regulating HbF production and as a pharmacologic target for induction of HbF.
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Multiple physical stresses induce γ-globin gene expression and fetal hemoglobin production in erythroid cells. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2014; 52:214-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Ikuta T, Kuroyanagi Y, Odo N, Liu S. A common signaling pathway is activated in erythroid cells expressing high levels of fetal hemoglobin: a potential role for cAMP-elevating agents in β-globin disorders. J Blood Med 2013; 4:149-59. [PMID: 24353450 PMCID: PMC3862583 DOI: 10.2147/jbm.s54671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although erythroid cells prepared from fetal liver, cord blood, or blood from β-thalassemia patients are known to express fetal hemoglobin at high levels, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We previously showed that cyclic nucleotides such as cAMP and cGMP induce fetal hemoglobin expression in primary erythroid cells. Here we report that cAMP signaling contributes to high-level fetal hemoglobin expression in erythroid cells prepared from cord blood and β-thalassemia. Methods The status of the cAMP signaling pathway was investigated using primary erythroid cells prepared from cord blood and the mononuclear cells of patients with β-thalassemia; erythroid cells from adult bone marrow mononuclear cells served as the control. Results We found that intracellular cAMP levels were higher in erythroid cells from cord blood and β-thalassemia than from adult bone marrow. Protein kinase A activity levels and cAMP-response element binding protein phosphorylation were higher in erythroid cells from cord blood or β-thalassemia than in adult bone marrow progenitors. Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, which play a role in fetal hemoglobin expression, were not consistently activated in cord blood or β-thalassemia erythroid cells. When cAMP signaling was activated in adult erythroid cells, fetal hemoglobin was induced at high levels and associated with reduced expression of BCL11A, a silencer of the β-globin gene. Conclusion These results suggest that activated cAMP signaling may be a common mechanism among erythroid cells with high fetal hemoglobin levels, in part because of downregulation of BCL11A. Activation of the cAMP signaling pathway with cAMP-elevating agents may prove to be an important signaling mechanism to reactivate fetal hemoglobin expression in erythroid cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tohru Ikuta
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yuichi Kuroyanagi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Nadine Odo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Siyang Liu
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
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