1
|
Zhao B, Luo H, He J, Huang X, Chen S, Fu X, Zeng W, Tian Y, Liu S, Li CJ, Liu GE, Fang L, Zhang S, Tian K. Comprehensive transcriptome and methylome analysis delineates the biological basis of hair follicle development and wool-related traits in Merino sheep. BMC Biol 2021; 19:197. [PMID: 34503498 PMCID: PMC8427949 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01127-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Characterization of the molecular mechanisms underlying hair follicle development is of paramount importance in the genetic improvement of wool-related traits in sheep and skin-related traits in humans. The Merino is the most important breed of fine-wooled sheep in the world. In this study, we systematically investigated the complexity of sheep hair follicle development by integrating transcriptome and methylome datasets from Merino sheep skin. Results We analysed 72 sequence datasets, including DNA methylome and the whole transcriptome of four gene types, i.e. protein-coding genes (PCGs), lncRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs, across four embryonic days (E65, E85, E105, and E135) and two postnatal days (P7 and P30) from the skin tissue of 18 Merino sheep. We revealed distinct expression profiles of these four gene types across six hair follicle developmental stages, and demonstrated their complex interactions with DNA methylation. PCGs with stage-specific expression or regulated by stage-specific lncRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs were significantly enriched in epithelial differentiation and hair follicle morphogenesis. Regulatory network and gene co-expression analyses identified key transcripts controlling hair follicle development. We further predicted transcriptional factors (e.g. KLF4, LEF1, HOXC13, RBPJ, VDR, RARA, and STAT3) with stage-specific involvement in hair follicle morphogenesis. Through integrating these stage-specific genomic features with results from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of five wool-related traits in 7135 Merino sheep, we detected developmental stages and genes that were relevant with wool-related traits in sheep. For instance, genes that were specifically upregulated at E105 were significantly associated with most of wool-related traits. A phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) demonstrated that candidate genes of wool-related traits (e.g. SPHK1, GHR, PPP1R27, CSRP2, EEF1A2, and PTPN1) in sheep were also significantly associated with dermatological, metabolic, and immune traits in humans. Conclusions Our study provides novel insights into the molecular basis of hair follicle morphogenesis and will serve as a foundation to improve breeding for wool traits in sheep. It also indicates the importance of studying gene expression in the normal development of organs in understanding the genetic architecture of economically important traits in livestock. The datasets generated here are useful resources for functionally annotating the sheep genome, and for elucidating early skin development in mammals, including humans. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01127-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingru Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hanpeng Luo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Junmin He
- Key Laboratory of Genetics Breeding and Reproduction of the Fine Wool Sheep & Cashmere Goat in Xinjiang, Institute of Animal Science, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Xixia Huang
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Siqian Chen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefeng Fu
- Key Laboratory of Genetics Breeding and Reproduction of the Fine Wool Sheep & Cashmere Goat in Xinjiang, Institute of Animal Science, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Weidan Zeng
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yuezhen Tian
- Key Laboratory of Genetics Breeding and Reproduction of the Fine Wool Sheep & Cashmere Goat in Xinjiang, Institute of Animal Science, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Shuli Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Cong-Jun Li
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | - George E Liu
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | - Lingzhao Fang
- MRC Human Genetics Unit at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Shengli Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
| | - Kechuan Tian
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huang W, Shimizu H, Bianchi J, Matovinovic K, Ayares DL, Gotoh M, Korbutt GS, Rajotte RV, Rayat GR. Impact of donor and prolonged cold ischemia time of neonatal pig pancreas on neonatal pig islet transplant outcome. Xenotransplantation 2021; 28:e12663. [PMID: 33230864 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12663] [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: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetically modified pigs (GMP) have been developed to alleviate the shortage of donors in human islet transplantation and rejection. In this study, we characterized and compared the islets from GalTKO, GalTKO/hCD46, GalTKO/hCD46/hCD39, and wild-type (WT) neonatal pigs. METHODS Islets were isolated from GMP and WT pig pancreases that have been packaged with ice pack for at least 24 hours. The difference in gene expression and function of islets were evaluated by microarray analysis and transplantation of islets under the kidney capsule of streptozotocin-induced diabetic immune-deficient mice, respectively. Blood glucose levels of these mice were monitored weekly post-transplantation for >100 days, and islet grafts were collected and evaluated for the presence of endocrine cells. RESULTS The genes involved in extracellular components, cell adhesion, glucose metabolism, and inflammatory response are differentially expressed between GMP and WT pig islets. Variation in the ability of pig islets in correcting the diabetic state of the mouse recipients appears to be dependent on the pig donor. In addition, prolonged cold ischemia time had a negative effect on the transplant outcome. All normoglycemic mice were able to respond well to glucose challenge despite the initial differences in the ability of islet transplants to reverse their diabetic state. Islet xenografts of normoglycemic mice contained abundant insulin- and glucagon-positive cells. CONCLUSION The effect of GMP and WT neonatal pig islet transplants on hyperglycemia in mice appears to be dependent on the pig donor, and prolonged cold ischemia time negatively affects the neonatal pig islet transplant outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Huang
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Alberta Diabetes Institute, Ray Rajotte Surgical-Medical Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Hirofumi Shimizu
- Department of Surgery, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | | | - Kaja Matovinovic
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Alberta Diabetes Institute, Ray Rajotte Surgical-Medical Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Mitsukazu Gotoh
- Department of Surgery, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Gregory S Korbutt
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Alberta Diabetes Institute, Ray Rajotte Surgical-Medical Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ray V Rajotte
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Alberta Diabetes Institute, Ray Rajotte Surgical-Medical Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gina R Rayat
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Alberta Diabetes Institute, Ray Rajotte Surgical-Medical Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ibrahim S, Dayoub R, Melter M, Weiss TS. Bile acids down-regulate the expression of Augmenter of Liver Regeneration (ALR) via SHP/HNF4α1 and independent of Egr-1. Exp Mol Pathol 2018; 105:236-242. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|
4
|
Dhadve A, Thakur B, Ray P. Dual Modality Imaging of Promoter Activity as a Surrogate for Gene Expression and Function. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1790:1-12. [PMID: 29858779 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7860-1_1] [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] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Molecular functional imaging with optical reporter genes (both bioluminescence and fluorescence) is a rapidly evolving method that allows noninvasive, sensitive, real-time monitoring of many cellular events in live cells and whole organisms. These reporter genes with optical signatures when expressed from gene-specific promoters or Cis/Trans elements mimic the endogenous expression pattern without perturbing cellular physiology. With advanced recombinant molecular biology techniques, several strategies for optimal expression from constitutive or inducible, tissue-specific and weak promoters have been developed and used for dynamic and functional imaging. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the applications of this powerful technology for imaging gene expression in living cells and rodent models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Dhadve
- Imaging Cell Signaling & Therapeutics Lab, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Bhushan Thakur
- Imaging Cell Signaling & Therapeutics Lab, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Pritha Ray
- Imaging Cell Signaling & Therapeutics Lab, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. .,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
The liver is an essential organ for nutrient and drug metabolism - possessing the remarkable ability to sense environmental and metabolic stimuli and provide an optimally adaptive response. Early growth response 1 (Egr1), an immediate early transcriptional factor which acts as a coordinator of the complex response to stress, is induced during liver injury and controls the expression of a wide range of genes involved in metabolism, cell proliferation, and role of Egr1 in liver injury and repair, deficiency of Egr1 delays liver regeneration process. The known upstream regulators of Egr1 include, but are not limited to, growth factors (e.g. transforming growth factor β1, platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor), nuclear receptors (e.g. hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α, small heterodimer partner, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ), and other transcription factors (e.g. Sp1, E2F transcription factor 1). Research efforts using various animal models such as fatty liver, liver injury, and liver fibrosis contribute greatly to the elucidation of Egr1 function in the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide due to the heterogeneity and the late stage at which cancer is generally diagnosed. Recent studies highlight the involvement of Egr1 in HCC development. The purpose of this review is to summarize current studies pertaining to the role of Egr1 in liver metabolism and liver diseases including liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Magee
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Yuxia Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Alizai PH, Bertram L, Kroy D, Kummer J, Andert A, Neumann UP, Ulmer TF, Fragoulis A. Expression of VEGFR-2 during Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in a Bioluminescence Mouse Model. Eur Surg Res 2017; 58:330-340. [PMID: 29073598 DOI: 10.1159/000479628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver regeneration requires the formation of new blood vessels. Endothelial cell proliferation is stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor tyrosine kinase VEGFR-2. The aim of this study was to investigate VEGFR-2 expression in vivo during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx). METHODS Transgenic VEGFR-2-luc mice were used in which the luciferase reporter gene was under control of the VEGFR-2 promoter. Following 2/3 PHx, the mice underwent in vivo bioluminescence imaging until the 14th postoperative day. Additionally, liver tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, in vitro luminescence assays, and quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS In vivo bioluminescence imaging showed a significant increase in VEGFR-2 promoter activity after PHx. Maximum signal was recorded on the 3rd day; 8 days postoperatively the signal intensity decreased significantly. On the 14th day, bioluminescence signal reached almost baseline levels. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative RT-PCR, and in vitro luminescence confirmed a significant increase on the 3rd day following resection. The mRNA expression of VEGFR-2 was significantly higher on day 3 than preoperatively as well as on day 8. CONCLUSION In vivo bioluminescence imaging with transgenic VEGFR-2-luc mice is feasible and provides a convenient model for noninvasively studying VEGFR-2 expression during liver regeneration. This may facilitate further experiments with modulation of angiogenesis by different substances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Hamid Alizai
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lea Bertram
- Department of Surgery, Luisenhospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Daniela Kroy
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolic Disorders, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julia Kummer
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Vivantes Clinic Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Andert
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ulf Peter Neumann
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tom Florian Ulmer
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Athanassious Fragoulis
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alizai PH, Bertram L, Fragoulis A, Wruck CJ, Kroy DC, Klinge U, Neumann UP, Schmeding M. In vivo imaging of antioxidant response element activity during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. J Surg Res 2016; 206:525-535. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
8
|
Liao BY, Wang Z, Hu J, Liu WF, Shen ZZ, Zhang X, Yu L, Fan J, Zhou J. PI-88 inhibits postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma via disrupting the surge of heparanase after liver resection. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:2987-98. [PMID: 26415733 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4085-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphomannopentaose sulfate (PI-88), an effective inhibitor of heparanase (HPSE), exhibited anti-recurrence and anti-metastasis activity in preliminary clinical trials of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. Our aim was to reveal the mechanism by which PI-88 inhibits recurrence and intrahepatic metastasis. A tissue microarray containing samples from 352 HCC patients was used to determine HPSE expression. We performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect plasma levels of HPSE in 40 HCC patients. We also used quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical staining to assess HPSE expression of HCC cell lines and tissues. The in vitro effects of PI-88 were examined by cell proliferation and migration assays. In vivo PI-88 activity was assessed using murine orthotopic HCC models. Intratumoral HPSE was an independent prognostic marker for postsurgical overall survival (P = 0.001) and time to recurrence (P < 0.001) of HCC patients with hepatectomy. Elevated levels of HPSE were detected both in postsurgical plasma of HCC patients and an orthotopic mouse model after hepatectomy. PI-88 inhibited tumor recurrence and metastasis after liver resection in the mouse model. In vitro expression of HPSE was up-regulated by overexpression of early growth response 1 (EGR1), which is induced after hepatectomy. Up-regulation of HPSE enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to PI-88 and the inhibitive effect of PI-88 on cell proliferation and migration. Our data show that PI-88 effectively inhibits postoperative recurrence and intrahepatic metastasis of HCC, providing an experimental basis for the clinical application of PI-88 in HCC patients who have undergone hepatectomy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Yi Liao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Hu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zao-Zhuo Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Fan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jian Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lai S, Yuan J, Zhao D, Shen N, Chen W, Ding Y, Yu D, Li J, Pan F, Zhu M, Li C, Xue B. Regulation of mice liver regeneration by early growth response-1 through the GGPPS/RAS/MAPK pathway. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 64:147-54. [PMID: 25882493 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver regeneration (LR) consists of a series of complicated processes in which several transcription factors play important roles. Among them, the early growth response 1 gene (EGR-1) is rapidly induced in response to liver resection. Previous studies have shown that EGR-1-/- mice exhibit delayed hepatocellular mitotic progression after partial hepatectomy (PH). The mechanism underlying the EGR-1 regulated LR is still unknown. Our aim is to elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS Mice infected with adenoviral vectors expressing GFP, EGR-1 or dominant negative EGR-1 (dnEGR-1) were subjected to 2/3 PH. The serum starvation recovery cell model was chosen to mimic the regeneration process for the in vitro studies. Cell proliferation and signaling pathways downstream of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) were examined in the regenerating liver and serum starvation recovery cell model. RESULTS Loss of function of EGR-1 significantly inhibited liver recovery and the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The expression of GGPPS and the activity of the downstream RAS/MAPK pathway were inhibited in dnEGR-1-infected liver, which was consistent with the serum-induced cell model. In addition, loss of function of EGR-1 aggravated liver damage with increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. CONCLUSIONS EGR-1-induced GGPPS plays a vital role in the LR after PH through the RAS/MAPK signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Lai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Jun Yuan
- Biochemical and Environmental Engineering School of Xiaozhuang Collage, Nanjing 211171, China
| | - Dandan Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Ning Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Weibo Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, Nanjing, 210093, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yao Ding
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210097, China
| | - Decai Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Feiyan Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210097, China
| | - Minsheng Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center and the School of Medicine, Nanjing University, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Chaojun Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Bin Xue
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fraguas S, Barberán S, Iglesias M, Rodríguez-Esteban G, Cebrià F. egr-4, a target of EGFR signaling, is required for the formation of the brain primordia and head regeneration in planarians. Development 2014; 141:1835-47. [PMID: 24700819 DOI: 10.1242/dev.101345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
During the regeneration of freshwater planarians, polarity and patterning programs play essential roles in determining whether a head or a tail regenerates at anterior or posterior-facing wounds. This decision is made very soon after amputation. The pivotal role of the Wnt/β-catenin and Hh signaling pathways in re-establishing anterior-posterior (AP) polarity has been well documented. However, the mechanisms that control the growth and differentiation of the blastema in accordance with its AP identity are less well understood. Previous studies have described a role of Smed-egfr-3, a planarian epidermal growth factor receptor, in blastema growth and differentiation. Here, we identify Smed-egr-4, a zinc-finger transcription factor belonging to the early growth response gene family, as a putative downstream target of Smed-egfr-3. Smed-egr-4 is mainly expressed in the central nervous system and its silencing inhibits anterior regeneration without affecting the regeneration of posterior regions. Single and combinatorial RNA interference to target different elements of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, together with expression analysis of brain- and anterior-specific markers, revealed that Smed-egr-4: (1) is expressed in two phases - an early Smed-egfr-3-independent phase and a late Smed-egfr-3-dependent phase; (2) is necessary for the differentiation of the brain primordia in the early stages of regeneration; and (3) that it appears to antagonize the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to allow head regeneration. These results suggest that a conserved EGFR/egr pathway plays an important role in cell differentiation during planarian regeneration and indicate an association between early brain differentiation and the proper progression of head regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Fraguas
- Departament de Genètica de la Universitat de Barcelona and Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Avenida Diagonal 643, Edifici Prevosti planta 1, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kocher B, Piwnica-Worms D. Illuminating cancer systems with genetically engineered mouse models and coupled luciferase reporters in vivo. Cancer Discov 2013; 3:616-29. [PMID: 23585416 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-12-0503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) is a powerful noninvasive tool that has dramatically accelerated the in vivo interrogation of cancer systems and longitudinal analysis of mouse models of cancer over the past decade. Various luciferase enzymes have been genetically engineered into mouse models (GEMM) of cancer, which permit investigation of cellular and molecular events associated with oncogenic transcription, posttranslational processing, protein-protein interactions, transformation, and oncogene addiction in live cells and animals. Luciferase-coupled GEMMs ultimately serve as a noninvasive, repetitive, longitudinal, and physiologic means by which cancer systems and therapeutic responses can be investigated accurately within the autochthonous context of a living animal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Kocher
- Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8225, 510 S. Kingshighway Boulevard, Box 8225, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Bone marrow (BM) cells depend on their niche for growth and survival. However, the genes modulated by niche stimuli have not been discriminated yet. For this purpose, we investigated BM aspirations from patients with various hematological malignancies. Each aspirate was fractionated, and the various samples were fixed at different time points and analyzed by microarray. Identification of niche-modulated genes relied on sustained change in expression following loss of niche regulation. Compared with the reference (‘authentic') samples, which were fixed immediately following aspiration, the BM samples fixed after longer stay out-of-niche acquired numerous changes in gene-expression profile (GEP). The overall genes modulated included a common subset of functionally diverse genes displaying prompt and sustained ‘switch' in expression irrespective of the tumor type. Interestingly, the ‘switch' in GEP was reversible and turned ‘off-and-on' again in culture conditions, resuming cell–cell–matrix contact versus respread into suspension, respectively. Moreover, the resuming of contact prolonged the survival of tumor cells out-of-niche, and the regression of the ‘contactless switch' was followed by induction of a new set of genes, this time mainly encoding extracellular proteins including angiogenic factors and extracellular matrix proteins. Our data set, being unique in authentic expression design, uncovered niche-modulated and niche-modulating genes capable of controlling homing, expansion and angiogenesis.
Collapse
|
13
|
Ozen E, Gozukizil A, Erdal E, Uren A, Bottaro DP, Atabey N. Heparin inhibits Hepatocyte Growth Factor induced motility and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through early growth response protein 1. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42717. [PMID: 22912725 PMCID: PMC3418296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)/c-Met signaling pathway regulates hepatocyte proliferation, and pathway aberrations are implicated in the invasive and metastatic behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition to c-Met, heparin acts as a co-receptor to modulate pathway activity. Recently, anti-metastatic and anti-cancer effects of heparin have been reported. However, the role of heparin in the regulation of HGF signaling remains controversial and the effects of heparin on HGF-induced biological responses during hepatocarcinogenesis is not yet defined. In this study we determined the effects of heparin on HGF-induced activities of HCC cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we report for the first time that heparin inhibits HGF-induced adhesion, motility and invasion of HCC cells. In addition, heparin reduced HGF-induced activation of c-Met and MAPK in a dose-dependent manner, as well as decreased transcriptional activation and expression of Early growth response factor 1 (Egr1). HGF-induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 activation, and MT1-MMP expression, also were inhibited by heparin. Stable knockdown of Egr1 caused a significant decrease in HGF-induced invasion, as well as the activation and expression of MMPs. Parallel to these findings, the overexpression of Egr1 increased the invasiveness of HCC cells. Our results suggest that Egr1 activates HGF-induced cell invasion through the regulation of MMPs in HCC cells and heparin inhibits HGF-induced cellular invasion via the downregulation of Egr1. Therefore, heparin treatment might be a therapeutic approach to inhibit invasion and metastasis of HCC, especially for patients with active HGF/c-Met signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evin Ozen
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aysim Gozukizil
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Esra Erdal
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aykut Uren
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Donald P. Bottaro
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National, Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Nese Atabey
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|