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Afshar S, Leili T, Amini P, Dinu I. Introducing novel key genes and transcription factors associated with rectal cancer response to chemoradiation through co-expression network analysis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18869. [PMID: 37636389 PMCID: PMC10447927 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Preoperative radiochemotherapy is a promising therapeutic method for locally advanced rectal cancer patients. However, the response of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients to preoperative radiotherapy varies widely. In this study, we aimed to identify novel biomarkers that could predict the response of colorectal tumors to treatment using a systems biology approach. We applied the Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis to construct co-expression networks and evaluated the correlation of these networks with radiation using the module-trait relationship. We then identified hub genes and related transcription factors in the selected co-expression module. Our analysis of seven constructed modules revealed that one module, which contained 113 nodes and 6066 edges, had the strongest correlation with radiation effects on CRC (correlation = 0.85; p-value = 6e-7). By analyzing the selected module with the CytoHubba plugin, we identified four hub genes, including ZEB2, JAM2, NDN, and PPAP2A. We also identified seven important transcription factors, including KLF4, SUZ12, TCF4, NANOG, POU5F1, SOX2, and SMARCA4, which may play essential roles in regulating the four hub genes. In summary, our findings suggest that ZEB2, JAM2, NDN, and PPAP2A, along with the seven transcription factors related to these hub genes, may be associated with the response of colorectal tumors to chemoradiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Afshar
- Cancer Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Tapak Leili
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Modeling of Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Payam Amini
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Irina Dinu
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Liang F, Li B, Xu Y, Gong J, Zheng S, Zhang Y, Wang Y. Identification and characterization of Necdin as a target for the Cockayne syndrome B protein in promoting neuronal differentiation and maintenance. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106637. [PMID: 36586641 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a devastating autosomal recessive genetic disorder, mainly characterized by photosensitivity, growth failure, neurological abnormalities, and premature aging. Mutations in CSB (ERCC6) are associated with almost all clinical phenotypes resembling classic CS. Using RNA-seq approach in multiple cell types, we identified Necdin (NDN) as a target of the CSB protein. Supportive of the RNA-seq results, CSB directly binds to NDN and manipulates the remodeling of active histone marks and DNA 5mC methylation on the regulatory elements of the NDN gene. Intriguingly, hyperactivation of NDN due to CSB deficiency does not interfere with nucleotide excision repair (1), but greatly affects neuronal cell differentiation. Inhibition of NDN can partially rescue the motor neuron defects in CSB mouse models. In addition to shedding light on cellular mechanisms underlying CS and pointing to future avenues for intervention, these data substantiate a reciprocal communication between CSB and NDN in the context of general transcription regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangkeng Liang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bijuan Li
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Xu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junwei Gong
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaohui Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunlong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuming Wang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Andjelkovic AV, Stamatovic SM, Phillips CM, Martinez-Revollar G, Keep RF. Modeling blood-brain barrier pathology in cerebrovascular disease in vitro: current and future paradigms. Fluids Barriers CNS 2020; 17:44. [PMID: 32677965 PMCID: PMC7367394 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-020-00202-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and neurovascular unit (NVU) was and still is a challenge to bridge. A highly selective, restrictive and dynamic barrier, formed at the interface of blood and brain, the BBB is a “gatekeeper” and guardian of brain homeostasis and it also acts as a “sensor” of pathological events in blood and brain. The majority of brain and cerebrovascular pathologies are associated with BBB dysfunction, where changes at the BBB can lead to or support disease development. Thus, an ultimate goal of BBB research is to develop competent and highly translational models to understand mechanisms of BBB/NVU pathology and enable discovery and development of therapeutic strategies to improve vascular health and for the efficient delivery of drugs. This review article focuses on the progress being made to model BBB injury in cerebrovascular diseases in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuska V Andjelkovic
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, 7520 MSRB I, 1150 West Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5602, USA.
| | - Svetlana M Stamatovic
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, 7520 MSRB I, 1150 West Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5602, USA
| | - Chelsea M Phillips
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gabriela Martinez-Revollar
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, 7520 MSRB I, 1150 West Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5602, USA
| | - Richard F Keep
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Molecular Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Carias KV, Wevrick R. Preclinical Testing in Translational Animal Models of Prader-Willi Syndrome: Overview and Gap Analysis. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 13:344-358. [PMID: 30989085 PMCID: PMC6447752 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder causing endocrine, musculoskeletal, and neurological dysfunction. PWS is caused by the inactivation of contiguous genes, complicating the development of targeted therapeutics. Clinical trials are now underway in PWS, with more trials to be implemented in the next few years. PWS-like endophenotypes are recapitulated in gene-targeted mice in which the function of one or more PWS genes is disrupted. These animal models can guide priorities for clinical trials or provide information about efficacy of a compound within the context of the specific disease. We now review the current status of preclinical studies that measure the effect of therapeutics on PWS-like endophenotypes. Seven categories of therapeutics (oxytocin and related compounds, K+-ATP channel agonists, melanocortin 4 receptor agonists, incretin mimetics and/or GLP-1 receptor agonists, cannabinoids, ghrelin agents, and Caralluma fimbriata [cactus] extract) have been tested for their effect on endophenotypes in both PWS animal models and clinical trials. Many other therapeutics have been tested in clinical trials, but not preclinical models of PWS or vice versa. Fostering dialogs among investigators performing preclinical validation of animal models and those implementing clinical studies will accelerate the discovery and translation of therapies into clinical practice in PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Vanessa Carias
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rachel Wevrick
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Siddiqui S, Lustig A, Carter A, Sankar M, Daimon CM, Premont RT, Etienne H, van Gastel J, Azmi A, Janssens J, Becker KG, Zhang Y, Wood W, Lehrmann E, Martin JG, Martin B, Taub DD, Maudsley S. Genomic deletion of GIT2 induces a premature age-related thymic dysfunction and systemic immune system disruption. Aging (Albany NY) 2017; 9:706-740. [PMID: 28260693 PMCID: PMC5391227 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has proposed that GIT2 (G protein-coupled receptor kinase interacting protein 2) acts as an integrator of the aging process through regulation of 'neurometabolic' integrity. One of the commonly accepted hallmarks of the aging process is thymic involution. At a relatively young age, 12 months old, GIT2-/- mice present a prematurely distorted thymic structure and dysfunction compared to age-matched 12 month-old wild-type control (C57BL/6) mice. Disruption of thymic structure in GIT2-/- (GIT2KO) mice was associated with a significant reduction in the expression of the cortical thymic marker, Troma-I (cytokeratin 8). Double positive (CD4+CD8+) and single positive CD4+ T cells were also markedly reduced in 12 month-old GIT2KO mice compared to age-matched control wild-type mice. Coincident with this premature thymic disruption in GIT2KO mice was the unique generation of a novel cervical 'organ', i.e. 'parathymic lobes'. These novel organs did not exhibit classical peripheral lymph node-like characteristics but expressed high levels of T cell progenitors that were reflexively reduced in GIT2KO thymi. Using signaling pathway analysis of GIT2KO thymus and parathymic lobe transcriptomic data we found that the molecular signaling functions lost in the dysfunctional GIT2KO thymus were selectively reinstated in the novel parathymic lobe - suggestive of a compensatory effect for the premature thymic disruption. Broader inspection of high-dimensionality transcriptomic data from GIT2KO lymph nodes, spleen, thymus and parathymic lobes revealed a systemic alteration of multiple proteins (Dbp, Tef, Per1, Per2, Fbxl3, Ddit4, Sin3a) involved in the multidimensional control of cell cycle clock regulation, cell senescence, cellular metabolism and DNA damage. Altered cell clock regulation across both immune and non-immune tissues therefore may be responsible for the premature 'aging' phenotype of GIT2KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Siddiqui
- Receptor Pharmacology Unit, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Ana Lustig
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Arnell Carter
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Mathavi Sankar
- Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Caitlin M Daimon
- Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | | | - Harmonie Etienne
- Translational Neurobiology Group, VIB Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jaana van Gastel
- Translational Neurobiology Group, VIB Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Abdelkrim Azmi
- Translational Neurobiology Group, VIB Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Janssens
- Translational Neurobiology Group, VIB Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kevin G Becker
- Gene Expression and Genomics Unit, Research Resources Branch, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Yongqing Zhang
- Gene Expression and Genomics Unit, Research Resources Branch, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - William Wood
- Gene Expression and Genomics Unit, Research Resources Branch, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Elin Lehrmann
- Gene Expression and Genomics Unit, Research Resources Branch, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - James G Martin
- Research Institute of the MUHC, Centre for Translational Biology (CTB), Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Bronwen Martin
- Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Dennis D Taub
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Stuart Maudsley
- Receptor Pharmacology Unit, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.,Translational Neurobiology Group, VIB Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp, Belgium
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Huang BK, Ali S, Stein KT, Sikes HD. Interpreting Heterogeneity in Response of Cells Expressing a Fluorescent Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor. Biophys J 2016; 109:2148-58. [PMID: 26588573 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Revised: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent, genetically encoded sensors of hydrogen peroxide have enabled visualization of perturbations to the intracellular level of this signaling molecule with subcellular and temporal resolution. Ratiometric sensors hold the additional promise of meaningful quantification of intracellular hydrogen peroxide levels as a function of time, a longstanding goal in the field of redox signaling. To date, studies that have connected the magnitudes of observed ratios with peroxide concentrations have either examined suspensions of cells or small numbers of adherent cells (∼10). In this work, we examined the response of all cells in several microscopic fields of view to an identical perturbation and observed a striking degree of heterogeneity of fluorescence ratios from individual cells. The expression level of the probe and phase within the cell cycle were each examined as potential contributors to the observed heterogeneity. Higher ratiometric responses correlated with greater expression levels of the probe and phase in the cell cycle were also shown to influence the magnitude of response. To aid in the interpretation of experimental observations, we incorporated the reaction of the reduced probe with peroxide and the reactions of the oxidized probe with glutathione and glutaredoxin into a larger kinetic model of peroxide metabolism. The predictions of the kinetic model suggest possible explanations for the experimental observations. This work highlights the importance of a systems-level approach to understanding the output of genetically encoded sensors that function via redox reactions involving thiol and disulfide groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beijing K Huang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Sohail Ali
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kassi T Stein
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Hadley D Sikes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Li X, Hughes SC, Wevrick R. Evaluation of melanoma antigen (MAGE) gene expression in human cancers using The Cancer Genome Atlas. Cancer Genet 2015; 208:25-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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