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Hawkins MR, Wingert RA. Zebrafish as a Model to Study Retinoic Acid Signaling in Development and Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041180. [PMID: 37189798 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) is a metabolite of vitamin A (retinol) that plays various roles in development to influence differentiation, patterning, and organogenesis. RA also serves as a crucial homeostatic regulator in adult tissues. The role of RA and its associated pathways are well conserved from zebrafish to humans in both development and disease. This makes the zebrafish a natural model for further interrogation into the functions of RA and RA-associated maladies for the sake of basic research, as well as human health. In this review, we explore both foundational and recent studies using zebrafish as a translational model for investigating RA from the molecular to the organismal scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Hawkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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2
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Leon E, Nde C, Ray RS, Preciado D, Zohn IE. ALDH1A2-related disorder: A new genetic syndrome due to alteration of the retinoic acid pathway. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:90-99. [PMID: 36263470 PMCID: PMC9805811 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1, Family Member A2 (ALDH1A2) is essential for the synthesis of retinoic acid from vitamin A. Studies in model organisms demonstrate a critical role for ALDH1A2 in embryonic development, yet few pathogenic variants are linked to congenital anomalies in humans. We present three siblings with multiple congenital anomaly syndrome linked to biallelic sequence variants in ALDH1A2. The major congenital malformations affecting these children include tetralogy of Fallot, absent thymus, diaphragmatic eventration, and talipes equinovarus. Upper airway anomalies, hypocalcemia, and dysmorphic features are newly reported in this manuscript. In vitro functional validation of variants indicated that substitutions reduced the expression of the enzyme. Our clinical and functional data adds to a recent report of biallelic ALDH1A2 pathogenic variants in two families with a similar constellation of congenital malformations. These findings provide further evidence for an autosomal recessive ALDH1A2-deficient recognizable malformation syndrome involving the diaphragm, cardiac and musculoskeletal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyby Leon
- Rare Disease Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Claris Nde
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Randall S. Ray
- Rare Disease Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Diego Preciado
- Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Irene E. Zohn
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
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3
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Pensado-López A, Fernández-Rey J, Reimunde P, Crecente-Campo J, Sánchez L, Torres Andón F. Zebrafish Models for the Safety and Therapeutic Testing of Nanoparticles with a Focus on Macrophages. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11071784. [PMID: 34361170 PMCID: PMC8308170 DOI: 10.3390/nano11071784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
New nanoparticles and biomaterials are increasingly being used in biomedical research for drug delivery, diagnostic applications, or vaccines, and they are also present in numerous commercial products, in the environment and workplaces. Thus, the evaluation of the safety and possible therapeutic application of these nanomaterials has become of foremost importance for the proper progress of nanotechnology. Due to economical and ethical issues, in vitro and in vivo methods are encouraged for the testing of new compounds and/or nanoparticles, however in vivo models are still needed. In this scenario, zebrafish (Danio rerio) has demonstrated potential for toxicological and pharmacological screenings. Zebrafish presents an innate immune system, from early developmental stages, with conserved macrophage phenotypes and functions with respect to humans. This fact, combined with the transparency of zebrafish, the availability of models with fluorescently labelled macrophages, as well as a broad variety of disease models offers great possibilities for the testing of new nanoparticles. Thus, with a particular focus on macrophage-nanoparticle interaction in vivo, here, we review the studies using zebrafish for toxicological and biodistribution testing of nanoparticles, and also the possibilities for their preclinical evaluation in various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune, neuroinflammatory, and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Pensado-López
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (J.F.-R.)
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine & Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Juan Fernández-Rey
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (J.F.-R.)
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine & Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Pedro Reimunde
- Department of Physiotherapy, Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Universidade da Coruña, Campus de Oza, 15006 A Coruña, Spain;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti, 27003 Lugo, Spain
| | - José Crecente-Campo
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine & Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (J.F.-R.)
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (F.T.A.)
| | - Fernando Torres Andón
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine & Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (F.T.A.)
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4
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Jia W, Liang D, Li N, Liu M, Dong Z, Li J, Dong X, Yue Y, Hu P, Yao J, Zhao Q. Zebrafish microRNA miR-210-5p inhibits primitive myelopoiesis by silencing foxj1b and slc3a2a mRNAs downstream of gata4/5/6 transcription factor genes. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:2732-2743. [PMID: 30593510 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish gata4/5/6 genes encode transcription factors that lie on the apex of the regulatory hierarchy in primitive myelopoiesis. However, little is known about the roles of microRNAs in gata4/5/6-regulated processes. Performing RNA-Seq deep sequencing analysis of the expression changes of microRNAs in gata4/5/6-knockdown embryos, we identified miR-210-5p as a regulator of zebrafish primitive myelopoiesis. Knocking down gata4/5/6 (generating gata5/6 morphants) significantly increased miR-210-5p expression, whereas gata4/5/6 overexpression greatly reduced its expression. Consistent with inhibited primitive myelopoiesis in the gata5/6 morphants, miR-210-5p overexpression repressed primitive myelopoiesis, indicated by reduced numbers of granulocytes and macrophages. Moreover, knocking out miR-210 partially rescued the defective primitive myelopoiesis in zebrafish gata4/5/6-knockdown embryos. Furthermore, we show that the restrictive role of miR-210-5p in zebrafish primitive myelopoiesis is due to impaired differentiation of hemangioblast into myeloid progenitor cells. By comparing the set of genes with reduced expression levels in the gata5/6 morphants to the predicted target genes of miR-210-5p, we found that foxj1b and slc3a2a, encoding a forkhead box transcription factor and a solute carrier family 3 protein, respectively, are two direct downstream targets of miR-210-5p that mediate its inhibitory roles in zebrafish primitive myelopoiesis. In summary, our results reveal that miR-210-5p has an important role in the genetic network controlling zebrafish primitive myelopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshuang Jia
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061
| | - Dong Liang
- the Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing 210004, and
| | - Nan Li
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061
| | - Meijing Liu
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061
| | - Zhangji Dong
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061
| | - Jingyun Li
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061
| | - Xiaohua Dong
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061
| | - Yunyun Yue
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061
| | - Ping Hu
- the Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing 210004, and
| | - Jihua Yao
- the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qingshun Zhao
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061,
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Yue Y, Jiang M, He L, Zhang Z, Zhang Q, Gu C, Liu M, Li N, Zhao Q. The transcription factor Foxc1a in zebrafish directly regulates expression of nkx2.5, encoding a transcriptional regulator of cardiac progenitor cells. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:638-650. [PMID: 29162723 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiogenesis is a tightly controlled biological process required for formation of a functional heart. The transcription factor Foxc1 not only plays a crucial role in outflow tract development in mice, but is also involved in cardiac structure formation and normal function in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Foxc1 controls cardiac development remain poorly understood. Previously, we reported that zebrafish embryos deficient in foxc1a, an ortholog of mammalian Foxc1, display pericardial edemas and die 9-10 days postfertilization. To further investigate Foxc1a's role in zebrafish cardiogenesis and identify its downstream target genes during early heart development, we comprehensively analyzed the cardiovascular phenotype of foxc1a-null zebrafish embryos. Our results confirmed that foxc1a-null mutants exhibit disrupted cardiac morphology, structure, and function. Performing transcriptome analysis on the foxc1a mutants, we found that the expression of the cardiac progenitor marker gene nkx2.5 was significantly decreased, but the expression of germ layer-patterning genes was unaffected. Dual-fluorescence in situ hybridization assays revealed that foxc1a and nkx2.5 are co-expressed in the anterior lateral plate mesoderm at the somite stage. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and promoter truncation assays disclosed that Foxc1a regulates nkx2.5 expression via direct binding to two noncanonical binding sites in the proximal nkx2.5 promoter. Moreover, functional rescue experiments revealed that developmental stage-specific nkx2.5 overexpression partially rescues the cardiac defects of the foxc1a-null embryos. Taken together, our results indicate that during zebrafish cardiogenesis, Foxc1a is active directly upstream of nkx2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Yue
- From the Model Animal Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-tech Development Zone, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Mingyang Jiang
- From the Model Animal Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-tech Development Zone, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Luqingqing He
- From the Model Animal Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-tech Development Zone, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Zhaojunjie Zhang
- From the Model Animal Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-tech Development Zone, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Qinxin Zhang
- From the Model Animal Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-tech Development Zone, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Chun Gu
- From the Model Animal Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-tech Development Zone, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Meijing Liu
- From the Model Animal Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-tech Development Zone, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Nan Li
- From the Model Animal Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-tech Development Zone, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Qingshun Zhao
- From the Model Animal Research Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-tech Development Zone, Nanjing 210061, China
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6
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Dong X, Li J, He L, Gu C, Jia W, Yue Y, Li J, Zhang Q, Chu L, Zhao Q. Zebrafish Znfl1 proteins control the expression of hoxb1b gene in the posterior neuroectoderm by acting upstream of pou5f3 and sall4 genes. J Biol Chem 2017. [PMID: 28623229 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.777094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors play crucial roles in patterning posterior neuroectoderm. Previously, zinc finger transcription factor znfl1 was reported to be expressed in the posterior neuroectoderm of zebrafish embryos. However, its roles remain unknown. Here, we report that there are 13 copies of znfl1 in the zebrafish genome, and all the paralogues share highly identical protein sequences and cDNA sequences. When znfl1s are knocked down using a morpholino to inhibit their translation or dCas9-Eve to inhibit their transcription, the zebrafish gastrula displays reduced expression of hoxb1b, the marker gene for the posterior neuroectoderm. Further analyses reveal that diminishing znfl1s produces the decreased expressions of pou5f3, whereas overexpression of pou5f3 effectively rescues the reduced expression of hoxb1b in the posterior neuroectoderm. Additionally, knocking down znfl1s causes the reduced expression of sall4, a direct regulator of pou5f3, in the posterior neuroectoderm, and overexpression of sall4 rescues the expression of pou5f3 in the knockdown embryos. In contrast, knocking down either pou5f3 or sall4 does not affect the expressions of znfl1s Taken together, our results demonstrate that zebrafish znfl1s control the expression of hoxb1b in the posterior neuroectoderm by acting upstream of pou5f3 and sall4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Dong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China; Institute of Genome Editing, Nanjing YSY Biotech Company, Limited, Nanjing 211812, China
| | - Jingyun Li
- Maternal and Child Health Medical Institute, Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Luqingqing He
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Chun Gu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Wenshuang Jia
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Yunyun Yue
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Jun Li
- Maternal and Child Health Medical Institute, Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Qinxin Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Lele Chu
- Institute of Genome Editing, Nanjing YSY Biotech Company, Limited, Nanjing 211812, China
| | - Qingshun Zhao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China.
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Cañete A, Cano E, Muñoz-Chápuli R, Carmona R. Role of Vitamin A/Retinoic Acid in Regulation of Embryonic and Adult Hematopoiesis. Nutrients 2017; 9:E159. [PMID: 28230720 PMCID: PMC5331590 DOI: 10.3390/nu9020159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient throughout life. Its physiologically active metabolite retinoic acid (RA), acting through nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs), is a potent regulator of patterning during embryonic development, as well as being necessary for adult tissue homeostasis. Vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy increases risk of maternal night blindness and anemia and may be a cause of congenital malformations. Childhood Vitamin A deficiency can cause xerophthalmia, lower resistance to infection and increased risk of mortality. RA signaling appears to be essential for expression of genes involved in developmental hematopoiesis, regulating the endothelial/blood cells balance in the yolk sac, promoting the hemogenic program in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros area and stimulating eryrthropoiesis in fetal liver by activating the expression of erythropoietin. In adults, RA signaling regulates differentiation of granulocytes and enhances erythropoiesis. Vitamin A may facilitate iron absorption and metabolism to prevent anemia and plays a key role in mucosal immune responses, modulating the function of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, defective RA/RARα signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia due to a failure in differentiation of promyelocytes. This review focuses on the different roles played by vitamin A/RA signaling in physiological and pathological mouse hematopoiesis duddurring both, embryonic and adult life, and the consequences of vitamin A deficiency for the blood system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cañete
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n Malaga 29071, Spain and Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND), Severo Ochoa 25, Campanillas 29590, Spain.
| | - Elena Cano
- Max-Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert Roessle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ramón Muñoz-Chápuli
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n Malaga 29071, Spain and Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND), Severo Ochoa 25, Campanillas 29590, Spain.
| | - Rita Carmona
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n Malaga 29071, Spain and Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND), Severo Ochoa 25, Campanillas 29590, Spain.
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8
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Montalbano A, Juergensen L, Roeth R, Weiss B, Fukami M, Fricke-Otto S, Binder G, Ogata T, Decker E, Nuernberg G, Hassel D, Rappold GA. Retinoic acid catabolizing enzyme CYP26C1 is a genetic modifier in SHOX deficiency. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 8:1455-1469. [PMID: 27861128 PMCID: PMC5167135 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201606623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the homeobox gene SHOX cause SHOX deficiency, a condition with clinical manifestations ranging from short stature without dysmorphic signs to severe mesomelic skeletal dysplasia. In rare cases, individuals with SHOX deficiency are asymptomatic. To elucidate the factors that modify disease severity/penetrance, we studied a three-generation family with SHOX deficiency. The variant p.Phe508Cys of the retinoic acid catabolizing enzyme CYP26C1 co-segregated with the SHOX variant p.Val161Ala in the affected individuals, while the SHOX mutant alone was present in asymptomatic individuals. Two further cases with SHOX deficiency and damaging CYP26C1 variants were identified in a cohort of 68 individuals with LWD The identified CYP26C1 variants affected its catabolic activity, leading to an increased level of retinoic acid. High levels of retinoic acid significantly decrease SHOX expression in human primary chondrocytes and zebrafish embryos. Individual morpholino knockdown of either gene shortens the pectoral fins, whereas depletion of both genes leads to a more severe phenotype. Together, our findings describe CYP26C1 as the first genetic modifier for SHOX deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Montalbano
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lonny Juergensen
- Department of Internal Medicine III - Cardiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralph Roeth
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Birgit Weiss
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maki Fukami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Gerhard Binder
- Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tsutomu Ogata
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Eva Decker
- Bioscientia Center for Human Genetics, Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Gudrun Nuernberg
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Center for Genomics, Cologne, Germany
| | - David Hassel
- Department of Internal Medicine III - Cardiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gudrun A Rappold
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences (IZN), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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9
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Li J, Yue Y, Zhao Q. Retinoic Acid Signaling Is Essential for Valvulogenesis by Affecting Endocardial Cushions Formation in Zebrafish Embryos. Zebrafish 2015; 13:9-18. [PMID: 26671342 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2015.1117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) plays important roles in many stages of heart morphogenesis. Zebrafish embryos treated with exogenous RA display defective atrio-ventricular canal (AVC) specification. However, whether endogenous RA signaling takes part in cardiac valve formation remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the role of RA signaling in cardiac valve development by knocking down aldh1a2, the gene encoding an enzyme that is mainly responsible for RA synthesis during early development, in zebrafish embryos. The results showed that partially knocking down aldh1a2 caused defective formation of primitive cardiac valve leaflets at 108 hpf (hour post-fertilization). Inhibiting endogenous RA signaling by 4-diethylaminobenzal-dehyde revealed that 16-26 hpf was a key time window when RA signaling affects the valvulogenesis. The aldh1a2 morphants had defective formation of endocardial cushion (EC) at 76 hpf though they had almost normal hemodynamics and cardiac chamber specification at early development. Examining the expression patterns of AVC marker genes including bmp4, bmp2b, nppa, notch1b, and has2, we found the morphants displayed abnormal development of endocardial AVC but almost normal development of myocardial AVC at 50 hpf. Being consistent with the reduced expression of notch1b in endocardial AVC, the VE-cadherin gene cdh5, the downstream gene of Notch signaling, was ectopically expressed in AVC of aldh1a2 morphants at 50 hpf, and overexpression of cdh5 greatly affected the formation of EC in the embryos at 76 hpf. Taken together, our results suggest that RA signaling plays essential roles in zebrafish cardiac valvulogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junbo Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University , Nanjing, China
| | - Yunyun Yue
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University , Nanjing, China
| | - Qingshun Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University , Nanjing, China
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10
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Yue Z, Wang A, Zhu Z, Tao L, Li Y, Zhou L, Chen W, Lu Y. Holothurian glycosaminoglycan inhibits metastasis via inhibition of P-selectin in B16F10 melanoma cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2015; 410:143-54. [PMID: 26318439 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-015-2546-4] [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: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
P-selectin-mediated tumor cell adhesion to platelets is a well-established stage in the process of tumor metastasis. Through computerized structural analysis, we found a marine-derived polysaccharide, holothurian glycosaminoglycan (hGAG), behaved as a ligand-competitive inhibitor of P-selectin, indicating its potential to disrupt the binding of P-selectin to cell surface receptor and activation of downstream regulators of tumor cell migration. Our experimental data demonstrated that hGAG significantly inhibited P-selectin-mediated adhesion of tumor cells to platelets and tumor cell migration in vitro and reduced subsequent pulmonary metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, abrogation of the P-selectin-mediated adhesion of tumor cells led to down-regulation of protein levels of integrins, FAK and MMP-2/9 in B16F10 cells, which is a crucial molecular mechanism of hGAG to inhibit tumor metastasis. In conclusion, hGAG has emerged as a novel anti-cancer agent via blocking P-selectin-mediated malignant events of tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Yue
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Aiyun Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, 210023, China.,Jiangsu Provincial Center for Research and Development of Marine Drugs, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhijie Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Tao
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yao Li
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenxing Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, 210023, China.,Jiangsu Provincial Center for Research and Development of Marine Drugs, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yin Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China. .,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, 210023, China. .,Jiangsu Provincial Center for Research and Development of Marine Drugs, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.
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11
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Nim HT, Furtado MB, Costa MW, Rosenthal NA, Kitano H, Boyd SE. VISIONET: intuitive visualisation of overlapping transcription factor networks, with applications in cardiogenic gene discovery. BMC Bioinformatics 2015; 16:141. [PMID: 25929466 PMCID: PMC4426166 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-015-0578-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing de novo software platforms have largely overlooked a valuable resource, the expertise of the intended biologist users. Typical data representations such as long gene lists, or highly dense and overlapping transcription factor networks often hinder biologists from relating these results to their expertise. RESULTS VISIONET, a streamlined visualisation tool built from experimental needs, enables biologists to transform large and dense overlapping transcription factor networks into sparse human-readable graphs via numerically filtering. The VISIONET interface allows users without a computing background to interactively explore and filter their data, and empowers them to apply their specialist knowledge on far more complex and substantial data sets than is currently possible. Applying VISIONET to the Tbx20-Gata4 transcription factor network led to the discovery and validation of Aldh1a2, an essential developmental gene associated with various important cardiac disorders, as a healthy adult cardiac fibroblast gene co-regulated by cardiogenic transcription factors Gata4 and Tbx20. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate with experimental validations the utility of VISIONET for expertise-driven gene discovery that opens new experimental directions that would not otherwise have been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hieu T Nim
- Systems Biology Institute (SBI) Australia, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
| | - Milena B Furtado
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
| | - Mauro W Costa
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
| | - Nadia A Rosenthal
- Systems Biology Institute (SBI) Australia, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Hiroaki Kitano
- Systems Biology Institute (SBI) Australia, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc., Higashigotanda, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan.
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna, Onna-son, Kunigami, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Sarah E Boyd
- Systems Biology Institute (SBI) Australia, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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12
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Li J, Yue Y, Dong X, Jia W, Li K, Liang D, Dong Z, Wang X, Nan X, Zhang Q, Zhao Q. Zebrafish foxc1a plays a crucial role in early somitogenesis by restricting the expression of aldh1a2 directly. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:10216-28. [PMID: 25724646 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.612572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Foxc1a is a member of the forkhead transcription factors. It plays an essential role in zebrafish somitogenesis. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying its controlling somitogenesis. To uncover how foxc1a regulates zebrafish somitogenesis, we generated foxc1a knock-out zebrafish using TALEN (transcription activator-like effector nuclease) technology. The foxc1a null embryos exhibited defective somites at early development. Analyses on the expressions of the key genes that control processes of somitogenesis revealed that foxc1a controlled early somitogenesis by regulating the expression of myod1. In the somites of foxc1a knock-out embryos, expressions of fgf8a and deltaC were abolished, whereas the expression of aldh1a2 (responsible for providing retinoic acid signaling) was significantly increased. Once the increased retinoic acid level in the foxc1a null embryos was reduced by knocking down aldh1a2, the reduced expression of myod1 was partially rescued by resuming expressions of fgf8a and deltaC in the somites of the mutant embryos. Moreover, a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay on zebrafish embryos revealed that Foxc1a bound aldh1a2 promoter directly. On the other hand, neither knocking down fgf8a nor inhibiting Notch signaling affected the expression of aldh1a2, although knocking down fgf8a reduced expression of deltaC in the somites of zebrafish embryos at early somitogenesis and vice versa. Taken together, our results demonstrate that foxc1a plays an essential role in early somitogenesis by controlling Fgf and Notch signaling through restricting the expression of aldh1a2 in paraxial mesoderm directly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Li
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and the Maternal and Child Health Medical Institute, Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Yunyun Yue
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
| | - Xiaohua Dong
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
| | - Wenshuang Jia
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
| | - Kui Li
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
| | - Dong Liang
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
| | - Zhangji Dong
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
| | - Xiaoxi Nan
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
| | - Qinxin Zhang
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
| | - Qingshun Zhao
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China and
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13
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Samarut E, Fraher D, Laudet V, Gibert Y. ZebRA: An overview of retinoic acid signaling during zebrafish development. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2015; 1849:73-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2014.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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14
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Li J, Li K, Dong X, Liang D, Zhao Q. Ncor1 and Ncor2 play essential but distinct roles in zebrafish primitive myelopoiesis. Dev Dyn 2014; 243:1544-53. [PMID: 25156564 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Ncor1 and Ncor2, the co-repressors that can actively repress gene transcription through binding nuclear receptors in the absence of ligands, are crucial to vertebrate embryogenesis, their roles in its primitive myelopoiesis remain unknown. We investigated the function of ncor1 or ncor2 in zebrafish embryos by antisense morpholino knocking down technologies. RESULTS Development of both mfap4(+) macrophages and mpx(+) neutrophils was abolished in ncor2 morphants, whereas development of mpx(+) neutrophils was depleted in ncor1 morphants. ncor2 was essential to the development of spi1b(+) myeloid precursors but not anterior hemangioblasts whereas ncor1 was dispensable to the specification of spi1b(+) myeloid precursors and anterior hemangioblasts. Overexpressing spi1b could partially rescue expressions of mfap4 and mpx in ncor2 morphants. Furthermore, overexpressing tal1/lmo2 could well rescue the defective myelopoiesis in both ncor1 and ncor2 morphants. CONCLUSIONS Ncor1 and Ncor2 play essential but distinct roles in zebrafish primitive myelopoiesis. ncor2 could parallel with tal1/lmo2 and acted upstream of spi1b to produce mature macrophages and neutrophils during primitive myelopoiesis. The role of ncor1 in zebrafish myelopoiesis could be substituted by excessive Tal1/Lmo2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Maternal and Child Health Medical Institute, Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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15
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Su Z, Si W, Li L, Zhou B, Li X, Xu Y, Xu C, Jia H, Wang QK. MiR-144 regulates hematopoiesis and vascular development by targeting meis1 during zebrafish development. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2014; 49:53-63. [PMID: 24448023 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 12/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a dynamic process by which peripheral blood lineages are developed. It is a process tightly regulated by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including transcriptional factors and signaling molecules. However, the epigenetic regulation of hematopoiesis, for example, regulation via microRNAs (miRNAs), remains incompletely understood. Here we show that miR-144 regulates hematopoiesis and vascular development in zebrafish. Overexpression of miR-144 inhibited primitive hematopoiesis as demonstrated by a reduced number of circulating blood cells, reduced o-dianisidine staining of hemoglobin, and reduced expression of hbαe1, hbβe1, gata1 and pu.1. Overexpression of miR-144 also inhibited definitive hematopoiesis as shown by reduced expression of runx1 and c-myb. Mechanistically, miR-144 regulates hematopoiesis by repressing expression of meis1 involved in hematopoiesis. Both real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed that overexpression of miR-144 repressed expression of meis1. Bioinformatic analysis predicts a target binding sequence for miR-144 at the 3'-UTR of meis1. Deletion of the miR-144 target sequence eliminated the repression of meis1 expression mediated by miR-144. The miR-144-mediated abnormal phenotypes were partially rescued by co-injection of meis1 mRNA and could be almost completely rescued by injection of both meis1 and gata1 mRNA. Finally, because meis1 is involved in vascular development, we tested the effect of miR-144 on vascular development. Overexpression of miR-144 resulted in abnormal vascular development of intersegmental vessels in transgenic zebrafish with Flk1p-EGFP, and the defect was rescued by co-injection of meis1 mRNA. These findings establish miR-144 as a novel miRNA that regulates hematopoiesis and vascular development by repressing expression of meis1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhong Su
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Pathogenesis and Intervention of Hubei Province, Key Discipline of Pharmacy of Hubei Department of Education, Medical College, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, Hubei, PR China
| | - Wenxia Si
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Lei Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Bisheng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xiuchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Yan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Chengqi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Haibo Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Qing K Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China; Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Molecular Cardiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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16
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Kostareli E, Holzinger D, Bogatyrova O, Hielscher T, Wichmann G, Keck M, Lahrmann B, Grabe N, Flechtenmacher C, Schmidt CR, Seiwert T, Dyckhoff G, Dietz A, Höfler D, Pawlita M, Benner A, Bosch FX, Plinkert P, Plass C, Weichenhan D, Hess J. HPV-related methylation signature predicts survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:2488-501. [PMID: 23635773 DOI: 10.1172/jci67010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk types of human papilloma virus (HPV) are increasingly associated with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Strikingly, patients with HPV-positive OPSCC are highly curable with ionizing radiation and have better survival compared with HPV-negative patients, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We applied an array-based approach to monitor global changes in CpG island hypermethylation between HPV-negative and HPV-positive OPSCCs and identified a specific pattern of differentially methylated regions that critically depends on the presence of viral transcripts. HPV-related alterations were confirmed for the majority of candidate gene promoters by mass spectrometric, quantitative methylation analysis. There was a significant inverse correlation between promoter hypermethylation of ALDH1A2, OSR2, GATA4, GRIA4, and IRX4 and transcript levels. Interestingly, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that a combined promoter methylation pattern of low methylation levels in ALDH1A2 and OSR2 promoters and high methylation levels in GATA4, GRIA4, and IRX4 promoters was significantly correlated with improved survival in 3 independent patient cohorts. ALDH1A2 protein levels, determined by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays, confirmed the association with clinical outcome. In summary, our study highlights specific alterations in global gene promoter methylation in HPV-driven OPSCCs and identifies a signature that predicts the clinical outcome in OPSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efterpi Kostareli
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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