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Liu H, Zhao Y, Zhao G, Deng Y, Chen YE, Zhang J. SWI/SNF Complex in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Its Implications in Cardiovascular Pathologies. Cells 2024; 13:168. [PMID: 38247859 PMCID: PMC10814623 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020168] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mature vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) exhibit a remarkable degree of plasticity, a characteristic that has intrigued cardiovascular researchers for decades. Recently, it has become increasingly evident that the chromatin remodeler SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex plays a pivotal role in orchestrating chromatin conformation, which is critical for gene regulation. In this review, we provide a summary of research related to the involvement of the SWI/SNF complexes in VSMC and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), integrating these discoveries into the current landscape of epigenetic and transcriptional regulation in VSMC. These novel discoveries shed light on our understanding of VSMC biology and pave the way for developing innovative therapeutic strategies in CVD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Guizhen Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yongjie Deng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Y. Eugene Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
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Zhao G, Zhao Y, Lu H, Chang Z, Liu H, Wang H, Liang W, Liu Y, Zhu T, Rom O, Guo Y, Chang L, Yang B, Garcia-Barrio MT, Lin JD, Chen YE, Zhang J. BAF60c prevents abdominal aortic aneurysm formation through epigenetic control of vascular smooth muscle cell homeostasis. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e158309. [PMID: 36066968 PMCID: PMC9621131 DOI: 10.1172/jci158309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease. BAF60c, a unique subunit of the SWItch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex, is critical for cardiac and skeletal myogenesis, yet little is known about its function in the vasculature and, specifically, in AAA pathogenesis. Here, we found that BAF60c was downregulated in human and mouse AAA tissues, with primary staining to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), confirmed by single-cell RNA-sequencing. In vivo studies revealed that VSMC-specific knockout of Baf60c significantly aggravated both angiotensin II- (Ang II-) and elastase-induced AAA formation in mice, with a significant increase in elastin degradation, inflammatory cell infiltration, VSMC phenotypic switch, and apoptosis. In vitro studies showed that BAF60c knockdown in VSMCs resulted in loss of contractile phenotype, increased VSMC inflammation, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that BAF60c preserved VSMC contractile phenotype by strengthening serum response factor (SRF) association with its coactivator P300 and the SWI/SNF complex and suppressing VSMC inflammation by promoting a repressive chromatin state of NF-κB target genes as well as preventing VSMC apoptosis through transcriptional activation of KLF5-dependent B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) expression. Our identification of the essential role of BAF60c in preserving VSMC homeostasis expands its therapeutic potential in preventing and treating AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guizhen Zhao
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yang Zhao
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Haocheng Lu
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ziyi Chang
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Hongyu Liu
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Huilun Wang
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Wenying Liang
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yuhao Liu
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Tianqing Zhu
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Oren Rom
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center–Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Yanhong Guo
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lin Chang
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Minerva T. Garcia-Barrio
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jiandie D. Lin
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Y. Eugene Chen
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Differential requirements for different subfamilies of the mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes in myoblast cell cycle progression and expression of the Pax7 regulator. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194801. [PMID: 35217218 PMCID: PMC8948540 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (mSWI/SNF) families of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes are established co-regulators of gene expression. mSWI/SNF complexes can be assembled into three major subfamilies: BAF (BRG1 or BRM-Associated Factor), PBAF (Polybromo containing BAF), or ncBAF (non-canonical BAF) that are distinguished by the presence of mutually exclusive subunits. The mechanisms by which each subfamily contributes to the establishment or function of specific cell lineages are poorly understood. Here, we determined the contributions of the BAF, ncBAF, and PBAF complexes to myoblast proliferation via knock down (KD) of distinguishing subunits from each complex. KD of subunits unique to the BAF or the ncBAF complexes reduced myoblast proliferation rate, while KD of PBAF-specific subunits did not affect proliferation. RNA-seq from proliferating KD myoblasts targeting Baf250A (BAF complex), Brd9 (ncBAF complex), or Baf180 (PBAF complex) showed mis-regulation of a limited number of genes. KD of Baf250A specifically reduced the expression of Pax7, which is required for myoblast proliferation, concomitant with decreased binding of Baf250A to and impaired chromatin remodeling at the Pax7 gene promoter. Although Brd9 also bound to the Pax7 promoter, suggesting occupancy by the ncBAF complex, no changes were detected in Pax7 gene expression, Pax7 protein expression or chromatin remodeling at the Pax7 promoter upon Brd9 KD. The data indicate that the BAF subfamily of the mSWI/SNF enzymes is specifically required for myoblast proliferation via regulation of Pax7 expression.
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The SWI/SNF subunit SMARCD3 regulates cell cycle progression and predicts survival outcome in ER+ breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020; 185:601-614. [PMID: 33180234 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-05997-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chromatin remodeling plays an essential role in regulating transcriptional networks and timing of gene expression. Chromatin remodelers such as SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) harbor many protein components, with the catalytic subunit providing ATPase activity to displace histones along or from the DNA molecules, and associated subunits ensuring tissue specificity and transcriptional or co-transcriptional activities. Mutations in several of the SWI/SNF subunits have been linked to cancer. Here, we investigate between SMARCD3/Baf60c expression and hormone-positive (ER+) breast cancer. METHODS The level of SMARCD3 was detected by immunohistochemistry in breast cancer patient samples, and expression levels of SMARCD1, SMARCD2, and SMARCD3 were investigated using publicly available datasets from large cohorts of breast cancer patients. Using molecular biology and microscopy, we interrogated the cellular consequences of lower SMARCD3 expression. RESULTS Lower proliferation rates were observed in SMARCD3-depleted cells, which reflects a failure of the cell cycle progression and an increase in endoreplication. In the absence of SMARCD3, p21 accumulates in cells, but does not halt the cell cycle, and DNA damage accumulates and remains unrepaired. CONCLUSION Taken together, our data begin to explain why ER+ breast cancer patients with low-SMARCD3 expressing tumors exhibit reduced survival rates compared to patients expressing normal or higher levels of SMARCD3. SMARCD3 might act as a tumor suppressor through regulation of cell cycle checkpoints and could be a reliable and specific breast cancer prognostic biomarker.
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Sun X, Hota SK, Zhou YQ, Novak S, Miguel-Perez D, Christodoulou D, Seidman CE, Seidman JG, Gregorio CC, Henkelman RM, Rossant J, Bruneau BG. Cardiac-enriched BAF chromatin-remodeling complex subunit Baf60c regulates gene expression programs essential for heart development and function. Biol Open 2018; 7:bio029512. [PMID: 29183906 PMCID: PMC5829499 DOI: 10.1242/bio.029512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
How chromatin-remodeling complexes modulate gene networks to control organ-specific properties is not well understood. For example, Baf60c (Smarcd3) encodes a cardiac-enriched subunit of the SWI/SNF-like BAF chromatin complex, but its role in heart development is not fully understood. We found that constitutive loss of Baf60c leads to embryonic cardiac hypoplasia and pronounced cardiac dysfunction. Conditional deletion of Baf60c in cardiomyocytes resulted in postnatal dilated cardiomyopathy with impaired contractile function. Baf60c regulates a gene expression program that includes genes encoding contractile proteins, modulators of sarcomere function, and cardiac metabolic genes. Many of the genes deregulated in Baf60c null embryos are targets of the MEF2/SRF co-factor Myocardin (MYOCD). In a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified MYOCD as a BAF60c interacting factor; we showed that BAF60c and MYOCD directly and functionally interact. We conclude that Baf60c is essential for coordinating a program of gene expression that regulates the fundamental functional properties of cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8 Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Swetansu K Hota
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, 94158 USA
- Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at Gladstone, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Yu-Qing Zhou
- The Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8 Canada
| | - Stefanie Novak
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Dario Miguel-Perez
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, 94158 USA
- Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at Gladstone, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - Christine E Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - J G Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Carol C Gregorio
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - R Mark Henkelman
- The Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8 Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Janet Rossant
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8 Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Benoit G Bruneau
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, 94158 USA
- Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at Gladstone, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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Costamagna D, Quattrocelli M, van Tienen F, Umans L, de Coo IFM, Zwijsen A, Huylebroeck D, Sampaolesi M. Smad1/5/8 are myogenic regulators of murine and human mesoangioblasts. J Mol Cell Biol 2015; 8:73-87. [PMID: 26450990 PMCID: PMC4710210 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjv059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesoangioblasts (MABs) are vessel-associated stem cells that express pericyte marker genes and participate in skeletal muscle regeneration. Molecular circuits that regulate the myogenic commitment of MABs are still poorly characterized. The critical role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling during proliferation and differentiation of adult myogenic precursors, such as satellite cells, has recently been established. We evaluated whether BMP signalling impacts on the myogenic potential of embryonic and adult MABs both in vitro and in vivo. Addition of BMP inhibited MAB myogenic differentiation, whereas interference with the interactions between BMPs and receptor complexes induced differentiation. Similarly, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Smad8 in Smad1/5-null MABs or inhibition of SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation with Dorsomorphin (DM) also improved myogenic differentiation, demonstrating a novel role of SMAD8. Moreover, using a transgenic mouse model of Smad8 deletion, we demonstrated that the absence of SMAD8 protein improved MAB myogenic differentiation. Furthermore, once injected into α-Sarcoglycan (Sgca)-null muscles, DM-treated MABs were more efficacious to restore α-sarcoglycan (αSG) protein levels and re-establish functional muscle properties. Similarly, in acute muscle damage, DM-treated MABs displayed a better myogenic potential compared with BMP-treated and untreated cells. Finally, SMADs also control the myogenic commitment of human MABs (hMABs). BMP signalling antagonists are therefore novel candidates to improve the therapeutic effects of hMABs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domiziana Costamagna
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Mattia Quattrocelli
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florence van Tienen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lieve Umans
- Laboratory for Developmental Signalling, VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Celgen), Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Irineus F M de Coo
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - An Zwijsen
- Laboratory for Developmental Signalling, VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Danny Huylebroeck
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Celgen), Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Division of Human Anatomy, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Goljanek-Whysall K, Mok GF, Fahad Alrefaei A, Kennerley N, Wheeler GN, Münsterberg A. myomiR-dependent switching of BAF60 variant incorporation into Brg1 chromatin remodeling complexes during embryo myogenesis. Development 2014; 141:3378-87. [PMID: 25078649 PMCID: PMC4199139 DOI: 10.1242/dev.108787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Myogenesis involves the stable commitment of progenitor cells followed by the execution of myogenic differentiation, processes that are coordinated by myogenic regulatory factors, microRNAs and BAF chromatin remodeling complexes. BAF60a, BAF60b and BAF60c are structural subunits of the BAF complex that bind to the core ATPase Brg1 to provide functional specificity. BAF60c is essential for myogenesis; however, the mechanisms regulating the subunit composition of BAF/Brg1 complexes, in particular the incorporation of different BAF60 variants, are not understood. Here we reveal their dynamic expression during embryo myogenesis and uncover the concerted negative regulation of BAF60a and BAF60b by the muscle-specific microRNAs (myomiRs) miR-133 and miR-1/206 during somite differentiation. MicroRNA inhibition in chick embryos leads to increased BAF60a or BAF60b levels, a concomitant switch in BAF/Brg1 subunit composition and delayed myogenesis. The phenotypes are mimicked by sustained BAF60a or BAF60b expression and are rescued by morpholino knockdown of BAF60a or BAF60b. This suggests that myomiRs contribute to select BAF60c for incorporation into the Brg1 complex by specifically targeting the alternative variants BAF60a and BAF60b during embryo myogenesis, and reveals that interactions between tissue-specific non-coding RNAs and chromatin remodeling factors confer robustness to mesodermal lineage determination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gi Fay Mok
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | | | - Niki Kennerley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Grant N Wheeler
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Andrea Münsterberg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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Gao Y, Bayless KJ, Li Q. TGFBR1 is required for mouse myometrial development. Mol Endocrinol 2014; 28:380-94. [PMID: 24506537 PMCID: PMC3938542 DOI: 10.1210/me.2013-1284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The smooth muscle layer of the uterus (ie, myometrium) is critical for a successful pregnancy and labor. We have shown that the conditional deletion of TGFβ type 1 receptor (TGFBR1) in the female reproductive tract leads to remarkable smooth muscle defects. This study was aimed at defining the cellular and molecular basis of the myometrial defects. We found that TGFBR1 is required for myometrial configuration and formation during early postnatal uterine development. Despite the well-established role of TGFβ signaling in vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation, the majority of smooth muscle genes were expressed in Tgfbr1 conditional knockout (cKO) uteri at similar levels as controls during postnatal uterine development, coinciding with the presence but abnormal distribution of proteins for select smooth muscle markers. Importantly, the uteri of these mice had impaired synthesis of key extracellular matrix proteins and dysregulated expression of platelet-derived growth factors. Furthermore, platelet-derived growth factors induced the migration of uterine stromal cells from both control and Tgfbr1 cKO mice in vitro. Our results suggest that the myometrial defects in Tgfbr1 cKO mice may not directly arise from an intrinsic deficiency in uterine smooth muscle cell differentiation but are linked to the impaired production of key extracellular matrix components and abnormal uterine cell migration during a critical time window of postnatal uterine development. These findings will potentially aid in the design of novel therapies for reproductive disorders associated with myometrial defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Y.G., Q.L.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine (K.J.B.), Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
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