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The RNA Content of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles: At the “Cutting-Edge” of Pathophysiology Regulation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142184. [PMID: 35883627 PMCID: PMC9318717 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in interkingdom communication is widely accepted, and their role in intraspecies communication has been strengthened by recent research. Based on the regulation promoted by EV-associated molecules, the interactions between host and pathogens can reveal different pathways that ultimately affect infection outcomes. As a great part of the regulation is ascribable to RNA contained in EVs, many studies have focused on profiling RNAs in fungal and host EVs, tracking their accumulation during infection, and identifying potential target genes. Herein, we overview the main classes of RNA contained in fungal EVs and the biological processes regulated by these molecules, portraying a state-of-the-art picture of RNAs loaded in fungal EVs, while also raising several questions to drive future investigations. Our compiled data show unambiguously that EVs act as key elements in signaling pathways, and play a crucial role in pathosystems. A complete understanding of the processes that govern RNA content loading and trafficking, and its effect on recipient cells, will lead to improved technologies to ward off infectious agents that threaten human health.
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2
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Blasi F, Bruckmann C. MEIS1 in Hematopoiesis and Cancer. How MEIS1-PBX Interaction Can Be Used in Therapy. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9040044. [PMID: 34698191 PMCID: PMC8544432 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently MEIS1 emerged as a major determinant of the MLL-r leukemic phenotype. The latest and most efficient drugs effectively decrease the levels of MEIS1 in cancer cells. Together with an overview of the latest drugs developed to target MEIS1 in MLL-r leukemia, we review, in detail, the role of MEIS1 in embryonic and adult hematopoiesis and suggest how a more profound knowledge of MEIS1 biochemistry can be used to design potent and effective drugs against MLL-r leukemia. In addition, we present data showing that the interaction between MEIS1 and PBX1 can be blocked efficiently and might represent a new avenue in anti-MLL-r and anti-leukemic therapy.
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Chen YY, Liu YF, Liu YD, Deng XH, Zhou J. IRF7 suppresses hematopoietic regeneration under stress via CXCR4. STEM CELLS (DAYTON, OHIO) 2020; 39:183-195. [PMID: 33252829 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain quiescence under steady state; however, they are compelled to proliferate and expand to replenish the blood system under stress. The molecular basis underlying stress hematopoiesis remains to be fully understood. In this study, we reported that IRF7 represents an important regulator of stress hematopoiesis. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) was dispensable for normal hematopoiesis, whereas its deficiency significantly enhanced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) regeneration and improved long-term repopulation of HSCs under stress. Mechanistic studies showed that CXCR4 was identified as a downstream target of IRF7. Overexpression of CXCR4 abrogated the enhanced proliferation and regeneration of IRF7-deficient HSPCs under stress. Similar results were obtained in HSCs from human umbilical cord blood. These observations demonstrated that IRF7 plays an important role in hematopoietic regeneration under stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ying Chen
- Joint Program in Immunology, Affiliated Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Dong Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Hui Deng
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Joint Program in Immunology, Affiliated Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
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4
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Doti N, Monti A, Bruckmann C, Calvanese L, Smaldone G, Caporale A, Falcigno L, D'Auria G, Blasi F, Ruvo M, Vitagliano L. Identification and characterization of cytotoxic amyloid-like regions in human Pbx-regulating protein-1. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 163:618-629. [PMID: 32634512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The ability of many proteins to fold into well-defined structures has been traditionally considered a prerequisite for fulfilling their functions. Protein folding is also regarded as a valuable loophole to escape uncontrolled and harmful aggregations. Here we show that the PBX-regulating protein-1 (PREP1), an important homeodomain transcription factor involved in cell growth and differentiation during embryogenesis, is endowed with an uncommon thermostability. Indeed, circular dichroism analyses indicate that it retains most of its secondary structure at very high temperatures. These findings have important implications for PREP1 functions since it is a stabilizing factor of its partner PBX1. Predictive analyses suggest that the observed PREP1 thermostability could be related to the presence of aggregation-prone regions. Interestingly, synthetic peptides corresponding to these regions exhibit a remarkable propensity to form toxic β-rich amyloid-like aggregates in physiological conditions. On this basis, we suggest that PREP1 stability is an effective way to prevent or limit the formation of harmful aggregates. Notably, one of these PREP1 fragments (residues 117-132) is able to reversibly switch from α-helical to β-rich states depending on the environmental conditions. The chameleon conformational behavior of this peptide makes it an ideal system to study this intriguing and widespread structural transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzianna Doti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Monti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy; Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Chiara Bruckmann
- IFOM, Foundation FIRC (Italian Foundation for Cancer Research), Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Calvanese
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Caporale
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Falcigno
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella D'Auria
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Blasi
- IFOM, Foundation FIRC (Italian Foundation for Cancer Research), Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.
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The Role of Prep1 in the Regulation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153639. [PMID: 31349607 PMCID: PMC6696203 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms governing cell fate decision events in bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are still poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the homeobox gene Prep1 as a candidate regulatory molecule, by adopting Prep1 hypomorphic mice as a model to investigate the effects of Prep1 downregulation, using in vitro and in vivo assays, including the innovative single cell RNA sequencing technology. Taken together, our findings indicate that low levels of Prep1 are associated to enhanced adipogenesis and a concomitant reduced osteogenesis in the bone marrow, suggesting Prep1 as a potential regulator of the adipo-osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells. Furthermore, our data suggest that in vivo decreased Prep1 gene dosage favors a pro-adipogenic phenotype and induces a "browning" effect in all fat tissues.
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6
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Prep1 prevents premature adipogenesis of mesenchymal progenitors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15573. [PMID: 29138456 PMCID: PMC5686065 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15828-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulators are crucial in adipocyte differentiation. We now show that the homeodomain-containing transcription factor Prep1 is a repressor of adipogenic differentiation since its down-regulation (DR) in both ex vivo bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and in vitro 3T3-L1 preadipocytes significantly increases their adipogenic differentiation ability. Prep1 acts at a stage preceding the activation of the differentiation machinery because its DR makes cells more prone to adipogenic differentiation even in the absence of the adipogenic inducers. Prep1 DR expands the DNA binding landscape of C/EBPβ (CCAAT enhancer binding protein β) without affecting its expression or activation. The data indicate that Prep1 normally acts by restricting DNA binding of transcription factors to adipogenic enhancers, in particular C/EBPβ.
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Blasi F, Bruckmann C, Penkov D, Dardaei L. A tale of TALE, PREP1, PBX1, and MEIS1: Interconnections and competition in cancer. Bioessays 2017; 39. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201600245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Blasi
- IFOM, Foundation FIRC (Italian Foundation for Cancer Research) Institute of Molecular Oncology; Milan Italy
| | - Chiara Bruckmann
- IFOM, Foundation FIRC (Italian Foundation for Cancer Research) Institute of Molecular Oncology; Milan Italy
| | - Dmitry Penkov
- IFOM, Foundation FIRC (Italian Foundation for Cancer Research) Institute of Molecular Oncology; Milan Italy
| | - Leila Dardaei
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center; Charlestown MA USA
- Department of Medicine; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
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8
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Yoshioka K, Oda A, Notsu C, Ohtsuka T, Kawai Y, Suzuki S, Nakamura T, Mabuchi Y, Matsuzaki Y, Goitsuka R. Loss of the Homeodomain Transcription Factor Prep1 Perturbs Adult Hematopoiesis in the Bone Marrow. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136107. [PMID: 26285139 PMCID: PMC4540428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prep1, a TALE-family homeodomain transcription factor, has been demonstrated to play a critical role in embryonic hematopoiesis, as its insufficiency caused late embryonic lethality associated with defective hematopoiesis and angiogenesis. In the present study, we generated hematopoietic- and endothelial cell-specific Prep1-deficient mice and demonstrated that expression of Prep1 in the hematopoietic cell compartment is not essential for either embryonic or adult hematopoiesis, although its absence causes significant hematopoietic abnormalities in the adult bone marrow. Loss of Prep1 promotes cell cycling of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC), leading to the expansion of the HSPC pool. Prep1 deficiency also results in the accumulation of lineage-committed progenitors, increased monocyte/macrophage differentiation and arrested erythroid maturation. Maturation of T cells and B cells is also perturbed in Prep-deficient mice. These findings provide novel insight into the pleiotropic roles of Prep1 in adult hematopoiesis that were unrecognized in previous studies using germline Prep1 hypomorphic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Yoshioka
- Division of Development and Aging, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akihisa Oda
- Division of Development and Aging, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chihiro Notsu
- Division of Development and Aging, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takafumi Ohtsuka
- Division of Development and Aging, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kawai
- Division of Development and Aging, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sadafumi Suzuki
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yo Mabuchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumi Matsuzaki
- Department of Cancer Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo-shi, Shimane, Japan
| | - Ryo Goitsuka
- Division of Development and Aging, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
- * E-mail:
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9
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Laurent A, Calabrese M, Warnatz HJ, Yaspo ML, Tkachuk V, Torres M, Blasi F, Penkov D. ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq analyses identify components of the Wnt and Fgf signaling pathways as Prep1 target genes in mouse embryonic stem cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0122518. [PMID: 25875616 PMCID: PMC4395233 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Prep1 (Pknox1) homeodomain transcription factor is essential at multiple stages of embryo development. In the E11.5 embryo trunk, we previously estimated that Prep1 binds about 3,300 genomic sites at a highly specific decameric consensus sequence, mainly governing basal cellular functions. We now show that in embryonic stem (ES) cells Prep1 binding pattern only partly overlaps that of the embryo trunk, with about 2,000 novel sites. Moreover, in ES cells Prep1 still binds mostly to promoters, as in total embryo trunk but, among the peaks bound exclusively in ES cells, the percentage of enhancers was three-fold higher. RNA-seq identifies about 1800 genes down-regulated in Prep1-/- ES cells which belong to gene ontology categories not enriched in the E11.5 Prep1i/i differentiated embryo, including in particular essential components of the Wnt and Fgf pathways. These data agree with aberrant Wnt and Fgf expression levels in the Prep1-/- ES cells with a deficient embryoid bodies (EBs) formation and differentiation. Re-establishment of the Prep1 level rescues the phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Laurent
- IFOM (FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology), IFOM-IEO-Campus, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Calabrese
- IFOM (FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology), IFOM-IEO-Campus, Milan, Italy
| | - Hans-Jörg Warnatz
- Department of Vertebrate Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marie-Laure Yaspo
- Department of Vertebrate Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vsevolod Tkachuk
- Faculty of Basic Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Miguel Torres
- Department of Cardiovascular Development and Repair, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesco Blasi
- IFOM (FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology), IFOM-IEO-Campus, Milan, Italy
| | - Dmitry Penkov
- IFOM (FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology), IFOM-IEO-Campus, Milan, Italy
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Russian Cardiology Research and Production Complex, Moscow, Russia
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