1
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Rodrigues FS, Karoutas A, Ruhland S, Rabas N, Rizou T, Di Blasio S, Ferreira RMM, Bridgeman VL, Goldstone R, Sopena ML, Lee JH, Ombrato L, Malanchi I. Bidirectional activation of stem-like programs between metastatic cancer and alveolar type 2 cells within the niche. Dev Cell 2024:S1534-5807(24)00338-1. [PMID: 38866011 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.020] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
A key step for metastatic outgrowth involves the generation of a deeply altered microenvironment (niche) that supports the malignant behavior of cancer cells. The complexity of the metastatic niche has posed a significant challenge in elucidating the underlying programs driving its origin. Here, by focusing on early stages of breast cancer metastasis to the lung in mice, we describe a cancer-dependent chromatin remodeling and activation of developmental programs in alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells within the niche. We show that metastatic cells can prime AT2 cells into a reprogrammed multilineage state. In turn, this cancer-induced reprogramming of AT2 cells promoted stem-like features in cancer cells and enhanced their initiation capacity. In conclusion, we propose the concept of "reflected stemness" as an early phenomenon during metastatic niche initiation, wherein metastatic cells reprogram the local tissue into a stem-like state that enhances intrinsic cancer-initiating potential, creating a positive feedback loop where tumorigenic programs are amplified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe S Rodrigues
- Tumour-Host Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Adam Karoutas
- Tumour-Host Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Stefanie Ruhland
- Tumour-Host Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Nicolas Rabas
- Tumour-Host Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Tatiana Rizou
- Tumour-Host Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Stefania Di Blasio
- Tumour-Host Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Rute M M Ferreira
- Tumour-Host Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Robert Goldstone
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Miriam L Sopena
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Joo-Hyeon Lee
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Luigi Ombrato
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ilaria Malanchi
- Tumour-Host Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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2
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Chen Y, Li M, Wu Y. The occurrence and development of induced pluripotent stem cells. Front Genet 2024; 15:1389558. [PMID: 38699229 PMCID: PMC11063328 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1389558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The ectopic expression of four transcription factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM), known as "Yamanaka factors," can reprogram or stimulate the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Although OSKM is still the gold standard, there are multiple ways to reprogram cells into iPSCs. In recent years, significant progress has been made in improving the efficiency of this technology. Ten years after the first report was published, human pluripotent stem cells have gradually been applied in clinical settings, including disease modeling, cell therapy, new drug development, and cell derivation. Here, we provide a review of the discovery of iPSCs and their applications in disease and development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yanqing Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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3
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Murphy D, Salataj E, Di Giammartino DC, Rodriguez-Hernaez J, Kloetgen A, Garg V, Char E, Uyehara CM, Ee LS, Lee U, Stadtfeld M, Hadjantonakis AK, Tsirigos A, Polyzos A, Apostolou E. 3D Enhancer-promoter networks provide predictive features for gene expression and coregulation in early embryonic lineages. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:125-140. [PMID: 38053013 PMCID: PMC10897904 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01130-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian embryogenesis commences with two pivotal and binary cell fate decisions that give rise to three essential lineages: the trophectoderm, the epiblast and the primitive endoderm. Although key signaling pathways and transcription factors that control these early embryonic decisions have been identified, the non-coding regulatory elements through which transcriptional regulators enact these fates remain understudied. Here, we characterize, at a genome-wide scale, enhancer activity and 3D connectivity in embryo-derived stem cell lines that represent each of the early developmental fates. We observe extensive enhancer remodeling and fine-scale 3D chromatin rewiring among the three lineages, which strongly associate with transcriptional changes, although distinct groups of genes are irresponsive to topological changes. In each lineage, a high degree of connectivity, or 'hubness', positively correlates with levels of gene expression and enriches for cell-type specific and essential genes. Genes within 3D hubs also show a significantly stronger probability of coregulation across lineages compared to genes in linear proximity or within the same contact domains. By incorporating 3D chromatin features, we build a predictive model for transcriptional regulation (3D-HiChAT) that outperforms models using only 1D promoter or proximal variables to predict levels and cell-type specificity of gene expression. Using 3D-HiChAT, we identify, in silico, candidate functional enhancers and hubs in each cell lineage, and with CRISPRi experiments, we validate several enhancers that control gene expression in their respective lineages. Our study identifies 3D regulatory hubs associated with the earliest mammalian lineages and describes their relationship to gene expression and cell identity, providing a framework to comprehensively understand lineage-specific transcriptional behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Murphy
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eralda Salataj
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dafne Campigli Di Giammartino
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- 3D Chromatin Conformation and RNA Genomics Laboratory, Center for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Javier Rodriguez-Hernaez
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andreas Kloetgen
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vidur Garg
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erin Char
- Tri-Institutional Training Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher M Uyehara
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ly-Sha Ee
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - UkJin Lee
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthias Stadtfeld
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Alexander Polyzos
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Effie Apostolou
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Bekas N, Samiotaki M, Papathanasiou M, Mokos P, Pseftogas A, Xanthopoulos K, Thanos D, Mosialos G, Dafou D. Inactivation of Tumor Suppressor CYLD Inhibits Fibroblast Reprogramming to Pluripotency. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4997. [PMID: 37894364 PMCID: PMC10605754 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CYLD is a tumor suppressor gene coding for a deubiquitinating enzyme that has a critical regulatory function in a variety of signaling pathways and biological processes involved in cancer development and progression, many of which are also key modulators of somatic cell reprogramming. Nevertheless, the potential role of CYLD in this process has not been studied. With the dual aim of investigating the involvement of CYLD in reprogramming and developing a better understanding of the intricate regulatory system governing this process, we reprogrammed control (CYLDWT/WT) and CYLD DUB-deficient (CYLDΔ9/Δ9) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through ectopic overexpression of the Yamanaka factors (Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, c-myc). CYLD DUB deficiency led to significantly reduced reprogramming efficiency and slower early reprogramming kinetics. The introduction of WT CYLD to CYLDΔ9/Δ9 MEFs rescued the phenotype. Nevertheless, CYLD DUB-deficient cells were capable of establishing induced pluripotent colonies with full spontaneous differentiation potential of the three germ layers. Whole proteome analysis (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD044220) revealed that the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) during the early reprogramming stages was disrupted in CYLDΔ9/Δ9 MEFs. Interestingly, differentially enriched pathways revealed that the primary processes affected by CYLD DUB deficiency were associated with the organization of the extracellular matrix and several metabolic pathways. Our findings not only establish for the first time CYLD's significance as a regulatory component of early reprogramming but also highlight its role as an extracellular matrix regulator, which has profound implications in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Bekas
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.B.); (P.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Martina Samiotaki
- Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece;
| | - Maria Papathanasiou
- Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (D.T.)
| | - Panagiotis Mokos
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.B.); (P.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Athanasios Pseftogas
- Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Dimitris Thanos
- Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (D.T.)
| | - George Mosialos
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.B.); (P.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Dimitra Dafou
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.B.); (P.M.); (G.M.)
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5
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Pouliou M, Koutsi MA, Champezou L, Giannopoulou AI, Vatsellas G, Piperi C, Agelopoulos M. MYCN Amplifications and Metabolic Rewiring in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4803. [PMID: 37835497 PMCID: PMC10571721 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease caused by (epi)genomic and gene expression abnormalities and characterized by metabolic phenotypes that are substantially different from the normal phenotypes of the tissues of origin. Metabolic reprogramming is one of the key features of tumors, including those established in the human nervous system. In this work, we emphasize a well-known cancerous genomic alteration: the amplification of MYCN and its downstream effects in neuroblastoma phenotype evolution. Herein, we extend our previous computational biology investigations by conducting an integrative workflow applied to published genomics datasets and comprehensively assess the impact of MYCN amplification in the upregulation of metabolism-related transcription factor (TF)-encoding genes in neuroblastoma cells. The results obtained first emphasized overexpressed TFs, and subsequently those committed in metabolic cellular processes, as validated by gene ontology analyses (GOs) and literature curation. Several genes encoding for those TFs were investigated at the mechanistic and regulatory levels by conducting further omics-based computational biology assessments applied on published ChIP-seq datasets retrieved from MYCN-amplified- and MYCN-enforced-overexpression within in vivo systems of study. Hence, we approached the mechanistic interrelationship between amplified MYCN and overexpression of metabolism-related TFs in neuroblastoma and showed that many are direct targets of MYCN in an amplification-inducible fashion. These results illuminate how MYCN executes its regulatory underpinnings on metabolic processes in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialena Pouliou
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
| | - Marianna A. Koutsi
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
| | - Lydia Champezou
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
| | - Angeliki-Ioanna Giannopoulou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street Bldg 16, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Giannis Vatsellas
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
| | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street Bldg 16, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Marios Agelopoulos
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
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6
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Murphy D, Salataj E, Di Giammartino DC, Rodriguez-Hernaez J, Kloetgen A, Garg V, Char E, Uyehara CM, Ee LS, Lee U, Stadtfeld M, Hadjantonakis AK, Tsirigos A, Polyzos A, Apostolou E. Systematic mapping and modeling of 3D enhancer-promoter interactions in early mouse embryonic lineages reveal regulatory principles that determine the levels and cell-type specificity of gene expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.19.549714. [PMID: 37577543 PMCID: PMC10422694 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.19.549714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian embryogenesis commences with two pivotal and binary cell fate decisions that give rise to three essential lineages, the trophectoderm (TE), the epiblast (EPI) and the primitive endoderm (PrE). Although key signaling pathways and transcription factors that control these early embryonic decisions have been identified, the non-coding regulatory elements via which transcriptional regulators enact these fates remain understudied. To address this gap, we have characterized, at a genome-wide scale, enhancer activity and 3D connectivity in embryo-derived stem cell lines that represent each of the early developmental fates. We observed extensive enhancer remodeling and fine-scale 3D chromatin rewiring among the three lineages, which strongly associate with transcriptional changes, although there are distinct groups of genes that are irresponsive to topological changes. In each lineage, a high degree of connectivity or "hubness" positively correlates with levels of gene expression and enriches for cell-type specific and essential genes. Genes within 3D hubs also show a significantly stronger probability of coregulation across lineages, compared to genes in linear proximity or within the same contact domains. By incorporating 3D chromatin features, we build a novel predictive model for transcriptional regulation (3D-HiChAT), which outperformed models that use only 1D promoter or proximal variables in predicting levels and cell-type specificity of gene expression. Using 3D-HiChAT, we performed genome-wide in silico perturbations to nominate candidate functional enhancers and hubs in each cell lineage, and with CRISPRi experiments we validated several novel enhancers that control expression of one or more genes in their respective lineages. Our study comprehensively identifies 3D regulatory hubs associated with the earliest mammalian lineages and describes their relationship to gene expression and cell identity, providing a framework to understand lineage-specific transcriptional behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Murphy
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eralda Salataj
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dafne Campigli Di Giammartino
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- 3D Chromatin Conformation and RNA genomics laboratory, Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Center for Human Technologies (CHT), Genova, Italy (current affiliation)
| | - Javier Rodriguez-Hernaez
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Andreas Kloetgen
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Vidur Garg
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Erin Char
- Tri-Institutional Training Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, 10065, New York, USA
| | - Christopher M. Uyehara
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ly-sha Ee
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - UkJin Lee
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Matthias Stadtfeld
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alexander Polyzos
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Effie Apostolou
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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7
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Valakos D, Klagkou E, Kokkalis A, Polyzos A, Kyrilis FL, Banos A, Vatsellas G, Pliatska M, Ford E, Stravopodis DJ, Thanos D. Combinatorial targeting of a specific EMT/MET network by macroH2A variants safeguards mesenchymal identity. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288005. [PMID: 37432970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from specialized cell types provides an excellent model to study how cells maintain their stability, and how they can change identity, especially in the context of disease. Previous studies have shown that chromatin safeguards cell identity by acting as a barrier to reprogramming. We investigated mechanisms by which the histone macroH2A variants inhibit reprogramming and discovered that they work as gate keepers of the mesenchymal cell state by blocking epithelial transition, a step required for reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts. More specifically, we found that individual macroH2A variants regulate the expression of defined sets of genes, whose overall function is to stabilize the mesenchymal gene expression program, thus resisting reprogramming. We identified a novel gene network (MSCN, mesenchymal network) composed of 63 macroH2A-regulated genes related to extracellular matrix, cell membrane, signaling and the transcriptional regulators Id2 and Snai2, all of which function as guardians of the mesenchymal phenotype. ChIP-seq and KD experiments revealed a macroH2A variant-specific combinatorial targeting of the genes reconstructing the MSCN, thus generating robustness in gene expression programs to resist cellular reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Valakos
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Zografou, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Klagkou
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Zografou, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonis Kokkalis
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Fotis L Kyrilis
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aggelos Banos
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Maria Pliatska
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ethan Ford
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios J Stravopodis
- Section of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Zografou, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Thanos
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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8
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Schaefer M, Nabih A, Spies D, Hermes V, Bodak M, Wischnewski H, Stalder P, Ngondo RP, Liechti LA, Sajic T, Aebersold R, Gatfield D, Ciaudo C. Global and precise identification of functional
miRNA
targets in
mESCs
by integrative analysis. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54762. [PMID: 35899551 PMCID: PMC9442311 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202254762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) loaded Argonaute (AGO) complexes regulate gene expression via direct base pairing with their mRNA targets. Previous works suggest that up to 60% of mammalian transcripts might be subject to miRNA‐mediated regulation, but it remains largely unknown which fraction of these interactions are functional in a specific cellular context. Here, we integrate transcriptome data from a set of miRNA‐depleted mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) lines with published miRNA interaction predictions and AGO‐binding profiles. Using this integrative approach, combined with molecular validation data, we present evidence that < 10% of expressed genes are functionally and directly regulated by miRNAs in mESCs. In addition, analyses of the stem cell‐specific miR‐290‐295 cluster target genes identify TFAP4 as an important transcription factor for early development. The extensive datasets developed in this study will support the development of improved predictive models for miRNA‐mRNA functional interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Schaefer
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich IMHS, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity Zurich Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School University of Zürich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Amena Nabih
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich IMHS, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity Zurich Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School University of Zürich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Daniel Spies
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich IMHS, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity Zurich Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School University of Zürich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Victoria Hermes
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich IMHS, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity Zurich Switzerland
| | - Maxime Bodak
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich IMHS, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity Zurich Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School University of Zürich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Harry Wischnewski
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich IMHS, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity Zurich Switzerland
| | - Patrick Stalder
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich IMHS, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity Zurich Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School University of Zürich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Richard Patryk Ngondo
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich IMHS, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity Zurich Switzerland
| | - Luz Angelica Liechti
- Center for Integrative Genomics (CIG) University of Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Tatjana Sajic
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, IMSB Zürich Switzerland
| | - Ruedi Aebersold
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, IMSB Zürich Switzerland
| | - David Gatfield
- Center for Integrative Genomics (CIG) University of Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Constance Ciaudo
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich IMHS, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity Zurich Switzerland
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9
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Kalogirou EM, Foutadakis S, Koutsi MA, Vatsellas G, Vlachodimitropoulos D, Petsinis V, Sklavounou A, Agelopoulos M, Tosios KI. Decoding a gene expression program that accompanies the phenotype of sporadic and Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome-associated odontogenic keratocyst. J Oral Pathol Med 2022; 51:649-658. [PMID: 35665542 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13325] [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: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is characterized by local aggressive behavior and a high recurrence rate, as well as the potential to develop in association with the Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome (BCNS). The aim of this study was to decode the gene expression program accompanying OKC phenotype. METHODS 150-bp paired-end RNA-sequencing was applied on 6 sporadic and 6 BSCN-associated whole-tissue OKC samples in comparison to 6 dental follicles, coupled to bioinformatics and complemented by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS 2,654 and 2,427 differentially expressed genes were captured to characterize the transcriptome of sporadic and BCNS-associated OKCs, respectively. Gene ontologies (GOs) related to "epidermis/skin development" and "keratinocyte/epidermal cell differentiation" were enriched among the upregulated genes (KRT10, NCCRP1, TP63, GRHL3, SOX21), while "extracellular matrix (ECM) organization" (ITGA5, LOXL2) and "odontogenesis" (MSX1, LHX8) GOs were overrepresented among the downregulated genes in OKC. Interestingly, upregulation of various embryonic stem cells (ESCs) markers (EPHA1, SCNN1A) and genes committed in cellular reprogramming (SOX2, KLF4, OVOL1, IRF6, TACSTD2, CDH1) was found in OKC. These findings were highly shared between sporadic and BCNS-associated OKCs. Immunohistochemistry verified SOX2, KLF4, OVOL1, IRF6, TACSTD2/TROP2, CDH1/E-cadherin, and p63 expression predominantly in the OKC suprabasal epithelial layers. CONCLUSION The OKC transcriptomic profile is characterized by a prominent epidermal and dental epithelial fate, a repressed dental mesenchyme fate combined with deregulated ECM organization, and enhanced stemness gene signatures. Thus, we propose a developed epidermis-like phenotype in the OKC suprabasal epithelial cells, established in parallel to a significant upregulation of marker genes related to ESCs and cellular reprogramming. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni-Marina Kalogirou
- Department of Oral Medicine & Pathology and Hospital Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Foutadakis
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna A Koutsi
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Giannis Vatsellas
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Vassilis Petsinis
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Sklavounou
- Department of Oral Medicine & Pathology and Hospital Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Agelopoulos
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos I Tosios
- Department of Oral Medicine & Pathology and Hospital Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Double-Gene Copromoting Expression Analysis in tPA/GH Transgenic Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells and Thrombolytic Activity of tPA In Vitro. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:6484073. [PMID: 35572725 PMCID: PMC9106445 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6484073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) is a thrombolytic drug widely used in the treatment of stroke, pulmonary thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction, and other thrombotic diseases. The double genes cointegrated into the organisms and cells can produce a synergistic effect, which will improve the expression level of the target gene. However, the study of the integration of the GH and tPA genes to improve the expression level of tPA has not yet been reported. In order to elucidate this, we generated monoclonal goat mammary epithelial cell lines with tPA/GH double-gene integration and analyzed the tPA expression level in single- and double-gene integrated cells. We selected the mammary gland-specific expressing vectors BLC14/tPA and BLC14/GH with the β-lactoglobulin gene as a regulatory sequence in our previous research. The tPA and GH genes were electronically cotransfected into goat mammary epithelial cells. Resistant cell lines were screened by G418, and transgenic monoclonal cell lines were confirmed by PCR. The tPA expression was induced by prolactin and detected in the cell induction solution after 48 h by ELISA and Western blotting. We detected the tPA biological activity in vitro by fibrin agarose plate assay (FAPA). The results showed that a total of 207 resistant monoclonal cells were obtained, including 126 cell lines with tPA monogenic integration and 51 cell lines with tPA/GH double-gene integration. The rate of double-gene integration was 24.6% (51/207). A total of 48 cells expressed tPA, of which 25.3% (19/75) cells expressed single gene, and 56.9% (29/51) cells expressed double genes. The concentration of tPA in single-gene-expressing cells was 8.0-64.0 μg/mL, and the tPA level in double-gene-expressing cells was significantly higher (200-7200 μg/mL). In addition, the tPA had a relatively strong in vitro thrombolytic activity determined by FAPA. The results showed that goat mammary epithelial cell lines with tPA/GH gene integration were successfully established by electrotransfection, and the expression level of tPA in double-gene integrated cell lines was significantly increased. This study provided a new way for the preparation of a transgenic goat and other animal with high tPA expression by somatic cell nuclear transfer. The findings also laid a foundation for efficient production of pharmaceutical proteins in transgenic animal mammary gland bioreactors in the future.
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Transcription Factor AP4 Mediates Cell Fate Decisions: To Divide, Age, or Die. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040676. [PMID: 33567514 PMCID: PMC7914591 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Here, we review the literature on Activating Enhancer-Binding Protein 4 (AP4)/transcription factor AP4 (TFAP4) function and regulation and its role in cancer. Elevated expression of AP4 was detected in tumors of various organs and is associated with poor patient survival. AP4 is encoded by a Myc target gene and mediates cell fate decisions by regulating multiple processes, such as cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness, apoptosis, and cellular senescence. Thereby, AP4 may be critical for tumor initiation and progression. In this review article, we summarize published evidence showing how AP4 functions as a transcriptional activator and repressor of a plethora of direct target genes in various physiological and pathological conditions. We also highlight the complex interactions of AP4 with c-Myc, N-Myc, p53, lncRNAs, and miRNAs in feed-back loops, which control AP4 levels and mediate AP4 functions. In the future, a better understanding of AP4 may contribute to improved prognosis and therapy of cancer. Abstract Activating Enhancer-Binding Protein 4 (AP4)/transcription factor AP4 (TFAP4) is a basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine-zipper transcription factor that was first identified as a protein bound to SV40 promoters more than 30 years ago. Almost 15 years later, AP4 was characterized as a target of the c-Myc transcription factor, which is the product of a prototypic oncogene that is activated in the majority of tumors. Interestingly, AP4 seems to represent a central hub downstream of c-Myc and N-Myc that mediates some of their functions, such as proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Elevated AP4 expression is associated with progression of cancer and poor patient prognosis in multiple tumor types. Deletion of AP4 in mice points to roles of AP4 in the control of stemness, tumor initiation and adaptive immunity. Interestingly, ex vivo AP4 inactivation results in increased DNA damage, senescence, and apoptosis, which may be caused by defective cell cycle progression. Here, we will summarize the roles of AP4 as a transcriptional repressor and activator of target genes and the contribution of protein and non-coding RNAs encoded by these genes, in regulating the above mentioned processes. In addition, proteins interacting with or regulating AP4 and the cellular signaling pathways altered after AP4 dysregulation in tumor cells will be discussed.
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