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Gan H, Cai J, Li L, Zheng X, Yan L, Hu X, Zhao N, Li B, He J, Wang D, Pang P. Endothelium-targeted Ddx24 conditional knockout exacerbates ConA-induced hepatitis in mice due to vascular hyper-permeability. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 129:111618. [PMID: 38354508 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute hepatitis is a progressive inflammatory disorder that can lead to liver failure. Endothelial permeability is the vital pathophysiological change involved in infiltrating inflammatory factors. DDX24 has been implicated in immune signaling. However, the precise role of DDX24 in immune-mediated hepatitis remains unclear. Here, we investigate the phenotype of endothelium-targeted Ddx24 conditional knockout mice with Concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis. METHODS Mice with homozygous endothelium-targeted Ddx24 conditional knockout (Ddx24flox/flox; Cdh5-Cre+) were established using the CRISPR/Cas9 mediated Cre-loxP system. We investigated the biological functions of endothelial cells derived from transgenic mice and explored the effects of Ddx24 in mice with ConA-induced hepatitis in vivo. The mass spectrometry was performed to identify the differentially expressed proteins in liver tissues of transgenic mice. RESULT We successfully established mice with endothelium-targeted Ddx24 conditional knockout. The results showed migration and tube formation potentials of murine aortic endothelial cells with DDX24 silencing were significantly promoted. No differences were observed between Ddx24flox/flox; Cdh5-Cre+ and control regarding body weight and length, pathological tissue change and embryogenesis. We demonstrated Ddx24flox/flox; Cdh5-Cre+ exhibited exacerbation of ConA-induced hepatitis by up-regulating TNF-α and IFN-γ. Furthermore, endothelium-targeted Ddx24 conditional knockout caused vascular hyper-permeability in ConA-injected mice by down-regulating vascular integrity-associated proteins. Mechanistically, we identified Ddx24 might regulate immune-mediated hepatitis by inflammation-related permeable barrier pathways. CONCLUSION These findings prove that endothelium-targeted Ddx24 conditional knockout exacerbates ConA-induced hepatitis in mice because of vascular hyper-permeability. The findings indicate a crucial role of DDX24 in regulating immune-mediated hepatitis, suggesting DDX24 as a potential therapeutic target in the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairun Gan
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Jianxun Cai
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Luting Li
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Xiaodi Zheng
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Leye Yan
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Xinyan Hu
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Ni Zhao
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China.
| | - Jianan He
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China.
| | - Dashuai Wang
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China.
| | - Pengfei Pang
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China.
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2
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Li N, Liu H, Xue Y, Xu Z, Miao X, Guo Y, Li Z, Fan Z, Xu Y. Targetable Brg1-CXCL14 axis contributes to alcoholic liver injury by driving neutrophil trafficking. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e16592. [PMID: 36722664 PMCID: PMC9994483 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) accounts for a large fraction of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the present study we investigated the involvement of Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) in ALD pathogenesis and implication in ALD intervention. We report that Brg1 expression was elevated in mouse models of ALD, in hepatocyte exposed to alcohol, and in human ALD specimens. Manipulation of Brg1 expression in hepatocytes influenced the development of ALD in mice. Flow cytometry showed that Brg1 deficiency specifically attenuated hepatic infiltration of Ly6G+ neutrophils in the ALD mice. RNA-seq identified C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14) as a potential target for Brg1. CXCL14 knockdown alleviated whereas CXCL14 over-expression enhanced ALD pathogenesis in mice. Importantly, pharmaceutical inhibition of Brg1 with a small-molecule compound PFI-3 or administration of an antagonist to the CXCL14 receptor ameliorated ALD pathogenesis in mice. Finally, a positive correlation between Brg1 expression, CXCL14 expression, and neutrophil infiltration was detected in ALD patients. In conclusion, our data provide proof-of-concept for targeting the Brg1-CXCL14 axis in ALD intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of PathophysiologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of PathophysiologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yujia Xue
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of PathophysiologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zheng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of PathophysiologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiulian Miao
- Collage of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng UniversityLiaochengChina
| | - Yan Guo
- Collage of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng UniversityLiaochengChina
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of PharmacologyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of PathologyNanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of PathophysiologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Collage of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng UniversityLiaochengChina
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of PharmacologyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
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3
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Fan Z, Kong M, Dong W, Dong C, Miao X, Guo Y, Liu X, Miao S, Li L, Chen T, Qu Y, Yu F, Duan Y, Lu Y, Zou X. Trans-activation of eotaxin-1 by Brg1 contributes to liver regeneration. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:495. [PMID: 35614068 PMCID: PMC9132924 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04944-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Infiltration of eosinophils is associated with and contributes to liver regeneration. Chemotaxis of eosinophils is orchestrated by the eotaxin family of chemoattractants. We report here that expression of eotaxin-1 (referred to as eotaxin hereafter), but not that of either eotaxin-2 or eotaxin-3, were elevated, as measured by quantitative PCR and ELISA, in the proliferating murine livers compared to the quiescent livers. Similarly, exposure of primary murine hepatocytes to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulated eotaxin expression. Liver specific deletion of Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1), a chromatin remodeling protein, attenuated eosinophil infiltration and down-regulated eotaxin expression in mice. Brg1 deficiency also blocked HGF-induced eotaxin expression in cultured hepatocytes. Further analysis revealed that Brg1 could directly bind to the proximal eotaxin promoter to activate its transcription. Mechanistically, Brg1 interacted with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/RelA to activate eotaxin transcription. NF-κB knockdown or pharmaceutical inhibition disrupted Brg1 recruitment to the eotaxin promoter and blocked eotaxin induction in hepatocytes. Adenoviral mediated over-expression of eotaxin overcame Brg1 deficiency caused delay in liver regeneration in mice. On the contrary, eotaxin depletion with RNAi or neutralizing antibodies retarded liver regeneration in mice. More important, Brg1 expression was detected to be correlated with eotaxin expression and eosinophil infiltration in human liver specimens. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel role of Brg1 as a regulator of eosinophil trafficking by activating eotaxin transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Fan
- grid.428392.60000 0004 1800 1685Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China ,grid.428392.60000 0004 1800 1685Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Kong
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Dong
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunlong Dong
- grid.410745.30000 0004 1765 1045Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yan Guo
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Xingyu Liu
- grid.411351.30000 0001 1119 5892College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Shuying Miao
- grid.428392.60000 0004 1800 1685Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Li
- grid.428392.60000 0004 1800 1685Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Chen
- grid.428392.60000 0004 1800 1685Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yeqing Qu
- grid.428392.60000 0004 1800 1685Experimental Animal Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Fei Yu
- grid.428392.60000 0004 1800 1685Experimental Animal Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunfei Duan
- grid.490563.d0000000417578685Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First People’s Hospital of Changzhou, the Third Hospital Affiliated with Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yunjie Lu
- grid.490563.d0000000417578685Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First People’s Hospital of Changzhou, the Third Hospital Affiliated with Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Zou
- grid.428392.60000 0004 1800 1685Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
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4
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SIRT6 mediates MRTF-A deacetylation in vascular endothelial cells to antagonize oxLDL-induced ICAM-1 transcription. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:96. [PMID: 35246513 PMCID: PMC8897425 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00903-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), a known risk factor for atherosclerosis, activates the transcription of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) in endothelial cells. We previously showed that myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) mediates oxLDL-induced ICAM-1 transcription. Here we confirm that ICAM-1 transactivation paralleled dynamic alterations in MRTF-A acetylation. Since treatment with the antioxidant NAC dampened MRTF-A acetylation, MRTF-A acetylation appeared to be sensitive to cellular redox status. Of interest, silencing of SIRT6, a lysine deacetylase, restored MRTF-A acetylation despite the addition of NAC. SIRT6 directly interacted with MRTF-A to modulate MRTF-A acetylation. Deacetylation of MRTF-A by SIRT6 led to its nuclear expulsion thus dampening MRTF-A occupancy on the ICAM-1 promoter. Moreover, SIRT6 expression was downregulated with oxLDL stimulation likely owing to promoter hypermethylation in endothelial cells. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) was recruited to the SIRT6 promoter and mediated SIRT6 repression. The ability of DNMT1 to repress SIRT6 promoter partly was dependent on ROS-sensitive serine 154 phosphorylation. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel DNMT1-SIRT6 axis that contributes to the regulation of MRTF-A acetylation and ICAM-1 transactivation in endothelial cells.
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5
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Ma J, Bi L, Spurlin J, Lwigale P. Nephronectin-Integrin α8 signaling is required for proper migration of periocular neural crest cells during chick corneal development. eLife 2022; 11:74307. [PMID: 35238772 PMCID: PMC8916771 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, cells aggregate at tissue boundaries to form normal tissue architecture of organs. However, how cells are segregated into tissue precursors remains largely unknown. Cornea development is a perfect example of this process whereby neural crest cells aggregate in the periocular region prior to their migration and differentiation into corneal cells. Our recent RNA-seq analysis identified upregulation of nephronectin (Npnt) transcripts during early stages of corneal development where its function has not been investigated. We found that Npnt mRNA and protein are expressed by various ocular tissues, including the migratory periocular neural crest (pNC), which also express the integrin alpha 8 (Itgα8) receptor. Knockdown of either Npnt or Itgα8 attenuated cornea development, whereas overexpression of Npnt resulted in cornea thickening. Moreover, overexpression of Npnt variants lacking RGD-binding sites did not affect corneal thickness. Neither the knockdown nor augmentation of Npnt caused significant changes in cell proliferation, suggesting that Npnt directs pNC migration into the cornea. In vitro analyses showed that Npnt promotes pNC migration from explanted periocular mesenchyme, which requires Itgα8, focal adhesion kinase, and Rho kinase. Combined, these data suggest that Npnt augments cell migration into the presumptive cornea extracellular matrix by functioning as a substrate for Itgα8-positive pNC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Ma
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Lian Bi
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - James Spurlin
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Peter Lwigale
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
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6
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Li N, Liu H, Xue Y, Chen J, Kong X, Zhang Y. Upregulation of Neogenin-1 by a CREB1-BAF47 Complex in Vascular Endothelial Cells is Implicated in Atherogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:803029. [PMID: 35186922 PMCID: PMC8851423 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.803029] [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: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is generally considered a human pathology of chronic inflammation, to which endothelial dysfunction plays an important role. Here we investigated the role of neogenin 1 (Neo-1) in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) induced endothelial dysfunction focusing on its transcriptional regulation. We report that Neo-1 expression was upregulated by oxLDL in both immortalized vascular endothelial cells and primary aortic endothelial cells. Neo-1 knockdown attenuated whereas Neo-1 over-expression enhanced oxLDL-induced leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Neo-1 regulated endothelial-leukocyte interaction by modulating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity to alter the expression of adhesion molecules. Neo-1 blockade with a blocking antibody ameliorated atherogenesis in Apoe−/− mice fed a Western diet. Ingenuity pathway analysis combined with validation assays confirmed that cAMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1) and Brg1-associated factor 47 (BAF47) mediated oxLDL induced Neo-1 upregulation. CREB1 interacted with BAF47 and recruited BAF47 to the proximal Neo-1 promoter leading to Neo-1 trans-activation. In conclusion, our data delineate a novel transcriptional mechanism underlying Neo-1 activation in vascular endothelial cells that might contribute to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujia Xue
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junliang Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiaocen Kong
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng Univeristy, Liaocheng, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaocen Kong, ; Yuanyuan Zhang,
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaocen Kong, ; Yuanyuan Zhang,
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7
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Shao T, Xue Y, Fang M. Epigenetic Repression of Chloride Channel Accessory 2 Transcription in Cardiac Fibroblast: Implication in Cardiac Fibrosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:771466. [PMID: 34869368 PMCID: PMC8633401 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.771466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a key pathophysiological process that contributes to heart failure. Cardiac resident fibroblasts, exposed to various stimuli, are able to trans-differentiate into myofibroblasts and mediate the pro-fibrogenic response in the heart. The present study aims to investigate the mechanism whereby transcription of chloride channel accessory 2 (Clca2) is regulated in cardiac fibroblast and its potential implication in fibroblast-myofibroblast transition (FMyT). We report that Clca2 expression was down-regulated in activated cardiac fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) compared to quiescent cardiac fibroblasts in two different animal models of cardiac fibrosis. Clca2 expression was also down-regulated by TGF-β, a potent inducer of FMyT. TGF-β repressed Clca2 expression at the transcriptional level likely via the E-box element between -516 and -224 of the Clca2 promoter. Further analysis revealed that Twist1 bound directly to the E-box element whereas Twist1 depletion abrogated TGF-β induced Clca2 trans-repression. Twist1-mediated Clca2 repression was accompanied by erasure of histone H3/H4 acetylation from the Clca2 promoter. Mechanistically Twist1 interacted with HDAC1 and recruited HDAC1 to the Clca2 promoter to repress Clca2 transcription. Finally, it was observed that Clca2 over-expression attenuated whereas Clca2 knockdown enhanced FMyT. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that a Twist1-HDAC1 complex represses Clca2 transcription in cardiac fibroblasts, which may contribute to FMyT and cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinghui Shao
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujia Xue
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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8
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Fan Z, Kong M, Miao X, Guo Y, Ren H, Wang J, Wang S, Tang N, Shang L, Zhu Z, Liu H, Zhu W, Shi X. An E2F5-TFDP1-BRG1 Complex Mediates Transcriptional Activation of MYCN in Hepatocytes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:742319. [PMID: 34746136 PMCID: PMC8569672 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.742319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver regeneration is characterized by cell cycle reentrance of hepatocytes. N-Myc, encoded by MYCN, is a member of the Myc family of transcription factors. Elevation of MYCN expression has been noted in the course of liver regeneration whereas the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we describe that up-regulation of MYCN expression, as measured by quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining, paralleled liver regeneration in animal and cell models. MYCN expression was up-regulated as a result of transcriptional activation. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) revealed several up-stream transcriptional regulators for MYCN and RNA interference validated E2F5 and TFDP1 as essential for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced MYCN trans-activation. Further examination showed that deficiency of BRG1, a chromatin remodeling protein, attenuated MYCN induction during liver regeneration. BRG1 interacted with and was recruited by E2F5/TFDP1 to the MYCN promoter. Mechanistically, BRG1 might play a role regulating histone H3 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation and facilitating/stabilizing the binding of RNA polymerase II surrounding the MYCN promoter. Over-expression of ectopic MYCN in BRG1-null hepatocytes overcame deficiency of proliferation. Importantly, a positive correlation between MYCN expression and BRG1/E2F5/TFDP1 expression was observed in human liver specimens. In conclusion, our data identify a novel epigenetic pathway where an E2F5-TFDP1-BRG1 complex regulates MYCN transcription to promote liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Haozhen Ren
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Longcheng Shang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengyi Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Hanyi Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaolei Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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9
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HES5-mediated repression of LIGHT transcription may contribute to apoptosis in hepatocytes. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:308. [PMID: 34689159 PMCID: PMC8542050 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00707-6] [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: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is prototypical form of metabolic syndrome and has become a global pandemic. Hepatocytes undergo apoptosis in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. We report that the lymphokine LIGHT/TNFSF14 was upregulated in the murine NAFLD livers and in hepatocytes treated with free fatty acids (palmitate, PA). LIGHT knockdown or neutralization attenuated PA-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes. Similarly, knockdown or blockade of LTβR, the receptor for LIGHT, ameliorated apoptosis in hepatocytes exposed to PA. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) revealed several Notch-related transcription factors as upstream regulators of LIGHT, of which HES5 expression was downregulated paralleling LIGHT induction in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. HES5 knockdown enhanced whereas HES5 over-expression weakened LIGHT induction in hepatocytes. HES5 was found to directly bind to the LIGHT promoter and repress LIGHT transcription. Mechanistically, HES5 interacted with SIRT1 to deacetylate histone H3/H4 on the LIGHT promoter to repress LIGHT transcription. SIRT1 knockdown or inhibition offset the effect of HES5 over-expression on LIGHT transcription and hepatocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel mechanism that might contribute to excessive apoptosis in hepatocyte exposed to free fatty acids.
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10
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Lv F, Shao T, Xue Y, Miao X, Guo Y, Wang Y, Xu Y. Dual Regulation of Tank Binding Kinase 1 by BRG1 in Hepatocytes Contributes to Reactive Oxygen Species Production. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:745985. [PMID: 34660604 PMCID: PMC8517266 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.745985] [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: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered a major culprit for the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We have previously shown that deletion of Brahma related gene 1 (BRG1) mitigated NAFLD in mice in part by attenuating ROS production in hepatocyte. Here we report that BRG1 deletion led to simultaneous down-regulation in expression and phosphorylation of tank binding kinase 1 (TBK1) in vivo and in vitro. On the one hand, BRG1 interacted with AP-1 to bind to the TBK1 promoter and directly activated TBK1 transcription in hepatocytes. On the other hand, BRG1 interacted with Sp1 to activate the transcription of c-SRC, a tyrosine kinase essential for TBK1 phosphorylation. Over-expression of c-SRC and TBK1 corrected the deficiency in ROS production in BRG1-null hepatocytes whereas depletion of TBK1 or c-SRC attenuated ROS production. In conclusion, our data suggest that dual regulation of TBK1 activity, at the transcription level and the post-transcriptional level, by BRG1 may constitute an important mechanism underlying excessive ROS production in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangqiao Lv
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tinghui Shao
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujia Xue
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yutong Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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11
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Chen B, Dong W, Shao T, Miao X, Guo Y, Liu X, Feng Y. A KDM4-DBC1-SIRT1 Axis Contributes to TGF-b Induced Mesenchymal Transition of Intestinal Epithelial Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:697614. [PMID: 34631698 PMCID: PMC8493255 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.697614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis is one of the common pathophysiological processes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Previously it has been demonstrated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can contribute to the development of intestinal fibrosis. Here we report that conditional ablation of SIRT1, a class III lysine deacetylase, in intestinal epithelial cells exacerbated 2, 4, 6-trinitro-benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced intestinal fibrosis in mice. SIRT1 activity, but not SIRT1 expression, was down-regulated during EMT likely due to up-regulation of its inhibitor deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1). TGF-β augmented the recruitment of KDM4A, a histone H3K9 demethylase, to the DBC1 promoter in cultured intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) leading to DBC1 trans-activation. KDM4A depletion or inhibition abrogated DBC1 induction by TGF-β and normalized SIRT1 activity. In addition, KDM4A deficiency attenuated TGF-β induced EMT in IEC-6 cells. In conclusion, our data identify a KDM4-DBC1-SIRT1 pathway that regulates EMT to contribute to intestinal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tinghui Shao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Xingyu Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yifei Feng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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12
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Kong M, Dong W, Zhu Y, Fan Z, Miao X, Guo Y, Li C, Duan Y, Lu Y, Li Z, Xu Y. Redox-sensitive activation of CCL7 by BRG1 in hepatocytes during liver injury. Redox Biol 2021; 46:102079. [PMID: 34454163 PMCID: PMC8406035 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver injuries induced by various stimuli share in common an acute inflammatory response, in which circulating macrophages home to the liver parenchyma to participate in the regulation of repair, regeneration, and fibrosis. In the present study we investigated the role of hepatocyte-derived C-C motif ligand 7 (CCL7) in macrophage migration during liver injury focusing on its transcriptional regulation. We report that CCL7 expression was up-regulated in the liver by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection (acute liver injury) or methionine-and-choline-deficient (MCD) diet feeding (chronic liver injury) paralleling increased macrophage infiltration. CCL7 expression was also inducible in hepatocytes, but not in hepatic stellate cells or in Kupffer cells, by LPS treatment or exposure to palmitate in vitro. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, resulted in a concomitant loss of CCL7 induction and macrophage infiltration in the murine livers. Of interest, BRG1-induced CCL7 transcription and macrophage migration was completely blocked by the antioxidant N-acetylcystine. Further analyses revealed that BRG1 interacted with activator protein 1 (AP-1) to regulate CCL7 transcription in hepatocytes in a redox-sensitive manner mediated in part by casein kinase 2 (CK2)-catalyzed phosphorylation of BRG1. Importantly, a positive correlation between BRG1/CCL7 expression and macrophage infiltration was identified in human liver biopsy specimens. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel role for BRG1 as a redox-sensitive activator of CCL7 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, China
| | - Chengping Li
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, China
| | - Yunfei Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yunjie Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, China.
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, China.
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13
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Li Z, Zhao Q, Lu Y, Zhang Y, Li L, Li M, Chen X, Sun D, Duan Y, Xu Y. DDIT4 S-Nitrosylation Aids p38-MAPK Signaling Complex Assembly to Promote Hepatic Reactive Oxygen Species Production. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2101957. [PMID: 34310076 PMCID: PMC8456271 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling plays a significant role in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The authors have previously shown that Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, contributes to hepatic ROS accumulation in multiple animal and cellular models of liver injury. Here it is reported that DNA damage-induced transcript 4 (DDIT4) is identified as a direct transcriptional target for BRG1. DDIT4 overexpression overcomes BRG1 deficiency to restore ROS production whereas DDIT4 knockdown phenocopies BRG1 deficiency in suppressing ROS production in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, DDIT4 coordinates the assembly of the p38-MAPK signaling complex to drive ROS production in an S-nitrosylation dependent manner. Molecular docking identifies several bioactive DDIT4-inteacting compounds including imatinib, nilotinib, and nateglinide, all of which are confirmed to attenuate hepatic ROS production, dampen p38-MAPK signaling, and ameliorate liver injury by influencing DDIT4 S-nitrosylation. Importantly, positive correlation between ROS levels and BRG1/DDIT4/S-nitrosylated DDIT4 levels is detected in human liver biopsy specimens. In conclusion, the data reveal a transcription-based signaling cascade that contributes to ROS production in liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe First People's Hospital of ChangzhouThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityChangzhou213000China
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular DiseaseCollaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjing211166China
- Institute of Biomedical ResearchLiaocheng UniversityLiaocheng252000China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural MedicinesDepartment of PharmacologyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Qianwen Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural MedicinesDepartment of PharmacologyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yunjie Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe First People's Hospital of ChangzhouThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityChangzhou213000China
| | - Yangxi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular DiseaseCollaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjing211166China
| | - Luyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular DiseaseCollaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjing211166China
| | - Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular DiseaseCollaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjing211166China
| | - Xuemin Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe First People's Hospital of ChangzhouThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityChangzhou213000China
| | - Donglin Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe First People's Hospital of ChangzhouThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityChangzhou213000China
| | - Yunfei Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe First People's Hospital of ChangzhouThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityChangzhou213000China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular DiseaseCollaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjing211166China
- Institute of Biomedical ResearchLiaocheng UniversityLiaocheng252000China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural MedicinesDepartment of PharmacologyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
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14
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Kong M, Dong W, Xu H, Fan Z, Miao X, Guo Y, Li C, Ye Q, Wang Y, Xu Y. Choline Kinase Alpha Is a Novel Transcriptional Target of the Brg1 in Hepatocyte: Implication in Liver Regeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:705302. [PMID: 34422825 PMCID: PMC8377418 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.705302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver regeneration is a key compensatory process in response to liver injury serving to contain damages and to rescue liver functions. Hepatocytes, having temporarily exited the cell cycle after embryogenesis, resume proliferation to regenerate the injured liver parenchyma. In the present study we investigated the transcriptional regulation of choline kinase alpha (Chka) in hepatocytes in the context of liver regeneration. We report that Chka expression was significantly up-regulated in the regenerating livers in the partial hepatectomy (PHx) model and the acetaminophen (APAP) injection model. In addition, treatment with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a strong pro-proliferative cue, stimulated Chka expression in primary hepatocytes. Chka depletion attenuated HGF-induced proliferation of hepatocytes as evidenced by quantitative PCR and Western blotting measurements of pro-proliferative genes as well as EdU incorporation into replicating DNA. Of interest, deletion of Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1), a chromatin remodeling protein, attenuated Chka induction in the regenerating livers in mice and in cultured hepatocytes. Further analysis revealed that Brg1 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) to directly bind to the Chka promoter and activate Chka transcription. Finally, examination of human acute liver failure (ALF) specimens identified a positive correlation between Chka expression and Brg1 expression. In conclusion, our data suggest that Brg1-dependent trans-activation of Chka expression may contribute to liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huihui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Chengping Li
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Qing Ye
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Intelligent Pathology Institute, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yutong Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, The Municipal Laboratory of Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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15
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Yang Y, Wang H, Zhao H, Miao X, Guo Y, Zhuo L, Xu Y. A GSK3-SRF Axis Mediates Angiotensin II Induced Endothelin Transcription in Vascular Endothelial Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:698254. [PMID: 34381779 PMCID: PMC8350349 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.698254] [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: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelin, encoded by ET1, is a vasoactive substance primarily synthesized in vascular endothelial cells (VECs). Elevation of endothelin levels, due to transcriptional hyperactivation, has been observed in a host of cardiovascular diseases. We have previously shown that serum response factor (SRF) is a regulator of ET1 transcription in VECs. Here we report that angiotensin II (Ang II) induced ET1 transcription paralleled activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in cultured VECs. GSK3 knockdown or pharmaceutical inhibition attenuated Ang II induced endothelin expression. Of interest, the effect of GSK3 on endothelin transcription relied on the conserved SRF motif within the ET1 promoter. Further analysis revealed that GSK3 interacted with and phosphorylated SRF at serine 224. Phosphorylation of SRF by GSK3 did not influence its recruitment to the ET1 promoter. Instead, GSK3-mediated SRF phosphorylation potentiated its interaction with MRTF-A, a key co-factor for SRF, which helped recruit the chromatin remodeling protein BRG1 to the ET1 promoter resulting in augmented histone H3 acetylation/H3K4 trimethylation. Consistently, over-expression of a constitutively active GSK enhanced Ang II-induced ET1 transcription and knockdown of either MRTF-A or BRG1 abrogated the enhancement of ET1 transcription. In conclusion, our data highlight a previously unrecognized mechanism that contributes to the transcriptional regulation of endothelin. Targeting this GSK3-SRF axis may yield novel approaches in the intervention of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyu Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Huidi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Lili Zhuo
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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16
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Chen B, Zhu Y, Chen J, Feng Y, Xu Y. Activation of TC10-Like Transcription by Lysine Demethylase KDM4B in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:617549. [PMID: 34249900 PMCID: PMC8260841 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.617549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant colorectal cancers (CRCs) are characterized by enhanced migration and invasion thus acquiring the ability to metastasize. We have previously shown that the small GTPase TC10-like (TCL) contributes to aggressive migration and invasion in malignant CRC cells. TCL expression is differentially expressed in CRC cells and can be upregulated by hypoxia although the underlying epigenetic mechanism is not fully appreciated. Here, we report that differential TCL expression in CRC cells appeared to be associated with histone H3K9 methylation. RNAi screening revealed that the lysine demethylase KDM4B was essential for TCL transcription in CRC cells. KDM4B interacted with and was recruited by the sequence-specific transcription factor ETS-related gene 1 (ERG1) to the TCL promoter to activate transcription. Mechanistically, KDM4B mediated H3K9 demethylase facilitated the assembly of pre-initiation complex (PIC) on the TCL promoter. KDM4B knockdown attenuated migration and invasion of CRC cells. Importantly, KDM4B expression was upregulated in human CRC specimens of advanced stages compared to those of lower grades and associated with poor prognosis. Together, these data uncover a novel epigenetic mechanism underlying malignant transformation of CRC cells and suggest that KDM4B may be considered as a therapeutic target in CRC intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junliang Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yifei Feng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Hospital Affiliated With Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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17
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Zhang Z, Chen B, Zhu Y, Zhang T, Yuan Y, Zhang X, Xu Y. The Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylase Homolog 1D/lysine Demethylase 7A (JHDM1D/KDM7A) Is an Epigenetic Activator of RHOJ Transcription in Breast Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:664375. [PMID: 34249916 PMCID: PMC8262595 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.664375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase RHOJ is a key regulator of breast cancer metastasis by promoting cell migration and invasion. The prometastatic stimulus TGF-β activates RHOJ transcription via megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1). The underlying epigenetic mechanism is not clear. Here, we report that MKL1 deficiency led to disrupted assembly of the RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex on the RHOJ promoter in breast cancer cells. This could be partially explained by histone H3K9/H3K27 methylation status. Further analysis confirmed that the H3K9/H3K27 dual demethylase JHDM1D/KDM7A was essential for TGF-β-induced RHOJ transcription in breast cancer cells. MKL1 interacted with and recruited KDM7A to the RHOJ promoter to cooperatively activate RHOJ transcription. KDM7A knockdown attenuated migration and invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro and mitigated the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells in nude mice. KDM7A expression level, either singularly or in combination with that of RHOJ, could be used to predict prognosis in breast cancer patients. Of interest, KDM7A appeared to be a direct transcriptional target of TGF-β signaling. A SMAD2/SMAD4 complex bound to the KDM7A promoter and mediated TGF-β-induced KDM7A transcription. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel epigenetic mechanism whereby TGF-β regulates the transcription of the prometastatic small GTPase RHOJ. Screening for small-molecule inhibitors of KDM7A may yield effective therapeutic solutions to treat malignant breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Jiangxi, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China.,Central Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Baoyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yibiao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Department of Gynecology, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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18
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Kong M, Zhu Y, Shao J, Fan Z, Xu Y. The Chromatin Remodeling Protein BRG1 Regulates SREBP Maturation by Activating SCAP Transcription in Hepatocytes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:622866. [PMID: 33718362 PMCID: PMC7947303 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.622866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol response element binding protein (SREBP) is a master regulator of cellular lipogenesis. One key step in the regulation of SREBP activity is its sequential cleavage and trans-location by several different proteinases including SREBP cleavage activating protein (SCAP). We have previously reported that Brahma related gene 1 (BRG1) directly interacts with SREBP1c and SREBP2 to activate pro-lipogenic transcription in hepatocytes. We report here that BRG1 deficiency resulted in reduced processing and nuclear accumulation of SREBP in the murine livers in two different models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Exposure of hepatocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and palmitate (PA) promoted SREBP accumulation in the nucleus whereas BRG1 knockdown or inhibition blocked SREBP maturation. Further analysis revealed that BRG1 played an essential role in the regulation of SCAP expression. Mechanistically, BRG1 interacted with Sp1 and directly bound to the SCAP promoter to activate SCAP transcription. Forced expression of exogenous SCAP partially rescued the deficiency in the expression of SREBP target genes in BRG1-null hepatocytes. In conclusion, our data uncover a novel mechanism by which BRG1 contributes to SREBP-dependent lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Shao
- Wu Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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