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Wang Q, Cheng B, Singh S, Tao Y, Xie Z, Qin F, Shi X, Xu J, Hu C, Tan W, Li H, Huang H. A protein-encoding CCDC7 circular RNA inhibits the progression of prostate cancer by up-regulating FLRT3. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:11. [PMID: 38225404 PMCID: PMC10789799 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00503-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a family of endogenous RNAs that have become a focus of biological research in recent years. Emerging evidence has revealed that circRNAs exert biological functions by acting as transcriptional regulators, microRNA sponges, and binding partners with RNA-binding proteins. However, few studies have identified coding circRNAs, which may lead to a hidden repertoire of proteins. In this study, we unexpectedly discovered a protein-encoding circular RNA circCCDC7(15,16,17,18,19) while we were searching for prostate cancer related chimeric RNAs. circCCDC7(15,16,17,18,19) is derived from exon 19 back spliced to exon 15 of the CCDC7 gene. It is significantly downregulated in patients with high Gleason score. Prostate cancer patients with decreased circCCDC7(15,16,17,18,19) expression have a worse prognosis, while linear CCDC7 had no such association. Overexpressed circCCDC7(15,16,17,18,19) inhibited prostate cancer cell migration, invasion, and viability, supporting classification of circCCDC7(15,16,17,18,19) as a bona fide tumor suppressor gene. We provide evidence that its tumor suppressive activity is driven by the protein it encodes, and that circCCDC7(15,16,17,18,19) encodes a secretory protein. Consistently, conditioned media from circCCDC7(15,16,17,18,19) overexpressing cells has the same tumor suppressive activity. We further demonstrate that the tumor suppressive activity of circCCDC7(15,16,17,18,19) is at least partially mediated by FLRT3, whose expression also negatively correlates with Gleason score and clinical prognosis. In conclusion, circCCDC7(15,16,17,18,19) functions as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer cells through the circCCDC7-180aa secretory protein it encodes, and is a promising therapeutic peptide for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wang
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Bisheng Cheng
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Sandeep Singh
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Yiran Tao
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Zhongqiu Xie
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Fujun Qin
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Xinrui Shi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jingjing Xu
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chenxi Hu
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Wanlong Tan
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
| | - Hai Huang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Department of Urology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, 511518, China.
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Ba R, Yang L, Zhang B, Jiang P, Ding Z, Zhou X, Yang Z, Zhao C. FOXG1 drives transcriptomic networks to specify principal neuron subtypes during the development of the medial pallium. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade2441. [PMID: 36791184 PMCID: PMC9931217 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade2441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The medial pallium (MP) is the major forebrain region underlying learning and memory, spatial navigation, and emotion; however, the mechanisms underlying the specification of its principal neuron subtypes remain largely unexplored. Here, by postmitotic deletion of FOXG1 (a transcription factor linked to autism spectrum disorders and FOXG1 syndrome) and single-cell RNA sequencing of E17.5 MP in mice, we found that FOXG1 controls the specification of upper-layer retrosplenial cortical pyramidal neurons [RSC-PyNs (UL)], subiculum PyNs (SubC-PyNs), CA1-PyNs, CA3-PyNs, and dentate gyrus granule cells (DG-GCs) in the MP. We uncovered subtype-specific and subtype-shared FOXG1-regulated transcriptomic networks orchestrating MP neuron specification. We further demonstrated that FOXG1 transcriptionally represses Zbtb20, Prox1, and Epha4 to prevent CA3-PyN and DG-GC identities during the specification of RSC-PyNs (UL) and SubC-PyNs; FOXG1 directly activates Nr4a2 to promote SubC-PyN identity. We showed that TBR1, controlled by FOXG1 during CA1-PyN specification, was down-regulated. Thus, our study illuminates MP principal neuron subtype specification and related neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Ba
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontier Research Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Baoshen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Pengfei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhipeng Ding
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xue Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhengang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontier Research Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
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Yuan Y, Zhang ZG, Ma B, Ji P, Ma S, Qi X. Effective oxygen metabolism-based prognostic signature for colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1072941. [PMID: 36845724 PMCID: PMC9947833 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1072941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgroud Oxygen metabolism is an important factor affecting the development of tumors, but its roles and clinical value in Colorectal cancer are not clear. We developed an oxygen metabolism (OM) based prognostic risk model for colorectal cancer and explored the role of OM genes in cancer. Methods Gene expression and clinical data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium databases were consider as discovery and validation cohort, respectively. The prognostic model based on differently expressed OM genes between tumor and GTEx normal colorectal tissues were constructed in discovery cohort and validated in validation cohort. The Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to test clinical independent. Upstream and downstream regulatory relationships and interaction molecules are used to clarify the roles of prognostic OM genes in colorectal cancer. Results A total of 72 common differently expressed OM genes were detected in the discovery and validation set. A five-OM gene prognostic model including LRT2, ATP6V0E2, ODC1, SEL1L3 and VDR was established and validated. Risk score determined by the model was an independent prognostic according to routine clinical factors. Besides, the role of prognostic OM genes involves transcriptional regulation of MYC and STAT3, and downstream cell stress and inflammatory response pathways. Conclusions We developed a five-OM gene prognostic model and study the unique roles of oxygen metabolism in of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Yuan
- Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Clinical Research Center for Malignant Tumor of Liaoning Province, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China,*Correspondence: Yonghui Yuan, ; Xun Qi,
| | - Zhong-guo Zhang
- Large-Scale Data Analysis Center of Cancer Precision Medicine, Cancer Hospital of Chinese Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Cancer Institute and Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Bin Ma
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Pengfei Ji
- Department of Medical Image of Liaoning Province, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Shiyang Ma
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology of Liaoning Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xun Qi
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology of Liaoning Province, Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China,*Correspondence: Yonghui Yuan, ; Xun Qi,
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Yang M, Li D, Jiang Z, Li C, Ji S, Sun J, Chang Y, Ruan S, Wang Z, Liang R, Dai X, Li B, Zhao H. TGF-β-induced FLRT3 attenuation is essential for cancer-associated fibroblast-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:1247-1259. [PMID: 35560224 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) constitute a major component of the tumor microenvironment. The effects of CAFs on the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain controversial. In this study, we found the ectopic overexpression of Fibronectin leucine-rich transmembrane protein 3 (FLRT3) inhibited the process of Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as well as the proliferation, migration, invasion, and promote apoptosis of CRC cells, whereas silencing FLRT3 expression resulted in the opposite phenomenon. FLRT3 downregulation was associated with a poor prognosis in CRC. Also, FLRT3 expression was significantly related to some clinicopathological factors, including T stage (p=0.037), N stage (p=0.042), and E-cadherin (p=0.002) level. Via univariate and multivariate analyses, M stage (p<0.0001), FLRT3 (p=0.044), and E-cadherin (p=0.003) were associated with overall survival and were independent prognostic factors for it. Mechanistically, CAFs secreted TGF-β, which downregulated FLRT3 expression by activating SMAD4 to promote aggressive phenotypes in CRC cells. Moreover, FLRT3 repressed tumorigenesis and lung metastasis, which could be reversed by LY2109761, a dual inhibitor of TGF-β receptor type I and II. Treatment with LY2109761 increased IFN-γ expression in CD8+ T cells and reduced the number of regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Taken together, we revealed the metastasis-suppressive function of FLRT3, which was attenuated during the CAFs-mediated activation of the TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling pathway to promote EMT in CRC. LY2109761 that significantly inhibited metastasis could be a new treatment option for advanced CRC. Implications: CAFs enhance CRC aggressiveness by reducing FLRT3 expression through activating TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling pathway. CAFs-targeted therapy and/or LY2109761 were promising treatments for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Yang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, shanghai, China
| | - Dan Li
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyuan Jiang
- Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Changcan Li
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Suyuan Ji
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen Univeristy, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, shanghai, China
| | - Yujie Chang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, shanghai, China
| | - Shunyi Ruan
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyu Wang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, shanghai, China
| | - Rui Liang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyu Dai
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Li
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, shanghai, China
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ErbB4 Is a Potential Key Regulator of the Pathways Activated by NTRK-Fusions in Thyroid Cancer. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12052506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
NTRK gene fusions are drivers of tumorigenesis events that specific Trk-inhibitors can target. Current knowledge of the downstream pathways activated has been previously limited to the pathways of regulator proteins phosphorylated directly by Trk receptors. Here, we aimed to detect genes whose expression is increased in response to the activation of these pathways. We identified and analyzed differentially expressed genes in thyroid cancer samples with NTRK1 or NTRK3 gene fusions, and without any NTRK fusions, versus normal thyroid gland tissues, using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas, the DESeq2 tool, and the Genome Enhancer and geneXplain platforms. Searching for the genes activated only in samples with an NTRK fusion as opposed to those without NTRK fusions, we identified 29 genes involved in nervous system development, including AUTS2, DTNA, ERBB4, FLRT2, FLRT3, RPH3A, and SCN4A. We found that genes regulating the expression of the upregulated genes (i.e., upstream regulators) were enriched in the “signaling by ERBB4” pathway. ERBB4 was also one of three genes encoding master regulators whose expression was increased only in samples with an NTRK fusion. Moreover, the algorithm searching for positive feedback loops for gene promoters and transcription factors (a so-called “walking pathways” algorithm) identified the ErbB4 protein as the key master regulator. ERBB4 upregulation (p-value = 0.004) was confirmed in an independent sample of ETV6-NTRK3-positive FFPE specimens. Thus, ErbB4 is the potential key regulator of the pathways activated by NTRK gene fusions in thyroid cancer. These results are preliminary and require additional biochemical validation.
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Ando T, Tai-Nagara I, Sugiura Y, Kusumoto D, Okabayashi K, Kido Y, Sato K, Saya H, Navankasattusas S, Li DY, Suematsu M, Kitagawa Y, Seiradake E, Yamagishi S, Kubota Y. Tumor-specific inter-endothelial adhesion mediated by FLRT2 facilitates cancer aggressiveness. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:153626. [PMID: 35104247 PMCID: PMC8920344 DOI: 10.1172/jci153626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood vessel abnormalization alters cancer cell metabolism and promotes cancer dissemination and metastasis. However, the biological features of the abnormalized blood vessels that facilitate cancer progression and whether they can be targeted therapeutically have not been fully investigated. Here, we found that an axon guidance molecule, fibronectin leucine-rich transmembrane protein 2 (FLRT2), is expressed preferentially in abnormalized vessels of advanced colorectal cancers in humans, and that its expression correlates negatively with long-term survival. Endothelial-specific deletion of Flrt2 in mice selectively pruned abnormalized vessels, resulting in a unique metabolic state termed "oxygen-glucose uncoupling", which suppresses tumor metastasis. Moreover, Flrt2 deletion caused an increase in the number of mature vessels, resulting in a significant increase in the anti-tumor effects of immune checkpoint blockers. Mechanistically, we found that FLRT2 forms non-canonical inter-endothelial adhesions that safeguard against oxidative stress through homophilic binding. Together, our results demonstrate the existence of tumor-specific inter-endothelial adhesions that enable abnormalized vessels to facilitate cancer aggressiveness. Targeting this type of adhesion complex could be a safe and effective therapeutic option to suppress cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomofumi Ando
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ikue Tai-Nagara
- Department of Anatomy, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Sugiura
- Department of Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Dai Kusumoto
- Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Okabayashi
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Kido
- Department of Anatomy, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohji Sato
- Department of Organ & Tissue Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Saya
- Division of Gene Regulation, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sutip Navankasattusas
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America
| | - Dean Y Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States of America
| | - Makoto Suematsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Kitagawa
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Elena Seiradake
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Satoru Yamagishi
- Department of Organ & Tissue Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Kubota
- Department of Anatomy, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Li J, Shinoda Y, Ogawa S, Ikegaya S, Li S, Matsuyama Y, Sato K, Yamagishi S. Expression of FLRT2 in Postnatal Central Nervous System Development and After Spinal Cord Injury. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:756264. [PMID: 34744626 PMCID: PMC8569257 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.756264] [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: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibronectin and leucine-rich transmembrane (FLRT) proteins are necessary for various developmental processes and in pathological conditions. FLRT2 acts as a homophilic cell adhesion molecule, a heterophilic repulsive ligand of Unc5/Netrin receptors, and a synaptogenic molecule; the last feature is mediated by binding to latrophilins. Although the function of FLRT2 in regulating cortical migration at the late gestation stage has been analyzed, little is known about the expression pattern of FLRT2 during postnatal central nervous system (CNS) development. In this study, we used Flrt2-LacZ knock-in (KI) mice to analyze FLRT2 expression during CNS development. At the early postnatal stage, FLRT2 expression was largely restricted to several regions of the striatum and deep layers of the cerebral cortex. In adulthood, FLRT2 expression was more prominent in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, piriform cortex (PIR), nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract (NLOT), and ventral medial nucleus (VM) of the thalamus, but lower in the striatum. Notably, in the hippocampus, FLRT2 expression was confined to the CA1 region and partly localized on pre- and postsynapses whereas only few expression was observed in CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG). Finally, we observed temporally limited FLRT2 upregulation in reactive astrocytes around lesion sites 7 days after thoracic spinal cord injury. These dynamic changes in FLRT2 expression may enable multiple FLRT2 functions, including cell adhesion, repulsion, and synapse formation in different regions during CNS development and after spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juntan Li
- Department of Organ and Tissue Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yo Shinoda
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuhei Ogawa
- Division of Integrated Research, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Ikegaya
- Department of Organ and Tissue Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Shuo Li
- Department of Organ and Tissue Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Matsuyama
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Kohji Sato
- Department of Organ and Tissue Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Satoru Yamagishi
- Department of Organ and Tissue Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
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Nawrocki MJ, Jopek K, Zdun M, Mozdziak P, Jemielity M, Perek B, Bukowska D, Kempisty B. Expression Profile of Genes Encoding Proteins Involved in Regulation of Vasculature Development and Heart Muscle Morphogenesis-A Transcriptomic Approach Based on a Porcine Model. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168794. [PMID: 34445494 PMCID: PMC8395751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances in treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) many subjects still develop heart failure due to significantly reduced ejection fraction. Currently, there are no commonly available treatment strategies that replace the infarcted/dysfunctional myocardium. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that control the regeneration of the heart muscle is important. The development of new coronary vessels plays a pivotal role in cardiac regeneration. Employing microarray expression assays and RT-qPCR validation expression pattern of genes in long-term primary cultured cells isolated form the right atrial appendage (RAA) and right atrium (RA) was evaluated. After using DAVID software, it indicated the analysis expression profiles of genes involved in ontological groups such as: “angiogenesis”, “blood vessel morphogenesis”, “circulatory system development”, “regulation of vasculature development”, and “vasculature development” associated with the process of creation new blood vessels. The performed transcriptomic comparative analysis between two different compartments of the heart muscle allowed us to indicate the presence of differences in the expression of key transcripts depending on the cell source. Increases in culture intervals significantly increased expression of SFRP2, PRRX1 genes and some other genes involved in inflammatory process, such as: CCL2, IL6, and ROBO1. Moreover, the right atrial appendage gene encoding lysyl oxidase (LOX) showed much higher expression compared to the pre-cultivation state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz J. Nawrocki
- Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Karol Jopek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Maciej Zdun
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
| | - Paul Mozdziak
- Physiology Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA;
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Marek Jemielity
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-848 Poznań, Poland; (M.J.); (B.P.)
| | - Bartłomiej Perek
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-848 Poznań, Poland; (M.J.); (B.P.)
| | - Dorota Bukowska
- Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
| | - Bartosz Kempisty
- Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznań, Poland;
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznań, Poland;
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-61-8546418; Fax: +48-61-8546440
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UNC5B Promotes Vascular Endothelial Cell Senescence via the ROS-Mediated P53 Pathway. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:5546711. [PMID: 34239689 PMCID: PMC8238614 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5546711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cell senescence is involved in human aging and age-related vascular disorders. Guidance receptor UNC5B is implicated in oxidative stress and angiogenesis. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of UNC5B in endothelial cell senescence. Here, we cultured primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells to young and senescent phases. Subsequently, the expression of UNC5B was identified in replicative senescent cells, and then, its effect on endothelial cell senescence was confirmed by UNC5B-overexpressing lentiviral vectors and RNA interference. Overexpression of UNC5B in young endothelial cells significantly increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase-positive cells, upregulated the mRNAs expression of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype genes, reduced total cell number, and inhibited the potential for cell proliferation. Furthermore, overexpression of UNC5B promoted the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activated the P53 pathway. Besides, overexpression of UNC5B disturbed endothelial function by inhibiting cell migration and tube formation. Nevertheless, silencing UNC5B generated conflicting outcomes. Blocking ROS production or inhibiting the function of P53 rescued endothelial cell senescence induced by UNC5B. These findings suggest that UNC5B promotes endothelial cell senescence, potentially by activating the ROS-P53 pathway. Therefore, inhibiting UNC5B might reduce endothelial cell senescence and hinder age-related vascular disorders.
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Muangsanit P, Roberton V, Costa E, Phillips JB. Engineered aligned endothelial cell structures in tethered collagen hydrogels promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Acta Biomater 2021; 126:224-237. [PMID: 33766800 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vascularisation is important in nerve tissue engineering to provide blood supply and nutrients for long-term survival of implanted cells. Furthermore, blood vessels in regenerating nerves have been shown to serve as tracks for Schwann cells to migrate along and thus form Bands of Büngner which promote axonal regeneration. In this study, we have developed tissue-engineered constructs containing aligned endothelial cells, or co-cultures of both endothelial cells and Schwann cells to test whether these structures could promote regeneration across peripheral nerve gaps. Type I rat tail collagen gels containing HUVECs (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells, 4 × 106 cells/ml) were cast in perforated tethering silicone conduits to facilitate cellular self-alignment and tube formation for 4 days of culture. For co-culture constructs, optimal tube formation and cellular alignment was achieved with a ratio of 4:0.5 × 106 cells/ml (HUVECs:Schwann cells). An in vivo test of the engineered constructs to bridge a 10 mm gap in rat sciatic nerves for 4 weeks revealed that constructs containing only HUVECs significantly promoted axonal regeneration and vascularisation across the gap, as compared to conventional aligned Schwann cell constructs and those containing co-cultured HUVECs and Schwann cells. Our results suggest that tissue-engineered constructs containing aligned endothelial cells within collagen matrix could be good candidates to treat peripheral nerve injury. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Nerve tissue engineering provides a potential way to overcome the limitations associated with current clinical grafting techniques for the repair of severe peripheral nerve injuries. However, the therapeutic cells within engineered nerve tissue require effective vascularisation in order to survive. This work therefore aimed to develop engineered nerve constructs containing aligned tube-like structures made from endothelial cells. Not only did this provide a method to improve vascularisation, it demonstrated for the first time that aligned endothelial cells can outperform Schwann cells in promoting nerve regeneration in the rat sciatic nerve model. This has introduced the concept of developing pre-vascularised engineered nerve tissues, and indicated the potential usefulness of endothelial cell structures in tissue engineering for peripheral nerve repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Papon Muangsanit
- Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, 256 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X8LD, United Kingdom; UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom.
| | - Victoria Roberton
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
| | - James B Phillips
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
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Morton AB, Jacobsen NL, Segal SS. Functionalizing biomaterials to promote neurovascular regeneration following skeletal muscle injury. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 320:C1099-C1111. [PMID: 33852364 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00501.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
During embryogenesis, blood vessels and nerves develop with similar branching structure in response to shared signaling pathways guiding network growth. With both systems integral to physiological homeostasis, dual targeting of blood vessels and nerves to promote neurovascular regeneration following injury is an emerging therapeutic approach in biomedical engineering. A limitation to this strategy is that the nature of cross talk between emergent vessels and nerves during regeneration in an adult is poorly understood. Following peripheral nerve transection, intraneural vascular cells infiltrate the site of injury to provide a migratory pathway for mobilized Schwann cells of regenerating axons. As Schwann cells demyelinate, they secrete vascular endothelial growth factor, which promotes angiogenesis. Recent advances point to concomitant restoration of neurovascular architecture and function through simultaneous targeting of growth factors and guidance cues shared by both systems during regeneration. In the context of traumatic injury associated with volumetric muscle loss, we consider the nature of biomaterials used to engineer three-dimensional scaffolds, functionalization of scaffolds with molecular signals that guide and promote neurovascular growth, and seeding scaffolds with progenitor cells. Physiological success is defined by each tissue component of the bioconstruct (nerve, vessel, muscle) becoming integrated with that of the host. Advances in microfabrication, cell culture techniques, and progenitor cell biology hold great promise for engineering bioconstructs able to restore organ function after volumetric muscle loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron B Morton
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Nicole L Jacobsen
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Steven S Segal
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, Columbia, Missouri
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12
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Rare genetic variants suggest dysregulation of signaling pathways in low- and high-risk patients developing severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2883-2892. [PMID: 32945993 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01941-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate if rare gene variants in women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) provide clues to the mechanisms involved in the syndrome. METHODS Among participants in a prospective randomized study (Toftager et al. 2016), six women with predicted low and six women with predicted high risk of OHSS developing severe OHSS (grades 4 and 5, Golan classification) were selected. In the same cohort, six plus six matched controls developing no signs of OHSS (Golan grade 0) were selected. Whole-exome sequencing was performed. Analysis using a predefined in silico OHSS gene panel, variant filtering, and pathway analyses was done. RESULTS We found no convincing monogenetic association with the development of OHSS using the in silico gene panel. Pathway analysis of OHSS variant lists showed substantial overlap in highly enriched top pathways (p value range p < 0.0001 and p > 9.8E-17) between the low- and high-risk group developing severe OHSS, i.e., "the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway" and the "axonal guidance signaling pathway," both being connected to vasoactive endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial function. CONCLUSION Rare variants in OHSS cases with two distinct risk profiles enrich the same signaling pathways linked to VEGF and endothelial function. Clarification of the mechanism as well as potentially defining genetic predisposition of the high vascular permeability is important for future targeted treatment and prevention of OHSS; the potential roles of ILK signaling and the axonal guidance signaling need to be validated by functional studies.
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Bellner L, Lebovics NB, Rubinstein R, Buchen YD, Sinatra E, Sinatra G, Abraham NG, McClung JA, Thompson EA. Heme Oxygenase-1 Upregulation: A Novel Approach in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease. Antioxid Redox Signal 2020; 32:1045-1060. [PMID: 31891663 PMCID: PMC7153645 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2019.7970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Heme oxygenase (HO) plays a pivotal role in both vascular and metabolic functions and is involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and adipocytes. Recent Advances: From the regulation of adipogenesis in adipose tissue to the adaptive response of vascular tissue in the ECs, HO plays a critical role in the capability of the vascular system to respond and adjust to insults in homeostasis. Recent studies show that HO-1 through regulation of adipocyte and adipose tissue functions ultimately aid not only in local but also in systemic maintenance of homeostasis. Critical Issues: Recent advances have revealed the existence of a cross talk between vascular ECs and adipocytes in adipose tissue. In the pathological state of obesity, this cross talk contributes to the condition's adverse chronic effects, and we propose that specific targeting of the HO-1 gene can restore signaling pathways and improve both vascular and adipose functions. Future Directions: A complete understanding of the role of HO-1 in regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis is important to comprehend the homeostatic regulation as well as in cardiovascular disease. Efforts are required to highlight the effects and the ability to target the HO-1 gene in models of obesity with an emphasis on the role of pericardial fat on cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Bellner
- Department of Pharmacology and New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Nachum B Lebovics
- Department of Pharmacology and New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | | | - Yosef D Buchen
- Department of Pharmacology and New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Emilia Sinatra
- Department of Pharmacology and New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Giuseppe Sinatra
- Department of Pharmacology and New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Nader G Abraham
- Department of Pharmacology and New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.,Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - John A McClung
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Ellen A Thompson
- Department of Medicine, Marshall University, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, West Virginia
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Peterson SJ, Rubinstein R, Faroqui M, Raza A, Boumaza I, Zhang Y, Stec D, Abraham NG. Positive Effects of Heme Oxygenase Upregulation on Adiposity and Vascular Dysfunction: Gene Targeting vs. Pharmacologic Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20102514. [PMID: 31121826 PMCID: PMC6566770 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Heme oxygenase (HO-1) plays a critical role in adipogenesis and it is important to understand its function in obesity. Many studies have shown that upregulation of HO-1 can affect the biologic parameters in obesity-mediated diabetes, hypertension and vascular endothelial cell function. Thus, we aimed to explore the hypothesis that upregulation of HO-1, using a pharmacologic approach as well as gene targeting, would improve both adiposity and endothelial cell dysfunction by direct targeting of endothelial cells. Our second aim was to compare the short-term effect of a HO-1 inducer, cobalt-protoporphrin IX (CoPP), with the long-term effects of gene targeted therapy on vascular and adipocyte stem cells in obese mice. Method: We examined the effect of CoPP on fat pre-adipocytes and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). We also used a lentiviral construct that expressed heme oxygenase (HO-1) that was under the control of an endothelium specific promoter, vascular endothelium cadherin (VECAD) heme oxygenase (VECAD-HO-1). We targeted endothelial cells using vascular endothelium cadherin/green fluorescent protein fusion construct (VECAD-GFP) as the control. Conditioned media (CM) from endothelial cells (EC) was added to fat derived adipocytes. Additionally, we treated renal interlobar arteries with phenylephrine and dosed cumulative increments of acetylcholine both with and without exposure to CoPP. We did the same vascular reactivity experiments with VECAD-HO-1 lentiviral construct compared to the control. Results: CoPP improved vascular reactivity and decreased adipogenesis compared to the control. MSCs exposed to CM from EC transfected with VECAD-HO-1 showed decreased adipogenesis, smaller lipid droplet size and decreased PPAR-γ, C/EBP and increased Wnt 10b compared to the control. HO-1 upregulation had a direct effect on reducing adipogenesis. This effect was blocked by tin mesoporphrin (SnMP). EC treated with VECAD-HO-1 expressed lower levels of ICAM and VCAM compared to the control, suggesting improved EC function. This also improved ACH induced vascular reactivity. These effects were also reversed by SnMP. The effect of viral transfection was much more specific and sustained than the effects of pharmacologic therapy, CoPP. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a pharmacological inducer of HO-1 such as CoPP improves endothelial cell function while dampening adipogenesis, but long-term HO-1 expression by direct targeting of endothelial cells by gene transfer therapy may offer a more specific and ideal solution. This was evidenced by smaller healthier adipocytes that had improved insulin sensitivity, suggesting increased adiponectin levels. HO-1 upregulation reestablished the “crosstalk” between perivascular adipose tissue and the vascular system that was lost in the chronic inflammatory state of obesity. This study demonstrates that gene targeting of EC may well be the future direction in treating obesity induced EC dysfunction, with the finding that targeting the vasculature had a direct and sustained effect on adipogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Peterson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.
- New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA.
| | - Rochelle Rubinstein
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
| | - Mouzam Faroqui
- New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA.
| | - Adnan Raza
- New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA.
| | - Imene Boumaza
- New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA.
| | - Yilun Zhang
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
| | - David Stec
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MI 39216, USA.
| | - Nader G Abraham
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology, Marshall University, Joan Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
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