Transcriptome Profile in Unilateral Adrenalectomy-Induced Compensatory Adrenal Growth in the Rat

The effects of exposure to and timing of a choline-deficient diet during pregnancy and early postnatal life on the skeletal muscle transcriptome of the offspring

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to muscle loss, but the precise mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. The aim of the present study was thus to determine the influence of maternal fatty liver and dietary choline deficiency during pregnancy and/or lactation periods on the skeletal muscle gene expression profile among 24-day-old male rat offspring.

METHODS

Histological examination of skeletal muscle tissue specimens obtained from offspring of dams suffering from fatty liver, provided with proper choline intake during pregnancy and lactation (NN), fed a choline-deficient diet during both periods (DD), deprived of choline only during pregnancy (DN), or only during lactation (ND), was performed. The global transcriptome pattern was assessed using a microarray approach (Affymetrix® Rat Gene 2.1 ST Array Strip). The relative expression of selected genes was validated by real-time PCR (qPCR).

RESULTS

Morphological differences in fat accumulation in skeletal muscle related to choline supply were observed. The global gene expression profile was consistent with abnormal morphological changes. Mettl21c gene was overexpressed in all choline-deficient groups compared to the NN group, while two genes, Cdkn1a and S100a4, were downregulated. Processes of protein biosynthesis were upregulated, and processes related to cell proliferation and lipid metabolism were inhibited in DD, DN, and ND groups compared to the NN group.

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to fatty liver and dietary choline deficiency leads to changes in the transcriptome profile in skeletal muscle of 24-day old male rat offspring and is associated with muscle damage, but the mechanism of it seems to be different at different developmental stages of life. Adequate choline intake during pregnancy and lactation can prevent severe muscle disturbance in the progeny of females suffering from fatty liver.

Impact of Classic Adrenal Secretagogues on mRNA Levels of Urotensin II and Its Receptor in Adrenal Gland of Rats

Urotensin 2 (Uts2) is a biologically active peptide involved in the regulation of a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. In both the human and rat adrenal gland, the expressions of the Uts2 gene and its receptor (Uts2r) have been described. This paper focuses on the description of the hormonal control of the mRNA levels of urotensin II and its receptor in the adrenal gland of the rat, both in vitro and in vivo. The initial in vitro experiments were carried out on freshly isolated rat adrenocortical cells and their primary culture. The obtained results indicated a stimulating PKA-independent effect of ACTH on the Uts2 mRNA level in the tested cells, with no changes in the Uts2r transcript. Subsequent in vivo experiments showed that ACTH-induced adrenal growth was accompanied by an elevated level of the Uts2 mRNA, with unchanged expression of Uts2r. In the other types of in vivo gland growth studied, enucleation-induced adrenal regeneration and compensatory growth of the gland, the mRNA levels of the studied genes showed no significant differences. The only exception was hemiadrenalectomy, which led to a significant increase in Uts2 mRNA expression level 24 h after surgery. In 12-week-old rats of both sexes, gonadectomy led to a significant increase in the level of Uts2 mRNA in the adrenal gland, an effect that was prevented by sex hormones' replacement. No changes in Uts2r transcript levels were observed under these conditions. Thus, this study suggests that the regulation of Uts2 and Uts2r mRNA levels differs significantly in the rat adrenal gland. While Uts2 transcript levels appear to be mainly dependent on ACTH action, Uts2r mRNA levels are not under the control of this hormone.

Adrenal Stress Hormone Regulation of Hepatic Homeostatic Function After an Acute Ozone Exposure in Wistar-Kyoto Male Rats

Ozone-induced lung injury, inflammation, and pulmonary/hypothalamus gene expression changes are diminished in adrenalectomized (AD) rats. Acute ozone exposure induces metabolic alterations concomitant with increases in epinephrine and corticosterone. We hypothesized that adrenal hormones are responsible for observed hepatic ozone effects, and in AD rats, these changes would be diminished. In total, 5-7 days after sham (SH) or AD surgeries, male Wistar-Kyoto rats were exposed to air or 0.8-ppm ozone for 4 h. Serum samples were analyzed for metabolites and liver for transcriptional changes immediately post-exposure. Ozone increased circulating triglycerides, cholesterol, free fatty-acids, and leptin in SH but not AD rats. Ozone-induced inhibition of glucose-mediated insulin release was absent in AD rats. Unlike diminution of ozone-induced hypothalamus and lung mRNA expression changes, AD in air-exposed rats (AD-air/SH-air) caused differential hepatic expression of ∼1000 genes. Likewise, ozone in AD rats caused differential expression of ∼1000 genes (AD-ozone/AD-air). Ozone-induced hepatic changes in SH rats reflected enrichment for pathways involving metabolic processes, including acetyl-CoA biosynthesis, TCA cycle, and sirtuins. Upstream predictor analysis identified similarity to responses produced by glucocorticoids and pathways involving forskolin. These changes were absent in AD rats exposed to ozone. However, ozone caused unique changes in AD liver mRNA reflecting activation of synaptogenesis, neurovascular coupling, neuroinflammation, and insulin signaling with inhibition of senescence pathways. In these rats, upstream predictor analysis identified numerous microRNAs likely involved in glucocorticoid insufficiency. These data demonstrate the critical role of adrenal stress hormones in ozone-induced hepatic homeostasis and necessitate further research elucidating their role in propagating environmentally driven diseases.

MVP Expression Facilitates Tumor Cell Proliferation and Migration Supporting the Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Cancer cells show significant dysregulation of genes expression, which may favor their survival in the tumor environment. In this study, the cellular vault's components MVP (major vault protein), TEP1 (telomerase-associated protein 1) and vPARP (vault poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase) were transiently or completely inhibited in U2OS cells (human bone osteosarcoma epithelial cells) to evaluate their impact on the cell proliferative and migratory capacity as well as on the development of their resistance to the drug vinorelbine. Comparative analysis of MVP protein expression level in normal colon tissue, primary colorectal tumor, and metastasis showed that the expression of this protein does not increase significantly in the primary tumor, but its expression increases in metastatic cells. Further comparative molecular analysis using the whole transcriptome microarrays for MVP-positive and MVP-negative cells showed that MVP is involved in regulating proliferation and migration of cancer cells. MVP may facilitate metastasis of colon cancer due to its impact on cell migration. Moreover, two vault proteins, MVP and TEP1, contribute the resistance to vinorelbine, while vPARP does not.

Transcriptome Profiles of Highly Pathogenic Pure Avian H7N9 Virus-Infected Lungs of BALB/c Mice

Avian influenza A (H7N9) viruses emerged in China in 2013 and caused a zoonotic disease associated with a high case-fatality ratio of more than 30%. Transcriptional profiles obtained using animal models reveal host responses to the disease, thereby providing insights into disease pathogenesis. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the host responses of the H7N9 virus infected-mouse lungs in this study. First, we isolated an avian-originated H7N9 strain, which was shown to be highly pathogenic to both chickens and mice. Genomic analysis results suggested that a 12-nucleotide-insertion was present at the hemagglutinin cleavage site, and both the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes belonged to the Yangtze River Delta lineage. RNA sequencing results revealed 566 differentially expressed genes in the H7N9-infected lungs. Moreover, transcriptome analysis revealed that over-activated antiviral signals and intense interferon-stimulated gene products possibly contributed to the high virulence of the virus in mice. Importantly, lung concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β and interleukin-6, interferon-β, and tumor necrosis factor-α, were upregulated in response to H7N9 virus infection. Overall, the present study provided a comprehensive understanding of H7N9 virus pathogenicity and correlated host immune responses.

Adropin Stimulates Proliferation and Inhibits Adrenocortical Steroidogenesis in the Human Adrenal Carcinoma (HAC15) Cell Line

Adropin is a multifunctional peptide hormone encoded by the ENHO (energy homeostasis associated) gene. It plays a role in mechanisms related to increased adiposity, insulin resistance, as well as glucose, and lipid metabolism. The low adropin levels are strongly associated with obesity independent insulin resistance. On the other hand, overexpression or exogenous administration of adropin improves glucose homeostasis. The multidirectional, adropin-related effects associated with the regulation of metabolism in humans also appear to be attributable to the effects of this peptide on the activity of various elements of the endocrine system including adrenal cortex. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of adropin on proliferation and secretory activity in the human HAC15 adrenal carcinoma cell line. In this study, we obtained several highly interesting findings. First, GPR19, the main candidate sensitizer of adrenocortical cells to adropin, was expressed in HAC15 cells. Moreover, GPR19 expression was relatively stable and not regulated by ACTH, forskolin, or adropin itself. Our findings also suggest that adropin has the capacity to decrease expression levels of steroidogenic genes such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and CYP11A1, which then led to a statistically significant inhibition in cortisol and aldosterone biosynthesis and secretion. Based on whole transcriptome study and research involving transforming growth factor (TGF)-β type I receptor kinase inhibitor we demonstrated that attenuation of steroidogenesis caused by adropin is mediated by the TGF-β signaling pathway likely to act through transactivation mechanism. We found that HAC15 cells treated with adropin presented significantly higher proliferation levels than untreated cells. Using specific intracellular inhibitors, we showed that adropin stimulate proliferation via ERK1/2 and AKT dependent signaling pathways. We have also demonstrated that expression of GPR19 is elevated in adrenocortical carcinoma in relation to normal adrenal glands. High level of GPR19 expression in adrenocortical carcinoma may constitute a negative prognostic factor of disease progression.

Surgical Wound Fluids from Patients with Breast Cancer Reveal Similarities in the Biological Response Induced by Intraoperative Radiation Therapy and the Radiation-Induced Bystander Effect-Transcriptomic Approach

In patients with breast cancer who undergo breast-conserving surgery (BCS), more than 90% of local recurrences occur in the same quadrant as the primary cancer. Surgical wound fluids (SWF) are believed to play a role in this process by inducing an inflammatory process in the scar tissue area. Despite strong clinical data demonstrating the benefits of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), the biological basis underlying this process remains poorly understood. Ionizing radiation (IR) directly affects cells by damaging DNA, thereby altering the cell phenotype. IR directly affects cancer cells and also influences unirradiated cells located nearby, a phenomenon known as the radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE), significantly modifying the tumor microenvironment. We hypothesized that SWF obtained from patients after BCS and IORT would induce a radiobiological response (due to RIBE) in unirradiated cells, thereby modifying their phenotype. To confirm this hypothesis, breast cancer cells were incubated with SWF collected from patients after BCS: (1) without IORT (wound fluid (WF) group), (2) with IORT (radiotherapy wound fluid (RT-WF) group), and (3) WF with conditioned medium from irradiated cells (WF+RIBE group) and then subjected to microarray analysis. We performed gene set enrichment analysis to determine the biological processes present in these cells. This analysis showed that the RT-WF and WF+RIBE groups shared common biological processes, including the enhancement of processes involved in cell-cycle regulation, DNA repair, and oxidative phosphorylation. The WF group was characterized by overrepresentation of pathways involved in the INF-α and INF-γ response, inflammatory response, and the IL6 JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. These findings show that MDA-MB-468 cells stimulated with surgical wound fluids obtained from patients who underwent BCS plus IORT and from cells stimulated with SWF plus RIBE share common biological processes. This confirms the role of the radiation-induced bystander effect in altering the biological properties of wound fluids.

The Effect of 3'-Hydroxy-3,4,5,4'-Tetramethoxy -stilbene, the Metabolite of the Resveratrol Analogue DMU-212, on the Motility and Proliferation of Ovarian Cancer Cells

Targeting tumor cell motility and proliferation is an extremely important challenge in the prevention of metastasis and improving the effectiveness of cancer treatment. We recently published data revealing that DMU-214, the metabolite of firmly cytotoxic resveratrol analogue DMU-212, exerted significantly higher biological activity than the parent compound in ovarian cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to assess the molecular mechanism of the potential anti-migration and anti-proliferative effect of DMU-214 in ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3. We showed that DMU-214 reduced the migratory capacity of SKOV-3 cells. The microarray analysis indicated ontology groups of genes involved in processes of negative regulation of cell motility and proliferation. Furthermore, we found DMU-214 triggered changes in expression of several migration- and proliferation-related genes (SMAD7, THBS1, IGFBP3, KLF4, Il6, ILA, SOX4, IL15, SRF, RGCC, GPR56) and proteins (GPR56, RGCC, SRF, SMAD7, THBS1), which have been shown to interact to each other to reduce cell proliferation and motility. Our study showed for the first time that DMU-214 displayed anti-migratory and anti-proliferative activity in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. On the basis of whole transcriptome analysis of these cells, we provide new insight into the role of DMU-214 in inhibition of processes related to metastasis.

Therapeutic melanoma vaccine with cancer stem cell phenotype represses exhaustion and maintains antigen-specific T cell stemness by up-regulating BCL6

We developed a therapeutic, gene-modified, allogeneic melanoma vaccine (AGI-101H), which, upon genetic modification, acquired melanoma stem cell-like phenotype. Since its initial clinical trial in 1997, the vaccine has resulted in the long-term survival of a substantial fraction of immunized patients (up to 20 years). Here, we investigated the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the long-lasting effect of AGI-101H using transcriptome profiling of patients' peripheral T lymphocytes. Magnetically-separated T lymphocytes from AGI-101H-immunized long-term survivors, untreated melanoma patients, and healthy controls were subjected to transcriptome profiling using the microarray analyses. Data were analyzed with a multitude of bioinformatics tools (WebGestalt, DAVID, GSEA) and the results were validated with RT-qPCR. We found substantial differences in the transcriptomes of healthy controls and melanoma patients (both untreated and AGI-101H-vaccinated). AGI-101H immunization induced similar profiles of peripheral T cells as tumor residing in untreated patients. This suggests that whole stem cells immunization mobilizes analogous peripheral T cells to the natural adaptive anti-melanoma response. Moreover, AGI-101H treatment activated the TNF-α and TGF-β signaling pathways and dampened IL2-STAT5 signaling in T cells, which finally resulted in the significant up-regulation of a BCL6 transcriptional repressor, a known amplifier of the proliferative capacity of central memory T cells and mediator of a progenitor fate in antigen-specific T cells. In the present study, high levels of BCL6 transcripts negatively correlated with the expression of several exhaustion markers (CTLA4, KLRG1, PTGER2, IKZF2, TIGIT). Therefore, Bcl6 seems to promote a progenitor fate for cancer-experienced T cells from AGI-101H-vaccinated patients by repressing the exhaustion markers.

Analysis of Transcriptome, Selected Intracellular Signaling Pathways, Proliferation and Apoptosis of LNCaP Cells Exposed to High Leptin Concentrations

Leptin, the first discovered adipokine, has been connected to various physiological and pathophysiological processes, including cancerogenesis. Increasing evidence confirms its influence on prostate cancer cells. However, studies on the effects of leptin on the proliferation and apoptosis of the androgen-sensitive LNCaP line of prostate cancer cells brought conflicting results. Therefore, we performed studies on the effects of high LEP concentration (1 × 10⁻⁶ M) on gene expression profile, change of selected signaling pathways, proliferation and apoptosis of LNCaP cells. RTCA (real-time cell analyzer) revealed inhibitory effect of LEP on cell proliferation, but lower LEP concentrations (10⁻⁸ and 10⁻¹⁰ M) did not affect cell division. Moreover, flow cytometry with a specific antibody for Cleaved PARP-1, an apoptosis marker, confirmed the activation of apoptosis in leptin-exposed LNCaP line of prostate cancer cells. Within 24 h LEP (10⁻⁶ M) increases expression of 297 genes and decreases expression of 119 genes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were subjected to functional annotation and clusterization using the DAVID bioinformatics tools. Most ontological groups are associated with proliferation and apoptosis (seven groups), immune response (six) and extracellular matrix (two). These results were confirmed by the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The leptin’s effect on apoptosis stimulation was also confirmed using Pathview library. These results were also confirmed by qPCR method. The results of Western Blot analysis (exposure to LEP 10 min, 1, 2, 4 and 24 h) suggest (after 24 h) decrease of p38 MAPK, p44-42 mitogen-activated protein kinase and Bcl-2 phosphorylated at threonine 56. Moreover, exposure of LNCaP cells to LEP significantly stimulates the secretion of matrix metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7). Obtained results suggest activation of apoptotic processes in LNCaP cells cultured at high LEP concentration. At the same time, this activation is accompanied by inhibition of proliferation of the tested cells.

The Role of MicroRNAs in Early Chondrogenesis of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs)

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) play an important role in research regarding regenerative medicine. Particularly, chondrocytes differentiated from hiPSCs seems to be a promising solution for patients suffering from osteoarthritis. We decided to perform chondrogenesis in a three-week monolayer culture. Based on transcriptome analysis, hiPSC-derived chondrocytes (ChiPS) demonstrate the gene expression profile of cells from early chondrogenesis. Chondrogenic progenitors obtained by our group are characterized by significantly high expression of Hox genes, strongly upregulated during limb formation and morphogenesis. There are scanty literature data concerning the role of microRNAs in early chondrogenesis, especially in chondrogenic differentiation of hiPSCs. The main aim of this study was to investigate the microRNA expression profile and to select microRNAs (miRNAs) taking part in early chondrogenesis. Our findings allowed for selection crucial miRNAs engaged in both diminishing pluripotency state and chondrogenic process (inter alia hsa-miR-525-5p, hsa-miR-520c-3p, hsa-miR-628-3p, hsa-miR-196b-star, hsa-miR-629-star, hsa-miR-517b, has-miR-187). These miRNAs regulate early chondrogenic genes such as: HOXD10, HOXA11, RARB, SEMA3C. These results were confirmed by RT-qPCR analysis. This work contributes to a better understanding of the role of miRNAs directly involved in chondrogenic differentiation of hiPSCs. These data may result in the establishment of a more efficient protocol of obtaining chondrocyte-like cells from hiPSCs.

Effect of ACTH and hCG on the Expression of Gonadotropin-Inducible Ovarian Transcription Factor 1 (Giot1) Gene in the Rat Adrenal Gland

Gonadotropin-inducible ovarian transcription factor-1 (Giot1) belongs to a family of fast-responsive genes, and gonadotropins rapidly induce its expression in steroidogenic cells of ovaries and testes of rats. Gonadal Giot1 gene expression is regulated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) -dependent protein kinase A pathway, with essential role of orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 transcription factor (nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1). A recent study reports that Giot1 is also expressed in adrenals, however, the mechanism of its regulation in adrenal gland is yet to be identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterise the changes in Giot1 gene expression in male and female rat adrenals using wide range of in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Special emphasis was directed at the Giot1 gene regulation by ACTH and gonadotropin. In our study, we found that ACTH rapidly stimulates Giot1 expression both in vivo and in vitro. However, gonadotropin does not affect the adrenal Giot1 gene expression, presumably due to the low expression of gonadotropin receptor in adrenals. Both testosterone and estradiol administered in vivo had inhibitory effect on Giot1 gene expression in the adrenals of post-gonadectomized adult rats. Further, our studies revealed that the intracellular mechanism of Giot1 gene regulation in rat adrenals is similar to that of gonads. As in the case of gonads, the expression of Giot1 in adrenal gland is regulated by cAMP-dependent signaling pathway with essential role of the NR4A1 transcription factor. The results of our studies suggest that Giot1 may be involved in the regulation of rat adrenocortical steroidogenesis.