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Chellini F, Tani A, Parigi M, Palmieri F, Garella R, Zecchi-Orlandini S, Squecco R, Sassoli C. HIF-1α/MMP-9 Axis Is Required in the Early Phases of Skeletal Myoblast Differentiation under Normoxia Condition In Vitro. Cells 2023; 12:2851. [PMID: 38132171 PMCID: PMC10742321 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α represents an oxygen-sensitive subunit of HIF transcriptional factor, which is usually degraded in normoxia and stabilized in hypoxia to regulate several target gene expressions. Nevertheless, in the skeletal muscle satellite stem cells (SCs), an oxygen level-independent regulation of HIF-1α has been observed. Although HIF-1α has been highlighted as a SC function regulator, its spatio-temporal expression and role during myogenic progression remain controversial. Herein, using biomolecular, biochemical, morphological and electrophysiological analyses, we analyzed HIF-1α expression, localization and role in differentiating murine C2C12 myoblasts and SCs under normoxia. In addition, we evaluated the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 as an HIF-1α effector, considering that MMP-9 is involved in myogenesis and is an HIF-1α target in different cell types. HIF-1α expression increased after 24/48 h of differentiating culture and tended to decline after 72 h/5 days. Committed and proliferating mononuclear myoblasts exhibited nuclear HIF-1α expression. Differently, the more differentiated elongated and parallel-aligned cells, which are likely ready to fuse with each other, show a mainly cytoplasmic localization of the factor. Multinucleated myotubes displayed both nuclear and cytoplasmic HIF-1α expression. The MMP-9 and MyoD (myogenic activation marker) expression synchronized with that of HIF-1α, increasing after 24 h of differentiation. By means of silencing HIF-1α and MMP-9 by short-interfering RNA and MMP-9 pharmacological inhibition, this study unraveled MMP-9's role as an HIF-1α downstream effector and the fact that the HIF-1α/MMP-9 axis is essential in morpho-functional cell myogenic commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaminia Chellini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Alessia Tani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Martina Parigi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Francesco Palmieri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.P.); (R.G.)
| | - Rachele Garella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.P.); (R.G.)
| | - Sandra Zecchi-Orlandini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Roberta Squecco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.P.); (R.G.)
| | - Chiara Sassoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
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Taiyab A, Belahlou Y, Wong V, Pandi S, Shekhar M, Chidambaranathan GP, West-Mays J. Understanding the Role of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) Signaling in the Transformation of Lens Epithelial Cells (EMT) and Fibrosis. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1767. [PMID: 38136638 PMCID: PMC10741558 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic cataracts, posterior capsular opacification (PCO), and anterior subcapsular cataracts (ASC) are mainly attributed to the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs). Previous investigations from our laboratory have shown the novel role of non-canonical TGFβ signaling in the progression of EMT in LECs. In this study, we have identified YAP as a critical signaling molecule involved in lens fibrosis. The observed increase in nuclear YAP in capsules of human ASC patients points toward the involvement of YAP in lens fibrosis. In addition, the immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses on ocular sections from mice that overexpress TGFβ in the lens (TGFβtg) showed a co-expression of YAP and α-SMA in the fibrotic plaques when compared to wild-type littermate lenses, which do not. The incubation of rat lens explants with verteporfin, a YAP inhibitor, prevented a TGFβ-induced fiber-like phenotype, α-SMA, and fibronectin expression, as well as delocalization of E-cadherin and β-catenin. Finally, LECs co-incubated with TGFβ and YAP inhibitor did not exhibit an induction in matrix metalloproteinase 2 compared to those LECs treated with TGFβ alone. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that YAP is required for TGFβ-mediated lens EMT and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Taiyab
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Yasmine Belahlou
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Vanessa Wong
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Saranya Pandi
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai 625020, Tamil Nadu, India; (S.P.); (G.P.C.)
| | - Madhu Shekhar
- Cataract and IOL Services, Aravind Eye Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Madurai 625020, Tamil Nadu, India;
| | - Gowri Priya Chidambaranathan
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai 625020, Tamil Nadu, India; (S.P.); (G.P.C.)
| | - Judith West-Mays
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.B.); (V.W.)
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El-Malkey NF, Aref M, Goda NIA, Hussien MH, Samy W, Hadhod S. Sleep deprivation disturbs uterine contractility and structure in pregnant rats: role of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and transforming growth factor-β. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2023; 101:574-588. [PMID: 37433223 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2023-0120] [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] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Sleep deprivation (SD) during pregnancy can impact the delivery procedure, with prolongation of the labor duration. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are regulators of uterine remodeling. Their dysregulation is vital for abnormal placentation and uterine enlargement in complicated pregnancies. Therefore, this study aims to explore the outcome of SD throughout pregnancy on ex vivo uterine contractility, MMP9 and TGF-β, and uterine microscopic structure. A total of 24 pregnant rats were divided into two groups. From the first day of pregnancy, animals were exposed to partial SD/6 h/day. Uterine in vitro contractile responses to oxytocin, acetylcholine, and nifedipine were assessed. Additionally, uterine levels of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde and uterine mRNA expression of MMP9, TGF-β, and apoptotic biomarkers were analyzed. The results showed that SD significantly reduced uterine contractile responses to oxytocin and acetylcholine, while it augmented the relaxing effect of nifedipine. In addition, it significantly increased oxidative stress status, MMP9, TGF-β, and apoptotic biomarkers' mRNA expression. All were accompanied by degeneration of endometrial glands, vacuolization with apoptotic nuclei, and increased area% of collagen fibers. Finally, increased uterine MMP9 and TGF-β mRNA expression during SD clarified their potential role in modulating uterine contractility and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanees F El-Malkey
- Physiology department, faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, Al-Sharquia, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Aref
- Anatomy department, faculty of Veterinary medicine, Zagazig University, Al-Sharquia, Egypt
| | - Nehal I A Goda
- Department of Histology and Cytology, faculty of Veterinary medicine, Zagazig University, Al-Sharquia, Egypt
| | - Marwa H Hussien
- Biochemistry department, faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, Al-Sharquia, Egypt
| | - Walaa Samy
- Biochemistry department, faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, Al-Sharquia, Egypt
| | - Shimaa Hadhod
- Physiology department, faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, Al-Sharquia, Egypt
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Wilson SE. Topical Losartan: Practical Guidance for Clinical Trials in the Prevention and Treatment of Corneal Scarring Fibrosis and Other Eye Diseases and Disorders. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2023; 39:191-206. [PMID: 36877777 PMCID: PMC10079252 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2022.0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that impedes transforming growth factor (TGF) beta signaling by inhibiting activation of signal transduction molecule extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Studies supported the efficacy of topical losartan in decreasing scarring fibrosis after rabbit Descemetorhexis, alkali burn, and photorefractive keratectomy injuries, and in case reports of humans with scarring fibrosis after surgical complications. Clinical studies are needed to explore the efficacy and safety of topical losartan in the prevention and treatment of corneal scarring fibrosis, and other eye diseases and disorders where TGF beta has a role in pathophysiology. These include scarring fibrosis associated with corneal trauma, chemical burns, infections, surgical complications, and persistent epithelial defects, as well as conjunctival fibrotic diseases, such as ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Research is also needed to explore the efficacy and safety of topical losartan for hypothesized treatment of transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI)-related corneal dystrophies (Reis-Bu¨cklers corneal dystrophy, lattice corneal dystrophy type 1, and granular corneal dystrophies type 1 and type 2) where deposited mutant protein expression is modulated by TGF beta. Investigations could also explore the efficacy and safety of topical losartan treatments to reduce conjunctival bleb scarring and shunt encapsulation following glaucoma surgical procedures. Losartan and sustained release drug delivery devices could be efficacious in treating intraocular fibrotic diseases. Dosing suggestions and precautions that should be considered in trials of losartan are detailed. Losartan, as an adjuvant to current treatments, has the potential to augment pharmacological therapeutics for many ocular diseases and disorders where TGF beta plays a central role in pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven E. Wilson
- The Cole Eye Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Upreti A, Padula SL, Tangeman JA, Wagner BD, O’Connell MJ, Jaquish TJ, Palko RK, Mantz CJ, Anand D, Lovicu FJ, Lachke SA, Robinson ML. Lens Epithelial Explants Treated with Vitreous Humor Undergo Alterations in Chromatin Landscape with Concurrent Activation of Genes Associated with Fiber Cell Differentiation and Innate Immune Response. Cells 2023; 12:501. [PMID: 36766843 PMCID: PMC9914805 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lens epithelial explants are comprised of lens epithelial cells cultured in vitro on their native basement membrane, the lens capsule. Biologists have used lens epithelial explants to study many different cellular processes including lens fiber cell differentiation. In these studies, fiber differentiation is typically measured by cellular elongation and the expression of a few proteins characteristically expressed by lens fiber cells in situ. Chromatin and RNA was collected from lens epithelial explants cultured in either un-supplemented media or media containing 50% bovine vitreous humor for one or five days. Chromatin for ATAC-sequencing and RNA for RNA-sequencing was prepared from explants to assess regions of accessible chromatin and to quantitatively measure gene expression, respectively. Vitreous humor increased chromatin accessibility in promoter regions of genes associated with fiber differentiation and, surprisingly, an immune response, and this was associated with increased transcript levels for these genes. In contrast, vitreous had little effect on the accessibility of the genes highly expressed in the lens epithelium despite dramatic reductions in their mRNA transcripts. An unbiased analysis of differentially accessible regions revealed an enrichment of cis-regulatory motifs for RUNX, SOX and TEAD transcription factors that may drive differential gene expression in response to vitreous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Upreti
- Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Stephanie L. Padula
- Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Jared A. Tangeman
- Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Brad D. Wagner
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | | | - Tycho J. Jaquish
- Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Raye K. Palko
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Courtney J. Mantz
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Deepti Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Frank J. Lovicu
- Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine, School of Medical Sciences, and Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Salil A. Lachke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Michael L. Robinson
- Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
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Huang H, Huo Z, Jiao J, Ji W, Huang J, Bian Z, Xu B, Shao J, Sun J. HOXC6 impacts epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the immune microenvironment through gene transcription in gliomas. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:170. [PMID: 35488304 PMCID: PMC9052479 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02589-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gliomas are the most common primary malignant tumours of the central nervous system (CNS). To improve the prognosis of glioma, it is necessary to identify molecular markers that may be useful for glioma therapy. HOXC6, an important transcription factor, is involved in multiple cancers. However, the role of HOXC6 in gliomas is not clear. METHODS Bioinformatic and IHC analyses of collected samples (n = 299) were performed to detect HOXC6 expression and the correlation between HOXC6 expression and clinicopathological features of gliomas. We collected clinical information from 177 to 299 patient samples and estimated the prognostic value of HOXC6. Moreover, cell proliferation assays were performed. We performed Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) based on ChIP-seq and public datasets to explore the biological characteristics of HOXC6 in gliomas. RNA-seq was conducted to verify the relationship between HOXC6 expression levels and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Furthermore, the tumour purity, stromal and immune scores were evaluated. The relationship between HOXC6 expression and infiltrating immune cell populations and immune checkpoint proteins was also researched. RESULTS HOXC6 was overexpressed and related to the clinicopathological features of gliomas. In addition, knockdown of HOXC6 inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells. Furthermore, increased HOXC6 expression was associated with clinical progression. The biological role of HOXC6 in gliomas was primarily associated with EMT and the immune microenvironment in gliomas. High HOXC6 expression was related to high infiltration by immune cells, a low tumour purity score, a high stromal score, a high immune score and the expression of a variety of immune checkpoint genes, including PD-L1, B7-H3 and CLTA-4. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that HOXC6 might be a key factor in promoting tumorigenesis and glioma progression by regulating the EMT signalling pathway and might represent a novel immune therapeutic target in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 299 Qing Yang Road, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengyuan Huo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 299 Qing Yang Road, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiantong Jiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 299 Qing Yang Road, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 299 Qing Yang Road, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 299 Qing Yang Road, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zheng Bian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 299 Qing Yang Road, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 299 Qing Yang Road, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junfei Shao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 299 Qing Yang Road, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jun Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 299 Qing Yang Road, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
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