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Panzer E, Boch L, Cosquer B, Grgurina I, Boutillier AL, de Vasconcelos AP, Stephan A, Cassel JC. Disconnecting prefrontal cortical neurons from the ventral midline thalamus: Loss of specificity due to progressive neural toxicity of an AAV-Cre in the rat thalamus. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 405:110080. [PMID: 38369027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110080] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The thalamic reuniens (Re) and rhomboid (Rh) nuclei are bidirectionally connected with the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (Hip). Fiber-sparing N-methyl-D-aspartate lesions of the ReRh disrupt cognitive functions, including persistence of certain memories. Because such lesions irremediably damage neurons interconnecting the ReRh with the mPFC and the Hip, it is impossible to know if one or both pathways contribute to memory persistence. Addressing such an issue requires selective, pathway-restricted and direction-specific disconnections. NEW METHOD A recent method associates a retrograde adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing Cre recombinase with an anterograde AAV expressing a Cre-dependent caspase, making such disconnection feasible by caspase-triggered apoptosis when both constructs meet intracellularly. We injected an AAVrg-Cre-GFP into the ReRh and an AAV5-taCasp into the mPFC. As expected, part of mPFC neurons died, but massive neurotoxicity of the AAVrg-Cre-GFP was found in ReRh, contrasting with normal density of DAPI staining. Other stainings demonstrated increasing density of reactive astrocytes and microglia in the neurodegeneration site. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Reducing the viral titer (by a 4-fold dilution) and injection volume (to half) attenuated toxicity substantially, still with evidence for partial disconnection between mPFC and ReRh. CONCLUSIONS There is an imperative need to verify potential collateral damage inherent in this type of approach, which is likely to distort interpretation of experimental data. Therefore, controls allowing to distinguish collateral phenotypic effects from those linked to the desired disconnection is essential. It is also crucial to know for how long neurons expressing the Cre-GFP protein remain operational post-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Panzer
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - Laurine Boch
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - Brigitte Cosquer
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - Iris Grgurina
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - Anne-Laurence Boutillier
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - Anne Pereira de Vasconcelos
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - Aline Stephan
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, Strasbourg F-67000, France.
| | - Jean-Christophe Cassel
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg F-67000, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, Strasbourg F-67000, France.
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Przanowska RK, Chen Y, Uchida TO, Shibata E, Hao X, Rueda IS, Jensen K, Przanowski P, Trimboli A, Shibata Y, Leone G, Dutta A. Endo-reduplication in mouse liver after conditional mutation of ORC2 and combined mutation of ORC1 and ORC2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.04.588006. [PMID: 38617300 PMCID: PMC11014565 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.04.588006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The six subunit Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) is essential for loading MCM2-7 at origins of DNA replication to promote initiation of DNA replication in organisms ranging from S. cerevisiae to humans. In rare instances, as in cancer cell-lines in culture with mutations in ORC1 , ORC2 or ORC5 , or in endo-reduplicating mouse hepatocytes in vivo without ORC1 , DNA replication has been observed in the virtual absence of individual ORC subunits. Although ORC1 is dispensable in the mouse liver for endo-reduplication, because of the homology of ORC1 with CDC6, it could be argued that CDC6 was substituting for ORC1 to restore functional ORC. Here, we have created mice with a conditional deletion of ORC2 , to demonstrate that mouse embryo fibroblasts require ORC2 for proliferation, but that the mouse hepatocytes can carry out DNA synthesis in vitro and endo-reduplicate in vivo , despite the deletion of ORC2 . Combining the conditional mutation of ORC1 and ORC2 revealed that the mouse liver can still carry out endo-reduplication despite the deletion of the two genes, both during normal development and after partial hepatectomy. Since endo-reduplication, like normal S phase replication, requires the presence of MCM2-7 on the chromatin, these results suggest that in primary hepatocytes there is a mechanism to load sufficient MCM2-7 to carry out effective DNA replication despite the virtual absence of two subunits of ORC.
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Shi R, Ma X, Zhou M, Xie X, Xu L. Integrated analysis reveals the dysfunction of intercellular communication and metabolic signals in dilated cardiomyopathy. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26803. [PMID: 38434389 PMCID: PMC10907783 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Aims Dilated cardiomyopathy refers to a heart muscle condition characterized by structural and functional irregularities in the myocardium that are not related to ischemia. Due to diverse etiologies such as genetic mutations, infections, and exposure to toxins, dilated cardiomyopathy can lead to substantial morbidity and mortality despite advances in the management of heart failure in dilated cardiomyopathy patients. We sought to analyze the characteristics of cell-cell communication and the metabolic signaling pathways in dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods and results The single-nucleus sequencing data of left ventricle samples were acquired from two donor datasets and two dilated cardiomyopathy datasets. Three dilated cardiomyopathy bulk-sequencing datasets were included to determine the shared dilated cardiomyopathy-specific alterations in differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways. Using "CellChat," we analyzed intercellular communication to grasp how cell clusters interact and to map out the impaired signaling pathways in both donor and dilated cardiomyopathy conditions. Gene set enrichment analysis was applied to compare the metabolic signaling before and after dilated cardiomyopathy. We showcased how cell clusters exhibited abnormal cell-to-cell signaling transduction and how each cell type displayed dysfunctional metabolic signaling pathways through the integration of various datasets. The crucial ligand-receptor signaling contributing to outgoing or incoming signaling of dilated cardiomyopathy was identified in a cell-type dependent way, and the cell-specific metabolic alterations in glucose, lipid and amino acid were determined. The expression of gene pairs in BMP and NOTCH signal, as well as the gene expression in the arginine metabolism was validated. Conclusions We reveal the key signals and metabolic pathways for dilated cardiomyopathy adaptation and maintenance, providing potential targets for dilated cardiomyopathy interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiue Ma
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Mi Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xin Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 201620, China
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Ahlback A, Gentek R. Fate-Mapping Macrophages: From Ontogeny to Functions. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2713:11-43. [PMID: 37639113 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3437-0_2] [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: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages are vital to the physiological function of most tissues, but also contribute to disease through a multitude of pathological roles. They are thus highly plastic and heterogeneous. It is now well recognized that macrophages develop from several distinct progenitors from embryogenesis onwards and extending throughout life. Tissue-resident macrophages largely originate from embryonic sources and in many cases self-maintain independently without monocyte input. However, in certain tissues, monocyte-derived macrophages replace these over time or as a result of tissue injury and inflammation. This additional layer of heterogeneity has introduced many questions regarding the influence of origin on fate and function of macrophages in health and disease. To comprehensively address these questions, appropriate methods of tracing macrophage ontogeny are required. This chapter explores why ontogeny is of vital importance in macrophage biology and how to delineate macrophage populations by origin through genetic fate mapping. First, we summarize the current view of macrophage ontogeny and briefly discuss how origin may influence macrophage function in homeostasis and pathology. We go on to make the case for genetic fate mapping as the gold standard and briefly review different fate-mapping models. We then put forward our recommendations for fate-mapping strategies best suited to answer specific research questions and finally discuss the strengths and limitations of currently available models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ahlback
- The University of Edinburgh, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Centre for Reproductive Health & Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rebecca Gentek
- The University of Edinburgh, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Centre for Reproductive Health & Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh, UK.
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Yousefzadeh MJ, Huerta Guevara AP, Postmus AC, Flores RR, Sano T, Jurdzinski A, Angelini L, McGowan SJ, O’Kelly RD, Wade EA, Gonzalez-Espada LV, Henessy-Wack D, Howard S, Rozgaja TA, Trussoni CE, LaRusso NF, Eggen BJ, Jonker JW, Robbins PD, Niedernhofer LJ, Kruit JK. Failure to repair endogenous DNA damage in β-cells causes adult-onset diabetes in mice. AGING BIOLOGY 2023; 1:20230015. [PMID: 38124711 PMCID: PMC10732477 DOI: 10.59368/agingbio.20230015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Age is the greatest risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Age-related decline in organ function is attributed to the accumulation of stochastic damage, including damage to the nuclear genome. Islets of T2DM patients display increased levels of DNA damage. However, whether this is a cause or consequence of the disease has not been elucidated. Here, we asked if spontaneous, endogenous DNA damage in β-cells can drive β-cell dysfunction and diabetes, via deletion of Ercc1, a key DNA repair gene, in β-cells. Mice harboring Ercc1-deficient β-cells developed adult-onset diabetes as demonstrated by increased random and fasted blood glucose levels, impaired glucose tolerance, and reduced insulin secretion. The inability to repair endogenous DNA damage led to an increase in oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis in β-cells and a significant loss of β-cell mass. Using electron microscopy, we identified β-cells in clear distress that showed an increased cell size, enlarged nuclear size, reduced number of mature insulin granules, and decreased number of mitochondria. Some β-cells were more affected than others consistent with the stochastic nature of spontaneous DNA damage. Ercc1-deficiency in β-cells also resulted in loss of β-cell function as glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and mitochondrial function were impaired in islets isolated from mice harboring Ercc1-deficient β-cells. These data reveal that unrepaired endogenous DNA damage is sufficient to drive β-cell dysfunction and provide a mechanism by which age increases the risk of T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Yousefzadeh
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, 6-155 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ana P. Huerta Guevara
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea C. Postmus
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rafael R. Flores
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, 6-155 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Tokio Sano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
| | - Angelika Jurdzinski
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Luise Angelini
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, 6-155 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sara J. McGowan
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, 6-155 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ryan D. O’Kelly
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, 6-155 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Erin A. Wade
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
| | - Lisa V. Gonzalez-Espada
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
| | - Danielle Henessy-Wack
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
| | - Shannon Howard
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
| | - Tania A. Rozgaja
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
| | - Christy E. Trussoni
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Nicholas F. LaRusso
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Bart J.L. Eggen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johan W. Jonker
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul D. Robbins
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, 6-155 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Laura J. Niedernhofer
- Department of Molecular Medicine and the Center on Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way #3B3, Jupiter FL, 33458, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, 6-155 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Janine K. Kruit
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Fu XD, Mobley WC. Therapeutic Potential of PTB Inhibition Through Converting Glial Cells to Neurons in the Brain. Annu Rev Neurosci 2023; 46:145-165. [PMID: 37428606 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-083022-113120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Cell replacement therapy represents a promising approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Contrary to the common addition strategy to generate new neurons from glia by overexpressing a lineage-specific transcription factor(s), a recent study introduced a subtraction strategy by depleting a single RNA-binding protein, Ptbp1, to convert astroglia to neurons not only in vitro but also in the brain. Given its simplicity, multiple groups have attempted to validate and extend this attractive approach but have met with difficulty in lineage tracing newly induced neurons from mature astrocytes, raising the possibility of neuronal leakage as an alternative explanation for apparent astrocyte-to-neuron conversion. This review focuses on the debate over this critical issue. Importantly, multiple lines of evidence suggest that Ptbp1 depletion can convert a selective subpopulation of glial cells into neurons and, via this and other mechanisms, reverse deficits in a Parkinson's disease model, emphasizing the importance of future efforts in exploring this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Dong Fu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China;
| | - William C Mobley
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
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Kuo HC, Daniel AR, Driver LM, Lee CL, Kirsch DG. Histological assessment of intestinal injury by ionizing radiation. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 180:147-175. [PMID: 37890927 PMCID: PMC10755726 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2023.03.001] [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] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Given the potential risk of radiological terrorism and disasters, it is essential to develop plans to prepare for such events. In these hazardous scenarios, radiation-induced gastrointestinal (GI) syndrome is one of the many manifestations that may happen after the organism is exposed to a lethal dose of ionizing radiation. Therefore, it is critical to better understand how the intestinal tissues initiate and orchestrate regeneration following severe radiation injury. In this chapter, we aimed to provide several key considerations for researchers who utilize histological assessment to study radiation-induced intestinal injury. Rigor and reproducibility are critical in experimental design and can be achieved by maintaining proper radiation administration, maintaining consistency in sample collection, and selecting and using appropriate controls. We also provided technical details of histological preparation of the intestines with tips on dissecting, cleaning, fixing, and preserving. Step-by-step descriptions of both bundling and Swiss rolling are provided with discussion on how to choose between the two approaches. In the following section, we detailed several histological assessment methods and then provided suggestions on how to use histological assessment to study cellular dynamics in the small intestines. Finally, we touched on some non-histological assessments. We hope that the information provided in this chapter will contribute to the research society of radiation-induced intestinal injury with an ultimate goal of promoting the development of radiation countermeasures against the GI acute radiation syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan-Cheng Kuo
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Andrea R Daniel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Lucy M Driver
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Chang-Lung Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States; Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - David G Kirsch
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States; Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.
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Cunningham CJ, Choi RB, Bullock WA, Robling AG. Perspective: The current state of Cre driver mouse lines in skeletal research: Challenges and opportunities. Bone 2023; 170:116719. [PMID: 36868507 PMCID: PMC10087282 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2023.116719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The Cre/Lox system has revolutionized the ability of biomedical researchers to ask very specific questions about the function of individual genes in specific cell types at specific times during development and/or disease progression in a variety of animal models. This is true in the skeletal biology field, and numerous Cre driver lines have been created to foster conditional gene manipulation in specific subpopulations of bone cells. However, as our ability to scrutinize these models increases, an increasing number of issues have been identified with most driver lines. All existing skeletal Cre mouse models exhibit problems in one or more of the following three areas: (1) cell type specificity-avoiding Cre expression in unintended cell types; (2) Cre inducibility-improving the dynamic range for Cre in inducible models (negligible Cre activity before induction and high Cre activity after induction); and (3) Cre toxicity-reducing the unwanted biological effects of Cre (beyond loxP recombination) on cellular processes and tissue health. These issues are hampering progress in understanding the biology of skeletal disease and aging, and consequently, identification of reliable therapeutic opportunities. Skeletal Cre models have not advanced technologically in decades despite the availability of improved tools, including multi-promoter-driven expression of permissive or fragmented recombinases, new dimerization systems, and alternative forms of recombinases and DNA sequence targets. We review the current state of skeletal Cre driver lines, and highlight some of the successes, failures, and opportunities to improve fidelity in the skeleton, based on successes pioneered in other areas of biomedical science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor J Cunningham
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Roy B Choi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Alexander G Robling
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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9
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Rossi M, Salomon A, Chaumontel N, Molet J, Bailly S, Tillet E, Bouvard C. Warning regarding hematological toxicity of tamoxifen activated CreERT2 in young Rosa26CreERT2 mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5976. [PMID: 37045870 PMCID: PMC10097815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32633-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cre-lox system is a versatile and powerful tool used in mouse genetics. It allows spatial and/or temporal control of the deletion of a target gene. The Rosa26-CreERT2 (R26CreERT2) mouse model allows ubiquitous expression of CreERT2. Once activated by tamoxifen, CreERT2 will enter into the nuclei and delete floxed DNA sequences. Here, we show that intraperitoneal injection of tamoxifen in young R26CreERT2 mice leads to morbidity and mortality within 10 days after the first injection, in the absence of a floxed allele. Activation of CreERT2 by tamoxifen led to severe hematological defects, with anemia and a strong disorganization of the bone marrow vascular bed. Cell proliferation was significantly reduced in the bone marrow and the spleen resulting in the depletion of several hematopoietic cells. However, not all cell types or organs were affected to the same extent. We realized that many research groups are not aware of the potential toxicity of Cre recombinases, resulting in misinterpretation of the observed phenotype and in a waste of time and resources. We discuss the necessity to include tamoxifen injected CreERT2 controls lacking a floxed allele in experimental designs and to improve communication about the limitations of Cre-lox mouse models among the scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Rossi
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Aude Salomon
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicolas Chaumontel
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Jenny Molet
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, Clinatec, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Sabine Bailly
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Emmanuelle Tillet
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Claire Bouvard
- Laboratory BioSanté U1292, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
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Deng Y, Dickey JE, Saito K, Deng G, Singh U, Jiang J, Toth BA, Zhu Z, Zingman LV, Resch JM, Grobe JL, Cui H. Elucidating the role of Rgs2 expression in the PVN for metabolic homeostasis in mice. Mol Metab 2022; 66:101622. [PMID: 36307046 PMCID: PMC9638802 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE RGS2 is a GTPase activating protein that modulates GPCR-Gα signaling and mice lacking RGS2 globally exhibit metabolic alterations. While RGS2 is known to be broadly expressed throughout the body including the brain, the relative contribution of brain RGS2 to metabolic homeostasis remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to characterize RGS2 expression in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and test its role in metabolic homeostasis. METHODS We used a combination of RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH), immunohistochemistry, and bioinformatic analyses to characterize the pattern of Rgs2 expression in the PVN. We then created mice lacking Rgs2 either prenatally or postnatally in the PVN and evaluated their metabolic consequences. RESULTS RNAscope ISH analysis revealed a broad but regionally enriched Rgs2 mRNA expression throughout the mouse brain, with the highest expression being observed in the PVN along with several other brain regions, such as the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus and the dorsal raphe nucleus. Within the PVN, we found that Rgs2 is specifically enriched in CRH+ endocrine neurons and is further increased by calorie restriction. Functionally, although Sim1-Cre-mediated prenatal deletion of Rgs2 in PVN neurons had no major effects on metabolic homeostasis, AAV-mediated adult deletion of Rgs2 in the PVN led to significantly increased food intake, body weight (both fat and fat-free masses), body length, and blood glucose levels in both male and female mice. Strikingly, we found that prolonged postnatal loss of Rgs2 leads to neuronal cell death in the PVN, while rapid body weight gain in the early phase of viral-mediated PVN Rgs2 deletion is independent of PVN neuronal loss. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide the first evidence to show that PVN Rgs2 expression is not only sensitive to metabolic challenge but also critically required for PVN endocrine neurons to function and maintain metabolic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Deng
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jacob E Dickey
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Kenji Saito
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Guorui Deng
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Uday Singh
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Brandon A Toth
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Zhiyong Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Leonid V Zingman
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jon M Resch
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; F.O.E. Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Justin L Grobe
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Comprehensive Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Huxing Cui
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; F.O.E. Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.
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11
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Altshuler A, Wickström SA, Shalom-Feuerstein R. Spotlighting adult stem cells: advances, pitfalls, and challenges. Trends Cell Biol 2022; 33:477-494. [PMID: 36270939 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The existence of stem cells (SCs) at the tip of the cellular differentiation hierarchy has fascinated the scientific community ever since their discovery in the early 1950s to 1960s. Despite the remarkable success of the SC theory and the development of SC-based treatments, fundamental features of SCs remain enigmatic. Recent advances in single-cell lineage tracing, live imaging, and genomic technologies have allowed capture of life histories and transcriptional signatures of individual cells, leaving SCs much less space to 'hide'. Focusing on epithelial SCs and comparing them to other SCs, we discuss new paradigms of the SC niche, dynamics, and pathology, highlighting key open questions in SC biology that need to be resolved for harnessing SC potential in regenerative medicine.
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12
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Differentiation Capacity of Bone Marrow-Derived Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells from DsRed and Cre Transgenic Cre/ loxP Models. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172769. [PMID: 36078177 PMCID: PMC9455627 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cre/loxP recombination is a well-established technique increasingly used for modifying DNA both in vitro and in vivo. Nucleotide alterations can be edited in the genomes of mammalian cells, and genetic switches can be designed to target the expression or excision of a gene in any tissue at any time in animal models. In this study, we propose a system which worked via the Cre/loxP switch gene and DsRed/emGFP dual-color fluorescence imaging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used to regenerate damaged tissue because of their differentiation capacity. Although previous studies have presented evidence of fusion of transplanted MSCs with recipient cells, the possibility of fusion in such cases remains debated. Moreover, the effects and biological implications of the fusion of MSCs at the tissue and organ level have not yet been elucidated. Thus, the method for determining this issue is significant and the models we proposed can illustrate the question. However, the transgenic rats exhibited growth slower than that of wild-type rats over several weeks. The effects on the stemness, proliferation, cell cycle, and differentiation ability of bone marrow–derived rat MSCs (BM-rMSCs) from the models were examined to ensure our design was appropriate for the in vivo application. We demonstrated that MSC surface markers were maintained in DsRed and Cre transgenic rMSCs (DsRed-rMSCs and Cre-rMSCs, respectively). A WST-8 assay revealed decreased proliferative activity in these DsRed-rMSCs and Cre-rMSCs; this result was validated through cell counting. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis indicated a decrease in the proportion of G1-phase cells and a concomitant increase in the proportion of S-phase cells. The levels of cell cycle–related proteins also decreased in the DsRed-rMSCs and Cre-rMSCs, implying decelerated phase transition. However, the BM-rMSCs collected from the transgenic rats did not exhibit altered adipogenesis, osteogenesis, or chondrogenesis. The specific markers of these types of differentiation were upregulated after induction. Therefore, BM-rMSCs from DsRed and Cre transgenic models can be used to investigate the behavior of MSCs and related mechanisms. Such application may further the development of stem cell therapy for tissue damage and other diseases.
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13
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Rashbrook VS, Brash JT, Ruhrberg C. Cre toxicity in mouse models of cardiovascular physiology and disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:806-816. [PMID: 37692772 PMCID: PMC7615056 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00125-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The Cre-LoxP system provides a widely used method for studying gene requirements in the mouse as the main mammalian genetic model organism. To define the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie cardiovascular development, function and disease, various mouse strains have been engineered that allow Cre-LoxP-mediated gene targeting within specific cell types of the cardiovascular system. Despite the usefulness of this system, evidence is accumulating that Cre activity can have toxic effects in cells, independently of its ability to recombine pairs of engineered LoxP sites in target genes. Here, we have gathered published evidence for Cre toxicity in cells and tissues relevant to cardiovascular biology and provide an overview of mechanisms proposed to underlie Cre toxicity. Based on this knowledge, we propose that each study utilising the Cre-LoxP system to investigate gene function in the cardiovascular system should incorporate appropriate controls to account for Cre toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria S. Rashbrook
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - James T. Brash
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Christiana Ruhrberg
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
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14
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Erben L, Welday JP, Murphy R, Buonanno A. Toxic and Phenotypic Effects of AAV_Cre Used to Transduce Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9462. [PMID: 36012727 PMCID: PMC9408874 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A popular approach to spatiotemporally target genes using the loxP/Cre recombination system is stereotaxic microinjection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing Cre recombinase (AAV_Cre) in specific neuronal structures. Here, we report that AAV_Cre microinjection in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of ErbB4 Cyt-1-floxed (ErbB4 Cyt-1fl/fl) mice at titers commonly used in the literature (~1012-1013 GC/mL) can have neurotoxic effects on dopaminergic neurons and elicit behavioral abnormalities. However, these effects of AAV_Cre microinjection are independent of ErbB4 Cyt-1 recombination because they are also observed in microinjected wild-type (WT) controls. Mice microinjected with AAV_Cre (1012-1013 GC/mL) exhibit reductions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) expression, loss of dopaminergic neurons, and they behaviorally become hyperactive, fail to habituate in the open field and exhibit sensorimotor gating deficits compared to controls microinjected with AAV_GFP. Importantly, these AAV_Cre non-specific effects are: (1) independent of serotype, (2) occur with vectors expressing either Cre or Cre-GFP fusion protein and (3) preventable by reducing viral titers by 1000-fold (1010 GC/mL), which retains sufficient recombination activity to target floxed genes. Our studies emphasize the importance of including AAV_Cre-injected WT controls in experiments because recombination-independent effects on gene expression, neurotoxicity and behaviors could be erroneously attributed to consequences of gene ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Andres Buonanno
- Section on Molecular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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15
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Cre-Recombinase Induces Apoptosis and Cell Death in Enterocyte Organoids. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11081452. [PMID: 35892654 PMCID: PMC9332190 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11081452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The culture of primary intestinal epithelia cells is not possible in a normal culture system. In 2009 a three-dimensional culture system of intestinal stem cells was established that shows many of the physiological features of the small intestine, such as crypt-villus structure, stem cell niche and all types of differentiated intestinal epithelial cells. These enteroids can be used to analyze biology of intestinal stem cells, gut homeostasis and the development of diseases. They also give the possibility to reduce animal numbers, as enteroids can be cryo-conserved and cultivated for many passages. To investigate the influence of genes such as NADPH oxidases on the gut homeostasis, transgenic approached are the method of choice. The generation of enteroids from knockout mice allows real-time observations of knockout effects. Often conditional knockout or overexpression strategies using inducible Cre recombinase are applied to avoid effects of adaption to the knockout. However, the Cre recombinase has many known caveats from unspecific binding and its endonuclease activity. In this study, we show that although NADPH oxidases are important for in vivo differentiation and proliferation of the intestine, their expression is drastically reduced in the organoid system. Activation of Cre recombinase by 4-hydroxy tamoxifen in freshly isolated enteroids, independently of floxed genes, leads to decreased diameter of organoids. This effect is concentration-dependent and is caused by reduced cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis and DNA damage. In contrast, constitutive expression of Cre has no impact on the enteroids. Therefore, reduction of tamoxifen concentration and treatment duration should be carefully titrated, and appropriate controls are necessary.
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16
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Expression of Cre recombinase in chondrocytes causes abnormal craniofacial and skeletal development. Transgenic Res 2022; 31:399-411. [DOI: 10.1007/s11248-022-00308-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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17
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Auchampach J, Han L, Huang GN, Kühn B, Lough JW, O'Meara CC, Payumo AY, Rosenthal NA, Sucov HM, Yutzey KE, Patterson M. Measuring cardiomyocyte cell-cycle activity and proliferation in the age of heart regeneration. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 322:H579-H596. [PMID: 35179974 PMCID: PMC8934681 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00666.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
During the past two decades, the field of mammalian myocardial regeneration has grown dramatically, and with this expanded interest comes increasing claims of experimental manipulations that mediate bona fide proliferation of cardiomyocytes. Too often, however, insufficient evidence or improper controls are provided to support claims that cardiomyocytes have definitively proliferated, a process that should be strictly defined as the generation of two de novo functional cardiomyocytes from one original cardiomyocyte. Throughout the literature, one finds inconsistent levels of experimental rigor applied, and frequently the specific data supplied as evidence of cardiomyocyte proliferation simply indicate cell-cycle activation or DNA synthesis, which do not necessarily lead to the generation of new cardiomyocytes. In this review, we highlight potential problems and limitations faced when characterizing cardiomyocyte proliferation in the mammalian heart, and summarize tools and experimental standards, which should be used to support claims of proliferation-based remuscularization. In the end, definitive establishment of de novo cardiomyogenesis can be difficult to prove; therefore, rigorous experimental strategies should be used for such claims.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Auchampach
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and the Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Lu Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Herma Heart Institute, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Guo N Huang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Bernhard Kühn
- Division of Cardiology, Pediatric Institute for Heart Regeneration and Therapeutics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - John W Lough
- Department of Cell Biology Neurobiology and Anatomy and the Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Caitlin C O'Meara
- Department of Physiology and the Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Alexander Y Payumo
- Department of Biological Sciences, San José State University, San Jose, California
| | - Nadia A Rosenthal
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Henry M Sucov
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Katherine E Yutzey
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Michaela Patterson
- Department of Cell Biology Neurobiology and Anatomy and the Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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18
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Lee SE, Rudd BD, Smith NL. Fate-mapping mice: new tools and technology for immune discovery. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:195-209. [PMID: 35094945 PMCID: PMC8882138 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The fate-mapping mouse has become an essential tool in the immunologist's toolbox. Although traditionally used by developmental biologists to trace the origins of cells, immunologists are turning to fate-mapping to better understand the development and function of immune cells. Thus, an expansion in the variety of fate-mapping mouse models has occurred to answer fundamental questions about the immune system. These models are also being combined with new genetic tools to study cancer, infection, and autoimmunity. In this review, we summarize different types of fate-mapping mice and describe emerging technologies that might allow immunologists to leverage this valuable tool and expand our functional knowledge of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett E Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Brian D Rudd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Norah L Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
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19
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Sahasrabuddhe V, Ghosh HS. Cx3Cr1-Cre induction leads to microglial activation and IFN-1 signaling caused by DNA damage in early postnatal brain. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110252. [PMID: 35045285 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cx3cr1CreER-driven Cre recombinase (Cre) is a widely used genetic tool for enabling gene manipulation in microglia and macrophages. However, an in-depth analysis of the possible detrimental effects of Cre activity in microglia, surprisingly, remains missing. Here, we demonstrate an age-dependent sensitivity of microglia to Cx3cr1-Cre toxicity, wherein Cre induction, specifically in early postnatal microglia, is detrimental to microglial development, proliferation, and function. Tamoxifen (TAM)-induced Cre activity leads to microglial activation, type 1 interferon (IFN-1) signaling, and increased phagocytosis, causing aberrant synaptic pruning during the early postnatal period and anxious behavior at later age. The detrimental effects of Cre induction are caused by DNA-damage-induced toxicity in microglia and are limited to the early postnatal period, showing no detrimental effects in adult microglia. Thus, our study reveals an age-dependent vulnerability of microglia to Cre activity, thereby highlighting age dependency of Cre action, which could be especially applicable in the broader context of environment-responsive cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinaya Sahasrabuddhe
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Hiyaa Singhee Ghosh
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India.
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20
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Zingg B, Dong HW, Tao HW, Zhang LI. Application of AAV1 for Anterograde Transsynaptic Circuit Mapping and Input-Dependent Neuronal Cataloging. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e339. [PMID: 35044725 PMCID: PMC8852298 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Viruses that spread transsynaptically provide a powerful means to study interconnected circuits in the brain. Here we describe the use of adeno-associated virus, serotype 1 (AAV1), as a tool to achieve robust, anterograde transsynaptic spread in a variety of unidirectional pathways. A protocol for performing intracranial AAV1 injections in mice is presented, along with additional guidance for planning experiments, sourcing materials, and optimizing the approach to achieve the most successful outcomes. By following the methods presented here, researchers will be able to reveal postsynaptically connected neurons downstream of a given AAV1 injection site and access these input-defined cells for subsequent mapping, recording, and manipulation to characterize their anatomical and functional properties. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Stereotaxic injection of AAV1 for anterograde transsynaptic spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Zingg
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hong-Wei Dong
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Huizhong Whit Tao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Li I. Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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21
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Hagman JR, Arends T, Laborda C, Knapp JR, Harmacek L, O'Connor BP. Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 4 (CHD4) regulates early B cell identity and V(D)J recombination. Immunol Rev 2021; 305:29-42. [PMID: 34927255 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
B lymphocytes develop from uncommitted precursors into immunoglobulin (antibody)-producing B cells, a major arm of adaptive immunity. Progression of early progenitors to antibody-expressing cells in the bone marrow is orchestrated by the temporal regulation of different gene programs at discrete developmental stages. A major question concerns how B cells control the accessibility of these genes to transcription factors. Research has implicated nucleosome remodeling ATPases as mediators of chromatin accessibility. Here, we describe studies of chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 4 (CHD4; also known as Mi-2β) in early B cell development. CHD4 comprises multiple domains that function in nucleosome mobilization and histone binding. CHD4 is a key component of Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase, or NuRD (Mi-2) complexes, which assemble with other proteins that mediate transcriptional repression. We review data demonstrating that CHD4 is necessary for B lineage identity: early B lineage progression, proliferation in response to interleukin-7, responses to DNA damage, and cell survival in vivo. CHD4-NuRD is also required for the Ig heavy-chain repertoire by promoting utilization of distal variable (VH ) gene segments in V(D)J recombination. In conclusion, the regulation of chromatin accessibility by CHD4 is essential for production of antibodies by B cells, which in turn mediate humoral immune responses to pathogens and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Hagman
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Program in Molecular Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Tessa Arends
- Program in Molecular Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Curtis Laborda
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Jennifer R Knapp
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Laura Harmacek
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Brian P O'Connor
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
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22
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Kiourtis C, Wilczynska A, Nixon C, Clark W, May S, Bird TG. Specificity and off-target effects of AAV8-TBG viral vectors for the manipulation of hepatocellular gene expression in mice. Biol Open 2021; 10:271899. [PMID: 34435198 PMCID: PMC8487635 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice are a widely used pre-clinical model system in large part due to their potential for genetic manipulation. The ability to manipulate gene expression in specific cells under temporal control is a powerful experimental tool. The liver is central to metabolic homeostasis and a site of many diseases, making the targeting of hepatocytes attractive. Adeno-associated virus 8 (AAV8) vectors are valuable instruments for the manipulation of hepatocellular gene expression. However, their off-target effects in mice have not been thoroughly explored. Here, we sought to identify the short-term off-target effects of AAV8 administration in mice. To do this, we injected C57BL/6J wild-type mice with either recombinant AAV8 vectors expressing Cre recombinase or control AAV8 vectors and characterised the changes in general health and in liver physiology, histology and transcriptomics compared to uninjected controls. We observed an acute and transient trend for reduction in homeostatic liver proliferation together with induction of the DNA damage marker γH2AX following AAV8 administration. The latter was enhanced upon Cre recombinase expression by the vector. Furthermore, we observed transcriptional changes in genes involved in circadian rhythm and response to infection. Notably, there were no additional transcriptomic changes upon expression of Cre recombinase by the AAV8 vector. Overall, there was no evidence of liver injury, and only mild T-cell infiltration was observed 14 days following AAV8 infection. These data advance the technique of hepatocellular genome editing through Cre-Lox recombination using Cre expressing AAV vectors, demonstrating their minimal effects on murine physiology and highlight the more subtle off target effects of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Kiourtis
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | - Ania Wilczynska
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - William Clark
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Stephanie May
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Thomas G Bird
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK.,MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH164TJ, UK
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23
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Qian Y, Arellano G, Ifergan I, Lin J, Snowden C, Kim T, Thomas JJ, Law C, Guan T, Balabanov RD, Kaech SM, Miller SD, Choi J. ZEB1 promotes pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation in multiple sclerosis. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109602. [PMID: 34433042 PMCID: PMC8431781 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109602] [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: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Inappropriate CD4+ T helper (Th) differentiation can compromise host immunity or promote autoimmune disease. To identify disease-relevant regulators of T cell fate, we examined mutations that modify risk for multiple sclerosis (MS), a canonical organ-specific autoimmune disease. This analysis identified a role for Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox (ZEB1). Deletion of ZEB1 protects against experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Mechanistically, ZEB1 in CD4+ T cells is required for pathogenic Th1 and Th17 differentiation. Genomic analyses of paired human and mouse expression data elucidated an unexpected role for ZEB1 in JAK-STAT signaling. ZEB1 inhibits miR-101-3p that represses JAK2 expression, STAT3/STAT4 phosphorylation, and subsequent expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Underscoring its clinical relevance, ZEB1 and JAK2 downregulation decreases pathogenic cytokines expression in T cells from MS patients. Moreover, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved JAK2 inhibitor is effective in EAE. Collectively, these findings identify a conserved, potentially targetable mechanism regulating disease-relevant inflammation. Qian et al. show that ZEB1 is required for the development of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS). ZEB1, a transcription factor, promotes JAK-STAT signaling during Th1/Th17 differentiation by repressing expression of a JAK2-targeting miRNA. ZEB1 and JAK2 are potentially clinically relevant therapeutic targets for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Qian
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Gabriel Arellano
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Igal Ifergan
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jean Lin
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Caroline Snowden
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Taehyeung Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jane Joy Thomas
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Calvin Law
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Tianxia Guan
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Roumen D Balabanov
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Susan M Kaech
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Stephen D Miller
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Jaehyuk Choi
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Ozawa A, Arakawa H. Chemogenetics drives paradigm change in the investigation of behavioral circuits and neural mechanisms underlying drug action. Behav Brain Res 2021; 406:113234. [PMID: 33741409 PMCID: PMC8110310 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent developments in chemogenetic approaches to the investigation of brain function have ushered in a paradigm change in the strategy for drug and behavior research and clinical drug-based medications. As the nature of the drug action is based on humoral regulation, it is a challenge to identify the neuronal mechanisms responsible for the expression of certain targeted behavior induced by drug application. The development of chemogenetic approaches has allowed researchers to control neural activities in targeted neurons through a toolbox, including engineered G protein-coupled receptors or ligand-gated ion channels together with exogenously inert synthetic ligands. This review provides a brief overview of the chemogenetics toolbox with an emphasis on the DREADDs (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs) technique used in rodent models, which is applicable to the investigation of how specific neural circuits regulate behavioral processes. The use of chemogenetics has had a significant impact on basic neuroscience for a better understanding of the relationships between brain activity and the expression of behaviors with cell- and circuit-specific orders. Furthermore, chemogenetics is potentially a useful tool to deconstruct the neuropathological mechanisms of mental diseases and its regulation by drug, and provide us with transformative therapeutics with medication. We also review recent findings in the use of chemogenetic techniques to uncover functional circuit connections of serotonergic neurons in rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Ozawa
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Department of Psychology, Tokiwa University, Mito, Ibaraki, Japan; Department of Systems Physiology, University of Ryukyus, Faculty of Medicine, Nakagami District, Okinawa, Japan.
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25
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Fischer KD, Knackstedt LA, Rosenberg PA. Glutamate homeostasis and dopamine signaling: Implications for psychostimulant addiction behavior. Neurochem Int 2021; 144:104896. [PMID: 33159978 PMCID: PMC8489281 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse disorders are serious worldwide health problems. To date, there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of these disorders. Elucidation of the biochemical underpinnings contributing to psychostimulant addiction is critical for the development of effective therapies. Excitatory signaling and glutamate homeostasis are well known pathophysiological substrates underlying addiction-related behaviors spanning multiple types of psychostimulants. To alleviate relapse behavior to psychostimulants, considerable interest has focused on GLT-1, the major glutamate transporter in the brain. While many brain regions are implicated in addiction behavior, this review focuses on two regions well known for their role in mediating the effects of cocaine and amphetamines, namely the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In addition, because many investigators have utilized Cre-driver lines to selectively control gene expression in defined cell populations relevant for psychostimulant addiction, we discuss potential off-target effects of Cre-recombinase that should be considered in the design and interpretation of such experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn D Fischer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Lori A Knackstedt
- Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Paul A Rosenberg
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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van Weele LJ, Scheeren FA, Cai S, Kuo AH, Qian D, Ho WHD, Clarke MF. Depletion of Trp53 and Cdkn2a Does Not Promote Self-Renewal in the Mammary Gland but Amplifies Proliferation Induced by TNF-α. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:228-236. [PMID: 33482103 PMCID: PMC7878826 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammary epithelium undergoes several rounds of extensive proliferation during the female reproductive cycle. Its expansion is a tightly regulated process, fueled by the mammary stem cells and these cells' unique property of self-renewal. Sufficient new cells have to be produced to maintain the integrity of a tissue, but excessive proliferation resulting in tumorigenesis needs to be prevented. Three well-known tumor suppressors, p53, p16INK4a, and p19ARF, have been connected to the limiting of stem cell self-renewal and proliferation. Here we investigate the roles of these three proteins in the regulation of self-renewal and proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. Using mammary epithelial-specific mouse models targeting Trp53 and Cdkn2a, the gene coding for p16INK4a and p19ARF, we demonstrate that p53, p16INK4a, and p19ARF do not play a significant role in the limitation of normal mammary epithelium self-renewal and proliferation, whereas in the presence of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, Trp53−/−Cdkn2a−/− mammary basal cells exhibit amplified proliferation. p53, p16INK4a, and p19ARF do not limit self-renewal of mammary epithelial cells p53, p16INK4a, and p19ARF do not limit proliferation of mammary epithelial cells TNF-α stimulates mammary basal cell organoid formation and proliferation Trp53−/−Cdkn2a−/− organoids are sensitized to TNF-α-induced proliferation
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda J van Weele
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ferenc A Scheeren
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shang Cai
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Angera H Kuo
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dalong Qian
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - William H D Ho
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Stem Cell Biotechnology, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA, USA
| | - Michael F Clarke
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Patra P, Das M, Kundu P, Ghosh A. Recent advances in systems and synthetic biology approaches for developing novel cell-factories in non-conventional yeasts. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 47:107695. [PMID: 33465474 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Microbial bioproduction of chemicals, proteins, and primary metabolites from cheap carbon sources is currently an advancing area in industrial research. The model yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a well-established biorefinery host that has been used extensively for commercial manufacturing of bioethanol from myriad carbon sources. However, its Crabtree-positive nature often limits the use of this organism for the biosynthesis of commercial molecules that do not belong in the fermentative pathway. To avoid extensive strain engineering of S. cerevisiae for the production of metabolites other than ethanol, non-conventional yeasts can be selected as hosts based on their natural capacity to produce desired commodity chemicals. Non-conventional yeasts like Kluyveromyces marxianus, K. lactis, Yarrowia lipolytica, Pichia pastoris, Scheffersomyces stipitis, Hansenula polymorpha, and Rhodotorula toruloides have been considered as potential industrial eukaryotic hosts owing to their desirable phenotypes such as thermotolerance, assimilation of a wide range of carbon sources, as well as ability to secrete high titers of protein and lipid. However, the advanced metabolic engineering efforts in these organisms are still lacking due to the limited availability of systems and synthetic biology methods like in silico models, well-characterised genetic parts, and optimized genome engineering tools. This review provides an insight into the recent advances and challenges of systems and synthetic biology as well as metabolic engineering endeavours towards the commercial usage of non-conventional yeasts. Particularly, the approaches in emerging non-conventional yeasts for the production of enzymes, therapeutic proteins, lipids, and metabolites for commercial applications are extensively discussed here. Various attempts to address current limitations in designing novel cell factories have been highlighted that include the advances in the fields of genome-scale metabolic model reconstruction, flux balance analysis, 'omics'-data integration into models, genome-editing toolkit development, and rewiring of cellular metabolisms for desired chemical production. Additionally, the understanding of metabolic networks using 13C-labelling experiments as well as the utilization of metabolomics in deciphering intracellular fluxes and reactions have also been discussed here. Application of cutting-edge nuclease-based genome editing platforms like CRISPR/Cas9, and its optimization towards efficient strain engineering in non-conventional yeasts have also been described. Additionally, the impact of the advances in promising non-conventional yeasts for efficient commercial molecule synthesis has been meticulously reviewed. In the future, a cohesive approach involving systems and synthetic biology will help in widening the horizon of the use of unexplored non-conventional yeast species towards industrial biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradipta Patra
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Manali Das
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Pritam Kundu
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Amit Ghosh
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India; P.K. Sinha Centre for Bioenergy and Renewables, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India.
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28
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Long Y, Cech TR. Targeted mutagenesis in human iPSCs using CRISPR genome-editing tools. Methods 2021; 191:44-58. [PMID: 33444739 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutagenesis studies have rapidly evolved in the era of CRISPR genome editing. Precise manipulation of genes in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allows biomedical researchers to study the physiological functions of individual genes during development. Furthermore, such genetic manipulation applied to patient-specific iPSCs allows disease modeling, drug screening and development of therapeutics. Although various genome-editing methods have been developed to introduce or remove mutations in human iPSCs, comprehensive strategic designs taking account of the potential side effects of CRISPR editing are needed. Here we present several novel and highly efficient strategies to introduce point mutations, insertions and deletions in human iPSCs, including step-by-step experimental protocols. These approaches involve the application of drug selection for effortless clone screening and the generation of a wild type control strain along with the mutant. We also present several examples of application of these strategies in human iPSCs and show that they are highly efficient and could be applied to other cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicheng Long
- Department of Biochemistry and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States
| | - Thomas R Cech
- Department of Biochemistry and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States.
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29
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Son JW, Shin JJ, Kim MG, Kim J, Son SW. Keratinocyte-specific knockout mice models via Cre–loxP recombination system. Mol Cell Toxicol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13273-020-00115-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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30
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Wang X, Lauth A, Wan TC, Lough JW, Auchampach JA. Myh6-driven Cre recombinase activates the DNA damage response and the cell cycle in the myocardium in the absence of loxP sites. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm046375. [PMID: 33106234 PMCID: PMC7758623 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Regeneration of muscle in the damaged myocardium is a major objective of cardiovascular research, for which purpose many investigators utilize mice containing transgenes encoding Cre recombinase to recombine loxP-flanked target genes. An unfortunate side effect of the Cre-loxP model is the propensity of Cre recombinase to inflict off-target DNA damage, which has been documented in various eukaryotic cell types including cardiomyocytes (CMs). In the heart, reported effects of Cre recombinase include contractile dysfunction, fibrosis, cellular infiltration and induction of the DNA damage response (DDR). During experiments on adult mice containing a widely used Myh6-merCremer transgene, the protein product of which is activated by tamoxifen, we observed large, transient, off-target effects of merCremer, some of which have not previously been reported. On Day 3 after the first of three daily tamoxifen injections, immunofluorescent microscopy of heart sections revealed that the presence of merCremer protein in myonuclei was nearly uniform, thereafter diminishing to near extinction by Day 6; during this time, cardiac function was depressed as determined by echocardiography. On Day 5, peaks of apoptosis and expression of DDR-regulatory genes were observed, highlighted by >25-fold increased expression of Brca1 Concomitantly, the expression of genes encoding cyclin-A2, cyclin-B2 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1, which regulate the G2/S cell-cycle transition, were dramatically increased (>50- to 100-fold). Importantly, immunofluorescent staining revealed that this was accompanied by peaks in Ki67, 5'-bromodeoxyuridine and phosphohistone H3 labeling in non-CMs, as well as CMs. We further document that tamoxifen-induced activation of merCremer exacerbates cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction. These findings, when considered in the context of previous reports, indicate that the presence of merCremer in the nucleus induces DNA damage and unscheduled cell-cycle activation. Although these effects are transient, the inclusion of appropriate controls, coupled with an awareness of the defects caused by Cre recombinase, are required to avoid misinterpreting results when using Cre-loxP models for cardiac regeneration studies.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Amelia Lauth
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Tina C Wan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - John W Lough
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - John A Auchampach
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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31
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L'homme L, Sermikli BP, Molendi-Coste O, Fleury S, Quemener S, Le Maître M, Joseph ML, Pineau L, Duhem C, Gross B, Vallez E, Tailleux A, Staels B, Dombrowicz D. Deletion of the nuclear receptor RORα in macrophages does not modify the development of obesity, insulin resistance and NASH. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21095. [PMID: 33273527 PMCID: PMC7713245 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77858-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-alpha (RORα) is a transcription factor from the nuclear receptor family expressed by immune cells and involved in the development of obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It was recently reported that mice deficient for RORα in macrophages develop more severe NASH upon high fat diet (HFD) feeding due to altered Kupffer cell function. To better understand the role of RORα in obesity and IR, we independently generated a macrophage RORα-deficient mouse line. We report that RORα deletion in macrophages does not impact on HFD-induced obesity and IR. Surprisingly, we did not confirm an effect on NASH development upon HFD feeding nor in the more severe and obesity-independent choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet model. Our results therefore show that RORα deletion in macrophages does not alter the development of obesity and IR and question its role in NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent L'homme
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Benan Pelin Sermikli
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Olivier Molendi-Coste
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Sébastien Fleury
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Sandrine Quemener
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Mathilde Le Maître
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Marie-Laure Joseph
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Laurent Pineau
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Christian Duhem
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Barbara Gross
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Vallez
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Anne Tailleux
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Bart Staels
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France
| | - David Dombrowicz
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, 59000, Lille, France.
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32
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Luchicchi A, Pattij T, Viaña JNM, de Kloet S, Marchant N. Tracing goes viral: Viruses that introduce expression of fluorescent proteins in chemically-specific neurons. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 348:109004. [PMID: 33242528 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.109004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Over the last century, there has been great progress in understanding how the brain works. In particular, the last two decades have been crucial in gaining more awareness over the complex functioning of neurotransmitter systems. The use of viral vectors in neuroscience has been pivotal for such development. Exploiting the properties of viral particles, modifying them according to the research needs, and making them target chemically-specific neurons, techniques such as optogenetics and chemogenetics have been developed, which could lead to a giant step toward gene therapy for brain disorders. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of some of the most widely used viral techniques in neuroscience. We will discuss advantages and disadvantages of these methods. In particular, attention is dedicated to the pivotal role played by the introduction of adeno-associated virus and the retrograde tracer canine-associated-2 Cre virus in order to achieve optimal visualization, and interrogation, of chemically-specific neuronal populations and their projections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Luchicchi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, de Boelelaan 1108, 1081HZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Tommy Pattij
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, de Boelelaan 1108, 1081HZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - John Noel M Viaña
- Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081HZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, ANU College of Science, The Australian National University, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Sybren de Kloet
- Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081HZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nathan Marchant
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, de Boelelaan 1108, 1081HZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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33
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Sahai N, Bard AM, Devinsky O, Kalume F. Disordered autonomic function during exposure to moderate heat or exercise in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 147:105154. [PMID: 33144172 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine autonomic regulation of core body temperature, heart rate (HR), and breathing rate (BR) in response to moderately elevated ambient temperature or moderate physical exercise in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome (DS). METHODS We studied video-EEG, ECG, respiration, and temperature in mice with global heterozygous Scn1a knockout (KO) (DS mice), interneuron specific Scn1a KO, and wildtype (WT) mice during exposure to increased environmental temperature and moderate treadmill exercise. RESULTS Core body temperatures of WT and DS mice were similar during baseline. After 15 mins of heat exposure, the peak value was lower in DS than WT mice. In the following mins of heat exposure, the temperature slowly returned close to baseline level in WT, whereas it remained elevated in DS mice. KO of Scn1a in GABAergic neurons caused similar thermoregulatory deficits in mice. During exercise, the HR increase was less prominent in DS than WT mice. After exercise, the HR was significantly more suppressed in DS. The heart rate variability (HRV) was lower in DS than WT mice during baseline and higher in DS during exercise-recovery periods. SIGNIFICANCE We found novel abnormalities that expand the spectrum of interictal, ictal, and postictal autonomic dysregulation in DS mice. During mild heat stress, there was a significantly blunted correction of body temperature, and a less suppression of both HR and respiration rate in DS than WT mice. These effects were seen in mice with selective KO of Scn1A in GABAergic neurons. During exercise stress, there was diminished increase in HR, followed by an exaggerated HR suppression and HRV elevation during recovery in DS mice compared to controls. These findings suggest that different environmental stressors can uncover distinct autonomic disturbances in DS mice. Interneurons play an important role in thermoregulation. Understanding the spectrum and mechanisms of autonomic disorders in DS may help develop more effective strategies to prevent seizures and SUDEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Sahai
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Angela M Bard
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Franck Kalume
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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34
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Goh W, Scheer S, Jackson JT, Hediyeh-Zadeh S, Delconte RB, Schuster IS, Andoniou CE, Rautela J, Degli-Esposti MA, Davis MJ, McCormack MP, Nutt SL, Huntington ND. Hhex Directly Represses BIM-Dependent Apoptosis to Promote NK Cell Development and Maintenance. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108285. [PMID: 33086067 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hhex encodes a homeobox transcriptional regulator important for embryonic development and hematopoiesis. Hhex is highly expressed in NK cells, and its germline deletion results in significant defects in lymphoid development, including NK cells. To determine if Hhex is intrinsically required throughout NK cell development or for NK cell function, we generate mice that specifically lack Hhex in NK cells. NK cell frequency is dramatically reduced, while NK cell differentiation, IL-15 responsiveness, and function at the cellular level remain largely normal in the absence of Hhex. Increased IL-15 availability fails to fully reverse NK lymphopenia following conditional Hhex deletion, suggesting that Hhex regulates developmental pathways extrinsic to those dependent on IL-15. Gene expression and functional genetic approaches reveal that Hhex regulates NK cell survival by directly binding Bcl2l11 (Bim) and repressing expression of this key apoptotic mediator. These data implicate Hhex as a transcriptional regulator of NK cell homeostasis and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilford Goh
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Sebastian Scheer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Jacob T Jackson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Soroor Hediyeh-Zadeh
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Rebecca B Delconte
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Iona S Schuster
- Centre for Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Christopher E Andoniou
- Centre for Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Jai Rautela
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia; oNKo-Innate Pty Ltd., 27 Norwood Cres, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, 3039, Australia
| | - Mariapia A Degli-Esposti
- Centre for Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Melissa J Davis
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Matthew P McCormack
- The Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Stephen L Nutt
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas D Huntington
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia; oNKo-Innate Pty Ltd., 27 Norwood Cres, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, 3039, Australia.
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36
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Larsen LE, Smith MA, Abbey D, Korn A, Reeskamp LF, Hand NJ, Holleboom AG. Hepatocyte-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells: A versatile tool to understand lipid disorders. Atherosclerosis 2020; 303:8-14. [PMID: 32460140 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2020.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dyslipidemias are strongly linked to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Most dyslipidemias find their origin in the liver. In recent years, the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells has provided a versatile platform for the functional study of various dyslipidemias, both rare genetic dyslipidemia as well as common lipid disorders associated with insulin resistance or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, iPSC-derived hepatocytes can serve as a cell model for developing novel lipid lowering therapies and have the potential of regenerative medicine. This review provides an overview of these developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars E Larsen
- Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mikhaila A Smith
- Departments of Genetics and Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Deepti Abbey
- Departments of Genetics and Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Amber Korn
- Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laurens F Reeskamp
- Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nicholas J Hand
- Departments of Genetics and Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
| | - Adriaan G Holleboom
- Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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37
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Lavoie A, Liu BH. Canine Adenovirus 2: A Natural Choice for Brain Circuit Dissection. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:9. [PMID: 32174812 PMCID: PMC7056889 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine adenovirus-2 (CAV) is a canine pathogen that has been used in a variety of applications, from vaccines against more infectious strains of CAV to treatments for neurological disorders. With recent engineering, CAV has become a natural choice for neuroscientists dissecting the connectivity and function of brain circuits. Specifically, as a reliable genetic vector with minimal immunogenic and cytotoxic reactivity, CAV has been used for the retrograde transduction of various types of projection neurons. Consequently, CAV is particularly useful when studying the anatomy and functions of long-range projections. Moreover, combining CAV with conditional expression and transsynaptic tracing results in the ability to study circuits with cell- and/or projection-type specificity. Lastly, with the well-documented knowledge of viral transduction, new innovations have been developed to increase the transduction efficiency of CAV and circumvent its tropism, expanding the potential of CAV for circuit analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréanne Lavoie
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bao-Hua Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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38
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Kurachi M, Ngiow SF, Kurachi J, Chen Z, Wherry EJ. Hidden Caveat of Inducible Cre Recombinase. Immunity 2019; 51:591-592. [PMID: 31618646 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Kurachi
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Present address: Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Shin Foong Ngiow
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Junko Kurachi
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Present address: Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Zeyu Chen
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - E John Wherry
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Abstract
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of aggressive lymphoma and has traditionally been subdivided into germinal center B cell-like and activated B cell-like DLBCL, using transcriptome profiling. The recent characterization of the genomic landscape of DLBCL revealed the identity of at least five molecularly-defined subclusters of DLBCL. Intriguingly, these different clusters display a different response to frontline, anthracycline-based chemo-immune therapy. Moreover, multiple, potentially actionable genomic aberrations have been identified in these clusters, including EZH2, CREBBP/EP300, and KMT2D mutations, BCL2 overexpression, PTEN inactivation, CD274 rearrangements and others. With this genomic understanding, it is possible to develop autochthonous mouse models, which capture this genomic complexity. These models can serve as pre-clinical platforms to devise molecularly targeted therapeutic intervention strategies. Here, we review the available mouse models of aggressive lymphoma and indicate which compound-mutant mice may be desirable tools to further advance the field of translational lymphoma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Flümann
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Response in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Pascal Nieper
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Response in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hans Christian Reinhardt
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Response in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center of Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center of Molecular Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gero Knittel
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Response in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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40
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Frahsek M, Schulte K, Chia-Gil A, Djudjaj S, Schueler H, Leuchtle K, Smeets B, Dijkman H, Floege J, Moeller MJ. Cre recombinase toxicity in podocytes: a novel genetic model for FSGS in adolescent mice. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F1375-F1382. [PMID: 31588799 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00573.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we show that inducible overexpression of Cre recombinase in glomerular podocytes but not in parietal epithelial cells may trigger focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in juvenile transgenic homocygous Pod-rtTA/LC1 mice. Administration of doxycycline shortly after birth, but not at any other time point later in life, resulted in podocyte injury and development of classical FSGS lesions in these mice. Sclerotic lesions were formed as soon as 3 wk of age, and FSGS progressed with low variability until 13 wk of age. In addition, our experiments identified Cre toxicity as a potentially relevant limitation for studies in podocytes of transgenic animals. In summary, our study establishes a novel genetic model for FSGS in mice, which exhibits low variability and manifests already at a young age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Frahsek
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kevin Schulte
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Arnaldo Chia-Gil
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sonja Djudjaj
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Herdit Schueler
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Katja Leuchtle
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bart Smeets
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Henry Dijkman
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marcus J Moeller
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Heisenberg Chair for Preventive and Translational Nephrology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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41
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Garcia-Marques J, Yang CP, Espinosa-Medina I, Mok K, Koyama M, Lee T. Unlimited Genetic Switches for Cell-Type-Specific Manipulation. Neuron 2019; 104:227-238.e7. [PMID: 31395429 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Gaining independent genetic access to discrete cell types is critical to interrogate their biological functions as well as to deliver precise gene therapy. Transcriptomics has allowed us to profile cell populations with extraordinary precision, revealing that cell types are typically defined by a unique combination of genetic markers. Given the lack of adequate tools to target cell types based on multiple markers, most cell types remain inaccessible to genetic manipulation. Here we present CaSSA, a platform to create unlimited genetic switches based on CRISPR/Cas9 (Ca) and the DNA repair mechanism known as single-strand annealing (SSA). CaSSA allows engineering of independent genetic switches, each responding to a specific gRNA. Expressing multiple gRNAs in specific patterns enables multiplex cell-type-specific manipulations and combinatorial genetic targeting. CaSSA is a new genetic tool that conceptually works as an unlimited number of recombinases and will facilitate genetic access to cell types in diverse organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Garcia-Marques
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Ching-Po Yang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | | | - Kent Mok
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Minoru Koyama
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Tzumin Lee
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.
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42
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Abstract
The field of vascular biology has gained enormous insight from the use of Cre and inducible Cre mouse models to temporally and spatially manipulate gene expression within the endothelium. Models are available to constitutively or inducibly modulate gene expression in all or a specified subset of endothelial cells. However, caution should be applied to both the selection of allele and the analysis of resultant phenotype: many similarly named Cre models have divergent activity patterns while ectopic or inconsistent Cre or inducible Cre expression can dramatically affect results. In an effort to disambiguate previous data and to provide a resource to aid appropriate experimental design, here we summarize what is known about Cre recombinase activity in the most widely used endothelial-specific Cre and Cre/ERT2 mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Payne
- From the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd, Nuffield Department of Medicine (S.P., S.D.V.),University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah De Val
- From the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd, Nuffield Department of Medicine (S.P., S.D.V.),University of Oxford, United Kingdom.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (S.D.V., A.N.),University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Neal
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (S.D.V., A.N.),University of Oxford, United Kingdom
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43
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Altamura S, Vegi NM, Hoppe PS, Schroeder T, Aichler M, Walch A, Okreglicka K, Hültner L, Schneider M, Ladinig C, Kuklik-Roos C, Mysliwietz J, Janik D, Neff F, Rathkolb B, de Angelis MTH, Buske C, Silva ARD, Muedder K, Conrad M, Ganz T, Kopf M, Muckenthaler MU, Bornkamm GW. Glutathione peroxidase 4 and vitamin E control reticulocyte maturation, stress erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis. Haematologica 2019; 105:937-950. [PMID: 31248967 PMCID: PMC7109755 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.212977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is unique as it is the only enzyme that can prevent detrimental lipid peroxidation in vivo by reducing lipid peroxides to the respective alcohols thereby stabilizing oxidation products of unsaturated fatty acids. During reticulocyte maturation, lipid peroxidation mediated by 15-lipoxygenase in humans and rabbits and by 12/15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) in mice was considered the initiating event for the elimination of mitochondria but is now known to occur through mitophagy. Yet, genetic ablation of the Alox15 gene in mice failed to provide evidence for this hypothesis. We designed a different genetic approach to tackle this open conundrum. Since either other lipoxygenases or non-enzymatic autooxidative mechanisms may compensate for the loss of Alox15, we asked whether ablation of Gpx4 in the hematopoietic system would result in the perturbation of reticulocyte maturation. Quantitative assessment of erythropoiesis indices in the blood, bone marrow (BM) and spleen of chimeric mice with Gpx4 ablated in hematopoietic cells revealed anemia with an increase in the fraction of erythroid precursor cells and reticulocytes. Additional dietary vitamin E depletion strongly aggravated the anemic phenotype. Despite strong extramedullary erythropoiesis reticulocytes failed to mature and accumulated large autophagosomes with engulfed mitochondria. Gpx4-deficiency in hematopoietic cells led to systemic hepatic iron overload and simultaneous severe iron demand in the erythroid system. Despite extremely high erythropoietin and erythroferrone levels in the plasma, hepcidin expression remained unchanged. Conclusively, perturbed reticulocyte maturation in response to Gpx4 loss in hematopoietic cells thus causes ineffective erythropoiesis, a phenotype partially masked by dietary vitamin E supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Altamura
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology - University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Naidu M Vegi
- Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Philipp S Hoppe
- Department of Biosystems Bioscience and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Timm Schroeder
- Department of Biosystems Bioscience and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Aichler
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Axel Walch
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | - Lothar Hültner
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), München, Germany
| | - Manuela Schneider
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Camilla Ladinig
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), München, Germany
| | - Cornelia Kuklik-Roos
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), München, Germany
| | - Josef Mysliwietz
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), München, Germany
| | - Dirk Janik
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Frauke Neff
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Birgit Rathkolb
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Genzentum, München, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Genetics, Geman Mouse Clinic (GMC), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Mar Tin Hrabé de Angelis
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Geman Mouse Clinic (GMC), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany.,Chair of Experimental Genetics, School of Life Science Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Christian Buske
- Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ana Rita da Silva
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology - University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Muedder
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology - University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcus Conrad
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tomas Ganz
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manfred Kopf
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martina U Muckenthaler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology - University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg W Bornkamm
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), München, Germany
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44
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Eckrich S, Hecker D, Sorg K, Blum K, Fischer K, Münkner S, Wenzel G, Schick B, Engel J. Cochlea-Specific Deletion of Ca v1.3 Calcium Channels Arrests Inner Hair Cell Differentiation and Unravels Pitfalls of Conditional Mouse Models. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:225. [PMID: 31178698 PMCID: PMC6538774 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Inner hair cell (IHC) Cav1.3 Ca2+ channels are multifunctional channels mediating Ca2+ influx for exocytosis at ribbon synapses, the generation of Ca2+ action potentials in pre-hearing IHCs and gene expression. IHCs of deaf systemic Cav1.3-deficient (Cav1.3-/-) mice stay immature because they fail to up-regulate voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels but persistently express small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK2) channels. In pre-hearing wildtype mice, cholinergic neurons from the superior olivary complex (SOC) exert efferent inhibition onto spontaneously active immature IHCs by activating their SK2 channels. Because Cav1.3 plays an important role for survival, health and function of SOC neurons, SK2 channel persistence and lack of BK channels in systemic Cav1.3-/- IHCs may result from malfunctioning neurons of the SOC. Here we analyze cochlea-specific Cav1.3 knockout mice with green fluorescent protein (GFP) switch reporter function, Pax2::cre;Cacna1d-eGFPflex/flexand Pax2::cre;Cacna1d-eGFPflex/-. Profound hearing loss, lack of BK channels and persistence of SK2 channels in Pax2::cre;Cacna1d-eGFPflex/- mice recapitulated the phenotype of systemic Cav1.3-/- mice, indicating that in wildtype mice, regulation of SK2 and BK channel expression is independent of Cav1.3 expression in SOC neurons. In addition, we noticed dose-dependent GFP toxicity leading to death of basal coil IHCs of Pax2::cre;Cacna1d-eGFPflex/flex mice, likely because of high GFP concentration and small repair capacity. This and the slower time course of Pax2-driven Cre recombinase in switching two rather than one Cacna1d-eGFPflex allele lead us to study Pax2::cre;Cacna1d-eGFPflex/- mice. Notably, control Cacna1d-eGFPflex/- IHCs showed a significant reduction in Cav1.3 channel cluster sizes and currents, suggesting that the intronic construct interfered with gene translation or splicing. These pitfalls are likely to be a frequent problem of many genetically modified mice with complex or multiple gene-targeting constructs or fluorescent proteins. Great caution and appropriate controls are therefore required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Eckrich
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Dietmar Hecker
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Sorg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Blum
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Fischer
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Münkner
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Gentiana Wenzel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schick
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Jutta Engel
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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45
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Rezai Amin S, Gruszczynski C, Guiard BP, Callebert J, Launay JM, Louis F, Betancur C, Vialou V, Gautron S. Viral vector-mediated Cre recombinase expression in substantia nigra induces lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway associated with perturbations of dopamine-related behaviors and hallmarks of programmed cell death. J Neurochem 2019; 150:330-340. [PMID: 30748001 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cre/loxP recombination is a widely used approach to study gene function in vivo, using mice models expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of specific promoters or through viral delivery of Cre-expressing constructs. A profuse literature on transgenic mouse lines points out the deleterious effects of Cre expression in various cell types and tissues, presumably by acting on illegitimate loxP-like sites present in the genome. However, most studies reporting the consequences of Cre-lox gene invalidation often omit adequate controls to exclude the potential toxic effects of Cre, compromising the interpretation of data. In this study, we report the anatomical, neurochemical, and behavioral consequences in mice of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated Cre expression in the dopaminergic nuclei substantia nigra, at commonly used viral titers (3 × 109 genome copies/0.3 μL or 2 × 109 genome copies/0.6 μL). We found that injecting AAV-eGFP-Cre into the SN engendered drastic and reproducible modifications of behavior, with increased basal locomotor activity as well as impaired locomotor response to cocaine compared to AAV-eGFP-injected controls. Cre expression in the SN induced a massive decrease in neuronal populations of both pars compacta and pars reticulata and dopamine depletion in the nigrostriatal pathway. This anatomical injury was associated with typical features of programmed cell death, including an increase in DNA break markers, evidence of apoptosis, and disrupted macroautophagy. These observations underscore the need for careful control of Cre toxicity in the brain and the reassessment of previous studies. In addition, our findings suggest that Cre-mediated ablation may constitute an efficient tool to explore the function of specific cell populations and areas in the brain, and the impact of neurodegeneration in these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rezai Amin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Carole Gruszczynski
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Bruno P Guiard
- Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Toulouse, France
| | - Jacques Callebert
- INSERM U942, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Marie Launay
- INSERM U942, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Franck Louis
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Catalina Betancur
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Vialou
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Gautron
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
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Rehmani T, Salih M, Tuana BS. Cardiac-Specific Cre Induces Age-Dependent Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Mice. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24061189. [PMID: 30917606 PMCID: PMC6471127 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic modification of the mouse genome using the cre-lox system has been an invaluable tool in deciphering gene and protein function in a temporal and/or spatial manner. However, it has its pitfalls, as researchers have shown that the unregulated expression of cre recombinase can cause DNA damage, the consequences of which can be very detrimental to mouse health. Previously published literature on the most utilized cardiac-specific cre, αMHC-cre, mouse model exhibited a nonlethal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with aging. However, using the same αMHC-cre mice, we observed a cardiac pathology, resulting in complete lethality by 11 months of age. Echocardiography and histology revealed that the αMHC-cre mice were displaying symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by seven months of age, which ultimately led to their demise in the absence of any HCM at any age. Molecular analysis showed that this phenotype was associated with the DNA damage response through the downregulation of activated p38 and increased expression of JNK, p53, and Bax, known inducers of myocyte death resulting in fibrosis. Our data urges strong caution when interpreting the phenotypic impact of gene responses using αMHC-cre mice, since a lethal DCM was induced by the cre driver in an age-dependent manner in this commonly utilized model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taha Rehmani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Maysoon Salih
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Balwant S Tuana
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
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Abstract
Cell-type-specific gene targeting with the Cre/loxP system has become an indispensable technique in experimental neuroscience, particularly for the study of late-born glial cells that make myelin. A plethora of conditional mutants and Cre-expressing mouse lines is now available to the research community that allows laboratories to readily engage in in vivo analyses of oligodendrocytes and their precursor cells. This chapter summarizes concepts and strategies in targeting myelinating glial cells in mice for mutagenesis or imaging, and provides an overview of the most important Cre driver lines successfully used in this rapidly growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Goebbels
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.
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Balkawade RS, Chen C, Crowley MR, Crossman DK, Clapp WL, Verlander JW, Marshall CB. Podocyte-specific expression of Cre recombinase promotes glomerular basement membrane thickening. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 316:F1026-F1040. [PMID: 30810063 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00359.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditional gene targeting using Cre recombinase has offered a powerful tool to modify gene function precisely in defined cells/tissues and at specific times. However, in mammalian cells, Cre recombinase can be genotoxic. The importance of including Cre-expressing control mice to avoid misinterpretation and to maximize the validity of the experimental results has been increasingly recognized. While studying the role of podocytes in the pathogenesis of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening, we used Cre recombinase driven by the podocyte-specific podocin promoter (NPHS2-Cre) to generate a conditional knockout. By conventional structural and functional measures (histology by periodic acid-Schiff staining, albuminuria, and plasma creatinine), we did not detect significant differences between NPHS2-Cre transgenic and wild-type control mice. However, surprisingly, the group that expressed Cre transgene alone developed signs of podocyte toxicity, including marked GBM thickening, loss of normal foot process morphology, and reduced Wilms tumor 1 expression. GBM thickening was characterized by altered expression of core structural protein laminin isoform α5β2γ1. RNA sequencing analysis of extracted glomeruli identified 230 genes that were significant and differentially expressed (applying a q < 0.05-fold change ≥ ±2 cutoff) in NPHS2-Cre mice compared with wild-type control mice. Many biological processes were reflected in the RNA sequencing data, including regulation of the extracellular matrix and pathways related to apoptosis and cell death. This study highlights the importance of including the appropriate controls for potential Cre-mediated toxicity in conditional gene-targeting experiments. Indeed, omitting the Cre transgene control can result in critical errors during interpretation of experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan S Balkawade
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Birmingham, Alabama.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Chao Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, College of Medicine Electron Microscopy Core, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael R Crowley
- Heflin Center for Genomic Science, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
| | - David K Crossman
- Heflin Center for Genomic Science, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
| | - William L Clapp
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, College of Medicine Electron Microscopy Core, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Caroline B Marshall
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Birmingham, Alabama.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
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49
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Lam PT, Padula SL, Hoang TV, Poth JE, Liu L, Liang C, LeFever AS, Wallace LM, Ashery-Padan R, Riggs PK, Shields JE, Shaham O, Rowan S, Brown NL, Glaser T, Robinson ML. Considerations for the use of Cre recombinase for conditional gene deletion in the mouse lens. Hum Genomics 2019; 13:10. [PMID: 30770771 PMCID: PMC6377743 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-019-0192-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite a number of different transgenes that can mediate DNA deletion in the developing lens, each has unique features that can make a given transgenic line more or less appropriate for particular studies. The purpose of this work encompasses both a review of transgenes that lead to the expression of Cre recombinase in the lens and a comparative analysis of currently available transgenic lines with a particular emphasis on the Le-Cre and P0-3.9GFPCre lines that can mediate DNA deletion in the lens placode. Although both of these transgenes are driven by elements of the Pax6 P0 promoter, the Le-Cre transgene consistently leads to ocular abnormalities in homozygous state and can lead to ocular defects on some genetic backgrounds when hemizygous. Result Although both P0-3.9GFPCre and Le-Cre hemizygous transgenic mice undergo normal eye development on an FVB/N genetic background, Le-Cre homozygotes uniquely exhibit microphthalmia. Examination of the expression patterns of these two transgenes revealed similar expression in the developing eye and pancreas. However, lineage tracing revealed widespread non-ocular CRE reporter gene expression in the P0-3.9GFPCre transgenic mice that results from stochastic CRE expression in the P0-3.9GFPCre embryos prior to lens placode formation. Postnatal hemizygous Le-Cre transgenic lenses express higher levels of CRE transcript and protein than the hemizygous lenses of P0-3.9GFPCre mice. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Le-Cre hemizygous lenses deregulated the expression of 15 murine genes, several of which are associated with apoptosis. In contrast, P0-3.9GFPCre hemizygous lenses only deregulated two murine genes. No known PAX6-responsive genes or genes directly associated with lens differentiation were deregulated in the hemizygous Le-Cre lenses. Conclusions Although P0-3.9GFPCre transgenic mice appear free from ocular abnormalities, extensive non-ocular CRE expression represents a potential problem for conditional gene deletion studies using this transgene. The higher level of CRE expression in Le-Cre lenses versus P0-3.9GFPCre lenses may explain abnormal lens development in homozygous Le-Cre mice. Given the lack of deregulation of PAX6-responsive transcripts, we suggest that abnormal eye development in Le-Cre transgenic mice stems from CRE toxicity. Our studies reinforce the requirement for appropriate CRE-only expressing controls when using CRE as a driver of conditional gene targeting strategies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40246-019-0192-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong T Lam
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | | | - Thanh V Hoang
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA.,Present Address: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Justin E Poth
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Chun Liang
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Adam S LeFever
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 234 Goodman Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45219, USA
| | - Lindsay M Wallace
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Ruth Ashery-Padan
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neurosciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Penny K Riggs
- Department of Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2471, USA
| | - Jordan E Shields
- Department of Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2471, USA.,Present Address: Emory Children's Center, Room 410, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ohad Shaham
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neurosciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sheldon Rowan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Nadean L Brown
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Tom Glaser
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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50
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A Double Fail-Safe Approach to Prevent Tumorigenesis and Select Pancreatic β Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:611-623. [PMID: 30773486 PMCID: PMC6409439 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The transplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived insulin-producing β cells for the treatment of diabetes is finally approaching the clinical stage. However, even with state-of-the-art differentiation protocols, a significant percentage of undefined non-endocrine cell types are still generated. Most importantly, there is the potential for carry-over of non-differentiated cell types that may produce teratomas. We sought to modify hESCs so that their differentiated progeny could be selectively devoid of tumorigenic cells and enriched for cells of the desired phenotype (in this case, β cells). Here we report the generation of a modified hESC line harboring two suicide gene cassettes, whose expression results in cell death in the presence of specific pro-drugs. We show the efficacy of this system at enriching for β cells and eliminating tumorigenic ones both in vitro and in vivo. Our approach is innovative inasmuch as it allows for the preservation of the desired cells while eliminating those with the potential to develop teratomas. hESCs were engineered with suicide genes for safety and differentiation efficiency One cassette is exclusively expressed in teratogenic cells (safety) Another is selectively excised out in hESC-derived pancreatic β cells (selectivity) Our strategy allows for hESC-derived tumors to be prevented or ablated in vivo
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