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Arroyo-Ataz G, Yagüe AC, Breda JC, Mazzilli SA, Jones D. Transcriptional, developmental, and functional parallels of lymphatic and venous smooth muscle. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.18.604042. [PMID: 39091770 PMCID: PMC11291064 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.18.604042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs) are indispensable for lymphatic vessel contraction and their aberrant recruitment or absence is associated with both primary and secondary lymphedema. Despite their critical role in lymphatic vessel function, the transcriptomic and developmental basis that confer the unique contractile properties to LMCs are largely undefined. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), lineage tracing and in vivo imaging to investigate the basis for the hybrid cardiomyocyte and blood vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) characteristics that have been described for LMCs. Using scRNAseq, the transcriptomes of LMC and venous SMCs from the murine hindlimb exhibited more similarities than differences, although both were markedly distinct from that of arteriole SMCs in the same tissue. Functionally, both lymphatic vessels and blood vessels in the murine hindlimb displayed pulsatile contractility. However, despite expressing genes that overlap with the venous SMC transcriptome, through lineage tracing we show that LMCs do not originate from Myh11+ SMC progenitors. Previous studies have shown that LMCs express cardiac-related genes, whereas in our study we found that arteriole SMCs, but not LMCs, expressed cardiac-related genes. Through lineage tracing, we demonstrate that a subpopulation of LMCs and SMCs originate from WT1+ mesodermal progenitors, which are known to give rise to SMCs. LMCs, however, do not derive from Nkx2.5+ cardiomyocyte progenitors. Overall, our findings suggest that venous SMCs and LMCs and may derive from a related mesodermal progenitor and adopt a similar gene expression program that enable their contractile properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Arroyo-Ataz
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 670 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Alejandra Carrasco Yagüe
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 670 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Julia C. Breda
- Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 75 E. Newton Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Sarah A. Mazzilli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 75 E. Newton Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Dennis Jones
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 670 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
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2
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Salido E, de Medeiros Vieira C, Mosquera JV, Zade R, Miller CL, Lo Sardo V. The 9p21.3 coronary artery disease risk locus drives vascular smooth muscle cells to an osteochondrogenic state. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.25.595888. [PMID: 38853913 PMCID: PMC11160673 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.25.595888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified common genetic variants at ~400 human genomic loci linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) susceptibility. Among these genomic regions, the most impactful is the 9p21.3 CAD risk locus, which spans a 60 kb gene desert and encompasses ~80 SNPs in high linkage disequilibrium. Despite nearly two decades since its discovery, the functional mechanism of this genomic region remains incompletely resolved. To investigate the transcriptional gene programs mediated by 9p21.3 risk locus, we applied a model of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from risk and non-risk donors at 9p21.3, as well as isogenic lines with a full haplotype deletion. Upon differentiation to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), single-cell transcriptomic profiling demonstrated iPSC-VSMC phenotypes resembling those from native human coronary arteries, confirming the robustness of this model. Remarkably, our analyses revealed that VSMCs harboring the 9p21.3 risk haplotype preferentially adopt an osteochondrogenic state. Importantly, we identified LIMCH1 and CRABP1 as signature genes critical for defining this transcriptional program. Our study provides new insights into the mechanism at the 9p21.3 risk locus and defines its role in driving a disease-prone transcriptional state in VSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Salido
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53705 USA
| | | | - José Verdezoto Mosquera
- Center for Public Health Genomics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics; University of Virginia; Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Rohan Zade
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53705 USA
| | - Clint L. Miller
- Center for Public Health Genomics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics; University of Virginia; Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Valentina Lo Sardo
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53705 USA
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3
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Bankell E, Liu L, van der Horst J, Rippe C, Jepps TA, Nilsson BO, Swärd K. Suppression of smooth muscle cell inflammation by myocardin-related transcription factors involves inactivation of TANK-binding kinase 1. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13321. [PMID: 38858497 PMCID: PMC11164896 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63901-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: myocardin/MYOCD, MRTF-A/MRTFA, and MRTF-B/MRTFB) suppress production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) through sequestration of RelA in the NF-κB complex, but additional mechanisms are likely involved. The cGAS-STING pathway is activated by double-stranded DNA in the cytosolic compartment and acts through TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) to spark inflammation. The present study tested if MRTFs suppress inflammation also by targeting cGAS-STING signaling. Interrogation of a transcriptomic dataset where myocardin was overexpressed using a panel of 56 cGAS-STING cytokines showed the panel to be repressed. Moreover, MYOCD, MRTFA, and SRF associated negatively with the panel in human arteries. RT-qPCR in human bronchial SMCs showed that all MRTFs reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines on the panel. MRTFs diminished phosphorylation of TBK1, while STING phosphorylation was marginally affected. The TBK1 inhibitor amlexanox, but not the STING inhibitor H-151, reduced the anti-inflammatory effect of MRTF-A. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays supported binding between MRTF-A and TBK1 in SMCs. MRTFs thus appear to suppress cellular inflammation in part by acting on the kinase TBK1. This may defend SMCs against pro-inflammatory insults in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Bankell
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Li Liu
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Urology, Qingyuan Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, Guangdong, China
| | - Jennifer van der Horst
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas A Jepps
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Bengt-Olof Nilsson
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
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4
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Jin Y, Han X, Wang Y, Fan Z. METTL7A-mediated m6A modification of corin reverses bisphosphonates-impaired osteogenic differentiation of orofacial BMSCs. Int J Oral Sci 2024; 16:42. [PMID: 38782892 PMCID: PMC11116408 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-024-00303-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaw (BRONJ) is characterized by impaired osteogenic differentiation of orofacial bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Corin has recently been demonstrated to act as a key regulator in bone development and orthopedic disorders. However, the role of corin in BRONJ-related BMSCs dysfunction remains unclarified. A m6A epitranscriptomic microarray study from our group shows that the CORIN gene is significantly upregulated and m6A hypermethylated during orofacial BMSCs osteogenic differentiation. Corin knockdown inhibits BMSCs osteogenic differentiation, whereas corin overexpression or soluble corin (sCorin) exerts a promotion effect. Furthermore, corin expression is negatively regulated by bisphosphonates (BPs). Corin overexpression or sCorin reverses BPs-impaired BMSCs differentiation ability. Mechanistically, we find altered expression of phos-ERK in corin knockdown/overexpression BMSCs and BMSCs under sCorin stimulation. PD98059 (a selective ERK inhibitor) blocks the corin-mediated promotion effect. With regard to the high methylation level of corin during osteogenic differentiation, we apply a non-selective m6A methylase inhibitor, Cycloleucine, which also blocks the corin-mediated promotion effect. Furthermore, we demonstrate that METTL7A modulates corin m6A modification and reverses BPs-impaired BMSCs function, indicating that METTL7A regulates corin expression and thus contributes to orofacial BMSCs differentiation ability. To conclude, our study reveals that corin reverses BPs-induced BMSCs dysfunction, and METTL7A-mediated corin m6A modification underlies corin promotion of osteogenic differentiation via the ERK pathway. We hope this brings new insights into future clinical treatments for BRONJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuejun Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhipeng Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Tooth Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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5
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Wei G, Zhang X, Liu S, Hou W, Dai Z. Comprehensive data mining reveals RTK/RAS signaling pathway as a promoter of prostate cancer lineage plasticity through transcription factors and CNV. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11688. [PMID: 38778150 PMCID: PMC11111877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62256-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer lineage plasticity is a key driver in the transition to neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), and the RTK/RAS signaling pathway is a well-established cancer pathway. Nevertheless, the comprehensive link between the RTK/RAS signaling pathway and lineage plasticity has received limited investigation. In particular, the intricate regulatory network governing the interplay between RTK/RAS and lineage plasticity remains largely unexplored. The multi-omics data were clustered with the coefficient of argument and neighbor joining algorithm. Subsequently, the clustered results were analyzed utilizing the GSEA, gene sets related to stemness, multi-lineage state datasets, and canonical cancer pathway gene sets. Finally, a comprehensive exploration of the data based on the ssGSEA, WGCNA, GSEA, VIPER, prostate cancer scRNA-seq data, and the GPSAdb database was conducted. Among the six modules in the clustering results, there are 300 overlapping genes, including 3 previously unreported prostate cancer genes that were validated to be upregulated in prostate cancer through RT-qPCR. Function Module 6 shows a positive correlation with prostate cancer cell stemness, multi-lineage states, and the RTK/RAS signaling pathway. Additionally, the 19 leading-edge genes of the RTK/RAS signaling pathway promote prostate cancer lineage plasticity through a complex network of transcriptional regulation and copy number variations. In the transcriptional regulation network, TP63 and FOXO1 act as suppressors of prostate cancer lineage plasticity, whereas RORC exerts a promoting effect. This study provides a comprehensive perspective on the role of the RTK/RAS pathway in prostate cancer lineage plasticity and offers new clues for the treatment of NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanyun Wei
- Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, School of Life Sciences, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, China
| | - Siyuan Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wanxin Hou
- Research Center for Intelligent Information Technology, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zao Dai
- Research Center for Intelligent Information Technology, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
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6
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Pearce WJ. Mitochondrial influences on smooth muscle phenotype. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C442-C448. [PMID: 38009196 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00354.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells transition reversibly between contractile and noncontractile phenotypes in response to diverse influences, including many from mitochondria. Numerous molecules including myocardin, procontractile miRNAs, and the mitochondrial protein prohibitin-2 promote contractile differentiation; this is opposed by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), high lactate concentrations, and metabolic reprogramming induced by mitophagy and/or mitochondrial fission. A major pathway through which vascular pathologies such as oncogenic transformation, pulmonary hypertension, and atherosclerosis cause loss of vascular contractility is by enhancing mitophagy and mitochondrial fission with secondary effects on smooth muscle phenotype. Proproliferative miRNAs and the mitochondrial translocase TOMM40 also attenuate contractile differentiation. Hypoxia can initiate loss of contractility by enhancing mtROS and lactate production while simultaneously depressing mitochondrial respiration. Mitochondria can reduce cytosolic calcium by moving it across the inner mitochondrial membrane via the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, and then through mitochondria-associated membranes to and from calcium stores in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum. Through these effects on calcium, mitochondria can influence multiple calcium-sensitive nuclear transcription factors and genes, some of which govern smooth muscle phenotype, and possibly also the production of genomically encoded mitochondrial proteins and miRNAs (mitoMirs) that target the mitochondria. In turn, mitochondria also can influence nuclear transcription and mRNA processing through mitochondrial retrograde signaling, which is currently a topic of intensive investigation. Mitochondria also can signal to adjacent cells by contributing to the content of exosomes. Considering these and other mechanisms, it is becoming increasingly clear that mitochondria contribute significantly to the regulation of smooth muscle phenotype and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Pearce
- Department of Basic Sciences, Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, United States
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7
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Mann EA, Mogle MS, Park JS, Reddy P. Transcription factor Tcf21 modulates urinary bladder size and differentiation. Dev Growth Differ 2024; 66:106-118. [PMID: 38197329 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12906] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Urinary bladder organogenesis requires coordinated cell growth, specification, and patterning of both mesenchymal and epithelial compartments. Tcf21, a gene that encodes a helix-loop-helix transcription factor, is specifically expressed in the mesenchyme of the bladder during development. Here we show that Tcf21 is required for normal development of the bladder. We found that the bladders of mice lacking Tcf21 were notably hypoplastic and that the Tcf21 mutant mesenchyme showed increased apoptosis. There was also a marked delay in the formation of visceral smooth muscle, accompanied by a defect in myocardin (Myocd) expression. Interestingly, there was also a marked delay in the formation of the basal cell layer of the urothelium, distinguished by diminished expression of Krt5 and Krt14. Our findings suggest that Tcf21 regulates the survival and differentiation of mesenchyme cell-autonomously and the maturation of the adjacent urothelium non-cell-autonomously during bladder development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Mann
- Division of Pediatric Urology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Melissa S Mogle
- Division of Pediatric Urology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Joo-Seop Park
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- The Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Pramod Reddy
- Division of Pediatric Urology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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8
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Liu L, Arévalo-Martínez M, Rippe C, Johansson ME, Holmberg J, Albinsson S, Swärd K. Itga8-Cre-mediated deletion of YAP and TAZ impairs bladder contractility with minimal inflammation and chondrogenic differentiation. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C1485-C1501. [PMID: 37927241 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00270.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
A role of Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (TAZ) in vascular and gastrointestinal contractility due to control of myocardin (Myocd) expression, which in turn activates contractile genes, has been demonstrated. Whether this transcriptional hierarchy applies to the urinary bladder is unclear. We found that YAP/TAZ are expressed in human detrusor myocytes and therefore exploited the Itga8-CreERT2 model for the deletion of YAP/TAZ. Recombination occurred in detrusor, and YAP/TAZ transcripts were reduced by >75%. Bladder weights were increased (by ≈22%), but histology demonstrated minimal changes in the detrusor, while arteries in the mucosa were inflamed. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) using the detrusor demonstrated reductions of Myocd (-79 ± 18%) and serum response factor (Srf) along with contractile genes. In addition, the cholinergic receptor muscarinic 2 (Chrm2) and Chrm3 were suppressed (-80 ± 23% and -80 ± 10%), whereas minute increases of Il1b and Il6 were seen. Unlike YAP/TAZ-deficient arteries, SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 9 (Sox9) did not increase, and no chondrogenic differentiation was apparent. Reductions of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11 (Myh11), myosin light-chain kinase gene (Mylk), and Chrm3 were seen at the protein level. Beyond restraining the smooth muscle cell (SMC) program of gene expression, YAP/TAZ depletion silenced SMC-specific splicing, including exon 2a of Myocd. Reduced contractile differentiation was associated with weaker contraction in response to myosin phosphatase inhibition (-36%) and muscarinic activation (reduced by 53% at 0.3 µM carbachol). Finally, short-term overexpression of constitutively active YAP in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells increased myocardin (greater than eightfold) along with archetypal target genes, but contractile genes were unaffected or reduced. YAP and TAZ thus regulate myocardin expression in the detrusor, and this is important for SMC differentiation and splicing as well as for contractility.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study addresses the hypothesis that YAP and TAZ have an overarching role in the transcriptional hierarchy in the smooth muscle of the urinary bladder by controlling myocardin expression. Using smooth muscle-specific and inducible deletion of YAP and TAZ in adult mice, we find that YAP and TAZ control myocardin expression, contractile differentiation, smooth muscle-specific splicing, and bladder contractility. These effects are largely independent of inflammation and chondrogenic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Urology, Qingyuan People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, China
| | | | - Catarina Rippe
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin E Johansson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Holmberg
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Albinsson
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Arévalo Martínez M, Ritsvall O, Bastrup JA, Celik S, Jakobsson G, Daoud F, Winqvist C, Aspberg A, Rippe C, Maegdefessel L, Schiopu A, Jepps TA, Holmberg J, Swärd K, Albinsson S. Vascular smooth muscle-specific YAP/TAZ deletion triggers aneurysm development in mouse aorta. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e170845. [PMID: 37561588 PMCID: PMC10544211 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.170845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Inadequate adaption to mechanical forces, including blood pressure, contributes to development of arterial aneurysms. Recent studies have pointed to a mechanoprotective role of YAP and TAZ in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Here, we identified reduced expression of YAP1 in human aortic aneurysms. Vascular SMC-specific knockouts (KOs) of YAP/TAZ were thus generated using the integrin α8-Cre (Itga8-Cre) mouse model (i8-YT-KO). i8-YT-KO mice spontaneously developed aneurysms in the abdominal aorta within 2 weeks of KO induction and in smaller arteries at later times. The vascular specificity of Itga8-Cre circumvented gastrointestinal effects. Aortic aneurysms were characterized by elastin disarray, SMC apoptosis, and accumulation of proteoglycans and immune cell populations. RNA sequencing, proteomics, and myography demonstrated decreased contractile differentiation of SMCs and impaired vascular contractility. This associated with partial loss of myocardin expression, reduced blood pressure, and edema. Mediators in the inflammatory cGAS/STING pathway were increased. A sizeable increase in SOX9, along with several direct target genes, including aggrecan (Acan), contributed to proteoglycan accumulation. This was the earliest detectable change, occurring 3 days after KO induction and before the proinflammatory transition. In conclusion, Itga8-Cre deletion of YAP and TAZ represents a rapid and spontaneous aneurysm model that recapitulates features of human abdominal aortic aneurysms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olivia Ritsvall
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joakim Armstrong Bastrup
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Selvi Celik
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gabriel Jakobsson
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Fatima Daoud
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christopher Winqvist
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Aspberg
- Rheumatology and Molecular Skeletal Biology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, and
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar - Technical University Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandru Schiopu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital Lund, Lund, Sweden, and
- Nicolae Simionescu Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Thomas A. Jepps
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Holmberg
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Albinsson
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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10
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Zhou Y, Sharma S, Sun X, Guan X, Hou Y, Yang Z, Shi H, Zou MH, Song P, Zhou J, Wang S, Hu Z, Li C. SMYD2 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching and intimal hyperplasia via interaction with myocardin. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:264. [PMID: 37615725 PMCID: PMC11071988 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04883-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2 (SMYD2) is a histone lysine methyltransferase that has been reported to regulate carcinogenesis and inflammation. However, its role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) homeostasis and vascular diseases has not been determined. Here, we investigated the role of SMYD2 in VSMC phenotypic modulation and vascular intimal hyperplasia and elucidated the underlying mechanism. We observed that SMYD2 expression was downregulated in injured carotid arteries in mice and phenotypically modulated VSMCs in vitro. Using an SMC-specific SMYD2 knockout mouse model, we found that SMYD2 ablation in VSMCs exacerbated neointima formation after vascular injury in vivo. Conversely, SMYD2 overexpression inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro and attenuated arterial narrowing in injured vessels in mice. SMYD2 downregulation promoted VSMC phenotypic switching accompanied with enhanced proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, genome-wide transcriptome analysis and loss/gain-of-function studies revealed that SMYD2 up-regulated VSMC contractile gene expression and suppressed VSMC proliferation and migration, in part, by promoting expression and transactivation of the master transcription cofactor myocardin. In addition, myocardin directly interacted with SMYD2, thereby facilitating SMYD2 recruitment to the CArG regions of SMC contractile gene promoters and leading to an open chromatin status around SMC contractile gene promoters via SMYD2-mediated H3K4 methylation. Hence, we conclude that SMYD2 is a novel regulator of VSMC contractile phenotype and intimal hyperplasia via a myocardin-dependent epigenetic regulatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2nd Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Shaligram Sharma
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Guan
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Yuning Hou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
- Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hang Shi
- Department of Biology, Center for Obesity Reversal, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ming-Hui Zou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Ping Song
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Shenming Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2nd Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Zuojun Hu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2nd Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Chunying Li
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
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11
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He X, Dong K, Shen J, Hu G, Mintz JD, Atawia RT, Zhao J, Chen X, Caldwell RW, Xiang M, Stepp DW, Fulton DJ, Zhou J. The Long Noncoding RNA Cardiac Mesoderm Enhancer-Associated Noncoding RNA (Carmn) Is a Critical Regulator of Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Contractile Function and Motility. Gastroenterology 2023; 165:71-87. [PMID: 37030336 PMCID: PMC10330198 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.03.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Visceral smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are an integral component of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that regulate GI motility. SMC contraction is regulated by posttranslational signaling and the state of differentiation. Impaired SMC contraction is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, but the mechanisms regulating SMC-specific contractile gene expression, including the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), remain largely unexplored. Herein, we reveal a critical role of Carmn (cardiac mesoderm enhancer-associated noncoding RNA), an SMC-specific lncRNA, in regulating visceral SMC phenotype and contractility of the GI tract. METHODS Genotype-Tissue Expression and publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data sets from embryonic, adult human, and mouse GI tissues were interrogated to identify SMC-specific lncRNAs. The functional role of Carmn was investigated using novel green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock-in (KI) reporter/knock-out (KO) mice. Bulk RNA-seq and single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of colonic muscularis were used to investigate underlying mechanisms. RESULTS Unbiased in silico analyses and GFP expression patterns in Carmn GFP KI mice revealed that Carmn is highly expressed in GI SMCs in humans and mice. Premature lethality was observed in global Carmn KO and inducible SMC-specific KO mice due to GI pseudo-obstruction and severe distension of the GI tract, with dysmotility in cecum and colon segments. Histology, GI transit, and muscle myography analysis revealed severe dilation, significantly delayed GI transit, and impaired GI contractility in Carmn KO vs control mice. Bulk RNA-seq of GI muscularis revealed that loss of Carmn promotes SMC phenotypic switching, as evidenced by up-regulation of extracellular matrix genes and down-regulation of SMC contractile genes, including Mylk, a key regulator of SMC contraction. snRNA-seq further revealed SMC Carmn KO not only compromised myogenic motility by reducing contractile gene expression but also impaired neurogenic motility by disrupting cell-cell connectivity in the colonic muscularis. These findings may have translational significance, because silencing CARMN in human colonic SMCs significantly attenuated contractile gene expression, including MYLK, and decreased SMC contractility. Luciferase reporter assays showed that CARMN enhances the transactivation activity of the master regulator of SMC contractile phenotype, myocardin, thereby maintaining the GI SMC myogenic program. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that Carmn is indispensable for maintaining GI SMC contractile function in mice and that loss of function of CARMN may contribute to human visceral myopathy. To our knowledge this is the first study showing an essential role of lncRNA in the regulation of visceral SMC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqin He
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Kunzhe Dong
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Immunology Center of Georgia, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoqing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - James D Mintz
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Reem T Atawia
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Xiuxu Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Loyola University Health System, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Robert W Caldwell
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Meixiang Xiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - David W Stepp
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - David J Fulton
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia.
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12
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Zhou Y, Sharma S, Sun X, Guan X, Hou Y, Yang Z, Shi H, Zou MH, Song P, Zhou J, Wang S, Hu Z, Li C. SMYD2 Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching and Intimal Hyperplasia via Interaction with Myocardin. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2721176. [PMID: 37090651 PMCID: PMC10120764 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2721176/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
The SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2 (SMYD2) is a histone lysine methyltransferase that has been reported to regulate carcinogenesis and inflammation. However, its role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) homeostasis and vascular diseases has not been determined. Here, we investigated the role of SMYD2 in VSMC phenotypic modulation and vascular intimal hyperplasia and elucidated the underlying mechanism. We observed that SMYD2 expression was downregulated in injured carotid arteries in mice and phenotypically modulated VSMCs in vitro. Using a SMC-specific Smyd2 knockout mouse model, we found that Smyd2 ablation in VSMCs exacerbates neointima formation after vascular injury in vivo. Conversely, Smyd2 overexpression inhibits VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro and attenuates arterial narrowing in injured vessels in mice. Smyd2 downregulation promotes VSMC phenotypic switching accompanied with enhanced proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, genome-wide transcriptome analysis and loss/gain-of-function studies revealed that SMYD2 up-regulates VSMC contractile gene expression and suppresses VSMC proliferation and migration, in part, by promoting expression and transactivation of the master transcription cofactor myocardin. In addition, myocardin directly interacts with SMYD2, thereby facilitating SMYD2 recruitment to the CArG regions of SMC contractile gene promoters and leading to an open chromatin status around SMC contractile gene promoters via SMYD2-mediated H3K4 methylation. Hence, we conclude that SMYD2 is a novel regulator of VSMC contractile phenotype and intimal hyperplasia via a myocardin-dependent epigenetic regulatory mechanism and may be a potential therapeutic target for occlusive vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaligram Sharma
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Guan
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yuning Hou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hang Shi
- Center for Obesity Reversal, Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ming-Hui Zou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ping Song
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Shenming Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zuojun Hu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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13
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Wilson C, Zi M, Smith M, Hussain M, D’Souza A, Dobrzynski H, Boyett MR. Atrioventricular node dysfunction in pressure overload-induced heart failure—Involvement of the immune system and transcriptomic remodelling. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1083910. [PMID: 37081960 PMCID: PMC10110994 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1083910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure is associated with atrioventricular (AV) node dysfunction, and AV node dysfunction in the setting of heart failure is associated with an increased risk of mortality and heart failure hospitalisation. This study aims to understand the causes of AV node dysfunction in heart failure by studying changes in the whole nodal transcriptome. The mouse transverse aortic constriction model of pressure overload-induced heart failure was studied; functional changes were assessed using electrocardiography and echocardiography and the transcriptome of the AV node was quantified using RNAseq. Heart failure was associated with a significant increase in the PR interval, indicating a slowing of AV node conduction and AV node dysfunction, and significant changes in 3,077 transcripts (5.6% of the transcriptome). Many systems were affected: transcripts supporting AV node conduction were downregulated and there were changes in transcripts identified by GWAS as determinants of the PR interval. In addition, there was evidence of remodelling of the sarcomere, a shift from fatty acid to glucose metabolism, remodelling of the extracellular matrix, and remodelling of the transcription and translation machinery. There was evidence of the causes of this widespread remodelling of the AV node: evidence of dysregulation of multiple intracellular signalling pathways, dysregulation of 109 protein kinases and 148 transcription factors, and an immune response with a proliferation of neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages and B lymphocytes and a dysregulation of 40 cytokines. In conclusion, inflammation and a widespread transcriptional remodelling of the AV node underlies AV node dysfunction in heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Wilson
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Min Zi
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Smith
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Munir Hussain
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Alicia D’Souza
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Halina Dobrzynski
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- *Correspondence: Halina Dobrzynski, ; Mark R. Boyett,
| | - Mark R. Boyett
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Halina Dobrzynski, ; Mark R. Boyett,
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14
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Ravarotto V, Bertoldi G, Stefanelli LF, Nalesso F, Calò LA. Pathomechanism of oxidative stress in cardiovascularrenal remodeling and therapeutic strategies. Kidney Res Clin Pract 2022; 41:533-544. [PMID: 36239057 PMCID: PMC9576462 DOI: 10.23876/j.krcp.22.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease indicates significant interactions between pathogenic pathways operating in the kidney and heart. These interactions involve all cell types (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and others), components of the vasculature, glomeruli, and heart that are susceptible to oxidative damage and structural alterations. A vicious cycle occurs whereby harmful factors such as reactive oxygen species and inflammation damage of vascular structures that themselves become sources of additional dangerous/toxic components released into the local environment. The evidence of this vicious cycle in chronic kidney disease should therefore lead to add other factors to both traditional and nontraditional risk factors. This review will examine the processes occurring during progressive kidney dysfunction with regard to vascular injury, renal remodeling, cardiac hypertrophy, and the transversal role of oxidative stress in the development of these complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verdiana Ravarotto
- Division of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Department of Medicine (DIMED), School of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bertoldi
- Division of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Department of Medicine (DIMED), School of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Lucia Federica Stefanelli
- Division of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Department of Medicine (DIMED), School of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Federico Nalesso
- Division of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Department of Medicine (DIMED), School of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo A. Calò
- Division of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Department of Medicine (DIMED), School of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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15
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Lu BH, Liu HB, Guo SX, Zhang J, Li DX, Chen ZG, Lin F, Zhao GA. Long non-coding RNAs: Modulators of phenotypic transformation in vascular smooth muscle cells. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:959955. [PMID: 36093159 PMCID: PMC9458932 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.959955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) are longer than 200 nucleotides and cannot encode proteins but can regulate the expression of genes through epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional modifications. The pathophysiology of smooth muscle cells can lead to many vascular diseases, and studies have shown that lncRNAs can regulate the phenotypic conversion of smooth muscle cells so that smooth muscle cells proliferate, migrate, and undergo apoptosis, thereby affecting the development and prognosis of vascular diseases. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms of lncRNA as a signal, bait, stent, guide, and other functions to regulate the phenotypic conversion of vascular smooth muscle cells, and summarizes the role of lncRNAs in regulating vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis, hypertension, aortic dissection, vascular restenosis, and aneurysms, providing new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Han Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Life Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Injury and Repair Medicine of Henan, Weihui, China
| | - Hui-Bing Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Life Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Injury and Repair Medicine of Henan, Weihui, China
- Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Shu-Xun Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Life Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Injury and Repair Medicine of Henan, Weihui, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Life Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Injury and Repair Medicine of Henan, Weihui, China
| | - Dong-Xu Li
- Department of Cardiology, Life Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Injury and Repair Medicine of Henan, Weihui, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Life Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Injury and Repair Medicine of Henan, Weihui, China
| | - Fei Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Life Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Injury and Repair Medicine of Henan, Weihui, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Lin
| | - Guo-An Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Life Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Injury and Repair Medicine of Henan, Weihui, China
- Guo-An Zhao
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16
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Hulikova A, Park KC, Loonat AA, Gunadasa-Rohling M, Curtis MK, Chung YJ, Wilson A, Carr CA, Trafford AW, Fournier M, Moshnikova A, Andreev OA, Reshetnyak YK, Riley PR, Smart N, Milne TA, Crump NT, Swietach P. Alkaline nucleoplasm facilitates contractile gene expression in the mammalian heart. Basic Res Cardiol 2022; 117:17. [PMID: 35357563 PMCID: PMC8971196 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00924-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac contractile strength is recognised as being highly pH-sensitive, but less is known about the influence of pH on cardiac gene expression, which may become relevant in response to changes in myocardial metabolism or vascularization during development or disease. We sought evidence for pH-responsive cardiac genes, and a physiological context for this form of transcriptional regulation. pHLIP, a peptide-based reporter of acidity, revealed a non-uniform pH landscape in early-postnatal myocardium, dissipating in later life. pH-responsive differentially expressed genes (pH-DEGs) were identified by transcriptomics of neonatal cardiomyocytes cultured over a range of pH. Enrichment analysis indicated "striated muscle contraction" as a pH-responsive biological process. Label-free proteomics verified fifty-four pH-responsive gene-products, including contractile elements and the adaptor protein CRIP2. Using transcriptional assays, acidity was found to reduce p300/CBP acetylase activity and, its a functional readout, inhibit myocardin, a co-activator of cardiac gene expression. In cultured myocytes, acid-inhibition of p300/CBP reduced H3K27 acetylation, as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. H3K27ac levels were more strongly reduced at promoters of acid-downregulated DEGs, implicating an epigenetic mechanism of pH-sensitive gene expression. By tandem cytoplasmic/nuclear pH imaging, the cardiac nucleus was found to exercise a degree of control over its pH through Na+/H+ exchangers at the nuclear envelope. Thus, we describe how extracellular pH signals gain access to the nucleus and regulate the expression of a subset of cardiac genes, notably those coding for contractile proteins and CRIP2. Acting as a proxy of a well-perfused myocardium, alkaline conditions are permissive for expressing genes related to the contractile apparatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alzbeta Hulikova
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Kyung Chan Park
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Aminah A Loonat
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Mala Gunadasa-Rohling
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - M Kate Curtis
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Yu Jin Chung
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Abigail Wilson
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Carolyn A Carr
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Andrew W Trafford
- Unit of Cardiac Physiology, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Marjorie Fournier
- Department of Biochemistry, Advanced Proteomics Facility, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anna Moshnikova
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Oleg A Andreev
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Yana K Reshetnyak
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Paul R Riley
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Nicola Smart
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Thomas A Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas T Crump
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Pawel Swietach
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK.
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17
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Mangraviti N, De Windt LJ. Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cardiac Hypertrophy. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2022; 2:836418. [PMID: 39086960 PMCID: PMC11285587 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2022.836418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Heart disease represents one of the main challenges in modern medicine with insufficient treatment options. Whole genome sequencing allowed for the discovery of several classes of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) and widened our understanding of disease regulatory circuits. The intrinsic ability of long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) to regulate gene expression by a plethora of mechanisms make them candidates for conceptually new treatment options. However, important questions remain to be addressed before we can fully exploit the therapeutic potential of these molecules. Increasing our knowledge of their mechanisms of action and refining the approaches for modulating lncRNAs expression are just a few of the challenges we face. The accurate identification of novel lncRNAs is hampered by their relatively poor cross-species sequence conservation and their low and context-dependent expression pattern. Nevertheless, progress has been made in their annotation in recent years, while a few experimental studies have confirmed the value of lncRNAs as new mechanisms in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and other cardiovascular diseases. Here, we explore cardiac lncRNA biology and the evidence that this class of molecules has therapeutic benefit to treat cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leon J. De Windt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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18
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Increased Risk of Aortic Dissection with Perlecan Deficiency. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010315. [PMID: 35008739 PMCID: PMC8745340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Perlecan (HSPG2), a basement membrane-type heparan sulfate proteoglycan, has been implicated in the development of aortic tissue. However, its role in the development and maintenance of the aortic wall remains unknown. Perlecan-deficient mice (Hspg2−/−-Tg: Perl KO) have been found to show a high frequency (15–35%) of aortic dissection (AD). Herein, an analysis of the aortic wall of Perl KO mice revealed that perlecan deficiency caused thinner and partially torn elastic lamina. Compared to the control aortic tissue, perlecan-deficient aortic tissue showed a significant decrease in desmosine content and an increase in soluble tropoelastin levels, implying the presence of immature elastic fibers in Perl KO mice. Furthermore, the reduced expression of the smooth muscle cell contractile proteins actin and myosin in perlecan-deficient aortic tissue may explain the risk of AD. This study showed that a deficiency in perlecan, which is localized along the elastic lamina and at the interface between elastin and fibrillin-1, increased the risk of AD, largely due to the immaturity of extracellular matrix in the aortic tissue. Overall, we proposed a new model of AD that considers the deficiency of extracellular molecule perlecan as a risk factor.
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19
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Ren J, Miao D, Li Y, Gao R. Spotlight on Isl1: A Key Player in Cardiovascular Development and Diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:793605. [PMID: 34901033 PMCID: PMC8656156 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.793605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac transcription factors orchestrate a regulatory network controlling cardiovascular development. Isl1, a LIM-homeodomain transcription factor, acts as a key player in multiple organs during embryonic development. Its crucial roles in cardiovascular development have been elucidated by extensive studies, especially as a marker gene for the second heart field progenitors. Here, we summarize the roles of Isl1 in cardiovascular development and function, and outline its cellular and molecular modes of action, thus providing insights for the molecular basis of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ren
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Danxiu Miao
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Toxicology, College of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanshu Li
- Department of Toxicology, College of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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20
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Panagopoulos I, Gorunova L, Andersen K, Lund-Iversen M, Tafjord S, Micci F, Heim S. Fusion of the Paired Box 3 ( PAX3) and Myocardin ( MYOCD) Genes in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 18:723-734. [PMID: 34697065 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Fusions of the paired box 3 gene (PAX3 in 2q36) with different partners have been reported in rhabdomyosarcomas and biphenotypic sinonasal sarcomas. We herein report the myocardin (MYOCD on 17p12) gene as a novel PAX3-fusion partner in a pediatric tumor with adverse clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS A rhabdomyo-sarcoma found in a 10-year-old girl was studied using a range of genetic methodologies. RESULTS The karyotype of the tumor cells was 48,XX,add(2)(q11),+del(2)(q35),add(3)(q?25),-7, del(8)(p 21),-15, add(17)(p 11), + 20, +der(?) t(?; 15) (?;q15),+mar[8]/46,XX[2]. Fluorescence in situ hybridization detected PAX3 rearrangement whereas array comparative genomic hybridization revealed genomic imbalances affecting hundreds of genes, including MYCN, MYC, FOXO3, and the tumor suppressor gene TP53. A PAX3-MYOCD fusion transcript was found by RNA sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. CONCLUSION The investigated rhabdomyosarcoma carried a novel PAX3-MYOCD fusion gene and extensive additional aberrations affecting the allelic balance of many genes, among them TP53 and members of MYC and FOXO families of transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Panagopoulos
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
| | - Ludmila Gorunova
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin Andersen
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marius Lund-Iversen
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Svetlana Tafjord
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Francesca Micci
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sverre Heim
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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21
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Liu L, Bankell E, Rippe C, Morén B, Stenkula KG, Nilsson BO, Swärd K. Cell Type Dependent Suppression of Inflammatory Mediators by Myocardin Related Transcription Factors. Front Physiol 2021; 12:732564. [PMID: 34671275 PMCID: PMC8521029 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.732564] [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: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardin related transcription factors (MRTFs: MYOCD/myocardin, MRTF-A, and MRTF-B) play a key role in smooth muscle cell differentiation by activating contractile genes. In atherosclerosis, MRTF levels change, and most notable is a fall of MYOCD. Previous work described anti-inflammatory properties of MRTF-A and MYOCD, occurring through RelA binding, suggesting that MYOCD reduction could contribute to vascular inflammation. Recent studies have muddled this picture showing that MRTFs may show both anti- and pro-inflammatory properties, but the basis of these discrepancies remain unclear. Moreover, the impact of MRTFs on inflammatory signaling pathways in tissues relevant to human arterial disease is uncertain. The current work aimed to address these issues. RNA-sequencing after forced expression of myocardin in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (hCASMCs) showed reduction of pro-inflammatory transcripts, including CCL2, CXCL8, IL6, and IL1B. Side-by-side comparison of MYOCD, MRTF-A, and MRTF-B in hCASMCs, showed that the anti-inflammatory impact was shared among MRTFs. Correlation analyses using human arterial transcriptomic datasets revealed negative correlations between MYOCD, MRTFA, and SRF, on the one hand, and the inflammatory transcripts, on the other. A pro-inflammatory drive from lipopolysaccharide, did not change the size of the suppressive effect of MRTF-A in hCASMCs on either mRNA or protein levels. To examine cell type-dependence, we compared the anti-inflammatory impact in hCASMCs, with that in human bladder SMCs, in endothelial cells, and in monocytes (THP-1 cells). Surprisingly, little anti-inflammatory activity was seen in endothelial cells and monocytes, and in bladder SMCs, MRTF-A was pro-inflammatory. CXCL8, IL6, and IL1B were increased by the MRTF-SRF inhibitor CCG-1423 and by MRTF-A silencing in hCASMCs, but depolymerization of actin, known to inhibit MRTF activity, had no stimulatory effect, an exception being IL1B. Co-immunoprecipitation supported binding of MRTF-A to RelA, supporting sequestration of this important pro-inflammatory mediator as a mechanism. Dexamethasone treatment and silencing of RelA (by 76 ± 1%) however only eliminated a fraction of the MRTF-A effect (≈25%), suggesting mechanisms beyond RelA binding. Indeed, SRF silencing suggested that MRTF-A suppression of IL1B and CXCL8 depends on SRF. This work thus supports an anti-inflammatory impact of MRTF-SRF signaling in hCASMCs and in intact human arteries, but not in several other cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Urology, Qingyuan People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, China
| | | | - Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Morén
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | - Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
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22
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H3K4 di-methylation governs smooth muscle lineage identity and promotes vascular homeostasis by restraining plasticity. Dev Cell 2021; 56:2765-2782.e10. [PMID: 34582749 PMCID: PMC8567421 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the regulation of cell differentiation and function. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are specialized contractile cells that retain phenotypic plasticity even after differentiation. Here, by performing selective demethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 di-methylation (H3K4me2) at SMC-specific genes, we uncovered that H3K4me2 governs SMC lineage identity. Removal of H3K4me2 via selective editing in cultured vascular SMCs and in murine arterial vasculature led to loss of differentiation and reduced contractility due to impaired recruitment of the DNA methylcytosine dioxygenase TET2. H3K4me2 editing altered SMC adaptative capacities during vascular remodeling due to loss of miR-145 expression. Finally, H3K4me2 editing induced a profound alteration of SMC lineage identity by redistributing H3K4me2 toward genes associated with stemness and developmental programs, thus exacerbating plasticity. Our studies identify the H3K4me2-TET2-miR145 axis as a central epigenetic memory mechanism controlling cell identity and function, whose alteration could contribute to various pathophysiological processes.
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23
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Du C, Chen X, Su Q, Lu W, Wang Q, Yuan H, Zhang Z, Wang X, Wu H, Qi Y. The Function of SUMOylation and Its Critical Roles in Cardiovascular Diseases and Potential Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10618. [PMID: 34638970 PMCID: PMC8509021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common disease caused by many factors, including atherosclerosis, congenital heart disease, heart failure, and ischemic cardiomyopathy. CVD has been regarded as one of the most common diseases and has a severe impact on the life quality of patients. The main features of CVD include high morbidity and mortality, which seriously threaten human health. SUMO proteins covalently conjugate lysine residues with a large number of substrate proteins, and SUMOylation regulates the function of target proteins and participates in cellular activities. Under certain pathological conditions, SUMOylation of proteins related to cardiovascular development and function are greatly changed. Numerous studies have suggested that SUMOylation of substrates plays critical roles in normal cardiovascular development and function. We reviewed the research progress of SUMOylation in cardiovascular development and function, and the regulation of protein SUMOylation may be applied as a potential therapeutic strategy for CVD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Du
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (C.D.); (X.C.); (Q.S.); (W.L.); (Q.W.); (H.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xu Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (C.D.); (X.C.); (Q.S.); (W.L.); (Q.W.); (H.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Qi Su
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (C.D.); (X.C.); (Q.S.); (W.L.); (Q.W.); (H.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Wenbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (C.D.); (X.C.); (Q.S.); (W.L.); (Q.W.); (H.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Qiqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (C.D.); (X.C.); (Q.S.); (W.L.); (Q.W.); (H.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Hong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (C.D.); (X.C.); (Q.S.); (W.L.); (Q.W.); (H.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhenzhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (C.D.); (X.C.); (Q.S.); (W.L.); (Q.W.); (H.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 246011, China;
| | - Hongmei Wu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (C.D.); (X.C.); (Q.S.); (W.L.); (Q.W.); (H.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Yitao Qi
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (C.D.); (X.C.); (Q.S.); (W.L.); (Q.W.); (H.Y.); (Z.Z.)
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24
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Liu L, Rippe C, Hansson O, Kryvokhyzha D, Fisher S, Ekman M, Swärd K. Regulation of the Muscarinic M 3 Receptor by Myocardin-Related Transcription Factors. Front Physiol 2021; 12:710968. [PMID: 34539433 PMCID: PMC8446542 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.710968] [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: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: myocardin/MYOCD, MRTF-A/MRTFA, and MRTF-B/MRTFB) are co-factors of serum response factor (SRF) that activate the smooth muscle cell (SMC) gene program and that play roles in cardiovascular development and mechanobiology. Gain and loss of function experiments have defined the SMC gene program under control of MRTFs, yet full understanding of their impact is lacking. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the muscarinic M3 receptor (CHRM3) is regulated by MRTFs together with SRF. Forced expression of MYOCD (8d) in human coronary artery (SMC) followed by RNA-sequencing showed increased levels of M2, M3, and M5 receptors (CHRM2: 2-fold, CHRM3: 16-fold, and CHRM5: 2-fold). The effect of MYOCD on M3 was confirmed by RT-qPCR using both coronary artery and urinary bladder SMCs, and correlation analyses using human transcriptomic datasets suggested that M3 may also be regulated by MRTF-B. Head-to-head comparisons of MYOCD, MRTF-A and MRTF-B, argued that while all MRTFs are effective, MRTF-B is the most powerful transactivator of CHRM3, causing a 600-fold increase at 120h. Accordingly, MRTF-B conferred responsiveness to the muscarinic agonist carbachol in Ca2+ imaging experiments. M3 was suppressed on treatment with the MRTF-SRF inhibitor CCG-1423 using SMCs transduced with either MRTF-A or MRTF-B and using intact mouse esophagus in culture (by 92±2%). Moreover, silencing of SRF with a short hairpin reduced CHRM3 (by >60%) in parallel with α-actin (ACTA2). Tamoxifen inducible knockout of Srf in smooth muscle reduced Srf (by 54±4%) and Chrm3 (by 41±6%) in the urinary bladder at 10days, but Srf was much less reduced or unchanged in aorta, ileum, colon, trachea, and esophagus. Longer induction (21d) further accentuated the reduction of Chrm3 in the bladder and ileum, but no change was seen in the aorta. Single cell RNA-sequencing revealed that Mrtfb dominates in ECs, while Myocd dominates in SMCs, raising the possibility that Chrm3 may be driven by Mrtfb-Srf in the endothelium and by Myocd-Srf in SMCs. These findings define a novel transcriptional control mechanism for muscarinic M3 receptors in human cells, and in mice, that could be targeted for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Urology, Qingyuan People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, China
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ola Hansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Malmö, Sweden.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dmytro Kryvokhyzha
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Steven Fisher
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology) and Physiology and Biophysics, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mari Ekman
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
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25
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Detection of Novel Potential Regulators of Stem Cell Differentiation and Cardiogenesis through Combined Genome-Wide Profiling of Protein-Coding Transcripts and microRNAs. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092477. [PMID: 34572125 PMCID: PMC8469649 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092477] [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: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provides a convenient basis for the study of microRNA-based gene regulation that is relevant for early cardiogenic processes. However, to which degree insights gained from in vitro differentiation models can be readily transferred to the in vivo system remains unclear. In this study, we profiled simultaneous genome-wide measurements of mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) of differentiating murine ESCs (mESCs) and integrated putative miRNA-gene interactions to assess miRNA-driven gene regulation. To identify interactions conserved between in vivo and in vitro, we combined our analysis with a recent transcriptomic study of early murine heart development in vivo. We detected over 200 putative miRNA-mRNA interactions with conserved expression patterns that were indicative of gene regulation across the in vitro and in vivo studies. A substantial proportion of candidate interactions have been already linked to cardiogenesis, supporting the validity of our approach. Notably, we also detected miRNAs with expression patterns that closely resembled those of key developmental transcription factors. The approach taken in this study enabled the identification of miRNA interactions in in vitro models with potential relevance for early cardiogenic development. Such comparative approaches will be important for the faithful application of stem cells in cardiovascular research.
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26
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Adams E, McCloy R, Jordan A, Falconer K, Dykes IM. Direct Reprogramming of Cardiac Fibroblasts to Repair the Injured Heart. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:72. [PMID: 34206355 PMCID: PMC8306371 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8070072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Those that survive acute myocardial infarction are at significant risk of subsequent heart failure due to fibrotic remodelling of the infarcted myocardium. By applying knowledge from the study of embryonic cardiovascular development, modern medicine offers hope for treatment of this condition through regeneration of the myocardium by direct reprogramming of fibrotic scar tissue. Here, we will review mechanisms of cell fate specification leading to the generation of cardiovascular cell types in the embryo and use this as a framework in which to understand direct reprogramming. Driving expression of a network of transcription factors, micro RNA or small molecule epigenetic modifiers can reverse epigenetic silencing, reverting differentiated cells to a state of induced pluripotency. The pluripotent state can be bypassed by direct reprogramming in which one differentiated cell type can be transdifferentiated into another. Transdifferentiating cardiac fibroblasts to cardiomyocytes requires a network of transcription factors similar to that observed in embryonic multipotent cardiac progenitors. There is some flexibility in the composition of this network. These studies raise the possibility that the failing heart could one day be regenerated by directly reprogramming cardiac fibroblasts within post-infarct scar tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Adams
- Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (E.A.); (R.M.); (A.J.); (K.F.)
| | - Rachel McCloy
- Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (E.A.); (R.M.); (A.J.); (K.F.)
| | - Ashley Jordan
- Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (E.A.); (R.M.); (A.J.); (K.F.)
| | - Kaitlin Falconer
- Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (E.A.); (R.M.); (A.J.); (K.F.)
| | - Iain M. Dykes
- Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (E.A.); (R.M.); (A.J.); (K.F.)
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
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27
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Dai ZT, Xiang Y, Duan YY, Wang J, Li JP, Zhang HM, Cheng C, Wang Q, Zhang TC, Liao XH. MiR-17-5p and MKL-1 modulate stem cell characteristics of gastric cancer cells. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:2278-2293. [PMID: 34239355 PMCID: PMC8241736 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.57338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Effectively targeting cancer stem cells to treat cancer has great therapeutic prospects. However, the effect of microRNA miR-17/MKL-1 on gastric cancer stem cells has not been studied yet. This study preliminarily explored the mechanism of miR-17/MKL-1 in gastric cancer stem cells. Many previous reports have indicated that microRNA and EMT regulated cancer stem cell characteristics, and miR-17 and MKL-1 were involved as a critical gene in migration and invasion in the EMT pathway. Through RT-PCR, Western Blot, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, sphere formation xenograft tumor assays and drug resistance, the role of miR-17-5p and MKL-1 on promoting stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer were verified in vivo and vitro. Next, MKL-1 targets CD44, EpCAM, and miR -17-5p promoter verified by luciferase assay and ChIP. Besides, the TCGA database analysis found that both miR-17-5p and MKL-1 increased in gastric cancer, and the prognostic survival of the MKL-1 high expression group was reduced. It is found that MKL-1 promotes expression by targeting miR-17, CD44 and EpCAM promoters. Besides, the TCGA database analysis found that both miR-17-5p and MKL-1 increased in gastric cancer, and the prognostic survival of the MKL-1 high expression group was reduced. These findings reveal new regulatory signaling pathways for gastric cancer stem cells, thus it give new insights on potential early diagnosis and/or molecular therapy for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou-Tong Dai
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Hubei, 430081, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Xiang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei, 430014, P.R. China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Duan
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Hubei, 430081, P.R. China
| | - Jun Wang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Hubei, 430081, P.R. China
| | - Jia Peng Li
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Hubei, 430081, P.R. China
| | - Hui-Min Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Hubei, 430081, P.R. China
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Hubei, 430081, P.R. China
| | - Tong-Cun Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Hubei, 430081, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tinajin, 300457, P.R. China
| | - Xing-Hua Liao
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Hubei, 430081, P.R. China
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28
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Long-term prognostic value of myocardin expression levels in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Heart Vessels 2021; 36:1841-1847. [PMID: 33983455 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-021-01869-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The mortality of patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) remains substantial. We evaluated gene expression levels of myocardin, an early cardiac gene, in the peripheral blood cells of NIDCM patients as a prognostic biomarker in their long-term outcome and mortality from congestive HF (CHF). We retrospectively analyzed 101 consecutives optimally treated NIDCM patients of Cretan origin who were enrolled from the HF clinic of our hospital from November 2005 to December 2008. Our patient data were either taken from their medical files or recorded during visits to the HF unit or hospitalizations. Follow-up was carried out by telephone interview and by accessing information from general practitioners and cardiologists in private practice. The median follow-up period was 8 years (mean follow-up 7 ± 3.4 years). The overall mortality during follow-up was 61.4%, while mortality due to congestive heart failure (CHF) was 49.5%. Higher CHF and all-cause mortality were observed in patients with myocardin levels < 14.26 (p < 0.001 for both CHF and all-cause mortality). A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that myocardin level of expression had independent significant prognostic value for the risk of death from CHF (HR 14.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.3-39) in those patients. Peripheral blood cells gene expression of myocardin, an early myocardial marker, may serve as prognostic biomarkers of the long-term outcome of patients with NIDCM. Our findings open new prospects in the risk stratification of these patients.
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Purine-rich element binding protein B attenuates the coactivator function of myocardin by a novel molecular mechanism of smooth muscle gene repression. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:2899-2916. [PMID: 33743134 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04117-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Myocardin is a potent transcriptional coactivator protein, which functions as the master regulator of vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation. The cofactor activity of myocardin is mediated by its physical interaction with serum response factor, a ubiquitously expressed transactivator that binds to CArG boxes in genes encoding smooth muscle-restricted proteins. Purine-rich element binding protein B (Purβ) represses the transcription of the smooth muscle α-actin gene (Acta2) in fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells by interacting with single-stranded DNA sequences flanking two 5' CArG boxes in the Acta2 promoter. In this study, the ability of Purβ to modulate the cofactor activity of myocardin was investigated using a combination of cellular and biochemical approaches. Results of smooth muscle gene promoter-reporter assays indicated that Purβ specifically inhibits the coactivator function of myocardin in a manner requiring the presence of all three single-stranded DNA binding domains in the Purβ homodimer. DNA binding analyses demonstrated that Purβ interacts with CArG-containing DNA elements with a much lower affinity compared to other purine-rich target sequences present in the Acta2 promoter. Co-immunoprecipitation and DNA pull-down assays revealed that Purβ associates with myocardin and serum response factor when free or bound to duplex DNA containing one or more CArG boxes. Functional analysis of engineered Purβ point mutants identified several amino acid residues essential for suppression of myocardin activity. Collectively, these findings suggest an inhibitory mechanism involving direct protein-protein interaction between the homodimeric Purβ repressor and the myocardin-serum response factor-CArG complex.
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30
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Rippe C, Morén B, Liu L, Stenkula KG, Mustaniemi J, Wennström M, Swärd K. NG2/CSPG4, CD146/MCAM and VAP1/AOC3 are regulated by myocardin-related transcription factors in smooth muscle cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5955. [PMID: 33727640 PMCID: PMC7966398 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85335-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The present work addressed the hypothesis that NG2/CSPG4, CD146/MCAM, and VAP1/AOC3 are target genes of myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: myocardin/MYOCD, MRTF-A/MKL1, MRTF-B/MKL2) and serum response factor (SRF). Using a bioinformatics approach, we found that CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 correlate with MYOCD, MRTF-A/MKL1, and SRF across human tissues. No other transcription factor correlated as strongly with these transcripts as SRF. Overexpression of MRTFs increased both mRNA and protein levels of CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 in cultured human smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Imaging confirmed increased staining for CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 in MRTF-A/MKL1-transduced cells. MRTFs exert their effects through SRF, and the MCAM and AOC3 gene loci contained binding sites for SRF. SRF silencing reduced the transcript levels of these genes, and time-courses of induction paralleled the direct target ACTA2. MRTF-A/MKL1 increased the activity of promoter reporters for MCAM and AOC3, and transcriptional activation further depended on the chromatin remodeling enzyme KDM3A. CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 responded to the MRTF-SRF inhibitor CCG-1423, to actin dynamics, and to ternary complex factors. Coincidental detection of these proteins should reflect MRTF-SRF activity, and beyond SMCs, we observed co-expression of CD146/MCAM, NG2/CSPG4, and VAP1/AOC3 in pericytes and endothelial cells in the human brain. This work identifies highly responsive vascular target genes of MRTF-SRF signaling that are regulated via a mechanism involving KDM3A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Morén
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Urology, Qingyuan People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, China
| | - Karin G Stenkula
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Mustaniemi
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Wennström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
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Dhagia V, Kitagawa A, Jacob C, Zheng C, D'Alessandro A, Edwards JG, Rocic P, Gupte R, Gupte SA. G6PD activity contributes to the regulation of histone acetylation and gene expression in smooth muscle cells and to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021; 320:H999-H1016. [PMID: 33416454 PMCID: PMC7988761 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00488.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to determine 1) the mechanism(s) that enables glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) to regulate serum response factor (SRF)- and myocardin (MYOCD)-driven smooth muscle cell (SMC)-restricted gene expression, a process that aids in the differentiation of SMCs, and 2) whether G6PD-mediated metabolic reprogramming contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Inhibition of G6PD activity increased (>30%) expression of SMC-restricted genes and concurrently decreased (40%) the growth of human and rat SMCs ex vivo. Expression of SMC-restricted genes decreased (>100-fold) across successive passages in primary cultures of SMCs isolated from mouse aorta. G6PD inhibition increased Myh11 (47%) while decreasing (>50%) Sca-1, a stem cell marker, in cells passaged seven times. Similarly, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated expression of the loss-of-function Mediterranean variant of G6PD (S188F; G6PDS188F) in rats promoted transcription of SMC-restricted genes. G6PD knockdown or inhibition decreased (48.5%) histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, enriched (by 3-fold) H3K27ac on the Myocd promoter, and increased Myocd and Myh11 expression. Interestingly, G6PD activity was significantly higher in aortas from JCR rats with MetS than control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Treating JCR rats with epiandrosterone (30 mg/kg/day), a G6PD inhibitor, increased expression of SMC-restricted genes, suppressed Serpine1 and Epha4, and reduced blood pressure. Moreover, feeding SD control (littermates) and G6PDS188F rats a high-fat diet for 4 mo increased Serpine1 and Epha4 expression and mean arterial pressure in SD but not G6PDS188F rats. Our findings demonstrate that G6PD downregulates transcription of SMC-restricted genes through HDAC-dependent deacetylation and potentially augments the severity of vascular diseases associated with MetS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study gives detailed mechanistic insight about the regulation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype by metabolic reprogramming and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We demonstrate that G6PD controls the chromatin modifications by regulating histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, which deacetylates histone 3-lysine 9 and 27. Notably, inhibition of G6PD decreases HDAC activity and enriches H3K27ac on myocardin gene promoter to enhance the expression of SMC-restricted genes. Also, we demonstrate for the first time that G6PD inhibitor treatment accentuates metabolic and transcriptomic reprogramming to reduce neointimal formation in coronary artery and large artery elastance in metabolic syndrome rats.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylation
- Animals
- Cell Line
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/genetics
- Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/metabolism
- Hemodynamics
- Histones/metabolism
- Humans
- Male
- Metabolic Syndrome/enzymology
- Metabolic Syndrome/genetics
- Metabolic Syndrome/pathology
- Metabolic Syndrome/physiopathology
- Mice, Transgenic
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/enzymology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiopathology
- Mutation
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/enzymology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Myosin Heavy Chains/genetics
- Myosin Heavy Chains/metabolism
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Serum Response Factor/genetics
- Serum Response Factor/metabolism
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Vascular Remodeling
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidhi Dhagia
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Atsushi Kitagawa
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Christina Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Connie Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - John G Edwards
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Petra Rocic
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Rakhee Gupte
- Raadysan Biotech., Incorporated, Fishkill, New York
| | - Sachin A Gupte
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
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32
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Vacante F, Rodor J, Lalwani MK, Mahmoud AD, Bennett M, De Pace AL, Miller E, Van Kuijk K, de Bruijn J, Gijbels M, Williams TC, Clark MB, Scanlon JP, Doran AC, Montgomery R, Newby DE, Giacca M, O'Carroll D, Hadoke PWF, Denby L, Sluimer JC, Baker AH. CARMN Loss Regulates Smooth Muscle Cells and Accelerates Atherosclerosis in Mice. Circ Res 2021; 128:1258-1275. [PMID: 33622045 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.318688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Vacante
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Julie Rodor
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Mukesh K Lalwani
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Amira D Mahmoud
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Matthew Bennett
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Azzurra L De Pace
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Centre for Regenerative Medicine (A.D.P., D.O.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Eileen Miller
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Kim Van Kuijk
- Pathology, Maastricht Medical Center, the Netherlands (K.V.K., J.d., J.C.S., A.H.B.)
| | - Jenny de Bruijn
- Pathology, Maastricht Medical Center, the Netherlands (K.V.K., J.d., J.C.S., A.H.B.)
| | - Marion Gijbels
- Pathology CARIM, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, the Netherlands (M. Gijbels)
| | - Thomas C Williams
- Insitute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (T.C.W.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Michael B Clark
- Centre for Stem Cell Systems, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Australia (M.B.C.)
| | - Jessica P Scanlon
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Amanda C Doran
- Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (A.C.D)
| | | | - David E Newby
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands (M. Gijbels).,King's College London, England (M. Giacca)
| | - Dónal O'Carroll
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Centre for Regenerative Medicine (A.D.P., D.O.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Patrick W F Hadoke
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Laura Denby
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Judith C Sluimer
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland.,Pathology, Maastricht Medical Center, the Netherlands (K.V.K., J.d., J.C.S., A.H.B.)
| | - Andrew H Baker
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (F.V., J.R., M.K.L., A.D.M., M.B., E.M., J.P.S., D.E.N., P.W.F.H., L.D., J.C.S., A.H.B.), University of Edinburgh, Scotland.,Pathology, Maastricht Medical Center, the Netherlands (K.V.K., J.d., J.C.S., A.H.B.)
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Zheng JP, He X, Liu F, Yin S, Wu S, Yang M, Zhao J, Dai X, Jiang H, Yu L, Yin Q, Ju D, Li C, Lipovich L, Xie Y, Zhang K, Li HJ, Zhou J, Li L. YY1 directly interacts with myocardin to repress the triad myocardin/SRF/CArG box-mediated smooth muscle gene transcription during smooth muscle phenotypic modulation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21781. [PMID: 33311559 PMCID: PMC7732823 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78544-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Yin Yang 1 (YY1) regulates gene transcription in a variety of biological processes. In this study, we aim to determine the role of YY1 in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic modulation both in vivo and in vitro. Here we show that vascular injury in rodent carotid arteries induces YY1 expression along with reduced expression of smooth muscle differentiation markers in the carotids. Consistent with this finding, YY1 expression is induced in differentiated VSMCs in response to serum stimulation. To determine the underlying molecular mechanisms, we found that YY1 suppresses the transcription of CArG box-dependent SMC-specific genes including SM22α, SMα-actin and SMMHC. Interestingly, YY1 suppresses the transcriptional activity of the SM22α promoter by hindering the binding of serum response factor (SRF) to the proximal CArG box. YY1 also suppresses the transcription and the transactivation of myocardin (MYOCD), a master regulator for SMC-specific gene transcription by binding to SRF to form the MYOCD/SRF/CArG box triad (known as the ternary complex). Mechanistically, YY1 directly interacts with MYOCD to competitively displace MYOCD from SRF. This is the first evidence showing that YY1 inhibits SMC differentiation by directly targeting MYOCD. These findings provide new mechanistic insights into the regulatory mechanisms that govern SMC phenotypic modulation in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Pu Zheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Xiangqin He
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Shuping Yin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Shichao Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Maozhou Yang
- Bone and Joint Center, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Jiawei Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Xiaohua Dai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Luyi Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Qin Yin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Donghong Ju
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Claire Li
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Leonard Lipovich
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
| | - Youming Xie
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Kezhong Zhang
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hui J Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
| | - Li Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wayne State University, 421 E. Canfield Ave. #2146, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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34
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Aalkjær C, Nilsson H, De Mey JGR. Sympathetic and Sensory-Motor Nerves in Peripheral Small Arteries. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:495-544. [PMID: 33270533 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00007.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Small arteries, which play important roles in controlling blood flow, blood pressure, and capillary pressure, are under nervous influence. Their innervation is predominantly sympathetic and sensory motor in nature, and while some arteries are densely innervated, others are only sparsely so. Innervation of small arteries is a key mechanism in regulating vascular resistance. In the second half of the previous century, the physiology and pharmacology of this innervation were very actively investigated. In the past 10-20 yr, the activity in this field was more limited. With this review we highlight what has been learned during recent years with respect to development of small arteries and their innervation, some aspects of excitation-release coupling, interaction between sympathetic and sensory-motor nerves, cross talk between endothelium and vascular nerves, and some aspects of their role in vascular inflammation and hypertension. We also highlight what remains to be investigated to further increase our understanding of this fundamental aspect of vascular physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Holger Nilsson
- Department Physiology, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jo G R De Mey
- Deptartment Pharmacology and Personalized Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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35
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Daoud F, Holmberg J, Alajbegovic A, Grossi M, Rippe C, Swärd K, Albinsson S. Inducible Deletion of YAP and TAZ in Adult Mouse Smooth Muscle Causes Rapid and Lethal Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 11:623-637. [PMID: 32992050 PMCID: PMC7806867 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS YAP (Yap1) and TAZ (Wwtr1) are transcriptional co-activators and downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway, which play crucial roles in organ size control and cancer pathogenesis. Genetic deletion of YAP/TAZ has shown their critical importance for embryonic development of the heart, vasculature, and gastrointestinal mesenchyme. The aim of this study was to determine the functional role of YAP/TAZ in adult smooth muscle cells in vivo. METHODS Because YAP and TAZ are mutually redundant, we used YAP/TAZ double-floxed mice crossed with mice that express tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 recombinase driven by the smooth muscle-specific myosin heavy chain promoter. RESULTS Double-knockout of YAP/TAZ in adult smooth muscle causes lethality within 2 weeks, mainly owing to colonic pseudo-obstruction, characterized by severe distension and fecal impaction. RNA sequencing in colon and urinary bladder showed that smooth muscle markers and muscarinic receptors were down-regulated in the YAP/TAZ knockout. The same transcripts also correlated with YAP/TAZ in the human colon. Myograph experiments showed reduced contractility to depolarization by potassium chloride and a nearly abolished muscarinic contraction and spontaneous activity in colon rings of YAP/TAZ knockout. CONCLUSIONS YAP and TAZ in smooth muscle are guardians of colonic contractility and control expression of contractile proteins and muscarinic receptors. The knockout model has features of human chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and may be useful for studying this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sebastian Albinsson
- Correspondence Address correspondence to: Sebastian Albinsson, PhD, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC D12, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden.
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36
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Chen B, Yuan Y, Sun L, Chen J, Yang M, Yin Y, Xu Y. MKL1 Mediates TGF-β Induced RhoJ Transcription to Promote Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:832. [PMID: 32984327 PMCID: PMC7478007 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential regulation of gene transcription contributes to cancer metastasis. We investigated the involvement of a Rho GTPase (RhoJ) in breast cancer metastasis focusing on the mechanism underlying RhoJ trans-activation by pro-metastatic cues. We report that expression of RhoJ was up-regulated in malignant breast cancer cells compared to more benign ones. Higher RhoJ expression was also detected in human breast cancer biopsy specimens of advanced stages. RhoJ depletion attenuated breast cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. The pro-metastatic stimulus TGF-β activated RhoJ via megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1). MKL1 interacted with and was recruited by ETS-related gene 1 (ERG1) to the RhoJ promoter to activate transcription. In conclusion, our data delineate a novel transcriptional pathway that contributes to breast cancer metastasis. Targeting the ERG1-MKL1-RhoJ axis may be considered as a reasonable approach to treat malignant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysioloy and Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yibiao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysioloy and Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, College of Life and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Junliang Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Mengzhu Yang
- Department of Oncology, First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongmei Yin
- Department of Oncology, First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysioloy and Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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37
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Zhuge Y, Zhang J, Qian F, Wen Z, Niu C, Xu K, Ji H, Rong X, Chu M, Jia C. Role of smooth muscle cells in Cardiovascular Disease. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:2741-2751. [PMID: 33110393 PMCID: PMC7586427 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.49871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Normally, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are localized in the tunica media of the vasculature, where they take responsibility for vascular contraction and extracellular matrix (ECM) generation. SMCs also play a significant role in obedience and elastic rebound of the artery in response to the haemodynamic condition. However, under pathological or stressed conditions, phenotype switching from contractile to synthetic state or other cell types will occur in SMCs to positively or negatively contribute to disease progression. Various studies demonstrated that functional changes of SMCs are implicated in several cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we present the function of vascular SMCs (VSMCs) and the involved molecular mechanisms about phenotype switching, and summarize the roles of SMCs in atherosclerosis, hypertension, arterial aneurysms and myocardial infarction, hoping to obtain potential therapeutic targets against cardiovascular disease in the clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzhi Zhuge
- Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.,Children's Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.,Children's Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Fanyu Qian
- Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.,Children's Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Zhengwang Wen
- Children's Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Chao Niu
- Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.,Children's Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Ke Xu
- The Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Ji
- The Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xing Rong
- Children's Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Maoping Chu
- Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.,Children's Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Chang Jia
- Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.,Children's Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
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38
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Seccia TM, Rigato M, Ravarotto V, Calò LA. ROCK (RhoA/Rho Kinase) in Cardiovascular-Renal Pathophysiology: A Review of New Advancements. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9051328. [PMID: 32370294 PMCID: PMC7290501 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing kinases (ROCK) were originally identified as effectors of the RhoA small GTPase and found to belong to the AGC family of serine/threonine kinases. They were shown to be downstream effectors of RhoA and RhoC activation. They signal via phosphorylation of proteins such as MYPT-1, thereby regulating many key cellular functions including proliferation, motility and viability and the RhoA/ROCK signaling has been shown to be deeply involved in arterial hypertension, cardiovascular–renal remodeling, hypertensive nephropathy and posttransplant hypertension. Given the deep involvement of ROCK in cardiovascular–renal pathophysiology and the interaction of ROCK signaling with other signaling pathways, the reports of trials on the clinical beneficial effects of ROCK’s pharmacologic targeting are growing. In this current review, we provide a brief survey of the current understanding of ROCK-signaling pathways, also integrating with the more novel data that overall support a relevant role of ROCK for the cardiovascular–renal physiology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M. Seccia
- Department of Medicine, Hypertension Clinic, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Matteo Rigato
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.R.); (V.R.)
| | - Verdiana Ravarotto
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.R.); (V.R.)
| | - Lorenzo A. Calò
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.R.); (V.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-8213071; Fax: +39-049-8217921
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39
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Shi Z, Ren M, Rockey DC. Myocardin and myocardin-related transcription factor-A synergistically mediate actin cytoskeletal-dependent inhibition of liver fibrogenesis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 318:G504-G517. [PMID: 31928221 PMCID: PMC7099496 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00302.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), characterized by development of a robust actin cytoskeleton and expression of abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as type 1 collagen (COL.1), is a central cellular and molecular event in liver fibrosis. It has been demonstrated that HSCs express both myocardin and myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A). However, the biological effects of myocardin and MRTF-A on HSC activation and liver fibrosis, as well as the molecular mechanism under the process, remain unclear. Here, we report that myocardin and MRTF-A's expression and nuclear accumulation are prominently increased during the HSC activation process, accompanied by robust activation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Targeting myocardin and MRTF-A binding and function with a novel small molecule, CCG-203971, led to dose-dependent inhibition of HSC actin cytoskeleton dynamics and abrogated multiple functional features of HSC activation (i.e., HSC contraction, migration and proliferation) and decreased COL.1 expression in vitro and liver fibrosis in vivo. Mechanistically, blocking the myocardin and MRTF-A nuclear translocation pathway with CCG-203971 directly inhibited myocardin/MRTF-A-mediated serum response factor (SRF), and Smad2/3 activation in the COL.1α2 promoter and indirectly abrogated actin cytoskeleton-dependent regulation of Smad2/3 and Erk1/2 phosphorylation and their nuclear accumulation. Finally, there was no effect of CCG-203971 on markers of inflammation, suggesting a direct effect of the compound on HSCs and liver fibrosis. These data reveal that myocardin and MRTF-A are two important cotranscriptional factors in HSCs and represent entirely novel therapeutic pathways that might be targeted to treat liver fibrosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Myocardin and myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A) are upregulated in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro and in vivo, closely associated with robustly increased actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Targeting myocardin and MRTF-A by CCG-203971 leads to actin cytoskeleton-dependent inhibition of HSC activation, reduced cell contractility, impeded cell migration and proliferation, and decreased COL.1 expression in vitro and in vivo. Dual expression of myocardin and MRTF-A in HSCs may represent novel therapeutic targets in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengdun Shi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Mudan Ren
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Don C. Rockey
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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40
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Shen YH, LeMaire SA, Webb NR, Cassis LA, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections Series. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:e37-e46. [PMID: 32101472 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.313991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The aortic wall is composed of highly dynamic cell populations and extracellular matrix. In response to changes in the biomechanical environment, aortic cells and extracellular matrix modulate their structure and functions to increase aortic wall strength and meet the hemodynamic demand. Compromise in the structural and functional integrity of aortic components leads to aortic degeneration, biomechanical failure, and the development of aortic aneurysms and dissections (AAD). A better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of AAD will facilitate the development of effective medications to treat these conditions. Here, we summarize recent findings on AAD published in ATVB. In this issue, we focus on the dynamics of aortic cells and extracellular matrix in AAD; in the next issue, we will focus on the role of signaling pathways in AAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying H Shen
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Y.H.S., S.A.L.).,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Y.H.S., S.A.L.).,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Nancy R Webb
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (N.R.W., L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (N.R.W., L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Hong S Lu
- Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
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41
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Nagao M, Lyu Q, Zhao Q, Wirka RC, Bagga J, Nguyen T, Cheng P, Kim JB, Pjanic M, Miano JM, Quertermous T. Coronary Disease-Associated Gene TCF21 Inhibits Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation by Blocking the Myocardin-Serum Response Factor Pathway. Circ Res 2020; 126:517-529. [PMID: 31815603 PMCID: PMC7274203 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.119.315968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The gene encoding TCF21 (transcription factor 21) has been linked to coronary artery disease risk by human genome-wide association studies in multiple racial ethnic groups. In murine models, Tcf21 is required for phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in atherosclerotic tissues and promotes a fibroblast phenotype in these cells. In humans, TCF21 expression inhibits risk for coronary artery disease. The molecular mechanism by which TCF21 regulates SMC phenotype is not known. OBJECTIVE To better understand how TCF21 affects the SMC phenotype, we sought to investigate the possible mechanisms by which it regulates the lineage determining MYOCD (myocardin)-SRF (serum response factor) pathway. METHODS AND RESULTS Modulation of TCF21 expression in human coronary artery SMC revealed that TCF21 suppresses a broad range of SMC markers, as well as key SMC transcription factors MYOCD and SRF, at the RNA and protein level. We conducted chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing to map SRF-binding sites in human coronary artery SMC, showing that binding is colocalized in the genome with TCF21, including at a novel enhancer in the SRF gene, and at the MYOCD gene promoter. In vitro genome editing indicated that the SRF enhancer CArG box regulates transcription of the SRF gene, and mutation of this conserved motif in the orthologous mouse SRF enhancer revealed decreased SRF expression in aorta and heart tissues. Direct TCF21 binding and transcriptional inhibition at colocalized sites were established by reporter gene transfection assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and protein coimmunoprecipitation studies provided evidence that TCF21 blocks MYOCD and SRF association by direct TCF21-MYOCD interaction. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that TCF21 antagonizes the MYOCD-SRF pathway through multiple mechanisms, further establishing a role for this coronary artery disease-associated gene in fundamental SMC processes and indicating the importance of smooth muscle response to vascular stress and phenotypic modulation of this cell type in coronary artery disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Nagao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Qing Lyu
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14624
| | - Quanyi Zhao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Robert C Wirka
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Joetsaroop Bagga
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Juyong Brian Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Milos Pjanic
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Joseph M. Miano
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14624
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xie
- From the Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Kathleen A Martin
- From the Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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43
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Tucker T, Tsukasaki Y, Sakai T, Mitsuhashi S, Komatsu S, Jeffers A, Idell S, Ikebe M. Myocardin Is Involved in Mesothelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Pleural Mesothelial Cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2020; 61:86-96. [PMID: 30605348 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2018-0121oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleural fibrosis is characterized by severe inflammation of the pleural space and pleural reorganization. Subsequent thickening of the visceral pleura contributes to lung stiffness and impaired lung function. Pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) can become myofibroblasts via mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MesoMT) and contribute to pleural organization, fibrosis, and rind formation. However, the mechanisms that underlie MesoMT remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of myocardin in the induction of MesoMT. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and thrombin induced MesoMT and markedly upregulated the expression of myocardin, but not myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) or MRTF-B, in human PMCs (HPMCs). TGF-β stimulation notably induced the nuclear translocation of myocardin in HPMCs, whereas nuclear translocation of MRTF-A and MRTF-B was not observed. Several genes under the control of myocardin were upregulated in cells undergoing MesoMT, an effect that was accompanied by a dramatic cytoskeletal reorganization of HPMCs consistent with a migratory phenotype. Myocardin gene silencing blocked TGF-β- and thrombin-induced MesoMT. Although myocardin upregulation was blocked, MRTF-A and MRTF-B were unchanged. Myocardin, α-SMA, calponin, and smooth muscle myosin were notably upregulated in the thickened pleura of carbon black/bleomycin and empyema mouse models of fibrosing pleural injury. Similar results were observed in human nonspecific pleuritis. In a TGF-β mouse model of pleural fibrosis, PMC-specific knockout of myocardin protected against decrements in lung function. Further, TGF-β-induced pleural thickening was abolished by PMC-specific myocardin knockout, which was accompanied by a marked reduction of myocardin, calponin, and α-SMA expression compared with floxed-myocardin controls. These novel results show that myocardin participates in the development of MesoMT in HPMCs and contributes to the pathogenesis of pleural organization and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torry Tucker
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Yoshikazu Tsukasaki
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Tsuyoshi Sakai
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Shinya Mitsuhashi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Satoshi Komatsu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Ann Jeffers
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Steven Idell
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Mitsuo Ikebe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
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44
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Transcriptional control of a novel long noncoding RNA Mymsl in smooth muscle cells by a single Cis-element and its initial functional characterization in vessels. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019; 138:147-157. [PMID: 31751568 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.11.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Differentiated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial in maintaining vascular homeostasis. While the coding transcriptome of the differentiated VSMC phenotype has been defined, we know little about its noncoding signature. Herein, we identified a Myocardin-induced muscle specific long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) (Mymsl) downregulated upon VSMC phenotypic modulation. We demonstrated an essential role of a proximal consensus CArG element in response to MYOCD/SRF in vitro. To validate the in vivo role of this CArG element, we generated CArG mutant mice via CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. While the CArG mutation had no impact on the expression of surrounding genes, it abolished Mymsl expression in SMCs, but not skeletal and cardiac muscle. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays (ChIPs) showed decreased SRF binding to CArG region in mutants whereas the enrichment of H3K79Me2 remained the same. RNA-seq analysis showed a downregulation of matrix genes in aortas from Mymsl knockout mice, which was further validated in injured carotid arteries. Our study defined the transcriptional control of a novel lncRNA in SMCs via a single transcription factor binding site, which may offer a new strategy for generating SMC-specific knockout mouse models. We also provided in vivo evidence supporting the potential importance of Mymsl in vascular pathophysiology.
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45
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Bankov K, Döring C, Ustaszewski A, Giefing M, Herling M, Cencioni C, Spallotta F, Gaetano C, Küppers R, Hansmann ML, Hartmann S. Fibroblasts in Nodular Sclerosing Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Are Defined by a Specific Phenotype and Protect Tumor Cells from Brentuximab-Vedotin Induced Injury. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111687. [PMID: 31671543 PMCID: PMC6896072 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is one of the most common malignant lymphomas in Western Europe. The nodular sclerosing subtype of cHL (NS cHL) is characterized by a proliferation of fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment, leading to fibrotic bands surrounding the lymphoma infiltrate. Several studies have described a crosstalk between the tumour cells of cHL, the Hodgkin- and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts. However, to date a deep molecular characterization of these fibroblasts is lacking. Thus, the aim of the present study is a comprehensive characterization of these fibroblasts. Gene expression profiling and methylation profiles of fibroblasts isolated from primary lymph node suspensions revealed persistent differences between fibroblasts obtained from NS cHL and lymphadenitis. NS cHL derived fibroblasts exhibit a myofibroblastic phenotype characterized by myocardin (MYOCD) expression. Moreover, TIMP3, an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases, was strongly upregulated in NS cHL fibroblasts, likely contributing to the accumulation of collagen in sclerotic bands of NS cHL. As previously shown for other types of cancer-associated fibroblasts, treatment by luteolin could reverse this fibroblast phenotype and decrease TIMP3 secretion. NS cHL fibroblasts showed enhanced proliferation when they were exposed to soluble factors released from HRS cells. For HRS cells, soluble factors from fibroblasts were not sufficient to protect them from Brentuximab-Vedotin induced cell death. However, HRS cells adherent to fibroblasts were protected from Brentuximab-Vedotin induced injury. In summary, we confirm the importance of fibroblasts for HRS cell survival and identify TIMP3 which probably contributes as a major factor to the typical fibrosis observed in NS cHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Bankov
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Hospital of the J.W. Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Claudia Döring
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Adam Ustaszewski
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Maciej Giefing
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Marco Herling
- The Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Oncoproteome, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Duesseldorf, CECAD and CMMC, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany.
| | - Chiara Cencioni
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Spallotta
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10060 Candiolo (Turin), Italy.
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (Turin), Italy.
| | - Carlo Gaetano
- Laboratorio di Epigenetica, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Ralf Küppers
- Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany.
| | - Martin-Leo Hansmann
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Reference and Consultant Center for Lymph Node and Lymphoma Pathology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Sylvia Hartmann
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Reference and Consultant Center for Lymph Node and Lymphoma Pathology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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46
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Swärd K, Krawczyk KK, Morén B, Zhu B, Matic L, Holmberg J, Hedin U, Uvelius B, Stenkula K, Rippe C. Identification of the intermediate filament protein synemin/SYNM as a target of myocardin family coactivators. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019; 317:C1128-C1142. [PMID: 31461342 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00047.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Myocardin (MYOCD) is a critical regulator of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation, but its transcriptional targets remain to be exhaustively characterized, especially at the protein level. Here we leveraged human RNA and protein expression data to identify novel potential MYOCD targets. Using correlation analyses we found several targets that we could confirm at the protein level, including SORBS1, SLMAP, SYNM, and MCAM. We focused on SYNM, which encodes the intermediate filament protein synemin. SYNM rivalled smooth muscle myosin (MYH11) for SMC specificity and was controlled at the mRNA and protein levels by all myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: MYOCD, MRTF-A/MKL1, and MRTF-B/MKL2). MRTF activity is regulated by the ratio of filamentous to globular actin, and SYNM was accordingly reduced by interventions that depolymerize actin, such as latrunculin treatment and overexpression of constitutively active cofilin. Many MRTF target genes depend on serum response factor (SRF), but SYNM lacked SRF-binding motifs in its proximal promoter, which was not directly regulated by MYOCD. Furthermore, SYNM resisted SRF silencing, yet the time course of induction closely paralleled that of the SRF-dependent target gene ACTA2. SYNM was repressed by the ternary complex factor (TCF) FLI1 and was increased in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking three classical TCFs (ELK1, ELK3, and ELK4). Imaging showed colocalization of SYNM with the intermediate filament proteins desmin and vimentin, and MRTF-A/MKL1 increased SYNM-containing intermediate filaments in SMCs. These studies identify SYNM as a novel SRF-independent target of myocardin that is abundantly expressed in all SMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Björn Morén
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Baoyi Zhu
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Urology, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), Guangdong, China
| | - Ljubica Matic
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Holmberg
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf Hedin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Uvelius
- Department of Clinical Science, Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Stenkula
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
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47
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Allahverdian S, Chaabane C, Boukais K, Francis GA, Bochaton-Piallat ML. Smooth muscle cell fate and plasticity in atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 2019; 114:540-550. [PMID: 29385543 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 309] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Current knowledge suggests that intimal smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in native atherosclerotic plaque derive mainly from the medial arterial layer. During this process, SMCs undergo complex structural and functional changes giving rise to a broad spectrum of phenotypes. Classically, intimal SMCs are described as dedifferentiated/synthetic SMCs, a phenotype characterized by reduced expression of contractile proteins. Intimal SMCs are considered to have a beneficial role by contributing to the fibrous cap and thereby stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque. However, intimal SMCs can lose their properties to such an extent that they become hard to identify, contribute significantly to the foam cell population, and acquire inflammatory-like cell features. This review highlights mechanisms of SMC plasticity in different stages of native atherosclerotic plaque formation, their potential for monoclonal or oligoclonal expansion, as well as recent findings demonstrating the underestimated deleterious role of SMCs in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sima Allahverdian
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Health Care Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Room 166 Burrard Building, St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Chiraz Chaabane
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet-1, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Kamel Boukais
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Health Care Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Room 166 Burrard Building, St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Gordon A Francis
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Health Care Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Room 166 Burrard Building, St Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet-1, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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48
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Hirai H, Yang B, Garcia-Barrio MT, Rom O, Ma PX, Zhang J, Chen YE. Direct Reprogramming of Fibroblasts Into Smooth Muscle-Like Cells With Defined Transcription Factors-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 38:2191-2197. [PMID: 30026272 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.310870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective- To identify the transcription factors that could contribute to direct reprogramming of fibroblasts toward smooth muscle cell fate. Approach and Results- We screened various combinations of transcription factors, including Myocd (myocardin), Mef2C (myocyte enhancer factor 2C), Mef2B (myocyte enhancer factor 2B), Mkl1 (MKL [megakaryoblastic leukemia]/Myocd-like 1), Gata4 (GATA-binding protein 4), Gata5 (GATA-binding protein 5), Gata6 (GATA-binding protein 6), Ets1 (E26 avian leukemia oncogene 1, 5' domain), and their corresponding carboxyterminal fusions to the transactivation domain of MyoD (myogenic differentiation 1)-indicated by *-for their effects on reprogramming mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human adult dermal fibroblasts to the smooth muscle cell fate as determined by the expression of specific markers. The combination of 3 transcription factors, Myocd (or Myocd*) with Mef2C (or Mef2C*) and Gata6, was the most efficient in enhancing the expression of smooth muscle marker genes and decreasing fibroblast gene expression. Additionally, the derived induced smooth muscle-like cells showed a contractile phenotype in response to carbachol. Conclusions- Combination of Myocd and Gata6 with Mef2C* (MG2*) could sufficiently and efficiently direct differentiation of mouse embryonic and human dermal fibroblasts into induced smooth muscle-like cells, thus opening new opportunities for disease modeling, tissue engineering, and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Hirai
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.).,Department of Cardiac Surgery (H.H., B.Y., Y.E.C.)
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery (H.H., B.Y., Y.E.C.)
| | - Minerva T Garcia-Barrio
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.)
| | - Oren Rom
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.)
| | - Peter X Ma
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering (P.X.M.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.)
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.).,Department of Cardiac Surgery (H.H., B.Y., Y.E.C.)
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Transcription factor TEAD1 is essential for vascular development by promoting vascular smooth muscle differentiation. Cell Death Differ 2019; 26:2790-2806. [PMID: 31024075 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
TEAD1 (TEA domain transcription factor 1), a transcription factor known for the functional output of Hippo signaling, is important for tumorigenesis. However, the role of TEAD1 in the development of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) is unknown. To investigate cell-specific role of Tead1, we generated cardiomyocyte (CMC) and VSMC-specific Tead1 knockout mice. We found CMC/VSMC-specific deletion of Tead1 led to embryonic lethality by E14.5 in mice due to hypoplastic cardiac and vascular walls, as a result of impaired CMC and VSMC proliferation. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed that deletion of Tead1 in CMCs/VSMCs downregulated expression of muscle contractile genes and key transcription factors including Pitx2c and myocardin. In vitro studies demonstrated that PITX2c and myocardin rescued TEAD1-dependent defects in VSMC differentiation. We further identified Pitx2c as a novel transcriptional target of TEAD1, and PITX2c exhibited functional synergy with myocardin by directly interacting with myocardin, leading to augment the differentiation of VSMC. In summary, our study reveals a critical role of Tead1 in cardiovascular development in mice, but also identifies a novel regulatory mechanism, whereby Tead1 functions upstream of the genetic regulatory hierarchy for establishing smooth muscle contractile phenotype.
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Herring BP, Hoggatt AM, Gupta A, Wo JM. Gastroparesis is associated with decreased FOXF1 and FOXF2 in humans, and loss of FOXF1 and FOXF2 results in gastroparesis in mice. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2019; 31:e13528. [PMID: 30565344 PMCID: PMC6821388 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The transcription factors FOXF1 and FOXF2 have been implicated in the development of the gastrointestinal tract but their role in adults or in gastrointestinal diseases is poorly understood. We have recently shown that expression of serum response factor (SRF), a transcription factor whose activity is modulated by FOXF proteins, is decreased in the stomach muscularis of patients with gastroparesis. The aim of the current study was to determine whether FOXF expression is decreased in gastroparesis patients and whether loss of FOXF1 and/or FOXF2 from adult smooth muscle is sufficient to impair gastric emptying in mice. METHODS Full-thickness stomach biopsy samples were collected from control subjects and from patients with gastroparesis. mRNA was isolated from the muscularis externa, and FOXF mRNA expression levels were determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR. Foxf1 and Foxf2 were knocked out together and separately from smooth muscle cells in adult mice, and the subsequent effect on liquid gastric emptying and contractile protein expression was determined. KEY RESULTS Expression of FOXF1 and FOXF2 is decreased in smooth muscle tissue from gastroparesis patients. Knockout of Foxf1 and Foxf2 together, but not alone, from mouse smooth muscle resulted in delayed liquid gastric emptying. Foxf1/2 double knockout mice had decreased expression of smooth muscle contractile proteins, SRF, and myocardin in stomach muscularis. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES Our findings suggest that decreased expression of FOXF1 and FOXF2 may be contributing to the impaired gastric emptying seen in gastroparesis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Paul Herring
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202.,Correspondence: Paul Herring, Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis IN, 46202, Phone: (317) 278-1785, FAX: (317) 274-3318,
| | - April M. Hoggatt
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Anita Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - John M. Wo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
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