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Sunny SS, Lachova J, Kasparek P, Palkova M, Spoutil F, Prochazka J, Sedlacek R, Liskova P, Kozmik Z. Ovol2 promoter mutations in mice and human illuminate species-specific phenotypic divergence. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:491-500. [PMID: 37971355 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in the highly conserved OVOL2 promoter region cause posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD) 1 by inducing an ectopic expression of the endothelial OVOL2 mRNA. Here we produced an allelic series of Ovol2 promoter mutations in the mouse model including the heterozygous c.-307T>C variant (RefSeq NM_021220.4) causing PPCD1 in humans. Despite the high evolutionary conservation of the Ovol2 promoter, only some alterations of its sequence had phenotypic consequences in mice. Four independent sequence variants in the distal part of the Ovol2 promoter had no significant effect on endothelial Ovol2 mRNA level or caused any ocular phenotype. In contrast, the mutation c.-307T>C resulted in increased Ovol2 expression in the corneal endothelium. However, only a small fraction of adult mice c.-307T>C heterozygotes developed ocular phenotypes such as irido-corneal adhesions, and corneal opacity. Interestingly, phenotypic penetrance was increased at embryonic stages. Notably, c.-307T>C mutation is located next to the Ovol1/Ovol2 transcription factor binding site. Mice carrying an allele with a deletion encompassing the Ovol2 binding site c.-307_-320del showed significant Ovol2 gene upregulation in the cornea endothelium and exhibited phenotypes similar to the c.-307T>C mutation. In conclusion, although the mutations c.-307T>C and -307_-320del lead to a comparably strong increase in endothelial Ovol2 expression as seen in PPCD1 patients, endothelial dystrophy was not observed in the mouse model, implicating species-specific differences in endothelial cell biology. Nonetheless, the emergence of dominant ocular phenotypes associated with Ovol2 promoter variants in mice implies a potential role of this gene in eye development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweetu Susan Sunny
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kasparek
- Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, CA 94158, San Francisco, United States
| | - Marcela Palkova
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Spoutil
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Prochazka
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Liskova
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, 121 08, Prague 2, Prague Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, U Nemocnice 2, 128 08, Prague 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Prague, Czech Republic
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Sunny SS, Lachova J, Dupacova N, Kozmik Z. Multiple roles of Pax6 in postnatal cornea development. Dev Biol 2022; 491:1-12. [PMID: 36049534 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian corneal development is a multistep process, including formation of the corneal epithelium (CE), endothelium and stroma during embryogenesis, followed by postnatal stratification of the epithelial layers and continuous renewal of the epithelium to replace the outermost corneal cells. Here, we employed the Cre-loxP system to conditionally deplete Pax6 proteins in two domains of ocular cells, i.e., the ocular surface epithelium (cornea, limbus and conjunctiva) (OSE) or postnatal CE via K14-cre or Aldh3-cre, respectively. Earlier and broader inactivation of Pax6 in the OSE resulted in thickened OSE with CE and limbal cells adopting the conjunctival keratin expression pattern. More restricted depletion of Pax6 in postnatal CE resulted in an abnormal cornea marked by reduced epithelial thickness despite increased epithelial cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence studies revealed loss of intermediate filament Cytokeratin 12 and diffused expression of adherens junction components, together with reduced tight junction protein, Zonula occludens-1. Furthermore, the expression of Cytokeratin 14, a basal cell marker in apical layers, indicates impaired differentiation of CE cells. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Pax6 is essential for maintaining proper differentiation and strong intercellular adhesion in postnatal CE cells, whereas limbal Pax6 is required to prevent the outgrowth of conjunctival cells to the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweetu Susan Sunny
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Naoko Dupacova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic.
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Lachova J, Herzog R, Wiesenhofer F, Kratochwill K. MO679EFFECTS OF ALANYL-GLUTAMINE SUPPLEMENTED PD FLUID ON THE PLASMA METABOLOME AND GUT MICROBIOME IN EXPERIMENTAL PD*. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfab101.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Aims
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is associated with morphological and also functional changes to the peritoneum limiting the long-term use. PD and CKD lead to vasculopathy, disrupt the endothelial and peritoneal barrier, but also influence the gut microbiome. Microbial dysbiosis in return is speculated to drive inflammation as an additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease. New PD-fluids that could slow or prevent these processes are needed. Alanyl-glutamine (AlaGln) has immunomodulatory and cytoprotective properties and has been shown to also improve endothelial barrier functions. Our aim is to investigate the effects of AlaGln-supplementation to PD-fluid on the gut microbiome and plasma and effluent metabolome and their interplay.
Method
Mice (C57/BI6N) underwent a subtotal nephrectomy (5/6 nephrectomy) to induce uraemia. Chronic exposure to PD-fluid was performed for 9 weeks via subcutaneously implanted peritoneal catheters. Mice were exposed daily to 2 ml of commercially available glucose-based PD-fluid (3.86% glucose) without or with the addition of 8 mM AlaGln. Uremic and healthy mice, kept in parallel were used as controls. All mice were fed standard chow and tap water ad libitum. On the last day, blood and an effluent (after a 30 minute dwell) were collected and faecal matter was collected from 3 different sites of the gut (ileum, caecum and colon). The plasma and effluent metabolome were analysed using a targeted approach. 180 metabolites were analysed with a mass spectrometry based kit (Biocrates) in both samples types. Following microbial DNA isolation, the microbiome has been analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The experiment was approved by the local animal ethics committee.
Results
Significantly elevated creatinine values in mice following 5/6 nephrectomy confirmed their uremic status. Significantly different plasma and effluent levels of alanine and glutamine were found in mice exposed to AlaGln supplemented PD-fluid. A correlation analysis of the plasma revealed the uremic status of the mice as main driver of differences whereas the effluent metabolome was mainly changed by PD fluid exposure. Plasma of uremic mice also showed significantly increased levels of a toxic non-proteinogenic amino acid symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA) and citrulline. Microbiome analysis yielded over 2800 amplicon sequence variants. Microbiome composition was location specific and influenced by the different treatments. The microbiome data were also correlated with over 130 metabolites in both plasma and PD effluent. Our data showed increased abundance in bacterial family Pseudomonadacea in caecum of uremic mice and positive correlation with the plasma level of trans-tetra-hydroxyproline. Mice exposed to conventional PD fluid had higher abundance of the bacterial class Clostridia in the colon compared to mice with no PD exposition.
Conclusion
CKD itself and PD-fluid exposure both affect the gut microbiome and the AlaGln-supplementation effects are likely reflected at the level of microbial diversity and functional interaction with metabolites. As next step specific cellular and molecular mechanisms of these effects are analysed. Preservation of mesothelial and also endothelial cellular barrier function could be a clinically important benefit for patients treated with PD, by preventing increased PD-associated pathomechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Lachova
- Zytoprotec GmbH, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rebecca Herzog
- Zytoprotec GmbH, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Klaus Kratochwill
- Zytoprotec GmbH, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Sunny SS, Lachova J, Dupacova N, Zitova A, Kozmik Z. Generation and characterization of Aldh3-Cre transgenic mice as a tool for conditional gene deletion in postnatal cornea. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9083. [PMID: 32493941 PMCID: PMC7270111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65878-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditional gene targeting in mice by means of Cre-loxP strategy represents a powerful approach to study mammalian gene function. This approach is however dependent on the availability of suitable strains of mice with a tissue or time restricted activity of the Cre recombinase. Here we describe Aldh3-Cre transgenic mice as a useful tool to conditionally delete genes in cornea, a specialized transparent tissue found on the anterior-most part of the eye, which acts as a protective barrier and contributes to the refractive power. Using a set of floxed alleles we demonstrate high Aldh3-Cre activity in corneal epithelial cells, corneal stroma and conjunctival epithelial cells at postnatal stages. Aldh3-Cre will thus be particularly beneficial for functional analysis of genes which are vital for postnatal development of cornea and conjunctiva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweetu Susan Sunny
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Naoko Dupacova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Zitova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic. .,Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic.
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Fujimura N, Kuzelova A, Ebert A, Strnad H, Lachova J, Machon O, Busslinger M, Kozmik Z. Polycomb repression complex 2 is required for the maintenance of retinal progenitor cells and balanced retinal differentiation. Dev Biol 2017; 433:47-60. [PMID: 29137925 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complexes maintain transcriptional repression of genes encoding crucial developmental regulators through chromatin modification. Here we investigated the role of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in retinal development by inactivating its key components Eed and Ezh2. Conditional deletion of Ezh2 resulted in a partial loss of PRC2 function and accelerated differentiation of Müller glial cells. In contrast, inactivation of Eed led to the ablation of PRC2 function at early postnatal stage. Cell proliferation was reduced and retinal progenitor cells were significantly decreased in this mutant, which subsequently caused depletion of Müller glia, bipolar, and rod photoreceptor cells, primarily generated from postnatal retinal progenitor cells. Interestingly, the proportion of amacrine cells was dramatically increased at postnatal stages in the Eed-deficient retina. In accordance, multiple transcription factors controlling amacrine cell differentiation were upregulated. Furthermore, ChIP-seq analysis showed that these deregulated genes contained bivalent chromatin (H3K27me3+ H3K4me3+). Our results suggest that PRC2 is required for proliferation in order to maintain the retinal progenitor cells at postnatal stages and for retinal differentiation by controlling amacrine cell generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Fujimura
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Kuzelova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, Vestec, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Anja Ebert
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hynek Strnad
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, Vestec, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Machon
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Meinrad Busslinger
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, Vestec, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
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6
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Stolbova S, Zieg J, Simankova N, Lachova J, Rosik T, Dusek J, Vondrak K, Bezdicka M, Cinek O, Pruhova S, Seeman T. MP855GENETIC TESTING OF WT1, NPHS2 AND NPHS1 GENES IN CZECH PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH STEROID-RESISTANT NEPHROTIC SYNDROME IDENTIFIED THE GENETIC BACKGROUND IN 25 % CASES. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfx183.mp855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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7
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Lachova J, Slavcev A, Fornbaumova I, Vichova P, Stolbova S, Zieg J, Simankova N, Dusek J, Vondrak K, Seeman T. MP844DONOR-SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES IN CHILDREN AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfx183.mp844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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8
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Antosova B, Smolikova J, Zilova L, Lachova J, Bendova M, Machon O, Kozmik Z. The eye screen design in Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and selected models for eye diseases. Acta Ophthalmol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2015.0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. Antosova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation; Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR- v. v. i.; Praha 4 Czech Republic
| | - J. Smolikova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation; Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR- v. v. i.; Praha 4 Czech Republic
| | - L. Zilova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation; Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR- v. v. i.; Praha 4 Czech Republic
| | - J. Lachova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation; Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR- v. v. i.; Praha 4 Czech Republic
| | - M. Bendova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation; Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR- v. v. i.; Praha 4 Czech Republic
| | - O. Machon
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation; Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR- v. v. i.; Praha 4 Czech Republic
| | - Z. Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation; Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR- v. v. i.; Praha 4 Czech Republic
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Antosova B, Smolikova J, Borkovcova R, Strnad H, Lachova J, Machon O, Kozmik Z. Ectopic activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in lens fiber cells results in cataract formation and aberrant fiber cell differentiation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78279. [PMID: 24205179 PMCID: PMC3813504 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway controls many processes during development, including cell proliferation, cell differentiation and tissue homeostasis, and its aberrant regulation has been linked to various pathologies. In this study we investigated the effect of ectopic activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling during lens fiber cell differentiation. To activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling in lens fiber cells, the transgenic mouse referred to as αA-CLEF was generated, in which the transactivation domain of β-catenin was fused to the DNA-binding protein LEF1, and expression of the transgene was controlled by αA-crystallin promoter. Constitutive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in lens fiber cells of αA-CLEF mice resulted in abnormal and delayed fiber cell differentiation. Moreover, adult αA-CLEF mice developed cataract, microphthalmia and manifested downregulated levels of γ-crystallins in lenses. We provide evidence of aberrant expression of cell cycle regulators in embryonic lenses of αA-CLEF transgenic mice resulting in the delay in cell cycle exit and in the shift of fiber cell differentiation to the central fiber cell compartment. Our results indicate that precise regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity during later stages of lens development is essential for proper lens fiber cell differentiation and lens transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Antosova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Smolikova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Romana Borkovcova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hynek Strnad
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Machon
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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10
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Klimova L, Lachova J, Machon O, Sedlacek R, Kozmik Z. Generation of mRx-Cre transgenic mouse line for efficient conditional gene deletion in early retinal progenitors. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63029. [PMID: 23667567 PMCID: PMC3646923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During mouse eye development, all retinal cell types are generated from the population of retina-committed progenitors originating from the neuroepithelium of the optic vesicle. Conditional gene inactivation provides an efficient tool for studying the genetic basis of the developing retina; however, the number of retina-specific Cre lines is limited. Here we report generation of the mRx-Cre BAC transgenic mouse line in which the expression of Cre recombinase is controlled by regulatory sequences of the mouse Rx gene, one of the earliest determinants of retinal development. When mRx-Cre transgenic mice were crossbred with the ROSA26R or ROSA26R-EYFP reporter lines, the Cre activity was observed in the optic sulcus from embryonic day 8.5 onwards and later in all progenitors residing in the neuroepithelium of the optic cup. Our results suggest that mRx-Cre provides a unique tool for functional genetic studies in very early stages of retinal development. Moreover, since eye organogenesis is dependent on the inductive signals between the optic vesicle and head surface ectoderm, the inductive ability of the optic vesicle can be analyzed using mRx-Cre transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Klimova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Machon
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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Machon O, Kreslova J, Ruzickova J, Vacik T, Klimova L, Fujimura N, Lachova J, Kozmik Z. Lens morphogenesis is dependent on Pax6-mediated inhibition of the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in the lens surface ectoderm. Genesis 2010; 48:86-95. [PMID: 20027618 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.20583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Lens formation in mouse is critically dependent on proper development of the retinal neuroectoderm that is located close beneath the head surface ectoderm. Signaling from the prospective retina triggers lens-specific gene expression in the surface-ectoderm. Supression of canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in the surface ectoderm is one of the prerequisites for lens development because, as we show here, ectopic Wnt activation in the retina and lens abrogates lens formation. Wnt inhibiton is mediated by signals coming from the retina but its exact mechanism is unknown. We show that Pax6 directly controls expression of several Wnt inhibitors such as Sfrp1, Sfrp2, and Dkk1 in the presumptive lens. In accordance, absence of Pax6 function leads to aberrant canonical Wnt activity in the presumptive lens that subsequently impairs lens development. Thus Pax6 is required for down-regulation of canonical Wnt signaling in the presumptive lens ectoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Machon
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14420 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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12
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Kreslova J, Machon O, Ruzickova J, Lachova J, Wawrousek EF, Kemler R, Krauss S, Piatigorsky J, Kozmik Z. Abnormal lens morphogenesis and ectopic lens formation in the absence of β-catenin function. Genesis 2007; 45:157-68. [PMID: 17410548 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.20277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
beta-Catenin plays a key role in cadherin-mediated cell adhesion as well as in canonical Wnt signaling. To study the role of beta-catenin during eye development, we used conditional Cre/loxP system in mouse to inactivate beta-catenin in developing lens and retina. Inactivation of beta-catenin does not suppress lens fate, but instead results in abnormal morphogenesis of the lens. Using BAT-gal reporter mice, we show that beta-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling is notably absent from lens and neuroretina throughout eye development. The observed defect is therefore likely due to the cytoskeletal role of beta-catenin, and is accompanied by impaired epithelial cell adhesion. In contrast, inactivation of beta-catenin in the nasal ectoderm, an area with active Wnt signaling, results in formation of crystallin-positive ectopic lentoid bodies. These data suggest that, outside of the normal lens, beta-catenin functions as a coactivator of canonical Wnt signaling to suppress lens fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Kreslova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
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