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Asashima M, Satou-Kobayashi Y. Spemann-Mangold organizer and mesoderm induction. Cells Dev 2024:203903. [PMID: 38295873 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2024.203903] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of the Spemann-Mangold organizer strongly influenced subsequent research on embryonic induction, with research aiming to elucidate the molecular characteristics of organizer activity being currently underway. Herein, we review the history of research on embryonic induction, and describe how the mechanisms of induction phenomena and developmental processes have been investigated. Classical experiments investigating the differentiation capacity and inductive activity of various embryonic regions were conducted by many researchers, and important theories of region-specific induction and the concept for chain of induction were proposed. The transition from experimental embryology to developmental biology has enabled us to understand the mechanisms of embryonic induction at the molecular level. Consequently, many inducing substances and molecules such as transcriptional factors and peptide growth factors involved in the organizer formation were identified. One of peptide growth factors, activin, acts as a mesoderm- and endoderm-inducing substance. Activin induces several tissues and organs from the undifferentiated cell mass of amphibian embryos in a concentration-dependent manner. We review the extent to which we can control in vitro organogenesis from undifferentiated cells, and discuss the application to stem cell-based regenerative medicine based on insights gained from animal experiments, such as in amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Asashima
- Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan.
| | - Yumeko Satou-Kobayashi
- Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan
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Jung HY, Ryu JH, Kim MG, Huh KH, Lee KW, Jung HY, Kang KP, Ro H, Han S, Yang J. Association of Serum Activin Levels with Allograft Outcomes in Patients with Kidney Transplant: Results from the KNOW-KT. Am J Nephrol 2024; 55:245-254. [PMID: 38198780 DOI: 10.1159/000536198] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Serum activin A has been reported to contribute to vascular calcification and kidney fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. We aimed to investigate whether higher serum activin levels were associated with poor allograft outcomes in patients with kidney transplantation (KT). METHODS A total of 860 KT patients from KNOW-KT (Korean Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients with Kidney Transplantation) were analyzed. We measured serum activin levels pre-KT and 1 year after KT. The primary outcome was the composite of a ≥50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate and graft failure. Multivariable cause-specific hazard model was used to analyze association of 1-year activin levels with the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was coronary artery calcification score (CACS) at 5 years after KT. RESULTS During the median follow-up of 6.7 years, the primary outcome occurred in 109 (12.7%) patients. The serum activin levels at 1 year were significantly lower than those at pre-KT (488.2 ± 247.3 vs. 704.0 ± 349.6). When patients were grouped based on the median activin level at 1 year, the high-activin group had a 1.91-fold higher risk (95% CI, 1.25-2.91) for the primary outcome compared to the low-activin group. A one-standard deviation increase in activin levels as a continuous variable was associated with a 1.36-fold higher risk (95% CI, 1.16-1.60) for the primary outcome. Moreover, high activin levels were significantly associated with 1.56-fold higher CACS (95% CI, 1.12-2.18). CONCLUSION Post-transplant activin levels were independently associated with allograft functions as well as coronary artery calcification in KT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yun Jung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hwa Ryu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Gyu Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Ha Huh
- Department of Transplantation Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyo Won Lee
- Department of Surgery, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Yeon Jung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Pyo Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Ro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University, Gil Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungyeup Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University, Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeseok Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Zheng Y, Lebid A, Chung L, Fu J, Wang X, Otrocol A, Zarif JC, Yu H, Llosa NJ, Pardoll DM. Targeting the activin receptor 1C on CD4+ T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2297503. [PMID: 38235319 PMCID: PMC10793694 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2297503] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Activins, members of the TGF-beta superfamily, have been isolated and identified in the endocrine system, but have not been substantially investigated in the context of the immune system and endocrine-unrelated cancers. Here, we demonstrated that tumor-bearing mice had elevated systemic activin levels, which correlated directly with tumor burden. Likewise, cancer patients have elevated plasma activin levels compared to healthy controls. We observed that both tumor and immune cells could be sources of activins. Importantly, our in vitro studies suggest that activins promote differentiation of naïve CD4+ cells into Foxp3-expressing induced regulatory T cells (Tregs), particularly when TGF-beta was limited in the culture medium. Database and qRT-PCR analysis of sorted major immune cell subsets in mice revealed that activin receptor 1c (ActRIC) was uniquely expressed on Tregs and that both ActRIC and ActRIIB (activin receptor 2b) were highly upregulated during iTreg differentiation. ActRIC-deficient naïve CD4+ cells were found to be defective in iTreg generation both in vitro and in vivo. Treg suppression assays were also performed, and ActRIC deficiency did not change the function or stability of iTregs. Mice lacking ActRIC or mice treated with monoclonal anti-ActRIC antibody were more resistant to tumor progression than wild-type controls. This phenotype was correlated with reduced expression of Foxp3 in CD4+ cells in the tumor microenvironment. In light of the information presented above, blocking activin-ActRIC signaling is a promising and disease-specific strategy to impede the accumulation of immunosuppressive iTregs in cancer. Therefore, it is a potential candidate for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zheng
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andriana Lebid
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Liam Chung
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juan Fu
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoxu Wang
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrea Otrocol
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jelani C. Zarif
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hong Yu
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicolas J. Llosa
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Drew M. Pardoll
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Kopeć G. Sotatercept as a next-generation therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension: insights from the STELLAR trial. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:e155-e157. [PMID: 37584249 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Kopeć
- Pulmonary Circulation Centre, Department of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Prądnicka 80, 31-202 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, John Paul II Hospital in Krakow, Prądnicka 80, 31-202 Kraków, Poland
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Buryska S, Patel K, Wuertz B, Gaffney PM, Ondrey F. Potential Roles of Activin in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression and Mortality. Anticancer Res 2023; 43:5299-5310. [PMID: 38030164 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.16733] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Activin, a member of the TGF-β super family of cytokines, is involved in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study examined the constituents of the activin axis in order to further elucidate the role of activin A in HNSCC progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemistry (IHC), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), MTT, and matrigel invasion assays, in addition to analysis of the tumor cancer genome atlas (TCGA), were employed. RESULTS IHC in HNSCC and oral leukoplakia (OPL) lesions demonstrated increased expression of the inhibin subunit βA (INHBA) (p<0.0001), as well as activin receptor type IB (ACVR1B) (p<0.0032) compared to normal mucosa. TCGA analysis revealed increased INHBA expression was associated with lymph node positive tumors (p=0.024), decreased overall survival (p=0.0167), and decreased promoter methylation (p<0.0001). Concomitant up-regulated expression of gene pathways strongly correlated with INHBA expression demonstrated further deleterious effects on survival (p<0.0148). CONCLUSION Activin may be an important component of early carcinogenesis in OPL and HNSCC with unfavorable effects on clinical end-points such as survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Buryska
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A
| | - Ketan Patel
- North Memorial Health/Blaze Health, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A
| | - Beverly Wuertz
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.;
| | | | - Frank Ondrey
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A
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Wits M, Becher C, de Man F, Sanchez-Duffhues G, Goumans MJ. Sex-biased TGFβ signalling in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2262-2277. [PMID: 37595264 PMCID: PMC10597641 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad129] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare cardiovascular disorder leading to pulmonary hypertension and, often fatal, right heart failure. Sex differences in PAH are evident, which primarily presents with a female predominance and increased male severity. Disturbed signalling of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family and gene mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) are risk factors for PAH development, but how sex-specific cues affect the TGFβ family signalling in PAH remains poorly understood. In this review, we aim to explore the sex bias in PAH by examining sex differences in the TGFβ signalling family through mechanistical and translational evidence. Sex hormones including oestrogens, progestogens, and androgens, can determine the expression of receptors (including BMPR2), ligands, and soluble antagonists within the TGFβ family in a tissue-specific manner. Furthermore, sex-related genetic processes, i.e. Y-chromosome expression and X-chromosome inactivation, can influence the TGFβ signalling family at multiple levels. Given the clinical and mechanistical similarities, we expect that the conclusions arising from this review may apply also to hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a rare vascular disorder affecting the TGFβ signalling family pathway. In summary, we anticipate that investigating the TGFβ signalling family in a sex-specific manner will contribute to further understand the underlying processes leading to PAH and likely HHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Wits
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Clarissa Becher
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frances de Man
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC) (Vrije Universiteit), 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gonzalo Sanchez-Duffhues
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Marie-José Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Anastasilakis AD, Polyzos SA, Savvidis M, Anastasilakis DA, Sarridimitriou A, Kumar A, Kalra B, Makras P, Mantzoros CS. Association of activins, follistatins and inhibins with incident hip fracture in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis: a proof of concept, case-control study. Endocrine 2023; 81:573-578. [PMID: 37221430 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03402-x] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The activins-follistatins-inhibins (AFI) hormonal system is considered to regulate muscle and bone mass. We aimed to evaluate AFI in postmenopausal women with an incident hip fracture. METHODS In this post-hoc analysis of a hospital based case-control study, we evaluated circulating levels of the AFI system in postmenopausal women with a low-energy hip fracture admitted for fixation compared with postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis scheduled for arthroplasty. RESULTS Circulating levels of follistatin (p = 0.008), FSTL3 (p = 0.013), activin B and AB (both p < 0.001), as well as activin AB/follistatin and activin AB/FSTL3 ratios (p = 0.008 and p = 0.029, respectively) were higher in patients than controls in unadjusted models. Differences for activins B and AB remained after adjustment for age and BMI (p = 0.006 and p = 0.009, respectively) and for FRAX-based risk for hip fracture (p = 0.008 and p = 0.012, respectively) but were lost when 25OHD was added to the regression models. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate no major changes in the AFI system in postmenopausal women at the time of hip fracture compared to postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis except for higher activin B and AB levels, whose significance, however, was lost when 25OHD was added to the adjustment models. CLINICAL TRIALS Clinical Trials identifier: NCT04206618.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stergios A Polyzos
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Matthaios Savvidis
- 2nd Orthopedic Department, 424 General Military Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios A Anastasilakis
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Polyzois Makras
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes and Department of Medical Research, 251 Hellenic Air Force & VA General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos S Mantzoros
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Boston, VA, USA
- Healthcare System and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Cruz-Cano N, Sánchez-Rivera U, Álvarez-Rodríguez C, Loya-Zurita R, Castro-Camacho Y, Martínez-Torres M. Immunolocalization of activin and inhibin at different stages of follicular development in the lizard Sceloporus torquatus. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19333. [PMID: 37681184 PMCID: PMC10481300 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19333] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The activins and inhibins are glycoproteins with a role in the follicular development of vertebrates, that are found in follicular fluid and somatic follicular cells, with a different pattern among taxa. The principal function of activin (Act) is to modulate the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis and secretion, whereas inhibin (Inh) downregulates it. Both factors are modulators of intraovarian follicular recruitment, oocyte maturation, cell proliferation, and steroidogenic activity. Our aim was to characterize the immunolocalization of Act and Inh in the ovarian follicles during the reproductive cycle of the lizard Sceloporus torquatus. Act was detected in the granulosa cells and oocyte cortex in the different stages of follicular development. On the other hand, we identified Inh in the oocyte cortex and the cytoplasm of pyriform and small cells of previtellogenic follicles. Also, we found immunoreactivity in the oocyte cortex, theca, and small cells of vitellogenic and preovulatory follicles. Our data provide evidence that Act and Inh have changes related to the stage of follicular development. This dynamic appears to be conserved among vertebrates and is fundamental to ensure an adequate follicular development in this specie.
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Affiliation(s)
- N.B. Cruz-Cano
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Edificio D, 1° Piso, Circuito de Posgrados, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Biología de La Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de Los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla Estado de México, C.P. 54110, Mexico
| | - U.Á. Sánchez-Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biología de La Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de Los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla Estado de México, C.P. 54110, Mexico
| | - C. Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biología de La Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de Los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla Estado de México, C.P. 54110, Mexico
| | - R.E. Loya-Zurita
- Laboratorio de Biología de La Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de Los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla Estado de México, C.P. 54110, Mexico
| | - Y.J. Castro-Camacho
- Laboratorio de Biología de La Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de Los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla Estado de México, C.P. 54110, Mexico
| | - M. Martínez-Torres
- Laboratorio de Biología de La Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de Los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla Estado de México, C.P. 54110, Mexico
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Hamang M, Yaden B, Dai G. Gastrointestinal pharmacology activins in liver health and disease. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 214:115668. [PMID: 37364623 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115668] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Activins are a subgroup of the TGFβ superfamily of growth and differentiation factors, dimeric in nature and consisting of two inhibin beta subunits linked via a disulfide bridge. Canonical activin signaling occurs through Smad2/3, with negative feedback initiated by Smad6/7 following signal transduction, which binds activin type I receptor preventing phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and activation of downstream signaling. In addition to Smad6/7, other inhibitors of activin signaling have been identified as well, including inhibins (dimers of an inhibin alpha and beta subunit), BAMBI, Cripto, follistatin, and follistatin-like 3 (fstl3). To date, activins A, B, AB, C, and E have been identified and isolated in mammals, with activin A and B having the most characterization of biological activity. Activin A has been implicated as a regulator of several important functions of liver biology, including hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis, ECM production, and liver regeneration; the role of other subunits of activin in liver physiology are less understood. There is mounting data to suggest a link between dysregulation of activins contributing to various hepatic diseases such as inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and emerging studies demonstrating the protective and regenerative effects of inhibiting activins in mouse models of liver disease. Due to their importance in liver biology, activins demonstrate utility as a therapeutic target for the treatment of hepatic diseases such as cirrhosis, NASH, NAFLD, and HCC; further research regarding activins may provide diagnostic or therapeutic opportunity for those suffering from various liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hamang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Benjamin Yaden
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Guoli Dai
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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Fu XX, Zhuo DH, Zhang YJ, Li YF, Liu X, Xing YY, Huang Y, Wang YF, Cheng T, Wang D, Chen SH, Chen YJ, Jiang GN, Lu FI, Feng Y, Huang X, Ma J, Liu W, Bai G, Xu PF. A spatiotemporal barrier formed by Follistatin is required for left-right patterning. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219649120. [PMID: 37276408 PMCID: PMC10268237 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219649120] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
How left-right (LR) asymmetry emerges in a patterning field along the anterior-posterior axis remains an unresolved problem in developmental biology. Left-biased Nodal emanating from the LR organizer propagates from posterior to anterior (PA) and establishes the LR pattern of the whole embryo. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanism of the PA spread of Nodal and its asymmetric activation in the forebrain. Here, we identify bilaterally expressed Follistatin (Fst) as a regulator blocking the propagation of the zebrafish Nodal ortholog Southpaw (Spaw) in the right lateral plate mesoderm (LPM), and restricting Spaw transmission in the left LPM to facilitate the establishment of a robust LR asymmetric Nodal patterning. In addition, Fst inhibits the Activin-Nodal signaling pathway in the forebrain thus preventing Nodal activation prior to the arrival, at a later time, of Spaw emanating from the left LPM. This contributes to the orderly propagation of asymmetric Nodal activation along the PA axis. The LR regulation function of Fst is further confirmed in chick and frog embryos. Overall, our results suggest that a robust LR patterning emerges by counteracting a Fst barrier formed along the PA axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Xin Fu
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Ding-Hao Zhuo
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Ying-Jie Zhang
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Yun-Fei Li
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Yan-Yi Xing
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic and Developmental Disorders, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Yi-Fan Wang
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
- Precision Medicine Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore117599, Singapore
| | - Tao Cheng
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Si-Han Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Ministry of Education Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou311121, China
| | - Yi-Jian Chen
- Institute of Cell and Developmental Biology, Zhejiang University School of Life Sciences, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Guan-Nan Jiang
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Fu-I Lu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Biophysics and Infectious Disease of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Xiao Huang
- Institute of Cell and Developmental Biology, Zhejiang University School of Life Sciences, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu32200, China
| | - Ge Bai
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Ministry of Education Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou311121, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xu
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, China
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11
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Soejima Y, Yamamoto K, Nakano Y, Suyama A, Iwata N, Otsuka F. Functional interaction of Clock genes and bone morphogenetic proteins in the adrenal cortex. Vitam Horm 2023; 124:429-447. [PMID: 38408807 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.05.002] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) system in the adrenal cortex plays modulatory roles in the control of adrenocortical steroidogenesis. BMP-6 enhances aldosterone production by modulating angiotensin (Ang) II-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, whereas activin regulates the adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-cAMP cascade in adrenocortical cells. A peripheral clock system in the adrenal cortex was discovered and it has been shown to have functional roles in the adjustment of adrenocortical steroidogenesis by interacting with the BMP system. It was found that follistatin, a binding protein of activin, increased Clock mRNA levels, indicating an endogenous function of activin in the regulation of Clock mRNA expression. Elucidation of the interrelationships among the circadian clock system, the BMP system and adrenocortical steroidogenesis regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis would lead to an understanding of the pathophysiology of adrenal disorders and metabolic disorders and the establishment of better medical treatment from the viewpoint of pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Soejima
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan
| | - Koichiro Yamamoto
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakano
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan
| | - Atsuhito Suyama
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan
| | - Nahoko Iwata
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan
| | - Fumio Otsuka
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan.
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Anastasilakis AD, Polyzos SA, Rodopaios NE, Makras P, Kumar A, Kalra B, Mantzoros CS. Activins, follistatins and inhibins in postmenopausal osteoporosis: A proof of concept, case-control study. Metabolism 2023; 141:155397. [PMID: 36587801 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2022.155397] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone metabolism has been proposed to be affected by the activins-follistatins-inhibins (AFI) hormonal system. We aimed to evaluate AFI in patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia compared with postmenopausal and premenopausal controls. METHODS In this case-control study, circulating levels of the AFI system were evaluated, individually and jointly, between postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (BMD T-score ≤-2.5; n = 25) or osteopenia (BMD T-score >-2.5 and ≤-1; n = 25) and postmenopausal women with normal BMD (T-score >-1.0; n = 25) or premenopausal women with normal BMD (Z-score >-1.0; n = 25), with and without adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS In the sum of participants, AFI molecules and their ratios followed an opposite pattern of correlations for age and BMI vs. BMD. In unadjusted models, FSTL3 concentrations were higher, whereas activin B, inhibin A and inhibin B and the ratios of activin B/follistatin and activin B/FSTL3 were lower in the three postmenopausal groups compared with the premenopausal group. Activin A/follistatin and activin AB/follistatin ratios were lower in the osteoporosis group than the other three groups. After adjustment for BMI and age, inhibin B (p = 0.005), and the ratios of activin A/follistatin (p = 0.009), activin B/follistatin (p = 0.040) and activin AB/follistatin (p = 0.003) were lower in the osteoporotic group compared with the other groups. In fully adjusted logistic regression analysis log(inhibin B) (p = 0.041), log(activinA/follistatin) (p = 0.014), log(activinB/follistatin) (p = 0.025) and log(activinAB/follistatin) (p = 0.021), but not FSTL3, remained independently associated with the presence of osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS Lower inhibin B and higher ratios of activins A, B, and AB to follistatin are associated with lumbar spine BMD and the presence of osteoporosis independently from age or BMI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stergios A Polyzos
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos E Rodopaios
- Department of Social Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Nutrition Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Iraklion, Greece
| | - Polyzois Makras
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, 251 Hellenic Air Force & VA General Hospital, Athens, Greece; Department of Medical Research, 251 Hellenic Air Force & VA General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Christos S Mantzoros
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Boston VA Healthcare System and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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13
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Zhang FM, Wang B, Hu H, Zhang YY, Chen HH, Jiang ZJ, Zeng MX, Liu XJ. Transcriptional profiles of TGF-β superfamily members in the lumbar DRGs and the effects of activins A and C on inflammatory pain in rats. J Physiol Biochem 2023:10.1007/s13105-022-00943-z. [PMID: 36696051 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-022-00943-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Signaling by the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily is necessary for proper neural development and is involved in pain processing under both physiological and pathological conditions. Sensory neurons that reside in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) initially begin to perceive noxious signaling from their innervating peripheral target tissues and further convey pain signaling to the central nervous system. However, the transcriptional profile of the TGF-β superfamily members in DRGs during chronic inflammatory pain remains elusive. We developed a custom microarray to screen for transcriptional changes in members of the TGF-β superfamily in lumbar DRGs of rats with chronic inflammatory pain and found that the transcription of the TGF-β superfamily members tends to be downregulated. Among them, signaling of the activin/inhibin and bone morphogenetic protein/growth and differentiation factor (BMP/GDF) families dramatically decreased. In addition, peripherally pre-local administration of activins A and C worsened formalin-induced acute inflammatory pain, whereas activin C, but not activin A, improved formalin-induced persistent inflammatory pain by inhibiting the activation of astrocytes. This is the first report of the TGF-β superfamily transcriptional profiles in lumbar DRGs under chronic inflammatory pain conditions, in which transcriptional changes in cytokines or pathway components were found to contribute to, or be involved in, inflammatory pain processing. Our data will provide more targets for pain research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Ming Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, 226001, Nantong, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, 226001, Nantong, China
| | - Han Hu
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 1 Beigou Xiangshan, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Ying-Ying Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, 226001, Nantong, China
| | - Hao-Hao Chen
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zuo-Jie Jiang
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Mei-Xing Zeng
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xing-Jun Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, 226001, Nantong, China.
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong Province, China.
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14
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Johnson K, Freedman S, Braun R, LaBonne C. Quantitative analysis of transcriptome dynamics provides novel insights into developmental state transitions. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:723. [PMID: 36273135 PMCID: PMC9588240 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08953-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During embryogenesis, the developmental potential of initially pluripotent cells becomes progressively restricted as they transit to lineage restricted states. The pluripotent cells of Xenopus blastula-stage embryos are an ideal system in which to study cell state transitions during developmental decision-making, as gene expression dynamics can be followed at high temporal resolution. Results Here we use transcriptomics to interrogate the process by which pluripotent cells transit to four different lineage-restricted states: neural progenitors, epidermis, endoderm and ventral mesoderm, providing quantitative insights into the dynamics of Waddington’s landscape. Our findings provide novel insights into why the neural progenitor state is the default lineage state for pluripotent cells and uncover novel components of lineage-specific gene regulation. These data reveal an unexpected overlap in the transcriptional responses to BMP4/7 and Activin signaling and provide mechanistic insight into how the timing of signaling inputs such as BMP are temporally controlled to ensure correct lineage decisions. Conclusions Together these analyses provide quantitative insights into the logic and dynamics of developmental decision making in early embryos. They also provide valuable lineage-specific time series data following the acquisition of specific lineage states during development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08953-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Johnson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Simon Freedman
- NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Math, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Rosemary Braun
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Math, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Northwestern Institute On Complex Systems, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Carole LaBonne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA. .,NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
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15
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Staudacher JJ, Arnold A, Kühl AA, Pötzsch M, Daum S, Winterfeld M, Berg E, Hummel M, Rau B, Stein U, Treese C. Prognostic impact of activin subunit inhibin beta A in gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:953. [PMID: 36064338 PMCID: PMC9446826 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10016-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Adenocarcinomas of the esophagus (AEG) and stomach (AS) are among the most common cancers worldwide. Novel markers for risk stratification and guiding treatment are strongly needed. Activin is a multi-functional cytokine with context specific pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects. We aimed to investigate the prognostic role of activin tumor protein expression in AEG/ASs. METHODS Tissue from a retrospective cohort of 277 patients with AEG/AS treated primarily by surgery at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin was collected and analyzed by immunohistochemistry using a specific antibody to the activin homodimer inhibin beta A. Additionally, we evaluated T-cell infiltration and PD1 expression as well as expression of PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry as possible confounding factors. Clinico-pathologic data were collected and correlated with activin protein expression. RESULTS Out of 277 tumor samples, 72 (26.0%) exhibited high activin subunit inhibin beta A protein expression. Higher expression was correlated with lower Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage and longer overall survival. Interestingly, activin subunit expression correlated with CD4+ T-cell infiltration, and the correlation with higher overall survival was exclusively seen in tumors with high CD4+ T-cell infiltration, pointing towards a role of activin in the tumor immune response in AEG/ASs. CONCLUSION In our cohort of AEG/AS, higher activin subunit levels were correlated with longer overall survival, an effect exclusively seen in tumors with high CD4+ cell infiltration. Further mechanistic research is warranted discerning the exact effect of this context specific cytokine.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Staudacher
- Medical Department, Division of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Alexander Arnold
- Institute of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - A A Kühl
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, iPATH.Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Pötzsch
- Medical Department, Division of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Daum
- Medical Department, Division of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Winterfeld
- Institute of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - E Berg
- Institute of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Hummel
- Institute of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - B Rau
- Department of Surgery, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - U Stein
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C Treese
- Medical Department, Division of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
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16
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Zhong X, Narasimhan A, Silverman LM, Young AR, Shahda S, Liu S, Wan J, Liu Y, Koniaris LG, Zimmers TA. Sex specificity of pancreatic cancer cachexia phenotypes, mechanisms, and treatment in mice and humans: role of Activin. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2022; 13:2146-2161. [PMID: 35510530 PMCID: PMC9397557 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cachexia is frequent, deadly, and untreatable for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The reproductive hormone and cytokine Activin is a mediator of PDAC cachexia, and Activin receptor targeting was clinically tested for cancer cachexia therapy. However, sex-specific manifestations and mechanisms are poorly understood, constraining development of effective treatments. METHODS Cachexia phenotypes, muscle gene/protein expression, and effects of the Activin blocker ACVR2B/Fc were assessed in LSL-KrasG12D/+ , LSL-Trp53R172H/+ , and Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) mice with autochthonic PDAC. Effects of PDAC and sex hormones were modelled by treating C2C12 myotubes with KPC-cell conditioned medium (CM) and estradiol. Muscle gene expression by RNAseq and change in muscle from serial CT scans were measured in patients with PDAC. RESULTS Despite equivalent tumour latency (median 17 weeks) and mortality (24.5 weeks), male KPC mice showed earlier and more severe cachexia than females. In early PDAC, male gastrocnemius, quadriceps, and tibialis anterior muscles were reduced (-21.7%, -18.9%, and -20.8%, respectively, all P < 0.001), with only gastrocnemius reduced in females (-16%, P < 0.01). Sex differences disappeared in late PDAC. Plasma Activin A was similarly elevated between sexes throughout, while oestrogen and testosterone levels suggested a virilizing effect of PDAC in females. Estradiol partially protected myotubes from KPC-CM induced atrophy and promoted expression of the potential Activin inhibitor Fstl1. Early-stage female mice showed greater muscle expression of Activin inhibitors Fst, Fstl1, and Fstl3; this sex difference disappeared by late-stage PDAC. ACVR2B/Fc initiated in early PDAC preserved muscle and fat only in male KPC mice, with increases of 41.2%, 52.6%, 39.3%, and 348.8%, respectively, in gastrocnemius, quadriceps, tibialis, and fat pad weights vs. vehicle controls, without effect on tumour. No protection was observed in females. At protein and RNA levels, pro-atrophy pathways were induced more strongly in early-stage males, with sex differences less evident in late-stage disease. As with mass, ACVR2B/Fc blunted atrophy-associated pathways only in males. In patients with resectable PDAC, muscle expression of Activin inhibitors FSTL1, FSLT3, and WFIKKN2/GASP2 were higher in women than men. Overall, among 124 patients on first-line gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel for PDAC, only men displayed muscle loss (P < 0.001); average muscle wasting in men was greater (-6.63 ± 10.70% vs. -1.62 ± 12.00% mean ± SD, P = 0.038) and more rapid (-0.0098 ± 0.0742%/day vs. -0.0466 ± 0.1066%/day, P = 0.017) than in women. CONCLUSIONS Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cachexia displays sex-specific phenotypes in mice and humans, with Activin a preferential driver of muscle wasting in males. Sex is a major modulator of cachexia mechanisms. Consideration of sexual dimorphism is essential for discovery and development of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Zhong
- Department of SurgeryIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical CenterIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Ashok Narasimhan
- Department of SurgeryIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | | | - Andrew R. Young
- Department of SurgeryIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Safi Shahda
- Department of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal HealthIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Leonidas G. Koniaris
- Department of SurgeryIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical CenterIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal HealthIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Teresa A. Zimmers
- Department of SurgeryIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical CenterIndianapolisINUSA
- Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal HealthIndianapolisINUSA
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Wakitani S. The FGF receptor inhibitor PD173074 modulates Lefty expression in human induced pluripotent stem cells differently depending on the culture conditions. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 2022; 1869:119260. [PMID: 35306104 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Wakitani
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.
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18
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Goebel EJ, Ongaro L, Kappes EC, Vestal K, Belcheva E, Castonguay R, Kumar R, Bernard DJ, Thompson TB. The orphan ligand, activin C, signals through activin receptor-like kinase 7. eLife 2022; 11:78197. [PMID: 35736809 PMCID: PMC9224996 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin ligands are formed from two disulfide-linked inhibin β (Inhβ) subunit chains. They exist as homodimeric proteins, as in the case of activin A (ActA; InhβA/InhβA) or activin C (ActC; InhβC/InhβC), or as heterodimers, as with activin AC (ActAC; InhβA:InhβC). While the biological functions of ActA and activin B (ActB) have been well characterized, little is known about the biological functions of ActC or ActAC. One thought is that the InhβC chain functions to interfere with ActA production by forming less active ActAC heterodimers. Here, we assessed and characterized the signaling capacity of ligands containing the InhβC chain. ActC and ActAC activated SMAD2/3-dependent signaling via the type I receptor, activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7). Relative to ActA and ActB, ActC exhibited lower affinity for the cognate activin type II receptors and was resistant to neutralization by the extracellular antagonist, follistatin. In mature murine adipocytes, which exhibit high ALK7 expression, ActC elicited a SMAD2/3 response similar to ActB, which can also signal via ALK7. Collectively, these results establish that ActC and ActAC are active ligands that exhibit a distinct signaling receptor and antagonist profile compared to other activins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erich J Goebel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Emily C Kappes
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Kylie Vestal
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | | | | | | | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Thomas B Thompson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
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Noroozzadeh M, Salehi Jahromi M, Gholami H, Amiri M, Ramezani Tehrani F. Ovarian expression of follicle stimulating hormone and activin receptors genes in a prenatally-androgenized rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome in adulthood. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:7765-7771. [PMID: 35668149 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07601-z] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of genes involved in basic pathways, such as folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis may be affected following prenatal androgen exposure. Besides, exposure to androgens during prenatal life plays a central role in developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in females in later life. In the present study, we aimed to examine the expression of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and activin receptor (actR) genes in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) of a prenatally-androgenized rat model of PCOS in adulthood. METHODS AND RESULTS In the adult rat model of PCOS and their controls (n = 8 in each group), different phases of the estrous cycle were determined by vaginal smear. Total RNA was extracted from the ovarian GCs using the TRIzol protocol, a reverse transcription kit was used for complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis, and the expression of FSHR and actR genes was measured by SYBR-Green Real-Time PCR. GraphPad Prism was used for statistical analysis of data, and the t-Student's test was used to compare the results between the two groups. PCOS rats had longer and irregular estrous cycles compared to controls. The expression of FSHR and actR genes were significantly decreased in the rat model of PCOS compared to control rats. In PCOS rats, genes expression ratios for FSHR and actR were 0.91 ± 0.11 times (P = 0.008) and 0.42 ± 0.13 times (P = 0.048) less than controls, respectively. CONCLUSION Reduced expression of the FSHR and actR genes in ovarian GCs may be one of the mechanisms mediating PCOS-related disorders, especially abnormal ovarian folliculogenesis and ovulation dysfunction, following exposure to androgens during fetal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Noroozzadeh
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 23 Arabi Ave, Yaman Street, Velenjak, 1985717413, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Salehi Jahromi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Hanieh Gholami
- Endocrine Physiology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Amiri
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 23 Arabi Ave, Yaman Street, Velenjak, 1985717413, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 23 Arabi Ave, Yaman Street, Velenjak, 1985717413, Tehran, Iran.
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20
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Abstract
Endometriosis is a benign uterine disorder characterized by menstrual pain and infertility, deeply affecting women's health. It is a chronic disease and requires a long term management. Hormonal drugs are currently the most used for the medical treatment and are based on the endocrine pathogenetic aspects. Estrogen-dependency and progesterone-resistance are the key events which cause the ectopic implantation of endometrial cells, decreasing apoptosis and increasing oxidative stress, inflammation and neuroangiogenesis. Endometriotic cells express AMH, TGF-related growth factors (inhibin, activin, follistatin) CRH and stress related peptides. Endocrine and inflammatory changes explain pain and infertility, and the systemic comorbidities described in these patients, such as autoimmune (thyroiditis, arthritis, allergies), inflammatory (gastrointestinal/urinary diseases) and mental health disorders.The hormonal treatment of endometriosis aims to block of menstruation through an inhibition of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis or by causing a pseudodecidualization with consequent amenorrhea, impairing the progression of endometriotic implants. GnRH agonists and antagonists are effective on endometriosis by acting on pituitary-ovarian function. Progestins are mostly used for long term treatments (dienogest, NETA, MPA) and act on multiple sites of action. Combined oral contraceptives are also used for reducing endometriosis symptoms by inhibiting ovarian function. Clinical trials are currently going on selective progesterone receptor modulators, selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors. Nowadays, all these hormonal drugs are considered the first-line treatment for women with endometriosis to improve their symptoms, to postpone surgery or to prevent post-surgical disease recurrence. This review aims to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art on the current and future hormonal treatments for endometriosis, exploring the endocrine background of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Vannuccini
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Clemenza
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Margherita Rossi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
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21
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Ho G, Choo PC, Waragai M, Inoue S, Masliah E, Hashimoto M. Reconsideration of Alzheimer's Disease Therapy from a Viewpoint of Amyloidogenic Evolvability. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2022; 6:207-210. [PMID: 35591950 PMCID: PMC9108623 DOI: 10.3233/adr-210021] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Presuming that Alzheimer's disease (AD) might represent an antagonistic pleiotropic phenomenon derived from the evolvability of multiple amyloidogenic proteins, targeting such proteins simultaneously could enhance therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, considering that amyloid-β (Aβ) immunotherapies during reproductive life stage might adversely decrease Aβ evolvability in an offspring's brain, the disease-modifying Aβ immunotherapies should be limited to post-reproductive time in lifespan. Thus, current Aβ immunotherapy strategies should be revised accordingly. Given that the "adiponectin paradox" might underlie both amyloidosis and cognitive dysfunction in aging brain, blocking activin signaling situated downstream of the adiponectin paradox might be an alternative strategy to prevent AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Ho
- PCND Neuroscience Research Institute, Poway, CA, USA
| | - Pei Chen Choo
- PCND Neuroscience Research Institute, Poway, CA, USA
| | - Masaaki Waragai
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Division of Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Makoto Hashimoto
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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22
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Coda DM, Patel H, Gori I, Gaarenstroom TE, Song OR, Howell M, Hill CS. A network of transcription factors governs the dynamics of NODAL/ Activin transcriptional responses. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:jcs259972. [PMID: 35302162 PMCID: PMC9080556 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
SMAD2, an effector of the NODAL/Activin signalling pathway, regulates developmental processes by sensing distinct chromatin states and interacting with different transcriptional partners. However, the network of factors that controls SMAD2 chromatin binding and shapes its transcriptional programme over time is poorly characterised. Here, we combine ATAC-seq with computational footprinting to identify temporal changes in chromatin accessibility and transcription factor activity upon NODAL/Activin signalling. We show that SMAD2 binding induces chromatin opening genome wide. We discover footprints for FOXI3, FOXO3 and ZIC3 at the SMAD2-bound enhancers of the early response genes, Pmepa1 and Wnt3, respectively, and demonstrate their functionality. Finally, we determine a mechanism by which NODAL/Activin signalling induces delayed gene expression, by uncovering a self-enabling transcriptional cascade whereby activated SMADs, together with ZIC3, induce the expression of Wnt3. The resultant activated WNT pathway then acts together with the NODAL/Activin pathway to regulate expression of delayed target genes in prolonged NODAL/Activin signalling conditions. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide M. Coda
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Harshil Patel
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ilaria Gori
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Tessa E. Gaarenstroom
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ok-Ryul Song
- High Throughput Screening Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Michael Howell
- High Throughput Screening Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Caroline S. Hill
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
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23
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Puolakkainen T, Rummukainen P, Pihala-Nieminen V, Ritvos O, Savontaus E, Kiviranta R. Treatment with Soluble Activin Type IIB Receptor Ameliorates Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss and Fat Gain in Mice. Calcif Tissue Int 2022; 110:504-517. [PMID: 35024891 PMCID: PMC8927044 DOI: 10.1007/s00223-021-00934-0] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In postmenopausal osteoporosis, hormonal changes lead to increased bone turnover and metabolic alterations including increased fat mass and insulin resistance. Activin type IIB receptors bind several growth factors of the TGF-β superfamily and have been demonstrated to increase muscle and bone mass. We hypothesized that ActRIIB-Fc treatment could improve bone and muscle mass, inhibit fat accumulation, and restore metabolic alterations in an ovariectomy (OVX) model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Female C57Bl/6 N mice were subjected to SHAM or OVX procedures and received intraperitoneal injections of either PBS or ActRIIB-Fc (5 mg/kg) once weekly for 7 weeks. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests (GTT and ITT, respectively) were performed at 7 and 8 weeks, respectively. Bone samples were analyzed with micro-computed tomography imaging, histomorphometry, and quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS Bone mass decreased in OVX PBS mice compared to the SHAM PBS group but ActRIIB-Fc was able to prevent these changes as shown by µCT and histological analyses. This was due to decreased osteoclast numbers and function demonstrated by histomorphometric and qRT-PCR analyses. OVX induced adipocyte hypertrophy that was rescued by ActRIIB-Fc, which also decreased systemic adipose tissue accumulation. OVX itself did not affect glucose levels in GTT but ActRIIB-Fc treatment resulted in impaired glucose clearance in both SHAM and OVX groups. OVX induced mild insulin resistance in ITT but ActRIIB-Fc treatment did not affect this. CONCLUSION Our results reinforce the potency of ActRIIB-Fc as a bone-enhancing agent but also bring new insight into the metabolic effects of ActRIIB-Fc in normal and OVX mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tero Puolakkainen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Petri Rummukainen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Vappu Pihala-Nieminen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eriika Savontaus
- Clinical Pharmacology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Turku Center for Disease Modeling, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Riku Kiviranta
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland.
- Department of Endocrinology, Division of Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
- Turku Center for Disease Modeling, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
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24
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Szilágyi SS, Amsalem-Zafran AR, Shapira KE, Ehrlich M, Henis YI. Competition between type I activin and BMP receptors for binding to ACVR2A regulates signaling to distinct Smad pathways. BMC Biol 2022; 20:50. [PMID: 35177083 PMCID: PMC8855587 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play critical, sometimes opposing roles, in multiple physiological and pathological processes and diseases. They signal to distinct Smad branches; activins signal mainly to Smad2/3, while BMPs activate mainly Smad1/5/8. This gives rise to the possibility that competition between the different type I receptors through which activin and BMP signal for common type II receptors can provide a mechanism for fine-tuning the cellular response to activin/BMP stimuli. Among the transforming growth factor-β superfamily type II receptors, ACVR2A/B are highly promiscuous, due to their ability to interact with different type I receptors (e.g., ALK4 vs. ALK2/3/6) and with their respective ligands [activin A (ActA) vs. BMP9/2]. However, studies on complex formation between these full-length receptors situated at the plasma membrane, and especially on the potential competition between the different activin and BMP type I receptors for a common activin type II receptor, were lacking. Results We employed a combination of IgG-mediated patching-immobilization of several type I receptors in the absence or presence of ligands with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements on the lateral diffusion of an activin type II receptor, ACVR2A, to demonstrate the principle of competition between type I receptors for ACVR2. Our results show that ACVR2A can form stable heteromeric complexes with ALK4 (an activin type I receptor), as well as with several BMP type I receptors (ALK2/3/6). Of note, ALK4 and the BMP type I receptors competed for binding ACVR2A. To assess the implications of this competition for signaling output, we first validated that in our cell model system (U2OS cells), ACVR2/ALK4 transduce ActA signaling to Smad2/3, while BMP9 signaling to Smad1/5/8 employ ACVR2/ALK2 or ACVR2/ALK3. By combining ligand stimulation with overexpression of a competing type I receptor, we showed that differential complex formation of distinct type I receptors with a common type II receptor balances the signaling to the two Smad branches. Conclusions Different type I receptors that signal to distinct Smad pathways (Smad2/3 vs. Smad1/5/8) compete for binding to common activin type II receptors. This provides a novel mechanism to balance signaling between Smad2/3 and Smad1/5/8. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01252-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabina Szófia Szilágyi
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ayelet R Amsalem-Zafran
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Keren E Shapira
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marcelo Ehrlich
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav I Henis
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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25
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Xiao Y, Sosa F, Ross PJ, Diffenderfer KE, Hansen PJ. Regulation of NANOG and SOX2 expression by activin A and a canonical WNT agonist in bovine embryonic stem cells and blastocysts. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio058669. [PMID: 34643229 PMCID: PMC8649639 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine embryonic stem cells (ESC) have features associated with the primed pluripotent state including low expression of one of the core pluripotency transcription factors, NANOG. It has been reported that NANOG expression can be upregulated in porcine ESC by treatment with activin A and the WNT agonist CHIR99021. Accordingly, it was tested whether expression of NANOG and another pluripotency factor SOX2 could be stimulated by activin A and the WNT agonist CHIR99021. Immunoreactive NANOG and SOX2 were analyzed for bovine ESC lines derived under conditions in which activin A and CHIR99021 were added singly or in combination. Activin A enhanced NANOG expression but also reduced SOX2 expression. CHIR99021 depressed expression of both NANOG and SOX2. In a second experiment, activin A enhanced blastocyst development while CHIR99021 treatment impaired blastocyst formation and reduced number of blastomeres. Activin A treatment decreased blastomeres in the blastocyst that were positive for either NANOG or SOX2 but increased those that were CDX2+ and that were GATA6+ outside the inner cell mass. CHIR99021 reduced SOX2+ and NANOG+ blastomeres without affecting the number or percent of blastomeres that were CDX2+ and GATA6+. Results indicate activation of activin A signaling stimulates NANOG expression during self-renewal of bovine ESC but suppresses cells expressing pluripotency markers in the blastocyst and increases cells expressing CDX2. Actions of activin A to promote blastocyst development may involve its role in promoting trophectoderm formation. Furthermore, results demonstrate the negative role of canonical WNT signaling in cattle for pluripotency marker expression in ESC and in formation of the inner cell mass and epiblast during embryonic development. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xiao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA
| | - Froylan Sosa
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA
| | - Pablo J. Ross
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Peter J. Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA
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26
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Huang L, Hu H, Tao M, Wang Q, Li T, Yang X, Fan S, Zhao R, Wang S, Liu S. Elevated expression of inhibin α gene in sterile allotriploid crucian carp. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 312:113856. [PMID: 34302847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113856] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Inhibin and Activin, belong to the transforming growth factor β superfamily (TGF-β), which associate with the regulation of the reproductive process by the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. In this study, we reported the molecular cloning and tissue expression of inhibin α in allotriploid crucian carp and its parent- diploid red crucian carp. The full-length cDNA of inhibin α were respectively 1632 bp and 1642 bp in allotriploids and diploids, which both consisted of a 1044 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 347 amino acids. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that allotriploids and diploids had significant expression of inhibin α in testis and ovary, and the expression of inhibin α in the gonads of allotriploids was higher than that of diploids. The immunohistochemistry indicated that the ovarian development of allotriploids was abnormal, and the expression of Inhibin α in the ovary of allotriploids was higher than that of diploids. Results of co-immunoprecitation (co-IP) demonstrated that the Inhibin α and Activin βA, Inhibin α and Activin βB can form dimers. These findings suggested that the elevated expression of inhibin α and the competitive binding of Inhibin α subunit with Activin β subunits in allotriploids may be releted to the sterility of allotriploids. Furthermore, these results will facilitate the investigation of reproduction characteristics in allotriploids and provide theoretical basis for the study of polyploid breeding in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Hong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Min Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Qiubei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Xiangqiong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Siyu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Rurong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Shi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Shaojun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China.
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27
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Herrera SC, Sainz de la Maza D, Grmai L, Margolis S, Plessel R, Burel M, O'Connor M, Amoyel M, Bach EA. Proliferative stem cells maintain quiescence of their niche by secreting the Activin inhibitor Follistatin. Dev Cell 2021; 56:2284-2294.e6. [PMID: 34363758 PMCID: PMC8387025 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aging causes stem cell dysfunction as a result of extrinsic and intrinsic changes. Decreased function of the stem cell niche is an important contributor to this dysfunction. We use the Drosophila testis to investigate what factors maintain niche cells. The testis niche comprises quiescent “hub” cells and supports two mitotic stem cell pools: germline stem cells and somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs). We identify the cell-cycle-responsive Dp/E2f1 transcription factor as a crucial non-autonomous regulator required in CySCs to maintain hub cell quiescence. Dp/E2f1 inhibits local Activin ligands through production of the Activin antagonist Follistatin (Fs). Inactivation of Dp/E2f1 or Fs in CySCs or promoting Activin receptor signaling in hub cells causes transdifferentiation of hub cells into fully functional CySCs. This Activin-dependent communication between CySCs and hub regulates the physiological decay of the niche with age and demonstrates that hub cell quiescence results from signals from surrounding stem cells. Dp/E2f1 is required in stem cells to non-autonomously maintain niche quiescence Dp/E2f1 promotes niche quiescence through Fs, an Activin antagonist Activin signaling in niche cells causes transdifferentiation into functional stem cells Fs in stem cells regulates the physiological decay of the niche with age
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador C Herrera
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, CSIC/Universidad Pablo de Olavide/JA, Carretera de Utrera km 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Diego Sainz de la Maza
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Lydia Grmai
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Shally Margolis
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Rebecca Plessel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Burel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael O'Connor
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Marc Amoyel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Erika A Bach
- Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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28
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Soejima Y, Iwata N, Nakano Y, Yamamoto K, Suyama A, Nada T, Ogawa H, Otsuka F. Involvement of clock gene expression, bone morphogenetic protein and activin in adrenocortical steroidogenesis by human H295R cells. Endocr J 2021; 68:243-250. [PMID: 33028758 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej20-0359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional interactions between the levels of clock gene expression and adrenal steroidogenesis were studied in human adrenocortical H295R cells. Fluctuations of Bmal1, Clock, Per2 and Cry1 mRNA levels were found in H295R cells treated with forskolin (FSK) in a serum-free condition. The changes of clock gene expression levels were diverged, with Clock mRNA level being significantly higher than Cry1 and Per2 mRNA levels after 12-h stimulation with FSK. After FSK induction, mRNA levels of StAR and CYP11B2 were highest at 12 hours and CYP17 mRNA level reached a peak at 6 hours, but HSD3B1 mRNA level was transiently decreased at 3 hours. The expression levels of Clock mRNA showed a significant positive correlation with StAR among the interrelationships between mRNA levels of key steroidogenic factors and clock genes. Knockdown of Clock gene by siRNA led to a significant reduction of FSK-induced expression of StAR and CYP17 after 12-h treatment with FSK. BMP-6 and activin, which modulate adrenal steroidogenesis, had inhibitory effects on Clock mRNA expression, whereas treatment with follistatin, a binding protein of activin, increased Clock mRNA levels in the presence of FSK, suggesting an endogenous function of activin in regulation of Clock mRNA expression. Collectively, the results indicated that changes of Clock mRNA expression, being upregulated by FSK and suppressed by BMP-6 and activin, were tightly linked to StAR expression by human adrenocortical cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Soejima
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Nahoko Iwata
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakano
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Koichiro Yamamoto
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Atsuhito Suyama
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nada
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroko Ogawa
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Fumio Otsuka
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
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29
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Vaughan D, Mitchell R, Kretz O, Chambers D, Lalowski M, Amthor H, Ritvos O, Pasternack A, Matsakas A, Vaiyapuri S, Huber TB, Denecke B, Mukherjee A, Widera D, Patel K. A muscle growth-promoting treatment based on the attenuation of activin/myostatin signalling results in long-term testicular abnormalities. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm.047555. [PMID: 33408083 PMCID: PMC7903914 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin/myostatin signalling acts to induce skeletal muscle atrophy in adult mammals by inhibiting protein synthesis as well as promoting protein and organelle turnover. Numerous strategies have been successfully developed to attenuate the signalling properties of these molecules, which result in augmenting muscle growth. However, these molecules, in particular activin, play major roles in tissue homeostasis in numerous organs of the mammalian body. We have recently shown that although the attenuation of activin/myostatin results in robust muscle growth, it also has a detrimental impact on the testis. Here, we aimed to discover the long-term consequences of a brief period of exposure to muscle growth-promoting molecules in the testis. We demonstrate that muscle hypertrophy promoted by a soluble activin type IIB ligand trap (sActRIIB) is a short-lived phenomenon. In stark contrast, short-term treatment with sActRIIB results in immediate impact on the testis, which persists after the sessions of the intervention. Gene array analysis identified an expansion in aberrant gene expression over time in the testis, initiated by a brief exposure to muscle growth-promoting molecules. The impact on the testis results in decreased organ size as well as quantitative and qualitative impact on sperm. Finally, we have used a drug-repurposing strategy to exploit the gene expression data to identify a compound - N 6-methyladenosine - that may protect the testis from the impact of the muscle growth-promoting regime. This work indicates the potential long-term harmful effects of strategies aimed at promoting muscle growth by attenuating activin/myostatin signalling. Furthermore, we have identified a molecule that could, in the future, be used to overcome the detrimental impact of sActRIIB treatment on the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Vaughan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Robert Mitchell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Oliver Kretz
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - David Chambers
- Functional Genomics, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Maciej Lalowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, HiLIFE, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Helge Amthor
- Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University, INSERM U1179, LIA BAHN CSM, Montigny-le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Arja Pasternack
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Antonios Matsakas
- Molecular Physiology Laboratory, Centre for Atherothrombosis and Metabolic Disease, Hull York Medical School, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | | | - Tobias B Huber
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | | | | | - Darius Widera
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK
| | - Ketan Patel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading NW1 0TU, UK
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Li Y, Cui C, Xie F, Kiełbasa S, Mei H, van Dinther M, van Dam H, Bauer A, Zhang L, Ten Dijke P. VprBP mitigates TGF-β and Activin signaling by promoting Smurf1-mediated type I receptor degradation. J Mol Cell Biol 2021; 12:138-151. [PMID: 31291647 PMCID: PMC7109606 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjz057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family controls embryogenesis, stem cell differentiation, and tissue homeostasis. However, how post-translation modifications contribute to fine-tuning of TGF-β family signaling responses is not well understood. Inhibitory (I)-Smads can antagonize TGF-β/Smad signaling by recruiting Smurf E3 ubiquitin ligases to target the active TGF-β receptor for proteasomal degradation. A proteomic interaction screen identified Vpr binding protein (VprBP) as novel binding partner of Smad7. Mis-expression studies revealed that VprBP negatively controls Smad2 phosphorylation, Smad2-Smad4 interaction, as well as TGF-β target gene expression. VprBP was found to promote Smad7-Smurf1-TβRI complex formation and induce proteasomal degradation of TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI). Moreover, VprBP appears to stabilize Smurf1 by suppressing Smurf1 poly-ubiquitination. In multiple adult and mouse embryonic stem cells, depletion of VprBP promotes TGF-β or Activin-induced responses. In the mouse embryo VprBP expression negatively correlates with mesoderm marker expression, and VprBP attenuated mesoderm induction during zebrafish embryogenesis. Our findings thereby uncover a novel regulatory mechanism by which Smurf1 controls the TGF-β and Activin cascade and identify VprBP as a critical determinant of embryonic mesoderm induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihao Li
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Chao Cui
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Feng Xie
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Szymon Kiełbasa
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden Genome Technology Centre, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequence Analysis Support Core, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten van Dinther
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans van Dam
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Bauer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc., Novartis Campus, Forum 2.5.01.30, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Long Zhang
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands.,MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands.,MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Kim MJ, O'Connor MB. Drosophila Activin signaling promotes muscle growth through InR/TORC1-dependent and -independent processes. Development 2021; 148:dev.190868. [PMID: 33234715 DOI: 10.1242/dev.190868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The Myostatin/Activin branch of the TGF-β superfamily acts as a negative regulator of vertebrate skeletal muscle size, in part, through downregulation of insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling. Surprisingly, recent studies in Drosophila indicate that motoneuron-derived Activin signaling acts as a positive regulator of muscle size. Here we demonstrate that Drosophila Activin signaling promotes the growth of muscle cells along all three axes: width, thickness and length. Activin signaling positively regulates the insulin receptor (InR)/TORC1 pathway and the level of Myosin heavy chain (Mhc), an essential sarcomeric protein, via increased Pdk1 and Akt1 expression. Enhancing InR/TORC1 signaling in the muscle of Activin pathway mutants restores Mhc levels close to those of the wild type, but only increases muscle width. In contrast, hyperactivation of the Activin pathway in muscles increases overall larval body and muscle fiber length, even when Mhc levels are lowered by suppression of TORC1. Together, these results indicate that the Drosophila Activin pathway regulates larval muscle geometry and body size via promoting InR/TORC1-dependent Mhc production and the differential assembly of sarcomeric components into either pre-existing or new sarcomeric units depending on the balance of InR/TORC1 and Activin signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Jun Kim
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Michael B O'Connor
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Gori I, George R, Purkiss AG, Strohbuecker S, Randall RA, Ogrodowicz R, Carmignac V, Faivre L, Joshi D, Kjær S, Hill CS. Mutations in SKI in Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome lead to attenuated TGF-β responses through SKI stabilization. eLife 2021; 10:e63545. [PMID: 33416497 PMCID: PMC7834018 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (SGS) is a multisystemic connective tissue disorder, with considerable clinical overlap with Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes. These syndromes have commonly been associated with enhanced TGF-β signaling. In SGS patients, heterozygous point mutations have been mapped to the transcriptional co-repressor SKI, which is a negative regulator of TGF-β signaling that is rapidly degraded upon ligand stimulation. The molecular consequences of these mutations, however, are not understood. Here we use a combination of structural biology, genome editing, and biochemistry to show that SGS mutations in SKI abolish its binding to phosphorylated SMAD2 and SMAD3. This results in stabilization of SKI and consequently attenuation of TGF-β responses, both in knockin cells expressing an SGS mutation and in fibroblasts from SGS patients. Thus, we reveal that SGS is associated with an attenuation of TGF-β-induced transcriptional responses, and not enhancement, which has important implications for other Marfan-related syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Gori
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Roger George
- Structural Biology Facility, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Andrew G Purkiss
- Structural Biology Facility, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Strohbuecker
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Facility, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Rebecca A Randall
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Roksana Ogrodowicz
- Structural Biology Facility, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Laurence Faivre
- INSERM - Université de Bourgogne UMR1231 GAD, FHU-TRANSLADDijonFrance
| | - Dhira Joshi
- Peptide Chemistry Facility, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Svend Kjær
- Structural Biology Facility, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Caroline S Hill
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
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Hildebrandt S, Kampfrath B, Fischer K, Hildebrand L, Haupt J, Stachelscheid H, Knaus P. ActivinA Induced SMAD1/5 Signaling in an iPSC Derived EC Model of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Can Be Rescued by the Drug Candidate Saracatinib. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:1039-1052. [PMID: 33410098 PMCID: PMC8166717 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10103-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Balanced signal transduction is crucial in tissue patterning, particularly in the vasculature. Heterotopic ossification (HO) is tightly linked to vascularization with increased vessel number in hereditary forms of HO, such as Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). FOP is caused by mutations in the BMP type I receptor ACVR1 leading to aberrant SMAD1/5 signaling in response to ActivinA. Whether observed vascular phenotype in human FOP lesions is connected to aberrant ActivinA signaling is unknown. Blocking of ActivinA prevents HO in FOP mice indicating a central role of the ligand in FOP. Here, we established a new FOP endothelial cell model generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iECs) to study ActivinA signaling. FOP iECs recapitulate pathogenic ActivinA/SMAD1/5 signaling. Whole transcriptome analysis identified ActivinA mediated activation of the BMP/NOTCH pathway exclusively in FOP iECs, which was rescued to WT transcriptional levels by the drug candidate Saracatinib. We propose that ActivinA causes transcriptional pre-patterning of the FOP endothelium, which might contribute to differential vascularity in FOP lesions compared to non-hereditary HO. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Hildebrandt
- Institute of Chemistry/Biochemistry, Thielallee 63, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies (BSRT), Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Föhrer Str. 15, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Branka Kampfrath
- Institute of Chemistry/Biochemistry, Thielallee 63, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristin Fischer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Stem Cell Core Facility, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, 10178, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Hildebrand
- Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies (BSRT), Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Föhrer Str. 15, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Haupt
- Institute of Chemistry/Biochemistry, Thielallee 63, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harald Stachelscheid
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Stem Cell Core Facility, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, 10178, Berlin, Germany
| | - Petra Knaus
- Institute of Chemistry/Biochemistry, Thielallee 63, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies (BSRT), Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Föhrer Str. 15, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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Hashimoto M, Ho G, Sugama S, Takenouchi T, Waragai M, Sugino H, Inoue S, Masliah E. Possible Role of Activin in the Adiponectin Paradox-Induced Progress of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 81:451-458. [PMID: 33814453 PMCID: PMC8203218 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the adiponectin (APN) paradox might be involved in promoting aging-associated chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In human brain, APN regulation of the evolvability of amyloidogenic proteins (APs), including amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau, in developmental/reproductive stages, might be paradoxically manifest as APN stimulation of AD through antagonistic pleiotropy in aging. The unique mechanisms underlying APN activity remain unclear, a better understanding of which might provide clues for AD therapy. In this paper, we discuss the possible relevance of activin, a member of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily of peptides, to antagonistic pleiotropy effects of APN. Notably, activin, a multiple regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as an endocrine modulator in reproduction and an organizer in early development, might promote aging-associated disorders, such as inflammation and cancer. Indeed, serum activin, but not serum TGFβ increases during aging. Also, activin/TGFβ signal through type II and type I receptors, both of which are transmembrane serine/threonine kinases, and the serine/threonine phosphorylation of APs, including Aβ42 serine 8 and αS serine 129, may confer pathological significance in neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, activin expression is induced by APN in monocytes and hepatocytes, suggesting that activin might be situated downstream of the APN paradox. Finally, a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies demonstrated that two SNPs relevant to the activin/TGFβ receptor signaling pathways conferred risk for major aging-associated disease. Collectively, activin might be involved in the APN paradox of AD and could be a significant therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilbert Ho
- PCND Neuroscience Research Institute, Poway, CA, USA
| | - Shuei Sugama
- Department of Physiology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takato Takenouchi
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masaaki Waragai
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromu Sugino
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Division of Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Martinez-Hackert E, Sundan A, Holien T. Receptor binding competition: A paradigm for regulating TGF-β family action. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2020; 57:39-54. [PMID: 33087301 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [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: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family is a group of structurally related, multifunctional growth factors, or ligands that are crucially involved in the development, regulation, and maintenance of animal tissues. In humans, the family counts over 33 members. These secreted ligands typically form multimeric complexes with two type I and two type II receptors to activate one of two distinct signal transduction branches. A striking feature of the family is its promiscuity, i.e., many ligands bind the same receptors and compete with each other for binding to these receptors. Although several explanations for this feature have been considered, its functional significance has remained puzzling. However, several recent reports have promoted the idea that ligand-receptor binding promiscuity and competition are critical features of the TGF-β family that provide an essential regulating function. Namely, they allow a cell to read and process multi-ligand inputs. This capability may be necessary for producing subtle, distinctive, or adaptive responses and, possibly, for facilitating developmental plasticity. Here, we review the molecular basis for ligand competition, with emphasis on molecular structures and binding affinities. We give an overview of methods that were used to establish experimentally ligand competition. Finally, we discuss how the concept of ligand competition may be fundamentally tied to human physiology, disease, and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Martinez-Hackert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
| | - Anders Sundan
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway; Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Toril Holien
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Hematology, St. Olav's University Hospital, 7030, Trondheim, Norway.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Activin A is involved in the regulation of a surprisingly broad number of processes that are relevant for cancer development and treatment; it is implicated in cell autonomous functions and multiple regulatory functions in the tumor microenvironment. AREAS COVERED This article summarizes the current knowledge about activin A in cell growth and death, migration and metastasis, angiogenesis, stemness and drug resistance, regulation of antitumor immunity, and cancer cachexia. We explore the role of activin A as a biomarker and discuss strategies for using it as target for cancer therapy. Literature retrieved from Medline until 25 June 2020 was considered. EXPERT OPINION While many functions of activin A were investigated in preclinical models, there is currently limited experience from clinical trials. Activin A has growth- and migration-promoting effects, contributes to immune evasion and cachexia and is associated with shorter survival in several cancer types. Targeting activin A could offer the chance to simultaneously limit tumor growth and spreading, improve drug response, boost antitumor immune responses and improve cancer-associated or treatment-associated cachexia, bone loss, and anemia. Nevertheless, defining which patients have the highest likelihood of benefiting from these effects is challenging and will require further work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ries
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Schelch
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria
| | - David Falch
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Pany
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria
| | - Mir Alireza Hoda
- Translational Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Grusch
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria
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Tumurgan Z, Kanasaki H, Tumurbaatar T, Oride A, Okada H, Kyo S. Roles of intracerebral activin, inhibin, and follistatin in the regulation of Kiss-1 gene expression: Studies using primary cultures of fetal rat neuronal cells. Biochem Biophys Rep 2020; 23:100785. [PMID: 32715104 PMCID: PMC7369329 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2020.100785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamic kisspeptin, encoded by the Kiss-1 gene, governs the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by directly regulating the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. In this study, we examined the roles of activin, inhibin, and follistatin in the regulation of Kiss-1 gene expression using primary cultures of fetal rat neuronal cells, which express the Kiss-1 gene and kisspeptin. Stimulation with activin significantly increased Kiss-1 gene expression in these cultures by 2.02 ± 0.39-fold. In contrast, a significant decrease in Kiss-1 gene expression was observed with inhibin A and follistatin treatment. Inhibin B did not modulate Kiss-1 gene expression. Activin, inhibin, and follistatin were also expressed in fetal rat brain cultures and their expression was controlled by estradiol (E2). The inhibin α, βA, and βB subunits were upregulated by E2. Similarly, follistatin gene expression was significantly increased by E2 in these cells. Our results suggest the possibility that activin, inhibin, and follistatin expressed in the brain participate in the E2-induced feedback control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. ・We examined the roles of activin, inhibin, and follistatin in the regulation of Kiss-1 gene expression in primary cultures of fetal rat neuronal cells. ・Activin increased Kiss-1, whereas it was decreased by inhibin A and follistatin. ・Intracerebral inhibin α, βA, and βB subunits were upregulated by estradiol. ・Intracerebral activin, inhibin, and follistatin may participate in the estradiol-induced feedback control of Hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haruhiko Kanasaki
- Corresponding author. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya Cho, Izumo, Shimane, 693-8501, Japan.
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Bhati M, D Prabhu Y, Renu K, Vellingiri B, Thiagarajan P, Panda A, Chakraborty R, Myakala H, Valsala Gopalakrishnan A. Role of TGF-β signalling in PCOS associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 510:244-251. [PMID: 32682803 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Research on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remains intense due to its evolving impact on metabolism, reproduction and cardiovascular function. Changes in metabolic pathways can also significantly impact renal function including the development of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), one of the most highly investigated renal diseases. In FSGS, scarring of the glomerulus vascular tuft damages the kidneys. Onset of FSGS may either be congenital or due to other disorders that affect the metabolism and normal kidney function. Both PCOS and FSGS appear to be associated with Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) signalling. Over-expression of TGF-β may be due to the activation of the thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) gene, which increases the probability of developing renal disorders. Higher androgen levels in PCOS may also cause podocyte damage thus directly impacting development of FSGS. This article reviews the role of TGF-β's in PCOS and FSGS and explores the inter-relationship between these two disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bhati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Yogamaya D Prabhu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Kaviyarasi Renu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics & Stem Cell Lab, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Padma Thiagarajan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Aditi Panda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Rituraj Chakraborty
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Haritha Myakala
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, Tamilnadu, India.
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Kondkar AA, Sultan T, Azad TA, Osman EA, Almobarak FA, Al-Obeidan SA. Association analysis of polymorphisms rs12997 in ACVR1 and rs1043784 in BMP6 genes involved in bone morphogenic protein signaling pathway in primary angle-closure and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients of Saudi origin. BMC Med Genet 2020; 21:145. [PMID: 32641001 PMCID: PMC7346469 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-020-01076-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Glaucoma is a polygenic neurodegenerative disease and the second most common cause of blindness in Saudi Arabia. To test the hypothesis that genetic variants in the genes involved in the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling pathway may be associated with glaucoma, we investigated the association between 3′ untranslated region variants, rs12997 in ACVR1 and rs1043784 in BMP6, and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG). Methods In a case-control study, TaqMan® real-time PCR-based genotyping was done in 444 subjects consisting of 250 controls, 101 PACG and 95 PXG cases, and tested for genetic association with glaucoma-types and other clinical phenotypes. Results Rs12997[G] allele in ACVR1 exhibited significant 2-fold increased risk of PACG (p = 0.005) in women but not in men. Similarly, genotype analysis also showed that subjects carrying rs12997[G/G] genotype were at > 2-fold risk of PACG that remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and Bonferroni correction in the recessive model. Furthermore, this effect was also significant in women only. In PXG, the rs12997[G/G] genotype showed a significant trend towards increased risk of the disease (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 0.99–4.18, p = 0.049) but did not survive the Bonferroni correction. Regression analysis showed that rs12997[G/G] genotype was a significant predictor of PACG independent of age, sex, and rs1043784 genotypes. Likewise, age and rs12997[G/G] genotype showed significant effect on PXG outcome. The rs12997[A/G] genotype showed significant association with cup/disc ratio as compared to wild-type (p = 0.005) in PXG. Genotype and allele frequencies of rs1043784 in BMP6 did not show any significant association either with PACG or PXG. Conclusions Our results suggest that the polymorphism rs12997 in the ACVR1 gene involved in the BMP signaling pathway is significantly associated with PACG and PXG in a Saudi cohort. This is the first study to associate this variant/gene with PACG and PXG. However, further studies would be needed to replicate these findings in a large population-based cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altaf A Kondkar
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 245, Riyadh, 11411, Saudi Arabia. .,Glaucoma Research Chair in Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Tahira Sultan
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 245, Riyadh, 11411, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taif A Azad
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 245, Riyadh, 11411, Saudi Arabia
| | - Essam A Osman
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 245, Riyadh, 11411, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal A Almobarak
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 245, Riyadh, 11411, Saudi Arabia.,Glaucoma Research Chair in Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A Al-Obeidan
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 245, Riyadh, 11411, Saudi Arabia.,Glaucoma Research Chair in Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Lee J, Shin JE, Lee B, Kim H, Jeon Y, Ahn SH, Chi SW, Cho Y. The stem cell marker Prom1 promotes axon regeneration by down-regulating cholesterol synthesis via Smad signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:15955-15966. [PMID: 32554499 PMCID: PMC7355016 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1920829117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Axon regeneration is regulated by a neuron-intrinsic transcriptional program that is suppressed during development but that can be reactivated following peripheral nerve injury. Here we identify Prom1, which encodes the stem cell marker prominin-1, as a regulator of the axon regeneration program. Prom1 expression is developmentally down-regulated, and the genetic deletion of Prom1 in mice inhibits axon regeneration in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cultures and in the sciatic nerve, revealing the neuronal role of Prom1 in injury-induced regeneration. Elevating prominin-1 levels in cultured DRG neurons or in mice via adeno-associated virus-mediated gene delivery enhances axon regeneration in vitro and in vivo, allowing outgrowth on an inhibitory substrate. Prom1 overexpression induces the consistent down-regulation of cholesterol metabolism-associated genes and a reduction in cellular cholesterol levels in a Smad pathway-dependent manner, which promotes axonal regrowth. We find that prominin-1 interacts with the type I TGF-β receptor ALK4, and that they synergistically induce phosphorylation of Smad2. These results suggest that Prom1 and cholesterol metabolism pathways are possible therapeutic targets for the promotion of neural recovery after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyoung Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Eun Shin
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 49201 Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Bohm Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyemin Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yewon Jeon
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Ahn
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Wook Chi
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongcheol Cho
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea;
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Vaughan D, Kretz O, Alqallaf A, Mitchell R, von der Heide JL, Vaiyapuri S, Matsakas A, Pasternack A, Collins-Hooper H, Ritvos O, Ballesteros R, Huber TB, Amthor H, Mukherjee A, Patel K. Diminution in sperm quantity and quality in mouse models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy induced by a myostatin-based muscle growth-promoting intervention. Eur J Transl Myol 2020; 30:8904. [PMID: 32782759 PMCID: PMC7385695 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2019.8904] [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] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a devastating disease caused by the absence of a functional rod-shaped cytoplasmic protein called dystrophin. Several avenues are being developed aimed to restore dystrophin expression in boys affected by this X-linked disease. However, its complete cure is likely to need combinational approaches which may include regimes aimed at restoring muscle mass. Augmenting muscle growth through the manipulation of the Myostatin/Activin signalling axis has received much attention. However, we have recently shown that while manipulation of this axis in wild type mice using the sActRIIB ligand trap indeed results in muscle growth, it also had a detrimental impact on the testis. Here we examined the impact of administering a powerful Myostatin/Activin antagonist in two mouse models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. We report that whilst the impact on muscle growth was not always positive, both models showed attenuated testis development. Sperm number, motility and ultrastructure were significantly affected by the sActRIIB treatment. Our report suggests that interventions based on Myostatin/Activin should investigate off-target effects on tissues as well as muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oliver Kretz
- III Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ali Alqallaf
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, UK
| | | | - Jennie L von der Heide
- III Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Antonios Matsakas
- Molecular Physiology Laboratory, Centre for Atherothrombosis & Metabolic Disease, Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK
| | - Arja Pasternack
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Tobias B Huber
- III Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Helge Amthor
- Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University, INSERM U1179, LIA BAHN CSM, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | | | - Ketan Patel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, UK
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Appiah Adu-Gyamfi E, Tanam Djankpa F, Nelson W, Czika A, Kumar Sah S, Lamptey J, Ding YB, Wang YX. Activin and inhibin signaling: From regulation of physiology to involvement in the pathology of the female reproductive system. Cytokine 2020; 133:155105. [PMID: 32438278 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Activins and inhibins - comprising activin A, B, AB, C and E, and inhibin A and B isoforms - belong to the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily. They regulate several biological processes, including cellular proliferation, differentiation and invasiveness, to enhance the formation and functioning of many human tissues and organs. In this review, we have discussed the role of activin and inhibin signaling in the physiological and female-specific pathological events that occur in the female reproductive system. The up-to-date evidence indicates that these cytokines regulate germ cell development, follicular development, ovulation, uterine receptivity, decidualization and placentation through the activation of several signaling pathways; and that their dysregulated expression is involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the numerous diseases, including pregnancy complications, that disturb reproduction. Hence, some of the isoforms have been suggested as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the management of some of these diseases. Tackling the research directions highlighted in this review will enhance a detailed comprehension and the clinical utility of these cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Francis Tanam Djankpa
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | - William Nelson
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Armin Czika
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sanjay Kumar Sah
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jones Lamptey
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, KCCR, Ghana.
| | - Yu-Bin Ding
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
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Yamamoto Y, Ito S, Okuda K, Kimura K. Involvement of activin signal pathway in cyclic apoptosis of the oviductal isthmic epithelium in cows. Theriogenology 2020; 153:143-150. [PMID: 32485427 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.05.009] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Activin (ACV) A induces various cellular functions via activin receptor type 2 (ACVR2A/2B)-activin receptor-like kinase (ALK) 4 -Smad 2/3 pathway. Although the production of ACVA is indicated in bovine oviducts, its role on the oviduct is unclear. Oviductal isthmus needs to change its function rapidly at peri-fertilization, however, the mechanism is unknown. This study was aimed to clarify the role of ACVA in the morphological changes of oviductal isthmus in cows. First, mRNA expressions of INHBA (ACVA component) and its receptors (ALK4, ACVR2A and ACVR2B) in the isthmic tissues were examined throughout the estrous cycle. INHBA was the highest, however, ACVR2A was the lowest on the day of ovulation, suggesting reduced ACV signal transduction in the isthmus just after ovulation. Proteins of ACVRs and Smad2/3 were clearly detected in the cultured epithelial cells. It is known that ACVA regulates cellular apoptosis. Our data showed that the number of cleaved caspase-3-positive epithelial cells was largest at 2-3 days after ovulation in the isthmus. Interestingly, our study demonstrated that follistatin (ACV/TGFB/BMP inhibitor) significantly decreased the BCL2/BAX ratio in the cultured isthmic epithelial cells. To clarify which ALK pathway is involved in the regulation of BCL2/BAX ratio, the effects of SB431542 (ACV signaling (ALK4) and TGFB signaling (ALK5) inhibitor), SB525334 (ALK5 inhibitor) and LDN193189 (BMP signaling (ALK2/3) inhibitor) were investigated in the next study. The results showed that only SB431542 significantly decreased BCL2/BAX and the others had no effects. These results suggest that decreased ACVA-ACVR2A-ALK4 signal at the post-ovulation induces cyclic apoptosis of isthmic epithelial cells in bovine oviducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan.
| | - Sayaka Ito
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Okuda
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan; Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 2-11 Nishi, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Koji Kimura
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
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Vaughan D, Ritvos O, Mitchell R, Kretz O, Lalowski M, Amthor H, Chambers D, Matsakas A, Pasternack A, Collins-Hooper H, Ballesteros R, Huber TB, Denecke B, Widera D, Mukherjee A, Patel K. Inhibition of Activin/Myostatin signalling induces skeletal muscle hypertrophy but impairs mouse testicular development. Eur J Transl Myol 2020; 30:8737. [PMID: 32499882 PMCID: PMC7254437 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2019.8737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous approaches are being developed to promote post-natal muscle growth based on attenuating Myostatin/Activin signalling for clinical uses such as the treatment neuromuscular diseases, cancer cachexia and sarcopenia. However there have been concerns about the effects of inhibiting Activin on tissues other than skeletal muscle. We intraperitoneally injected mice with the Activin ligand trap, sActRIIB, in young, adult and a progeric mouse model. Treatment at any stage in the life of the mouse rapidly increased muscle mass. However at all stages of life the treatment decreased the weights of the testis. Not only were the testis smaller, but they contained fewer sperm compared to untreated mice. We found that the hypertrophic muscle phenotype was lost after the cessation of sActRIIB treatment but abnormal testis phenotype persisted. In summary, attenuation of Myostatin/Activin signalling inhibited testis development. Future use of molecules based on a similar mode of action to promote muscle growth should be carefully profiled for adverse side-effects on the testis. However the effectiveness of sActRIIB as a modulator of Activin function provides a possible therapeutic strategy to alleviate testicular seminoma development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Oliver Kretz
- III Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maciej Lalowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, HiLIFE, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Helge Amthor
- Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University, INSERM U1179, LIA BAHN CSM, Montigny-le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | | | - Antonios Matsakas
- Molecular Physiology Laboratory, Centre for Atherothrombosis & Metabolic Disease, Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK
| | - Arja Pasternack
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Tobias B Huber
- III Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Ketan Patel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, UK
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Davey JR, Estevez E, Thomson RE, Whitham M, Watt KI, Hagg A, Qian H, Henstridge DC, Ludlow H, Hedger MP, McGee SL, Coughlan MT, Febbraio MA, Gregorevic P. Intravascular Follistatin gene delivery improves glycemic control in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. FASEB J 2020; 34:5697-5714. [PMID: 32141144 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802059rrr] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) manifests from inadequate glucose control due to insulin resistance, hypoinsulinemia, and deteriorating pancreatic β-cell function. The pro-inflammatory factor Activin has been implicated as a positive correlate of severity in T2D patients, and as a negative regulator of glucose uptake by skeletal muscle, and of pancreatic β-cell phenotype in mice. Accordingly, we sought to determine whether intervention with the Activin antagonist Follistatin can ameliorate the diabetic pathology. Here, we report that an intravenous Follistatin gene delivery intervention with tropism for striated muscle reduced the serum concentrations of Activin B and improved glycemic control in the db/db mouse model of T2D. Treatment reversed the hyperglycemic progression with a corresponding reduction in the percentage of glycated-hemoglobin to levels similar to lean, healthy mice. Follistatin gene delivery promoted insulinemia and abundance of insulin-positive pancreatic β-cells, even when treatment was administered to mice with advanced diabetes, supporting a mechanism for improved glycemic control associated with maintenance of functional β-cells. Our data demonstrate that single-dose intravascular Follistatin gene delivery can ameliorate the diabetic progression and improve prognostic markers of disease. These findings are consistent with other observations of Activin-mediated mechanisms exerting deleterious effects in models of obesity and diabetes, and suggest that interventions that attenuate Activin signaling could help further understanding of T2D and the development of novel T2D therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Davey
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Emma Estevez
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rachel E Thomson
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Martin Whitham
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Kevin I Watt
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam Hagg
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hongwei Qian
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Darren C Henstridge
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
| | - Helen Ludlow
- School of Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Mark P Hedger
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sean L McGee
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Melinda T Coughlan
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark A Febbraio
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul Gregorevic
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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46
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Wisotzkey RG, Newfeld SJ. TGF-β Prodomain Alignments Reveal Unexpected Cysteine Conservation Consistent with Phylogenetic Predictions of Cross-Subfamily Heterodimerization. Genetics 2020; 214:447-465. [PMID: 31843757 PMCID: PMC7017013 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary relationships between prodomains in the TGF-β family have gone unanalyzed due to a perceived lack of conservation. We developed a novel approach, identified these relationships, and suggest hypotheses for new regulatory mechanisms in TGF-β signaling. First, a quantitative analysis placed each family member from flies, mice, and nematodes into the Activin, BMP, or TGF-β subfamily. Second, we defined the prodomain and ligand via the consensus cleavage site. Third, we generated alignments and trees from the prodomain, ligand, and full-length sequences independently for each subfamily. Prodomain alignments revealed that six structural features of 17 are well conserved: three in the straitjacket and three in the arm. Alignments also revealed unexpected cysteine conservation in the "LTBP-Association region" upstream of the straitjacket and in β8 of the bowtie in 14 proteins from all three subfamilies. In prodomain trees, eight clusters across all three subfamilies were present that were not seen in the ligand or full-length trees, suggesting prodomain-mediated cross-subfamily heterodimerization. Consistency between cysteine conservation and prodomain clustering provides support for heterodimerization predictions. Overall, our analysis suggests that cross-subfamily interactions are more common than currently appreciated and our predictions generate numerous testable hypotheses about TGF-β function and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stuart J Newfeld
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-4501
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Pettersen K, Andersen S, van der Veen A, Nonstad U, Hatakeyama S, Lambert C, Lach-Trifilieff E, Moestue S, Kim J, Grønberg BH, Schilb A, Jacobi C, Bjørkøy G. Autocrine activin A signalling in ovarian cancer cells regulates secretion of interleukin 6, autophagy, and cachexia. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2020; 11:195-207. [PMID: 31436048 PMCID: PMC7015233 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of patients with advanced cancer develop cachexia, a weight loss syndrome that severely reduces quality of life and limits survival. Our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that cause the condition is limited, and there are currently no treatment options that can completely reverse cachexia. Several tumour-derived factors and inflammatory mediators have been suggested to contribute to weight loss in cachectic patients. However, inconsistencies between studies are recurrent. Activin A and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are among the best studied factors that seem to be important, and several studies support their individual role in cachexia development. METHODS We investigated the interplay between activin A and IL-6 in the cachexia-inducing TOV21G cell line, both in culture and in tumours in mice. We previously found that the human TOV21G cells secrete IL-6 that induces autophagy in reporter cells and cachexia in mice. Using this established cachexia cell model, we targeted autocrine activin A by genetic, chemical, and biological approaches. The secretion of IL-6 from the cancer cells was determined in both culture and tumour-bearing mice by a species-specific ELISA. Autophagy reporter cells were used to monitor the culture medium for autophagy-inducing activities, and muscle mass changes were evaluated in tumour-bearing mice. RESULTS We show that activin A acts in an autocrine manner to promote the synthesis and secretion of IL-6 from cancer cells. By inhibiting activin A signalling, the production of IL-6 from the cancer cells is reduced by 40-50% (up to 42% reduction on protein level, P = 0.0048, and 48% reduction on mRNA level, P = 0.0308). Significantly reduced IL-6 secretion (P < 0.05) from the cancer cells is consistently observed when using biological, chemical, and genetic approaches to interfere with the autocrine activin A loop. Inhibiting activin signalling also reduces the ability of the cancer cells to accelerate autophagy in non-cancerous cells (up to 43% reduced autophagy flux, P = 0.0006). Coherent to the in vitro data, the use of an anti-activin receptor 2 antibody in cachectic tumour-bearing mice reduces serum levels of cancer cell-derived IL-6 by 62% (from 417 to 159 pg/mL, P = 0.03), and, importantly, it reverses cachexia and counteracts loss of all measured muscle groups (P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS Our data support a functional link between activin A and IL-6 signalling pathways and indicate that interference with activin A-induced IL-6 secretion from the tumour has therapeutic potential for cancer-induced cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Pettersen
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sonja Andersen
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anna van der Veen
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Unni Nonstad
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Shinji Hatakeyama
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lambert
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Estelle Lach-Trifilieff
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Siver Moestue
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jana Kim
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Bjørn Henning Grønberg
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Clinic of Oncology, St. Olavs Hospital - Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alain Schilb
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carsten Jacobi
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Geir Bjørkøy
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Petrusel L, Rusu I, Leucuta DC, Seicean R, Suharoschi R, Zamfir P, Seicean A. Relationship between cachexia and perineural invasion in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2019; 11:1126-1140. [PMID: 31908718 PMCID: PMC6937437 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v11.i12.1126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cachexia is responsible for the low quality of life in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The rapid disease progression and patient deterioration seems related to perineural invasion, but the relationship between cachexia and perineural invasion for the evolution of the disease has been rarely studied. As perineural invasion is difficult to be highlighted, a biomarker such as the neurotrophic factor Midkine (MK) which promotes the neuronal differentiation and the cell migration could be helpful. Also, Activin (ACV) has been described as cachexia related to PDAC. However, their role for assessing and predicting the disease course in daily practice is not known.
AIM To assess the relationship between perineural invasion and cachexia and their biomarkers, MK and ACV, respectively, and their prognostic value.
METHODS This study included prospectively enrolled patients with proven adenocarcinoma and a matched group of controls without any malignancies. Patients with other causes of malnutrition were excluded. The plasma levels of ACV and MK were analyzed using western blotting and were correlated with the clinicopathological features and survival data. These results were validated by immunohistochemical analyses of the pancreatic tumor tissue of the patients included in the study and a supplementary group of surgically resected specimens from patients with a benign disease.
RESULTS The study comprised 114 patients with PDAC, 125 controls and a supplementary group of 14 benign pancreatic tissue samples. ACV and MK were both overexpressed more frequently in the plasma of patients with PDAC than in the controls (63% vs 32% for ACV, P < 0.001; 47% vs 16% for MK, P < 0.001), with similar levels in pancreatic tissue the MK protein expression was closely related to the advanced clinical stage (P = 0.006), the presence of metastasis (P = 0.04), perineural invasion (P = 0.03) and diabetes (P = 0.002), but with no influence on survival. No correlation between clinicopathological factors and ACV expression was noted. Cachexia, present in 19% of patients, was unrelated to ACV or MK level. Higher ACV expression was associated with a shorter survival (P = 0.008).
CONCLUSION The MK was a biomarker of perineural invasion, associated with tumor stage and diabetes, but without prognostic value as ACV. Cachexia was unrelated to perineural invasion, ACV level or survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Petrusel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400162, Romania
| | - Ioana Rusu
- Department of Pathology, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca 400162, Romania
| | - Daniel Corneliu Leucuta
- Medical Informatics and Biostatistics Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca 400012, Romania
| | - Radu Seicean
- First Surgery Clinic, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400006, Romania
| | - Ramona Suharoschi
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - Paula Zamfir
- Department of Pathology, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca 400162, Romania
| | - Andrada Seicean
- Department of Gastroenterology, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400162, Romania
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Zhou YL, Li B, Xu YP, Wang LZ, Gu WB, Liu ZP, Dong WR, Shu MA. The Activin-like ligand Dawdle regulates innate immune responses through modulating NF-κB signaling in mud crab Scylla paramamosain. Dev Comp Immunol 2019; 101:103450. [PMID: 31306697 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Activins, members of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, are pleiotropic cytokines with critical roles in mediating cell proliferation, differentiation, homeostasis, apoptosis and immune response. However, the structural characteristics and specific functions of Activins remain largely unknown in invertebrates. In the present study, an Activin-like ligand Dawdle (Daw) was firstly identified and characterized from mud crab Scylla paramamosain. The obtained cDNA sequence of SpDaw was 2, 196 bp long with a 1, 149 bp open reading fame, which encoded a putative protein of 382 amino acids. The putative SpDaw protein contained a signal peptide, a TGF-β propeptide region and a TGF-β domain. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that SpDaw was predominantly expressed at early embryonic development stage and premolt stages, implying its participation in development and growth. Furthermore, SpDaw responded to both Vibro alginolyticus and Poly (I:C) challenges, suggesting the involvement of SpDaw in innate immune responses. Knockdown of SpDaw in vivo dramatically increased the expressions of NF-κB signaling genes and anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF) genes, and the bacteria clearance efficiency was also markedly enhanced in SpDaw-silenced crabs. Moreover, the in vitro experiment further demonstrated that recombinant SpDaw protein could block the increased transcription of IKKs, NF-κBs and ALFs induced by pathogen challenges. Taken together, these results indicated that SpDaw not only participated in development and growth processes but also played an immune-regulatory role in crabs' innate immunity, which may pave the way for a better understanding of TGF-β superfamily members in crustacean species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Lian Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Bo Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ya-Ping Xu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Lan-Zhi Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wen-Bin Gu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ze-Peng Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wei-Ren Dong
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Miao-An Shu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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50
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Moss-Taylor L, Upadhyay A, Pan X, Kim MJ, O'Connor MB. Body Size and Tissue-Scaling Is Regulated by Motoneuron-Derived Activinß in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2019; 213:1447-1464. [PMID: 31585954 PMCID: PMC6893369 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Correct scaling of body and organ size is crucial for proper development, and the survival of all organisms. Perturbations in circulating hormones, including insulins and steroids, are largely responsible for changing body size in response to both genetic and environmental factors. Such perturbations typically produce adults whose organs and appendages scale proportionately with final size. The identity of additional factors that might contribute to scaling of organs and appendages with body size is unknown. Here, we report that loss-of-function mutations in DrosophilaActivinβ (Actβ), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, lead to the production of small larvae/pupae and undersized rare adult escapers. Morphometric measurements of escaper adult appendage size (wings and legs), as well as heads, thoraxes, and abdomens, reveal a disproportional reduction in abdominal size compared to other tissues. Similar size measurements of selected Actβ mutant larval tissues demonstrate that somatic muscle size is disproportionately smaller when compared to the fat body, salivary glands, prothoracic glands, imaginal discs, and brain. We also show that Actβ control of body size is dependent on canonical signaling through the transcription-factor dSmad2 and that it modulates the growth rate, but not feeding behavior, during the third-instar period. Tissue- and cell-specific knockdown, and overexpression studies, reveal that motoneuron-derived Actβ is essential for regulating proper body size and tissue scaling. These studies suggest that, unlike in vertebrates, where Myostatin and certain other Activin-like factors act as systemic negative regulators of muscle mass, in Drosophila, Actβ is a positive regulator of muscle mass that is directly delivered to muscles by motoneurons. We discuss the importance of these findings in coordinating proportional scaling of insect muscle mass to appendage size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Moss-Taylor
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Ambuj Upadhyay
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Xueyang Pan
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Myung-Jun Kim
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Michael B O'Connor
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
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