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Kim JH, Kim K, Kim I, Seong S, Koh JT, Kim N. Nodal negatively regulates osteoclast differentiation by inducing STAT1 phosphorylation. J Cell Physiol 2024. [PMID: 38577903 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31268] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Several members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and function of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. However, it is still unknown whether Nodal, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, serves a function in bone cells. In this study, we found that Nodal did not have any function in osteoblasts but instead negatively regulated osteoclast differentiation. Nodal inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by downregulating the expression of pro-osteoclastogenic genes, including c-fos, Nfatc1, and Blimp1, and upregulating the expression of antiosteoclastogenic genes, including Bcl6 and Irf8. Nodal activated STAT1 in osteoclast precursor cells, and STAT1 downregulation significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of Nodal on osteoclast differentiation. These findings indicate that Nodal activates STAT1 to downregulate or upregulate the expression of pro-osteoclastogenic or antiosteoclastogenic genes, respectively, leading to the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of Nodal on osteoclast differentiation contributed to the reduction of RANKL-induced bone loss in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Ha Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
- Hard-Tissue Biointerface Research Center, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Kabsun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Inyoung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Semun Seong
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
- Hard-Tissue Biointerface Research Center, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Tae Koh
- Hard-Tissue Biointerface Research Center, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
- Department of Pharmacology and Dental Therapeutics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Nacksung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
- Hard-Tissue Biointerface Research Center, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
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2
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Katritsis DG, Fragakis N, Katritsis G, Doukas V, Marine JE, Desmukh A, Latchamsetty R, Anderson RH, Calkins H. High-resolution mapping of the circuit of typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2024; 67:599-607. [PMID: 37691082 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-023-01632-7] [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: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent anatomic and electrophysiologic evidence has provided new insight into the anatomic substrate. Previous reports on electroanatomic mapping (EAM) of the circuit of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) have been limited by mapping only the triangle of Koch on the right side of the septum and by the use of conventional mapping tools. The objectives are to obtain comprehensive high-resolution mapping of typical AVNRT and to investigate the role of the atrioventricular ring tissues in the circuit. METHODS We employed EAM with the use of novel modules and algorithms for studying typical AVNRT from the right and the left sides of the septum. RESULTS We performed extensive mapping of both the atrial septum and the septal vestibule of the tricuspid valve during typical AVNRT in 9 (6 females) patients, aged 49.6 ± 12.1 years. In two of these, left septal mapping was also obtained through the aorta. The earliest initial activation was variable, emanating from the superior or medial septum. The impulse consistently appeared below the orifice of the coronary sinus, at the site where its inferoanterior margin merged with the septal vestibule of the tricuspid valve at its entrance to the right atrium. It then returned to the initial activation site, presumably through the septal vestibular myocardium. The left septal activation area corresponded to that recorded on the right side. CONCLUSIONS Typical AVNRT uses a circuit confined within the pyramid of Koch from the AV node to the septal isthmus, involving the myocardial walls of the pyramidal space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demosthenes G Katritsis
- Hygeia Hospital, 4 Erythrou Stavrou Str, 15123, Athens, Greece.
- Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Amrish Desmukh
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Robert H Anderson
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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3
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Gjorup CA, Woodford R, Li I, Carlino MS, Ch'ng S, Chung D, Hsiao E, Lo SN, London K, Long GV, Menzies AM, Nieweg OE, Pennington TE, Rtshiladze MA, Saw RPM, Scolyer RA, Shannon KF, Spillane AJ, Stretch JR, Thompson JF, Varey AHR, van Akkooi ACJ. Role of Concurrent Ultrasound Surveillance of Sentinel Node-Positive Node Fields in Melanoma Patients Having Routine Cross-Sectional Imaging. Ann Surg Oncol 2024; 31:1857-1864. [PMID: 37966706 PMCID: PMC10838221 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-14526-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In sentinel node-positive (SN+ve) melanoma patients, active surveillance with regular ultrasound examination of the node field has become standard, rather than completion lymph node dissection (CLND). A proportion of these patients now receive adjuvant systemic therapy and have routine cross-sectional imaging (computed tomography [CT] or positron emission tomography [PET]/CT). The role of concurrent ultrasound (US) surveillance in these patients is unclear. The purpose of our study was to describe the modality of detection of nodal recurrence in SN+ve node fields. METHODS SN+ve melanoma patients who did not undergo CLND treated at a single institution from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 were included. RESULTS A total of 225 SN+ve patients with a median follow-up of 23 months were included. Of these, 119 (53%) received adjuvant systemic therapy. Eighty (36%) developed a recurrence at any site; 24 (11%) recurred first in the SN+ve field, of which 12 (5%) were confirmed node field recurrence only at 2 months follow-up. The nodal recurrences were first detected by ultrasound in seven (3%), CT in seven (3%), and PET/CT in seven (3%) patients. All nodal recurrences evident on US were also evident on PET/CT and vice versa. CONCLUSIONS The high rate of recurrences outside the node field and the identification of all US-detected nodal recurrences on concurrent cross-sectional imaging modalities suggest that routine concurrent ultrasound surveillance of the node-positive field may be unnecessary for SN+ve melanoma patients having routine cross-sectional imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Gjorup
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rachel Woodford
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Isabel Li
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matteo S Carlino
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, Australia
| | - Sydney Ch'ng
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- Chris O'Brien Lifehouse Cancer Centre, Head and Neck Service, Camperdown, Australia
| | - David Chung
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Alfred Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound, Newtown, Australia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
| | - Edward Hsiao
- Mater Imaging, Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
| | - Serigne N Lo
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kevin London
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Alfred Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound, Newtown, Australia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkin Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alexander M Menzies
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Omgo E Nieweg
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
| | - Thomas E Pennington
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Michael A Rtshiladze
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
| | - Robyn P M Saw
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkin Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kerwin F Shannon
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Chris O'Brien Lifehouse Cancer Centre, Head and Neck Service, Camperdown, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Andrew J Spillane
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
- Breast and Melanoma Surgery Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Stretch
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
| | - John F Thompson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Mater Hospital, North Sydney, Australia
| | - Alexander H R Varey
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
| | - Alexander C J van Akkooi
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia.
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Yuan Y, Zhang XF, Li YC, Chen HQ, Wen T, Zheng JL, Zhao ZY, Hu QY. VX-509 attenuates the stemness characteristics of colorectal cancer stem-like cells by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition through Nodal/Smad2/3 signaling. World J Stem Cells 2024; 16:207-227. [PMID: 38455101 PMCID: PMC10915959 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i2.207] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) are heterogeneous cells that can self-renew and undergo multidirectional differentiation in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. CCSCs are generally accepted to be important sources of CRC and are responsible for the progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance of CRC. Therefore, targeting this specific subpopulation has been recognized as a promising strategy for overcoming CRC. AIM To investigate the effect of VX-509 on CCSCs and elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS CCSCs were enriched from CRC cell lines by in conditioned serum-free medium. Western blot, Aldefluor, transwell and tumorigenesis assays were performed to verify the phenotypic characteristics of the CCSCs. The anticancer efficacy of VX-509 was assessed in HCT116 CCSCs and HT29 CCSCs by performing cell viability analysis, colony formation, sphere formation, flow cytometry, and western blotting assessments in vitro and tumor growth, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assessments in vivo. RESULTS Compared with parental cells, sphere cells derived from HCT116 and HT29 cells presented increased expression of stem cell transcription factors and stem cell markers and were more potent at promoting migration and tumorigenesis, demonstrating that the CRC sphere cells displayed CSC features. VX-509 inhibited the tumor malignant biological behavior of CRC-stem-like cells, as indicated by their proliferation, migration and clonality in vitro, and suppressed the tumor of CCSC-derived xenograft tumors in vivo. Besides, VX-509 suppressed the CSC characteristics of CRC-stem-like cells and inhibited the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling in vitro. Nodal was identified as the regulatory factor of VX-509 on CRC stem-like cells through analyses of differentially expressed genes and CSC-related database information. VX-509 markedly downregulated the expression of Nodal and its downstream phosphorylated Smad2/3 to inhibit EMT progression. Moreover, VX-509 reversed the dedifferentiation of CCSCs and inhibited the progression of EMT induced by Nodal overexpression. CONCLUSION VX-509 prevents the EMT process in CCSCs by inhibiting the transcription and protein expression of Nodal, and inhibits the dedifferentiated self-renewal of CCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xu-Fan Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yu-Chen Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hong-Qing Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tian Wen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jia-Lian Zheng
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zi-Yi Zhao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qiong-Ying Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China.
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5
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Emig AA, Hansen M, Grimm S, Coarfa C, Lord ND, Williams MK. Temporal dynamics of BMP/ Nodal ratio drive tissue-specific gastrulation morphogenesis. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.06.579243. [PMID: 38370754 PMCID: PMC10871350 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.06.579243] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Anteroposterior (AP) elongation of the vertebrate body plan is driven by convergence and extension (C&E) gastrulation movements in both the mesoderm and neuroectoderm, but how or whether molecular regulation of C&E differs between tissues remains an open question. Using a zebrafish explant model of AP axis extension, we show that C&E of the neuroectoderm and mesoderm can be uncoupled ex vivo, and that morphogenesis of individual tissues results from distinct morphogen signaling dynamics. Using precise temporal manipulation of BMP and Nodal signaling, we identify a critical developmental window during which high or low BMP/Nodal ratios induce neuroectoderm- or mesoderm-driven C&E, respectively. Increased BMP activity similarly enhances C&E specifically in the ectoderm of intact zebrafish gastrulae, highlighting the in vivo relevance of our findings. Together, these results demonstrate that temporal dynamics of BMP and Nodal morphogen signaling activate distinct morphogenetic programs governing C&E gastrulation movements within individual tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa A Emig
- Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Megan Hansen
- Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Sandra Grimm
- Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Nathan D Lord
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Margot Kossmann Williams
- Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Previous address: Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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6
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Gonzalez V, Grant MG, Suzuki M, Christophers B, Rowland Williams J, Burdine RD. Cooperation between Nodal and FGF signals regulates zebrafish cardiac cell migration and heart morphogenesis. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.05.574380. [PMID: 38260277 PMCID: PMC10802409 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.05.574380] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Asymmetric vertebrate heart development is driven by an intricate sequence of morphogenetic cell movements, the coordination of which requires precise interpretation of signaling cues by heart primordia. Here we show that Nodal functions cooperatively with FGF during heart tube formation and asymmetric placement. Both pathways act as migratory stimuli for cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs), but FGF is dispensable for directing heart tube asymmetry, which is governed by Nodal. We further find that Nodal controls CPC migration by inducing left-right asymmetries in the formation of actin-based protrusions in CPCs. Additionally, we define a developmental window in which FGF signals are required for proper heart looping and show cooperativity between FGF and Nodal in this process. We present evidence FGF may promote heart looping through addition of the secondary heart field. Finally, we demonstrate that loss of FGF signaling affects proper development of the atrioventricular canal (AVC), which likely contributes to abnormal chamber morphologies in FGF-deficient hearts. Together, our data shed insight into how the spatiotemporal dynamics of signaling cues regulate the cellular behaviors underlying organ morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 08544
| | - Meagan G. Grant
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 08544
| | - Makoto Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan, 739-8526
| | - Briana Christophers
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 08544
| | - Jessica Rowland Williams
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 08544
- Current affiliation: National Institute for Student Success, at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | - Rebecca D. Burdine
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 08544
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7
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Yull S, Shafiei S, Park CB, Kazemi P, Tiemann EB, Pagé MHG, Dufort D. Uterine Nodal expression supports maternal immunotolerance and establishment of the FOXP3 + regulatory T cell population during the preimplantation period. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1276979. [PMID: 38022561 PMCID: PMC10646213 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1276979] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy success is dependent on the establishment of maternal tolerance during the preimplantation period. The immunosuppressive function of regulatory T cells is critical to limit inflammation arising from implantation of the semi-allogeneic blastocyst. Insufficient maternal immune adaptations to pregnancy have been frequently associated with cases of female infertility and recurrent implantation failure. The role of Nodal, a secreted morphogen of the TGFβ superfamily, was recently implicated during murine pregnancy as its conditional deletion (NodalΔ/Δ) in the female reproductive tract resulted in severe subfertility. Here, it was determined that despite normal preimplantation processes and healthy, viable embryos, NodalΔ/Δ females had a 50% implantation failure rate compared to NodalloxP/loxP controls. Prior to implantation, the expression of inflammatory cytokines MCP-1, G-CSF, IFN-γ and IL-10 was dysregulated in the NodalΔ/Δ uterus. Further analysis of the preimplantation leukocyte populations in NodalΔ/Δ uteri showed an overabundance of infiltrating, pro-inflammatory CD11bhigh Ly6C+ macrophages coupled with the absence of CD4+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. Therefore, it is proposed that uterine Nodal expression during the preimplantation period has a novel role in the establishment of maternal immunotolerance, and its dysregulation should be considered as a potential contributor to cases of female infertility and recurrent implantation failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Yull
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shiva Shafiei
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Craig B. Park
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Parinaz Kazemi
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Marie-Hélène Godin Pagé
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Dufort
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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8
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Dingal PCDP, Carte AN, Montague TG, Lim Suan MB, Schier AF. Molecular mechanisms controlling the biogenesis of the TGF-β signal Vg1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2307203120. [PMID: 37844219 PMCID: PMC10614602 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307203120] [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: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The TGF-beta signals Vg1 (Dvr1/Gdf3) and Nodal form heterodimers to induce vertebrate mesendoderm. The Vg1 proprotein is a monomer retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is processed and secreted upon heterodimerization with Nodal, but the mechanisms underlying Vg1 biogenesis are largely elusive. Here, we clarify the mechanisms underlying Vg1 retention, processing, secretion, and signaling and introduce a Synthetic Processing (SynPro) system that enables the programmed cleavage of ER-resident and extracellular proteins. First, we find that Vg1 can be processed by intra- or extracellular proteases. Second, Vg1 can be processed without Nodal but requires Nodal for secretion and signaling. Third, Vg1-Nodal signaling activity requires Vg1 processing, whereas Nodal can remain unprocessed. Fourth, Vg1 employs exposed cysteines, glycosylated asparagines, and BiP chaperone-binding motifs for monomer retention in the ER. These observations suggest two mechanisms for rapid mesendoderm induction: Chaperone-binding motifs help store Vg1 as an inactive but ready-to-heterodimerize monomer in the ER, and the flexibility of Vg1 processing location allows efficient generation of active heterodimers both intra- and extracellularly. These results establish SynPro as an in vivo processing system and define molecular mechanisms and motifs that facilitate the generation of active TGF-beta heterodimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. C. Dave P. Dingal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Adam N. Carte
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
- Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Tessa G. Montague
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Medel B. Lim Suan
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Alexander F. Schier
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056Basel, Switzerland
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98109
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9
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Jeon H, Jang SY, Kwak G, Yi YW, You MH, Park NY, Jo JH, Yang JW, Jang HJ, Jeong SY, Moon SK, Doo HM, Nahm M, Kim D, Chang JW, Choi BO, Hong YB. TGFβ4 alleviates the phenotype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A. Brain 2023; 146:3608-3615. [PMID: 37143322 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad147] [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: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The duplication of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene causes a demyelinating type of neuropathy, commonly known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A). Development of effective drugs for CMT1A still remains as an unmet medical need. In the present study, we assessed the role of the transforming growth factor beta 4 (TGFβ4)/Nodal axis in the pathogenesis of CMT1A. First, we identified PMP22 overexpression-induced Nodal expression in Schwann cells, which might be one of the downstream effectors in CMT1A. Administration of Nodal protein at the developmental stage of peripheral nerves induced the demyelinating phenotype in vivo. Second, we further isolated TGFβ4 as an antagonist that could abolish Nodal-induced demyelination. Finally, we developed a recombinant TGFβ4-fragment crystallizable (Fc) fusion protein, CX201, and demonstrated that its application had promyelinating efficacy in Schwann cells. CX201 administration improved the demyelinating phenotypes of CMT1A mouse models at both pre-symptomatic and post-symptomatic stages. These results suggest that the TGFβ4/Nodal axis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CMT1A and might be a potential therapeutic target for CMT1A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonjin Jeon
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Korea
| | - So Young Jang
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
| | - Geon Kwak
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea
- BioMedicine Lab., CKD Research Institute, ChongKunDang Pharm., Yongin 16995, Korea
| | - Yong Weon Yi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea
| | - Mi-Hyeon You
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Na Young Park
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
| | - Ju Hee Jo
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
| | - Ji Won Yang
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
| | - Hye Ji Jang
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
| | - Sun-Young Jeong
- BioMedicine Lab., CKD Research Institute, ChongKunDang Pharm., Yongin 16995, Korea
| | - Seung Kee Moon
- BioMedicine Lab., CKD Research Institute, ChongKunDang Pharm., Yongin 16995, Korea
| | - Hyun Myung Doo
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Minyeop Nahm
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Korea
| | - Donghoon Kim
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
| | - Jong Wook Chang
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Byung-Ok Choi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Young Bin Hong
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
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10
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Tanaka Y, Morozumi A, Hirokawa N. Nodal flow transfers polycystin to determine mouse left-right asymmetry. Dev Cell 2023; 58:1447-1461.e6. [PMID: 37413993 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Left-dominant [Ca2+]i elevation on the left margin of the ventral node furnishes the initial laterality of mouse embryos. It depends on extracellular leftward fluid flow (nodal flow), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)/sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, and the PKD1L1 polycystin subunit, of which interrelationship is still elusive. Here, we show that leftward nodal flow directs PKD1L1-containing fibrous strands and facilitates Nodal-mediated [Ca2+]i elevation on the left margin. We generate KikGR-PKD1L1 knockin mice in order to monitor protein dynamics with a photoconvertible fluorescence protein tag. By imaging those embryos, we have identified fragile meshwork being gradually transferred leftward involving pleiomorphic extracellular events. A portion of the meshwork finally bridges over the left nodal crown cells in an FGFR/Shh-dependent manner. As PKD1L1 N-term is predominantly associated with Nodal on the left margin and that PKD1L1/PKD2 overexpression significantly augments cellular Nodal sensitivity, we propose that leftward transfer of polycystin-containing fibrous strands determines left-right asymmetry in developing embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Tanaka
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Ai Morozumi
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Hirokawa
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Juntendo Advanced Research Institute for Health Science, Juntendo University, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
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11
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Sivaccumar JP, Iaccarino E, Oliver A, Cantile M, Olimpieri P, Leonardi A, Ruvo M, Sandomenico A. Production in Bacteria and Characterization of Engineered Humanized Fab Fragment against the Nodal Protein. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1130. [PMID: 37631045 PMCID: PMC10459755 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081130] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug development in recent years is increasingly focused on developing personalized treatments based on blocking molecules selective for therapeutic targets specifically present in individual patients. In this perspective, the specificity of therapeutic targets and blocking agents plays a crucial role. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and their surrogates are increasingly used in this context thanks to their ability to bind therapeutic targets and to inhibit their activity or to transport bioactive molecules into the compartments in which the targets are expressed. Small antibody-like molecules, such as Fabs, are often used in certain clinical settings where small size and better tissue penetration are required. In the wake of this research trend, we developed a murine mAb (3D1) neutralizing the activity of Nodal, an oncofetal protein that is attracting an ever-increasing interest as a selective therapeutic target for several cancer types. Here, we report the preparation of a recombinant Fab of 3D1 that has been humanized through a computational approach starting from the sequence of the murine antibody. The Fab has been expressed in bacterial cells (1 mg/L bacterial culture), biochemically characterized in terms of stability and binding properties by circular dichroism and bio-layer interferometry techniques and tested in vitro on Nodal-positive cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jwala P. Sivaccumar
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
| | - Emanuela Iaccarino
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
| | - Angela Oliver
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
- Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Leonardi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples “Federico II”, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
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12
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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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13
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Shylo NA, Smith SE, Price AJ, Guo F, McClain M, Trainor PA. Morphological changes and two Nodal paralogs drive left-right asymmetry in the squamate veiled chameleon (C. calyptratus). Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1132166. [PMID: 37113765 PMCID: PMC10126504 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1132166] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The ancestral mode of left-right (L-R) patterning involves cilia in the L-R organizer. However, the mechanisms regulating L-R patterning in non-avian reptiles remains an enigma, since most squamate embryos are undergoing organogenesis at oviposition. In contrast, veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) embryos are pre-gastrula at oviposition, making them an excellent organism for studying L-R patterning evolution. Here we show that veiled chameleon embryos lack motile cilia at the time of L-R asymmetry establishment. Thus, the loss of motile cilia in the L-R organizers is a synapomorphy of all reptiles. Furthermore, in contrast to avians, geckos and turtles, which have one Nodal gene, veiled chameleon exhibits expression of two paralogs of Nodal in the left lateral plate mesoderm, albeit in non-identical patterns. Using live imaging, we observed asymmetric morphological changes that precede, and likely trigger, asymmetric expression of the Nodal cascade. Thus, veiled chameleons are a new and unique model for studying the evolution of L-R patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A. Shylo
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Sarah E. Smith
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Andrew J. Price
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Fengli Guo
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Melainia McClain
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Paul A. Trainor
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Paul A. Trainor,
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14
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Truchado-García M, Perry KJ, Cavodeassi F, Kenny NJ, Henry JQ, Grande C. A Small Change With a Twist Ending: A Single Residue in EGF-CFC Drives Bilaterian Asymmetry. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 40:6947033. [PMID: 36537201 PMCID: PMC9907556 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac270] [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: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Asymmetries are essential for proper organization and function of organ systems. Genetic studies in bilaterians have shown signaling through the Nodal/Smad2 pathway plays a key, conserved role in the establishment of body asymmetries. Although the main molecular players in the network for the establishment of left-right asymmetry (LRA) have been deeply described in deuterostomes, little is known about the regulation of Nodal signaling in spiralians. Here, we identified orthologs of the egf-cfc gene, a master regulator of the Nodal pathway in vertebrates, in several invertebrate species, which includes the first evidence of its presence in non-deuterostomes. Our functional experiments indicate that despite being present, egf-cfc does not play a role in the establishment of LRA in gastropods. However, experiments in zebrafish suggest that a single amino acid mutation in the egf-cfc gene in at least the common ancestor of chordates was the necessary step to induce a gain of function in LRA regulation. This study shows that the egf-cfc gene likely appeared in the ancestors of deuterostomes and "protostomes", before being adopted as a mechanism to regulate the Nodal pathway and the establishment of LRA in some lineages of deuterostomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly J Perry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Florencia Cavodeassi
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan J Kenny
- Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom,Department of Biochemistry (Te Tari Matū Koiora), University of Otago, Dunedin, (Aotearoa) New Zealand
| | - Jonathan Q Henry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801,The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543
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15
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Economou AD, Guglielmi L, East P, Hill CS. Nodal signaling establishes a competency window for stochastic cell fate switching. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2604-2622.e5. [PMID: 36473458 PMCID: PMC7615190 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.11.008] [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: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Specification of the germ layers by Nodal signaling has long been regarded as an archetype of how graded morphogens induce different cell fates. However, this deterministic model cannot explain why only a subset of cells at the early zebrafish embryo margin adopt the endodermal fate, whereas their immediate neighbours, experiencing a similar signaling environment, become mesoderm. Combining pharmacology, quantitative imaging and single cell transcriptomics, we demonstrate that sustained Nodal signaling establishes a bipotential progenitor state from which cells can switch to an endodermal fate or differentiate into mesoderm. Switching is a random event, the likelihood of which is modulated by Fgf signaling. This inherently imprecise mechanism nevertheless leads to robust endoderm formation because of buffering at later stages. Thus, in contrast to previous deterministic models of morphogen action, Nodal signaling establishes a temporal window when cells are competent to undergo a stochastic cell fate switch, rather than determining fate itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Economou
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Luca Guglielmi
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Philip East
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Caroline S Hill
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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16
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Machacova S, Kozmik Z, Kozmikova I. Identification of Nodal-dependent enhancer of amphioxus Chordin sufficient to drive gene expression into the chordate dorsal organizer. Dev Genes Evol 2022; 232:137-145. [PMID: 36372862 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-022-00698-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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The core molecular mechanisms of dorsal organizer formation during gastrulation are highly conserved within the chordate lineage. One of the key characteristics is that Nodal signaling is required for the organizer-specific gene expression. This feature appears to be ancestral, as evidenced by the presence in the most basally divergent chordate amphioxus. To provide a better understanding of the evolution of organizer-specific gene regulation in chordates, we analyzed the cis-regulatory sequence of amphioxus Chordin in the context of the vertebrate embryo. First, we generated stable zebrafish transgenic lines, and by using light-sheet fluorescent microscopy, characterized in detail the expression pattern of GFP driven by the cis-regulatory sequences of amphioxus Chordin. Next, we performed a 5'deletion analysis and identified an enhancer sufficient to drive the expression of the reporter gene into a chordate dorsal organizer. Finally, we found that the identified enhancer element strongly depends on Nodal signaling, which is consistent with the well-established role of this pathway in the regulation of the expression of dorsal organizer-specific genes across chordates. The enhancer identified in our study may represent a suitable simple system to study the interplay of the evolutionarily conserved regulatory mechanisms operating during early chordate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Machacova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Videnska, 1083, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Videnska, 1083, Czech Republic
| | - Iryna Kozmikova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Videnska, 1083, Czech Republic.
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17
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Kajikawa E, Miki T, Takeda M, Kiyonari H, Hamada H. Left-right asymmetric expression of the Nodal-Lefty-Pitx2 module in developing turtle forebrain. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:929808. [PMID: 36340044 PMCID: PMC9634164 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.929808] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithalamus of zebrafish shows morphological and molecular left-right (L-R) asymmetry, but such asymmetry is not apparent in tetrapods. To provide further insight into the evolutionary diversity of brain L-R asymmetry, we have now examined the developing brains of reptile embryos for expression of Nodal, Lefty, and Pitx2. Two turtle species, the Chinese softshell turtle and the red-eared slider turtle, showed left-sided expression of these three genes in the developing forebrain, with this expression occurring after Nodal expression at the lateral plate and the L-R organizer has disappeared. Nodal activity, as revealed by the detection of phosphorylated Smad2/3, was also apparent in the neural epithelium on the left side in both turtle species. In the Chinese softshell turtle, the habenula did not show apparent asymmetry in size and the parapineal organ was absent, but the expression of Kctd12 in the habenula showed a small yet reproducible asymmetry. In contrast to the turtles, L-R asymmetric expression of Nodal, Lefty, Pitx2, or Kctd12 was not detected in the developing brain of the Madagascar ground gecko. The transcriptional enhancer (ASE) responsible for the asymmetric expression of Nodal, Lefty, and Pitx2 was conserved among reptiles, including the Chinese softshell turtle and Madagascar ground gecko. Our findings suggest that Nodal, Lefty, and Pitx2 have the potential to be asymmetrically expressed in the developing brain of vertebrates, but that their expression varies even among reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Kajikawa
- Laboratory for Organismal Patterning, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Hyogo, Japan,*Correspondence: Eriko Kajikawa, ; Hiroshi Hamada,
| | | | | | - Hiroshi Kiyonari
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hamada
- Laboratory for Organismal Patterning, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Hyogo, Japan,*Correspondence: Eriko Kajikawa, ; Hiroshi Hamada,
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18
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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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19
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family ligands play crucial roles in orchestrating early embryonic development. Most significantly, two family members, NODAL and BMP form signaling gradients and indeed in fish, frogs and sea urchins these two opposing gradients are sufficient to organize a complete embryonic axis. This review focuses on how these gradients are established and interpreted during early vertebrate development. The review highlights key principles that are emerging, in particular the importance of signaling duration as well as ligand concentration in both gradient generation and their interpretation. Feedforward and feedback loops involving other signaling pathways are also essential for providing spatial and temporal information downstream of the NODAL and BMP signaling pathways. Finally, new data suggest the existence of buffering mechanisms, whereby early signaling defects can be readily corrected downstream later in development, suggesting that signaling gradients do not have to be as precise as previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Hill
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
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20
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Su YH. Dorsal-ventral axis formation in sea urchin embryos. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 146:183-210. [PMID: 35152983 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2021.10.007] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Most sea urchin species produce planktonic feeding larvae with distinct dorsal-ventral polarity. Such morphological indicators of polarity arise after gastrulation, when several morphogenesis and cell differentiation events occur differentially along the dorsal-ventral axis. For instance, the gut bends toward the ventral side where the mouth will form, skeletogenesis occurs initially near the ventral side with the forming skeleton extending dorsally, and pigment cells differentiate and embed in the dorsal ectoderm. The patterning mechanisms and gene regulatory networks underlying these events have been extensively studied. Two opposing TGF-β signaling pathways, Nodal and BMP, play key roles in all three germ layers to respectively pattern the sea urchin ventral and dorsal sides. In this chapter, I describe our current understanding of sea urchin dorsal-ventral patterning mechanisms. Additionally, differences in the patterning mechanisms observed in lecithotrophic sea urchins (nonfeeding larvae) and in cidaroid sea urchins are also discussed, along with evolutionary insights gained from comparative analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hsien Su
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
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21
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Gao Q, Guan L, Hou R, Meng R, Li Q, Liu J, Jin Y, Shi C, Su D, Ma X. Role of EBAF/ Nodal/p27 signaling pathway in development of placenta in normal and diabetic rats. Dev Biol 2021; 481:172-8. [PMID: 34737126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Placentas control the maternal-fetal transport of nutrients and gases. Placental reactions to adverse intrauterine conditions affect fetal development. Such adverse conditions occur in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, leading to alterations in placental anatomy and physiology. In this study, streptozocin (STZ) injection produced sustained hyperglycemia during pregnancy in rats. Hyperglycemic pregnant rats had gained significantly less weight than normal pregnant rats on embryonic day 15.5. We investigated the influence of diabetes on placental anatomy and physiology. Compared with controls, the diabetic group had a markedly thicker junctional zone at embryonic day 15.5. To explore a mechanism for this abnormality, we examined Nodal expression in the junctional zone of control and diabetic groups. We found lower expression of Nodal in the diabetic group. We then investigated the expression of its target gene p27Kip1 (p27), which is related to cell proliferation. In vitro, Nodal overexpression up-regulated p27 protein levels while interfered EBAF up-regulated p27. In vivo, the expression of p27 was lower in diabetic compared with normal rats, and localization was similar between the two groups. In contrast, a higher expression of PCNA was found in diabetic versus normal placenta. Endometrial bleeding associated factor (EBAF), an up-stream molecular regulator of Nodal, was expressed at higher levels in placenta from diabetic versus normal rats. Based on these results, we speculate that the EBAF/Nodal/p27 signaling pathway plays a role in morphological change of diabetic placenta.
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22
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Untiveros G, Dezi L, Gillette M, Sidor J, Strizzi L. Normal Skin Cells Increase Aggressiveness of Cutaneous Melanoma by Promoting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via Nodal and Wnt Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11719. [PMID: 34769150 PMCID: PMC8583838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a lethal form of skin cancer triggered by genetic and environmental factors. Excision of early-stage, poorly aggressive melanoma often leads to a successful outcome; however, left undiagnosed these lesions can progress to metastatic disease. This research investigates whether the exposure of poorly aggressive melanoma to certain normal skin cells can explain how non-metastatic melanoma becomes more aggressive while still confined to the skin. To this end, we used a serial co-culture approach to sequentially expose cells from two different, poorly aggressive human melanoma cell lines against normal cells of the skin beginning with normal melanocytes, then epidermal keratinocytes, and finally dermal fibroblasts. Protein extraction of melanoma cells occurred at each step of the co-culture sequence for western blot (WB) analysis. In addition, morphological and functional changes were assessed to detect differences between the serially co-cultured melanoma cells and non-co-cultured cells. Results show that the co-cultured melanoma cells assumed a more mesenchymal morphology and displayed a significant increase in proliferation and invasiveness compared to control or reference cells. WB analysis of protein from the co-cultured melanoma cells showed increased expression of Snail and decreased levels of E-cadherin suggesting that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is occurring in these co-cultured cells. Additional WB analysis showed increased levels of Nodal protein and signaling and signs of increased Wnt activity in the co-cultured melanoma cells compared to reference cells. These data suggest that interaction between poorly aggressive melanoma cells with normal cells of the skin may regulate the transition from localized, poorly aggressive melanoma to invasive, metastatic disease via Nodal and/or Wnt induced EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Untiveros
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Lindsay Dezi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Megan Gillette
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA; (M.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Julia Sidor
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA; (M.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
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23
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Mahmood H, Habib M, Aslam W, Khursheed S, Fatima S, Aziz S, Habib M, Faheem M. Clinicopathological spectrum of Diffuse Large B Cell lymphoma: a study targeting population yet unexplored in Pakistan. BMC Res Notes 2021; 14:354. [PMID: 34507605 PMCID: PMC8434720 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05768-5] [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: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). The aim of this study was to assess the clinico pathological characteristics of DLBCL specifically, among the affected individuals residing in Northern areas of Pakistan who had not been previously included in major lymphoma studies due to their remote location. Results Mean age of the patients was 49.7 years. Male: female ratio was 1.5:1. Primary site was lymph node in 99 (71.74%) patients, out of which, 36 (26.09%) patients had B symptoms and 19 (13.77%) patients had stage IV disease. 39 (28.26%) patients had primary extra nodal involvement, 4 (2.90%) patients had B symptoms and 3 (2.17%) had stage IV disease. Extra nodal sites involved in primary extra nodal DLBCL were gastrointestinal tract (GIT) 19 (48.72%), tonsils 6 (15.38%), spine 4 (10.26%), soft tissue swelling 3 (7.69%), parotid gland 2 (5.13%), thyroid 2 (5.13%) central nervous system (CNS) 1 (2.56), breast 1 (2.56%) and bone marrow 1 (2.56%). Our study revealed increased percentage of patients with nodal DLBCL in stage IV and with B symptoms. Few patients with primary extra nodal DLBCL had B symptoms and stage IV disease at presentation. GIT was the most common site of involvement in primary extra nodal DLBCL. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-021-05768-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Mahmood
- Clinical Oncology, Nuclear Medicine Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - M Habib
- Hematology (Pathology), Shifa College of Medicine (Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University), Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - W Aslam
- Hematology (Pathology), Nuclear Medicine Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - S Khursheed
- Histopathology (Pathology), Nuclear Medicine Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - S Fatima
- Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Medicine Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - S Aziz
- Pathology, Nuclear Medicine Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - M Habib
- Restorative Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - M Faheem
- Clinical Oncology, Nuclear Medicine Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan
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24
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Kim HS, Green YS, Xie Y, Christian JL. Tril dampens Nodal signaling through Pellino2- and Traf6-mediated activation of Nedd4l. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2104661118. [PMID: 34475212 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2104661118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr) interactor with leucine-rich repeats (Tril) functions as a Tlr coreceptor to mediate innate immunity in adults. In Xenopus embryos, Tril triggers degradation of the transforming growth factor β (Tgf-ß) family inhibitor, Smad7. This enhances bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signaling to enable ventral mesoderm to commit to a blood fate. Here, we show that Tril simultaneously dampens Nodal signaling by catalytically activating the ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 Like (Nedd4l). Nedd4l then targets Nodal receptors for degradation. How Tril signals are transduced in a nonimmune context is unknown. We identify the ubiquitin ligase Pellino2 as a protein that binds to the cytoplasmic tail of Tril and subsequently forms a complex with Nedd4l and another E3 ligase, TNF-receptor associated factor 6 (Traf6). Pellino2 and Traf6 are essential for catalytic activation of Nedd4l, both in Xenopus and in mammalian cells. Traf6 ubiquitinates Nedd4l, which is then recruited to membrane compartments where activation occurs. Collectively, our findings reveal that Tril initiates a noncanonical Tlr-like signaling cascade to activate Nedd4l, thereby coordinately regulating the Bmp and Nodal arms of the Tgf-ß superfamily during vertebrate development.
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25
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Boustan A, Mosaffa F, Jahangiri R, Heidarian-Miri H, Dahmardeh-Ghalehno A, Jamialahmadi K. Role of SALL4 and Nodal in the prognosis and tamoxifen resistance of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Mol Biol Res Commun 2021; 10:109-119. [PMID: 34476264 PMCID: PMC8340312 DOI: 10.22099/mbrc.2021.39878.1597] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite the discovery of a number of different mechanisms underlying tamoxifen resistance, its molecular pathway is not completely clear. The upregulation of SALL4 and Nodal has been reported in breast cancer. Nevertheless, their role in tamoxifen resistance has not been investigated. In the present study, we compared Nodal and SALL4 expression in 72 tamoxifen sensitive (TAMS) and tamoxifen-resistant (TAMR) patients. Afterward, the correlation of expression data with clinicopathological features and survival of patients was studied. Results showed that both SALL4 and Nodal were significantly upregulated in TAMR compared to TAMS patients. Besides, there was a positive association between Nodal and SALL4 expression. Furthermore, we evaluated their correlation with the expression of Oct4, Nanog and Sox2 stemness markers. The results demonstrated that in most tissue samples there was a positive correlation between Nodal and SALL4 expression with these stemness markers. Besides, the overexpression of SALL4 and Nodal significantly correlated with the N stage. Moreover, the overexpression of SALL4 was associated with extracapsular invasion and lymphatic invasion. High level expressions of SALL4 and Nodal had a significant association with worse disease-free survival (DFS) rates. In addition, increased level of Nodal expression provides a superior predictor factor for DFS. The multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed that for DFS, perineural invasion (PNI) was independently an unfavorable prognostic value. These findings suggest that the high expression of SALL4 and Nodal could contribute to tamoxifen resistance and worse survival rates in tamoxifen-treated ER+ breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arad Boustan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mosaffa
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Rosa Jahangiri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Heidarian-Miri
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Asefeh Dahmardeh-Ghalehno
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Jamialahmadi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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26
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Arboretto P, Cillo M, Leonardi A. New Insights into Cancer Targeted Therapy: Nodal and Cripto-1 as Attractive Candidates. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157838. [PMID: 34360603 PMCID: PMC8345935 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157838] [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] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling is fundamental for correct embryonic development. However, alterations of this pathway have been correlated with oncogenesis, tumor progression and sustaining of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Cripto-1 (CR-1) and Nodal are two embryonic proteins involved in TGF-β signaling. Their expression is almost undetectable in terminally differentiated cells, but they are often re-expressed in tumor cells, especially in CSCs. Moreover, cancer cells that show high levels of CR-1 and/or Nodal display more aggressive phenotypes in vitro, while in vivo their expression correlates with a worse prognosis in several human cancers. The ability to target CSCs still represents an unmet medical need for the complete eradication of certain types of tumors. Given the prognostic role and the selective expression of CR-1 and Nodal on cancer cells, they represent archetypes for targeted therapy. The aim of this review is to clarify the role of CR-1 and Nodal in cancer stem populations and to summarize the current therapeutic strategy to target CSCs using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or other molecular tools to interfere with these two proteins.
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27
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Katritsis DG, Marine JE, Katritsis G, Latchamsetty R, Zografos T, Zimetbaum P, Buxton AE, Calkins H, Morady F, Sánchez-Quintana D, Anderson RH. Spatial characterization of the tachycardia circuit of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia. Europace 2021; 23:1596-1602. [PMID: 34240123 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab130] [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: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The exact circuit of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) remains elusive. To assess the location and dimensions of the AVNRT circuit. METHODS AND RESULTS Both typical and atypical AVNRT were induced at electrophysiology study of 14 patients. We calculated the activation time of the fast and slow pathways, and consequently, the length of the slow pathway, by assuming an average conduction velocity of 0.04 mm/ms in the nodal area. The distance between the compact atrioventricular node and the slow pathway ablating electrode was measured on three-dimensionally reconstructed fluoroscopic images obtained in diastole and systole. We also measured the length of the histologically discrete right inferior nodal extension in 31 human hearts. The length of the slow pathway was calculated to be 10.8 ± 1.3 mm (range 8.2-12.8 mm). The distance from the node to the ablating electrode was measured in five patients 17.0 ± 1.6 mm (range 14.9-19.2 mm) and was consistently longer than the estimated length of the slow pathway (P < 0.001). The length of the right nodal inferior extension in histologic specimens was 8.1 ± 2.3 mm (range 5.3-13.7 mm). There were no statistically significant differences between these values and the calculated slow pathway lengths. CONCLUSION Successful ablation affects the tachycardia circuit without necessarily abolishing slow conduction, probably by interrupting the circuit at the septal isthmus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demosthenes G Katritsis
- Hygeia Hospital, 4 Erythrou Stavrou Str, Athens 15123, Greece.,Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Peter Zimetbaum
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alfred E Buxton
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Damián Sánchez-Quintana
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Robert H Anderson
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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28
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Soh GH, Pomreinke AP, Müller P. Integration of Nodal and BMP Signaling by Mutual Signaling Effector Antagonism. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107487. [PMID: 32268105 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Opposing sources of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Nodal signaling molecules are sufficient to induce the formation of a full axis in zebrafish embryos. To address how these signals orchestrate patterning, we transplant sources of fluorescently tagged Nodal and BMP into zebrafish embryos, robustly inducing the formation of secondary axes. Nodal and BMP signal non-cell-autonomously and form similar protein gradients in this context, but the signaling range of Nodal (pSmad2) is shorter than the BMP range (pSmad5). This yields a localized region of pSmad2 activity around the Nodal source, overlapping with a broad domain of pSmad5 activity across the embryo. Cell fates induced in various regions stereotypically correlate with pSmad2-to-pSmad5 ratios and can even be induced BMP- and Nodal-independently with different ratios of constitutively active Smad2 and Smad5. Strikingly, we find that Smad2 and Smad5 antagonize each other for specific cell fates, providing a mechanism for how cells integrate and discriminate between overlapping signals during development. Nodal induces pSmad at a shorter range than BMP due to slower activation kinetics Different ratios of active Smad2 and Smad5 can induce different embryonic structures Smad2 and Smad5 inhibit each other or act synergistically to induce specific cell fates
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29
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Pieplow A, Dastaw M, Sakuma T, Sakamoto N, Yamamoto T, Yajima M, Oulhen N, Wessel GM. CRISPR-Cas9 editing of non-coding genomic loci as a means of controlling gene expression in the sea urchin. Dev Biol 2021; 472:85-97. [PMID: 33482173 PMCID: PMC7956150 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We seek to manipulate gene function here through CRISPR-Cas9 editing of cis-regulatory sequences, rather than the more typical mutation of coding regions. This approach would minimize secondary effects of cellular responses to nonsense mediated decay pathways or to mutant protein products by premature stops. This strategy also allows for reducing gene activity in cases where a complete gene knockout would result in lethality, and it can be applied to the rapid identification of key regulatory sites essential for gene expression. We tested this strategy here with genes of known function as a proof of concept, and then applied it to examine the upstream genomic region of the germline gene Nanos2 in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. We first used CRISPR-Cas9 to target established genomic cis-regulatory regions of the skeletogenic cell transcription factor, Alx1, and the TGF-β signaling ligand, Nodal, which produce obvious developmental defects when altered in sea urchin embryos. Importantly, mutation of cis-activator sites (Alx1) and cis-repressor sites (Nodal) result in the predicted decreased and increased transcriptional output, respectively. Upon identification of efficient gRNAs by genomic mutations, we then used the same validated gRNAs to target a deadCas9-VP64 transcriptional activator to increase Nodal transcription directly. Finally, we paired these new methodologies with a more traditional, GFP reporter construct approach to further our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of Nanos2, a key gene required for germ cell identity in S. purpuratus. With a series of reporter assays, upstream Cas9-promoter targeted mutagenesis, coupled with qPCR and in situ RNA hybridization, we concluded that the promoter of Nanos2 drives strong mRNA expression in the sea urchin embryo, indicating that its primordial germ cell (PGC)-specific restriction may rely instead on post-transcriptional regulation. Overall, we present a proof-of-principle tool-kit of Cas9-mediated manipulations of promoter regions that should be applicable in most cells and embryos for which CRISPR-Cas9 is employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Pieplow
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Meseret Dastaw
- Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute, Addis Ababa University, NBH1, 4killo King George VI St, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tetsushi Sakuma
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Naoaki Sakamoto
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Mamiko Yajima
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Nathalie Oulhen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Gary M Wessel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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Abstract
The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling family is evolutionarily conserved in metazoans. The signal transduction mechanisms of TGFβ family members have been expansively investigated and are well understood. During development and homeostasis, numerous TGFβ family members are expressed in various cell types with temporally changing levels, playing diverse roles in embryonic development, adult tissue homeostasis and human diseases by regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, migration and apoptosis. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying signal transduction and regulation of the TGFβ subfamily pathways, and then highlight their key functions in mesendoderm induction, dorsoventral patterning and laterality development, as well as in the formation of several representative tissues/organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunji Jia
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Anming Meng
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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31
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Wang X, Liu S, Cao H, Li X, Rong Y, Liu G, Du H, Shen H. Increasing Embryonic Morphogen Nodal Expression Suggests Malignant Transformation in Colorectal Lesions and as a Potential Marker for CMS4 Subtype of Colorectal Cancer. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:587029. [PMID: 34257534 PMCID: PMC8262187 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.587029] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Nodal, an embryonic morphogen in TGF-β family, is related with tumorigenicity and progression in various tumors including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the difference of Nodal expression between CRC and colorectal polyps has not yet been investigated. Besides, whether Nodal can be used as a marker for consensus molecular subtype classification-4 (CMS4) of CRC is also worth studying. We analyzed Nodal expression in patients of CRC (161), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN, 28) and five types of colorectal polyps (116). The Nodal expression difference among groups and the association between Nodal expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed. Two categories logistic regression model was used to predict the odds ratio (OR) of risk factors for high tumor-stroma percentage (TSP), and ROC curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of Nodal in predicting high TSP in CRC. We found that Nodal expression was significantly elevated in CRC and HGIN (p < 0.0001). The increased expression of Nodal was related with high TSP, mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) status, lymph node metastasis and advanced AJCC stage (p < 0.05). Besides, Nodal expression was the only risk factor for high TSP (OR = 6.94; p < 0.001), and ROC curve demonstrated that Nodal expression was able to efficiently distinguish high and low TSP. In conclusion, different expression of Nodal between CRC/HGIN and benign lesions is suggestive of a promoting role for Nodal in colorectal tumor progression. Besides, Nodal might also be used as a potential marker for CMS4 subtype of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopai Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shousheng Liu
- Department of General Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijiao Cao
- Department of General Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiubo Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuming Rong
- Department of General Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guorong Liu
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Du
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Shen
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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32
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Castro Colabianchi AM, Tavella MB, Boyadjián López LE, Rubinstein M, Franchini LF, López SL. Segregation of brain and organizer precursors is differentially regulated by Nodal signaling at blastula stage. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio.051797. [PMID: 33563608 PMCID: PMC7928228 DOI: 10.1242/bio.051797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The blastula Chordin- and Noggin-expressing (BCNE) center comprises animal-dorsal and marginal-dorsal cells of the amphibian blastula and contains the precursors of the brain and the gastrula organizer. Previous findings suggested that the BCNE behaves as a homogeneous cell population that only depends on nuclear β-catenin activity but does not require Nodal and later segregates into its descendants during gastrulation. In contrast to previous findings, in this work, we show that the BCNE does not behave as a homogeneous cell population in response to Nodal antagonists. In fact, we found that chordin.1 expression in a marginal subpopulation of notochordal precursors indeed requires Nodal input. We also establish that an animal BCNE subpopulation of cells that express both, chordin.1 and sox2 (a marker of pluripotent neuroectodermal cells), and gives rise to most of the brain, persisted at blastula stage after blocking Nodal. Therefore, Nodal signaling is required to define a population of chordin.1+ cells and to restrict the recruitment of brain precursors within the BCNE as early as at blastula stage. We discuss our findings in Xenopus in comparison to other vertebrate models, uncovering similitudes in early brain induction and delimitation through Nodal signaling. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Nodal signaling is involved in the delimitation of the blastula cell populations that give rise to the brain and axial mesoderm in Xenopus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitana M Castro Colabianchi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología / 1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular "Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco", Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina.,CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - María B Tavella
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI) "Dr. Héctor N. Torres", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1428, Argentina
| | - Laura E Boyadjián López
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología / 1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular "Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco", Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina.,CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Rubinstein
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI) "Dr. Héctor N. Torres", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1428, Argentina.,Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Lucía F Franchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI) "Dr. Héctor N. Torres", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1428, Argentina
| | - Silvia L López
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología / 1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular "Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco", Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina .,CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
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Cermola F, D'Aniello C, Tatè R, De Cesare D, Martinez-Arias A, Minchiotti G, Patriarca EJ. Gastruloid Development Competence Discriminates Different States of Pluripotency. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:354-369. [PMID: 33482102 PMCID: PMC7878839 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [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] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Floating spheroidal aggregates of mouse embryonic stem cells can develop into polarized/elongated organoids, namely gastruloids. We set up a high-performing assay to measure gastruloid formation efficiency (GFE), and found that GFE decreases as pluripotency progresses from naive (GFE ≥ 95%) to primed (GFE = 0) state. Specifically, we show that primed EpiSCs fail to generate proper cell aggregates, while early-primed EpiLCs aggregate but eventually fail to develop into elongated gastruloids. Moreover, we characterized proline-induced cells (PiCs), a LIF-dependent reversible early-primed state of pluripotency, and show that PiCs are able to generate gastruloids (GFE ∼ 50%) and are also competent to differentiate into primordial germ cell-like cells. Thus, we propose the GFE assay as a valuable functional tool to discriminate different states of the pluripotency continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cermola
- Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina D'Aniello
- Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosarita Tatè
- Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Dario De Cesare
- Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Minchiotti
- Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy.
| | - Eduardo Jorge Patriarca
- Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy.
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Zhu X, Xue D, Liu J, Dong F, Li Y, Liu Y. Nodal is involved in chemoresistance of renal cell carcinoma cells via regulation of ABCB1. J Cancer 2021; 12:2041-2049. [PMID: 33754002 PMCID: PMC7974526 DOI: 10.7150/jca.52092] [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: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the third most frequent malignancy within urological oncology. Understanding mechanisms of chemoresistance in RCC cell is important for therapy and drug development. We established cisplatin (CDDP) resistant RCC cells by treating cells with increasing concentrations of CDDP. Nodal, an important embryonic morphogen, was increased in RCC/CDDP cells. Targeted inhibition of Nodal via its siRNA or neutralization antibody restored sensitivity of RCC resistant cells to CDDP treatment. It was due to that si-Nodal can decrease expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp, encoded by ABCB1), one important ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporter for drug efflux. si-Nodal can decrease the transcription and promoter activity of ABCB1. Mechanistically, si-Nodal can decrease the phosphorylation of p65, which can bind to the promoter of ABCB1 and then trigger its transcription. Further, CDDP treatment decreased the expression of Nodal in culture medium of RCC cells. Collectively, we found that Nodal can regulate chemoresistance of RCC cells via regulating transcription of ABCB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwang Zhu
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Dongwei Xue
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Fengming Dong
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Yongzhi Li
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Yili Liu
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
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35
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Yao Y, Marra AN, Yelon D. Pathways Regulating Establishment and Maintenance of Cardiac Chamber Identity in Zebrafish. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:13. [PMID: 33572830 PMCID: PMC7912383 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8020013] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate heart is comprised of two types of chambers-ventricles and atria-that have unique morphological and physiological properties. Effective cardiac function depends upon the distinct characteristics of ventricular and atrial cardiomyocytes, raising interest in the genetic pathways that regulate chamber-specific traits. Chamber identity seems to be specified in the early embryo by signals that establish ventricular and atrial progenitor populations and trigger distinct differentiation pathways. Intriguingly, chamber-specific features appear to require active reinforcement, even after myocardial differentiation is underway, suggesting plasticity of chamber identity within the developing heart. Here, we review the utility of the zebrafish as a model organism for studying the mechanisms that establish and maintain cardiac chamber identity. By combining genetic and embryological approaches, work in zebrafish has revealed multiple players with potent influences on chamber fate specification and commitment. Going forward, analysis of cardiomyocyte identity at the single-cell level is likely to yield a high-resolution understanding of the pathways that link the relevant players together, and these insights will have the potential to inform future strategies in cardiac tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Deborah Yelon
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (Y.Y.); (A.N.M.)
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36
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Daraghma H, Untiveros G, Raskind A, Iaccarino E, Sandomenico A, Ruvo M, Arnouk H, Ciancio MJ, Cuevas-Nunez M, Strizzi L. The role of Nodal and Cripto-1 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Dis 2020; 27:1137-1147. [PMID: 32916013 DOI: 10.1111/odi.13640] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common epithelial malignancy of the oral cavity. Nodal and Cripto-1 (CR-1) are important developmental morphogens expressed in several adult cancers and are associated with disease progression. Whether Nodal and CR-1 are simultaneously expressed in the same tumor and how this affects cancer biology are unclear. We investigate the expression and potential role of both Nodal and CR-1 in human OSCC. Immunohistochemistry results show that Nodal and CR-1 are both expressed in the same human OSCC sample and that intensity of Nodal staining is correlated with advanced-stage disease. However, this was not observed with CR-1 staining. Western blot analysis of lysates from two human OSCC line experiments shows expression of CR-1 and Nodal, and their respective signaling molecules, Src and ERK1/2. Treatment of SCC25 and SCC15 cells with both Nodal and CR-1 inhibitors simultaneously resulted in reduced cell viability and reduced levels of P-Src and P-ERK1/2. Further investigation showed that the combination treatment with both Nodal and CR-1 inhibitors was capable of reducing invasiveness of SCC25 cells. Our results show a possible role for Nodal/CR-1 function during progression of human OSCC and that targeting both proteins simultaneously may have therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Daraghma
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Gustavo Untiveros
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Aleksandr Raskind
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Emanuela Iaccarino
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council (IBB-CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council (IBB-CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council (IBB-CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Hilal Arnouk
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Mae J Ciancio
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Maria Cuevas-Nunez
- College of Dental Medicine Illinois, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
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Ossipova O, Itoh K, Radu A, Ezan J, Sokol SY. Pinhead signaling regulates mesoderm heterogeneity via the FGF receptor-dependent pathway. Development 2020; 147:dev.188094. [PMID: 32859582 DOI: 10.1242/dev.188094] [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: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Among the three embryonic germ layers, the mesoderm plays a central role in the establishment of the vertebrate body plan. The mesoderm is specified by secreted signaling proteins from the FGF, Nodal, BMP and Wnt families. No new classes of extracellular mesoderm-inducing factors have been identified in more than two decades. Here, we show that the pinhead (pnhd) gene encodes a secreted protein that is essential for the activation of a subset of mesodermal markers in the Xenopus embryo. RNA sequencing revealed that many transcriptional targets of Pnhd are shared with those of the FGF pathway. Pnhd activity was accompanied by Erk phosphorylation and required FGF and Nodal but not Wnt signaling. We propose that during gastrulation Pnhd acts in the marginal zone to contribute to mesoderm heterogeneity via an FGF receptor-dependent positive feedback mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ossipova
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Keiji Itoh
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Aurelian Radu
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jerome Ezan
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sergei Y Sokol
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Abstract
Vascular mimicry is induced by a wide array of genes with functions related to cancer stemness, hypoxia, angiogenesis and autophagy. Vascular mimicry competent (VM-competent) cells that form de novo blood vessels are common in solid tumors facilitating tumor cell survival and metastasis. VM-competent cells display increased levels of vascular mimicry selecting for stem-like cells in an O2-gradient-dependent manner in deeply hypoxic tumor regions, while also aiding in maintaining tumor cell metabolism and stemness. Three of the principal drivers of vascular mimicry are EphA2, Nodal and HIF-1α, however, directly or indirectly many of these molecules affect VE-Cadherin (VE-Cad), which forms gap-junctions to bind angiogenic blood vessels together. During vascular mimicry, the endothelial-like functions of VM-competent cancer stem cells co-opt VE-Cad to bind cancer cells together to create cancer cell-derived blood conducting vessels. This process potentially compensates for the lack of access to blood and nutrient in avascular tumors, simultaneously providing nutrients and enhancing cancer invasion and metastasis. Current evidence also supports that vascular mimicry promotes cancer malignancy and metastasis due to the cooperation of oncogenic signaling molecules driving cancer stemness and autophagy. While a number of currently used cancer therapeutics are effective inhibitors of vascular mimicry, developing a new class of vascular mimicry specific inhibitors could allow for the treatment of angiogenesis-resistant tumors, inhibit cancer metastasis and improve patient survival. In this review, we describe the principal vascular mimicry pathways in addition to emphasizing the roles of hypoxia, autophagy and select proangiogenic oncogenes in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L Wechman
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
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Abstract
Nodal, a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, plays critical roles during embryo development. Several studies suggest that Nodal also regulates reproduction. The objective of this study was to investigate if Nodal is expressed in zebrafish ovary and if it is involved in the regulation of ovarian functions. Using real-time PCR, we detected two Nodal homologs, nodal-related (ndr)1, and ndr2 in zebrafish ovarian follicles. We further compared the mRNA levels of ndr1, ndr2, and their receptors between maturational incompetent early vitellogenic follicles (stage IIIa) and mid- to late-vitellogenic follicles (stage IIIb) which are capable of undergoing maturation when they are induced by hormones. We found that mRNAs for ndr1 and ndr2, as well as a type I receptor, acvr1ba, were significantly increased in follicular cells isolated from stage IIIb follicles. In primary cultures of ovarian follicular cells, treatment with recombinant human Nodal inhibited cell proliferation. On the other hand, Nodal increased the mRNA levels of two steroidogenic enzymes hsd3b2 and cyp17a1, as well as paqr8, which encodes the membrane progestin receptor-β (mPR-β). Conversely, knockdown of ndr1 and ndr2 using siRNAs decreased the mRNA levels of hsd3b2, cyp17a1, and paqr8. Finally, treatment of Nodal significantly induced oocyte maturation. Taken together, these findings suggest that Nodal exerts multiple effects on zebrafish ovary to regulate follicle growth, steroidogenesis, and oocyte maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Zayed
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ramsha Malik
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xin Qi
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chun Peng
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; , Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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40
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Abstract
Background Inhibition of angiogenesis in prostatic cancer could be a brand-new method to suppress tumour progression. Nodal/ALK4 has been associated with vascularization in many cancers. However, the relationship between and role of Nodal/ALK4 and miR-185 in human prostatic cancer is still unknown. Methods Prostatic cancer DU145 cells and LNCaP cells were used to investigate the angiogenic effect induced by Nodal and the anti-angiogenic roles of miR-185. Colony formation assay, MTT assay, transwell assay and tube formation assay were used to explore cell proliferation, migration and tube-forming ability, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed the binding relationship between miR-185 and ALK4. The expression levels of miR-185, ALK4 and VEGF were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The effects of miR-185 and Nodal in prostate cancer were also investigated in animal experiments. Results VEGF expression was increased in DU145 cells and LNCaP cells after Nodal incubation, and Nodal activated the proliferation ability of prostatic cancer cells and the migration and tube-forming ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which were all inhibited by treatment with the Nodal inhibitor SB431524. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay were used to verify miR-185 as a target of ALK4. Prostatic cancer cell proliferation was inhibited by overexpression of miR-185, which was shown to regulate the migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs by targeting ALK4 for suppression. miR-185 also showed a significant inverse correlation with Nodal treatment and reversed the angiogenic effects induced by Nodal. More importantly, for the first time, xenograft experiments indicated that overexpression of miR-185 suppressed tumour development. Conclusion The Nodal/ALK4 pathway is important in the angiogenesis of prostate cancer and can be inhibited by targeting miR-185 to downregulate ALK4. These findings provide a new perspective on the mechanism of prostate cancer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youkong Li
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, No.60 Jingzhong Road, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wen Zhong
- Department of Endocrine, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Zhu
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, No.60 Jingzhong Road, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengbo Li
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, No.60 Jingzhong Road, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenwei Yang
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, No.60 Jingzhong Road, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
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Ayash TA, Starr LM, Dufort D. Nodal is required to maintain the uterine environment in an anti-inflammatory state during pregnancy†. Biol Reprod 2020; 102:1340-1350. [PMID: 32219302 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa037] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth remains the major cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, affecting up to 12% of pregnancies and accounting for ~75% of neonatal deaths. However, the mechanisms and causes that underlie it are still largely unknown. One of the major causes of preterm birth is infection or inflammation within the maternal-fetal interface. Our lab has previously shown that a uterine specific deletion of Nodal results in mutant females delivering 2 days prior to term demonstrating an important role for this factor in the maintenance of pregnancy. Here, we have addressed the function of Nodal in the uterus during pregnancy. We demonstrate that Nodal heterozygous mice have an increase in basal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p, TNF-α, and IFN-γ as well as an increase in the number of macrophages in response to the inflammatory agent, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Using bone marrow-derived macrophages, we demonstrated that pretreatment with recombinant Nodal reduces pro-inflammatory gene expression when these cells are challenged with LPS. Our results demonstrate that Nodal is required to maintain the uterine environment in an anti-inflammatory state by preventing proinflammatory cytokine expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taghreed A Ayash
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lisa M Starr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gyneocology, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daniel Dufort
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gyneocology, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
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42
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Abstract
Left-right (L-R) asymmetry of visceral organs in animals is established during embryonic development via a stepwise process. While some steps are conserved, different strategies are employed among animals for initiating the breaking of body symmetry. In zebrafish (teleost),
Xenopus (amphibian), and mice (mammal), symmetry breaking is elicited by directional fluid flow at the L-R organizer, which is generated by motile cilia and sensed by mechanoresponsive cells. In contrast, birds and reptiles do not rely on the cilia-driven fluid flow. Invertebrates such as
Drosophila and snails employ another distinct mechanism, where the symmetry breaking process is underpinned by cellular chirality acquired downstream of the molecular interaction of myosin and actin. Here, we highlight the convergent entry point of actomyosin interaction and planar cell polarity to the diverse L-R symmetry breaking mechanisms among animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Hamada
- Organismal Pattterning Lab, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Patrick Tam
- Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute and School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Xu X, Zhou X, Gao C, Cao L, Zhang Y, Hu X, Cui Y. Nodal promotes the malignancy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells via activation of NF-κB/IL-6 signals. Biol Chem 2020; 400:777-785. [PMID: 30699065 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0392] [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: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the malignancy of NSCLC cells is important for therapy and drug development. Nodal, an important embryonic morphogen, has been reported to modulate tumorigenesis. We found that Nodal can trigger the proliferation of NSCLC cells and decrease the sensitivity to doxorubicin (Dox) and cisplatin (CDDP) treatment. Targeted inhibition of Nodal can suppress the proliferation of NSCLC cells. Among the measured cytokines, Nodal can increase the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in NSCLC cells. Inhibition of IL-6, while not VEGFA, attenuated Nodal induced cell proliferation, suggesting the essential roles of IL-6 in Nodal induced malignancy of NSCLC cells. Nodal can trigger the phosphorylation, nuclear translocation and transcriptional activities of p65, the key signal transducer of NF-κB. This was due to the fact that Nodal can increase the phosphorylation of IKKβ/IκBα. The inhibitor of IKKβ abolished Nodal induced activation of p65 and expression of IL-6. Collectively, we found that Nodal can increase the proliferation and decrease chemosensitivity of NSCLC cells via regulation of NF-κB/IL-6 signals. It indicated that Nodal might be a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xue Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yushang Cui
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
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44
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Abstract
Although the human body appears superficially symmetrical with regard to the left-right (L-R) axis, most visceral organs are asymmetric in terms of their size, shape, or position. Such morphological asymmetries of visceral organs, which are essential for their proper function, are under the control of a genetic pathway that operates in the developing embryo. In many vertebrates including mammals, the breaking of L-R symmetry occurs at a structure known as the L-R organizer (LRO) located at the midline of the developing embryo. This symmetry breaking is followed by transfer of an active form of the signaling molecule Nodal from the LRO to the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) on the left side, which results in asymmetric expression of Nodal (a left-side determinant) in the left LPM. Finally, L-R asymmetric morphogenesis of visceral organs is induced by Nodal-Pitx2 signaling. This review will describe our current understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the generation of L-R asymmetry in vertebrates, with a focus on mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi HAMADA
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Correspondence should be addressed: H. Hamada, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan (e-mail: )
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45
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Abstract
Gastrulation is the process whereby cells exit pluripotency and concomitantly acquire and pattern distinct cell fates. This is driven by the convergence of WNT, BMP, Nodal and FGF signals, which are tightly spatially and temporally controlled, resulting in regional and stage-specific signaling environments. The combination, level and duration of signals that a cell is exposed to, according its position within the embryo and the developmental time window, dictates the fate it will adopt. The key pathways driving gastrulation exhibit complex interactions, which are difficult to disentangle in vivo due to the complexity of manipulating multiple signals in parallel with high spatiotemporal resolution. Thus, our current understanding of the signaling dynamics regulating gastrulation is limited. In vitro stem cell models have been established, which undergo organized cellular differentiation and patterning. These provide amenable, simplified, deconstructed and scalable models of gastrulation. While the foundation of our understanding of gastrulation stems from experiments in embryos, in vitro systems are now beginning to reveal the intricate details of signaling regulation. Here we discuss the current state of knowledge of the role, regulation and dynamic interaction of signaling pathways that drive mouse gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie M Morgani
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States; Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States.
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46
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Abstract
One of the most powerful ideas in developmental biology has been that of the morphogen gradient. In the classical view, a signaling molecule is produced at a local source from where it diffuses, resulting in graded levels across the tissue. This gradient provides positional information, with thresholds in the level of the morphogen determining the position of different cell fates. While experimental studies have uncovered numerous potential morphogens in biological systems, it is becoming increasingly apparent that one important feature, not captured in the simple model, is the role of time in both the formation and interpretation of morphogen gradients. We will focus on two members of the transforming growth factor-β family that are known to play a vital role as morphogens in early vertebrate development: the Nodals and the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Primarily drawing on the early zebrafish embryo, we will show how recent studies have demonstrated the importance of feedback and other interactions that evolve through time, in shaping morphogen gradients. We will further show how rather than simply reading out levels of a morphogen, the duration of ligand exposure can be a crucial determinant of how cells interpret morphogens, in particular through the unfolding of downstream transcriptional events and in their interactions with other pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Economou
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline S Hill
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
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47
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Grimes DT, Patterson VL, Luna-Arvizu G, Schottenfeld-Roames J, Irons ZH, Burdine RD. Left-right asymmetric heart jogging increases the robustness of dextral heart looping in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2020; 459:79-86. [PMID: 31758943 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Building a left-right (L-R) asymmetric organ requires asymmetric information. This comes from various sources, including asymmetries in embryo-scale genetic cascades (including the left-sided Nodal cascade), organ-intrinsic mechanical forces, and cell-level chirality, but the relative influence of these sources and how they collaborate to drive asymmetric morphogenesis is not understood. During zebrafish heart development, the linear heart tube extends to the left of the midline in a process known as jogging. The jogged heart then undergoes dextral (i.e. rightward) looping to correctly position the heart chambers relative to one another. Left lateralized jogging is governed by the left-sided expression of Nodal in mesoderm tissue, while looping laterality is mainly controlled by heart-intrinsic cell-level asymmetries in the actomyosin cytoskeleton. The purpose of lateralized jogging is not known. Moreover, after jogging, the heart tube returns to an almost midline position and so it is not clear whether or how jogging may impact the dextral loop. Here, we characterize a novel loss-of-function mutant in the zebrafish Nodal homolog southpaw (spaw) that appears to be a true null. We then assess the relationship between jogging and looping laterality in embryos lacking asymmetric Spaw signals. We found that the probability of a dextral loop occurring, does not depend on asymmetric Spaw signals per se, but does depend on the laterality of jogging. Thus, we conclude that the role of leftward jogging is to spatially position the heart tube in a manner that promotes robust dextral looping. When jogging laterality is abnormal, the robustness of dextral looping decreases. This establishes a cooperation between embryo-scale Nodal-dependent L-R asymmetries and organ-intrinsic cellular chirality in the control of asymmetric heart morphogenesis and shows that the transient laterality of the early heart tube has consequences for later heart morphogenetic events.
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48
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Abstract
Soon after fertilization the zebrafish embryo generates the pool of cells that will give rise to the germline and the three somatic germ layers of the embryo (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm). As the basic body plan of the vertebrate embryo emerges, evolutionarily conserved developmental signaling pathways, including Bmp, Nodal, Wnt, and Fgf, direct the nearly totipotent cells of the early embryo to adopt gene expression profiles and patterns of cell behavior specific to their eventual fates. Several decades of molecular genetics research in zebrafish has yielded significant insight into the maternal and zygotic contributions and mechanisms that pattern this vertebrate embryo. This new understanding is the product of advances in genetic manipulations and imaging technologies that have allowed the field to probe the cellular, molecular and biophysical aspects underlying early patterning. The current state of the field indicates that patterning is governed by the integration of key signaling pathways and physical interactions between cells, rather than a patterning system in which distinct pathways are deployed to specify a particular cell fate. This chapter focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the genetic and molecular control of the events that impart cell identity and initiate the patterning of tissues that are prerequisites for or concurrent with movements of gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence L Marlow
- Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, New York, NY, United States.
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49
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Asnaghi L, White DT, Yoon L, Price A, Lee GY, Sahoo A, Mumm JS, Eberhart CG. Downregulation of Nodal inhibits metastatic progression in retinoblastoma. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:137. [PMID: 31451106 PMCID: PMC6709548 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0785-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in children. We previously found that the ACVR1C/SMAD2 pathway is significantly upregulated in invasive retinoblastoma samples from patients. Here we studied the role of an ACVR1C ligand, Nodal, in regulating growth and metastatic dissemination in retinoblastoma. Inhibition of Nodal using multiple short hairpin (shRNAs) in WERI Rb1 and Y79 retinoblastoma cell cultures reduced growth by more than 90%, as determined by CCK-8 growth assay. Proliferation was also significantly inhibited, as found by Ki67 assay. These effects were paralleled by inhibition in the phosphorylation of the downstream effector SMAD2, as well as induction of apoptosis, as we observed more than three-fold increase in the percentage of cells positive for cleaved-caspase-3 or expressing cleaved-PARP1. Importantly, we found that downregulation of Nodal potently suppressed invasion in vitro, by 50 to 80%, as determined by transwell invasion assay (p = 0.02). Using an orthotopic model of retinoblastoma in zebrafish, we found 34% reduction in the ability of the cells to disseminate outside the eye, when Nodal was knocked down by shRNA (p = 0.0003). These data suggest that Nodal plays an important role in promoting growth, proliferation and invasion in retinoblastoma, and can be considered a new therapeutic target for both primary tumor growth and metastatic progression.
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50
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Abstract
Consistent asymmetries between the left and right sides of animal bodies are common. For example, the internal organs of vertebrates are left-right (L-R) asymmetric in a stereotyped fashion. Other structures, such as the skeleton and muscles, are largely symmetric. This Review considers how symmetries and asymmetries form alongside each other within the embryo, and how they are then maintained during growth. I describe how asymmetric signals are generated in the embryo. Using the limbs and somites as major examples, I then address mechanisms for protecting symmetrically forming tissues from asymmetrically acting signals. These examples reveal that symmetry should not be considered as an inherent background state, but instead must be actively maintained throughout multiple phases of embryonic patterning and organismal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T Grimes
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
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