1
|
Anvar Z, Chakchouk I, Sharif M, Mahadevan S, Su L, Anikar S, Naini FA, Utama AB, Van den Veyver IB. Comparison of Four Protocols for In Vitro Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Trophoblast Lineages by BMP4 and Dual Inhibition of Activin/Nodal and FGF2 Signaling. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:173-189. [PMID: 37658178 PMCID: PMC10784360 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01334-5] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) cultured in media containing bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4; B) differentiate into trophoblast-like cells. Supplementing media with inhibitors of activin/nodal signaling (A83-01) and of fibroblast growth factor 2 (PD173074) suppresses mesoderm and endoderm formation and improves specification of trophoblast-like lineages, but with variable effectiveness. We compared differentiation in four BMP4-containing media: mTeSR1-BMP4 only, mTeSR1-BAP, basal medium with BAP (basal-BAP), and a newly defined medium, E7-BAP. These media variably drive early differentiation towards trophoblast-like lineages with upregulation of early trophoblast markers CDX2 and KRT7 and downregulation of pluripotency markers (OCT4 and NANOG). As expected, based on differences between media in FGF2 and its inhibitors, downregulation of mesendoderm marker EOMES was variable between media. By day 7, only hESCs grown in E7-BAP or basal-BAP expressed HLA-G protein, indicating the presence of cells with extravillous trophoblast characteristics. Expression of HLA-G and other differentiation markers (hCG, KRT7, and GCM1) was highest in basal-BAP, suggesting a faster differentiation in this medium, but those cultures were more inhomogeneous and still expressed some endodermal and pluripotency markers. In E7-BAP, HLA-G expression increased later and was lower. There was also a low but maintained expression of some C19MC miRNAs, with more CpG hypomethylation of the ELF5 promoter, suggesting that E7-BAP cultures differentiate slower along the trophoblast lineage. We conclude that while all protocols drive differentiation into trophoblast lineages with varying efficiency, they have advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when selecting a protocol for specific experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Anvar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Room 1025.14, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Imen Chakchouk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Room 1025.14, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Momal Sharif
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Room 1025.14, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sangeetha Mahadevan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Room 1025.14, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Li Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Room 1025.14, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Swathi Anikar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Room 1025.14, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Fatemeh Alavi Naini
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Room 1025.14, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Ignatia B Van den Veyver
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Room 1025.14, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wildey A, Harrington S, Stehno-Bittel L, Karanu F. Reduction of Activin A gives rise to comparable expression of key definitive endoderm and mature beta cell markers. Regen Med 2024; 19:47-63. [PMID: 38240144 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2023-0187] [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] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: Cell therapies for diabetes rely on differentiation of stem cells into insulin-producing cells, which is complex and expensive. Our goal was to evaluate production costs and test ways to reduce it. Methods: Cost of Goods (COGs) analysis for differentiation was completed and the effects of replacement or reduction of the most expensive item was tested using qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry along with glucose-stimulated insulin release. Results: Activin A (AA) was responsible for significant cost. Replacement with small molecules failed to form definitive endoderm (DE). Reducing AA by 50% did not negatively affect expression of beta cell markers. Conclusion: Reduction of AA concentration is feasible without adversely affecting DE and islet-like cell differentiation, leading to significant cost savings in manufacturing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisa Stehno-Bittel
- Likarda LLC, Kansas City, MO 64137, USA
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Devendran A, Liu C. Subtype and Lineage-Mediated Protocol for Standardizing Activin/Nodal and BMP Signaling for hiPSC-Derived Cardiomyocyte Differentiation. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2803:13-33. [PMID: 38676882 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3846-0_2] [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] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
The adept and systematic differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to diverse lineage-prone cell types involves crucial step-by-step process that mimics the vital strategic commitment phase that is usually observed during the process of embryo development. The development of precise tissue-specific cell types from these stem cells indeed plays an important role in the advancement of imminent stem cell-based therapeutic strategies. Therefore, the usage of hiPSC-derived cell types for subsequent cardiovascular disease modeling, drug screening, and therapeutic drug development undeniably entails an in-depth understanding of each and every step to proficiently stimulate these stem cells into desired cardiomyogenic lineage. Thus, to accomplish this definitive and decisive fate, it is essential to efficiently induce the mesoderm or pre-cardiac mesoderm, succeeded by the division of cells into cardiovascular and ultimately ensuing with the cardiomyogenic lineage outcome. This usually commences from the earliest phases of pluripotent cell induction. In this chapter, we discuss our robust and reproducible step-wise protocol that will describe the subtype controlled, precise lineage targeted standardization of activin/nodal, and BMP signaling molecules/cytokines, for the efficient differentiation of ventricular cardiomyocytes from hiPSCs via the embryoid body method. In addition, we also describe techniques to dissociate hiPSCs, hiPSC-derived early cardiomyocytes for mesoderm and pre-cardiac mesoderm assessment, and hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for early and mature markers assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anichavezhi Devendran
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Clifford Liu
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Habib R, Fahim S, Wahid M, Ainuddin J. Optimisation of a Method for the Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Toward Renal Epithelial-like Cells. Altern Lab Anim 2023; 51:363-375. [PMID: 37831588 DOI: 10.1177/02611929231207774] [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] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs) can differentiate into multiple cell lineages, but few methods have been developed to generate kidney lineage cells. Due to their human origin, pluripotent nature and immunomodulatory properties, these stem cells are attractive candidates for clinical applications such as the repair or regeneration of damaged organs. This study evaluated the renal differentiation potential of hucMSCs, when exposed for 10 days to optimised concentrations of retinoic acid, activin-A and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in various combinations, with and without the priming of the cells with a Wnt signalling pathway activator (CHIR99021). The hucMSCs were isolated and characterised according to surface marker expression (CD73, CD90, CD44, CD146 and CD8) and tri-lineage differentiation potential. The expression of key marker genes (OSR1, TBXT, HOXA13, SIX2, PAX2, KRT18 and ZO1) was examined by qRT-PCR. Specific marker protein expression (E-cadherin, cytokeratin-8 and cytokeratin-19) was analysed by immunocytochemistry. CHIR99021-primed cells treated with the retinoic acid, activin-A and BMP-7 cocktail showed epithelial cell-like differentiation - i.e. distinct phenotypic changes, as well as upregulated gene and protein expression, were observed that were consistent with an epithelial cell phenotype. Thus, our results showed that hucMSCs can efficiently differentiate into renal epithelial-like cells. This work may help in the development of focused therapeutic strategies, in which lineage-defined human stem cells can be used for renal regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rakhshinda Habib
- Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences (Ojha campus), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shumaila Fahim
- Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences (Ojha campus), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Wahid
- Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences (Ojha campus), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Jahanara Ainuddin
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Dow University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang FM, Wang B, Hu H, Li QY, Chen HH, Luo LT, Jiang ZJ, Zeng MX, Liu XJ. Transcriptional Profiling of TGF-β Superfamily Members in Lumbar DRGs of Rats Following Sciatic Nerve Axotomy and Activin C Inhibits Neuropathic Pain. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2023; 23:375-388. [PMID: 36201267 DOI: 10.2174/1871530322666221006114557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation and cytokines play critical roles in neuropathic pain and axon degeneration/regeneration. Cytokines of transforming growth factor-β superfamily have implications in pain and injured nerve repair processing. However, the transcriptional profiles of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily members in dorsal root ganglia under neuropathic pain and axon degeneration/regeneration conditions remain elusive. OBJECTIVE We aimed to plot the transcriptional profiles of transforming growth factor-β superfamily components in lumbar dorsal root ganglia of sciatic nerve-axotomized rats and to further verify the profiles by testing the analgesic effect of activin C, a representative cytokine, on neuropathic pain. METHODS Adult male rats were axotomized in sciatic nerves, and lumbar dorsal root ganglia were isolated for total RNA extraction or section. A custom microarray was developed and employed to plot the gene expression profiles of transforming growth factor-β superfamily components. Realtime RT-PCR was used to confirm changes in the expression of activin/inhibin family genes, and then in situ hybridization was performed to determine the cellular locations of inhibin α, activin βC, BMP-5 and GDF-9 mRNAs. The rat spared nerve injury model was performed, and a pain test was employed to determine the effect of activin C on neuropathic pain. RESULTS The expression of transforming growth factor-β superfamily cytokines and their signaling, including some receptors and signaling adaptors, were robustly upregulated. Activin βC subunit mRNAs were expressed in the small-diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons and upregulated after axotomy. Single intrathecal injection of activin C inhibited neuropathic pain in spared nerve injury model. CONCLUSION This is the first report to investigate the transcriptional profiles of members of transforming growth factor-β superfamily in axotomized dorsal root ganglia. The distinct cytokine profiles observed here might provide clues toward further study of the role of transforming growth factor-β superfamily in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and axon degeneration/regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Ming Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China
| | - Bing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, China
| | - Han Hu
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 1 Beigou Xiangshan, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Qing-Yi Li
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, 515041, China
| | - Hao-Hao Chen
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, 515041, China
| | - Li-Ting Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, China
| | - Zuo-Jie Jiang
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, 515041, China
| | - Mei-Xing Zeng
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, 515041, China
| | - Xing-Jun Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, China
- Pain and Related Disease Research Lab, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, 515041, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mwaura AN, Riaz MA, Maoga JB, Mecha E, Omwandho COA, Scheiner-Bobis G, Meinhold-Heerlein I, Konrad L. Activin A Modulates Betaglycan Shedding via the ALK4-SMAD3-Dependent Pathway in Endometriotic Cells. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121749. [PMID: 36551177 PMCID: PMC9776114 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121749] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The TGF-β superfamily members, activins and inhibins, are mainly involved in cell proliferation, cell survival, invasion, immune surveillance, and lesion growth in endometriosis. Herein, we investigated the modulation of the TGF-β type III receptor (betaglycan or BG) by activin A and inhibin A in endometriosis in vitro. Often, BG undergoes ectodomain shedding releasing soluble BG (sBG) which frequently antagonizes TGF-β signaling. The effects of activin A on BG shedding and signaling pathways involved were evaluated with the inhibitors LY364947 and SIS3, siRNA knockdown in human endometrial cells (12Z, THESC, Ishikawa, and primary stromal cells) and were quantified with BG ELISAs. The effects of activin A and inhibin A on the secretion of MMP2 and MMP3 were analyzed using ELISAs. The effects of activin A on the BG expression were analyzed using RT-qPCR and western blot. The CCK-8 and BrdU assays were used to evaluate the effects of the recombinant BG on cell viability and proliferation. Activin A stimulation resulted in a significant time- and dose-dependent reduction in BG shedding, which was found to be activin A/ALK-4/SMAD3- but not SMAD2-dependent. Activin A increased the BG mRNA expression but had no effect on the protein expression. Likewise, inhibin A was found to block BG shedding. Activin A, but not inhibin A, significantly enhanced the secretion of MMP2 and MMP3. The recombinant BG had no effect on the viability and proliferation of endometriotic cells. Together, these observations support a novel role for activin A with BG in modulating the TGF-β superfamily ligands in endometrial cells in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnes N. Mwaura
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Muhammad A. Riaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jane B. Maoga
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ezekiel Mecha
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
| | - Charles O. A. Omwandho
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
- Department of Health Sciences, Kirinyaga University, Kerugoya P.O. Box 143-10300, Kenya
| | - Georgios Scheiner-Bobis
- Institute for Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ivo Meinhold-Heerlein
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Lutz Konrad
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-985-45282; Fax: +49-641-985-45258
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Murata T, Chiba S, Kawaminami M. Activin A specifically suppresses the expression of annexin A5 mRNA and augments gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation of A1 expression in LβT2 gonadotrope cells. Endocr J 2022; 69:1193-1200. [PMID: 35584931 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej22-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we reported that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates annexin A1 (Anxa1) and A5 (Anxa5) mRNA expression through the GnRH-receptor-mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade in LβT2 cells. As LβT2 cells respond to activin, we examined the effect of activin A on Anxa1 and a5 expression in LβT2 cells. Activin A (0.4 and 4 ng/mL) treatment decreased Anxa5 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner, but did not affect Anxa1 mRNA levels at concentrations up to 40 ng/mL. After activin A treatment (4 ng/mL), Anxa5 mRNA levels significantly decreased at 6 h, gradually declined until 24 h, and remained low until 48 h, whereas Anxa1 mRNA levels did not significantly change following treatment. Pretreatment with activin A for 24 h increased GnRH agonist (GnRHa)-induced Anxa1 increase by approximately 7-fold compared with GnRHa stimulation alone, but Anxa5 was not affected. As previously reported, these activin A treatments increased gonadotropin β subunit and GnRH receptor mRNA levels and slightly decreased common α-glycoprotein subunit mRNA levels. Furthermore, we examined the effect of activin A on Nr4a3, which is repressed by ANXA5 and which reduces Fshb expression, and found that activin A augmented Nr4a3 expression and slightly decreased the GnRHa-induced increase in Nr4a3. These results suggest that in gonadotrope cells, the mechanism regulating Anxa1 and a5 expression is differentially coupled with activin A signal transduction. Activin A suppresses Anxa5 expression under increased Nr4a3 expression, whereas activin A and GnRH synergistically stimulate Anxa1 expression. These GnRH-inducible annexins may have different specific functions in gonadotropes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Murata
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Ehime 794-8555, Japan
| | - Shuichi Chiba
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Ehime 794-8555, Japan
| | - Mitsumori Kawaminami
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Ehime 794-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yoney A, Bai L, Brivanlou AH, Siggia ED. Mechanisms underlying WNT-mediated priming of human embryonic stem cells. Development 2022; 149:dev200335. [PMID: 35815787 PMCID: PMC9357376 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis is guided by a limited set of signaling pathways dynamically expressed in different places. How a context-dependent signaling response is generated has been a central question of developmental biology, which can now be addressed with in vitro models of human embryos that are derived from embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Our previous work demonstrated that during early stages of hESC differentiation, cells chronicle signaling hierarchy. Only cells that have been exposed (primed) by WNT signaling can respond to subsequent activin exposure and differentiate to mesendodermal (ME) fates. Here, we show that WNT priming does not alter SMAD2 binding nor its chromatin opening but, instead, acts by inducing the expression of the SMAD2 co-factor EOMES. Expression of EOMES is sufficient to replace WNT upstream of activin-mediated ME differentiation, thus unveiling the mechanistic basis for priming and cellular memory in early development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Yoney
- Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Laboratory of Synthetic Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lu Bai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Physics, Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Ali H. Brivanlou
- Laboratory of Synthetic Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Eric D. Siggia
- Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fu H, Zhang W, Li N, Yang J, Ye X, Tian C, Lu X, Liu L. Elevated retrotransposon activity and genomic instability in primed pluripotent stem cells. Genome Biol 2021; 22:201. [PMID: 34243810 PMCID: PMC8268579 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02417-9] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Naïve and primed pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) represent two different pluripotent states. Primed PSCs following in vitro culture exhibit lower developmental potency as evidenced by failure in germline chimera assays, unlike mouse naïve PSCs. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the lower developmental competency of primed PSCs remain elusive. RESULTS We examine the regulation of telomere maintenance, retrotransposon activity, and genomic stability of primed PSCs and compare them with naïve PSCs. Surprisingly, primed PSCs only minimally maintain telomeres and show fragile telomeres, associated with declined DNA recombination and repair activity, in contrast to naïve PSCs that robustly elongate telomeres. Also, we identify LINE1 family integrant L1Md_T as naïve-specific retrotransposon and ERVK family integrant IAPEz to define primed PSCs, and their transcription is differentially regulated by heterochromatic histones and Dnmt3b. Notably, genomic instability of primed PSCs is increased, in association with aberrant retrotransposon activity. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that fragile telomere, retrotransposon-associated genomic instability, and declined DNA recombination repair, together with reduced function of cell cycle and mitochondria, increased apoptosis, and differentiation properties may link to compromised developmental potency of primed PSCs, noticeably distinguishable from naïve PSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Niannian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoying Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chenglei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
FSH is critical for fertility. Transcription of FSHB, the gene encoding the beta subunit, is rate-limiting in FSH production and is regulated by both GnRH and activin. Activin signals through SMAD transcription factors. Although the mechanisms and importance of activin signaling in mouse Fshb transcription are well-established, activin regulation of human FSHB is less well understood. We previously reported a novel enhancer of FSHB that contains a fertility-associated single nucleotide polymorphism (rs10031006) and requires a region resembling a full (8 base-pair) SMAD binding element (SBE). Here, we investigated the role of the putative SBE within the enhancer in activin and GnRH regulation of FSHB. In mouse gonadotrope-derived LβT2 cells, the upstream enhancer potentiated activin induction of both the human and mouse FSHB proximal promoters and conferred activin responsiveness to a minimal promoter. Activin induction of the enhancer required the SBE and was blocked by the inhibitory SMAD7, confirming involvement of the classical SMAD signaling pathway. GnRH induction of FSHB was also potentiated by the enhancer and dependent on the SBE, consistent with known activin/GnRH synergy regulating FSHB transcription. In DNA pull-down, the enhancer SBE bound SMAD4, and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated SMAD4 enrichment at the enhancer in native chromatin. Combined activin/GnRH treatment elevated levels of the active transcriptional histone marker, histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation, at the enhancer. Overall, this study indicates that the enhancer is directly targeted by activin signaling and identifies a novel, evolutionarily conserved mechanism by which activin and GnRH can regulate FSHB transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Bohaczuk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Jessica Cassin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Theresa I Slaiwa
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Varykina G Thackray
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Pamela L Mellon
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
- Correspondence: Pamela L. Mellon, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hasanpour S, Eagderi S, Poorbagher H, Hasanpour M. Maternal and zygotic activin signaling promotes adequate pattern and differentiation of mesoderm through regulation of pluripotency genes during zebrafish development. Int J Dev Biol 2021; 65:513-522. [PMID: 34549797 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.210073se] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the role of maternal Activin-like factors in the preservation of stemness and mesendoderm induction, their effects were promoted and inhibited using synthetic human Activin A or SB-505124 treatments, respectively, before the maternal to zygotic transition (MZT). To study the role of zygotic Activin-like factors, SB-505124 treatment was also used after the MZT. Promoting the signaling intensity of maternal Activin-like factors led to premature differentiation, loss of stemness, and no mesendoderm malformation, while its alleviation delayed the differentiation and caused various malformations. Inhibition of the zygotic Activin-like factors was associated with suppressing the ndr1, ndr2, oct4 (pou5f3), mycb and notail transcription as well as differentiation retardation at the oblong stage, and a broad spectrum of anomalies in a dose-dependent manner. Together, promoting the signal intensity of maternal Activin-like factors drove development along with mesendodermal differentiation, while suppression of the maternal or zygotic ones maintained the pluripotent state and delayed differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaghayegh Hasanpour
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liang R, Xiao X, Luo L, Chen T, Yang H, Wang W, Zhang Y, Wang Z. Efficient Definitive Endoderm Differentiation from Human Parthenogenetic Embryonic Stem Cells Induced by Activin A and Wnt3a. Ann Clin Lab Sci 2020; 50:468-473. [PMID: 32826243] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined activin A and Wnt3a treatment on definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation from human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (hPESCs). METHODS hPESCs on human foreskin fibroblast feeder layers were induced to differentiate into DE using a combination of 50 ng/ml activin A and 25 ng/ml Wnt3a. Expression of the DE markers CXCR4, E-cadherin (ECD), Sox17, and Goosecoid (Gsc) were examined using flow cytometry and real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS The combination of activin A and Wnt3a significantly enhanced the percentages of CXCR4+, ECD+, Sox17+, and Gsc+ cells, culminating on day 2 of induction. This combined use promoted DE differentiation from hPESCs in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Through the combination treatment using activin A and Wnt3a, DE differentiation from hPESCs culminated at 48 h, which can be regarded as the optimal time-point to induce differentiation of endodermal cells such as pancreatic, liver, and intestinal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liang
- Department of Pathology, the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin
| | - Xiaoxiao Xiao
- Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming
| | - Lilin Luo
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming
| | - Tianxing Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming
| | - Wanpu Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming
| | - Yinghong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Carpenedo RL, Kwon SY, Tanner RM, Yockell-Lelièvre J, Choey C, Doré C, Ho M, Stewart DJ, Perkins TJ, Stanford WL. Transcriptomically Guided Mesendoderm Induction of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using a Systematically Defined Culture Scheme. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 13:1111-1125. [PMID: 31813826 PMCID: PMC6915803 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are an essential cell source in tissue engineering, studies of development, and disease modeling. Efficient, broadly amenable protocols for rapid lineage induction of hPSCs are of great interest in the stem cell biology field. We describe a simple, robust method for differentiation of hPSCs into mesendoderm in defined conditions utilizing single-cell seeding (SCS) and BMP4 and Activin A (BA) treatment. BA treatment was readily incorporated into existing protocols for chondrogenic and endothelial progenitor cell differentiation, while fine-tuning of BA conditions facilitated definitive endoderm commitment. After prolonged differentiation in vitro or in vivo, BA pretreatment resulted in higher mesoderm and endoderm levels at the expense of ectoderm formation. These data demonstrate that SCS with BA treatment is a powerful method for induction of mesendoderm that can be adapted for use in mesoderm and endoderm differentiation. Single-cell seeding with BMP4/Activin A treatment supports hPSC mesendoderm induction The mesendoderm protocol is amenable to mesoderm and endoderm lineage differentiation Mesoderm/endoderm formation was enhanced in basal conditions in vitro and in vivo
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Carpenedo
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Sarah Y Kwon
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - R Matthew Tanner
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Julien Yockell-Lelièvre
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Chandarong Choey
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Carole Doré
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mirabelle Ho
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Duncan J Stewart
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Sinclair Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Theodore J Perkins
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Bioinformatics Core Facility, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William L Stanford
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ongaro L, Schang G, Zhou Z, Kumar TR, Treier M, Deng CX, Boehm U, Bernard DJ. Human Follicle-Stimulating Hormone ß Subunit Expression Depends on FOXL2 and SMAD4. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5805118. [PMID: 32191302 PMCID: PMC7182064 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), an essential regulator of mammalian fertility, is synthesized by pituitary gonadotrope cells in response to activins. In mice, activins signal via SMAD3, SMAD4, and FOXL2 to regulate transcription of the FSHβ subunit (Fshb) gene. Gonadotrope-specific deletion of Foxl2, alone or in combination with Smad4, renders mice FSH-deficient. Whether human FSHB expression is similarly regulated is not known. Here, we used a combination of transgenic and conditional knockout mouse strains to assess the roles of activins, FOXL2, and SMAD4 in regulation of the human FSHB gene. First, we cultured pituitaries from mice harboring a human FSHB transgene (hFSHB mice) and measured both murine Fshb and human FSHB messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in response to exogenous activins or two antagonists of endogenous activin-like signaling (follistatin-288 and SB431542). Both murine Fshb and human FSHB expression were stimulated by activins and reduced by the inhibitors. Next, we analyzed human FSHB expression in hFSHB mice carrying floxed Foxl2 and Smad4 alleles. Cre-mediated ablation of FOXL2 and SMAD4 strongly reduced basal and activin-stimulated murine Fshb and human FSHB expression in cultured pituitaries. Finally, the hFSHB transgene was previously shown to rescue FSH production and fertility in Fshb knockout mice. However, gonadotrope-specific Foxl2/Smad4 knockout females carrying the hFSHB transgene have significantly reduced murine Fshb and human FSHB pituitary mRNA levels and are hypogonadal. Collectively, these data suggest that similar to Fshb regulation in mice, FOXL2 and SMAD4 play essential roles in human FSHB expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ziyue Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - T Rajendra Kumar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, US
| | - Mathias Treier
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Genetics of Metabolic and Reproductive Disorders, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chu-Xia Deng
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, China
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Correspondence: Daniel J. Bernard Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lautaoja JH, Pekkala S, Pasternack A, Laitinen M, Ritvos O, Hulmi JJ. Differentiation of Murine C2C12 Myoblasts Strongly Reduces the Effects of Myostatin on Intracellular Signaling. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10050695. [PMID: 32365803 PMCID: PMC7277184 DOI: 10.3390/biom10050695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alongside in vivo models, a simpler and more mechanistic approach is required to study the effects of myostatin on skeletal muscle because myostatin is an important negative regulator of muscle size. In this study, myostatin was administered to murine (C2C12) and human (CHQ) myoblasts and myotubes. Canonical and noncanonical signaling downstream to myostatin, related ligands, and their receptor were analyzed. The effects of tumorkines were analyzed after coculture of C2C12 and colon cancer-C26 cells. The effects of myostatin on canonical and noncanonical signaling were strongly reduced in C2C12 cells after differentiation. This may be explained by increased follistatin, an endogenous blocker of myostatin and altered expression of activin receptor ligands. In contrast, CHQ cells were equally responsive to myostatin, and follistatin remained unaltered. Both myostatin administration and the coculture stimulated pathways associated with inflammation, especially in C2C12 cells. In conclusion, the effects of myostatin on intracellular signaling may be cell line- or organism-specific, and C2C12 myotubes seem to be a nonoptimal in vitro model for investigating the effects of myostatin on canonical and noncanonical signaling in skeletal muscle. This may be due to altered expression of activin receptor ligands and their regulators during muscle cell differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juulia H. Lautaoja
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland; (S.P.); (J.J.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-40-805-5042
| | - Satu Pekkala
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland; (S.P.); (J.J.H.)
| | - Arja Pasternack
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (A.P.); (O.R.)
| | - Mika Laitinen
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00029 Helsinki, Finland;
- Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (A.P.); (O.R.)
| | - Juha J. Hulmi
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland; (S.P.); (J.J.H.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (A.P.); (O.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Li Q, Huang Q. Single-cell qPCR demonstrates that Repsox treatment changes cell fate from endoderm to neuroectoderm and disrupts epithelial-mesenchymal transition. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223724. [PMID: 31600351 PMCID: PMC6786562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A definitive endodermal cell lineage is a prerequisite for the efficient generation of mature endoderm derivatives that give rise to organs, such as the pancreas and liver. We previously reported that the induction of mesenchymal definitive endoderm cells depends on autocrine TGF-β signaling and that pharmacological blockage of TGF-β signaling by Repsox disrupts endoderm specification. The definitive endoderm arises from a primitive streak, which depends largely on TGF-β signaling. If the TGF-β pathway is blocked by Repsox, cell fate after the primitive streak induction is so-far unknown. We report here, that an induced primitive streak cell-population contained many T/SOX2 co-expressing cells, and subsequent inhibition of TGF-β signaling by Repsox promoted neuroectodermal cell fate, which was characterized using single-cell qPCR analysis and immunostaining. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which is inherent to the process of definitive endoderm differentiation, was also disrupted upon Repsox treatment. Our findings may provide a new approach to produce neural progenitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuhong Li
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- South China Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Qingsong Huang
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Liu C, Chang HM, Yi Y, Fang Y, Zhao F, Leung PCK, Yang X. ALK4-SMAD2/3-SMAD4 signaling mediates the activin A-induced suppression of PTX3 in human granulosa-lutein cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 493:110485. [PMID: 31185247 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.110485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
As one of the members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, activin A plays an important role in regulating follicular development and oocyte maturation. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is the key component that promotes the process of cumulus expansion during mammalian ovulation. At present, the regulation of PTX3 expression in human granulosa cells remains largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the effects of activin A on the expression of PTX3 in human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Using an established immortalized hGL cell line (SVOG) and primary hGL cells as study models, we demonstrated that activin A significantly increased the phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3, which suppressed the expression of PTX3 at both the mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, these effects induced by activin A were completely reversed by pretreatment with the TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor SB431542 and knockdown of ALK4. Furthermore, knockdown of SMAD2, SMAD3, or SMAD4 completely reversed the activin A-induced suppressive effects on PTX3 expression. Notably, the ChIP analyses demonstrated that phosphorylated SMADs could bind to human PTX3 promoter. Collectively, our results showed that the ALK4-SMAD2/3-SMAD4 signaling pathway most likely mediates the suppressive effect of activin A on PTX3 expression in hGL cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yuyin Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ying Fang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feiyan Zhao
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Xiaokui Yang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Nagashima JB, Wildt DE, Travis AJ, Songsasen N. Activin promotes growth and antral cavity expansion in the dog ovarian follicle. Theriogenology 2019; 129:168-177. [PMID: 30856402 PMCID: PMC6445547 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding regulators of folliculogenesis remains limited in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), which challenges our ability to develop in vitro follicle culture systems for canid genome rescue efforts. Here, we investigated the influence of activin on dog follicle development and survival, oocyte quality, and FSH receptor expression in culture. Preantral (150 - ≤230 μm diameter), early antral (231 - ≤330 μm), and antral (>330-550 μm) stage follicles were encapsulated in a fibrin-alginate hydrogel with 0, 100, or 200 ng/ml rhActivin plus 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 μg/ml FSH for 12 or 21 d of in vitro culture. All follicle groups increased in diameter (P < 0.05) with activin acting synergistically with FSH to improve (P < 0.05) growth and antral cavity expansion (to >630 μm) in early antral and antral cohorts. This complementary effect was not linked to changes in FSHR mRNA expression (P > 0.05). Although not influencing (P > 0.05) follicle survival or transzonal projection (TZP) density in shorter term 12 d culture, activin in the presence of 1 ng/ml FSH maintained TZP density from the 12-21 d interval. Activin also increased oocyte diameter and improved nuclear integrity compared to un-supplemented controls. These results indicate that activin acts synergistically with FSH to promote growth and antral cavity expansion of the dog follicle in vitro, information useful to formulating an effective culture microenvironment for this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer B Nagashima
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA; Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - David E Wildt
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Alexander J Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA; Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Nucharin Songsasen
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wang X, Tang P, Guo F, Zhang M, Yan Y, Huang M, Chen Y, Zhang L, Zhang L. mDia1 and Cdc42 Regulate Activin B-Induced Migration of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Stem Cells 2019; 37:150-162. [PMID: 30358011 PMCID: PMC7379979 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In a previous study, we have shown that Activin B is a potent chemoattractant for bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs). As such, the combination of Activin B and BMSCs significantly accelerated rat skin wound healing. In another study, we showed that RhoA activation plays a key role in Activin B-induced BMSC migration. However, the role of the immediate downstream effectors of RhoA in this process is unclear. Here, we demonstrated that mammalian homolog of Drosophila diaphanous-1 (mDia1), a downstream effector of RhoA, exerts a crucial function in Activin B-induced BMSC migration by promoting membrane ruffling, microtubule morphology, and adhesion signaling dynamics. Furthermore, we showed that Activin B does not change Rac1 activity but increases Cdc42 activity in BMSCs. Inactivation of Cdc42 inhibited Activin B-stimulated Golgi reorientation and the cell migration of BMSCs. Furthermore, knockdown of mDia1 affected Activin B-induced BMSC-mediated wound healing in vivo. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the RhoA-mDia1 and Cdc42 pathways regulate Activin B-induced BMSC migration. This study may help to optimize clinical MSC-based transplantation strategies to promote skin wound healing. Stem Cells 2019;37:150-162.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueer Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Construction and Detection, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Pei Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Construction and Detection, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Fukun Guo
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer BiologyChildren's Hospital Research FoundationCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Min Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Construction and Detection, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Construction and Detection, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Mianbo Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Construction and Detection, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yinghua Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Construction and Detection, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Construction and Detection, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
Efficient generation of disease relevant neuronal subtypes from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is fundamental for realizing their promise in disease modeling, pharmaceutical drug screening and cell therapy. Here we describe a step-by-step protocol for directing the differentiation of human embryonic and induced PSCs (hESCs and hiPSCs, respectively) toward medium spiny neurons, the type of cells that are preferentially lost in Huntington's disease patients. This method is based on a novel concept of Activin A-dependent induction of the lateral ganglionic/striatal fate using a simple monolayer culture paradigm under chemically defined conditions. Transplantable medium spiny neuron progenitors amenable for cryopreservation are produced in less than 20 days, which differentiate and mature into a high yield of dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32 kDa (DARPP32) expressing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in vitro and in the adult rat brain after transplantation. This method has been validated in multiple hESC and hiPSC lines, and is independent of the regime for PSC maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Fjodorova
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Meng Li
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sepponen K, Lundin K, Knuus K, Väyrynen P, Raivio T, Tapanainen JS, Tuuri T. The Role of Sequential BMP Signaling in Directing Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Bipotential Gonadal Cells. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017; 102:4303-4314. [PMID: 28938435 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-01469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Human gonads arise as a pair of epithelial ridges on the surface of intermediate mesoderm (IM)-derived mesonephros. Toxic environmental factors and mutations in various genes are known to disturb normal gonadal development, but because of a lack of suitable in vitro models, detailed studies characterizing the molecular basis of the observed defects have not been performed. OBJECTIVE To establish an in vitro method for studying differentiation of bipotential gonadal progenitors by using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and to investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in gonadal differentiation. DESIGN We tested 17 protocols using activin A, CHIR-99021, and varying durations of BMP-7 and the BMP inhibitor dorsomorphin. Activation of activin A, WNT, and BMP pathways was optimized to induce differentiation. SETTING Academic research laboratory. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Cell differentiation, gene expression, and flow cytometry. RESULTS The two most efficient protocols consistently upregulated IM markers LHX1, PAX2, and OSR1 at days 2 to 4 and bipotential gonadal markers EMX2, GATA4, WT1, and LHX9 at day 8 of culture. The outcome depended on the combination of the duration, concentration, and type of BMP activation and the length of WNT signaling. Adjusting any of the parameters substantially affected the requirements for other parameters. CONCLUSIONS We have established a reproducible protocol for directed differentiation of hESCs into bipotential gonadal cells. The protocol can be used to model early gonadal development in humans and allows further differentiation to mature gonadal somatic cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Sepponen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
| | - Karolina Lundin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
| | - Katri Knuus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
| | - Pia Väyrynen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
| | - Taneli Raivio
- Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Juha S Tapanainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Oulu, University of Oulu, Medical Research Center Oulu and PEDEGO Research Unit, Oulu 90220, Finland
| | - Timo Tuuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Chen Y, Soto-Gutierrez A, Navarro-Alvarez N, Rivas-Carrillo JD, Yamatsuji T, Shirakawa Y, Tanaka N, Basma H, Fox IJ, Kobayashi N. Instant Hepatic Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Using Activin a and a Deleted Variant of HGF. Cell Transplant 2017; 15:865-71. [PMID: 17299990 DOI: 10.3727/000000006783981305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem (hES) cells have the ability to differentiate into a variety of different cell lineages and potentially provide a source of differentiated cells for many therapeutic uses. Here we investigated an efficient method of hepatic differentiation from hES cells. A human ES cell line, KhES-1, was used and maintained by a nonfeeder method. KhES-1 cells were cultured for 5 days in the presence of human activin A (50 ng/ml) and then treated with a deleted variant of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) at 0, 100, or 500 ng/ml for 7 days. The resultant cells were biologically analyzed. The expression of the endodermal genes SOX17 and FOXA2 increased in KhES-1 cells after activin A treatment. In contrast, Oct4, a self-renewal undifferentiated marker, decreased in a time-dependent manner in KhES-1 cells. Following a 7-day treatment of the resultant cells with dHGF, especially at 500 ng/ml, KhES-1 cells showed an expression of the hepatic makers albumin, AFP, and CK18. Transitional electron microscopy showed well-developed glycogen rosettes and a gap junction in KhES-1 cells treated with 500 ng/ml of dHGF. We developed an efficient method to differentiate KhES-1 cells into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro using 50 ng/ml of activin A and 500 ng/ml of dHGF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Chen
- Department of Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Liu M, Mao C, Li J, Han F, Yang P. Effects of the Activin A-Follistatin System on Myocardial Cell Apoptosis through the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway in Heart Failure. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020374. [PMID: 28208629 PMCID: PMC5343909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A previous study suggested that activin A inhibited myocardial cell apoptosis. This study thus aimed to explore the effects of the activin A-follistatin system on myocardial cell apoptosis in heart failure (HF) rats in order to determine whether or not the mechanism operates through the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway. METHODS Myocardial infarction (MI) by vascular deprivation was used to induce HF. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect activin A, follistatin and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) contents in serum. Immunohistochemical staining for activin A, follistatin, CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP) and caspase-3 was performed on the myocardial tissue. The activin A-stimulated apoptosis of H9c2 cells was tested by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of activin A, follistatin and ERS-related proteins. RESULTS It was found that the high expression of activin A could cause activin A-follistatin system imbalance, inducing myocardial cell apoptosis via ERS in vivo. When HF developed to a certain stage, the expression of follistatin was upregulated to antagonize the expression of activin A. Activin A inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis with a low concentration and promoted apoptosis with a high concentration in vitro, also via ERS. CONCLUSION Activin A-follistatin system participated in ERS-mediated myocardial cell apoptosis in HF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Liu
- Department of Cardiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130031, China.
| | - Cuiying Mao
- Department of Cardiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130031, China.
| | - Jiayu Li
- Department of Cardiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130031, China.
| | - Fanglei Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130031, China.
| | - Ping Yang
- Department of Cardiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130031, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The differentiation program for human thyroid follicular cells (TFCs) relies on the interplay between sequence-specific transcription factors and transcriptional co-regulators. Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is a co-activator that regulates several transcription factors, including PAX8 and NKX2-1, which play a central role in thyroid-specific gene transcription. TAZ and PAX8/NKX2-1 are co-expressed in the nuclei of thyroid cells, and TAZ interacts directly with both PAX8 and NKX2-1, leading to their enhanced transcriptional activity on the thyroglobulin (TG) promoter and additional genes. METHODS The use of a small molecule, ethacridine, recently identified as a TAZ activator, in the differentiation of thyroid cells from human embryonic stem (hES) cells was studied. First, endodermal cells were derived from hES cells using Activin A, followed by induction of differentiation into thyroid cells directed by ethacridine and thyrotropin (TSH). RESULTS The expression of TAZ was increased in the Activin A-derived endodermal cells by ethacridine in a dose-dependent manner and followed by increases in PAX8 and NKX2-1 when assessed by both quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining. Following further differentiation with the combination of ethacridine and TSH, the thyroid-specific genes TG, TPO, TSHR, and NIS were all induced in the differentiated hES cells. When these cells were cultured with extracellular matrix-coated dishes, thyroid follicle formation and abundant TG protein expression were observed. Furthermore, such hES cell-derived thyroid follicles showed a marked TSH-induced and dose-dependent increase in radioiodine uptake and protein-bound iodine accumulation. CONCLUSION These data show that fully functional human thyroid cells can be derived from hES cells using ethacridine, a TAZ activator, which induces thyroid-specific gene expression and promotes thyroid cell differentiation from the hES cells. These studies again demonstrate the importance of transcriptional regulation in thyroid cell development. This approach also yields functional human thyrocytes, without any gene transfection or complex culture conditions, by directly manipulating the transcriptional machinery without interfering with intermediate signaling events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Risheng Ma
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center and the James J. Peters VA Medical Center , New York, New York
| | - Syed A Morshed
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center and the James J. Peters VA Medical Center , New York, New York
| | - Rauf Latif
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center and the James J. Peters VA Medical Center , New York, New York
| | - Terry F Davies
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center and the James J. Peters VA Medical Center , New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Yabe SG, Fukuda S, Takeda F, Nashiro K, Shimoda M, Okochi H. Efficient generation of functional pancreatic β-cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells. J Diabetes 2017; 9:168-179. [PMID: 27038181 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insulin-secreting cells have been generated from human embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by mimicking developmental processes. However, these cells do not always secrete glucose-responsive insulin, one of the most important characteristics of pancreatic β-cells. We focused on the importance of endodermal differentiation from human iPSCs in order to obtain functional pancreatic β-cells. METHODS A six-stage protocol was established for the differentiation of human iPSCs to pancreatic β-cells using defined culture media without feeders or serum. The effects of CHIR99021, a selective glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitor, were examined in the presence of fibroblast growth factor 2, activin, and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (FAB) during definitive endodermal induction by immunostaining for SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 17 (SOX17) and Forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2). Insulin secretion was compared between the last stage of monolayer culture and spheroid culture conditions. Cultured cells were transplanted under kidney capsules of streptozotocin-diabetic non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency mice, and blood glucose levels were measured once a week. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed 4 and 12 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS Addition of CHIR99021 (3 μmol/L) in the presence of FAB for 2 days improved endodermal cell viability, maintaining the high SOX17-positive rate. Spheroid formation after the endocrine progenitor stage showed more efficient insulin secretion than did monolayer culture. After cell transplantation, diabetic mice had lower blood glucose levels, and islet-like structures were detected in vivo. CONCLUSION Functional pancreatic β-cells were generated from human iPSCs. Induction of definitive endoderm and spheroid formation may be key steps for producing these cells.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Activins/pharmacology
- Animals
- Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4/pharmacology
- Cell Culture Techniques/methods
- Cell Differentiation/drug effects
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cells, Cultured
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/genetics
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/therapy
- Endoderm/cytology
- Endoderm/drug effects
- Endoderm/metabolism
- Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/pharmacology
- Gene Expression/drug effects
- Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-beta/genetics
- Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-beta/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/drug effects
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/transplantation
- Insulin/genetics
- Insulin/metabolism
- Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects
- Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Pyridines/pharmacology
- Pyrimidines/pharmacology
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- SOXF Transcription Factors/genetics
- SOXF Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Spheroids, Cellular/cytology
- Spheroids, Cellular/drug effects
- Spheroids, Cellular/metabolism
- Stem Cell Transplantation/methods
- Transplantation, Heterologous
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shigeharu G Yabe
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satsuki Fukuda
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fujie Takeda
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Nashiro
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Shimoda
- Pancreatic Islet Transplantation Project, Department of Diabetes Research Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Okochi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Stayte S, Rentsch P, Tröscher AR, Bamberger M, Li KM, Vissel B. Activin A Inhibits MPTP and LPS-Induced Increases in Inflammatory Cell Populations and Loss of Dopamine Neurons in the Mouse Midbrain In Vivo. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0167211. [PMID: 28121982 PMCID: PMC5266209 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by a significant loss of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta region and a subsequent loss of dopamine within the striatum. A promising avenue of research has been the administration of growth factors to promote the survival of remaining midbrain neurons, although the mechanism by which they provide neuroprotection is not understood. Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily, has been shown to be a potent anti-inflammatory following acute brain injury and has been demonstrated to play a role in the neuroprotection of midbrain neurons against MPP+-induced degeneration in vitro. We hypothesized that activin A may offer similar anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in in vivo mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. We found that activin A significantly attenuated the inflammatory response induced by both MPTP and intranigral administration of lipopolysaccharide in C57BL/6 mice. We found that administration of activin A promoted survival of dopaminergic and total neuron populations in the pars compacta region both 8 days and 8 weeks after MPTP-induced degeneration. Surprisingly, no corresponding protection of striatal dopamine levels was found. Furthermore, activin A failed to protect against loss of striatal dopamine transporter expression in the striatum, suggesting the neuroprotective action of activin A may be localized to the substantia nigra. Together, these results provide the first evidence that activin A exerts potent neuroprotection and anti-inflammatory effects in the MPTP and lipopolysaccharide mouse models of Parkinson’s disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Stayte
- Neuroscience Department, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peggy Rentsch
- Neuroscience Department, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Kong M. Li
- Pharmacology Department, Bosch Institute, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bryce Vissel
- Neuroscience Department, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Aamodt KI, Aramandla R, Brown JJ, Fiaschi-Taesch N, Wang P, Stewart AF, Brissova M, Powers AC. Development of a reliable automated screening system to identify small molecules and biologics that promote human β-cell regeneration. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2016; 311:E859-E868. [PMID: 27624103 PMCID: PMC5130356 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00515.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Numerous compounds stimulate rodent β-cell proliferation; however, translating these findings to human β-cells remains a challenge. To examine human β-cell proliferation in response to such compounds, we developed a medium-throughput in vitro method of quantifying adult human β-cell proliferation markers. This method is based on high-content imaging of dispersed islet cells seeded in 384-well plates and automated cell counting that identifies fluorescently labeled β-cells with high specificity using both nuclear and cytoplasmic markers. β-Cells from each donor were assessed for their function and ability to enter the cell cycle by cotransduction with adenoviruses encoding cell cycle regulators cdk6 and cyclin D3. Using this approach, we tested 12 previously identified mitogens, including neurotransmitters, hormones, growth factors, and molecules, involved in adenosine and Tgf-1β signaling. Each compound was tested in a wide concentration range either in the presence of basal (5 mM) or high (11 mM) glucose. Treatment with the control compound harmine, a Dyrk1a inhibitor, led to a significant increase in Ki-67+ β-cells, whereas treatment with other compounds had limited to no effect on human β-cell proliferation. This new scalable approach reduces the time and effort required for sensitive and specific evaluation of human β-cell proliferation, thus allowing for increased testing of candidate human β-cell mitogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristie I Aamodt
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Radhika Aramandla
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Judy J Brown
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Nathalie Fiaschi-Taesch
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Disease, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Peng Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Disease, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Andrew F Stewart
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Disease, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Marcela Brissova
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee;
| | - Alvin C Powers
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is an increasing health issue worldwide. For patients with advanced castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) treatment options are limited and overall survival is relatively short. Paired with this, non-invasive diagnostic options are yet to be established. Activins are members of the TGF-β superfamily and have been linked to prostate physiology. For instance, activin A is an inhibitor of growth in the prostate. A novel class of non-coding RNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been intrinsically linked to a range of cellular processes and carcinogenesis. No studies have investigated the impact of activin A on miRNA expression in PCa cell lines. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of activin A on miRNA expression and downstream target genes in PCa. METHODS Activin-sensitive (LNCaP) and insensitive (PC3) prostate cells were treated with 50 ng/ml of activin A for 72 hr. To examine miRNA expression following treatment, SYBR RT-qPCR miRNA arrays were used in conjunction with TaqMan RT-qPCR. MiRPath-TarBase analysis was conducted using the miRNAs that were significantly altered following activin A treatment of LNCaP cells to highlight enriched target genes within biological pathways. Highlighted target genes were assessed using pathway-focused TGF-β and cell cycle SYBR RT-qPCR arrays. RESULTS Activin A treatment altered nine miRNAs in LNCaP cells: miR-222-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-93-5p, miR-18a-5p, and let-7i-5p were significantly decreased, while miR-30a/30d-5p, let-7c, and miR-196b-5p were significantly increased versus media control. In PC3 cells five miRNAs were altered: miR-130a-3p, miR-7-5p, and miR-140-3p were significantly decreased while miR-191-5p and miR-26a-5p were significantly increased versus media control. MiRPath-TarBase analysis highlighted that the miRNAs significantly altered in LNCaP cells targeted genes contained in activin A-related KEGG pathways. Furthermore, when LNCaP cells were treated with activin A the expression of the targeted genes was the inverse of the expression of activin A-mediated miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the ability of activin A to modulate miRNA expression in PCa cell lines and suggests a correlative relationship between miRNA expression and downstream target genes in LNCaP cells. This study provides impetus for further studies into activin A and miRNAs in PCa. Prostate 76:951-963, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
|
29
|
Hu J, Wang X, Wei SM, Tang YH, Zhou Q, Huang CX. Activin A stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts via the ERK1/2 and p38-MAPK pathways. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 789:319-327. [PMID: 27477354 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.07.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Activin A is a key regulator of cardiac fibrosis. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which it contributes to cardiac fibrosis. Our study explored the effects of activin A on proliferation and differentiation of adult rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) via the activin A receptor, activin receptor-like kinase 4 (ALK4). CF proliferation was measured by CCK8 and EdU assays, while differentiation, fibrosis and signaling were measured by western blot analysis of α-smooth muscle actin, collagen type I, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) expression. Activin A levels were measured by ELISA and western blot analysis. We demonstrated that CFs express activin A and its expression was significantly enhanced by angiotensin II (Ang II), but follistatin (activin A inhibitor) significantly reversed Ang II-induced activin A upregulation, CF proliferation, differentiation, collagen type I expression as well as ERK1/2 and p38-MAPK pathways activation. Conversely, recombinant activin A largely increased these parameters in both the presence and absence of Ang II. Interestingly, p38-MAPK (SB203580) and ALK4 (SB431542) inhibitors significantly reduced all activin A-mediated responses; however, an ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) could only significantly reduce CF proliferation and collagen type I expression but not differentiation. Importantly, the most significant effects were observed in the presence vs. absence of Ang II. Thus, activin A promotes basal and Ang II-induced CF proliferation and differentiation via ALK4, and the effects are partly mediated through the ERK1/2 and p38-MAPK pathways. These data suggest that activin A is a potential therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Shao-Ming Wei
- Department of Public Sanitary Management, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, PR China
| | - Yan-Hong Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Qin Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, PR China
| | - Cong-Xin Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Diabetes results from inadequate β-cell number and/or function to control serum glucose concentrations so that replacement of lost β-cells could become a viable therapy for diabetes. In addition to embryonic stem cell sources for new β-cells, evidence for transdifferentiation/reprogramming of non-β-cells to functional β-cells is accumulating. In addition, de-differentiation of β-cells observed in diabetes and their subsequent conversion to α-cells raises the possibility that adult islet cell fate is malleable and controlled by local hormonal and/or environmental cues. We previously demonstrated that inactivation of the activin antagonist, follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) resulted in β-cell expansion and improved glucose homeostasis in the absence of β-cell proliferation. We recently reported that activin directly suppressed expression of critical α-cell genes while increasing expression of β-cell genes, supporting the hypothesis that activin is one of the local hormones controlling islet cell fate and that increased activin signaling accelerates α- to β-cell transdifferentiation. We tested this hypothesis using Gluc-Cre/yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) α-cell lineage tracing technology combined with FSTL3 knockout (KO) mice to label α-cells with YFP. Flow cytometry was used to quantify unlabeled and labeled α- and β-cells. We found that Ins+/YFP+ cells were significantly increased in FSTL3 KO mice compared with wild type littermates. Labeled Ins+/YFP+ cells increased significantly with age in FSTL3 KO mice but not wild type littermates. Sorting results were substantiated by counting fluorescently labeled cells in pancreatic sections. Activin treatment of isolated islets significantly increased the number of YFP+/Ins+ cells. These results suggest that α- to β-cell transdifferentiation is influenced by activin signaling and may contribute substantially to β-cell mass.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Brown
- Departments of Nutrition (M.L.B.) and Veterinary and Animal Science (D.A., A.B., A.L.S.), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Danielle Andrzejewski
- Departments of Nutrition (M.L.B.) and Veterinary and Animal Science (D.A., A.B., A.L.S.), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Amy Burnside
- Departments of Nutrition (M.L.B.) and Veterinary and Animal Science (D.A., A.B., A.L.S.), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Alan L Schneyer
- Departments of Nutrition (M.L.B.) and Veterinary and Animal Science (D.A., A.B., A.L.S.), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Canali S, Core AB, Zumbrennen-Bullough KB, Merkulova M, Wang CY, Schneyer AL, Pietrangelo A, Babitt JL. Activin B Induces Noncanonical SMAD1/5/8 Signaling via BMP Type I Receptors in Hepatocytes: Evidence for a Role in Hepcidin Induction by Inflammation in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2016; 157:1146-62. [PMID: 26735394 PMCID: PMC4769363 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Induction of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin contributes to the anemia of inflammation. Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) signaling is a central regulator of hepcidin expression in the liver. Recently, the TGF-β/BMP superfamily member activin B was implicated in hepcidin induction by inflammation via noncanonical SMAD1/5/8 signaling, but its mechanism of action and functional significance in vivo remain uncertain. Here, we show that low concentrations of activin B, but not activin A, stimulate prolonged SMAD1/5/8 signaling and hepcidin expression in liver cells to a similar degree as canonical SMAD2/3 signaling, and with similar or modestly reduced potency compared with BMP6. Activin B stimulates hepcidin via classical activin type II receptors ACVR2A and ACVR2B, noncanonical BMP type I receptors activin receptor-like kinase 2 and activin receptor-like kinase 3, and SMAD5. The coreceptor hemojuvelin binds to activin B and facilitates activin B-SMAD1/5/8 signaling. Activin B-SMAD1/5/8 signaling has some selectivity for hepatocyte-derived cells and is not enabled by hemojuvelin in other cell types. Liver activin B mRNA expression is up-regulated in multiple mouse models of inflammation associated with increased hepcidin and hypoferremia, including lipopolysaccharide, turpentine, and heat-killed Brucella abortus models. Finally, the activin inhibitor follistatin-315 blunts hepcidin induction by lipopolysaccharide or B. abortus in mice. Our data elucidate a novel mechanism for noncanonical SMAD activation and support a likely functional role for activin B in hepcidin stimulation during inflammation in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Canali
- Program in Anemia Signaling Research (S.C., A.B.C., K.B.Z.-B., M.M., C.-Y.W., J.L.B.), Division of Nephrology, Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Center for Hemochromatosis (S.C., A.P.), University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Italy 41124; and Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (A.S.), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Amanda B Core
- Program in Anemia Signaling Research (S.C., A.B.C., K.B.Z.-B., M.M., C.-Y.W., J.L.B.), Division of Nephrology, Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Center for Hemochromatosis (S.C., A.P.), University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Italy 41124; and Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (A.S.), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Kimberly B Zumbrennen-Bullough
- Program in Anemia Signaling Research (S.C., A.B.C., K.B.Z.-B., M.M., C.-Y.W., J.L.B.), Division of Nephrology, Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Center for Hemochromatosis (S.C., A.P.), University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Italy 41124; and Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (A.S.), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Maria Merkulova
- Program in Anemia Signaling Research (S.C., A.B.C., K.B.Z.-B., M.M., C.-Y.W., J.L.B.), Division of Nephrology, Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Center for Hemochromatosis (S.C., A.P.), University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Italy 41124; and Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (A.S.), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Chia-Yu Wang
- Program in Anemia Signaling Research (S.C., A.B.C., K.B.Z.-B., M.M., C.-Y.W., J.L.B.), Division of Nephrology, Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Center for Hemochromatosis (S.C., A.P.), University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Italy 41124; and Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (A.S.), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Alan L Schneyer
- Program in Anemia Signaling Research (S.C., A.B.C., K.B.Z.-B., M.M., C.-Y.W., J.L.B.), Division of Nephrology, Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Center for Hemochromatosis (S.C., A.P.), University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Italy 41124; and Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (A.S.), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Antonello Pietrangelo
- Program in Anemia Signaling Research (S.C., A.B.C., K.B.Z.-B., M.M., C.-Y.W., J.L.B.), Division of Nephrology, Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Center for Hemochromatosis (S.C., A.P.), University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Italy 41124; and Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (A.S.), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Jodie L Babitt
- Program in Anemia Signaling Research (S.C., A.B.C., K.B.Z.-B., M.M., C.-Y.W., J.L.B.), Division of Nephrology, Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Center for Hemochromatosis (S.C., A.P.), University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena Italy 41124; and Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (A.S.), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Wang JQ, Xu ZH, Liang WZ, He JT, Cui Y, Liu HY, Xue LX, Shi W, Shao YK, Mang J, Xu ZX. Effects of c-Jun N-terminal kinase on Activin A/Smads signaling in PC12 cell suffered from oxygen-glucose deprivation. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 2016; 62:81-86. [PMID: 26950456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Activin A (Act A), a member of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, is an early gene in response to cerebral ischemia. Growing evidences confirm the neuroprotective effect of Act A in ischemic injury through Act A/Smads signal activation. In this process, regulation networks are involved in modulating the outcomes of Smads signaling. Among these regulators, crosstalk between c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Smads signaling has been found in the TGF-β induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition. However, in neural ischemia, the speculative regulation between JNK and Act A/Smads signaling pathways has not been clarified. To explore this issue, an Oxygen Glucose Deprivation (OGD) model was introduced to nerve-like PC12 cells. We found that JNK signal activation occurred at the early time of OGD injury (1 h). Act A administration suppressed JNK phosphorylation. In addition, JNK inhibition could elevate the strength of Smads signaling and attenuate neural apoptosis after OGD injury. Our results indicated a negative regulation effect of JNK on Smads signaling in ischemic injury. Taken together, JNK, as a critical site for neural apoptosis and negative regulator for Act A/Smads signaling, was presumed to be a molecular therapeutic target for ischemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Q Wang
- Jilin University Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital Changchun China
| | - Z H Xu
- Jilin University Clinical Medicine of Norman Bethune Medical Department Changchun China
| | - W Z Liang
- Jilin University Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital Changchun China
| | - J T He
- Jilin University Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital Changchun China
| | - Y Cui
- Jilin University Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital Changchun China
| | - H Y Liu
- Jilin University Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital Changchun China
| | - L X Xue
- Jilin University Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital Changchun China
| | - W Shi
- Jilin University Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology & Engineering, The Ministry of Education Changchun China
| | - Y K Shao
- Jilin University Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital Changchun China
| | - J Mang
- Jilin University Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital Changchun China
| | - Z X Xu
- Jilin University Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital Changchun China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Coutinho LM, Vieira EL, Dela Cruz C, Casalechi M, Teixeira AL, Del Puerto HL, Reis FM. Apoptosis modulation by activin A and follistatin in human endometrial stromal cells. Gynecol Endocrinol 2016; 32:161-5. [PMID: 26494397 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2015.1103222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A is a growth factor that stimulates decidualization and is abundantly expressed in endometrial proliferative disorders. Nevertheless, whether it directly affects endometrial cell survival is still unknown. This study investigated the effects of activin A on total death and apoptosis rates and on tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release by human endometrial stromal cells (HESC). We performed a controlled prospective in vitro study using primary HESC cultures obtained from healthy reproductive age women (n = 11). Cells were treated with medium alone (control) or activin A (25 ng/mL) or activin A (25 ng/mL) and its antagonist follistatin (250 ng/mL). Apoptosis and total cell death were measured by flow cytometry, while TNF concentrations in culture media were quantified by ELISA. Activin A decreased the percentage of apoptotic/dead cells from 31% to 22% (p < 0.05, paired t-test) and reduced TNF levels in culture medium by 14%, but there was no linear correlation between TNF release and apoptotic rates. Both effects of activin A were reversed by follistatin. These findings indicate that activin A promotes HESC survival, possibly by a TNF-independent pathway. This mechanism may be critical to the actions of activin A upon stromal cell growth and differentiation in physiology and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa M Coutinho
- a Division of Human Reproduction , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil and
| | - Erica L Vieira
- b Neuroscience Branch, Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - Cynthia Dela Cruz
- a Division of Human Reproduction , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil and
| | - Maíra Casalechi
- a Division of Human Reproduction , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil and
| | - Antonio L Teixeira
- b Neuroscience Branch, Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - Helen L Del Puerto
- a Division of Human Reproduction , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil and
| | - Fernando M Reis
- a Division of Human Reproduction , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil and
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
Familial transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is an autosomal dominant protein-folding disorder caused by over 100 distinct mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. In ATTR, protein secreted from the liver aggregates and forms fibrils in target organs, chiefly the heart and peripheral nervous system, highlighting the need for a model capable of recapitulating the multisystem complexity of this clinically variable disease. Here, we describe detailed methodologies for the directed differentiation of protein folding disease-specific iPSCs into hepatocytes that produce mutant protein, and neural-lineage cells often targeted in disease. Methodologies are also described for the construction of multisystem models and drug screening using iPSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Leung
- School of Medicine and the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George J Murphy
- School of Medicine and the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
van den Berg CW, Elliott DA, Braam SR, Mummery CL, Davis RP. Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Cardiomyocytes Under Defined Conditions. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1353:163-180. [PMID: 25626427 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2014_178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can differentiate to cardiomyocytes in vitro, offering unique opportunities to investigate cardiac development and disease as well as providing a platform to perform drug and toxicity tests. Initial cardiac differentiation methods were based on either inductive co-culture or aggregation as embryoid bodies, often in the presence of fetal calf serum. More recently, monolayer differentiation protocols have evolved as feasible alternatives and are often performed in completely defined culture medium and substrates. Thus, our ability to efficiently and reproducibly generate cardiomyocytes from multiple different hESC and hiPSC lines has improved significantly.We have developed a directed differentiation monolayer protocol that can be used to generate cultures comprising ~50% cardiomyocytes, in which both the culture of the undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and the differentiation procedure itself are defined and serum-free. The differentiation method is also effective for hPSCs maintained in other culture systems. In this chapter, we outline the differentiation protocol and describe methods to assess cardiac differentiation efficiency as well as to identify and quantify the yield of cardiomyocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cathelijne W van den Berg
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, Leiden, 2333 ZC, The Netherlands
| | - David A Elliott
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Stefan R Braam
- Pluriomics BV, Biopartner Building 3, Galileiweg 8, Leiden, 2333 BD, The Netherlands
| | - Christine L Mummery
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, Leiden, 2333 ZC, The Netherlands
| | - Richard P Davis
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, Leiden, 2333 ZC, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Yang Y, Liu C, Lei X, Wang H, Su P, Ru Y, Ruan X, Duan E, Feng S, Han M, Xu Y, Shi L, Jiang E, Zhou J. Integrated Biophysical and Biochemical Signals Augment Megakaryopoiesis and Thrombopoiesis in a Three-Dimensional Rotary Culture System. Stem Cells Transl Med 2015; 5:175-85. [PMID: 26702125 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2015-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Platelet transfusion has been widely used in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy; however, the shortage of the platelet supply limits the care of patients. Although derivation of clinical-scale platelets in vitro could provide a new source for transfusion, the devices and procedures for deriving scalable platelets for clinical applications have not been established. In the present study, we found that a rotary cell culture system (RCCS) can potentiate megakaryopoiesis and significantly improve the efficiency of platelet generation. When used with chemical compounds and growth factors identified via small-scale screening, the RCCS improved platelet generation efficiency by as much as ∼3.7-fold compared with static conditions. Shear force, simulated microgravity, and better diffusion of nutrients and oxygen from the RCCS, altogether, might account for the improved efficient platelet generation. The cost-effective and highly controllable strategy and methodology represent an important step toward large-scale platelet production for future biomedical and clinical applications. Significance: Platelet transfusion has been widely used in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy; however, the shortage of platelet supply limits the care of patients. Thus, derivation of clinical-scale platelets in vitro would provide a new source for transfusion. The present study evaluated a rotary suspension cell culture system that was able to potentiate megakaryopoiesis and significantly improved the efficiency of platelet generation. When used with chemical compounds and growth factors identified via small-scale screening, the three-dimensional system improved platelet generation efficiency compared with the static condition. The three-dimensional device and the strategy developed in the present study should markedly improve the generation of large-scale platelets for use in future biomedical and clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Faculty of Laboratory Medical Science, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, People's Republic of China
| | - CuiCui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohua Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, CAS, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongxin Ru
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinhua Ruan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Enkui Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, CAS, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Sizhou Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingzhe Han
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanfu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Erlie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Higuchi CM, Maeda Y, Horiuchi T, Yamazaki Y. A Simplified Method for Three-Dimensional (3-D) Ovarian Tissue Culture Yielding Oocytes Competent to Produce Full-Term Offspring in Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143114. [PMID: 26571501 PMCID: PMC4646357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro growth of follicles is a promising technology to generate large quantities of competent oocytes from immature follicles and could expand the potential of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Isolated follicle culture is currently the primary method used to develop and mature follicles in vitro. However, this procedure typically requires complicated, time-consuming procedures, as well as destruction of the normal ovarian microenvironment. Here we describe a simplified 3-D ovarian culture system that can be used to mature multilayered secondary follicles into antral follicles, generating developmentally competent oocytes in vitro. Ovaries recovered from mice at 14 days of age were cut into 8 pieces and placed onto a thick Matrigel drop (3-D culture) for 10 days of culture. As a control, ovarian pieces were cultured on a membrane filter without any Matrigel drop (Membrane culture). We also evaluated the effect of activin A treatment on follicle growth within the ovarian pieces with or without Matrigel support. Thus we tested four different culture conditions: C (Membrane/activin-), A (Membrane/activin+), M (Matrigel/activin-), and M+A (Matrigel/activin+). We found that the cultured follicles and oocytes steadily increased in size regardless of the culture condition used. However, antral cavity formation occurred only in the follicles grown in the 3-D culture system (M, M+A). Following ovarian tissue culture, full-grown GV oocytes were isolated from the larger follicles to evaluate their developmental competence by subjecting them to in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Maturation and fertilization rates were higher using oocytes grown in 3-D culture (M, M+A) than with those grown in membrane culture (C, A). In particular, activin A treatment further improved 3-D culture (M+A) success. Following IVF, two-cell embryos were transferred to recipients to generate full-term offspring. In summary, this simple and easy 3-D ovarian culture system using a Matrigel drop and activin A supplementation (M+A) provides optimal and convenient conditions to support growth of developmentally competent oocytes in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M. Higuchi
- Institute of Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Yuuki Maeda
- Institute of Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Toshitaka Horiuchi
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Scientific Research, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yukiko Yamazaki
- Institute of Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hara T, Otsuka F, Tsukamoto-Yamauchi N, Inagaki K, Hosoya T, Nakamura E, Terasaka T, Komatsubara M, Makino H. Mutual effects of melatonin and activin on induction of aldosterone production by human adrenocortical cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 152:8-15. [PMID: 25889901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin has been reported to suppress adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion in the anterior pituitary and cortisol production in the adrenal by different mechanisms. However, the effect of melatonin on aldosterone production has remained unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of melatonin in the regulation of aldosterone production using human adrenocortical H295R cells by focusing on the activin system expressed in the adrenal. Melatonin receptor MT1 mRNA and protein were expressed in H295R cells and the expression levels of MT1 were increased by activin treatment. Activin increased ACTH-induced, but not angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced, aldosterone production. Melatonin alone did not affect basal synthesis of either aldosterone or cortisol. However, melatonin effectively enhanced aldosterone production induced by co-treatment with ACTH and activin, although melatonin had no effect on aldosterone production induced by Ang II in combination with activin. These changes in steroidogenesis became apparent when the steroid production was evaluated by the ratio of aldosterone/cortisol. Melatonin also enhanced dibutyryl-AMP-induced aldosterone/cortisol levels in the presence of activin, suggesting a functional link to the cAMP-PKA pathway for induction of aldosterone production by melatonin and activin. In accordance with the data for steroids, ACTH-induced, but not Ang II-induced, cAMP synthesis was also amplified by co-treatment with melatonin and activin. Furthermore, the ratio of ACTH-induced mRNA level of CYP11B2 compared with that of CYP17 was amplified in the condition of treatment with both melatonin and activin. In addition, melatonin increased expression of the activin type-I receptor ALK-4 but suppressed expression of inhibitory Smads6/7, leading to the enhancement of Smad2 phosphorylation. Collectively, the results showed that melatonin facilitated aldosterone production induced by ACTH and activin via the cAMP-PKA pathway. The results also suggested that mutual enhancement of melatonin and activin receptor signaling is involved in the induction of aldosterone output by adrenocortical cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Hara
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Fumio Otsuka
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
| | | | - Kenichi Inagaki
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hosoya
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Eri Nakamura
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Terasaka
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Motoshi Komatsubara
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Makino
- Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Andrzejewski D, Brown ML, Ungerleider N, Burnside A, Schneyer AL. Activins A and B Regulate Fate-Determining Gene Expression in Islet Cell Lines and Islet Cells From Male Mice. Endocrinology 2015; 156:2440-50. [PMID: 25961841 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
TGFβ superfamily ligands, receptors, and second messengers, including activins A and B, have been identified in pancreatic islets and proposed to have important roles regulating development, proliferation, and function. We previously demonstrated that Fstl3 (an antagonist of activin activity) null mice have larger islets with β-cell hyperplasia and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in the absence of altered β-cell proliferation. This suggested the hypothesis that increased activin signaling influences β-cell expansion by destabilizing the α-cell phenotype and promoting transdifferentiation to β-cells. We tested the first part of this hypothesis by treating α- and β-cell lines and sorted mouse islet cells with activin and related ligands. Treatment of the αTC1-6 α cell line with activins A or B suppressed critical α-cell gene expression, including Arx, glucagon, and MafB while also enhancing β-cell gene expression. In INS-1E β-cells, activin A treatment induced a significant increase in Pax4 (a fate determining β-cell gene) and insulin expression. In sorted primary islet cells, α-cell gene expression was again suppressed by activin treatment in α-cells, whereas Pax4 was enhanced in β-cells. Activin treatment in both cell lines and primary cells resulted in phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic-2 phosphorylation. Finally, treatment of αTC1-6 cells with activins A or B significantly inhibited proliferation. These results support the hypothesis that activin signaling destabilized the α-cell phenotype while promoting a β-cell fate. Moreover, these results support a model in which the β-cell expansion observed in Fstl3 null mice may be due, at least in part, to enhanced α- to β-cell transdifferentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Andrzejewski
- Departments of Veterinary and Animal Science (D.A., A.B., A.L.S.) and Nutrition (M.L.B.), and Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program (N.U.), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Melissa L Brown
- Departments of Veterinary and Animal Science (D.A., A.B., A.L.S.) and Nutrition (M.L.B.), and Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program (N.U.), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Nathan Ungerleider
- Departments of Veterinary and Animal Science (D.A., A.B., A.L.S.) and Nutrition (M.L.B.), and Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program (N.U.), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Amy Burnside
- Departments of Veterinary and Animal Science (D.A., A.B., A.L.S.) and Nutrition (M.L.B.), and Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program (N.U.), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Alan L Schneyer
- Departments of Veterinary and Animal Science (D.A., A.B., A.L.S.) and Nutrition (M.L.B.), and Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program (N.U.), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Stayte S, Rentsch P, Li KM, Vissel B. Activin A protects midbrain neurons in the 6-hydroxydopamine mouse model of Parkinson's disease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124325. [PMID: 25902062 PMCID: PMC4406584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by a significant loss of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and a subsequent loss of dopamine (DA) within the striatum. Despite advances in the development of pharmacological therapies that are effective at alleviating the symptoms of PD, the search for therapeutic treatments that halt or slow the underlying nigral degeneration remains a particular challenge. Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily, has been shown to play a role in the neuroprotection of midbrain neurons against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in vitro, suggesting that activin A may offer similar neuroprotective effects in in vivo models of PD. Using robust stereological methods, we found that intrastriatal injections of 6-OHDA results in a significant loss of both TH positive and NeuN positive populations in the SNpc at 1, 2, and 3 weeks post-lesioning in drug naïve mice. Exogenous application of activin A for 7 days, beginning the day prior to 6-OHDA administration, resulted in a significant survival of both dopaminergic and total neuron numbers in the SNpc against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity. However, we found no corresponding protection of striatal DA or dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels in animals receiving activin A compared to vehicle controls. These results provide the first evidence that activin A exerts potent neuroprotection in a mouse model of PD, however this neuroprotection may be localized to the midbrain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Stayte
- Neuroscience Department, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peggy Rentsch
- Neuroscience Department, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kong M. Li
- Pharmacology Department, Bosch Institute, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bryce Vissel
- Neuroscience Department, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Fowler TW, Kamalakar A, Akel NS, Kurten RC, Suva LJ, Gaddy D. Activin A inhibits RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation, movement and function in murine bone marrow macrophage cultures. J Cell Sci 2015; 128:683-94. [PMID: 25609708 PMCID: PMC4327386 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.157834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 06/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of osteoclastic bone resorption is complex and regulated at multiple levels. The role of osteoclast (OCL) fusion and motility in bone resorption are unclear, with the movement of OCL on bone largely unexplored. RANKL (also known as TNFSF11) is a potent stimulator of murine osteoclastogenesis, and activin A (ActA) enhances that stimulation in whole bone marrow. ActA treatment does not induce osteoclastogenesis in stroma-free murine bone marrow macrophage cultures (BMM), but rather inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. We hypothesized that ActA and RANKL differentially regulate osteoclastogenesis by modulating OCL precursors and mature OCL migration. Time-lapse video microscopy measured ActA and RANKL effects on BMM and OCL motility and function. ActA completely inhibited RANKL-stimulated OCL motility, differentiation and bone resorption, through a mechanism mediated by ActA-dependent changes in SMAD2, AKT1 and inhibitor of nuclear factor κB (IκB) signaling. The potent and dominant inhibitory effect of ActA was associated with decreased OCL lifespan because ActA significantly increased activated caspase-3 in mature OCL and OCL precursors. Collectively, these data demonstrate a dual action for ActA on murine OCLs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tristan W Fowler
- Departments of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
| | - Archana Kamalakar
- Departments of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
| | - Nisreen S Akel
- Departments of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
| | - Richard C Kurten
- Departments of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
| | - Larry J Suva
- Departments of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
| | - Dana Gaddy
- Departments of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Gao W, Zhou P, Ma X, Tschudy-Seney B, Chen J, Magner NL, Revzin A, Nolta JA, Zern MA, Duan Y. Ethanol negatively regulates hepatic differentiation of hESC by inhibition of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in vitro. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112698. [PMID: 25393427 PMCID: PMC4231066 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol insult triggers complex events in the liver, promoting fibrogenic/inflammatory signals and in more advanced cases, aberrant matrix deposition. It is well accepted that the regenerative capacity of the adult liver is impaired during alcohol injury. The liver progenitor/stem cells have been shown to play an important role in liver regeneration -in response to various chronic injuries; however, the effects of alcohol on stem cell differentiation in the liver are not well understood. METHODS We employed hepatic progenitor cells derived from hESCs to study the impact of ethanol on hepatocyte differentiation by exposure of these progenitor cells to ethanol during hepatocyte differentiation. RESULTS We found that ethanol negatively regulated hepatic differentiation of hESC-derived hepatic progenitor cells in a dose-dependent manner. There was also a moderate cell cycle arrest at G1/S checkpoint in the ethanol treated cells, which is associated with a reduced level of cyclin D1 in these cells. Ethanol treatment specifically inhibited the activation of the ERK but not JNK nor the p38 MAP signaling pathway. At the same time, the WNT signaling pathway was also reduced in the cells exposed to ethanol. Upon evaluating the effects of the inhibitors of these two signaling pathways, we determined that the Erk inhibitor replicated the effects of ethanol on the hepatocyte differentiation and attenuated the WNT/β-catenin signaling, however, inhibitors of WNT only partially replicated the effects of ethanol on the hepatocyte differentiation. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that ethanol negatively regulated hepatic differentiation of hESC-derived hepatic progenitors through inhibiting the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, and subsequently attenuating the WNT signaling pathway. Thus, our finding provides a novel insight into the mechanism by which alcohol regulates cell fate selection of hESC-derived hepatic progenitor cells, and the identified pathways may provide therapeutic targets aimed at promoting liver repair and regeneration during alcoholic injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YD); (PZ)
| | - Xiaocui Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Tschudy-Seney
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Jiamei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Nataly L. Magner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Alexander Revzin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Jan A. Nolta
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Mark A. Zern
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Yuyou Duan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YD); (PZ)
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
Activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) share activin type 2 signaling receptors but utilize different type 1 receptors and Smads. We designed AB215, a potent BMP2-like Activin A/BMP2 chimera incorporating the high-affinity type 2 receptor-binding epitope of Activin A. In this study, we compare the signaling properties of AB215 and BMP2 in HEK293T cells and gonadotroph LβT2 cells in which Activin A and BMP2 synergistically induce FSHβ. In HEK293T cells, AB215 is more potent than BMP2 and competitively blocks Activin A signaling, while BMP2 has a partial blocking activity. Activin A signaling is insensitive to BMP pathway antagonism in HEK293T cells but is strongly inhibited by constitutively active (CA) BMP type 1 receptors. By contrast, the potencies of AB215 and BMP2 are indistinguishable in LβT2 cells and although AB215 blocks Activin A signaling, BMP2 has no inhibitory effect. Unlike HEK293T, Activin A signaling is strongly inhibited by BMP pathway antagonism in LβT2 cells but is largely unaffected by CA BMP type 1 receptors. BMP2 increases phospho-Smad3 levels in LβT2 cells, in both the absence and the presence of Activin A treatment, and augments Activin A-induced FSHβ. AB215 has the opposite effect and sharply decreases basal phospho-Smad3 levels and blocks Smad2 phosphorylation and FSHβ induction resulting from Activin A treatment. These findings together demonstrate that while AB215 activates the BMP pathway, it has opposing effects to those of BMP2 on FSHβ induction in LβT2 cells apparently due to its ability to block Activin A signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jae Woo Jung
- Joint Center for BiosciencesSongdo Global University Campus, 187 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, KoreaStructural Biology LaboratoryClayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide BiologyThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Chihoon Ahn
- Joint Center for BiosciencesSongdo Global University Campus, 187 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, KoreaStructural Biology LaboratoryClayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide BiologyThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Sun Young Shim
- Joint Center for BiosciencesSongdo Global University Campus, 187 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, KoreaStructural Biology LaboratoryClayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide BiologyThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Peter C Gray
- Joint Center for BiosciencesSongdo Global University Campus, 187 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, KoreaStructural Biology LaboratoryClayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide BiologyThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Witek Kwiatkowski
- Joint Center for BiosciencesSongdo Global University Campus, 187 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, KoreaStructural Biology LaboratoryClayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide BiologyThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA Joint Center for BiosciencesSongdo Global University Campus, 187 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, KoreaStructural Biology LaboratoryClayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide BiologyThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Senyon Choe
- Joint Center for BiosciencesSongdo Global University Campus, 187 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, KoreaStructural Biology LaboratoryClayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide BiologyThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA Joint Center for BiosciencesSongdo Global University Campus, 187 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, KoreaStructural Biology LaboratoryClayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide BiologyThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
CONTEXT Exerting a broad range of biological effects in various tissues, activins are homo- or heterodimers of activin/inhibin β-subunits (βA, βB, βC, and βE in humans). Although activins A (βAβA), B (βBβB), AB (βAβB), and AC (βAβC) have been demonstrated in the female reproductive system, little is known about their individual functions in the ovary. OBJECTIVE To investigate the biological roles and activities of activins in regulating steroidogenesis in human granulosa cells. DESIGN Human granulosa-lutein cells obtained from 32 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization were used to investigate the effects of activin A, B, AB, and AC on the expression of steroidogenic enzymes and steroid production. SETTING An academic research center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES mRNA and protein levels were examined by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The production of estradiol and progesterone was measured by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS P450 aromatase, FSH receptor, and estradiol levels were increased, whereas steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), LH receptor, and progesterone levels were decreased after treatment with activin A, B, and AB, but not activin AC. FSH or LH induced the production of aromatase/estradiol and StAR/progesterone; however, pretreatment with activin A, B, or AB enhanced the effects of gonadotropins on aromatase/estradiol, but suppressed their effects on StAR/progesterone. Treatment with activin A, B, or AB induced the phosphorylation of SMA- and MAD-related proteins (SMAD2 and 3), whereas activin AC had no such effects. Furthermore, co-culture of activin AC (1-100 ng/mL) with activin A (25 ng/mL) did not alter the effects of activin A on P450 aromatase or StAR mRNA levels. CONCLUSION Activin A, B, and AB have similar effects on steroidogenesis in human granulosa cells. In contrast, activin AC is not biologically active and does not act as a competitive antagonist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Child & Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Islam MS, Catherino WH, Protic O, Janjusevic M, Gray PC, Giannubilo SR, Ciavattini A, Lamanna P, Tranquilli AL, Petraglia F, Castellucci M, Ciarmela P. Role of activin-A and myostatin and their signaling pathway in human myometrial and leiomyoma cell function. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014; 99:E775-85. [PMID: 24606069 PMCID: PMC4010707 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-2623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Uterine leiomyomas are highly prevalent benign tumors of premenopausal women and the most common indication for hysterectomy. However, the exact etiology of this tumor is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of activin-A and myostatin and their signaling pathways in human myometrial and leiomyoma cells. DESIGN This was a laboratory study. SETTING Myometrial and leiomyoma cells (primary and cell lines) were cultured in vitro. PATIENTS The study included premenopausal women who were admitted to the hospital for myomectomy or hysterectomy. INTERVENTIONS Primary myometrial and leiomyoma cells and/or cell lines were treated with activin-A (4 nM) and myostatin (4 nM) for different days of interval (to measure proliferation rate) or 30 minutes (to measure signaling molecules) or 48 hours to measure proliferating markers, extracellular matrix mRNA, and/or protein expression by real-time PCR, Western blot, and/or immunocytochemistry. RESULTS We found that activin-A and myostatin significantly reduce cell proliferation in primary myometrial cells but not in leiomyoma cells as measured by a CyQUANT cell proliferation assay kit. Reduced expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 were also observed in myometrial cells in response to activin-A and myostatin treatment. Activin-A also significantly increased mRNA expression of fibronectin, collagen1A1, and versican in primary leiomyoma cells. Finally, we found that activin-A and myostatin activate Smad-2/3 signaling but do not affect ERK or p38 signaling in both myometrial and leiomyoma cells. CONCLUSIONS This study results suggest that activin-A and myostatin can exert antiproliferative and/or fibrotic effects on these cell types via Smad-2/3 signaling.
Collapse
|
46
|
Guzel Y, Nur Şahin G, Sekeroglu M, Deniz A. Recombinant activin A enhances the growth and survival of isolated preantral follicles cultured three-dimensionally in extracellular basement matrix protein (matrigel) under serum-free conditions. Gynecol Endocrinol 2014; 30:388-91. [PMID: 24665930 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2014.888411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of in vitro technologies that will allow the culture of early stage follicles before antral stage is an essential part of research in reproductive biology in order to understand the ovarian folliculogenesis better. Current evidence suggests that oocyte and somatic cells-derived growth factors interacting with each other and extracellular matrix proteins at paracrine level are involved in this early, gonadotrophin-independent phase of follicle growth. Basement membrane matrix protein (Matrigel™) is a soluble gel rich in extracellular matrix proteins and growth factors. Activin A promotes preantral follicle growth in vivo by inducing the proliferation of granulosa cells and by upregulating the expression of FSH receptor and aromatase enzyme. We hypothesized that activin A and matrigel may provide a better in vitro environment for early stage preantral follicles. Preantral follicles isolated from 14-21 day old BALB/c mice were cultured in matrigel ± activin A for four days. The growth (119.4% versus 45.4%, p < 0.05; respectively) and survival rates (76.3% versus 43.7%, p < 0.05; respectively) of the follicles treated with activin A were significantly higher compared to those without activin A. These results suggest that Activin A and matrigel provide a better in vitro milieu for the growth of isolated ovarian follicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yilmaz Guzel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey and
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Yamamoto Y, Shiraishi M, Fujita M, Kojima I, Tanaka Y, Tachibana S. Triiodothyronine suppresses activin-induced differentiation of erythroleukemia K562 cells under hypoxic conditions. Mol Cell Biochem 2014; 391:217-24. [PMID: 24604674 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-014-2005-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone stimulates erythropoietic differentiation. However, severe anemia is sometimes seen in patients with hyperthyroidism, and the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Bone marrow is comprised about 2-8% oxygen, and the characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells have been shown to be influenced under hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 is a critical mediator of cellular responses to hypoxia and an important mediator in signal transduction of thyroid hormone [triiodothyronine (T3)]. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of T3 on erythropoiesis under hypoxia mimicking physiological conditions in the bone marrow. We maintained human erythroleukemia K562 cells under hypoxic atmosphere (2% O₂) and examined their cellular characteristics. Compared to that under normal atmospheric conditions, cells under hypoxia showed a reduction in the proliferation rate and increase in the hemoglobin content or benzidine-positive rate, indicating promotion of erythroid differentiation. T3 had no effect on hypoxia-induced erythroid differentiation, but significantly inhibited activin A/erythroid differentiation factor-induced erythroid differentiation. Moreover, GATA2 mRNA expression was suppressed in association with erythroid differentiation, while T3 significantly diminished that suppression. These results suggest that T3 has a direct suppressive effect on erythroid differentiation under hypoxic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoritsuna Yamamoto
- Division of Environmental Medicine, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan,
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Alcohol consumption has long been associated with a majority of liver diseases and has been found to influence both fetal and adult liver functions. In spite of being one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, currently, there are no effective strategies that can prevent or treat alcoholic liver disease (ALD), due to a lack of human-relevant research models. Recent success in generation of functionally active mature hepatocyte-like cells from human-induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) enables us to better understand the effects of alcohol on liver functions. Here, we describe the method and effect of alcohol exposure on multistage hepatic cell types derived from human iPSCs, in an attempt to recapitulate the early stages of liver tissue injury associated with ALD. We exposed different stages of iPSC-induced hepatic cells to ethanol at a pathophysiological concentration. In addition to stage-specific molecular markers, we measured several key cellular parameters of hepatocyte injury, including apoptosis, proliferation, and lipid accumulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lipeng Tian
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Neha Prasad
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yoon-Young Jang
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB2 Rm552, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Karakikes I, Senyei GD, Hansen J, Kong CW, Azeloglu EU, Stillitano F, Lieu DK, Wang J, Ren L, Hulot JS, Iyengar R, Li RA, Hajjar RJ. Small molecule-mediated directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells toward ventricular cardiomyocytes. Stem Cells Transl Med 2013; 3:18-31. [PMID: 24324277 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2013-0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation of human ventricular cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells and/or induced pluripotent stem cells could fulfill the demand for therapeutic applications and in vitro pharmacological research; however, the production of a homogeneous population of ventricular cardiomyocytes remains a major limitation. By combining small molecules and growth factors, we developed a fully chemically defined, directed differentiation system to generate ventricular-like cardiomyocytes (VCMs) from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells with high efficiency and reproducibility. Molecular characterization revealed that the differentiation recapitulated the developmental steps of cardiovascular fate specification. Electrophysiological analyses further illustrated the generation of a highly enriched population of VCMs. These chemically induced VCMs exhibited the expected cardiac electrophysiological and calcium handling properties as well as the appropriate chronotropic responses to cardioactive compounds. In addition, using an integrated computational and experimental systems biology approach, we demonstrated that the modulation of the canonical Wnt pathway by the small molecule IWR-1 plays a key role in cardiomyocyte subtype specification. In summary, we developed a reproducible and efficient experimental platform that facilitates a chemical genetics-based interrogation of signaling pathways during cardiogenesis that bypasses the limitations of genetic approaches and provides a valuable source of ventricular cardiomyocytes for pharmacological screenings as well as cell replacement therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Karakikes
- Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, Systems Biology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Consortium, Department of Physiology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Hofland J, Steenbergen J, Hofland LJ, van Koetsveld PM, Eijken M, van Nederveen FH, Kazemier G, de Herder WW, Feelders RA, de Jong FH. Protein kinase C-induced activin A switches adrenocortical steroidogenesis to aldosterone by suppressing CYP17A1 expression. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2013; 305:E736-44. [PMID: 23900415 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00034.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Functional zonation of the adrenal cortex is a consequence of the zone-specific expression of P450c17 (CYP17A1) and its cofactors. Activin and inhibin peptides are differentially produced within the zones of the adrenal cortex and have been implicated in steroidogenic control. In this study, we investigated whether activin and inhibin can function as intermediates in functional zonation of the human adrenal cortex. Activin A suppressed CYP17A1 expression and P450c17 function in adrenocortical cell lines as well as in primary adrenal cell cultures. Inhibin βA-subunit mRNA and activin A protein levels were found to be increased up to 1,900-fold and 49-fold, respectively, after protein kinase C (PKC) stimulation through PMA or angiotensin II in H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cells. This was confirmed in HAC15 cells and for PMA in primary adrenal cell cultures. Both PMA and Ang II decreased CYP17A1 expression in the adrenocortical cell lines, whereas PMA concurrently suppressed CYP17A1 levels in the primary cultures. Inhibition of activin signaling during PKC stimulation through silencing of the inhibin βA-subunit or blocking of the activin type I receptor opposed the PMA-induced downregulation of CYP17A1 expression and P450c17 function. In contrast, PKA stimulation through adrenocorticotrophin or forskolin increased expression of the inhibin α-subunit and betaglycan, both of which are antagonists of activin action. These data indicate that activin A acts as a PKC-induced paracrine factor involved in the suppression of CYP17A1 in the zona glomerulosa and can thereby contribute to functional adrenocortical zonation.
Collapse
|