Storytelling for impact: the creation of a storytelling program for patient partners in research

Storytelling is a powerful means to evoke empathy and understanding among people. When patient partners, which include patients, family members, caregivers and organ donors, share their stories with health professionals, this can prompt listeners to reflect on their practice and consider new ways of driving change in the healthcare system. However, a growing number of patient partners are asked to 'share their story' within health care and research settings without adequate support to do so. This may ultimately widen, rather than close, the gap between healthcare practitioners and people affected by chronic disease in this new era of patient and public involvement in research. To better support patient partners with storytelling in the context of a patient-oriented research network, Canadians Seeking Solutions and Innovations to Overcome Chronic Kidney Disease (Can-SOLVE CKD) Network adapted an existing in-person storytelling workshop for patient educators within a hospital setting. The result is a 6-week virtual program called Storytelling for Impact, which guides patients, family members, caregivers and organ donors in developing impactful stories and sharing them at health care and research events, e.g., conferences. The online series of synchronous workshops is co-facilitated by story coaches, who are program alumni and Can-SOLVE CKD staff with trained storytelling experience. Each story follows a structure that includes a call to action, which aims to positively impact the priority-setting and delivery of care and research in Canada. The program has been a transformational process for many who have completed it, and numerous other health organizations have expressed interest in sharing this tool with their own patient partners. As result, we have also created an asynchronous online program that can be used by other interested parties outside our network. Patient partners who share their stories can be powerful mediators for inspiring changes in the health care and research landscape, with adequate structured support. We describe two novel programs to support patient partners in impactful storytelling, which are applicable across all health research disciplines. Additional resources are required for sustainability and scale up of training, by having alumni train future storytellers.

cDNA Cloning of Feline PIWIL1 and Evaluation of Expression in the Testis of the Domestic Cat

The PIWI clade of Argonaute proteins is essential for spermatogenesis in all species examined to date. This protein family binds specific classes of small non-coding RNAs known as PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) which together form piRNA-induced silencing complexes (piRISCs) that are recruited to specific RNA targets through sequence complementarity. These complexes facilitate gene silencing through endonuclease activity and guided recruitment of epigenetic silencing factors. PIWI proteins and piRNAs have been found to play multiple roles in the testis including the maintenance of genomic integrity through transposon silencing and facilitating the turnover of coding RNAs during spermatogenesis. In the present study, we report the first characterization of PIWIL1 in the male domestic cat, a mammalian system predicted to express four PIWI family members. Multiple transcript variants of PIWIL1 were cloned from feline testes cDNA. One isoform shows high homology to PIWIL1 from other mammals, however, the other has characteristics of a "slicer null" isoform, lacking the domain required for endonuclease activity. Expression of PIWIL1 in the male cat appears limited to the testis and correlates with sexual maturity. RNA-immunoprecipitation revealed that feline PIWIL1 binds small RNAs with an average size of 29 nt. Together, these data suggest that the domestic cat has two PIWIL1 isoforms expressed in the mature testis, at least one of which interacts with piRNAs.

Advancing Discovery Research in Nephrology in Canada: A Conference Report From the 2021 Molecules and Mechanisms Mediating Kidney Health and Disease (M3K) Scientific Meeting and Investigator Summit

PURPOSE OF CONFERENCE

New discoveries arising from investigations into fundamental aspects of kidney development and function in health and disease are critical to advancing kidney care. Scientific meetings focused specifically on fundamental biology of the kidney can facilitate interactions, support the development of collaborative groups, and accelerate translation of key findings. The Canadian fundamental kidney researcher community has lacked such a forum. On December 3 to 4, 2021, the first Molecules and Mechanisms Mediating Kidney Health and Disease (M3K) Scientific Meeting and Investigator Summit was held to address this gap with the goal of advancing fundamental kidney research nationally. The meeting was held virtually and was supported by a planning and dissemination grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Attendees included PhD scientists, nephrology clinician scientists, engineers, industry representatives, graduate students, medical residents, and fellows.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

This report was prepared from the scientific program, registration numbers, and details obtained from the online platform WHOVA, and summaries written by organizers and participants of the 2021 meeting.

METHODS

A 21-person team, consisting of the organizing committee members and participants from the meeting, was assembled. Key highlights of the meeting and future directions were identified and the team jointly assembled this report.

KEY FINDINGS

Participation in the meeting was strong, with more than 140 attendees across a range of disciplines. The program featured state-of-the-art presentations on diabetic nephropathy, the immune system, kidney development, and fibrosis, and was heavily focused on trainee presentations. The moderated "Investigator Summit" identified key barriers to research advancement and discussed strategies for overcoming them. These included establishment of a pan-Canadian fundamental kidney research network, development of key resources, cross-pollination with clinical nephrology, better reintegration into the Canadian Society of Nephrology, and further establishment of identity and knowledge translation.

LIMITATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The 2021 M3K meeting represented a key first step in uniting fundamental kidney researchers in Canada. However, it was universally agreed that regular meetings were necessary to sustain this momentum. The proceedings of this meeting and future actions to sustain the M3K Scientific Meeting and Investigator Summit are presented in this article.

Gene Expression Profile Is Different between Intact and Enzymatically Digested Equine Articular Cartilage

OBJECTIVES

RNA isolation is necessary for the evaluation of gene expression. Due to the nature of its extracellular matrix, RNA isolation from articular hyaline cartilage is difficult and thus the tissue is commonly enzymatically digested in order to extract RNA from the obtained chondrocytes. We hypothesized that the digestion process affects the expression levels of common cartilage-associated genes.

DESIGN

Expression of cartilage-associated genes was compared between intact cartilage and digested chondrocytes from weight bearing and non-weight bearing regions of the equine fetlock joint.

RESULTS

The gene expression of SOX9, COL1A2, COL2A1, ACAN, and COLX were analyzed. Digested cartilage showed a significant decrease in the expression of COL1A2, COL2A1, and ACAN compared to intact cartilage in both joint regions, and an increase in COLX expression in non-weight bearing cartilage only.

CONCLUSIONS

Enzymatic digestion of cartilage significantly impacts gene expression profile. We conclude that while RNA isolation from intact cartilage is more technically difficult, determination of gene expression should be conducted on intact cartilage if true representation of the in vivo processes is sought.

Effects of bisphenol A and bisphenol S on microRNA expression during bovine (Bos taurus) oocyte maturation and early embryo development

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its alternative, bisphenol S (BPS), are widespread endocrine disrupting compounds linked in several studies to poor female fertility. Sufficient oocyte competence and subsequent embryo development are highly dependent on oocyte maturation, an intricate process that is vulnerable to BPA. These effects as well as the effects of its analog, BPS, have not been fully elucidated. Although the harmful consequences of bisphenols on the reproductive system are largely due to interferences with canonical gene expression, more recent evidence implicates noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNA), as significant contributors. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that abnormal expression of key miRNAs during oocyte maturation and embryo development occurs following BPA and BPS exposure during maturation. Using qPCR, primary and mature forms of miR-21, -155, -34c, -29a, -10b, -146a were quantified in an in vitro bovine model of matured cumulus-oocyte complexes, fertilized embryos, and cultured cumulus cells after exposure to BPA or BPS at the LOAEL dose (0.05 mg/mL). Expression of miR-21, miR -155, and miR-29a were markedly increased (P = 0.02, 0.04, <0.0001) while miR-34c and miR-10b were decreased (P = 0.01, 0.01), after BPA treatment. miR-146a expression remained stable. BPS had no effects, suggesting may not exert its actions through these six miRNAs examined. Overall, this study indicates that BPA effects are likely miRNA specific rather than a global effect on miRNA synthesis and processing mechanisms and that its analog, BPS, may not possess the same properties required to interfere with these miRNAs during bovine oocyte maturation.

182 Bisphenol A, but not bisphenol S, affects key microRNAs during bovine oocyte maturation

Oocyte maturation involves crucial hormone-dependent events that are uniquely susceptible to toxic insults by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Emerging evidence suggests that small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), may be key participants in the response to EDCs. Bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) are chemicals with detrimental health effects, with BPA negatively affecting oocyte quality. The mode of action of bisphenols at the epigenetic level is not clear. Several miRNAs have been identified as crucial regulators of gene expression during development. This study aimed to examine key miRNAs in response to BPA or BPS treatment during oocyte maturation. Primary forms (pri-miRNA) and mature forms of miR-21, miR-155, miR-34c, and miR-146a were quantified by quantitative (q)PCR in IVM bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and invitro cultured (IVC) cumulus cells treated with BPA and BPS at physiologically significant doses (0.05mgmL−1). Total RNA, containing both forms of microRNAs, was isolated from pools of 40 COCs on a minimum of three biological replicates. Primary miRNAs and mature miRNAs were reverse transcribed (RT) using qScript cDNA and microRNA/cDNA kits, respectively, and quantified by qPCR, with three technical replicates for each biological one. In addition, mRNA and protein quantification of the downstream target DNMT3A in IVC cumulus cells further enhanced our understanding of EDC interference in epigenetic regulations in female reproduction. Total RNA was isolated from cumulus cells, mRNA (1μg) and mature miRNAs (0.5μg) were RT separately and cDNA was quantified by qPCR, as described above. Expression values were normalized against two housekeeping genes selected by GeNorm analysis. Twenty micrograms of proteins extracted by sonication were loaded on a 8% acrylamide gel and analysed by western blotting. Densitometry analysis was performed on 3 separate blots with protein levels normalized to the loading control, β-actin. One-way ANOVA was used to determine statistical differences among treatment groups with P&lt;0.05 considered statistically significant. Results showed that BPA significantly increased miR-21 in COCs (P=0.02) and cumulus cells (P=0.01), increased pri-miR-21 in oocytes (P=0.03), suppressed miR-34c in cumulus cells (P=0.02), increased miR-155 in denuded oocytes (P=0.04), and had no effect on miR-146a. No changes were observed in response to BPS. Experiments in IVC cumulus cells showed similar miRNA profiles: miR-21 and miR-155 were significantly overexpressed in BPA-treated cells (P=0.04); however, miR-34c and miR-146a were not affected. Messenger RNA levels of DNMT3A increased (P=0.02) and protein levels of DNMT3A decreased in response to BPA (P=0.005). Overall, this study presents novel findings of BPA-induced miRNA dysregulation in IVM bovine oocytes and in IVC bovine cumulus cells. We can speculate that miR-21 participates in the BPA-induced dysregulation of DNMT3A, contributing to decreased fertility. This study did not show any effect of BPS on microRNA expression, suggesting an alternative mechanistic pathway for this analogue.

A Critical Review of State-of-the-Art and Emerging Approaches to Identify Fracking-Derived Gases and Associated Contaminants in Aquifers

High-volume, hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) is widely applied for natural gas and oil production from shales, coals, or tight sandstone formations in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and is being widely considered by other countries with similar unconventional energy resources. Secure retention of fluids (natural gas, saline formation waters, oil, HVHF fluids) during and after well stimulation is important to prevent unintended environmental contamination, and release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Here, we critically review state-of-the-art techniques and promising new approaches for identifying oil and gas production from unconventional reservoirs to resolve whether they are the source of fugitive methane and associated contaminants into shallow aquifers. We highlight future research needs and propose a phased program, from generic baseline to highly specific analyses, to inform HVHF and unconventional oil and gas production and impact assessment studies. These approaches may also be applied to broader subsurface exploration and development issues (e.g., groundwater resources), or new frontiers of low-carbon energy alternatives (e.g., subsurface H₂ storage, nuclear waste isolation, geologic CO₂ sequestration).

PIWIs, piRNAs and Retrotransposons: Complex battles during reprogramming in gametes and early embryos

Gamete and embryo development are indispensable processes for successful reproduction. Cells involved in these processes acquire pluripotency, the ability to differentiate into multiple different cell types, through a series of events known as reprogramming that lead to profound changes in histone and DNA methylation. While essential for pluripotency, this epigenetic remodelling removes constraints that normally limit the expression of genomic sequences known as transposable elements (TEs). Unconstrained TE expression can lead to many deleterious consequences including infertility, so organisms have evolved complex and potent mechanistic arsenals to target and suppress TE expression during reprogramming. This review will focus on the control of transposable elements in gametes and embryos, and one important TE suppressing system known as the PIWI pathway. This broadly conserved, small RNA-targeted silencing mechanism appears critical for fertility in many species and may participate in multiple aspects of gene regulation in reproduction and other contexts.

Bovine piRNA-like RNAs are associated with both transposable elements and mRNAs

PIWI proteins and their associated piRNAs have been the focus of intensive research in the past decade; therefore, their participation in the maintenance of genomic integrity during spermatogenesis has been well established. Recent studies have suggested important roles for the PIWI/piRNA system outside of gametogenesis, based on the presence of piRNAs and PIWI proteins in several somatic tissues, cancers, and the early embryo. Here, we investigated the small RNA complement present in bovine gonads, gametes, and embryos through next-generation sequencing. A distinct piRNA population was present in the testis as expected. However, we also found a large population of slightly shorter, 24–27 nt piRNA-like RNA (pilRNAs) in pools of oocytes and zygotes. These oocyte and embryo pilRNAs exhibited many of the canonical characteristics of piRNAs including a 1U bias, the presence of a ‘ping-pong’ signature, genomic clustering, and transposable element targeting. Some of the major transposons targeted by oocyte and zygote pilRNA were from the LINE RTE and ERV1 classes. We also identified pools of pilRNA potentially derived from, or targeted at, specific mRNA sequences. We compared the frequency of these gene-associated pilRNAs to the fold change in the expression of respective mRNAs from two previously reported transcriptome datasets. We observed significant negative correlations between the number of pilRNAs targeting mRNAs, and their fold change in expression between the 4–8 cell and 8–16 cell stages. Together, these results represent one of the first characterizations of the PIWI/piRNA pathway in the translational bovine model, and in the novel context of embryogenesis.

Identification of PIWIL1 Isoforms and Their Expression in Bovine Testes, Oocytes, and Early Embryos

PIWI proteins are members of the larger Argonaute family and bind to specific 24-32 nucleotide RNAs called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). PIWI-interacting RNAs direct PIWI-mediated suppression of retrotransposon expression in the male germline in humans and mice, but their roles in bovine reproduction and embryogenesis are unknown. Although the majority of research in mammals has focused on the functions of PIWI proteins during spermatogenesis, this family of proteins and their associated piRNAs have recently been identified in early embryos. The goals of this study were to characterize the expression of PIWIL1 in bovine testis, oocytes, and early embryos. A full-lengthPIWIL1transcript and protein was found in the testis, specifically in the germs cells of mature seminiferous tubules. RNA-immunoprecipitation demonstrated the presence of putative piRNAs with a mean length of 30 nucleotides bound to PIWIL1 in testes. 3'-Rapid amplification of cDNA ends analysis ofPIWIL1transcripts in testes and oocytes revealed two shorter isoforms in addition to the full-length transcript that was only present in testes. TruncatedPIWIL1isoforms in oocytes and testes were confirmed through amplification of their unique intronic fragments. Expression profiling ofPIWIL1through early embryogenesis demonstrated peak mRNA expression at the 2-cell stage with decreasing levels through to the blastocyst. PIWIL1-YFP fusion plasmids were produced for each isoform and expressed in HEK 293 cells, demonstrating nuclear exclusion and size-specific banding of the different isoforms. These data represent the first comprehensive characterization of PIWIL1 in bovine, revealing functional similarities with PIWIL1 in other species and suggest tissue-specific expression of several isoforms.

PIWIL1 Is Expressed in the Canine Testis, Increases with Sexual Maturity, and Binds Small RNAs

Spermatogenesis is a highly regulated process leading to the development of functional spermatozoa through meiotic division and subsequent maturation. Recent studies have suggested that a novel class of Argonaute proteins, known as the PIWI clade, plays important roles in multiple stages of spermatogenesis. PIWI proteins bind specific small noncoding RNAs, called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). These piRNAs guide the PIWI-piRNA complex to retrotransposon targets that become expressed during meiosis. Retrotransposons are subsequently silenced, either through PIWI "slicer" activity or through PIWI-directed methylation of the retrotransposon locus. Most mammalian studies have employed mouse models where sterility follows PIWI inactivation. The goal of this study was to characterize canine PIWIL1 to determine whether expression pattern and functional characteristics support a similar function in that species. Canine PIWIL1 cDNA is a 2.6-kb transcript that encodes an 861-amino acid protein showing high homology to other mammalian PIWIL1 proteins and containing features consistent with PIWI family members (PAZ, PIWI domains). Analysis of PIWIL1 protein and transcript levels revealed that PIWIL1 expression is limited to the testes and is associated with sexual maturity, with mature dogs showing higher levels of PIWIL1 expression. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated expression primarily in seminiferous tubules and confirmed higher levels of PIWIL1 in mature dogs. Functional characterization by RNA immunoprecipitation demonstrated that canine PIWIL1 binds short RNAs consistent in size with piRNAs (27-32 nucleotides). Together, these studies represent the first characterization of a PIWI protein in the dog and suggest that it is a functional piRNA-binding protein most highly expressed in the mature testes.

High levels of dietary soy decrease mammary tumor latency and increase incidence in MTB-IGFIR transgenic mice

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic data indicates that Asian diets, which are high in soy protein, reduce a women's risk of developing breast cancer. However, it has been difficult to dissociate the benefits of soy from other variables including environmental and lifestyle factors. Since prospective studies in humans would take decades to complete, rodent models provide a valuable research alternative.

METHODS

In this study, MTB-IGFIR transgenic mice, which develop mammary tumors resulting from overexpression of the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR), were utilized. MTB-IGFIR mice were fed a soy-based or casein-based diet throughout all stages of development to reflect soy exposure in Asian cultures. Mammary tumors were initiated at 2 different developmental stages by commencing IGF-IR transgene expression either during puberty or in adult mice.

RESULTS

MTB-IGFIR mice fed a soy-based diet displayed increased tumor incidence and accelerated tumor onset compared to MTB-IGFIR mice fed a casein diet. Two markers of estrogen receptor signaling, Pgr and Areg, were elevated in mammary tissue from mice fed the soy diet compared to mice fed the casein diet suggesting that high levels of soy may promote mammary tumor development through acting as an estrogen receptor agonist. Mammary tumors from mice fed a soy diet more frequently expressed metaplastic markers such as cytokeratins 5 and 14 as well as p63 and displayed reduced lung metastases compared to mammary tumors from mice fed a casein diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Diets consisting of very high levels of soy protein promote mammary tumor development and decrease tumor latency possibly through activating estrogen receptor signaling. Additional studies are required to determine whether a more moderate amount of dietary soy can inhibit oncogene-induced mammary tumorigenesis.

Inhibition of proliferation and migration of luminal and claudin-low breast cancer cells by PDGFR inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) bind to two receptors, PDGFRα and PDGFRβ to mediate cell proliferation, migration and survival. Although epithelial cells typically do not express high levels of PDGFRs, their expression has been reported to increase in breast cancer cells that have undergone epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

METHODS

PDGFR signaling was inhibited using Sunitinib malate, Imatinib mesylate or Regorafenib in murine and human luminal-like and claudin-low mammary tumor cell lines or Masitinib in only the human cell lines. A scratch wound assay was used to assess tumor cell migration while immunofluorescence for phosphorylated histone H3 or cleaved caspase 3 was used to determine tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively.

RESULTS

Sunitinib and Regorafenib, but not Imatinib, were capable of significantly inhibiting the migration of both murine and human luminal-like and claudin-low breast cancer cells while Masitinib inhibited migration in both human breast cancer cell lines. Sunitinib but not Regorafenib or Imatinib also significantly suppressed tumor cell proliferation in all four cell lines tested while Masitinib had no significant effect on human breast cancer cell proliferation. None of the PDGFR inhibitors consistently regulated mammary tumor cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Sunitinib, Regorafenib and Masitinib may prove clinically useful in inhibiting breast cancer cell migration and metastasis while only Sunitinib (and possibly Regorafenib in some breast cancer subtypes) is effective at inhibiting both migration and proliferation of breast cancer cells.

Role of H3K4 demethylases in complex neurodevelopmental diseases

Significant neurological disorders can result from subtle perturbations of gene regulation that are often linked to epigenetic regulation. Proteins that regulate the methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4) and play a central role in epigenetic regulation, and mutations in genes encoding these enzymes have been identified in both autism and Rett syndrome. The H3K4 demethylases remove methyl groups from lysine 4 leading to loss of RNA polymerase binding and transcriptional repression. When these proteins are mutated, brain development is altered. Currently, little is known regarding how these gene regulators function at the genomic level. In this article, we will discuss findings that link H3K4 demethylases to neurodevelopment and neurological disease.

Cardiolipin controls the osmotic stress response and the subcellular location of transporter ProP in Escherichia coli

The phospholipid composition of the membrane and transporter structure control the subcellular location and function of osmosensory transporter ProP in Escherichia coli. Growth in media of increasing osmolality increases, and entry to stationary phase decreases, the proportion of phosphatidate in anionic lipids (phosphatidylglycerol (PG) plus cardiolipin (CL)). Both treatments increase the CL:PG ratio. Transporters ProP and LacY are concentrated with CL (and not PG) near cell poles and septa. The polar concentration of ProP is CL-dependent. Here we show that the polar concentration of LacY is CL-independent. The osmotic activation threshold of ProP was directly proportional to the CL content of wild type bacteria, the PG content of CL-deficient bacteria, and the anionic lipid content of cells and proteoliposomes. CL was effective at a lower concentration in cells than in proteoliposomes, and at a much lower concentration than PG in either system. Thus, in wild type bacteria, osmotic induction of CL synthesis and concentration of ProP with CL at the cell poles adjust the osmotic activation threshold of ProP to match ambient conditions. ProP proteins linked by homodimeric, C-terminal coiled-coils are known to activate at lower osmolalities than those without such structures and coiled-coil disrupting mutations raise the osmotic activation threshold. Here we show that these mutations also prevent polar concentration of ProP. Stabilization of the C-terminal coiled-coil by covalent cross-linking of introduced Cys reverses the impact of increasing CL on the osmotic activation of ProP. Association of ProP C termini with the CL-rich membrane at cell poles may raise the osmotic activation threshold by blocking coiled-coil formation. Mutations that block coiled-coil formation may also block association of the C termini with the CL-rich membrane.

Cardiolipin promotes polar localization of osmosensory transporter ProP in Escherichia coli

The osmolality required to activate osmosensory transporter ProP and the proportion of cardiolipin (CL) among the phospholipids of Escherichia coli rise with growth medium osmolality. Most CL synthesis has been attributed to the cls gene product. Transcription of cls increased with osmolality. The proportion of CL was low and osmolality-independent in cls(-) bacteria. It increased more dramatically on the transition to stationary phase in cls(-) than cls(+) bacteria. Thus, Cls is responsible for osmoregulated CL synthesis and other enzymes may contribute to CL accumulation during stationary phase. The proportion of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) was elevated and it increased with medium osmolality in cls(-) bacteria. A cls defect impaired growth of E. coli on solid and in liquid media at low and, more strongly, at high osmolality. Bacteria cultured at high osmolality without osmoprotectant were shorter and rounder than those cultured at low osmolality or with glycine betaine. Fluorescence microscopy showed that CL and ProP colocalize at the poles and near the septa of dividing E. coli cells. The polar localization of ProP was independent of its expression level but correlated with the proportion and polar localization of CL. Association with CL (and not PG) may be required for polar ProP localization.