A Drug Repurposing Approach Reveals Targetable Epigenetic Pathways in Plasmodium vivax Hypnozoites

Radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria must include elimination of quiescent 'hypnozoite' forms in the liver; however, the only FDA-approved treatments are contraindicated in many vulnerable populations. To identify new drugs and drug targets for hypnozoites, we screened the Repurposing, Focused Rescue, and Accelerated Medchem (ReFRAME) library and a collection of epigenetic inhibitors against P. vivax liver stages. From both libraries, we identified inhibitors targeting epigenetics pathways as selectively active against P. vivax and P. cynomolgi hypnozoites. These include DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors as well as several inhibitors targeting histone post-translational modifications. Immunofluorescence staining of Plasmodium liver forms showed strong nuclear 5-methylcystosine signal, indicating liver stage parasite DNA is methylated. Using bisulfite sequencing, we mapped genomic DNA methylation in sporozoites, revealing DNA methylation signals in most coding genes. We also demonstrated that methylation level in proximal promoter regions as well as in the first exon of the genes may affect, at least partially, gene expression in P. vivax. The importance of selective inhibitors targeting epigenetic features on hypnozoites was validated using MMV019721, an acetyl-CoA synthetase inhibitor that affects histone acetylation and was previously reported as active against P. falciparum blood stages. In summary, our data indicate that several epigenetic mechanisms are likely modulating hypnozoite formation or persistence and provide an avenue for the discovery and development of improved radical cure antimalarials.

Transcriptomic analyses of joint tissues during osteoarthritis development in a rat model reveal dysregulated mechanotransduction and extracellular matrix pathways

OBJECTIVE

Transcriptomic changes in joint tissues during the development of osteoarthritis (OA) are of interest for the discovery of biomarkers and mechanisms of disease. The objective of this study was to use the rat medial meniscus transection (MMT) model to discover stage and tissue-specific transcriptomic changes.

DESIGN

Sham or MMT surgeries were performed in mature rats. Cartilage, menisci and synovium were scored for histopathological changes at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post-surgery and processed for RNA-sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) were used to identify pathways and mechanisms. Published transcriptomic datasets from animal models and human OA were used to confirm and extend present findings.

RESULTS

The total number of DEGs was already high at 2 weeks (723 in meniscus), followed by cartilage (259) and synovium (42) and declined to varying degrees in meniscus and synovium but increased in cartilage at 6 weeks. The most upregulated genes included tenascins. The 'response to mechanical stimulus' and extracellular matrix-related pathways were enriched in both cartilage and meniscus. Pathways that were enriched in synovium at 4 weeks indicate processes related to synovial hyperplasia and fibrosis. Synovium also showed upregulation of IL-11 and several MMPs. The mechanical stimulus pathway included upregulation of the mechanoreceptors PIEZO1, PIEZO2 and TRPV4 and nerve growth factor. Analysis of data from prior RNA-sequencing studies of animal models and human OA support these findings.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate several shared pathways that are affected during OA in cartilage and meniscus and support the role of mechanotransduction and other pathways in OA pathogenesis.

Effects of the [PSI+] prion on rates of adaptation in yeast

The [PSI(+)] prion in yeast has been shown to improve short-term growth in some environments, but its effects on rates of adaptation have not been assessed before now. We adapted three yeast genotypes to three novel environments in the presence and the absence of the prion. There were significant differences in adaptation rates between lines with different combinations of genotype, environment, and prion status. We saw no consistent effect, however, of the prion on the rate of adaptation to new environments. A major factor affecting the rate of adaptation was initial fitness in the new environment: lines with low initial fitness evolved faster than lines with high initial fitness.

Autoregulation of the human liver X receptor alpha promoter

Previous work has implicated the nuclear receptors liver X receptor alpha (LXR alpha) and LXR beta in the regulation of macrophage gene expression in response to oxidized lipids. Macrophage lipid loading leads to ligand activation of LXRs and to induction of a pathway for cholesterol efflux involving the LXR target genes ABCA1 and apoE. We demonstrate here that autoregulation of the LXR alpha gene is an important component of this lipid-inducible efflux pathway in human macrophages. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein, oxysterols, and synthetic LXR ligands induce expression of LXR alpha mRNA in human monocyte-derived macrophages and human macrophage cell lines but not in murine peritoneal macrophages or cell lines. This is in contrast to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma)-specific ligands, which stimulate LXR alpha expression in both human and murine macrophages. We further demonstrate that LXR and PPAR gamma ligands cooperate to induce LXR alpha expression in human but not murine macrophages. Analysis of the human LXR alpha promoter led to the identification of multiple LXR response elements. Interestingly, the previously identified PPAR response element (PPRE) in the murine LXR alpha gene is not conserved in humans; however, a different PPRE is present in the human LXR 5'-flanking region. These results have implications for cholesterol metabolism in human macrophages and its potential to be regulated by synthetic LXR and/or PPAR gamma ligands. The ability of LXR alpha to regulate its own promoter is likely to be an integral part of the macrophage physiologic response to lipid loading.

Erythropoietin (Epo) and EpoR expression and 2 waves of erythropoiesis

Erythropoiesis occurs in 2 distinct waves during embryogenesis: the primitive wave in the extra-embryonic yolk sac (YS) followed by the definitive wave in the fetal liver and spleen. Even though progenitors for both cell types are present in the YS blood islands, only primitive cells are formed in the YS during early embryogenesis. In this study, it is proposed that erythropoietin (Epo) expression and the resultant EpoR activation regulate the timing of the definitive wave. First, it was demonstrated that Epo and EpoR gene expressions are temporally and spatially segregated: though EpoR is expressed early (embryonic days 8.0-9.5) in the yolk sac blood islands, no Epo expression can be detected in this extra-embryonic tissue. Only at a later stage can Epo expression be detected intra-embryonically, and the onset of Epo expression correlates with the initiation of definitive erythropoiesis. It was further demonstrated that the activation of the EpoR signaling pathway by knocking-in a constitutively active form of EpoR (R129C EpoR) can lead to earlier onset of definitive erythropoiesis in the YS. Thus, these results provide the first in vivo mechanism as to how 2 erythroid progenitor populations can coexist concurrently in the YS yet always differentiate successively during embryogenesis.

LXRs control lipid-inducible expression of the apolipoprotein E gene in macrophages and adipocytes

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) secreted by macrophages in the artery wall exerts an important protective effect against the development of atherosclerosis, presumably through its ability to promote lipid efflux. Previous studies have shown that increases in cellular free cholesterol levels stimulate apoE transcription in macrophages and adipocytes; however, the molecular basis for this regulation is unknown. Recently, Taylor and colleagues [Shih, S. J., Allan, C., Grehan, S., Tse, E., Moran, C. & Taylor, J. M. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 31567-31572] identified two enhancers from the human apoE gene, termed multienhancer 1 (ME.1) and multienhancer 2 (ME.2), that direct macrophage- and adipose-specific expression in transgenic mice. We demonstrate here that the nuclear receptors LXRalpha and LXRbeta and their oxysterol ligands are key regulators of apoE expression in both macrophages and adipose tissue. We show that LXR/RXR heterodimers regulate apoE transcription directly, through interaction with a conserved LXR response element present in both ME.1 and ME.2. Moreover, we demonstrate that the ability of oxysterols and synthetic ligands to regulate apoE expression in adipose tissue and peritoneal macrophages is reduced in Lxralpha-/- or Lxrbeta-/- mice and abolished in double knockouts. Basal expression of apoE is not compromised in Lxr null mice, however, indicating that LXRs mediate lipid-inducible rather than tissue-specific expression of this gene. Together with our previous work, these findings support a central role for LXR signaling pathways in the control of macrophage cholesterol efflux through the coordinate regulation of apoE, ABCA1, and ABCG1 expression.

A PPAR gamma-LXR-ABCA1 pathway in macrophages is involved in cholesterol efflux and atherogenesis

Previous work has implicated PPAR gamma in the regulation of CD36 expression and macrophage uptake of oxidized LDL (oxLDL). We provide evidence here that in addition to lipid uptake, PPAR gamma regulates a pathway of cholesterol efflux. PPAR gamma induces ABCA1 expression and cholesterol removal from macrophages through a transcriptional cascade mediated by the nuclear receptor LXR alpha. Ligand activation of PPAR gamma leads to primary induction of LXR alpha and to coupled induction of ABCA1. Transplantation of PPAR gamma null bone marrow into LDLR -/- mice results in a significant increase in atherosclerosis, consistent with the hypothesis that regulation of LXR alpha and ABCA1 expression is protective in vivo. Thus, we propose that PPAR gamma coordinates a complex physiologic response to oxLDL that involves particle uptake, processing, and cholesterol removal through ABCA1.

Control of cellular cholesterol efflux by the nuclear oxysterol receptor LXR alpha

LXR alpha is a nuclear receptor that has previously been shown to regulate the metabolic conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. Here we define a role for this transcription factor in the control of cellular cholesterol efflux. We demonstrate that retroviral expression of LXR alpha in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts or RAW264.7 macrophages and/or treatment of these cells with oxysterol ligands of LXR results in 7- to 30-fold induction of the mRNA encoding the putative cholesterol/phospholipid transporter ATP-binding cassette (ABC)A1. In contrast, induction of ABCA1 mRNA in response to oxysterols is attenuated in cells that constitutively express dominant-negative forms of LXR alpha or LXR beta that lack the AF2 transcriptional activation domain. We further demonstrate that expression of LXR alpha in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and/or treatment of these cells with oxysterols is sufficient to stimulate cholesterol efflux to extracellular apolipoprotein AI. The ability of oxysterol ligands of LXR to stimulate efflux is dramatically reduced in Tangier fibroblasts, which carry a loss of function mutation in the ABCA1 gene. Taken together, these results indicate that cellular cholesterol efflux is controlled, at least in part, at the level of transcription by a nuclear receptor-signaling pathway. They suggest a model in which activation of LXRs by oxysterols in response to cellular sterol loading leads to induction of the ABCA1 transporter and the stimulation of lipid efflux to extracellular acceptors. These findings have important implications for our understanding of mammalian cholesterol homeostasis and suggest new opportunities for pharmacological regulation of cellular lipid metabolism.

Augmentation of naive, Th1 and Th2 effector CD4 responses by IL-6, IL-1 and TNF

The role of antigen-presenting cell (APC)-derived cytokines in T cell activation is still controversial. Highly purified CD4 T cell populations of the naive and short-term Th1 and Th2 effector subsets were examined. Stimulation from anti-CD3 in the absence of APC was used to analyze directly T occurring cell-mediated effects, and the requirement for co-signaling was addressed using anti-CD28. Exogenous IL-6, IL-1 and TNF each enhanced proliferation and IL-2 secretion from naive cells, although IL-6 was most active in this regard. Peak responses, however, were obtained with IL-1 or TNF in combination with IL-6 resulting in up to 11-fold increases in IL-2 secretion. Enhanced naive T cell responses were only observed with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28, suggesting that co-signaling through surface-bound receptors was required to initiate IL-2 production. Although the cytokines enhanced naive activation, little effect was seen on differentiation into effector populations. IL-6 alone, or in combination, partially suppressed effectors secreting IFN-gamma, but did not promote generation of effectors secreting IL-4. In contrast to reports on cloned cell lines, IL-6, TNF and IL-1 had enhancing activities on all cytokines elicited from already generated Th1 and Th2 effector populations. Again combinations of IL-6, TNF and IL-1 were most effective and generally required CD28 signaling. Induced responses with preexisting effector cells were far less than with naive cells and predominantly directed at augmenting IFN-gamma and IL-5 secretion rather than IL-2 and IL-4. These studies show that APC-derived cytokines can promote T cell responses directly but largely after co-stimulation from accessory molecule co-receptors, that the effect is not specific for one T cell subset or cytokine, and that the naive T cell is the main target of action.

Partial activation of naive CD4 T cells and tolerance induction in response to peptide presented by resting B cells

Tolerance is thought to occur when Ag is presented to T cells in the absence of costimulatory interactions from APC accessory molecules. Of the professional APC, the resting B cell may be the main tolerizing cell in vivo. We have analyzed several aspects of activation of naive transgenic CD4 cells stimulated with resting or activated B cells presenting peptide Ag. Similar results were obtained with stimulation from peptide presenting fibroblast APC lacking or expressing B7-1 with intracellular adhesion molecule-1. TCR ligation with little or no accessory molecule coreceptor engagement induced efficient blastogenesis; up-regulation of CD25, CD44, CD69, CD95 and CD71; and down-regulation of CD62L over a 48-h period. Accessory molecule help enhanced the expression of CD25, CD44, CD69, and CD71, but to very modest degrees. Only two molecules, CD40 ligand and IL-2, were found to be extremely dependent on accessory molecule help, with little or no expression evident with peptide presented on resting B cells or class II-positive fibroblasts. T cells induced on resting B cells expanded minimally over 3 days, and this was followed by extensive cell death and hyporesponsiveness of the resulting cells. These studies suggest that under tolerizing conditions, such as Ag presentation by resting B cells, much of the naive CD4 response is induced efficiently. Partial activation, however, may be the overall result due to the lack of CD40 ligand expression, which may regulate costimulatory activity in APC and, in turn, may contribute to limiting the production of IL-2 required for T cell expansion and survival.

Partial activation of naive CD4 T cells and tolerance induction in response to peptide presented by resting B cells

Tolerance is thought to occur when Ag is presented to T cells in the absence of costimulatory interactions from APC accessory molecules. Of the professional APC, the resting B cell may be the main tolerizing cell in vivo. We have analyzed several aspects of activation of naive transgenic CD4 cells stimulated with resting or activated B cells presenting peptide Ag. Similar results were obtained with stimulation from peptide presenting fibroblast APC lacking or expressing B7-1 with intracellular adhesion molecule-1. TCR ligation with little or no accessory molecule coreceptor engagement induced efficient blastogenesis; up-regulation of CD25, CD44, CD69, CD95 and CD71; and down-regulation of CD62L over a 48-h period. Accessory molecule help enhanced the expression of CD25, CD44, CD69, and CD71, but to very modest degrees. Only two molecules, CD40 ligand and IL-2, were found to be extremely dependent on accessory molecule help, with little or no expression evident with peptide presented on resting B cells or class II-positive fibroblasts. T cells induced on resting B cells expanded minimally over 3 days, and this was followed by extensive cell death and hyporesponsiveness of the resulting cells. These studies suggest that under tolerizing conditions, such as Ag presentation by resting B cells, much of the naive CD4 response is induced efficiently. Partial activation, however, may be the overall result due to the lack of CD40 ligand expression, which may regulate costimulatory activity in APC and, in turn, may contribute to limiting the production of IL-2 required for T cell expansion and survival.