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Cormier SA, Kappen C. Identification of a Chondrocyte-Specific Enhancer in the Hoxc8 Gene. J Dev Biol 2024; 12:5. [PMID: 38390956 PMCID: PMC10885077 DOI: 10.3390/jdb12010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Hox genes encode transcription factors whose roles in patterning animal body plans during embryonic development are well-documented. Multiple studies demonstrate that Hox genes continue to act in adult cells, in normal differentiation, in regenerative processes, and, with abnormal expression, in diverse types of cancers. However, surprisingly little is known about the regulatory mechanisms that govern Hox gene expression in specific cell types, as they differentiate during late embryonic development, and in the adult organism. The murine Hoxc8 gene determines the identity of multiple skeletal elements in the lower thoracic and lumbar region and continues to play a role in the proliferation and differentiation of cells in cartilage as the skeleton matures. This study was undertaken to identify regulatory elements in the Hoxc8 gene that control transcriptional activity, specifically in cartilage-producing chondrocytes. We report that an enhancer comprising two 416 and 224 bps long interacting DNA elements produces reporter gene activity when assayed on a heterologous transcriptional promoter in transgenic mice. This enhancer is distinct in spatial, temporal, and molecular regulation from previously identified regulatory sequences in the Hoxc8 gene that control its expression in early development. The identification of a tissue-specific Hox gene regulatory element now allows mechanistic investigations into Hox transcription factor expression and function in differentiating cell types and adult tissues and to specifically target these cells during repair processes and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephania A. Cormier
- Department of Respiratory Immunology and Toxicology, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA;
| | - Claudia Kappen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
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Merrill JR, Inguscio A, Chung T, Demestichas B, Garcia LA, Habel J, Lewis DY, Janowitz T, Lyons SK. Sensitive, non-immunogenic in vivo imaging of cancer metastases and immunotherapy response. Cell Stress 2023; 7:59-68. [PMID: 37664695 PMCID: PMC10468692 DOI: 10.15698/cst2023.08.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive imaging of tumors expressing reporter transgenes is a popular preclinical method for studying tumor development and response to therapy in vivo due to its ability to distinguish signal from tumors over background noise. However, the utilized transgenes, such as firefly luciferase, are immunogenic and, therefore, impact results when expressed in immune-competent hosts. This represents an important limitation, given that cancer immunology and immunotherapy are currently among the most impactful areas of research and therapeutic development. Here we present a non-immunogenic preclinical tumor imaging approach. Based on the expression of murine sodium iodide symporter (mNIS), it facilitates sensitive, non-invasive detection of syngeneic tumor cells in immune-competent tumor models without additional immunogenicity arising from exogenous transgenic protein or selection marker expression. NIS-expressing tumor cells internalize the gamma-emitting [99mTc]pertechnetate ion and so can be detected by SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography). Using a mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma hepatic metastases in immune-competent C57BL/6 mice, we demonstrate that the technique enables the detection of very early metastatic lesions and longitudinal assessment of immunotherapy responses using precise and quantifiable whole-body SPECT/CT imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R. Merrill
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Alessandra Inguscio
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Taemoon Chung
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Breanna Demestichas
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Libia A. Garcia
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Jill Habel
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - David Y. Lewis
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Tobias Janowitz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Scott K. Lyons
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
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Ittiprasert W, Moescheid MF, Chaparro C, Mann VH, Quack T, Rodpai R, Miller A, Wisitpongpun P, Buakaew W, Mentink-Kane M, Schmid S, Popratiloff A, Grevelding CG, Grunau C, Brindley PJ. Targeted insertion and reporter transgene activity at a gene safe harbor of the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. Cell Rep Methods 2023; 3:100535. [PMID: 37533651 PMCID: PMC10391569 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100535] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The identification and characterization of genomic safe harbor sites (GSHs) can facilitate consistent transgene activity with minimal disruption to the host cell genome. We combined computational genome annotation and chromatin structure analysis to predict the location of four GSHs in the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, a major infectious pathogen of the tropics. A transgene was introduced via CRISPR-Cas-assisted homology-directed repair into one of the GSHs in the egg of the parasite. Gene editing efficiencies of 24% and transgene-encoded fluorescence of 75% of gene-edited schistosome eggs were observed. The approach advances functional genomics for schistosomes by providing a tractable path for generating transgenics using homology-directed, repair-catalyzed transgene insertion. We also suggest that this work will serve as a roadmap for the development of similar approaches in helminths more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wannaporn Ittiprasert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Max F. Moescheid
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- IHPE, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Victoria H. Mann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Thomas Quack
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rutchanee Rodpai
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - André Miller
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Prapakorn Wisitpongpun
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand
| | - Watunyoo Buakaew
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | - Margaret Mentink-Kane
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Sarah Schmid
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Anastas Popratiloff
- Nanofabrication and Imaging Center, Science & Engineering Hall, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Christoph G. Grevelding
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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