Identification of the Rock-dependent transcriptome in rodent fibroblasts

ROCK2 Downregulation in Pediatric Medulloblastoma Increases Migration and Predicts the Involvement of SHH Non-canonical Signaling

The participation of the Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCK1 and 2) in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton organization, cell adhesion, motility, and gene expression has been extensively investigated in many tumors of different histology. However, their pathogenic roles in medulloblastoma (MB) remain understudied, demanding a deeper appreciation of their participation in cancer cell dissemination and tumor progression. Herein, we show that ROCK2 is downregulated in MB tumor samples and functionally increases migration of cell lines belonging to the SHH subgroup. A comprehensive comparative bioinformatic scrutiny of differentially expressed genes within a list of ROCK2 candidate substrates, uncovered a network of 21 dysregulated genes from which DYPSL3 (dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 3) denoted a strong positive correlation. Enrichment analysis revealed SHH/RHOA/ROCK2/DYPSL3 as top hub genes and the intersection between two biological processes of most importance in MB: actin cytoskeleton remodeling and neuron development. Of note, evidence shows that both ROCK2 and DYPSL3, interact with RHOA and in many tumor types they act as tumor suppressors, mitigating cell spreading. Alternatively, their impaired activity leads to undifferentiated phenotypes and inappropriate cytoskeletal dynamics affecting cell shape, attachment to the extracellular matrix, and cell movement. In parallel, cell motility is considered a prototypical non-canonical response to SHH mediated by RHOA. Therefore, we propose a model in which the interplay between these pathways may lead to a perturbation of proper cytoskeletal dynamics that underpins cell migration.

Investigation of the impact of bromodomain inhibition on cytoskeleton stability and contraction

BACKGROUND

Injury to contractile organs such as the heart, vasculature, urinary bladder and gut can stimulate a pathological response that results in loss of normal contractility. PDGF and TGFβ are among the most well studied initiators of the injury response and have been shown to induce aberrant contraction in mechanically active cells of hollow organs including smooth muscle cells (SMC) and fibroblasts. However, the mechanisms driving contractile alterations downstream of PDGF and TGFβ in SMC and fibroblasts are incompletely understood, limiting therapeutic interventions.

METHODS

To identify potential molecular targets, we have leveraged the analysis of publicly available data, comparing transcriptomic changes in mechanically active cells stimulated with PDGF and TGFβ. Additional Analysis of publicly available data sets were performed on SMC and fibroblasts treated in the presence or absence of the MYC inhibitor JQ1. Validation of in silico findings were performed with qPCR, immunoblots, and collagen gel contraction assays measure the effect of JQ1 on cytoskeleton associated genes, proteins and contractility in mechanically active cells. Likelihood ratio test and FDR adjusted p-values were used to determine significant differentially expressed genes. Student ttest were used to calculate statistical significance of qPCR and contractility analyses.

RESULTS

Comparing PDGF and TGFβ stimulated SMC and fibroblasts identified a shared molecular profile regulated by MYC and members of the AP-1 transcription factor complex. Additional in silico analysis revealed a unique set of cytoskeleton-associated genes that were sensitive to MYC inhibition with JQ1. In vitro validation demonstrated JQ1 was also able to attenuate TGFβ and PDGF induced changes to the cytoskeleton and contraction of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings identify MYC as a key driver of aberrant cytoskeletal and contractile changes in fibroblasts and SMC, and suggest that JQ1 could be used to restore normal contractile function in hollow organs.

Investigation of the impact of bromodomain inhibition on cytoskeleton stability and contraction

Injury to contractile organs such as the heart, vasculature, urinary bladder and gut can stimulate a pathological response that results in loss of normal contractility. PDGF and TGFβ are among the most well studied initiators of the injury response and have been shown to induce aberrant contraction in mechanically active cells of hollow organs including smooth muscle cells (SMC) and fibroblasts. However the mechanisms driving contractile alterations downstream of PDGF and TGFβ in SMC and fibroblasts are incompletely understood, limiting therapeutic interventions. To identify potential molecular targets, we have leveraged the analysis of publicly available data, comparing transcriptomic changes in mechanically active cells stimulated with PDGF and TGFβ and identified a shared molecular profile regulated by MYC and members of the AP-1 transcription factor complex. We also analyzed data sets from SMC and fibroblasts treated in the presence or absence of the MYC inhibitor JQ1. This analysis revealed a unique set of cytoskeleton-associated genes that were sensitive to MYC inhibition. JQ1 was also able to attenuate TGFβ and PDGF induced changes to the cytoskeleton and contraction of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts in vitro. These findings identify MYC as a key driver of aberrant cytoskeletal and contractile changes in fibroblasts and SMC, and suggest that JQ1 could be used to restore normal contractile function in hollow organs.

Modulation of microenvironment for controlling the fate of periodontal ligament cells: the role of Rho/ROCK signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics

Cells behave in a variety of ways when they perceive changes in their microenvironment; the behavior of cells is guided by their coordinated interactions with growth factors, niche cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM). Modulation of the microenvironment affects the cell morphology and multiple gene expressions. Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) signaling is one of the key regulators of cytoskeletal dynamics and actively and/or passively determines the cell fate, such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis, by reciprocal communication with the microenvironment. During periodontal wound healing, it is important to recruit the residential stem cells into the defect site for regeneration and homeostasis of the periodontal tissue. Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells contain a heterogeneous fibroblast population, including mesenchymal stem cells, and contribute to the reconstruction of tooth-supporting tissues. Therefore, bio-regeneration of PDL cells has been the ultimate goal of periodontal therapy for decades. Recent stem cell researches have shed light on intrinsic ECM properties, providing paradigm shifts in cell fate determination. This review focuses on the role of ROCK activity and the effects of Y-27632, a specific inhibitor of ROCK, in the modulation of ECM-microenvironment. Further, it presents the current understanding of how Rho/ROCK signaling affects the fate determination of stem cells, especially PDL cells. In addition, we have also discussed in detail the underlying mechanisms behind the reciprocal response to the microenvironment.

Mechanisms of favorable effects of Rho kinase inhibition on myocardial remodeling and systolic function after experimental myocardial infarction in the rat

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms by which cardiac Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) activation after myocardial infarction (MI) does intervene in cardiac systolic function decline and remodeling.

METHODS

Simultaneous measurement of different cardiac ROCK target proteins levels, in vivo left ventricular (LV) systolic function, myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy in rats with MI under ROCK inhibition with fasudil.

RESULTS

Seven days after MI, the ventricular mass increased significantly by 5.6% in the MI group and was reduced with fasudil. LV systolic dysfunction improved significantly with fasudil whereas cardiac ROCK activation was reduced to sham levels. The ROCK inhibitor also reduced increased cardiac levels of both ROCK1 and ROCK2 isoforms, cardiomyocyte ROCK2 fluorescence levels and β-myosin heavy chain (MHC) levels in addition to myocardial collagen volume fraction decline. Compared with sham rats, troponin phosphorylation levels after MI were similar and ROCK inhibition reduced them. MI significantly increased phosphorylation levels of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 42 and ERK 44 by twofold and 63%, respectively, whereas in the fasudil-treated MI group these levels were similar to those in the sham group. MI significantly increased phosphorylated levels of the transcription factor GATA-4 and the ROCK inhibitor normalized them.

CONCLUSIONS

LV systolic dysfunction after MI was strongly associated with cardiac ROCK activation and subsequent phosphorylation of ROCK target proteins that promote ventricular remodeling such as β-MHC and the ERK/GATA-4 pathway. ROCK inhibition with fasudil significantly improved systolic function, diminished myocardial fibrosis and normalized β-MHC and ERK/GATA-4 phosphorylation levels.

Specific upregulation of RHOA and RAC1 in cancer-associated fibroblasts found at primary tumor and lymph node metastatic sites in breast cancer

The importance of tumor-stromal cell interactions in breast tumor progression and invasion is well established. Here, an evaluation of differential genomic profiles of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) compared to fibroblasts derived from tissues adjacent to fibroadenomas (NAFs) revealed altered focal adhesion pathways. These data were validated through confocal assays. To verify the possible role of fibroblasts in lymph node invasion, we constructed a tissue microarray consisting of primary breast cancer samples and corresponding lymph node metastasis and compared the expression of adhesion markers RhoA and Rac1 in fibroblasts located at these different locations. Two distinct tissue microarrays were constructed from the stromal component of 43 primary tumors and matched lymph node samples, respectively. Fibroblasts were characterized for their expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin. Moreover, we verified the level of these proteins in the stromal compartment from normal adjacent tissue and in non-compromised lymph nodes. Our immunohistochemistry revealed that 59 % of fibroblasts associated with primary tumors and 41 % of the respective metastatic lymph nodes (p = 0.271) displayed positive staining for RhoA. In line with this, 57.1 % of fibroblasts associated with primary tumors presented Rac1-positive staining, and the frequency of co-positivity within the lymph nodes was 42.9 % (p = 0.16). Expression of RhoA and Rac1 was absent in fibroblasts of adjacent normal tissue and in compromised lymph nodes. Based on our findings that no significant changes were observed between primary and metastatic lymph nodes, we suggest that fibroblasts are active participants in the invasion of cancer cells to lymph nodes and support the hypothesis that metastatic tumor cells continue to depend on their microenvironment.

A transcriptional cross-talk between RhoA and c-Myc inhibits the RhoA/Rock-dependent cytoskeleton

The GTPase RhoA and the transcriptional factor c-Myc are closely intertwined in cancer cells. Although this cross-talk results in potent synergistic effects that favor the transformed phenotype of cancer cells, recent results from our laboratory indicate that c-Myc also participates in a negative feed-back loop that blocks specific RhoA signaling branches connected to the induction of stress fibers, focal adhesions and actomyosin contractility. Using microarray analysis, we have unveiled a RhoA/c-Myc-dependent gene signature in charge of this negative cross-talk. This signature is composed of upregulated and repressed transcripts encoding cytoskeletal modulators located downstream of both RhoA and Rock. Our results also indicate that this negative feed-back loop modifies the invasion and adhesion properties of RhoA-transformed cells, suggesting that it may be important to ensure fluid cytoskeletal dynamics of cancer cells. Preliminary data indicate that c-Myc may also use a different transcriptional program to interfere with the RhoA/Rock-dependent cytoskeletal branch in non-transformed cells.

The effect of Rho kinase inhibition on long-term keratinocyte proliferation is rapid and conditional

Introduction

We previously demonstrated that the lifespan of primary human keratinocytes could be extended indefinitely by culture in the presence of the Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632. This technique has proven to be very useful in diverse areas of basic and clinical research.

Methods

In this follow-up study we determine whether the continual presence of Y-27632 is required for sustained proliferation. We also test whether different ROCK inhibitors can be used for this technique and whether it can also promote indefinite proliferation of animal keratinocytes. We measure keratinocyte gene expression, proliferation, behaviour and lifespan in the presence and absence of Y-27632.

Results

We demonstrate that the extension of lifespan observed by culture of keratinocytes in the presence of fibroblast feeders and a ROCK inhibitor is reversible and that cells senesce gradually when the inhibitor is removed from the medium. Conversely, keratinocytes that are close to the end of their replicative life span can be revived by ROCK inhibition. We demonstrate that different inhibitors of ROCK can also efficiently extend the lifespan of human keratinocytes and that ROCK inhibition extends the lifespan of animal keratinocytes derived from mouse and bovine epithelia. Gene expression analysis of human epidermal keratinocytes cells grown in the presence of Y-27632 demonstrates that ROCK inhibition primarily inhibits keratinocyte differentiation. Live-imaging of keratinocytes cultured with ROCK inhibitors show that the effect of ROCK inhibition on cellular proliferation is immediate and ROCK inhibited cells proliferate rapidly without differentiation or stratification.

Conclusions

ROCK inhibition rapidly and conditionally induces indefinite proliferation of keratinocytes. This method has far-reaching applications for basic research, as well as for regenerative and personalized medicine.

ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 prevents porcine oocyte maturation

The inhibitor Y-27632 is a specific selective inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCKs), which are downstream effectors of Rho guanosine triphosphatease (GTPases) and regulate Rho-associated cellular functions, including actin cytoskeletal organization. Little is known regarding the effects of Y-27632 on mammalian oocyte maturation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Y-27632 on porcine oocyte meiosis and possible regulatory mechanisms of ROCK during porcine oocyte maturation. We found that ROCK accumulated not only at spindles, but also at the cortex in porcine oocytes. Y-27632 treatment reduced ROCK expression, and inhibited porcine oocyte meiotic maturation, which might be because of the impairment of actin expression and actin-related spindle positioning. Y-27632 treatment also disrupted the formation of actin cap and cortical granule-free domain, which further confirmed a spindle positioning failure. Thus, Y-27632 has significant effects on the meiotic competence of mammalian oocytes by reducing ROCK expression, and the regulation is related to its effects on actin-mediated spindle positioning.

Rho-GTPase effector ROCK phosphorylates cofilin in actin-meditated cytokinesis during mouse oocyte meiosis

During oocyte meiosis, a spindle forms in the central cytoplasm and migrates to the cortex. Subsequently, the oocyte extrudes a small body and forms a highly polarized egg; this process is regulated primarily by actin. ROCK is a Rho-GTPase effector that is involved in various cellular functions, such as stress fiber formation, cell migration, tumor cell invasion, and cell motility. In this study, we investigated possible roles for ROCK in mouse oocyte meiosis. ROCK was localized around spindles after germinal vesicle breakdown and was colocalized with cytoplasmic actin and mitochondria. Disrupting ROCK activity by RNAi or an inhibitor resulted in cell cycle progression and polar body extrusion failure. Time-lapse microscopy showed that this may have been due to spindle migration and cytokinesis defects, as chromosomes segregated but failed to extrude a polar body and then realigned. Actin expression at oocyte membranes and in cytoplasm was significantly decreased after these treatments. Actin caps were also disrupted, which was confirmed by a failure to form cortical granule-free domains. The mitochondrial distribution was also disrupted, which indicated that mitochondria were involved in the ROCK-mediated actin assembly. In addition, the phosphorylation levels of Cofilin, a downstream molecule of ROCK, decreased after disrupting ROCK activity. Thus, our results indicated that a ROCK-Cofilin-actin pathway regulated meiotic spindle migration and cytokinesis during mouse oocyte maturation.

ROCK1 & 2 perform overlapping and unique roles in angiogenesis and angiosarcoma tumor progression

The serine/threonine protein kinase paralogs ROCK1 & 2 have been implicated as essential modulators of angiogenesis; however their paralog-specific roles in endothelial function are unknown. shRNA knockdown of ROCK1 or 2 in endothelial cells resulted in a significant disruption of in vitro capillary network formation, cell polarization, and cell migration compared to cells harboring non-targeting control shRNA plasmids. Knockdowns led to alterations in cytoskeletal dynamics due to ROCK1 & 2-mediated reductions in actin isoform expression, and ROCK2-specific reduction in myosin phosphatase and cofilin phosphorylation. Knockdowns enhanced cell survival and led to ROCK1 & 2-mediated reduction in caspase 6 and 9 cleavage, and a ROCK2-specific reduction in caspase 3 cleavage. Microarray analysis of ROCK knockdown lines revealed overlapping and unique control of global transcription by the paralogs, and a reduction in the transcriptional regulation of just under 50% of VEGF responsive genes. Finally, paralog knockdown in xenograft angiosarcoma tumors resulted in a significant reduction in tumor formation. Our data reveals that ROCK1 & 2 exhibit overlapping and unique roles in normal and dysfunctional endothelial cells, that alterations in cytoskeletal dynamics are capable of overriding mitogen activated transcription, and that therapeutic targeting of ROCK signaling may have profound impacts for targeting angiogenesis.

Inhibition of Rac and ROCK signalling influence osteoblast adhesion, differentiation and mineralization on titanium topographies

Reducing the time required for initial integration of bone-contacting implants with host tissues would be of great clinical significance. Changes in osteoblast adhesion formation and reorganization of the F-actin cytoskeleton in response to altered topography are known to be upstream of osteoblast differentiation, and these processes are regulated by the Rho GTPases. Rac and RhoA (through Rho Kinase (ROCK)). Using pharmacological inhibitors, we tested how inhibition of Rac and ROCK influenced osteoblast adhesion, differentiation and mineralization on PT (Pre-treated) and SLA (sandblasted large grit, acid etched) topographies. Inhibition of ROCK, but not Rac, significantly reduced adhesion number and size on PT, with adhesion size consistent with focal complexes. After 1 day, ROCK, but not Rac inhibition increased osteocalcin mRNA levels on SLA and PT, with levels further increasing at 7 days post seeding. ROCK inhibition also significantly increased bone sialoprotein expression at 7 days, but not BMP-2 levels. Rac inhibition significantly reduced BMP-2 mRNA levels. ROCK inhibition increased nuclear translocation of Runx2 independent of surface roughness. Mineralization of osteoblast cultures was greater on SLA than on PT, but was increased by ROCK inhibition and attenuated by Rac inhibition on both topographies. In conclusion, inhibition of ROCK signalling significantly increases osteoblast differentiation and biomineralization in a topographic dependent manner, and its pharmacological inhibition could represent a new therapeutic to speed bone formation around implanted metals and in regenerative medicine applications.

The rho exchange factors vav2 and vav3 control a lung metastasis-specific transcriptional program in breast cancer cells

The guanosine triphosphatases of the Rho and Rac subfamilies regulate protumorigenic pathways and are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho GEFs), which could be potential targets for anticancer therapies. We report that two Rho GEFs, Vav2 and Vav3, play synergistic roles in breast cancer by sustaining tumor growth, neoangiogenesis, and many of the steps involved in lung-specific metastasis. The involvement of Vav proteins in these processes did not correlate with Rac1 and RhoA activity or cell migration, implying the presence of additional biological programs. Microarray analyses revealed that Vav2 and Vav3 controlled a vast transcriptional program in breast cancer cells through mechanisms that were shared between the two proteins, isoform-specific or synergistic. Furthermore, the abundance of Vav-regulated transcripts was modulated by Rac1-dependent and Rac1-independent pathways. This transcriptome encoded therapeutically targetable proteins that played nonredundant roles in primary tumorigenesis and lung-specific metastasis, such as integrin-linked kinase (Ilk), the transforming growth factor-β family ligand inhibin βA, cyclooxygenase-2, and the epithelial cell adhesion molecule Tacstd2. It also contained gene signatures that predicted disease outcome in breast cancer patients. These results identify possible targets for treating breast cancer and lung metastases and provide a potential diagnostic tool for clinical use.

Transcriptomic profiling of astrocytes treated with the Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil reveals cytoskeletal and pro-survival responses

Inhibitors of Rho kinase (ROCK) have potential for management of neurological disorders by inhibition of glial scarring. Since astrocytes play key roles in brain physiology and pathology, we determined changes in the astrocytic transcriptome produced by the ROCK inhibitor Fasudil to obtain mechanistic insights into its beneficial action during brain injury. Cultured murine astrocytes were treated with Fasudil (100 µM) and morphological analyses revealed rapid stellation by 1 h and time-dependent (2-24 h) dissipation of F-actin-labelled stress fibres. Microarray analyses were performed on RNA and the time-course of global gene profiling (2, 6, 12 and 24 h) provided a comprehensive description of transcriptomic changes. Hierarchical clustering of differentially expressed genes and analysis for over-represented gene ontology groups using the DAVID database focused attention on Fasudil-induced changes to major biological processes regulating cellular shape and motility (actin cytoskeleton, axon guidance, transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signalling and tight junctions). Bioinformatic analyses of transcriptomic changes revealed how these biological processes contributed to changes in astrocytic motility and cytoskeletal reorganisation. Here genes associated with extracellular matrix were also involved, but unexpected was a subset of alterations (EAAT2, BDNF, anti-oxidant species, metabolic and signalling genes) indicative of adoption by astrocytes of a pro-survival phenotype. Expression profiles of key changes with Fasudil and another ROCK inhibitor Y27632 were validated by real-time PCR. Although effects of ROCK inhibition have been considered to be primarily cytoskeletal via reduction of glial scarring, we demonstrate additional advantageous actions likely to contribute to their ameliorative actions in brain injury.

Small molecule inhibition of cytoskeletal dynamics in melanoma tumors results in altered transcriptional expression patterns of key genes involved in tumor initiation and progression

BACKGROUND

Rho kinase signaling plays an important role in the oncogenic process largely through its regulation of F-actin dynamics, and inhibition of this pathway results in reduction in tumor volume and metastasis across a number of tumor types. While the cytoskeletal-regulatory role of Rho kinase has been a topic of in-depth study, the mechanisms linking Rho kinase to altered gene expression are largely unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Global gene expression analysis was performed on melanoma tumors treated with sham or the small molecule inhibitor Y27632.

RESULTS

Inhibition of Rho kinase activity in melanoma tumors results in a statistically significant change in gene transcription of 94 genes, many of which are critically involved in tumor initiation and progression.

CONCLUSION

In addition to regulating tumorigenesis through modulation of the phosphoproteome, Rho kinase signaling also contributes to the regulation of the tumor transcriptome.

ROCK mediates phorbol ester-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells via p21Cip1 up-regulation and JNK

It is established that androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells undergo apoptosis upon treatment with phorbol esters and related analogs, an effect primarily mediated by PKCdelta. Treatment of LNCaP prostate cancer cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) causes a strong and sustained activation of RhoA and its downstream effector ROCK (Rho kinase) as well as the formation of stress fibers. These effects are impaired in cells subjected to PKCdelta RNA interference depletion. Functional studies revealed that expression of a dominant negative RhoA mutant or treatment with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 inhibits the apoptotic effect of PMA in LNCaP cells. Remarkably, the cytoskeleton inhibitors cytochalasin B and blebbistatin blocked not only PMA-induced apoptosis but also the activation of JNK, a mediator of the cell death effect by the phorbol ester. In addition, we found that up-regulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p21(Cip1) is required for PMA-induced apoptosis and that inhibitors of ROCK or the cytoskeleton organization prevent p21(Cip1) induction. Real time PCR analysis and reporter gene assay revealed that PMA induces p21(Cip1) transcriptionally in a ROCK- and cytoskeleton-dependent manner. p21(Cip1) promoter analysis revealed that PMA induction is dependent on Sp1 elements in the p21(Cip1) promoter but independent of p53. Taken together, our studies implicate ROCK-mediated up-regulation of p21(Cip1) and the cytoskeleton in PKCdelta-dependent apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.