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Szigeti K, Ihnatovych I, Notari E, Dorn RP, Maly I, He M, Birkaya B, Prasad S, Byrne RS, Indurthi DC, Nimmer E, Heo Y, Retfalvi K, Chaves L, Sule N, Hofmann WA, Auerbach A, Wilding G, Bae Y, Reynolds J. CHRFAM7A diversifies human immune adaption through Ca 2+ signalling and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. EBioMedicine 2024; 103:105093. [PMID: 38569318 PMCID: PMC10999709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human restricted genes contribute to human specific traits in the immune system. CHRFAM7A, a uniquely human fusion gene, is a negative regulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR), the highest Ca2+ conductor of the ACh receptors implicated in innate immunity. Understanding the mechanism of how CHRFAM7A affects the immune system remains unexplored. METHODS Two model systems are used, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and human primary monocytes, to characterize α7 nAChR function, Ca2+ dynamics and decoders to elucidate the pathway from receptor to phenotype. FINDINGS CHRFAM7A/α7 nAChR is identified as a hypomorphic receptor with mitigated Ca2+ influx and prolonged channel closed state. This shifts the Ca2+ reservoir from the extracellular space to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leading to Ca2+ dynamic changes. Ca2+ decoder small GTPase Rac1 is then activated, reorganizing the actin cytoskeleton. Observed actin mediated phenotypes include cellular adhesion, motility, phagocytosis and tissue mechanosensation. INTERPRETATION CHRFAM7A introduces an additional, human specific, layer to Ca2+ regulation leading to an innate immune gain of function. Through the actin cytoskeleton it drives adaptation to the mechanical properties of the tissue environment leading to an ability to invade previously immune restricted niches. Human genetic diversity predicts profound translational significance as its understanding builds the foundation for successful treatments for infectious diseases, sepsis, and cancer metastasis. FUNDING This work is supported in part by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo (Kinga Szigeti) and in part by NIH grant R01HL163168 (Yongho Bae).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Szigeti
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
| | - Ivanna Ihnatovych
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Emily Notari
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Ryu P Dorn
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Ivan Maly
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Muye He
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Barbara Birkaya
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Shreyas Prasad
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Robin Schwartz Byrne
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Dinesh C Indurthi
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Erik Nimmer
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Yuna Heo
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Kolos Retfalvi
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Lee Chaves
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Norbert Sule
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Wilma A Hofmann
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Anthony Auerbach
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Gregory Wilding
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Yongho Bae
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Jessica Reynolds
- State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
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Costantini TW, Park DJ, Johnston W, Nakatsutsumi K, Kezios J, Weaver JL, Coimbra R, Eliceiri BP. A heterogenous population of extracellular vesicles mobilize to the alveoli postinjury. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2024; 96:371-377. [PMID: 37880828 PMCID: PMC10922252 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000004176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lung injury and subsequent resolution following severe injury are coordinated by a complex lung microenvironment that includes extracellular vesicles (EVs). We hypothesized that there is a heterogenous population of EVs recruited to the alveoli postinjury and that we could identify specific immune-relevant mediators expressed on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) EVs as candidate biomarkers of injury and injury resolution. METHODS Mice underwent 30% TBSA burn injury and BAL fluid was collected 4 hours postinjury and compared with sham. Extracellular vesicles were purified and single vesicle flow cytometry (vFC) was performed using fluorescent antibodies to quantify the expression of specific cell surface markers on individual EVs. Next, we evaluated human BAL specimens from injured patients to establish translational relevance of the mouse vFC analysis. Human BAL was collected from intubated patients following trauma or burn injury, EVs were purified, then subjected to vFC analysis. RESULTS A diverse population of EVs were mobilized to the alveoli after burn injury in mice. Quantitative BAL vFC identified significant increases in macrophage-derived CD44+ EVs (preinjury, 10.8% vs. postinjury, 13%; p < 0.05) and decreases in IL-6 receptor alpha (CD126) EVs (preinjury, 19.3% vs. postinjury, 9.3%, p < 0.05). Bronchoalveolar lavage from injured patients also contained a heterogeneous population of EVs derived from myeloid cells, endothelium, and epithelium sources, with CD44+ EVs being highly detected. CONCLUSION Injury causes mobilization of a heterogeneous population of EVs to the alveoli in both animal models and injured patients. Defining EV release after injury will be critical in identifying diagnostic and therapeutic targets to limit postinjury acute lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd W. Costantini
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Dong Jun Park
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - William Johnston
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Keita Nakatsutsumi
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jenny Kezios
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jessica L. Weaver
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Raul Coimbra
- Comparative Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes Research Center, Riverside University Health System, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Brian P. Eliceiri
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
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Ihnatovych I, Saddler RA, Sule N, Szigeti K. Translational implications of CHRFAM7A, an elusive human-restricted fusion gene. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-023-02389-1. [PMID: 38200291 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02389-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Genes restricted to humans may contribute to human-specific traits and provide a different context for diseases. CHRFAM7A is a uniquely human fusion gene and a negative regulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). The α7 nAChR has been a promising target for diseases affecting cognition and higher cortical functions, however, the treatment effect observed in animal models failed to translate into human clinical trials. As CHRFAM7A was not accounted for in preclinical drug screens it may have contributed to the translational gap. Understanding the complex genetic architecture of the locus, deciphering the functional impact of CHRFAM7A on α7 nAChR neurobiology and utilizing human-relevant models may offer novel approaches to explore α7 nAChR as a drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna Ihnatovych
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Ruth-Ann Saddler
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Norbert Sule
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Kinga Szigeti
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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Zhou R, Niu K, Wang C, He J, Huang W, Li T, Lan H, Zhang Y, Dang X, Mao L. Human-specific CHRFAM7A primes macrophages for a heightened pro-inflammatory response at the earlier stage of inflammation. Cell Biol Int 2023; 47:1926-1941. [PMID: 37655479 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
α7-Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is the key effector molecule of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Evolution has evolved a uniquely human α7-nAChR encoded by CHRFAM7A. It has been demonstrated that CHRFAM7A dominant negatively regulates the functions of α7-nAChR. However, its role in inflammation remains to be fully characterized. CHRFAM7A transgenic (Tg) mice were phenotypically normal and their peritoneal macrophages exhibited decreased ligand-binding capability and, importantly, an activated gene expression profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Surprisingly, when challenged with sepsis, the Tg mice showed no survival disadvantage relative to their wild-type (Wt) counterparts. Further analysis showed that the complete blood count and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were comparable at resting state, but the degrees of leukocyte mobilization and the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in Tg than Wt mice at the early stage of sepsis. In vitro, peritoneal macrophages of the Tg mice exhibited an exaggerated response to lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), especially at the earlier time points and at lower dosages of LPS. Remarkably, monocytes from CHRFAM7A-carrier showed similar dynamic changes of the pro-inflammatory cytokines to that observed in the Tg mice upon LPS challenge. Our results suggest that CHRFAM7A increases the mobilization of leukocytes and primes macrophages that confer an enhanced immune response at the early stage of inflammation, which may lead to prompt pathogen clearance, an evolutionary advantage in less severe inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- National Regional Children's Medical Center (Northwest), Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine to Pediatric Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Children's Health and Diseases, Shaanxi Institute for Pediatric Diseases, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Keran Niu
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Chaoying Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Jianghui He
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Huang
- National Regional Children's Medical Center (Northwest), Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine to Pediatric Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Children's Health and Diseases, Shaanxi Institute for Pediatric Diseases, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Tao Li
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Huan Lan
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- National Regional Children's Medical Center (Northwest), Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine to Pediatric Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Children's Health and Diseases, Shaanxi Institute for Pediatric Diseases, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Cardiology, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xitong Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
| | - Liang Mao
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Luzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Ramanathan G, Chen JH, Mehrotra N, Trieu T, Huang A, Mas E, Monterrosa Mena JE, Bliss B, Herman DA, Kleinman MT, Fleischman AG. Cigarette smoke stimulates clonal expansion of Jak2 V617F and Tet2 -/- cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1210528. [PMID: 37546389 PMCID: PMC10401270 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1210528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Somatic mutations in myeloid growth factor pathway genes, such as JAK2, and genes involved in epigenetic regulation, such as TET2, in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) leads to clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) which presents a risk factor for hematologic malignancy and cardiovascular disease. Smoking behavior has been repeatedly associated with the occurrence of CHIP but whether smoking is an environmental inflammatory stressor in promoting clonal expansion has not been investigated. Methods We performed in vivo smoke exposures in both wildtype (WT) mice and transplanted mice carrying Jak2V617F mutant and Tet2 knockout (Tet-/-) cells to determine the impact of cigarette smoke (CS) in the HSC compartment as well as favoring mutant cell expansion. Results WT mice exposed to smoke displayed increased oxidative stress in long-term HSCs and suppression of the hematopoietic stem and progenitor compartment but smoke exposure did not translate to impaired hematopoietic reconstitution in primary bone marrow transplants. Gene expression analysis of hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow identified an imbalance between Th17 and Treg immune cells suggesting a local inflammatory environment. We also observed enhanced survival of Jak2V617F cells exposed to CS in vivo and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in vitro. WT bone marrow hematopoietic cells from WT/Jak2V617F chimeric mice exposed to CS demonstrated an increase in neutrophil abundance and distinct overexpression of bone marrow stromal antigen 2 (Bst2) and retinoic acid early transcript 1 (Raet1) targets. Bst2 and Raet1 are indicative of increased interferon signaling and cellular stress including oxidative stress and DNA damage, respectively. In chimeric mice containing both WT and Tet2-/- cells, we observed an increased percentage of circulating mutant cells in peripheral blood post-cigarette smoke exposure when compared to pre-exposure levels while this difference was absent in air-exposed controls. Conclusion Altogether, these findings demonstrate that CS results in an inflamed bone marrow environment that provides a selection pressure for existing CHIP mutations such as Jak2V617F and Tet2 loss-of-function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajalakshmi Ramanathan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jane H. Chen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Nitya Mehrotra
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Tiffany Trieu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Aaron Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Eduard Mas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jessica E. Monterrosa Mena
- Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Bishop Bliss
- Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - David A. Herman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Michael T. Kleinman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Angela G. Fleischman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Leonard S, Benfante R. Unanswered questions in the regulation and function of the duplicated α7 nicotinic receptor gene CHRFAM7A. Pharmacol Res 2023; 192:106783. [PMID: 37164281 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic receptor (α7 nAChR) is an important entry point for Ca2+ into the cell, which has broad and important effects on gene expression and function. The gene (CHRNA7), mapping to chromosome (15q14), has been genetically linked to a large number of diseases, many of which involve defects in cognition. While numerous mutations in CHRNA7 are associated with mental illness and inflammation, an important control point may be the function of a recently discovered partial duplication CHRNA7, CHRFAM7A, that negatively regulates the function of the α7 receptor, through the formation of heteropentamers; other functions cannot be excluded. The deregulation of this human specific gene (CHRFAM7A) has been linked to neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory disorders and has important copy number variations. Much effort is being made to understand its function and regulation both in healthy and pathological conditions. However, many questions remain to be answered regarding its functional role, its regulation, and its role in the etiogenesis of neurological and inflammatory disorders. Missing knowledge on the pharmacology of the heteroreceptor has limited the discovery of new molecules capable of modulating its activity. Here we review the state of the art on the role of CHRFAM7A, highlighting unanswered questions to be addressed. A possible therapeutic approach based on genome editing protocols is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry Leonard
- Department of Psychiatry - University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Roberta Benfante
- CNR - Institute of Neuroscience, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy; Dept. Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; NeuroMI - Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
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Courties A, Olmer M, Myers K, Ordoukhanian P, Head SR, Natarajan P, Berenbaum F, Sellam J, Lotz MK. Human-specific duplicate CHRFAM7A gene is associated with more severe osteoarthritis and amplifies pain behaviours. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:710-718. [PMID: 36627169 PMCID: PMC10101906 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2022-223470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES CHRFAM7A is a uniquely human fusion gene that functions as a dominant negative regulator of alpha 7 acetylcholine nicotinic receptor (α7nAChR) in vitro. This study determined the impact of CHRFAM7A on α7nAChR agonist responses, osteoarthritis (OA) severity and pain behaviours and investigated mechanisms. METHODS Transgenic CHRFAM7A (TgCHRFAM7A) mice were used to determine the impact of CHRFAM7A on knee OA histology, pain severity in OA and other pain models, response to nAchR agonist and IL-1β. Mouse and human cells were used for mechanistic studies. RESULTS Transgenic (Tg) TgCHRFAM7A mice developed more severe structural damage and increased mechanical allodynia than wild type (WT) mice in the destabilisation of medial meniscus model of OA. This was associated with a decreased suppression of inflammation by α7nAchR agonist. TgCHRFAM7A mice displayed a higher basal sensitivity to pain stimuli and increased pain behaviour in the monoiodoacetate and formalin models. Dorsal root ganglia of TgCHRFAM7A mice showed increased macrophage infiltration and expression of the chemokine fractalkine and also had a compromised antinociceptive response to the α7nAchR agonist nicotine. Both native CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A subunits were expressed in human joint tissues and the CHRFAM7A/CHRNA7 ratio was increased in OA cartilage. Human chondrocytes with two copies of CHRFAM7A had reduced anti-inflammatory responses to nicotine. CONCLUSION CHRFAM7A is an aggravating factor for OA-associated inflammation and tissue damage and a novel genetic risk factor and therapeutic target for pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Courties
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
- INSERM UMRS 938, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service de rhumatologie, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Merissa Olmer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kevin Myers
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Phillip Ordoukhanian
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics and Genomics Core, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Steven R Head
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics and Genomics Core, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Padmaja Natarajan
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics and Genomics Core, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Francis Berenbaum
- INSERM UMRS 938, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service de rhumatologie, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jérémie Sellam
- INSERM UMRS 938, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service de rhumatologie, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Martin K Lotz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
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Hagen EH, Blackwell AD, Lightner AD, Sullivan RJ. Homo medicus: The transition to meat eating increased pathogen pressure and the use of pharmacological plants in Homo. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2023; 180:589-617. [PMID: 36815505 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The human lineage transitioned to a more carnivorous niche 2.6 mya and evolved a large body size and slower life history, which likely increased zoonotic pathogen pressure. Evidence for this increase includes increased zoonotic infections in modern hunter-gatherers and bushmeat hunters, exceptionally low stomach pH compared to other primates, and divergence in immune-related genes. These all point to change, and probably intensification, in the infectious disease environment of Homo compared to earlier hominins and other apes. At the same time, the brain, an organ in which immune responses are constrained, began to triple in size. We propose that the combination of increased zoonotic pathogen pressure and the challenges of defending a large brain and body from pathogens in a long-lived mammal, selected for intensification of the plant-based self-medication strategies already in place in apes and other primates. In support, there is evidence of medicinal plant use by hominins in the middle Paleolithic, and all cultures today have sophisticated, plant-based medical systems, add spices to food, and regularly consume psychoactive plant substances that are harmful to helminths and other pathogens. We propose that the computational challenges of discovering effective plant-based treatments, the consequent ability to consume more energy-rich animal foods, and the reduced reliance on energetically-costly immune responses helped select for increased cognitive abilities and unique exchange relationships in Homo. In the story of human evolution, which has long emphasized hunting skills, medical skills had an equal role to play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward H Hagen
- Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Aaron D Blackwell
- Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Aaron D Lightner
- Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
- Department of the Study of Religion, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Roger J Sullivan
- Department of Anthropology, California State University, Sacramento, California, USA
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Keever KR, Yakubenko VP, Hoover DB. Neuroimmune nexus in the pathophysiology and therapy of inflammatory disorders: role of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106758. [PMID: 37028776 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) is a key protein in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) that links the nervous and immune systems. Initially, the pathway was discovered based on the observation that vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) reduced the systemic inflammatory response in septic animals. Subsequent studies form a foundation for the leading hypothesis about the central role of the spleen in CAP activation. VNS evokes noradrenergic stimulation of ACh release from T cells in the spleen, which in turn activates α7nAChRs on the surface of macrophages. α7nAChR-mediated signaling in macrophages reduces inflammatory cytokine secretion and modifies apoptosis, proliferation, and macrophage polarization, eventually reducing the systemic inflammatory response. A protective role of the CAP has been demonstrated in preclinical studies for multiple diseases including sepsis, metabolic disease, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, endometriosis, and potentially COVID-19, sparking interest in using bioelectronic and pharmacological approaches to target α7nAChRs for treating inflammatory conditions in patients. Despite a keen interest, many aspects of the cholinergic pathway are still unknown. α7nAChRs are expressed on many other subsets of immune cells that can affect the development of inflammation differently. There are also other sources of ACh that modify immune cell functions. How the interplay of ACh and α7nAChR on different cells and in various tissues contributes to the anti-inflammatory responses requires additional study. This review provides an update on basic and translational studies of the CAP in inflammatory diseases, the relevant pharmacology of α7nAChR-activated drugs and raises some questions that require further investigation.
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Peng W, Mao L, Dang X. The emergence of the uniquely human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene and its roles in inflammation. Gene 2022; 842:146777. [PMID: 35952843 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The uniquely human CHRFAM7A gene is evolved from the fusion of two partially duplicated genes, ULK4 and CHRNA7. Transcription of CHRFAM7A gene produces a 1256-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes duplicate α7-nAChR (dup-α7-nAChR), in which a 27-aminoacid peptide derived from ULK4 gene replaces the 146-aminoacid N-terminal extracellular domain of α7-nAChR, and the rest protein domains are exactly the same as those of α7-nAChR. In vitro, dup-α7-nAChR has been shown to form hetero-pentamer with α7-nAChR and dominant-negatively inhibits the channel functions of the latter. α7-nAChR has been shown to participate in many pathophysiological processes such as cognition, memory, neuronal degenerative disease, psychological disease, and inflammatory diseases, among others, and thus has been extensively exploited as potential therapeutic targets for many diseases. Unfortunately, many lead compounds that showed potent therapeutic effect in preclinical animal models failed clinical trials, suggesting the possibility that the contribution of the uniquely human CHRFAM7A gene may not be accounted for in the preclinical research. Here, we review the emergence of CHRFAM7A gene and its transcriptional regulation, the regulatory roles of CHRFAM7A gene in α7-nAChR-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, and the potential implications of CHRFAM7A gene in translational research and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanling Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, India
| | - Liang Mao
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, India
| | - Xitong Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, India; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
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11
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Schloss MJ, Hulsmans M, Rohde D, Lee IH, Severe N, Foy BH, Pulous FE, Zhang S, Kokkaliaris KD, Frodermann V, Courties G, Yang C, Iwamoto Y, Knudsen AS, McAlpine CS, Yamazoe M, Schmidt SP, Wojtkiewicz GR, Masson GS, Gustafsson K, Capen D, Brown D, Higgins JM, Scadden DT, Libby P, Swirski FK, Naxerova K, Nahrendorf M. B lymphocyte-derived acetylcholine limits steady-state and emergency hematopoiesis. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:605-618. [PMID: 35352063 PMCID: PMC8989652 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01165-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autonomic nerves control organ function through the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, which have opposite effects. In the bone marrow, sympathetic (adrenergic) nerves promote hematopoiesis; however, how parasympathetic (cholinergic) signals modulate hematopoiesis is unclear. Here, we show that B lymphocytes are an important source of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduced hematopoiesis. Single-cell RNA sequencing identified nine clusters of cells that expressed the cholinergic α7 nicotinic receptor (Chrna7) in the bone marrow stem cell niche, including endothelial and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Deletion of B cell-derived acetylcholine resulted in the differential expression of various genes, including Cxcl12 in leptin receptor+ (LepR+) stromal cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of acetylcholine signaling increased the systemic supply of inflammatory myeloid cells in mice and humans with cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian J Schloss
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maarten Hulsmans
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Rohde
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - I-Hsiu Lee
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicolas Severe
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brody H Foy
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fadi E Pulous
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Konstantinos D Kokkaliaris
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vanessa Frodermann
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriel Courties
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chongbo Yang
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yoshiko Iwamoto
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anders Steen Knudsen
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cameron S McAlpine
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Masahiro Yamazoe
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen P Schmidt
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregory R Wojtkiewicz
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gustavo Santos Masson
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karin Gustafsson
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Diane Capen
- Program in Membrane Biology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Brown
- Program in Membrane Biology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John M Higgins
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David T Scadden
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peter Libby
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Filip K Swirski
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kamila Naxerova
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthias Nahrendorf
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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12
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Pattanaik B, Hammarlund M, Mjörnstedt F, Ulleryd MA, Zhong W, Uhlén M, Gummesson A, Bergström G, Johansson ME. Polymorphisms in alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene, CHRNA7, and its partially duplicated gene, CHRFAM7A, associate with increased inflammatory response in human peripheral mononuclear cells. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22271. [PMID: 35344211 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101898r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The vagus nerve can, via the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), regulate inflammation. The gene coding for the α7nAChR, CHRNA7, can be partially duplicated, that is, CHRFAM7A, which is reported to impair the anti-inflammatory effect mediated via the α7nAChR. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been described in both CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A, however, the functional role of these SNPs for immune responses remains to be investigated. In the current study, we set out to investigate whether genetic variants of CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A can influence immune responses. By investigating data available from the Swedish SciLifeLab SCAPIS Wellness Profiling (S3WP) study, in combination with droplet digital PCR and freshly isolated PBMCs from the S3WP participants, challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we show that CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A are expressed in human PBMCs, with approximately four times higher expression of CHRFAM7A compared with CHRNA7. One SNP in CHRFAM7A, rs34007223, is positively associated with hsCRP in healthy individuals. Furthermore, gene ontology (GO)-terms analysis of plasma proteins associated with gene expression of CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A demonstrated an involvement for these genes in immune responses. This was further supported by in vitro data showing that several SNPs in both CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A are significantly associated with cytokine response. In conclusion, genetic variants of CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A alters cytokine responses. Furthermore, given that CHRFAM7A SNP rs34007223 is associated with inflammatory marker hsCRP in healthy individuals suggests that CHRFAM7A may have a more pronounced role in regulating inflammatory processes in humans than previously been recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bagmi Pattanaik
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Hammarlund
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Filip Mjörnstedt
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marcus A Ulleryd
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Wen Zhong
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Protein Science, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathias Uhlén
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Protein Science, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Gummesson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Göran Bergström
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria E Johansson
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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13
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Patel SB, Pietras EM. B cells regulate hematopoietic stem cells via cholinergic signaling. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:476-478. [PMID: 35347284 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01172-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sweta B Patel
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eric M Pietras
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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14
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Di Lascio S, Fornasari D, Benfante R. The Human-Restricted Isoform of the α7 nAChR, CHRFAM7A: A Double-Edged Sword in Neurological and Inflammatory Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073463. [PMID: 35408823 PMCID: PMC8998457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CHRFAM7A is a relatively recent and exclusively human gene arising from the partial duplication of exons 5 to 10 of the α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (α7 nAChR) encoding gene, CHRNA7. CHRNA7 is related to several disorders that involve cognitive deficits, including neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory disorders. In extra-neuronal tissues, α7nAChR plays an important role in proliferation, differentiation, migration, adhesion, cell contact, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and tumor progression, as well as in the modulation of the inflammatory response through the “cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway”. CHRFAM7A translates the dupα7 protein in a multitude of cell lines and heterologous systems, while maintaining processing and trafficking that are very similar to the full-length form. It does not form functional ion channel receptors alone. In the presence of CHRNA7 gene products, dupα7 can assemble and form heteromeric receptors that, in order to be functional, should include at least two α7 subunits to form the agonist binding site. When incorporated into the receptor, in vitro and in vivo data showed that dupα7 negatively modulated α7 activity, probably due to a reduction in the number of ACh binding sites. Very recent data in the literature report that the presence of the duplicated gene may be responsible for the translational gap in several human diseases. Here, we will review the studies that have been conducted on CHRFAM7A in different pathologies, with the intent of providing evidence regarding when and how the expression of this duplicated gene may be beneficial or detrimental in the pathogenesis, and eventually in the therapeutic response, to CHRNA7-related neurological and non-neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Di Lascio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
| | - Diego Fornasari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20845 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Roberta Benfante
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20845 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
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15
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Costantini TW, Coimbra R, Weaver JL, Eliceiri BP. Precision targeting of the vagal anti-inflammatory pathway attenuates the systemic inflammatory response to burn injury. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2022; 92:323-329. [PMID: 34789702 PMCID: PMC8792272 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000003470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) drives late morbidity and mortality after injury. The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAchR) expressed on immune cells regulates the vagal anti-inflammatory pathway that prevents an overwhelming SIRS response to injury. Nonspecific pharmacologic stimulation of the vagus nerve has been evaluated as a potential therapeutic to limit SIRS. Unfortunately, the results of clinical trials have been underwhelming. We hypothesized that directly targeting the α7nAchR would more precisely stimulate the vagal anti-inflammatory pathway on immune cells and decrease gut and lung injury after severe burn. METHODS C57BL/6 mice underwent 30% total body surface area steam burn. Mice were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of a selective agonist of the α7nAchR (AR-R17779) at 30 minutes postburn. Intestinal permeability to 4 kDa FITC-dextran was measured at multiple time points postinjury. Lung vascular permeability was measured 6 hours after burn injury. Serial behavioral assessments were performed to quantify activity levels. RESULTS Intestinal permeability peaked at 6 hours postburn. AR-R17779 decreased burn-induced intestinal permeability in a dose-dependent fashion (p < 0.001). There was no difference in gut permeability to 4 kDa FITC-dextran between sham and burn-injured animals treated with 5 mg/kg of AR-R17779. While burn injury increased lung permeability 10-fold, AR-R17779 prevented burn-induced lung permeability with no difference compared with sham (p < 0.01). Postinjury activity levels were significantly improved in burned animals treated with AR-R17779. CONCLUSION Directly stimulating the α7nAchR prevents burn-induced gut and lung injury. Directly targeting the α7nAChR that mediates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory response may be an improved strategy compared with nonspecific vagal agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd W. Costantini
- Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
| | - Raul Coimbra
- Comparative Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes Research Center, Riverside University Health System, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Riverside, CA
| | - Jessica L. Weaver
- Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
| | - Brian P. Eliceiri
- Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
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16
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Costantini TW, Coimbra R, Weaver JL, Eliceiri BP. CHRFAM7A expression in mice increases resiliency after injury. Inflamm Res 2022; 71:9-11. [PMID: 34792616 PMCID: PMC8758545 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-021-01519-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The CHRNA7 gene encodes the α-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAchR) that regulates anti-inflammatory responses to injury; however, only humans express a variant gene called CHRFAM7A that alters the function of α7nAChR; CHRFAM7A expression predominates in bone marrow and monocytes/macrophages where the CHRFAM7A/CHRNA7 ratio is highly variable between individuals. We have previously shown in transgenic mice that CHRFAM7A increased emergency myelopoiesis from the bone marrow and monocyte/macrophage expression in lungs. MATERIALS AND METHODS CHRFAM7A transgenic mice are compared to age- and gender-matched wild-type (WT) siblings. We utilized a model of sepsis using LPS injection to measure survival. Lung vascular permeability was measured after severe burn injury in WT vs. CHRFAM7A transgenic mice. Bone marrow CHRFAM7A expression was evaluated using adoptive transfer of CHRFAM7A transgenic bone marrow into WT mice. RESULTS Here, we demonstrate that CHRFAM7A expression results in an anti-inflammatory phenotype with an improved survival to LPS and decreased acute lung injury in a severe cutaneous burn model compared to WT. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the relative expression of CHRFAM7A may alter resiliency to injury and contribute to individual variability in the human systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) to injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd W. Costantini
- Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
| | - Raul Coimbra
- Comparative Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes Research Center, Riverside University Health System, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Riverside, CA
| | - Jessica L. Weaver
- Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
| | - Brian P. Eliceiri
- Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
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The Regulation Effect of α7nAChRs and M1AChRs on Inflammation and Immunity in Sepsis. Mediators Inflamm 2021; 2021:9059601. [PMID: 34776789 PMCID: PMC8580654 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9059601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory storm in the early stage and immunosuppression in the late stage are responsible for the high mortality rates and multiple organ dysfunction in sepsis. In recent years, studies have found that the body's cholinergic system can spontaneously and dynamically regulate inflammation and immunity in sepsis according to the needs of the body. Firstly, the vagus nerve senses and regulates local or systemic inflammation by means of the Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathway (CAP) and activation of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs); thus, α7nAChRs play important roles for the central nervous system (CNS) to modulate peripheral inflammation; secondly, the activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors 1 (M1AChRs) in the forebrain can affect the neurons of the Medullary Visceral Zone (MVZ), the core of CAP, to regulate systemic inflammation and immunity. Based on the critical role of these two cholinergic receptor systems in sepsis, it is necessary to collect and analyze the related findings in recent years to provide ideas for further research studies and clinical applications. By consulting the related literature, we draw some conclusions: MVZ is the primary center for the nervous system to regulate inflammation and immunity. It coordinates not only the sympathetic system and vagus system but also the autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine system to regulate inflammation and immunity; α7nAChRs are widely expressed in immune cells, neurons, and muscle cells; the activation of α7nAChRs can suppress local and systemic inflammation; the expression of α7nAChRs represents the acute or chronic inflammatory state to a certain extent; M1AChRs are mainly expressed in the advanced centers of the brain and regulate systemic inflammation; neuroinflammation of the MVZ, hypothalamus, and forebrain induced by sepsis not only leads to their dysfunctions but also underlies the regulatory dysfunction on systemic inflammation and immunity. Correcting the neuroinflammation of these regulatory centers and adjusting the function of α7nAChRs and M1AChRs may be two key strategies for the treatment of sepsis in the future.
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18
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Pseudogenes and their potential functions in hematopoiesis. Exp Hematol 2021; 103:24-29. [PMID: 34517065 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Pseudogenes are DNA regions comprising defective copies of functional genes, the majority of which were generated by RNA- or DNA-level duplications. They exist across almost all forms of life and account for about one-quarter of the annotated genes in the human genome. Although these have been considered nonfunctional for decades, a growing number of pseudogenes have been found to be transcribed and to play crucial regulatory roles. Accumulating evidence indicates that they regulate gene expression through molecular interactions at the protein, RNA, and DNA levels. However, pseudogenes are often excluded in multiple genomewide analyses and functional screening, and their biological activities remain to be systematically disclosed. Here, we summarize the features of and progress of research on pseudogenes, in addition to discussing what is unknown about these genetic elements. Our previous findings, together with evidence of their poor conservation, prompted us to propose that pseudogenes may contribute to primate- or human-specific regulation, especially in hematopoiesis.
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19
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Liu D, de Souza JV, Ahmad A, Bronowska AK. Structure, Dynamics, and Ligand Recognition of Human-Specific CHRFAM7A (Dupα7) Nicotinic Receptor Linked to Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5466. [PMID: 34067314 PMCID: PMC8196834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic α7 nicotinic receptors encoded by the CHRNA7 gene are ligand-gated ion channels directly related to memory and immunomodulation. Exons 5-7 in CHRNA7 can be duplicated and fused to exons A-E of FAR7a, resulting in a hybrid gene known as CHRFAM7A, unique to humans. Its product, denoted herein as Dupα7, is a truncated subunit where the N-terminal 146 residues of the ligand binding domain of the α7 receptor have been replaced by 27 residues from FAM7. Dupα7 negatively affects the functioning of α7 receptors associated with neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's diseases and schizophrenia. However, the stoichiometry for the α7 nicotinic receptor containing dupα7 monomers remains unknown. In this work, we developed computational models of all possible combinations of wild-type α7 and dupα7 pentamers and evaluated their stability via atomistic molecular dynamics and coarse-grain simulations. We assessed the effect of dupα7 subunits on the Ca2+ conductance using free energy calculations. We showed that receptors comprising of four or more dupα7 subunits are not stable enough to constitute a functional ion channel. We also showed that models with dupα7/α7 interfaces are more stable and are less detrimental for the ion conductance in comparison to dupα7/dupα7 interfaces. Based on these models, we used protein-protein docking to evaluate how such interfaces would interact with an antagonist, α-bungarotoxin, and amyloid Aβ42. Our findings show that the optimal stoichiometry of dupα7/α7 functional pentamers should be no more than three dupα7 monomers, in favour of a dupα7/α7 interface in comparison to a homodimer dupα7/dupα7 interface. We also showed that receptors bearing dupα7 subunits are less sensitive to Aβ42 effects, which may shed light on the translational gap reported for strategies focused on nicotinic receptors in 'Alzheimer's disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danlin Liu
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK; (D.L.); (J.V.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - João V. de Souza
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK; (D.L.); (J.V.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Ayaz Ahmad
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK; (D.L.); (J.V.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Agnieszka K. Bronowska
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK; (D.L.); (J.V.d.S.); (A.A.)
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK
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Benfante R, Di Lascio S, Cardani S, Fornasari D. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors targeting the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway: a new therapeutic perspective in aging-related disorders. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:823-834. [PMID: 31583530 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01359-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation and cholinergic dysfunction, leading to cognitive impairment, are hallmarks of aging and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI), the symptomatic therapy in AD, attenuate and delay the cognitive deficit by enhancing cholinergic synapses. The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor has shown a double-edged sword feature, as it binds with high affinity Aβ1-42, promoting intracellular accumulation and Aβ-induced tau phosphorylation, but also exerts neuroprotection by stimulating anti-apoptotic pathways. Moreover, it mediates peripheral and central anti-inflammatory response, being the effector player of the activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAIP), that, by decreasing the release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, it may have a role in improving cognition. The finding in preclinical models that, in addition to their major function (choline esterase inhibition) AChEIs have neuroprotective properties mediated via α7nAChR and modulate innate immunity, possibly as a result of the increased availability of acetylcholine activating the CAIP, pave the way for new pharmacological intervention in AD and other neurological disorders that are characterized by neuroinflammation. CHRFAM7A is a human-specific gene acting as a dominant negative inhibitor of α7nAChR function, also suggesting a role in affecting human cognition and memory by altering α7nAChR activities in the central nervous system (CNS). This review will summarize the current knowledge on the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in aging-related disorders, and will argue that the presence of the human-restricted CHRFAM7A gene might play a fundamental role in the regulation of CAIP and in the response to AChEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Benfante
- CNR-Neuroscience Institute, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129, Milan, Italy.
- Dept. Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129, Milan, Italy.
| | - Simona Di Lascio
- Dept. Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Cardani
- Dept. Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Fornasari
- CNR-Neuroscience Institute, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129, Milan, Italy
- Dept. Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129, Milan, Italy
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Inflammageing in the cardiovascular system: mechanisms, emerging targets, and novel therapeutic strategies. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 134:2243-2262. [PMID: 32880386 DOI: 10.1042/cs20191213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the elderly population, pathological inflammation has been associated with ageing-associated diseases. The term 'inflammageing', which was used for the first time by Franceschi and co-workers in 2000, is associated with the chronic, low-grade, subclinical inflammatory processes coupled to biological ageing. The source of these inflammatory processes is debated. The senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) has been proposed as the main origin of inflammageing. The SASP is characterised by the release of inflammatory cytokines, elevated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, altered regulation of acetylcholine (ACh) nicotinic receptors, and abnormal NAD+ metabolism. Therefore, SASP may be 'druggable' by small molecule therapeutics targeting those emerging molecular targets. It has been shown that inflammageing is a hallmark of various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and adverse cardiac remodelling. Therefore, the pathomechanism involving SASP activation via the NLRP3 inflammasome; modulation of NLRP3 via α7 nicotinic ACh receptors; and modulation by senolytics targeting other proteins have gained a lot of interest within cardiovascular research and drug development communities. In this review, which offers a unique view from both clinical and preclinical target-based drug discovery perspectives, we have focused on cardiovascular inflammageing and its molecular mechanisms. We have outlined the mechanistic links between inflammageing, SASP, interleukin (IL)-1β, NLRP3 inflammasome, nicotinic ACh receptors, and molecular targets of senolytic drugs in the context of cardiovascular diseases. We have addressed the 'druggability' of NLRP3 and nicotinic α7 receptors by small molecules, as these proteins represent novel and exciting targets for therapeutic interventions targeting inflammageing in the cardiovascular system and beyond.
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Ma Y, Liu S, Gao J, Chen C, Zhang X, Yuan H, Chen Z, Yin X, Sun C, Mao Y, Zhou F, Shao Y, Liu Q, Xu J, Cheng L, Yu D, Li P, Yi P, He J, Geng G, Guo Q, Si Y, Zhao H, Li H, Banes GL, Liu H, Nakamura Y, Kurita R, Huang Y, Wang X, Wang F, Fang G, Engel JD, Shi L, Zhang YE, Yu J. Genome-wide analysis of pseudogenes reveals HBBP1's human-specific essentiality in erythropoiesis and implication in β-thalassemia. Dev Cell 2021; 56:478-493.e11. [PMID: 33476555 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The human genome harbors 14,000 duplicated or retroposed pseudogenes. Given their functionality as regulatory RNAs and low conservation, we hypothesized that pseudogenes could shape human-specific phenotypes. To test this, we performed co-expression analyses and found that pseudogene exhibited tissue-specific expression, especially in the bone marrow. By incorporating genetic data, we identified a bone-marrow-specific duplicated pseudogene, HBBP1 (η-globin), which has been implicated in β-thalassemia. Extensive functional assays demonstrated that HBBP1 is essential for erythropoiesis by binding the RNA-binding protein (RBP), HNRNPA1, to upregulate TAL1, a key regulator of erythropoiesis. The HBBP1/TAL1 interaction contributes to a milder symptom in β-thalassemia patients. Comparative studies further indicated that the HBBP1/TAL1 interaction is human-specific. Genome-wide analyses showed that duplicated pseudogenes are often bound by RBPs and less commonly bound by microRNAs compared with retropseudogenes. Taken together, we not only demonstrate that pseudogenes can drive human evolution but also provide insights on their functional landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China.
| | - Siqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Chunyan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology & Medical Molecular Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhongyang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xiaolin Yin
- 923rd Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Chenguang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yanan Mao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fanqi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yi Shao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Jiayue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Li Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China
| | - Daqi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Pingping Li
- 923rd Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Ping Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (General Hospital), Chongqing 401120, China
| | - Jiahuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Guangfeng Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Qing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Yanmin Si
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Hualu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Haipeng Li
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Graham L Banes
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1220 Capitol Court, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - He Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Captive Wildlife Technology, Beijing Zoo, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Department of Research and Development, Central Blood Institute, Japanese Red Cross Society, Tokyo 105-8521, Japan
| | - Yue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Gang Fang
- NYU Shanghai, 1555 Century Avenue, Shanghai 20012, China; Department of Biology, 1009 Silver Center, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA; School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - James Douglas Engel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Lihong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.
| | - Yong E Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Jia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.
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Cao X, Wang Y, Gao L. CHRFAM7A Overexpression Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Inhibiting Microglia Pyroptosis Mediated by the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway. Inflammation 2021; 44:1023-1034. [PMID: 33405023 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-020-01398-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is an inflammation-related disease. CHRFAM7A can regulate inflammatory responses. Therefore, the present study investigated the mechanism of CHRFAM7A in cerebral I/R injury. CHRFAM7A expression and inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with cerebral I/R injury and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-treated microglia were detected. The proliferation, inflammatory cytokine expressions, nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) level, cell pyroptosis, and viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in OGD/R-treated microglia were detected after CHRFAM7A overexpression. The NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway was activated to assess the effect of CHRFAM7A on microglia. Expressions of microglial M1 phenotype marker iNOS and M2 marker Arg1 were detected. Downregulated CHRFAM7A and elevated inflammatory cytokine levels were observed in patients with cerebral I/R injury and OGD/R-treated microglia. In OGD/R-treated microglia, CHRFAM7A overexpression promoted cell proliferation and viability, reduced inflammation and LDH activity, and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cell pyroptosis. Mechanically, CHRFAM7A inhibited microglia pyroptosis via inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway and reduced cell inflammatory injury via promoting microglia polarization from M1 to M2. Overall, CHRFAM7A overexpression attenuated cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting microglia pyroptosis in a NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway-dependent manner and promoting microglia polarization to M2 phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyuan Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 301 Yanchangzhong Road, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Yida Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 301 Yanchangzhong Road, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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Ihnatovych I, Birkaya B, Notari E, Szigeti K. iPSC-Derived Microglia for Modeling Human-Specific DAMP and PAMP Responses in the Context of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249668. [PMID: 33352944 PMCID: PMC7765962 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been the focus for identifying targetable pathways for drug development. The role of amyloid beta (Aβ), a prototype of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), has been implicated in triggering an inflammatory response. As alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) binds Aβ with high affinity, α7 nAChR may play a role in Aβ-induced neuroinflammation. The conundrum of how α7 nAChR as the mediator of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory response may trigger an inflammatory response has not been resolved. CHRFAM7A, the uniquely human fusion gene between ULK4 and CHRNA7, is a negative regulator of α7 nAChR ionotropic function. To provide the human context, isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines were developed from CHRFAM7A null and carrier individuals by genome-editing the null line using TALENs to knock-in CHRFAM7A. In iPSC-derived microglia-like cells, CHRFAM7A mitigated Aβ uptake through the α7 nAChR. Despite the lower Aβ uptake, the presence of CHRFAM7A was associated with an innate immune response that was characterized by NF-κB activation and NF-κB target transcription (TNFA, IL6, and IL1B). LPS, a prototype PAMP, induced a heightened immune response in CHRFAM7A carriers. CHRFAM7A modified the dynamics of NF-κB translocation by prolonging its nuclear presence. CHRFAM7A modified the α7 nAChR metabotropic function, resulting in a human-specific innate immune response. This iPSC model provided an opportunity to elucidate the mechanism and establish high throughput screens.
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Courties A, Do A, Leite S, Legris M, Sudre L, Pigenet A, Petit J, Nourissat G, Cambon-Binder A, Maskos U, Berenbaum F, Sellam J. The Role of the Non-neuronal Cholinergic System in Inflammation and Degradation Processes in Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2020; 72:2072-2082. [PMID: 32638534 DOI: 10.1002/art.41429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The non-neuronal cholinergic system represents non-neuronal cells that have the biochemical machinery to synthetize de novo and/or respond to acetylcholine (ACh). We undertook this study to investigate this biochemical machinery in chondrocytes and its involvement in osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS Expression of the biochemical machinery for ACh metabolism and nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChR), particularly α7-nAChR, in human OA and murine chondrocytes was determined by polymerase chain reaction and ligand-binding. We investigated the messenger RNA expression of the human duplicate α7-nACh subunit, called CHRFAM7A, which is responsible for truncated α7-nAChR. We assessed the effect of nAChR on chondrocytes activated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and the involvement of α7-nAChR using chondrocytes from wild-type (WT) and α7-deficient Chrna7-/- mice. The role of α7-nAChR in OA was explored after medial meniscectomy in WT and Chrna7-/- mice. RESULTS Human and murine chondrocytes express the biochemical partners of the non-neuronal cholinergic system and a functional α7-nAChR at their cell surface (n = 5 experiments with 5 samples each). The expression of CHRFAM7A in human OA chondrocytes (n = 23 samples) correlated positively with matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) (r = 0.38, P < 0.05) and MMP-13 (r = 0.48, P < 0.05) expression. Nicotine decreased the IL-1β-induced IL-6 and MMP expression, in a dose-dependent manner, in WT chondrocytes but not in Chrna7-/- chondrocytes. Chrna7-/- mice that underwent meniscectomy (n = 7) displayed more severe OA cartilage damage (mean ± SD Osteoarthritis Research Society International [OARSI] score 4.46 ± 1.09) compared to WT mice that underwent meniscectomy (n = 9) (mean ± SD OARSI score 3.05 ± 0.9; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The non-neuronal cholinergic system is functionally expressed in chondrocytes. Stimulation of nAChR induces antiinflammatory and anticatabolic activity through α7-nAChR, but the anticatabolic activity may be mitigated by truncated α7-nAChR in human chondrocytes. In vivo experiments strongly suggest that α7-nAChR has a protective role in OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Courties
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Ariane Do
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Sarah Leite
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Manon Legris
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Laure Sudre
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Pigenet
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Petit
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Geoffroy Nourissat
- 2INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Clinique Maussins, Groupe Ramsay Générale de Santé, Paris, France
| | - Adeline Cambon-Binder
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Uwe Maskos
- Institut Pasteur, Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Francis Berenbaum
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Jérémie Sellam
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
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26
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Li T, Chen W, Zhang Q, Deng C. Human-specific gene CHRFAM7A mediates M2 macrophage polarization via the Notch pathway to ameliorate hypertrophic scar formation. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 131:110611. [PMID: 32890966 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophic scars often cause great pain to patients. It is generally believed that anti-inflammatory scar therapies are the best strategies for treatment because excessive inflammation is observed in hypertrophic scar tissue. However, the results of such treatment are unsatisfactory. In recent studies, immune stimulatory therapies have been suggested to be a preferable method for ameliorating hypertrophic scars. In this study, the expression of the human-specific gene CHRFAM7A, which has been reported to be a promoter of inflammation, was found to be lower in human hypertrophic scars than in normotrophic scars. The CHRFAM7A gene was overexpressed in a hypertrophic scar mouse model using a lentivirus system. Scar fibrosis decreased in the CHRFAM7A transfection group compared to the control group, and the proportion of M2 macrophages decreased at 4 and 8 weeks after establishing the model. We also found that CHRFAM7A increased the activation of the Notch pathway, which eventually attenuated M2 polarization. In the CHRFAM7A-transfected hypertrophic scar mouse group, the number of M1 macrophages increased dramatically in the initial period. Moreover, the expression of the inflammatory gene TNFα was also increased in transfected mice. Our results demonstrate that CHRFAM7A can effectively ameliorate hypertrophic scar formation via regulation of macrophage phenotypic transition. CHRFAM7A might be a therapeutic target for hypertrophic scars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianya Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, China.
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, China.
| | - Qun Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, China.
| | - Chenliang Deng
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
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27
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Chan TW, Langness S, Cohen O, Eliceiri BP, Baird A, Costantini TW. CHRFAM7A reduces monocyte/macrophage migration and colony formation in vitro. Inflamm Res 2020; 69:631-633. [PMID: 32303780 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-020-01349-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN CHRFAM7A is a unique human gene that encodes a dominant negative inhibitor of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. We have recently shown that CHRFAM7A is expressed in human leukocytes, increases cel-cell adhesion, and regulates the expression of genes associated with leukocyte migration. MATERIAL Human THP-1, RAW264.7 and HEK293 cells. METHODS Cell migration, cell proliferation and colony formation in soft agar to compare the biological activity of vector vs. CHRFAM7A-transduced cells. RESULTS We show that gene delivery of CHRFAM7A into the THP-1 human monocytic cell line reduces cell migration, reduces chemotaxis to monocyte chemoattractant protein, and reduces colony formation in soft agar. CONCLUSION Taken together, the findings demonstrate that CHRFAM7A regulates the biological activity of monocytes/macrophages to migrate and undergo anchorage-independent growth in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa W Chan
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 200 W. Arbor Drive #8896, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Simone Langness
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 200 W. Arbor Drive #8896, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Olga Cohen
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 200 W. Arbor Drive #8896, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Brian P Eliceiri
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 200 W. Arbor Drive #8896, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Andrew Baird
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 200 W. Arbor Drive #8896, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Todd W Costantini
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 200 W. Arbor Drive #8896, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA.
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Toma W, Ulker E, Alqasem M, AlSharari SD, McIntosh JM, Damaj MI. Behavioral and Molecular Basis of Cholinergic Modulation of Pain: Focus on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2020; 45:153-166. [PMID: 32468494 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for pain and inflammatory disorders. In particular, α4β2∗, α7, and α9α10 nAChR subtypes have been investigated as potential targets to treat pain. The nAChRs are distributed on the pain transmission pathways, including central and peripheral nervous systems and immune cells as well. Several agonists for α4β2∗ nAChR subtypes have been investigated in multiple animal pain models with promising results. However, studies in human indicated a narrow therapeutic window for α4β2∗ agonists. Furthermore, animal studies suggest that using agonists for α7 nAChR subtype and antagonists for α9α10 nAChR subtypes are potential novel therapies for chronic pain management, including inflammatory and neuropathic pain. More recently, alternative nAChRs ligands such as positive allosteric modulators and silent agonists have shown potential to develop into new treatments for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisam Toma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Esad Ulker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mashael Alqasem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shakir D AlSharari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - J Michael McIntosh
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Jiang Y, Yuan H, Huang L, Hou X, Zhou R, Dang X. Global proteomic profiling of the uniquely human CHRFAM7A gene in transgenic mouse brain. Gene 2019; 714:143996. [PMID: 31348980 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.143996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The uniquely human α7-nAChR gene (CHRFAM7A) is evolved from the fusion of two partially duplicated genes, FAM7 and α7-nAChR gene (CHRNA7), and is inserted on same chromosome 15, 5' end of the CHRNA7 gene. Transcription of CHRFAM7A gene produces a 1256-bp open reading frame encoding dup-α7-nAChR, where a 27-aminoacid residues from FAM7 replaced the 146-aminoacid residues of the N-terminal extracellular ligand binding domain of α7-nAChR. In vitro, dup-α7-nAChR has been shown to form hetero-pentamer with α7-nAChR and dominant-negatively regulates the channel functions of α7-nAChR. However, the contribution of CHRFAM7A gene to the biology of α7-nAChR in the brain in vivo remains largely a matter of conjecture. CHRFAM7A transgenic mouse was created and differentially expressed proteins were profiled from the whole brain using iTRAQ-2D-LC-MS/MS proteomic technology. Proteins with a fold change of ≥1.2 or ≤0.83 and p < 0.05 were considered to be significant. Bioinformatics analysis showed that over-expression of the CHRFAM7A gene significantly modulated the proteins commonly involved in the signaling pathways of α7-nAChR-mediated neuropsychiatric disorders including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and alcoholism, suggesting that the CHRFAM7A gene contributes to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders mostly likely through fine-tuning the functions of α7-nAChR in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Lab of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000,China
| | - Haiyang Yuan
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Lab of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000,China
| | - Li Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Lab of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000,China
| | - Xiaojie Hou
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Lab of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000,China
| | - Xitong Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Lab of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000,China; Division of Vascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
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