c-Ski acts as a transcriptional co-repressor in transforming growth factor-beta signaling through interaction with smads

Repression of SMAD3 by STAT3 and c-Ski induces conventional dendritic cell differentiation

A pleiotropic immunoregulatory cytokine, TGF-β, signals via the receptor-regulated SMADs: SMAD2 and SMAD3, which are constitutively expressed in normal cells. Here, we show that selective repression of SMAD3 induces cDC differentiation from the CD115+ common DC progenitor (CDP). SMAD3 was expressed in haematopoietic cells including the macrophage DC progenitor. However, SMAD3 was specifically down-regulated in CD115+ CDPs, SiglecH- pre-DCs, and cDCs, whereas SMAD2 remained constitutive. SMAD3-deficient mice showed a significant increase in cDCs, SiglecH- pre-DCs, and CD115+ CDPs compared with the littermate control. SMAD3 repressed the mRNA expression of FLT3 and the cDC-related genes: IRF4 and ID2. We found that one of the SMAD transcriptional corepressors, c-SKI, cooperated with phosphorylated STAT3 at Y705 and S727 to repress the transcription of SMAD3 to induce cDC differentiation. These data indicate that STAT3 and c-Ski induce cDC differentiation by repressing SMAD3: the repressor of the cDC-related genes during the developmental stage between the macrophage DC progenitor and CD115+ CDP.

Receptor-activated transcription factors and beyond: multiple modes of Smad2/3-dependent transmission of TGF-β signaling

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is widely distributed throughout the body. Its receptor proteins, TGF-β type I and type II receptors, are also ubiquitously expressed. Therefore, the regulation of various signaling outputs in a context-dependent manner is a critical issue in this field. Smad proteins were originally identified as signal-activated transcription factors similar to signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins. Smads are activated by serine phosphorylation mediated by intrinsic receptor dual specificity kinases of the TGF-β family, indicating that Smads are receptor-restricted effector molecules downstream of ligands of the TGF-β family. Smad proteins have other functions in addition to transcriptional regulation, including post-transcriptional regulation of micro-RNA processing, pre-mRNA splicing, and m6A methylation. Recent technical advances have identified a novel landscape of Smad-dependent signal transduction, including regulation of mitochondrial function without involving regulation of gene expression. Therefore, Smad proteins are receptor-activated transcription factors and also act as intracellular signaling modulators with multiple modes of function. In this review, we discuss the role of Smad proteins as receptor-activated transcription factors and beyond. We also describe the functional differences between Smad2 and Smad3, two receptor-activated Smad proteins downstream of TGF-β, activin, myostatin, growth and differentiation factor (GDF) 11, and Nodal.

TGF-β signaling in health, disease, and therapeutics

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a multifunctional cytokine expressed by almost every tissue and cell type. The signal transduction of TGF-β can stimulate diverse cellular responses and is particularly critical to embryonic development, wound healing, tissue homeostasis, and immune homeostasis in health. The dysfunction of TGF-β can play key roles in many diseases, and numerous targeted therapies have been developed to rectify its pathogenic activity. In the past decades, a large number of studies on TGF-β signaling have been carried out, covering a broad spectrum of topics in health, disease, and therapeutics. Thus, a comprehensive overview of TGF-β signaling is required for a general picture of the studies in this field. In this review, we retrace the research history of TGF-β and introduce the molecular mechanisms regarding its biosynthesis, activation, and signal transduction. We also provide deep insights into the functions of TGF-β signaling in physiological conditions as well as in pathological processes. TGF-β-targeting therapies which have brought fresh hope to the treatment of relevant diseases are highlighted. Through the summary of previous knowledge and recent updates, this review aims to provide a systematic understanding of TGF-β signaling and to attract more attention and interest to this research area.

SMAD Proteins in TGF-β Signalling Pathway in Cancer: Regulatory Mechanisms and Clinical Applications

Suppressor of mother against decapentaplegic (SMAD) family proteins are central to one of the most versatile cytokine signalling pathways in metazoan biology, the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway. The TGF-β pathway is widely known for its dual role in cancer progression as both an inhibitor of tumour cell growth and an inducer of tumour metastasis. This is mainly mediated through SMAD proteins and their cofactors or regulators. SMAD proteins act as transcription factors, regulating the transcription of a wide range of genes, and their rich post-translational modifications are influenced by a variety of regulators and cofactors. The complex role, mechanisms, and important functions of SMAD proteins in tumours are the hot topics in current oncology research. In this paper, we summarize the recent progress on the effects and mechanisms of SMAD proteins on tumour development, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, and provide clues for subsequent research on SMAD proteins in tumours.

Imatinib blocks tyrosine phosphorylation of Smad4 and restores TGF-β growth-suppressive signaling in BCR-ABL1-positive leukemia

Loss of TGF-β-mediated growth suppression is a major contributor to the development of cancers, best exemplified by loss-of-function mutations in genes encoding components of the TGF-β signaling pathway in colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Alternatively, gain-of-function oncogene mutations can also disrupt antiproliferative TGF-β signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying oncogene-induced modulation of TGF-β signaling have not been extensively investigated. Here, we show that the oncogenic BCR-ABL1 of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and the cellular ABL1 tyrosine kinases phosphorylate and inactivate Smad4 to block antiproliferative TGF-β signaling. Mechanistically, phosphorylation of Smad4 at Tyr195, Tyr301, and Tyr322 in the linker region interferes with its binding to the transcription co-activator p300/CBP, thereby blocking the ability of Smad4 to activate the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors and induce cell cycle arrest. In contrast, the inhibition of BCR-ABL1 kinase with Imatinib prevented Smad4 tyrosine phosphorylation and re-sensitized CML cells to TGF-β-induced antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic responses. Furthermore, expression of phosphorylation-site-mutated Y195F/Y301F/Y322F mutant of Smad4 in Smad4-null CML cells enhanced antiproliferative responses to TGF-β, whereas the phosphorylation-mimicking Y195E/Y301E/Y322E mutant interfered with TGF-β signaling and enhanced the in vivo growth of CML cells. These findings demonstrate the direct role of BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase in suppressing TGF-β signaling in CML and explain how Imatinib-targeted therapy restored beneficial TGF-β anti-growth responses.

SKOR1 mediates FER kinase-dependent invasive growth of breast cancer cells

High expression of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase FER is an independent prognostic factor that correlates with poor survival in breast cancer patients. To investigate whether the kinase activity of FER is essential for its oncogenic properties, we developed an ATP analogue-sensitive knock-in allele (FERASKI). Specific FER kinase inhibition in MDA-MB-231 cells reduces migration and invasion, as well as metastasis when xenografted into a mouse model of breast cancer. Using the FERASKI system, we identified Ski family transcriptional corepressor 1 (SKOR1) as a direct FER kinase substrate. SKOR1 loss phenocopies FER inhibition, leading to impaired proliferation, migration and invasion, and inhibition of breast cancer growth and metastasis formation in mice. We show that SKOR1 Y234, a candidate FER phosphorylation site, is essential for FER-dependent tumor progression. Finally, our work suggests that the SKOR1 Y234 residue promotes Smad2/3 signaling through SKOR1 binding to Smad3. Our study thus identifies SKOR1 as a mediator of FER-dependent progression of high-risk breast cancers.

The TFEB-TGIF1 axis regulates EMT in mouse epicardial cells

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex and pivotal process involved in organogenesis and is related to several pathological processes, including cancer and fibrosis. During heart development, EMT mediates the conversion of epicardial cells into vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiac interstitial fibroblasts. Here, we show that the oncogenic transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a key regulator of EMT in epicardial cells and that its genetic overexpression in mouse epicardium is lethal due to heart defects linked to impaired EMT. TFEB specifically orchestrates the EMT-promoting function of transforming growth factor (TGF) β, and this effect results from activated transcription of thymine-guanine-interacting factor (TGIF)1, a TGFβ/Smad pathway repressor. The Tgif1 promoter is activated by TFEB, and in vitro and in vivo findings demonstrate its increased expression when Tfeb is overexpressed. Furthermore, Tfeb overexpression in vitro prevents TGFβ-induced EMT, and this effect is abolished by Tgif1 silencing. Tfeb loss of function, similar to that of Tgif1, sensitizes cells to TGFβ, inducing an EMT response to low doses of TGFβ. Together, our findings reveal an unexpected function of TFEB in regulating EMT, which might provide insights into injured heart repair and control of cancer progression.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process involved in organogenesis. Here, the authors show that the transcription factor EB (TFEB) regulates EMT in epicardium during heart development by tuning sensitivity to TGFβ signaling.

Longitudinal genome-wide DNA methylation changes in response to kidney failure replacement therapy

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging public health priority associated with high mortality rates and demanding treatment regimens, including life-style changes, medications or even dialysis or renal transplantation. Unavoidably, the uremic milieu disturbs homeostatic processes such as DNA methylation and other vital gene regulatory mechanisms. Here, we aimed to investigate how dialysis or kidney transplantation modifies the epigenome-wide methylation signature over 12 months of treatment. We used the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip on whole blood samples from CKD-patients undergoing either dialysis (n = 11) or kidney transplantation (n = 12) and 24 age- and sex-matched population-based controls. At baseline, comparison between patients and controls identified several significant (P_FDR < 0.01) CpG methylation differences in genes with functions relevant to inflammation, cellular ageing and vascular calcification. Following 12 months, the global DNA methylation pattern of patients approached that seen in the control group. Notably, 413 CpG sites remained differentially methylated at follow-up in both treatment groups compared to controls. Together, these data indicate that the uremic milieu drives genome-wide methylation changes that are partially reversed with kidney failure replacement therapy. Differentially methylated CpG sites unaffected by treatment may be of particular interest as they could highlight candidate genes for kidney disease per se.

The TGF-β/HDAC7 axis suppresses TCA cycle metabolism in renal cancer

Mounting evidence points to alterations in mitochondrial metabolism in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the mechanisms that regulate the TCA cycle in RCC remain uncharacterized. Here, we demonstrate that loss of TCA cycle enzyme expression is retained in RCC metastatic tissues. Moreover, proteomic analysis demonstrates that reduced TCA cycle enzyme expression is far more pronounced in RCC relative to other tumor types. Loss of TCA cycle enzyme expression is correlated with reduced expression of the transcription factor PGC-1α, which is also lost in RCC tissues. PGC-1α reexpression in RCC cells restores the expression of TCA cycle enzymes in vitro and in vivo and leads to enhanced glucose carbon incorporation into TCA cycle intermediates. Mechanistically, TGF-β signaling, in concert with histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7), suppresses TCA cycle enzyme expression. Our studies show that pharmacologic inhibition of TGF-β restores the expression of TCA cycle enzymes and suppresses tumor growth in an orthotopic model of RCC. Taken together, this investigation reveals a potentially novel role for the TGF-β/HDAC7 axis in global suppression of TCA cycle enzymes in RCC and provides insight into the molecular basis of altered mitochondrial metabolism in this malignancy.

Arkadia-SKI/SnoN signaling differentially regulates TGF-β-induced iTreg and Th17 cell differentiation

TGF-β signaling is fundamental for both Th17 and regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation. However, these cells differ in requirements for downstream signaling components, such as SMAD effectors. To further characterize mechanisms that distinguish TGF-β signaling requirements for Th17 and Treg cell differentiation, we investigated the role of Arkadia (RNF111), an E3 ubiquitin ligase that mediates TGF-β signaling during development. Inactivation of Arkadia in CD4⁺ T cells resulted in impaired Treg cell differentiation in vitro and loss of RORγt⁺FOXP3⁺ iTreg cells in the intestinal lamina propria, which increased susceptibility to microbiota-induced mucosal inflammation. In contrast, Arkadia was dispensable for Th17 cell responses. Furthermore, genetic ablation of two Arkadia substrates, the transcriptional corepressors SKI and SnoN, rescued Arkadia-deficient iTreg cell differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. These results reveal distinct TGF-β signaling modules governing Th17 and iTreg cell differentiation programs that could be targeted to selectively modulate T cell functions.

The SKI proto-oncogene restrains the resident CD103+CD8+ T cell response in viral clearance

Acute viral infection causes illness and death. In addition, an infection often results in increased susceptibility to a secondary infection, but the mechanisms behind this susceptibility are poorly understood. Since its initial identification as a marker for resident memory CD8⁺ T cells in barrier tissues, the function and regulation of CD103 integrin (encoded by ITGAE gene) have been extensively investigated. Nonetheless, the function and regulation of the resident CD103⁺CD8⁺ T cell response to acute viral infection remain unclear. Although TGFβ signaling is essential for CD103 expression, the precise molecular mechanism behind this regulation is elusive. Here, we reveal a TGFβ-SKI-Smad4 pathway that critically and specifically directs resident CD103⁺CD8⁺ T cell generation for protective immunity against primary and secondary viral infection. We found that resident CD103⁺CD8⁺ T cells are abundant in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues from uninfected mice. CD103 acts as a costimulation signal to produce an optimal antigenic CD8⁺ T cell response to acute viral infection. There is a reduction in resident CD103⁺CD8⁺ T cells following primary infection that results in increased susceptibility of the host to secondary infection. Intriguingly, CD103 expression inversely and specifically correlates with SKI proto-oncogene (SKI) expression but not R-Smad2/3 activation. Ectopic expression of SKI restricts CD103 expression in CD8⁺ T cells in vitro and in vivo to hamper viral clearance. Mechanistically, SKI is recruited to the Itgae loci to directly suppress CD103 transcription by regulating histone acetylation in a Smad4-dependent manner. Our study therefore reveals that resident CD103⁺CD8⁺ T cells dictate protective immunity during primary and secondary infection. Interfering with SKI function may amplify the resident CD103⁺CD8⁺ T cell response to promote protective immunity.

Decreased phosphorylation facilitates the degradation of the endogenous protective molecule c-Ski in vascular smooth muscle cells

The dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is critical for atherosclerosis (AS) progression. Autophagy is indispensable during phenotypic switching and proliferation of VSMCs, contribute to AS development. Cellular Sloan-Kettering Institute (c-Ski), the repressor of TGF-β signaling, is involved in diverse physiological and pathological processes. We previously defined c-Ski also as an endogenous protective molecule against AS via inhibiting abnormal proliferation and autophagy of VSMCs. However, the endogenous level of c-Ski in VSMCs is markedly decreased during the progression of AS, so that the protective effect is drastically weakened. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms is key to the understanding of AS development and treatment. We determined that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) directly induced the degradation of c-Ski protein, closely associated with reducing its phosphorylation. Serine₃₈₃ (S383) was identified as the crucial phosphorylation site for stabilizing protein expression and nuclear location of c-Ski, which was responsible for its transcriptional suppression of autophagy-related genes. Decreased S383 phosphorylation facilitated nuclear export and degradation of c-Ski, thereby lessened its inhibitory effect on induction of autophagy genes. These findings provide a novel view of c-Ski modification and function modulation under some vascular injury factors, which point to a new potential therapeutic strategy by targeting c-Ski.

Novel factors that activate and deactivate cardiac fibroblasts: A new perspective for treatment of cardiac fibrosis

Heart disease with attendant cardiac fibrosis kills more patients in developed countries than any other disease, including cancer. We highlight the recent literature on factors that activate and also deactivate cardiac fibroblasts. Activation of cardiac fibroblasts results in myofibroblasts phenotype which incorporates aSMA to stress fibres, express ED-A fibronectin, elevated PDGFRα and are hypersecretory ECM components. These cells facilitate both acute wound healing (infarct site) and chronic cardiac fibrosis. Quiescent fibroblasts are associated with normal myocardial tissue and provide relatively slow turnover of the ECM. Deactivation of activated myofibroblasts is a much less studied phenomenon. In this context, SKI is a known negative regulator of TGFb₁ /Smad signalling, and thus may share functional similarity to PPARγ activation. The discovery of SKI's potent anti-fibrotic role, and its ability to deactivate and/or myofibroblasts is featured and contrasted with PPARγ. While myofibroblasts are typically recruited from pools of potential precursor cells in a variety of organs, the importance of activation of resident cardiac fibroblasts has been recently emphasised. Myofibroblasts deposit ECM components at an elevated rate and contribute to both systolic and diastolic dysfunction with attendant cardiac fibrosis. A major knowledge gap exists as to specific proteins that may signal for fibroblast deactivation. As SKI may be a functionally pluripotent protein, we suggest that it serves as a scaffold to proteins other than R-Smads and associated Smad signal proteins, and thus its anti-fibrotic effects may extend beyond binding R-Smads. While cardiac fibrosis is causal to heart failure, the treatment of cardiac fibrosis is hampered by the lack of availability of effective pharmacological anti-fibrotic agents. The current review will provide an overview of work highlighting novel factors which cause fibroblast activation and deactivation to underscore putative therapeutic avenues for improving disease outcomes in cardiac patients with fibrosed hearts.

Apigenin attenuates TGF-β1-stimulated cardiac fibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production by targeting miR-155-5p/c-Ski/Smad pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Apigenin is a natural flavonoid compound present in chamomile (Matricaia chamomilla L.) from the Asteraceae family, which is used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases by traditional healers, but its effects on differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) induced by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) are poorly understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to examine these effects and potential molecular mechanisms and to provide a new application of apigenin in the prevention and treatment of cardiac fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The TGF-β1-stimulated CFs or the combination of TGF-β1-stimulated and microRNA-155-5p (miR-155-5p) inhibitor- or mimic-transfected CFs were treated with or without apigenin. The expression levels of intracellular related mRNA and proteins were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot methods, respectively. The luciferase reporter gene containing cellular Sloan-Kettering Institute (c-Ski) wild or mutant type 3'-UTR was used and the luciferase activity was examined to verify the direct link of miR-155-5p and c-Ski.

RESULTS

After treatment of TGF-β1-stimulated CFs with 6-24 μM apigenin, the expression of c-Ski was increased, while levels of miR-155-5p, α-smooth muscle actin, collagen Ⅰ/Ⅲ, Smad2/3, and p-Smad2/3 were decreased. After transfection of CFs with the miR-155-5p inhibitor or mimic, the similar or inverse results were respectively observed as well. The combination of TGF-β1 and miR-155-5p inhibitor or mimic might cause an antagonistical or synergistic effect, respectively, and apigenin addition could enhance the effects of the inhibitor and antagonize the effects of the mimic. Luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that c-Ski was a direct target of miR-155-5p.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that apigenin could inhibit the differentiation and ECM production in TGF-β1-stimulated CFs, and its mechanisms might partly be attributable to the reduction of miR-155-5p expression and subsequent increment of c-Ski expression, which might result in the inhibition of Smad2/3 and p-Smad2/3 expressions.

Insights on the Pathogenesis of Aneurysm through the Study of Hereditary Aortopathies

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are permanent and localized dilations of the aorta that predispose patients to a life-threatening risk of aortic dissection or rupture. The identification of pathogenic variants that cause hereditary forms of TAA has delineated fundamental molecular processes required to maintain aortic homeostasis. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) elaborate and remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) in response to mechanical and biochemical cues from their environment. Causal variants for hereditary forms of aneurysm compromise the function of gene products involved in the transmission or interpretation of these signals, initiating processes that eventually lead to degeneration and mechanical failure of the vessel. These include mutations that interfere with transduction of stimuli from the matrix to the actin-myosin cytoskeleton through integrins, and those that impair signaling pathways activated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). In this review, we summarize the features of the healthy aortic wall, the major pathways involved in the modulation of VSMC phenotypes, and the basic molecular functions impaired by TAA-associated mutations. We also discuss how the heterogeneity and balance of adaptive and maladaptive responses to the initial genetic insult might contribute to disease.

The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition as a Possible Therapeutic Target in Fibrotic Disorders

Fibrosis is a chronic and progressive disorder characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, which leads to scarring and loss of function of the affected organ or tissue. Indeed, the fibrotic process affects a variety of organs and tissues, with specific molecular background. However, two common hallmarks are shared: the crucial role of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and the involvement of the inflammation process, that is essential for initiating the fibrotic degeneration. TGF-β in particular but also other cytokines regulate the most common molecular mechanism at the basis of fibrosis, the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). EMT has been extensively studied, but not yet fully explored as a possible therapeutic target for fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the crosstalk between fibrosis and EMT may represent an opportunity for the development of a broadly effective anti-fibrotic therapy. Here we report the evidences of the relationship between EMT and multi-organ fibrosis, and the possible therapeutic approaches that may be developed by exploiting this relationship.

TMEPAI/PMEPA1 Is a Positive Regulator of Skeletal Muscle Mass

Inhibition of myostatin- and activin-mediated SMAD2/3 signaling using ligand traps, such as soluble receptors, ligand-targeting propeptides and antibodies, or follistatin can increase skeletal muscle mass in healthy mice and ameliorate wasting in models of cancer cachexia and muscular dystrophy. However, clinical translation of these extracellular approaches targeting myostatin and activin has been hindered by the challenges of achieving efficacy without potential effects in other tissues. Toward the goal of developing tissue-specific myostatin/activin interventions, we explored the ability of transmembrane prostate androgen-induced (TMEPAI), an inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1)-mediated SMAD2/3 signaling, to promote growth, and counter atrophy, in skeletal muscle. In this study, we show that TMEPAI can block activin A, activin B, myostatin and GDF-11 activity in vitro. To determine the physiological significance of TMEPAI, we employed Adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) delivery of a TMEPAI expression cassette to the muscles of healthy mice, which increased mass by as much as 30%, due to hypertrophy of muscle fibers. To demonstrate that TMEPAI mediates its effects via inhibition of the SMAD2/3 pathway, tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of mice were co-injected with AAV vectors expressing activin A and TMEPAI. In this setting, TMEPAI blocked skeletal muscle wasting driven by activin-induced phosphorylation of SMAD3. In a model of cancer cachexia associated with elevated circulating activin A, delivery of AAV:TMEPAI into TA muscles of mice bearing C26 colon tumors ameliorated the muscle atrophy normally associated with cancer progression. Collectively, the findings indicate that muscle-directed TMEPAI gene delivery can inactivate the activin/myostatin-SMAD3 pathway to positively regulate muscle mass in healthy settings and models of disease.

Ski: Double roles in cancers

The Ski (Sloan-Kettering Institute) is an evolutionarily conserved protein that plays a dual role as an oncoprotein and tumor suppressor gene in the development of human cancer. The Ski oncogene was first identified as a transforming protein of the avian Sloan-Kettering retrovirus in 1986. Since its discovery, Ski has been identified as a carcinogenic regulator in a variety of malignant tumors. Later, it was reported that Ski regulates the occurrence and development of some cancers by acting as an oncogene. Ski mediates the proliferation, differentiation, metastasis, and invasion of numerous cancer cells through various mechanisms. Several studies have shown that Ski expression is correlated with the clinical characteristics of cancer patients and is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms and potential clinical implications of Ski in dimorphism, cancer occurrence, and progression in various types of cancer.

Bone morphogenetic proteins: New insights into their roles and mechanisms in CNS development, pathology and repair

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a highly conserved and diverse family of proteins that play essential roles in various stages of development including the formation and patterning of the central nervous system (CNS). Bioavailability and function of BMPs are regulated by input from a plethora of transcription factors and signaling pathways. Intriguingly, recent literature has uncovered novel roles for BMPs in regulating homeostatic and pathological responses in the adult CNS. Basal levels of BMP ligands and receptors are widely expressed in the adult brain and spinal cord with differential expression patterns across CNS regions, cell types and subcellular locations. Recent evidence indicates that several BMP isoforms are transiently or chronically upregulated in the aged or pathological CNS. Genetic knockout and pharmacological studies have elucidated that BMPs regulate several aspects of CNS injury and repair including cell survival and differentiation, reactive astrogliosis and glial scar formation, axon regeneration, and myelin preservation and repair. Several BMP isoforms can be upregulated in the injured or diseased CNS simultaneously yet exert complementary or opposing effects on the endogenous cell responses after injury. Emerging studies also show that dysregulation of BMPs is associated with various CNS pathologies. Interestingly, modulation of BMPs can lead to beneficial or detrimental effects on CNS injury and repair mechanisms in a ligand, temporally or spatially specific manner, which reflect the complexity of BMP signaling. Given the significance of BMPs in neurodevelopment, a better understanding of their role in the context of injury may provide new therapeutic targets for the pathologic CNS. This review will provide a timely overview on the foundation and recent advancements in knowledge regarding the role and mechanisms of BMP signaling in the developing and adult CNS, and their implications in pathological responses and repair processes after injury or diseases.

Ski Is Required for Tri-Methylation of H3K9 in Major Satellite and for Repression of Pericentromeric Genes: Mmp3, Mmp10 and Mmp13, in Mouse Fibroblasts

Several mechanisms directing a rapid transcriptional reactivation of genes immediately after mitosis have been described. However, little is known about the maintenance of repressive signals during mitosis. In this work, we address the role of Ski in the repression of gene expression during M/G₁ transition in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We found that Ski localises as a distinct pair of dots at the pericentromeric region of mitotic chromosomes, and the absence of the protein is related to high acetylation and low tri-methylation of H3K9 in pericentromeric major satellite. Moreover, differential expression assays in early G₁ cells showed that the presence of Ski is significantly associated with repression of genes localised nearby to pericentromeric DNA. In mitotic cells, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the association of Ski to major satellite and the promoters of the most repressed genes: Mmp3, Mmp10 and Mmp13. These genes are at pericentromeric region of chromosome 9. In these promoters, the presence of Ski resulted in increased H3K9 tri-methylation levels. This Ski-dependent regulation is also observed during interphase. Consequently, Mmp activity is augmented in Ski-/- MEFs. Altogether, these data indicate that association of Ski with the pericentromeric region of chromosomes during mitosis is required to maintain the silencing bookmarks of underlying chromatin.

The genetics of aortopathies: Hereditary thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections

Aortopathies encompass a variety of inherited and acquired pathologies that increase risk of life-threatening dissection or rupture. Identifying individuals with hereditary thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (HTAAD) for longitudinal monitoring, medical therapy, or elective and preventative repair is paramount to reduce risk of cardiovascular-related mortality and complications from dissection and rupture. Over the past couple of decades, pathogenic variants in numerous genes have been identified in relation to HTAAD. The genetic diagnosis can help stratify patient risk and provide guidance on medical treatment, timing of prophylactic surgical repair, as well as longitudinal surveillance and imaging. Implicated genes and their associated proteins have been found to act on a diverse variety of pathways, cells and structural components linked to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathways, disruption of the vascular smooth muscle cell contractile apparatus, and primary disruption of extracellular matrix homeostasis. This review describes relevant genetic variants that may help identify and guide the management of hereditary thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.

A new mutational hotspot in the SKI gene in the context of MFS/TAA molecular diagnosis

SKI pathogenic variations are associated with Shprintzen-Goldberg Syndrome (SGS), a rare systemic connective tissue disorder characterized by craniofacial, skeletal and cardiovascular features. So far, the clinical description, including intellectual disability, has been relatively homogeneous, and the known pathogenic variations were located in two different hotspots of the SKI gene. In the course of diagnosing Marfan syndrome and related disorders, we identified nine sporadic probands (aged 2-47 years) carrying three different likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants in the SKI gene affecting the same amino acid (Thr180). Seven of these molecular events were confirmed de novo. All probands displayed a milder morphological phenotype with a marfanoid habitus that did not initially lead to a clinical diagnosis of SGS. Only three of them had learning disorders, and none had intellectual disability. Six out of nine presented thoracic aortic aneurysm, which led to preventive surgery in the oldest case. This report extends the phenotypic spectrum of variants identified in the SKI gene. We describe a new mutational hotspot associated with a marfanoid syndrome with no intellectual disability. Cardiovascular involvement was confirmed in a significant number of cases, highlighting the importance of accurately diagnosing SGS and ensuring appropriate medical treatment and follow-up.

PyCoTools: a Python toolbox for COPASI

Motivation

COPASI is an open source software package for constructing, simulating and analyzing dynamic models of biochemical networks. COPASI is primarily intended to be used with a graphical user interface but often it is desirable to be able to access COPASI features programmatically, with a high level interface.

Results

PyCoTools is a Python package aimed at providing a high level interface to COPASI tasks with an emphasis on model calibration. PyCoTools enables the construction of COPASI models and the execution of a subset of COPASI tasks including time courses, parameter scans and parameter estimations. Additional ‘composite’ tasks which use COPASI tasks as building blocks are available for increasing parameter estimation throughput, performing identifiability analysis and performing model selection. PyCoTools supports exploratory data analysis on parameter estimation data to assist with troubleshooting model calibrations. We demonstrate PyCoTools by posing a model selection problem designed to show case PyCoTools within a realistic scenario. The aim of the model selection problem is to test the feasibility of three alternative hypotheses in explaining experimental data derived from neonatal dermal fibroblasts in response to TGF-β over time. PyCoTools is used to critically analyze the parameter estimations and propose strategies for model improvement.

Availability and implementation

PyCoTools can be downloaded from the Python Package Index (PyPI) using the command ’pip install pycotools’ or directly from GitHub (https://github.com/CiaranWelsh/pycotools). Documentation at http://pycotools.readthedocs.io.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Ski drives an acute increase in MMP-9 gene expression and release in primary cardiac myofibroblasts

Many etiologies of heart disease are characterized by expansion and remodeling of the cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM or matrix) which results in cardiac fibrosis. Cardiac fibrosis is mediated in cardiac fibroblasts by TGF‐β₁/R‐Smad2/3 signaling. Matrix component proteins are synthesized by activated resident cardiac fibroblasts known as myofibroblasts (MFB). These events are causal to heart failure with diastolic dysfunction and reduced cardiac filling. We have shown that exogenous Ski, a TGF‐β₁/Smad repressor, localizes in the cellular nucleus and deactivates cardiac myofibroblasts. This deactivation is associated with reduction of myofibroblast marker protein expression in vitro, including alpha smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and extracellular domain‐A (ED‐A) fibronectin. We hypothesize that Ski also acutely regulates MMP expression in cardiac MFB. While acute Ski overexpression in cardiac MFB in vitro was not associated with any change in intracellular MMP‐9 protein expression versus LacZ‐treated controls,exogenous Ski caused elevated MMP‐9 mRNA expression and increased MMP‐9 protein secretion versus controls. Zymographic analysis revealed increased MMP‐9‐specific gelatinase activity in myofibroblasts overexpressing Ski versus controls. Moreover, Ski expression was attended by reduced paxillin and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation (FAK ‐ Tyr 397) versus controls. As myofibroblasts are hypersecretory and less motile relative to fibroblasts, Ski's reduction of paxillin and FAK expression may reflect the relative deactivation of myofibroblasts. Thus, in addition to its known antifibrotic effects, Ski overexpression elevates expression and extracellular secretion/release of MMP‐9 and thus may facilitate internal cytoskeletal remodeling as well as extracellular ECM components. Further, as acute TGF‐β₁ treatment of primary cardiac MFB is known to cause rapid translocation of Ski to the nucleus, our data support an autoregulatory role for Ski in mediating cardiac ECM accumulation.

Combined cistrome and transcriptome analysis of SKI in AML cells identifies SKI as a co-repressor for RUNX1

SKI is a transcriptional co-regulator and overexpressed in various human tumors, for example in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). SKI contributes to the origin and maintenance of the leukemic phenotype. Here, we use ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis to identify the epigenetic alterations induced by SKI overexpression in AML cells. We show that approximately two thirds of differentially expressed genes are up-regulated upon SKI deletion, of which >40% harbor SKI binding sites in their proximity, primarily in enhancer regions. Gene ontology analysis reveals that many of the differentially expressed genes are annotated to hematopoietic cell differentiation and inflammatory response, corroborating our finding that SKI contributes to a myeloid differentiation block in HL60 cells. We find that SKI peaks are enriched for RUNX1 consensus motifs, particularly in up-regulated SKI targets upon SKI deletion. RUNX1 ChIP-seq displays that nearly 70% of RUNX1 binding sites overlap with SKI peaks, mainly at enhancer regions. SKI and RUNX1 occupy the same genomic sites and cooperate in gene silencing. Our work demonstrates for the first time the predominant co-repressive function of SKI in AML cells on a genome-wide scale and uncovers the transcription factor RUNX1 as an important mediator of SKI-dependent transcriptional repression.

Epigenetic Reprogramming of TGF-β Signaling in Breast Cancer

The Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway has a well-documented, context-dependent role in breast cancer development. In normal and premalignant cells, it acts as a tumor suppressor. By contrast, during the malignant phases of breast cancer progression, the TGF-β signaling pathway elicits tumor promoting effects particularly by driving the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which enhances tumor cell migration, invasion and ultimately metastasis to distant organs. The molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern this dual capacity are being uncovered at multiple molecular levels. This review will focus on recent advances relating to how epigenetic changes such as acetylation and methylation control the outcome of TGF-β signaling and alter the fate of breast cancer cells. In addition, we will highlight how this knowledge can be further exploited to curb tumorigenesis by selective targeting of the TGF-β signaling pathway.

c-Ski accelerates renal cancer progression by attenuating transforming growth factor β signaling

Although transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) is known to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of many cancers, its role in renal cancer has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we examined the role of TGF‐β in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) progression in vitro and in vivo. First, expression levels of TGF‐β signaling pathway components were examined. Microarray and immunohistochemical analyses showed that the expression of c‐Ski, a transcriptional corepressor of Smad‐dependent TGF‐β and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, was higher in ccRCC tissues than in normal renal tissues. Next, a functional analysis of c‐Ski effects was carried out. Bioluminescence imaging of renal orthotopic tumor models demonstrated that overexpression of c‐Ski in human ccRCC cells promoted in vivo tumor formation. Enhancement of tumor formation was also reproduced by the introduction of a dominant‐negative mutant TGF‐β type II receptor into ccRCC cells. In contrast, introduction of the BMP signaling inhibitor Noggin failed to accelerate tumor formation, suggesting that the tumor‐promoting effect of c‐Ski depends on the inhibition of TGF‐β signaling rather than of BMP signaling. Finally, the molecular mechanism of the tumor‐suppressive role of TGF‐β was assessed. Although TGF‐β signaling did not affect tumor angiogenesis, apoptosis of ccRCC cells was induced by TGF‐β. Taken together, these findings suggest that c‐Ski suppresses TGF‐β signaling in ccRCC cells, which, in turn, attenuates the tumor‐suppressive effect of TGF‐β.

The Drosophila fussel gene is required for bitter gustatory neuron differentiation acting within an Rpd3 dependent chromatin modifying complex

Members of the Ski/Sno protein family are classified as proto-oncogenes and act as negative regulators of the TGF-ß/BMP-pathways in vertebrates and invertebrates. A newly identified member of this protein family is fussel (fuss), the Drosophila homologue of the human functional Smad suppressing elements (fussel-15 and fussel-18). We and others have shown that Fuss interacts with SMAD4 and that overexpression leads to a strong inhibition of Dpp signaling. However, to be able to characterize the endogenous Fuss function in Drosophila melanogaster, we have generated a number of state of the art tools including anti-Fuss antibodies, specific fuss-Gal4 lines and fuss mutant fly lines via the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Fuss is a predominantly nuclear, postmitotic protein, mainly expressed in interneurons and fuss mutants are fully viable without any obvious developmental phenotype. To identify potential target genes or cells affected in fuss mutants, we conducted targeted DamID experiments in adult flies, which revealed the function of fuss in bitter gustatory neurons. We fully characterized fuss expression in the adult proboscis and by using food choice assays we were able to show that fuss mutants display defects in detecting bitter compounds. This correlated with a reduction of gustatory receptor gene expression (Gr33a, Gr66a, Gr93a) providing a molecular link to the behavioral phenotype. In addition, Fuss interacts with Rpd3, and downregulation of rpd3 in gustatory neurons phenocopies the loss of Fuss expression. Surprisingly, there is no colocalization of Fuss with phosphorylated Mad in the larval central nervous system, excluding a direct involvement of Fuss in Dpp/BMP signaling. Here we provide a first and exciting link of Fuss function in gustatory bitter neurons. Although gustatory receptors have been well characterized, little is known regarding the differentiation and maturation of gustatory neurons. This work therefore reveals Fuss as a pivotal element for the proper differentiation of bitter gustatory neurons acting within a chromatin modifying complex.

WDR74 functions as a novel coactivator in TGF-β signaling

Smads are critical intracellular signal transducers for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in mammalian cells. In this study, we have identified WD repeat-containing protein 74 (WDR74) as a novel transcriptional coactivator for Smads in the canonical TGF-β signaling pathway. Through direct interactions with Smad proteins, WDR74 enhances TGF-β-mediated phosphorylation and nuclear accumulation of Smad2 and Smad3. Consequently, WDR74 enables stronger transcriptional responses and more robust TGF-β-induced physiological responses. Our findings have elucidated a critical role of WDR74 in regulating TGF-β signaling.

SKI controls MDS-associated chronic TGF-β signaling, aberrant splicing, and stem cell fitness

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway controls hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) behavior in the marrow niche; however, TGF-β signaling becomes chronic in early-stage myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Although TGF-β signaling normally induces negative feedback, in early-stage MDS, high levels of microRNA-21 (miR-21) contribute to chronic TGF-β signaling. We found that a TGF-β signal-correlated gene signature is sufficient to identify an MDS patient population with abnormal RNA splicing (eg, CSF3R) independent of splicing factor mutations and coincident with low HNRNPK activity. Levels of SKI messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding a TGF-β antagonist are sufficient to identify these patients. However, MDS patients with high SKI mRNA and chronic TGF-β signaling lack SKI protein because of miR-21 activity. To determine the impact of SKI loss, we examined murine Ski -/- HSC function. First, competitive HSC transplants revealed a profound defect in stem cell fitness (competitive disadvantage) but not specification, homing, or multilineage production. Aged recipients of Ski -/- HSCs exhibited mild phenotypes similar to phenotypes in those with macrocytic anemia. Second, blastocyst complementation revealed a dramatic block in Ski -/- hematopoiesis in the absence of transplantation. Similar to SKI-high MDS patient samples, Ski -/- HSCs strikingly upregulated TGF-β signaling and deregulated expression of spliceosome genes (including Hnrnpk). Moreover, novel single-cell splicing analyses demonstrated that Ski -/- HSCs and high levels of SKI expression in MDS patient samples share abnormal alternative splicing of common genes (including those that encode splicing factors). We conclude that miR-21-mediated loss of SKI activates TGF-β signaling and alternative splicing to impair the competitive advantage of normal HSCs (fitness), which could contribute to selection of early-stage MDS-genic clones.

Transcriptional cofactors Ski and SnoN are major regulators of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in health and disease

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family plays major pleiotropic roles by regulating many physiological processes in development and tissue homeostasis. The TGF-β signaling pathway outcome relies on the control of the spatial and temporal expression of >500 genes, which depend on the functions of the Smad protein along with those of diverse modulators of this signaling pathway, such as transcriptional factors and cofactors. Ski (Sloan-Kettering Institute) and SnoN (Ski novel) are Smad-interacting proteins that negatively regulate the TGF-β signaling pathway by disrupting the formation of R-Smad/Smad4 complexes, as well as by inhibiting Smad association with the p300/CBP coactivators. The Ski and SnoN transcriptional cofactors recruit diverse corepressors and histone deacetylases to repress gene transcription. The TGF-β/Smad pathway and coregulators Ski and SnoN clearly regulate each other through several positive and negative feedback mechanisms. Thus, these cross-regulatory processes finely modify the TGF-β signaling outcome as they control the magnitude and duration of the TGF-β signals. As a result, any alteration in these regulatory mechanisms may lead to disease development. Therefore, the design of targeted therapies to exert tight control of the levels of negative modulators of the TGF-β pathway, such as Ski and SnoN, is critical to restore cell homeostasis under the specific pathological conditions in which these cofactors are deregulated, such as fibrosis and cancer.

Proteins that repress molecular signaling through the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathway offer promising targets for treating cancer and fibrosis. Marina Macías-Silva and colleagues from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City review the ways in which a pair of proteins, called Ski and SnoN, interact with downstream mediators of TGF-β to inhibit the effects of this master growth factor. Aberrant levels of Ski and SnoN have been linked to diverse range of diseases involving cell proliferation run amok, and therapies that regulate the expression of these proteins could help normalize TGF-β signaling to healthier physiological levels. For decades, drug companies have tried to target the TGF-β pathway, with limited success. Altering the activity of these repressors instead could provide a roundabout way of remedying pathogenic TGF-β activity in fibrosis and oncology.

MYB induces the expression of the oncogenic corepressor SKI in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arises through clonal expansion of transformed myeloid progenitor cells. The SKI proto-oncogene is highly upregulated in different solid tumors and leukemic cells, but little is known about its transcriptional regulation during leukemogenesis. MYB is an important hematopoietic transcription factor involved in proliferation as well as differentiation and upregulated in most human acute leukemias. Here, we find that MYB protein binds within the regulatory region of the SKI gene in AML cells. Reporter gene assays using MYB binding sites present in the SKI gene locus show MYB-dependent transcriptional activation. SiRNA-mediated depletion of MYB in leukemic cell lines reveals that MYB is crucial for SKI gene expression. Consistently, we observed a positive correlation of MYB and SKI expression in leukemic cell lines and in samples of AML patients. Moreover, MYB and SKI both were downregulated by treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors. Strikingly, differentiation of AML cells induced by depletion of MYB is attenuated by overexpression of SKI. Our findings identify SKI as a novel MYB target gene, relevant for the MYB-induced differentiation block in leukemic cells.

Crosstalk between TGF-β signaling and epigenome

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) family of ligands plays major roles in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, adult immunity, and wound repair. Dysregulation of TGF-β signaling pathway leads to severe diseases. Its key components have been revealed over the past two decades. This family of cytokines acts by activating receptor activated SMAD (R-SMAD) transcription factors, which in turn modulate the expression of specific sets of target genes. Cells of a multicellular organism have the same genetic information, yet they show structural and functional differences owing to differential expression of their genes. Studies have demonstrated that epigenetic regulation, an integral part of the TGF-β signaling, enables cells to sense and respond to TGF-β signaling in a cell context-dependent manner. R-SMAD, as the central transcription factor of TGF-β signaling, can recruit various epigenetic regulators to shape the transcriptome. In this review, we focus on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in the TGF-β signaling during mammalian development and diseases and discuss the central role of the interaction between R-SMAD and various epigenetic regulators in this epigenetic regulation. The crosstalk between TGF-β signaling and the epigenome could serve as a versatile fine-tuning mechanism for transcriptional regulation during embryonic development and progression of diseases, particularly cancer.

TGF-β Family Signaling in Connective Tissue and Skeletal Diseases

The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family of signaling molecules, which includes TGF-βs, activins, inhibins, and numerous bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and growth and differentiation factors (GDFs), has important functions in all cells and tissues, including soft connective tissues and the skeleton. Specific TGF-β family members play different roles in these tissues, and their activities are often balanced with those of other TGF-β family members and by interactions with other signaling pathways. Perturbations in TGF-β family pathways are associated with numerous human diseases with prominent involvement of the skeletal and cardiovascular systems. This review focuses on the role of this family of signaling molecules in the pathologies of connective tissues that manifest in rare genetic syndromes (e.g., syndromic presentations of thoracic aortic aneurysm), as well as in more common disorders (e.g., osteoarthritis and osteoporosis). Many of these diseases are caused by or result in pathological alterations of the complex relationship between the TGF-β family of signaling mediators and the extracellular matrix in connective tissues.

Branched-chain amino acids prevent hepatic fibrosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma in a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model

Oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA; leucine, isoleucine, and valine) in patients with liver cirrhosis potentially suppresses the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and improves event-free survival. However, the detailed mechanisms of BCAA action have not been fully elucidated. BCAA were administered to atherogenic and high-fat (Ath+HF) diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model mice. Liver histology, tumor incidence, and gene expression profiles were evaluated. Ath+HF diet mice developed hepatic tumors at a high frequency at 68 weeks. BCAA supplementation significantly improved hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and tumors in Ath+HF mice at 68 weeks. GeneChip analysis demonstrated the significant resolution of pro-fibrotic gene expression by BCAA supplementation. The anti-fibrotic effect of BCAA was confirmed further using platelet-derived growth factor C transgenic mice, which develop hepatic fibrosis and tumors. In vitro, BCAA restored the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-stimulated expression of pro-fibrotic genes in hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In hepatocytes, BCAA restored TGF-β1-induced apoptosis, lipogenesis, and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling, and inhibited the transformation of WB-F344 rat liver epithelial stem-like cells. BCAA repressed the promoter activity of TGFβ1R1 by inhibiting the expression of the transcription factor NFY and histone acetyltransferase p300. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of BCAA on TGF-β1 signaling was mTORC1 activity-dependent, suggesting the presence of negative feedback regulation from mTORC1 to TGF-β1 signaling. Thus, BCAA induce an anti-fibrotic effect in HSC, prevent apoptosis in hepatocytes, and decrease the incidence of HCC; therefore, BCAA supplementation would be beneficial for patients with advanced liver fibrosis with a high risk of HCC.

Ski regulates Smads and TAZ signaling to suppress lung cancer progression

Ski, the transforming protein of the avian Sloan-Kettering retrovirus, displays both pro- and anti-oncogenic activities in human cancer. The mechanisms underlying these conflicting observations have not been fully understood. Herein, we investigated the mechanism underlying the tumor suppressor activity of Ski. To investigate the effect of Ski re-activation on TGF-β and Hippo/TAZ pathway, we measured its effect on the endogenous Smad target genes (PAI-1 and P15^INK4B ) and TAZ target gene CTGF. The results revealed that Ski exerted its inhibitory activity in TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Ski inhibited TAZ by increasing their phosphorylation by Lats2 and did not alter the localization of TAZ. Ski inhibited lung cancer growth and invasion. Ski methylation correlated with decreased mRNA expression in human lung cancer cell lines. Thus, Ski inhibited the function of TGF-β and TAZ through multiple mechanisms in human lung cancer.

A Positive TGF-β/c-KIT Feedback Loop Drives Tumor Progression in Advanced Primary Liver Cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is globally the second most common cause of cancer mortality. The majority of HCC patients are diagnosed at advanced stage disease for which no curative treatments exist. TGF-β has been identified as a potential therapeutic target. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating its functional switch from a tumor suppressor to tumor promoter in HCC and its interactions with other signaling pathways are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate an aberrant molecular network between the TGF-β and c-KIT pathway that mediates the functional switch of TGF-β to a driver of tumor progression in HCC. TGF-β/SMAD2 signaling transcriptionally regulates expression of the c-KIT receptor ligand (stem cell factor [SCF]) with subsequent auto- and paracrine activation of c-KIT/JAK1/STAT3 signaling. SCF induces TGF-β1 ligand expression via STAT3, thereby forming a positive feedback loop between TGF-β/SMAD and SCF/c-KIT signaling. This network neutralizes TGF-β–mediated cell cycle inhibition and induces tumor cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition, migration, and invasion. Disruption of this feedback loop inhibits TGF-β tumor-promoting effects and restores its antiproliferative functions. Consistent with our in vitro data, we demonstrate SCF overexpression and its correlation to SMAD2 and STAT3 activation in human HCC tumors, advanced tumor-node-metastasis stages, and shorter survival. CONCLUSIONS: Canonical TGF-β and c-KIT signaling forms a positive, tumor-promoting feedback loop. Disruption of this loop restores TGF-β tumor suppressor function and provides the rationale for targeting the TGF-β/SCF axis as a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC.

USP4 inhibits SMAD4 monoubiquitination and promotes activin and BMP signaling

SMAD4 is a common intracellular effector for TGF-β family cytokines, but the mechanism by which its activity is dynamically regulated is unclear. We demonstrated that ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) 4 strongly induces activin/BMP signaling by removing the inhibitory monoubiquitination from SMAD4. This modification was triggered by the recruitment of the E3 ligase, SMURF2, to SMAD4 following ligand-induced regulatory (R)-SMAD-SMAD4 complex formation. Whereas the interaction of the negative regulator c-SKI inhibits SMAD4 monoubiquitination, the ligand stimulates the recruitment of SMURF2 to the c-SKI-SMAD2 complex and triggers c-SKI ubiquitination and degradation. Thus, SMURF2 has a role in termination and initiation of TGF-β family signaling. An increase in monoubiquitinated SMAD4 in USP4-depleted mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) decreased both the BMP- and activin-induced changes in the embryonic stem cell fate. USP4 sustained SMAD4 activity during activin- and BMP-mediated morphogenic events in early zebrafish embryos. Moreover, zebrafish depleted of USP4 exhibited defective cell migration and slower coordinated cell movement known as epiboly, both of which could be rescued by SMAD4. Therefore, USP4 is a critical determinant of SMAD4 activity.

Transforming growth factor β suppresses peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ expression via both SMAD binding and novel TGF-β inhibitory elements

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) contributes to wound healing and, when dysregulated, to pathological fibrosis. TGF-β and the anti-fibrotic nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) repress each other's expression, and such PPARγ down-regulation is prominent in fibrosis and mediated, via previously unknown SMAD-signaling mechanisms. Here, we show that TGF-β induces the association of SMAD3 with both SMAD4, needed for translocation of the complex into the nucleus, and the essential context-sensitive co-repressors E2F4 and p107. The complex mediates TGF-β-induced repression by binding to regulatory elements in the target promoter. In the PPARG promoter, we found that the SMAD3-SMAD4 complex binds both to a previously unknown consensus TGF-β inhibitory element (TIE) and also to canonical SMAD-binding elements (SBEs). Furthermore, the TIE and SBEs independently mediated the partial repression of PPARG transcription, the first demonstration of a TIE and SBEs functioning within the same promoter. Also, TGF-β-treated fibroblasts contained SMAD complexes that activated a SMAD target gene in addition to those repressing PPARG transcription, the first finding of such dual activity within the same cell. These findings describe in detail novel mechanisms by which TGF-β represses PPARG transcription, thereby facilitating its own pro-fibrotic activity.

SnoN Stabilizes the SMAD3/SMAD4 Protein Complex

TGF-β signaling regulates cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis through activation of SMAD transcription factors that are in turn modulated by members of the Ski-SnoN family. In this process, Ski has been shown to negatively modulate TGF-β signaling by disrupting active R-SMAD/Co-SMAD heteromers. Here, we show that the related regulator SnoN forms a stable complex with the R-SMAD (SMAD3) and the Co-SMAD (SMAD4). To rationalize this stabilization at the molecular level, we determined the crystal structure of a complex between the SAND domain of SnoN and the MH2-domain of SMAD4. This structure shows a binding mode that is compatible with simultaneous coordination of R-SMADs. Our results show that SnoN, and SMAD heteromers can form a joint structural core for the binding of other transcription modulators. The results are of fundamental importance for our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the modulation of TGF-β signaling.

The Role of c-SKI in Regulation of TGFβ-Induced Human Cardiac Fibroblast Proliferation and ECM Protein Expression

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by over-deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and over-proliferation of cardiac fibroblast, and contributes to both systolic and diastolic dysfunction in many cardiac pathophysiologic conditions. Transforming growth factor β 1 (TGFβ1) is as an essential inducing factor of cardiac fibrosis. C-Ski protein has been identified as an inhibitory regulator of TGFβ signaling. In the present study, we revealed the repressive effect of c-Ski on TGFβ1-induced human cardiac fibroblast (HCFB) proliferation and ECM protein increase (Collagen I and α-SMA). Moreover, miR-155 and miR-17 could inhibit SKI mRNA expression by direct binding to the 3'UTR of SKI, so as to reduce c-Ski protein level. Either miR-155 inhibition or miR-17 inhibition could reverse TGFβ1-induced HCFB proliferation and ECM protein increase. Taken together, we provided a potential therapy to treat cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting miR-155/miR-17 so as to restore the repressive effect of c-Ski on TGFβ1 signaling. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1911-1920, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Repression of Smad3 by Stat3 and c-Ski/SnoN induces gefitinib resistance in lung adenocarcinoma

Cancer-associated inflammation develops resistance to the epidermal growth-factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) harboring oncogenic EGFR mutations. Stat3-mediated interleukin (IL)-6 signaling and Smad-mediated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathways play crucial regulatory roles in cancer-associated inflammation. However, mechanisms how these pathways regulate sensitivity and resistance to EGFR-TKI in NSCLCs remain largely undetermined. Here we show that signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 represses Smad3 in synergy with the potent negative regulators of TGF-β signaling, c-Ski and SnoN, whereby renders gefitinib-sensitive HCC827 cells resistant. We found that IL-6 signaling via phosphorylated Stat3 induced gefitinib resistance as repressing transcription of Smad3, whereas TGF-β enhanced gefitinib sensitivity as activating transcription of Smad3 in HCC827 cells with gefitinib-sensitizing EGFR mutation. Promoter analyses showed that Stat3 synergized with c-Ski/SnoN to repress Smad2/3/4-induced transcription of the Smad3 gene. Smad3 was found to be an apoptosis inducer, which upregulated pro-apoptotic genes such as caspase-3 and downregulated anti-apoptotic genes such as Bcl-2. Our results suggest that derepression of Smad3 can be a therapeutic strategy to prevent gefitinib-resistance in NSCLCs with gefitinib-sensitizing EGFR mutation.

The ERK-ZEB1 pathway mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pemetrexed resistant lung cancer cells with suppression by vinca alkaloids

High thymidylate synthase (TS) level in cancer tissue is considered to result in resistance to pemetrexed therapy for advanced stages of nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancers. To further investigate the mechanism of pemetrexed resistance and potential prognostic outcomes in lung cancer, we established pemetrexed-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cell sublines from CL1 harboring a mutated TP53 gene (R248W) and A549 harboring wild-type TP53. We found the TS expression is upregulated in both pemetrexed-resistant sublines and the reduced TS level achieved through shRNA inhibition resulted in higher pemetrexed sensitivity. We also demonstrated that the acquisitions of pemetrexed resistance enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vivo with a mice animal model and in vitro with CL1 and A549 sublines, which was associated with upregulation of ZEB1 which, in turn, downregulates E-cadherin and upregulates fibronectin. When ERK1/2 phosphorylation was reduced by an inhibitor (U0126) or siRNA inhibition, both pemetrexed-resistant sublines reduced their migration and invasion abilities. Therefore, the ERK-mediated pathways induce apoptosis with pemetrexed treatment, and may in turn mediate EMT when cancer cells are resistant to pemetrexed. We further demonstrated that the growth of pemetrexed-resistant tumors could be inhibited by vinblastine in vivo and vincristine in vitro. Our data indicate that pemetrexed resistance could be relieved by non-cross-resistant chemotherapeutic drugs such as vinca alkaloids and might be independent to TP53 status. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of ERK was reduced by vincristine. This finding provides a new insight for overcoming pemetrexed resistance and metastasis by application of vinca alkaloids.

Hereditary Influence in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition in that it places patients at risk for aortic dissection or rupture. However, our modern understanding of the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm is quite limited. A genetic predisposition to thoracic aortic aneurysm has been established, and gene discovery in affected families has identified several major categories of gene alterations. The first involves mutations in genes encoding various components of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling cascade (FBN1, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, TGFB2, TGFB3, SMAD2, SMAD3 and SKI), and these conditions are known collectively as the TGF-β vasculopathies. The second set of genes encode components of the smooth muscle contractile apparatus (ACTA2, MYH11, MYLK, and PRKG1), a group called the smooth muscle contraction vasculopathies. Mechanistic hypotheses based on these discoveries have shaped rational therapies, some of which are under clinical evaluation. This review discusses published data on genes involved in thoracic aortic aneurysm and attempts to explain divergent hypotheses of aneurysm origin.

Anti-metastatic potential of resveratrol and its metabolites by the inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion of malignant cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Increased epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell migration and invasion abilities of cancer cells play important roles in the metastatic process of cancer. Resveratrol is a stilbenoid, a type of natural polyphenol found in the skin of grapes, berries, and peanuts. A number of experiments have examined resveratrol's ability to target diverse pathways associated with carcinogenesis and cancer progression.

PURPOSE

This article aims to present updated overview of the knowledge that resveratrol and its metabolites or analogs have the potential to inhibit metastasis of cancer via affecting many signaling pathways related with EMT, cancer migration, and invasion in diverse organs of the body.

CHAPTERS

This article starts with a short introduction describing diverse beneficial effects of resveratrol including cancer prevention and the aim of the present study. To address the effects of resveratrol on cancer metastasis, mechanisms of EMT, migration, invasion, and their relevance with cancer metastasis, anti-metastatic effects of resveratrol through EMT-related signaling pathways and inhibitory effects of resveratrol on migration and invasion are highlighted. In addition, anti-metastatic potential of resveratrol metabolites and analogs is addressed.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol was demonstrated to turn back the EMT process induced by diverse signaling pathways in several cellular and animal cancer models. In addition, resveratrol can exert chemopreventive efficacies on migration and invasion of cancer cells by inhibiting the related pathways and target molecules. Although these findings display the anti-metastatic potential of resveratrol, more patient-oriented clinical studies demonstrating the marked efficacies of resveratrol in humans are still needed.

Ski modulate the characteristics of pancreatic cancer stem cells via regulating sonic hedgehog signaling pathway

Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies shows that Ski may act as both a tumor proliferation-promoting factor and a metastatic suppressor in human pancreatic cancer and also may be a therapeutic target of integrative therapies. At present, pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for tumor recurrence accompanied by resistance to conventional therapies. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is found to be aberrantly activated in CSCs. The objectives of this study were to investigate the role of Ski in modulating pancreatic CSCs and to examine the molecular mechanisms involved in pancreatic cancer treatment both in vivo and in vitro. In in vitro study, the results showed that enhanced Ski expression could increase the expression of pluripotency maintaining markers, such as CD24, CD44, Sox-2, and Oct-4, and also components of Shh signaling pathway, such as Shh, Ptch-1, Smo, Gli-1, and Gli-2, whereas depletion of Ski to the contrary. Then, we investigated the underlying mechanism and found that inhibiting Gli-2 expression by short interfering RNA (siRNA) can decrease the effects of Ski on the maintenance of pancreatic CSCs, indicating that Ski mediates the pluripotency of pancreatic CSCs mainly through Shh pathway. The conclusion is that Ski may be an important factor in maintaining the stemness of pancreatic CSCs through modulating Shh pathway.

TGF-β: the connecting link between nephropathy and fibrosis

Renal fibrosis is the usual outcome of an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) that frequently occurs in membranous and diabetic nephropathy. The result of renal fibrosis would be end-stage renal failure, which requires costly dialysis or kidney transplantation. Renal fibrosis typically results from chronic inflammation via production of several molecules, such as growth factors, angiogenic factors, fibrogenic cytokines, and proteinase. All of these factors can stimulate excessive accumulation of ECM components through epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which results in renal fibrosis. Among these, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is proposed to be the major regulator in inducing EMT. Besides ECM protein synthesis, TGF-β is involved in hypertrophy, proliferation, and apoptosis in renal cells. In particular, TGF-β is likely to be most potent and ubiquitous profibrotic factor acting through several intracellular signaling pathways including protein kinases and transcription factors. Factors that regulate TGF-β expression in renal cell include hyperglycemia, angiotensin II, advance glycation end products, complement activation (C5b-9), and oxidative stress. Over the past several years, the common understanding of the pathogenic factors that lead to renal fibrosis in nephropathy has improved considerably. This review will discuss the recent findings on the mechanisms and role of TGF-β in membranous and diabetic nephropathy.