1
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Schoenmakers E, Marelli F, Jørgensen HF, Visser WE, Moran C, Groeneweg S, Avalos C, Jurgens SJ, Figg N, Finigan A, Wali N, Agostini M, Wardle-Jones H, Lyons G, Rusk R, Gopalan D, Twiss P, Visser JJ, Goddard M, Nashef SAM, Heijmen R, Clift P, Sinha S, Pirruccello JP, Ellinor PT, Busch-Nentwich EM, Ramirez-Solis R, Murphy MP, Persani L, Bennett M, Chatterjee K. Selenoprotein deficiency disorder predisposes to aortic aneurysm formation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7994. [PMID: 38042913 PMCID: PMC10693596 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43851-6] [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: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms, which may dissect or rupture acutely and be lethal, can be a part of multisystem disorders that have a heritable basis. We report four patients with deficiency of selenocysteine-containing proteins due to selenocysteine Insertion Sequence Binding Protein 2 (SECISBP2) mutations who show early-onset, progressive, aneurysmal dilatation of the ascending aorta due to cystic medial necrosis. Zebrafish and male mice with global or vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-targeted disruption of Secisbp2 respectively show similar aortopathy. Aortas from patients and animal models exhibit raised cellular reactive oxygen species, oxidative DNA damage and VSMC apoptosis. Antioxidant exposure or chelation of iron prevents oxidative damage in patient's cells and aortopathy in the zebrafish model. Our observations suggest a key role for oxidative stress and cell death, including via ferroptosis, in mediating aortic degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Schoenmakers
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Federica Marelli
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20149, Milano, Italy
| | - Helle F Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - W Edward Visser
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rotterdam Thyroid Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carla Moran
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stefan Groeneweg
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rotterdam Thyroid Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina Avalos
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Clinica Alemana de Santiago, Vitacura, Chile
| | - Sean J Jurgens
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nichola Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Neha Wali
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Maura Agostini
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Greta Lyons
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rosemary Rusk
- Department of Cardiology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Deepa Gopalan
- Department of Radiology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Philip Twiss
- Cambridge Genomics Laboratory, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jacob J Visser
- Department of Radiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Goddard
- Department of Pathology, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Samer A M Nashef
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Robin Heijmen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Clift
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sanjay Sinha
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James P Pirruccello
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patrick T Ellinor
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Demoulas Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Michael P Murphy
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Luca Persani
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20149, Milano, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20100, Milano, Italy
| | - Martin Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Krishna Chatterjee
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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2
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Structure-guided approach to relieving transcriptional repression inResistance to Thyroid Hormone α. Mol Cell Biol 2021; 42:e0036321. [PMID: 34871063 PMCID: PMC8852717 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00363-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in thyroid hormone receptor α (TRα), a ligand-inducible transcription factor, cause Resistance to Thyroid Hormone α (RTHα). This disorder is characterised by tissue-specific hormone refractoriness and hypothyroidism, due to inhibition of target gene expression by mutant TRα-corepressor complexes. Using biophysical approaches, we show that RTHα-associated TRα mutants devoid of ligand-dependent transcription activation function, unexpectedly retain the ability to bind thyroid hormone. Visualisation of ligand (T3) within the crystal structure of a prototypic TRα mutant, validates this notion. This finding prompted synthesis of different thyroid hormone analogues, identifying a lead compound (ES08) which dissociates corepressor from mutant human TRα more efficaciously than T3. ES08 rescues developmental anomalies in a zebrafish model of RTHα and induces target gene expression in TRα mutation-containing cells from an RTHα patient, more effectively than T3. Our observations provide proof-of-principle for developing synthetic ligands that can relieve transcriptional repression by the mutant TRα-corepressor complex, for treatment of RTHα.
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3
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Guzzolino E, Milella MS, Forini F, Borsò M, Rutigliano G, Gorini F, Zucchi R, Saba A, Bianchi F, Iervasi G, Pitto L. Thyroid disrupting effects of low-dose dibenzothiophene and cadmium in single or concurrent exposure: New evidence from a translational zebrafish model. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 769:144703. [PMID: 33486188 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) are major regulators of biological processes essential for correct development and energy homeostasis. Although thyroid disruptors can deeply affect human health, the impact of exogenous chemicals and in particular mixture of chemicals on different aspects of thyroid development and metabolism is not yet fully understood. In this study we have used the highly versatile zebrafish model to assess the thyroid axis disrupting effects of cadmium (Cd) and dibenzothiophene (DBT), two environmental endocrine disruptors found to be significantly correlated in epidemiological co-exposure studies. Zebrafish embryos (5hpf) were exposed to low concentrations of Cd (from 0.05 to 2 μM) and DBT (from 0.05 to 1 μM) and to mixtures of them. A multilevel assessment of the pollutant effects has been obtained by combining in vivo morphological analyses allowed by the use of transgenic fluorescent lines with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry determination of TH levels and quantification of the expression levels of key genes involved in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis (HPTA) and TH metabolism. Our results underscore for the first time an important synergistic toxic effect of these pollutants on embryonic development and thyroid morphology highlighting differences in the mechanisms through which they can adversely impact on multiple physiological processes of the HPTA and TH disposal influencing also heart geometry and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Guzzolino
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - M S Milella
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Forini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Borsò
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Rutigliano
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Gorini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Zucchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Saba
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Bianchi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Iervasi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - L Pitto
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy.
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4
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Corbett RJ, Te Pas MFW, van den Brand H, Groenen MAM, Crooijmans RPMA, Ernst CW, Madsen O. Genome-Wide Assessment of DNA Methylation in Chicken Cardiac Tissue Exposed to Different Incubation Temperatures and CO 2 Levels. Front Genet 2020; 11:558189. [PMID: 33193638 PMCID: PMC7655987 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.558189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperature and CO2 concentration during incubation have profound effects on broiler chick development, and numerous studies have identified significant effects on hatch heart weight (HW) as a result of differences in these parameters. Early life environment has also been shown to affect broiler performance later in life; it has thus been suggested that epigenetic mechanisms may mediate long-term physiological changes induced by environmental stimuli. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that can confer heritable changes in gene expression. Using reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS), we assessed DNA methylation patterns in cardiac tissue of 84 broiler hatchlings incubated at two egg shell temperatures (EST; 37.8°C and 38.9°C) and three CO2 concentrations (0.1%, 0.4%, and 0.8%) from day 8 of incubation onward. We assessed differential methylation between EST treatments and identified 2,175 differentially methylated (DM) CpGs (1,121 hypermethylated, 1,054 hypomethylated at 38.9° vs. 37.8°) in 269 gene promoters and 949 intragenic regions. DM genes (DMGs) were associated with heart developmental processes, including cardiomyocyte proliferation and differentiation. We identified enriched binding motifs among DM loci, including those for transcription factors associated with cell proliferation and heart development among hypomethylated CpGs that suggest increased binding ability at higher EST. We identified 9,823 DM CpGs between at least two CO2 treatments, with the greatest difference observed between 0.8 and 0.1% CO2 that disproportionately impacted genes involved in cardiac muscle development and response to low oxygen levels. Using HW measurements from the same chicks, we performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) for HW, and identified 23 significantly associated CpGs, nine of which were also DM between ESTs. We found corresponding differences in transcript abundance between ESTs in three DMGs (ABLIM2, PITX2, and THRSP). Hypomethylation of an exonic CpG in PITX2 at 38.9°C was associated with increased expression, and suggests increased cell proliferation in broiler hatchlings incubated at higher temperatures. Overall, these results identified numerous epigenetic associations between chick incubation factors and heart development that may manifest in long-term differences in animal performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Corbett
- Genetics and Genome Sciences Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Marinus F W Te Pas
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Henry van den Brand
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Martien A M Groenen
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Catherine W Ernst
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Ole Madsen
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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5
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Pang S, Gao Y, Li A, Yao X, Qu G, Hu L, Liang Y, Song M, Jiang G. Tetrabromobisphenol A Perturbs Erythropoiesis and Impairs Blood Circulation in Zebrafish Embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:12998-13007. [PMID: 32841016 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, has been implicated in developmental toxicity of aquatic animals. However, the impact of TBBPA on development and the related mechanism have not been fully elucidated. In this study, using a live imaging technique and transgenic labeling of zebrafish embryos, we described the toxic effects of TBBPA on hematopoietic development in zebrafish. We demonstrated that TBBPA induced erythroid precursor expansion in the intermediate cell mass (ICM), which perturbed the onset of blood circulation at 24-26 hours postfertilization (hpf). Consequently, excessive blood cells accumulated in the posterior blood island (PBI) and vascular cells formed defective caudal veins (CVs), preventing blood cell flow to the heart at 32-34 hpf. We found that the one-cell to 50% epiboly stage was the most sensitive period to TBBPA exposure during hematopoietic development. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that PBI malformation induced by TBBPA resulted from effects on erythroid precursor cells, which might involve THR signaling in complex ways. These findings will improve the understanding of TBBPA-induced developmental toxicity in teleost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochen Pang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Yue Gao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Aijing Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinglei Yao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guangbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ligang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Maoyong Song
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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6
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Han CR, Holmsen E, Carrington B, Bishop K, Zhu YJ, Starost M, Meltzer P, Sood R, Liu P, Cheng SY. Generation of Novel Genetic Models to Dissect Resistance to Thyroid Hormone Receptor α in Zebrafish. Thyroid 2020; 30:314-328. [PMID: 31952464 PMCID: PMC7047097 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2019.0598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: Patients with mutations of the thyroid hormone receptor alpha (THRA) gene show resistance to thyroid hormone alpha (RTHα). No amendable mouse models are currently available to elucidate deleterious effects of TRα1 mutants during early development. Zebrafish with transient suppressed expression by morpholino knockdown and ectopic expression of TRα1 mutants in the embryos have been reported. However, zebrafish with germline transmittable mutations have not been reported. The stable expression of thra mutants from embryos to adulthood facilitated the study of molecular actions of TRα1 mutants during development. Methods: In contrast to human and mice, the thra gene is duplicated in zebrafish, thraa, and thrab. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis, we created dominant negative mutations in the two duplicated thra genes. We comprehensively analyzed the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of mutant fish during development. Results: Adult and juvenile homozygous thrab 1-bp ins (m/m) mutants exhibited severe growth retardation, but adult homozygous thraa 8-bp ins (m/m) mutants had very mild growth impairment. Expression of the growth hormone (gh1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 was markedly suppressed in homozygous thrab 1-bp ins (m/m) mutants. Decreased messenger RNA and protein levels of triiodothyronine-regulated keratin genes and inhibited keratinocyte proliferation resulted in hypoplasia of the epidermis in adult and juvenile homozygous thrab 1-bp ins (m/m) mutants, but not homozygous thraa 8-bp ins (m/m) mutants. RNA-seq analysis showed that homozygous thrab 1-bp ins (m/m) mutation had global impact on the functions of the adult pituitary. However, no morphological defects nor any changes in the expression of gh1 and keratin genes were observed in the embryos and early larvae. Thus, mutations of either the thraa or thrab gene did not affect initiation of embryogenesis. But the mutation of the thrab gene, but not the thraa gene, is detrimental in postlarval growth and skin development. Conclusions: The thra duplicated genes are essential to control temporal coordination in postlarval growth and development in a tissue-specific manner. We uncovered novel functions of the duplicated thra genes in zebrafish in development. These mutant zebrafish could be used as a model for further analysis of TRα1 mutant actions and for rapid screening of therapeutics for RTHα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cho Rong Han
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Erik Holmsen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Blake Carrington
- Zebrafish Core, Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kevin Bishop
- Zebrafish Core, Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yuelin Jack Zhu
- Laboratory of Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Matthew Starost
- Division of Veterinary Resources, Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Paul Meltzer
- Laboratory of Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Raman Sood
- Zebrafish Core, Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Paul Liu
- Zebrafish Core, Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sheue-yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Address correspondence to: Sheue-yann Cheng, PhD, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 37 Convent Drive, Room 5128, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264
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7
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Vancamp P, Houbrechts AM, Darras VM. Insights from zebrafish deficiency models to understand the impact of local thyroid hormone regulator action on early development. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 279:45-52. [PMID: 30244055 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) stimulate and coordinate a wide range of processes to ensure normal development, mainly by binding of the most active TH 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) to nuclear receptors resulting in changes in gene transcription. Local TH action is monitored at three distinct levels by different types of regulators: transmembrane transporters (TH influx and efflux), deiodinases (TH activation and inactivation) and nuclear receptors (TH signalling). Since TH regulators are strongly conserved among vertebrate species, the externally and rapidly developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become one of the favourite models to study their role in TH-dependent development. Most regulators are expressed in zebrafish from early stages in development in a dynamic and tissue-specific pattern. Transient or permanent disruption of a given regulator severely perturbs development of multiple organs. These zebrafish deficiency models help to explain why, next to overall hypo-/hyperthyroidism, inactivating mutations in the genes encoding TH regulators such as MCT8 and THRA/B have irreversible adverse effects on human development. Zebrafish are also increasingly used as a high-throughput model to assess the toxicity of various xenobiotics and their impact on development. While adverse effects on TH metabolism and gene expression have been shown, information on direct interaction with TH regulators is scarce, albeit essential to fully understand their mechanism of action. For the future, the combination of novel gene silencing tools, fluorescent reporter lines and (single-cell) transcriptomics holds promise for new zebrafish models to further elucidate the role of each TH regulator in vertebrate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Vancamp
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Biology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne M Houbrechts
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Biology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle M Darras
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Biology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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Hernández-Linares Y, Olvera A, Villalobos P, Lozano-Flores C, Varela-Echavarría A, Luna M, Orozco A. 3,5-T2 and 3,3',5-T3 Regulate Cerebellar Thyroid Hormone Signalling and Myelin Molecular Dynamics in Tilapia. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7359. [PMID: 31089165 PMCID: PMC6517622 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43701-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to mammalian adults, myelination in teleosts occurs throughout their lifespan and most of the progenitor cells are originated in the cerebellum. To understand the role that thyroid hormones (THs) play in juvenile cerebellar myelination in teleosts, we identified and localised the expression of genes involved in TH signalling (mct8, oatp1c1, dio2, dio3, thraa and l-thrb1) and analysed the effects of the two bioactive THs, T2 and T3, upon their regulation, as well as upon some structural components of the myelination process. Ex vivo approaches using organotypic cerebellar cultures followed by FISH and qPCR showed gene-specific localisation and regulation of TH signalling genes in the cerebellar nuclei. In vivo approaches using methimazole (MMI)-treated juvenile tilapias replaced with low doses of T3 and T2 showed by immunofluorescence that myelin fibres in the cerebellum are more abundant in the granular layer and that their visible size is reduced after MMI treatment but partially restored with TH replacement, suggesting that low doses of TH promote the re-myelination process in an altered condition. Together, our data support the idea that T2 and T3 promote myelination via different pathways and prompt T2 as a target for further analysis as a promising therapy for hypomyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Hernández-Linares
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, QC, Mexico
| | - A Olvera
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, QC, Mexico
| | - P Villalobos
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, QC, Mexico
| | - C Lozano-Flores
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, QC, Mexico
| | - A Varela-Echavarría
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, QC, Mexico
| | - M Luna
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, QC, Mexico
| | - A Orozco
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, QC, Mexico.
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9
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Rurale G, Cicco ED, Dentice M, Salvatore D, Persani L, Marelli F, Luongo C. Thyroid Hormone Hyposensitivity: From Genotype to Phenotype and Back. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:912. [PMID: 32038483 PMCID: PMC6992580 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormone action defects (THADs) have been classically considered conditions of impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone (TH). They were originally referring to alterations in TH receptor genes (THRA and THRB), but the discovery of genetic mutations and polymorphisms causing alterations in cell membrane transport (e.g., MCT8) and metabolism (e.g., SECISBP2, DIO2) led recently to a new and broader definition of TH hyposensitivity (THH), including not only THADs but all defects that could interfere with the activity of TH. Due to the different functions and tissue-specific expression of these genes, affected patients exhibit highly variable phenotypes. Some of them are characterized by a tissue hypothyroidism or well-recognizable alterations in the thyroid function tests (TFTs), whereas others display a combination of hypo- and hyperthyroid manifestations with normal or only subtle biochemical defects. The huge effort of basic research has greatly aided the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying THADs, dissecting the morphological and functional alterations on target tissues, and defining the related-changes in the biochemical profile. In this review, we describe different pictures in which a specific alteration in the TFTs (TSH, T4, and T3 levels) is caused by defects in a specific gene. Altogether these findings can help clinicians to early recognize and diagnose THH and to perform a more precise genetic screening and therapeutic intervention. On the other hand, the identification of new genetic variants will allow the generation of cell-based and animal models to give novel insight into thyroid physiology and establish new therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuditta Rurale
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Emery Di Cicco
- Department of Clinical Medicine & Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Dentice
- Department of Clinical Medicine & Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Salvatore
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Marelli
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Federica Marelli
| | - Cristina Luongo
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Lazcano I, Rodríguez-Ortiz R, Villalobos P, Martínez-Torres A, Solís-Saínz JC, Orozco A. Knock-Down of Specific Thyroid Hormone Receptor Isoforms Impairs Body Plan Development in Zebrafish. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:156. [PMID: 30930855 PMCID: PMC6427925 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of thyroid hormones (THs) in development has been extensively studied, however, the specific molecular mechanisms involved are far from being clear. THs act by binding to TH nuclear receptors (TR) that act as ligand-dependent transcription factors to regulate TH-dependent gene expression. Like vertebrates, zebrafish express different isoforms of functional Tr alpha and beta, some of which can bind alternative ligands like 3,5-T2. In this study, we first analyzed the effects of exogenous T3 and 3,5-T2 exposure during embryogenesis. The percentage of affected embryos was similar to those vehicle-injected, suggesting that the early exposure to low TH levels is not sufficient to elicit effects upon the phenotype of the embryo. We then generated crispants for four isoforms of thr to learn more about the role of these receptors in early development. We found that crispant larvae from thraa and a newly identified l-thrb+, but not thrab and canonical thrb1 showed profound deleterious effects upon symmetry and laterality, suggesting early novel roles for these Tr isoforms in the body plan developmental program. Since critical events that determine cell fate start in the late gastrula, we tested if some genes that are expressed during early developmental stages could indeed be TH targets. We identify early development genes, like sox10 and eve, that were specifically over-expressed in thraa and l-thrb+ crispants, suggesting that these specific thr isoforms function as transcription repressors for these genes, while transcription of zic and ets appear to be thraa and l-thrb+-mediated, respectively. Overall, present results show that TH signaling participates in early zebrafish development and identify Tr isoform-specific mediated regulation of early gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Lazcano
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico
- Departmento de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Roberto Rodríguez-Ortiz
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico
- CONACYT – Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Patricia Villalobos
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Ataúlfo Martínez-Torres
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Juan Carlos Solís-Saínz
- Departmento de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Aurea Orozco
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Aurea Orozco
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Persani L, Campi I. Syndromes of Resistance to Thyroid Hormone Action. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2019; 111:55-84. [PMID: 31588528 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-25905-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone (TH) action is crucial for the development of several tissues.A number of syndromes are associated with reduced responsiveness to thyroid hormones, expanding the original definition of thyroid hormone resistance, firstly described by Refetoff and collaborators in 1967, which is characterized by elevated circulating levels of T4 and T3 with measurable serum TSH concentrations, as a consequence of mutations of thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ), recently named as RTHβ. More recently, another form of insensitivity to TH has been identified due to mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TRα), named RTHα. In this chapter we will focus the discussion on the phenotype of RTHβ and RTHα. These diseases share the same pathogenic mechanism caused by dominant negative mutations in TH receptor genes that reduce T3 binding or affect the recruitment of cofactors. As a consequence, thyroid hormone actions are impaired at the tissue level. The phenotypic manifestations of RTHβ and RTHα are to some extent correlated with the degree of disruption and the tissue distribution of the TRs being characterized by variable coexistence of hypothyroid or thyrotoxic manifestations in RTHβ or by a congenital hypothyroid features in RTHα despite normal TSH and borderline low free T4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, San Luca Hospital, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Irene Campi
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, San Luca Hospital, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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12
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Lazcano I, Orozco A. Revisiting available knowledge on teleostean thyroid hormone receptors. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 265:128-132. [PMID: 29574147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Teleosts are the most numerous class of living vertebrates. They exhibit great diversity in terms of morphology, developmental strategies, ecology and adaptation. In spite of this diversity, teleosts conserve similarities at molecular, cellular and endocrine levels. In the context of thyroidal systems, and as in the rest of vertebrates, thyroid hormones in fish regulate development, growth and metabolism by actively entering the nucleus and interacting with thyroid hormone receptors, the final sensors of this endocrine signal, to regulate gene expression. In general terms, vertebrates express the functional thyroid hormone receptors alpha and beta, encoded by two distinct genes (thra and thrb, respectively). However, different species of teleosts express thyroid hormone receptor isoforms with particular structural characteristics that confer singular functional traits to these receptors. For example, teleosts contain two thra genes and in some species also two thrb; some of the expressed isoforms can bind alternative ligands. Also, some identified isoforms contain deletions or large insertions that have not been described in other vertebrates and that have not yet been functionally characterized. As in amphibians, the regulation of some of these teleost isoforms coincides with the climax of metamorphosis and/or life transitions during development and growth. In this review, we aimed to gain further insights into thyroid signaling from a comparative perspective by proposing a systematic nomenclature for teleost thyroid hormone receptor isoforms and summarize their particular functional features when the information was available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Lazcano
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Aurea Orozco
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
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Abstract
In recent years, the zebrafish has become a powerful model not only for the developmental biology studies, but also for genetic analyses and drug screenings, mostly thanks to the ease with which its embryos can be manipulated and to its translucent body, which allows in vivo imaging. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the current knowledge about the role of thyroid hormone receptors during zebrafish embryonic development. Moreover, we will explore the methodologies applied to zebrafish biology to knock down a gene of interest and to analyze in vivo the molecular mechanisms of the mutated receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Marelli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
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Rurale G, Persani L, Marelli F. GLIS3 and Thyroid: A Pleiotropic Candidate Gene for Congenital Hypothyroidism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:730. [PMID: 30555422 PMCID: PMC6281699 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations in the transcription factor Gli-similar 3 (GLIS3) gene have been associated to variable congenital endocrine defects, including both morphogenetic and functional thyroid alterations. Evidence from Glis3 knockout mice indicates a relevant role for GLIS3 in thyroid hormone biosynthesis and postnatal thyroid gland growth, with a mechanism of action downstream of the TSH/TSHR interaction. However, the pathophysiological role of this transcription factor during the embryonic thyroid development remains unexplored. In this manuscript, we will provide an overview of the current knowledge on GLIS3 function during development. As a perspective, we will present preliminary evidence in the zebrafish model in support of a potential role for this pleiotropic transcription factor in the early stages of thyroid gland development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuditta Rurale
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases & Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Persani
| | - Federica Marelli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Next-generation sequencing technologies have revolutionized the identification of disease-causing genes, accelerating the discovery of new mutations and new candidate genes for thyroid diseases. To face this flow of novel genetic information, it is important to have suitable animal models to study the mechanisms regulating thyroid development and thyroid hormone availability and activity. Zebrafish ( Danio rerio), with its rapid external embryonic development, has been extensively used in developmental biology. To date, almost all of the components of the zebrafish thyroid axis have been characterized and are structurally and functionally comparable with those of higher vertebrates. The availability of transgenic fluorescent zebrafish lines allows the real-time analysis of thyroid organogenesis and its alterations. Transient morpholino-knockdown is a solution to silence the expression of a gene of interest and promptly obtain insights on its contribution during the development of the zebrafish thyroid axis. The recently available tools for targeted stable gene knockout have further increased the value of zebrafish to the study of thyroid disease. All of the reported zebrafish models can also be used to screen small compounds and to test new drugs and may allow the establishment of experimental proof of concept to plan subsequent clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Marelli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
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