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Bhakuni T, Norden PR, Ujiie N, Tan C, Lee SK, Tedeschi T, Hsieh YW, Wang Y, Liu T, Fawzi AA, Kume T. FOXC1 regulates endothelial CD98 (LAT1/4F2hc) expression in retinal angiogenesis and blood-retina barrier formation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4097. [PMID: 38755144 PMCID: PMC11099035 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48134-2] [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: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is essential for the development of new organ systems, but transcriptional control of angiogenesis remains incompletely understood. Here we show that FOXC1 is essential for retinal angiogenesis. Endothelial cell (EC)-specific loss of Foxc1 impairs retinal vascular growth and expression of Slc3a2 and Slc7a5, which encode the heterodimeric CD98 (LAT1/4F2hc) amino acid transporter and regulate the intracellular transport of essential amino acids and activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). EC-Foxc1 deficiency diminishes mTOR activity, while administration of the mTOR agonist MHY-1485 rescues perturbed retinal angiogenesis. EC-Foxc1 expression is required for retinal revascularization and resolution of neovascular tufts in a model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Foxc1 is also indispensable for pericytes, a critical component of the blood-retina barrier during retinal angiogenesis. Our findings establish FOXC1 as a crucial regulator of retinal vessels and identify therapeutic targets for treating retinal vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teena Bhakuni
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Pieter R Norden
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Naoto Ujiie
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Can Tan
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sun Kyong Lee
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Thomas Tedeschi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yi-Wen Hsieh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Amani A Fawzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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2
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Wei W, Li B, Li F, Sun K, Jiang X, Xu R. Variants in FOXC1 and FOXC2 identified in patients with conotruncal heart defects. Genomics 2024; 116:110840. [PMID: 38580085 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Conotruncal heart defects (CTD), subtypes of congenital heart disease, result from abnormal cardiac outflow tract development (OFT). FOXC1 and FOXC2 are closely related members of the forkhead transcription factor family and play essential roles in the development of OFT. We confirmed their expression pattern in mouse and human embryos, identifying four variants in FOXC1 and three in FOXC2 by screening these two genes in 605 patients with sporadic CTD. Western blot demonstrated expression levels, while Dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed affected transcriptional abilities for TBX1 enhancer in two FOXC1 variants and three FOXC2 variants. This might result from the altered DNA-binding abilities of mutant proteins. These results indicate that functionally impaired FOXC1 and FOXC2 variants may contribute to the occurrence of CTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Bojian Li
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Fen Li
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai Children's Medical Center, China
| | - Kun Sun
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuechao Jiang
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Rang Xu
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Payne S, Neal A, De Val S. Transcription factors regulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:28-58. [PMID: 36795082 PMCID: PMC10952167 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) play a crucial role in regulating the dynamic and precise patterns of gene expression required for the initial specification of endothelial cells (ECs), and during endothelial growth and differentiation. While sharing many core features, ECs can be highly heterogeneous. Differential gene expression between ECs is essential to pattern the hierarchical vascular network into arteries, veins and capillaries, to drive angiogenic growth of new vessels, and to direct specialization in response to local signals. Unlike many other cell types, ECs have no single master regulator, instead relying on differing combinations of a necessarily limited repertoire of TFs to achieve tight spatial and temporal activation and repression of gene expression. Here, we will discuss the cohort of TFs known to be involved in directing gene expression during different stages of mammalian vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, with a primary focus on development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Payne
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsInstitute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Alice Neal
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsInstitute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Sarah De Val
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsInstitute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUK
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4
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Iyer D, Mastrogiacomo DM, Li K, Banerjee R, Yang Y, Scallan JP. eNOS Regulates Lymphatic Valve Specification by Controlling β-Catenin Signaling During Embryogenesis in Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:2197-2212. [PMID: 37767708 PMCID: PMC10655861 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphatic valves play a critical role in ensuring unidirectional lymph transport. Loss of lymphatic valves or dysfunctional valves are associated with several diseases including lymphedema, lymphatic malformations, obesity, and ileitis. Lymphatic valves first develop during embryogenesis in response to mechanotransduction signaling pathways triggered by oscillatory lymph flow. In blood vessels, eNOS (endothelial NO synthase; gene name: Nos3) is a well-characterized shear stress signaling effector, but its role in lymphatic valve development remains unexplored. METHODS We used global Nos3-/- mice and cultured human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells to investigate the role of eNOS in lymphatic valve development, which requires oscillatory shear stress signaling. RESULTS Our data reveal a 45% reduction in lymphatic valve specification cell clusters and that loss of eNOS protein inhibited activation of β-catenin and its nuclear translocation. Genetic knockout or knockdown of eNOS led to downregulation of β-catenin target proteins in vivo and in vitro. However, pharmacological inhibition of NO production did not reproduce these effects. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays reveal that eNOS directly binds to β-catenin and their binding is enhanced by oscillatory shear stress. Finally, genetic ablation of the Foxo1 gene enhanced FOXC2 expression and partially rescued the loss of valve specification in the eNOS knockouts. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel, NO-independent role for eNOS in regulating lymphatic valve specification and propose a mechanism by which eNOS directly binds β-catenin to regulate its nuclear translocation and thereby transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drishya Iyer
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Diandra M Mastrogiacomo
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Kunyu Li
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Richa Banerjee
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Joshua P Scallan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
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5
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White S, Taranath A, Hanagandi P, Taranath DA, To MS, Souzeau E, Siggs OM, Craig JE. Neuroimaging Findings in Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome: A Case Series. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2023; 44:1231-1235. [PMID: 37679021 PMCID: PMC10549946 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition associated with multisystemic features including developmental anomalies of the anterior segment of the eye. Single nucleotide and copy number variants in the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) and forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) genes are associated with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome as well as other CNS malformations. We determined the association between Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome and specific brain MR imaging neuroradiologic anomalies in cases with or without a genetic diagnosis. This case series included 8 individuals with pathogenic variants in FOXC1; 2, in PITX2; and 2 without a genetic diagnosis. The most common observation was vertebrobasilar artery dolichoectasia, with 46% prevalence. Other prevalent abnormalities included WM hyperintensities, cerebellar hypoplasia, and ventriculomegaly. Vertebrobasilar artery dolichoectasia and absent/hypoplastic olfactory bulbs were reported in >50% of individuals with FOXC1 variants compared with 0% of PITX2 variants. Notwithstanding the small sample size, neuroimaging abnormalities were more prevalent in individuals with FOXC1 variants compared those with PITX2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel White
- From the Robinson Research Institute (S.W.), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ajay Taranath
- Department of Radiology (A.T.), Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Prasad Hanagandi
- Department of Neuroradiology (P.H.), King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Deepa A Taranath
- Department of Ophthalmology (D.A.T., M.-S.T., E.S., O.M.S., J.E.C.), Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Minh-Son To
- Department of Ophthalmology (D.A.T., M.-S.T., E.S., O.M.S., J.E.C.), Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Emmanuelle Souzeau
- Department of Ophthalmology (D.A.T., M.-S.T., E.S., O.M.S., J.E.C.), Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Owen M Siggs
- Department of Ophthalmology (D.A.T., M.-S.T., E.S., O.M.S., J.E.C.), Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research (O.M.S.), Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jamie E Craig
- Department of Ophthalmology (D.A.T., M.-S.T., E.S., O.M.S., J.E.C.), Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
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Ujiie N, Norden PR, Fang R, Beckmann L, Cai Z, Kweon J, Liu T, Tan C, Kuhn MS, Stamer WD, Aoto K, Quaggin SE, Zhang HF, Kume T. Differential roles of FOXC2 in the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal in glaucomatous pathology. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201721. [PMID: 37414529 PMCID: PMC10326420 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired development and maintenance of Schlemm's canal (SC) are associated with perturbed aqueous humor outflow and intraocular pressure. The angiopoietin (ANGPT)/TIE2 signaling pathway regulates SC development and maintenance, whereas the molecular mechanisms of crosstalk between SC and the neural crest (NC)-derived neighboring tissue, the trabecular meshwork (TM), are poorly understood. Here, we show NC-specific forkhead box (Fox)c2 deletion in mice results in impaired SC morphogenesis, loss of SC identity, and elevated intraocular pressure. Visible-light optical coherence tomography analysis further demonstrated functional impairment of the SC in response to changes in intraocular pressure in NC-Foxc2 -/- mice, suggesting altered TM biomechanics. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis identified that this phenotype is predominately characterized by transcriptional changes associated with extracellular matrix organization and stiffness in TM cell clusters, including increased matrix metalloproteinase expression, which can cleave the TIE2 ectodomain to produce soluble TIE2. Moreover, endothelial-specific Foxc2 deletion impaired SC morphogenesis because of reduced TIE2 expression, which was rescued by deleting the TIE2 phosphatase VE-PTP. Thus, Foxc2 is critical in maintaining SC identity and morphogenesis via TM-SC crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Ujiie
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Pieter R Norden
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Raymond Fang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Lisa Beckmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Zhen Cai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Junghun Kweon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Ting Liu
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Can Tan
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Megan S Kuhn
- Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Kazushi Aoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Susan E Quaggin
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hao F Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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7
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Ye J, Niu Y, Peng Y, Huang J, Wang H, Fu Q, Li F, Xu R, Chen S, Xu Y, Sun K. Analysis of pathogenic variants in 605 Chinese children with non-syndromic cardiac conotruncal defects based on targeted sequencing. Genomics 2023; 115:110676. [PMID: 37406974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Deleterious genetic variants comprise one cause of cardiac conotruncal defects (CTDs). Genes associated with CTDs are gradually being identified. In the present study, we aimed to explore the profile of genetic variants of CTD-associated genes in Chinese patients with non-syndromic CTDs. METHODS Thirty-nine CTD-related genes were selected after reviewing published articles in NCBI, HGMD, OMIM, and HPO. In total, 605 patients with non-syndromic CTDs and 300 healthy controls, all of Han ethnicity, were recruited. High-throughput targeted sequencing was used to detect genetic variants in the protein-coding regions of genes. We performed rigorous variant-level filtrations to identify potentially damaging variants (Dvars) using prediction programs including CADD, SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and MutationTaster. RESULT Dvars were detected in 66.7% (26/39) of the targeted CTD-associated genes. In total, 11.07% (67/605) of patients with non-syndromic CTDs were found to carry one or more Dvars in targeted CTD-associated genes. Dvars in FOXH1, TBX2, NFATC1, FOXC2, and FOXC1 were common in the CTD cohort (1.5% [9/605], 1.2% [7/605], 1.2% [7/605], 1% [6/605], and 0.5% [3/605], respectively). CONCLUSION Targeted exon sequencing is a cost-effective approach for the genetic diagnosis of CTDs. Our findings contribute to an understanding of the genetic architecture of non-syndromic CTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- JiaJun Ye
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yiwei Niu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yongxuan Peng
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jihong Huang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Huiying Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qihua Fu
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Fen Li
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Rang Xu
- Scientific Research Center, Xinhua Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Sun Chen
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuejuan Xu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Kun Sun
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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8
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Tan C, Kurup S, Dyakiv Y, Kume T. FOXC1 and FOXC2 maintain mitral valve endothelial cell junctions, extracellular matrix, and lymphatic vessels to prevent myxomatous degeneration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.30.555455. [PMID: 37693499 PMCID: PMC10491158 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.30.555455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Background Mitral valve (MV) disease including myxomatous degeneration is the most common form of valvular heart disease with an age-dependent frequency. Genetic evidence indicates mutations of the transcription factor FOXC1 are associated with MV defects, including mitral valve regurgitation. In this study, we sought to determine whether murine Foxc1 and its closely related factor, Foxc2, are required in valvular endothelial cells (VECs) for the maintenance of MV leaflets, including VEC junctions and the stratified trilaminar extracellular matrix (ECM). Methods Adult mice carrying tamoxifen-inducible, endothelial cell (EC)-specific, compound Foxc1;Foxc2 mutations (i.e., EC-Foxc-DKO mice) were used to study the function of Foxc1 and Foxc2 in the maintenance of mitral valves. The EC-mutations of Foxc1/c2 were induced at 7 - 8 weeks of age by tamoxifen treatment, and abnormalities in the MVs of EC-Foxc-DKO mice were assessed via whole-mount immunostaining, immunohistochemistry, and Movat pentachrome/Masson's Trichrome staining. Results EC-deletions of Foxc1 and Foxc2 in mice resulted in abnormally extended and thicker mitral valves by causing defects in regulation of ECM organization with increased proteoglycan and decreased collagen. Notably, reticular adherens junctions were found in VECs of control MV leaflets, and these reticular structures were severely disrupted in EC-Foxc1/c2 mutant mice. PROX1, a key regulator in a subset of VECs on the fibrosa side of MVs, was downregulated in EC-Foxc1/c2 mutant VECs. Furthermore, we determined the precise location of lymphatic vessels in murine MVs, and these lymphatic vessels were aberrantly expanded in EC-Foxc1/c2 mutant mitral valves. Conclusions Our results indicate that Foxc1 and Foxc2 are required for maintaining the integrity of the MV, including VEC junctions, ECM organization, and lymphatic vessels to prevent myxomatous mitral valve degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Tan
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Shreya Kurup
- Honors College, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yaryna Dyakiv
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Wang Z, Jin C, Li P, Li Y, Tang J, Yu Z, Jiao T, Ou J, Wang H, Zou D, Li M, Mang X, Liu J, Lu Y, Li K, Zhang N, Yu J, Miao S, Wang L, Song W. Identification of quiescent FOXC2 + spermatogonial stem cells in adult mammals. eLife 2023; 12:RP85380. [PMID: 37610429 PMCID: PMC10446825 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In adult mammals, spermatogenesis embodies the complex developmental process from spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) to spermatozoa. At the top of this developmental hierarchy lie a series of SSC subpopulations. Their individual identities as well as the relationships with each other, however, remain largely elusive. Using single-cell analysis and lineage tracing, we discovered both in mice and humans the quiescent adult SSC subpopulation marked specifically by forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2). All spermatogenic progenies can be derived from FOXC2+ SSCs and the ablation of FOXC2+ SSCs led to the depletion of the undifferentiated spermatogonia pool. During germline regeneration, FOXC2+ SSCs were activated and able to completely restore the process. Germ cell-specific Foxc2 knockout resulted in an accelerated exhaustion of SSCs and eventually led to male infertility. Furthermore, FOXC2 prompts the expressions of negative regulators of cell cycle thereby ensures the SSCs reside in quiescence. Thus, this work proposes that the quiescent FOXC2+ SSCs are essential for maintaining the homeostasis and regeneration of spermatogenesis in adult mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Pengyu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yiran Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Jielin Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Zhixin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Tao Jiao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Jinhuan Ou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Dingfeng Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Mengzhen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Xinyu Mang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Ning Zhang
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU), School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Jia Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Shiying Miao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Linfang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
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Shi L, Du X, Li J, Zhang G. Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Approach to Identify the Pathogenetic Link Between Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Disease. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2023; 16:2283-2295. [PMID: 37635735 PMCID: PMC10460209 DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s421193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to identify hub genes and common pathways shared between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) using bioinformatics analysis and predict the transcription factors (TFs) of hub genes. Methods GSE133555 data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between involved and uninvolved skin lesions in psoriasis, employing the limma package in R. Additionally, CVD-related genes were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersection of DEGs and CVD-related genes yielded CVD-DEGs. Gene Ontology and signaling pathway analyses were performed using the clusterProfiler package in R. Hub genes were identified by intersecting six algorithms in the CytoHubba plugin of Cytoscape. To identify potential biomarkers, the GSE14905 dataset was subjected to receiver operating characteristic analysis, resulting in the identification of eight central hub genes. Finally, the NetworkAnalyst web tool was used to identify the TFs of the eight hub genes. Results We identified 92 significant DEGs out of 1825 CVD-related genes in psoriasis obtained from the GSE13355 and GeneCard data. Functional enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of these genes in various signaling pathways, including the interleukin-17 signaling, tumor necrosis factor signaling, lipid and atherosclerosis, chemokine signaling, and cytokine signaling pathways in the immune system. The eight hub genes identified included interleukin-1 beta, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, arginase 1, C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4, cyclin D1, and matrix metallopeptidase 9, with forkhead box C1 also identified as an associated TF of these genes. These hub genes and TF may act as key regulators in the context of CVD. Conclusion This study identified several hub genes and signaling pathways associated with both CVD and psoriasis. These findings lay the groundwork for potential therapeutic interventions for patients with psoriasis affected by CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Shi
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
- Candidate Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Skin Diseases, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Du
- Department of Dermatology, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
- Candidate Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Skin Diseases, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guoqiang Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
- Candidate Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Skin Diseases, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Qiao X, Wu X, Zhao Y, Yang Y, Zhang L, Cai X, Ma JA, Ji J, Lyons K, Boström KI, Yao Y. Cell Transitions Contribute to Glucocorticoid-Induced Bone Loss. Cells 2023; 12:1810. [PMID: 37508475 PMCID: PMC10377921 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid-induced bone loss is a toxic effect of long-term therapy with glucocorticoids resulting in a significant increase in the risk of fracture. Here, we find that glucocorticoids reciprocally convert osteoblast-lineage cells into endothelial-like cells. This is confirmed by lineage tracing showing the induction of endothelial markers in osteoblast-lineage cells following glucocorticoid treatment. Functional studies show that osteoblast-lineage cells isolated from glucocorticoid-treated mice lose their capacity for bone formation but simultaneously improve vascular repair. We find that the glucocorticoid receptor directly targets Foxc2 and Osterix, and the modulations of Foxc2 and Osterix drive the transition of osteoblast-lineage cells to endothelial-like cells. Together, the results suggest that glucocorticoids suppress osteogenic capacity and cause bone loss at least in part through previously unrecognized osteoblast-endothelial transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Qiao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xiuju Wu
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yan Zhao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xinjiang Cai
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jocelyn A Ma
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jaden Ji
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Karen Lyons
- Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kristina I Boström
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- The Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Peng C, Wu DD, Ren JL, Peng ZL, Ma Z, Wu W, Lv Y, Wang Z, Deng C, Jiang K, Parkinson CL, Qi Y, Zhang ZY, Li JT. Large-scale snake genome analyses provide insights into vertebrate development. Cell 2023; 186:2959-2976.e22. [PMID: 37339633 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Snakes are a remarkable squamate lineage with unique morphological adaptations, especially those related to the evolution of vertebrate skeletons, organs, and sensory systems. To clarify the genetic underpinnings of snake phenotypes, we assembled and analyzed 14 de novo genomes from 12 snake families. We also investigated the genetic basis of the morphological characteristics of snakes using functional experiments. We identified genes, regulatory elements, and structural variations that have potentially contributed to the evolution of limb loss, an elongated body plan, asymmetrical lungs, sensory systems, and digestive adaptations in snakes. We identified some of the genes and regulatory elements that might have shaped the evolution of vision, the skeletal system and diet in blind snakes, and thermoreception in infrared-sensitive snakes. Our study provides insights into the evolution and development of snakes and vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjun Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dong-Dong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Jin-Long Ren
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China
| | - Zhong-Liang Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhifei Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunyun Lv
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China; College of Life Science, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang, Sichuan 641100, China
| | - Zeng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Cao Deng
- Departments of Bioinformatics, DNA Stories Bioinformatics Center, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Ke Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China
| | | | - Yin Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China
| | - Zhi-Yi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China
| | - Jia-Tang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610040, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 05282, Myanmar.
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13
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Tan C, Norden PR, Yu W, Liu T, Ujiie N, Lee SK, Yan X, Dyakiv Y, Aoto K, Ortega S, De Plaen IG, Sampath V, Kume T. Endothelial FOXC1 and FOXC2 promote intestinal regeneration after ischemia-reperfusion injury. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56030. [PMID: 37154714 PMCID: PMC10328078 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal ischemia underlies several clinical conditions and can result in the loss of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Ischemia-induced damage to the intestinal epithelium is repaired by stimulation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), and paracrine signaling from the vascular niche regulates intestinal regeneration. Here, we identify FOXC1 and FOXC2 as essential regulators of paracrine signaling in intestinal regeneration after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Vascular endothelial cell (EC)- and lymphatic EC (LEC)-specific deletions of Foxc1, Foxc2, or both in mice worsen I/R-induced intestinal damage by causing defects in vascular regrowth, expression of chemokine CXCL12 and Wnt activator R-spondin 3 (RSPO3) in blood ECs (BECs) and LECs, respectively, and activation of Wnt signaling in ISCs. Both FOXC1 and FOXC2 directly bind to regulatory elements of the CXCL12 and RSPO3 loci in BECs and LECs, respectively. Treatment with CXCL12 and RSPO3 rescues the I/R-induced intestinal damage in EC- and LEC-Foxc mutant mice, respectively. This study provides evidence that FOXC1 and FOXC2 are required for intestinal regeneration by stimulating paracrine CXCL12 and Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Tan
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Pieter R Norden
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Wei Yu
- Division of Neonatology, Department of PediatricsChildren's Mercy HospitalKansas CityMOUSA
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Naoto Ujiie
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Sun Kyong Lee
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Xiaocai Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Yaryna Dyakiv
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Kazushi Aoto
- Department of BiochemistryHamamatsu University School of MedicineHamamatsuJapan
| | - Sagrario Ortega
- Mouse Genome Editing Unit, Biotechnology ProgramSpanish National Cancer Research CentreMadridSpain
| | - Isabelle G De Plaen
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Venkatesh Sampath
- Division of Neonatology, Department of PediatricsChildren's Mercy HospitalKansas CityMOUSA
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
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14
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Almubarak A, Zhang Q, Zhang CH, Lassar AB, Kume T, Berry FB. Foxc1 and Foxc2 function in osteochondral progenitors for the progression through chondrocyte hypertrophy and mineralization of the primary ossification center. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.26.538325. [PMID: 37162896 PMCID: PMC10168324 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.26.538325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The forkhead box transcription factor genes Foxc1 and Foxc2 are expressed in the condensing mesenchyme of the developing skeleton prior to the onset of chondrocyte differentiation. To determine the roles of these transcription factors in limb development we deleted both Foxc1 and Foxc2 in lateral plate mesoderm using the Prx1-cre mouse line. Resulting compound homozygous mice died shortly after birth with exencephaly, and malformations to this sternum and limb skeleton. Notably distal limb structures were preferentially affected, with the autopods displaying reduced or absent mineralization. The radius and tibia bowed and the ulna and fibula were reduced to an unmineralized rudimentary structure. Molecular analysis revealed reduced expression of Ihh leading to reduced proliferation and delayed chondrocyte hypertrophy at E14.5. At later ages, Prx1-cre;Foxc1Δ/ Δ;Foxc2 Δ / Δ embryos exhibited restored Ihh expression and an expanded COLX-positive hypertrophic chondrocyte region, indicating a delayed exit and impaired remodeling of the hypertrophic chondrocytes. Osteoblast differentiation and mineralization were disrupted at the osteochondral junction and in the primary ossification center (POC). Levels of OSTEOPONTIN were elevated in the POC of compound homozygous mutants, while expression of Phex was reduced, indicating that impaired OPN processing by PHEX may underlie the mineralization defect we observe. Together our findings suggest that Foxc1 and Foxc2 act at different stages of endochondral ossification. Initially these genes act during the onset of chondrogenesis leading to the formation of hypertrophic chondrocytes. At later stages Foxc1 and Foxc2 are required for remodeling of HC and for Phex expression required for mineralization of the POC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asra Almubarak
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Qiuwan Zhang
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA. 02115
| | - Cheng-Hai Zhang
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA. 02115
| | - Andrew B. Lassar
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA. 02115
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Fred B Berry
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, Canada
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15
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Parab S, Setten E, Astanina E, Bussolino F, Doronzo G. The tissue-specific transcriptional landscape underlines the involvement of endothelial cells in health and disease. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 246:108418. [PMID: 37088448 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) that line vascular and lymphatic vessels are being increasingly recognized as important to organ function in health and disease. ECs participate not only in the trafficking of gases, metabolites, and cells between the bloodstream and tissues but also in the angiocrine-based induction of heterogeneous parenchymal cells, which are unique to their specific tissue functions. The molecular mechanisms regulating EC heterogeneity between and within different tissues are modeled during embryogenesis and become fully established in adults. Any changes in adult tissue homeostasis induced by aging, stress conditions, and various noxae may reshape EC heterogeneity and induce specific transcriptional features that condition a functional phenotype. Heterogeneity is sustained via specific genetic programs organized through the combinatory effects of a discrete number of transcription factors (TFs) that, at the single tissue-level, constitute dynamic networks that are post-transcriptionally and epigenetically regulated. This review is focused on outlining the TF-based networks involved in EC specialization and physiological and pathological stressors thought to modify their architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushant Parab
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Elisa Setten
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Elena Astanina
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Federico Bussolino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Doronzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
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16
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Iyer D, Mastrogiacomo D, Li K, Banerjee R, Yang Y, Scallan JP. Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Regulates Lymphatic Valve Specification By Controlling β - catenin Signaling During Embryogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.10.536303. [PMID: 37090551 PMCID: PMC10120724 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.10.536303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Objective Lymphatic valves play a critical role in ensuring unidirectional lymph transport. Loss of lymphatic valves or dysfunctional valves are associated with several diseases including lymphedema, lymphatic malformations, obesity, and ileitis. Lymphatic valves first develop during embryogenesis in response to mechanotransduction signaling pathways triggered by oscillatory lymph flow. In blood vessels, eNOS (gene name: Nos3 ) is a well characterized shear stress signaling effector, but its role in lymphatic valve development remains unexplored. Approach and Results We used global Nos3 -/- mice and cultured hdLECs to investigate the role of eNOS in lymphatic valve development, which requires oscillatory shear stress signaling. Our data reveal a 45% reduction in lymphatic valve specification cell clusters and that loss of eNOS protein inhibited activation of β-catenin and its nuclear translocation. Genetic knockout or knockdown of eNOS led to downregulation of β-catenin target proteins in vivo and in vitro . However, pharmacological inhibition of NO production did not reproduce these effects. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments reveal that eNOS forms a complex with β-catenin and their association is enhanced by oscillatory shear stress. Finally, genetic ablation of the Foxo1 gene enhanced FOXC2 expression and rescued the loss of valve specification in the eNOS knockouts. Conclusion In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel, nitric oxide-independent role for eNOS in regulating lymphatic valve specification and propose a mechanism by which eNOS forms a complex with β-catenin to regulate its nuclear translocation and thereby transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drishya Iyer
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA 33612
| | - Diandra Mastrogiacomo
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA 33612
| | - Kunyu Li
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA 33612
| | - Richa Banerjee
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA 33612
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA 33612
| | - Joshua P Scallan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA 33612
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17
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Zhao B, Li B, Zhang J, Qi Y, Chen B, Chen L. Construction of miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network to Identify Potential Biomarkers in Infantile Hemangioma by Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr 2023; 33:61-71. [PMID: 37199314 DOI: 10.1615/critreveukaryotgeneexpr.v33.i5.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common vascular tumor among infants and children. However, the understanding of pathogenesis about IH has not been fully elucidated, and the potential diagnostic maker remains further explored. In this study, we aimed to find miRNAs as potential biomarkers of IH through bioinformatic analysis. The microarray datasets GSE69136, GSE100682 were downloaded from the GEO database. The co-expressed differential miRNAs were identified by analyzing these two datasets. The downstream common target genes were predicted by the ENCORI, Mirgene, miRWalk, and Targetscan databases. GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis for target genes were performed. The STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network and screen hub genes. Then potential diagnostic markers for IH were further screened and identified by using Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A total of thirteen co-expressed up-regulated miRNAs were screened out in the above two datasets, and 778 down-regulated target genes were then predicted. GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the common target genes strongly correlated with IH. Through the DEM-hub gene network construction, six miRNAs associated with the hub genes were identified. Finally, has-miR-522-3p, has-miR-512-3p, has-miR-520a-5p with high diagnostic values were screened out by receiver operating characteristic analysis. In the study, the potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was firstly constructed in IH. And, the three miRNAs might be used as potential biomarkers for IH, which also provided novel strategies for the therapeutic intervention of IH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boming Zhao
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Bin Li
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Yongjian Qi
- Department of Spine Surgery and Musculoskeletal Tumor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Biao Chen
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
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18
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Recouvreux MS, Miao J, Gozo MC, Wu J, Walts AE, Karlan BY, Orsulic S. FOXC2 Promotes Vasculogenic Mimicry in Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4851. [PMID: 36230774 PMCID: PMC9564305 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXC2 is a forkhead family transcription factor that plays a critical role in specifying mesenchymal cell fate during embryogenesis. FOXC2 expression is associated with increased metastasis and poor survival in various solid malignancies. Using in vitro and in vivo assays in mouse ovarian cancer cell lines, we confirmed the previously reported mechanisms by which FOXC2 could promote cancer growth, metastasis, and drug resistance, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stem cell-like differentiation, and resistance to anoikis. In addition, we showed that FOXC2 expression is associated with vasculogenic mimicry in mouse and human ovarian cancers. FOXC2 overexpression increased the ability of human ovarian cancer cells to form vascular-like structures in vitro, while inhibition of FOXC2 had the opposite effect. Thus, we present a novel mechanism by which FOXC2 might contribute to cancer aggressiveness and poor patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sol Recouvreux
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jiangyong Miao
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Maricel C. Gozo
- Women’s Cancer Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Jingni Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ann E. Walts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Beth Y. Karlan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sandra Orsulic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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19
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Motojima M, Tanaka M, Kume T. Foxc1 and Foxc2 are indispensable for maintenance of progenitors of nephron and stroma in the developing kidney. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:276938. [PMID: 36073617 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nephron development proceeds with reciprocal interactions among three layers: nephron progenitors (NPs), ureteric buds, and stromal progenitors (SPs). We found Foxc1 and Foxc2 (Foxc1/2) expression in NPs and SPs. Systemic deletion of Foxc1/2 two days after the onset of metanephros development (E13.5) resulted in epithelialization of NPs and ectopic formation of renal vesicles. NP-specific deletion did not cause these phenotypes, indicating that Foxc1/2 in other cells (likely in SPs) contributed to the maintenance of NPs. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed NP and SP subpopulations, the border between committed NPs and renewing NPs, and similarity among cortical interstitium and vascular smooth muscle type cells. Integrated analysis of the control and knockout data indicated transformation of some NPs to strange cells expressing markers of vascular endothelium, reduced numbers of self-renewing NP and SP populations, downregulation of crucial genes for kidney development such as Fgf20 and Frem1 in NPs, and Foxd1 and Sall1 in SPs. It also revealed upregulation of genes that were not usually expressed in NPs and SPs. Thus, Foxc1/2 maintains NPs and SPs by regulating the expression of multiple genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Motojima
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Masayuki Tanaka
- Medical Science College Office, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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20
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Ryu JR, Ahuja S, Arnold CR, Potts KG, Mishra A, Yang Q, Sargurupremraj M, Mahoney DJ, Seshadri S, Debette S, Childs SJ. Stroke-associated intergenic variants modulate a human FOXF2 transcriptional enhancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2121333119. [PMID: 35994645 PMCID: PMC9436329 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2121333119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
SNPs associated with human stroke risk have been identified in the intergenic region between Forkhead family transcription factors FOXF2 and FOXQ1, but we lack a mechanism for the association. FoxF2 is expressed in vascular mural pericytes and is important for maintaining pericyte number and stabilizing small vessels in zebrafish. The stroke-associated SNPs are located in a previously unknown transcriptional enhancer for FOXF2, functional in human cells and zebrafish. We identify critical enhancer regions for FOXF2 gene expression, including binding sites occupied by transcription factors ETS1, RBPJ, and CTCF. rs74564934, a stroke-associated SNP adjacent to the ETS1 binding site, decreases enhancer function, as does mutation of RPBJ sites. rs74564934 is significantly associated with the increased risk of any stroke, ischemic stroke, small vessel stroke, and elevated white matter hyperintensity burden in humans. Foxf2 has a conserved function cross-species and is expressed in vascular mural pericytes of the vessel wall. Thus, stroke-associated SNPs modulate enhancer activity and expression of a regulator of vascular stabilization, FOXF2, thereby modulating stroke risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Ryeon Ryu
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Suchit Ahuja
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Corey R. Arnold
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Kyle G. Potts
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Aniket Mishra
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Team VINTAGE, UMR 1219, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Qiong Yang
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Muralidharan Sargurupremraj
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229
- Boston University and the NHLBI’s Framingham Heart Study, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Douglas J. Mahoney
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sudha Seshadri
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229
- Boston University and the NHLBI’s Framingham Heart Study, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Stéphanie Debette
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Team VINTAGE, UMR 1219, 33000 Bordeaux, France
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118
- Department of Neurology, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Sarah J. Childs
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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21
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Mutation of foxl1 Results in Reduced Cartilage Markers in a Zebrafish Model of Otosclerosis. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13071107. [PMID: 35885890 PMCID: PMC9319681 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071107] [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] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone diseases such as otosclerosis (conductive hearing loss) and osteoporosis (low bone mineral density) can result from the abnormal expression of genes that regulate cartilage and bone development. The forkhead box transcription factor FOXL1 has been identified as the causative gene in a family with autosomal dominant otosclerosis and has been reported as a candidate gene in GWAS meta-analyses for osteoporosis. This potentially indicates a novel role for foxl1 in chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and bone remodelling. We created a foxl1 mutant zebrafish strain as a model for otosclerosis and osteoporosis and examined jaw bones that are homologous to the mammalian middle ear bones, and mineralization of the axial skeleton. We demonstrate that foxl1 regulates the expression of collagen genes such as collagen type 1 alpha 1a and collagen type 11 alpha 2, and results in a delay in jawbone mineralization, while the axial skeleton remains unchanged. foxl1 may also act with other forkhead genes such as foxc1a, as loss of foxl1 in a foxc1a mutant background increases the severity of jaw calcification phenotypes when compared to each mutant alone. Our zebrafish model demonstrates atypical cartilage formation and mineralization in the zebrafish craniofacial skeleton in foxl1 mutants and demonstrates that aberrant collagen expression may underlie the development of otosclerosis.
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22
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Duan X, Shi Y, Zhao S, Yao L, Sheng J, Liu D. Foxc1a regulates zebrafish vascular integrity and brain vascular development through targeting amotl2a and ctnnb1. Microvasc Res 2022; 143:104400. [PMID: 35724741 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2022.104400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidences have pointed that foxc1a is essential for vascular development and integrity maintenance through regulating the expression of downstream genes and interacting with signaling pathways. However, the underling cellular and molecular mechanisms of foxc1a in regulating vascular development remain undetermined. Based on two different foxc1a mutant zebrafish lines (foxc1anju18 and foxc1anju19 which generated predicted truncated foxc1a proteins with 50aa and 315aa respectively), we found that around 30 % of foxc1anju18 zebrafish exhibited severe vascular developmental defects with obvious hemorrhage in hindbrain and trunk at embryonic stages. Confocal imaging analysis revealed that the formation of middle cerebral vein (MCeV), intra-cerebral central arteries (CtAs) and dorsal longitudinal vein (DLV) of brain vessels was significantly blocked in foxc1anju18enbryos. Injection of exogenous full length and foxc1anju19 truncated foxc1a mRNA both rescued the deficiency of foxc1anju18 embryos. Transcriptome analysis revealed 186 DEGs in foxc1anju18 zebrafish among which amotl2a and ctnnb1 expression were reduced and functionally associated with adherens junctions. Dual-Luciferase assays validated amotl2a and ctnnb1 were both directly transactivated by foxc1a. Rescue experiments demonstrated that amotl2a was mainly responsible for the vascular integrity caused by foxc1a mutation and also coordinated with ctnnb1 to regulate brain vascular development. Our data point to a novel clue that foxc1a regulates vascular integrity and brain vascular development through targeting amotl2a and ctnnb1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuchu Duan
- School of Life Science, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Department of Endocrine, Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Shu Zhao
- School of Life Science, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Department of Endocrine, Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Lili Yao
- School of Life Science, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Department of Endocrine, Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jiajing Sheng
- School of Life Science, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Department of Endocrine, Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Science, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Department of Endocrine, Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
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23
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Notch signaling pathway: architecture, disease, and therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:95. [PMID: 35332121 PMCID: PMC8948217 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00934-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The NOTCH gene was identified approximately 110 years ago. Classical studies have revealed that NOTCH signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway. NOTCH receptors undergo three cleavages and translocate into the nucleus to regulate the transcription of target genes. NOTCH signaling deeply participates in the development and homeostasis of multiple tissues and organs, the aberration of which results in cancerous and noncancerous diseases. However, recent studies indicate that the outcomes of NOTCH signaling are changeable and highly dependent on context. In terms of cancers, NOTCH signaling can both promote and inhibit tumor development in various types of cancer. The overall performance of NOTCH-targeted therapies in clinical trials has failed to meet expectations. Additionally, NOTCH mutation has been proposed as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade therapy in many cancers. Collectively, the NOTCH pathway needs to be integrally assessed with new perspectives to inspire discoveries and applications. In this review, we focus on both classical and the latest findings related to NOTCH signaling to illustrate the history, architecture, regulatory mechanisms, contributions to physiological development, related diseases, and therapeutic applications of the NOTCH pathway. The contributions of NOTCH signaling to the tumor immune microenvironment and cancer immunotherapy are also highlighted. We hope this review will help not only beginners but also experts to systematically and thoroughly understand the NOTCH signaling pathway.
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Safgren SL, Olson RJ, Pinto E Vairo F, Bothun ED, Hanna C, Klee EW, Schimmenti LA. De novo PBX1 variant in a patient with glaucoma, kidney anomalies, and developmental delay: An expansion of the CAKUTHED phenotype. Am J Med Genet A 2022; 188:919-925. [PMID: 34797033 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
An infant was referred for evaluation of congenital glaucoma and corneal clouding. In addition, he had a pelvic kidney, hypotonia, patent ductus arteriosus, abnormal pinnae, and developmental delay. Exome sequencing identified a previously unpublished de novo single nucleotide insertion in PBX1 c.400dupG (NM_002585.3), predicted to cause a frameshift resulting in a truncated protein with loss of function (p.Ala134Glyfs*65). Identification of this loss of function variant supports the diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract syndrome with or without hearing loss, abnormal ears, or developmental delay (CAKUTHED). Here, we propose glaucoma as an extra-renal manifestation associated with PBX1-related disease due to the relationship of PBX1 with MEIS1, MEIS2, and FOXC1 transcription factors associated with eye development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Safgren
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Rory J Olson
- Center of Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Filippo Pinto E Vairo
- Center of Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Erick D Bothun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christian Hanna
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eric W Klee
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Center of Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lisa A Schimmenti
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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25
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Ahmed MR, Sethna S, Krueger LA, Yang MB, Hufnagel RB. Variable Anterior Segment Dysgenesis and Cardiac Anomalies Caused by a Novel Truncating Variant of FOXC1. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030411. [PMID: 35327965 PMCID: PMC8949076 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) encompasses a wide spectrum of developmental abnormalities of the anterior ocular segment, including congenital cataract, iris hypoplasia, aniridia, iridocorneal synechiae, as well as Peters, Axenfeld, and Rieger anomalies. Here, we report a large five-generation Caucasian family exhibiting atypical syndromic ASD segregating with a novel truncating variant of FOXC1. The family history is consistent with highly variable autosomal dominant symptoms including isolated glaucoma, iris hypoplasia, aniridia, cataract, hypothyroidism, and congenital heart anomalies. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel variant [c.313_314insA; p.(Tyr105*)] in FOXC1 that disrupts the α-helical region of the DNA-binding forkhead box domain. In vitro studies using a heterologous cell system revealed aberrant cytoplasmic localization of FOXC1 harboring the Tyr105* variant, likely precluding downstream transcription function. Meta-analysis of the literature highlighted the intrafamilial variability related to FOXC1 truncating alleles. This study highlights the clinical variability in ASD and signifies the importance of combining both clinical and molecular analysis approaches to establish a complete diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya R. Ahmed
- Medical Genetics and Ophthalmic Genomics Unit, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Saumil Sethna
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Laura A. Krueger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (L.A.K.); (M.B.Y.)
| | - Michael B. Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (L.A.K.); (M.B.Y.)
| | - Robert B. Hufnagel
- Medical Genetics and Ophthalmic Genomics Unit, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
- Correspondence:
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26
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Wang R, Wu Y, Jiang S. FOXC2 Alleviates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats through Regulating Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2021:9628521. [PMID: 34858542 PMCID: PMC8632424 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9628521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is the leading cause of death in patients with cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect and mechanism of forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) on MIRI in rats. METHODS We made ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) models for rats by performing I/R surgery. After 3 hours, 3 days, and 7 days of reperfusion, we detected the structure and function of rat myocardium by 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, echocardiography, lactate dehydrogenase kit, and haematoxylin-eosin staining. The change of FOXC2 expression in myocardial tissue was also detected. Then, we increased the expression of FOXC2 in rats by adenovirus transfection to clarify the effect of FOXC2 on changes of oxidative stress and inflammation of rat myocardium. In addition, we detected the effect of FOXC2 overexpression plasmid on the function of H9c2 cells in vitro. The expression changes of Nrf2/HO-1 in myocardial cells were also detected to clarify the mechanism of action of FOXC2. RESULTS The expression of FOXC2 in I/R rats was significantly lower than that in the sham group. After overexpressing FOXC2 in I/R rats, we found that the expression of SOD1/2 of rat myocardium and inflammatory factors in the serum were significantly reduced. Overexpression of FOXC2 also increased the viability and antioxidant capacity of H9c2 cells. In addition, FOXC2 was found to increase the activity of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in myocardial cells, and the inhibition of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway attenuated the protective effect of FOXC2 on myocardial cells. CONCLUSIONS MIRI in rats was accompanied by low expression of FOXC2 in myocardial tissue. Overexpression of FOXC2 reduces the level of inflammation and oxidative stress in myocardial tissue by promoting the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating MIRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yonggang Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shoutao Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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27
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Simeoni F, Somervaille TCP. Enhancer recruitment of a RUNX1, HDAC1 and TLE3 co-repressor complex by mis-expressed FOXC1 blocks differentiation in acute myeloid leukemia. Mol Cell Oncol 2021; 8:2003161. [PMID: 35419467 PMCID: PMC8997249 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2021.2003161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Tissue-inappropriate expression of FOXC1 (Forkhead Box C1) in acute myeloid leukemia confers a monocyte/macrophage lineage differentiation block. We discovered that FOXC1 interacts with RUNX1 (Runt-Related Transcription Factor 1) to stabilize a RUNX1, HDAC1 (Histone Deacetylase 1) and TLE3 (Transducin-like enhancer protein 3) repressor complex at enhancers controlling myeloid differentiation genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Simeoni
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Tim CP Somervaille
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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28
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Fralish Z, Lotz EM, Chavez T, Khodabukus A, Bursac N. Neuromuscular Development and Disease: Learning From in vitro and in vivo Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:764732. [PMID: 34778273 PMCID: PMC8579029 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.764732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized cholinergic synaptic interface between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber that translates presynaptic electrical impulses into motor function. NMJ formation and maintenance require tightly regulated signaling and cellular communication among motor neurons, myogenic cells, and Schwann cells. Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) can result in loss of NMJ function and motor input leading to paralysis or even death. Although small animal models have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the NMJ structure and function, the complexities of studying this multi-tissue system in vivo and poor clinical outcomes of candidate therapies developed in small animal models has driven the need for in vitro models of functional human NMJ to complement animal studies. In this review, we discuss prevailing models of NMDs and highlight the current progress and ongoing challenges in developing human iPSC-derived (hiPSC) 3D cell culture models of functional NMJs. We first review in vivo development of motor neurons, skeletal muscle, Schwann cells, and the NMJ alongside current methods for directing the differentiation of relevant cell types from hiPSCs. We further compare the efficacy of modeling NMDs in animals and human cell culture systems in the context of five NMDs: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and Pompe disease. Finally, we discuss further work necessary for hiPSC-derived NMJ models to function as effective personalized NMD platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Fralish
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ethan M Lotz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Taylor Chavez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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29
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Ferdous A, Singh S, Luo Y, Abedin MJ, Jiang N, Perry CE, Evers BM, Gillette TG, Kyba M, Trojanowska M, Hill JA. Fli1 Promotes Vascular Morphogenesis by Regulating Endothelial Potential of Multipotent Myogenic Progenitors. Circ Res 2021; 129:949-964. [PMID: 34544261 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.318986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwarul Ferdous
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Sarvjeet Singh
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Yuxuan Luo
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Md J Abedin
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Nan Jiang
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Cameron E Perry
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Bret M Evers
- Pathology (B.M.E.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Thomas G Gillette
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Michael Kyba
- Department of Pediatrics (M.K.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.,Lillehei Heart Institute (M.K.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Section of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Boston University, MA (M.T.)
| | - Joseph A Hill
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.,Molecular Biology (J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
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30
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Martin-Almedina S, Mortimer PS, Ostergaard P. Development and physiological functions of the lymphatic system: insights from human genetic studies of primary lymphedema. Physiol Rev 2021; 101:1809-1871. [PMID: 33507128 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00006.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary lymphedema is a long-term (chronic) condition characterized by tissue lymph retention and swelling that can affect any part of the body, although it usually develops in the arms or legs. Due to the relevant contribution of the lymphatic system to human physiology, while this review mainly focuses on the clinical and physiological aspects related to the regulation of fluid homeostasis and edema, clinicians need to know that the impact of lymphatic dysfunction with a genetic origin can be wide ranging. Lymphatic dysfunction can affect immune function so leading to infection; it can influence cancer development and spread, and it can determine fat transport so impacting on nutrition and obesity. Genetic studies and the development of imaging techniques for the assessment of lymphatic function have enabled the recognition of primary lymphedema as a heterogenic condition in terms of genetic causes and disease mechanisms. In this review, the known biological functions of several genes crucial to the development and function of the lymphatic system are used as a basis for understanding normal lymphatic biology. The disease conditions originating from mutations in these genes are discussed together with a detailed clinical description of the phenotype and the up-to-date knowledge in terms of disease mechanisms acquired from in vitro and in vivo research models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Martin-Almedina
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter S Mortimer
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Dermatology and Lymphovascular Medicine, St. George's Universities NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pia Ostergaard
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Detection of Novel Potential Regulators of Stem Cell Differentiation and Cardiogenesis through Combined Genome-Wide Profiling of Protein-Coding Transcripts and microRNAs. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092477. [PMID: 34572125 PMCID: PMC8469649 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provides a convenient basis for the study of microRNA-based gene regulation that is relevant for early cardiogenic processes. However, to which degree insights gained from in vitro differentiation models can be readily transferred to the in vivo system remains unclear. In this study, we profiled simultaneous genome-wide measurements of mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) of differentiating murine ESCs (mESCs) and integrated putative miRNA-gene interactions to assess miRNA-driven gene regulation. To identify interactions conserved between in vivo and in vitro, we combined our analysis with a recent transcriptomic study of early murine heart development in vivo. We detected over 200 putative miRNA-mRNA interactions with conserved expression patterns that were indicative of gene regulation across the in vitro and in vivo studies. A substantial proportion of candidate interactions have been already linked to cardiogenesis, supporting the validity of our approach. Notably, we also detected miRNAs with expression patterns that closely resembled those of key developmental transcription factors. The approach taken in this study enabled the identification of miRNA interactions in in vitro models with potential relevance for early cardiogenic development. Such comparative approaches will be important for the faithful application of stem cells in cardiovascular research.
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Ferre-Fernández JJ, Sorokina EA, Thompson S, Collery RF, Nordquist E, Lincoln J, Semina EV. Disruption of foxc1 genes in zebrafish results in dosage-dependent phenotypes overlapping Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:2723-2735. [PMID: 32720677 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Forkhead Box C1 (FOXC1) gene encodes a forkhead/winged helix transcription factor involved in embryonic development. Mutations in this gene cause dysgenesis of the anterior segment of the eye, most commonly Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS), often with other systemic features. The developmental mechanisms and pathways regulated by FOXC1 remain largely unknown. There are two conserved orthologs of FOXC1 in zebrafish, foxc1a and foxc1b. To further examine the role of FOXC1 in vertebrates, we generated foxc1a and foxc1b single knockout zebrafish lines and bred them to obtain various allelic combinations. Three genotypes demonstrated visible phenotypes: foxc1a-/- single homozygous and foxc1-/- double knockout homozygous embryos presented with similar characteristics comprised of severe global vascular defects and early lethality, as well as microphthalmia, periocular edema and absence of the anterior chamber of the eye; additionally, fish with heterozygous loss of foxc1a combined with homozygosity for foxc1b (foxc1a+/-;foxc1b-/-) demonstrated craniofacial defects, heart anomalies and scoliosis. All other single and combined genotypes appeared normal. Analysis of foxc1 expression detected a significant increase in foxc1a levels in homozygous and heterozygous mutant eyes, suggesting a mechanism for foxc1a upregulation when its function is compromised; interestingly, the expression of another ARS-associated gene, pitx2, was responsive to the estimated level of wild-type Foxc1a, indicating a possible role for this protein in the regulation of pitx2 expression. Altogether, our results support a conserved role for foxc1 in the formation of many organs, consistent with the features observed in human patients, and highlight the importance of correct FOXC1/foxc1 dosage for vertebrate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús-José Ferre-Fernández
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Elena A Sorokina
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Samuel Thompson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Ross F Collery
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Emily Nordquist
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Joy Lincoln
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Herma Heart Institute, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Elena V Semina
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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33
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Almubarak A, Lavy R, Srnic N, Hu Y, Maripuri DP, Kume T, Berry FB. Loss of Foxc1 and Foxc2 function in chondroprogenitor cells disrupts endochondral ossification. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101020. [PMID: 34331943 PMCID: PMC8383119 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Endochondral ossification initiates the growth of the majority of the mammalian skeleton and is tightly controlled through gene regulatory networks. The forkhead box transcription factors Foxc1 and Foxc2 regulate aspects of osteoblast function in the formation of the skeleton, but their roles in chondrocytes to control endochondral ossification are less clear. Here, we demonstrate that Foxc1 expression is directly regulated by the activity of SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 9, one of the earliest transcription factors to specify the chondrocyte lineage. Moreover, we demonstrate that elevated expression of Foxc1 promotes chondrocyte differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells and loss of Foxc1 function inhibits chondrogenesis in vitro. Using chondrocyte-targeted deletion of Foxc1 and Foxc2 in mice, we reveal a role for these factors in chondrocyte differentiation in vivo. Loss of both Foxc1 and Foxc2 caused a general skeletal dysplasia predominantly affecting the vertebral column. The long bones of the limbs were smaller, mineralization was reduced, and organization of the growth plate was disrupted; in particular, the stacked columnar organization of the proliferative chondrocyte layer was reduced in size and cell proliferation was decreased. Differential gene expression analysis indicated disrupted expression patterns of chondrogenesis and ossification genes throughout the entire process of endochondral ossification in chondrocyte-specific Foxc1/Foxc2 KO embryos. Our results suggest that Foxc1 and Foxc2 are required for normal chondrocyte differentiation and function, as loss of both genes results in disorganization of the growth plate, reduced chondrocyte proliferation, and delays in chondrocyte hypertrophy that prevents ossification of the skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asra Almubarak
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rotem Lavy
- Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nikola Srnic
- Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yawen Hu
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Tsutomo Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Fred B Berry
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Establishment of a developmental neurotoxicity test by Sox1-GFP mouse embryonic stem cells. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 104:96-105. [PMID: 34273508 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Developmental toxicity tests have been generated by applying the embryonic stem cell tests at the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods, or by using the embryoid body test in our laboratory. This study was undertaken to explore novel developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) assay, using a Sox1-GFP cell line (mouse embryonic stem cells with an endogenous Sox1-GFP reporter). The expression of Sox1, a marker for neuroepithelial cells, is detected by green fluorescence, and the fluorescence intensity is a critical factor for achieving neuronal differentiation. Sox1-GFP cells cultured for 24 h were exposed to eleven neurotoxicants and four non-neurotoxicants. CCK-8 assays were performed to determine IC50 values after 48 h of chemical treatment. The fluorescence intensity of GFP was measured 4 days after treating the cells, and it was observed to decrease after exposure to neurotoxicants at higher concentrations, thereby indicating that the neuronal differentiation of Sox1-GFP cells is inhibited by the chemicals. Taken together, the results obtained in this study provide a model for DNT using embryonic stem cells, which may be applied to evaluate the toxicity of new chemicals or new drug candidates.
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35
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Yamamoto-Fukuda T, Akiyama N, Kojima H. Super-enhancer Acquisition Drives FOXC2 Expression in Middle Ear Cholesteatoma. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2021; 22:405-424. [PMID: 33861394 PMCID: PMC8329101 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-021-00801-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Distinct histone modifications regulate gene expression in certain diseases, but little is known about histone epigenetics in middle ear cholesteatoma. It is known that histone acetylation destabilizes the nucleosome and chromatin structure and induces gene activation. The association of histone acetylation with chronic inflammatory diseases has been indicated in recent studies. In this study, we examined the localization of variously modified histone H3 acetylation at lysine 9, 14, 18, 23, and 27 in paraffin-embedded sections of human middle ear cholesteatoma (cholesteatoma) tissues and the temporal bones of an animal model of cholesteatoma immunohistochemically. As a result, we found that there was a significant increase of the expression levels of H3K27ac both in human cholesteatoma tissues and the animal model. In genetics, super-enhancers are clusters of enhancers that drive the transcription of genes involved in cell identity. Super-enhancers were originally defined using the H3K27ac signal, and then we used H3K27ac chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing to map the active cis-regulatory landscape in human cholesteatoma. Based on the results, we identified increased H3K27ac signals as super-enhancers of the FOXC2 loci, as well as increased protein of FOXC2 in cholesteatoma. Recent studies have indicated that menin-MLL inhibitor could suppress tumor growth through the control of histone H3 modification. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of FOXC2 was inhibited by menin-MLL inhibitor in vivo. These findings indicate that FOXC2 expression under histone modifications promoted the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma and suggest that it may be a therapeutic target of cholesteatoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomi Yamamoto-Fukuda
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.
| | - Naotaro Akiyama
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kojima
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Rufaihah AJ, Chen CK, Yap CH, Mattar CNZ. Mending a broken heart: In vitro, in vivo and in silico models of congenital heart disease. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:14/3/dmm047522. [PMID: 33787508 PMCID: PMC8033415 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Birth defects contribute to ∼0.3% of global infant mortality in the first month of life, and congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect among newborns worldwide. Despite the significant impact on human health, most treatments available for this heterogenous group of disorders are palliative at best. For this reason, the complex process of cardiogenesis, governed by multiple interlinked and dose-dependent pathways, is well investigated. Tissue, animal and, more recently, computerized models of the developing heart have facilitated important discoveries that are helping us to understand the genetic, epigenetic and mechanobiological contributors to CHD aetiology. In this Review, we discuss the strengths and limitations of different models of normal and abnormal cardiogenesis, ranging from single-cell systems and 3D cardiac organoids, to small and large animals and organ-level computational models. These investigative tools have revealed a diversity of pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to CHD, including genetic pathways, epigenetic regulators and shear wall stresses, paving the way for new strategies for screening and non-surgical treatment of CHD. As we discuss in this Review, one of the most-valuable advances in recent years has been the creation of highly personalized platforms with which to study individual diseases in clinically relevant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Jalil Rufaihah
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228
| | - Ching Kit Chen
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228.,Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228
| | - Choon Hwai Yap
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat -National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore 119228.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Citra N Z Mattar
- Experimental Fetal Medicine Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228 .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Health System, Singapore 119228
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37
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Takenoshita M, Takechi M, Vu Hoang T, Furutera T, Akagawa C, Namangkalakul W, Aoto K, Kume T, Miyashin M, Iwamoto T, Iseki S. Cell lineage- and expression-based inference of the roles of forkhead box transcription factor Foxc2 in craniofacial development. Dev Dyn 2021; 250:1125-1139. [PMID: 33667029 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Foxc2 is a member of the winged helix/forkhead (Fox) box family of transcription factors. Loss of function of Foxc2 causes craniofacial abnormalities such as cleft palate and deformed cranial base, but its role during craniofacial development remains to be elucidated. RESULTS The contributions of Foxc2-positive and its descendant cells to the craniofacial structure at E18.5 were examined using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre driver mouse (Foxc2-CreERT2) crossed with the R26R-LacZ reporter mouse. Foxc2 expression at E8.5 is restricted to the cranial mesenchyme, contributing to specific components including the cranial base, sensory capsule, tongue, upper incisor, and middle ear. Expression at E10.5 was still positively regulated in most of those regions. In situ hybridization analysis of Foxc2 and its closely related gene, Foxc1, revealed that expression domains of these genes largely overlap in the cephalic mesenchyme. Meanwhile, the tongue expressed Foxc2 but not Foxc1, and its development was affected by the neural crest-specific deletion of Foxc2 in mice (Wnt1-Cre; Foxc2fl/fl ). CONCLUSIONS Foxc2 is expressed in cranial mesenchyme that contributes to specific craniofacial tissue components from an early stage, and it seems to be involved in their development in cooperation with Foxc1. Foxc2 also has its own role in tongue development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manami Takenoshita
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Takechi
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tri Vu Hoang
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiko Furutera
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chisaki Akagawa
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Worachat Namangkalakul
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazushi Aoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Development of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Michiyo Miyashin
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Iwamoto
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Iseki
- Department of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
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The Drosophila Forkhead/Fox transcription factor Jumeau mediates specific cardiac progenitor cell divisions by regulating expression of the kinesin Nebbish. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3221. [PMID: 33547352 PMCID: PMC7864957 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81894-1] [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] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Forkhead (Fkh/Fox) domain transcription factors (TFs) mediate multiple cardiogenic processes in both mammals and Drosophila. We showed previously that the Drosophila Fox gene jumeau (jumu) controls three categories of cardiac progenitor cell division—asymmetric, symmetric, and cell division at an earlier stage—by regulating Polo kinase activity, and mediates the latter two categories in concert with the TF Myb. Those observations raised the question of whether other jumu-regulated genes also mediate all three categories of cardiac progenitor cell division or a subset thereof. By comparing microarray-based expression profiles of wild-type and jumu loss-of-function mesodermal cells, we identified nebbish (neb), a kinesin-encoding gene activated by jumu. Phenotypic analysis shows that neb is required for only two categories of jumu-regulated cardiac progenitor cell division: symmetric and cell division at an earlier stage. Synergistic genetic interactions between neb, jumu, Myb, and polo and the rescue of jumu mutations by ectopic cardiac mesoderm-specific expression of neb demonstrate that neb is an integral component of a jumu-regulated subnetwork mediating cardiac progenitor cell divisions. Our results emphasize the central role of Fox TFs in cardiogenesis and illustrate how a single TF can utilize different combinations of other regulators and downstream effectors to control distinct developmental processes.
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Abstract
Cardiac development is a complex developmental process that is initiated soon after gastrulation, as two sets of precardiac mesodermal precursors are symmetrically located and subsequently fused at the embryonic midline forming the cardiac straight tube. Thereafter, the cardiac straight tube invariably bends to the right, configuring the first sign of morphological left–right asymmetry and soon thereafter the atrial and ventricular chambers are formed, expanded and progressively septated. As a consequence of all these morphogenetic processes, the fetal heart acquired a four-chambered structure having distinct inlet and outlet connections and a specialized conduction system capable of directing the electrical impulse within the fully formed heart. Over the last decades, our understanding of the morphogenetic, cellular, and molecular pathways involved in cardiac development has exponentially grown. Multiples aspects of the initial discoveries during heart formation has served as guiding tools to understand the etiology of cardiac congenital anomalies and adult cardiac pathology, as well as to enlighten novels approaches to heal the damaged heart. In this review we provide an overview of the complex cellular and molecular pathways driving heart morphogenesis and how those discoveries have provided new roads into the genetic, clinical and therapeutic management of the diseased hearts.
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40
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The Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome Gene FOXC1 Contributes to Left-Right Patterning. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020170. [PMID: 33530637 PMCID: PMC7912076 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise spatiotemporal expression of the Nodal-Lefty-Pitx2 cascade in the lateral plate mesoderm establishes the left–right axis, which provides vital cues for correct organ formation and function. Mutations of one cascade constituent PITX2 and, separately, the Forkhead transcription factor FOXC1 independently cause a multi-system disorder known as Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome (ARS). Since cardiac involvement is an established ARS phenotype and because disrupted left–right patterning can cause congenital heart defects, we investigated in zebrafish whether foxc1 contributes to organ laterality or situs. We demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-generated foxc1a and foxc1b mutants exhibit abnormal cardiac looping and that the prevalence of cardiac situs defects is increased in foxc1a−/−; foxc1b−/− homozygotes. Similarly, double homozygotes exhibit isomerism of the liver and pancreas, which are key features of abnormal gut situs. Placement of the asymmetric visceral organs relative to the midline was also perturbed by mRNA overexpression of foxc1a and foxc1b. In addition, an analysis of the left–right patterning components, identified in the lateral plate mesoderm of foxc1 mutants, reduced or abolished the expression of the NODAL antagonist lefty2. Together, these data reveal a novel contribution from foxc1 to left–right patterning, demonstrating that this role is sensitive to foxc1 gene dosage, and provide a plausible mechanism for the incidence of congenital heart defects in Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome patients.
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CD97 Is Decreased in Preeclamptic Placentas and Promotes Human Trophoblast Invasion Through PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:1553-1561. [PMID: 32430705 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00183-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder leading to the morbidity and mortality. Despite the development of the understanding of etiology, the only effective treatment of PE is the delivery of the placenta. An improved mastery on the regulation of trophoblast invasion could be meaningful to alleviate the disease burden of PE. Relative expression of CD97 in PE and normal placental tissues was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistology, and Western blot. The CD97 siRNA and expression vector was transfected to cultured human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo, and the cell invasion as well as the protein expression in PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway were evaluated. Expression of CD97 is significantly downregulated in PE placental tissues compared to normal controls. The Si-CD97 inhibits HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells invasion, as well as the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In accordance, overexpression of CD97 promotes trophoblast cell invasion. In addition, CD97 regulates FOXC2 expression and showed similar effects on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway as specific FOXC2 inhibitor. In short, this study demonstrated the downregulation of CD97 expression in preeclamptic placentas. Further mechanism investigation revealed that CD97 promoted trophoblast invasion by targeting FOXC2 via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, laying the foundation for the development of PE intervention strategy by targeting CD97 in placentation and pathogenesis of PE.
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42
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Duddu S, Chakrabarti R, Ghosh A, Shukla PC. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transcription Factors in Cardiovascular Pathology. Front Genet 2020; 11:588602. [PMID: 33193725 PMCID: PMC7596349 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.588602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors as multifaceted modulators of gene expression that play a central role in cell proliferation, differentiation, lineage commitment, and disease progression. They interact among themselves and create complex spatiotemporal gene regulatory networks that modulate hematopoiesis, cardiogenesis, and conditional differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into cells of cardiovascular lineage. Additionally, bone marrow-derived stem cells potentially contribute to the cardiovascular cell population and have shown potential as a therapeutic approach to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms are currently debatable. This review focuses on some key transcription factors and associated epigenetic modifications that modulate the maintenance and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and cardiac progenitor cells. In addition to this, we aim to summarize different potential clinical therapeutic approaches in cardiac regeneration therapy and recent discoveries in stem cell-based transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Praphulla Chandra Shukla
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
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43
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Understanding paraxial mesoderm development and sclerotome specification for skeletal repair. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:1166-1177. [PMID: 32788657 PMCID: PMC8080658 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0482-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are attractive regenerative therapy tools for skeletal tissues. However, a deep understanding of skeletal development is required in order to model this development with PSCs, and for the application of PSCs in clinical settings. Skeletal tissues originate from three types of cell populations: the paraxial mesoderm, lateral plate mesoderm, and neural crest. The paraxial mesoderm gives rise to the sclerotome mainly through somitogenesis. In this process, key developmental processes, including initiation of the segmentation clock, formation of the determination front, and the mesenchymal–epithelial transition, are sequentially coordinated. The sclerotome further forms vertebral columns and contributes to various other tissues, such as tendons, vessels (including the dorsal aorta), and even meninges. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these developmental processes, extensive studies have been conducted. These studies have demonstrated that a gradient of activities involving multiple signaling pathways specify the embryonic axis and induce cell-type-specific master transcription factors in a spatiotemporal manner. Moreover, applying the knowledge of mesoderm development, researchers have attempted to recapitulate the in vivo development processes in in vitro settings, using mouse and human PSCs. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art understanding of mesoderm development and in vitro modeling of mesoderm development using PSCs. We also discuss future perspectives on the use of PSCs to generate skeletal tissues for basic research and clinical applications. A deeper understanding of skeletal tissue development and improvements in tissue engineering will help pluripotent stem cell (PSC) therapies to reach their full potential for skeletal repair. The paraxial mesoderm, an embryonic germ layer, is crucial to the formation of healthy axial skeleton. Shoichiro Tani at the University of Tokyo, Japan, and co-workers reviewed current understanding of paraxial mesoderm development and studies involving in vitro PSC skeletal modeling. The formation of the paraxial mesoderm and associated connective tissues comprises multiple stages, and studies in vertebrate embryos have uncovered critical signaling pathways and cellular components important to PSC modeling. Although many individual cellular components can now be modeled, it remains challenging to recreate three-dimensional skeletal tissues. Such an achievement would facilitate a functioning model of bone metabolism, the next step in achieving skeletal regeneration.
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44
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Norden PR, Sabine A, Wang Y, Demir CS, Liu T, Petrova TV, Kume T. Shear stimulation of FOXC1 and FOXC2 differentially regulates cytoskeletal activity during lymphatic valve maturation. eLife 2020; 9:53814. [PMID: 32510325 PMCID: PMC7302880 DOI: 10.7554/elife.53814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the transcription factor FOXC2 are predominately associated with lymphedema. Herein, we demonstrate a key role for related factor FOXC1, in addition to FOXC2, in regulating cytoskeletal activity in lymphatic valves. FOXC1 is induced by laminar, but not oscillatory, shear and inducible, endothelial-specific deletion impaired postnatal lymphatic valve maturation in mice. However, deletion of Foxc2 induced valve degeneration, which is exacerbated in Foxc1; Foxc2 mutants. FOXC1 knockdown (KD) in human lymphatic endothelial cells increased focal adhesions and actin stress fibers whereas FOXC2-KD increased focal adherens and disrupted cell junctions, mediated by increased ROCK activation. ROCK inhibition rescued cytoskeletal or junctional integrity changes induced by inactivation of FOXC1 and FOXC2 invitro and vivo respectively, but only ameliorated valve degeneration in Foxc2 mutants. These results identify both FOXC1 and FOXC2 as mediators of mechanotransduction in the postnatal lymphatic vasculature and posit cytoskeletal signaling as a therapeutic target in lymphatic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter R Norden
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
| | - Amélie Sabine
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Cansaran Saygili Demir
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Ting Liu
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
| | - Tatiana V Petrova
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
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45
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Sanchez J, Miyake R, Cheng A, Liu T, Iseki S, Kume T. Conditional inactivation of Foxc1 and Foxc2 in neural crest cells leads to cardiac abnormalities. Genesis 2020; 58:e23364. [PMID: 32259372 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac neural crest cells (cNCCs) are required for normal heart development. cNCCs are a multipotent and migratory cell lineage that differentiates into multiple cell types. cNCCs migrate into the developing heart to contribute to the septation of the cardiac outflow tract (OFT). Foxc1 and Foxc2 are closely related members of the FOX (Forkhead box) transcription factor family and are expressed in cNCC during heart development. However, the precise role of Foxc1 and Foxc2 in cNCCs has yet to be fully described. We found that compound NCC-specific Foxc1;Foxc2 mutant embryos exhibited persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA), ventricular septal defects (VSDs), and thinning of the ventricular myocardium. Loss of Foxc1/c2 expression in cNCCs resulted in abnormal patterns of cNCC migration into the OFT without the formation of the aorticopulmonary septum. Further, loss of Foxc1 expression in cNCCs resulted in normal OFT development but abnormal ventricular septal formation. In contrast, loss of Foxc2 expression in NCCs led to no obvious cardiac abnormalities. Together, we provide evidence that Foxc1 and Foxc2 in cNCCs are cooperatively required for proper cNCC migration, the formation of the OFT septation, and the development of the ventricles. Our data also suggests that Foxc1 expression may play a larger role in ventricular development compared to Foxc2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Sanchez
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Risa Miyake
- Section of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Andrew Cheng
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ting Liu
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sachiko Iseki
- Section of Molecular Craniofacial Embryology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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Sissaoui S, Yu J, Yan A, Li R, Yukselen O, Kucukural A, Zhu LJ, Lawson ND. Genomic Characterization of Endothelial Enhancers Reveals a Multifunctional Role for NR2F2 in Regulation of Arteriovenous Gene Expression. Circ Res 2020; 126:875-888. [PMID: 32065070 PMCID: PMC7212523 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.119.316075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Significant progress has revealed transcriptional inputs that underlie regulation of artery and vein endothelial cell fates. However, little is known concerning genome-wide regulation of this process. Therefore, such studies are warranted to address this gap. OBJECTIVE To identify and characterize artery- and vein-specific endothelial enhancers in the human genome, thereby gaining insights into mechanisms by which blood vessel identity is regulated. METHODS AND RESULTS Using chromatin immunoprecipitation and deep sequencing for markers of active chromatin in human arterial and venous endothelial cells, we identified several thousand artery- and vein-specific regulatory elements. Computational analysis revealed that NR2F2 (nuclear receptor subfamily 2, group F, member 2) sites were overrepresented in vein-specific enhancers, suggesting a direct role in promoting vein identity. Subsequent integration of chromatin immunoprecipitation and deep sequencing data sets with RNA sequencing revealed that NR2F2 regulated 3 distinct aspects related to arteriovenous identity. First, consistent with previous genetic observations, NR2F2 directly activated enhancer elements flanking cell cycle genes to drive their expression. Second, NR2F2 was essential to directly activate vein-specific enhancers and their associated genes. Our genomic approach further revealed that NR2F2 acts with ERG (ETS-related gene) at many of these sites to drive vein-specific gene expression. Finally, NR2F2 directly repressed only a small number of artery enhancers in venous cells to prevent their activation, including a distal element upstream of the artery-specific transcription factor, HEY2 (hes related family bHLH transcription factor with YRPW motif 2). In arterial endothelial cells, this enhancer was normally bound by ERG, which was also required for arterial HEY2 expression. By contrast, in venous endothelial cells, NR2F2 was bound to this site, together with ERG, and prevented its activation. CONCLUSIONS By leveraging a genome-wide approach, we revealed mechanistic insights into how NR2F2 functions in multiple roles to maintain venous identity. Importantly, characterization of its role at a crucial artery enhancer upstream of HEY2 established a novel mechanism by which artery-specific expression can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Sissaoui
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Aimin Yan
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Onur Yukselen
- Department of Bioinformatics Core, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Alper Kucukural
- Department of Bioinformatics Core, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
- Department of Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
- Department of Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
- Department of Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Nathan D. Lawson
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
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Naito H, Iba T, Takakura N. Mechanisms of new blood-vessel formation and proliferative heterogeneity of endothelial cells. Int Immunol 2020; 32:295-305. [DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The vast blood-vessel network of the circulatory system is crucial for maintaining bodily homeostasis, delivering essential molecules and blood cells, and removing waste products. Blood-vessel dysfunction and dysregulation of new blood-vessel formation are related to the onset and progression of many diseases including cancer, ischemic disease, inflammation and immune disorders. Endothelial cells (ECs) are fundamental components of blood vessels and their proliferation is essential for new vessel formation, making them good therapeutic targets for regulating the latter. New blood-vessel formation occurs by vasculogenesis and angiogenesis during development. Induction of ECs termed tip, stalk and phalanx cells by interactions between vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and its receptors (VEGFR1–3) and between Notch and Delta-like Notch ligands (DLLs) is crucial for regulation of angiogenesis. Although the importance of angiogenesis is unequivocal in the adult, vasculogenesis effected by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may also contribute to post-natal vessel formation. However, the definition of these cells is ambiguous and they include several distinct cell types under the simple classification of ‘EPC’. Furthermore, recent evidence indicates that ECs within the intima show clonal expansion in some situations and that they may harbor vascular-resident endothelial stem cells. In this article, we summarize recent knowledge on vascular development and new blood-vessel formation in the adult. We also introduce concepts of EC heterogeneity and EC clonal expansion, referring to our own recent findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisamichi Naito
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Iba
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Takakura
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, World Premier Institute Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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48
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Childhood glaucoma genes and phenotypes: Focus on FOXC1 mutations causing anterior segment dysgenesis and hearing loss. Exp Eye Res 2019; 190:107893. [PMID: 31836490 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Childhood glaucoma is an important cause of blindness world-wide. Eleven genes are currently known to cause inherited forms of glaucoma with onset before age 20. While all the early-onset glaucoma genes cause severe disease, considerable phenotypic variability is observed among mutations carriers. In particular, FOXC1 genetic variants are associated with a broad range of phenotypes including multiple forms of glaucoma and also systemic abnormalities, especially hearing loss. FOXC1 is a member of the forkhead family of transcription factors and is involved in neural crest development necessary for formation of anterior eye structures and also pharyngeal arches that form the middle ear bones. In this study we review the clinical phenotypes reported for known FOXC1 mutations and show that mutations in patients with reported ocular anterior segment abnormalities and hearing loss primarily disrupt the critically important forkhead domain. These results suggest that optimal care for patients affected with anterior segment dysgenesis should include screening for FOXC1 mutations and also testing for hearing loss.
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49
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Zhang SP, Yang RH, Shang J, Gao T, Wang R, Peng XD, Miao X, Pan L, Yuan WJ, Lin L, Hu QK. FOXC1 up-regulates the expression of toll-like receptors in myocardial ischaemia. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:7566-7580. [PMID: 31517441 PMCID: PMC6815849 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial ischaemia (MI) remains a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests a significant role for innate immunity, in which the family of toll‐like receptors (TLRs) acts as an essential player. We previously reported and reviewed the changes of Tlr expression in models of MI. However, the underlying mechanisms regulating Tlr expression in MI remain unclear. The present study first screened transcription factors (TFs) that potentially regulate Tlr gene transcription based on in silico analyses followed by experimental verification, using both in vivo and in vitro models. Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) was identified as a putative TF, which was highly responsive to MI. Next, by focusing on two representative TLR subtypes, an intracellular subtype TLR3 and a cell‐surface subtype TLR4, the regulation of FOXC1 on Tlr expression was investigated. The overexpression or knockdown of FoxC1 was observed to up‐ or down‐regulate Tlr3/4 mRNA and protein levels, respectively. A dual‐luciferase assay showed that FOXC1 trans‐activated Tlr3/4 promoter, and a ChIP assay showed direct binding of FOXC1 to Tlr3/4 promoter. Last, a functional study of FOXC1 was performed, which revealed the pro‐inflammatory effects of FOXC1 and its destructive effects on infarct size and heart function in a mouse model of MI. The present study for the first time identified FOXC1 as a novel regulator of Tlr expression and described its function in MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Ping Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruo-Han Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Pharmacy, First People's Hospital, Guangyuan, China
| | - Jia Shang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Gao
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xiao Miao
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Pan
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jun Yuan
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Lin
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi-Kuan Hu
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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50
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Whitesell TR, Chrystal PW, Ryu JR, Munsie N, Grosse A, French CR, Workentine ML, Li R, Zhu LJ, Waskiewicz A, Lehmann OJ, Lawson ND, Childs SJ. foxc1 is required for embryonic head vascular smooth muscle differentiation in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2019; 453:34-47. [PMID: 31199900 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle of the head derives from neural crest, but developmental mechanisms and early transcriptional drivers of the vSMC lineage are not well characterized. We find that in early development, the transcription factor foxc1b is expressed in mesenchymal cells that associate with the vascular endothelium. Using timelapse imaging, we observe that foxc1b expressing mesenchymal cells differentiate into acta2 expressing vascular mural cells. We show that in zebrafish, while foxc1b is co-expressed in acta2 positive smooth muscle cells that associate with large diameter vessels, it is not co-expressed in capillaries where pdgfrβ positive pericytes are located. In addition to being an early marker of the lineage, foxc1 is essential for vSMC differentiation; we find that foxc1 loss of function mutants have defective vSMC differentiation and that early genetic ablation of foxc1b or acta2 expressing populations blocks vSMC differentiation. Furthermore, foxc1 is expressed upstream of acta2 and is required for acta2 expression in vSMCs. Using RNA-Seq we determine an enriched intersectional gene expression profile using dual expression of foxc1b and acta2 to identify novel vSMC markers. Taken together, our data suggests that foxc1 is a marker of vSMCs and plays a critical functional role in promoting their differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Whitesell
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N1
| | - Paul W Chrystal
- Departments of Ophthalmology, and Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, CW405, Biological Sciences Bldg., 11455, Saskatchewan Dr., University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada; Women & Children's Health Research Institute, ECHA 4-081, 11405 87, Ave NW, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada; Neurosciences and Mental Health Institute, 4-120 Katz Group Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Jae-Ryeon Ryu
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N1
| | - Nicole Munsie
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N1
| | - Ann Grosse
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, USA, 01605
| | - Curtis R French
- Department of Biological Sciences, CW405, Biological Sciences Bldg., 11455, Saskatchewan Dr., University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada; Women & Children's Health Research Institute, ECHA 4-081, 11405 87, Ave NW, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada; Neurosciences and Mental Health Institute, 4-120 Katz Group Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Matthew L Workentine
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N1
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, USA, 01605
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, USA, 01605; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA, 01605
| | - Andrew Waskiewicz
- Department of Biological Sciences, CW405, Biological Sciences Bldg., 11455, Saskatchewan Dr., University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada; Women & Children's Health Research Institute, ECHA 4-081, 11405 87, Ave NW, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada; Neurosciences and Mental Health Institute, 4-120 Katz Group Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Ordan J Lehmann
- Departments of Ophthalmology, and Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nathan D Lawson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, USA, 01605
| | - Sarah J Childs
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N1.
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