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Kulikauskas MR, Oatley M, Yu T, Liu Z, Matsumura L, Kidder E, Ruter D, Bautch VL. Endothelial cell SMAD6 balances Alk1 function to regulate adherens junctions and hepatic vascular development. Development 2023; 150:dev201811. [PMID: 37787089 PMCID: PMC10629679 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201811] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BMP signaling is crucial to blood vessel formation and function, but how pathway components regulate vascular development is not well-understood. Here, we find that inhibitory SMAD6 functions in endothelial cells to negatively regulate ALK1-mediated responses, and it is required to prevent vessel dysmorphogenesis and hemorrhage in the embryonic liver vasculature. Reduced Alk1 gene dosage rescued embryonic hepatic hemorrhage and microvascular capillarization induced by Smad6 deletion in endothelial cells in vivo. At the cellular level, co-depletion of Smad6 and Alk1 rescued the destabilized junctions and impaired barrier function of endothelial cells depleted for SMAD6 alone. Mechanistically, blockade of actomyosin contractility or increased PI3K signaling rescued endothelial junction defects induced by SMAD6 loss. Thus, SMAD6 normally modulates ALK1 function in endothelial cells to regulate PI3K signaling and contractility, and SMAD6 loss increases signaling through ALK1 that disrupts endothelial cell junctions. ALK1 loss-of-function also disrupts vascular development and function, indicating that balanced ALK1 signaling is crucial for proper vascular development and identifying ALK1 as a 'Goldilocks' pathway in vascular biology that requires a certain signaling amplitude, regulated by SMAD6, to function properly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly R. Kulikauskas
- Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Morgan Oatley
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tianji Yu
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ziqing Liu
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lauren Matsumura
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elise Kidder
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dana Ruter
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Victoria L. Bautch
- Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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2
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Kulikauskas MR, Oatley M, Yu T, Liu Z, Matsumura L, Kidder E, Ruter D, Bautch VL. Endothelial Cell SMAD6 Balances ACVRL1/Alk1 Function to Regulate Adherens Junctions and Hepatic Vascular Development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.23.534007. [PMID: 36993438 PMCID: PMC10055411 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.23.534007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
BMP signaling is critical to blood vessel formation and function, but how pathway components regulate vascular development is not well-understood. Here we find that inhibitory SMAD6 functions in endothelial cells to negatively regulate ALK1/ACVRL1-mediated responses, and it is required to prevent vessel dysmorphogenesis and hemorrhage in the embryonic liver vasculature. Reduced Alk1 gene dosage rescued embryonic hepatic hemorrhage and microvascular capillarization induced by Smad6 deletion in endothelial cells in vivo . At the cellular level, co-depletion of Smad6 and Alk1 rescued the destabilized junctions and impaired barrier function of endothelial cells depleted for SMAD6 alone. At the mechanistic level, blockade of actomyosin contractility or increased PI3K signaling rescued endothelial junction defects induced by SMAD6 loss. Thus, SMAD6 normally modulates ALK1 function in endothelial cells to regulate PI3K signaling and contractility, and SMAD6 loss increases signaling through ALK1 that disrupts endothelial junctions. ALK1 loss-of-function also disrupts vascular development and function, indicating that balanced ALK1 signaling is crucial for proper vascular development and identifying ALK1 as a "Goldilocks" pathway in vascular biology regulated by SMAD6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly R Kulikauskas
- Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Morgan Oatley
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Tianji Yu
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Ziqing Liu
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Lauren Matsumura
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Elise Kidder
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Dana Ruter
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Victoria L Bautch
- Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
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3
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Kong JH, Young CB, Pusapati GV, Espinoza FH, Patel CB, Beckert F, Ho S, Patel BB, Gabriel GC, Aravind L, Bazan JF, Gunn TM, Lo CW, Rohatgi R. Gene-teratogen interactions influence the penetrance of birth defects by altering Hedgehog signaling strength. Development 2021; 148:dev199867. [PMID: 34486668 PMCID: PMC8513608 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Birth defects result from interactions between genetic and environmental factors, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. We find that mutations and teratogens interact in predictable ways to cause birth defects by changing target cell sensitivity to Hedgehog (Hh) ligands. These interactions converge on a membrane protein complex, the MMM complex, that promotes degradation of the Hh transducer Smoothened (SMO). Deficiency of the MMM component MOSMO results in elevated SMO and increased Hh signaling, causing multiple birth defects. In utero exposure to a teratogen that directly inhibits SMO reduces the penetrance and expressivity of birth defects in Mosmo-/- embryos. Additionally, tissues that develop normally in Mosmo-/- embryos are refractory to the teratogen. Thus, changes in the abundance of the protein target of a teratogen can change birth defect outcomes by quantitative shifts in Hh signaling. Consequently, small molecules that re-calibrate signaling strength could be harnessed to rescue structural birth defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H. Kong
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Cullen B. Young
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA
| | - Ganesh V. Pusapati
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - F. Hernán Espinoza
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chandni B. Patel
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Francis Beckert
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sebastian Ho
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA
| | - Bhaven B. Patel
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - George C. Gabriel
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA
| | - L. Aravind
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | | | - Teresa M. Gunn
- McLaughlin Research Institute, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA
| | - Cecilia W. Lo
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA
| | - Rajat Rohatgi
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Zhang Y, McGrath KE, Ayoub E, Kingsley PD, Yu H, Fegan K, McGlynn KA, Rudzinskas S, Palis J, Perkins AS. Mds1 CreERT2, an inducible Cre allele specific to adult-repopulating hematopoietic stem cells. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109562. [PMID: 34407416 PMCID: PMC8428393 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic ontogeny consists of two broad programs: an initial hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-independent program followed by HSC-dependent hematopoiesis that sequentially seed the fetal liver and generate blood cells. However, the transition from HSC-independent to HSC-derived hematopoiesis remains poorly characterized. To help resolve this question, we developed Mds1CreERT2 mice, which inducibly express Cre-recombinase in emerging HSCs in the aorta and label long-term adult HSCs, but not HSC-independent yolk-sac-derived primitive or definitive erythromyeloid (EMP) hematopoiesis. Our lineage-tracing studies indicate that HSC-derived erythroid, myeloid, and lymphoid progeny significantly expand in the liver and blood stream between E14.5 and E16.5. Additionally, we find that HSCs contribute the majority of F4/80+ macrophages in adult spleen and marrow, in contrast to their limited contribution to macrophage populations in brain, liver, and lungs. The Mds1CreERT2 mouse model will be useful to deconvolute the complexity of hematopoiesis as it unfolds in the embryo and functions postnatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Kathleen E McGrath
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research and Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Edward Ayoub
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Paul D Kingsley
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research and Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Hongbo Yu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Kate Fegan
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research and Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Kelly A McGlynn
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Sarah Rudzinskas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - James Palis
- Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research and Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Archibald S Perkins
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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5
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Lewis EMA, Sankar S, Tong C, Patterson ES, Waller LE, Gontarz P, Zhang B, Ornitz DM, Kroll KL. Geminin is required for Hox gene regulation to pattern the developing limb. Dev Biol 2020; 464:11-23. [PMID: 32450229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Development of the complex structure of the vertebrate limb requires carefully orchestrated interactions between multiple regulatory pathways and proteins. Among these, precise regulation of 5' Hox transcription factor expression is essential for proper limb bud patterning and elaboration of distinct limb skeletal elements. Here, we identified Geminin (Gmnn) as a novel regulator of this process. A conditional model of Gmnn deficiency resulted in loss or severe reduction of forelimb skeletal elements, while both the forelimb autopod and hindlimb were unaffected. 5' Hox gene expression expanded into more proximal and anterior regions of the embryonic forelimb buds in this Gmnn-deficient model. A second conditional model of Gmnn deficiency instead caused a similar but less severe reduction of hindlimb skeletal elements and hindlimb polydactyly, while not affecting the forelimb. An ectopic posterior SHH signaling center was evident in the anterior hindlimb bud of Gmnn-deficient embryos in this model. This center ectopically expressed Hoxd13, the HOXD13 target Shh, and the SHH target Ptch1, while these mutant hindlimb buds also had reduced levels of the cleaved, repressor form of GLI3, a SHH pathway antagonist. Together, this work delineates a new role for Gmnn in modulating Hox expression to pattern the vertebrate limb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M A Lewis
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Savita Sankar
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Caili Tong
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ethan S Patterson
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Laura E Waller
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Paul Gontarz
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - David M Ornitz
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kristen L Kroll
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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6
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Behringer R, Gertsenstein M, Nagy KV, Nagy A. In Vitro Screen to Identify Silent but Activatable (S/A) Integration Sites for a Tetracycline-Inducible Transgene in Mice. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2018; 2018:2018/12/pdb.prot092684. [PMID: 30510124 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot092684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
To obtain ubiquitous or simply widespread transgene expression from a single stable integrant transgene is quite challenging because the random genomic integration sites of transgenes may create expression variation or frequent silencing. The tetracycline (Tet)-inducible system requires two reliable working transgenes, one for the tetracycline transactivators (tTA or rtTA) and one for the responder transgene driven by the tet-O promoter. Therefore, the challenge of getting this system working properly is a serious prospect. In this protocol, we describe how to identify a silent but highly activatable genomic site by taking advantage of transgenic lines reliably expressing the tetracycline transactivators from the Rosa-26 locus. These lines provide optimal Tet-inducible expression: There is minimal leakiness at the "off" state and a high level of induction in the presence of the inducer, doxycycline. The procedure requires (1) an embryonic stem (ES) cell line (germline competent) expressing rtTA from the Rosa-26 locus and (2) construction of a Tet-inducible transgene. The transgene contains the tet-O promoter followed by the gene of interest linked to a βgeo gene (a fusion between lacZ and neo) through an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) sequence, which allows the initiation of translation in a cap-independent manner.
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7
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Yang CS, Melhuish TA, Spencer A, Ni L, Hao Y, Jividen K, Harris T, Snow C, Frierson H, Wotton D, Paschal BM. The protein kinase C super-family member PKN is regulated by mTOR and influences differentiation during prostate cancer progression. Prostate 2017; 77:1452-1467. [PMID: 28875501 PMCID: PMC5669364 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphoinositide-3 (PI-3) kinase signaling has a pervasive role in cancer. One of the key effectors of PI-3 kinase signaling is AKT, a kinase that promotes growth and survival in a variety of cancers. Genetically engineered mouse models of prostate cancer have shown that AKT signaling is sufficient to induce prostatic epithelial neoplasia (PIN), but insufficient for progression to adenocarcinoma. This contrasts with the phenotype of mice with prostate-specific deletion of Pten, where excessive PI-3 kinase signaling induces both PIN and locally invasive carcinoma. We reasoned that additional PI-3 kinase effector kinases promote prostate cancer progression via activities that provide biological complementarity to AKT. We focused on the PKN kinase family members, which undergo activation in response to PI-3 kinase signaling, show expression changes in prostate cancer, and contribute to cell motility pathways in cancer cells. METHODS PKN kinase activity was measured by incorporation of 32 P into protein substrates. Phosphorylation of the turn-motif (TM) in PKN proteins by mTOR was analyzed using the TORC2-specific inhibitor torin and a PKN1 phospho-TM-specific antibody. Amino acid substitutions in the TM of PKN were engineered and assayed for effects on kinase activity. Cell motility-related functions and PKN localization was analyzed by depletion approaches and immunofluorescence microscopy, respectively. The contribution of PKN proteins to prostate tumorigenesis was characterized in several mouse models that express PKN transgenes. The requirement for PKN activity in prostate cancer initiated by loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (Pten), and the potential redundancy between PKN isoforms, was analyzed by prostate-specific deletion of Pkn1, Pkn2, and Pten. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS PKN1 and PKN2 contribute to motility pathways in human prostate cancer cells. PKN1 and PKN2 kinase activity is regulated by TORC2-dependent phosphorylation of the TM, which together with published data indicates that PKN proteins receive multiple PI-3 kinase-dependent inputs. Transgenic expression of active AKT and PKN1 is not sufficient for progression beyond PIN. Moreover, Pkn1 is not required for tumorigenesis initiated by loss of Pten. Triple knockout of Pten, Pkn1, and Pkn2 in mouse prostate results in squamous cell carcinoma, an uncommon but therapy-resistant form of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Song Yang
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Tiffany A. Melhuish
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Adam Spencer
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Li Ni
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Yi Hao
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Kasey Jividen
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Thurl Harris
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Chelsi Snow
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Henry Frierson
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - David Wotton
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Bryce M. Paschal
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, VA, 22908, USA
- corresponding author: Bryce M. Paschal, Center for Cell Signaling, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Room 7021 West Complex, Box 800577, Health Sciences Center, 1400 Jefferson Park Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0577, , Office 434.243.6521, Lab 434.924.1532, Fax 434.924.1236
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8
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Khoshgoo N, Visser R, Falk L, Day CA, Ameis D, Iwasiow BM, Zhu F, Öztürk A, Basu S, Pind M, Fresnosa A, Jackson M, Siragam VK, Stelmack G, Hicks GG, Halayko AJ, Keijzer R. MicroRNA-200b regulates distal airway development by maintaining epithelial integrity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6382. [PMID: 28743913 PMCID: PMC5526907 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05412-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
miR-200b plays a role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer. We recently reported abnormal expression of miR-200b in the context of human pulmonary hypoplasia in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Smaller lung size, a lower number of airway generations, and a thicker mesenchyme characterize pulmonary hypoplasia in CDH. The aim of this study was to define the role of miR-200b during lung development. Here we show that miR-200b-/- mice have abnormal lung function due to dysfunctional surfactant, increased fibroblast-like cells and thicker mesenchyme in between the alveolar walls. We profiled the lung transcriptome in miR-200b-/- mice, and, using Gene Ontology analysis, we determined that the most affected biological processes include cell cycle, apoptosis and protein transport. Our results demonstrate that miR-200b regulates distal airway development through maintaining an epithelial cell phenotype. The lung abnormalities observed in miR-200b-/- mice recapitulate lung hypoplasia in CDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naghmeh Khoshgoo
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Robin Visser
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Landon Falk
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Chelsea A Day
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Dustin Ameis
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Barbara M Iwasiow
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Fuqin Zhu
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Arzu Öztürk
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Sujata Basu
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Molly Pind
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Agnes Fresnosa
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Mike Jackson
- Small Animal and Materials Imaging Core Facility, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Vinaya Kumar Siragam
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Gerald Stelmack
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Geoffrey G Hicks
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Andrew J Halayko
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Richard Keijzer
- Biology of Breathing Group, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
- Departments of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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9
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Endothelial Rictor is crucial for midgestational development and sustained and extensive FGF2-induced neovascularization in the adult. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17705. [PMID: 26635098 PMCID: PMC4669526 DOI: 10.1038/srep17705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore the general requirement of endothelial mTORC2 during embryonic and
adolescent development, we knocked out the essential mTORC2 component Rictor
in the mouse endothelium in the embryo, during adolescence and in endothelial cells
in vitro. During embryonic development, Rictor knockout resulted
in growth retardation and lethality around embryonic day 12. We detected reduced
peripheral vascularization and delayed ossification of developing fingers, toes and
vertebrae during this confined midgestational period. Rictor knockout did not
affect viability, weight gain, and vascular development during further adolescence.
However during this period, Rictor knockout prevented skin capillaries to
gain larger and heterogeneously sized diameters and remodeling into tortuous vessels
in response to FGF2. Rictor knockout strongly reduced extensive FGF2-induced
neovascularization and prevented hemorrhage in FGF2-loaded matrigel plugs.
Rictor knockout also disabled the formation of capillary-like networks by
FGF2-stimulated mouse aortic endothelial cells in vitro. Low RICTOR
expression was detected in quiescent, confluent mouse aortic endothelial cells,
whereas high doses of FGF2 induced high RICTOR expression that was associated with
strong mTORC2-specific protein kinase Cα and AKT phosphorylation. We
demonstrate that the endothelial FGF-RICTOR axis is not required during endothelial
quiescence, but crucial for midgestational development and sustained and extensive
neovascularization in the adult.
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10
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Yuan X, Du J, Qin Q, Li X, Deng S, Chen Y, Zhang L, She Q. The impact of sperm-expressed transcription factors on fate-mapping models. Reproduction 2015; 150:323-30. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Genetic lineage tracing has been used extensively in developmental biology. Many transcription factors expressed in sperm may induce Cre-mediated loxP recombination during early zygote development. In this study, we investigated the effect of sperm-expressed Cre on cell type-specific Cre-mediated loxP recombination in fate-mapping models of Tbx18+ progenitor cells. We found the recombination frequency in a reverse mating (RM) lineage was inconsistent with a normal Mendelian distribution. However, the recombination frequency in a positive mating (PM) lineage agreed with a Mendelian distribution. In the PM lineage, LacZ and EYFP were expressed in specific locations, such as the limb buds, heart, and hair follicles. Therefore, the reporter genes accurately and reliably traced cell differentiation in the PM lineage. In contrast, EYFP and LacZ were expressed throughout the embryo in the RM lineage. Thus, the reporter genes did not trace cell differentiation specifically in the RM lineage. Furthermore, Tbx18 mRNA and protein were expressed in the testicles of male mice, but almost no Tbx18 expression was detected in the ovaries of female mice. Similarly, reporter genes and Tbx18 were coexpressed in the seminiferous tubules and sperm cells of testicles. These results revealed that Cre-loxP-mediated pre-recombination in zygotes is due to Tbx18 expressed in testicle sperm cells when Cre is transmitted paternally. Our results indicate that Cre-mediated specific recombination in fate-mapping models of sperm-expressed genes may be influenced by the paternal origin of Cre. Therefore, a careful experimental design is critical when using the Cre-loxP system to trace spatial, temporal or tissue-specific fates.
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Paris ND, Coles GL, Ackerman KG. Wt1 and β-catenin cooperatively regulate diaphragm development in the mouse. Dev Biol 2015; 407:40-56. [PMID: 26278035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The developing diaphragm consists of various differentiating cell types, many of which are not well characterized during organogenesis. One important but incompletely understood tissue, the diaphragmatic mesothelium, is distinctively present from early stages of development. Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) occurs in humans when diaphragm tissue is lost during development, resulting in high morbidity and mortality postnatally. We utilized a Wilms Tumor 1 (Wt1) mutant mouse model to investigate the involvement of the mesothelium in normal diaphragm signaling and development. Additionally, we developed and characterized a Wt1(CreERT2)-driven β-catenin loss-of-function model of CDH after finding that canonical Wnt signaling and β-catenin are reduced in Wt1 mutant mesothelium. Mice with β-catenin loss or constitutive activation induced in the Wt1 lineage are only affected when tamoxifen injection occurs between E10.5 and E11.5, revealing a critical time-frame for Wt1/ β-catenin activity. Conditional β-catenin loss phenocopies the Wt1 mutant diaphragm defect, while constitutive activation of β-catenin on the Wt1 mutant background is sufficient to close the diaphragm defect. Proliferation and apoptosis are affected, but primarily these genetic manipulations appear to lead to a change in normal diaphragm differentiation. Our data suggest a fundamental role for mesothelial signaling in proper formation of the diaphragm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D Paris
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Garry L Coles
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Kate G Ackerman
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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Sinha T, Lin L, Li D, Davis J, Evans S, Wynshaw-Boris A, Wang J. Mapping the dynamic expression of Wnt11 and the lineage contribution of Wnt11-expressing cells during early mouse development. Dev Biol 2014; 398:177-92. [PMID: 25448697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that coordinates polarized cell behavior to regulate tissue morphogenesis during vertebrate gastrulation, neurulation and organogenesis. In Xenopus and zebrafish, PCP signaling is activated by non-canonical Wnts such as Wnt11, and detailed understanding of Wnt11 expression has provided important clues on when, where and how PCP may be activated to regulate tissue morphogenesis. To explore the role of Wnt11 in mammalian development, we established a Wnt11 expression and lineage map with high spatial and temporal resolution by creating and analyzing a tamoxifen-inducible Wnt11-CreER BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) transgenic mouse line. Our short- and long-term lineage tracing experiments indicated that Wnt11-CreER could faithfully recapitulate endogenous Wnt11 expression, and revealed for the first time that cells transiently expressing Wnt11 at early gastrulation were fated to become specifically the progenitors of the entire endoderm. During mid-gastrulation, Wnt11-CreER expressing cells also contribute extensively to the endothelium in both embryonic and extraembryonic compartments, and the endocardium in all chambers of the developing heart. In contrast, Wnt11-CreER expression in the myocardium starts from late-gastrulation, and occurs in three transient, sequential waves: first in the precursors of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium from E7.0 to 8.0; subsequently in the right ventricular (RV) myocardium from E8.0 to 9.0; and finally in the superior wall of the outflow tract (OFT) myocardium from E8.5 to 10.5. These results provide formal genetic proof that the majority of the endocardium and myocardium diverge by mid-gastrulation in the mouse, and suggest a tight spatial and temporal control of Wnt11 expression in the myocardial lineage to coordinate with myocardial differentiation in the first and second heart field progenitors to form the LV, RV and OFT. The insights gained from this study will also guide future investigations to decipher the role of non-canonical Wnt/PCP signaling in endoderm development, vasculogenesis and heart formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvi Sinha
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | - Lizhu Lin
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, United States
| | - Ding Li
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | - Jennifer Davis
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | - Sylvia Evans
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, United States
| | - Anthony Wynshaw-Boris
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, United States
| | - Jianbo Wang
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States.
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You L, Chen L, Penney J, Miao D, Yang XJ. Expression atlas of the multivalent epigenetic regulator Brpf1 and its requirement for survival of mouse embryos. Epigenetics 2014; 9:860-72. [PMID: 24646517 DOI: 10.4161/epi.28530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain- and PHD finger-containing protein 1 (BRPF1) is a unique epigenetic regulator that contains multiple structural domains for recognizing different chromatin modifications. In addition, it possesses sequence motifs for forming multiple complexes with three different histone acetyltransferases, MOZ, MORF, and HBO1. Within these complexes, BRPF1 serves as a scaffold for bridging subunit interaction, stimulating acetyltransferase activity, governing substrate specificity and stimulating gene expression. To investigate how these molecular interactions are extrapolated to biological functions of BRPF1, we utilized a mouse strain containing a knock-in reporter and analyzed the spatiotemporal expression from embryos to adults. The analysis revealed dynamic expression in the extraembryonic, embryonic, and fetal tissues, suggesting important roles of Brpf1 in prenatal development. In support of this, inactivation of the mouse Brpf1 gene causes lethality around embryonic day 9.5. After birth, high expression is present in the testis and specific regions of the brain. The 4-dimensional expression atlas of mouse Brpf1 should serve as a valuable guide for analyzing its interaction with Moz, Morf, and Hbo1 in vivo, as well as for investigating whether Brpf1 functions independently of these three enzymatic epigenetic regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linya You
- The Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Center; Montreal, QC Canada; Department of Medicine; McGill University; Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Lulu Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine; The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells; Department of Human Anatomy; Nanjing Medical University; Nanjing, China
| | - Janice Penney
- The Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Center; Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Dengshun Miao
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine; The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells; Department of Human Anatomy; Nanjing Medical University; Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang-Jiao Yang
- The Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Center; Montreal, QC Canada; Department of Medicine; McGill University; Montreal, QC Canada; Department of Biochemistry; McGill University; Montreal, QC Canada; McGill University Health Center; Montreal, QC Canada
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Arango NA, Li L, Dabir D, Nicolau F, Pieretti-Vanmarcke R, Koehler C, McCarrey JR, Lu N, Donahoe PK. Meiosis I arrest abnormalities lead to severe oligozoospermia in meiosis 1 arresting protein (M1ap)-deficient mice. Biol Reprod 2013; 88:76. [PMID: 23269666 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.098673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis 1 arresting protein (M1ap) is a novel vertebrate gene expressed exclusively in germ cells of the embryonic ovary and the adult testis. In male mice, M1ap expression, which is present from spermatogonia to secondary spermatocytes, is evolutionarily conserved and has a specific spatial and temporal pattern suggestive of a role during germ cell development. To test its function, mice deficient in M1ap were created. Whereas females had histologically normal ovaries, males exhibited reduced testicular size and a myriad of tubular defects, which led to severe oligozoospermia and infertility. Although some germ cells arrested at the zygotene/pachytene stages, most cells advanced to metaphase I before arresting and entering apoptosis. Cells that reached metaphase I were unable to properly align their chromosomes at the metaphase plate due to abnormal chromosome synapses and failure to form crossover foci. Depending on the state of tubular degeneration, all germ cells, with the exemption of spermatogonia, disappeared; with further deterioration, tubules displaying only Sertoli cells reminiscent of Sertoli cell-only syndrome in humans were observed. Our results uncovered an essential role for M1ap as a novel germ cell gene not previously implicated in male germ cell development and suggest that mutations in M1AP could account for some cases of nonobstructive oligozoospermia in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Alexander Arango
- Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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Liang H, Hippenmeyer S, Ghashghaei HT. A Nestin-cre transgenic mouse is insufficient for recombination in early embryonic neural progenitors. Biol Open 2012; 1:1200-3. [PMID: 23259054 PMCID: PMC3522881 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20122287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nestin-cre transgenic mice have been widely used to direct recombination to neural stem cells (NSCs) and intermediate neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Here we report that a readily utilized, and the only commercially available, Nestin-cre line is insufficient for directing recombination in early embryonic NSCs and NPCs. Analysis of recombination efficiency in multiple cre-dependent reporters and a genetic mosaic line revealed consistent temporal and spatial patterns of recombination in NSCs and NPCs. For comparison we utilized a knock-in Emx1cre line and found robust recombination in NSCs and NPCs in ventricular and subventricular zones of the cerebral cortices as early as embryonic day 12.5. In addition we found that the rate of Nestin-cre driven recombination only reaches sufficiently high levels in NSCs and NPCs during late embryonic and early postnatal periods. These findings are important when commercially available cre lines are considered for directing recombination to embryonic NSCs and NPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixuan Liang
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, NC 27607 , USA
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Nagy A, Gertsenstein M, Vintersten K, Behringer R. In vitro screen to obtain widespread, transgenic expression in the mouse. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2010; 2010:pdb.prot4408. [PMID: 20679370 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot4408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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