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Moorlag SJCFM, Folkman L, Ter Horst R, Krausgruber T, Barreca D, Schuster LC, Fife V, Matzaraki V, Li W, Reichl S, Mourits VP, Koeken VACM, de Bree LCJ, Dijkstra H, Lemmers H, van Cranenbroek B, van Rijssen E, Koenen HJPM, Joosten I, Xu CJ, Li Y, Joosten LAB, van Crevel R, Netea MG, Bock C. Multi-omics analysis of innate and adaptive responses to BCG vaccination reveals epigenetic cell states that predict trained immunity. Immunity 2024; 57:171-187.e14. [PMID: 38198850 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Immune responses are tightly regulated yet highly variable between individuals. To investigate human population variation of trained immunity, we immunized healthy individuals with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). This live-attenuated vaccine induces not only an adaptive immune response against tuberculosis but also triggers innate immune activation and memory that are indicative of trained immunity. We established personal immune profiles and chromatin accessibility maps over a 90-day time course of BCG vaccination in 323 individuals. Our analysis uncovered genetic and epigenetic predictors of baseline immunity and immune response. BCG vaccination enhanced the innate immune response specifically in individuals with a dormant immune state at baseline, rather than providing a general boost of innate immunity. This study advances our understanding of BCG's heterologous immune-stimulatory effects and trained immunity in humans. Furthermore, it highlights the value of epigenetic cell states for connecting immune function with genotype and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone J C F M Moorlag
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lukas Folkman
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Center for Medical Data Science, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rob Ter Horst
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Krausgruber
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Center for Medical Data Science, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniele Barreca
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Linda C Schuster
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Victoria Fife
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vasiliki Matzaraki
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Wenchao Li
- Department of Computational Biology of Individualised Medicine, Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephan Reichl
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Center for Medical Data Science, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vera P Mourits
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Valerie A C M Koeken
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - L Charlotte J de Bree
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Bandim Health Project, OPEN, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helga Dijkstra
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Heidi Lemmers
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bram van Cranenbroek
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Esther van Rijssen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans J P M Koenen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Irma Joosten
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Cheng-Jian Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Computational Biology of Individualised Medicine, Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Computational Biology of Individualised Medicine, Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Leo A B Joosten
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Reinout van Crevel
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mihai G Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department for Immunology and Metabolism, Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Center for Medical Data Science, Vienna, Austria.
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Zheng H, Fang J, Lu W, Liu Y, Chen S, Huang G, Zou Y, Hu S, Zheng Y, Fang H, Zhang R. TCF12 regulates the TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway to accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis by targeting CXCR4. J Orthop Translat 2024; 44:35-46. [PMID: 38235367 PMCID: PMC10792168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Osteoarthritis (OA), which involves total joint damage and dysfunction, is a leading cause of disability worldwide. However, its exact pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we identified TCF12 as an important regulator of the progression of OA. Methods qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to detect the expression level of TCF12. The interaction of TCF12 with its downstream factor CXCR4 was assessed by Western blotting, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR and luciferase assays. A mouse model was generated to examine the functions and mechanism of TCF12 in vivo. Result TCF12 expression was upregulated in chondrocytes stimulated with IL-1β and osteoarthritic chondrocytes. TCF12 upregulates the expression of CXCR4 and leads to dysfunction of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Furthermore, knockdown of TCF12 alleviated cartilage damage in a mouse model generated by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Conclusion TCF12 aggravates the progression of OA by targeting CXCR4 and then activating the TGF-β signaling pathway, suggesting that TCF12 may be a new target for the treatment of OA. The translational potential of this article Transcription Factor 12(TCF12), is known to regulate cell development and differentiation, It has been widely studied in various organs and diseases, but its role in OA remains unclear. Here, we identified Transcription Factor 12(TCF12) as an important regulator mediating chondrocyte senescence and cartilage extracellular matrix degradation indicating its role in OA. We found that TCF12 expression was upregulated both locally and systemically as OA advanced in patients with OA, and in mice after DMM surgery to induce OA. TCF12 expression caused striking progressive articular cartilage damage, synovial hyperplasia in OA mice, and remarkably, it was relieved by intra-articular administration of mutant mouse TCF12 lentiviral vector (shTCF12). Furthermore, TCF12 upregulated the expression of CXCR4, leading to exacerbation of experimental OA partially through activation of TGF-β signaling in chondrocytes. TCF12 expression was upregulated in chondrocytes treated with IL-1β and osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Our findings established an essential role of TCF12 in chondrocyte senescence and cartilage extracellular matrix degradation during OA, and identified intra-articular injection of TCF12 as a potential therapeutic strategy for OA prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianli Fang
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Youhui Liu
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sixu Chen
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guangxin Huang
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuming Zou
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shu Hu
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongxu Zheng
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Basic Research on Bone and Joint Diseases, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- The Air Force Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hang Fang
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Rongkai Zhang
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Basic Research on Bone and Joint Diseases, China
- Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Linzhi People's Hospital, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
- The Air Force Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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3
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Talley MJ, Nardini D, Ehrman LA, Lu QR, Waclaw RR. Distinct requirements for Tcf3 and Tcf12 during oligodendrocyte development in the mouse telencephalon. Neural Dev 2023; 18:5. [PMID: 37684687 PMCID: PMC10485956 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-023-00173-z] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND E-proteins encoded by Tcf3, Tcf4, and Tcf12 are class I basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) that are thought to be widely expressed during development. However, their function in the developing brain, specifically in the telencephalon remains an active area of research. Our study examines for the first time if combined loss of two E-proteins (Tcf3 and Tcf12) influence distinct cell fates and oligodendrocyte development in the mouse telencephalon. METHODS We generated Tcf3/12 double conditional knockouts (dcKOs) using Olig2Cre/+ or Olig1Cre/+ to overcome compensatory mechanisms between E-proteins and to understand the specific requirement for Tcf3 and Tcf12 in the ventral telencephalon and during oligodendrogenesis. We utilized a combination of in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to address development of the telencephalon and oligodendrogenesis at embryonic and postnatal stages in Tcf3/12 dcKOs. RESULTS We show that the E-proteins Tcf3 and Tcf12 are expressed in progenitors of the embryonic telencephalon and throughout the oligodendrocyte lineage in the postnatal brain. Tcf3/12 dcKOs showed transient defects in progenitor cells with an enlarged medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) region which correlated with reduced generation of embryonic oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and increased expression of MGE interneuron genes. Postnatal Tcf3/12 dcKOs showed a recovery of OPCs but displayed a sustained reduction in mature oligodendrocytes (OLs). Interestingly, Tcf4 remained expressed in the dcKOs suggesting that it cannot compensate for the loss of Tcf3 and Tcf12. Generation of Tcf3/12 dcKOs with Olig1Cre/+ avoided the MGE morphology defect caused by Olig2Cre/+ but dcKOs still exhibited reduced embryonic OPCs and subsequent reduction in postnatal OLs. CONCLUSION Our data reveal that Tcf3 and Tcf12 play a role in controlling OPC versus cortical interneuron cell fate decisions in MGE progenitors in addition to playing roles in the generation of embryonic OPCs and differentiation of postnatal OLs in the oligodendrocyte lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Talley
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Diana Nardini
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Lisa A Ehrman
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Q Richard Lu
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Ronald R Waclaw
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
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4
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Comisi F, Esposito E, Marras M, Soddu C, Savasta S. Unusual Inconsolable Crying: An Insight, Case Report, and Review of the Literature on the Pitt-Hopkins Gastrointestinal Phenotype. Cureus 2023; 15:e43781. [PMID: 37731434 PMCID: PMC10507423 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare, neurodevelopmental genetic disorder caused by mutations in the TCF4 gene. This gene encodes a ubiquitous, class I, basic helix-loop-helix factor, which is implicated in various developmental and regulatory processes. Predominant clinical manifestations of PTHS include facial dysmorphisms, intellectual disability, absence of expressive language, epilepsy, as well as visual and musculoskeletal impairments. Gastrointestinal (GI) complications, such as chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, gastroparesis with delayed bowel transit, chronic constipation culminating in failure to thrive, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), are also prevalent in these patients. The early identification of pain etiology in PTHS patients poses a significant clinical challenge. This report presents two cases of PTHS patients suffering from gastrointestinal dysmotility, evaluated at our Pediatrics Clinic at the "Microcitemico" Hospital. A review of existing literature was conducted via the PubMed database to elucidate the current understanding of the GI phenotype in PTHS. Twenty articles were deemed most relevant and selected for this purpose. In both patients, severe constipation and abdominal distension resulted in persistent agitation and inconsolable crying. These distress symptoms were completely ameliorated following prompt pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Esposito
- Pediatrics Department, Ospedale Microcitemico, Cagliari, ITA
| | | | | | - Salvatore Savasta
- Pediatric and Rare Diseases Clinic, Ospedale Microcitemico, Cagliari, ITA
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5
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Qiu Y, Wang X, Sun Y, Du YE, Yin G, Luo H, Wen S, Lang L, Liu M, Tang X. TCF12 regulates exosome release from epirubicin-treated CAFs to promote ER+ breast cancer cell chemoresistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166727. [PMID: 37137433 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166727] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the predominant stromal cells in the microenvironment and play important roles in tumor progression, including chemoresistance. However, the response of CAFs to chemotherapeutics and their effects on chemotherapeutic outcomes are largely unknown. In this study, we showed that epirubicin (EPI) treatment triggered ROS which initiated autophagy in CAFs, TCF12 inhibited autophagy flux and further promoted exosome secretion. Inhibition of EPI-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) or suppression of autophagic initiation with short interfering RNA (siRNA) against ATG5 blunted exosome release from CAFs. Furthermore, exosome secreted from EPI-treated CAFs not only prevented ROS accumulation in CAFs but also upregulated the CXCR4 and c-Myc protein levels in recipient ER+ breast cancer cells, thus promoting EPI resistance of tumor cells. Together, the current study provides novel insights into the role of stressed CAFs in promoting tumor chemoresistance and reveal a new function of TCF12 in regulating autophagy impairment and exosome release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Basic Medical School, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yan-E Du
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Guobing Yin
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haojun Luo
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Siyang Wen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Lei Lang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Manran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xi Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Ding Y, Harly C, Das A, Bhandoola A. Early Development of Innate Lymphoid Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2580:51-69. [PMID: 36374450 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2740-2_3] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are transcriptionally and functionally similar to T cells but lack adaptive antigen receptors. They play critical roles in early defense against pathogens. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries of ILC progenitors and discuss possible mechanisms that separate ILCs from T cells. We consider mechanisms of lineage specification in early ILC development and also examine whether differences exist between adult and fetal ILC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ding
- T Cell Biology and Development Unit, Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | | | - Arundhoti Das
- T Cell Biology and Development Unit, Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Avinash Bhandoola
- T Cell Biology and Development Unit, Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Tcf12 is required to sustain myogenic genes synergism with MyoD by remodelling the chromatin landscape. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1201. [DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04176-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMuscle stem cells (MuSCs) are essential for skeletal muscle development and regeneration, ensuring muscle integrity and normal function. The myogenic proliferation and differentiation of MuSCs are orchestrated by a cascade of transcription factors. In this study, we elucidate the specific role of transcription factor 12 (Tcf12) in muscle development and regeneration based on loss-of-function studies. Muscle-specific deletion of Tcf12 cause muscle weight loss owing to the reduction of myofiber size during development. Inducible deletion of Tcf12 specifically in adult MuSCs delayed muscle regeneration. The examination of MuSCs reveal that Tcf12 deletion resulted in cell-autonomous defects during myogenesis and Tcf12 is necessary for proper myogenic gene expression. Mechanistically, TCF12 and MYOD work together to stabilise chromatin conformation and sustain muscle cell fate commitment-related gene and chromatin architectural factor expressions. Altogether, our findings identify Tcf12 as a crucial regulator of MuSCs chromatin remodelling that regulates muscle cell determination and participates in skeletal muscle development and regeneration.
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Sigvardsson M, Kee BL, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC, Anderson MK. Editorial: Molecular switches of the immune system: The E-protein/Id axis in hematopoietic development and function. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1062734. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1062734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Sirp A, Shubina A, Tuvikene J, Tamberg L, Kiir CS, Kranich L, Timmusk T. Expression of alternative transcription factor 4 mRNAs and protein isoforms in the developing and adult rodent and human tissues. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1033224. [PMID: 36407762 PMCID: PMC9666405 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1033224] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) belongs to the class I basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors (also known as E-proteins) and is vital for the development of the nervous system. Aberrations in the TCF4 gene are associated with several neurocognitive disorders such as schizophrenia, intellectual disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, a rare but severe autism spectrum disorder. Expression of the human TCF4 gene can produce at least 18 N-terminally distinct protein isoforms, which activate transcription with different activities and thus may vary in their function during development. We used long-read RNA-sequencing and western blot analysis combined with the analysis of publicly available short-read RNA-sequencing data to describe both the mRNA and protein expression of the many distinct TCF4 isoforms in rodent and human neural and nonneural tissues. We show that TCF4 mRNA and protein expression is much higher in the rodent brain compared to nonneural tissues. TCF4 protein expression is highest in the rodent cerebral cortex and hippocampus, where expression peaks around birth, and in the rodent cerebellum, where expression peaks about a week after birth. In human, highest TCF4 expression levels were seen in the developing brain, although some nonneural tissues displayed comparable expression levels to adult brain. In addition, we show for the first time that out of the many possible TCF4 isoforms, the main TCF4 isoforms expressed in the rodent and human brain and other tissues are TCF4-B, -C, -D, -A, and-I. Taken together, our isoform specific analysis of TCF4 expression in different tissues could be used for the generation of gene therapy applications for patients with TCF4-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Sirp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Anastassia Shubina
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jürgen Tuvikene
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia,Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Laura Tamberg
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Carl Sander Kiir
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Laura Kranich
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tõnis Timmusk
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia,Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia,*Correspondence: Tõnis Timmusk,
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10
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Anderson MK, da Rocha JDB. Direct regulation of TCR rearrangement and expression by E proteins during early T cell development. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1578. [PMID: 35848146 PMCID: PMC9669112 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1578] [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: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
γδ T cells are widely distributed throughout mucosal and epithelial cell-rich tissues and are an important early source of IL-17 in response to several pathogens. Like αβ T cells, γδ T cells undergo a stepwise process of development in the thymus that requires recombination of genome-encoded segments to assemble mature T cell receptor (TCR) genes. This process is tightly controlled on multiple levels to enable TCR segment assembly while preventing the genomic instability inherent in the double-stranded DNA breaks that occur during this process. Each TCR locus has unique aspects in its structure and requirements, with different types of regulation before and after the αβ/γδ T cell fate choice. It has been known that Runx and Myb are critical transcriptional regulators of TCRγ and TCRδ expression, but the roles of E proteins in TCRγ and TCRδ regulation have been less well explored. Multiple lines of evidence show that E proteins are involved in TCR expression at many different levels, including the regulation of Rag recombinase gene expression and protein stability, induction of germline V segment expression, chromatin remodeling, and restriction of the fetal and adult γδTCR repertoires. Importantly, E proteins interact directly with the cis-regulatory elements of the TCRγ and TCRδ loci, controlling the predisposition of a cell to become an αβ T cell or a γδ T cell, even before the lineage-dictating TCR signaling events. This article is categorized under: Immune System Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Immune System Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele K Anderson
- Department Immunology, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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11
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McKnight D, Bean L, Karbassi I, Beattie K, Bienvenu T, Bonin H, Fang P, Chrisodoulou J, Friez M, Helgeson M, Krishnaraj R, Meng L, Mighion L, Neul J, Percy A, Ramsden S, Zoghbi H, Das S. Recommendations by the ClinGen Rett/Angelman-like expert panel for gene-specific variant interpretation methods. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:1097-1113. [PMID: 34837432 PMCID: PMC9135956 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The genes MECP2, CDKL5, FOXG1, UBE3A, SLC9A6, and TCF4 present unique challenges for current ACMG/AMP variant interpretation guidelines. To address those challenges, the Rett and Angelman-like Disorders Variant Curation Expert Panel (Rett/AS VCEP) drafted gene-specific modifications. A pilot study was conducted to test the clarity and accuracy of using the customized variant interpretation criteria. Multiple curators obtained the same interpretation for 78 out of the 87 variants (~90%), indicating appropriate usage of the modified guidelines the majority of times by all the curators. The classification of 13 variants changed using these criteria specifications compared to when the variants were originally curated and as present in ClinVar. Many of these changes were due to internal data shared from laboratory members however some changes were because of changes in strength of criteria. There were no two-step classification changes and only 1 clinically relevant change (Likely pathogenic to VUS). The Rett/AS VCEP hopes that these gene-specific variant curation rules and the assertions provided help clinicians, clinical laboratories, and others interpret variants in these genes but also other fully penetrant, early-onset genes associated with rare disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - John Chrisodoulou
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the University of Melbourne,University of Sydney
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12
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Jakubison BL, Sarkar T, Gudmundsson KO, Singh S, Sun L, Morris HM, Klarmann KD, Keller JR. ID2 and HIF-1α collaborate to protect quiescent hematopoietic stem cells from activation, differentiation, and exhaustion. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:152599. [PMID: 35775482 PMCID: PMC9246389 DOI: 10.1172/jci152599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Defining mechanism(s) that maintain tissue stem quiescence is important for improving tissue regeneration, cell therapies, aging, and cancer. We report here that genetic ablation of Id2 in adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) promotes increased HSC activation and differentiation, which results in HSC exhaustion and bone marrow failure over time. Id2Δ/Δ HSCs showed increased cycling, ROS production, mitochondrial activation, ATP production, and DNA damage compared with Id2+/+ HSCs, supporting the conclusion that Id2Δ/Δ HSCs are less quiescent. Mechanistically, HIF-1α expression was decreased in Id2Δ/Δ HSCs, and stabilization of HIF-1α in Id2Δ/Δ HSCs restored HSC quiescence and rescued HSC exhaustion. Inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (ID2) promoted HIF-1α expression by binding to the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein and interfering with proteasomal degradation of HIF-1α. HIF-1α promoted Id2 expression and enforced a positive feedback loop between ID2 and HIF-1α to maintain HSC quiescence. Thus, sustained ID2 expression could protect HSCs during stress and improve HSC expansion for gene editing and cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad L Jakubison
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA.,Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI) - Frederick, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Tanmoy Sarkar
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI) - Frederick, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kristbjorn O Gudmundsson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA.,Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI) - Frederick, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Shweta Singh
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI) - Frederick, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Lei Sun
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI) - Frederick, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Holly M Morris
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI) - Frederick, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kimberly D Klarmann
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan R Keller
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA.,Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI) - Frederick, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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13
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Aubrey M, Warburg ZJ, Murre C. Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins in Adaptive Immune Development. Front Immunol 2022; 13:881656. [PMID: 35634342 PMCID: PMC9134016 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.881656] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The E/ID protein axis is instrumental for defining the developmental progression and functions of hematopoietic cells. The E proteins are dimeric transcription factors that activate gene expression programs and coordinate changes in chromatin organization. Id proteins are antagonists of E protein activity. Relative levels of E/Id proteins are modulated throughout hematopoietic development to enable the progression of hematopoietic stem cells into multiple adaptive and innate immune lineages including natural killer cells, B cells and T cells. In early progenitors, the E proteins promote commitment to the T and B cell lineages by orchestrating lineage specific programs of gene expression and regulating VDJ recombination of antigen receptor loci. In mature B cells, the E/Id protein axis functions to promote class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation. E protein activity further regulates differentiation into distinct CD4+ and CD8+ T cells subsets and instructs mature T cell immune responses. In this review, we discuss how the E/Id proteins define the adaptive immune system lineages, focusing on their role in directing developmental gene programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Aubrey
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Zachary J Warburg
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Cornelis Murre
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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14
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Brown RE, Jacobse J, Anant SA, Blunt KM, Chen B, Vega PN, Jones CT, Pilat JM, Revetta F, Gorby AH, Stengel KR, Choksi YA, Palin K, Piazuelo MB, Washington MK, Lau KS, Goettel JA, Hiebert SW, Short SP, Williams CS. MTG16 (CBFA2T3) regulates colonic epithelial differentiation, colitis, and tumorigenesis by repressing E protein transcription factors. JCI Insight 2022; 7:153045. [PMID: 35503250 PMCID: PMC9220854 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.153045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant epithelial differentiation and regeneration contribute to colon pathologies including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis-associated cancer (CAC). MTG16 (CBFA2T3) is a transcriptional corepressor expressed in the colonic epithelium. MTG16 deficiency in mice exacerbates colitis and increases tumor burden in CAC, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identified MTG16 as a central mediator of epithelial differentiation, promoting goblet and restraining enteroendocrine cell development in homeostasis and enabling regeneration following dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Transcriptomic analyses implicated increased E box-binding transcription factor (E protein) activity in MTG16-deficient colon crypts. Using a novel mouse model with a point mutation that attenuates MTG16:E protein interactions (Mtg16P209T), we established that MTG16 exerts control over colonic epithelial differentiation and regeneration by repressing E protein-mediated transcription. Mimicking murine colitis, MTG16 expression was increased in biopsies from patients with active IBD compared to unaffected controls. Finally, uncoupling MTG16:E protein interactions partially phenocopied the enhanced tumorigenicity of Mtg16-/- colon in the azoxymethane(AOM)/DSS-induced model of CAC, indicating that MTG16 protects from tumorigenesis through additional mechanisms. Collectively, our results demonstrate that MTG16, via its repression of E protein targets, is a key regulator of cell fate decisions during colon homeostasis, colitis, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Brown
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Justin Jacobse
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Shruti A Anant
- Department of Medicine, Health, and Society, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Koral M Blunt
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Bob Chen
- Program in Chemical and Physical Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Paige N Vega
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Chase T Jones
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M Pilat
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Frank Revetta
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Aidan H Gorby
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Kristy R Stengel
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Yash A Choksi
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Kimmo Palin
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - M Blanca Piazuelo
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Mary K Washington
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Ken S Lau
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Jeremy A Goettel
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Scott W Hiebert
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Sarah P Short
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States of America
| | - Christopher S Williams
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States of America
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15
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Veiga DFT, Tremblay M, Gerby B, Herblot S, Haman A, Gendron P, Lemieux S, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC, Hébert J, Cohen JP, Hoang T. Monoallelic Heb/Tcf12 Deletion Reduces the Requirement for NOTCH1 Hyperactivation in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:867443. [PMID: 35401501 PMCID: PMC8987207 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.867443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early T-cell development is precisely controlled by E proteins, that indistinguishably include HEB/TCF12 and E2A/TCF3 transcription factors, together with NOTCH1 and pre-T cell receptor (TCR) signalling. Importantly, perturbations of early T-cell regulatory networks are implicated in leukemogenesis. NOTCH1 gain of function mutations invariably lead to T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), whereas inhibition of E proteins accelerates leukemogenesis. Thus, NOTCH1, pre-TCR, E2A and HEB functions are intertwined, but how these pathways contribute individually or synergistically to leukemogenesis remain to be documented. To directly address these questions, we leveraged Cd3e-deficient mice in which pre-TCR signaling and progression through β-selection is abrogated to dissect and decouple the roles of pre-TCR, NOTCH1, E2A and HEB in SCL/TAL1-induced T-ALL, via the use of Notch1 gain of function transgenic (Notch1ICtg) and Tcf12+/- or Tcf3+/- heterozygote mice. As a result, we now provide evidence that both HEB and E2A restrain cell proliferation at the β-selection checkpoint while the clonal expansion of SCL-LMO1-induced pre-leukemic stem cells in T-ALL is uniquely dependent on Tcf12 gene dosage. At the molecular level, HEB protein levels are decreased via proteasomal degradation at the leukemic stage, pointing to a reversible loss of function mechanism. Moreover, in SCL-LMO1-induced T-ALL, loss of one Tcf12 allele is sufficient to bypass pre-TCR signaling which is required for Notch1 gain of function mutations and for progression to T-ALL. In contrast, Tcf12 monoallelic deletion does not accelerate Notch1IC-induced T-ALL, indicating that Tcf12 and Notch1 operate in the same pathway. Finally, we identify a tumor suppressor gene set downstream of HEB, exhibiting significantly lower expression levels in pediatric T-ALL compared to B-ALL and brain cancer samples, the three most frequent pediatric cancers. In summary, our results indicate a tumor suppressor function of HEB/TCF12 in T-ALL to mitigate cell proliferation controlled by NOTCH1 in pre-leukemic stem cells and prevent NOTCH1-driven progression to T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo F. T. Veiga
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Mathieu Tremblay
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
| | - Bastien Gerby
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Université de Toulouse, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), UMR-1037, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Sabine Herblot
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Unité de recherche en hémato-oncologie Charles-Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada
| | - André Haman
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Gendron
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Lemieux
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Josée Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Institut universitaire d’hémato-oncologie et de thérapie cellulaire, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Quebec Leukemia Cell Bank, Centre de recherche de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Joseph Paul Cohen
- Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Trang Hoang
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Trang Hoang,
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16
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Dalod M, Scheu S. Dendritic cell functions in vivo: a user's guide to current and next generation mutant mouse models. Eur J Immunol 2022; 52:1712-1749. [PMID: 35099816 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149513] [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: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) do not just excel in antigen presentation. They orchestrate information transfer from innate to adaptive immunity, by sensing and integrating a variety of danger signals, and translating them to naïve T cells, to mount specifically tailored immune responses. This is accomplished by distinct DC types specialized in different functions and because each DC is functionally plastic, assuming different activation states depending on the input signals received. Mouse models hold the key to untangle this complexity and determine which DC types and activation states contribute to which functions. Here, we aim to provide comprehensive information for selecting the most appropriate mutant mouse strains to address specific research questions on DCs, considering three in vivo experimental approaches: (i) interrogating the roles of DC types through their depletion; (ii) determining the underlying mechanisms by specific genetic manipulations; (iii) deciphering the spatiotemporal dynamics of DC responses. We summarize the advantages, caveats, suggested use and perspectives for a variety of mutant mouse strains, discussing in more detail the most widely used or accurate models. Finally, we discuss innovative strategies to improve targeting specificity, for the next generation mutant mouse models, and briefly address how humanized mouse models can accelerate translation into the clinic. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Dalod
- CNRS, Inserm, Aix Marseille Univ, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Turing Center for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Stefanie Scheu
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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17
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Ting MC, Farmer DT, Teng CS, He J, Chai Y, Crump JG, Maxson RE. Embryonic requirements for Tcf12 in the development of the mouse coronal suture. Development 2022; 149:273884. [PMID: 34878091 PMCID: PMC8783042 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A major feature of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is coronal craniosynostosis, the fusion of the frontal and parietal bones at the coronal suture. It is caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in either of the bHLH transcription factors TWIST1 and TCF12. Although compound heterozygous Tcf12; Twist1 mice display severe coronal synostosis, the individual role of Tcf12 had remained unexplored. Here, we show that Tcf12 controls several key processes in calvarial development, including the rate of frontal and parietal bone growth, and the boundary between sutural and osteogenic cells. Genetic analysis supports an embryonic requirement for Tcf12 in suture formation, as combined deletion of Tcf12 in embryonic neural crest and mesoderm, but not in postnatal suture mesenchyme, disrupts the coronal suture. We also detected asymmetric distribution of mesenchymal cells on opposing sides of the wild-type frontal and parietal bones, which prefigures later bone overlap at the sutures. In Tcf12 mutants, reduced asymmetry is associated with bones meeting end-on-end, possibly contributing to synostosis. Our results support embryonic requirements of Tcf12 in proper formation of the overlapping coronal suture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-chun Ting
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - D'Juan T. Farmer
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Camilla S. Teng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA,Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jinzhi He
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Yang Chai
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - J. Gage Crump
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA,Authors for correspondence (, )
| | - Robert E. Maxson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA,Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA,Authors for correspondence (, )
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18
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Sirp A, Roots K, Nurm K, Tuvikene J, Sepp M, Timmusk T. Functional consequences of TCF4 missense substitutions associated with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, mild intellectual disability, and schizophrenia. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101381. [PMID: 34748727 PMCID: PMC8648840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor essential for neurocognitive development. The aberrations in TCF4 are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, an autism-spectrum disorder characterized by developmental delay. Several disease-associated missense mutations in TCF4 have been shown to interfere with TCF4 function, but for many mutations, the impact remains undefined. Here, we tested the effects of 12 functionally uncharacterized disease-associated missense mutations and variations in TCF4 using transient expression in mammalian cells, confocal imaging, in vitro DNA-binding assays, and reporter assays. We show that Pitt-Hopkins syndrome-associated missense mutations within the basic helix-loop-helix domain of TCF4 and a Rett-like syndrome-associated mutation in a transcription activation domain result in altered DNA-binding and transcriptional activity of the protein. Some of the missense variations found in schizophrenia patients slightly increase TCF4 transcriptional activity, whereas no effects were detected for missense mutations linked to mild intellectual disability. We in addition find that the outcomes of several disease-related mutations are affected by cell type, TCF4 isoform, and dimerization partner, suggesting that the effects of TCF4 mutations are context-dependent. Together with previous work, this study provides a basis for the interpretation of the functional consequences of TCF4 missense variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Sirp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kaisa Roots
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kaja Nurm
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jürgen Tuvikene
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Mari Sepp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Tõnis Timmusk
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia.
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19
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Disordered breathing in a Pitt-Hopkins syndrome model involves Phox2b-expressing parafacial neurons and aberrant Nav1.8 expression. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5962. [PMID: 34645823 PMCID: PMC8514575 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26263-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare autism spectrum-like disorder characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delays, and breathing problems involving episodes of hyperventilation followed by apnea. PTHS is caused by functional haploinsufficiency of the gene encoding transcription factor 4 (Tcf4). Despite the severity of this disease, mechanisms contributing to PTHS behavioral abnormalities are not well understood. Here, we show that a Tcf4 truncation (Tcf4tr/+) mouse model of PTHS exhibits breathing problems similar to PTHS patients. This behavioral deficit is associated with selective loss of putative expiratory parafacial neurons and compromised function of neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus that regulate breathing in response to tissue CO2/H+. We also show that central Nav1.8 channels can be targeted pharmacologically to improve respiratory function at the cellular and behavioral levels in Tcf4tr/+ mice, thus establishing Nav1.8 as a high priority target with therapeutic potential in PTHS. Disordered breathing is a hallmark of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), yet little is known regarding how loss of Tcf4 (gene associated with PTHS) affects development and function of respiratory neurons. Here, the authors show that parafacial respiratory neurons are selectively disrupted in a mouse model of PTHS, and central Nav1.8 channels can be targeted to improve PTHS-associated behavior abnormalities.
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20
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Sarkar D, Shariq M, Dwivedi D, Krishnan N, Naumann R, Bhalla US, Ghosh HS. Adult brain neurons require continual expression of the schizophrenia-risk gene Tcf4 for structural and functional integrity. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:494. [PMID: 34564703 PMCID: PMC8464606 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01618-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The schizophrenia-risk gene Tcf4 has been widely studied in the context of brain development using mouse models of haploinsufficiency, in utero knockdown and embryonic deletion. However, Tcf4 continues to be abundantly expressed in adult brain neurons where its functions remain unknown. Given the importance of Tcf4 in psychiatric diseases, we investigated its role in adult neurons using cell-specific deletion and genetic tracing in adult animals. Acute loss of Tcf4 in adult excitatory neurons in vivo caused hyperexcitability and increased dendritic complexity of neurons, effects that were distinct from previously observed effects in embryonic-deficiency models. Interestingly, transcriptomic analysis of genetically traced adult-deleted FACS-sorted Tcf4-knockout neurons revealed that Tcf4 targets in adult neurons are distinct from those in the embryonic brain. Meta-analysis of the adult-deleted neuronal transcriptome from our study with the existing datasets of embryonic Tcf4 deficiencies revealed plasma membrane and ciliary genes to underlie Tcf4-mediated structure-function regulation specifically in adult neurons. The profound changes both in the structure and excitability of adult neurons upon acute loss of Tcf4 indicates that proactive regulation of membrane-related processes underlies the functional and structural integrity of adult neurons. These findings not only provide insights for the functional relevance of continual expression of a psychiatric disease-risk gene in the adult brain but also identify previously unappreciated gene networks underpinning mature neuronal regulation during the adult lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipannita Sarkar
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India ,grid.502290.cThe University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, 560064 India
| | - Mohammad Shariq
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India ,grid.502290.cThe University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, 560064 India
| | - Deepanjali Dwivedi
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India
| | - Nirmal Krishnan
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India
| | - Ronald Naumann
- grid.419537.d0000 0001 2113 4567MPI of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, 01307 Germany
| | - Upinder Singh Bhalla
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India
| | - Hiyaa Singhee Ghosh
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065, India.
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21
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Matricardi S, Bonanni P, Iapadre G, Elia M, Cesaroni E, Danieli A, Negrin S, Zagaroli L, Operto FF, Carotenuto M, Pisani F, Turco EC, Orsini A, Bonuccelli A, Savasta S, Concolino D, Di Cara G, Striano P, Verrotti A. Epilepsy, electroclinical features, and long-term outcomes in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome due to pathogenic variants in the TCF4 gene. Eur J Neurol 2021; 29:19-25. [PMID: 34519126 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deletions/variants in the TCF4 gene. Seizures may be present in up to half of the patients, leading to a more severe disease burden. This study aims to analyse the electroclinical phenotype, treatment options, and long-term outcomes of epilepsy in PTHS. METHODS A multicentre observational cohort study was performed, and the electroclinical data of PTHS individuals affected by epileptic seizures were retrospectively reviewed and analysed. RESULTS The series includes 21 patients (11 female) with a median age at seizure onset of 2 years (range = 0.5-8). The median time of follow-up was 7.9 years (range = 2-27). Both generalized and focal epilepsies were present at the same prevalence (42.8%), whereas a minority of patients presented developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (14.4%). At the long-term follow-up, 42.8% achieved seizure freedom, whereas 42.8% developed drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The age at seizure onset was found to be an independent predictor for seizure outcome; in this regard, patients having seizure onset after the age of 2 years were more prone to achieve seizure freedom (odds ratio = 0.04, 95% confidence interval = 0.003-0.53; p = 0.01). During evolution, seizures tended to settle down, and even in patients with DRE, seizures tended to persist at a lower frequency and appeared to be more easily manageable over time. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insight into the natural history of epilepsy in PTHS. Better characterization of epileptic phenotype and prompt tailored treatment improve overall management and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Matricardi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, "G. Salesi" Children's Hospital, Ospedali Riuniti Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- Epilepsy Unit, IRCCS Eugenio Medea Scientific Institute, Conegliano, Italy
| | - Giulia Iapadre
- Department of Paediatrics, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maurizio Elia
- Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiopathology, Oasi Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging (IRCCS), Troina, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cesaroni
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, "G. Salesi" Children's Hospital, Ospedali Riuniti Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alberto Danieli
- Epilepsy Unit, IRCCS Eugenio Medea Scientific Institute, Conegliano, Italy
| | - Susanna Negrin
- Epilepsy Unit, IRCCS Eugenio Medea Scientific Institute, Conegliano, Italy
| | - Luca Zagaroli
- Department of Paediatrics, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marco Carotenuto
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health and Physical and Preventive Medicine, Luigi Vanvitelli University, Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesco Pisani
- Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, Maternal and Child Health Department, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Emanuela Claudia Turco
- Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, Maternal and Child Health Department, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessandro Orsini
- Paediatric Neurology, Paediatric Department, Santa Chiara's University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alice Bonuccelli
- Paediatric Neurology, Paediatric Department, Santa Chiara's University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Savasta
- Department of Paediatrics, Maggiore Hospital ASST Crema, Crema, Italy
| | - Daniela Concolino
- Paediatrics Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Cara
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Giannina Gaslini Institute, IRCCS, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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22
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Zhao T, Genchev GZ, Wu S, Yu G, Lu H, Feng J. Pitt-Hopkins syndrome: phenotypic and genotypic description of four unrelated patients and structural analysis of corresponding missense mutations. Neurogenetics 2021; 22:161-169. [PMID: 34128147 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-021-00651-8] [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: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome is an underdiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder which is characterized by specific facial features, early-onset developmental delay, and moderate to severe intellectual disability. The genetic cause, a deficiency of the TCF4 gene, has been established; however, the underlying pathological mechanisms of this disease are still unclear. Herein, we report four unrelated children with different de novo mutations (T606A, K607E, R578C, and V617I) located at highly conserved sites and with clinical phenotypes which present variable degrees of developmental delay and intellectual disability. Three of these four missense mutations have not yet been reported. The patient with V617I mutation exhibits mild intellectual disability and has attained more advanced motor and verbal skills, which is significantly different from other cases reported to date. Molecular dynamics simulations are used to explore the atomic level mechanism of how missense mutations impair the functions of TCF4. Mutations T606A, K607E, and R578C are found to affect DNA binding directly or indirectly, while V617I only induces subtle conformational changes, which is consistent with the milder clinical phenotype of the corresponding patient. The study expands the mutation spectrum and phenotypic characteristics of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, and reinforces the genotype-phenotype correlation and strengthens the understanding of phenotype variability, which is helpful for further investigation of pathogenetic mechanisms and improved genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Big Data in Pediatric Precision Medicine, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Georgi Z Genchev
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Big Data in Pediatric Precision Medicine, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Bulgarian Institute for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Sofia, Bulgaria
- SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengnan Wu
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangjun Yu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Big Data in Pediatric Precision Medicine, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Lu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Big Data in Pediatric Precision Medicine, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jincai Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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23
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Mesman S, Wever I, Smidt MP. Tcf4 Is Involved in Subset Specification of Mesodiencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9030317. [PMID: 33804772 PMCID: PMC8003918 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9030317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
During development, mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons form into different molecular subsets. Knowledge of which factors contribute to the specification of these subsets is currently insufficient. In this study, we examined the role of Tcf4, a member of the E-box protein family, in mdDA neuronal development and subset specification. We show that Tcf4 is expressed throughout development, but is no longer detected in adult midbrain. Deletion of Tcf4 results in an initial increase in TH-expressing neurons at E11.5, but this normalizes at later embryonic stages. However, the caudal subset marker Nxph3 and rostral subset marker Ahd2 are affected at E14.5, indicating that Tcf4 is involved in correct differentiation of mdDA neuronal subsets. At P0, expression of these markers partially recovers, whereas expression of Th transcript and TH protein appears to be affected in lateral parts of the mdDA neuronal population. The initial increase in TH-expressing cells and delay in subset specification could be due to the increase in expression of the bHLH factor Ascl1, known for its role in mdDA neuronal differentiation, upon loss of Tcf4. Taken together, our data identified a minor role for Tcf4 in mdDA neuronal development and subset specification.
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24
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Ong Tone S, Kocaba V, Böhm M, Wylegala A, White TL, Jurkunas UV. Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: The vicious cycle of Fuchs pathogenesis. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 80:100863. [PMID: 32438095 PMCID: PMC7648733 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common primary corneal endothelial dystrophy and the leading indication for corneal transplantation worldwide. FECD is characterized by the progressive decline of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and the formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) excrescences in Descemet's membrane (DM), called guttae, that lead to corneal edema and loss of vision. FECD typically manifests in the fifth decades of life and has a greater incidence in women. FECD is a complex and heterogeneous genetic disease where interaction between genetic and environmental factors results in cellular apoptosis and aberrant ECM deposition. In this review, we will discuss a complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and exogenous factors in inciting oxidative stress, auto(mito)phagy, unfolded protein response, and mitochondrial dysfunction during CEC degeneration. Specifically, we explore the factors that influence cellular fate to undergo apoptosis, senescence, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These findings will highlight the importance of abnormal CEC-DM interactions in triggering the vicious cycle of FECD pathogenesis. We will also review clinical characteristics, diagnostic tools, and current medical and surgical management options for FECD patients. These new paradigms in FECD pathogenesis present an opportunity to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Ong Tone
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Viridiana Kocaba
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Myriam Böhm
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Adam Wylegala
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tomas L White
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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25
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Tcf12 balances the reconstitution and differentiation capacity of hematopoietic stem cell. BLOOD SCIENCE 2020; 3:14-19. [PMID: 35399207 PMCID: PMC8974954 DOI: 10.1097/bs9.0000000000000059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tcf12 has been identified as one of the main helix-loop-helix transcription factors that regulates T cell development from double negative to double positive stage transition. While, the function of Tcf12 in hematopoietic stem cells remains not investigated. In this study, we observed that Tcf12 is expressed in HSCs and targeted deletion of Tcf12 in hematopoietic cells results in increased frequency and absolute number of HSCs, but compromises the reconstitution capacity of HSCs. Further analysis reveals that Tcf12 is dispensable for the self-renewal of HSCs. The declined reconstituted capacity of Tcf12−/− HSCs stems from the decrease in the ability to differentiate into lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitors, and furthermore B and T lineages.
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26
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Sirp A, Leite K, Tuvikene J, Nurm K, Sepp M, Timmusk T. The Fuchs corneal dystrophy-associated CTG repeat expansion in the TCF4 gene affects transcription from its alternative promoters. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18424. [PMID: 33116252 PMCID: PMC7595208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75437-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The CTG trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion in Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) intron 3 is the main cause of Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and may confer an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder (BD). Usage of alternative 5′ exons for transcribing the human TCF4 gene results in numerous TCF4 transcripts which encode for at least 18 N-terminally different protein isoforms that vary in their function and transactivation capability. Here we studied the TCF4 region containing the CTG TNR and characterized the transcription initiation sites of the nearby downstream 5′ exons 4a, 4b and 4c. We demonstrate that these exons are linked to alternative promoters and show that the CTG TNR expansion decreases the activity of the nearby downstream TCF4 promoters in primary cultured neurons. We confirm this finding using two RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) datasets of corneal endothelium from FECD patients with expanded CTG TNR in the TCF4 gene. Furthermore, we report an increase in the expression of various other TCF4 transcripts in FECD, possibly indicating a compensatory mechanism. We conclude that the CTG TNR affects TCF4 expression in a transcript-specific manner both in neurons and in the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Sirp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kristian Leite
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia.,Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Tuvikene
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia.,Protobios LLC, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kaja Nurm
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Mari Sepp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia.,Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tõnis Timmusk
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia. .,Protobios LLC, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia.
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27
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Anderson MK, Selvaratnam JS. Interaction between γδTCR signaling and the E protein-Id axis in γδ T cell development. Immunol Rev 2020; 298:181-197. [PMID: 33058287 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
γδ T cells acquire their functional properties in the thymus, enabling them to exert rapid innate-like responses. To understand how distinct γδ T cell subsets are generated, we have developed a Two-Stage model for γδ T cell development. This model is predicated on the finding that γδTCR signal strength impacts E protein activity through graded upregulation of Id3. Our model proposes that cells enter Stage 1 in response to a γδTCR signaling event in the cortex that activates a γδ T cell-specific gene network. Part of this program includes the upregulation of chemokine receptors that guide them to the medulla. In the medulla, Stage 1 cells receive distinct combinations of γδTCR, cytokine, and/co-stimulatory signals that induce their transit into Stage 2, either toward the γδT1 or the γδT17 lineage. The intersection between γδTCR and cytokine signals can tune Id3 expression, leading to different outcomes even in the presence of strong γδTCR signals. The thymic signaling niches required for γδT17 development are segregated in time and space, providing transient windows of opportunity during ontogeny. Understanding the regulatory context in which E proteins operate at different stages will be key in defining how their activity levels impose functional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele K Anderson
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Johanna S Selvaratnam
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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28
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Modulation of cognition and neuronal plasticity in gain- and loss-of-function mouse models of the schizophrenia risk gene Tcf4. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:343. [PMID: 33037178 PMCID: PMC7547694 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01026-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor TCF4 was confirmed in several large genome-wide association studies as one of the most significant schizophrenia (SZ) susceptibility genes. Transgenic mice moderately overexpressing Tcf4 in forebrain (Tcf4tg) display deficits in fear memory and sensorimotor gating. As second hit, we exposed Tcf4tg animals to isolation rearing (IR), chronic social defeat (SD), enriched environment (EE), or handling control (HC) conditions and examined mice with heterozygous deletion of the exon 4 (Tcf4Ex4δ+/-) to unravel gene-dosage effects. We applied multivariate statistics for behavioral profiling and demonstrate that IR and SD cause strong cognitive deficits of Tcf4tg mice, whereas EE masked the genetic vulnerability. We observed enhanced long-term depression in Tcf4tg mice and enhanced long-term potentiation in Tcf4Ex4δ+/- mice indicating specific gene-dosage effects. Tcf4tg mice showed higher density of immature spines during development as assessed by STED nanoscopy and proteomic analyses of synaptosomes revealed concurrently increased levels of proteins involved in synaptic function and metabolic pathways. We conclude that environmental stress and Tcf4 misexpression precipitate cognitive deficits in 2-hit mouse models of relevance for schizophrenia.
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29
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Wedel M, Fröb F, Elsesser O, Wittmann MT, Lie DC, Reis A, Wegner M. Transcription factor Tcf4 is the preferred heterodimerization partner for Olig2 in oligodendrocytes and required for differentiation. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:4839-4857. [PMID: 32266943 PMCID: PMC7229849 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of oligodendrocytes and myelin formation in the vertebrate central nervous system is under control of several basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors such as Olig2, Ascl1, Hes5 and the Id proteins. The class I basic helix-loop-helix proteins Tcf3, Tcf4 and Tcf12 represent potential heterodimerization partners and functional modulators for all, but have not been investigated in oligodendrocytes so far. Using mouse mutants, organotypic slice and primary cell cultures we here show that Tcf4 is required in a cell-autonomous manner for proper terminal differentiation and myelination in vivo and ex vivo. Partial compensation is provided by the paralogous Tcf3, but not Tcf12. On the mechanistic level Tcf4 was identified as the preferred heterodimerization partner of the central regulator of oligodendrocyte development Olig2. Both genetic studies in the mouse as well as functional studies on enhancer regions of myelin genes confirmed the relevance of this physical interaction for oligodendrocyte differentiation. Considering that alterations in TCF4 are associated with syndromic and non-syndromic forms of intellectual disability, schizophrenia and autism in humans, our findings point to the possibility of an oligodendroglial contribution to these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Wedel
- Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Fröb
- Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Olga Elsesser
- Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marie-Theres Wittmann
- Humangenetisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - D Chichung Lie
- Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Reis
- Humangenetisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Wegner
- Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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30
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Soni C, Perez OA, Voss WN, Pucella JN, Serpas L, Mehl J, Ching KL, Goike J, Georgiou G, Ippolito GC, Sisirak V, Reizis B. Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and Type I Interferon Promote Extrafollicular B Cell Responses to Extracellular Self-DNA. Immunity 2020; 52:1022-1038.e7. [PMID: 32454024 PMCID: PMC7306002 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Class-switched antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) are prevalent and pathogenic in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), yet mechanisms of their development remain poorly understood. Humans and mice lacking secreted DNase DNASE1L3 develop rapid anti-dsDNA antibody responses and SLE-like disease. We report that anti-DNA responses in Dnase1l3-/- mice require CD40L-mediated T cell help, but proceed independently of germinal center formation via short-lived antibody-forming cells (AFCs) localized to extrafollicular regions. Type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling and IFN-I-producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) facilitate the differentiation of DNA-reactive AFCs in vivo and in vitro and are required for downstream manifestations of autoimmunity. Moreover, the endosomal DNA sensor TLR9 promotes anti-dsDNA responses and SLE-like disease in Dnase1l3-/- mice redundantly with another nucleic acid-sensing receptor, TLR7. These results establish extrafollicular B cell differentiation into short-lived AFCs as a key mechanism of anti-DNA autoreactivity and reveal a major contribution of pDCs, endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and IFN-I to this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetna Soni
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Oriana A Perez
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - William N Voss
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Joseph N Pucella
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lee Serpas
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Justin Mehl
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Krystal L Ching
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jule Goike
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - George Georgiou
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Gregory C Ippolito
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Vanja Sisirak
- CNRS-UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpt, Université de Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France.
| | - Boris Reizis
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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31
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Mesman S, Bakker R, Smidt MP. Tcf4 is required for correct brain development during embryogenesis. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 106:103502. [PMID: 32474139 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tcf4 has been linked to autism, schizophrenia, and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS) in humans, suggesting a role for Tcf4 in brain development and importantly cortical development. However, the mechanisms behind its role in disease and brain development are still elusive. We provide evidence that Tcf4 has a critical function in the differentiation of cortical regions, corpus callosum and anterior commissure formation, and development of the hippocampus during murine embryonic development. In the present study, we show that Tcf4 is expressed throughout the developing brain at the peak of neurogenesis. Deletion of Tcf4 results in mis-specification of the cortical neurons, malformation of the corpus callosum and anterior commissure, and hypoplasia of the hippocampus. Furthermore, the Tcf4 mutant shows an absence of midline remodeling, underlined by the loss of GFAP-expressing midline glia in the indusium griseum and callosal wedge and midline zipper glia in the telencephalic midline. RNA-sequencing on E14.5 cortex material shows that Tcf4 functions as a transcriptional activator and loss of Tcf4 results in downregulation of genes linked to neurogenesis and neuronal maturation. Furthermore, many genes that are differentially expressed after Tcf4 ablation are linked to other neurodevelopmental disorders. Taken together, we show that correct brain development and neuronal differentiation are severely affected in Tcf4 mutants, phenocopying morphological brain defects detected in PTHS patients. The presented data identifies new leads to understand the mechanisms behind brain and specifically cortical development and can provide novel insights in developmental mechanisms underlying human brain defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Mesman
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Reinier Bakker
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marten P Smidt
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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32
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A myelin-related transcriptomic profile is shared by Pitt-Hopkins syndrome models and human autism spectrum disorder. Nat Neurosci 2020; 23:375-385. [PMID: 32015540 PMCID: PMC7065955 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0578-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is genetically heterogeneous with convergent symptomatology, suggesting common dysregulated pathways. We analyzed brain transcriptional changes in five mouse models of Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS), a syndromic form of ASD caused by mutations in TCF4 (transcription factor 4, not TCF7L2 / T-Cell Factor 4). Analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) highlighted oligodendrocyte (OL) dysregulation, which we confirmed in two additional mouse models of syndromic ASD (Ptenm3m4/m3m4 and Mecp2tm1.1Bird). The PTHS mouse models showed cell-autonomous reductions in OL numbers and myelination, functionally confirming OL transcriptional signatures. Next, we integrated PTHS mouse model DEGs with human idiopathic ASD postmortem brain RNA-seq data, and found significant enrichment of overlapping DEGs and common myelination-associated pathways. Importantly, DEGs from syndromic ASD mouse models, and reduced deconvoluted OL numbers, distinguished human idiopathic ASD cases from controls across three postmortem brain datasets. These results implicate disruptions in OL biology as a cellular mechanism in ASD pathology.
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33
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Schoof M, Hellwig M, Harrison L, Holdhof D, Lauffer MC, Niesen J, Virdi S, Indenbirken D, Schüller U. The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TCF4 impacts brain architecture as well as neuronal morphology and differentiation. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:2219-2235. [PMID: 31919899 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Germline mutations in the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 4 (TCF4) cause the Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), a developmental disorder with severe intellectual disability. Here, we report findings from a new mouse model with a central nervous system-specific truncation of Tcf4 leading to severe phenotypic abnormalities. Furthermore, it allows the study of a complete TCF4 knockout in adult mice, circumventing early postnatal lethality of previously published mouse models. Our data suggest that a TCF4 truncation results in an impaired hippocampal architecture affecting both the dentate gyrus as well as the cornu ammonis. In the cerebral cortex, loss of TCF4 generates a severe differentiation delay of neural precursors. Furthermore, neuronal morphology was critically affected with shortened apical dendrites and significantly increased branching of dendrites. Our data provide novel information about the role of Tcf4 in brain development and may help to understand the mechanisms leading to intellectual deficits observed in patients suffering from PTHS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schoof
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Hellwig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luke Harrison
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Dörthe Holdhof
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marlen C Lauffer
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Judith Niesen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sanamjeet Virdi
- Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Indenbirken
- Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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34
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Berrett H, Qian L, Roman O, Cordova A, Simmons A, Sun XH, Alberola-Ila J. Development of Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells Is Selectively Inhibited by Sustained E Protein Activity. Immunohorizons 2019; 3:593-605. [PMID: 31852728 PMCID: PMC6938226 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.1900045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are tissue-resident lymphoid cells that reside mostly at barrier surfaces and participate in the initial response against pathogens. They are classified into different types based on effector programs that are based on cytokine production and transcription factor expression. They all derive from the common lymphoid precursor, but the molecular mechanisms regulating ILC subset development is not well understood. Experiments using Id2 knockout mice have previously shown that E protein activity inhibition is an absolute requirement for the development of all ILC subsets. In this study, we use a genetic approach to demonstrate that small increases in E protein activity during ILC development selectively inhibit type 2 ILC development. Type 1 ILCs are mostly unperturbed, and type 3 ILC show only a minor inhibition. This effect is first evident at the ILC2 progenitor stage and is ILC intrinsic. Therefore, our results demonstrate that modulation of E protein activity can bias cell fate decisions in developing ILCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Berrett
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; and.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Liangyue Qian
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; and
| | - Olga Roman
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; and
| | - Alanis Cordova
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; and
| | - Amie Simmons
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; and
| | - Xiao-Hong Sun
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; and.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - José Alberola-Ila
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; and .,Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
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35
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Wang Y, Lu Z, Zhang Y, Cai Y, Yun D, Tang T, Cai Z, Wang C, Zhang Y, Fang F, Yang Z, Behnisch T, Xie Y. Transcription Factor 4 Safeguards Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus Development by Regulating Neural Progenitor Migration. Cereb Cortex 2019; 30:3102-3115. [PMID: 31845732 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampal formation plays essential roles in learning and memory. Defective DG development is associated with neurological disorders. Here, we show that transcription factor 4 (Tcf4) is essential for DG development. Tcf4 expression is elevated in neural progenitors of the dentate neuroepithelium in the developing mouse brain. We demonstrate that conditional disruption of Tcf4 in the dentate neuroepithelium leads to abnormal neural progenitor migration guided by disorganized radial glial fibers, which further leads to hypoplasia in the DG. Moreover, we reveal that Wnt7b is a key downstream effector of Tcf4 in regulating neural progenitor migration. Behavioral analysis shows that disruption of integrity of the DG impairs the social memory highlighting the importance of proper development of the DG. These results reveal a critical role for Tcf4 in regulating DG development. As mutations in TCF4 cause Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) characterized by severe intellectual disability, our data also potentially provide insights into the basis of neurological defects linked to TCF4 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Wang
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhiheng Lu
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yilan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuqun Cai
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Di Yun
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tianxiang Tang
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zheping Cai
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chunyang Wang
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yandong Zhang
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhengang Yang
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Thomas Behnisch
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yunli Xie
- Department of Anesthesia, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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36
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Yang J, Zhang L, Jiang Z, Ge C, Zhao F, Jiang J, Tian H, Chen T, Xie H, Cui Y, Yao M, Li H, Li J. TCF12 promotes the tumorigenesis and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma via upregulation of CXCR4 expression. Theranostics 2019; 9:5810-5827. [PMID: 31534521 PMCID: PMC6735379 DOI: 10.7150/thno.34973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
TCF12, which is known to be involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, has been reported to function as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor gene in the progression of various malignant tumors. However, its function and molecular mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Methods: Stable ectopic TCF12 expression or knockdown in HCC cell lines was established by lentiviral infection. Then, MTT, colony formation, migration, invasion and HUVECs tube formation assays as well as an orthotopic xenograft model were used to investigate the biologic function of TCF12 in HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, RNA-Seq analysis was utilized to explore the target genes regulated by TCF12. RT-qPCR, western blotting, a dual-luciferase reporter assay, Ch-IP, CHIP-Seq and functional rescue experiments were used to confirm the target gene regulated by TCF12. Finally, RT-qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were performed to detect the expression level of TCF12 and to analyze the correlation of TCF12 with downstream genes as well as the clinical significance of TCF12 in human primary HCC. Results: Our functional studies revealed that stable overexpression of TCF12 in human HCC cells enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo, whereas knockdown of TCF12 showed opposing effects. Mechanistically, CXCR4 was a downstream target of TCF12, and TCF12 directly bound to the CXCR4 promoter to regulate its expression. Moreover, CXCR4, with its ligand CXCL12, played a critical role in tumor progression induced by TCF12 via activation of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Clinically, IHC analysis revealed that TCF12 was significantly associated with poor survival of HCC patients and that TCF12 expression was closely correlated with CXCR4 expression in primary HCC tissues. Conclusion: Our findings are the first to indicate that TCF12 could promote the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC mainly by upregulating CXCR4 expression and is a prognostic indicator for patients with HCC.
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37
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On the traces of tcf12: Investigation of the gene expression pattern during development and cranial suture patterning in zebrafish (Danio rerio). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218286. [PMID: 31188878 PMCID: PMC6561585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor 12 (tcf12) is a basic Helix-Loop-Helix protein (bHLH) of the E-protein family, proven to play an important role in developmental processes like neurogenesis, mesoderm formation, and cranial vault development. In humans, mutations in TCF12 lead to craniosynostosis, a congenital birth disorder characterized by the premature fusion of one or several of the cranial sutures. Current research has been primarily focused on functional studies of TCF12, hence the cellular expression profile of this gene during embryonic development and early stages of ossification remains poorly understood. Here we present the establishment and detailed analysis of two transgenic tcf12:EGFP fluorescent zebrafish (Danio rerio) reporter lines. Using these transgenic lines, we analyzed the general spatiotemporal expression pattern of tcf12 during different developmental stages and put emphasis on skeletal development and cranial suture patterning. We identified robust tcf12 promoter-driven EGFP expression in the central nervous system (CNS), the heart, the pronephros, and the somites of zebrafish embryos. Additionally, expression was observed inside the muscles and bones of the viscerocranium in juvenile and adult fish. During cranial vault development, the transgenic fish show a high amount of tcf12 expressing cells at the growth fronts of the ossifying frontal and parietal bones and inside the emerging cranial sutures. Subsequently, we tested the transcriptional activity of three evolutionary conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) located in the tcf12 locus by transient transgenic assays and compared their in vivo activity to the expression pattern determined in the transgenic tcf12:EGFP lines. We could validate two of them as tcf12 enhancer elements driving specific gene expression in the CNS during embryogenesis. Our newly established transgenic lines enhance the understanding of tcf12 gene regulation and open up the possibilities for further functional investigation of these novel tcf12 enhancer elements in zebrafish.
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38
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Ali S, Mann-Nüttel R, Schulze A, Richter L, Alferink J, Scheu S. Sources of Type I Interferons in Infectious Immunity: Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Not Always in the Driver's Seat. Front Immunol 2019; 10:778. [PMID: 31031767 PMCID: PMC6473462 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I Interferons (IFNs) are hallmark cytokines produced in immune responses to all classes of pathogens. Type I IFNs can influence dendritic cell (DC) activation, maturation, migration, and survival, but also directly enhance natural killer (NK) and T/B cell activity, thus orchestrating various innate and adaptive immune effector functions. Therefore, type I IFNs have long been considered essential in the host defense against virus infections. More recently, it has become clear that depending on the type of virus and the course of infection, production of type I IFN can also lead to immunopathology or immunosuppression. Similarly, in bacterial infections type I IFN production is often associated with detrimental effects for the host. Although most cells in the body are thought to be able to produce type I IFN, plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) have been termed the natural "IFN producing cells" due to their unique molecular adaptations to nucleic acid sensing and ability to produce high amounts of type I IFN. Findings from mouse reporter strains and depletion experiments in in vivo infection models have brought new insights and established that the role of pDCs in type I IFN production in vivo is less important than assumed. Production of type I IFN, especially the early synthesized IFNβ, is rather realized by a variety of cell types and cannot be mainly attributed to pDCs. Indeed, the cell populations responsible for type I IFN production vary with the type of pathogen, its tissue tropism, and the route of infection. In this review, we summarize recent findings from in vivo models on the cellular source of type I IFN in different infectious settings, ranging from virus, bacteria, and fungi to eukaryotic parasites. The implications from these findings for the development of new vaccination and therapeutic designs targeting the respectively defined cell types are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafaqat Ali
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence EXC 1003, Cells in Motion, Münster, Germany
| | - Ritu Mann-Nüttel
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anja Schulze
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lisa Richter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Judith Alferink
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 1003, Cells in Motion, Münster, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefanie Scheu
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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39
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Bouderlique T, Peña-Pérez L, Kharazi S, Hils M, Li X, Krstic A, De Paepe A, Schachtrup C, Gustafsson C, Holmberg D, Schachtrup K, Månsson R. The Concerted Action of E2-2 and HEB Is Critical for Early Lymphoid Specification. Front Immunol 2019; 10:455. [PMID: 30936870 PMCID: PMC6433000 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The apparition of adaptive immunity in Gnathostomata correlates with the expansion of the E-protein family to encompass E2-2, HEB, and E2A. Within the family, E2-2 and HEB are more closely evolutionarily related but their concerted action in hematopoiesis remains to be explored. Here we show that the combined disruption of E2-2 and HEB results in failure to express the early lymphoid program in Common lymphoid precursors (CLPs) and a near complete block in B-cell development. In the thymus, Early T-cell progenitors (ETPs) were reduced and T-cell development perturbed, resulting in reduced CD4 T- and increased γδ T-cell numbers. In contrast, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), erythro-myeloid progenitors, and innate immune cells were unaffected showing that E2-2 and HEB are dispensable for the ancestral hematopoietic lineages. Taken together, this E-protein dependence suggests that the appearance of the full Gnathostomata E-protein repertoire was critical to reinforce the gene regulatory circuits that drove the emergence and expansion of the lineages constituting humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Bouderlique
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lucia Peña-Pérez
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shabnam Kharazi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Miriam Hils
- Faculty of Medicine & Faculty of Biology, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Xiaoze Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aleksandra Krstic
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ayla De Paepe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Schachtrup
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Gustafsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dan Holmberg
- Lund University Diabetes Center, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kristina Schachtrup
- Faculty of Medicine & Faculty of Biology, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Månsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Hematology Center, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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40
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Maldonado-Ruiz R, Garza-Ocañas L, Camacho A. Inflammatory domains modulate autism spectrum disorder susceptibility during maternal nutritional programming. Neurochem Int 2019; 126:109-117. [PMID: 30880046 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disease which involves functional and structural defects in selective central nervous system (CNS) regions harming capability to process and respond to external stimuli. In addition to genetic background, etiological causes of ASD have not been fully clarified. Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy have been proposed as a potential etiological cause leading to aberrant synaptic pruning and microglia-mediated neurogenesis impairment. Several clinical studies suggest that pro-inflammatory profile during maternal obesity associates with a higher risk of having a child with autism. In this context, the effect of maternal programing by high fat diet overconsumption during pregnancy sets a pro-inflammatory profile partly dependent on an epigenetic program of immunity which promotes brain micro and macrostructural abnormalities in the offspring that might last through adulthood accompanied by phenotypic changes in ASD subjects. Of note, maternal programming of inflammation during development seems to integrate the CNS and peripheral immune system cross-talk which arrays central inflammatory domains coordinating ASD behavior. In this review, we discuss basic and clinical studies regarding the effects of obesity-induced MIA on peripheral immune cells and microglia priming and their relationship with brain structural alterations in ASD models. Also, we show supportive evidence stating the role of maternal programming on epigenetic gene activation in immune cells of ASD subjects. We suggest that maternal programming by hypercaloric diets during development sets a central and peripheral immune cross-talk which potentially might modulate brain macro and microstructural defects leading to autism susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Maldonado-Ruiz
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, Facultad de Medicina, Biochemistry Department, Mexico; Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Neurometabolism Unit, Mexico
| | - Lourdes Garza-Ocañas
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Facultad de Medicina, Department of Pharmacology, Mexico
| | - Alberto Camacho
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, Facultad de Medicina, Biochemistry Department, Mexico; Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Neurometabolism Unit, Mexico.
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41
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Zollino M, Zweier C, Van Balkom ID, Sweetser DA, Alaimo J, Bijlsma EK, Cody J, Elsea SH, Giurgea I, Macchiaiolo M, Smigiel R, Thibert RL, Benoist I, Clayton-Smith J, De Winter CF, Deckers S, Gandhi A, Huisman S, Kempink D, Kruisinga F, Lamacchia V, Marangi G, Menke L, Mulder P, Nordgren A, Renieri A, Routledge S, Saunders CJ, Stembalska A, Van Balkom H, Whalen S, Hennekam RC. Diagnosis and management in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome: First international consensus statement. Clin Genet 2019; 95:462-478. [PMID: 30677142 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, specific facial features, and marked autonomic nervous system dysfunction, especially with disturbances of regulating respiration and intestinal mobility. It is caused by variants in the transcription factor TCF4. Heterogeneity in the clinical and molecular diagnostic criteria and care practices has prompted a group of international experts to establish guidelines for diagnostics and care. For issues, for which there was limited information available in international literature, we collaborated with national support groups and the participants of a syndrome specific international conference to obtain further information. Here, we discuss the resultant consensus, including the clinical definition of PTHS and a molecular diagnostic pathway. Recommendations for managing particular health problems such as dysregulated respiration are provided. We emphasize the need for integration of care for physical and behavioral issues. The recommendations as presented here will need to be evaluated for improvements to allow for continued optimization of diagnostics and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Zollino
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli, IRCCS, UOC Genetica.,Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy
| | - Christiane Zweier
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ingrid D Van Balkom
- Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Rob Giel Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - David A Sweetser
- Division of Medical Genetics and Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph Alaimo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Emilia K Bijlsma
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jannine Cody
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Sarah H Elsea
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Irina Giurgea
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMR_S 933, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital Trousseau, Paris, France
| | - Marina Macchiaiolo
- Rare and Genetic Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Smigiel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatrics and Rare Disorders, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ronald L Thibert
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ingrid Benoist
- Dutch Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome Foundation, Vlaggeschip, Oosterhout, The Netherlands
| | - Jill Clayton-Smith
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, and Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Channa F De Winter
- Organisation for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Trajectum, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - Stijn Deckers
- Department of Pedagogical Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anusha Gandhi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sylvia Huisman
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dagmar Kempink
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sophia Children's Hospital, UMCR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frea Kruisinga
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli, IRCCS, UOC Genetica.,Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy
| | - Leonie Menke
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Mulder
- Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Rob Giel Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ann Nordgren
- Karolinska Center for Rare Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Carol J Saunders
- Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
| | | | - Hans Van Balkom
- Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Whalen
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMR_S 933, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital Trousseau, Paris, France
| | - Raoul C Hennekam
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
In this review from Murre, the evolution of HLH genes, the structures of HLH domains, and the elaborate activities of HLH proteins in multicellular life are discussed. Helix–loop–helix (HLH) proteins are dimeric transcription factors that control lineage- and developmental-specific gene programs. Genes encoding for HLH proteins arose in unicellular organisms >600 million years ago and then duplicated and diversified from ancestral genes across the metazoan and plant kingdoms to establish multicellularity. Hundreds of HLH proteins have been identified with diverse functions in a wide variety of cell types. HLH proteins orchestrate lineage specification, commitment, self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, and homing. HLH proteins also regulate circadian clocks, protect against hypoxic stress, promote antigen receptor locus assembly, and program transdifferentiation. HLH proteins deposit or erase epigenetic marks, activate noncoding transcription, and sequester chromatin remodelers across the chromatin landscape to dictate enhancer–promoter communication and somatic recombination. Here the evolution of HLH genes, the structures of HLH domains, and the elaborate activities of HLH proteins in multicellular life are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis Murre
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92903, USA
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43
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Different roles of E proteins in t(8;21) leukemia: E2-2 compromises the function of AETFC and negatively regulates leukemogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 116:890-899. [PMID: 30593567 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1809327116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The AML1-ETO fusion protein, generated by the t(8;21) chromosomal translocation, is causally involved in nearly 20% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases. In leukemic cells, AML1-ETO resides in and functions through a stable protein complex, AML1-ETO-containing transcription factor complex (AETFC), that contains multiple transcription (co)factors. Among these AETFC components, HEB and E2A, two members of the ubiquitously expressed E proteins, directly interact with AML1-ETO, confer new DNA-binding capacity to AETFC, and are essential for leukemogenesis. However, the third E protein, E2-2, is specifically silenced in AML1-ETO-expressing leukemic cells, suggesting E2-2 as a negative factor of leukemogenesis. Indeed, ectopic expression of E2-2 selectively inhibits the growth of AML1-ETO-expressing leukemic cells, and this inhibition requires the bHLH DNA-binding domain. RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses reveal that, despite some overlap, the three E proteins differentially regulate many target genes. In particular, studies show that E2-2 both redistributes AETFC to, and activates, some genes associated with dendritic cell differentiation and represses MYC target genes. In AML patients, the expression of E2-2 is relatively lower in the t(8;21) subtype, and an E2-2 target gene, THPO, is identified as a potential predictor of relapse. In a mouse model of human t(8;21) leukemia, E2-2 suppression accelerates leukemogenesis. Taken together, these results reveal that, in contrast to HEB and E2A, which facilitate AML1-ETO-mediated leukemogenesis, E2-2 compromises the function of AETFC and negatively regulates leukemogenesis. The three E proteins thus define a heterogeneity of AETFC, which improves our understanding of the precise mechanism of leukemogenesis and assists development of diagnostic/therapeutic strategies.
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44
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Onai N, Asano J, Kurosaki R, Kuroda S, Ohteki T. Flexible fate commitment of E2-2high common DC progenitors implies tuning in tissue microenvironments. Int Immunol 2018; 29:443-456. [PMID: 29106601 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxx058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor E2-2 is essential for the development of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) but not conventional DCs (cDCs). Here, we generated E2-2 reporter mice and demonstrated that an E2-2high fraction among common DC progenitors, which are a major source of pDCs and cDCs in the steady state, strictly gave rise to pDCs in the presence of Flt3 (Fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3) ligand ex vivo or in the secondary lymphoid organs when transferred in vivo. However, in the small intestine, some of these E2-2high progenitors differentiated into cDCs that produced retinoic acid. This transdifferentiation was driven by signaling via the common β receptor, a receptor for the cytokines IL-3, IL-5 and GM-CSF, which are abundant in the gut. In the presence of GM-CSF and Flt3 ligand, E2-2high-progenitor-derived cDCs consistently induced Foxp3+ Treg cells ex vivo. Our findings reveal the commitment and flexibility of E2-2high progenitor differentiation and imply that pertinent tuning machinery is present in the gut microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyuki Onai
- Department of Biodefense Research, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan.,Department of Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Japan
| | - Jumpei Asano
- Department of Biodefense Research, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Rumiko Kurosaki
- Department of Biodefense Research, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Shoko Kuroda
- Department of Biodefense Research, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Toshiaki Ohteki
- Department of Biodefense Research, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
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45
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Sawai CM, Serpas L, Neto AG, Jang G, Rashidfarrokhi A, Kolbeck R, Sanjuan MA, Reizis B, Sisirak V. Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Are Largely Dispensable for the Pathogenesis of Experimental Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2475. [PMID: 30410494 PMCID: PMC6209677 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by an aberrant immune response to microbial components of the gastrointestinal tract. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are innate immune cells specialized in the production of type I interferons and were recently implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders such as lupus and scleroderma. While pDCs were shown to infiltrate intestinal mucosa of IBD patients and proposed to participate in intestinal inflammation, their net contribution to the disease remains unclear. We addressed this question by targeting the pDC-specific transcription factor TCF4 (E2-2) in experimental IBD caused by deficiency of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) or of interleukin-10 (IL-10). Monoallelic Tcf4 deletion, which was previously shown to abrogate experimental lupus, did not affect autoimmunity manifestations or colitis in WASP-deficient animals. Furthermore, conditional biallelic Tcf4 targeting resulted in a near-complete pDC ablation, yet had no effect on the development of colitis in IL-10-deficient mice. Our results suggest that, in contrast to other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, pDCs do not play a major role in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation during IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Sawai
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,INSERM, ACTION Laboratory, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lee Serpas
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Antonio Galvao Neto
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Geunhyo Jang
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ali Rashidfarrokhi
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Roland Kolbeck
- Department of Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Miguel A Sanjuan
- Department of Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Boris Reizis
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Vanja Sisirak
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,CNRS-UMR, Immunoconcept, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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46
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Lister JA, Baron MH. Induction of basic helix-loop-helix protein-containing complexes during erythroid differentiation. Gene Expr 2018; 7:25-38. [PMID: 9572395 PMCID: PMC6151944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The involvement of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors in erythroid differentiation and development has been established by forced expression of the proteins TAL1 and Id1 in cultured cell lines and by targeted disruption of the mouse TAL1 gene. To better understand the mechanism by which bHLH proteins regulate erythropoiesis, we have investigated HLH protein-DNA interactions in mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cells before and during chemically induced differentiation. Three bHLH (E-box) binding activities were found to be induced in nuclei from differentiating MEL cells. Using specific antisera, we have demonstrated that these complexes are dimers of TAL1 and ubiquitous E proteins. Similar complexes were detected in nuclear extracts from a human erythroid cell line, K562, and from mouse fetal liver. All three bHLH complexes were disrupted in vitro by Id1, a dominant-negative HLH protein that we and others have previously shown to antagonize MEL cell differentiation. During differentiation of an Id1-overexpressing MEL cell line, induction of a complex containing TAL1 and E2A was not only blocked but reduced below the levels seen in undifferentiating cells. These observations are consistent with the idea that TAL1 and Id1 have opposing effects on erythroid differentiation and that the level of TAL1/E2A heterodimer and/or another E protein-containing complex may influence the decision of a cell to terminally differentiate.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Lister
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Biological Laboratories, 16 Divinity Avenue, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Margaret H. Baron
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Biological Laboratories, 16 Divinity Avenue, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Address correspondence to Margaret H. Baron at her present address: The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1079, Research Building East, Rm 11-70B, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029. Tel: (212) 824-7420; Fax: (212) 996-1029; E-mail:
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47
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Bogutz AB, Oh-McGinnis R, Jacob KJ, Ho-Lau R, Gu T, Gertsenstein M, Nagy A, Lefebvre L. Transcription factor ASCL2 is required for development of the glycogen trophoblast cell lineage. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007587. [PMID: 30096149 PMCID: PMC6105033 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor ASCL2 plays essential roles in diploid multipotent trophoblast progenitors, intestinal stem cells, follicular T-helper cells, as well as during epidermal development and myogenesis. During early development, Ascl2 expression is regulated by genomic imprinting and only the maternally inherited allele is transcriptionally active in trophoblast. The paternal allele-specific silencing of Ascl2 requires expression of the long non-coding RNA Kcnq1ot1 in cis and the deposition of repressive histone marks. Here we show that Del7AI, a 280-kb deletion allele neighboring Ascl2, interferes with this process in cis and leads to a partial loss of silencing at Ascl2. Genetic rescue experiments show that the low level of Ascl2 expression from the paternal Del7AI allele can rescue the embryonic lethality associated with maternally inherited Ascl2 mutations, in a level-dependent manner. Despite their ability to support development to term, the rescued placentae have a pronounced phenotype characterized by severe hypoplasia of the junctional zone, expansion of the parietal trophoblast giant cell layer, and complete absence of invasive glycogen trophoblast cells. Transcriptome analysis of ectoplacental cones at E7.5 and differentiation assays of Ascl2 mutant trophoblast stem cells show that ASCL2 is required for the emergence or early maintenance of glycogen trophoblast cells during development. Our work identifies a new cis-acting mutation interfering with Kcnq1ot1 silencing function and establishes a novel critical developmental role for the transcription factor ASCL2. By controlling precise networks of target genes, transcription factors play important roles in cell fate determination during development. The Ascl2 gene codes for a transcription factor essential for the maintenance of progenitor cell populations able to differentiate into specialized cell types in the intestine and in the extra-embryonic trophoblast lineage. The trophoblast is an essential component of the placenta, an organ required for development of the embryo in placental mammals. Ascl2 belongs to a group of unusual genes, called imprinted genes, which are expressed from only a single parental copy. Ascl2 is only expressed from the maternally inherited copy in the trophoblast, the paternal copy being kept silent. Here, we describe an engineered deletion neighboring Ascl2 that interferes with the complete silencing of the paternal copy of the gene. We show that the low amount of ASCL2 produced from this deletion can rescue the embryonic lethality associated with non-functional maternal copies of Ascl2. Although the rescued embryos can often survive to term, their placenta is highly disorganized and lacks members of a specific cell lineage, the trophoblast glycogen cells. By analyzing the transcriptional profile of mutant trophoblast progenitors in vivo and of differentiated trophoblast stem cells, we show that ASCL2 plays a very early role in the formation of this cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron B. Bogutz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rosemary Oh-McGinnis
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Karen J. Jacob
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rita Ho-Lau
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ting Gu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marina Gertsenstein
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andras Nagy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Louis Lefebvre
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- * E-mail:
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48
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Disease-causing variants in TCF4 are a frequent cause of intellectual disability: lessons from large-scale sequencing approaches in diagnosis. Eur J Hum Genet 2018; 26:996-1006. [PMID: 29695756 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-018-0096-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing (HTS) of human genome coding regions allows the simultaneous screen of a large number of genes, significantly improving the diagnosis of non-syndromic intellectual disabilities (ID). HTS studies permit the redefinition of the phenotypical spectrum of known disease-causing genes, escaping the clinical inclusion bias of gene-by-gene Sanger sequencing. We studied a cohort of 903 patients with ID not reminiscent of a well-known syndrome, using an ID-targeted HTS of several hundred genes and found de novo heterozygous variants in TCF4 (transcription factor 4) in eight novel patients. Piecing together the patients from this study and those from previous large-scale unbiased HTS studies, we estimated the rate of individuals with ID carrying a disease-causing TCF4 mutation to 0.7%. So far, TCF4 molecular abnormalities were known to cause a syndromic form of ID, Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), which combines severe ID, developmental delay, absence of speech, behavioral and ventilation disorders, and a distinctive facial gestalt. Therefore, we reevaluated ten patients carrying a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in TCF4 (eight patients included in this study and two from our previous ID-HTS study) for PTHS criteria defined by Whalen and Marangi. A posteriori, five patients had a score highly evocative of PTHS, three were possibly consistent with this diagnosis, and two had a score below the defined PTHS threshold. In conclusion, these results highlight TCF4 as a frequent cause of moderate to profound ID and broaden the clinical spectrum associated to TCF4 mutations to nonspecific ID.
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49
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Liu Y, Guo Y, Liu P, Li F, Yang C, Song J, Hu J, Xin D, Chen Z. A case of Pitt-hopkins Syndrome with de novo mutation in TCF4: Clinical features and treatment for epilepsy. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 67:51-54. [PMID: 29604340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), belonging to the group of 18q-syndromes, is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in TCF4. PTHS is characterized by distinctive facial appearance, intermittent hyperventilation, intellectual disability and developmental delay. Although patients with PTHS generally have various systemic symptoms, most of them with a TCF4 mutation manifest the central nervous system (CNS) disorders. We described the first Chinese case with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome based on clinical presentations and genetic findings. In addition to the typical features of PTHS, the girl also had paroxysms of tachypnea followed by cyanosis and recurrent seizures. Comprehensive medical examinations were performed including metabolic screening, hepatic and renal function evaluation, abdominal and cardiac ultrasounds. The presence of epileptic discharges in electroencephalography and abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging were found. High-throughput sequencing was used to detect genetic mutations associated with CNS disorders. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the mutations in the patient. The c.2182C>T (p.Arg728Ter) mutation was a de novo nonsense mutation at exon 18 in the TCF4 gene of the patient. In conclusion, we have identified a de novo nonsense mutation of TCF4 carried by a Chinese girl with PTHS. The patient underwent anti-epileptic therapy (sodium valproate, levetiracetam, clonazepam), resulting in a reduction of the seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yedan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, NO. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Ya Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, NO. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Peipei Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, NO. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, NO. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Chengqing Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, NO. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Jie Song
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, NO. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Jingfei Hu
- Qingdao Women & Children's Hospital, Qingdao, China.
| | - Dandan Xin
- Qingdao Women & Children's Hospital, Qingdao, China.
| | - Zongbo Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, NO. 16, Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
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50
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HEB is required for the specification of fetal IL-17-producing γδ T cells. Nat Commun 2017; 8:2004. [PMID: 29222418 PMCID: PMC5722817 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02225-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
IL-17-producing γδ T (γδT17) cells are critical components of the innate immune system. However, the gene networks that control their development are unclear. Here we show that HEB (HeLa E-box binding protein, encoded by Tcf12) is required for the generation of a newly defined subset of fetal-derived CD73− γδT17 cells. HEB is required in immature CD24+CD73− γδ T cells for the expression of Sox4, Sox13, and Rorc, and these genes are repressed by acute expression of the HEB antagonist Id3. HEB-deficiency also affects mature CD73+ γδ T cells, which are defective in RORγt expression and IL-17 production. Additionally, the fetal TCRγ chain repertoire is altered, and peripheral Vγ4 γδ T cells are mostly restricted to the IFNγ-producing phenotype in HEB-deficient mice. Therefore, our work identifies HEB-dependent pathways for the development of CD73+ and CD73− γδT17 cells, and provides mechanistic evidence for control of the γδT17 gene network by HEB. The γδ T cell pool includes abundant IL-17-producing cells that protect mucosal surfaces, but the signals that control γδ T cell specification are unclear. Here the authors identify a role for the transcription factor HEB, and antagonistic activity of Id3, in the development of these cells.
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