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Vellingiri V, Balaji Ragunathrao VA, Joshi JC, Akhter MZ, Anwar M, Banerjee S, Dudek S, Tsukasaki Y, Pinho S, Mehta D. Endothelial ERG programs neutrophil transcriptome for sustained anti-inflammatory vascular niche. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.591799. [PMID: 38746216 PMCID: PMC11092576 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.591799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Neutrophils (PMNs) reside as a marginated pool within the vasculature, ready for deployment during infection. However, how endothelial cells (ECs) control PMN extravasation and activation to strengthen tissue homeostasis remains ill-defined. Here, we found that the vascular ETS-related gene (ERG) is a generalized mechanism regulating PMN activity in preclinical tissue injury models and human patients. We show that ERG loss in ECs rewired PMN-transcriptome, enriched for genes associated with the CXCR2-CXCR4 signaling. Rewired PMNs compromise mice survival after pneumonia and induced lung vascular inflammatory injury following adoptive transfer into naïve mice, indicating their longevity and inflammatory activity memory. Mechanistically, EC-ERG restricted PMN extravasation and activation by upregulating the deubiquitinase A20 and downregulating the NFκB-IL8 cascade. Rescuing A20 in EC-Erg -/- endothelium or suppressing PMN-CXCR2 signaling rescued EC control of PMN activation. Findings deepen our understanding of EC control of PMN-mediated inflammation, offering potential avenues for targeting various inflammatory diseases. Highlights ERG regulates trans-endothelial neutrophil (PMN) extravasation, retention, and activationLoss of endothelial (EC) ERG rewires PMN-transcriptomeAdopted transfer of rewired PMNs causes inflammation in a naïve mouse ERG transcribes A20 and suppresses CXCR2 function to inactivate PMNs. In brief/blurb The authors investigated how vascular endothelial cells (EC) control polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) extravasation, retention, and activation to strengthen tissue homeostasis. They showed that EC-ERG controls PMN transcriptome into an anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory lineage by synthesizing A20 and suppressing PMNs-CXCR2 signaling, defining EC-ERG as a target for preventing neutrophilic inflammatory injury.
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Chakraborty A, Kim A, AlAbdullatif S, Campbell JD, Alekseyev YO, Kaplan U, Dambal V, Ligresti G, Trojanowska M. Endothelial Erg Regulates Expression of Pulmonary Lymphatic Junctional and Inflammation Genes in Mouse Lungs Impacting Lymphatic Transport. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3808970. [PMID: 38343832 PMCID: PMC10854286 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3808970/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The ETS transcription factor ERG is a master regulator of endothelial gene specificity and highly enriched in the capillary, vein, and arterial endothelial cells. ERG expression is critical for endothelial barrier function, permeability, and vascular inflammation. A dysfunctional vascular endothelial ERG has been shown to impair lung capillary homeostasis, contributing to pulmonary fibrosis as previously observed in IPF lungs. Our preliminary observations indicate that lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) in the human IPF lung also lack ERG. To understand the role of ERG in pulmonary LECs, we developed LEC-specific inducible Erg-CKO and Erg-GFP-CKO conditional knockout (CKO) mice under Prox1 promoter. Whole lung microarray analysis, flow cytometry, and qPCR confirmed an inflammatory and pro-lymphvasculogenic predisposition in Erg-CKO lung. FITC-Dextran tracing analysis showed an increased pulmonary interstitial lymphatic fluid transport from the lung to the axial lymph node. Single-cell transcriptomics confirmed that genes associated with cell junction integrity were downregulated in Erg-CKO pre-collector and collector LECs. Integrating Single-cell transcriptomics and CellChatDB helped identify LEC specific communication pathways contributing to pulmonary inflammation, trans-endothelial migration, inflammation, and Endo-MT in Erg-CKO lung. Our findings suggest that downregulation of lymphatic Erg crucially affects LEC function, LEC permeability, pulmonary LEC communication pathways and lymphatic transcriptomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adri Chakraborty
- Arthritis & Autoimmune Diseases Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alex Kim
- Arthritis & Autoimmune Diseases Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Salam AlAbdullatif
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua D Campbell
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuriy O Alekseyev
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ulas Kaplan
- Arthritis & Autoimmune Diseases Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vrinda Dambal
- Arthritis & Autoimmune Diseases Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giovanni Ligresti
- Arthritis & Autoimmune Diseases Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis & Autoimmune Diseases Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Payne S, Neal A, De Val S. Transcription factors regulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:28-58. [PMID: 36795082 PMCID: PMC10952167 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) play a crucial role in regulating the dynamic and precise patterns of gene expression required for the initial specification of endothelial cells (ECs), and during endothelial growth and differentiation. While sharing many core features, ECs can be highly heterogeneous. Differential gene expression between ECs is essential to pattern the hierarchical vascular network into arteries, veins and capillaries, to drive angiogenic growth of new vessels, and to direct specialization in response to local signals. Unlike many other cell types, ECs have no single master regulator, instead relying on differing combinations of a necessarily limited repertoire of TFs to achieve tight spatial and temporal activation and repression of gene expression. Here, we will discuss the cohort of TFs known to be involved in directing gene expression during different stages of mammalian vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, with a primary focus on development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Payne
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsInstitute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Alice Neal
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsInstitute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Sarah De Val
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsInstitute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUK
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Zhang J, Zhang S, Xu S, Zhu Z, Li J, Wang Z, Wada Y, Gatt A, Liu J. Oxidative Stress Induces E-Selectin Expression through Repression of Endothelial Transcription Factor ERG. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1835-1843. [PMID: 37930129 PMCID: PMC10694031 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress induces a prothrombotic state through enhancement of adhesion properties of the endothelium. E-selectin, an endothelial cell adhesion molecule, becomes a therapeutic target for venous thrombosis, whereas the regulatory mechanisms of its expression have not been fully understood. In the present study, we report that H2O2 treatment increases expression of E-selectin but decreases expression of the endothelial transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) in HUVECs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In BALB/c mice treated with hypochlorous acid, E-selectin expression is increased and ERG expression is decreased in endothelial cells of the brain and lung. RNA interference of ERG upregulates E-selectin expression, whereas transfection of ERG-expressing plasmid downregulates E-selectin expression in HUVECs. Knockdown or overexpression of ERG comprises H2O2-induced E-selectin expression in HUVECs. Deletion of the Erg gene in mice results in embryonic lethality at embryonic days 10.5-12.5, and E-selectin expression is increased in the Erg-/- embryos. No chromatin loop was found on the E-selectin gene or its promoter region by capture high-throughput chromosome conformation capture. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assay determined that the -127 ERG binding motif mediates ERG-repressed E-selectin promoter activity. In addition, ERG decreases H2O2-induced monocyte adhesion. Together, ERG represses the E-selectin gene transcription and inhibits oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shanhu Xu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiying Zhu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zengjin Wang
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Youichiro Wada
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alex Gatt
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta
- Hematology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Ju Liu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
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Qiu S, Zhang J, Wang Z, Lan H, Hou J, Zhang N, Wang X, Lu H. Targeting Trop-2 in cancer: Recent research progress and clinical application. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188902. [PMID: 37121444 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The development of new antitumor drugs depends mainly upon targeting tumor cells precisely. Trophoblast surface antigen 2 (Trop-2) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein involved in Ca2+ signaling in tumor cells. It is highly expressed in various tumor tissues than in normal tissues and represents a novel and promising molecular target for caner targeted therapy. Up to now, the mechanisms and functions associated with Trop-2 have been extensively studied in a variety of solid tumors. According to these findings, Trop-2 plays an important role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell adhesion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, as well as tumorigenesis and tumor progression. In addition, Trop-2 related drugs are also being developed widely. There are a number of Trop-2 related ADC drugs that have demonstrated potent antitumor activity and are currently been studied, such as Sacituzumab Govitecan (SG) and Datopotamab Deruxtecan (Dato-Dxd). In this study, we reviewed the progress of Trop-2 research in solid tumors. We also sorted out the composition and rationale of Trop-2 related drugs and summarized the related clinical trials. Finally, we discussed the current status of Trop-2 research and expanded our perspectives on its future research directions. Importantly, we found that Trop-2 targeted ADCs have great potential for combination with other antitumor therapies. Trop-2 targeted ADCs can reprogramme tumor microenvironment through multiple signaling pathways, ultimately activating antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Qiu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Lan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/Lishui Central Hospital and Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui, China
| | - Jili Hou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, China Coast Guard Hospital of the People's Armed Police Force, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xian Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Haiqi Lu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Afshar Y, Ma F, Quach A, Jeong A, Sunshine HL, Freitas V, Jami-Alahmadi Y, Helaers R, Li X, Pellegrini M, Wohlschlegel JA, Romanoski CE, Vikkula M, Iruela-Arispe ML. Transcriptional drifts associated with environmental changes in endothelial cells. eLife 2023; 12:e81370. [PMID: 36971339 PMCID: PMC10168696 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental cues, such as physical forces and heterotypic cell interactions play a critical role in cell function, yet their collective contributions to transcriptional changes are unclear. Focusing on human endothelial cells, we performed broad individual sample analysis to identify transcriptional drifts associated with environmental changes that were independent of genetic background. Global gene expression profiling by RNA sequencing and protein expression by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry directed proteomics distinguished endothelial cells in vivo from genetically matched culture (in vitro) samples. Over 43% of the transcriptome was significantly changed by the in vitro environment. Subjecting cultured cells to long-term shear stress significantly rescued the expression of approximately 17% of genes. Inclusion of heterotypic interactions by co-culture of endothelial cells with smooth muscle cells normalized approximately 9% of the original in vivo signature. We also identified novel flow dependent genes, as well as genes that necessitate heterotypic cell interactions to mimic the in vivo transcriptome. Our findings highlight specific genes and pathways that rely on contextual information for adequate expression from those that are agnostic of such environmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalda Afshar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Feyiang Ma
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Austin Quach
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Anhyo Jeong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Hannah L Sunshine
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoUnited States
| | - Vanessa Freitas
- Departament of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao PauloLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Yasaman Jami-Alahmadi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Raphael Helaers
- Human Molecular Genetics, de Duve Institute, University of LouvainBrusselsBelgium
| | - Xinmin Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - James A Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Casey E Romanoski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Miikka Vikkula
- Human Molecular Genetics, de Duve Institute, University of LouvainBrusselsBelgium
- WELBIO department, WEL Research InstituteWavreBelgium
| | - M Luisa Iruela-Arispe
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoUnited States
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7
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Chapola H, de Bastiani MA, Duarte MM, Freitas MB, Schuster JS, de Vargas DM, Klamt F. A comparative study of COVID-19 transcriptional signatures between clinical samples and preclinical cell models in the search for disease master regulators and drug repositioning candidates. Virus Res 2023; 326:199053. [PMID: 36709793 PMCID: PMC9877318 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199053] [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] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute viral disease with millions of cases worldwide. Although the number of daily new cases and deaths has been dropping, there is still a need for therapeutic alternatives to deal with severe cases. A promising strategy to prospect new therapeutic candidates is to investigate the regulatory mechanisms involved in COVID-19 progression using integrated transcriptomics approaches. In this work, we aimed to identify COVID-19 Master Regulators (MRs) using a series of publicly available gene expression datasets of lung tissue from patients which developed the severe form of the disease. We were able to identify a set of six potential COVID-19 MRs related to its severe form, namely TAL1, TEAD4, EPAS1, ATOH8, ERG, and ARNTL2. In addition, using the Connectivity Map drug repositioning approach, we identified 52 different drugs which could be used to revert the disease signature, thus being candidates for the design of novel clinical treatments. Furthermore, we compared the identified signature and drugs with the ones obtained from the analysis of nasopharyngeal swab samples from infected patients and preclinical cell models. This comparison showed significant similarities between them, although also revealing some limitations on the overlap between clinical and preclinical data in COVID-19, highlighting the need for careful selection of the best model for each disease stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Chapola
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Marco Antônio de Bastiani
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil; Zimmer Lab, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Mendes Duarte
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Matheus Becker Freitas
- Estacio College of Rio Grande do Sul (ESTACIO FARGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90020-060, Brazil
| | | | - Daiani Machado de Vargas
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Klamt
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil; Zimmer Lab, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil; National Institutes of Science & Technology, Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil; IMMUNESHARE - MCTI Trial (CNPq/MCTI #137541939766794), Brazil
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Schafer CM, Martin-Almedina S, Kurylowicz K, Dufton N, Osuna-Almagro L, Wu ML, Johnson CF, Shah AV, Haskard DO, Buxton A, Willis E, Wheeler K, Turner S, Chlebicz M, Scott RP, Kovats S, Cleuren A, Birdsey GM, Randi AM, Griffin CT. Cytokine-Mediated Degradation of the Transcription Factor ERG Impacts the Pulmonary Vascular Response to Systemic Inflammatory Challenge. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.08.527788. [PMID: 36798267 PMCID: PMC9934599 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.08.527788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Background During infectious diseases, pro-inflammatory cytokines transiently destabilize interactions between adjacent vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to facilitate the passage of immune molecules and cells into tissues. However, in the lung the resulting vascular hyperpermeability can lead to organ dysfunction. Previous work identified the transcription factor ERG as a master regulator of endothelial homeostasis. Here we investigate whether the sensitivity of pulmonary blood vessels to cytokine-induced destabilization is due to organotypic mechanisms affecting the ability of endothelial ERG to protect lung ECs from inflammatory injury. Methods Cytokine-dependent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of ERG was analyzed in cultured Human Umbilical Vein ECs (HUVECs). Systemic administration of TNFα or the bacterial cell wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to cause a widespread inflammatory challenge in mice; ERG protein levels were assessed by immunoprecipitation, immunoblot, and immunofluorescence. Murine Erg deletion was genetically induced in ECs ( Erg fl/fl ;Cdh5(PAC)Cre ERT2 ), and multiple organs were analyzed by histology, immunostaining, and electron microscopy. Results In vitro, TNFα promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of ERG in HUVECs, which was blocked by the proteasomal inhibitor MG132. In vivo, systemic administration of TNFα or LPS resulted in a rapid and substantial degradation of ERG within lung ECs, but not ECs of the retina, heart, liver, or kidney. Pulmonary ERG was also downregulated in a murine model of influenza infection. Erg fl/fl ;Cdh5(PAC)-Cre ERT2 mice spontaneously recapitulated aspects of inflammatory challenges, including lung-predominant vascular hyperpermeability, immune cell recruitment, and fibrosis. These phenotypes were associated with a lung-specific decrease in the expression of Tek , a gene target of ERG previously implicated in maintaining pulmonary vascular stability during inflammation. Conclusions Collectively, our data highlight a unique role for ERG in pulmonary vascular function. We propose that cytokine-induced ERG degradation and subsequent transcriptional changes in lung ECs play critical roles in the destabilization of pulmonary blood vessels during infectious diseases.
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Lun Y, Hu J, Zuming Y. Circular RNAs expression profiles and bioinformatics analysis in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 37:e24805. [PMID: 36514862 PMCID: PMC9833990 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24805] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has long been considered the most challenging chronic lung disease for neonatologists and researchers due to its complex pathological mechanisms and difficulty in prediction. Growing evidence indicates that BPD is associated with the dysregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs). Therefore, we aimed to explore the expression profiles of circRNAs and investigate the underlying molecular network associated with BPD. METHODS Peripheral blood was collected from very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants at 5-8 days of life to extract PBMCs. Microarray analysis and qRT-PCR tests were performed to determine the differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) between BPD and non-BPD VLBW infants. Simultaneous analysis of GSE32472 was conducted to obtain differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNA) from BPD infants. The miRNAs were predicted by DEcircRNAs and DEmRNAs of upregulated, respectively, and then screened for overlapping ones. GO and KEGG analysis was performed following construction of the competing endogenous RNA regulatory network (ceRNA) for further investigation. RESULTS A total of 65 circRNAs (52 upregulated and 13 downregulated) were identified as DEcircRNAs between the two groups (FC >2.0 and p.adj <0.05). As a result, the ceRNA network was constructed based on three upregulated DEcircRNAs validated by qRT-PCR (hsa_circ_0007054, hsa_circ_0057950, and hsa_circ_0120151). Bioinformatics analysis indicated these DEcircRNAs participated in response to stimulus, IL-1 receptor activation, neutrophil activation, and metabolic pathways. CONCLUSIONS In VLBW infants with a high risk for developing BPD, the circRNA expression profiles in PBMCs were significantly altered in the early post-birth period, suggesting immune dysregulation caused by infection and inflammatory response already existed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Lun
- Department of Neonatal Intensive Care UnitSuzhou Municipal HospitalJiangsu ProvinceChina
| | - Junlong Hu
- Department of Neonatal Intensive Care UnitSuzhou Municipal HospitalJiangsu ProvinceChina
| | - Yang Zuming
- Department of Neonatal Intensive Care UnitSuzhou Municipal HospitalJiangsu ProvinceChina
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10
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Manz XD, Bogaard HJ, Aman J. Regulation of VWF (Von Willebrand Factor) in Inflammatory Thrombosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:1307-1320. [PMID: 36172866 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation promotes thrombosis via a VWF (von Willebrand factor)-mediated mechanism. VWF plays an essential role in maintaining the balance between blood coagulation and bleeding, and inflammation can lead to aberrant regulation. VWF is regulated on a transcriptional and (post-)translational level, and its secretion into the circulation captures platelets upon endothelial activation. The significant progress that has been made in understanding transcriptional and translational regulation of VWF is described in this review. First, we describe how VWF is regulated at the transcriptional and post-translational level with a specific focus on the influence of inflammatory and immune responses. Next, we describe how changes in regulation are linked with various cardiovascular diseases. Recent insights from clinical diseases provide evidence for direct molecular links between inflammation and thrombosis, including atherosclerosis, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and COVID-19. Finally, we will briefly describe clinical implications for antithrombotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue D Manz
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), the Netherlands
| | - Harm Jan Bogaard
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), the Netherlands
| | - Jurjan Aman
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), the Netherlands
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11
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Caporarello N, Lee J, Pham TX, Jones DL, Guan J, Link PA, Meridew JA, Marden G, Yamashita T, Osborne CA, Bhagwate AV, Huang SK, Nicosia RF, Tschumperlin DJ, Trojanowska M, Ligresti G. Dysfunctional ERG signaling drives pulmonary vascular aging and persistent fibrosis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4170. [PMID: 35879310 PMCID: PMC9314350 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular dysfunction is a hallmark of chronic diseases in elderly. The contribution of the vasculature to lung repair and fibrosis is not fully understood. Here, we performed an epigenetic and transcriptional analysis of lung endothelial cells (ECs) from young and aged mice during the resolution or progression of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. We identified the transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) as putative orchestrator of lung capillary homeostasis and repair, and whose function is dysregulated in aging. ERG dysregulation is associated with reduced chromatin accessibility and maladaptive transcriptional responses to injury. Loss of endothelial ERG enhances paracrine fibroblast activation in vitro, and impairs lung fibrosis resolution in young mice in vivo. scRNA-seq of ERG deficient mouse lungs reveales transcriptional and fibrogenic abnormalities resembling those associated with aging and human lung fibrosis, including reduced number of general capillary (gCap) ECs. Our findings demonstrate that lung endothelial chromatin remodeling deteriorates with aging leading to abnormal transcription, vascular dysrepair, and persistent fibrosis following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Caporarello
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jisu Lee
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tho X Pham
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dakota L Jones
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jiazhen Guan
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick A Link
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Meridew
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Grace Marden
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Collin A Osborne
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Aditya V Bhagwate
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Steven K Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Roberto F Nicosia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Maria Trojanowska
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giovanni Ligresti
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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12
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Ng CJ, Liu A, Venkataraman S, Ashworth KJ, Baker CD, O'Rourke R, Vibhakar R, Jones KL, Di Paola J. Single-cell transcriptional analysis of human endothelial colony-forming cells from patients with low VWF levels. Blood 2022; 139:2240-2251. [PMID: 35143643 PMCID: PMC8990376 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021010683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a key role in normal hemostasis, and deficiencies of VWF lead to clinically significant bleeding. We sought to identify novel modifiers of VWF levels in endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). ECFCs were isolated from patients with low VWF levels (plasma VWF antigen levels between 30 and 50 IU/dL) and from healthy controls. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used as an additional control cell line. Cells were characterized for their Weibel Palade body (WPB) content and VWF release. scRNA-seq of all cell lines was performed to evaluate for gene expression heterogeneity and for candidate modifiers of VWF regulation. Candidate modifiers identified by scRNA-seq were further characterized with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) experiments to evaluate for effects on VWF. We observed that ECFCs derived from patients with low VWF demonstrated alterations in baseline WPB metrics and exhibit impaired VWF release. scRNA-seq analyses of these endothelial cells revealed overall decreased VWF transcription, mosaicism of VWF expression, and genes that are differentially expressed in low VWF ECFCs and control endothelial cells (control ECs). An siRNA screen of potential VWF modifiers provided further evidence of regulatory candidates, and 1 such candidate, FLI1, alters the transcriptional activity of VWF. In conclusion, ECFCs from individuals with low VWF demonstrate alterations in their baseline VWF packaging and release compared with control ECs. scRNA-seq revealed alterations in VWF transcription, and siRNA screening identified multiple candidate regulators of VWF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Ng
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Alice Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Katrina J Ashworth
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; and
| | - Christopher D Baker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Rebecca O'Rourke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Cell Biology and
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Jorge Di Paola
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; and
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13
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HDAC11 promotes both NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD and caspase-3/GSDME pathways causing pyroptosis via ERG in vascular endothelial cells. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:112. [PMID: 35279683 PMCID: PMC8918356 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00906-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11), a sole member of the class IV HDAC subfamily, participates in various cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence showed that pyroptosis was a form of inflammatory programmed cell death and is critical for atherosclerosis (AS). However, little is known about the effect of HDAC11 on endothelial cell pyroptosis in AS. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of HDAC11 in vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis and its molecular mechanism. Firstly, we found that HDAC11 expression was up-regulated and pyroptosis occurred in the aorta of ApoE−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 or 12 weeks. Then, in vitro study found the treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) resulted in pyroptosis, as evidenced by activation of caspase-1 and caspase-3 activation, cleavage of downstream gasdermin D (GSDMD) and gasdermin E (GSDME/DFNA5), the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-18, as well as elevation of LDH activity and increase of propidium iodide (PI)-positive cells. Besides, TNF-α increased HDAC11 expression and induced pyroptosis via TNFR1 in HUVECs. HDAC11 knockdown mitigated pyroptosis by suppressing both NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD and caspase-3/GSDME pathways in TNF-α-induced HUVECs. Moreover, GSDME knockdown by siRNA significantly decreased pyroptosis and inflammatory response, while treatment with disulfiram or necrosulfonamide (NSA) further augmented the inhibitory effects of GSDME siRNA on pyroptosis and inflammatory response. Further studies found HDAC11 formed a complex with ERG and decreased the acetylation levels of ERG. More importantly, ERG knockdown augmented vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis in TNF-α-induced HUVECs. Taken together, our study suggests that HDAC11 might promote both NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD and caspase-3/GSDME pathways leading to pyroptosis via regulation of ERG acetylation in HUVECs. Modulation of HDAC11 may serve as a potential target for therapeutic strategies of AS.
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14
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Ahern DJ, Ai Z, Ainsworth M, Allan C, Allcock A, Angus B, Ansari MA, Arancibia-Cárcamo CV, Aschenbrenner D, Attar M, Baillie JK, Barnes E, Bashford-Rogers R, Bashyal A, Beer S, Berridge G, Beveridge A, Bibi S, Bicanic T, Blackwell L, Bowness P, Brent A, Brown A, Broxholme J, Buck D, Burnham KL, Byrne H, Camara S, Candido Ferreira I, Charles P, Chen W, Chen YL, Chong A, Clutterbuck EA, Coles M, Conlon CP, Cornall R, Cribbs AP, Curion F, Davenport EE, Davidson N, Davis S, Dendrou CA, Dequaire J, Dib L, Docker J, Dold C, Dong T, Downes D, Drakesmith H, Dunachie SJ, Duncan DA, Eijsbouts C, Esnouf R, Espinosa A, Etherington R, Fairfax B, Fairhead R, Fang H, Fassih S, Felle S, Fernandez Mendoza M, Ferreira R, Fischer R, Foord T, Forrow A, Frater J, Fries A, Gallardo Sanchez V, Garner LC, Geeves C, Georgiou D, Godfrey L, Golubchik T, Gomez Vazquez M, Green A, Harper H, Harrington HA, Heilig R, Hester S, Hill J, Hinds C, Hird C, Ho LP, Hoekzema R, Hollis B, Hughes J, Hutton P, Jackson-Wood MA, Jainarayanan A, James-Bott A, Jansen K, Jeffery K, Jones E, Jostins L, Kerr G, Kim D, Klenerman P, Knight JC, Kumar V, Kumar Sharma P, Kurupati P, Kwok A, Lee A, Linder A, Lockett T, Lonie L, Lopopolo M, Lukoseviciute M, Luo J, Marinou S, Marsden B, Martinez J, Matthews PC, Mazurczyk M, McGowan S, McKechnie S, Mead A, Mentzer AJ, Mi Y, Monaco C, Montadon R, Napolitani G, Nassiri I, Novak A, O'Brien DP, O'Connor D, O'Donnell D, Ogg G, Overend L, Park I, Pavord I, Peng Y, Penkava F, Pereira Pinho M, Perez E, Pollard AJ, Powrie F, Psaila B, Quan TP, Repapi E, Revale S, Silva-Reyes L, Richard JB, Rich-Griffin C, Ritter T, Rollier CS, Rowland M, Ruehle F, Salio M, Sansom SN, Sanches Peres R, Santos Delgado A, Sauka-Spengler T, Schwessinger R, Scozzafava G, Screaton G, Seigal A, Semple MG, Sergeant M, Simoglou Karali C, Sims D, Skelly D, Slawinski H, Sobrinodiaz A, Sousos N, Stafford L, Stockdale L, Strickland M, Sumray O, Sun B, Taylor C, Taylor S, Taylor A, Thongjuea S, Thraves H, Todd JA, Tomic A, Tong O, Trebes A, Trzupek D, Tucci FA, Turtle L, Udalova I, Uhlig H, van Grinsven E, Vendrell I, Verheul M, Voda A, Wang G, Wang L, Wang D, Watkinson P, Watson R, Weinberger M, Whalley J, Witty L, Wray K, Xue L, Yeung HY, Yin Z, Young RK, Youngs J, Zhang P, Zurke YX. A blood atlas of COVID-19 defines hallmarks of disease severity and specificity. Cell 2022; 185:916-938.e58. [PMID: 35216673 PMCID: PMC8776501 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of severe COVID-19 is currently limited by clinical heterogeneity and incomplete description of specific immune biomarkers. We present here a comprehensive multi-omic blood atlas for patients with varying COVID-19 severity in an integrated comparison with influenza and sepsis patients versus healthy volunteers. We identify immune signatures and correlates of host response. Hallmarks of disease severity involved cells, their inflammatory mediators and networks, including progenitor cells and specific myeloid and lymphocyte subsets, features of the immune repertoire, acute phase response, metabolism, and coagulation. Persisting immune activation involving AP-1/p38MAPK was a specific feature of COVID-19. The plasma proteome enabled sub-phenotyping into patient clusters, predictive of severity and outcome. Systems-based integrative analyses including tensor and matrix decomposition of all modalities revealed feature groupings linked with severity and specificity compared to influenza and sepsis. Our approach and blood atlas will support future drug development, clinical trial design, and personalized medicine approaches for COVID-19.
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15
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Toropainen A, Stolze LK, Örd T, Whalen MB, Torrell PM, Link VM, Kaikkonen MU, Romanoski CE. Functional noncoding SNPs in human endothelial cells fine-map vascular trait associations. Genome Res 2022; 32:409-424. [PMID: 35193936 PMCID: PMC8896458 DOI: 10.1101/gr.276064.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Functional consequences of genetic variation in the noncoding human genome are difficult to ascertain despite demonstrated associations to common, complex disease traits. To elucidate properties of functional noncoding SNPs with effects in human endothelial cells (ECs), we utilized our previous molecular quantitative trait locus (molQTL) analysis for transcription factor binding, chromatin accessibility, and H3K27 acetylation to nominate a set of likely functional noncoding SNPs. Together with information from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for vascular disease traits, we tested the ability of 34,344 variants to perturb enhancer function in ECs using the highly multiplexed STARR-seq assay. Of these, 5711 variants validated, whose enriched attributes included: (1) mutations to TF binding motifs for ETS or AP-1 that are regulators of the EC state; (2) location in accessible and H3K27ac-marked EC chromatin; and (3) molQTL associations whereby alleles associate with differences in chromatin accessibility and TF binding across genetically diverse ECs. Next, using pro-inflammatory IL1B as an activator of cell state, we observed robust evidence (>50%) of context-specific SNP effects, underscoring the prevalence of noncoding gene-by-environment (GxE) effects. Lastly, using these cumulative data, we fine-mapped vascular disease loci and highlighted evidence suggesting mechanisms by which noncoding SNPs at two loci affect risk for pulse pressure/large artery stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm through respective effects on transcriptional regulation of POU4F1 and LDAH. Together, we highlight the attributes and context dependence of functional noncoding SNPs and provide new mechanisms underlying vascular disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Toropainen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Lindsey K Stolze
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.,The Genetics Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Tiit Örd
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Michael B Whalen
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Paula Martí Torrell
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Verena M Link
- Metaorganism Immunity Section, Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Casey E Romanoski
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.,The Genetics Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
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16
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Lorenzin F, Demichelis F. Past, Current, and Future Strategies to Target ERG Fusion-Positive Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051118. [PMID: 35267426 PMCID: PMC8909394 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In addition to its role in development and in the vascular and hematopoietic systems, ERG plays a central role in prostate cancer. Approximately 40–50% of prostate cancer cases are characterized by ERG gene fusions, which lead to ERG overexpression. Importantly, inhibition of ERG activity in prostate cancer cells decreases their viability. Therefore, inhibiting ERG might represent an important step to improve treatment efficacy for patients with ERG-positive prostate tumors. Here, we summarize the attempts made over the past years to repress ERG activity, the current use of ERG fusion detection and the strategies that might be utilized in the future to treat ERG fusion-positive tumors. Abstract The ETS family member ERG is a transcription factor with physiological roles during development and in the vascular and hematopoietic systems. ERG oncogenic activity characterizes several malignancies, including Ewing’s sarcoma, leukemia and prostate cancer (PCa). In PCa, ERG rearrangements with androgen-regulated genes—mostly TMPRSS2—characterize a large subset of patients across disease progression and result in androgen receptor (AR)-mediated overexpression of ERG in the prostate cells. Importantly, PCa cells overexpressing ERG are dependent on ERG activity for survival, further highlighting its therapeutic potential. Here, we review the current understanding of the role of ERG and its partners in PCa. We discuss the strategies developed in recent years to inhibit ERG activity, the current therapeutic utility of ERG fusion detection in PCa patients, and the possible future approaches to target ERG fusion-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Lorenzin
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.D.)
| | - Francesca Demichelis
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.D.)
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17
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Yoshimatsu Y, Watabe T. Emerging roles of inflammation-mediated endothelial–mesenchymal transition in health and disease. Inflamm Regen 2022; 42:9. [PMID: 35130955 PMCID: PMC8818500 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-021-00186-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a cellular differentiation process in which endothelial cells (ECs) lose their properties and differentiate into mesenchymal cells, has been observed not only during development but also in various pathological states in adults, including cancer progression and organ/tissue fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an inflammation-related cytokine, has been shown to play central roles in the induction of EndoMT. TGF-β induces EndoMT by regulating the expression of various transcription factors, signaling molecules, and cellular components that confer ECs with mesenchymal characteristics. However, TGF-β by itself is not necessarily sufficient to induce EndoMT to promote the progression of EndoMT-related diseases to a refractory extent. In addition to TGF-β, additional activation by other inflammatory factors is often required to stabilize the progression of EndoMT. Since recent lines of evidence indicate that inflammatory signaling molecules act as enhancers of EndoMT, we summarize the roles of inflammatory factors in the induction of EndoMT and related diseases. We hope that this review will help to develop therapeutic strategies for EndoMT-related diseases by targeting inflammation-mediated EndoMT.
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18
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Tharakan B, Hunter FA, Muthusamy S, Randolph S, Byrd C, Rao VN, Reddy ESP, Childs EW. ETS-Related Gene Activation Preserves Adherens Junctions and Permeability in Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Shock 2022; 57:309-315. [PMID: 34907119 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000001899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT ERG (ETS-related gene) is a member of the ETS (Erythroblast-transformation specific) family of transcription factors abundantly present in vascular endothelial cells. Recent studies demonstrate that ERG has important roles in blood vessel stability and angiogenesis. However, it is unclear how ERG is potentially involved in microvascular barrier functions and permeability. A wide variety of diseases and clinical conditions including trauma-hemorrhagic shock and burn injury are associated with microvascular dysfunctions, which causes excessive microvascular permeability, tissue edema and eventually, multiple organ dysfunction and death. The main purpose of this study was to determine the specific role of ERG in regulating microvascular permeability in human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMEC) and to evaluate if exogenous ERG will protect the barrier. The HLMECs were grown on Transwell inserts as monolayers and were transfected with ERG CRISPR/cas9 knockdown plasmid, ERG CRISPR activation plasmid, recombinant ERG protein or their respective controls. Recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was used as an inducer of permeability for evaluating the effect of ERG activation on permeability. Changes in barrier integrity and permeability were studied using monolayer permeability assay and immunofluorescence of adherens junction proteins (VE-cadherin and β-catenin) respectively. CRISPR/cas9-based ERG knockdown as well as VEGF treatment induced monolayer hyperpermeability, VE-cadherin, and β-catenin junctional relocation and cytoskeletal F-actin stress fiber formation. CRISPR based ERG activation and recombinant ERG transfection attenuated VEGF-induced monolayer hyperpermeability. ERG activation preserved the adherens junctions and cytoskeleton. These results demonstrate that ERG is a potent regulator of barrier integrity and permeability in human lung microvascular endothelial cells and endogenously or exogenously enhancing ERG provides protection against barrier dysfunction and hyperpermeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binu Tharakan
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Felicia A Hunter
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Sonya Randolph
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Crystal Byrd
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Veena N Rao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - E Shyam P Reddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ed W Childs
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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19
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Mushimiyimana I, Niskanen H, Beter M, Laakkonen JP, Kaikkonen MU, Ylä-Herttuala S, Laham-Karam N. Characterization of a functional endothelial super-enhancer that regulates ADAMTS18 and angiogenesis. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8078-8096. [PMID: 34320216 PMCID: PMC8373076 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Super-enhancers are clusters of enhancers associated with cell lineage. They can be powerful gene-regulators and may be useful in cell-type specific viral-vector development. Here, we have screened for endothelial super-enhancers and identified an enhancer from within a cluster that conferred 5–70-fold increase in transgene expression. Importantly, CRISPR/Cas9 deletion of enhancers demonstrated regulation of ADAMTS18, corresponding to evidence of chromatin contacts between these genomic regions. Cell division-related pathways were primarily affected by the enhancer deletions, which correlated with significant reduction in cell proliferation. Furthermore, we observed changes in angiogenesis-related genes consistent with the endothelial specificity of this SE. Indeed, deletion of the enhancers affected tube formation, resulting in reduced or shortened sprouts. The super-enhancer angiogenic role is at least partly due to its regulation of ADAMTS18, as siRNA knockdown of ADAMTS18 resulted in significantly shortened endothelial sprouts. Hence, functional characterization of a novel endothelial super-enhancer has revealed substantial downstream effects from single enhancer deletions and led to the discovery of the cis-target gene ADAMTS18 and its role in endothelial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidore Mushimiyimana
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Henri Niskanen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Mustafa Beter
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Johanna P Laakkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland.,Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit; Kuopio University Hospital; Kuopio 70029, Finland
| | - Nihay Laham-Karam
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
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20
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Vasuri F, Valente S, Motta I, Degiovanni A, Ciavarella C, Pasquinelli G. ETS-Related Gene Expression in Healthy Femoral Arteries With Focal Calcifications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:623782. [PMID: 34222223 PMCID: PMC8242207 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.623782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone development-related genes are enriched in healthy femoral arteries, which are more prone to calcification, as documented by the predominance of fibrocalcific plaques at the femoral location. We undertook a prospective histological study on the presence of calcifications in normal femoral arteries collected from donors. Since endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) participates in vascular remodeling, immunohistochemical (IHC) and molecular markers of EndMT and chondro-osteogenic differentiation were assessed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to describe calcification at its inception. Two hundred and fourteen femoral arteries were enrolled. The mean age of the donors was 39.9 ± 12.9 years; male gender prevailed (M: 128). Histology showed a normal architecture; calcifications were found in 52 (24.3%) cases, without correlations with cardiovascular risk factors. Calcifications were seen on or just beneath the inner elastic lamina (IEL). At IHC, SLUG was increasingly expressed in the wall of focally calcified femoral arteries (FCFA). ETS-related gene (ERG), SLUG, CD44, and SOX-9 were positive in calcifications. RT-PCR showed increased levels of BPM-2, RUNX-2, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin osteogenic transcripts and increased expression of the chondrogenic marker, SOX-9, in FCFA. TEM documented osteoblast-like cells adjacent to the IEL, releasing calcifying vesicles from the cell membrane. The vesicles were embedded in a proteoglycan-rich matrix and were entrapped in IEL fenestrations. In this study, ERG- and CD44-positive cell populations were found in the context of increased SLUG expression, thus supporting the participation of EndMT in FCFA; the increased transcript expression of osteochondrogenic markers, particularly SOX-9, reinforced the view that EndMT, osteochondrogenesis, and neoangiogenesis interact in the process of arterial calcification. Given its role as a transcription factor in the regulation of endothelial homeostasis, arterial ERG expression can be a clue of endothelial dysregulation and changes in IEL organization which can ultimately hinder calcifying vesicle diffusion through the IEL fenestrae. These results may have a broader implication for understanding arterial calcification within a disease context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Vasuri
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilenia Motta
- Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Degiovanni
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Ciavarella
- Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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21
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Marsman J, Gimenez G, Day RC, Horsfield JA, Jones GT. A non-coding genetic variant associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm alters ERG gene regulation. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:554-565. [PMID: 31691800 PMCID: PMC7068029 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a major cause of sudden death in the elderly. While AAA has some overlapping genetic and environmental risk factors with atherosclerosis, there are substantial differences, and AAA-specific medication is lacking. A recent meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies has identified four novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) specifically associated with AAA. Here, we investigated the gene regulatory function for one of four non-coding SNPs associated with AAA, rs2836411, which is located in an intron of the ERG gene. Rs2836411 resides within a >70 kb super-enhancer that has high levels of H3K27ac and H3K4me1 in vascular endothelial and haematopoietic cell types. Enhancer luciferase assays in cell lines showed that the risk allele significantly alters enhancer activity. The risk allele also correlates with reduced ERG expression in aortic and other vascular tissues. To identify whether rs2836411 directly contacts the promoters of ERG and/or of genes further away, we performed allele-specific circular chromosome conformation capture sequencing. In vascular endothelial cells, which express ERG, the SNP region interacts highly within the super-enhancer, while in vascular smooth muscle cells, which do not express ERG, the interactions are distributed across a wider region that includes neighbouring genes. Furthermore, the risk allele has fewer interactions within the super-enhancer compared to the protective allele. In conclusion, our results indicate that rs2836411 likely affects ERG expression by altering enhancer activity and changing local chromatin interactions. ERG is involved in vascular development, angiogenesis, and inflammation in atherosclerosis; therefore mechanistically, rs2836411 could contribute to AAA by modulating ERG levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Marsman
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Gregory Gimenez
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Robert C Day
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Julia A Horsfield
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Gregory T Jones
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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22
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Endothelial ERG alleviates cardiac fibrosis via blocking endothelin-1-dependent paracrine mechanism. Cell Biol Toxicol 2021; 37:873-890. [PMID: 33469864 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-021-09581-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac endothelium communicates closely with adjacent cardiac cells by multiple cytokines and plays critical roles in regulating fibroblasts proliferation, activation, and collagen synthesis during cardiac fibrosis. E26 transformation-specific (ETS)-related gene (ERG) belongs to the ETS transcriptional factor family and is required for endothelial cells (ECs) homeostasis and cardiac development. This study aims at investigating the potential role and molecular basis of ERG in fibrotic remodeling within the adult heart. We observed that ERG was abundant in murine hearts, especially in cardiac ECs, but decreased during cardiac fibrosis. ERG knockdown within murine hearts caused spontaneously cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction, accompanied by the activation of multiple Smad-dependent and independent pathways. However, the direct silence of ERG in cardiac fibroblasts did not affect the expression of fibrotic markers. Intriguingly, ERG knockdown in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) promoted the secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1), which subsequently accelerated the proliferation, phenotypic transition, and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts in a paracrine manner. Suppressing ET-1 with either a neutralizing antibody or a receptor blocker abolished ERG knockdown-mediated deleterious effect in vivo and in vitro. This pro-fibrotic effect was also negated by RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-peptide magnetic nanoparticles target delivery of ET-1 small interfering RNA to ECs in mice. More importantly, we proved that endothelial ERG overexpression notably prevented pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis. Collectively, endothelial ERG alleviates cardiac fibrosis via blocking ET-1-dependent paracrine mechanism and it functions as a candidate for treating cardiac fibrosis. • ERG is abundant in murine hearts, especially in cardiac ECs, but decreased during fibrotic remodeling. • ERG knockdown causes spontaneously cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. • ERG silence in HUVECs promotes the secretion of endothelin-1, which in turn activates cardiac fibroblasts in a paracrine manner. • Endothelial ERG overexpression prevents pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis.
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23
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Mazzotta C, Marden G, Farina A, Bujor A, Trojanowski MA, Trojanowska M. FLI1 and ERG protein degradation is regulated via Cathepsin B lysosomal pathway in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Microcirculation 2020; 28:e12660. [PMID: 32979864 PMCID: PMC7988617 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific, important regulators of endothelial cell homeostasis, are reduced in microvascular endothelial cells in scleroderma patients, and their deficiency has been implicated in disease pathogenesis. The goal of this study was to identify the mechanisms involved in the protein turnover of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in microvascular endothelial cells. Methods The effects of lysosome and proteosome inhibitors on friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific levels were assessed by Western blotting and capillary morphogenesis. The effect of scleroderma and control sera on the levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific was examined. Results The reduction in the protein levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in response to interferon α or Poly:(IC) was reversed by blocking either lysosomal (leupeptin and Cathepsin B inhibitor) or proteosomal degradation (MG132). MG132, leupeptin or CTSB‐(i) also counteracted the anti‐angiogenic effects of Poly:(IC) or interferon α. Scleroderma sera reduced protein levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in comparison to control sera. Treatment with CTSB(i) increased the levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in a majority of serum‐treated samples. Conclusions Inhibition of cathepsin B was effective in reversing the reduction of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific protein levels after treatment with interferon α or scleroderma sera, suggesting that targeting cathepsin B may have a beneficial effect in SSc vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celestina Mazzotta
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Grace Marden
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alessandra Farina
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andreea Bujor
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcin A Trojanowski
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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24
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An inhibitor of endothelial ETS transcription factors promotes physiologic and therapeutic vessel regression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:26494-26502. [PMID: 33020273 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015980117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
During the progression of ocular diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy, overgrowth of retinal blood vessels results in the formation of pathological neovascular tufts that impair vision. Current therapeutic options for treating these diseases include antiangiogenic strategies that can lead to the undesirable inhibition of normal vascular development. Therefore, strategies that eliminate pathological neovascular tufts while sparing normal blood vessels are needed. In this study we exploited the hyaloid vascular network in murine eyes, which naturally undergoes regression after birth, to gain mechanistic insights that could be therapeutically adapted for driving neovessel regression in ocular diseases. We found that endothelial cells of regressing hyaloid vessels underwent down-regulation of two structurally related E-26 transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factors, ETS-related gene (ERG) and Friend leukemia integration 1 (FLI1), prior to apoptosis. Moreover, the small molecule YK-4-279, which inhibits the transcriptional and biological activity of ETS factors, enhanced hyaloid regression in vivo and drove Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) tube regression and apoptosis in vitro. Importantly, exposure of HUVECs to sheer stress inhibited YK-4-279-induced apoptosis, indicating that low-flow vessels may be uniquely susceptible to YK-4-279-mediated regression. We tested this hypothesis by administering YK-4-279 to mice in an oxygen-induced retinopathy model that generates disorganized and poorly perfused neovascular tufts that mimic human ocular diseases. YK-4-279 treatment significantly reduced neovascular tufts while sparing healthy retinal vessels, thereby demonstrating the therapeutic potential of this inhibitor.
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25
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Zheng B, Wang H, Cui G, Guo Q, Si L, Yan H, Fang D, Jiang L, Jiang Z, Zhou J. ERG-Associated lncRNA (ERGAL) Promotes the Stability and Integrity of Vascular Endothelial Barrier During Dengue Viral Infection via Interaction With miR-183-5p. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:477. [PMID: 33014896 PMCID: PMC7506072 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) continues to be a major public health problem. DENV infection will cause mild dengue and severe dengue. Severe dengue is clinically manifested as serious complications, including dengue hemorrhagic fever and/or dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS), which is mainly characterized by vascular leakage. Currently, the pathogenesis of severe dengue is not elucidated thoroughly, and there are no known therapeutic targets for controlling the disease effectively. This study aimed to further reveal the potential molecular mechanism of severe dengue. In this study, the long non-coding RNA, ERG-associated lncRNA (lncRNA-ERGAL), was activated and significantly up-regulated in DENV-infected vascular endothelial cells. After knockdown of lncRNA-ERGAL, the expression of ERG, VE-cadherin, and claudin-5 was repressed; besides, cell apoptosis was enhanced, and cytoskeletal remodeling was disordered, leading to instability and increased permeability of vascular endothelial barrier during DENV infection. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay showed lncRNA-ERGAL to be mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. Moreover, the expression of miR-183-5p was found to increase during DENV infection and revealed to regulate ERG, junction-associated proteins, and the cytoskeletal structure after overexpression and knockdown. Then, ERGAL was confirmed to interact with miR-183-5p by luciferase reporter assay. Collectively, ERGAL acted as a miRNA sponge that can promote stability and integrity of vascular endothelial barrier during DENV infection via binding to miR-183-5p, thus revealing the potential molecular mechanism of severe dengue and providing a foundation for a promising clinical target in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojia Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohui Cui
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianfang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lulu Si
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijun Yan
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danyun Fang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lifang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenyou Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junmei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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26
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Marden G, Wan Q, Wilks J, Nevin K, Feeney M, Wisniacki N, Trojanowski M, Bujor A, Stawski L, Trojanowska M. The role of the oncostatin M/OSM receptor β axis in activating dermal microvascular endothelial cells in systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:179. [PMID: 32736577 PMCID: PMC7393919 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02266-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scleroderma (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by vascular impairment and progressive fibrosis of the skin and other organs. Oncostatin M, a member of the IL-6 family, is elevated in SSc serum and was recognized as a significant player in various stages of fibrosis. The goal of this study was to assess the contribution of the OSM/OSMRβ pathway to endothelial cell (EC) injury and activation in SSc. METHODS IHC and IF were used to assess the distribution of OSM and OSMRβ in SSc (n = 14) and healthy control (n = 7) skin biopsies. Cell culture experiments were performed in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) and included mRNA and protein analysis, and cell migration and proliferation assays. Ex vivo skin organoid culture was used to evaluate the effect of OSM on perivascular fibrosis. RESULTS OSMRβ protein was elevated in dermal ECs and in fibroblasts of SSc patients. Treatments of HDMECs with OSM or IL-6+sIL-6R have demonstrated that both cytokines similarly stimulated proinflammatory genes and genes related to endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT). OSM was more effective than IL-6+sIL-6R in inducing cell migration, while both treatments similarly induced cell proliferation. The effects of OSM were mediated via OSMRβ and STAT3, while the LIFR did not contribute to these responses. Both OSM and IL-6+sIL-6R induced profibrotic gene expression in HDMECs, as well as expansion of the perivascular PDGFRβ+ cells in the ex vivo human skin culture system. Additional studies in HDMECs showed that siRNA-mediated downregulation of FLI1 and its close homolog ERG resulted in increased expression of OSMRβ in HDMECs. CONCLUSIONS This work provides new insights into the role of the OSM/OSMRβ axis in activation/injury of dermal ECs and supports the involvement of this pathway in SSc vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Marden
- Arthritis Centre, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, 72 East Concord St, E-5, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Q Wan
- Arthritis Centre, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, 72 East Concord St, E-5, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - J Wilks
- Arthritis Centre, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, 72 East Concord St, E-5, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - K Nevin
- Immuno-Inflammation Therapeutic Area Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, UK
| | - M Feeney
- Immuno-Inflammation Therapeutic Area Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, UK
| | - N Wisniacki
- Immuno-Inflammation Therapeutic Area Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, UK
| | - M Trojanowski
- Arthritis Centre, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, 72 East Concord St, E-5, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - A Bujor
- Arthritis Centre, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, 72 East Concord St, E-5, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - L Stawski
- Arthritis Centre, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, 72 East Concord St, E-5, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - M Trojanowska
- Arthritis Centre, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, 72 East Concord St, E-5, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
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27
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Structural Integrity of the Alveolar-Capillary Barrier in Cynomolgus Monkeys Challenged with Fully Virulent and Toxin-Deficient Strains of Bacillus anthracis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2020; 190:2095-2110. [PMID: 32598882 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Inhalational anthrax, a disease caused by inhaling Bacillus anthracis spores, leads to respiratory distress, vascular leakage, high-level bacteremia, and often death within days. Anthrax lethal toxin and edema toxin, which are composed of protective antigen (PA) plus either lethal factor (LF) or edema factor (EF), respectively, play an important yet incompletely defined role in the pulmonary pathophysiology. To better understand their contribution, we examined the structural integrity of the alveolar-capillary barrier in archival formalin-fixed lungs of cynomolgus monkeys challenged with the fully virulent B. anthracis Ames wild-type strain or the isogenic toxin-deficient mutants ΔEF, ΔLF, and ΔPA. Pulmonary spore challenge with the wild-type strain caused high mortality, intra-alveolar hemorrhages, extensive alveolar septal sequestration of bacteria and neutrophils, diffuse destabilization of epithelial and endothelial junctions, increased markers of coagulation and complement activation (including tissue factor and C5a), and multifocal intra-alveolar fibrin deposition. ΔEF challenge was lethal and showed similar alveolar-capillary alterations; however, intra-alveolar hemorrhages, bacterial deposition, and markers of coagulation or complement were absent or markedly lower. In contrast, ΔLF or ΔPA challenges were nonlethal and showed no signs of alveolar bacterial deposition or alveolar-capillary changes. These findings provide evidence that lethal toxin plays a determinative role in bacterial dissemination and alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction, and edema toxin may significantly exacerbate pulmonary pathologies in a systemic infection.
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28
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Peghaire C, Dufton NP, Lang M, Salles-Crawley II, Ahnström J, Kalna V, Raimondi C, Pericleous C, Inuabasi L, Kiseleva R, Muzykantov VR, Mason JC, Birdsey GM, Randi AM. The transcription factor ERG regulates a low shear stress-induced anti-thrombotic pathway in the microvasculature. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5014. [PMID: 31676784 PMCID: PMC6825134 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12897-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells actively maintain an anti-thrombotic environment; loss of this protective function may lead to thrombosis and systemic coagulopathy. The transcription factor ERG is essential to maintain endothelial homeostasis. Here, we show that inducible endothelial ERG deletion (ErgiEC-KO) in mice is associated with spontaneous thrombosis, hemorrhages and systemic coagulopathy. We find that ERG drives transcription of the anticoagulant thrombomodulin (TM), as shown by reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. TM expression is regulated by shear stress (SS) via Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). In vitro, ERG regulates TM expression under low SS conditions, by facilitating KLF2 binding to the TM promoter. However, ERG is dispensable for TM expression in high SS conditions. In ErgiEC-KO mice, TM expression is decreased in liver and lung microvasculature exposed to low SS but not in blood vessels exposed to high SS. Our study identifies an endogenous, vascular bed-specific anticoagulant pathway in microvasculature exposed to low SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Peghaire
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - N P Dufton
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - M Lang
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - I I Salles-Crawley
- Centre for Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - J Ahnström
- Centre for Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - V Kalna
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C Raimondi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C Pericleous
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - L Inuabasi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - R Kiseleva
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - V R Muzykantov
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - J C Mason
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - G M Birdsey
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A M Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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29
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Liu F, Liu Q, Yuan F, Guo S, Liu J, Sun Z, Gao P, Wang Y, Yan S, Liu J. Erg mediates downregulation of claudin-5 in the brain endothelium of a murine experimental model of cerebral malaria. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:2585-2595. [PMID: 31271645 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe complication with brain vascular hyperpermeability. Claudin-5 is the major component of tight junctions. To investigate the expression of claudin-5 in CM, we established a murine experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) model and an in vitro model by treating murine brain endothelial cells (bEnd3) with plasma from ECM mice. Expression of claudin-5 and the ETS transcription factor Erg was reduced in the brain endothelium of ECM mice. In bEnd3 cells exposed to ECM plasma, decreased expression of claudin-5 and Erg, and increased permeability were observed. Silencing of Erg significantly reduced Cldn5 expression. ChIP assays indicated that Erg binds to the -813 ETS motif of the murine Cldn5 gene promoter, and the binding is decreased by treatment with ECM plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuhong Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Fangshu Yuan
- Department of Human Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuling Guo
- Department of Human Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jinzhi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Zongguo Sun
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Suhua Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Ju Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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30
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Kalna V, Yang Y, Peghaire CR, Frudd K, Hannah R, Shah AV, Osuna Almagro L, Boyle JJ, Göttgens B, Ferrer J, Randi AM, Birdsey GM. The Transcription Factor ERG Regulates Super-Enhancers Associated With an Endothelial-Specific Gene Expression Program. Circ Res 2019; 124:1337-1349. [PMID: 30892142 PMCID: PMC6493686 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.118.313788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The ETS (E-26 transformation-specific) transcription factor ERG (ETS-related gene) is essential for endothelial homeostasis, driving expression of lineage genes and repressing proinflammatory genes. Loss of ERG expression is associated with diseases including atherosclerosis. ERG's homeostatic function is lineage-specific, because aberrant ERG expression in cancer is oncogenic. The molecular basis for ERG lineage-specific activity is unknown. Transcriptional regulation of lineage specificity is linked to enhancer clusters (super-enhancers). OBJECTIVE To investigate whether ERG regulates endothelial-specific gene expression via super-enhancers. METHODS AND RESULTS Chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing in human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed that ERG binds 93% of super-enhancers ranked according to H3K27ac, a mark of active chromatin. These were associated with endothelial genes such as DLL4 (Delta-like protein 4), CLDN5 (claudin-5), VWF (von Willebrand factor), and CDH5 (VE-cadherin). Comparison between human umbilical vein endothelial cell and prostate cancer TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease, serine-2):ERG fusion-positive human prostate epithelial cancer cell line (VCaP) cells revealed distinctive lineage-specific transcriptome and super-enhancer profiles. At a subset of endothelial super-enhancers (including DLL4 and CLDN5), loss of ERG results in significant reduction in gene expression which correlates with decreased enrichment of H3K27ac and MED (Mediator complex subunit)-1, and reduced recruitment of acetyltransferase p300. At these super-enhancers, co-occupancy of GATA2 (GATA-binding protein 2) and AP-1 (activator protein 1) is significantly lower compared with super-enhancers that remained constant following ERG inhibition. These data suggest distinct mechanisms of super-enhancer regulation in endothelial cells and highlight the unique role of ERG in controlling a core subset of super-enhancers. Most disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms from genome-wide association studies lie within noncoding regions and perturb transcription factor recognition sequences in relevant cell types. Analysis of genome-wide association studies data shows significant enrichment of risk variants for cardiovascular disease and other diseases, at ERG endothelial enhancers and super-enhancers. CONCLUSIONS The transcription factor ERG promotes endothelial homeostasis via regulation of lineage-specific enhancers and super-enhancers. Enrichment of cardiovascular disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms at ERG super-enhancers suggests that ERG-dependent transcription modulates disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Kalna
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Youwen Yang
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire R. Peghaire
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Frudd
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Hannah
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (R.H., B.G.)
| | - Aarti V. Shah
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Lourdes Osuna Almagro
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph J. Boyle
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (R.H., B.G.)
| | - Jorge Ferrer
- Epigenomics and Disease, Department of Medicine (J.F.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M. Randi
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme M. Birdsey
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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Choukrallah MA, Sierro N, Martin F, Baumer K, Thomas J, Ouadi S, Hoeng J, Peitsch MC, Ivanov NV. Tobacco Heating System 2.2 has a limited impact on DNA methylation of candidate enhancers in mouse lung compared with cigarette smoke. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 123:501-510. [PMID: 30414959 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure has been shown to correlate with changes in DNA methylation levels, however, the impact of CS on DNA methylation at genome-wide scale is missing. Here, we used whole-genome bisulfite sequencing to assess the effects of CS extract and aerosol from the Tobacco Heating System (THS) 2.2, a candidate modified risk tobacco product, on DNA methylation in lung and liver tissues from apolipoprotein E-deficient mice during an eight-month period of exposure. We found that in lung tissue, CS mainly induced hypermethylation of candidate enhancers at late time points, while promoters were less affected. This effect was strongly reduced upon cessation or switching to THS 2.2. By contrast, chronic exposure to THS 2.2 had a limited effect on DNA methylation at both promoters and enhancers. We also identified members of the Ets and Fox families of transcription factors as potential players in the epigenetic response to CS exposure in lung tissue. In contrast to the lung, DNA methylation in the liver was largely insensitive to all investigated exposures. In summary, our investigations indicate that CS-related DNA methylation alterations are tissue-specific, occur mainly at enhancers and are strongly reduced upon smoking cessation or switching to THS2.2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolas Sierro
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Martin
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Karine Baumer
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Jerome Thomas
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Ouadi
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Hoeng
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Manuel C Peitsch
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Nikolai V Ivanov
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Nagai N, Ohguchi H, Nakaki R, Matsumura Y, Kanki Y, Sakai J, Aburatani H, Minami T. Downregulation of ERG and FLI1 expression in endothelial cells triggers endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007826. [PMID: 30500808 PMCID: PMC6291168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) plasticity in pathological settings has recently been recognized as a driver of disease progression. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), in which ECs acquire mesenchymal properties, has been described for a wide range of pathologies, including cancer. However, the mechanism regulating EndMT in the tumor microenvironment and the contribution of EndMT in tumor progression are not fully understood. Here, we found that combined knockdown of two ETS family transcription factors, ERG and FLI1, induces EndMT coupled with dynamic epigenetic changes in ECs. Genome-wide analyses revealed that ERG and FLI1 are critical transcriptional activators for EC-specific genes, among which microRNA-126 partially contributes to blocking the induction of EndMT. Moreover, we demonstrated that ERG and FLI1 expression is downregulated in ECs within tumors by soluble factors enriched in the tumor microenvironment. These data provide new insight into the mechanism of EndMT, functions of ERG and FLI1 in ECs, and EC behavior in pathological conditions. Differentiated cells possess unique characteristics to maintain vital activities. However, cells occasionally show abnormal behavior in pathological settings due to dysregulated gene expression. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a phenomenon in which endothelial cells lose their characteristics and acquire mesenchymal-like properties. Although EndMT is observed in various diseases including cancer, and augments fibrosis and vascular defects, the mechanism of EndMT induction is not fully understood. Here, we show that EndMT is triggered via reduced expression of ERG and FLI1, which have recently been recognized as pivotal transcription factors in endothelial cells (ECs). Mechanistically, ERG and FLI1 activate EC-specific genes and repress mesenchymal-like genes via epigenetic regulation to prevent EndMT. Furthermore, we demonstrate that microRNA-126, which is specifically expressed in ECs, is the key downstream target of ERG/FLI1 for regulating EndMT. Finally, we show that ERG and FLI1 expression is decreased in ECs within tumors, suggesting that EndMT is induced in the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, these findings indicate that loss of ERG and FLI1 leads to the aberrant behavior of ECs in pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nao Nagai
- Division of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroto Ohguchi
- Division of Disease Epigenetics, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakaki
- Division of Genome Sciences, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Matsumura
- Division of Metabolic Medicine, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuharu Kanki
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Juro Sakai
- Division of Metabolic Medicine, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Aburatani
- Division of Genome Sciences, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Minami
- Division of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Zhang H, Zhang S, Zhang J, Liu D, Wei J, Fang W, Zhao W, Chen Y, Shang D. ZO-1 expression is suppressed by GM-CSF via miR-96/ERG in brain microvascular endothelial cells. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2018; 38:809-822. [PMID: 28430012 PMCID: PMC5987931 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x17702668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The level of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) increases in some disorders such as vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. We previously reported that in Alzheimer's disease patients, a high level of GM-CSF in the brain parenchyma downregulated expression of ZO-1, a blood-brain barrier tight junction protein, and facilitated the infiltration of peripheral monocytes across the blood-brain barrier. However, the molecular mechanism underlying regulation of ZO-1 expression by GM-CSF is unclear. Herein, we found that the erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factor ERG cooperated with the proto-oncogene protein c-MYC in regulation of ZO-1 transcription in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). The ERG expression was suppressed by miR-96 which was increased by GM-CSF through the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Inhibition of miR-96 prevented ZO-1 down-regulation induced by GM-CSF both in vitro and in vivo. Our results revealed the mechanism of ZO-1 expression reduced by GM-CSF, and provided a potential target, miR-96, which could block ZO-1 down-regulation caused by GM-CSF in BMECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Zhang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Shuhong Zhang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Jilin Zhang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Dongxin Liu
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Jiayi Wei
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Wengang Fang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Weidong Zhao
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Yuhua Chen
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Deshu Shang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
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Dynamic regulation of canonical TGFβ signalling by endothelial transcription factor ERG protects from liver fibrogenesis. Nat Commun 2017; 8:895. [PMID: 29026072 PMCID: PMC5638819 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01169-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the endothelium in protecting from chronic liver disease and TGFβ-mediated fibrosis remains unclear. Here we describe how the endothelial transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) promotes liver homoeostasis by controlling canonical TGFβ-SMAD signalling, driving the SMAD1 pathway while repressing SMAD3 activity. Molecular analysis shows that ERG binds to SMAD3, restricting its access to DNA. Ablation of ERG expression results in endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and spontaneous liver fibrogenesis in EC-specific constitutive hemi-deficient (Erg cEC-Het ) and inducible homozygous deficient mice (Erg iEC-KO ), in a SMAD3-dependent manner. Acute administration of the TNF-α inhibitor etanercept inhibits carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced fibrogenesis in an ERG-dependent manner in mice. Decreased ERG expression also correlates with EndMT in tissues from patients with end-stage liver fibrosis. These studies identify a pathogenic mechanism where loss of ERG causes endothelial-dependent liver fibrogenesis via regulation of SMAD2/3. Moreover, ERG represents a promising candidate biomarker for assessing EndMT in liver disease.The transcription factor ERG is key to endothelial lineage specification and vascular homeostasis. Here the authors show that ERG balances TGFβ signalling through the SMAD1 and SMAD3 pathways, protecting the endothelium from endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and consequent liver fibrosis in mice via a SMAD3-dependent mechanism.
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35
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Looney AP, Han R, Stawski L, Marden G, Iwamoto M, Trojanowska M. Synergistic Role of Endothelial ERG and FLI1 in Mediating Pulmonary Vascular Homeostasis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2017; 57:121-131. [PMID: 28248553 PMCID: PMC5516275 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0200oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) activation underlies many vascular diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Several members of the E-twenty six (ETS) family of transcription factors are important regulators of the gene network governing endothelial homeostasis, and their aberrant expression is associated with pathological angiogenesis. The goal of this study was to determine whether deficiencies of the ETS family member, Friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor (FLI1), and its closest homolog, ETS-related gene (ERG), are associated with PAH. We found that endothelial ERG was significantly reduced in the lung samples from patients with PAH, as well as in chronically hypoxic mice. Functional studies revealed that depletion of ERG or FLI1 in human pulmonary ECs led to increased expression of inflammatory genes, including IFN genes, whereas genes regulating endothelial homeostasis and cell-cell adhesion were down-regulated. Simultaneous knockdown of both ERG and FLI1 had synergistic or additive effects on the expression of these genes, suggesting that ERG and FLI1 coregulate at least a subset of their target genes. Functionally, knockdown of ERG and FLI1 induced cell monolayer permeability with a potency similar to that of vascular endothelial growth factor. Notably, stimulation of ECs with Toll-like receptor 3 ligand poly(I:C) suppressed ERG expression and induced ERG dissociation from the IFNB1 promoter, while promoting signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) recruitment. Consistent with the up-regulation of inflammatory genes seen in vitro, Erg and Fli1 double-heterozygote mice showed increased immune cell infiltration and expression of cytokines in the lung. In conclusion, loss of ERG and FLI1 might contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular lung complications through the induction of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka P. Looney
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Rong Han
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Lukasz Stawski
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Grace Marden
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Masahiro Iwamoto
- Orthopaedic Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
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36
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Hogan NT, Whalen MB, Stolze LK, Hadeli NK, Lam MT, Springstead JR, Glass CK, Romanoski CE. Transcriptional networks specifying homeostatic and inflammatory programs of gene expression in human aortic endothelial cells. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28585919 PMCID: PMC5461113 DOI: 10.7554/elife.22536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) are critical determinants of vascular homeostasis and inflammation, but transcriptional mechanisms specifying their identities and functional states remain poorly understood. Here, we report a genome-wide assessment of regulatory landscapes of primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) under basal and activated conditions, enabling inference of transcription factor networks that direct homeostatic and pro-inflammatory programs. We demonstrate that 43% of detected enhancers are EC-specific and contain SNPs associated to cardiovascular disease and hypertension. We provide evidence that AP1, ETS, and GATA transcription factors play key roles in HAEC transcription by co-binding enhancers associated with EC-specific genes. We further demonstrate that exposure of HAECs to oxidized phospholipids or pro-inflammatory cytokines results in signal-specific alterations in enhancer landscapes and associate with coordinated binding of CEBPD, IRF1, and NFκB. Collectively, these findings identify cis-regulatory elements and corresponding trans-acting factors that contribute to EC identity and their specific responses to pro-inflammatory stimuli. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22536.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas T Hogan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Michael B Whalen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Lindsey K Stolze
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Nizar K Hadeli
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Michael T Lam
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - James R Springstead
- Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering, University of Western Michigan, Kalamazoo, United States
| | - Christopher K Glass
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Casey E Romanoski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
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37
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Pinte S, Caetano B, Le Bras A, Havet C, Villain G, Dernayka R, Duez C, Mattot V, Soncin F. Endothelial Cell Activation Is Regulated by Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 (Egfl7) during Inflammation. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:24017-24028. [PMID: 27650497 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.731331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the blood vessel endothelium is a critical step during inflammation. Endothelial cells stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines play an essential part in the adhesion and extravasation of circulating leukocytes into inflamed tissues. The endothelial egfl7 gene (VE-statin) represses endothelial cell activation in tumors, and prior observations suggested that it could also participate in the regulation of endothelial cell activation during inflammation. We show here that Egfl7 expression is strongly repressed in mouse lung endothelial cells during LPS- and TNFα-induced inflammation in vivo LPS have a limited effect on Egfl7 expression by endothelial cells in vitro, whereas the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα strongly represses Egfl7 expression in endothelial cells. TNFα regulates the egfl7 gene promoter through regions located between -7585 and -5550 bp ahead of the main transcription start site and via an NF-κB-dependent mechanism. Conversely, Egfl7 regulates the response of endothelial cells to TNFα by restraining the induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin, resulting in a decreased adhesion of leukocytes onto endothelial cells stimulated by TNFα. Egfl7 regulates the expression of these adhesion molecules through the NF-κB and MEK/Erk pathways, in particular by preventing the proteasome-mediated degradation of IkBα both in non-activated endothelial cells and during activation. Egfl7 is thus an endogenous and constitutive repressor of blood vessel endothelial cell activation in normal and inflammatory conditions and participates in a loop of regulation of activation of these cells by pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Pinte
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Bertrand Caetano
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Alexandra Le Bras
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Chantal Havet
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Gaëlle Villain
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Racha Dernayka
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Catherine Duez
- the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.,U1019-UMR 8204, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Université de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.,UMR 8204, CNRS, F-59000 Lille, France.,U1019, INSERM, and
| | - Virginie Mattot
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Fabrice Soncin
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and .,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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38
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Shah AV, Birdsey GM, Randi AM. Regulation of endothelial homeostasis, vascular development and angiogenesis by the transcription factor ERG. Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 86:3-13. [PMID: 27208692 PMCID: PMC5404112 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few years, the ETS transcription factor ERG has emerged as a major regulator of endothelial function. Multiple studies have shown that ERG plays a crucial role in promoting angiogenesis and vascular stability during development and after birth. In the mature vasculature ERG also functions to maintain endothelial homeostasis, by transactivating genes involved in key endothelial functions, while repressing expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Its homeostatic role is lineage-specific, since ectopic expression of ERG in non-endothelial tissues such as prostate is detrimental and contributes to oncogenesis. This review summarises the main roles and pathways controlled by ERG in the vascular endothelium, its transcriptional targets and its functional partners and the emerging evidence on the pathways regulating ERG's activity and expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti V Shah
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme M Birdsey
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M Randi
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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39
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Han R, Pacifici M, Iwamoto M, Trojanowska M. Endothelial Erg expression is required for embryogenesis and vascular integrity. Organogenesis 2016; 11:75-86. [PMID: 26061019 DOI: 10.1080/15476278.2015.1031435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the ETS family of transcription factors are involved in several developmental processes including endothelial cell specification and blood vessel formation, but their exact roles remain unclear. The family member Erg is highly expressed in endothelial cells as compared to other developing cell types including chondrocytes, hematopoietic cells and mesodermal cells. To study the specific roles ERG plays in endothelial cell specification and function during early embryogenesis, we conditionally ablated it by mating ErgloxP/loxP and Tie2-Cre mice. We found that mutant embryos died by mid-gestation and that angiogenesis and vascular integrity were highly compromised. Our study reveals that ERG has essential and cell autonomous roles in endothelial cell development and blood vessel maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Han
- a Arthritis Center; Boston University School of Medicine ; Boston , MA USA
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40
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Beuerle MG, Dufton NP, Randi AM, Gould IR. Molecular dynamics studies on the DNA-binding process of ERG. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 12:3600-3610. [DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00506c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Molecular dynamics study elucidating the mechanistic background of the DNA-binding process and the sequence specificity of the transcription factor ERG. Along with the biological findings the capabilities of unbiased DNA-binding simulations in combination with various means of analysis in the field of protein DNA-interactions are shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias G. Beuerle
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Biology
- Imperial College London
- South Kensington SW7 2AZ
- UK
| | - Neil P. Dufton
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences
- Hammersmith Hospital
- Imperial College London
- London W12 0NN
- UK
| | - Anna M. Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences
- Hammersmith Hospital
- Imperial College London
- London W12 0NN
- UK
| | - Ian R. Gould
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Biology
- Imperial College London
- South Kensington SW7 2AZ
- UK
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41
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Hoesel B, Malkani N, Hochreiter B, Basílio J, Sughra K, Ilyas M, Schmid JA. Sequence-function correlations and dynamics of ERG isoforms. ERG8 is the black sheep of the family. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2015; 1863:205-218. [PMID: 26554849 PMCID: PMC4716293 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor ERG is known to have divergent roles. On one hand, it acts as differentiation factor of endothelial cells. On the other hand, it has pathological roles in various cancers. Genomic analyses of the ERG gene show that it gives rise to several isoforms. However, functional differences between these isoforms, representing potential reasons for distinct effects in diverse cell types have not been addressed in detail so far. We set out to investigate the major protein isoforms and found that ERG8 contains a unique C-terminus. This isoform, when expressed as GFP-fusion protein, localized mainly to the cytosol, whereas the other major isoforms (ERG1-4) were predominantly nuclear. Using site directed mutagenesis and laser scanning microscopy of live cells, we could identify nuclear localization (NLS) and nuclear export sequences (NES). These analyses indicated that ERG8 lacks a classical NLS and the DNA-binding domain, but holds an additional NES within its distinctive C-terminus. All the tested isoforms were shuttling between nucleus and cytosol and showed a high degree of mobility. ERG’s 1 to 4 were transcriptionally active on ERG-promoter elements whereas ERG8 was inactive, which is in line with the absence of a DNA-binding domain. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy revealed that ERG8 can bind to the transcriptionally active ERG’s. Knockdown of ERG8 in endothelial cells resulted in upregulation of endogenous ERG-transcriptional activity implying ERG8 as an inhibitor of the active ERG isoforms. Quantitative PCR revealed a different ratio of active ERG’s to ERG8 in cancer- versus non-transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Hoesel
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Naila Malkani
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Hochreiter
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - José Basílio
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Kalsoom Sughra
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Muhammad Ilyas
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes A Schmid
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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Zhang C, Liu Q, Dong F, Li L, Du J, Xie Q, Hu H, Yan S, Zhou X, Li C, Lobe CG, Liu J. Catalpol downregulates vascular endothelial‑cadherin expression and induces vascular hyperpermeability. Mol Med Rep 2015; 13:373-8. [PMID: 26549479 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Catalpol, an iridiod glucoside isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa, has been reported to possess anti‑inflammatory properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of catalpol on vascular permeability. Using Transwell permeability assays and measurements of trans‑endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), it was demonstrated that 1 mM catalpol induces a significant increase in the permeability of the monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Western blotting and immunofluorescence demonstrated that catalpol inhibits the expression of vascular endothelial (VE)‑cadherin, the key component of adherens junctions, but not occludin, the major constituent of tight junctions. In addition, catalpol inhibits the ETS transcription factor ERG, a positive regulator of VE‑cadherin. Knockdown of ERG expression compromised the catalpol‑induced reduction of TEER in HUVECs. The present study revealed a novel effect of catalpol on vascular permeability and gave insight into the multifaceted roles of catalpol in inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiqing Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Qingfa Liu
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Fengyun Dong
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Liqun Li
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Juan Du
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Qi Xie
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Hesheng Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Suhua Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Xia Zhou
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Changsheng Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | | | - Ju Liu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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43
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Birdsey GM, Shah AV, Dufton N, Reynolds LE, Osuna Almagro L, Yang Y, Aspalter IM, Khan ST, Mason JC, Dejana E, Göttgens B, Hodivala-Dilke K, Gerhardt H, Adams RH, Randi AM. The endothelial transcription factor ERG promotes vascular stability and growth through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Dev Cell 2015; 32:82-96. [PMID: 25584796 PMCID: PMC4292982 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2014.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Blood vessel stability is essential for embryonic development; in the adult, many diseases are associated with loss of vascular integrity. The ETS transcription factor ERG drives expression of VE-cadherin and controls junctional integrity. We show that constitutive endothelial deletion of ERG (Erg(cEC-KO)) in mice causes embryonic lethality with vascular defects. Inducible endothelial deletion of ERG (Erg(iEC-KO)) results in defective physiological and pathological angiogenesis in the postnatal retina and tumors, with decreased vascular stability. ERG controls the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by promoting β-catenin stability, through signals mediated by VE-cadherin and the Wnt receptor Frizzled-4. Wnt signaling is decreased in ERG-deficient endothelial cells; activation of Wnt signaling with lithium chloride, which stabilizes β-catenin levels, corrects vascular defects in Erg(cEC-KO) embryos. Finally, overexpression of ERG in vivo reduces permeability and increases stability of VEGF-induced blood vessels. These data demonstrate that ERG is an essential regulator of angiogenesis and vascular stability through Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme M Birdsey
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Aarti V Shah
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Neil Dufton
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Louise E Reynolds
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute - a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Lourdes Osuna Almagro
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Youwen Yang
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Irene M Aspalter
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, London WC2A 3PX, UK
| | - Samia T Khan
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Justin C Mason
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Elisabetta Dejana
- FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation, IFOM, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute - a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Holger Gerhardt
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, London WC2A 3PX, UK
| | - Ralf H Adams
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Anna M Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.
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Lathen C, Zhang Y, Chow J, Singh M, Lin G, Nigam V, Ashraf YA, Yuan JX, Robbins IM, Thistlethwaite PA. ERG-APLNR axis controls pulmonary venule endothelial proliferation in pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Circulation 2014; 130:1179-91. [PMID: 25062690 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.113.007822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease is caused by excessive cell proliferation and fibrosis, which obliterate the lumen of pulmonary venules, leading to pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, and death. This condition has no effective treatment and a 5-year survival of <5%. Understanding the mechanism of this disease and designing effective therapies are urgently needed. METHODS AND RESULTS We show that mice with homozygous deletion of the Ets transcription factor Erg die between embryonic day 16.5 and 3 months of age as a result of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, capillary hemorrhage, and pancytopenia. We demonstrate that Erg binds to and serves as a transcriptional activator of the G-protein-coupled receptor gene Aplnr, the expression of which is uniquely specific for venous endothelium and that knockout of either Erg or Aplnr results in pulmonary venule-specific endothelial proliferation in vitro. We show that mice with either homozygous-global or endothelium-directed deletion of Aplnr manifest pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and right heart failure, detectable at 8 months of age. Levels of pulmonary ERG and APLNR in patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease undergoing lung transplantation were significantly lower than those of control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that ERG and APLNR are essential for endothelial homeostasis in venules in the lung and that perturbation in ERG-APLNR signaling is crucial for the development of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. We identify this pathway as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of this incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lathen
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Yu Zhang
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Jennifer Chow
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Martanday Singh
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Grace Lin
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Vishal Nigam
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Yasser A Ashraf
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Jason X Yuan
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Ivan M Robbins
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Patricia A Thistlethwaite
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.).
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45
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Haskard DO, Boyle JJ, Evans PC, Mason JC, Randi AM. Cytoprotective signaling and gene expression in endothelial cells and macrophages-lessons for atherosclerosis. Microcirculation 2013; 20:203-16. [PMID: 23121167 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the medium and large arteries driven in large part by the accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoproteins and other debris at sites rendered susceptible because of the geometry of the arterial tree. As lesions develop, they acquire a pathologic microcirculation that perpetuates lesion progression, both by providing a means for further monocyte and T-lymphocyte recruitment into the arterial wall and by the physical and chemical stresses caused by micro-hemorrhage. This review summarizes work performed in our department investigating the roles of signaling pathways, alone and in combination, that lead to specific programs of gene expression in the atherosclerotic environment. Focusing particularly on cytoprotective responses that might be enhanced therapeutically, the work has encompassed the anti-inflammatory effects of arterial laminar shear stress, mechanisms of induction of membrane inhibitors that prevent complement-mediated injury, homeostatic macrophage responses to hemorrhage, and the transcriptional mechanisms that control the stability, survival, and quiescence of endothelial monolayers. Lastly, while the field has been dominated by investigation into the mechanisms of DNA transcription, we consider the importance of parallel post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms for fine-tuning functional gene expression repertoires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorian O Haskard
- Vascular Science Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 ONN, UK.
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46
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Zc3h12c inhibits vascular inflammation by repressing NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory gene expression in endothelial cells. Biochem J 2013; 451:55-60. [PMID: 23360436 DOI: 10.1042/bj20130019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial activation characterized by the expression of multiple chemokines and adhesive molecules is a critical initial step of vascular inflammation, which results in recruitment of leucocytes into the sub-endothelial layer of the vascular wall and triggers vascular inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. Although inhibiting endothelial inflammation has already been well recognized as a therapeutic strategy in vascular inflammatory diseases, the therapeutic targets are still elusive. In the present study we found that Zc3h12c (zinc finger CCCH-type-containing 12C), a recently discovered CCCH zinc finger-containing protein, significantly inhibited the endothelial cell inflammatory response in vitro. Overexpression of Zc3h12c significantly attenuated TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α)-induced expression of chemokines and adhesive molecules, and thus reduced monocyte adherence to HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). Conversely, siRNA (small interfering RNA)-mediated knockdown of Zc3h12c increased the TNFα-induced expression of chemokines and adhesive molecules in HUVECs. Furthermore, forced expression of Zc3h12c decreased TNFα-induced IKKα/β [IκB (inhibitor of nuclear factor κB) kinase α/β], IκBα phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation, suggesting that Zc3h12c exerted its anti-inflammatory function probably by suppressing the NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) pathway. Thus Zc3h12c is an endogenous inhibitor of TNFα-induced inflammatory signalling in HUVECs and might be a therapeutic target in vascular inflammatory diseases.
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47
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Role of RNA splicing in mediating lineage-specific expression of the von Willebrand factor gene in the endothelium. Blood 2013; 121:4404-12. [PMID: 23529929 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-12-473785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that the first intron of the human von Willebrand factor (vWF) is required for gene expression in the endothelium of transgenic mice. Based on this finding, we hypothesized that RNA splicing plays a role in mediating vWF expression in the vasculature. To address this question, we used transient transfection assays in human endothelial cells and megakaryocytes with intron-containing and intronless human vWF promoter-luciferase constructs. Next, we generated knockin mice in which LacZ was targeted to the endogenous mouse vWF locus in the absence or presence of the native first intron or heterologous introns from the human β-globin, mouse Down syndrome critical region 1, or hagfish coagulation factor X genes. In both the in vitro assays and the knockin mice, the loss of the first intron of vWF resulted in a significant reduction of reporter gene expression in endothelial cells but not megakaryocytes. This effect was rescued to varying degrees by the introduction of a heterologous intron. Intron-mediated enhancement of expression was mediated at a posttranscriptional level. Together, these findings implicate a role for intronic splicing in mediating lineage-specific expression of vWF in the endothelium.
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48
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Ginsberg M, James D, Ding BS, Nolan D, Geng F, Butler JM, Schachterle W, Pulijaal VR, Mathew S, Chasen ST, Xiang J, Rosenwaks Z, Shido K, Elemento O, Rabbany SY, Rafii S. Efficient direct reprogramming of mature amniotic cells into endothelial cells by ETS factors and TGFβ suppression. Cell 2012; 151:559-75. [PMID: 23084400 PMCID: PMC3507451 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Revised: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 09/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
ETS transcription factors ETV2, FLI1, and ERG1 specify pluripotent stem cells into induced vascular endothelial cells (iVECs). However, iVECs are unstable and drift toward nonvascular cells. We show that human midgestation c-Kit(-) lineage-committed amniotic cells (ACs) can be reprogrammed into vascular endothelial cells (rAC-VECs) without transitioning through a pluripotent state. Transient ETV2 expression in ACs generates immature rAC-VECs, whereas coexpression with FLI1/ERG1 endows rAC-VECs with a vascular repertoire and morphology matching mature endothelial cells (ECs). Brief TGFβ-inhibition functionalizes VEGFR2 signaling, augmenting specification of ACs into rAC-VECs. Genome-wide transcriptional analyses showed that rAC-VECs are similar to adult ECs in which vascular-specific genes are expressed and nonvascular genes are silenced. Functionally, rAC-VECs form stable vasculature in Matrigel plugs and regenerating livers. Therefore, short-term ETV2 expression and TGFβ inhibition with constitutive ERG1/FLI1 coexpression reprogram mature ACs into durable rAC-VECs with clinical-scale expansion potential. Banking of HLA-typed rAC-VECs establishes a vascular inventory for treatment of diverse disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ginsberg
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
| | - Daylon James
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, New York, New York 10065
| | - Bi-Sen Ding
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
| | - Daniel Nolan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
| | - Fuqiang Geng
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
| | - Jason M Butler
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
| | - William Schachterle
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
| | - Venkat R Pulijaal
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, WCMC, New York, NY 10065
| | - Susan Mathew
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, WCMC, New York, NY 10065
| | - Stephen T Chasen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, WCMC, New York, NY 10065
| | - Jenny Xiang
- Genomics Resources Core Facility, WCMC, New York, NY 10065
| | - Zev Rosenwaks
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, New York, New York 10065
| | - Koji Shido
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
| | - Olivier Elemento
- HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, WCMC, New York, NY, 10065
| | - Sina Y Rabbany
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
- Bioengineering Program, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, 11549
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC), New York, NY, 10065
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49
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Vijayaraj P, Le Bras A, Mitchell N, Kondo M, Juliao S, Wasserman M, Beeler D, Spokes K, Aird WC, Baldwin HS, Oettgen P. Erg is a crucial regulator of endocardial-mesenchymal transformation during cardiac valve morphogenesis. Development 2012; 139:3973-85. [PMID: 22932696 PMCID: PMC3472597 DOI: 10.1242/dev.081596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
During murine embryogenesis, the Ets factor Erg is highly expressed in endothelial cells of the developing vasculature and in articular chondrocytes of developing bone. We identified seven isoforms for the mouse Erg gene. Four share a common translational start site encoded by exon 3 (Ex3) and are enriched in chondrocytes. The other three have a separate translational start site encoded by Ex4 and are enriched in endothelial cells. Homozygous ErgΔEx3/ΔEx3 knockout mice are viable, fertile and do not display any overt phenotype. By contrast, homozygous ErgΔEx4/ΔEx4 knockout mice are embryonic lethal, which is associated with a marked reduction in endocardial-mesenchymal transformation (EnMT) during cardiac valve morphogenesis. We show that Erg is required for the maintenance of the core EnMT regulatory factors that include Snail1 and Snail2 by binding to their promoter and intronic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preethi Vijayaraj
- Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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50
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Guerra E, Trerotola M, Aloisi AL, Tripaldi R, Vacca G, La Sorda R, Lattanzio R, Piantelli M, Alberti S. The Trop-2 signalling network in cancer growth. Oncogene 2012; 32:1594-600. [PMID: 22562244 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Our findings show that upregulation of a wild-type Trop-2 has a key controlling role in human cancer growth, and that tumour development is quantitatively driven by Trop-2 expression levels. However, little is known about the regulation of expression of the TROP2 gene. Hence, we investigated the TROP2 transcription control network. TROP2 expression was shown to depend on a highly interconnected web of transcription factors: TP63/TP53L, ERG, GRHL1/Get-1 (grainyhead-like epithelial transactivator), HNF1A/TCF-1 (T-cell factor), SPI1/PU.1, WT (Wilms' tumour)1, GLIS2, AIRE (autoimmune regulator), FOXM1 (forkhead box M1) and FOXP3, with HNF4A as the major network hub. TROP2 upregulation was shown to subsequently drive the expression and activation of CREB1 (cyclic AMP-responsive-element binding protein), Jun, NF-κB, Rb, STAT1 and STAT3 through induction of the cyclin D1 and ERK (extracellular signal regulated kinase)/MEK (MAPK/ERK kinase) pathways. Growth-stimulatory signalling through NF-κB, cyclin D1 and ERK was shown to require an intact Trop-2 cytoplasmic tail. Network hubs and interacting partners are co-expressed with Trop-2 in primary human tumours, supporting a role of this signalling network in cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Guerra
- Unit of Cancer Pathology, Department of Oncology and Experimental Medicine and CeSI, Foundation University 'G. d'Annunzio', Chieti, Italy
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