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Vasuri F, Germinario G, Ciavarella C, Carroli M, Motta I, Valente S, Cescon M, D’Errico A, Pasquinelli G, Ravaioli M. Trophism and Homeostasis of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Graft Cells during Preservation, with and without Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11091329. [PMID: 36138808 PMCID: PMC9495341 DOI: 10.3390/biology11091329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the homeostasis and trophism of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in vivo in different stages of liver graft donation, in order to understand the effects of graft ischemia and perfusion on LSEC activity in liver grafts. Special attention was paid to grafts that underwent hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE). Forty-seven donors were prospectively enrolled, and two distinct biopsies were performed in each case: one allocation biopsy (at the stage of organ allocation) and one post-perfusion biopsy, performed after graft implant in the recipients. In all biopsies, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analyses were carried out for the endothelial markers CD34, ERG, Nestin, and VEGFR-2. We observed an increase in CD34 immunoreactivity in LSEC during the whole preservation/perfusion period (p < 0.001). Nestin and ERG expression was low in allocation biopsies, but increased in post-perfusion biopsies, in both immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR (p < 0.001). An inverse correlation was observed between ERG positivity and donor age. Our results indicate that LSEC trophism is severely depressed in liver grafts, but it is restored after reperfusion in standard conditions. The execution of HOPE seems to improve this recovery, confirming the effectiveness of this machine perfusion technique in restoring endothelial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Vasuri
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuliana Germinario
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Ciavarella
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Carroli
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilenia Motta
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia D’Errico
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Ravaioli
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-214-4810
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2
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Moonen JR, Chappell J, Shi M, Shinohara T, Li D, Mumbach MR, Zhang F, Nair RV, Nasser J, Mai DH, Taylor S, Wang L, Metzger RJ, Chang HY, Engreitz JM, Snyder MP, Rabinovitch M. KLF4 recruits SWI/SNF to increase chromatin accessibility and reprogram the endothelial enhancer landscape under laminar shear stress. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4941. [PMID: 35999210 PMCID: PMC9399231 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32566-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiologic laminar shear stress (LSS) induces an endothelial gene expression profile that is vasculo-protective. In this report, we delineate how LSS mediates changes in the epigenetic landscape to promote this beneficial response. We show that under LSS, KLF4 interacts with the SWI/SNF nucleosome remodeling complex to increase accessibility at enhancer sites that promote the expression of homeostatic endothelial genes. By combining molecular and computational approaches we discover enhancers that loop to promoters of KLF4- and LSS-responsive genes that stabilize endothelial cells and suppress inflammation, such as BMPR2, SMAD5, and DUSP5. By linking enhancers to genes that they regulate under physiologic LSS, our work establishes a foundation for interpreting how non-coding DNA variants in these regions might disrupt protective gene expression to influence vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Renier Moonen
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- BASE Initiative, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - James Chappell
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Minyi Shi
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Tsutomu Shinohara
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- BASE Initiative, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Dan Li
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Maxwell R Mumbach
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Fan Zhang
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Ramesh V Nair
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Joseph Nasser
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Daniel H Mai
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Shalina Taylor
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Lingli Wang
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- BASE Initiative, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Ross J Metzger
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jesse M Engreitz
- BASE Initiative, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Michael P Snyder
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Marlene Rabinovitch
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- BASE Initiative, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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3
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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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4
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Kennedy CC, Brown EE, Abutaleb NO, Truskey GA. Development and Application of Endothelial Cells Derived From Pluripotent Stem Cells in Microphysiological Systems Models. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:625016. [PMID: 33659279 PMCID: PMC7917070 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.625016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular endothelium is present in all organs and blood vessels, facilitates the exchange of nutrients and waste throughout different organ systems in the body, and sets the tone for healthy vessel function. Mechanosensitive in nature, the endothelium responds to the magnitude and temporal waveform of shear stress in the vessels. Endothelial dysfunction can lead to atherosclerosis and other diseases. Modeling endothelial function and dysfunction in organ systems in vitro, such as the blood–brain barrier and tissue-engineered blood vessels, requires sourcing endothelial cells (ECs) for these biomedical engineering applications. It can be difficult to source primary, easily renewable ECs that possess the function or dysfunction in question. In contrast, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be sourced from donors of interest and renewed almost indefinitely. In this review, we highlight how knowledge of vascular EC development in vivo is used to differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into ECs. We then describe how iPSC-derived ECs are being used currently in in vitro models of organ function and disease and in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal C Kennedy
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Erin E Brown
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nadia O Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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5
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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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6
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Abstract
Vascularization is a major hurdle in complex tissue and organ engineering. Tissues greater than 200 μm in diameter cannot rely on simple diffusion to obtain nutrients and remove waste. Therefore, an integrated vascular network is required for clinical translation of engineered tissues. Microvessels have been described as <150 μm in diameter, but clinically they are defined as <1 mm. With new advances in super microsurgery, vessels less than 1 mm can be anastomosed to the recipient circulation. However, this technical advancement still relies on the creation of a stable engineered microcirculation that is amenable to surgical manipulation and is readily perfusable. Microvascular engineering lays on the crossroads of microfabrication, microfluidics, and tissue engineering strategies that utilize various cellular constituents. Early research focused on vascularization by co-culture and cellular interactions, with the addition of angiogenic growth factors to promote vascular growth. Since then, multiple strategies have been utilized taking advantage of innovations in additive manufacturing, biomaterials, and cell biology. However, the anatomy and dynamics of native blood vessels has not been consistently replicated. Inconsistent results can be partially attributed to cell sourcing which remains an enigma for microvascular engineering. Variations of endothelial cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and stem cells have all been used for microvascular network fabrication along with various mural cells. As each source offers advantages and disadvantages, there continues to be a lack of consensus. Furthermore, discord may be attributed to incomplete understanding about cell isolation and characterization without considering the microvascular architecture of the desired tissue/organ.
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7
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Breschi A, Muñoz-Aguirre M, Wucher V, Davis CA, Garrido-Martín D, Djebali S, Gillis J, Pervouchine DD, Vlasova A, Dobin A, Zaleski C, Drenkow J, Danyko C, Scavelli A, Reverter F, Snyder MP, Gingeras TR, Guigó R. A limited set of transcriptional programs define major cell types. Genome Res 2020; 30:1047-1059. [PMID: 32759341 PMCID: PMC7397875 DOI: 10.1101/gr.263186.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We have produced RNA sequencing data for 53 primary cells from different locations in the human body. The clustering of these primary cells reveals that most cells in the human body share a few broad transcriptional programs, which define five major cell types: epithelial, endothelial, mesenchymal, neural, and blood cells. These act as basic components of many tissues and organs. Based on gene expression, these cell types redefine the basic histological types by which tissues have been traditionally classified. We identified genes whose expression is specific to these cell types, and from these genes, we estimated the contribution of the major cell types to the composition of human tissues. We found this cellular composition to be a characteristic signature of tissues and to reflect tissue morphological heterogeneity and histology. We identified changes in cellular composition in different tissues associated with age and sex, and found that departures from the normal cellular composition correlate with histological phenotypes associated with disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Breschi
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Manuel Muñoz-Aguirre
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Departament d'Estadística i Investigació Operativa, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Valentin Wucher
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Carrie A Davis
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11742, USA
| | - Diego Garrido-Martín
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sarah Djebali
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut National de Recherche en Santé Digestive (IRSD), Université de Toulouse, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Université Paul Sabatier (UPS), 31024 Toulouse, France
| | - Jesse Gillis
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Dmitri D Pervouchine
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Skolkovo Institute for Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia 143025
| | - Anna Vlasova
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Dobin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11742, USA
| | - Chris Zaleski
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11742, USA
| | - Jorg Drenkow
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11742, USA
| | - Cassidy Danyko
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11742, USA
| | | | - Ferran Reverter
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Michael P Snyder
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Thomas R Gingeras
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11742, USA
| | - Roderic Guigó
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), E-08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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8
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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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9
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Zhang S, Wang L, Cheng L. Aberrant ERG expression associates with downregulation of miR-4638-5p and selected genomic alterations in a subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:1846-1854. [PMID: 31237044 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23074] [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: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
ERG (avian v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog), an oncoprotein in prostate carcinoma and Ewing's sarcoma is associated with poor prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and T lymphoblastic leukemia. However little is known about ERG in lymphoma. Here we studied ERG in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), genome-wide microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling, real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and whole exome sequencing (WES). Approximately 30% of de novo DLBCLs (37 of 118) expressed ERG (ERG+). ERG expression showed no significant correlation with DLBCL cell-of-origin classification, patient's age, sex, nodal, or extranodal disease status, tumor expression of p53 or p63. There was no ERG rearrangement in 10 randomly selected ERG+ DLBCLs by FISH. Forty-three miRNAs showed significant differential expression between ERG+ and ERG- DLBCLs. Downregulation of miR-4638-5p was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. WES not only confirmed known gene mutations in DLBCLs but also revealed multiple novel gene mutations in POLA1, E2F1, PSMD8, AXIN1, GAB2, and GNB2L1, which occur more frequently in ERG+ DLBCLs. In conclusion, our studies demonstrated aberrant ERG expression in a subset of DLBCL, which is associated with downregulation of miR-4638-5p. In comparison with ERG-negative DLBCL, ERG+ DLBCL more likely harbors mutations in genes important in cell cycle control, B-cell receptor-mediated signaling and degradation of β-catenin. Further clinicopathological correlation and functional studies of ERG-related miRNAs and pathways may provide new insight into the pathogenesis of DLBCL and reveal novel targets for better management of patients with DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanxiang Zhang
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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10
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Gu W, Ni Z, Tan YQ, Deng J, Zhang SJ, Lv ZC, Wang XJ, Chen T, Zhang Z, Hu Y, Jing ZC, Xu Q. Adventitial Cell Atlas of wt (Wild Type) and ApoE (Apolipoprotein E)-Deficient Mice Defined by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 39:1055-1071. [PMID: 30943771 PMCID: PMC6553510 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.119.312399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective- Vascular adventitia encompasses progenitors and is getting recognized as the major site of inflammation in early stage of atherosclerosis. However, the cellular atlas of the heterogeneous adventitial cells, the intercellular communication, the cellular response of adventitia to hyperlipidemia, and its contribution to atherosclerosis have been elusive. Approach and Results- Single-cell RNA sequencing was applied to wt (wild type) and ApoE (apolipoprotein E)-deficient aortic adventitia from 12-week-old C57BL/6J mice fed on normal laboratory diet with early stage of atherosclerosis. Unbiased clustering analysis revealed that the landscape of adventitial cells encompassed adventitial mesenchyme cells, immune cells (macrophages, T cells, and B cells), and some types of rare cells, for example, neuron, lymphatic endothelial cells, and innate lymphoid cells. Seurat clustering analysis singled out 6 nonimmune clusters with distinct transcriptomic profiles, in which there predominantly were stem/progenitor cell-like and proinflammatory population (Mesen II). In ApoE-deficient adventitia, resident macrophages were activated and related to increased myeloid cell infiltration in the adventitia. Cell communication analysis further elucidated enhanced interaction between a mesenchyme cluster and inflammatory macrophages in ApoE-deficient adventitia. In vitro transwell assay confirmed the proinflammatory role of SCA1+ (stem cell antigen 1 positive) Mesen II population with increased CCL2 (chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 2) secretion and thus increased capacity to attract immune cells in ApoE-deficient adventitia. Conclusions- Cell atlas defined by single-cell RNA sequencing depicted the heterogeneous cellular landscape of the adventitia and uncovered several types of cell populations. Furthermore, resident cell interaction with immune cells appears crucial at the early stage of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenduo Gu
- From the School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre, United Kingdom (W.G., Z.N., J.D., Z.Z., Y.H., Q.X.)
| | - Zhichao Ni
- From the School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre, United Kingdom (W.G., Z.N., J.D., Z.Z., Y.H., Q.X.)
| | - Yuan-Qing Tan
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (Y.-Q.T., S.-J.Z., Z.-C.L., X.-J.W., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Jiacheng Deng
- From the School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre, United Kingdom (W.G., Z.N., J.D., Z.Z., Y.H., Q.X.)
| | - Si-Jin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (Y.-Q.T., S.-J.Z., Z.-C.L., X.-J.W., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Zi-Chao Lv
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (Y.-Q.T., S.-J.Z., Z.-C.L., X.-J.W., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Xiao-Jian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (Y.-Q.T., S.-J.Z., Z.-C.L., X.-J.W., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, China (T.C., Q.X.)
| | - Zhongyi Zhang
- From the School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre, United Kingdom (W.G., Z.N., J.D., Z.Z., Y.H., Q.X.)
| | - Yanhua Hu
- From the School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre, United Kingdom (W.G., Z.N., J.D., Z.Z., Y.H., Q.X.)
| | - Zhi-Cheng Jing
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (Y.-Q.T., S.-J.Z., Z.-C.L., X.-J.W., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Qingbo Xu
- From the School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre, United Kingdom (W.G., Z.N., J.D., Z.Z., Y.H., Q.X.)
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, China (T.C., Q.X.)
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11
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Nicholas TR, Strittmatter BG, Hollenhorst PC. Oncogenic ETS Factors in Prostate Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1210:409-436. [PMID: 31900919 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-32656-2_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is unique among carcinomas in that a fusion gene created by a chromosomal rearrangement is a common driver of the disease. The TMPRSS2/ERG rearrangement drives aberrant expression of the ETS family transcription factor ERG in 50% of prostate tumors. Similar rearrangements promote aberrant expression of the ETS family transcription factors ETV1 and ETV4 in another 10% of cases. Together, these three ETS factors are thought to promote tumorigenesis in the majority of prostate cancers. A goal of precision medicine is to be able to apply targeted therapeutics that are specific to disease subtypes. ETS gene rearrangement positive tumors represent the largest molecular subtype of prostate cancer, but to date there is no treatment specific to this marker. In this chapter we will review the latest findings regarding the molecular mechanisms of ETS factor function in the prostate. These molecular details may provide a path towards new therapeutic targets for this subtype of prostate cancer. Further, we will describe efforts to target the oncogenic functions of ETS family transcription factors directly as well as indirectly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brady G Strittmatter
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Peter C Hollenhorst
- Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN, USA.
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12
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Durán JGB, Lis R, Lu TM, Rafii S. In vitro conversion of adult murine endothelial cells to hematopoietic stem cells. Nat Protoc 2018; 13:2758-2780. [PMID: 30429596 PMCID: PMC9923715 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-018-0060-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The ability to generate hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in vitro would have an immeasurable impact on many areas of clinical practice, including trauma, cancer, and congenital disease. In this protocol, we describe a stepwise approach that converts adult murine endothelial cells (ECs) to HSCs, termed 'reprogrammed ECs into hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells' (rEC-HSPCs). The conversion, which is achieved without cells transitioning through a pluripotent state, comprises three phases: induction, specification, and expansion. Adult ECs are first isolated from Runx1-IRES-GFP; Rosa26-rtTa mice and maintained in culture under EC growth factor stimulation and Tgfβ inhibition. In the first (induction) phase of conversion (days 0-8), four transcription factors (TFs)-FosB, Gfi1, Runx1, and Spi1 (FGRS)-are expressed transiently, which results in endogenous Runx1 expression. During the second (specification) phase (days 8-20), endogenous Runx1+ FGRS-transduced ECs commit to a hematopoietic fate and no longer require exogenous FGRS expression. Finally, the vascular niche drives robust proliferation of rEC-HSPCs during the expansion phase (days 20-28). The resulting converted cells possess a transcriptomic signature and long-term self-renewal capacity indistinguishable from those of adult HSCs. In this protocol, we also describe functional in vitro and in vivo assays that can be used to demonstrate that rEC-HSPCs are competent for clonal engraftment and possess multi-lineage reconstitution potential, including antigen-dependent adaptive immune function. This approach thus provides a tractable strategy for interrogating the generation of engraftable hematopoietic cells, advancing the mechanistic understanding of hematopoietic development and HSC self-renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Gabriel Barcia Durán
- Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Raphaël Lis
- Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), New York, NY, USA. .,Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), New York, NY, USA.
| | - Tyler M. Lu
- Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), New York, NY 10065, USA,Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), New York, NY, USA.
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13
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Sabbagh MF, Heng JS, Luo C, Castanon RG, Nery JR, Rattner A, Goff LA, Ecker JR, Nathans J. Transcriptional and epigenomic landscapes of CNS and non-CNS vascular endothelial cells. eLife 2018; 7:36187. [PMID: 30188322 PMCID: PMC6126923 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cell (EC) function depends on appropriate organ-specific molecular and cellular specializations. To explore genomic mechanisms that control this specialization, we have analyzed and compared the transcriptome, accessible chromatin, and DNA methylome landscapes from mouse brain, liver, lung, and kidney ECs. Analysis of transcription factor (TF) gene expression and TF motifs at candidate cis-regulatory elements reveals both shared and organ-specific EC regulatory networks. In the embryo, only those ECs that are adjacent to or within the central nervous system (CNS) exhibit canonical Wnt signaling, which correlates precisely with blood-brain barrier (BBB) differentiation and Zic3 expression. In the early postnatal brain, single-cell RNA-seq of purified ECs reveals (1) close relationships between veins and mitotic cells and between arteries and tip cells, (2) a division of capillary ECs into vein-like and artery-like classes, and (3) new endothelial subtype markers, including new validated tip cell markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark F Sabbagh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Jacob S Heng
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Chongyuan Luo
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, United States
| | - Rosa G Castanon
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, United States
| | - Joseph R Nery
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, United States
| | - Amir Rattner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Loyal A Goff
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Joseph R Ecker
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, United States
| | - Jeremy Nathans
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
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14
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Bauer AK, Umer M, Richardson VL, Cumpian AM, Harder AQ, Khosravi N, Azzegagh Z, Hara NM, Ehre C, Mohebnasab M, Caetano MS, Merrick DT, van Bokhoven A, Wistuba II, Kadara H, Dickey BF, Velmurugan K, Mann PR, Lu X, Barón AE, Evans CM, Moghaddam SJ. Requirement for MUC5AC in KRAS-dependent lung carcinogenesis. JCI Insight 2018; 3:120941. [PMID: 30089720 PMCID: PMC6129115 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.120941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With more than 150,000 deaths per year in the US alone, lung cancer has the highest number of deaths for any cancer. These poor outcomes reflect a lack of treatment for the most common form of lung cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) is the most prevalent subtype of NSCLC, with the main oncogenic drivers being KRAS and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Whereas EGFR blockade has led to some success in lung ADC, effective KRAS inhibition is lacking. KRAS-mutant ADCs are characterized by high levels of gel-forming mucin expression, with the highest mucin levels corresponding to worse prognoses. Despite these well-recognized associations, little is known about roles for individual gel-forming mucins in ADC development causatively. We hypothesized that MUC5AC/Muc5ac, a mucin gene known to be commonly expressed in NSCLC, is crucial in KRAS/Kras-driven lung ADC. We found that MUC5AC was a significant determinant of poor prognosis, especially in patients with KRAS-mutant tumors. In addition, by using mice with lung ADC induced chemically with urethane or transgenically by mutant-Kras expression, we observed significantly reduced tumor development in animals lacking Muc5ac compared with controls. Collectively, these results provide strong support for MUC5AC as a potential therapeutic target for lung ADC, a disease with few effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison K. Bauer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Misha Umer
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vanessa L. Richardson
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Amber M. Cumpian
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anna Q. Harder
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nasim Khosravi
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zoulikha Azzegagh
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Naoko M. Hara
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Camille Ehre
- Marsico Lung Institute/CF Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maedeh Mohebnasab
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mauricio S. Caetano
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel T. Merrick
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Ignacio I. Wistuba
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Humam Kadara
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Burton F. Dickey
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kalpana Velmurugan
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Patrick R. Mann
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Xian Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anna E. Barón
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christopher M. Evans
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Seyed Javad Moghaddam
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
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15
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Li D, Chen Y, Mei H, Jiao W, Song H, Ye L, Fang E, Wang X, Yang F, Huang K, Zheng L, Tong Q. Ets-1 promoter-associated noncoding RNA regulates the NONO/ERG/Ets-1 axis to drive gastric cancer progression. Oncogene 2018; 37:4871-4886. [PMID: 29773901 PMCID: PMC6117270 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0302-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Emerging studies have indicated the essential functions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) during cancer progression. However, whether lncRNAs contribute to the upregulation of v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog 1 (Ets-1), an established oncogenic protein facilitating tumor invasion and metastasis, in gastric cancer remains elusive. Herein, we identified Ets-1 promoter-associated noncoding RNA (pancEts-1) as a novel lncRNA associated with the gastric cancer progression via mining of publicly available datasets and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, in vitro binding, and RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated the binding of pancEts-1 to non-POU domain containing octamer binding (NONO) protein. Mechanistically, pancEts-1 facilitated the physical interaction between NONO and Ets related gene (ERG), resulting in increased ERG transactivation and transcription of Ets-1 associated with gastric cancer progression. In addition, pancEts-1 facilitated the growth and aggressiveness of gastric cancer cells via interacting with NONO. In gastric cancer tissues, pancEts-1, NONO, and ERG were upregulated and significantly correlated with Ets-1 levels. High levels of pancEts-1, NONO, ERG, or Ets-1 were respectively associated with poor survival of gastric cancer patients, whereas simultaneous expression of all of them (HR = 3.012, P = 0.105) was not an independent prognostic factor for predicting clinical outcome. Overall, these results demonstrate that lncRNA pancEts-1 exhibits oncogenic properties that drive the progression of gastric cancer via regulating the NONO/ERG/Ets-1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yajun Chen
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hong Mei
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wanju Jiao
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Huajie Song
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lin Ye
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Erhu Fang
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Liduan Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. .,Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Qiangsong Tong
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. .,Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, 430022, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
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16
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Fang JF, Yuan HN, Song YF, Sun PB, Zheng XL, Wang XJ. E-26 Transformation-specific Related Gene Expression and Outcomes in Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Meta-analysis. Chin Med J (Engl) 2018; 130:1481-1490. [PMID: 28584213 PMCID: PMC5463480 DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.207474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The E-26 transformation-specific related gene (ERG) is frequently expressed in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML). Herein, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between the prognostic significance of ERG expression and CN-AML. Methods: A systematic review of PubMed database and other search engines were used to identify the studies between January 2005 and November 2016. A total of 667 CN-AML patients were collected from seven published studies. Of the 667 patients underwent intensive chemotherapy, 429 had low expression of ERG and 238 had high expression of ERG. Summary odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the ERG expression and CN-AML were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using Chi-squared-based Q-statistic test and I2 statistics. All statistical analyses were performed using R.3.3.1 software packages (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) and RevMan5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). Results: Overall, patients with high ERG expression had a worse relapse (OR = 2.5127, 95% CI: 1.5177–4.1601, P = 0.0003) and lower complete remission (OR = 0. 3495, 95% CI: 0.2418–0.5051, P < 0.0001). With regard to the known molecular markers, both internal tandem duplications of the fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 gene (OR = 3.8634, 95% CI: 1.8285–8.1626, P = 0.004) and brain and acute leukemia, cytoplasmic (OR = 3.1538, 95% CI: 2.0537–4.8432, P < 0.0001) were associated with the ERG expression. In addition, the results showed a statistical significance between French-American-British (FAB) classification subtype (minimally differentiated AML and AML without maturation, OR = 4.7902, 95% CI: 2.7772–8.2624, P < 0.0001; acute monocytic leukemia, OR = 0.2324, 95% CI: 0.0899–0.6006, P = 0.0026) and ERG expression. Conclusion: High ERG expression might be used as a strong adverse prognostic factor in CN-AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Fei Fang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013; Institute of Lung Cancer, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Hai-Ning Yuan
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Yong-Fei Song
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Pei-Bei Sun
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Xiao-Liang Zheng
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Xiao-Ju Wang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013; Institute of Lung Cancer, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
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17
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Bergiers I, Andrews T, Vargel Bölükbaşı Ö, Buness A, Janosz E, Lopez-Anguita N, Ganter K, Kosim K, Celen C, Itır Perçin G, Collier P, Baying B, Benes V, Hemberg M, Lancrin C. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals a new dynamical function of transcription factors during embryonic hematopoiesis. eLife 2018; 7:29312. [PMID: 29555020 PMCID: PMC5860872 DOI: 10.7554/elife.29312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics techniques have opened the door to the study of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) at the single-cell level. Here, we studied the GRNs controlling the emergence of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from mouse embryonic endothelium using a combination of single-cell transcriptome assays. We found that a heptad of transcription factors (Runx1, Gata2, Tal1, Fli1, Lyl1, Erg and Lmo2) is specifically co-expressed in an intermediate population expressing both endothelial and hematopoietic markers. Within the heptad, we identified two sets of factors of opposing functions: one (Erg/Fli1) promoting the endothelial cell fate, the other (Runx1/Gata2) promoting the hematopoietic fate. Surprisingly, our data suggest that even though Fli1 initially supports the endothelial cell fate, it acquires a pro-hematopoietic role when co-expressed with Runx1. This work demonstrates the power of single-cell RNA-sequencing for characterizing complex transcription factor dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Bergiers
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Rome, Monterotondo, Italy
| | | | | | - Andreas Buness
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Rome, Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Ewa Janosz
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Rome, Monterotondo, Italy
| | | | - Kerstin Ganter
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Rome, Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Kinga Kosim
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Rome, Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Cemre Celen
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Rome, Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Gülce Itır Perçin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Rome, Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Paul Collier
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bianka Baying
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vladimir Benes
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Hemberg
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
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18
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Anterior Pituitary Transcriptome Suggests Differences in ACTH Release in Tame and Aggressive Foxes. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2018; 8:859-873. [PMID: 29378821 PMCID: PMC5844307 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.300508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Domesticated species exhibit a suite of behavioral, endocrinological, and morphological changes referred to as "domestication syndrome." These changes may include a reduction in reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and specifically reduced adrenocorticotropic hormone release from the anterior pituitary. To investigate the biological mechanisms targeted during domestication, we investigated gene expression in the pituitaries of experimentally domesticated foxes (Vulpes vulpes). RNA was sequenced from the anterior pituitary of six foxes selectively bred for tameness ("tame foxes") and six foxes selectively bred for aggression ("aggressive foxes"). Expression, splicing, and network differences identified between the two lines indicated the importance of genes related to regulation of exocytosis, specifically mediated by cAMP, organization of pseudopodia, and cell motility. These findings provide new insights into biological mechanisms that may have been targeted when these lines of foxes were selected for behavior and suggest new directions for research into HPA axis regulation and the biological underpinnings of domestication.
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19
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Angelos MG, Abrahante JE, Blum RH, Kaufman DS. Single Cell Resolution of Human Hematoendothelial Cells Defines Transcriptional Signatures of Hemogenic Endothelium. Stem Cells 2017; 36:206-217. [PMID: 29139170 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) is an important stage in definitive hematopoietic development. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying human EHT remain poorly characterized. We performed single cell RNA-seq using 55 hemogenic endothelial cells (HECs: CD31+ CD144+ CD41- CD43- CD45- CD73- RUNX1c+ ), 47 vascular endothelial cells without hematopoietic potential (non-HE: CD31+ CD144+ CD41- CD43- CD45- CD73- RUNX1c- ), and 35 hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs: CD34+ CD43+ RUNX1c+ ) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). HE and HP were enriched in genes implicated in hemogenic endothelial transcriptional networks, such as ERG, GATA2, and FLI. We found transcriptional overlap between individual HECs and HPCs; however, these populations were distinct from non-HE. Further analysis revealed novel biomarkers for human HEC/HPCs, including TIMP3, ESAM, RHOJ, and DLL4. Collectively, we demonstrate that hESC-derived HE and HP share a common developmental pathway, while non-HE are more heterogeneous and transcriptionally distinct. Our findings provide a novel strategy to test new genetic targets and optimize the production of definitive hematopoietic cells from human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells 2018;36:206-217.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew G Angelos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Juan E Abrahante
- University of Minnesota Informatics Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Robert H Blum
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Dan S Kaufman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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20
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Wang X, Qiao Y, Asangani IA, Ateeq B, Poliakov A, Cieślik M, Pitchiaya S, Chakravarthi BVSK, Cao X, Jing X, Wang CX, Apel IJ, Wang R, Tien JCY, Juckette KM, Yan W, Jiang H, Wang S, Varambally S, Chinnaiyan AM. Development of Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of the ERG Gene Fusion Product in Prostate Cancer. Cancer Cell 2017; 31:532-548.e7. [PMID: 28344039 PMCID: PMC5443258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2017.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors play a key role in the development of diverse cancers, and therapeutically targeting them has remained a challenge. In prostate cancer, the gene encoding the transcription factor ERG is recurrently rearranged and plays a critical role in prostate oncogenesis. Here, we identified a series of peptides that interact specifically with the DNA binding domain of ERG. ERG inhibitory peptides (EIPs) and derived peptidomimetics bound ERG with high affinity and specificity, leading to proteolytic degradation of the ERG protein. The EIPs attenuated ERG-mediated transcription, chromatin recruitment, protein-protein interactions, cell invasion and proliferation, and tumor growth. Thus, peptidomimetic targeting of transcription factor fusion products may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer as well as other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoju Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Qiao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Irfan A Asangani
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Bushra Ateeq
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, UP, India
| | - Anton Poliakov
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marcin Cieślik
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sethuramasundaram Pitchiaya
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Balabhadrapatruni V S K Chakravarthi
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Xuhong Cao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Xiaojun Jing
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Cynthia X Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ingrid J Apel
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rui Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jean Ching-Yi Tien
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kristin M Juckette
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sooryanarayana Varambally
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Arul M Chinnaiyan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, 1400 East Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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21
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Niderla-Bielińska J, Ciszek B, Jankowska-Steifer E, Flaht-Zabost A, Gula G, Radomska-Leśniewska DM, Ratajska A. Mouse Proepicardium Exhibits a Sprouting Response to Exogenous Proangiogenic Growth Factors in vitro. J Vasc Res 2016; 53:83-93. [DOI: 10.1159/000448685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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22
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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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23
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Huang Y, Thoms JAI, Tursky ML, Knezevic K, Beck D, Chandrakanthan V, Suryani S, Olivier J, Boulton A, Glaros EN, Thomas SR, Lock RB, MacKenzie KL, Bushweller JH, Wong JWH, Pimanda JE. MAPK/ERK2 phosphorylates ERG at serine 283 in leukemic cells and promotes stem cell signatures and cell proliferation. Leukemia 2016; 30:1552-61. [PMID: 27055868 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant ERG (v-ets avian erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog) expression drives leukemic transformation in mice and high expression is associated with poor patient outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Protein phosphorylation regulates the activity of many ETS factors but little is known about ERG in leukemic cells. To characterize ERG phosphorylation in leukemic cells, we applied liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry and identified five phosphorylated serines on endogenous ERG in T-ALL and AML cells. S283 was distinct as it was abundantly phosphorylated in leukemic cells but not in healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Overexpression of a phosphoactive mutant (S283D) increased expansion and clonogenicity of primary HSPCs over and above wild-type ERG. Using a custom antibody, we screened a panel of primary leukemic xenografts and showed that ERG S283 phosphorylation was mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling and in turn regulated expression of components of this pathway. S283 phosphorylation facilitates ERG enrichment and transactivation at the ERG +85 HSPC enhancer that is active in AML and T-ALL with poor prognosis. Taken together, we have identified a specific post-translational modification in leukemic cells that promotes progenitor proliferation and is a potential target to modulate ERG-driven transcriptional programs in leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Huang
- Adult Cancer Program, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - J A I Thoms
- Adult Cancer Program, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - M L Tursky
- Adult Cancer Program, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - K Knezevic
- Adult Cancer Program, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - D Beck
- Adult Cancer Program, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - V Chandrakanthan
- Adult Cancer Program, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - S Suryani
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - J Olivier
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - A Boulton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - E N Glaros
- School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - S R Thomas
- School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - R B Lock
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - K L MacKenzie
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - J H Bushweller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - J W H Wong
- Adult Cancer Program, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - J E Pimanda
- Adult Cancer Program, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Hematology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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24
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Sumanas S, Choi K. ETS Transcription Factor ETV2/ER71/Etsrp in Hematopoietic and Vascular Development. Curr Top Dev Biol 2016; 118:77-111. [PMID: 27137655 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Effective establishment of the hematopoietic and vascular systems is prerequisite for successful embryogenesis. The ETS transcription factor Etv2 has proven to be essential for hematopoietic and vascular development. Etv2 expression marks the onset of the hematopoietic and vascular development and its deficiency leads to an absolute block in hematopoietic and vascular development. Etv2 is transiently expressed during development and is mainly expressed in testis in adults. Consistent with its expression pattern, Etv2 is transiently required for the generation of the optimal levels of the hemangiogenic cell population. Deletion of this gene after the hemangiogenic progenitor formation leads to normal hematopoietic and vascular development. Mechanistically, ETV2 induces the hemangiogenic program by activating blood and endothelial cell lineage specifying genes and enhancing VEGF signaling. Moreover, ETV2 establishes an ETS hierarchy by directly activating other Ets genes, which in the face of transient Etv2 expression, presumably maintain blood and endothelial cell program initiated by ETV2 through an ETS switching mechanism. Current studies suggest that the hemangiogenic progenitor population is exclusively sensitive to ETV2-dependent FLK1 signaling. Any perturbation in the ETV2, VEGF, and FLK1 balance causing insufficient hemangiogenic progenitor cell generation would lead to defects in hematopoietic and endothelial cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sumanas
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - K Choi
- Washington University, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.
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25
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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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26
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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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27
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Ginsberg M, Schachterle W, Shido K, Rafii S. Direct conversion of human amniotic cells into endothelial cells without transitioning through a pluripotent state. Nat Protoc 2015; 10:1975-85. [PMID: 26540589 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2015.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) have essential roles in organ development and regeneration, and therefore they could be used for regenerative therapies. However, generation of abundant functional endothelium from pluripotent stem cells has been difficult because ECs generated by many existing strategies have limited proliferative potential and display vascular instability. The latter difficulty is of particular importance because cells that lose their identity over time could be unsuitable for therapeutic use. Here, we describe a 3-week platform for directly converting human mid-gestation lineage-committed amniotic fluid-derived cells (ACs) into a stable and expandable population of vascular ECs (rAC-VECs) without using pluripotency factors. By transient expression of the ETS transcription factor ETV2 for 2 weeks and constitutive expression the ETS transcription factors FLI1 and ERG1, concomitant with TGF-β inhibition for 3 weeks, epithelial and mesenchymal ACs are converted, with high efficiency, into functional rAC-VECs. These rAC-VECs maintain their vascular repertoire and morphology over numerous passages in vitro, and they form functional vessels when implanted in vivo. rAC-VECs can be detected in recipient mice months after implantation. Thus, rAC-VECs can be used to establish a cellular platform to uncover the molecular determinants of vascular development and heterogeneity and potentially represent ideal ECs for the treatment of regenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William Schachterle
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Koji Shido
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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The oncogene ERG: a key factor in prostate cancer. Oncogene 2015; 35:403-14. [PMID: 25915839 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
ETS-related gene (ERG) is a member of the E-26 transformation-specific (ETS) family of transcription factors with roles in development that include vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, haematopoiesis and bone development. ERG's oncogenic potential is well known because of its involvement in Ewing's sarcoma and leukaemia. However, in the past decade ERG has become highly associated with prostate cancer development, particularly as a result of a gene fusion with the promoter region of the androgen-induced TMPRRSS2 gene. We review ERG's structure and function, and its role in prostate cancer. We discuss potential new therapies that are based on targeting ERG.
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Lin G, Doyle LA. An update on the application of newly described immunohistochemical markers in soft tissue pathology. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2015; 139:106-21. [PMID: 25549147 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2014-0488-ra] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT During the last 5 to 10 years, significant progress has been made in the molecular characterization of soft tissue tumors, predominantly with the identification of recurrent translocations or amplification of certain genes in different tumor types. Alongside this, translational efforts have identified many novel and diagnostically useful immunohistochemical markers for many of these tumor types. OBJECTIVE This article reviews a select group of recently described immunohistochemical markers of particular use in the evaluation of mesenchymal neoplasms; the underlying biology of the protein product, practical utility, and limitations of each marker are discussed in detail. DATA SOURCES Literature review, authors' research data, and personal practice experience serve as sources. CONCLUSIONS There are many diagnostically useful immunohistochemical markers to help confirm the diagnosis of many different soft tissue tumor types, some of which have reduced the need for additional, and more costly, studies, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization. However, no one marker is 100% specific for a given tumor, and knowledge of potential pitfalls and overlap in patterns of staining among other tumor types is crucial to ensure the appropriate application of these markers in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Lin
- From the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania (Dr Lin); and the Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Doyle)
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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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31
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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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The ets transcription factor Fli-1 in development, cancer and disease. Oncogene 2014; 34:2022-31. [PMID: 24909161 PMCID: PMC5028196 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 05/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Friend Leukemia Virus Induced erythroleukemia-1 (Fli-1), an ETS transcription factor, was isolated a quarter century ago through a retrovirus mutagenesis screen. Fli-1 has since been recognized to play critical roles in normal development and homeostasis. For example, it transcriptionally regulates genes that drive normal hematopoiesis and vasculogenesis. Indeed, Fli-1 is one of 10 key regulators of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell maintenance and differentiation. Aberrant expression of Fli-1 also underlies a number of virally induced leukemias, including Friend virus-induced erythroleukemia and various types of human cancers, and it is the target of chromosomal translocations in childhood Ewing’s sarcoma. Abnormal expression of Fli-1 is important in the aetiology of auto-immune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). These studies establish Fli-1 as a strong candidate for drug development. Despite difficulties in targeting transcription factors, recent studies identified small molecule inhibitors for Fli-1. Here we review past and ongoing research on Fli-1 with emphasis on its mechanistic function in autoimmune disease and malignant transformation. The significance of identifying Fli-1 inhibitors and their clinical applications for treatment of disease and cancer with deregulated Fli-1 expression are discussed.
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Kissick HT, Sanda MG, Dunn LK, Arredouani MS. Development of a peptide-based vaccine targeting TMPRSS2:ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2013; 62:1831-40. [PMID: 24149465 PMCID: PMC3864132 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-013-1482-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Identification of novel vaccine targets is critical for the design and advancement of prostate cancer (PCa) immunotherapy. Ideal targets are proteins that are abundant in prostate tumors while absent in extra-prostatic tissues. The fusion of the androgen-regulated TMPRSS2 gene with the ETS transcription factor ERG occurs in approximately 50 % of prostate cancer cases and results in aberrant ERG expression. Because expression of ERG is very low in peripheral tissue, we evaluated the suitability of this protein as an antigen target in PCa vaccines. ERG-derived HLA-A*0201-restricted immunogenic epitopes were identified through a 3-step strategy that included in silico, in vitro, and in vivo validation. Algorithms were used to predict potential HLA-A*0201-binding epitopes. High-scoring epitopes were tested for binding to HLA-A*0201 using the T2-based stabilization assay in vitro. Five peptides were found to bind HLA-A*0201 and were subsequently tested for immunogenicity in humanized, HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice. The in vivo screening identified three immunogenic peptides. One of these peptides, ERG295, overcame peripheral tolerance in HLA-A*0201 mice that expressed prostate-restricted ERG. Also, this peptide induced an antigen-specific response against ERG-expressing human prostate tumor cells. Finally, tetramer assay showed detectable and responsive ERG295-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes in peripheral blood of HLA-A*0201(+) prostate cancer patients. Detection of ERG-specific CTLs in both mice and the blood of prostate cancer patients indicates that ERG-specific tolerance can be overcome. Additionally, these data suggest that ERG is a suitable target antigen for PCa immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydn Thomas Kissick
- Urology Division, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 3 Blackfan Circle, E/CLS-447, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Martin George Sanda
- Urology Division, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 3 Blackfan Circle, E/CLS-447, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Laura Kathleen Dunn
- Urology Division, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 3 Blackfan Circle, E/CLS-447, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Mohamed Simo Arredouani
- Urology Division, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 3 Blackfan Circle, E/CLS-447, Boston, MA 02215 USA
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Miettinen M, Wang Z, Sarlomo-Rikala M, Abdullaev Z, Pack SD, Fetsch JF. ERG expression in epithelioid sarcoma: a diagnostic pitfall. Am J Surg Pathol 2013; 37:1580-5. [PMID: 23774169 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0b013e31828de23a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ERG transcription factor is constitutively expressed in endothelial cells. Because benign and malignant vascular endothelia retain the ERG expression, ERG is considered a useful marker for angiosarcomas and related tumors. ERG is also expressed in a subset of prostate carcinomas and Ewing sarcomas due to ERG-involved translocations; therefore, this marker is also of high interest in the study of these malignancies. In this study, we evaluated 109 epithelioid sarcomas for ERG expression, on the basis of an initial observation of an ERG-positive case. We also studied expression of other endothelial antigens in epithelioid sarcoma. ERG was expressed in 38% of epithelioid sarcomas (41/109), usually with a uniform nuclear staining, similar to that seen in angiosarcomas. However, all epithelioid sarcomas were negative for ERG gene rearrangement indicating that ERG expression is not likely related to ERG-involving translocations in epithelioid sarcoma. Other endothelial markers, CD31, claudin 5, and Prox1, were absent in epithelioid sarcomas. The only exception was a pulmonary metastasis of epithelioid sarcoma showing focal CD31 expression, which probably resulted from antigen adsorption onto tumor cell surfaces. However, podoplanin was commonly (7/9) expressed in epithelioid sarcoma; therefore, this marker is not useful in distinguishing epithelioid sarcoma from angiosarcoma. INI1/SMARCB1 gene product was absent in all epithelioid sarcomas (considered here a definitional feature) but was absent from only 1 epithelioid angiosarcoma, indicating its relative specificity for epithelioid sarcoma in this differential diagnostic setting. ERG expression is fairly common in epithelioid sarcoma and should be recognized as a diagnostic pitfall in the differential diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma and epithelioid angiosarcoma. General lack of endothelial cell-specific markers in epithelioid sarcoma helps in this distinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markku Miettinen
- *Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda ‡Joint Pathology Center, Silver Spring, MD †HUSLab, Helsinki, Finland
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35
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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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36
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Sharma N, Jeong DK. Stem cell research: a novel boulevard towards improved bovine mastitis management. Int J Biol Sci 2013; 9:818-29. [PMID: 23983615 PMCID: PMC3753446 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.6901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The dairy industry is a multi-billion dollar industry catering the nutritional needs of all age groups globally through the supply of milk. Clinical mastitis has a severe impact on udder tissue and is also an animal welfare issue. Moreover, it significantly reduces animal value and milk production. Mammary tissue damage reduces the number and activity of epithelial cells and consequently contributes to decreased milk production. The high incidence, low cure rate of this highly economic and sometimes deadly disease is an alarming for dairy sector as well as policy makers. Bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs) and their stem cells are very important in milk production and bioengineering. The adult mammary epithelium consists of two main cell types; an inner layer of luminal epithelial cells, which produce the milk during lactation, and an outer layer of myoepithelial cells resting on a basement membrane, which are responsible for pushing the milk through the ductal network to the teat cistern. Inner layer of columner/luminal cells of bovine MECs, is characterized by cytokeratin18, 19 (CK18, CK19) and outer layer such as myoepithelial cells which are characterized by CK14, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and p63. Much work has been done in mouse and human, on mammary gland stem cell research, particularly in cancer therapy, but stem cell research in bovine is still in its infancy. Such stem/progenitor cell discoveries in human and mouse mammary gland bring some hope for application in bovines. These progenitors may be therapeutically adopted to correct the structural/cytological defects in the bovine udder due to mastitis. In the present review we focused on various kinds of stem/progenitor cells which can have therapeutic utility and their possibilities to use as a potential stem cell therapy in the management of bovine post-mastitis damage in orders to restore milk production. The possibilities of bovine mammary stem cell therapy offers significant potential for regeneration of tissues that can potentially replace/repair diseased and damaged tissue through differentiation into epithelial, myoepithelial and/or cuboidal/columnar cells in the udder with minimal risk of rejection and side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelesh Sharma
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea
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37
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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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38
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Becker-Santos DD, Guo Y, Ghaffari M, Vickers ED, Lehman M, Altamirano-Dimas M, Oloumi A, Furukawa J, Sharma M, Wang Y, Dedhar S, Cox ME. Integrin-linked kinase as a target for ERG-mediated invasive properties in prostate cancer models. Carcinogenesis 2012; 33:2558-67. [PMID: 23027626 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgs285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately half of prostate cancers (PCa) carry TMPRSS2-ERG translocations; however, the clinical impact of this genomic alteration remains enigmatic. Expression of v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene like (avian) gene (ERG) promotes prostatic epithelial dysplasia in transgenic mice and acquisition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics in human prostatic epithelial cells (PrECs). To explore whether ERG-induced EMT in PrECs was associated with therapeutically targetable transformation characteristics, we established stable populations of BPH-1, PNT1B and RWPE-1 immortalized human PrEC lines that constitutively express flag-tagged ERG3 (fERG). All fERG-expressing populations exhibited characteristics of in vitro and in vivo transformation. Microarray analysis revealed >2000 commonly dysregulated genes in the fERG-PrEC lines. Functional analysis revealed evidence that fERG cells underwent EMT and acquired invasive characteristics. The fERG-induced EMT transcript signature was exemplified by suppressed expression of E-cadherin and keratins 5, 8, 14 and 18; elevated expression of N-cadherin, N-cadherin 2 and vimentin, and of the EMT transcriptional regulators Snail, Zeb1 and Zeb2, and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-1 (LEF-1). In BPH-1 and RWPE-1-fERG cells, fERG expression is correlated with increased expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and its downstream effectors Snail and LEF-1. Interfering RNA suppression of ERG decreased expression of ILK, Snail and LEF-1, whereas small interfering RNA suppression of ILK did not alter fERG expression. Interfering RNA suppression of ERG or ILK impaired fERG-PrEC Matrigel invasion. Treating fERG-BPH-1 cells with the small molecule ILK inhibitor, QLT-0267, resulted in dose-dependent suppression of Snail and LEF-1 expression, Matrigel invasion and reversion of anchorage-independent growth. These results suggest that ILK is a therapeutically targetable mediator of ERG-induced EMT and transformation in PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana D Becker-Santos
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 1L3
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Birdsey GM, Dryden NH, Shah AV, Hannah R, Hall MD, Haskard DO, Parsons M, Mason JC, Zvelebil M, Gottgens B, Ridley AJ, Randi AM. The transcription factor Erg regulates expression of histone deacetylase 6 and multiple pathways involved in endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. Blood 2012; 119:894-903. [PMID: 22117042 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-04-350025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelial ETS transcription factor Erg plays an important role in homeostasis and angiogenesis by regulating many endothelial functions including survival and junction stability. Here we show that Erg regulates endothelial cell (EC) migration. Transcriptome profiling of Erg-deficient ECs identified ∼ 80 genes involved in cell migration as candidate Erg targets, including many regulators of Rho- GTPases. Inhibition of Erg expression in HUVECs resulted in decreased migration in vitro, while Erg overexpression using adenovirus caused increased migration. Live-cell imaging of Erg-deficient HUVECs showed a reduction in lamellipodia, in line with decreased motility. Both actin and tubulin cytoskeletons were disrupted in Erg-deficient ECs, with a dramatic increase in tubulin acetylation. Among the most significant microarray hits was the cytosolic histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), a regulator of cell migration. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and transactivation studies demonstrated that Erg regulates HDAC6 expression. Rescue experiments confirmed that HDAC6 mediates the Erg-dependent regulation of tubulin acetylation and actin localization. In vivo, inhibition of Erg expression in angiogenic ECs resulted in decreased HDAC6 expression with increased tubulin acetylation. Thus, we have identified a novel function for the transcription factor Erg in regulating HDAC6 and multiple pathways essential for EC migration and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme M Birdsey
- Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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Squire JA, Park PC, Yoshimoto M, Alami J, Williams JL, Evans A, Joshua AM. Prostate cancer as a model system for genetic diversity in tumors. Adv Cancer Res 2012; 112:183-216. [PMID: 21925305 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-387688-1.00007-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This chapter will summarize novel understandings of the early molecular events in prostatic carcinogenesis that may underlie both the genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Areas covered include preneoplasia, stem cell concepts, telomere abnormalities, and the nature of tumor-stromal interactions. The oncogenomics of prostate cancer is reviewed with emphasis on androgen signaling, ETS gene family aberrations, and PTEN deletion. The notion that "field cancerization," coupled with genomic instability may explain both the occurrence of multifocal disease, and the recent observations of genetic diversity of ERG alteration in individual tumors are discussed. Collectively, genomic studies are rapidly moving human prostate cancer closer to the promise of personalized medicine, so that specific genetic profiles of individual tumors will determine the best therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A Squire
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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41
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Sreenath TL, Dobi A, Petrovics G, Srivastava S. Oncogenic activation of ERG: A predominant mechanism in prostate cancer. J Carcinog 2011; 10:37. [PMID: 22279422 PMCID: PMC3263025 DOI: 10.4103/1477-3163.91122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Accepted: 11/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevalent gene fusions involving regulatory sequences of the androgen receptor (AR) regulated genes (primarily TMPRSS2) and protein coding sequences of nuclear transcription factors of the ETS gene family (predominantly ERG) result in unscheduled androgen dependent ERG expression in prostate cancer (CaP).Cumulative data from a large number of studies in the past six years accentuate ERG alterations in more than half of all CaP patients in Western countries. Studies underscore that ERG functions are involved in the biology of CaP. ERG expression in normal context is selective to endothelial cells, specific hematopoetic cells and pre-cartilage cells. Normal functions of ERG are highlighted in hematopoetic stem cells. Emerging data continues to unravel molecular and cellular mechanisms by which ERG may contribute to CaP. Herein, we focus on biological and clinical aspects of ERG oncogenic alterations, potential of ERG-based stratification of CaP and the possibilities of targeting the ERG network in developing new therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taduru L Sreenath
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
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42
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Hollenhorst PC, Ferris MW, Hull MA, Chae H, Kim S, Graves BJ. Oncogenic ETS proteins mimic activated RAS/MAPK signaling in prostate cells. Genes Dev 2011; 25:2147-57. [PMID: 22012618 DOI: 10.1101/gad.17546311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aberrant expression of an oncogenic ETS transcription factor is implicated in the progression of the majority of prostate cancers, 40% of melanomas, and most cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor and Ewing's sarcoma. Chromosomal rearrangements in prostate cancer result in overexpression of any one of four ETS transcription factors. How these four oncogenic ETS genes differ from the numerous other ETS genes expressed in normal prostate and contribute to tumor progression is not understood. We report that these oncogenic ETS proteins, but not other ETS factors, enhance prostate cell migration. Genome-wide binding analysis matched this specific biological function to occupancy of a unique set of genomic sites highlighted by the presence of ETS- and AP-1-binding sequences. ETS/AP-1-binding sequences are prototypical RAS-responsive elements, but oncogenic ETS proteins activated a RAS/MAPK transcriptional program in the absence of MAPK activation. Thus, overexpression of oncogenic ETS proteins can replace RAS/MAPK pathway activation in prostate cells. The genomic description of this ETS/AP-1-regulated, RAS-responsive, gene expression program provides a resource for understanding the role of these ETS factors in both an oncogenic setting and the developmental processes where these genes normally function.
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43
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Meadows SM, Myers CT, Krieg PA. Regulation of endothelial cell development by ETS transcription factors. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2011; 22:976-84. [PMID: 21945894 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2011.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2010] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The ETS family of transcription factors plays an essential role in controlling endothelial gene expression. Multiple members of the ETS family are expressed in the developing endothelium and evidence suggests that the proteins function, to some extent, redundantly. However, recent studies have demonstrated a crucial non-redundant role for ETV2, as a primary player in specification and differentiation of the endothelial lineage. Here, we review the contribution of ETS factors, and their partner proteins, to the regulation of embryonic vascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stryder M Meadows
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, United States
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44
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Cossette S, Misra R. The identification of different endothelial cell populations within the mouse proepicardium. Dev Dyn 2011; 240:2344-53. [PMID: 21932312 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The proepicardium is a transient embryonic structure that is a source of precursors of the epicardium, coronary smooth muscle cells, and may be a source of coronary endothelial cells (EC). To better understand proepicardium development a systematic analysis of EC appearance was performed. Multiple marker analysis showed that EC are present in the mouse proepicardium at embryonic day (E) 9.0 through E9.75. Distinct populations of EC were found that were associated with the liver bud, and the sinus venosus, as well as a population that do not appear to be associated with either of these structures. There was a temporal increase in the number of EC and temporal changes in the distribution of EC within the different populations during PE development. These findings indicate that EC exist in the proepicardium before coronary vasculogenesis, and support a model in which there is a heterogeneous origin for EC in the proepicardium.
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45
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RhoJ is an endothelial cell-restricted Rho GTPase that mediates vascular morphogenesis and is regulated by the transcription factor ERG. Blood 2011; 118:1145-53. [PMID: 21628409 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-10-315275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
ERG is a member of the ETS transcription factor family that is highly enriched in endothelial cells (ECs). To further define the role of ERG in regulating EC function, we evaluated the effect of ERG knock-down on EC lumen formation in 3D collagen matrices. Blockade of ERG using siRNA completely interferes with EC lumen formation. Quantitative PCR (QPCR) was used to identify potential downstream gene targets of ERG. In particular, we identified RhoJ as the Rho GTPase family member that is closely related to Cdc42 as a target of ERG. Knockdown of ERG expression in ECs led to a 75% reduction in the expression of RhoJ. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and transactivation studies demonstrated that ERG could bind to functional sites in the proximal promoter of the RhoJ gene. Knock-down of RhoJ similarly resulted in a marked reduction in the ability of ECs to form lumens. Suppression of either ERG or RhoJ during EC lumen formation was associated with a marked increase in RhoA activation and a decrease in Rac1 and Cdc42 activation and their downstream effectors. Finally, in contrast to other Rho GTPases, RhoJ exhibits a highly EC-restricted expression pattern in several different tissues, including the brain, heart, lung, and liver.
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46
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Vascular bed-specific regulation of the von Willebrand factor promoter in the heart and skeletal muscle. Blood 2010; 117:342-51. [PMID: 20980682 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-06-287987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A region of the human von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene between -2812 and the end of the first intron (termed vWF2) was previously shown to direct expression in the endothelium of capillaries and a subset of larger blood vessels in the heart and skeletal muscle. Here, our goal was to delineate the DNA sequences responsible for this effect. A series of constructs containing deletions or mutations of vWF2 coupled to LacZ were targeted to the Hprt locus of mice, and the resulting animals were analyzed for reporter gene expression. The findings demonstrate that DNA sequences between -843 and -620 are necessary for expression in capillary but not large vessel endothelium in heart and skeletal muscle. Further, expression of VWF in capillaries and larger vessels of both tissues required the presence of a native or heterologous intron. In vitro assays implicated a role for ERG-binding ETS motif at -56 in mediating basal expression of VWF. In Hprt-targeted mice, mutation of the ETS consensus motif resulted in loss of LacZ expression in the endothelium of the heart and skeletal muscle. Together, these data indicate that distinct DNA modules regulate vascular bed-specific expression of VWF.
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47
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Sperone A, Dryden NH, Birdsey GM, Madden L, Johns M, Evans PC, Mason JC, Haskard DO, Boyle JJ, Paleolog EM, Randi AM. The transcription factor Erg inhibits vascular inflammation by repressing NF-kappaB activation and proinflammatory gene expression in endothelial cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2010; 31:142-50. [PMID: 20966395 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.110.216473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test whether ETS-related gene (Erg) inhibits tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-dependent endothelial activation and inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS Endothelial activation underlies many vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Endothelial activation by proinflammatory cytokines decreases expression of the ETS transcription factor Erg. By using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we showed that Erg overexpression by adenovirus (AdErg) repressed basal and TNF-α-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and interleukin 8 (IL-8). Erg inhibited TNF-α-dependent activation of the ICAM-1 promoter, nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity, and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation. Basal NF-κB activity was also inhibited by Erg overexpression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that Erg binds to the ICAM-1 proximal promoter region, which contains 7 putative ETS binding sites. To test the anti-inflammatory role of Erg in vivo, we used a murine model of TNF-α-dependent acute inflammation. The injection of AdErg into the paw decreased TNF-α-induced inflammation compared with control. Finally, staining of human coronary plaques showed loss of Erg expression from the endothelium overlaying active plaque shoulders. CONCLUSIONS We have identified a novel physiological anti-inflammatory pathway under the control of the transcription factor Erg; this pathway inhibits NF-κB-dependent transcription and TNF-α-induced inflammation in vivo. These results suggest a novel approach to anti-inflammatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sperone
- Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, England
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48
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Zaidi SZ, Owaidah T, Al Sharif F, Ahmed SY, Chaudhri N, Aljurf M. The challenge of risk stratification in acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype. Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther 2010; 1:141-58. [PMID: 20063545 DOI: 10.1016/s1658-3876(08)50023-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytogenetic aberrations have long been recognized as the most important prognostic variable in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are now a major stratification tool for post-remission therapy. Cytogenetics-based stratification improves survival. Patients with AML and normal cytogenetics, the largest single subgroup, have had a very heterogeneous outcome with standard chemotherapy in multiple clinical trials. Hence it is difficult to recommend a "one size fits all" kind of treatment for this heterogeneous population of AML patients. New emerging data from preclinical, retrospective, and large, randomized controlled studies indicate that in addition to cytogenetic abnormalities, many other molecular aberrations are operative in the response to treatment as well as in the risk of relapse. Such molecular markers are being tested for developing targeted therapies and may help in improved stratification of patients in the selection of post-remission therapy. Emerging evidence reveals that at the submicroscopic level, AML with normal cytogenetics may carry poor prognostic genetic lesions or "molecular signatures" as is the case with FLT3 mutations and overexpression of BAALC, ERG or MN1, or may have aberrations that predict better risk as is the case with isolated NPM1 or CEBPA mutations. Later studies have tried to explore the interaction of various prognostically important genes in this group of AML patients. The utility of the evolving data for bedside management of such patients is expected to improve with the wider application of modern tools, using the proposed clinical outcome models, and probably by development of a risk-scoring system based on the relative risk associated with each molecular aberration. The goals include identifying those patients most likely to benefit from upfront allogeneic HSCT and sparing good-prognosis patients from unnecessary transplant-related morbidity. The following is an outline of the most common molecular changes, their impact on the outcome of AML patients with normal cytogenetics and challenges in their wide scale application in risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Z Zaidi
- Adult Hematology & SCT Department, Prince Sultan Hematology Oncology Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
Transcription factors of the ETS family are important regulators of endothelial gene expression. Here, we review the evidence that ETS factors regulate angiogenesis and briefly discuss the target genes and pathways involved. Finally, we discuss novel evidence that shows how these transcription factors act in a combinatorial fashion with others, through composite sites that may be crucial in determining endothelial specificity in gene transcription.
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50
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Liu J, Kanki Y, Okada Y, Jin E, Yano K, Shih SC, Minami T, Aird WC. A +220 GATA motif mediates basal but not endotoxin-repressible expression of the von Willebrand factor promoter in Hprt-targeted transgenic mice. J Thromb Haemost 2009; 7:1384-92. [PMID: 19496923 PMCID: PMC5303625 DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03501.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene is a marker for spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the endothelium. A GATA motif at +220 has been implicated in basal VWF expression in vitro. Other studies have shown that GATA3 and VWF are transcriptionally downregulated in response to inflammatory mediators. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to determine the importance of the +220 GATA motif in mediating expression of VWF promoter in vivo, and to elucidate whether the GATA element plays a role in spatial and/or temporal regulation of VWF expression. METHODS ChIP and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were carried out in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Reporter gene constructs containing 3.6 kb of the human VWF promoter with and without a mutation of the +220 GATA element were transfected into cultured endothelial cells or targeted to the Hprt locus of mice. The Hprt-targeted mice were subjected to endotoxemia. RESULTS In protein-DNA binding assays, the +220 GATA motif bound GATA-2, -3 and -6. Mutation of the GATA site resulted in reduced basal promoter activity in HUVEC. When targeted to the Hprt locus of mice, the GATA mutation resulted in a significant, proportionate reduction of promoter activity in LacZ expressing vascular beds. Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in a widespread reduction in VWF mRNA expression and promoter activity. LPS-mediated repression of the VWF promoter was unaffected by the GATA mutation. CONCLUSIONS A region of the VWF promoter between -2182 and the end of the first intron contains information for LPS-mediated gene repression. The +220 GATA motif is important for basal, but not LPS-repressible expression of the VWF gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Liu
- The Center for Vascular Biology Research and Division of Molecular and Vascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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