The thyroid hormone nuclear receptor TRα1 controls the Notch signaling pathway and cell fate in murine intestine

Thyroid hormone deprival and TSH/TSHR signaling deficiency lead to central hypothyroidism-associated intestinal dysplasia

BACKGROUND

Central hypothyroidism (CH) is characterized by low T4 levels and reduced levels or bioactivity of circulating TSH. However, there is a lack of studies on CH-related intestinal maldevelopment. In particular, the roles of TH and TSH/TSHR signaling in CH-related intestinal maldevelopment are poorly understood. Herein, we utilized Tshr-/- mice as a congenital hypothyroidism model with TH deprival and absence of TSHR signaling.

METHODS

The morphological characteristics of intestines were determined by HE staining, periodic acid-shiff staining, and immunohistochemical staining. T4 was administrated into the offspring of homozygous mice from the fourth postnatal day through weaning or administrated after weaning. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of markers of goblet cells and intestinal digestive enzymes. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis was used to explore the cell types and gene profiles of metabolic alternations in early-T4-injected Tshr-/- mice.

KEY FINDINGS

Tshr deletion caused significant growth retardation and intestinal maldevelopment, manifested as smaller and more slender small intestines due to reduced numbers of stem cells and differentiated epithelial cells. Thyroxin supplementation from the fourth postnatal day, but not from weaning, significantly rescued the abnormal intestinal structure and restored the decreased number of proliferating intestinal cells in crypts of Tshr-/- mice. Tshr-/- mice with early-life T4 injections had more early goblet cells and impaired metabolism compared to Tshr+/+ mice.

SIGNIFICANCE

TH deprival leads to major defects of CH-associated intestinal dysplasia while TSH/TSHR signaling deficiency promotes the differentiation of goblet cells and impairs nutrition metabolism.

In a zebrafish biomedical model of human Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome impaired MTH signaling leads to decreased neural cell diversity

Background

Maternally derived thyroid hormone (T3) is a fundamental factor for vertebrate neurodevelopment. In humans, mutations on the thyroid hormones (TH) exclusive transporter monocarboxylic acid transporter 8 (MCT8) lead to the Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS). Patients with AHDS present severe underdevelopment of the central nervous system, with profound cognitive and locomotor consequences. Functional impairment of zebrafish T3 exclusive membrane transporter Mct8 phenocopies many symptoms observed in patients with AHDS, thus providing an outstanding animal model to study this human condition. In addition, it was previously shown in the zebrafish mct8 KD model that maternal T3 (MTH) acts as an integrator of different key developmental pathways during zebrafish development.

Methods

Using a zebrafish Mct8 knockdown model, with consequent inhibition of maternal thyroid hormones (MTH) uptake to the target cells, we analyzed genes modulated by MTH by qPCR in a temporal series from the start of segmentation through hatching. Survival (TUNEL) and proliferation (PH3) of neural progenitor cells (dla, her2) were determined, and the cellular distribution of neural MTH-target genes in the spinal cord during development was characterized. In addition, in-vivo live imaging was performed to access NOTCH overexpression action on cell division in this AHDS model. We determined the developmental time window when MTH is required for appropriate CNS development in the zebrafish; MTH is not involved in neuroectoderm specification but is fundamental in the early stages of neurogenesis by promoting the maintenance of specific neural progenitor populations. MTH signaling is required for developing different neural cell types and maintaining spinal cord cytoarchitecture, and modulation of NOTCH signaling in a non-autonomous cell manner is involved in this process.

Discussion

The findings show that MTH allows the enrichment of neural progenitor pools, regulating the cell diversity output observed by the end of embryogenesis and that Mct8 impairment restricts CNS development. This work contributes to the understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying human AHDS.

Comparative Analysis of Transcriptome Profiles Reveals Distinct and Organ-Dependent Genomic and Nongenomic Actions of Thyroid Hormone in Xenopus tropicalis Tadpoles

Background: Thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine [T3]) is essential for development and organ metabolism in all vertebrates. T3 has both genomic and nongenomic effects on target cells. While much has been learnt on its genomic effects via T3 receptors (TRs) in vertebrate development, mostly through TR-knockout and TR-knockin studies, little is known about the effects of T3 on gene expression in animals in the absence of TR. We have been studying Xenopus metamorphosis as a model for mammalian postembryonic development, a period around birth when plasma T3 level peaks and many organs/tissues mature into their adult forms. We have recently generated TR double knockout (TRDKO) Xenopus tropicalis animals. This offers an opportunity to compare the effects of T3 on global gene expression in tadpole tissues in the presence or absence of TR. Methods: We analyzed the effects of T3 on gene expression in tadpole tail and intestine by using RNA-seq analysis on wild-type and TRDKO tadpoles with or without T3 treatment. Results: We observed that removing TRs reduced the number of genes regulated by T3 in both organs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses revealed that T3 affected distinct biological processes and pathways in wild-type and TRDKO tadpoles. Many GO terms and KEGG pathways that were enriched among genes regulated in wild-type tissues are likely involved in mediating the effects of T3 on metamorphosis, for example, those related to development, stem cells, apoptosis, and cell cycle/cell proliferation. However, such GO terms and pathways were not enriched among T3-regulated genes in TRDKO tadpoles. Instead, in TRDKO tadpoles, GO terms and pathways related to "metabolism" and "immune response" were highly enriched among T3-regulated genes. We further observed strong divergence in the TR-independent nongenomic effects of T3 in the intestine and tail. Conclusions: Our data suggest that T3 has distinct and organ-dependent effects on gene expression in developing tadpoles. The TR-mediated effects are consistent with the metamorphic changes, in agreement with the fact that TR is necessary and sufficient to mediate the effects of T3 on metamorphosis. T3 appears to have a major effect on metabolism and immune response via TR-independent nongenomic processes.

Stem cell development involves divergent thyroid hormone receptor subtype expression and epigenetic modifications in the amphibian intestine during metamorphosis

In the amphibian intestine during metamorphosis, most of the larval epithelial cells undergo apoptosis, while a small number of the epithelial cells dedifferentiate into stem cells (SCs). The SCs actively proliferate and then newly generate the adult epithelium analogous to the mammalian counterpart, which is continuously renewed from the SCs throughout adulthood. This larval-to-adult intestinal remodeling can be experimentally induced by thyroid hormone (TH) through interacting with the surrounding connective tissue that develops as the stem cell niche. Thus, the amphibian intestine provides us a valuable opportunity to study how the SCs and their niche are formed during development. To clarify the TH-induced and evolutionally conserved mechanism of SC development at the molecular level, numerous TH response genes have been identified in the Xenopus laevis intestine over the last three decades and extensively analyzed for their expression and function by using wild-type and transgenic Xenopus tadpoles. Interestingly, accumulating evidence indicates that thyroid hormone receptor (TR) epigenetically regulates the expression of TH response genes involved in the remodeling. In this review, we highlight recent progress in the understanding of SC development, focusing on epigenetic gene regulation by TH/TR signaling in the X. laevis intestine. We here propose that two subtypes of TRs, TRα and TRβ, play distinct roles in the intestinal SC development via different histone modifications in different cell types.

Thyroid hormone signaling in the intestinal stem cells and their niche

Several studies emphasized the function of the thyroid hormones in stem cell biology. These hormones act through the nuclear hormone receptor TRs, which are T3-modulated transcription factors. Pioneer work on T3-dependent amphibian metamorphosis showed that the crosstalk between the epithelium and the underlying mesenchyme is absolutely required for intestinal maturation and stem cell emergence. With the recent advances of powerful animal models and 3D-organoid cultures, similar findings have now begun to be described in mammals, where the action of T3 and TRα1 control physiological and cancer-related stem cell biology. In this review, we have summarized recent findings on the multiple functions of T3 and TRα1 in intestinal epithelium stem cells, cancer stem cells and their niche. In particular, we have highlighted the regulation of metabolic functions directly linked to normal and/or cancer stem cell biology. These findings help explain other possible mechanisms by which TRα1 controls stem cell biology, beyond the more classical Wnt and Notch signaling pathways.

Acute nitrite exposure interferes with intestinal thyroid hormone homeostasis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Nitrite in the aquatic environment potentially disturbs thyroid hormone (TH) homeostasis in peripheral tissues, but little is known about TH metabolism in the intestine. This study investigated the serum concentrations of THs and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as well as the activity of intestinal iodothyronine deiodinases (IDs) of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) exposed to various concentrations of nitrite (0, 8, 25, or 50 mg/L) for 96 h. Acute nitrite exposure significantly altered the triiodothyronine (T3) levels and the morphology of thyroid follicles at 96 h. Thyroxine (T4), free T4 levels and intestinal IDs activities showed an increase trend under nitrite stress. After 96 h exposure, nitrite down-regulated the expressions levels of intestinal Akt1 protein, sugar transporter genes, and thyroid hormone receptor (TR) signaling pathway genes except for tr ɑ1 and tr ɑ2. Moreover, the expressions levels of pparγ, cpt1α, cd36, fabp2 and fatp4 were down-regulated, whereas fabp6 and lpl were up-regulated in the 50 mg/L exposure group at 96 h. The results indicate that acute nitrite exposure has the potential to disturb the homeostasis of intestinal TH metabolism, which in turn alters TRs genes transcription, down-regulates sugar transporter activities, and promotes the energy expenditure in gut of grass carp.

Integration of Long Non-Coding RNA and mRNA Profiling Reveals the Mechanisms of Different Dietary NFC/NDF Ratios Induced Rumen Development in Calves

The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of dietary non-fibrous carbohydrate to neutral detergent fiber (NFC/NDF) ratios on rumen development of calves, and to investigate the mechanisms by integrating of lncRNA and mRNA profiling. Forty-five weaned Charolais hybrid calves [body weight = 94.38 ± 2.50 kg; age = 70 ± 2.69 d] were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups with different dietary NFC/NDF ratios: 1.10 (H group), 0.94 (M group) and 0.60 (L group), respectively. The ventral sac of the rumen was sampled for morphological observation and transcriptional sequencing. The average daily gain of calves in the high NFC/NDF ratio group was significantly higher than that in other groups (p < 0.05). Papillae width was largest in high NFC/NDF ratio group calves (p < 0.05). Identified differentially expressed genes that were significantly enriched in pathways closely related to rumen epithelial development included focal adhesion, Wingless-int signaling pathway, thyroid hormone signaling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton and cGMP-PKG signaling pathway. The lncRNA-mRNA network included XLOC_068691 and MOAB, XLOC_023657 and DKK2, XLOC_064331 and PPP1R12A which we interpret to mean they have important regulatory roles in calve rumen development. These findings will serve as a theoretical basis for further analysis of the molecular genetic mechanism of dietary factors affecting rumen development in calves.

Murine intestinal stem cells are highly sensitive to modulation of the T3/TRα1-dependent pathway

The thyroid hormone T3 and its nuclear receptor TRα1 control gut development and homeostasis through the modulation of intestinal crypt cell proliferation. Despite increasing data, in-depth analysis on their specific action on intestinal stem cells is lacking. By using ex vivo 3D organoid cultures and molecular approaches, we observed early responses to T3 involving the T3-metabolizing enzyme Dio1 and the transporter Mct10, accompanied by a complex response of stem cell- and progenitor-enriched genes. Interestingly, specific TRα1 loss-of-function (inducible or constitutive) was responsible for low ex vivo organoid development and impaired stem cell activity. T3 treatment of animals in vivo not only confirmed the positive action of this hormone on crypt cell proliferation but also demonstrated its key action in modulating the number of stem cells, the expression of their specific markers and the commitment of progenitors into lineage-specific differentiation. In conclusion, T3 treatment or TRα1 modulation has a rapid and strong effect on intestinal stem cells, broadening our perspectives in the study of T3/TRα1-dependent signaling in these cells.

Effects of bisphenol A and its alternative bisphenol F on Notch signaling and intestinal development: A novel signaling by which bisphenols disrupt vertebrate development

We previously found bisphenol A (BPA) alternative, bisphenol F (BPF) upregulated Notch-related gene expression in intestines of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis, suggesting an agonistic action on Notch signaling, a crucial signaling in multiple biological processes during development. Here, we aimed to confirm the actions of BPA and BPF on Notch signaling and to reveal their effects on intestinal development. Using X. laevis, an excellent model for developmental biology, we found that 10-1000 nM BPA and BPF significantly elevated Notch-related gene expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Subsequently, exceptional cell proliferation as well as intestinal histological changes were observed in treated intestines. Importantly, Notch inhibitor markedly suppressed the effects of BPA and BPF described above. Furthermore, we employed rat intestinal epithelium cells (IEC-6), an ideal in vitro model of intestinal epithelial cell differentiation, to confirm the effects of bisphenols. As expected, BPA and BPF upregulated Notch-related gene expression and induced the translocation of the Notch intracellular domain to the nucleus, followed by exceptional cell proliferation and differentiation, whereas Notch inhibitor antagonized the effects caused by BPA and BPF. All results strongly demonstrate that both BPA and BPF activate Notch signaling and subsequently disrupt intestinal development in vertebrates. Given its fundamental roles in multiple developmental processes, we propose that Notch signaling is an important and general target signaling of bisphenols in many developing tissues of vertebrates including humans.

Stem cell development involves divergent thyroid hormone receptor subtype expression and epigenetic modifications in the Xenopus metamorphosing intestine

In the intestine during metamorphosis of the frog Xenopus laevis, most of the larval epithelial cells are induced to undergo apoptosis by thyroid hormone (TH), and under continued TH action, the remaining epithelial cells dedifferentiate into stem cells (SCs), which then newly generate an adult epithelium analogous to the mammalian intestinal epithelium. Previously, we have shown that the precursors of the SCs that exist in the larval epithelium as differentiated absorptive cells specifically express receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (Ror2). By using Ror2 as a marker, we have immunohistochemically shown here that these SC precursors, but not the larval epithelial cells destined to die by apoptosis, express TH receptor α (TRα). Upon initiation of TH-dependent remodeling, TRα expression remains restricted to the SCs as well as proliferating adult epithelial primordia derived from them. As intestinal folds form, TRα expression becomes localized in the trough of the folds where the SCs reside. In contrast, TRβ expression is transiently up-regulated in the entire intestine concomitantly with the increase of endogenous TH levels and is most highly expressed in the developing adult epithelial primordia. Moreover, we have shown here that global histone H4 acetylation is enhanced in the SC precursors and adult primordia including the SCs, while tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 is lacking in those cells during metamorphosis. Our results strongly suggest distinct roles of TRα and TRβ in the intestinal larval-to-adult remodeling, involving distinctive epigenetic modifications in the SC lineage.

Low Concentrations of Tetrabromobisphenol A Disrupt Notch Signaling and Intestinal Development in in Vitro and in Vivo Models

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) was recently reported to upregulate Notch target gene expression in embryonic stem cells differentiating to neurons in vitro, implying activation on Notch signaling, a crucial signaling involved in multiple organ development and homeostasis.The present study aimed to determine whether TBBPA at low concentrations can disrupt Notch signaling in the intestine and subsequently its development using in vitro and in vivo models, given TBBPA uptake mainly via the intestine. In rat intestinal epithelium cells (IEC-6), an in vitro model for intestinal development and homeostasis, we found 5-500 nM TBBPA upregulated Notch-related gene expression and stimulated cell proliferation as well as the growth of microvilli in a linear concentration-dependent manner. When Notch inhibitor DAPT had no obvious effects on all end points, DAPT significantly antagonized all changes caused by TBBPA, indicating that TBBPA activated Notch signaling in IEC-6 cells and subsequently stimulated cell proliferation and differentiation. Then we employed Xenopus laevis, an ideal model species for intestinal development with the strong similarities to mammals, to further confirm the action of TBBPA in vivo. Expectedly, we observed the stimulatory effects of TBBPA on Notch signaling and cell proliferation and differentiation in X. laevis intestines, which agrees with the results in vitro. Antagonistic actions of Notch inhibitor DBZ on TBBPA-caused intestinal changes show that TBBPA affected intestinal development via disrupting Notch signaling. Interestingly, TBBPA stimulated cell differentiation into secretory cells, which is generally believed to be regulated by Wnt signaling, suggesting disruption of Wnt signaling besides Notch signaling. All the results for the first time demonstrate that TBBPA at low concentrations, including environmentally relevant concentrations, disrupt Notch signaling and subsequently affect intestinal development by altering cell proliferation and differentiation in vertebrates. Our study highlights the intestine as a new target of TBBPA and broaden our understanding of developmental toxicity of TBBPA.

Thyroid hormone regulation of neural stem cell fate: From development to ageing

In the vertebrate brain, neural stem cells (NSCs) generate both neuronal and glial cells throughout life. However, their neuro‐ and gliogenic capacity changes as a function of the developmental context. Despite the growing body of evidence on the variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors regulating NSC physiology, their precise cellular and molecular actions are not fully determined. Our review focuses on thyroid hormone (TH), a vital component for both development and adult brain function that regulates NSC biology at all stages. First, we review comparative data to analyse how TH modulates neuro‐ and gliogenesis during vertebrate brain development. Second, as the mammalian brain is the most studied, we highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying TH action in this context. Lastly, we explore how the interplay between TH signalling and cell metabolism governs both neurodevelopmental and adult neurogenesis. We conclude that, together, TH and cellular metabolism regulate optimal brain formation, maturation and function from early foetal life to adult in vertebrate species.

Metabolomic Profiling of Body Fluids in Mouse Models Demonstrates that Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Is a Putative Diagnostic Tool for the Presence of Thyroid Hormone Receptor α1 Mutations

Background: Resistance to thyroid hormone alpha (RTHα) is a rare genetic disease due to mutations in the THRA gene, which encodes thyroid hormone receptor alpha 1 (TRα1). Since its first description in 2012, 46 cases of RTHα have been reported worldwide, corresponding to 26 different mutations of TRα1. RTHα patients share some common symptoms with hypothyroid patients, without significant reduction in thyroid hormone level. The high variability of clinical features and the absence of reliable biochemical markers make the diagnosis of this disease difficult. Some of these mutations have been recently modeled in mice. Methods: In our study, we used four different mouse models heterozygous for frameshift mutations in the Thra gene. Two of them are very close to human mutations, while the two others have not yet been found in patients. We characterized the metabolic phenotypes of urine and plasma samples collected from these four animal models using an untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic approach. Results: Multivariate statistical analysis of the metabolomic profiles shows that biofluids of mice that carry human-like mutations can be discriminated from controls. Metabolic signatures associated with Thra mutations in urine and plasma are stable over time and clearly differ from the metabolic fingerprint of hypothyroidism in the mouse. Conclusion: Our results provide a proof-of-principle that easily accessible NMR-based metabolic fingerprints of biofluids could be used to diagnose RTHα in humans.

Deiodinases and their intricate role in thyroid hormone homeostasis

The deiodinase family of enzymes mediates the activation and inactivation of thyroid hormone. The role of these enzymes in the regulation of the systemic concentrations of thyroid hormone is well established and underpins the treatment of common thyroid diseases. Interest in this field has increased in the past 10 years as the deiodinases became implicated in tissue development and homeostasis, as well as in the pathogenesis of a wide range of human diseases. Three deiodinases have been identified, namely, types 1, 2 and 3 iodothyronine deiodinases, which differ in their catalytic properties and tissue distribution. Notably, the expression of these enzymes changes during the lifetime of an individual in relation to the different needs of each organ and to ageing. The systemic homeostatic role of deiodinases clearly emerges during changes in serum concentrations of thyroid hormone, as seen in patients with thyroid dysfunction. By contrast, the role of deiodinases at the tissue level allows thyroid hormone signalling to be finely tuned within a given cell in a precise time-space window without perturbing serum concentrations of thyroid hormone. This Review maps the overall functional role of the deiodinases and explores challenges and novel opportunities arising from the expanding knowledge of these 'master' components of the thyroid homeostatic system.

Teleost Metamorphosis: The Role of Thyroid Hormone

In most teleosts, metamorphosis encompasses a dramatic post-natal developmental process where the free-swimming larvae undergo a series of morphological, cellular and physiological changes that enable the larvae to become a fully formed, albeit sexually immature, juvenile fish. In all teleosts studied to date thyroid hormones (TH) drive metamorphosis, being the necessary and sufficient factors behind this developmental transition. During metamorphosis, negative regulation of thyrotropin by thyroxine (T4) is relaxed allowing higher whole-body levels of T4 that enable specific responses at the tissue/cellular level. Higher local thyroid cellular signaling leads to cell-specific responses that bring about localized developmental events. TH orchestrate in a spatial-temporal manner all local developmental changes so that in the end a fully functional organism arises. In bilateral teleost species, the most evident metamorphic morphological change underlies a transition to a more streamlined body. In the pleuronectiform lineage (flatfishes), these metamorphic morphological changes are more dramatic. The most evident is the migration of one eye to the opposite side of the head and the symmetric pelagic larva development into an asymmetric benthic juvenile. This transition encompasses a dramatic loss of the embryonic derived dorsal-ventral and left-right axis. The embryonic dorsal-ventral axis becomes the left-right axis, whereas the embryonic left-right axis becomes, irrespectively, the dorsal-ventral axis of the juvenile animal. This event is an unparalleled morphological change in vertebrate development and a remarkable display of the capacity of TH-signaling in shaping adaptation and evolution in teleosts. Notwithstanding all this knowledge, there are still fundamental questions in teleost metamorphosis left unanswered: how the central regulation of metamorphosis is achieved and the neuroendocrine network involved is unclear; the detailed cellular and molecular events that give rise to the developmental processes occurring during teleost metamorphosis are still mostly unknown. Also in flatfish, comparatively little is still known about the developmental processes behind asymmetric development. This review summarizes the current knowledge on teleost metamorphosis and explores the gaps that still need to be challenged.

Increased expression of the thyroid hormone nuclear receptor TRα1 characterizes intestinal tumors with high Wnt activity

Our previous work demonstrated a key function of the thyroid hormone nuclear receptor TRα1, a T3-modulated transcription factor, in controlling intestinal development and homeostasis via the Wnt and Notch pathways. Importantly, increased expression of TRα1 in the intestinal epithelium in a mutated Apc genetic background (vil-TRα1/Apc^+/1638N mice) accelerated tumorigenesis and contributed to a more aggressive tumor phenotype compared to that of the Apc mutants alone. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relevance of this synergistic effect in human colorectal cancers and to gain insights into the mechanisms involved. We analyzed cohorts of patients by in silico and experimental approaches and observed increased TRα1 expression and a significant correlation between TRα1 levels and Wnt activity. TRα1 loss-of-function and gain-of-function in Caco2 cell lines not only confirmed that TRα1 levels control Wnt activity but also demonstrated the role of TRα1 in regulating cell proliferation and migration. Finally, upon investigation of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the Wnt-TRα1 association, we described the repression by TRα1 of several Wnt inhibitors, including Frzb, Sox17 and Wif1. In conclusion, our results underline an important functional interplay between the thyroid hormone nuclear receptor TRα1 and the canonical Wnt pathway in intestinal cancer initiation and progression. More importantly, we show for the first time that the expression of TRα1 is induced in human colorectal cancers.

Bisphenol F Disrupts Thyroid Hormone Signaling and Postembryonic Development in Xenopus laevis

The safety of bisphenol A (BPA) alternatives has attracted much attention due to their wide use. In this study, we investigated the effects of bisphenol F (BPF), an alternative to BPA, on thyroid hormone (TH) signaling and postembryonic development in vertebrates using T3-induced and spontaneous Xenopus metamorphosis as models. We found that in the T3-induced metamorphosis assay, higher concentrations of BPF (100-10000 nM) antagonized T3-induced TH-response gene transcription and morphological changes including intestinal remodeling in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas 10 nM BPF exerted stimulatory effects on T3-induced integral metamorphosis when inhibited T3-induced TH-response gene transcription, demonstrating TH signaling disrupting effects of BPF. In the spontaneous metamorphosis assay, correspondingly, BPF inhibited development at metamorphic climax (with high endogenous TH levels), but promoted pre- and pro-metamorphic development (with low endogenous TH levels), displaying a developmental stage-dependent manner. Importantly, we observed agonistic actions of BPF on Notch signaling in intestines, showing that BPF disrupts vertebrate development possibly via multi pathways besides TH signaling. Thus, we infer the biphasic concentration-response relationship between BPF exposure and T3-induced metamorphosis could result from the interactions of TH signaling with other signaling pathways such as Notch signaling. Our study highlights the adverse influences of BPF on vertebrate development.

Deiodinases and stem cells: an intimate relationship

Thyroid hormone is a major determinant of tissue functions in vivo. The deiodinase family controls the tissue-specific activation or inactivation of intracellular thyroid hormones. Precise control of the T3-dependent transcriptional program is required by multiple cell systems, including the stem cell. In this context, the identification of a close connection between thyroid hormones and different signal pathways involved in the control of stem cell functions suggested that the deiodinases may play a role in the definition of stem cell biology and physiology. Stem cells have an unlimited self-renewal capacity and the potential to differentiate into different types of mature cells. Deciphering how all these events are achieved, how the T3 signal is controlled and integrated in stem cells and their niches, and how it can impact on them is essentially unknown and represents a challenge for coming years. In this review, I will explore the role played by the deiodinases in the modulation of the TH signal in stem cells of adult tissues, namely muscle and intestine, and how their actions control the delicate balance among self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms presiding thyroid hormone action in stem cells may reveal therapeutic potential, for example in the fields of regenerative diseases and cancer.

CRISPR/Cas9 Editing of the Mouse Thra Gene Produces Models with Variable Resistance to Thyroid Hormone

BACKGROUND

Resistance to thyroid hormone due to THRA mutations (RTHα) is a recently discovered genetic disease, displaying important variability in its clinical presentation. The mutations alter the function of TRα1, one of the two nuclear receptors for thyroid hormone.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between specific THRA mutations and phenotype. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing was used to generate five new mouse models of RTHα, with frameshift or missense mutations.

RESULTS

Like human patients, mutant mice displayed a hypothyroid-like phenotype, with altered development. Phenotype severity varied between the different mouse models, mainly depending on the ability of the mutant receptor to interact with transcription corepressor in the presence of thyroid hormone.

CONCLUSION

The present mutant mice represent highly relevant models for the human genetic disease which will be useful for future investigations.

Thyroid hormone regulation of intestinal epithelial stem cell biology

The gastrointestinal tract is a well-characterized target of thyroid hormones and thyroid hormone nuclear receptors TRs, as extensively described in the literature. The paradigm is its important remodelling in amphibians during thyroid hormone-dependent metamorphosis. Interestingly, several studies have described the conservation of this hormonal signal during intestinal development in mammals. Additional data suggested that it may also play a role in intestinal homeostasis, stem cell physiology and progenitor commitment as well as in tumour development. It is worth underlining that in the mammalian intestine the functionality of the TRα1 receptor is coordinated and integrated with other signalling pathways, such as Wnt and Notch, specifically at the level of stem/progenitor cell populations. Here, we summarize these data and concepts and discuss this new role for thyroid hormones and the TRα1 receptor in the biology of intestinal epithelial precursor cells.

How thyroid hormone regulates transformation of larval epithelial cells into adult stem cells in the amphibian intestine

In the amphibian intestine during metamorphosis, a small number of larval epithelial cells dedifferentiate into adult stem cells that newly form the adult epithelium analogous to the mammalian counterpart, while most of them undergo apoptosis. Because this larval-to-adult intestinal remodeling can be experimentally induced by thyroid hormone (TH) both in vivo and in vitro, TH response genes identified in the Xenopus intestine provide us valuable clues to investigating how adult stem cells and their niche are formed during postembryonic development. Their expression and functional analyses by using the culture and recent transgenic (Tg) techniques have shed light on key signaling pathways essential for intestinal stem cell development. The present review focuses on such recent findings and discusses the evolutionally conserved roles of TH in development or maintenance of the stem cells which are common to the terrestrial vertebrate intestines.

Thyroid hormone promotes differentiation of colon cancer stem cells

Tumor formation and maintenance depend on a small fraction of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that can self-renew and generate a wide variety of differentiated cells. CSCs are resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, and can represent a reservoir of cancer cells that often cause relapse after treatment. Evidence suggests that CSCs also give rise to metastases. Thyroid hormone (TH) controls a variety of biological processes including the development and functioning of most adult tissues. Recent years has seen the emergence of an intimate link between TH and multiple steps of tumorigenesis. Thyroid hormone controls the balance between the proliferation and differentiation of CSCs, and may thus be a druggable anti-cancer agent. Here, we review current understanding of the effects of TH on colorectal CSCs, including the cross regulatory loops between TH and regulators of CSC stemness. Targeting TH in the tumor microenvironment may improve treatment strategies.

Spatio-Temporal Genomic Heterogeneity, Phylogeny, and Metastatic Evolution in Salivary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Background

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), an uncommon and indolent salivary gland malignancy, is characterized by varied morphologic and clinical manifestations. Molecular genetic studies of ACC identified certain structural and mutational alterations that may play a driver role in tumor development. The evolution and regional consistency of these events in ACC development progression are uncertain.

Methods

To investigate the spatial and temporal clonal landscape of ACC, whole-genome sequencing and variant analyses were performed on 34 regionally sampled primary tumors and their concurrent and metachronous metastatic deposits from eight patients.

Results

The average mutation rate per case (primary and metastasis) was 0.32 per million base pairs, and the average incidence of shared mutations in primary and metastatic specimens in each case was 21.9% (range = 0%-44.4%). The analyses revealed considerable spatial clonal differences within and between primary tumors and metastatic disease. Phylogeny formation displayed branching evolution with a main trunk and two distinct mono-splits in all cases. One of the main branches represented intratumor subclonal diversity, and the other delineated metastatic departure and progression. All metastatic tumors shared clonal linkage to their matching primary in concordance with parallel dissemination of metastasis. Synchronous metastases were genomically more similar to their primary than metachronous metastatic disease. Truncal genetic alterations included somatic mutations in the NOTCH pathway genes (NOTCH1 and SPEN) and t(6;9) associated gene fusions.

Conclusions

Our study delineated clonal and subclonal phylogeny for primary and metastatic ACC, defined early genetic drivers, and provides a conceptual framework for a rational strategy to integrate heterogeneity in clinical assessment.

Expression and role of nuclear receptor coregulators in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common human cancers and the cause of about 700000 deaths per year worldwide. Deregulation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway is a key event in CRC initiation. This pathway interacts with other nuclear signaling pathways, including members of the nuclear receptor superfamily and their transcription coregulators. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature dealing with the main coactivators (NCoA-1 to 3, NCoA-6, PGC1-α, p300, CREBBP and MED1) and corepressors (N-CoR1 and 2, NRIP1 and MTA1) of nuclear receptors and summarize their links with the WNT/β-catenin signaling cascade, their expression in CRC and their role in intestinal physiopathology.

Thyroid hormone regulation of adult intestinal stem cells: Implications on intestinal development and homeostasis

Organ-specific adult stem cells are essential for organ homeostasis, tissue repair and regeneration. The formation of such stem cells often takes place during postembryonic development, a period around birth in mammals when plasma thyroid hormone concentration is high. The life-long self-renewal of the intestinal epithelium has made mammalian intestine a valuable model to study the function and regulation and adult stem cells. On the other hand, much less is known about how the adult intestinal stem cells are formed during vertebrate development. Here, we will review some recent progresses on this subject, focusing mainly on the formation of the adult intestine during Xenopus metamorphosis. We will discuss the role of thyroid hormone signaling pathway in the process and potential molecular conservations between amphibians and mammals as well as the implications in organ homeostasis and human diseases.

Thyroid Hormone-Induced Activation of Notch Signaling is Required for Adult Intestinal Stem Cell Development During Xenopus Laevis Metamorphosis

In Xenopus laevis intestine during metamorphosis, the larval epithelial cells are removed by apoptosis, and the adult epithelial stem (AE) cells appear concomitantly. They proliferate and differentiate to form the adult epithelium (Ep). Thyroid hormone (TH) is well established to trigger this remodeling by regulating the expression of various genes including Notch receptor. To study the role of Notch signaling, we have analyzed the expression of its components, including the ligands (DLL and Jag), receptor (Notch), and targets (Hairy), in the metamorphosing intestine by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry. We show that they are up‐regulated during both natural and TH‐induced metamorphosis in a tissue‐specific manner. Particularly, Hairy1 is specifically expressed in the AE cells. Moreover, up‐regulation of Hairy1 and Hairy2b by TH was prevented by treating tadpoles with a γ‐secretase inhibitor (GSI), which inhibits Notch signaling. More importantly, TH‐induced up‐regulation of LGR5, an adult intestinal stem cell marker, was suppressed by GSI treatment. Our results suggest that Notch signaling plays a role in stem cell development by regulating the expression of Hairy genes during intestinal remodeling. Furthermore, we show with organ culture experiments that prolonged exposure of tadpole intestine to TH plus GSI leads to hyperplasia of secretory cells and reduction of absorptive cells. Our findings here thus provide evidence for evolutionarily conserved role of Notch signaling in intestinal cell fate determination but more importantly reveal, for the first time, an important role of Notch pathway in the formation of adult intestinal stem cells during vertebrate development. Stem Cells2017;35:1028–1039

T3/TRs axis in hepatocellular carcinoma: new concepts for an old pair

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and its burden is expected to further increase in the next years. Chronic inflammation, induced by multiple viruses or metabolic alterations, and epigenetic and genetic modifications, cooperate in cancer development via a combination of common and distinct aetiology-specific pathways. In spite of the advances of classical therapies, the prognosis of this neoplasm has not considerably improved over the past few years. The advent of targeted therapies and the approval of the systemic treatment of advanced HCC with the kinase inhibitor sorafenib have provided some hope for the future. However, the benefits obtained from this treatment are still disappointing, as it extends the median life expectancy of patients by only few months. It is thus mandatory to find alternative effective treatments. Although the role played by thyroid hormones (THs) and their nuclear receptors (TRs) in human cancer is still unclear, mounting evidence indicates that they behave as oncosuppressors in HCC. However, the molecular mechanisms by which they exert this effect and the consequence of their activation following ligand binding on HCC progression remain elusive. In this review, we re-evaluate the existing evidence of the role of TH/TRs in HCC development; we will also discuss how TR alterations could affect fundamental biological processes, such as hepatocyte proliferation and differentiation, and consequently HCC progression. Finally, we will discuss if and how TRs can be foreseen as therapeutic targets in HCC and whether selective TR modulation by TH analogues may hold promise for HCC treatment.