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Selvarajah K, Tan JJ, Shaharuddin B. Corneal Epithelial Development and the Role of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Regeneration. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 19:292-306. [PMID: 36915985 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x18666230313094121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Severe corneal disorders due to infective aetiologies, trauma, chemical injuries, and chronic cicatricial inflammations, are among vision-threatening pathologies leading to permanent corneal scarring. The whole cornea or lamellar corneal transplantation is often used as a last resort to restore vision. However, limited autologous tissue sources and potential adverse post-allotransplantation sequalae urge the need for more robust and strategic alternatives. Contemporary management using cultivated corneal epithelial transplantation has paved the way for utilizing stem cells as a regenerative potential. Humaninduced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can generate ectodermal progenitors and potentially be used for ocular surface regeneration. This review summarizes the process of corneal morphogenesis and the signaling pathways underlying the development of corneal epithelium, which is key to translating the maturation and differentiation process of hiPSCs in vitro. The current state of knowledge and methodology for driving efficient corneal epithelial cell differentiation from pluripotent stem cells are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komathi Selvarajah
- Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology (AIMST) University, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Jun Jie Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology (AIMST) University, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Bakiah Shaharuddin
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology (AIMST) University, Kedah, Malaysia
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Nguyen TT, Mitchell JM, Kiel MD, Kenny CP, Li H, Jones KL, Cornell RA, Williams TJ, Nichols JT, Van Otterloo E. TFAP2 paralogs regulate midfacial development in part through a conserved ALX genetic pathway. Development 2024; 151:dev202095. [PMID: 38063857 PMCID: PMC10820886 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Cranial neural crest development is governed by positional gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Fine-tuning of the GRN components underlies facial shape variation, yet how those networks in the midface are connected and activated remain poorly understood. Here, we show that concerted inactivation of Tfap2a and Tfap2b in the murine neural crest, even during the late migratory phase, results in a midfacial cleft and skeletal abnormalities. Bulk and single-cell RNA-seq profiling reveal that loss of both TFAP2 family members dysregulates numerous midface GRN components involved in midface morphogenesis, patterning and differentiation. Notably, Alx1, Alx3 and Alx4 (ALX) transcript levels are reduced, whereas ChIP-seq analyses suggest TFAP2 family members directly and positively regulate ALX gene expression. Tfap2a, Tfap2b and ALX co-expression in midfacial neural crest cells of both mouse and zebrafish implies conservation of this regulatory axis across vertebrates. Consistent with this notion, tfap2a zebrafish mutants present with abnormal alx3 expression patterns, Tfap2a binds ALX loci and tfap2a-alx3 genetic interactions are observed. Together, these data demonstrate TFAP2 paralogs regulate vertebrate midfacial development in part by activating expression of ALX transcription factor genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T. Nguyen
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jennyfer M. Mitchell
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michaela D. Kiel
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Colin P. Kenny
- Department of Surgery, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kenneth L. Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Robert A. Cornell
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington, School of Dentistry, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Trevor J. Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - James T. Nichols
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Eric Van Otterloo
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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3
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Nguyen TT, Mitchell JM, Kiel MD, Jones KL, Williams TJ, Nichols JT, Van Otterloo E. TFAP2 paralogs regulate midfacial development in part through a conserved ALX genetic pathway. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.16.545376. [PMID: 37398373 PMCID: PMC10312788 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.16.545376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Cranial neural crest development is governed by positional gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Fine-tuning of the GRN components underly facial shape variation, yet how those in the midface are connected and activated remain poorly understood. Here, we show that concerted inactivation of Tfap2a and Tfap2b in the murine neural crest even during the late migratory phase results in a midfacial cleft and skeletal abnormalities. Bulk and single-cell RNA-seq profiling reveal that loss of both Tfap2 members dysregulated numerous midface GRN components involved in midface fusion, patterning, and differentiation. Notably, Alx1/3/4 (Alx) transcript levels are reduced, while ChIP-seq analyses suggest TFAP2 directly and positively regulates Alx gene expression. TFAP2 and ALX co-expression in midfacial neural crest cells of both mouse and zebrafish further implies conservation of this regulatory axis across vertebrates. Consistent with this notion, tfap2a mutant zebrafish present abnormal alx3 expression patterns, and the two genes display a genetic interaction in this species. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for TFAP2 in regulating vertebrate midfacial development in part through ALX transcription factor gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T Nguyen
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Jennyfer M Mitchell
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michaela D Kiel
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Trevor J Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - James T Nichols
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Eric Van Otterloo
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
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Marchal C, Singh N, Batz Z, Advani J, Jaeger C, Corso-Díaz X, Swaroop A. High-resolution genome topology of human retina uncovers super enhancer-promoter interactions at tissue-specific and multifactorial disease loci. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5827. [PMID: 36207300 PMCID: PMC9547065 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33427-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin organization and enhancer-promoter contacts establish unique spatiotemporal gene expression patterns in distinct cell types. Non-coding genetic variants can influence cellular phenotypes by modifying higher-order transcriptional hubs and consequently gene expression. To elucidate genomic regulation in human retina, we mapped chromatin contacts at high resolution and integrated with super-enhancers (SEs), histone marks, binding of CTCF and select transcription factors. We show that topologically associated domains (TADs) with central SEs exhibit stronger insulation and augmented contact with retinal genes relative to TADs with edge SEs. Merging genome-wide expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) with topology map reveals physical links between 100 eQTLs and corresponding eGenes associated with retinal neurodegeneration. Additionally, we uncover candidate genes for susceptibility variants linked to age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Our study of high-resolution genomic architecture of human retina provides insights into genetic control of tissue-specific functions, suggests paradigms for missing heritability, and enables the dissection of common blinding disease phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Marchal
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- In silichrom Ltd, First Floor, Angel Court, 81 St Clements St, Oxford, OX4 1AW, UK
| | - Nivedita Singh
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Zachary Batz
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jayshree Advani
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Catherine Jaeger
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ximena Corso-Díaz
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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5
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Yoon B, Yeung P, Santistevan N, Bluhm LE, Kawasaki K, Kueper J, Dubielzig R, VanOudenhove J, Cotney J, Liao EC, Grinblat Y. Zebrafish models of alx-linked frontonasal dysplasia reveal a role for Alx1 and Alx3 in the anterior segment and vasculature of the developing eye. Biol Open 2022; 11:bio059189. [PMID: 35142342 PMCID: PMC9167625 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular and genetic mechanisms that coordinate formation of facial sensory structures with surrounding skeletal and soft tissue elements remain poorly understood. Alx1, a homeobox transcription factor, is a key regulator of midfacial morphogenesis. ALX1 mutations in humans are linked to severe congenital anomalies of the facial skeleton (frontonasal dysplasia, FND) with malformation or absence of eyes and orbital contents (micro- and anophthalmia). Zebrafish with loss-of-function alx1 mutations develop with craniofacial and ocular defects of variable penetrance, likely due to compensatory upregulation in expression of a paralogous gene, alx3. Here we show that zebrafish alx1;alx3 mutants develop with highly penetrant cranial and ocular defects that resemble human ALX1-linked FND. alx1 and alx3 are expressed in anterior cranial neural crest (aCNC), which gives rise to the anterior neurocranium (ANC), anterior segment structures of the eye and vascular pericytes. Consistent with a functional requirement for alx genes in aCNC, alx1; alx3 mutants develop with nearly absent ANC and grossly aberrant hyaloid vasculature and ocular anterior segment, but normal retina. In vivo lineage labeling identified a requirement for alx1 and alx3 during aCNC migration, and transcriptomic analysis suggested oxidative stress response as a key target mechanism of this function. Oxidative stress is a hallmark of fetal alcohol toxicity, and we found increased penetrance of facial and ocular malformations in alx1 mutants exposed to ethanol, consistent with a protective role for alx1 against ethanol toxicity. Collectively, these data demonstrate a conserved role for zebrafish alx genes in controlling ocular and facial development, and a novel role in protecting these key midfacial structures from ethanol toxicity during embryogenesis. These data also reveal novel roles for alx genes in ocular anterior segment formation and vascular development and suggest that retinal deficits in alx mutants may be secondary to aberrant ocular vascularization and anterior segment defects. This study establishes robust zebrafish models for interrogating conserved genetic mechanisms that coordinate facial and ocular development, and for exploring gene--environment interactions relevant to fetal alcohol syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baul Yoon
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Genetics Ph.D. Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Pan Yeung
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, 02114, USA
| | - Nicholas Santistevan
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Genetics Ph.D. Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Lauren E. Bluhm
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Kenta Kawasaki
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, 02114, USA
| | - Janina Kueper
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, 02114, USA
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Richard Dubielzig
- Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin (COPLOW), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jennifer VanOudenhove
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Justin Cotney
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Eric C. Liao
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, 02114, USA
| | - Yevgenya Grinblat
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Genetics Ph.D. Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Van Otterloo E, Milanda I, Pike H, Thompson JA, Li H, Jones KL, Williams T. AP-2α and AP-2β cooperatively function in the craniofacial surface ectoderm to regulate chromatin and gene expression dynamics during facial development. eLife 2022; 11:e70511. [PMID: 35333176 PMCID: PMC9038197 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The facial surface ectoderm is essential for normal development of the underlying cranial neural crest cell populations, providing signals that direct appropriate growth, patterning, and morphogenesis. Despite the importance of the ectoderm as a signaling center, the molecular cues and genetic programs implemented within this tissue are understudied. Here, we show that removal of two members of the AP-2 transcription factor family, AP-2α and AP-2ß, within the early embryonic ectoderm of the mouse leads to major alterations in the craniofacial complex. Significantly, there are clefts in both the upper face and mandible, accompanied by fusion of the upper and lower jaws in the hinge region. Comparison of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analyses between controls and mutants revealed significant changes in chromatin accessibility and gene expression centered on multiple AP-2 binding motifs associated with enhancer elements within these ectodermal lineages. In particular, loss of these AP-2 proteins affects both skin differentiation as well as multiple signaling pathways, most notably the WNT pathway. We also determined that the mutant clefting phenotypes that correlated with reduced WNT signaling could be rescued by Wnt1 ligand overexpression in the ectoderm. Collectively, these findings highlight a conserved ancestral function for AP-2 transcription factors in ectodermal development and signaling, and provide a framework from which to understand the gene regulatory network operating within this tissue that directs vertebrate craniofacial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Van Otterloo
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
- Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
| | - Isaac Milanda
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
| | - Hamish Pike
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
| | - Jamie A Thompson
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
| | - Trevor Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital ColoradoAuroraUnited States
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Liao J, Huang Y, Wang Q, Chen S, Zhang C, Wang D, Lv Z, Zhang X, Wu M, Chen G. Gene regulatory network from cranial neural crest cells to osteoblast differentiation and calvarial bone development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:158. [PMID: 35220463 PMCID: PMC11072871 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04208-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Calvarial bone is one of the most complex sequences of developmental events in embryology, featuring a uniquely transient, pluripotent stem cell-like population known as the cranial neural crest (CNC). The skull is formed through intramembranous ossification with distinct tissue lineages (e.g. neural crest derived frontal bone and mesoderm derived parietal bone). Due to CNC's vast cell fate potential, in response to a series of inductive secreted cues including BMP/TGF-β, Wnt, FGF, Notch, Hedgehog, Hippo and PDGF signaling, CNC enables generations of a diverse spectrum of differentiated cell types in vivo such as osteoblasts and chondrocytes at the craniofacial level. In recent years, since the studies from a genetic mouse model and single-cell sequencing, new discoveries are uncovered upon CNC patterning, differentiation, and the contribution to the development of cranial bones. In this review, we summarized the differences upon the potential gene regulatory network to regulate CNC derived osteogenic potential in mouse and human, and highlighted specific functions of genetic molecules from multiple signaling pathways and the crosstalk, transcription factors and epigenetic factors in orchestrating CNC commitment and differentiation into osteogenic mesenchyme and bone formation. Disorders in gene regulatory network in CNC patterning indicate highly close relevance to clinical birth defects and diseases, providing valuable transgenic mouse models for subsequent discoveries in delineating the underlying molecular mechanisms. We also emphasized the potential regenerative alternative through scientific discoveries from CNC patterning and genetic molecules in interfering with or alleviating clinical disorders or diseases, which will be beneficial for the molecular targets to be integrated for novel therapeutic strategies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junguang Liao
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Yuping Huang
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Sisi Chen
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Chenyang Zhang
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Dan Wang
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Zhengbing Lv
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Xingen Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Jiaxing Key Laboratory for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Orthopaedics & Skeletal Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital, Jiaxing, 314001, China
| | - Mengrui Wu
- Institute of Genetics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Guiqian Chen
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
- Institute of Genetics, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Taiyab A, Akula M, Dham J, Deschamps P, Sheardown H, Williams T, Borrás T, West-Mays JA. Deletion of transcription factor AP-2β from the developing murine trabecular meshwork region leads to progressive glaucomatous changes. J Neurosci Res 2021; 100:638-652. [PMID: 34822722 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness and can result from abnormalities in anterior segment structures required for aqueous humor outflow, including the trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal (SC). Transcription factors such as AP-2β play critical roles in anterior segment development. Here, we show that the Mgp-Cre knock-in (Mgp-Cre.KI) mouse can be used to target the embryonic periocular mesenchyme giving rise to the TM and SC. Fate mapping of male and female mice indicates that AP-2β loss causes a decrease in iridocorneal angle cells derived from Mgp-Cre.KI-expressing populations compared to controls. Moreover, histological analyses revealed peripheral iridocorneal adhesions in AP-2β mutants that were accompanied by a decrease in expression of TM and SC markers, as observed using immunohistochemistry. In addition, rebound tonometry showed significantly higher intraocular pressure (IOP) that was correlated with a progressive significant loss of retinal ganglion cells, reduced retinal thickness, and reduced retinal function, as measured using an electroretinogram, in AP-2β mutants compared with controls, reflecting pathology described in late-stage glaucoma patients. Importantly, elevated IOP in AP-2β mutants was significantly reduced by treatment with latanoprost, a prostaglandin analog that increases unconventional outflow. These findings demonstrate that AP-2β is critical for TM and SC development, and that these mutant mice can serve as a model for understanding and treating progressive human primary angle-closure glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Taiyab
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Monica Akula
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Japnit Dham
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Paula Deschamps
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Heather Sheardown
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Teresa Borrás
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Judith A West-Mays
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Conditional Deletion of AP-2β in the Periocular Mesenchyme of Mice Alters Corneal Epithelial Cell Fate and Stratification. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168730. [PMID: 34445433 PMCID: PMC8395778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cornea is an anterior eye structure specialized for vision. The corneal endothelium and stroma are derived from the periocular mesenchyme (POM), which originates from neural crest cells (NCCs), while the stratified corneal epithelium develops from the surface ectoderm. Activating protein-2β (AP-2β) is highly expressed in the POM and important for anterior segment development. Using a mouse model in which AP-2β is conditionally deleted in the NCCs (AP-2β NCC KO), we investigated resulting corneal epithelial abnormalities. Through PAS and IHC staining, we observed structural and phenotypic changes to the epithelium associated with AP-2β deletion. In addition to failure of the mutant epithelium to stratify, we also observed that Keratin-12, a marker of the differentiated epithelium, was absent, and Keratin-15, a limbal and conjunctival marker, was expanded across the central epithelium. Transcription factors PAX6 and P63 were not observed to be differentially expressed between WT and mutant. However, growth factor BMP4 was suppressed in the mutant epithelium. Given the non-NCC origin of the epithelium, we hypothesize that the abnormalities in the AP-2β NCC KO mouse result from changes to regulatory signaling from the POM-derived stroma. Our findings suggest that stromal pathways such as Wnt/β-Catenin signaling may regulate BMP4 expression, which influences cell fate and stratification.
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10
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Co-expression of transcription factor AP-2beta (TFAP2B) and GATA3 in human mammary epithelial cells with intense, apicobasal immunoreactivity for CK8/18. J Mol Histol 2021; 52:1257-1264. [PMID: 34117603 PMCID: PMC8616868 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-021-09980-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AP-2β is a new mammary epithelial differentiation marker and its expression is preferentially retained and enhanced in lobular carcinoma in situ and invasive lobular breast cancer. In normal breast epithelium AP-2β is expressed in a scattered subpopulation of luminal cells. So far, these cells have not been further characterized. Co-expression of AP-2β protein and luminal epithelium markers (GATA3, CK8/18), hormone receptors [estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR)] and candidate stem cells markers (CK5/14, CD44) were assessed by double-immunofluorescence staining in normal mammary gland epithelium. The subpopulation of AP-2β-positive mammary epithelial cells showed an almost complete, superimposable co-expression with GATA3 and a peculiar intense, ring-like appearing immunoreactivity for CK8/18. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy revealed an apicobasal staining for CK8/18 in AP-2β-positive cells, which was not seen in in AP-2β-negative cells. Furthermore, AP-2β-positive displayed a partial co-expression with ER and AR, but lacked expression of candidate stem cell markers CK5/14 and CD44. In summary, AP-2β is a new luminal mammary epithelial differentiation marker, which is expressed in the GATA3-positive subpopulation of luminal epithelial cells. These AP-2β-positive/GATA3-positive cells also show a peculiar CK8/18-expression which may indicate a previously unknown functionally specialized mammary epithelial cell population.
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11
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Woodruff ED, Gutierrez GC, Van Otterloo E, Williams T, Cohn MJ. Anomalous incisor morphology indicates tissue-specific roles for Tfap2a and Tfap2b in tooth development. Dev Biol 2021; 472:67-74. [PMID: 33460639 PMCID: PMC8018193 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Mice possess two types of teeth that differ in their cusp patterns; incisors have one cusp and molars have multiple cusps. The patterning of these two types of teeth relies on fine-tuning of the reciprocal molecular signaling between dental epithelial and mesenchymal tissues during embryonic development. The AP-2 transcription factors, particularly Tfap2a and Tfap2b, are essential components of such epithelial-mesenchymal signaling interactions that coordinate craniofacial development in mice and other vertebrates, but little is known about their roles in the regulation of tooth development and shape. Here we demonstrate that incisors and molars differ in their temporal and spatial expression of Tfap2a and Tfap2b. At the bud stage, Tfap2a is expressed in both the epithelium and mesenchyme of the incisors and molars, but Tfap2b expression is restricted to the molar mesenchyme, only later appearing in the incisor epithelium. Tissue-specific deletions show that loss of the epithelial domain of Tfap2a and Tfap2b affects the number and spatial arrangement of the incisors, notably resulting in duplicated lower incisors. In contrast, deletion of these two genes in the mesenchymal domain has little effect on tooth development. Collectively these results implicate epithelial expression of Tfap2a and Tfap2b in regulating the extent of the dental lamina associated with patterning the incisors and suggest that these genes contribute to morphological differences between anterior (incisor) and posterior (molar) teeth within the mammalian dentition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily D Woodruff
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | | | - Eric Van Otterloo
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Trevor Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Martin J Cohn
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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12
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Taiyab A, Saraco A, Akula M, Deschamps P, Ball AK, Williams T, West-Mays JA. Progressive Loss of Retinal Ganglion Cells in Activating Protein-2β Neural Crest Cell Knockout Mice. Curr Eye Res 2021; 46:1509-1515. [PMID: 33689532 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2021.1901939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Our lab has shown that conditionally disrupting the transcription factor activating protein 2β (Tfap2b) gene, responsible for the activating protein-2β (AP-2β) transcription factor, exclusively in cranial neural crest cells (AP-2β NCC KO), leads to anterior segment dysgenesis and a closed angle phenotype. The purpose of the current study is to determine if there is a progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the mutant over time and whether this loss was associated with macroglial activity changes and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).Methods: Using the Cre-loxP system, we generated a conditional knockout of Tfap2b exclusively in cranial NCC (AP-2β NCC KO). Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-Brn3a, anti-GFAP and anti-Vimentin antibodies. IOP was measured using a tonometer and the data was analyzed using GraphPad Prism software. Brn3a and DAPI positive cells were counted using Image-J and statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism software.Results: Our findings revealed that while no statistical difference in Brn3a expression was observed between wild-type and mutant mice at postnatal day (P) 4 or P10, at P40 (p < .01) and P42 (p < .0001) Brn3a expression was significantly reduced in the mutant retina at the region of the ONH. There was also increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) by Müller cells in the AP-2β NCC KO mice at P35 and P40, indicating the presence of neuroinflammation. Moreover, increased IOP was observed starting at P35 and continuing at P40 and P42 (p < .0001 for all three ages examined).Conclusions: Together, these findings suggest that the retinal damage observed in the KO mouse becomes apparent by P40 after increased IOP was observed at P35 and progressed over time. The AP-2β NCC KO mouse may therefore be a novel experimental model for glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Taiyab
- Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony Saraco
- Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Monica Akula
- Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paula Deschamps
- Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander K Ball
- Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor Williams
- Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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13
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Raap M, Gierendt L, Kreipe HH, Christgen M. Transcription factor AP-2beta in development, differentiation and tumorigenesis. Int J Cancer 2021; 149:1221-1227. [PMID: 33720400 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
To date, the AP-2 family of transcription factors comprises five members. Transcription factor AP-2beta (TFAP2B)/AP-2β was first described in 1995. Several studies indicate a critical role of AP-2β in the development of tissues and organs of ectodermal, neuroectodermal and also mesodermal origin. Germline mutation of TFAP2B is known to cause the Char syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by facial dysmorphism, patent ductus arteriosus and anatomical abnormalities of the fifth digit. Furthermore, single-nucleotide polymorphisms in TFAP2B were linked to obesity and specific personality traits. In neoplasias, AP-2β was first described in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Immunohistochemical staining of AP-2β is a recommended ancillary test for the histopathological diagnosis of this uncommon childhood malignancy. In neuroblastoma, AP-2β supports noradrenergic differentiation. Recently, the function of AP-2β in breast cancer (BC) has gained interest. AP-2β is associated with the lobular BC subtype. Moreover, AP-2β controls BC cell proliferation and has a prognostic impact in patients with BC. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge about AP-2β and its function in organ development, differentiation and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke Raap
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lisa Gierendt
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans H Kreipe
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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14
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Williams AL, Bohnsack BL. The Ocular Neural Crest: Specification, Migration, and Then What? Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:595896. [PMID: 33425902 PMCID: PMC7785809 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.595896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During vertebrate embryonic development, a population of dorsal neural tube-derived stem cells, termed the neural crest (NC), undergo a series of morphogenetic changes and extensive migration to become a diverse array of cell types. Around the developing eye, this multipotent ocular NC cell population, called the periocular mesenchyme (POM), comprises migratory mesenchymal cells that eventually give rise to many of the elements in the anterior of the eye, such as the cornea, sclera, trabecular meshwork, and iris. Molecular cell biology and genetic analyses of congenital eye diseases have provided important information on the regulation of NC contributions to this area of the eye. Nevertheless, a complete understanding of the NC as a contributor to ocular development remains elusive. In addition, positional information during ocular NC migration and the molecular pathways that regulate end tissue differentiation have yet to be fully elucidated. Further, the clinical challenges of ocular diseases, such as Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS), Peters anomaly (PA) and primary congenital glaucoma (PCG), strongly suggest the need for better treatments. While several aspects of NC evolution have recently been reviewed, this discussion will consolidate the most recent current knowledge on the specification, migration, and contributions of the NC to ocular development, highlighting the anterior segment and the knowledge obtained from the clinical manifestations of its associated diseases. Ultimately, this knowledge can inform translational discoveries with potential for sorely needed regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antionette L Williams
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Brenda L Bohnsack
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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15
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Weigele J, Bohnsack BL. Genetics Underlying the Interactions between Neural Crest Cells and Eye Development. J Dev Biol 2020; 8:jdb8040026. [PMID: 33182738 PMCID: PMC7712190 DOI: 10.3390/jdb8040026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural crest is a unique, transient stem cell population that is critical for craniofacial and ocular development. Understanding the genetics underlying the steps of neural crest development is essential for gaining insight into the pathogenesis of congenital eye diseases. The neural crest cells play an under-appreciated key role in patterning the neural epithelial-derived optic cup. These interactions between neural crest cells within the periocular mesenchyme and the optic cup, while not well-studied, are critical for optic cup morphogenesis and ocular fissure closure. As a result, microphthalmia and coloboma are common phenotypes in human disease and animal models in which neural crest cell specification and early migration are disrupted. In addition, neural crest cells directly contribute to numerous ocular structures including the cornea, iris, sclera, ciliary body, trabecular meshwork, and aqueous outflow tracts. Defects in later neural crest cell migration and differentiation cause a constellation of well-recognized ocular anterior segment anomalies such as Axenfeld–Rieger Syndrome and Peters Anomaly. This review will focus on the genetics of the neural crest cells within the context of how these complex processes specifically affect overall ocular development and can lead to congenital eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Weigele
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 645 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Brenda L. Bohnsack
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 645 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-312-227-6180; Fax: +1-312-227-9411
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16
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Walker H, Akula M, West-Mays JA. Corneal development: Role of the periocular mesenchyme and bi-directional signaling. Exp Eye Res 2020; 201:108231. [PMID: 33039457 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cornea is a highly specialized transparent tissue located at the anterior most surface of the eye. It consists of three main layers, the outer stratified squamous epithelium, the inner endothelium, and the intermediate stroma. Formation of these layers during development involves a complex interaction between ectodermal-derived structures, such as the overlying head ectoderm with the periocular mesenchyme (POM), the latter of which is comprised of neural crest cells (NCC) and mesoderm-derived progenitor cells. Regulation of corneal epithelial development, including both epithelial cell fate and stratification, has been shown to depend on numerous bi-directional mesenchymal-epithelial signaling pathways. In this review we pay particular attention to the genes and signaling pathways that involve the POM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydn Walker
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W., L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Monica Akula
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W., L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Judith A West-Mays
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W., L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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17
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Akula M, Taiyab A, Deschamps P, Yee S, Ball AK, Williams T, West-Mays JA. AP-2β is required for formation of the murine trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal. Exp Eye Res 2020; 195:108042. [PMID: 32353428 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we have shown that Tfap2b, the gene encoding transcription factor AP-2β, is needed for normal mouse eye development. Specifically, targeted loss of Tfap2b in neural crest cells (NCCs)1 and their derivatives, particularly the periocular mesenchyme (POM), resulted in anterior segment defects affecting the cornea and angle tissue. These defects were further associated with an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). The present study investigates the underlying changes in embryonic and postnatal POM cell development and differentiation caused by loss of AP-2β in the NCCs, particularly in the structures that control aqueous outflow, using Wnt1Cre+/-; Tfap2b-/lox; tdTomatolox/+ mice (AP-2β neural crest cell knockout or AP-2β NCC KO). Toluidine blue-stained sections and ultrathin sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate were used to assess morphology and ultrastructure, respectively. Immunohistochemistry of KO and control eyes was performed at embryonic day (E) 15.5, E18.5, postnatal day (P) 1, P7 and P14 using phospho-histone H3 (PH3), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), myocilin and endomucin antibodies, as well as a TUNEL assay. Conditional deletion of AP-2β in the NCC-derived POM resulted in defects that appeared during both embryogenesis and postnatal stages. Fate mapping of the knockout cells in the mutants revealed that the POM migrated appropriately into the eye during embryogenesis. However, during postnatal stages a significant reduction in POM proliferation in the angle region was observed in the mutants compared to controls. This was accompanied by a lack of expression of appropriate trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal markers. This is the first study to show that AP-2β is required for development and differentiation of the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal. Together, these defects likely contributed to the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) previously reported in the AP-2β NCC KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Akula
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W, L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Aftab Taiyab
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W, L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Paula Deschamps
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W, L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Shannin Yee
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W, L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander K Ball
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W, L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor Williams
- University of Colorado, Craniofacial Biology, Mail Stop 8120, RC1-S, Rm L18 111, 12801 E. 17th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Judith A West-Mays
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W, L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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18
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Wan Y, White C, Robert N, Rogers MB, Szabo-Rogers HL. Localization of Tfap2β, Casq2, Penk, Zic1, and Zic3 Expression in the Developing Retina, Muscle, and Sclera of the Embryonic Mouse Eye. J Histochem Cytochem 2019; 67:863-871. [PMID: 31638440 DOI: 10.1369/0022155419885112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Optic development involves sequential interactions between several different tissue types, including the overlying ectoderm, adjacent mesoderm, and neural crest mesenchyme and the neuroectoderm. In an ongoing expression screen, we identified that Tfap2β, Casq2, Penk, Zic1, and Zic3 are expressed in unique cell types in and around the developing eye. Tfap2β, Zic1, and Zic3 are transcription factors, Casq2 is a calcium binding protein and Penk is a neurotransmitter. Tfap2β, Zic1, and Zic3 have reported roles in brain and craniofacial development, while Casq2 and Penk have unknown roles. These five genes are expressed in the major tissue types in the eye, including the muscles, nerves, cornea, and sclera. Penk expression is found in the sclera and perichondrium. At E12.5 and E15.5, the extra-ocular muscles express Casq2, the entire neural retina expresses Zic1, and Zic3 is expressed in the optic disk and lip of the optic cup. The expression of Tfap2β expanded from corneal epithelium to the neural retina between E12.5 to E15.5. These genes are expressed in similar domains as Hedgehog (Gli1, and Ptch1) and the Wnt (Lef1) pathways. The expression patterns of these five genes warrant further study to determine their role in eye morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wan
- Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Casey White
- Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Nadine Robert
- Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Matthew B Rogers
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Heather L Szabo-Rogers
- Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.,Department of Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.,McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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19
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Bi L, Lwigale P. Transcriptomic analysis of differential gene expression during chick periocular neural crest differentiation into corneal cells. Dev Dyn 2019; 248:583-602. [PMID: 31004457 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.43] [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: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multipotent neural crest cells (NCC) contribute to the corneal endothelium and keratocytes during ocular development, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie this process remain poorly understood. We performed RNA-Seq analysis on periocular neural crest (pNC), corneal endothelium, and keratocytes and validated expression of candidate genes by in situ hybridization. RESULTS RNA-Seq profiling revealed enrichment of genes between pNC and neural crest-derived corneal cells, which correspond to pathways involved in focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, cell adhesion, melanogenesis, and MAPK signaling. Comparisons of candidate NCC genes to ocular gene expression revealed that majority of the NCC genes are expressed in the pNC, but they are either differentially expressed or maintained during corneal development. Several genes involved in retinoic acid, transforming growth factor-β, and Wnt signaling pathways and their modulators are also differentially expressed. We identified differentially expressed transcription factors as potential downstream candidates that may instruct expression of genes involved in establishing corneal endothelium and keratocyte identities. CONCLUSION Combined, our data reveal novel changes in gene expression profiles as pNC differentiate into highly specialized corneal endothelial cells and keratocytes. These data serve as platform for further analyses of the molecular networks involved in NCC differentiation into corneal cells and provide insights into genes involved in corneal dysgenesis and adult diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Bi
- BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas
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20
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Hara S, Kawasaki S, Yoshihara M, Winegarner A, Busch C, Tsujikawa M, Nishida K. Transcription factor TFAP2B up-regulates human corneal endothelial cell-specific genes during corneal development and maintenance. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:2460-2469. [PMID: 30552118 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The corneal endothelium, which originates from the neural crest via the periocular mesenchyme (PM), is crucial for maintaining corneal transparency. The development of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) from the neural crest is accompanied by the expression of several transcription factors, but the contribution of some of these transcriptional regulators to CEC development is incompletely understood. Here, we focused on activating enhancer-binding protein 2 (TFAP2, AP-2), a neural crest-expressed transcription factor. Using semiquantitative/quantitative RT-PCR and reporter gene and biochemical assays, we found that, within the AP-2 family, the TFAP2B gene is the only one expressed in human CECs in vivo and that its expression is strongly localized to the peripheral region of the corneal endothelium. Furthermore, the TFAP2B protein was expressed both in vivo and in cultured CECs. During mouse development, TFAP2B expression began in the PM at embryonic day 11.5 and then in CECs during adulthood. siRNA-mediated knockdown of TFAP2B in CECs decreased the expression of the corneal endothelium-specific proteins type VIII collagen α2 (COL8A2) and zona pellucida glycoprotein 4 (ZP4) and suppressed cell proliferation. Of note, we also found that TFAP2B binds to the promoter of the COL8A2 and ZP4 genes. Furthermore, CECs that highly expressed ZP4 also highly expressed both TFAP2B and COL8A2 and showed high cell proliferation. These findings suggest that TFAP2B transcriptionally regulates CEC-specific genes and therefore may be an important transcriptional regulator of corneal endothelial development and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Hara
- From the Departments of Stem Cells and Applied Medicine and .,Ophthalmology and
| | | | - Masahito Yoshihara
- Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan, and.,Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | | | - Motokazu Tsujikawa
- Ophthalmology and.,Division of Health Sciences Area of Medical Technology and Science, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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21
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Rambow F, Rogiers A, Marin-Bejar O, Aibar S, Femel J, Dewaele M, Karras P, Brown D, Chang YH, Debiec-Rychter M, Adriaens C, Radaelli E, Wolter P, Bechter O, Dummer R, Levesque M, Piris A, Frederick DT, Boland G, Flaherty KT, van den Oord J, Voet T, Aerts S, Lund AW, Marine JC. Toward Minimal Residual Disease-Directed Therapy in Melanoma. Cell 2018; 174:843-855.e19. [PMID: 30017245 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 397] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Many patients with advanced cancers achieve dramatic responses to a panoply of therapeutics yet retain minimal residual disease (MRD), which ultimately results in relapse. To gain insights into the biology of MRD, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing to malignant cells isolated from BRAF mutant patient-derived xenograft melanoma cohorts exposed to concurrent RAF/MEK-inhibition. We identified distinct drug-tolerant transcriptional states, varying combinations of which co-occurred within MRDs from PDXs and biopsies of patients on treatment. One of these exhibited a neural crest stem cell (NCSC) transcriptional program largely driven by the nuclear receptor RXRG. An RXR antagonist mitigated accumulation of NCSCs in MRD and delayed the development of resistance. These data identify NCSCs as key drivers of resistance and illustrate the therapeutic potential of MRD-directed therapy. They also highlight how gene regulatory network architecture reprogramming may be therapeutically exploited to limit cellular heterogeneity, a key driver of disease progression and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Rambow
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aljosja Rogiers
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oskar Marin-Bejar
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Aibar
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Julia Femel
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Michael Dewaele
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniel Brown
- Laboratory of reproductive genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Young Hwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Maria Debiec-Rychter
- Laboratory for Genetics of Malignant Disorders, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carmen Adriaens
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Enrico Radaelli
- Comparative Pathology Core, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Pathobiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pascal Wolter
- Department of General Medical Oncology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oliver Bechter
- Department of General Medical Oncology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zürich Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mitchell Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zürich Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Piris
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennie T Frederick
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Genevieve Boland
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Department of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joost van den Oord
- Laboratory of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Pathology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry Voet
- Laboratory of reproductive genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stein Aerts
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amanda W Lund
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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22
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Akula M, Park JW, West-Mays JA. Relationship between neural crest cell specification and rare ocular diseases. J Neurosci Res 2018; 97:7-15. [PMID: 29660784 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Development of the eye is closely associated with neural crest cell migration and specification. Eye development is extremely complex, as it requires the working of a combination of local factors, receptors, inductors, and signaling interactions between tissues such as the optic cup and periocular mesenchyme (POM). The POM is comprised of neural crest-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells that give rise to numerous important ocular structures including those tissues that form the optic cup and anterior segment of the eye. A number of genes are involved in the migration and specification of the POM such as PITX2, PITX3, FOXC1, FOXE3, PAX6, LMX1B, GPR48, TFAP2A, and TFAP2B. In this review, we will discuss the relevance of these genes in the development of the POM and how mutations and defects result in rare ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Akula
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeong Won Park
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Judith A West-Mays
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Coupling the roles of Hox genes to regulatory networks patterning cranial neural crest. Dev Biol 2018; 444 Suppl 1:S67-S78. [PMID: 29571614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The neural crest is a transient population of cells that forms within the developing central nervous system and migrates away to generate a wide range of derivatives throughout the body during vertebrate embryogenesis. These cells are of evolutionary and clinical interest, constituting a key defining trait in the evolution of vertebrates and alterations in their development are implicated in a high proportion of birth defects and craniofacial abnormalities. In the hindbrain and the adjacent cranial neural crest cells (cNCCs), nested domains of Hox gene expression provide a combinatorial'Hox-code' for specifying regional properties in the developing head. Hox genes have been shown to play important roles at multiple stages in cNCC development, including specification, migration, and differentiation. However, relatively little is known about the underlying gene-regulatory mechanisms involved, both upstream and downstream of Hox genes. Furthermore, it is still an open question as to how the genes of the neural crest GRN are linked to Hox-dependent pathways. In this review, we describe Hox gene expression, function and regulation in cNCCs with a view to integrating these genes within the emerging gene regulatory network for cNCC development. We highlight early roles for Hox1 genes in cNCC specification, proposing that this may be achieved, in part, by regulation of the balance between pluripotency and differentiation in precursor cells within the neuro-epithelium. We then describe what is known about the regulation of Hox gene expression in cNCCs and discuss this from the perspective of early vertebrate evolution.
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24
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Van Otterloo E, Li H, Jones KL, Williams T. AP-2α and AP-2β cooperatively orchestrate homeobox gene expression during branchial arch patterning. Development 2018; 145:dev.157438. [PMID: 29229773 DOI: 10.1242/dev.157438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of a hinged moveable jaw with variable morphology is considered a major factor behind the successful expansion of the vertebrates. DLX homeobox transcription factors are crucial for establishing the positional code that patterns the mandible, maxilla and intervening hinge domain, but how the genes encoding these proteins are regulated remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that the concerted action of the AP-2α and AP-2β transcription factors within the mouse neural crest is essential for jaw patterning. In the absence of these two proteins, the hinge domain is lost and there are alterations in the size and patterning of the jaws correlating with dysregulation of homeobox gene expression, with reduced levels of Emx, Msx and Dlx paralogs accompanied by an expansion of Six1 expression. Moreover, detailed analysis of morphological features and gene expression changes indicate significant overlap with various compound Dlx gene mutants. Together, these findings reveal that the AP-2 genes have a major function in mammalian neural crest development, influencing patterning of the craniofacial skeleton via the DLX code, an effect that has implications for vertebrate facial evolution, as well as for human craniofacial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Van Otterloo
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Trevor Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA .,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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25
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Andley UP, Tycksen E, McGlasson-Naumann BN, Hamilton PD. Probing the changes in gene expression due to α-crystallin mutations in mouse models of hereditary human cataract. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190817. [PMID: 29338044 PMCID: PMC5770019 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian eye lens expresses a high concentration of crystallins (α, β and γ-crystallins) to maintain the refractive index essential for lens transparency. Crystallins are long-lived proteins that do not turnover throughout life. The structural destabilization of crystallins by UV exposure, glycation, oxidative stress and mutations in crystallin genes leads to protein aggregation and development of cataracts. Several destabilizing mutations in crystallin genes are linked with human autosomal dominant hereditary cataracts. To investigate the mechanism by which the α-crystallin mutations Cryaa-R49C and Cryab-R120G lead to cataract formation, we determined whether these mutations cause an altered expression of specific transcripts in the lens at an early postnatal age by RNA-seq analysis. Using knock-in mouse models previously generated in our laboratory, in the present work, we identified genes that exhibited altered abundance in the mutant lenses, including decreased transcripts for Clic5, an intracellular water channel in Cryaa-R49C heterozygous mutant lenses, and increased transcripts for Eno1b in Cryab-R120G heterozygous mutant lenses. In addition, RNA-seq analysis revealed increased histones H2B, H2A, and H4 gene expression in Cryaa-R49C mutant lenses, suggesting that the αA-crystallin mutation regulates histone expression via a transcriptional mechanism. Additionally, these studies confirmed the increased expression of histones H2B, H2A, and H4 by proteomic analysis of Cryaa-R49C knock-in and Cryaa;Cryab gene knockout lenses reported previously. Taken together, these findings offer additional insight into the early transcriptional changes caused by Cryaa and Cryab mutations associated with autosomal dominant human cataracts, and indicate that the transcript levels of certain genes are affected by the expression of mutant α-crystallin in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha P. Andley
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Eric Tycksen
- Genome Technology Access Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Brittney N. McGlasson-Naumann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Paul D. Hamilton
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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26
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Raap M, Gronewold M, Christgen H, Glage S, Bentires-Alj M, Koren S, Derksen PW, Boelens M, Jonkers J, Lehmann U, Feuerhake F, Kuehnle E, Gluz O, Kates R, Nitz U, Harbeck N, Kreipe HH, Christgen M. Lobular carcinoma in situ and invasive lobular breast cancer are characterized by enhanced expression of transcription factor AP-2β. J Transl Med 2018; 98:117-129. [PMID: 29035379 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2017.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor AP-2β (TFAP2B) regulates embryonic organ development and is overexpressed in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood malignancy. Gene expression profiling has implicated AP-2β in breast cancer (BC). This study characterizes AP-2β expression in the mammary gland and in BC. AP-2β protein expression was assessed in the normal mammary gland epithelium, in various reactive, metaplastic and pre-invasive neoplastic lesions and in two clinical BC cohorts comprising >2000 patients. BCs from various genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models were also evaluated. Human BC cell lines served as functional models to study siRNA-mediated inhibition of AP-2β. The normal mammary gland epithelium showed scattered AP-2β-positive cells in the luminal cell layer. Various reactive and pre-invasive neoplastic lesions, including apocrine metaplasia, usual ductal hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) showed enhanced AP-2β expression. Cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were more often AP-2β-negative (P<0.001). In invasive BC cohorts, AP-2β-positivity was associated with the lobular BC subtype (P<0.001), loss of E-cadherin (P<0.001), a positive estrogen receptor (ER) status (P<0.001), low Ki67 (P<0.001), low/intermediate Oncotype DX recurrence scores (P<0.001), and prolonged event-free survival (P=0.003). BCs from GEM models were all AP-2β-negative. In human BC cell lines, AP-2β expression was independent from ER-signaling. SiRNA-mediated inhibition of AP-2β diminished proliferation of lobular BC cell lines in vitro. In summary, AP-2β is a new mammary epithelial differentiation marker. Its expression is preferentially retained and enhanced in LCIS and invasive lobular BC and has prognostic implications. Our findings indicate that AP-2β controls tumor cell proliferation in this slow-growing BC subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke Raap
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Malte Gronewold
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Silke Glage
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mohammad Bentires-Alj
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shany Koren
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patrick W Derksen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam Boelens
- Division of Molecular Pathology, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Jonkers
- Division of Molecular Pathology, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Lehmann
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Elna Kuehnle
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Oleg Gluz
- West German Study Group, Moenchengladbach, Germany.,Breast Center Niederrhein, Evangelic Bethesda Hospital, Moenchengladbach, Germany
| | - Ronald Kates
- West German Study Group, Moenchengladbach, Germany
| | - Ulrike Nitz
- West German Study Group, Moenchengladbach, Germany.,Breast Center Niederrhein, Evangelic Bethesda Hospital, Moenchengladbach, Germany
| | - Nadia Harbeck
- West German Study Group, Moenchengladbach, Germany.,Breast Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans H Kreipe
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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27
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Yoshihara M, Hara S, Tsujikawa M, Kawasaki S, Hayashizaki Y, Itoh M, Kawaji H, Nishida K. Restricted Presence of POU6F2 in Human Corneal Endothelial Cells Uncovered by Extension of the Promoter-level Expression Atlas. EBioMedicine 2017; 25:175-186. [PMID: 29113774 PMCID: PMC5704063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are essential for maintaining the clarity of the cornea. Because CECs have limited proliferative ability, interest is growing in their potentially therapeutic regeneration from pluripotent stem cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of human CEC differentiation remain largely unknown. To determine the key regulators of CEC characteristics, here we generated a comprehensive promoter-level expression profile of human CECs, using cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) with a single molecule sequencer. Integration with the FANTOM5 promoter-level expression atlas, which includes transcriptome profiles of various human tissues and cells, enabled us to identify 45 promoters at 28 gene loci that are specifically expressed in CECs. We further discovered that the expression of transcription factor POU class 6 homeobox 2 (POU6F2) is restricted to CECs, and upregulated during human CEC differentiation, suggesting that POU6F2 is pivotal to terminal differentiation of CECs. These CEC-specific promoters would be useful for the assessment of fully differentiated CECs derived from pluripotent stem cells. These findings promote the development of corneal regenerative medicine. We comprehensively profiled promoter-level expression of human corneal endothelial cells. Integrative transcriptome analysis identified 28 corneal endothelial cell-specific marker genes. POU6F2 expression is restricted to corneal endothelial cells, and upregulated during differentiation.
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are essential for maintaining corneal transparency. Owing to the high prevalence of corneal endothelial disorders, CECs are important targets in regenerative medicine. However, it has been difficult to evaluate the final CEC products owing to the lack of appropriate CEC-specific markers. In this study, we identified 28 CEC-specific marker genes by integrative transcriptome analysis. One gene of particular interest, POU6F2, is expressed almost exclusively in CECs, and upregulated during differentiation. These markers would be useful for the assessment of CECs derived from pluripotent stem cells, and this study will facilitate the translation of corneal regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Yoshihara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Susumu Hara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Stem Cells and Applied Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Motokazu Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Visual Regenerative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kawasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Ocular Immunology and Regenerative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Hayashizaki
- RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Itoh
- Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hideya Kawaji
- Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Preventive Medicine and Applied Genomics Unit, RIKEN Advanced Center for Computing and Communication, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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28
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Barzago MM, Kurosaki M, Fratelli M, Bolis M, Giudice C, Nordio L, Cerri E, Domenici L, Terao M, Garattini E. Generation of a new mouse model of glaucoma characterized by reduced expression of the AP-2β and AP-2δ proteins. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11140. [PMID: 28894266 PMCID: PMC5593953 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11752-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We generated 6 transgenic lines with insertion of an expression plasmid for the R883/M xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) mutant protein. Approximately 20% of the animals deriving from one of the transgenic lines show ocular abnormalities and an increase in intra-ocular pressure which are consistent with glaucoma. The observed pathologic phenotype is not due to expression of the transgene, but rather the consequence of the transgene insertion site, which has been defined by genome sequencing. The insertion site maps to chromosome 1qA3 in close proximity to the loci encoding AP-2β and AP-2δ, two proteins expressed in the eye. The insertion leads to a reduction in AP-2β and AP-2δ levels. Down-regulation of AP-2β expression is likely to be responsible for the pathologic phenotype, as conditional deletion of the Tfap2b gene in the neural crest has recently been shown to cause defective development of the eye anterior segment and early-onset glaucoma. In these conditional knock-out and our transgenic mice, the morphological/histological features of the glaucomatous pathology are surprisingly similar. Our transgenic mouse represents a model of angle-closure glaucoma and a useful tool for the study of the pathogenesis and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Monica Barzago
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", via La Masa 19, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - Mami Kurosaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", via La Masa 19, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - Maddalena Fratelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", via La Masa 19, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Bolis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", via La Masa 19, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Giudice
- DIVET, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy, Via Celoria 10, 20113, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Nordio
- DIVET, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy, Via Celoria 10, 20113, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Cerri
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luciano Domenici
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology (DISCAB), University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mineko Terao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", via La Masa 19, 20156, Milano, Italy.
| | - Enrico Garattini
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", via La Masa 19, 20156, Milano, Italy.
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29
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Mao M, Kiss M, Ou Y, Gould DB. Genetic dissection of anterior segment dysgenesis caused by a Col4a1 mutation in mouse. Dis Model Mech 2017; 10:475-485. [PMID: 28237965 PMCID: PMC5399567 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.027888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) describes a spectrum of clinically and genetically heterogeneous congenital disorders affecting anterior structures that often lead to impaired vision. More importantly, 50-75% of patients with ASD develop early onset and aggressive glaucoma. Although several genes have been implicated in the etiology of ASD, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Type IV collagen alpha 1 (COL4A1) is an extracellular matrix protein and a critical component of nearly all basement membranes. COL4A1 mutations cause multi-system disorders in patients, including ASD (congenital cataracts, Axenfeld-Rieger's anomaly, Peter's anomaly and microphthalmia) and congenital or juvenile glaucoma. Here, we use a conditional Col4a1 mutation in mice to determine the location and timing of pathogenic events underlying COL4A1-related ocular dysgenesis. Our results suggest that selective expression of the Col4a1 mutation in neural crest cells and their derivatives is not sufficient to cause ocular dysgenesis and that selective expression of the Col4a1 mutation in vascular endothelial cells can lead to mild ASD and optic nerve hypoplasia but only on a sensitized background. In contrast, lens-specific expression of the conditional Col4a1 mutant allele led to cataracts, mild ASD and optic nerve hypoplasia, and age-related intraocular pressure dysregulation and optic nerve damage. Finally, ubiquitous expression of the conditional Col4a1 mutation at distinct developmental stages suggests that pathogenesis takes place before E12.5. Our results show that the lens and possibly vasculature play important roles in Col4a1-related ASD and that the pathogenic events occur at mid-embryogenesis in mice, during early stages of ocular development. Summary: Key pathogenic events in anterior segment dysgenesis, a congenital ocular disease with complex etiology, are recapitulated in a mouse model of Col4a1-related ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Mao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Human Genetics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Márton Kiss
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Középfasor 52, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Yvonne Ou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Human Genetics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Douglas B Gould
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Human Genetics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA .,Department of Anatomy, Institute for Human Genetics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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