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Dai R, Wang Z, Ahmed SA. Epigenetic Contribution and Genomic Imprinting Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:680. [PMID: 34062726 PMCID: PMC8147206 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease that afflicts multiple organs, especially kidneys and joints. In addition to genetic predisposition, it is now evident that DNA methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs), the two major epigenetic modifications, are critically involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. DNA methylation regulates promoter accessibility and gene expression at the transcriptional level by adding a methyl group to 5' cytosine within a CpG dinucleotide. Extensive evidence now supports the importance of DNA hypomethylation in SLE etiology. miRNAs are small, non-protein coding RNAs that play a critical role in the regulation of genome expression. Various studies have identified the signature lupus-related miRNAs and their functional contribution to lupus incidence and progression. In this review, the mutual interaction between DNA methylation and miRNAs regulation in SLE is discussed. Some lupus-associated miRNAs regulate DNA methylation status by targeting the DNA methylation enzymes or methylation pathway-related proteins. On the other hand, DNA hyper- and hypo-methylation are linked with dysregulated miRNAs expression in lupus. Further, we specifically discuss the genetic imprinting Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs that are subjected to DNA methylation regulation and are dysregulated in several autoimmune diseases, including SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujuan Dai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
| | | | - S. Ansar Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
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Baulina N, Kiselev I, Favorova O. Imprinted Genes and Multiple Sclerosis: What Do We Know? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1346. [PMID: 33572862 PMCID: PMC7866243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that arises from interplay between non-genetic and genetic risk factors. The epigenetics functions as a link between these factors, affecting gene expression in response to external influence, and therefore should be extensively studied to improve the knowledge of MS molecular mechanisms. Among others, the epigenetic mechanisms underlie the establishment of parent-of-origin effects that appear as phenotypic differences depending on whether the allele was inherited from the mother or father. The most well described manifestation of parent-of-origin effects is genomic imprinting that causes monoallelic gene expression. It becomes more obvious that disturbances in imprinted genes at the least affecting their expression do occur in MS and may be involved in its pathogenesis. In this review we will focus on the potential role of imprinted genes in MS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Baulina
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.K.); (O.F.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan Kiselev
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Olga Favorova
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.K.); (O.F.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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Szpirer C. Rat models of human diseases and related phenotypes: a systematic inventory of the causative genes. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:84. [PMID: 32741357 PMCID: PMC7395987 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00673-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory rat has been used for a long time as the model of choice in several biomedical disciplines. Numerous inbred strains have been isolated, displaying a wide range of phenotypes and providing many models of human traits and diseases. Rat genome mapping and genomics was considerably developed in the last decades. The availability of these resources has stimulated numerous studies aimed at discovering causal disease genes by positional identification. Numerous rat genes have now been identified that underlie monogenic or complex diseases and remarkably, these results have been translated to the human in a significant proportion of cases, leading to the identification of novel human disease susceptibility genes, helping in studying the mechanisms underlying the pathological abnormalities and also suggesting new therapeutic approaches. In addition, reverse genetic tools have been developed. Several genome-editing methods were introduced to generate targeted mutations in genes the function of which could be clarified in this manner [generally these are knockout mutations]. Furthermore, even when the human gene causing a disease had been identified without resorting to a rat model, mutated rat strains (in particular KO strains) were created to analyze the gene function and the disease pathogenesis. Today, over 350 rat genes have been identified as underlying diseases or playing a key role in critical biological processes that are altered in diseases, thereby providing a rich resource of disease models. This article is an update of the progress made in this research and provides the reader with an inventory of these disease genes, a significant number of which have similar effects in rat and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Szpirer
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
- , Waterloo, Belgium.
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Bjelobaba I, Begovic-Kupresanin V, Pekovic S, Lavrnja I. Animal models of multiple sclerosis: Focus on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Neurosci Res 2018; 96:1021-1042. [PMID: 29446144 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects more than two million people worldwide. Several animal models resemble MS pathology; the most employed are experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and toxin- and/or virus-induced demyelination. In this review we will summarize our knowledge on the utility of different animal models in MS research. Although animal models cannot replicate the complexity and heterogeneity of the MS pathology, they have proved to be useful for the development of several drugs approved for treatment of MS patients. This review focuses on EAE because it represents both clinical and pathological features of MS. During the past decades, EAE has been effective in illuminating various pathological processes that occur during MS, including inflammation, CNS penetration, demyelination, axonopathy, and neuron loss mediated by immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Bjelobaba
- Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic," Department of Neurobiology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Sanja Pekovic
- Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic," Department of Neurobiology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Irena Lavrnja
- Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic," Department of Neurobiology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Zheleznyakova GY, Piket E, Marabita F, Pahlevan Kakhki M, Ewing E, Ruhrmann S, Needhamsen M, Jagodic M, Kular L. Epigenetic research in multiple sclerosis: progress, challenges, and opportunities. Physiol Genomics 2017; 49:447-461. [PMID: 28754822 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00060.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. MS likely results from a complex interplay between predisposing causal gene variants (the strongest influence coming from HLA class II locus) and environmental risk factors such as smoking, infectious mononucleosis, and lack of sun exposure/vitamin D. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying MS development and progression. Moreover, the clinical heterogeneity and variable response to treatment represent additional challenges to a comprehensive understanding and efficient treatment of disease. Epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation and histone posttranslational modifications, integrate influences from the genes and the environment to regulate gene expression accordingly. Studying epigenetic modifications, which are stable and reversible, may provide an alternative approach to better understand and manage disease. We here aim to review findings from epigenetic studies in MS and further discuss the challenges and clinical opportunities arising from epigenetic research, many of which apply to other diseases with similar complex etiology. A growing body of evidence supports a role of epigenetic processes in the mechanisms underlying immune pathogenesis and nervous system dysfunction in MS. However, disparities between studies shed light on the need to consider possible confounders and methodological limitations for a better interpretation of the data. Nevertheless, translational use of epigenetics might offer new opportunities in epigenetic-based diagnostics and therapeutic tools for a personalized care of MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Y Zheleznyakova
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eliane Piket
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesco Marabita
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Majid Pahlevan Kakhki
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ewoud Ewing
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sabrina Ruhrmann
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Needhamsen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maja Jagodic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lara Kular
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Sex effects on inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes in multiple sclerosis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 67:137-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Papavasiliou FN, Chung YC, Gagnidze K, Hajdarovic KH, Cole DC, Bulloch K. Epigenetic Modulators of Monocytic Function: Implication for Steady State and Disease in the CNS. Front Immunol 2016; 6:661. [PMID: 26834738 PMCID: PMC4713841 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations are necessary for the establishment of functional and phenotypic diversity in the populations of immune cells of the monocytic lineage. The epigenetic status of individual genes at different time points defines their transcriptional responses throughout development and in response to environmental stimuli. Epigenetic states are defined at the level of DNA modifications, chromatin modifications, as well as at the level of RNA base changes through RNA editing. Drawing from lessons regarding the epigenome and epitranscriptome of cells of the monocytic lineage in the periphery, and from recently published RNAseq data deriving from brain-resident monocytes, we discuss the impact of modulation of these epigenetic states and how they affect processes important for the development of a healthy brain, as well as mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease and aging. An understanding of the varied brain responses and pathologies in light of these novel gene regulatory systems in monocytes will lead to important new insights in the understanding of the aging process and the treatment and diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Nina Papavasiliou
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Biology, The Rockefeller University , New York, NY , USA
| | - Young Cheul Chung
- Neuroimmunology and Inflammation Program, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Khatuna Gagnidze
- Neuroimmunology and Inflammation Program, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaitlyn H Hajdarovic
- Neuroimmunology and Inflammation Program, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dan C Cole
- Neuroimmunology and Inflammation Program, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karen Bulloch
- Neuroimmunology and Inflammation Program, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
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Jagodic M, Stridh P. Positional Gene Cloning in Experimental Populations. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1304:3-24. [PMID: 25103675 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2014_108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Positional cloning is a technique that identifies a trait-associated gene based on its location in the genome and involves methods such as linkage analysis, association mapping, and bioinformatics. This approach can be used for gene identification even when little is known about the molecular basis of the trait. Vast majority of traits are regulated by multiple genomic loci called quantitative trait loci (QTL). We describe experimental populations and designs that can be used for positional cloning, including backcrosses, intercrosses, and heterogeneous stocks, and advantages and disadvantages of different approaches. Once the phenotype and genotype of each individual in an experimental population have been determined, QTL identification can be accomplished. We describe the statistical tools used to identify the existence, location, and significance of QTLs. These different methods have advantages and disadvantages to consider when selecting the appropriate model to be used, which is briefly discussed.Although the objective of QTL mapping is to identify genomic regions associated with a trait, the ultimate goal is to identify the gene and the genetic variation (which is often quantitative trait nucleotide, QTN) or haplotype that is responsible for the phenotype. By discovering the function of causative variants or haplotypes we can understand the molecular changes that lead to the phenotype. We briefly describe how the genomic sequences can be exploited to identify QTNs and how these can be validated in congenic strains and functionally tested to understand their influence on phenotype expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Jagodic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,
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Flytzani S, Guerreiro-Cacais AO, N'diaye M, Lindner M, Linington C, Meinl E, Stridh P, Jagodic M, Olsson T. MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the rat species triggers anti-neurofascin antibody response that is genetically regulated. J Neuroinflammation 2015; 12:194. [PMID: 26511327 PMCID: PMC4625640 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-015-0417-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ιn multiple sclerosis (MS), axonal damage leads to permanent neurological disabilities and the spreading of the autoimmune response to axonal antigens is implicated in disease progression. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) provides an animal model that mimics MS. Using different EAE models, we investigated the pathophysiological basis of epitope spreading to neurofascin, a protein localized at the node of Ranvier and its regulation by non-MHC genes. Methods We used two different EAE models in DA rat; one which is induced with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) which leads to disease characterized by profound demyelination, and the second which is induced with myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide 63–88 which results in severe central nervous system (CNS) inflammation but little or no demyelination. We determined anti-neurofascin antibody levels during the course of disease. Furthermore, the anti-neurofascin IgG response was correlated with clinical parameters in 333 (DAxPVG.1AV1) x DA rats on which we performed linkage analysis to determine if epitope spreading to neurofascin was affected by non-MHC genes. Results Spreading of the antibody response to neurofascin occurred in demyelinating MOG-induced EAE but not in EAE induced with MBP peptide 63–88. Anti-neurofascin IgG levels correlated with disease severity in (DAxPVG.1AV1) x DA rats, and a genomic region on chromosome 3 was found to influence this response. Conclusions Inter-molecular epitope spreading to neurofascin correlates with disease severity in MOG-EAE is dependent on extensive demyelination and is influenced by non-MHC genes. The findings presented here may shed light on factors involved in the severity of MS and its genetics. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-015-0417-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevasti Flytzani
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, CMM L8:04, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Andre Ortlieb Guerreiro-Cacais
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, CMM L8:04, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Marie N'diaye
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, CMM L8:04, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Maren Lindner
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Christopher Linington
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Edgar Meinl
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
| | - Pernilla Stridh
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, CMM L8:04, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Maja Jagodic
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, CMM L8:04, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Tomas Olsson
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, CMM L8:04, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Ruhrmann S, Stridh P, Kular L, Jagodic M. Genomic imprinting: A missing piece of the Multiple Sclerosis puzzle? Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 67:49-57. [PMID: 26002250 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Evidence for parent-of-origin effects in complex diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) strongly suggests a role for epigenetic mechanisms in their pathogenesis. In this review, we describe the importance of accounting for parent-of-origin when identifying new risk variants for complex diseases and discuss how genomic imprinting, one of the best-characterized epigenetic mechanisms causing parent-of-origin effects, may impact etiology of complex diseases. While the role of imprinted genes in growth and development is well established, the contribution and molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of genomic imprinting in immune functions and inflammatory diseases are still largely unknown. Here we discuss emerging roles of imprinted genes in the regulation of inflammatory responses with a particular focus on the Dlk1 cluster that has been implicated in etiology of experimental MS-like disease and Type 1 Diabetes. Moreover, we speculate on the potential wider impact of imprinting via the action of imprinted microRNAs, which are abundantly present in the Dlk1 locus and predicted to fine-tune important immune functions. Finally, we reflect on how unrelated imprinted genes or imprinted genes together with non-imprinted genes can interact in so-called imprinted gene networks (IGN) and suggest that IGNs could partly explain observed parent-of-origin effects in complex diseases. Unveiling the mechanisms of parent-of-origin effects is therefore likely to teach us not only about the etiology of complex diseases but also about the unknown roles of this fascinating phenomenon underlying uneven genetic contribution from our parents. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Epigenetics dynamics in development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Ruhrmann
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Stridh
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lara Kular
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maja Jagodic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Schmitt J, Eckardt S, Schlegel PG, Sirén AL, Bruttel VS, McLaughlin KJ, Wischhusen J, Müller AM. Human Parthenogenetic Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Stem Cells Express HLA-G and Show Unique Resistance to NK Cell-Mediated Killing. Mol Med 2015; 21:185-96. [PMID: 25811991 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2014.00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Parent-of-origin imprints have been implicated in the regulation of neural differentiation and brain development. Previously we have shown that, despite the lack of a paternal genome, human parthenogenetic (PG) embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can form proliferating neural stem cells (NSCs) that are capable of differentiation into physiologically functional neurons while maintaining allele-specific expression of imprinted genes. Since biparental ("normal") hESC-derived NSCs (N NSCs) are targeted by immune cells, we characterized the immunogenicity of PG NSCs. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry revealed that both N NSCs and PG NSCs exhibited surface expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I but not HLA-DR molecules. Functional analyses using an in vitro mixed lymphocyte reaction assay resulted in less proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with PG compared with N NSCs. In addition, natural killer (NK) cells cytolyzed PG less than N NSCs. At a molecular level, expression analyses of immune regulatory factors revealed higher HLA-G levels in PG compared with N NSCs. In line with this finding, MIR152, which represses HLA-G expression, is less transcribed in PG compared with N cells. Blockage of HLA-G receptors ILT2 and KIR2DL4 on natural killer cell leukemia (NKL) cells increased cytolysis of PG NSCs. Together this indicates that PG NSCs have unique immunological properties due to elevated HLA-G expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Schmitt
- Institute for Medical Radiology and Cell Research (MSZ) in the Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (ZEMM), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sigrid Eckardt
- Center for Molecular and Human Genetics, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Paul G Schlegel
- University Children's Hospital Würzburg, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Leena Sirén
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section for Experimental Tumor Immunology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Valentin S Bruttel
- University of Würzburg Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section for Experimental Tumor Immunology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - K John McLaughlin
- Center for Molecular and Human Genetics, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jörg Wischhusen
- University of Würzburg Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section for Experimental Tumor Immunology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Albrecht M Müller
- Institute for Medical Radiology and Cell Research (MSZ) in the Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (ZEMM), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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