1
|
Tsartsalis S, Sleven H, Fancy N, Wessely F, Smith AM, Willumsen N, Cheung TKD, Rokicki MJ, Chau V, Ifie E, Khozoie C, Ansorge O, Yang X, Jenkyns MH, Davey K, McGarry A, Muirhead RCJ, Debette S, Jackson JS, Montagne A, Owen DR, Miners JS, Love S, Webber C, Cader MZ, Matthews PM. A single nuclear transcriptomic characterisation of mechanisms responsible for impaired angiogenesis and blood-brain barrier function in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2243. [PMID: 38472200 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46630-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain perfusion and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity are reduced early in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We performed single nucleus RNA sequencing of vascular cells isolated from AD and non-diseased control brains to characterise pathological transcriptional signatures responsible for this. We show that endothelial cells (EC) are enriched for expression of genes associated with susceptibility to AD. Increased β-amyloid is associated with BBB impairment and a dysfunctional angiogenic response related to a failure of increased pro-angiogenic HIF1A to increased VEGFA signalling to EC. This is associated with vascular inflammatory activation, EC senescence and apoptosis. Our genomic dissection of vascular cell risk gene enrichment provides evidence for a role of EC pathology in AD and suggests that reducing vascular inflammatory activation and restoring effective angiogenesis could reduce vascular dysfunction contributing to the genesis or progression of early AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stergios Tsartsalis
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hannah Sleven
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Sherrington Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nurun Fancy
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Frank Wessely
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Amy M Smith
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nanet Willumsen
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - To Ka Dorcas Cheung
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michal J Rokicki
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Vicky Chau
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Eseoghene Ifie
- Neuropathology Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Combiz Khozoie
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Olaf Ansorge
- Neuropathology Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Marion H Jenkyns
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Karen Davey
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Aisling McGarry
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Robert C J Muirhead
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stephanie Debette
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Team ELEANOR, UMR 1219, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Johanna S Jackson
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Axel Montagne
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - David R Owen
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - J Scott Miners
- Dementia Research Group, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Seth Love
- Dementia Research Group, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Caleb Webber
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - M Zameel Cader
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Sherrington Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul M Matthews
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Isaacs JT, Dalrymple SL, Antony L, Rosen DM, Coleman IM, Nelson PS, Kostova M, Murray IA, Perdew GH, Denmeade SR, Akinboye ES, Brennen WN. Third generation quinoline-3-carboxamide transcriptional disrupter of HDAC4, HIF-1α, and MEF-2 signaling for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Prostate 2023; 83:1470-1493. [PMID: 37559436 PMCID: PMC10559933 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The quinoline-3-carboxamide, Tasquinimod (TasQ), is orally active as a maintenance therapy with an on-target mechanism-of-action via allosteric binding to HDAC4. This prevents formation of the HDAC4/NCoR1/HDAC3 complex, disrupting HIF-1α transcriptional activation and repressing MEF-2 target genes needed for adaptive survival signaling in the compromised tumor micro environment. In phase 3 clinical testing against metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer(mCRPC), TasQ (1 mg/day) increased time-to-progression, but not overall survival. METHODS TasQ analogs were chemically synthesized and tested for activity compared to the parental compound. These included HDAC4 enzymatic assays, qRT-PCR and western blot analyses of gene and protein expression following treatment, in vitro and in vivo efficacy against multiple prostate cancer models including PDXs, pharmacokinetic analyses,AHR binding and agonist assays, SPR analyses of binding to HDAC4 and NCoR1, RNAseq analysis of in vivo tumors, 3D endothelial sprouting assays, and a targeted kinase screen. Genetic knockout or knockdown controls were used when appropriate. RESULTS Here, we document that, on this regimen (1 mg/day), TasQ blood levels are 10-fold lower than the optimal concentration (≥2 μM) needed for anticancer activity, suggesting higher daily doses are needed. Unfortunately, we also demonstrate that TasQ is an arylhydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist, which binds with an EC50 of 1 μM to produce unwanted off-target side effects. Therefore, we screened a library of TasQ analogsto maximize on-target versus off-target activity. Using this approach, we identified ESATA-20, which has ~10-fold lower AHR agonism and 5-fold greater potency against prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts. CONCLUSION This increased therapeuticindex nominates ESATA-20 as a lead candidate forclinical development as an orally active third generation quinoline-3-carboxamide analog thatretains its on-target ability to disrupt HDAC4/HIF-1α/MEF-2-dependent adaptive survival signaling in the compromisedtumor microenvironment found in mCRPC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John T. Isaacs
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Susan L. Dalrymple
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lizamma Antony
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - D. Marc Rosen
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ilsa M. Coleman
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Peter S. Nelson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Maya Kostova
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Iain A. Murray
- Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis and the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Gary H. Perdew
- Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis and the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Samuel R. Denmeade
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Emmanuel S. Akinboye
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - W. Nathaniel Brennen
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gu D, Lou H, Li Y, Xu G. Identification of a functional circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in infantile hemangioma by bioinformatics analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30791. [PMID: 36181115 PMCID: PMC9524953 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Several circRNA have been reported to serve critical roles in various biological processes of human body. The present study aimed to build a circRNA-based competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and explore the regulatory mechanisms of circRNA in infantile hemangiomas (IH). Differentially expressed circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA were downloaded from the gene expression synthesis (GEO) microarray database (GSE98795, GSE69136, and GSE127487). Cancer-specific circRNA database (CSCD), miRDB and Targetscan were employed to predict the targets of RNA. A total of 855 DEcircRNAs, 69 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and 3233 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) appeared as genes that were aberrantly expressed in IH. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed based on 108 circRNAs, 7 miRNAs, 274 mRNAs in IH. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF)-1 signaling pathway and Notch signaling pathway were significantly enriched in IH with being constructed a ceRNA regulatory network. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Cytoscape showed the top 10 hub genes that regulate angiogenesis, namely FBXW7, CBLB, HECW2, FBXO32, FBXL7, KLHL5, EP300, MAPK1, MEF2C, and PLCG1. Our findings provide a deeper understanding the circRNA-related ceRNA regulatory mechanism in IH. This study further perfected the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network related to IH and explored the potential function of mRNA in this network. It provides more understanding for the circRNA-related ceRNA regulation mechanism in the pathogenesis of IH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Da Gu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Huanmin Lou
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Huanmin Lou, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, China (e-mail: )
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Guangqi Xu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sun Q, Xia Y, Qin H, Zhang W, Wang J, Ning Y, Dong Y. MEF2 intervened LPS-induced acute lung injury by binding to KLF2 promoter and modulating macrophage phenotype. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108873. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
5
|
Harada Y, Tanaka T, Arai Y, Isomoto Y, Nakano A, Nakao S, Urasaki A, Watanabe Y, Kawamura T, Nakagawa O. ETS-dependent enhancers for endothelial-specific expression of serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 during mouse embryo development. Genes Cells 2021; 26:611-626. [PMID: 34081835 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12874] [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] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) is predominantly expressed in endothelial cells of mouse embryos, and Sgk1 null mice show embryonic lethality due to impaired vascular formation. However, how the SGK1 expression is controlled in developing vasculature remains unknown. In this study, we first identified a proximal endothelial enhancer through lacZ reporter mouse analyses. The mouse Sgk1 proximal enhancer was narrowed down to the 5' region of the major transcription initiation site, while a human corresponding region possessed relatively weak activity. We then searched for distal enhancer candidates using in silico analyses of publicly available databases for DNase accessibility, RNA polymerase association and chromatin modification. A region approximately 500 kb distant from the human SGK1 gene was conserved in the mouse, and the mouse and human genomic fragments drove transcription restricted to embryonic endothelial cells. Minimal fragments of both proximal and distal enhancers had consensus binding elements for the ETS transcription factors, which were essential for the responsiveness to ERG, FLI1 and ETS1 proteins in luciferase assays and the endothelial lacZ reporter expression in mouse embryos. These results suggest that endothelial SGK1 expression in embryonic vasculature is maintained through at least two ETS-regulated enhancers located in the proximal and distal regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Harada
- Department of Molecular Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan.,Laboratory of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Toru Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuji Arai
- Department of Molecular Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan.,Laboratory of Animal Experiment and Medical Management, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshie Isomoto
- Laboratory of Animal Experiment and Medical Management, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakano
- Laboratory of Animal Experiment and Medical Management, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan
| | - Shu Nakao
- Laboratory of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Akihiro Urasaki
- Department of Molecular Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan
| | - Yusuke Watanabe
- Department of Molecular Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan
| | - Teruhisa Kawamura
- Laboratory of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Osamu Nakagawa
- Department of Molecular Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jung S, Singh K, Del Sol A. FunRes: resolving tissue-specific functional cell states based on a cell-cell communication network model. Brief Bioinform 2020; 22:5974949. [PMID: 33179736 PMCID: PMC8293827 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The functional specialization of cell types arises during development and is shaped by cell-cell communication networks determining a distribution of functional cell states that are collectively important for tissue functioning. However, the identification of these tissue-specific functional cell states remains challenging. Although a plethora of computational approaches have been successful in detecting cell types and subtypes, they fail in resolving tissue-specific functional cell states. To address this issue, we present FunRes, a computational method designed for the identification of functional cell states. FunRes relies on scRNA-seq data of a tissue to initially reconstruct the functional cell-cell communication network, which is leveraged for partitioning each cell type into functional cell states. We applied FunRes to 177 cell types in 10 different tissues and demonstrated that the detected states correspond to known functional cell states of various cell types, which cannot be recapitulated by existing computational tools. Finally, we characterize emerging and vanishing functional cell states in aging and disease, and demonstrate their involvement in key tissue functions. Thus, we believe that FunRes will be of great utility in the characterization of the functional landscape of cell types and the identification of dysfunctional cell states in aging and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Jung
- Computational Biology Group, CIC bioGUNE-BRTA (Basque Research and Technology Alliance), Derio, Bizkaia, 48160, Spain
| | - Kartikeya Singh
- Computational Biology Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4362, Luxembourg
| | - Antonio Del Sol
- Computational Biology Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4362, Luxembourg.,Computational Biology Group, CIC bioGUNE-BRTA (Basque Research and Technology Alliance), Derio, Bizkaia, 48160, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Bizkaia, 48013, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tsuji-Tamura K, Ogawa M. Morphology regulation in vascular endothelial cells. Inflamm Regen 2018; 38:25. [PMID: 30214642 PMCID: PMC6130072 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-018-0083-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphological change in endothelial cells is an initial and crucial step in the process of establishing a functional vascular network. Following or associated with differentiation and proliferation, endothelial cells elongate and assemble into linear cord-like vessels, subsequently forming a perfusable vascular tube. In vivo and in vitro studies have begun to outline the underlying genetic and signaling mechanisms behind endothelial cell morphology regulation. This review focuses on the transcription factors and signaling pathways regulating endothelial cell behavior, involved in morphology, during vascular development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiyomi Tsuji-Tamura
- 1Department of Cell Differentiation, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811 Japan.,2Present Address: Oral Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Oral Health Science, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8586 Japan
| | - Minetaro Ogawa
- 1Department of Cell Differentiation, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang R, Sui L, Hong X, Yang M, Li W. MiR-448 promotes vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration in through directly targeting MEF2C. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:22294-22300. [PMID: 28799067 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a critical process in various cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD), atherosclerosis, stroke, and hypertension. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, short, and noncoding RNAs that inhibit gene expression through binding to the 3'-UTR (3' untranslated regions) of target gene mRNAs. We showed that the expression of miR-448 was upregulated in VSMCs from coronary atherosclerotic plaques compared with normal coronary artery tissues. We also found that PDGF-bb promoted VSMCs proliferation and could induce miR-448 expression. Ectopic miR-448 expression induced VSMCs proliferation. Overexpression of miR-448 induced ki-67 mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, we identified MEF2C was a direct target of miR-448 in VSMCs. Overexpression of miR-448 promoted VSMCs migration. Furthermore, overexpression of MEF2C decreased miR-448-induced VSMCs proliferation and migration. These evidences suggested that miR-448 played an important role in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Sui
- Department of Emergency, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojian Hong
- Department of Cardiovascular, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Mao Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Weimin Li
- Department of Cardiovascular, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhang B, Chamba Y, Shang P, Wang Z, Ma J, Wang L, Zhang H. Comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses provide insights into the key genes involved in high-altitude adaptation in the Tibetan pig. Sci Rep 2017. [PMID: 28623314 PMCID: PMC5473931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03976-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tibetan pigs that inhabit the Tibetan Plateau exhibit striking phenotypic and physiological differences from lowland pigs, and have adapted well to extreme conditions. However, the mechanisms involved in regulating gene expression at high altitude in these animals are not fully understood. In this study, we obtained transcriptomic and proteomic data from the heart tissues of Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs raised in the highlands (TH and YH) and lowlands (TL and YL) via RNA-seq and iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) analyses, respectively. Comparative analyses of TH vs. YH, TH vs.TL, TL vs. YL, and YH vs. YL yielded 299, 169, 242, and 368 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and 473, 297, 394, and 297 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), respectively. By functional annotation of these DEGs and DEPs, genes that were enriched in the HIF-1 signaling pathway (NPPA, ERK2, ENO3, and EGLN3), VEGF signaling pathway (ERK2, A2M, FGF1, CTGF, and DPP4), and hypoxia-related processes (CRYAB, EGLN3, TGFB2, DPP4, and ACE) were identified as important candidate genes for high-altitude adaptation in the Tibetan pig. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in hypoxic adaptation in pigs, and furthers our understanding of human hypoxic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd., Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yangzom Chamba
- Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, China
| | - Peng Shang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd., Beijing, 100193, China.,Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, China
| | - Zhixiu Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd., Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jun Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd., Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Liyuang Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd., Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd., Beijing, 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Endothelial cells are a constitutive part of the heart and vasculature and form a crucial link between the cardiovascular system and the immune system. Besides their commonly accepted roles in angiogenesis, hemostasis, and the regulation of vascular tone, they are an essential and active component of immune responses. Expression of a range of innate pattern recognition receptors allows them to respond to inflammatory stimulation, and they control immune cell recruitment and extravasation into target tissues throughout the body.In this chapter, I will therefore summarize classical endothelial cell properties and functions and their cross talk with the immune system as well as the operational immunological role of endothelial cells in facilitating immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Sturtzel
- Innovative Cancer Models, Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sacilotto N, Chouliaras KM, Nikitenko LL, Lu YW, Fritzsche M, Wallace MD, Nornes S, García-Moreno F, Payne S, Bridges E, Liu K, Biggs D, Ratnayaka I, Herbert SP, Molnár Z, Harris AL, Davies B, Bond GL, Bou-Gharios G, Schwarz JJ, De Val S. MEF2 transcription factors are key regulators of sprouting angiogenesis. Genes Dev 2016; 30:2297-2309. [PMID: 27898394 PMCID: PMC5110996 DOI: 10.1101/gad.290619.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the fundamental process by which new blood vessels form from existing ones, depends on precise spatial and temporal gene expression within specific compartments of the endothelium. However, the molecular links between proangiogenic signals and downstream gene expression remain unclear. During sprouting angiogenesis, the specification of endothelial cells into the tip cells that lead new blood vessel sprouts is coordinated by vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4)/Notch signaling and requires high levels of Notch ligand DLL4. Here, we identify MEF2 transcription factors as crucial regulators of sprouting angiogenesis directly downstream from VEGFA. Through the characterization of a Dll4 enhancer directing expression to endothelial cells at the angiogenic front, we found that MEF2 factors directly transcriptionally activate the expression of Dll4 and many other key genes up-regulated during sprouting angiogenesis in both physiological and tumor vascularization. Unlike ETS-mediated regulation, MEF2-binding motifs are not ubiquitous to all endothelial gene enhancers and promoters but are instead overrepresented around genes associated with sprouting angiogenesis. MEF2 target gene activation is directly linked to VEGFA-induced release of repressive histone deacetylases and concurrent recruitment of the histone acetyltransferase EP300 to MEF2 target gene regulatory elements, thus establishing MEF2 factors as the transcriptional effectors of VEGFA signaling during angiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Sacilotto
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kira M Chouliaras
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Leonid L Nikitenko
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Yao Wei Lu
- Center for Cardiovascular Sciences, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York 12208, USA
| | - Martin Fritzsche
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Marsha D Wallace
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Svanhild Nornes
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando García-Moreno
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Payne
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Esther Bridges
- Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Ke Liu
- Institute of Aging and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Biggs
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Indrika Ratnayaka
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Shane P Herbert
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Zoltán Molnár
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian L Harris
- Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Davies
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth L Bond
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - George Bou-Gharios
- Institute of Aging and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, United Kingdom
| | - John J Schwarz
- Center for Cardiovascular Sciences, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York 12208, USA
| | - Sarah De Val
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zheng T, Zhang X, Wang Y, Yu X. Predicting associations between microRNAs and target genes in breast cancer by bioinformatics analyses. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:1067-1073. [PMID: 27446395 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer among females. However, the association between microRNAs (miRNAs) and target genes in breast tumorigenesis is poorly studied. The original data set GSE26659 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus, and then the differentially expressed miRNAs among 77 breast cancer patients and 17 controls were identified using the Limma package in R software. Furthermore, breast cancer-related differentially expressed miRNAs were selected from a human miRNA disease database and their target genes were selected from five miRNA databases. Then, functional analysis was performed for the target genes followed by construction of a miRNA-target gene network. A total of 34 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, including 13 breast cancer-related miRNAs. Moreover, the target genes of the 13 miRNAs were significantly enriched in regulation of transcription (P=7.43E-09) and pathways related to cancer (P=3.33E-11). Finally, eight upregulated miRNAs (including hsa-miR-425) and five downregulated miRNAs (including hsa-miR-143, hsa-miR-145 and hsa-miR-125b) were identified in the miRNA-target gene network. In conclusion, using bioinformatics approaches, we demonstrate that the changes in regulation of transcription and cancer pathways may play significant roles in the process of breast cancerogenesis. Differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes may be new targets for breast cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianying Zheng
- Department of Chemotherapy, Cancer Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Chemotherapy, Cancer Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yonggang Wang
- Department of Chemotherapy, Cancer Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Xiucui Yu
- Department of Chemotherapy, Cancer Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Novakova V, Sandhu GS, Dragomir-Daescu D, Klabusay M. Apelinergic system in endothelial cells and its role in angiogenesis in myocardial ischemia. Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 76:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
14
|
Sun GP, Jiang T, Xie PF, Lan J. Identification of the disease-associated genes in periodontitis using the co-expression network. Mol Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893316010192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
15
|
Liu F, Gao X, Wang J, Gao C, Li X, Li X, Gong X, Zeng X. Transcriptome Sequencing to Identify Transcription Factor Regulatory Network and Alternative Splicing in Endothelial Cells Under VEGF Stimulation. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 58:170-7. [PMID: 26395122 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0653-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying the response of human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation. HUVECs were treated with or without 16 ng/mL VEGF for 4 days, and RNA was extracted from HUVECs. After sequencing and data filtering (tool: NGS QC Toolkit), clean data were mapped to genome hg19 (tool: TopHat2). Thereafter, 154 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between VEGF group and control group (tool: Cuffdiff), and DEGs were enriched in 11 pathways associated with cytokine receptor interaction and chemokine signaling. Protein-protein interaction network of DEGs was constructed (tool: STRING), and ISG15 and MX1 were hub DEGs. The regulatory network of DEGs and transcription factors (TFs) (tool: TRED database) was also constructed, and CCL2 and FN1 (hub DEGs) were co-regulated by NFKB1 and RELA (hub TFs). Moreover, exon usage and alternative splicing were analyzed (tool: DEXSeq), and the splicing of ADORA2A was altered under VEGF stimulation. VEGF might influence HUVECs proliferation and migration, as well as angiogenesis process by regulating the expression of ISG15, MX1, CCL2, FN1, and ADORA2A. However, more research studies are still required to verify these predictions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Neurology, Center Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110024, China
| | - Xianxin Gao
- Department of Neurology, Center Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110024, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Center Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110024, China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Neurology, Center Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110024, China
| | - Xiaolin Li
- Department of Neurology, Center Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110024, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Neurology, Center Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110024, China
| | - Xiao Gong
- Department of Neurology, Center Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110024, China
| | - Xiandong Zeng
- The Dean's Office, Center Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110024, China. .,China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Xu Z, Yoshida T, Wu L, Maiti D, Cebotaru L, Duh EJ. Transcription factor MEF2C suppresses endothelial cell inflammation via regulation of NF-κB and KLF2. J Cell Physiol 2015; 230:1310-20. [PMID: 25474999 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells play a major role in the initiation and perpetuation of the inflammatory process in health and disease, including their pivotal role in leukocyte recruitment. The role of pro-inflammatory transcription factors in this process has been well-described, including NF-κB. However, much less is known regarding transcription factors that play an anti-inflammatory role in endothelial cells. Myocyte enhancer factor 2 C (MEF2C) is a transcription factor known to regulate angiogenesis in endothelial cells. Here, we report that MEF2C plays a critical function as an inhibitor of endothelial cell inflammation. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibited MEF2C expression in endothelial cells. Knockdown of MEF2C in endothelial cells resulted in the upregulation of pro-inflammatory molecules and stimulated leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. MEF2C knockdown also resulted in NF-κB activation in endothelial cells. Conversely, MEF2C overexpression by adenovirus significantly repressed TNF-α induction of pro-inflammatory molecules, activation of NF-κB, and leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. This inhibition of leukocyte adhesion by MEF2C was partially mediated by induction of KLF2. In mice, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced leukocyte adhesion to the retinal vasculature was significantly increased by endothelial cell-specific ablation of MEF2C. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MEF2C is a novel negative regulator of inflammation in endothelial cells and may represent a therapeutic target for vascular inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|