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Sarad K, Stefańska M, Kraszewska I, Szade K, Sluimer JC, Błyszczuk P, Dulak J, Jaźwa-Kusior A. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals subtype-specific molecular profiles in Nrf2-deficient macrophages from murine atherosclerotic aortas. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1249379. [PMID: 37965327 PMCID: PMC10641521 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1249379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcriptional regulator of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response in all cell types. It also activates the transcription of genes important for macrophage function. Nrf2 activity declines with age and has been closely linked to atherosclerosis, but its specific role in this vascular pathology is not clear. Atherosclerotic plaques contain several macrophage subsets with distinct, yet not completely understood, functions in the lesion development. The aim of this study was to analyze the transcriptome of diverse Nrf2-deficient macrophage subpopulations from murine atherosclerotic aortas. Mice with transcriptionally inactive Nrf2 in Cdh5-expressing cells (Nrf2 Cdh5tKO) were used in the experiments. These mice lack transcriptional Nrf2 activity in endothelial cells, but also in a proportion of leukocytes. We confirmed that the bone marrow-derived and tissue-resident macrophages isolated from Nrf2 Cdh5tKO mice exhibit a significant decline in Nrf2 activity. Atherosclerosis was induced in Nrf2 Cdh5tKO and appropriate control mice via adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-mediated overexpression of murine proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (Pcsk9) in the liver and high-fat diet feeding. After 21 weeks, live aortic cells were sorted on FACS and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed. Unsupervised clustering singled out 13 distinct aortic cell types. Among macrophages, 9 subclusters were identified. Differential gene expression analysis revealed cell subtype-specific expression patterns. A subset of inflammatory macrophages from atherosclerotic Nrf2 Cdh5tKO mice demonstrated downregulation of DNA replication genes (e.g. Mcm7, Lig1, Pola1) concomitant with upregulation of DNA damage sensor Atr gene. Atherosclerotic Nrf2 Cdh5tKO Lyve1+ resident macrophages showed strong upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes, as well as changes in the expression of death pathways-associated genes (Slc40a1, Bcl2a1). Furthermore, we observed subtype-specific expression of core ferroptosis genes (e.g. Cp, Hells, Slc40a1) in inflammatory versus tissue resident macrophages. This observation suggested a link between ferroptosis and inflammatory microenvironment appearing at a very early stage of atherogenesis. Our findings indicate that Nrf2 deficiency in aortic macrophages leads to subtype-specific transcriptomic changes associated with inflammation, iron homeostasis, cell injury or death pathways. This may help understanding the role of aging-associated decline of Nrf2 activity and the function of specific macrophage subtypes in atherosclerotic lesion development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Sarad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Jagiellonian University, Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Monika Stefańska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Izabela Kraszewska
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szade
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Judith C. Sluimer
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center (UMC), Maastricht, Netherlands
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Przemysław Błyszczuk
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Jaźwa-Kusior
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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Miyamoto A, Masuhiro Y, Seki T, Hanazawa S, Shiba H. A designed cell-penetrating human SOCS2 protein suppresses GH-dependent cancer cell proliferation. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2018; 83:300-308. [PMID: 30343638 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2018.1536516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 2, a negative regulator of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is associated with acromegaly and cancers, is a promising candidate molecule for treating various diseases. To facilitate its use in protein therapy, we designed and constructed a human SOCS2 protein containing a membrane-permeable peptide sequence and expressed it in an Escherichia coli system. The partially purified recombinant protein was effectively delivered into several cancer cell lines and inhibited cell growth. Biochemical analysis showed that the recombinant SOCS2 protein interacted with growth hormone receptor (GHR) and downregulated GH-STAT5 signaling target genes. Our results suggest that the designed cell-penetrating SOCS2 protein will be useful in intercellular protein therapy to cure cancers. Abbreviations: SOCS: suppressor of cytokine signaling; GH: growth hormone; GHR: growth hormone receptor; IGF-1: insulin-like growth factor 1; CP: cell-penetrating; STAT: signal transducer and activator of transcription; JAK: Janus kinase; HNF: hepatocyte nuclear factor; MTM: membrane-translocating motif; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azusa Miyamoto
- a Department of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences , Nihon University , Kanagawa , Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Masuhiro
- a Department of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences , Nihon University , Kanagawa , Japan.,b Department of Applied Biological Science, College of Bioresource Sciences , Nihon University , Kanagawa , Japan
| | - Taiichiro Seki
- a Department of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences , Nihon University , Kanagawa , Japan
| | - Shigemasa Hanazawa
- a Department of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences , Nihon University , Kanagawa , Japan.,b Department of Applied Biological Science, College of Bioresource Sciences , Nihon University , Kanagawa , Japan
| | - Hajime Shiba
- a Department of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences , Nihon University , Kanagawa , Japan.,b Department of Applied Biological Science, College of Bioresource Sciences , Nihon University , Kanagawa , Japan
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The application of CO 2 -sensitive AIEgen in studying the synergistic effect of stromal cells and tumor cells in a heterocellular system. Anal Chim Acta 2018; 1001:151-157. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Role of Geminin in cell fate determination of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Int J Hematol 2016; 104:324-9. [PMID: 27422432 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-016-2060-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 07/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Geminin exerts two distinct molecular roles. Geminin negatively regulates DNA replication licensing through the direct interaction with Cdt1 to prevent re-replication in proliferating cells. Geminin also regulates chromatin remodeling through the direct interaction with Brahma/Brg1 to maintain undifferentiated states of stem cells. We previously uncovered that Polycomb-group complex 1 and Hoxb4/Hoxa9, well-known intrinsic factors that are essential for maintaining the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity, alternatively act as ubiquitin-proteasome systems for Geminin protein to reduce the protein expression level, and sustain the HSC activity. Thus, Geminin is presumed to play an important role in determining cell fate, i.e., turning on and off cellular quiescence and proliferation/differentiation, in HSCs. We recently generated recombinant cell-penetrating Geminin (CP-Geminin), enabling rapid incorporation and withdraw of Geminin protein in cells. CP-Geminin may be useful in regulating the cell cycle and chromatin configuration. In this article, we summarize current information on the molecular functions of Geminin and the regulatory system for Geminin protein expression, and argue for the molecular role of Geminin in cell fate determination of HSCs, and future perspective of a new technology for manipulating the activities of HSCs and cancer stem cells (CSCs).
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