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Ergunay T, Collino F, Bianchi G, Sedrakyan S, Perin L, Bussolati B. Extracellular vesicles in kidney development and pediatric kidney diseases. Pediatr Nephrol 2024; 39:1967-1975. [PMID: 37775581 PMCID: PMC11147923 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-06165-9] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous cargo particles that mediate intercellular communication. They are heterogeneous in size and mechanism of release, and found in all biological fluids. Since EV content is in relation to the originating cell type and to its physiopathological conditions, EVs are under study to understand organ physiology and pathology. In addition, EV surface cargo, or corona, can be influenced by the microenvironment, leading to the concept that EV-associated molecules can represent useful biomarkers for diseases. Recent studies also focus on the use of natural, engineered, or synthetic EVs for therapeutic purposes. This review highlights the role of EVs in kidney development, pediatric kidney diseases, including inherited disorders, and kidney transplantation. Although few studies exist, they have promising results and may guide researchers in this field. Main limitations, including the influence of age on EV analyses, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tunahan Ergunay
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Collino
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Paediatric Nephro-Urology, Fondazione Ca' Granda IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
- Paediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Bianchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Paediatric Nephro-Urology, Fondazione Ca' Granda IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sargis Sedrakyan
- GOFARR Laboratory, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Division of Urology, Saban Research Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Laura Perin
- GOFARR Laboratory, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Division of Urology, Saban Research Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Benedetta Bussolati
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, via Nizza 52, 10126, Turin, Italy.
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Boamah GA, Huang Z, Ke C, You W, Ayisi CL, Amenyogbe E, Droepenu E. Preliminary analysis of pathways and their implications during salinity stress in abalone. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2024; 50:101224. [PMID: 38430709 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Transcriptome sequencing has offered immense opportunities to study non-model organisms. Abalone is an important marine mollusk that encounters harsh environmental conditions in its natural habitat and under aquaculture conditions; hence, research that increases molecular information to understand abalone physiology and stress response is noteworthy. Accordingly, the study used transcriptome sequencing of the gill tissues of abalone exposed to low salinity stress. The aim is to explore some enriched pathways during salinity stress and the crosstalk and functions of the genes involved in the candidate biological processes for future further analysis of their expression patterns. The data suggest that abalone genes such as YAP/TAZ, Myc, Nkd, and Axin (involved in the Hippo signaling pathway) and PI3K/Akt, SHC, and RTK (involved in the Ras signaling pathways) might mediate growth and development. Thus, deregulation of the Hippo and Ras pathways by salinity stress could be a possible mechanism by which unfavorable salinities influence growth in abalone. Furthermore, PEPCK, GYS, and PLC genes (mediating the Glucagon signaling pathway) might be necessary for glucose homeostasis, reproduction, and abalone meat sensory qualities; hence, a need to investigate how they might be influenced by environmental stress. Genes such as MYD88, IRAK1/4, JNK, AP-1, and TRAF6 (mediating the MAPK signaling pathway) could be useful in understanding abalone's innate immune response to environmental stresses. Finally, the aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis pathway hints at the mechanism by which new raw materials for protein biosynthesis are mobilized for physiological processes and how abalone might respond to this process during salinity stress. Low salinity clearly regulated genes in these pathways in a time-dependent manner, as hinted by the heat maps. In the future, qRT-PCR verification and in-depth study of the various genes and proteins discussed would provide enormous molecular information resources for the abalone biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Afumwaa Boamah
- Department of Water Resources and Aquaculture Management, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, PMB, Somanya, Ghana.
| | - Zekun Huang
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Caihuan Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Weiwei You
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Christian Larbi Ayisi
- Department of Water Resources and Aquaculture Management, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, PMB, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Eric Amenyogbe
- Department of Water Resources and Aquaculture Management, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, PMB, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Eric Droepenu
- Department of Water Resources and Aquaculture Management, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, PMB, Somanya, Ghana
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Carroll SH, Schafer S, Kawasaki K, Tsimbal C, Jule AM, Hallett SA, Li E, Liao EC. Genetic requirement of dact1/2 to regulate noncanonical Wnt signaling and calpain 8 during embryonic convergent extension and craniofacial morphogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.07.566024. [PMID: 37986847 PMCID: PMC10659360 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.07.566024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in the early embryonic patterning and development, to regulate convergent extension during gastrulation and the establishment of the dorsal axis. Further, Wnt signaling is a crucial regulator of craniofacial morphogenesis. The adapter proteins Dact1 and Dact2 modulate the Wnt signaling pathway through binding to Disheveled. However, the distinct relative functions of Dact1 and Dact2 during embryogenesis remain unclear. We found that dact1 and dact2 genes have dynamic spatiotemporal expression domains that are reciprocal to one another and to wnt11f2, that suggest distinct functions during zebrafish embryogenesis. We found that both dact1 and dact2 contribute to axis extension, with compound mutants exhibiting a similar convergent extension defect and craniofacial phenotype to the wnt11f2 mutant. Utilizing single-cell RNAseq and gpc4 mutant that disrupts noncanonical Wnt signaling, we identified dact1/2 specific roles during early development. Comparative whole transcriptome analysis between wildtype, gpc4 and dact1/2 mutants revealed a novel role for dact1/2 in regulating the mRNA expression of the classical calpain capn8. Over-expression of capn8 phenocopies dact1/2 craniofacial dysmorphology. These results identify a previously unappreciated role of capn8 and calcium-dependent proteolysis during embryogenesis. Taken together, our findings highlight the distinct and overlapping roles of dact1 and dact2 in embryonic craniofacial development, providing new insights into the multifaceted regulation of Wnt signaling.
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Campos RC, Matsunaga K, Reid MW, Fernandez GE, Stepanian K, Bharathan SP, Li M, Thornton ME, Grubbs BH, Nagiel A. Non-canonical Wnt pathway expression in the developing mouse and human retina. Exp Eye Res 2024; 244:109947. [PMID: 38815793 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The non-canonical Wnt pathway is an evolutionarily conserved pathway essential for tissue patterning and development across species and tissues. In mammals, this pathway plays a role in neuronal migration, dendritogenesis, axon growth, and synapse formation. However, its role in development and synaptogenesis of the human retina remains less established. In order to address this knowledge gap, we analyzed publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) datasets for mouse retina, human retina, and human retinal organoids over multiple developmental time points during outer retinal maturation. We identified ligands, receptors, and mediator genes with a putative role in retinal development, including those with novel or species-specific expression, and validated this expression using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). By quantifying outer nuclear layer (ONL) versus inner nuclear layer (INL) expression, we provide evidence for the differential expression of certain non-canonical Wnt signaling components in the developing mouse and human retina during outer plexiform layer (OPL) development. Importantly, we identified distinct expression patterns of mouse and human FZD3 and WNT10A, as well as previously undescribed expression, such as for mouse Wnt2b in Chat+ starburst amacrine cells. Human retinal organoids largely recapitulated the human non-canonical Wnt pathway expression. Together, this work provides the basis for further study of non-canonical Wnt signaling in mouse and human retinal development and synaptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna C Campos
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Development, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kate Matsunaga
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Mark W Reid
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - G Esteban Fernandez
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kayla Stepanian
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sumitha P Bharathan
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Meng Li
- USC Libraries Bioinformatics Services, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matthew E Thornton
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brendan H Grubbs
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aaron Nagiel
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Tsukiyama T. New insights in ubiquitin-dependent Wnt receptor regulation in tumorigenesis. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2024; 60:449-465. [PMID: 38383910 PMCID: PMC11126518 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-024-00855-w] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in embryonic development and homeostasis maintenance. Delicate and sensitive fine-tuning of Wnt signaling based on the proper timings and positions is required to balance cell proliferation and differentiation and maintain individual health. Therefore, homeostasis is broken by tissue hypoplasia or tumor formation once Wnt signal dysregulation disturbs the balance of cell proliferation. The well-known regulatory mechanism of Wnt signaling is the molecular reaction associated with the cytoplasmic accumulation of effector β-catenin. In addition to β-catenin, most Wnt effector proteins are also regulated by ubiquitin-dependent modification, both qualitatively and quantitatively. This review will explain the regulation of the whole Wnt signal in four regulatory phases, as well as the different ubiquitin ligases and the function of deubiquitinating enzymes in each phase. Along with the recent results, the mechanism by which RNF43 negatively regulates the surface expression of Wnt receptors, which has recently been well understood, will be detailed. Many RNF43 mutations have been identified in pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers and examined for their functional alteration in Wnt signaling. Several mutations facilitate or activate the Wnt signal, reversing the RNF43 tumor suppressor function into an oncogene. RNF43 may simultaneously play different roles in classical multistep tumorigenesis, as both wild-type and mutant RNF43 suppress the p53 pathway. We hope that the knowledge obtained from further research in RNF43 will be applied to cancer treatment in the future despite the fully unclear function of RNF43.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadasuke Tsukiyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, 15NW7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
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Emam SM, Moussa N. Signaling pathways of dental implants' osseointegration: a narrative review on two of the most relevant; NF-κB and Wnt pathways. BDJ Open 2024; 10:29. [PMID: 38580623 PMCID: PMC10997788 DOI: 10.1038/s41405-024-00211-w] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cell signaling pathways are the biological reactions that control cell functions and fate. They also directly affect the body reactions to implanted biomaterials. It is well-known that dental implants success depends on a successful integration with the alveolar bone: "osseointegration" which events comprise early and later responses to the implanted biomaterials. The early events are mainly immune-inflammatory responses to the implant considered by its microenvironment as a foreign body. Later reactions are osteogenic aiming to regulate bone formation and remodeling. All these events are controlled by the cell signaling pathways in an incredible harmonious coordination. AIM The number of pathways having a role in osseointegration is so big to be reviewed in a single article. So the aim of this review was to study only two of the most relevant ones: the inflammatory Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) pathway regulating the early osseointegration events and the osteogenic Wnt pathway regulating later events. METHODS We conducted a literature review using key databases to provide an overview about the NF-κB and Wnt cell signaling pathways and their mutual relationship with dental implants. A simplified narrative approach was conducted to explain these cell signaling pathways, their mode of activation and how they are related to the cellular events of osseointegration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION NF-κB and Wnt cell signaling pathways are important cross-talking pathways that are affected by the implant's material and surface characteristics. The presence of the implant itself in the bone alters the intracellular events of both pathways in the adjacent implant's cellular microenvironment. Both pathways have a great role in the success or failure of osseointegration. Such knowledge can offer a new hope to treat failed implants and enhance osseointegration in difficult cases. This is consistent with advances in Omics technologies that can change the paradigm of dental implant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar Mohamed Emam
- Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Nermine Moussa
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Suzuki M, Takada S, Mii Y. Dissection of N-deacetylase and N-sulfotransferase activities of NDST1 and their effects on Wnt8 distribution and signaling in Xenopus embryos. Dev Growth Differ 2024; 66:248-255. [PMID: 38326088 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12915] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Wnt is a family of secreted signaling proteins involved in the regulation of cellular processes, including maintenance of stem cells, carcinogenesis, and cell differentiation. In the context of early vertebrate embryogenesis, graded distribution of Wnt proteins has been thought to regulate positional information along the antero-posterior axis. However, understanding of the molecular basis for Wnt spatial distribution remains poor. Modified states of heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans are essential for Wnt8 localization, because depletion of N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase 1 (NDST1), a modification enzyme of HS chains, decreases Wnt8 levels and NDST1 overexpression increases Wnt8 levels on the cell surface. Since overexpression of NDST1 increases both deacetylation and N-sulfation of HS chains, it is not clear which function of NDST1 is actually involved in Wnt8 localization. In the present study, we generated an NDST1 mutant that specifically increases deacetylation, but not N-sulfation, of HS chains in Xenopus embryos. Unlike wild-type NDST1, this mutant did not increase Wnt8 accumulation on the cell surface, but it reduced canonical Wnt signaling, as determined with the TOP-Flash reporter assay. These results suggest that N-sulfation of HS chains is responsible for localization of Wnt8 and Wnt8 signaling, whereas deacetylation has an inhibitory effect on canonical Wnt signaling. Consistently, overexpression of wild-type NDST1, but not the mutant, resulted in small eyes in Xenopus embryos. Thus, our NDST1 mutant enables us to dissect the regulation of Wnt8 localization and signaling by HS proteoglycans by specifically manipulating the enzymatic activities of NDST1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minako Suzuki
- National Institute for Basic Biology and Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Japan
| | - Shinji Takada
- National Institute for Basic Biology and Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Japan
| | - Yusuke Mii
- National Institute for Basic Biology and Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Japan
- JST, PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Japan
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Petersen SI, Okolicsanyi RK, Haupt LM. Exploring Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans as Mediators of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Neurogenesis. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:30. [PMID: 38546765 PMCID: PMC10978659 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01463-8] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are major public health issues worldwide, with over 38 million people living with AD and approximately 48 million people (27-69 million) experiencing TBI annually. Neurodegenerative conditions are characterised by the accumulation of neurotoxic amyloid beta (Aβ) and microtubule-associated protein Tau (Tau) with current treatments focused on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are a diverse family of macromolecules that interact with various proteins and ligands and promote neurogenesis, a process where new neural cells are formed from stem cells. The syndecan (SDC) and glypican (GPC) HSPGs have been implicated in AD pathogenesis, acting as drivers of disease, as well as potential therapeutic targets. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) provide an attractive therapeutic option for studying and potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases due to their relative ease of isolation and subsequent extensive in vitro expansive potential. Understanding how HSPGs regulate protein aggregation, a key feature of neurodegenerative disorders, is essential to unravelling the underlying disease processes of AD and TBI, as well as any link between these two neurological disorders. Further research may validate HSPG, specifically SDCs or GPCs, use as neurodegenerative disease targets, either via driving hMSC stem cell therapy or direct targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia I Petersen
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Rachel K Okolicsanyi
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Max Planck Queensland Centre for the Materials Sciences of Extracellular Matrices, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - Larisa M Haupt
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Genomics Research Centre, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia.
- ARC Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering Technologies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Australia.
- Max Planck Queensland Centre for the Materials Sciences of Extracellular Matrices, Kelvin Grove, Australia.
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Holzem M, Boutros M, Holstein TW. The origin and evolution of Wnt signalling. Nat Rev Genet 2024:10.1038/s41576-024-00699-w. [PMID: 38374446 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-024-00699-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The Wnt signal transduction pathway has essential roles in the formation of the primary body axis during development, cellular differentiation and tissue homeostasis. This animal-specific pathway has been studied extensively in contexts ranging from developmental biology to medicine for more than 40 years. Despite its physiological importance, an understanding of the evolutionary origin and primary function of Wnt signalling has begun to emerge only recently. Recent studies on very basal metazoan species have shown high levels of conservation of components of both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signalling pathways. Furthermore, some pathway proteins have been described also in non-animal species, suggesting that recruitment and functional adaptation of these factors has occurred in metazoans. In this Review, we summarize the current state of research regarding the evolutionary origin of Wnt signalling, its ancestral function and the characteristics of the primal Wnt ligand, with emphasis on the importance of genomic studies in various pre-metazoan and basal metazoan species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Holzem
- Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology & BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Institute for Human Genetics, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Michael Boutros
- Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology & BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Human Genetics, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas W Holstein
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Libby A, Rayon T. In preprints: puzzling together roles for glucose metabolism during gastrulation. Development 2024; 151:dev202774. [PMID: 38381701 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Libby
- Developmental Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Teresa Rayon
- Epigenetics & Signalling Programmes, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
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Gurriaran-Rodriguez U, Rudnicki MA. Isolation of small extracellular vesicles from regenerating muscle tissue using Tangential Flow Filtration and Size Exclusion Chromatography. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.14.580358. [PMID: 38405765 PMCID: PMC10888854 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.14.580358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
We have recently made the strikingly discovery that upon a muscle injury, Wnt7a is upregulated and secreted from new regenerating myofibers on the surface of exosomes to elicit its myogenerative response distally. Despite recent advances in extracellular vesicle (EVs) isolation from diverse tissues, there is still a lack of specific methodology to purify EVs from muscle tissue. To eliminate contamination with non-EV secreted proteins and cytoplasmic fragments, which are typically found when using classical methodology, such as ultracentrifugation, we adapted a protocol combining Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). We found that this approach allows simultaneous purification of Wnt7a, bound to EVs (retentate fraction) and free non-EV Wnt7a (permeate fraction). Here we described this optimized protocol designed to specifically isolate EVs from hind limb muscle explants, without cross-contamination with other sources of non-EV bounded proteins. The first step of the protocol is to remove large EVs with sequential centrifugation. Extracellular vesicles are then concentrated and washed in exchange buffer by TFF. Lastly, SEC is performed to remove any soluble protein traces remaining after TFF. Overall, this procedure can be used to isolate EVs from conditioned media or biofluid that contains EVs derived from any cell type or tissue, improving reproducibility, efficiency, and purity of EVs preparations. Our purification protocol results in high purity EVs that maintain structural integrity and thus fully compatible with in vitro and in vivo bioactivity and analytic assays.
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Scharr M, Hirt B, Neckel PH. Spatial gene expression profile of Wnt-signaling components in the murine enteric nervous system. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1302488. [PMID: 38322254 PMCID: PMC10846065 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1302488] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Wnt-signaling is a key regulator of stem cell homeostasis, extensively studied in the intestinal crypt and other metazoan tissues. Yet, there is hardly any data available on the presence of Wnt-signaling components in the adult enteric nervous system (ENS) in vivo. Methods Therefore, we employed RNAscope HiPlex-assay, a novel and more sensitive in situ hybridization technology. By amplifying target specific signals, this technique enables the detection of low abundance, tightly regulated RNA content as is the case for Wnt-signaling components. Additionally, we compared our data to previously published physiological single cell RNA and RiboTag-based RNA sequencing analyses of enteric gliosis using data-mining approaches. Results Our descriptive analysis shows that several components of the multidi-mensional regulatory network of the Wnt-signaling pathway are present in the murine ENS. The transport and secretion protein for Wnt-ligands Wntless as well as canonical (Wnt3a and Wnt2b) and non-canonical Wnt-ligands (Wnt5a, Wnt7a, Wnt8b and Wnt11) are detectable within submucosal and myenteric plexus. Further, corresponding Frizzled receptors (Fzd1, Fzd3, Fzd6, and Fzd7) and regulatory signaling mediators like R-Spondin/DKK ligands are present in the ENS of the small and large intestine. Further, data mining approaches revealed, that several Wnt-related molecules are expressed by enteric glial cell clusters and are dynamically regulated during the inflammatory manifestation of enteric gliosis. Discussion Our results suggest, that canonical and non-canonical Wnt-signaling has a much broader impact on the mature ENS and its cellular homeostasis in health and inflammation, than previously anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter H. Neckel
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Ahuja K, Batra V, Kumar R, Datta TK. Transient suppression of Wnt signaling in poor-quality buffalo oocytes improves their developmental competence. Front Vet Sci 2024; 10:1324647. [PMID: 38274663 PMCID: PMC10808588 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1324647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction One of the most evolutionary conserved communication systems, the Wnt signaling pathway is a major gene regulatory pathway that affects the developmental competence of oocytes and regulates most embryonic developmental processes. The present study was undertaken to modulate the canonical Wnt (Wingless/integration) signaling pathway in the poor-quality (colorless cytoplasm after Brilliant Cresyl Blue staining, BCB-) buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) to improve their in vitro maturation (IVM) and embryo production (IVEP) rates. Methods The expression of key Wnt pathway genes was initially assessed in the good (blue cytoplasm after Brilliant Cresyl Blue staining, BCB+) and poor quality (BCB-) buffalo COCs to establish a differential activity of the Wnt pathway. The BCB- COCs were supplemented with the Wnt pathway inhibitor, Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) and later subjected to IVM and IVEP along with the BCB+ and BCB- controls. The cumulus expansion index (CEI), rate of nuclear maturation (mean percentage of oocytes in the MII stage) and embryo production, and the expression of developmentally important genes were evaluated to assess the effect of Wnt pathway inhibition on the development competence of these poor-quality oocytes. Results The Wnt pathway genes exhibited a significantly higher expression (p < 0.05) in the poor-quality BCB- oocytes compared to the good-quality BCB+ oocytes during the early maturation stages. The supplementation of BCB- COCs with 100 ng/mL DKK1 effectively inhibited the expression of the key mediators of the Wnt pathway (β-catenin and dishevelled homolog 1, DVL1). DKK1 supplemented BCB- COCs exhibited significantly improved cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation indices, development rates and significantly elevated expression (p < 0.05) of genes implicated in germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and embryonic genome activation (EGA) vis-à-vis BCB- control COCs. Conclusion These data indicate that inhibition of the Wnt pathway during the initial course of oocyte maturation can improve the development competence of poor-quality buffalo oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kriti Ahuja
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Vipul Batra
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Tirtha Kumar Datta
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, India
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14
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Mannan A, Dhiamn S, Garg N, Singh TG. Pharmacological modulation of Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathways in Angiogenesis: A mechanistic perspective. Dev Biol 2023; 504:58-74. [PMID: 37739118 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The Sonic hedgehog (SHh) signaling pathway is an imperative operating network that helps in regulates the critical events during the development processes like multicellular embryo growth and patterning. Disruptions in SHh pathway regulation can have severe consequences, including congenital disabilities, stem cell renewal, tissue regeneration, and cancer/tumor growth. Activation of the SHh signal occurs when SHh binds to the receptor complex of Patch (Ptc)-mediated Smoothened (Smo) (Ptc-smo), initiating downstream signaling. This review explores how pharmacological modulation of the SHh pathway affects angiogenesis through canonical and non-canonical pathways. The canonical pathway for angiogenesis involves the activation of angiogenic cytokines such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), stromal cell-derived factor 1α, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and angiopoietins (Ang-1 and Ang-2), which facilitate the process of angiogenesis. The Non-canonical pathway includes indirect activation of certain pathways like iNOS/Netrin-1/PKC, RhoA/Rock, ERK/MAPK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch signaling pathway, and so on. This review will provide a better grasp of the mechanistic approach of SHh in mediating angiogenesis, which can aid in the suppression of certain cancer and tumor growths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashi Mannan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India.
| | - Sonia Dhiamn
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India.
| | - Nikhil Garg
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India.
| | - Thakur Gurjeet Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India.
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15
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Koo Y, Han W, Keum BR, Lutz L, Yun SH, Kim GH, Han JK. RNF2 regulates Wnt/ß-catenin signaling via TCF7L1 destabilization. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19750. [PMID: 37957244 PMCID: PMC10643375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47111-x] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway is a crucial regulator of various biological processes, such as development and cancer. The downstream transcription factors in this pathway play a vital role in determining the threshold for signaling induction and the length of the response, which vary depending on the biological context. Among the four transcription factors involved in canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, TCF7L1 is known to possess an inhibitory function; however, the underlying regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we identified the E3 ligase, RNF2, as a novel positive regulator of the Wnt pathway. Here, we demonstrate that RNF2 promotes the degradation of TCF7L1 through its ubiquitination upon activation of Wnt signaling. Loss-of-function studies have shown that RNF2 consistently destabilizes nuclear TCF7L1 and is required for proper Wnt target gene transcription in response to Wnt activation. Furthermore, our results revealed that RNF2 controls the threshold, persistence, and termination of Wnt signaling by regulating TCF7L1. Overall, our study sheds light on the previously unknown degradation mechanism of TCF7L1 by a specific E3 ligase, RNF2, and provides new insights into the variability in cellular responses to Wnt activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngmu Koo
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonhee Han
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Byeong-Rak Keum
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Leila Lutz
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Ho Yun
- Center for Research Equipment, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun-Hwa Kim
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Kwan Han
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Kayamori K, Katsube KI, Hirai H, Harada H, Ikeda T. Role of Stromal Fibroblast-Induced WNT7A Associated with Cancer Cell Migration Through the AKT/CLDN1 Signaling Axis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Transl Med 2023; 103:100228. [PMID: 37541622 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in the progression of various cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) regulating Wnt signaling has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the primary components of the TME, activate Wnt signaling and promote tumor progression in OSCC. We conducted a Transwell coculture assay using human OSCC cell lines and normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). NHDFs stimulated WNT7A expression in several OSCC cell lines, especially HO-1-N-1 and HSC-5. An immunohistochemical study using 122 human OSCC samples indicated that high WNT7A expression in tumor cells was significantly associated with invasion depth and poor prognosis. Moreover, WNT7A expression in OSCC cells was positively correlated with α-smooth muscle actin expression in CAFs. WNT7A knockdown in OSCC cells demonstrated that OSCC cells cocultured with NHDFs significantly promoted tumor cell migration and invasion, which was dependent on WNT7A expression in OSCC cells. We also isolated HSC-5 cells from the coculture and conducted microarray analysis to investigate the factors that promote tumor progression induced by WNT7A. Among the various differentially expressed genes, we identified a downregulated gene encoding CLDN1 and confirmed that WNT7A negatively regulated CLDN1 expression in OSCC cells and CLDN1 knockdown in OSCC cells promoted their migration. Phosphokinase array analysis showed that WNT7A activates protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation. Activating AKT signaling using the SC79 agonist induced CLDN1 downregulation in OSCC cells. In the coculture assay, the AKT inhibitor MK2206 significantly recovered CLDN1 expression downregulated by WNT7A, resulting in OSCC cell migration suppression. These results suggest that CAFs stimulate OSCC cells to produce WNT7A, following CLDN1 expression downregulation by activating AKT signaling, promoting cancer cell migration. These findings highlight the importance of molecular therapies targeting the TME in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kou Kayamori
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ken-Ichi Katsube
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; Faculty of Human Care, Tohto University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hirai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry & Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Harada
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Ikeda
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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17
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Kanamori A, Kitani R, Oota A, Hirano K, Myosho T, Kobayashi T, Kawamura K, Kato N, Ansai S, Kinoshita M. Wnt4a Is Indispensable for Genital Duct Elongation but Not for Gonadal Sex Differentiation in the Medaka, Oryzias latipes. Zoolog Sci 2023; 40:348-359. [PMID: 37818883 DOI: 10.2108/zs230050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
In most vertebrates, the oviducts and sperm ducts are derived from the Müllerian ducts and Wolffian ducts, respectively. However, in teleosts, the genital ducts are formed by the posterior extension of gonads in both sexes. Whether the genital ducts of teleosts are newly evolved organs or variants of Müllerian ducts is an important question for understanding evolutionary mechanisms of morphogenesis. One of the genes essential for Müllerian duct formation in mice is Wnt4, which is expressed in the mesenchyme and induces invagination of the coelomic epithelium and its posterior elongation. Here, we addressed the above question by examining genital duct development in mutants of two Wnt4 genes in the medaka (wnt4a is orthologous to mouse Wnt4, and wnt4b is paralogous). The wnt4b mutants had a short body but were fertile with normal genital ducts. In contrast, both male and female wnt4a mutants had their posterior elongation of the gonads stopped within or just outside the coelom. The mutants retained the posterior parts of ovarian cavities or sperm duct primordia, which are potential target tissues of Wnt4a. The gonads of female scl mutants (unable to synthesize sex steroids) lacked these tissues and did not develop genital ducts. Medaka wnt4a was expressed in the mesenchyme ventral to the genital ducts in both sexes. Taken together, the data strongly suggest that the mouse Müllerian ducts and the medaka genital ducts share homologous developmental processes. Additionally, the wnt4a or wnt4b single mutants and the double mutants did not show sex-reversal, implying that both genes are dispensable for gonadal sex differentiation in the medaka.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Kanamori
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Aichi 464-8602, Japan,
| | - Ryota Kitani
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Atsuko Oota
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Koudai Hirano
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Taijun Myosho
- Laboratory of Molecular Reproductive Biology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Tohru Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Molecular Reproductive Biology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Kouichi Kawamura
- Department of Marine Bioresources, Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Kato
- Department of Environmental Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ansai
- Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institute for Basic Biology, Aichi 445-8585, Japan
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Masato Kinoshita
- Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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18
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Hanly JJ, Loh LS, Mazo-Vargas A, Rivera-Miranda TS, Livraghi L, Tendolkar A, Day CR, Liutikaite N, Earls EA, Corning OBWH, D'Souza N, Hermina-Perez JJ, Mehta C, Ainsworth JA, Rossi M, Papa R, McMillan WO, Perry MW, Martin A. Frizzled2 receives WntA signaling during butterfly wing pattern formation. Development 2023; 150:dev201868. [PMID: 37602496 PMCID: PMC10560568 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201868] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Butterfly color patterns provide visible and biodiverse phenotypic readouts of the patterning processes. Although the secreted ligand WntA has been shown to instruct the color pattern formation in butterflies, its mode of reception remains elusive. Butterfly genomes encode four homologs of the Frizzled-family of Wnt receptors. Here, we show that CRISPR mosaic knockouts of frizzled2 (fz2) phenocopy the color pattern effects of WntA loss of function in multiple nymphalids. Whereas WntA mosaic clones result in intermediate patterns of reduced size, fz2 clones are cell-autonomous, consistent with a morphogen function. Shifts in expression of WntA and fz2 in WntA crispant pupae show that they are under positive and negative feedback, respectively. Fz1 is required for Wnt-independent planar cell polarity in the wing epithelium. Fz3 and Fz4 show phenotypes consistent with Wnt competitive-antagonist functions in vein formation (Fz3 and Fz4), wing margin specification (Fz3), and color patterning in the Discalis and Marginal Band Systems (Fz4). Overall, these data show that the WntA/Frizzled2 morphogen-receptor pair forms a signaling axis that instructs butterfly color patterning and shed light on the functional diversity of insect Frizzled receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J. Hanly
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Gamboa 0843-03092, Panama
| | - Ling S. Loh
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Anyi Mazo-Vargas
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | | | - Luca Livraghi
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Gamboa 0843-03092, Panama
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Amruta Tendolkar
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Christopher R. Day
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Neringa Liutikaite
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Emily A. Earls
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Olaf B. W. H. Corning
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Natalie D'Souza
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - José J. Hermina-Perez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Caroline Mehta
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Julia A. Ainsworth
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matteo Rossi
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich 80539, Germany
| | - Riccardo Papa
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras, San Juan 00931, Puerto Rico
- Molecular Sciences and Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00931, Puerto Rico
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale, Università di Parma, Parma 43121, Italy
| | - W. Owen McMillan
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Gamboa 0843-03092, Panama
| | - Michael W. Perry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Arnaud Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Gamboa 0843-03092, Panama
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19
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Lou Y, Pinel L, Dufort D. Uterine WNTS modulates fibronectin binding activity required for blastocyst attachment through the WNT/CA 2+ signaling pathway in mice. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023; 21:85. [PMID: 37715251 PMCID: PMC10503100 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01135-0] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Adhesion of the implanting blastocyst involves the interaction between integrin proteins expressed by trophoblast cells and components present in the basement membrane of the endometrial luminal epithelium. Although several factors regulating integrins and their adhesion to fibronectin are already known, we showed that Wnt signaling is involved in the regulation of blastocyst adhesion through the trafficking of integrins expressed by trophoblast cells. Localization of Itgα5β1 by immunofluorescence and FN-binding assays were conducted on peri-implantation blastocysts treated with either Wnt5a or Wnt7a proteins. Both Wnt5a and Wnt7a induced a translocation of Itgα5β1 at the surface of the blastocyst and an increase in FN-binding activity. We further demonstrated that uterine fluid is capable of inducing integrin translocation and this activity can be specifically inhibited by the Wnt inhibitor sFRP2. To identify the Wnt signaling pathway involved in this activity, blastocysts were incubated with inhibitors of either p38MAPK, PI3K pathway or CamKII prior to the addition of Wnts. Whereas inhibition of p38MAPK and PI3K had not effect, inhibition of CamKII reduced FN-binding activity induced by Wnts. Finally, we demonstrated that inhibition of Wnts by sFRP2 reduced the binding efficiency of the blastocyst to uterine epithelial cells. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanism that regulates integrin trafficking and FN-binding activity and identifies Wnts as a key player in blastocyst attachment to the uterine epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuefei Lou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Laurie Pinel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Daniel Dufort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
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20
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Yu Y, Papukashvili D, Ren R, Rcheulishvili N, Feng S, Bai W, Zhang H, Xi Y, Lu X, Xing N. siRNA-based approaches for castration-resistant prostate cancer therapy targeting the androgen receptor signaling pathway. Future Oncol 2023; 19:2055-2073. [PMID: 37823367 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2023-0227] [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] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy is a common treatment method for metastatic prostate cancer through lowering androgen levels; however, this therapy frequently leads to the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This is attributed to the activation of the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway. Current treatments targeting AR are often ineffective mostly due to AR gene overexpression and mutations, as well as the presence of splice variants that accelerate CRPC progression. Thus there is a critical need for more specific medication to treat CRPC. Small interfering RNAs have shown great potential as a targeted therapy. This review discusses prostate cancer progression and the role of AR signaling in CRPC, and proposes siRNA-based targeted therapy as a promising strategy for CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Yu
- Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | | | - Ruimin Ren
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Department of Urology, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | | | - Shunping Feng
- Southern University of Science & Technology, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Wenqi Bai
- Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Huanhu Zhang
- Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Yanfeng Xi
- Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Xiaoqing Lu
- Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Nianzeng Xing
- Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
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21
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Pietrus M, Pitynski K, Waligora M, Milian-Ciesielska K, Ludwin A, Socha MW, Skrzypek K. Association of Membranous WNT-1 and Nuclear mTOR with Endometrial Cancer Grade. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098342. [PMID: 37176048 PMCID: PMC10179139 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098342] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer remains a common cancer affecting the female reproductive system. There is still a need for more efficient ways of determining the degree of malignancy and optimizing treatment. WNT and mTOR are components of signaling pathways within tumor cells, and dysfunction of either protein is associated with the pathogenesis of neoplasms. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the impact of subcellular WNT-1 and mTOR levels on the clinical course of endometrial cancer. WNT-1 and mTOR levels in the plasma membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining in a group of 64 patients with endometrial cancer of grades 1-3 and FIGO stages I-IV. We discovered that the levels of WNT-1 and mTOR expression in the cellular compartments were associated with tumor grade and staging. Membranous WNT-1 was negatively associated, whereas cytoplasmic WNT-1 and nuclear mTOR were positively associated with higher grading of endometrial cancer. Furthermore, nuclear mTOR was positively associated with FIGO stages IB-IV. To conclude, we found that the assessment of WNT-1 in the cell membrane may be useful for exclusion of grade 3 neoplasms, whereas cytoplasmic WNT-1 and nuclear mTOR may be used as indicators for confirmation of grade 3 neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milosz Pietrus
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-501 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kazimierz Pitynski
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-501 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Waligora
- Pulmonary Circulation Centre, Department of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, John Paul II Hospital in Krakow, 31-022 Krakow, Poland
- Center for Innovative Medical Education, Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Milian-Ciesielska
- Department of Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-531 Krakow, Poland
| | - Artur Ludwin
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-501 Krakow, Poland
| | - Maciej W Socha
- Department of Perinatology, Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Klaudia Skrzypek
- Department of Transplantation, Institute of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
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22
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Fortin CL, McCray TN, Saxton SH, Johansson F, Andino CB, Mene J, Wang Y, Stevens KR. Temporal Dynamics of Metabolic Acquisition in Grafted Engineered Human Liver Tissue. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200208. [PMID: 36328790 PMCID: PMC10259871 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200208] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Liver disease affects millions globally, and end-stage liver failure is only cured by organ transplant. Unfortunately, there is a growing shortage of donor organs as well as inequitable access to transplants across populations. Engineered liver tissue grafts that supplement or replace native organ function can address this challenge. While engineered liver tissues have been successfully engrafted previously, the extent to which these tissues express human liver metabolic genes and proteins remains unknown. Here, it is built engineered human liver tissues and characterized their engraftment, expansion, and metabolic phenotype at sequential stages post-implantation by RNA sequencing, histology, and host serology. Expression of metabolic genes is observed at weeks 1-2, followed by the cellular organization into hepatic cords by weeks 4-9.5. Furthermore, grafted engineered tissues exhibited progressive spatially restricted expression of critical functional proteins known to be zonated in the native human liver. This is the first report of engineered human liver tissue zonation after implantation in vivo, which can have important translational implications for this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea L Fortin
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
| | - Tara N McCray
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA
| | - Sarah H Saxton
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA
| | - Fredrik Johansson
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA
| | - Christian B Andino
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA
| | - Jonathan Mene
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA
| | - Yuliang Wang
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
| | - Kelly R Stevens
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
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23
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The Roles of Secreted Wnt Ligands in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065349. [PMID: 36982422 PMCID: PMC10049518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt ligands are secreted signaling proteins that display a wide range of biological effects. They play key roles in stimulating Wnt signaling pathways to facilitate processes such as tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Dysregulation of Wnt signaling is a hallmark of many cancers and genetic alterations in various Wnt signaling components, which result in ligand-independent or ligand-dependent hyperactivation of the pathway that have been identified. Recently, research is focusing on the impact of Wnt signaling on the interaction between tumor cells and their micro-environment. This Wnt-mediated crosstalk can act either in a tumor promoting or suppressing fashion. In this review, we comprehensively outline the function of Wnt ligands in different tumor entities and their impact on key phenotypes, including cancer stemness, drug resistance, metastasis, and immune evasion. Lastly, we elaborate approaches to target Wnt ligands in cancer therapy.
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24
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Vo L, Schmidtke MW, Da Rosa-Junior NT, Ren M, Schlame M, Greenberg ML. Cardiolipin metabolism regulates expression of muscle transcription factor MyoD1 and muscle development. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102978. [PMID: 36739949 PMCID: PMC9999232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102978] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) is critical for numerous essential biological processes, including mitochondrial dynamics and energy metabolism. Mutations in the CL remodeling enzyme TAFAZZIN cause Barth syndrome, a life-threatening genetic disorder that results in severe physiological defects, including cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, and neutropenia. To study the molecular mechanisms whereby CL deficiency leads to skeletal myopathy, we carried out transcriptomic analysis of the TAFAZZIN-knockout (TAZ-KO) mouse myoblast C2C12 cell line. Our data indicated that cardiac and muscle development pathways are highly decreased in TAZ-KO cells, consistent with a previous report of defective myogenesis in this cell line. Interestingly, the muscle transcription factor myoblast determination protein 1 (MyoD1) is significantly repressed in TAZ-KO cells and TAZ-KO mouse hearts. Exogenous expression of MyoD1 rescued the myogenesis defects previously observed in TAZ-KO cells. Our data suggest that MyoD1 repression is caused by upregulation of the MyoD1 negative regulator, homeobox protein Mohawk, and decreased Wnt signaling. Our findings reveal, for the first time, that CL metabolism regulates muscle differentiation through MyoD1 and identify the mechanism whereby MyoD1 is repressed in CL-deficient cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Vo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael W Schmidtke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Mindong Ren
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Cell Biology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael Schlame
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Cell Biology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Miriam L Greenberg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
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25
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Anderson RA, Oyarbide U. Neuronal expression of ndst3 in early zebrafish development is responsive to Wnt signaling manipulation. Gene Expr Patterns 2023; 47:119300. [PMID: 36503154 PMCID: PMC10006321 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2022.119300] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are constituents of the cell surface and extracellular matrix and are vital for various activities within the cell. The N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase (heparin glucosaminyl) family of enzymes, or NDST, modifies heparan sulfate (HS) by catalyzing both the N-deacetylation and the N-sulfation of N-acetylglucosamine residues. In zebrafish, a single ndst3 gene is an orthologue of both mammalian NDST3 and NDST4 genes. The role of ndst3 in zebrafish development has not been investigated and such study may provide insight into the role(s) of both mammalian orthologues. Here, we characterized expression of ndst3 during early development in zebrafish and found it to be predominately neuronal. We found that expression of ndst3 is sensitive to Wnt signaling manipulation, with stimulation of the Wnt pathway resulting in robust expansion of ndst3 expression domains. Finally, using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we mutagenized the ndst3 gene and isolated an allele, ndst3nu20, resulting in a frameshift and premature protein truncation. We discovered Ndst3 is not essential for zebrafish survival as ndst3nu20 homozygous mutants are viable and fertile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Usua Oyarbide
- Department of Pediatrics and Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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26
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Wolf L, Boutros M. The role of Evi/Wntless in exporting Wnt proteins. Development 2023; 150:286996. [PMID: 36763105 PMCID: PMC10112924 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Intercellular communication by Wnt proteins governs many essential processes during development, tissue homeostasis and disease in all metazoans. Many context-dependent effects are initiated in the Wnt-producing cells and depend on the export of lipidated Wnt proteins. Although much focus has been on understanding intracellular Wnt signal transduction, the cellular machinery responsible for Wnt secretion became better understood only recently. After lipid modification by the acyl-transferase Porcupine, Wnt proteins bind their dedicated cargo protein Evi/Wntless for transport and secretion. Evi/Wntless and Porcupine are conserved transmembrane proteins, and their 3D structures were recently determined. In this Review, we summarise studies and structural data highlighting how Wnts are transported from the ER to the plasma membrane, and the role of SNX3-retromer during the recycling of its cargo receptor Evi/Wntless. We also describe the regulation of Wnt export through a post-translational mechanism and review the importance of Wnt secretion for organ development and cancer, and as a future biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Wolf
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics and Heidelberg University, BioQuant and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Boutros
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics and Heidelberg University, BioQuant and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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27
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Napolitano T, Silvano S, Ayachi C, Plaisant M, Sousa-Da-Veiga A, Fofo H, Charles B, Collombat P. Wnt Pathway in Pancreatic Development and Pathophysiology. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040565. [PMID: 36831232 PMCID: PMC9954665 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The pancreas is an abdominal gland that serves 2 vital purposes: assist food processing by secreting digestive enzymes and regulate blood glucose levels by releasing endocrine hormones. During embryonic development, this gland originates from epithelial buds located on opposite sites of the foregut endoderm. Pancreatic cell specification and maturation are coordinated by a complex interplay of extrinsic and intrinsic signaling events. In the recent years, the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway has emerged as an important player of pancreas organogenesis, regulating pancreatic epithelium specification, compartmentalization and expansion. Importantly, it has been suggested to regulate proliferation, survival and function of adult pancreatic cells, including insulin-secreting β-cells. This review summarizes recent work on the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in pancreas biology from early development to adulthood, emphasizing on its relevance for the development of new therapies for pancreatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chaïma Ayachi
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Inserm, iBV, 06000 Nice, France
| | | | | | - Hugo Fofo
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Inserm, iBV, 06000 Nice, France
| | | | - Patrick Collombat
- DiogenX, 180 Avenue du Prado, 13008 Marseille, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Inserm, iBV, 06000 Nice, France
- Correspondence:
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28
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Gone with the Wnt(less): a mechanistic perspective on the journey of Wnt. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1763-1772. [PMID: 36416660 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220634] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Wnts are short-range signaling proteins, expressed in all metazoans from sponges to humans, critical for cell development and fate. There are 19 different Wnts in the human genome with varying expression levels and patterns, and post-translational modifications. Common to essentially all Wnts is the palmitoleation of a conserved serine by the O-acyltransferase PORCN in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). All lipidated Wnts then bind a dedicated carrier Wntless (WLS), endowed with the task of transporting them from the ER to the plasma membrane, and ultimately facilitating their release to receptors on the Wnt-receiving cell to initiate signaling. Here, we will focus on the WLS-mediated transport step. There are currently two published structures, both obtained by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy of the Wnt/WLS complex: human Wnt8A-bound and human Wnt3A-bound WLS. We analyze the two Wnt/WLS structures - remarkably similar despite the sequence similarity between Wnt8A and Wnt3A being only ∼39% - to begin to understand the conserved nature of this binding mechanism, and ultimately how one carrier can accommodate a family of 19 different Wnts. By comparing how Wnt associates with WLS with how it binds to PORCN and FZD receptors, we can begin to speculate on mechanisms of Wnt transfer from PORCN to WLS, and from WLS to FZD, thus providing molecular-level insight into these essential steps of the Wnt signaling pathway.
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29
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Zhang C, Xue P, Zhang H, Tan C, Zhao S, Li X, Sun L, Zheng H, Wang J, Zhang B, Lang W. Gut brain interaction theory reveals gut microbiota mediated neurogenesis and traditional Chinese medicine research strategies. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1072341. [PMID: 36569198 PMCID: PMC9772886 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1072341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis is the process of differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons and glial cells in certain areas of the adult brain. Defects in neurogenesis can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, mental disorders, and other maladies. This process is directionally regulated by transcription factors, the Wnt and Notch pathway, the extracellular matrix, and various growth factors. External factors like stress, physical exercise, diet, medications, etc., affect neurogenesis and the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota may affect NSCs through vagal, immune and chemical pathways, and other pathways. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proven to affect NSCs proliferation and differentiation and can regulate the abundance and metabolites produced by intestinal microorganisms. However, the underlying mechanisms by which these factors regulate neurogenesis through the gut microbiota are not fully understood. In this review, we describe the recent evidence on the role of the gut microbiota in neurogenesis. Moreover, we hypothesize on the characteristics of the microbiota-gut-brain axis based on bacterial phyla, including microbiota's metabolites, and neuronal and immune pathways while providing an outlook on TCM's potential effects on adult neurogenesis by regulating gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Zhang
- Basic Medical Science College, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Peng Xue
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Basic Medical Science College, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Chenxi Tan
- Department of Infection Control, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Shiyao Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Xudong Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Lihui Sun
- Basic Medical Science College, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Huihui Zheng
- Basic Medical Science College, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Jun Wang
- The Academic Affairs Office, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Baoling Zhang
- Department of Operating Room, Qiqihar First Hospital, Qiqihar, China
| | - Weiya Lang
- Basic Medical Science College, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China,*Correspondence: Weiya Lang,
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30
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Schmidt M, Poser C, Janster C, von Maltzahn J. The hairpin region of WNT7A is sufficient for binding to the Frizzled7 receptor and to elicit signaling in myogenic cells. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6348-6359. [PMID: 36420144 PMCID: PMC9678774 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is essential for embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. So far, little is known about the importance and functional relevance of the different regions in WNT proteins including regions in their C-terminus identified as hairpin and linker. However, it was shown that the C-terminus of WNT7A comprising the linker and the hairpin region is sufficient to elicit signaling. Here, we demonstrate that actually the hairpin region of WNT7A in its C-terminus is fully sufficient to induce non-canonical signaling in myogenic cells while the linker region alone did not show biological activity. Of note, all known non-canonical signaling branches of WNT7A signaling in skeletal muscle were activated by the hairpin region of WNT7A thereby inducing hypertrophy in myotubes, symmetric expansion of satellite stem cells and migration of myoblasts. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the linker region in the C-terminus of WNT7A binds to the FZD7 receptor while it does not activate non-canonical Wnt signaling. However, the hairpin and the linker region of WNT7A can activate canonical Wnt signaling independent of each other suggesting that specificity of downstream signaling might be depending on those specific regions in the C-terminus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Schmidt
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Poser
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Christina Janster
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Julia von Maltzahn
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg University of Technoogy Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany
- Corresponding author.
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31
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Rodriguez-Casanova A, Costa-Fraga N, Castro-Carballeira C, González-Conde M, Abuin C, Bao-Caamano A, García-Caballero T, Brozos-Vazquez E, Rodriguez-López C, Cebey V, Palacios P, Cueva JF, López-López R, Costa C, Díaz-Lagares A. A genome-wide cell-free DNA methylation analysis identifies an episignature associated with metastatic luminal B breast cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1016955. [PMID: 36393855 PMCID: PMC9641197 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1016955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancers of the luminal B subtype are frequent tumors with high proliferation and poor prognosis. Epigenetic alterations have been found in breast tumors and in biological fluids. We aimed to profile the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylome of metastatic luminal B breast cancer (LBBC) patients using an epigenomic approach to discover potential noninvasive biomarkers. Plasma cfDNA was analyzed using the Infinium MethylationEpic array in a cohort of 14 women, including metastatic LBBC patients and nontumor controls. The methylation levels of cfDNA and tissue samples were validated with droplet digital PCR. The methylation and gene expression data of 582 primary luminal breast tumors and 79 nontumor tissues were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We found an episignature of 1,467 differentially methylated CpGs that clearly identified patients with LBBC. Among the genes identified, the promoter hypermethylation of WNT1 was validated in cfDNA, showing an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.86 for the noninvasive detection of metastatic LBBC. Both paired cfDNA and primary/metastatic breast tumor samples showed hypermethylation of WNT1. TCGA analysis revealed significant WNT1 hypermethylation in the primary tumors of luminal breast cancer patients, with a negative association between WNT1 methylation and gene expression. In this proof-of-principle study, we discovered an episignature associated with metastatic LBBC using a genome-wide cfDNA methylation approach. We also identified the promoter hypermethylation of WNT1 in cfDNA as a potential noninvasive biomarker for luminal breast cancer. Our results support the use of EPIC arrays to identify new epigenetic noninvasive biomarkers in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Rodriguez-Casanova
- Epigenomics Unit, Cancer Epigenomics, Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Nicolas Costa-Fraga
- Epigenomics Unit, Cancer Epigenomics, Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | - Miriam González-Conde
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Abuin
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Aida Bao-Caamano
- Epigenomics Unit, Cancer Epigenomics, Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Tomás García-Caballero
- Department of Morphological Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela and Xerencia de Xestión Integrada de Santiago (XXIS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Elena Brozos-Vazquez
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmela Rodriguez-López
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Victor Cebey
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Patricia Palacios
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan F. Cueva
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rafael López-López
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Clotilde Costa
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Díaz-Lagares
- Epigenomics Unit, Cancer Epigenomics, Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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32
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Wu CWK, Reid M, Leedham S, Lui RN. The emerging era of personalized medicine in advanced colorectal cancer. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 37:1411-1425. [PMID: 35815339 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a genetically heterogeneous disease with its pathogenesis often driven by varying genetic or epigenetic alterations. This has led to a substantial number of patients developing chemoresistance and treatment failure, resulting in a high mortality rate for advanced disease. Deep molecular analysis has allowed for the discovery of key intestinal signaling pathways which impacts colonic epithelial cell fate, and the integral role of the tumor microenvironment on cancer growth and dissemination. Through transitioning pre-clinical knowledge in research into clinical practice, many potential druggable targets within these pathways have been discovered in the hopes of overcoming the roadblocks encountered by conventional therapies. A personalized approach tailoring treatment according to the histopathological and molecular features of individual tumors can hopefully translate to better patient outcomes, and reduce the rate of recurrence in patients with advanced CRC. Herein, the latest understanding on the molecular science behind CRC tumorigenesis, and the potential treatment targets currently at the forefront of research are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia W K Wu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Madeleine Reid
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon Leedham
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rashid N Lui
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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33
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Diboun I, Wani S, Ralston SH, Albagha OME. Epigenetic DNA Methylation Signatures Associated With the Severity of Paget's Disease of Bone. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:903612. [PMID: 35769265 PMCID: PMC9235511 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.903612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is characterized by focal areas of dysregulated bone turnover resulting in increased bone loss and abnormal bone formation with variable severity. PDB has a complex etiology and both genetics and environmental factors have been implicated. A recent study has identified many differentially methylated loci in PDB compared to healthy subjects. However, associations between DNA methylation profiles and disease severity of PDB have not been investigated. Objectives: To investigate the association between DNA methylation signals and PDB severity. Methods: Using 232 well-characterized PDB subjects from the PRISM trial, a disease severity score was devised based on the clinical features of PDB. DNA methylation profiling was performed using Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation 450K array. Results: We identified 100 CpG methylation sites significantly associated with PDB severity at FDR <0.05. Additionally, methylation profiles in 11 regions showed Bonferroni-significant association with disease severity including six islands (located in VCL, TBX5, CASZ1, ULBP2, NUDT15 and SQSTM1), two gene bodies (CXCR6 and DENND1A), and 3 promoter regions (RPL27, LINC00301 and VPS29). Moreover, FDR-significant effects from region analysis implicated genes with genetic variants previously associated with PDB severity, including RIN3 and CSF1. A multivariate predictor model featuring the top severity-associated CpG sites revealed a significant correlation (R = 0.71, p = 6.9 × 10-16) between observed and predicted PDB severity scores. On dichotomizing the severity scores into low and high severity, the model featured an area under curve (AUC) of 0.80, a sensitivity of 0.74 and a specificity of 0.68. Conclusion: We identified several CpG methylation markers that are associated with PDB severity in this pioneering study while also highlighting the novel molecular pathways associated with disease progression. Further work is warranted to affirm the suitability of our model to predict the severity of PDB in newly diagnosed patients or patients with family history of PDB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilhame Diboun
- Division of Genomic and Translational Biomedicine, College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
- Translational Genetics and Bioinformatics Section, Research Division, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sachin Wani
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart H. Ralston
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Omar M. E. Albagha
- Division of Genomic and Translational Biomedicine, College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Oliveira LFS, Predes D, Borges HL, Abreu JG. Therapeutic Potential of Naturally Occurring Small Molecules to Target the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020403. [PMID: 35053565 PMCID: PMC8774030 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an emerging public health problem and the second leading cause of death worldwide, with a significant socioeconomic impact in several countries. The 5-year survival rate is only 12% due to the lack of early diagnosis and resistance to available treatments, and the canonical Wnt signaling pathway is involved in this process. This review underlines the importance of understanding the fundamental roles of this pathway in physiological and pathological contexts and analyzes the use of naturally occurring small molecules that inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in experimental models of CRC. We also discuss the progress and challenges of moving these small molecules off the laboratory bench into the clinical platform. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second in the number of cancer deaths worldwide, mainly due to late diagnoses, which restrict treatment in the potentially curable stages and decrease patient survival. The treatment of CRC involves surgery to remove the tumor tissue, in addition to radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy sessions. However, almost half of patients are resistant to these treatments, especially in metastatic cases, where the 5-year survival rate is only 12%. This factor may be related to the intratumoral heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment (TME), and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which is impossible to resolve with the standard approaches currently available in clinical practice. CSCs are APC-deficient, and the search for alternative therapeutic agents such as small molecules from natural sources is a promising strategy, as these substances have several antitumor properties. Many of those interfere with the regulation of signaling pathways at the central core of CRC development, such as the Wnt/β-catenin, which plays a crucial role in the cell proliferation and stemness in the tumor. This review will discuss the use of naturally occurring small molecules inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in experimental CRC models over the past decade, highlighting the molecular targets in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the mechanisms through which these molecules perform their antitumor activities.
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