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Szoszkiewicz A, Bukowska-Olech E, Jamsheer A. Molecular landscape of congenital vertebral malformations: recent discoveries and future directions. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024; 19:32. [PMID: 38291488 PMCID: PMC10829358 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03040-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Vertebral malformations (VMs) pose a significant global health problem, causing chronic pain and disability. Vertebral defects occur as isolated conditions or within the spectrum of various congenital disorders, such as Klippel-Feil syndrome, congenital scoliosis, spondylocostal dysostosis, sacral agenesis, and neural tube defects. Although both genetic abnormalities and environmental factors can contribute to abnormal vertebral development, our knowledge on molecular mechanisms of numerous VMs is still limited. Furthermore, there is a lack of resource that consolidates the current knowledge in this field. In this pioneering review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the latest research on the molecular basis of VMs and the association of the VMs-related causative genes with bone developmental signaling pathways. Our study identifies 118 genes linked to VMs, with 98 genes involved in biological pathways crucial for the formation of the vertebral column. Overall, the review summarizes the current knowledge on VM genetics, and provides new insights into potential involvement of biological pathways in VM pathogenesis. We also present an overview of available data regarding the role of epigenetic and environmental factors in VMs. We identify areas where knowledge is lacking, such as precise molecular mechanisms in which specific genes contribute to the development of VMs. Finally, we propose future research avenues that could address knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szoszkiewicz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Ewelina Bukowska-Olech
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806, Poznan, Poland
| | - Aleksander Jamsheer
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
- Centers for Medical Genetics GENESIS, Dąbrowskiego 77A, 60-529, Poznan, Poland.
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2
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Craig SEL, Michalski MN, Williams BO. Got WNTS? Insight into bone health from a WNT perspective. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 153:327-346. [PMID: 36967199 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
WNT signaling, essential for many aspects of development, is among the most commonly altered pathways associated with human disease. While initially studied in cancer, dysregulation of WNT signaling has been determined to be essential for skeletal development and the maintenance of bone health throughout life. In this review, we discuss the role of Wnt signaling in bone development and disease with a particular focus on two areas. First, we discuss the roles of WNT signaling pathways in skeletal development, with an emphasis on congenital and idiopathic skeletal syndromes and diseases that are associated with genetic variations in WNT signaling components. Next, we cover a topic that has long been an interest of our laboratory, how high and low levels of WNT signaling affects the establishment and maintenance of healthy bone mass. We conclude with a discussion of the status of WNT-based therapeutics in the treatment of skeletal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya E L Craig
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Megan N Michalski
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Bart O Williams
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.
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3
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Jussila M, Boswell CW, Griffiths NW, Pumputis PG, Ciruna B. Live imaging and conditional disruption of native PCP activity using endogenously tagged zebrafish sfGFP-Vangl2. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5598. [PMID: 36151137 PMCID: PMC9508082 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33322-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue-wide coordination of polarized cytoskeletal organization and cell behaviour, critical for normal development, is controlled by asymmetric membrane localization of non-canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) signalling components. Understanding the dynamic regulation of PCP thus requires visualization of these polarity proteins in vivo. Here we utilize CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to introduce a fluorescent reporter onto the core PCP component, Vangl2, in zebrafish. Through live imaging of endogenous sfGFP-Vangl2 expression, we report on the authentic regulation of vertebrate PCP during embryogenesis. Furthermore, we couple sfGFP-Vangl2 with conditional zGrad GFP-nanobody degradation methodologies to interrogate tissue-specific functions for PCP. Remarkably, loss of Vangl2 in foxj1a-positive cell lineages causes ependymal cell cilia and Reissner fiber formation defects as well as idiopathic-like scoliosis. Together, our studies provide crucial insights into the establishment and maintenance of vertebrate PCP and create a powerful experimental paradigm for investigating post-embryonic and tissue-specific functions for Vangl2 in development and disease. Planar cell polarity (PCP) is critical for tissue-wide coordination and successful development. Here Jussila et al. generate a GFP-Vangl2 fusion for live imaging and discover a surprising directionality to the intercellular propagation of cell polarity, and ultimately link PCP defects with idiopathic scoliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jussila
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Curtis W Boswell
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Nigel W Griffiths
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Patrick G Pumputis
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Brian Ciruna
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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4
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Xie H, Li M, Kang Y, Zhang J, Zhao C. Zebrafish: an important model for understanding scoliosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:506. [PMID: 36059018 PMCID: PMC9441191 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04534-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Scoliosis is a common spinal deformity that considerably affects the physical and psychological health of patients. Studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role in scoliosis. However, its etiopathogenesis remain unclear, partially because of the genetic heterogeneity of scoliosis and the lack of appropriate model systems. Recently, the development of efficient gene editing methods and high-throughput sequencing technology has made it possible to explore the underlying pathological mechanisms of scoliosis. Owing to their susceptibility for developing scoliosis and high genetic homology with human, zebrafish are increasingly being used as a model for scoliosis in developmental biology, genetics, and clinical medicine. Here, we summarize the recent advances in scoliosis research on zebrafish and discuss the prospects of using zebrafish as a scoliosis model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Xie
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China.,Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Sars-Fang Centre, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Mingzhu Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China
| | - Yunsi Kang
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Sars-Fang Centre, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China. .,The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524023, China.
| | - Chengtian Zhao
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China. .,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China. .,Sars-Fang Centre, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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5
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Giampietro PF, Hadley-Miller N, Raggio CL. Overview of Gene Special Issue “Genetic Conditions Affecting the Skeleton: Congenital, Idiopathic Scoliosis and Arthrogryposis”. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13071194. [PMID: 35885977 PMCID: PMC9315581 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Philip F. Giampietro
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Nancy Hadley-Miller
- Musculoskeletal Research Center, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
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