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Merlini A, Rabino M, Brusco S, Pavese V, Masci D, Sangiolo D, Bironzo P, Scagliotti GV, Novello S, D'Ambrosio L. Epigenetic determinants in soft tissue sarcomas: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024; 28:17-28. [PMID: 38234142 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2306344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare, mesenchymal tumors characterized by dismal prognosis in advanced/metastatic stages. Knowledge of their molecular determinants is still rather limited. However, in recent years, epigenetic regulation - the modification of gene expression/function without DNA sequence variation - has emerged as a key player both in sarcomagenesis and sarcoma progression. AREAS COVERED Herein, we describe and review the main epigenetic mechanisms involved in chromatin remodeling and their role as disease drivers in different soft tissue sarcoma histotypes, focusing on epithelioid sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Focusing on chromatin-remodeling complexes, we provide an in-depth on the role of BAF complex alterations in these soft tissue sarcoma histotypes. In parallel, we highlight current state-of-the-art and future perspectives in the development of rational, innovative treatments leveraging on epigenetic dysregulation in soft tissue sarcomas. EXPERT OPINION Therapeutic options for metastatic/advanced sarcomas are to date very limited and largely represented by cytotoxic agents, with only modest results. In the continuous attempt to find novel targets and innovative, effective drugs, epigenetic mechanisms represent an emerging and promising field of research, especially for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, epithelioid and synovial sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Rabino
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Silvia Brusco
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research Royal Cancer Hospital, London, UK
| | - Valeria Pavese
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Debora Masci
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Paolo Bironzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
- Medical Oncology, S. Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Giorgio Vittorio Scagliotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
- Medical Oncology, S. Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Silvia Novello
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
- Medical Oncology, S. Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Ambrosio
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
- Medical Oncology, S. Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano (TO), Italy
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Mumtaz S, Usman Rashid M, Khan RU, Malkani N. miR-4482 and miR-3912 aim for 3'UTR of ERG mRNA in prostate cancer. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286996. [PMID: 37310937 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ets-related gene (ERG) is overexpressed as a fusion protein in prostate cancer. During metastasis, the pathological role of ERG is associated with cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Here, we hypothesized that miRNAs regulate ERG expression through its 3'UTR. Several bioinformatics tools were used to identify miRNAs and their binding sites on 3'UTR of ERG. The selected miRNAs expression was analyzed in prostate cancer samples by qPCR. The miRNAs overexpression was induced in prostate cancer cells (VCaP) to analyze ERG expression. Reporter gene assay was performed to evaluate the ERG activity in response to selected miRNAs. The expression of ERG downstream target genes was also investigated through qPCR after miRNAs overexpression. To observe the effects of selected miRNAs on cell proliferation and migration, scratch assay was performed to calculate the cell migration rate. miR-4482 and miR-3912 were selected from bioinformatics databases. miR-4482 and -3912 expression were decreased in prostate cancer samples, as compared to controls (p<0.05 and p<0.001), respectively. Overexpression of miR-4482 and miR-3912 significantly reduced ERG mRNA (p<0.001 and p<0.01), respectively) and protein (p<0.01) in prostate cancer cells. The transcriptional activity of ERG was significantly reduced (p<0.01) in response to miR-4482 and-3912. ERG angiogenic targets and cell migration rate was also reduced significantly (p<0.001) after miR-4482 and -3912 over-expression. This study indicates that miR-4482 and -3912 can suppress the ERG expression and its target genes, thereby, halt prostate cancer progression. These miRNAs may be employed as a potential therapeutic target for the miRNA-based therapy against prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Mumtaz
- Department of Zoology, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Usman Rashid
- Department of Basic Sciences Research, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Naila Malkani
- Department of Zoology, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
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Ishihara K, Takata K, Mizutani KI. Involvement of an Aberrant Vascular System in Neurodevelopmental, Neuropsychiatric, and Neuro-Degenerative Diseases. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13010221. [PMID: 36676170 PMCID: PMC9866034 DOI: 10.3390/life13010221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The vascular system of the prenatal brain is crucial for the development of the central nervous system. Communication between vessels and neural cells is bidirectional, and dysfunctional communication can lead to neurodevelopmental diseases. In the present review, we introduce neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diseases potentially caused by disturbances in the neurovascular system and discuss candidate genes responsible for neurovascular system impairments. In contrast to diseases that can manifest during the developing stage, we have also summarized the disturbances of the neurovascular system in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, we discussed the role of abnormal vascularization and dysfunctional vessels in the development of neurovascular-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Ishihara
- Department of Pathological Biochemistry, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-75-595-4656
| | - Kazuyuki Takata
- Division of Integrated Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Mizutani
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 650-8586, Japan
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Lorenzin F, Demichelis F. Past, Current, and Future Strategies to Target ERG Fusion-Positive Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051118. [PMID: 35267426 PMCID: PMC8909394 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In addition to its role in development and in the vascular and hematopoietic systems, ERG plays a central role in prostate cancer. Approximately 40–50% of prostate cancer cases are characterized by ERG gene fusions, which lead to ERG overexpression. Importantly, inhibition of ERG activity in prostate cancer cells decreases their viability. Therefore, inhibiting ERG might represent an important step to improve treatment efficacy for patients with ERG-positive prostate tumors. Here, we summarize the attempts made over the past years to repress ERG activity, the current use of ERG fusion detection and the strategies that might be utilized in the future to treat ERG fusion-positive tumors. Abstract The ETS family member ERG is a transcription factor with physiological roles during development and in the vascular and hematopoietic systems. ERG oncogenic activity characterizes several malignancies, including Ewing’s sarcoma, leukemia and prostate cancer (PCa). In PCa, ERG rearrangements with androgen-regulated genes—mostly TMPRSS2—characterize a large subset of patients across disease progression and result in androgen receptor (AR)-mediated overexpression of ERG in the prostate cells. Importantly, PCa cells overexpressing ERG are dependent on ERG activity for survival, further highlighting its therapeutic potential. Here, we review the current understanding of the role of ERG and its partners in PCa. We discuss the strategies developed in recent years to inhibit ERG activity, the current therapeutic utility of ERG fusion detection in PCa patients, and the possible future approaches to target ERG fusion-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Lorenzin
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.D.)
| | - Francesca Demichelis
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.D.)
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Czarkwiani A, Dylus DV, Carballo L, Oliveri P. FGF signalling plays similar roles in development and regeneration of the skeleton in the brittle star Amphiura filiformis. Development 2021; 148:dev180760. [PMID: 34042967 PMCID: PMC8180256 DOI: 10.1242/dev.180760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Regeneration as an adult developmental process is in many aspects similar to embryonic development. Although many studies point out similarities and differences, no large-scale, direct and functional comparative analyses between development and regeneration of a specific cell type or structure in one animal exist. Here, we use the brittle star Amphiura filiformis to characterise the role of the FGF signalling pathway during skeletal development in embryos and arm regeneration. In both processes, we find ligands expressed in ectodermal cells that flank underlying skeletal mesenchymal cells, which express the receptors. Perturbation of FGF signalling showed inhibited skeleton formation in both embryogenesis and regeneration, without affecting other key developmental processes. Differential transcriptome analysis finds mostly differentiation genes rather than transcription factors to be downregulated in both contexts. Moreover, comparative gene analysis allowed us to discover brittle star-specific differentiation genes. In conclusion, our results show that the FGF pathway is crucial for skeletogenesis in the brittle star, as in other deuterostomes, and provide evidence for the re-deployment of a developmental gene regulatory module during regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Czarkwiani
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - David V. Dylus
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Centre for Mathematics, Physics and Engineering in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Luisana Carballo
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Paola Oliveri
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Centre for Life's Origin and Evolution (CLOE), University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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6
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Ramirez A, Astrof S. Visualization and Analysis of Pharyngeal Arch Arteries using Whole-mount Immunohistochemistry and 3D Reconstruction. J Vis Exp 2020. [PMID: 32310236 DOI: 10.3791/60797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Improper formation or remodeling of the pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs) 3, 4, and 6 contribute to some of the most severe forms of congenital heart disease. To study the formation of PAAs, we developed a protocol using whole-mount immunofluorescence coupled with benzyl alcohol/benzyl benzoate (BABB) tissue clearing, and confocal microscopy. This allows for the visualization of the pharyngeal arch endothelium at a fine cellular resolution as well as the 3D connectivity of the vasculature. Using software, we have established a protocol to quantify the number of endothelial cells (ECs) in PAAs, as well as the number of ECs within the vascular plexus surrounding the PAAs within pharyngeal arches 3, 4, and 6. When applied to the whole embryo, this methodology provides a comprehensive visualization and quantitative analysis of embryonic vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- AnnJosette Ramirez
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences; Multidisciplinary PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences: Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Physiology Track, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
| | - Sophie Astrof
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences;
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Ishihara K, Shimizu R, Takata K, Kawashita E, Amano K, Shimohata A, Low D, Nabe T, Sago H, Alexander WS, Ginhoux F, Yamakawa K, Akiba S. Perturbation of the immune cells and prenatal neurogenesis by the triplication of the Erg gene in mouse models of Down syndrome. Brain Pathol 2019; 30:75-91. [PMID: 31206867 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Some mouse models of Down syndrome (DS), including Ts1Cje mice, exhibit impaired prenatal neurogenesis with yet unknown molecular mechanism. To gain insights into the impaired neurogenesis, a transcriptomic and flow cytometry analysis of E14.5 Ts1Cje embryo brain was performed. Our analysis revealed that the neutrophil and monocyte ratios in the CD45-positive hematopoietic cells were relatively increased, in agreement with the altered expression of inflammation/immune-related genes, in Ts1Cje embryonic brain, whereas the relative number of brain macrophages was decreased in comparison to wild-type mice. Similar upregulation of inflammation-associated mRNAs was observed in other DS mouse models, with variable trisomic region lengths. We used genetic manipulation to assess the contribution of Erg, a trisomic gene in these DS models, known to regulation hemato-immune cells. The perturbed proportions of immune cells in Ts1Cje mouse brain were restored in Ts1Cje-Erg+/+/Mld2 mice, which are disomic for functional Erg but otherwise trisomic on a Ts1Cje background. Moreover, the embryonic neurogenesis defects observed in Ts1Cje cortex were reduced in Ts1Cje-Erg+/+/Mld2 embryos. Our findings suggest that Erg gene triplication contributes to the dysregulation of the homeostatic proportion of the populations of immune cells in the embryonic brain and decreased prenatal cortical neurogenesis in the prenatal brain with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Ishihara
- Department of Pathological Biochemistry, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryohei Shimizu
- Department of Pathological Biochemistry, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Takata
- Department of Clinical and Translational Physiology, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan.,Division of Integrated Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan.,Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eri Kawashita
- Department of Pathological Biochemistry, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kenji Amano
- Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shimohata
- Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Donovan Low
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Takeshi Nabe
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Sago
- Center for Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Warren S Alexander
- Cancer and Haematology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kazuhiro Yamakawa
- Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Satoshi Akiba
- Department of Pathological Biochemistry, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
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Kalna V, Yang Y, Peghaire CR, Frudd K, Hannah R, Shah AV, Osuna Almagro L, Boyle JJ, Göttgens B, Ferrer J, Randi AM, Birdsey GM. The Transcription Factor ERG Regulates Super-Enhancers Associated With an Endothelial-Specific Gene Expression Program. Circ Res 2019; 124:1337-1349. [PMID: 30892142 PMCID: PMC6493686 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.118.313788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The ETS (E-26 transformation-specific) transcription factor ERG (ETS-related gene) is essential for endothelial homeostasis, driving expression of lineage genes and repressing proinflammatory genes. Loss of ERG expression is associated with diseases including atherosclerosis. ERG's homeostatic function is lineage-specific, because aberrant ERG expression in cancer is oncogenic. The molecular basis for ERG lineage-specific activity is unknown. Transcriptional regulation of lineage specificity is linked to enhancer clusters (super-enhancers). OBJECTIVE To investigate whether ERG regulates endothelial-specific gene expression via super-enhancers. METHODS AND RESULTS Chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing in human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed that ERG binds 93% of super-enhancers ranked according to H3K27ac, a mark of active chromatin. These were associated with endothelial genes such as DLL4 (Delta-like protein 4), CLDN5 (claudin-5), VWF (von Willebrand factor), and CDH5 (VE-cadherin). Comparison between human umbilical vein endothelial cell and prostate cancer TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease, serine-2):ERG fusion-positive human prostate epithelial cancer cell line (VCaP) cells revealed distinctive lineage-specific transcriptome and super-enhancer profiles. At a subset of endothelial super-enhancers (including DLL4 and CLDN5), loss of ERG results in significant reduction in gene expression which correlates with decreased enrichment of H3K27ac and MED (Mediator complex subunit)-1, and reduced recruitment of acetyltransferase p300. At these super-enhancers, co-occupancy of GATA2 (GATA-binding protein 2) and AP-1 (activator protein 1) is significantly lower compared with super-enhancers that remained constant following ERG inhibition. These data suggest distinct mechanisms of super-enhancer regulation in endothelial cells and highlight the unique role of ERG in controlling a core subset of super-enhancers. Most disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms from genome-wide association studies lie within noncoding regions and perturb transcription factor recognition sequences in relevant cell types. Analysis of genome-wide association studies data shows significant enrichment of risk variants for cardiovascular disease and other diseases, at ERG endothelial enhancers and super-enhancers. CONCLUSIONS The transcription factor ERG promotes endothelial homeostasis via regulation of lineage-specific enhancers and super-enhancers. Enrichment of cardiovascular disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms at ERG super-enhancers suggests that ERG-dependent transcription modulates disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Kalna
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Youwen Yang
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire R. Peghaire
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Frudd
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Hannah
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (R.H., B.G.)
| | - Aarti V. Shah
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Lourdes Osuna Almagro
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph J. Boyle
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (R.H., B.G.)
| | - Jorge Ferrer
- Epigenomics and Disease, Department of Medicine (J.F.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M. Randi
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme M. Birdsey
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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9
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Abstract
Prostate cancer is unique among carcinomas in that a fusion gene created by a chromosomal rearrangement is a common driver of the disease. The TMPRSS2/ERG rearrangement drives aberrant expression of the ETS family transcription factor ERG in 50% of prostate tumors. Similar rearrangements promote aberrant expression of the ETS family transcription factors ETV1 and ETV4 in another 10% of cases. Together, these three ETS factors are thought to promote tumorigenesis in the majority of prostate cancers. A goal of precision medicine is to be able to apply targeted therapeutics that are specific to disease subtypes. ETS gene rearrangement positive tumors represent the largest molecular subtype of prostate cancer, but to date there is no treatment specific to this marker. In this chapter we will review the latest findings regarding the molecular mechanisms of ETS factor function in the prostate. These molecular details may provide a path towards new therapeutic targets for this subtype of prostate cancer. Further, we will describe efforts to target the oncogenic functions of ETS family transcription factors directly as well as indirectly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brady G Strittmatter
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Peter C Hollenhorst
- Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN, USA.
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10
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Lanke G, Ali FS, Lee JH. Clinical update on the management of pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2018; 10:145-155. [PMID: 30283597 PMCID: PMC6162250 DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v10.i9.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is a rare tumor with malignant potential which is generally located in the tail of pancreas. The prevalence of SPN has increased with widespread use of cross sectional imaging. SPN is often misdiagnosed due to nonspecific clinical presentation and accurate diagnosis is essential for optimal management. Endoscopic ultrasound-FNA with immunohistochemistry can help in preoperative diagnosis. Surgery is the treatment of choice and a successful R0 resection is curative. Overall, SPN has a good prognosis. This review article focuses on pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of SPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gandhi Lanke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Faisal S Ali
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Jeffrey H Lee
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
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Singh AJ, Chang CN, Ma HY, Ramsey SA, Filtz TM, Kioussi C. FACS-Seq analysis of Pax3-derived cells identifies non-myogenic lineages in the embryonic forelimb. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7670. [PMID: 29769607 PMCID: PMC5956100 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25998-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle in the forelimb develops during embryonic and fetal development and perinatally. While much is known regarding the molecules involved in forelimb myogenesis, little is known about the specific mechanisms and interactions. Migrating skeletal muscle precursor cells express Pax3 as they migrate into the forelimb from the dermomyotome. To compare gene expression profiles of the same cell population over time, we isolated lineage-traced Pax3+ cells (Pax3EGFP) from forelimbs at different embryonic days. We performed whole transcriptome profiling via RNA-Seq of Pax3+ cells to construct gene networks involved in different stages of embryonic and fetal development. With this, we identified genes involved in the skeletal, muscular, vascular, nervous and immune systems. Expression of genes related to the immune, skeletal and vascular systems showed prominent increases over time, suggesting a non-skeletal myogenic context of Pax3-derived cells. Using co-expression analysis, we observed an immune-related gene subnetwork active during fetal myogenesis, further implying that Pax3-derived cells are not a strictly myogenic lineage, and are involved in patterning and three-dimensional formation of the forelimb through multiple systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun J Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Chih-Ning Chang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA.,Molecular Cell Biology Graduate Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Hsiao-Yen Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Stephen A Ramsey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA.,School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Theresa M Filtz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Chrissa Kioussi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA.
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Harding A, Cortez-Toledo E, Magner NL, Beegle JR, Coleal-Bergum DP, Hao D, Wang A, Nolta JA, Zhou P. Highly Efficient Differentiation of Endothelial Cells from Pluripotent Stem Cells Requires the MAPK and the PI3K Pathways. Stem Cells 2017; 35:909-919. [PMID: 28248004 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells are a promising source of endothelial cells (ECs) for the treatment of vascular diseases. We have developed a robust protocol to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into ECs with high purities (94%-97% CD31+ and 78%-83% VE-cadherin+ ) in 8 days without cell sorting. Passaging of these cells yielded a nearly pure population of ECs (99% of CD31+ and 96.8% VE-cadherin+ ). These ECs also expressed other endothelial markers vWF, Tie2, NOS3, and exhibited functions of ECs such as uptake of Dil-acetylated low-density lipoprotein and formation of tubes in vitro or vessels in vivo on matrigel. We found that FGF2, VEGF, and BMP4 synergistically induced early vascular progenitors (VPs) from hiPSC-derived mesodermal cells. The MAPK and PI3K pathways are crucial not only for the initial commitment to vascular lineages but also for the differentiation of vascular progenitors to ECs, most likely through regulation of the ETS family transcription factors, ERG and FLI1. We revealed novel roles of the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways on EC differentiation. Furthermore, inhibition of the ERK pathway markedly promoted the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. Finally, we demonstrate that pluripotent stem cell-derived ECs are capable of forming patent blood vessels that were connected to the host vasculature in the ischemic limbs of immune deficient mice. Thus, we demonstrate that ECs can be efficiently derived from hiPSCs and hESCs, and have great potential for vascular therapy as well as for mechanistic studies of EC differentiation. Stem Cells 2017;35:909-919.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aja Harding
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stem Cell Program.,Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Dake Hao
- Department of Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Aijun Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Jan A Nolta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stem Cell Program
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stem Cell Program
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Shah AV, Birdsey GM, Randi AM. Regulation of endothelial homeostasis, vascular development and angiogenesis by the transcription factor ERG. Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 86:3-13. [PMID: 27208692 PMCID: PMC5404112 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few years, the ETS transcription factor ERG has emerged as a major regulator of endothelial function. Multiple studies have shown that ERG plays a crucial role in promoting angiogenesis and vascular stability during development and after birth. In the mature vasculature ERG also functions to maintain endothelial homeostasis, by transactivating genes involved in key endothelial functions, while repressing expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Its homeostatic role is lineage-specific, since ectopic expression of ERG in non-endothelial tissues such as prostate is detrimental and contributes to oncogenesis. This review summarises the main roles and pathways controlled by ERG in the vascular endothelium, its transcriptional targets and its functional partners and the emerging evidence on the pathways regulating ERG's activity and expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti V Shah
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme M Birdsey
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M Randi
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
Members of the ETS family of transcription factors are involved in several developmental processes including endothelial cell specification and blood vessel formation, but their exact roles remain unclear. The family member Erg is highly expressed in endothelial cells as compared to other developing cell types including chondrocytes, hematopoietic cells and mesodermal cells. To study the specific roles ERG plays in endothelial cell specification and function during early embryogenesis, we conditionally ablated it by mating ErgloxP/loxP and Tie2-Cre mice. We found that mutant embryos died by mid-gestation and that angiogenesis and vascular integrity were highly compromised. Our study reveals that ERG has essential and cell autonomous roles in endothelial cell development and blood vessel maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Han
- a Arthritis Center; Boston University School of Medicine ; Boston , MA USA
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15
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Fish JE, Wythe JD. The molecular regulation of arteriovenous specification and maintenance. Dev Dyn 2015; 244:391-409. [PMID: 25641373 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of a hierarchical vascular network, composed of arteries, veins, and capillaries, is essential for embryogenesis and is required for the production of new functional vasculature in the adult. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the differentiation of vascular endothelial cells into arterial and venous cell fates is requisite for regenerative medicine, as the directed formation of perfused vessels is desirable in a myriad of pathological settings, such as in diabetes and following myocardial infarction. Additionally, this knowledge will enhance our understanding and treatment of vascular anomalies, such as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). From studies in vertebrate model organisms, such as mouse, zebrafish, and chick, a number of key signaling pathways have been elucidated that are required for the establishment and maintenance of arterial and venous fates. These include the Hedgehog, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), Wnt, and Notch signaling pathways. In addition, a variety of transcription factor families acting downstream of, or in concert with, these signaling networks play vital roles in arteriovenous (AV) specification. These include Notch and Notch-regulated transcription factors (e.g., HEY and HES), SOX factors, Forkhead factors, β-Catenin, ETS factors, and COUP-TFII. It is becoming apparent that AV specification is a highly coordinated process that involves the intersection and carefully orchestrated activity of multiple signaling cascades and transcriptional networks. This review will summarize the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the acquisition and maintenance of AV fate, and will highlight some of the limitations in our current knowledge of the molecular machinery that directs AV morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason E Fish
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, Toronto, Canada
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16
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Li L, Yang C, Liu X, Yang S, Ye S, Jia J, Liu W, Zhang Y. Elevated expression of microRNA-30b in osteoarthritis and its role in ERG regulation of chondrocyte. Biomed Pharmacother 2015; 76:94-9. [PMID: 26653555 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2015.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
ERG (ETS-related gene) belongs to the ETS family of transcription factors, and has been recently reported to contribute to homeostatic balance in skeleton cell plasticity. MicroRNA-30 (miR-30) family is also demonstrated to play a role in controlling chondrocyte differentiation. The current study investigated the miR-30b and ERG expression in articular cartilage of osteoarthritis (OA) patients. A total of 20 subjects, with 10 OA patients and 10 healthy participants, were included in this study. Human chondrosarcoma cell line SW1353 was used to explore the relationship of miR-30b and ERG in vitro. In OA patients, a significant increase of miR-30b and a decrease of ERG were observed in articular cartilage compared with Normal ones. MiR-30b mimic down-regulated the ERG mRNA and protein expression levels, while miR-30b inhibitor up-regulated ERG expression. In addition, miR-30b mimic also decreased the mRNA expression of COL2a and aggrecan, while miR-30b inhibitor had the opposite effect. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-30b targeted ERG. In conclusion, miR-30b was involved in the process of OA, and it probably functioned through its target gene ERG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Cao Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xianzhe Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Shuhua Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Shunan Ye
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jie Jia
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yukun Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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Adamo P, Ladomery MR. The oncogene ERG: a key factor in prostate cancer. Oncogene 2016; 35:403-14. [PMID: 25915839 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
ETS-related gene (ERG) is a member of the E-26 transformation-specific (ETS) family of transcription factors with roles in development that include vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, haematopoiesis and bone development. ERG's oncogenic potential is well known because of its involvement in Ewing's sarcoma and leukaemia. However, in the past decade ERG has become highly associated with prostate cancer development, particularly as a result of a gene fusion with the promoter region of the androgen-induced TMPRRSS2 gene. We review ERG's structure and function, and its role in prostate cancer. We discuss potential new therapies that are based on targeting ERG.
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Yamamoto-shiraishi Y, Higuchi H, Yamamoto S, Hirano M, Kuroiwa A. Etv1 and Ewsr1 cooperatively regulate limb mesenchymal Fgf10 expression in response to apical ectodermal ridge-derived fibroblast growth factor signal. Dev Biol 2014; 394:181-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Cox MK, Appelboom BL, Ban GI, Serra R. Erg cooperates with TGF-β to control mesenchymal differentiation. Exp Cell Res 2014; 328:410-8. [PMID: 25139621 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling plays an integral role in skeletal development. Conditional deletion of the TGF-β type II receptor (Tgfbr2) from type II Collagen (Col2a) expressing cells results in defects in development of the annulus fibrosus (AF) of the intervertebral disc (IVD). We previously used microarray analysis to search for marker genes of AF as well as transcription factors regulated by TGF-β during AF development. The transcription factor avian erythroblastosis virus E-26 (v-ets) oncogene related (Erg) was identified in the microarray screen as a candidate regulator of AF development. To study the effects of TGF-β on AF differentiation and the role of Erg in this process, we used mouse sclerotome grown in micromass cultures. At 0.5ng TGF-β/ml, sclerotome cells started to express markers of AF. Regulation of Erg by TGF-β was confirmed in these cells. In addition, TGF-β soaked Affi-gel beads implanted into the axial skeleton of stage HH 25 chick embryos showed that TGF-β could induce expression of Erg mRNA in vivo. Next, an adenovirus to over-express Erg in primary sclerotome micromass cultures was generated. Over-expression of Erg led to a change in cell morphology and inhibition of differentiation into hyaline cartilage as seen by reduced Alcian blue staining and decreased Sox9 and c-Maf expression. Erg was not sufficient to induce expression of AF markers and expression of Sca1, a marker of pluripotent progenitor cells, was up-regulated in Erg expressing cells. When cells that ectopically expressed Erg were treated with TGF-β, enhanced expression of specific differentiation markers was observed suggesting Erg can cooperate with TGF-β to regulate differentiation of the sclerotome. Furthermore, we showed using co-immunopreciptiation that Erg and Smad3 bind to each other suggesting a mechanism for their functional interaction.
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Abstract
The establishment and maintenance of the vascular system is critical for embryonic development and postnatal life. Defects in endothelial cell development and vessel formation and function lead to embryonic lethality and are important in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Here, we review the underlying molecular mechanisms of endothelial cell differentiation, plasticity, and the development of the vasculature. This review focuses on the interplay among transcription factors and signaling molecules that specify the differentiation of vascular endothelial cells. We also discuss recent progress on reprogramming of somatic cells toward distinct endothelial cell lineages and its promise in regenerative vascular medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwon Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, The University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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21
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Tian TV, Tomavo N, Huot L, Flourens A, Bonnelye E, Flajollet S, Hot D, Leroy X, de Launoit Y, Duterque-Coquillaud M. Identification of novel TMPRSS2:ERG mechanisms in prostate cancer metastasis: involvement of MMP9 and PLXNA2. Oncogene 2013; 33:2204-14. [PMID: 23708657 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the major public health problems in Western countries. Recently, the TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion, which results in the aberrant expression of the transcription factor ERG, has been shown to be the most common gene rearrangement in PCa. Previous studies have determined the contributions of this fusion in PCa disease initiation and/or progression in vitro and in vivo. In this study on TMPRSS2:ERG regulation in PCa, we used an androgen receptor and TMPRSS2:ERG fusion double-negative PCa cell model: PC3c. In three cell clones with different TMPRSS2:ERG expression levels, ectopic expression of the fusion resulted in significant induction of cell migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner. In agreement with this phenotype, high-throughput microarray analysis revealed that a set of genes, functionally associated with cell motility and invasiveness, were deregulated in a dose-dependent manner in TMPRSS2:ERG-expressing cells. Importantly, we identified increased MMP9 (Metalloproteinase 9) and PLXNA2 (Plexin A2) expression in TMPRSS2:ERG-positive PCa samples, and their expression levels were significantly correlated with ERG expression in a PCa cohort. In line with these findings, there was evidence that TMPRSS2:ERG directly and positively regulates MMP9 and PLXNA2 expression in PC3c cells. Moreover, PLXNA2 upregulation contributed to TMPRSS2:ERG-mediated enhancements of PC3c cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, and importantly, PLXNA2 expression was upregulated in metastatic PCa tumors compared with localized primary PCa tumors. This study provides novel insights into the role of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion in PCa metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T V Tian
- 1] Institut de Biologie de Lille, CNRS UMR8161, Lille, France [2] Institut Pasteur de Lille/IFR142, Lille, France [3] Université de Lille Nord de France, Lille, France [4] Faculté de Médecine Henri Warembourg, Université du Droit et de la Santé Lille II, Lille, France
| | - N Tomavo
- 1] Institut de Biologie de Lille, CNRS UMR8161, Lille, France [2] Institut Pasteur de Lille/IFR142, Lille, France [3] Université de Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
| | - L Huot
- 1] Institut Pasteur de Lille/IFR142, Lille, France [2] Université de Lille Nord de France, Lille, France [3] Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille (CIIL), INSERM U1019, CNRS UMR8204, Lille, France
| | - A Flourens
- 1] Institut de Biologie de Lille, CNRS UMR8161, Lille, France [2] Institut Pasteur de Lille/IFR142, Lille, France [3] Université de Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
| | | | - S Flajollet
- 1] Institut de Biologie de Lille, CNRS UMR8161, Lille, France [2] Institut Pasteur de Lille/IFR142, Lille, France [3] Université de Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
| | - D Hot
- 1] Institut Pasteur de Lille/IFR142, Lille, France [2] Université de Lille Nord de France, Lille, France [3] Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille (CIIL), INSERM U1019, CNRS UMR8204, Lille, France
| | - X Leroy
- 1] Université de Lille Nord de France, Lille, France [2] Faculté de Médecine Henri Warembourg, Université du Droit et de la Santé Lille II, Lille, France [3] Centre hospitalier régional et universitaire de Lille, Institut de Pathologie, Lille, France
| | - Y de Launoit
- 1] Institut de Biologie de Lille, CNRS UMR8161, Lille, France [2] Institut Pasteur de Lille/IFR142, Lille, France [3] Université de Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
| | - M Duterque-Coquillaud
- 1] Institut de Biologie de Lille, CNRS UMR8161, Lille, France [2] Institut Pasteur de Lille/IFR142, Lille, France [3] Université de Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
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Flajollet S, Tian TV, Huot L, Tomavo N, Flourens A, Holder-Espinasse M, Le Jeune M, Dumont P, Hot D, Mallein-Gerin F, Duterque-Coquillaud M. Increased adipogenesis in cultured embryonic chondrocytes and in adult bone marrow of dominant negative Erg transgenic mice. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48656. [PMID: 23155398 PMCID: PMC3498236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In monolayer culture, primary articular chondrocytes have an intrinsic tendency to lose their phenotype during expansion. The molecular events underlying this chondrocyte dedifferentiation are still largely unknown. Several transcription factors are important for chondrocyte differentiation. The Ets transcription factor family may be involved in skeletal development. One family member, the Erg gene, is mainly expressed during cartilage formation. To further investigate the potential role of Erg in the maintenance of the chondrocyte phenotype, we isolated and cultured chondrocytes from the rib cartilage of embryos of transgenic mice that express a dominant negative form of Erg (DN-Erg) during cartilage formation. DN-Erg expression in chondrocytes cultured for up to 20 days did not affect the early dedifferentiation usually observed in cultured chondrocytes. However, lipid droplets accumulated in DN-Erg chondrocytes, suggesting adipocyte emergence. Transcriptomic analysis using a DNA microarray, validated by quantitative RT-PCR, revealed strong differential gene expression, with a decrease in chondrogenesis-related markers and an increase in adipogenesis-related gene expression in cultured DN-Erg chondrocytes. These results indicate that Erg is involved in either maintaining the chondrogenic phenotype in vitro or in cell fate orientation. Along with the in vitro studies, we compared adipocyte presence in wild-type and transgenic mice skeletons. Histological investigations revealed an increase in the number of adipocytes in the bone marrow of adult DN-Erg mice even though no adipocytes were detected in embryonic cartilage or bone. These findings suggest that the Ets transcription factor family may contribute to the homeostatic balance in skeleton cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Flajollet
- CNRS UMR 8161, Institut de Biologie de Lille, Université de Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille/IFR142, Lille, France
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Abitua PB, Wagner E, Navarrete IA, Levine M. Identification of a rudimentary neural crest in a non-vertebrate chordate. Nature 2012; 492:104-7. [PMID: 23135395 PMCID: PMC4257486 DOI: 10.1038/nature11589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Neural crest arises at the neural plate border, expresses a core set of regulatory genes, and produces a diverse array of cell types including ectomesenchyme derivatives that elaborate the vertebrate head1,2. The evolution of neural crest has been postulated as a key event leading to the appearance of new cell types that fostered the transition from filter feeding to active predation in ancestral vertebrates3. However, the origin of neural crest remains controversial, since homologous cell types have not been unambiguously identified in non-vertebrate chordates1,4. Here we show that the tunicate Ciona intestinalis possesses a cephalic melanocyte lineage (a9.49) similar to neural crest that can be reprogrammed into migrating ectomesenchyme by the targeted misexpression of Twist. Our results suggest that the neural crest melanocyte regulatory network predated the divergence of tunicates and vertebrates. We propose that the co-option of mesenchyme determinants, such as Twist, into the neural plate ectoderm was crucial for the emergence of the vertebrate “new head”3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Barron Abitua
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Division of Genetics, Genomics and Development, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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Vijayaraj P, Le Bras A, Mitchell N, Kondo M, Juliao S, Wasserman M, Beeler D, Spokes K, Aird WC, Baldwin HS, Oettgen P. Erg is a crucial regulator of endocardial-mesenchymal transformation during cardiac valve morphogenesis. Development 2012; 139:3973-85. [PMID: 22932696 PMCID: PMC3472597 DOI: 10.1242/dev.081596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
During murine embryogenesis, the Ets factor Erg is highly expressed in endothelial cells of the developing vasculature and in articular chondrocytes of developing bone. We identified seven isoforms for the mouse Erg gene. Four share a common translational start site encoded by exon 3 (Ex3) and are enriched in chondrocytes. The other three have a separate translational start site encoded by Ex4 and are enriched in endothelial cells. Homozygous ErgΔEx3/ΔEx3 knockout mice are viable, fertile and do not display any overt phenotype. By contrast, homozygous ErgΔEx4/ΔEx4 knockout mice are embryonic lethal, which is associated with a marked reduction in endocardial-mesenchymal transformation (EnMT) during cardiac valve morphogenesis. We show that Erg is required for the maintenance of the core EnMT regulatory factors that include Snail1 and Snail2 by binding to their promoter and intronic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preethi Vijayaraj
- Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Kraus P, Xing X, Lim SL, Fun ME, Sivakamasundari V, Yap SP, Lee H, Karuturi RKM, Lufkin T. Mouse strain specific gene expression differences for illumina microarray expression profiling in embryos. BMC Res Notes 2012; 5:232. [PMID: 22583621 PMCID: PMC3497855 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the field of mouse genetics the advent of technologies like microarray based expression profiling dramatically increased data availability and sensitivity, yet these advanced methods are often vulnerable to the unavoidable heterogeneity of in vivo material and might therefore reflect differentially expressed genes between mouse strains of no relevance to a targeted experiment. The aim of this study was not to elaborate on the usefulness of microarray analysis in general, but to expand our knowledge regarding this potential “background noise” for the widely used Illumina microarray platform surpassing existing data which focused primarily on the adult sensory and nervous system, by analyzing patterns of gene expression at different embryonic stages using wild type strains and modern transgenic models of often non-isogenic backgrounds. Results Wild type embryos of 11 mouse strains commonly used in transgenic and molecular genetic studies at three developmental time points were subjected to Illumina microarray expression profiling in a strain-by-strain comparison. Our data robustly reflects known gene expression patterns during mid-gestation development. Decreasing diversity of the input tissue and/or increasing strain diversity raised the sensitivity of the array towards the genetic background. Consistent strain sensitivity of some probes was attributed to genetic polymorphisms or probe design related artifacts. Conclusion Our study provides an extensive reference list of gene expression profiling background noise of value to anyone in the field of developmental biology and transgenic research performing microarray expression profiling with the widely used Illumina microarray platform. Probes identified as strain specific background noise further allow for microarray expression profiling on its own to be a valuable tool for establishing genealogies of mouse inbred strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Kraus
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore 138672, Singapore
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Minner S, Luebke AM, Kluth M, Bokemeyer C, Jänicke F, Izbicki J, Schlomm T, Sauter G, Wilczak W. High level of Ets-related gene expression has high specificity for prostate cancer: a tissue microarray study of 11 483 cancers. Histopathology 2012; 61:445-53. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04240.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Abstract
A novel γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla)-containing protein, named Gla-rich protein (GRP) after its high content in Gla residues or upper zone of growth plate and cartilage matrix associated protein after its preferential expression by cartilage chondrocyte, was recently identified in sturgeon, mice, and humans through independent studies. GRP is the most densely γ-carboxylated protein identified to date and its structure has been remarkably conserved throughout vertebrate evolution but is apparently absent from bird genomes. Several transcript and genomic variants affecting key protein features or regulatory elements were described and 2 paralogs were identified in the teleost fish genome. In the skeleton, most relevant levels of GRP gene expression were observed in cartilaginous tissues and associated with chondrocytes, suggesting a role in chondrogenesis. But GRP expression was also detected in bone cells, indicative of a more widespread role for the protein throughout skeletal formation. Although the molecular function of GRP is yet unknown, the high content of Gla residues and its accumulation at sites of pathological calcification in different human pathologies affecting skin or the vascular system and in breast cancer tumors suggest that GRP may function as a modulator of calcium availability. Because of its association with fibrillar collagens, GRP could also be involved in the organization and/or stabilization of cartilage matrix. Although transgenic mice did not reveal obvious phenotypic alterations in skeletal development or structure, zebrafish morphants lack craniofacial cartilage and exhibit limited calcification, suggesting a role for GRP during skeletal development, but additional functional data are required to understand its function.
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Sreenath TL, Dobi A, Petrovics G, Srivastava S. Oncogenic activation of ERG: A predominant mechanism in prostate cancer. J Carcinog 2011; 10:37. [PMID: 22279422 PMCID: PMC3263025 DOI: 10.4103/1477-3163.91122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Accepted: 11/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevalent gene fusions involving regulatory sequences of the androgen receptor (AR) regulated genes (primarily TMPRSS2) and protein coding sequences of nuclear transcription factors of the ETS gene family (predominantly ERG) result in unscheduled androgen dependent ERG expression in prostate cancer (CaP).Cumulative data from a large number of studies in the past six years accentuate ERG alterations in more than half of all CaP patients in Western countries. Studies underscore that ERG functions are involved in the biology of CaP. ERG expression in normal context is selective to endothelial cells, specific hematopoetic cells and pre-cartilage cells. Normal functions of ERG are highlighted in hematopoetic stem cells. Emerging data continues to unravel molecular and cellular mechanisms by which ERG may contribute to CaP. Herein, we focus on biological and clinical aspects of ERG oncogenic alterations, potential of ERG-based stratification of CaP and the possibilities of targeting the ERG network in developing new therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taduru L Sreenath
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Cossette S, Misra R. The identification of different endothelial cell populations within the mouse proepicardium. Dev Dyn 2011; 240:2344-53. [PMID: 21932312 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The proepicardium is a transient embryonic structure that is a source of precursors of the epicardium, coronary smooth muscle cells, and may be a source of coronary endothelial cells (EC). To better understand proepicardium development a systematic analysis of EC appearance was performed. Multiple marker analysis showed that EC are present in the mouse proepicardium at embryonic day (E) 9.0 through E9.75. Distinct populations of EC were found that were associated with the liver bud, and the sinus venosus, as well as a population that do not appear to be associated with either of these structures. There was a temporal increase in the number of EC and temporal changes in the distribution of EC within the different populations during PE development. These findings indicate that EC exist in the proepicardium before coronary vasculogenesis, and support a model in which there is a heterogeneous origin for EC in the proepicardium.
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Flajollet S, Tian TV, Flourens A, Tomavo N, Villers A, Bonnelye E, Aubert S, Leroy X, Duterque-Coquillaud M. Abnormal expression of the ERG transcription factor in prostate cancer cells activates osteopontin. Mol Cancer Res 2011; 9:914-24. [PMID: 21669963 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-10-0537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) is an extracellular matrix glycophosphoprotein that plays a key role in the metastasis of a wide variety of cancers. The high level of OPN expression in prostate cells is associated with malignancy and reduced survival of the patient. Recent studies on prostate cancer (PCa) tissue have revealed recurrent genomic rearrangements involving the fusion of the 5' untranslated region of a prostate-specific androgen-responsive gene with a gene coding for transcription factors from the ETS family. The most frequently identified fusion gene is TMPRSS2:ERG, which causes ERG protein overexpression in PCa cells. ERG is a transcription factor linked to skeletogenesis. This study was designed to test whether ERG and the product of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene modulate OPN gene expression in PCa cells. To characterize ERG and TMPRSS2:ERG transcriptional activity of OPN, we focused on ETS binding sites (EBS) localized in conserved regions of the promoter. Using in vitro and in vivo molecular assays, we showed that ERG increases OPN expression and binds to an EBS (nt -115 to -118) in the OPN promoter. Moreover, stable transfection of prostate tumor cell lines by TMPRSS2:ERG upregulates endogenous OPN expression. Finally, in human prostate tumor samples, detection of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene was significantly associated with OPN overexpression. Taken together, these data suggest that OPN is an ERG-target gene in PCa where the abnormal expression of the transcription factor ERG, due to the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion, disturbs the expression of genes that play an important role in PCa cells and associated metastases.
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Yuan L, Sacharidou A, Stratman AN, Le Bras A, Zwiers PJ, Spokes K, Bhasin M, Shih SC, Nagy JA, Molema G, Aird WC, Davis GE, Oettgen P. RhoJ is an endothelial cell-restricted Rho GTPase that mediates vascular morphogenesis and is regulated by the transcription factor ERG. Blood 2011; 118:1145-53. [PMID: 21628409 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-10-315275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
ERG is a member of the ETS transcription factor family that is highly enriched in endothelial cells (ECs). To further define the role of ERG in regulating EC function, we evaluated the effect of ERG knock-down on EC lumen formation in 3D collagen matrices. Blockade of ERG using siRNA completely interferes with EC lumen formation. Quantitative PCR (QPCR) was used to identify potential downstream gene targets of ERG. In particular, we identified RhoJ as the Rho GTPase family member that is closely related to Cdc42 as a target of ERG. Knockdown of ERG expression in ECs led to a 75% reduction in the expression of RhoJ. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and transactivation studies demonstrated that ERG could bind to functional sites in the proximal promoter of the RhoJ gene. Knock-down of RhoJ similarly resulted in a marked reduction in the ability of ECs to form lumens. Suppression of either ERG or RhoJ during EC lumen formation was associated with a marked increase in RhoA activation and a decrease in Rac1 and Cdc42 activation and their downstream effectors. Finally, in contrast to other Rho GTPases, RhoJ exhibits a highly EC-restricted expression pattern in several different tissues, including the brain, heart, lung, and liver.
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Miettinen M, Wang ZF, Paetau A, Tan SH, Dobi A, Srivastava S, Sesterhenn I. ERG transcription factor as an immunohistochemical marker for vascular endothelial tumors and prostatic carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 2011;35:432-441. [PMID: 21317715 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0b013e318206b67b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
ERG, an ETS family transcription factor, is known to be expressed in endothelial cells, and oncogenic ERG gene fusions occur in subsets of prostatic carcinoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and Ewing sarcoma. In this study, we immunohistochemically investigated nuclear ERG expression using a new monoclonal antibody, CPDR ERG-MAb, that is highly specific for detecting ERG protein and ERG-expressing prostate carcinomas. A broad range of vascular endothelial (n = 250), other mesenchymal (n = 973), and epithelial tumors (n = 657) was examined to determine the use of ERG immunohistochemistry in surgical pathology. Only immunostains with ERG-positive normal endothelia (internal control) were considered valid, and only nuclear staining was considered to be positive. In adult tissues, ERG was restricted to endothelial cells and to a subset of bone marrow precursors, but early fetal mesenchyme and subpopulations of fetal cartilage were also positive. In vascular tumors, ERG was expressed in endothelia of all hemangiomas and lymphangiomas, and typically extensively expressed in 96 of 100 angiosarcomas, 42 of 43 epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas, and all 26 Kaposi sarcomas. Among nonvascular mesenchymal tumors, only blastic extramedullary myeloid tumors (7 of 10) and rare Ewing sarcomas (2 of 29) were positive. Among epithelial tumors, 30 of 66 prostatic adenocarcinomas showed focal-to-extensive ERG positivity, with no immunoreactivity in the normal prostate. Other carcinomas and epithelial tumors (n = 643) were ERG negative, with the exception of 1 of 42 large cell undifferentiated pulmonary carcinomas and 1 of 27 mesotheliomas, each of which showed focal nuclear ERG positivity. On the basis of the above observations, ERG is a highly specific new marker for benign and malignant vascular tumors. Among epithelial tumors, ERG shows a great promise as a marker to identify prostatic carcinoma in both primary and metastatic settings.
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Park K, Tomlins SA, Mudaliar KM, Chiu YL, Esgueva R, Mehra R, Suleman K, Varambally S, Brenner JC, MacDonald T, Srivastava A, Tewari AK, Sathyanarayana U, Nagy D, Pestano G, Kunju LP, Demichelis F, Chinnaiyan AM, Rubin MA. Antibody-based detection of ERG rearrangement-positive prostate cancer. Neoplasia 2010; 12:590-8. [PMID: 20651988 DOI: 10.1593/neo.10726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2010] [Revised: 06/23/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusions occur in 50% of prostate cancers and result in the overexpression of a chimeric fusion transcript that encodes a truncated ERG product. Previous attempts to detect truncated ERG products have been hindered by a lack of specific antibodies. Here, we characterize a rabbit anti-ERG monoclonal antibody (clone EPR 3864; Epitomics, Burlingame, CA) using immunoblot analysis on prostate cancer cell lines, synthetic TMPRSS2-ERG constructs, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. We correlated ERG protein expression with the presence of ERG gene rearrangements in prostate cancer tissues using a combined immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. We independently evaluated two patient cohorts and observed ERG expression confined to prostate cancer cells and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia associated with ERG-positive cancer, as well as vessels and lymphocytes (where ERG has a known biologic role). Image analysis of 131 cases demonstrated nearly 100% sensitivity for detecting ERG rearrangement prostate cancer, with only 2 (1.5%) of 131 cases demonstrating strong ERG protein expression without any known ERG gene fusion. The combined pathology evaluation of 207 patient tumors for ERG protein expression had 95.7% sensitivity and 96.5% specificity for determining ERG rearrangement prostate cancer. In conclusion, this study qualifies a specific anti-ERG antibody and demonstrates exquisite association between ERG gene rearrangement and truncated ERG protein product expression. Given the ease of performing IHC versus FISH, ERG protein expression may be useful for molecularly subtyping prostate cancer based on ERG rearrangement status and suggests clinical utility in prostate needle biopsy evaluation.
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Mohamed AA, Tan SH, Mikhalkevich N, Ponniah S, Vasioukhin V, Bieberich CJ, Sesterhenn IA, Dobi A, Srivastava S, Sreenath TL. Ets family protein, erg expression in developing and adult mouse tissues by a highly specific monoclonal antibody. J Cancer 2010; 1:197-208. [PMID: 21060730 PMCID: PMC2974237 DOI: 10.7150/jca.1.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2010] [Accepted: 10/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic activation of the ETS Related Gene (ERG) in humans was originally identified in subsets of Ewing sarcomas, myeloid leukemias and, recently, in the majority of prostate cancers. Expression of human ERG protein and consequently its functions in normal and disease states needs to be better understood in light of its suggested role in cell differentiation and proliferation. Here, we analyzed temporal and spatial expression of the Erg (mouse protein) by immunohistochemical analysis during mouse embryonic and adult organogenesis using a highly specific ERG monoclonal antibody (ERG MAb). This study establishes widespread immunolocalization of Erg protein in endothelial cells and restricted expression in precartilage and hematopoietic tissues. Intriguingly, Erg is not expressed in any epithelial tissue including prostate epithelium, or in infiltrating lymphocytes that are occasionally seen in the prostate environment, a common site of tumors with ERG rearrangements and unscheduled ERG expression. These findings will further aid in investigations of Erg functions in normal and disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Mohamed
- 1. Center For Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, United States Military Cancer Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda MD 20814, USA
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35
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Sohn P, Cox M, Chen D, Serra R. Molecular profiling of the developing mouse axial skeleton: a role for Tgfbr2 in the development of the intervertebral disc. BMC Dev Biol 2010; 10:29. [PMID: 20214815 PMCID: PMC2848151 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-10-29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2009] [Accepted: 03/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Very little is known about how intervertebral disc (IVD) is formed or maintained. Members of the TGF-β superfamily are secreted signaling proteins that regulate many aspects of development including cellular differentiation. We recently showed that deletion of Tgfbr2 in Col2a expressing mouse tissue results in alterations in development of IVD annulus fibrosus. The results suggested TGF-β has an important role in regulating development of the axial skeleton, however, the mechanistic basis of TGF-β action in these specialized joints is not known. One of the hurdles to understanding development of IVD is a lack of known markers. To identify genes that are enriched in the developing mouse IVD and to begin to understand the mechanism of TGF-β action in IVD development, we undertook a global analysis of gene expression comparing gene expression profiles in developing mouse vertebrae and IVD. We also compared expression profiles in tissues from wild type and Tgfbr2 mutant mice as well as in sclerotome cultures treated with TGF-β or BMP4. Results Lists of IVD and vertebrae enriched genes were generated. Expression patterns for several genes were verified either through in situ hybridization or literature/database searches resulting in a list of genes that can be used as markers of IVD. Cluster analysis using genes listed under the Gene Ontology terms multicellular organism development and pattern specification indicated that mutant IVD more closely resembled vertebrae than wild type IVD. We also generated lists of genes regulated by TGF-β or BMP4 in cultured sclerotome. As expected, treatment with BMP4 resulted in up-regulation of cartilage marker genes including Acan, Sox 5, Sox6, and Sox9. In contrast, treatment with TGF-β1 did not regulate expression of cartilage markers but instead resulted in up-regulation of many IVD markers including Fmod and Adamtsl2. Conclusions We propose TGF-β has two functions in IVD development: 1) to prevent chondrocyte differentiation in the presumptive IVD and 2) to promote differentiation of annulus fibrosus from sclerotome. We have identified genes that are enriched in the IVD and regulated by TGF-β that warrant further investigation as regulators of IVD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Sohn
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL, USA
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37
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Yuan L, Nikolova-Krstevski V, Zhan Y, Kondo M, Bhasin M, Varghese L, Yano K, Carman CV, Aird WC, Oettgen P. Antiinflammatory effects of the ETS factor ERG in endothelial cells are mediated through transcriptional repression of the interleukin-8 gene. Circ Res 2009; 104:1049-57. [PMID: 19359602 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.108.190751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
ERG (Ets-related gene) is an ETS transcription factor that has recently been shown to regulate a number of endothelial cell (EC)-restricted genes including VE-cadherin, von Willebrand factor, endoglin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-2. Our preliminary data demonstrate that unlike other ETS factors, ERG exhibits a highly EC-restricted pattern of expression in cultured primary cells and several adult mouse tissues including the heart, lung, and brain. In response to inflammatory stimuli, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, we observed a marked reduction of ERG expression in ECs. To further define the role of ERG in the regulation of normal EC function, we used RNA interference to knock down ERG. Microarray analysis of RNA derived from ERG small interfering RNA- or tumor necrosis factor-alpha-treated human umbilical vein (HUV)ECs revealed significant overlap (P<0.01) in the genes that are up- or downregulated. Of particular interest to us was a significant change in expression of interleukin (IL)-8 at both protein and RNA levels. Exposure of ECs to tumor necrosis factor-alpha is known to be associated with increased neutrophil attachment. We observed that knockdown of ERG in HUVECs is similarly associated with increased neutrophil attachment compared to control small interfering RNA-treated cells. This enhanced adhesion could be blocked with IL-8 neutralizing or IL-8 receptor blocking antibodies. ERG can inhibit the activity of the IL-8 promoter in a dose dependent manner. Direct binding of ERG to the IL-8 promoter in ECs was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. In summary, our findings support a role for ERG in promoting antiinflammatory effects in ECs through repression of inflammatory genes such as IL-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yuan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and the Center for Vascular Biology Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Abstract
Ets transcription factors comprise a large family of sequence-specific regulators of gene expression with important and diverse roles in development and disease. Most Ets family members are expressed in the developing and/or mature intestine, frequently in a compartment-specific and temporally dynamic manner. However, with the exception of the highly expressed Elf3, involved in embryonic epithelial differentiation, little is known about Ets functions in intestinal development and homeostasis. Ets factors show altered expression in colon cancer, where they regulate pathways relevant to tumor progression. Ets factors also likely act as important modifiers of non-neoplastic intestinal disease by regulating pathways relevant to tissue injury and repair. Despite a large body of published work on Ets biology, much remains to be learned about the precise functions of this large and diverse gene family in intestinal morphogenesis, homeostasis, and both neoplastic and non-neoplastic pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Jedlicka
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO 80045, USA.
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Ellett F, Kile BT, Lieschke GJ. The role of the ETS factor erg in zebrafish vasculogenesis. Mech Dev 2008; 126:220-9. [PMID: 19027849 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2008.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2008] [Revised: 10/30/2008] [Accepted: 11/02/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Erg, a member of the ETS family of transcription factors, has been implicated by previous studies in endothelial and haematopoietic development. Deregulation of the human ERG locus is associated with acute myeloid leukaemia, prostate cancer and Ewing's sarcoma. To better understand the role of Erg during early development, we utilised the zebrafish as a model amenable to descriptive and functional studies in vivo. Zebrafish have a single erg gene that is expressed in mesoderm and its vascular derivatives during angioblast migration, vasculogenesis and early angiogenesis. Mutant and morphant expression analyses placed erg in a genetic pathway downstream of cloche, tal1/scl and etsrp during early angioblast migration. Furthermore, a combination of gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies suggested a redundant yet specific role for erg in both angioblast specification/proliferation and early angiogenesis, and a synergistic interaction with the critical ETS factor etsrp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Ellett
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
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Abstract
ETS-family factors play major roles in development and cancer, notably as critical targets for extra-cellular signaling pathways, including MAPK-signaling. Given the presently limited knowledge on the role of ETS-factors in pancreatic development, we here sought to characterize all 26 individual members of the ETS-family in relation to pancreatic development using a combination of genomics, RT-PCR, and histological techniques. This analysis uncovers 22 ETS family genes displaying select spatial and temporal expression patterns in the developing pancreas. Highly specific expression of ETS-family components is observed in pancreatic progenitor cells or the associated embryonic mesenchyme. Other members are linked to the differentiation of more mature pancreatic cells, including exocrine and endocrine cell types. We find that two members of the Etv subfamily, Etv4 and Etv5, are expressed in cells proximal to pancreatic mesenchyme, and, furthermore, induced in FGF10-arrested pancreatic progenitors suggesting that these factors mediate mesenchymal-to-epithelial signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sune Kobberup
- Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado 80045, USA
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Birdsey GM, Dryden NH, Amsellem V, Gebhardt F, Sahnan K, Haskard DO, Dejana E, Mason JC, Randi AM. Transcription factor Erg regulates angiogenesis and endothelial apoptosis through VE-cadherin. Blood. 2008;111:3498-3506. [PMID: 18195090 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2007-08-105346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tight regulation of the balance between apoptosis and survival is essential in angiogenesis. The ETS transcription factor Erg is required for endothelial tube formation in vitro. Inhibition of Erg expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), using antisense oligonucleotides, resulted in detachment of cell-cell contacts and increased cell death. Inhibition of Erg expression by antisense in HUVECs also lowered expression of the adhesion molecule vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, a key regulator of endothelial intercellular junctions and survival. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we showed that Erg binds to the VE-cadherin promoter. Furthermore, Erg was found to enhance VE-cadherin promoter activity in a transactivation assay. Apoptosis induced by inhibition of Erg was partly rescued by overexpression of VE-cadherin-GFP, suggesting that VE-cadherin is involved in the Erg-dependent survival signals. To show the role of Erg in angiogenesis in vivo, we used siRNA against Erg in a Matrigel plug model. Erg inhibition resulted in a significant decrease in vascularization, with increase in caspase-positive endothelial cells (ECs). These results identify a new pathway regulating angiogenesis and endothelial survival, via the transcription factor Erg and the adhesion molecule VE-cadherin.
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Iwamoto M, Tamamura Y, Koyama E, Komori T, Takeshita N, Williams JA, Nakamura T, Enomoto-Iwamoto M, Pacifici M. Transcription factor ERG and joint and articular cartilage formation during mouse limb and spine skeletogenesis. Dev Biol 2007; 305:40-51. [PMID: 17336282 PMCID: PMC2104487 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2006] [Revised: 01/26/2007] [Accepted: 01/29/2007] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Articular cartilage and synovial joints are critical for skeletal function, but the mechanisms regulating their development are largely unknown. In previous studies we found that the ets transcription factor ERG and its alternatively-spliced variant C-1-1 have roles in joint formation in chick. Here, we extended our studies to mouse. We found that ERG is also expressed in developing mouse limb joints. To test regulation of ERG expression, beads coated with the joint master regulator protein GDF-5 were implanted close to incipient joints in mouse limb explants; this led to rapid and strong ectopic ERG expression. We cloned and characterized several mammalian ERG variants and expressed a human C-1-1 counterpart (hERG3Delta81) throughout the cartilaginous skeleton of transgenic mice, using Col2a1 gene promoter/enhancer sequences. The skeletal phenotype was severe and neonatal lethal, and the transgenic mice were smaller than wild type littermates and their skeletons were largely cartilaginous. Limb long bone anlagen were entirely composed of chondrocytes actively expressing collagen IX and aggrecan as well as articular markers such as tenascin-C. Typical growth plates were absent and there was very low expression of maturation and hypertrophy markers, including Indian hedgehog, collagen X and MMP-13. The results suggest that ERG is part of molecular mechanisms leading chondrocytes into a permanent developmental path and become joint forming cells, and may do so by acting downstream of GDF-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Iwamoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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Tiemann K, Kosmahl M, Ohlendorf J, Krams M, Klöppel G. Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas are associated with FLI-1 expression, but not with EWS/FLI-1 translocation. Mod Pathol 2006; 19:1409-13. [PMID: 16941013 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.3800664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas are rare pancreatic tumors with mostly benign behavior, affecting almost exclusively women. Their histogenetic origin is still unsolved, but a recently reported EWS/FLI-1 translocation t(11;22)(q24;q21) and the consistent expression of CD56 and the progesterone receptor, both genes located on the long arm of chromosome 11, point to chromosome 11q as a potential locus of gene aberration in solid pseudopapillary neoplasms. To further elucidate this issue, we studied 30 cases of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemically, 38% showed nuclear expression of FLI-1 and all cases revealed positivity for CD56 and the progesterone receptor, whereas no solid pseudopapillary neoplasm expressed CD34. No translocation of the EWS gene was found by FISH and no gross chromosomal gain or loss was detected by CGH. It is concluded that FLI-1 expression in solid pseudopapillary neoplasms is not associated with an EWS/FLI-1 translocation. In addition, there are no chromosomal gains or losses, especially on chromosome 11, where the FLI-1 gene is located adjacent to the gene for CD56 (NCAM). These data add another feature to the complex phenotypic appearance of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms.
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Rizzo F, Fernandez-Serra M, Squarzoni P, Archimandritis A, Arnone MI. Identification and developmental expression of the ets gene family in the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus). Dev Biol 2006; 300:35-48. [PMID: 16997294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2006.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2006] [Revised: 08/02/2006] [Accepted: 08/03/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A systematic search in the available scaffolds of the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus genome has revealed that this sea urchin has 11 members of the ets gene family. A phylogenetic analysis of these genes showed that almost all vertebrate ets subfamilies, with the exception of one, so far found only in mammals, are each represented by one orthologous sea urchin gene. The temporal and spatial expression of the identified ETS factors was also analyzed during embryogenesis. Five ets genes (Sp-Ets1/2, Sp-Tel, Sp-Pea, Sp-Ets4, Sp-Erf) are also maternally expressed. Three genes (Sp-Elk, Sp-Elf, Sp-Erf) are ubiquitously expressed during embryogenesis, while two others (Sp-Gabp, Sp-Pu.1) are not transcribed until late larval stages. Remarkably, five of the nine sea urchin ets genes expressed during embryogenesis are exclusively (Sp-Ets1/2, Sp-Erg, Sp-Ese) or additionally (Sp-Tel, Sp-Pea) expressed in mesenchyme cells and/or their progenitors. Functional analysis of Sp-Ets1/2 has previously demonstrated an essential role of this gene in the specification of the skeletogenic mesenchyme lineage. The dynamic, and in some cases overlapping and/or unique, developmental expression pattern of the latter five genes suggests a complex, non-redundant function for ETS factors in sea urchin mesenchyme formation and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Rizzo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
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Pacifici M, Koyama E, Shibukawa Y, Wu C, Tamamura Y, Enomoto-Iwamoto M, Iwamoto M. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of synovial joint and articular cartilage formation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2006; 1068:74-86. [PMID: 16831907 PMCID: PMC2697570 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1346.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Synovial joints and articular cartilage play crucial roles in the skeletal function, but relatively little is actually known about their embryonic development. Here we first focused on the interzone, a thin mesenchymal cell layer forming at future joint sites that is widely thought to be critical for joint and articular cartilage development. To determine interzone cell origin and fate, we microinjected the vital fluorescent dye DiI at several peri-joint sites in chick limbs and monitored the behavior and fate of labeled cells over time. Peri-joint mesenchymal cells located immediately adjacent to incipient joints migrated, became part of the interzone, and were eventually found in epiphyseal articular layer and joint capsule. Interzone cells isolated and reared in vitro expressed typical phenotypic markers, including GDF-5, Wnt-14, and CD-44, and differentiated into chondrocytes over time. To determine the molecular mechanisms of articular chondrocyte formation, we carried out additional studies on the ets transcription factor family member ERG and its alternatively spliced variant C-1-1 that we previously found to be expressed in developing avian articular chondrocytes. We cloned the human counterpart of avian C-1-1 (ERGp55Delta81) and conditionally expressed it in transgenic mice under cartilage-specific Col2 gene promotor-enhancer control. The entire transgenic mouse limb chondrocyte population exhibited an immature articular-like phenotype and a virtual lack of growth plate formation and chondrocyte maturation compared to wild-type littermate. Together, our studies reveal that peri-joint mesenchymal cells take part in interzone and articular layer formation, interzone cells can differentiate into chondrocytes, and acquisition of a permanent articular chondrocyte phenotype is aided and perhaps dictated by ets transcription factor ERG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Pacifici
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine, 501 Curtis Bldg. 1015, Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma and related tumors (ESFT) are characterized by rearrangements of EWS with ets family genes. While detection of these gene fusions greatly facilitated diagnosis, it has not provided any clues about the tissue of origin. Immunological and gene expression profiling studies favour a neuroectodermal histogenesis. These investigations did not appreciate the impact of EWS-ets proteins on the tumor phenotype. Introduction of EWS-ets into different cellular models resulted in diverse outcomes ranging from the induction of cell cycle arrest or apoptosis to transformation and tumorigenicity, and from blocked differentiation to trans-differentiation. Thus, the molecular signature of EWS-ets proteins depends on the cell type. The hen or egg problem in ESFT, therefore, is whether ESFT reflect the phenotype of the tumor stem cell that is blocked in differentiation by the activity of the EWS-ets gene fusion or if the oncogene imposes an incomplete differentiation program on a pluripotent precursor cell. This article addresses the problem by considering the tissue distribution of FLI1 and ERG expression and by reviewing evidence for combinatorial control of EWS-ets activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Kovar
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderspital, Kinderspitalgasse 6, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Borowski A, Dirksen U, Lixin L, Shi RL, Göbel U, Schneider EM. Structure and function of ETAA16: a novel cell surface antigen in Ewing's tumours. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2006; 55:363-74. [PMID: 16003559 PMCID: PMC11030836 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-005-0017-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2004] [Accepted: 03/25/2005] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Immunoscreening of an Ewing's family of tumour (EFT)-derived cDNA library using formerly described EFT-specific antibodies led to the isolation of a 3.5 kb cDNA, named Ewing's tumour-associated antigen 16 (ETAA16). The ETAA16 cDNA shows no homology to any functionally characterised human gene. Only a bovine cDNA expressed in bovine testis and hepatocytes is functionally characterised as it encodes for a junction plaque associated protein and showed a homology of 69.9% at amino acid level to ETAA16. The human cDNA encodes for a 926 amino acid tumour antigen with a calculated molecular weight of 103 kDa. The epitope of the ETAA16-specific antibody, Ak16, covers the central region of the protein which is part of an extra cellular domain. The human ETAA16 gene locus has been assigned to chromosome 2p13-15 by FISH analyses and is confirmed by the human genome sequencing project. As demonstrated by flow cytometry, the cell surface expression of ETAA16 antigen is restricted to ET cell lines and not expressed on other small blue round cell tumours or other kind of tumour. RT-PCR analysis revealed a high expression of ETAA16 in brain, liver and kidney while lung and heart were negative. Immunohistochemistry showed an intracellular expression of ETAA16 in different kind of non-Ewing tumour tissues. These results suggest that ETAA16 may function as a tumour-specific cell surface antigen in EFTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Borowski
- Department of Anatomy, University of Bonn, Nussallee 10, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
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Lu N, Heuchel R, Barczyk M, Zhang WM, Gullberg D. Tandem Sp1/Sp3 sites together with an Ets-1 site cooperate to mediate α11 integrin chain expression in mesenchymal cells. Matrix Biol 2006; 25:118-29. [PMID: 16300938 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2005.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2005] [Revised: 10/10/2005] [Accepted: 10/11/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Alpha11beta1 integrin is a collagen receptor, which is expressed in a highly regulated manner in a specific subset of ectomesenchymally and mesodermally derived cells. We previously established that a 3 kb region upstream of the transcription start site of the ITGA11 gene efficiently induced alpha11 transcription in a cell-type specific manner. Using the human fibrosarcoma cell line HT1080 and human skin fibroblasts, we now report that the majority of the activity in the proximal promoter resides in a region spanning nt +25 to nt -176. Mutation and deletion analyses using luciferase reporter assays showed that tandem low affinity Sp1/Sp3 binding sites, together with an Ets-1-like binding site, were needed for the proximal promoter activity in mesenchymal cells. EMSAs and supershift assays showed that Sp1 and Sp3 both bind to the Sp1/Sp3 binding sites, whereas occupation of the Ets-1 binding site appears to be Sp3-dependent. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays verified that Sp1, Sp3 and Ets-1 can bind the promoter in vivo. In heterologous Drosophila SL2 cells, Sp1, Sp3 and Ets-1 all transactivated the alpha11 promoter, with Sp1 being the most efficient activator. The lack of any synergistic effect of Sp1/Sp3 and Ets-1 in SL2 cells indicates that an Ets family member other than Ets-1 might be involved in regulating alpha11 transcription in mesenchymal cells. The central role of Sp1 in regulating alpha11 RNA transcription was further verified by the ability of the Sp1 inhibitor mithramycin A to efficiently attenuate alpha11 RNA and protein levels in primary fibroblasts. The proximal promoter itself was able to confer cell-type specific transcription on HT1080 cells and embryonic fibroblasts but not on U2OS and JAR cells. We speculate that the "mesenchymal signature" of alpha11 integrin gene expression is controlled by the activity of Sp1/Sp3, fibroblast-specific combinations of Ets family members and yet unidentified enhancer-binding transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Lu
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Physiology, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway
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Abstract
Ets transcription factors function throughout development in such varied processes as cellular proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and migration. Many have been implicated to play important roles in hematopoiesis, vasculogenesis/angiogenesis and myogenesis. Fli1 is an Ets family member that is essential for development and increasing evidence suggests modulating Fli1 gene expression impacts lymphocyte function and is important in the autoimmune disease lupus. Presently, it is unknown how Fli1 gene expression is controlled in lymphocytes. Identifying upstream regulators of Fli1 in lymphocytes will be critical for understanding lymphocyte development and the consequences of dysregulation and may be of value in developing future treatments for lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara K Nowling
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Ste 912 CSB, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
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Pacifici M, Koyama E, Iwamoto M. Mechanisms of synovial joint and articular cartilage formation: recent advances, but many lingering mysteries. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 75:237-48. [PMID: 16187328 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.20050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Synovial joints are elegant, critically important, and deceptively simple biomechanical structures. They are comprised of articular cartilage that covers each end of the opposing skeletal elements, synovial fluid that lubricates and nourishes the tissues, ligaments that hold the skeletal elements in check, and a fibrous capsule that insulates the joints from surrounding tissues. Joints also exhibit an exquisite arrays of shapes and sizes, best exemplified by the nearly spherical convex femoral head articulating into a nearly spherical concave hip acetabulum, or a phalangeal joint with two condyles on the distal side articulating in reciprocally-shaped sockets on the opposing proximal side. Though few in number, joint tissues are highly specialized in structure and function. This is illustrated by articular cartilage with its unique extracellular matrix, unique biomechanical resilience, its largely avascular nature, and its ability to persist through life with minimal turnover of its cells and components. The fact that interest in synovial joints has remained unabated for decades is a reflection of their fundamental importance for organism function and quality of life, and for their susceptibility to a variety of acquired and congenital conditions, most importantly arthritis. This has led to many advances in this field that encompass molecular genetics to biomechanics to medicine. Regrettably, what continues to be poorly understood are the mechanisms by which synovial joints actually form in the developing embryo. If available, this information would be not only of indisputable biological interest, but would also have significant biomedical ramifications, particularly in terms of designing novel tissue regeneration or reconstruction therapies. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of synovial joint formation in the limbs, and places and discusses the information within the context of classic studies and the many mysteries and questions that remain unanswered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Pacifici
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
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