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Sundby LJ, Southern WM, Sun J, Patrinostro X, Zhang W, Yong J, Ervasti JM. Deletion of exons 2 and 3 from Actb and cell immortalization lead to widespread, β-actin independent alterations in gene expression associated with cell cycle control. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151397. [PMID: 38387258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151397] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The cytoplasmic actin proteins, β- and γ-actin, are 99% identical but thought to perform non-redundant functions. The nucleotide coding regions of cytoplasmic actin genes, Actb and Actg1, are 89% identical. Knockout (KO) of Actb by Cre-mediated deletion of first coding exons 2 and 3 in mice is embryonic lethal and fibroblasts derived from KO embryos (MEFs) fail to proliferate. In contrast, Actg1 KO MEFs display with a much milder defect in cell proliferation and Actg1 KO mice are viable, but present with increased perinatal lethality. Recent studies have identified important protein-independent functions for both Actb and Actg1 and demonstrate that deletions within the Actb nucleotide sequence, and not loss of the β-actin protein, cause the most severe phenotypes in KO mice and cells. Here, we use a multi-omics approach to better understand what drives the phenotypes of Actb KO MEFs. RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry reveal largescale changes to the transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome in cells lacking Actb but not those only lacking β-actin protein. Pathway analysis of genes and proteins differentially expressed upon Actb KO suggest widespread dysregulation of genes involved in the cell cycle that may explain the severe defect in proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Sundby
- Program in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - William M Southern
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jiao Sun
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Xiaobai Patrinostro
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Jeongsik Yong
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - James M Ervasti
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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2
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Haqqani AS, Mianoor Z, Star AT, Detcheverry FE, Delaney CE, Stanimirovic DB, Hamel E, Badhwar A. Proteome Profiling of Brain Vessels in a Mouse Model of Cerebrovascular Pathology. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1500. [PMID: 38132326 PMCID: PMC10740654 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121500] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Cerebrovascular pathology that involves altered protein levels (or signaling) of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) family has been associated with various forms of age-related dementias, including Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Transgenic mice overexpressing TGFβ1 in the brain (TGF mice) recapitulate VCID-associated cerebrovascular pathology and develop cognitive deficits in old age or when submitted to comorbid cardiovascular risk factors for dementia. We characterized the cerebrovascular proteome of TGF mice using mass spectrometry (MS)-based quantitative proteomics. Cerebral arteries were surgically removed from 6-month-old-TGF and wild-type mice, and proteins were extracted and analyzed by gel-free nanoLC-MS/MS. We identified 3602 proteins in brain vessels, with 20 demonstrating significantly altered levels in TGF mice. For total and/or differentially expressed proteins (p ≤ 0.01, ≥ 2-fold change), using multiple databases, we (a) performed protein characterization, (b) demonstrated the presence of their RNA transcripts in both mouse and human cerebrovascular cells, and (c) demonstrated that several of these proteins were present in human extracellular vesicles (EVs) circulating in blood. Finally, using human plasma, we demonstrated the presence of several of these proteins in plasma and plasma EVs. Dysregulated proteins point to perturbed brain vessel vasomotricity, remodeling, and inflammation. Given that blood-isolated EVs are novel, attractive, and a minimally invasive biomarker discovery platform for age-related dementias, several proteins identified in this study can potentially serve as VCID markers in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsalan S. Haqqani
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (A.S.H.); (A.T.S.); (C.E.D.); (D.B.S.)
| | - Zainab Mianoor
- Multiomics Investigation of Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND) Laboratory, 4545 Chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada; (Z.M.); (F.E.D.)
- Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Institut de Génie Biomédical, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie (CRIUGM), 4545 Chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada
| | - Alexandra T. Star
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (A.S.H.); (A.T.S.); (C.E.D.); (D.B.S.)
| | - Flavie E. Detcheverry
- Multiomics Investigation of Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND) Laboratory, 4545 Chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada; (Z.M.); (F.E.D.)
- Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Institut de Génie Biomédical, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie (CRIUGM), 4545 Chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada
| | - Christie E. Delaney
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (A.S.H.); (A.T.S.); (C.E.D.); (D.B.S.)
| | - Danica B. Stanimirovic
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (A.S.H.); (A.T.S.); (C.E.D.); (D.B.S.)
| | - Edith Hamel
- Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Research, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 Rue University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada;
| | - AmanPreet Badhwar
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (A.S.H.); (A.T.S.); (C.E.D.); (D.B.S.)
- Multiomics Investigation of Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND) Laboratory, 4545 Chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada; (Z.M.); (F.E.D.)
- Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Institut de Génie Biomédical, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie (CRIUGM), 4545 Chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada
- Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Research, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 Rue University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada;
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Bai Y, Zhao F, Wu T, Chen F, Pang X. Actin polymerization and depolymerization in developing vertebrates. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1213668. [PMID: 37745245 PMCID: PMC10515290 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1213668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Development is a complex process that occurs throughout the life cycle. F-actin, a major component of the cytoskeleton, is essential for the morphogenesis of tissues and organs during development. F-actin is formed by the polymerization of G-actin, and the dynamic balance of polymerization and depolymerization ensures proper cellular function. Disruption of this balance results in various abnormalities and defects or even embryonic lethality. Here, we reviewed recent findings on the structure of G-actin and F-actin and the polymerization of G-actin to F-actin. We also focused on the functions of actin isoforms and the underlying mechanisms of actin polymerization/depolymerization in cellular and organic morphogenesis during development. This information will extend our understanding of the role of actin polymerization in the physiologic or pathologic processes during development and may open new avenues for developing therapeutics for embryonic developmental abnormalities or tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Bai
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Fangchun Chen
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Pang
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, China
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Foote AT, Kelm RJ. Aromatic Residues Dictate the Transcriptional Repressor and Single-Stranded DNA Binding Activities of Purine-Rich Element Binding Protein B. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2597-2610. [PMID: 37556352 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Purine-rich element binding protein B (Purβ) is a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and RNA-binding protein that functions as a transcriptional repressor of genes encoding certain muscle-restricted contractile proteins in the setting of cellular stress or tissue injury. A prior report from our laboratory implicated specific basic amino acid residues in the physical and functional interaction of Purβ with the smooth muscle-α actin gene (Acta2) promoter. Independent structural analysis of fruit fly Purα uncovered a role for several aromatic residues in the binding of this related protein to ssDNA. Herein, we examine the functional importance of a comparable set of hydrophobic residues that are positionally conserved in the repeat I (Y59), II (F155), and III (F256) domains of murine Purβ. Site-directed Y/F to alanine substitutions were engineered, and the resultant Purβ point mutants were tested in various biochemical and cell-based assays. None of the mutations affected the cellular expression, structural stability, or dimerization capacity of Purβ. However, the Y59A and F155A mutants demonstrated weaker Acta2 repressor activity in transfected fibroblasts and reduced binding affinity for the purine-rich strand of an Acta2 cis-regulatory element in vitro. Mutation of Y59 and F155 also altered the multisite binding properties of Purβ for ssDNA and diminished the interaction of Purβ with Y-box binding protein 1, a co-repressor of Acta2. Collectively, these findings suggest that some of the same aromatic residues, which govern the specific and high-affinity binding of Purβ to ssDNA, also mediate certain heterotypic protein interactions underlying the Acta2 repressor function of Purβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea T Foote
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
| | - Robert J Kelm
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
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5
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Karkhaneh Yousefi AA, Petit C, Ben Hassine A, Avril S. Stiffness sensing by smooth muscle cells: Continuum mechanics modeling of the acto-myosin role. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 144:105990. [PMID: 37385127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105990] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis in the aorta by sensing and responding to mechanical stimuli. However, the mechanisms that underlie the ability of SMCs to sense and respond to stiffness change in their environment are still partially unclear. In this study, we focus on the role of acto-myosin contractility in stiffness sensing and introduce a novel continuum mechanics approach based on the principles of thermal strains. Each stress fiber satisfies a universal stress-strain relationship driven by a Young's modulus, a contraction coefficient scaling the fictitious thermal strain, a maximum contraction stress and a softening parameter describing the sliding effects between actin and myosin filaments. To account for the inherent variability of cellular responses, large populations of SMCs are modeled with the finite-element method, each cell having a random number and a random arrangement of stress fibers. Moreover, the level of myosin activation in each stress fiber satisfies a Weibull probability density function. Model predictions are compared to traction force measurements on different SMC lineages. It is demonstrated that the model not only predicts well the effects of substrate stiffness on cellular traction, but it can also successfully approximate the statistical variations of cellular tractions induced by intercellular variability. Finally, stresses in the nuclear envelope and in the nucleus are computed with the model, showing that the variations of cytoskeletal forces induced by substrate stiffness directly induce deformations of the nucleus which can potentially alter gene expression. The predictability of the model combined to its relative simplicity are promising assets for further investigation of stiffness sensing in 3D environments. Eventually, this could contribute to decipher the effects of mechanosensitivity impairment, which are known to be at the root of aortic aneurysms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudie Petit
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université Jean Monnet, INSERM, U1059 SAINBIOSE, 42023, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Amira Ben Hassine
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université Jean Monnet, INSERM, U1059 SAINBIOSE, 42023, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Stéphane Avril
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université Jean Monnet, INSERM, U1059 SAINBIOSE, 42023, Saint-Etienne, France.
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6
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Ojha KR, Kim H, Padgham S, Hopkins L, Zamen RJ, Chattopadhyay A, Han G, Milewicz DM, Massett MP, Trache A. Smooth Muscle-Alpha Actin R149C Pathogenic Variant Downregulates Integrin Recruitment at Cell-Matrix Adhesions and Decreases Cellular Contractility. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9616. [PMID: 37298565 PMCID: PMC10253315 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119616] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm is found in patients with ACTA2 pathogenic variants. ACTA2 missense variants are associated with impaired aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) contraction. This study tested the hypothesis that the Acta2R149C/+ variant alters actin isoform expression and decreases integrin recruitment, thus, reducing aortic contractility. Stress relaxation measurements in thoracic aortic rings showed two functional regimes with a reduction of stress relaxation in the aorta from Acta2R149C/+ mice at low tension, but not at high tension values. Contractile responses to phenylephrine and potassium chloride were 50% lower in Acta2R149C/+ mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. Additionally, SMC were immunofluorescently labeled for specific proteins and imaged by confocal or total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. The quantification of protein fluorescence of Acta2R149C/+ SMC showed a downregulation in smooth muscle α-actin (SMα-actin) and a compensatory upregulation of smooth muscle γ-actin (SMγ-actin) compared to WT cells. These results suggest that downregulation of SMα-actin leads to reduced SMC contractility, while upregulation of SMγ-actin may lead to increased SMC stiffness. Decreased α5β1 and α2β1 integrin recruitment at cell-matrix adhesions further reduce the ability of mutant cells to participate in cell-matrix crosstalk. Collectively, the results suggest that mutant Acta2R149C/+ aortic SMC have reduced contractility and interaction with the matrix, which are potential long-term contributing factors to thoracic aortic aneurysms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna R. Ojha
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Hyoseon Kim
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Samuel Padgham
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Laura Hopkins
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Robert J. Zamen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Abhijnan Chattopadhyay
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gang Han
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Dianna M. Milewicz
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael P. Massett
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Andreea Trache
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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7
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Goodwin K, Nelson CM. Analysis of Cre lines for targeting embryonic airway smooth muscle. Dev Biol 2023; 496:63-72. [PMID: 36706974 PMCID: PMC10041960 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.01.008] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
During development of the embryonic mouse lung, the pulmonary mesenchyme differentiates into smooth muscle that wraps around the airway epithelium. Inhibiting smooth muscle differentiation leads to cystic airways, while enhancing it stunts epithelial branching. These findings support a conceptual model wherein the differentiation of smooth muscle sculpts the growing epithelium into branches at precise positions and with stereotyped morphologies. Unfortunately, most approaches to manipulate the differentiation of airway smooth muscle rely on pharmacological or physical perturbations that are conducted ex vivo. Here, we explored the use of diphtheria toxin-based genetic ablation strategies to eliminate airway smooth muscle in the embryonic mouse lung. Surprisingly, neither airway smooth muscle wrapping nor epithelial branching were affected in embryos in which the expression of diphtheria toxin or its receptor were driven by several different smooth muscle-specific Cre lines. Close examination of spatial patterns of Cre activity in the embryonic lung revealed that none of these commonly used Cre lines target embryonic airway smooth muscle robustly or specifically. Our findings demonstrate the need for airway smooth muscle-specific Cre lines that are active in the embryonic lung, and serve as a resource for researchers contemplating the use of these commonly used Cre lines for studying embryonic airway smooth muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Goodwin
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Celeste M Nelson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
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8
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Goodwin K, Lemma B, Zhang P, Boukind A, Nelson CM. Plasticity in airway smooth muscle differentiation during mouse lung development. Dev Cell 2023; 58:338-347.e4. [PMID: 36868232 PMCID: PMC10149112 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
It has been proposed that smooth muscle differentiation may physically sculpt airway epithelial branches in mammalian lungs. Serum response factor (SRF) acts with its co-factor myocardin to activate the expression of contractile smooth muscle markers. In the adult, however, smooth muscle exhibits a variety of phenotypes beyond contractile, and these are independent of SRF/myocardin-induced transcription. To determine whether a similar phenotypic plasticity is exhibited during development, we deleted Srf from the mouse embryonic pulmonary mesenchyme. Srf-mutant lungs branch normally, and the mesenchyme displays mechanical properties indistinguishable from controls. scRNA-seq identified an Srf-null smooth muscle cluster, wrapping the airways of mutant lungs, which lacks contractile smooth muscle markers but retains many features of control smooth muscle. Srf-null embryonic airway smooth muscle exhibits a synthetic phenotype, compared with the contractile phenotype of mature wild-type airway smooth muscle. Our findings identify plasticity in embryonic airway smooth muscle and demonstrate that a synthetic smooth muscle layer promotes airway branching morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Goodwin
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Bezia Lemma
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Adam Boukind
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Celeste M Nelson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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9
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Schröder SK, Tag CG, Weiskirchen S, Weiskirchen R. Phalloidin Staining for F-Actin in Hepatic Stellate Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2669:55-66. [PMID: 37247054 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3207-9_4] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
During the development of liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells undergo a transition from a quiescent phenotype into a proliferative, fibrogenic, and contractile, α-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblast. These cells acquire properties that are strongly associated with the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Actin possesses a unique ability to polymerize into filamentous actin (F-actin) form its monomeric globular state (G-actin). F-actin can form robust actin bundles and cytoskeletal networks by interacting with a number of actin-binding proteins that provide important mechanical and structural support for a multitude of cellular processes including intracellular transport, cell motility, polarity, cell shape, gene regulation, and signal transduction. Therefore, stains with actin-specific antibodies and phalloidin conjugates for actin staining are widely used to visualize actin structures in myofibroblasts. Here we present an optimized protocol for F-actin staining for hepatic stellate cells using a fluorescent phalloidin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Schröder
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Carmen G Tag
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sabine Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institut für Molekulare Pathobiochemie, Experimentelle Gentherapie und Klinische Chemie (IFMPEGKC), Universitätsklinikum Aachen AöR, Aachen, Germany.
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10
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Talayero VC, Vicente-Manzanares M. A primer on cancer-associated fibroblast mechanics and immunosuppressive ability. Explor Target Antitumor Ther 2023; 4:17-27. [PMID: 36937319 PMCID: PMC10017186 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00120] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major point of interest in modern oncology. Their interest resides in their ability to favor tumor growth without carrying genetic mutations. From a translational standpoint, they are potential therapeutic targets, particularly for hard-to-treat solid cancers. CAFs can be defined as non-tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment that have the morphological traits of fibroblasts, are negative for lineage-specific markers (e.g., leukocyte, endothelium), and enhance tumor progression in a multi-pronged manner. Two often-mentioned aspects of CAF biology are their ability to alter the mechanics and architecture of the tumor microenvironment, and also to drive local immunosuppression. These two aspects are the specific focus of this work, which also contains a brief summary of novel therapeutic interventions under study to normalize or eliminate CAFs from the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa C. Talayero
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Miguel Vicente-Manzanares
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Correspondence: Miguel Vicente-Manzanares, Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
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11
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Basu A, Paul MK, Weiss S. The actin cytoskeleton: Morphological changes in pre- and fully developed lung cancer. Biophys Rev (Melville) 2022; 3:041304. [PMID: 38505516 PMCID: PMC10903407 DOI: 10.1063/5.0096188] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Actin, a primary component of the cell cytoskeleton can have multiple isoforms, each of which can have specific properties uniquely suited for their purpose. These monomers are then bound together to form polymeric filaments utilizing adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis as a source of energy. Proteins, such as Arp2/3, VASP, formin, profilin, and cofilin, serve important roles in the polymerization process. These filaments can further be linked to form stress fibers by proteins called actin-binding proteins, such as α-actinin, myosin, fascin, filamin, zyxin, and epsin. These stress fibers are responsible for mechanotransduction, maintaining cell shape, cell motility, and intracellular cargo transport. Cancer metastasis, specifically epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is one of the key steps of the process, is accompanied by the formation of thick stress fibers through the Rho-associated protein kinase, MAPK/ERK, and Wnt pathways. Recently, with the advent of "field cancerization," pre-malignant cells have also been demonstrated to possess stress fibers and related cytoskeletal features. Analytical methods ranging from western blot and RNA-sequencing to cryo-EM and fluorescent imaging have been employed to understand the structure and dynamics of actin and related proteins including polymerization/depolymerization. More recent methods involve quantifying properties of the actin cytoskeleton from fluorescent images and utilizing them to study biological processes, such as EMT. These image analysis approaches exploit the fact that filaments have a unique structure (curvilinear) compared to the noise or other artifacts to separate them. Line segments are extracted from these filament images that have assigned lengths and orientations. Coupling such methods with statistical analysis has resulted in development of a new reporter for EMT in lung cancer cells as well as their drug responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shimon Weiss
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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12
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Kramberger K, Barlič-Maganja D, Pražnikar ZJ, Režen T, Rozman D, Pražnikar J, Kenig S. Whole transcriptome expression array analysis of human colon fibroblasts culture treated with Helichrysum italicum supports its use in traditional medicine. J Ethnopharmacol 2022; 296:115505. [PMID: 35764197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Helichrysum italicum (HI) is a Mediterranean plant with well-reported use in traditional medicine for a wide range of applications, including digestive and liver disorders, intestinal parasitic infections, wound healing, stomach ache and asthma. However, little is known about the global mechanism behind its pleiotropic activity. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to explain the mechanism behind the previously demonstrated effects of HI and to justify its use in traditional medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS A microarray-based transcriptome analysis was used to discover the global transcriptional alterations in primary colon fibroblasts after exposure to HI infusion for 6 h and 24 h. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR was used to verify the microarray results. RESULTS Altogether we identified 217 differentially expressed genes compared to non-treated cells, and only 8 were common to both treatments. Gene ontology analysis revealed that 24 h treatment with HI infusion altered the expression of genes involved in cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell growth, whereas pathway analysis further showed the importance of interleukin signaling and transcriptional regulation by TP53. For the 6 h treatment only the process of hemostasis appeared in the results of both enrichment analyses. In functional assays, HI infusion increased cell migration and decreased blood clotting and prothrombin time. CONCLUSIONS With the careful evaluation of the role of individual genes, especially SERPING1, ARHGAP1, IL33 and CDKN1A, represented in the enriched pathways and processes, we propose the main mode of HI action, which is wound healing. In addition to its indirect prevention of diseases resulting from the impaired barrier integrity, HI also effects inflammation and metabolic processes directly, as it regulates genes such as LRPPRC, LIPA, ABCA12, PRKAR1A and ANXA6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kramberger
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, 6310, Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Darja Barlič-Maganja
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, 6310, Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Zala Jenko Pražnikar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, 6310, Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Tadeja Režen
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Damjana Rozman
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Jure Pražnikar
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia.
| | - Saša Kenig
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, 6310, Izola, Slovenia.
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Mohammed SAD, Liu H, Baldi S, Chen P, Lu F, Liu S, Skiba D. GJD Modulates Cardiac/Vascular Inflammation and Decreases Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Rats. Mediators Inflamm 2022; 2022:1-19. [PMID: 36164390 PMCID: PMC9509256 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7345116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gedan Jiangya decoction (GJD) (aqueous ethanol extract), a traditional Chinese medicine formula which contain six botanical drugs (Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., Prunella vulgaris L., and Achyranthes bidentata Blume) was designed to treat hypertension; however, the underlying mechanism of action is unclear. This study aimed to determine the mechanisms of action of GJD in the treatment of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Male SHRs were randomly divided into five groups: GJD doses were low (1.36 g/kg/d), medium (2.72 g/kg/d), and high (5.44 g/kg/d), captopril (13.5 mg/kg/d), and SHR groups, with Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) serving as the control. Every rat was gavaged once a day. The ALC-NIBP, a noninvasive blood pressure device, measured systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures. Six weeks following treatment, all rats were anesthetized. The blood samples were obtained from the abdominal aorta and then serum isolated to assess endothelin-1 and angiotensin II, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and TNF-alpha. The left ventricular and thoracic aortas were taken for HE staining, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and western blot examination. Following GJD therapy, SBP and DBP were significantly lowered, as were serum levels of endothelin-1 and angiotensin II. The thickness of the left ventricular and thoracic aorta walls reduced, as did type I collagen, type III collagen, and alpha-SMA expression in the left ventricular and aortic tissues. The GJD treatment significantly reduced serum levels of the inflammatory markers interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and TNF-alpha. Furthermore, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, TAK1, and NF-κB/p65 levels were significantly reduced in left ventricular and aortic tissues, whereas IkB-alpha levels were significantly elevated. GJD has a dose-dependent effect on all parameters. In conclusion, GJD has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular remodeling, and reduce inflammation via regulating NF-κB in SHRs.
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Wang HQ, Meng XY, Zhang JM, Chen JY, Zhang BH, Wu FX. Alterations of actin cytoskeleton and arterial protein level in patients with obstructive jaundice. Genet Mol Biol 2022; 45:e20210419. [PMID: 36098487 PMCID: PMC9469107 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2021-0419] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular hypo-responsiveness to vasopressors in patients with obstructive jaundice (OJ) is a common anesthetic event, which leads to perioperative complications and increased mortality. The cause of this clinical issue remains unclear. In this study, we estimated the actin cytoskeleton and arterial protein level in the artery of OJ patients by proteomic analysis. Ten patients with OJ due to bile duct diseases or pancreatic head carcinoma were enrolled, while another ten non-jaundice patients with chronic cholecystitis or liver hemangioma as the control group. Vascular reactivity to noradrenaline was measured before anesthesia on the day of surgery. Artery samples in adjacent tissues of removed tumor were collected and evaluated by 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteins with differential expression were detected by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry with immunoblot confirmation. The results confirmed the phenomenon of vascular hypo-reactivity in OJ patients as suppressed aortic response to noradrenaline were existed in these patients. We also found that actin cytoskeleton and several actin-binding proteins were up- or down-regulated in the artery of OJ patients. These proteins changed in OJ patents might be the basic mechanism of vascular hypo-reactivity, further studies to uncover the role of these proteins in OJ is critical for clinical treatment of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Qian Wang
- Naval Medical University, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai, China.,First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong Jinan, Department of Anesthesiology, Shandong, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Meng
- Naval Medical University, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Min Zhang
- Naval Medical University, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Ying Chen
- Naval Medical University, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Hua Zhang
- Naval Medical University, The Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Department of Biliary Tract Surgery, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei-Xiang Wu
- Naval Medical University, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Drake KA, Chaney C, Patel M, Das A, Bittencourt J, Cohn M, Carroll TJ. Transcription Factors YAP/TAZ and SRF Cooperate To Specify Renal Myofibroblasts in the Developing Mouse Kidney. J Am Soc Nephrol 2022; 33:1694-1707. [PMID: 35918150 PMCID: PMC9529188 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2021121559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The embryonic renal stroma consists of multiple molecularly distinct cell subpopulations, the functional significance of which is largely unknown. Previous work has demonstrated that the transcription factors YAP and TAZ play roles in the development and morphogenesis of the nephrons, collecting ducts, and nephron progenitor cells. METHODS In embryonic mouse kidneys, we identified a subpopulation of stromal cells with enriched activity in YAP and TAZ. To evaluate the function of these cell types, we genetically ablated both Yap and Taz from the stromal progenitor population and examined how gene activity and development of YAP/TAZ mutant kidneys are affected over a developmental time course. RESULTS We found that YAP and TAZ are active in a subset of renal interstitium and that stromal-specific coablation of YAP/TAZ disrupts cortical fibroblast, pericyte, and myofibroblast development, with secondary effects on peritubular capillary differentiation. We also demonstrated that the transcription factor SRF cooperates with YAP/TAZ to drive expression of at least a subset of renal myofibroblast target genes and to specify myofibroblasts but not cortical fibroblasts or pericytes. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal a critical role for YAP/TAZ in specific embryonic stromal cells and suggest that interaction with cofactors, such as SRF, influence the expression of cell type-specific target genes, thus driving stromal heterogeneity. Further, this work reveals functional roles for renal stroma heterogeneity in creating unique microenvironments that influence the differentiation and maintenance of the renal parenchyma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keri A Drake
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Christopher Chaney
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Mohita Patel
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Amrita Das
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Julia Bittencourt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Martin Cohn
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Thomas J Carroll
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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16
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Zhang Z, Zhang W, Blakes R, Sundby LJ, Shi Z, Rockey DC, Ervasti JM, Nam YJ. Fibroblast fate determination during cardiac reprogramming by remodeling of actin filaments. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1604-1619. [PMID: 35688153 PMCID: PMC9287671 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.05.004] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into induced cardiomyocyte-like cells (iCMs) by forced expression of cardiogenic transcription factors. However, it remains unknown how fibroblasts adopt a cardiomyocyte (CM) fate during their spontaneous ongoing transdifferentiation toward myofibroblasts (MFs). By tracing fibroblast lineages following cardiac reprogramming in vitro, we found that most mature iCMs are derived directly from fibroblasts without transition through the MF state. This direct conversion is attributable to mutually exclusive induction of cardiac sarcomeres and MF cytoskeletal structures in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts during reprogramming. For direct fate switch from fibroblasts to iCMs, significant remodeling of actin isoforms occurs in fibroblasts, including induction of α-cardiac actin and decrease of the actin isoforms predominant in MFs. Accordingly, genetic or pharmacological ablation of MF-enriched actin isoforms significantly enhances cardiac reprogramming. Our results demonstrate that remodeling of actin isoforms is required for fibroblast to CM fate conversion by cardiac reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Robert Blakes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lauren J Sundby
- Program in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Zengdun Shi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Don C Rockey
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - James M Ervasti
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Program in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Young-Jae Nam
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Rastogi V, Stefens SJM, Houwaart J, Verhagen HJM, de Bruin JL, van der Pluijm I, Essers J. Molecular Imaging of Aortic Aneurysm and Its Translational Power for Clinical Risk Assessment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:814123. [PMID: 35492343 PMCID: PMC9051391 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.814123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms (AAs) are dilations of the aorta, that are often fatal upon rupture. Diagnostic radiological techniques such as ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) are currently used in clinical practice for early diagnosis as well as clinical follow-up for preemptive surgery of AA and prevention of rupture. However, the contemporary imaging-based risk prediction of aneurysm enlargement or life-threatening aneurysm-rupture remains limited as these are restricted to visual parameters which fail to provide a personalized risk assessment. Therefore, new insights into early diagnostic approaches to detect AA and therefore to prevent aneurysm-rupture are crucial. Multiple new techniques are developed to obtain a more accurate understanding of the biological processes and pathological alterations at a (micro)structural and molecular level of aortic degeneration. Advanced anatomical imaging combined with molecular imaging, such as molecular MRI, or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT provides novel diagnostic approaches for in vivo visualization of targeted biomarkers. This will aid in the understanding of aortic aneurysm disease pathogenesis and insight into the pathways involved, and will thus facilitate early diagnostic analysis of aneurysmal disease. In this study, we reviewed these molecular imaging modalities and their association with aneurysm growth and/or rupture risk and their limitations. Furthermore, we outline recent pre-clinical and clinical developments in molecular imaging of AA and provide future perspectives based on the advancements made within the field. Within the vastness of pre-clinical markers that have been studied in mice, molecular imaging targets such as elastin/collagen, albumin, matrix metalloproteinases and immune cells demonstrate promising results regarding rupture risk assessment within the pre-clinical setting. Subsequently, these markers hold potential as a future diagnosticum of clinical AA assessment. However currently, clinical translation of molecular imaging is still at the onset. Future human trials are required to assess the effectivity of potentially viable molecular markers with various imaging modalities for clinical rupture risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinamr Rastogi
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sanne J. M. Stefens
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Judith Houwaart
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hence J. M. Verhagen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jorg L. de Bruin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ingrid van der Pluijm
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Essers
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Jeroen Essers
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Yarboro MT, Gopal SH, Su RL, Morgan TM, Reese J. Mouse models of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and their relevance for human PDA. Dev Dyn 2022; 251:424-443. [PMID: 34350653 PMCID: PMC8814064 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a unique fetal vascular shunt, which allows blood to bypass the developing lungs in utero. After birth, changes in complex signaling pathways lead to constriction and permanent closure of the DA. The persistent patency of the DA (PDA) is a common disorder in preterm infants, yet the underlying causes of PDA are not fully defined. Although limits on the availability of human DA tissues prevent comprehensive studies on the mechanisms of DA function, mouse models have been developed that reveal critical pathways in DA regulation. Over 20 different transgenic models of PDA in mice have been described, with implications for human DA biology. Similarly, we enumerate 224 human single-gene syndromes that are associated with PDA, including a small subset that consistently feature PDA as a prominent phenotype. Comparison and functional analyses of these genes provide insight into DA development and identify key regulatory pathways that may serve as potential therapeutic targets for the management of PDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Yarboro
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Srirupa H Gopal
- Department of Pediatrics, Erlanger Health System, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rachel L Su
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Thomas M Morgan
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jeff Reese
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Goodwin K, Jaslove JM, Tao H, Zhu M, Hopyan S, Nelson CM. Patterning the embryonic pulmonary mesenchyme. iScience 2022; 25:103838. [PMID: 35252804 PMCID: PMC8889149 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Smooth muscle guides the morphogenesis of several epithelia during organogenesis, including the mammalian airways. However, it remains unclear how airway smooth muscle differentiation is spatiotemporally patterned and whether it originates from transcriptionally distinct mesenchymal progenitors. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing of embryonic mouse lungs, we show that the pulmonary mesenchyme contains a continuum of cell identities, but no transcriptionally distinct progenitors. Transcriptional variability correlates with spatially distinct sub-epithelial and sub-mesothelial mesenchymal compartments that are regulated by Wnt signaling. Live-imaging and tension-sensors reveal compartment-specific migratory behaviors and cortical forces and show that sub-epithelial mesenchyme contributes to airway smooth muscle. Reconstructing differentiation trajectories reveals early activation of cytoskeletal and Wnt signaling genes. Consistently, Wnt activation induces the earliest stages of smooth muscle differentiation and local accumulation of mesenchymal F-actin, which influences epithelial morphology. Our single-cell approach uncovers the principles of pulmonary mesenchymal patterning and identifies a morphogenetically active mesenchymal layer that sculpts the airway epithelium. The embryonic lung mesenchyme is organized into spatially distinct compartments Migratory behaviors and cortical forces differ between compartments Diffusion analysis recapitulates airway smooth muscle differentiation The early stages of smooth muscle differentiation influence airway branching
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Goodwin
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Jacob M. Jaslove
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Hirotaka Tao
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Min Zhu
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Sevan Hopyan
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Celeste M. Nelson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Corresponding author
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20
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Petit C, Karkhaneh Yousefi AA, Guilbot M, Barnier V, Avril S. AFM Stiffness Mapping in Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells. J Biomech Eng 2022; 144:1133331. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4053657] [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: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells (SMCs) play a vital role in maintaining mechanical homeostasis in the aorta. We recently found that SMCs of aneurysmal aortas apply larger traction forces than SMCs of healthy aortas. This result was explained by the significant increase of hypertrophic SMCs abundance in aneurysms. In the present study, we investigate whether the cytoskeleton stiffness of SMCs may also be altered in aneurysmal aortas. For that, we use Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation with a specific mode that allows subcellular-resolution mapping of the local stiffness across a specified region of interest of the cell. Aortic SMCs from a commercial human lineage (AoSMCs, Lonza) and primary aneurysmal SMCs (AnevSMCs) are cultured in conditions promoting the development of their contractile apparatus, and seeded on hydrogels with stiffness properties of 12kPa and 25kPa. Results show that all SMC exhibit globally a lognormal stiffness distribution, with medians in the range 10-30 kPa. The mean of stiffness distributions is slightly higher in aneurysmal SMCs than in healthy cells (16 kPa versus 12 kPa) but the differences are not statistically significant due to the large dispersion of AFM nanoindentation stiffness. We conclude that the possible alterations previously found in aneurysmal SMCs do not affect significantly the AFM nanoindentation stiffness of their cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudie Petit
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université de Lyon, INSERM, U 1059 SAINBIOSE, F - 42023 Saint-Etienne France
| | | | - Marine Guilbot
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université de Lyon, INSERM, U 1059 SAINBIOSE, F - 42023 Saint-Etienne France
| | - Vincent Barnier
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université de Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5307 LGF, F - 42023 Saint-Etienne France
| | - Stephane Avril
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université de Lyon, INSERM, U 1059 SAINBIOSE, F - 42023 Saint-Etienne France
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Subramanian S, Biswas A, Alves C, Sudhakar S, Shekdar K, Krishnan P, Shroff M, Taranath A, Arrigoni F, Aldinger K, Leventer R, Dobyns W, Mankad K. ACTA2-Related Dysgyria: An Under-Recognized Malformation of Cortical Development. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2022; 43:146-150. [PMID: 34857515 PMCID: PMC8757559 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pathogenic variants in the ACTA2 gene cause a distinctive arterial phenotype that has recently been described to be associated with brain malformation. Our objective was to further characterize gyral abnormalities in patients with ACTA2 pathogenic variants as per the 2020 consensus recommendations for the definition and classification of malformations of cortical development. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective, multicentric review of patients with proved ACTA2 pathogenic variants, searching for the presence of malformations of cortical development. A consensus read was performed for all patients, and the type and location of cortical malformation were noted in each. The presence of the typical ACTA2 arterial phenotype as well as demographic and relevant clinical data was obtained. RESULTS We included 13 patients with ACTA2 pathogenic variants (Arg179His mutation, n = 11, and Arg179Cys mutation, n = 2). Ninety-two percent (12/13) of patients had peri-Sylvian dysgyria, 77% (10/13) had frontal dysgyria, and 15% (2/13) had generalized dysgyria. The peri-Sylvian location was involved in all patients with dysgyria (12/12). All patients with dysgyria had a characteristic arterial phenotype described in ACTA2 pathogenic variants. One patient did not have dysgyria or the characteristic arterial phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Dysgyria is common in patients with ACTA2 pathogenic variants, with a peri-Sylvian and frontal predominance, and was seen in all our patients who also had the typical ACTA2 arterial phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Subramanian
- From the Division of Pediatric Radiology (S.S.), Department of Radiology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - A. Biswas
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging (A.B., P.K., M.S.), The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - S.V. Sudhakar
- Department of Radiology (S.V.S., K.M.), Great Ormond Street Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - K.V. Shekdar
- Department of Radiology, and Department of Radiology (K.V.S.), Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - P. Krishnan
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging (A.B., P.K., M.S.), The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M. Shroff
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging (A.B., P.K., M.S.), The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A. Taranath
- Department of Medical Imaging (A.T.), Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - F. Arrigoni
- Neuroimaging Lab (F.A.), Scientific Institute, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - K.A. Aldinger
- Department of Pediatrics (K.A.A.), University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington,Center for Integrative Brain Research (K.A.A., W.B.D.), Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - R.J. Leventer
- Department of Neurology (R.J.L.), Royal Children’s Hospital and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia,Department of Pediatrics (R.J.L.), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - W.B. Dobyns
- Center for Integrative Brain Research (K.A.A., W.B.D.), Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington,Division of Genetics and Metabolism (W.B.D.), Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - K. Mankad
- Department of Radiology (S.V.S., K.M.), Great Ormond Street Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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22
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Morgan EE, Morran MP, Horen NG, Weaver DA, Nestor-Kalinoski AL. RNO3 QTL Regulates Vascular Structure and Arterial Stiffness in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat. Physiol Genomics 2021; 53:534-545. [PMID: 34755572 PMCID: PMC9275012 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00038.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular morbidity. Thus, understanding the factors contributing to vascular stiffness is of critical importance. Here, we used a rat model containing a known quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 3 (RNO3) for vasoreactivity to assess potential genetic elements contributing to blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and their downstream effects on cardiac structure and function. Although no differences were found in blood pressure at any time point between parental spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and congenic SHR.BN3 rats, the SHRs showed a significant increase in arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity. The degree of arterial stiffness increased with age in the SHRs and was associated with compensatory cardiac changes at 16 wk of age, and decompensatory changes at 32 wk, with no change in cardiac structure or function in the SHR.BN3 hearts at these time points. To evaluate the arterial wall structure, we used multiphoton microscopy to quantify cells and collagen content within the adventitia and media of SHR and SHR.BN3 arteries. No difference in cell numbers or proliferation rates was found, although phenotypic diversity was characterized in vascular smooth muscle cells. Herein, significant anatomical and physiological differences related to arterial structure and cardiovascular tone including collagen, pulse wave velocity (PWV), left ventricular (LV) geometry and function, and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contractile apparatus proteins were associated with the RNO3 QTL, thus providing a novel platform for studying arterial stiffness. Future studies delimiting the RNO3 QTL could aid in identifying genetic elements responsible for arterial structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric E Morgan
- Department of Surgery, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States.,Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States.,Department of Radiology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Michael P Morran
- Department of Surgery, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States.,Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Nicholas G Horen
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States
| | - David A Weaver
- Department of Surgery, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States.,Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Andrea L Nestor-Kalinoski
- Department of Surgery, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States.,Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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23
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Chen J, Kaw K, Lu H, Fagnant PM, Chattopadhyay A, Duan XY, Zhou Z, Ma S, Liu Z, Huang J, Kamm K, Stull JT, Kwartler CS, Trybus KM, Milewicz DM. Resistance of Acta2 R149C/+ mice to aortic disease is associated with defective release of mutant smooth muscle α-actin from the chaperonin-containing TCP1 folding complex. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101228. [PMID: 34600884 PMCID: PMC8633019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants of the gene for smooth muscle α-actin (ACTA2), which encodes smooth muscle (SM) α-actin, predispose to heritable thoracic aortic disease. The ACTA2 variant p.Arg149Cys (R149C) is the most common alteration; however, only 60% of carriers have a dissection or undergo repair of an aneurysm by 70 years of age. A mouse model of ACTA2 p.Arg149Cys was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to determine the etiology of reduced penetrance. Acta2R149C/+ mice had significantly decreased aortic contraction compared with WT mice but did not form aortic aneurysms or dissections when followed to 24 months, even when hypertension was induced. In vitro motility assays found decreased interaction of mutant SM α-actin filaments with SM myosin. Polymerization studies using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy showed enhanced nucleation of mutant SM α-actin by formin, which correlated with disorganized and reduced SM α-actin filaments in Acta2R149C/+ smooth muscle cells (SMCs). However, the most prominent molecular defect was the increased retention of mutant SM α-actin in the chaperonin-containing t-complex polypeptide folding complex, which was associated with reduced levels of mutant compared with WT SM α-actin in Acta2R149C/+ SMCs. These data indicate that Acta2R149C/+ mice do not develop thoracic aortic disease despite decreased contraction of aortic segments and disrupted SM α-actin filament formation and function in Acta2R149C/+ SMCs. Enhanced binding of mutant SM α-actin to chaperonin-containing t-complex polypeptide decreases the mutant actin versus WT monomer levels in Acta2R149C/+ SMCs, thus minimizing the effect of the mutation on SMC function and potentially preventing aortic disease in the Acta2R149C/+ mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Chen
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kaveeta Kaw
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hailong Lu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Patricia M Fagnant
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Abhijnan Chattopadhyay
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xue Yan Duan
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shuangtao Ma
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhenan Liu
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kristine Kamm
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - James T Stull
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Callie S Kwartler
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kathleen M Trybus
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA.
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24
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Miyoshi T, Belyantseva IA, Kitajiri SI, Miyajima H, Nishio SY, Usami SI, Kim BJ, Choi BY, Omori K, Shroff H, Friedman TB. Human deafness-associated variants alter the dynamics of key molecules in hair cell stereocilia F-actin cores. Hum Genet 2021; 141:363-382. [PMID: 34232383 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02304-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Stereocilia protrude up to 100 µm from the apical surface of vertebrate inner ear hair cells and are packed with cross-linked filamentous actin (F-actin). They function as mechanical switches to convert sound vibration into electrochemical neuronal signals transmitted to the brain. Several genes encode molecular components of stereocilia including actin monomers, actin regulatory and bundling proteins, motor proteins and the proteins of the mechanotransduction complex. A stereocilium F-actin core is a dynamic system, which is continuously being remodeled while maintaining an outwardly stable architecture under the regulation of F-actin barbed-end cappers, severing proteins and crosslinkers. The F-actin cores of stereocilia also provide a pathway for motor proteins to transport cargos including components of tip-link densities, scaffolding proteins and actin regulatory proteins. Deficiencies and mutations of stereocilia components that disturb this "dynamic equilibrium" in stereocilia can induce morphological changes and disrupt mechanotransduction causing sensorineural hearing loss, best studied in mouse and zebrafish models. Currently, at least 23 genes, associated with human syndromic and nonsyndromic hearing loss, encode proteins involved in the development and maintenance of stereocilia F-actin cores. However, it is challenging to predict how variants associated with sensorineural hearing loss segregating in families affect protein function. Here, we review the functions of several molecular components of stereocilia F-actin cores and provide new data from our experimental approach to directly evaluate the pathogenicity and functional impact of reported and novel variants of DIAPH1 in autosomal-dominant DFNA1 hearing loss using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takushi Miyoshi
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, Room 1F-143A, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA. .,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Inna A Belyantseva
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, Room 1F-143A, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kitajiri
- Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 390-8621, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Hiroki Miyajima
- Department of Otolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan.,Department of Otolaryngology, Aizawa Hospital, Matsumoto, 390-8510, Japan
| | - Shin-Ya Nishio
- Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 390-8621, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Usami
- Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 390-8621, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Bong Jik Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong, 30099, South Korea.,Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015, South Korea
| | - Byung Yoon Choi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, 13620, South Korea
| | - Koichi Omori
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hari Shroff
- Laboratory of High Resolution Optical Imaging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Thomas B Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, Room 1F-143A, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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25
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Abstract
Actin is a key structural protein that makes up the cytoskeleton of cells, and plays a role in functions such as division, migration, and vesicle trafficking. It comprises six different cell-type specific isoforms: ACTA1, ACTA2, ACTB, ACTC1, ACTG1, and ACTG2. Abnormal actin isoform expression has been reported in many cancers, which led us to hypothesize that it may serve as an early biomarker of cancer. We show an overview of the different actin isoforms and highlight mechanisms by which they may contribute to tumorigenicity. Furthermore, we suggest how the aberrant expression of actin subunits can confer cells with greater proliferation ability, increased migratory capability, and chemoresistance through incorporation into the normal cellular F-actin network and altered actin binding protein interaction. Studying this fundamental change that takes place within cancer cells can further our understanding of neoplastic transformation in multiple tissue types, which can ultimately aid in the early-detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Suresh
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Roberto J Diaz
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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26
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Abstract
Actins form a strongly conserved family of proteins that are central to the functioning of the actin cytoskeleton partaking in natural processes such as cell division, adhesion, contraction and migration. These processes, however, also occur during the various phases of cancer progression. Yet, surprisingly, alterations in the six human actin genes in cancer studies have received little attention and the focus was mostly on deregulated expression levels of actins and even more so of actin-binding or regulatory proteins. Starting from the early mutation work in the 1980s, we propose based on reviewing literature and data from patient cancer genomes that alterations in actin genes are different in distinct cancer subtypes, suggesting some specificity. These actin gene alterations include (missense) mutations, gene fusions and copy number alterations (deletions and amplifications) and we illustrate their occurrence for a limited number of examples including actin mutations in lymphoid cancers and nonmelanoma skin cancer and actin gene copy number alterations for breast, prostate and liver cancers. A challenge in the future will be to further sort out the specificity per actin gene, alteration type and cancer subtype. Even more challenging is (experimentally) distinguishing between cause and consequence: which alterations are passengers and which are involved in tumor progression of particular cancer subtypes?
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27
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Petit C, Karkhaneh Yousefi AA, Ben Moussa O, Michel JB, Guignandon A, Avril S. Regulation of SMC traction forces in human aortic thoracic aneurysms. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:717-31. [PMID: 33449277 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-020-01412-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) usually express a contractile phenotype in the healthy aorta. However, aortic SMCs have the ability to undergo profound changes in phenotype in response to changes in their extracellular environment, as occurs in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAA). Accordingly, there is a pressing need to quantify the mechanobiological effects of these changes at single cell level. To address this need, we applied Traction Force Microscopy (TFM) on 759 cells coming from three primary healthy (AoPrim) human SMC lineages and three primary aneurysmal (AnevPrim) human SMC lineages, from age and gender matched donors. We measured the basal traction forces applied by each of these cells onto compliant hydrogels of different stiffness (4, 8, 12, 25 kPa). Although the range of force generation by SMCs suggested some heterogeneity, we observed that: 1. the traction forces were significantly larger on substrates of larger stiffness; 2. traction forces in AnevPrim were significantly higher than in AoPrim cells. We modelled computationally the dynamic force generation process in SMCs using the motor-clutch model and found that it accounts well for the stiffness-dependent traction forces. The existence of larger traction forces in the AnevPrim SMCs were related to the larger size of cells in these lineages. We conclude that phenotype changes occurring in ATAA, which were previously known to reduce the expression of elongated and contractile SMCs (rendering SMCs less responsive to vasoactive agents), tend also to induce stronger SMCs. Future work aims at understanding the causes of this alteration process in aortic aneurysms.
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28
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Zhang M, Li F, Pokharel S, Ma T, Wang X, Wang Y, Wang W, Lin R. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide protects against Homocysteine-induced Vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and phenotypic transformation via PI3K/Akt pathway. J Mol Histol 2020; 51:629-637. [PMID: 32897463 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-020-09909-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is an alkaloid extracted from lycium barbarum. LBP is the active component of lycium barbarum used to treat hypertension, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases in Chinese traditional medicine. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of LBP- mediated activity in vascular disease remain poorly understood. In the present study, we showed the protective effect of LBP in vascular smooth muscle cells. Our results indicate that LBP significantly reduces the proliferation of VSMCs caused by Homocysteine (Hcy) and inhibits the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs caused by Hcy, from contractile to synthetic. LBP inhibited the protein expression of PI3K and Akt caused by Hcy, and increased the expression of miR-145. The results indicate that LBP exhibits substantial therapeutic potential for the treatment of Hcy-induced VSMCs proliferation and phenotypic transformation through inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Yinchuan, China
| | - Fan Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Yinchuan, China.,Sanqun Medical College, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Smritee Pokharel
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ting Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xiuyu Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yiyong Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Weirong Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rong Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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29
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Zhang YY, Zhao ZD, Kong PY, Gao L, Yu YN, Liu J, Wang PQ, Li B, Zhang XX, Yang LQ, Wang Z. A comparative pharmacogenomic analysis of three classic TCM prescriptions for coronary heart disease based on molecular network modeling. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:735-744. [PMID: 32051552 PMCID: PMC7471444 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evolved over several thousands of years, which has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Three classical TCM prescriptions, namely Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction, Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi Decoction, and Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction, have been extensively used in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). Based on molecular network modeling, we performed a comparative pharmacogenomic analysis to systematically determine the drug-targeting spectrum of the three prescriptions at molecular level. Wide-area target molecules of CHD were covered, which was a common feature of the three decoctions, demonstrating their therapeutic functions. Meanwhile, collective signaling involved metabolic/pro-metabolic pathways, driving and transferring pathways, neuropsychiatric pathways, and exocrine or endocrine pathways. These organized pharmacological disturbance was mainly focused on almost all stages of CHD intervention, such as anti-atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism, inflammation, vascular wall function, foam cells formation, platelets aggregation, thrombosis, arrhythmia, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, heterogeneity analysis of the global pharmacological molecular spectrum revealed that signaling crosstalk, cascade convergence, and key targets were tendentious among the three decoctions. After all, it is unadvisable to rank the findings on targeting advantages of the three decoctions. Comparative pharmacological evidence may provide an appropriate decoction scheme for individualized intervention of CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ying Zhang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Zi-de Zhao
- Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100040, China
| | - Peng-Yun Kong
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China
| | - Lin Gao
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China
| | - Ya-Nan Yu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Peng-Qian Wang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Bing Li
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xiao-Xu Zhang
- Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100040, China
| | - Li-Qiang Yang
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China.
| | - Zhong Wang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
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30
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Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts and fibrosis contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure, a prevalent cause of mortality. Therefore, a majority of the existing information regarding cardiac fibroblasts is focused on their function and behavior after heart injury. Less is understood about the signaling and transcriptional networks required for the development and homeostatic roles of these cells. This review is devoted to describing our current understanding of cardiac fibroblast development. I detail cardiac fibroblast formation during embryogenesis including the discovery of a second embryonic origin for cardiac fibroblasts. Additional information is provided regarding the roles of the genes essential for cardiac fibroblast development. It should be noted that many questions remain regarding the cell-fate specification of these fibroblast progenitors, and it is hoped that this review will provide a basis for future studies regarding this topic.
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31
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Lee DP, Tan WLW, Anene-Nzelu CG, Lee CJM, Li PY, Luu TDA, Chan CX, Tiang Z, Ng SL, Huang X, Efthymios M, Autio MI, Jiang J, Fullwood MJ, Prabhakar S, Lieberman Aiden E, Foo RSY. Robust CTCF-Based Chromatin Architecture Underpins Epigenetic Changes in the Heart Failure Stress-Gene Response. Circulation 2020; 139:1937-1956. [PMID: 30717603 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.118.036726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human genome folds in 3 dimensions to form thousands of chromatin loops inside the nucleus, encasing genes and cis-regulatory elements for accurate gene expression control. Physical tethers of loops are anchored by the DNA-binding protein CTCF and the cohesin ring complex. Because heart failure is characterized by hallmark gene expression changes, it was recently reported that substantial CTCF-related chromatin reorganization underpins the myocardial stress-gene response, paralleled by chromatin domain boundary changes observed in CTCF knockout. METHODS We undertook an independent and orthogonal analysis of chromatin organization with mouse pressure-overload model of myocardial stress (transverse aortic constriction) and cardiomyocyte-specific knockout of Ctcf. We also downloaded published data sets of similar cardiac mouse models and subjected them to independent reanalysis. RESULTS We found that the cardiomyocyte chromatin architecture remains broadly stable in transverse aortic constriction hearts, whereas Ctcf knockout resulted in ≈99% abolition of global chromatin loops. Disease gene expression changes correlated instead with differential histone H3K27-acetylation enrichment at their respective proximal and distal interacting genomic enhancers confined within these static chromatin structures. Moreover, coregulated genes were mapped out as interconnected gene sets on the basis of their multigene 3D interactions. CONCLUSIONS This work reveals a more stable genome-wide chromatin framework than previously described. Myocardial stress-gene transcription responds instead through H3K27-acetylation enhancer enrichment dynamics and gene networks of coregulation. Robust and intact CTCF looping is required for the induction of a rapid and accurate stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Paul Lee
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Wilson Lek Wen Tan
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Chukwuemeka George Anene-Nzelu
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Chang Jie Mick Lee
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Peter Yiqing Li
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Tuan Danh Anh Luu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Cheryl Xueli Chan
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Zenia Tiang
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Shi Ling Ng
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Xingfan Huang
- Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (X.H., E.L.A.)
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics and Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX (X.H., E.L.A.)
| | - Motakis Efthymios
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Matias I Autio
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Jianming Jiang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine (J.J.), National University of Singapore
| | - Melissa Jane Fullwood
- Cancer Science Institute (M.J.F.), National University of Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (M.J.F.)
| | - Shyam Prabhakar
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Erez Lieberman Aiden
- Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (X.H., E.L.A.)
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics and Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX (X.H., E.L.A.)
| | - Roger Sik-Yin Foo
- Genome Institute of Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., S.P., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (D.P.L., W.L.W.T., C.G.A.-N., C.J.M.L., P.Y.L., T.L.D.A., C.X.C., Z.T., S.L.N., M.E., M.I.A., J.J., R.S.-Y.F.)
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Massett MP, Bywaters BC, Gibbs HC, Trzeciakowski JP, Padgham S, Chen J, Rivera G, Yeh AT, Milewicz DM, Trache A. Loss of smooth muscle α-actin effects on mechanosensing and cell-matrix adhesions. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 245:374-384. [PMID: 32064918 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220903012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in ACTA2, encoding smooth muscle α-actin, are a frequent cause of heritable thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissections. These mutations are associated with impaired vascular smooth muscle cell function, which leads to decreased ability of the cell to sense matrix-mediated mechanical stimuli. This study investigates how loss of smooth muscle α-actin affects cytoskeletal tension development and cell adhesion using smooth muscle cells explanted from aorta of mice lacking smooth muscle α-actin. We tested the hypothesis that reduced vascular smooth muscle contractility due to a loss of smooth muscle α-actin decreases cellular mechanosensing by dysregulating cell adhesion to the matrix. Assessment of functional mechanical properties of the aorta by stress relaxation measurements in thoracic aortic rings suggested two functional regimes for Acta2−/− mice. Lower stress relaxation was recorded in aortic rings from Acta2−/− mice at tensions below 10 mN compared with wild type, likely driven by cytoskeletal-dependent contractility. However, no differences were recorded between the two groups above the 10 mN threshold, since at higher tension the matrix-dependent contractility may be predominant. In addition, our results showed that at any given level of stretch, transmural pressure is lower in aortic rings from Acta2−/− mice than wild type mice. In addition, a three-dimensional collagen matrix contractility assay showed that collagen pellets containing Acta2−/− smooth muscle cells contracted less than the pellets containing the wild type cells. Moreover, second harmonic generation non-linear microscopy revealed that Acta2−/− cells locally remodeled the collagen matrix fibers to a lesser extent than wild type cells. Quantification of protein fluorescence measurements in cells also showed that in absence of smooth muscle α-actin, there is a compensatory increase in smooth muscle γ-actin. Moreover, specific integrin recruitment at cell–matrix adhesions was reduced in Acta2−/− cells. Thus, our findings suggest that Acta2−/− cells are unable to generate external forces to remodel the matrix due to reduced contractility and interaction with the matrix. Impact statement Thoracic aneurysm formation is characterized by progressive enlargement of the ascending aorta, which predisposes the aorta to acute aortic dissection that can lead to sudden death. SMCs in the aorta play an integral role in regulating vessel wall contractility and matrix deposition in the medial layer. Recent studies show that mutations in genes associated with actomyosin apparatus reduce SMC contractility, increasing susceptibility to TAAD. Single-cell experiments enable discrete measurements of transient microscopic events that may be masked by a macroscopic average tissue behavior. Biophysical methods combined with microscopy techniques aid in understanding the specific roles of adhesion and cytoskeletal proteins in regulating SMC mechanosensing when SMα-actin is disrupted. Our findings suggest that Acta2− /− cells have increased SMγ-actin and decreased integrin recruitment at cell–matrix adhesion, hence a synthetic phenotype with reduced cellular mechanosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Massett
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - B C Bywaters
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - H C Gibbs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - J P Trzeciakowski
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - S Padgham
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - J Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - G Rivera
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - A T Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - D M Milewicz
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - A Trache
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.,Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
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Yu PK, An D, Balaratnasingam C, Cringle SJ, Yu DY. Topographic Distribution of Contractile Protein in the Human Macular Microvasculature. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 60:4574-4582. [PMID: 31675074 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-26986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We studied the topographic distribution of contractile protein in different orders of the human macular microvasculature to further understanding of the sites for capillary blood flow regulation. Methods Nine donor eyes from eight donors were cannulated at the central retinal artery and perfusion labeled for alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and filamentous actin (F-actin). Confocal images were collected from the macula region, viewed, projected, and converted to a 255 grayscale for measurements. The mean intensity was measured for macular arterioles, venules, and capillary segments. The diameter of each vessel segment measured was recorded. The normalized mean intensity values from all images were ranked according to vessel types and size with a total of nine categories. Results F-actin was present throughout the macular microvasculature whereas αSMA labeling showed variations. Overall, αSMA has a more prominent presence in the macular arterioles than in the macular capillaries and venules, and αSMA strongly labeled the smaller macular arterioles. Some capillaries also labeled positive for αSMA, including some of the capillaries in the innermost capillary ring surrounding the foveola. It was weakly present in the capillaries on the venous side and larger venules. In the larger macular arterioles closer to 100 μm in diameter, αSMA labeling was weakly present and not as ubiquitous as in the smaller arterioles. Conclusions Nonuniform distribution of contractile proteins in the different types, orders, and sizes of macular microvasculature indicates that these vessels may have different contractile capability and roles in macular flow regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula K Yu
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Dong An
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Chandrakumar Balaratnasingam
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Stephen J Cringle
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Dao-Yi Yu
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Witjes L, Van Troys M, Vandekerckhove J, Vandepoele K, Ampe C. A new evolutionary model for the vertebrate actin family including two novel groups. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 141:106632. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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35
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Rockey DC, Du Q, Weymouth ND, Shi Z. Smooth Muscle α-Actin Deficiency Leads to Decreased Liver Fibrosis via Impaired Cytoskeletal Signaling in Hepatic Stellate Cells. Am J Pathol 2019; 189:2209-2220. [PMID: 31476284 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In the liver, smooth muscle α-actin (SM α-actin) is up-regulated in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) as they transition to myofibroblasts during liver injury and the wound healing response. Whether SM α-actin has specific functional effects on cellular effectors of fibrosis such as HSC is controversial. Here, the relationship between SM α-actin and type 1 collagen expression (COL1A1), a major extracellular matrix protein important in liver fibrosis, is investigated with the results demonstrating that knockout of SM α-actin leads to reduced liver fibrosis and COL1 expression. The mechanism for the reduction in fibrogenesis in vivo is multifactorial, including not only a reduction in the number of HSCs, but also an HSC-specific reduction in COL1 expression in Acta2-deficient HSCs. Despite a compensatory increase in expression of cytoplasmic β-actin and γ-actin isoforms in Acta2-/- HSCs, defects were identified in each transforming growth factor beta/Smad2/3 and ET-1/Erk1/2 signaling in Acta2-/- HSCs. These data not only suggest a molecular link between the SM α-actin cytoskeleton and classic fibrogenic signaling cascades, but also emphasize the relationship between SM α-actin and fibrogenesis in hepatic myofibroblasts in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don C Rockey
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
| | - Qinghong Du
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | | | - Zengdun Shi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
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Luo C, Bian X, Zhang Q, Xia Z, Liu B, Chen Q, Ke C, Wu JL, Zhao Y. Shengui Sansheng San Ameliorates Cerebral Energy Deficiency via Citrate Cycle After Ischemic Stroke. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:386. [PMID: 31065240 PMCID: PMC6489525 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral energy deficiency is a key pathophysiologic cascade that results in neuronal injury and necrosis after ischemic stroke. Shengui Sansheng San (SSS) has been used to treat stroke for more than 300 years. In present study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of SSS extraction on cerebral energy deficiency post-stroke. In permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAo) model of rats, it suggested that SSS extraction in dose-dependent manner improved neurological function, cerebral blood flow (CBF), 18F-2-deoxy-glucose uptake and the density and diameter of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) positive vasculature in ipsilateral area, as well as decreased infarcted volume. Meanwhile, the metabolomics study in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was performed by using 5-(diisopropylamino)amylamine (DIAAA) derivatization-UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS approach. Eighty-eight endogenous metabolites were identified, and mainly involved in citrate cycle, fatty acid biosynthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, amino acids metabolism and biosynthesis, etc. The remarkable increase of citrate in CSF after treatment with three dosages indicated that the therapeutic mechanism of SSS extraction might be related with citrate cycle. Simultaneously, it showed that high dosage group significantly increased peripheral blood glucose level, the expressions of glucose transporter (GLUT) 1, GLUT3, and monocarboxylic acid transporter 1 (MCT1), which contributed to the transportation of glucose and lactate. By the regulations of phosphorylated pyruvate dehydrogenase E1-alpha (p-PDHA1), acetyl CoA synthetase and citrate synthetase (CS), the levels of citrate and its upstream molecules (pyruvate and acetyl CoA) in peri-infarction zone further enhanced, which ultimately caused the massive yield of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Our study first demonstrated that SSS extraction could ameliorate cerebral energy deficiency after ischemia by citrate cycle, which is characterized by the enhancements of glucose supply, transportation, utilization, and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Xiqing Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhenyan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Bowen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Qi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Chienchih Ke
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Biomedical Imaging Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Lin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Yonghua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
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Mondaca-Ruff D, Riquelme JA, Quiroga C, Norambuena-Soto I, Sanhueza-Olivares F, Villar-Fincheira P, Hernández-Díaz T, Cancino-Arenas N, San Martin A, García L, Lavandero S, Chiong M. Angiotensin II-Regulated Autophagy Is Required for Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Hypertrophy. Front Pharmacol 2019; 9:1553. [PMID: 30804791 PMCID: PMC6371839 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [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: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertension is a disease associated to increased plasma levels of angiotensin II (Ang II). Ang II can regulate proliferation, migration, ROS production and hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the mechanisms by which Ang II can affect VSMCs remain to be fully elucidated. In this context, autophagy, a process involved in self-digestion of proteins and organelles, has been described to regulate vascular remodeling. Therefore, we sought to investigate if Ang II regulates VSMC hypertrophy through an autophagy-dependent mechanism. To test this, we stimulated A7r5 cell line and primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells with Ang II 100 nM and measured autophagic markers at 24 h by Western blot. Autophagosomes were quantified by visualizing fluorescently labeled LC3 using confocal microscopy. The results showed that treatment with Ang II increases Beclin-1, Vps34, Atg-12-Atg5, Atg4 and Atg7 protein levels, Beclin-1 phosphorylation, as well as the number of autophagic vesicles, suggesting that this peptide induces autophagy by activating phagophore initiation and elongation. These findings were confirmed by the assessment of autophagic flux by co-administering Ang II together with chloroquine (30 μM). Pharmacological antagonism of the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) with losartan and RhoA/Rho Kinase inhibition prevented Ang II-induced autophagy. Moreover, Ang II-induced A7r5 hypertrophy, evaluated by α-SMA expression and cell size, was prevented upon autophagy inhibition. Taking together, our results suggest that the induction of autophagy by an AT1R/RhoA/Rho Kinase-dependent mechanism contributes to Ang II-induced hypertrophy in VSMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mondaca-Ruff
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaime A Riquelme
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Clara Quiroga
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), División de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ignacio Norambuena-Soto
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernanda Sanhueza-Olivares
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulina Villar-Fincheira
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tomás Hernández-Díaz
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicole Cancino-Arenas
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandra San Martin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lorena García
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sergio Lavandero
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology Division), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Mario Chiong
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Centro de Estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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38
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Xu MM, Deng HY, Li HH. MicroRNA-27a regulates angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by targeting α-smooth muscle-actin in vitro. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 509:973-977. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Abstract
Goodwin and Nelson discuss the recent discovery by Sirka et al. that remodeling activity of myoepithelial cells can control breast cancer cell invasion. Smooth muscle–like cells can actively remodel epithelia, a mechanism common across developing tissues. In this issue, new work from Sirka et al. (2018. J. Cell Biol.https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201802144) demonstrates a novel mechanism for tumor suppression by smooth muscle–like myoepithelial cells of the mammary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Goodwin
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
| | - Celeste M Nelson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ .,Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
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Rodríguez-Baena FJ, Redondo-García S, Peris-Torres C, Martino-Echarri E, Fernández-Rodríguez R, Plaza-Calonge MDC, Anderson P, Rodríguez-Manzaneque JC. ADAMTS1 protease is required for a balanced immune cell repertoire and tumour inflammatory response. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13103. [PMID: 30166561 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31288-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances have emphasized the relevance of studying the extracellular microenvironment given its main contribution to tissue homeostasis and disease. Within this complex scenario, we have studied the extracellular protease ADAMTS1 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motif 1), implicated in vascularization and development, with reported anti- and pro-tumorigenic activities. In this work we performed a detailed study of the vasculature and substrates in adult organs of wild type and Adamts1-deficient mice. In addition to the expected alterations of organs like kidney, heart and aorta, we found that the lack of ADAMTS1 differently affects lymphocyte and myeloid populations in the spleen and bone marrow. The study of the substrate versican also revealed its alteration in the absence of the protease. With such premises, we challenged our mice with subcutaneous B16F1 syngeneic tumours and closely evaluated the immune repertoire in the tumours but also in the distant spleen and bone marrow. Our results confirmed a pro-inflammatory landscape in the absence of ADAMTS1, correlating with tumour blockade, supporting its novel role as a modulator of the immune cell response.
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Vedula P, Kashina A. The makings of the 'actin code': regulation of actin's biological function at the amino acid and nucleotide level. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:131/9/jcs215509. [PMID: 29739859 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.215509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton plays key roles in every eukaryotic cell and is essential for cell adhesion, migration, mechanosensing, and contractility in muscle and non-muscle tissues. In higher vertebrates, from birds through to mammals, actin is represented by a family of six conserved genes. Although these genes have evolved independently for more than 100 million years, they encode proteins with ≥94% sequence identity, which are differentially expressed in different tissues, and tightly regulated throughout embryogenesis and adulthood. It has been previously suggested that the existence of such similar actin genes is a fail-safe mechanism to preserve the essential function of actin through redundancy. However, knockout studies in mice and other organisms demonstrate that the different actins have distinct biological roles. The mechanisms maintaining this distinction have been debated in the literature for decades. This Review summarizes data on the functional regulation of different actin isoforms, and the mechanisms that lead to their different biological roles in vivo We focus here on recent studies demonstrating that at least some actin functions are regulated beyond the amino acid level at the level of the actin nucleotide sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavan Vedula
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anna Kashina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Lin CJ, Lin CY, Stitziel NO. Genetics of the extracellular matrix in aortic aneurysmal diseases. Matrix Biol 2018; 71-72:128-143. [PMID: 29656146 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms are morbid conditions that can lead to rupture or dissection and are categorized as thoracic (TAA) or abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) depending on their location. While AAA shares overlapping risk factors with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, TAA exhibits strong heritability. Human genetic studies in the past two decades have successfully identified numerous genes involved in both familial and sporadic forms of aortic aneurysm. In this review we will discuss the genetic basis of aortic aneurysm, focusing on the extracellular matrix and how insights from these studies have informed our understanding of human biology and disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Jung Lin
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Chieh-Yu Lin
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nathan O Stitziel
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; McDonell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Tijore A, Behr JM, Irvine SA, Baisane V, Venkatraman S. Bioprinted gelatin hydrogel platform promotes smooth muscle cell contractile phenotype maintenance. Biomed Microdevices 2018; 20:32. [PMID: 29594704 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-018-0274-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Three dimensional (3D) bioprinting has been proposed as a method for fabricating tissue engineered small diameter vascular prostheses. This technique not only involves constructing the structural features to obtain a desired pattern but the morphology of the pattern may also be used to influence the behavior of seeded cells. Herein, we 3D bioprinted a gelatin hydrogel microchannel construct to promote and preserve the contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs), which is crucial for vasoresponsiveness. The microchanneled surface of a gelatin hydrogel facilitated vSMC attachment and an elongated alignment along the microchannel direction. The cells displayed distinct F-actin anisotropy in the direction of the channel. The vSMC contractile phenotype was confirmed by the positive detection of contractile marker gene proteins (α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC)). Having demonstrated the effectiveness of the hydrogel channels bioprinted on a film, the bioprinting was applied radially to the surface of a 3D tubular construct by integrating a rotating mandrel into the 3D bioprinter. The hydrogel microchannels printed on the 3D tubular vascular construct also orientated the vSMCs and strongly promoted the contractile phenotype. Together, our study demonstrated that microchannels bioprinted using a transglutaminase crosslinked gelatin hydrogel, could successfully promote and preserve vSMC contractile phenotype. Furthermore, the hydrogel bioink could be retained on the surface of a rotating polymer tube to print radial cell guiding channels onto a vascular graft construct.
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Lacolley P, Regnault V, Segers P, Laurent S. Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Arterial Stiffening: Relevance in Development, Aging, and Disease. Physiol Rev 2017; 97:1555-1617. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00003.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 332] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The cushioning function of large arteries encompasses distension during systole and recoil during diastole which transforms pulsatile flow into a steady flow in the microcirculation. Arterial stiffness, the inverse of distensibility, has been implicated in various etiologies of chronic common and monogenic cardiovascular diseases and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The first components that contribute to arterial stiffening are extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that support the mechanical load, while the second important components are vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which not only regulate actomyosin interactions for contraction but mediate also mechanotransduction in cell-ECM homeostasis. Eventually, VSMC plasticity and signaling in both conductance and resistance arteries are highly relevant to the physiology of normal and early vascular aging. This review summarizes current concepts of central pressure and tensile pulsatile circumferential stress as key mechanical determinants of arterial wall remodeling, cell-ECM interactions depending mainly on the architecture of cytoskeletal proteins and focal adhesion, the large/small arteries cross-talk that gives rise to target organ damage, and inflammatory pathways leading to calcification or atherosclerosis. We further speculate on the contribution of cellular stiffness along the arterial tree to vascular wall stiffness. In addition, this review provides the latest advances in the identification of gene variants affecting arterial stiffening. Now that important hemodynamic and molecular mechanisms of arterial stiffness have been elucidated, and the complex interplay between ECM, cells, and sensors identified, further research should study their potential to halt or to reverse the development of arterial stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Lacolley
- INSERM, U1116, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France; Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; IBiTech-bioMMeda, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium; Department of Pharmacology, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France; PARCC INSERM, UMR 970, Paris, France; and University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Regnault
- INSERM, U1116, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France; Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; IBiTech-bioMMeda, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium; Department of Pharmacology, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France; PARCC INSERM, UMR 970, Paris, France; and University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Segers
- INSERM, U1116, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France; Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; IBiTech-bioMMeda, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium; Department of Pharmacology, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France; PARCC INSERM, UMR 970, Paris, France; and University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Laurent
- INSERM, U1116, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France; Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; IBiTech-bioMMeda, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium; Department of Pharmacology, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France; PARCC INSERM, UMR 970, Paris, France; and University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are common, life-threatening diseases and are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Over the past decade, genetic approaches have revealed that 1) activation of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, 2) alterations in the contractile apparatus of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and 3) defects in the extracellular matrix (ECM) were responsible for development of TAAs. Most recently, a fourth mechanism has been proposed in that dysfunction of mechanosensing in the aortic wall in response to hemodynamic stress may be a key driver of TAAs. Interestingly, the elastin-contractile unit, which is an anatomical and functional unit connecting extracellular elastic laminae to the intracellular SMC contractile filaments, via cell surface receptors, has been shown to play a critical role in the mechanosensing of SMCs, and many genes identified in TAAs encode for proteins along this continuum. However, it is still debated whether these four pathways converge into a common pathway. Currently, an effective therapeutic strategy based on the underlying mechanism of each type of TAAs has not been established. In this review, we will update the present knowledge on the molecular mechanism of TAAs with a focus on the signaling pathways potentially involved in the initiation of TAAs. Finally, we will evaluate current therapeutic strategies for TAAs and propose new directions for future treatment of TAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshito Yamashiro
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba
| | - Hiromi Yanagisawa
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba
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Chen J, Peters A, Papke CL, Villamizar C, Ringuette LJ, Cao J, Wang S, Ma S, Gong L, Byanova KL, Xiong J, Zhu MX, Madonna R, Kee P, Geng YJ, Brasier AR, Davis EC, Prakash S, Kwartler CS, Milewicz DM. Loss of Smooth Muscle α-Actin Leads to NF-κB-Dependent Increased Sensitivity to Angiotensin II in Smooth Muscle Cells and Aortic Enlargement. Circ Res 2017; 120:1903-1915. [PMID: 28461455 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.117.310563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Mutations in ACTA2, encoding the smooth muscle isoform of α-actin, cause thoracic aortic aneurysms, acute aortic dissections, and occlusive vascular diseases. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify the mechanism by which loss of smooth muscle α-actin causes aortic disease. METHODS AND RESULTS Acta2-/- mice have an increased number of elastic lamellae in the ascending aorta and progressive aortic root dilation as assessed by echocardiography that can be attenuated by treatment with losartan, an angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor blocker. AngII levels are not increased in Acta2-/- aortas or kidneys. Aortic tissue and explanted smooth muscle cells from Acta2-/- aortas show increased production of reactive oxygen species and increased basal nuclear factor κB signaling, leading to an increase in the expression of the AngII receptor type I a and activation of signaling at 100-fold lower levels of AngII in the mutant compared with wild-type cells. Furthermore, disruption of smooth muscle α-actin filaments in wild-type smooth muscle cells by various mechanisms activates nuclear factor κB signaling and increases expression of AngII receptor type I a. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal that disruption of smooth muscle α-actin filaments in smooth muscle cells increases reactive oxygen species levels, activates nuclear factor κB signaling, and increases AngII receptor type I a expression, thus potentiating AngII signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells without an increase in the exogenous levels of AngII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Chen
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Andrew Peters
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Christina L Papke
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Carlos Villamizar
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Lea-Jeanne Ringuette
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Jiumei Cao
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Shanzhi Wang
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Shuangtao Ma
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Limin Gong
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Katerina L Byanova
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Jian Xiong
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Michael X Zhu
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Patrick Kee
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Yong-Jian Geng
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Allan R Brasier
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Elaine C Davis
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Siddharth Prakash
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Callie S Kwartler
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.)
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (J.C., A.P., C.L.P., C.V., J.C., S.W., S.M., L.G., K.L.B., R.M., P.K., Y.-J.G., S.P., C.S.K., D.M.M.) and Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (J.X., M.X.Z.), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Anatomy and Cell Biology, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational Sciences, and Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (A.R.B.).
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Halim D, Wilson MP, Oliver D, Brosens E, Verheij JB, Han Y, Nanda V, Lyu Q, Doukas M, Stoop H, Brouwer RW, van IJcken WF, Slivano OJ, Burns AJ, Christie CK, de Mesy Bentley KL, Brooks AS, Tibboel D, Xu S, Jin ZG, Djuwantono T, Yan W, Alves MM, Hofstra RM, Miano JM. Loss of LMOD1 impairs smooth muscle cytocontractility and causes megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome in humans and mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E2739-47. [PMID: 28292896 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1620507114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a congenital visceral myopathy characterized by severe dilation of the urinary bladder and defective intestinal motility. The genetic basis of MMIHS has been ascribed to spontaneous and autosomal dominant mutations in actin gamma 2 (ACTG2), a smooth muscle contractile gene. However, evidence suggesting a recessive origin of the disease also exists. Using combined homozygosity mapping and whole exome sequencing, a genetically isolated family was found to carry a premature termination codon in Leiomodin1 (LMOD1), a gene preferentially expressed in vascular and visceral smooth muscle cells. Parents heterozygous for the mutation exhibited no abnormalities, but a child homozygous for the premature termination codon displayed symptoms consistent with MMIHS. We used CRISPR-Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein) genome editing of Lmod1 to generate a similar premature termination codon. Mice homozygous for the mutation showed loss of LMOD1 protein and pathology consistent with MMIHS, including late gestation expansion of the bladder, hydronephrosis, and rapid demise after parturition. Loss of LMOD1 resulted in a reduction of filamentous actin, elongated cytoskeletal dense bodies, and impaired intestinal smooth muscle contractility. These results define LMOD1 as a disease gene for MMIHS and suggest its role in establishing normal smooth muscle cytoskeletal-contractile coupling.
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Moradi M, Sivadasan R, Saal L, Lüningschrör P, Dombert B, Rathod RJ, Dieterich DC, Blum R, Sendtner M. Differential roles of α-, β-, and γ-actin in axon growth and collateral branch formation in motoneurons. J Cell Biol 2017; 216:793-814. [PMID: 28246119 PMCID: PMC5346967 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201604117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [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: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
α-, β-, and γ-actin differentially regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and stability in axons of motoneurons. Locally translated α-actin contributes to stable actin filaments in axonal branches, whereas β- and γ-actin give rise to highly dynamic filaments that modulate growth cone dynamics. Axonal branching and terminal arborization are fundamental events during the establishment of synaptic connectivity. They are triggered by assembly of actin filaments along axon shafts giving rise to filopodia. The specific contribution of the three actin isoforms, Actα, Actβ, and Actγ, to filopodia stability and dynamics during this process is not well understood. Here, we report that Actα, Actβ, and Actγ isoforms are expressed in primary mouse motoneurons and their transcripts are translocated into axons. shRNA-mediated depletion of Actα reduces axonal filopodia dynamics and disturbs collateral branch formation. Knockdown of Actβ reduces dynamic movements of growth cone filopodia and impairs presynaptic differentiation. Ablation of Actβ or Actγ leads to compensatory up-regulation of the two other isoforms, which allows maintenance of total actin levels and preserves F-actin polymerization. Collectively, our data provide evidence for specific roles of different actin isoforms in spatial regulation of actin dynamics and stability in axons of developing motoneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehri Moradi
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, University of Wuerzburg, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Rajeeve Sivadasan
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, University of Wuerzburg, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Lena Saal
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, University of Wuerzburg, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Lüningschrör
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, University of Wuerzburg, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Dombert
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, University of Wuerzburg, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Reena Jagdish Rathod
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, University of Wuerzburg, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Daniela C Dieterich
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Medical Faculty, University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Robert Blum
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, University of Wuerzburg, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, University of Wuerzburg, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
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Brownstein AJ, Ziganshin BA, Kuivaniemi H, Body SC, Bale AE, Elefteriades JA. Genes Associated with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: An Update and Clinical Implications. Aorta (Stamford) 2017; 5:11-20. [PMID: 28868310 DOI: 10.12945/j.aorta.2017.17.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a lethal disease, with a natural history of enlarging progressively until dissection or rupture occurs. Since the discovery almost 20 years ago that ascending TAAs are highly familial, our understanding of the genetics of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) has increased exponentially. At least 29 genes have been shown to be associated with the development of TAAD, the majority of which encode proteins involved in the extracellular matrix, smooth muscle cell contraction or metabolism, or the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway. Almost one-quarter of TAAD patients have a mutation in one of these genes. In this review, we provide a summary of TAAD-associated genes, associated clinical features of the vasculature, and implications for surgical treatment of TAAD. With the widespread use of next-generation sequencing and development of novel functional assays, the future of the genetics of TAAD is bright, as both novel TAAD genes and variants within the genes will continue to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Brownstein
- Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Bulat A Ziganshin
- Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Helena Kuivaniemi
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Simon C Body
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Allen E Bale
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - John A Elefteriades
- Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Abstract
α-smooth muscle actin, encoded by ACTA2 gene, is an isoform of the
vascular smooth muscle actins, typically expressed in the vascular smooth muscle
cells contributing to vascular motility and contraction. ACTA2 gene mutations
cause a diversity of diffuse vasculopathies such as thoracic aortic aneurysms
and dissections as well as occlusive vascular diseases, including premature
coronary artery disease and ischemic stroke. Dynamics of
differentiation-specific α-smooth muscle actin in arterial smooth muscle
cells and proliferation of the proteins have been well described. Although a
variety of research works have been undertaken in terms of modifications of
α-smooth muscle actin and mutations of ACTA2 gene and myosin, the
underlying mechanisms towards the pathological processes by way of gene
mutations are yet to be clarified. The purpose of the present article is to
describe the phenotypes of α-smooth muscle actin and implications of
ACTA2 mutations in vasculopathies in order to enhance the understanding of
potential mechanisms of aortic and coronary disorders.
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