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Hu R, Chen X, Su Q, Wang Z, Wang X, Gong M, Xu M, Le R, Gao Y, Dai P, Zhang ZN, Shao L, Li W. ISR inhibition reverses pancreatic β-cell failure in Wolfram syndrome models. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:322-334. [PMID: 38321214 PMCID: PMC10923889 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-024-01258-w] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic β-cell failure by WFS1 deficiency is manifested in individuals with wolfram syndrome (WS). The lack of a suitable human model in WS has impeded progress in the development of new treatments. Here, human pluripotent stem cell derived pancreatic islets (SC-islets) harboring WFS1 deficiency and mouse model of β cell specific Wfs1 knockout were applied to model β-cell failure in WS. We charted a high-resolution roadmap with single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) to investigate pathogenesis for WS β-cell failure, revealing two distinct cellular fates along pseudotime trajectory: maturation and stress branches. WFS1 deficiency disrupted β-cell fate trajectory toward maturation and directed it towards stress trajectory, ultimately leading to β-cell failure. Notably, further investigation of the stress trajectory identified activated integrated stress response (ISR) as a crucial mechanism underlying WS β-cell failure, characterized by aberrant eIF2 signaling in WFS1-deficient SC-islets, along with elevated expression of genes in regulating stress granule formation. Significantly, we demonstrated that ISRIB, an ISR inhibitor, efficiently reversed β-cell failure in WFS1-deficient SC-islets. We further validated therapeutic efficacy in vivo with β-cell specific Wfs1 knockout mice. Altogether, our study provides novel insights into WS pathogenesis and offers a strategy targeting ISR to treat WS diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hu
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiangyi Chen
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Qiang Su
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zhaoyue Wang
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xushu Wang
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Mengting Gong
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Minglu Xu
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Rongrong Le
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yawei Gao
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Peng Dai
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zhen-Ning Zhang
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Li Shao
- Department of VIP Clinic, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 1800 Yuntai Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, 200123, China.
| | - Weida Li
- Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Reg-Verse Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Shanghai, 200120, China.
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Morikawa S, Tanabe K, Kaneko N, Hishimura N, Nakamura A. Comprehensive overview of disease models for Wolfram syndrome: toward effective treatments. Mamm Genome 2024; 35:1-12. [PMID: 38351344 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-023-10028-x] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Wolfram syndrome (OMIM 222300) is a rare autosomal recessive disease with a devastating array of symptoms, including diabetes mellitus, optic nerve atrophy, diabetes insipidus, hearing loss, and neurological dysfunction. The discovery of the causative gene, WFS1, has propelled research on this disease. However, a comprehensive understanding of the function of WFS1 remains unknown, making the development of effective treatment a pressing challenge. To bridge these knowledge gaps, disease models for Wolfram syndrome are indispensable, and understanding the characteristics of each model is critical. This review will provide a summary of the current knowledge regarding WFS1 function and offer a comprehensive overview of established disease models for Wolfram syndrome, covering animal models such as mice, rats, flies, and zebrafish, along with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human cellular models. These models replicate key aspects of Wolfram syndrome, contributing to a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis and providing a platform for discovering potential therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuntaro Morikawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, North 14, West 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Katsuya Tanabe
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Haematological Science and Therapeutics, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
| | - Naoya Kaneko
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, North 14, West 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Nozomi Hishimura
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, North 14, West 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Akie Nakamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, North 14, West 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
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Schmidt MD, Ishahak M, Augsornworawat P, Millman JR. Comparative and integrative single cell analysis reveals new insights into the transcriptional immaturity of stem cell-derived β cells. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:105. [PMID: 38267908 PMCID: PMC10807170 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10013-x] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes cell replacement therapy has the potential to be transformed by human pluripotent stem cell-derived β cells (SC-β cells). However, the precise identity of SC-β cells in relationship to primary fetal and adult β-cells remains unclear. Here, we used single-cell sequencing datasets to characterize the transcriptional identity of islets from in vitro differentiation, fetal islets, and adult islets. Our analysis revealed that SC-β cells share a core β-cell transcriptional identity with human adult and fetal β-cells, however SC-β cells possess a unique transcriptional profile characterized by the persistent expression and activation of progenitor and neural-biased gene networks. These networks are present in SC-β cells, irrespective of the derivation protocol used. Notably, fetal β-cells also exhibit this neural signature at the transcriptional level. Our findings offer insights into the transcriptional identity of SC-β cells and underscore the need for further investigation of the role of neural transcriptional networks in their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason D Schmidt
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Matthew Ishahak
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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Jagomäe T, Gaur N, Seppa K, Reimets R, Pastak M, Plaas M, Kaasik A, Vasar E, Plaas M. Treatment with the dual-incretin agonist DA-CH5 demonstrates potent therapeutic effect in a rat model of Wolfram Syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1234925. [PMID: 37900147 PMCID: PMC10611518 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1234925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Wolfram Syndrome (WS) is a rare condition caused by mutations in Wfs1, with a poor prognosis and no cure. Mono-agonists targeting the incretin glucagon-like-peptide 1 (GLP-1) have demonstrated disease-modifying potential in pre-clinical and clinical settings. Dual agonists that target GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP-1) are reportedly more efficacious; hence, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of dual incretin agonism in a loss-of-function rat model of WS. Methods Eight-month-old Wfs1 knock-out (KO) and wild-type control rats were continuously treated with either the dual agonist DA-CH5 or saline for four months. Glycemic profile, visual acuity and hearing sensitivity were longitudinally monitored pre-treatment, and then at 10.5 and 12 months. Pancreata and retina were harvested for immunohistological analysis. Results DA-CH5 therapy reversed glucose intolerance in KO rats and provided lasting anti-diabetogenic protection. Treatment also reversed intra-islet alterations, including reduced endocrine islet area and β-cell density, indicating its regenerative potential. Although no rescue effect was noted for hearing loss, visual acuity and retinal ganglion cell density were better preserved in DA-CH5-treated rats. Conclusion We present preclinical evidence for the pleiotropic therapeutic effects of long-term dual incretin agonist treatment; effects were seen despite treatment beginning after symptom-onset, indicating reversal of disease progression. Dual incretins represent a promising therapeutic avenue for WS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toomas Jagomäe
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nayana Gaur
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kadri Seppa
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Riin Reimets
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Marko Pastak
- Eye Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mihkel Plaas
- Ear Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Allen Kaasik
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Eero Vasar
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mario Plaas
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Samadli S, Zhou Q, Zheng B, Gu W, Zhang A. From glucose sensing to exocytosis: takes from maturity onset diabetes of the young. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1188301. [PMID: 37255971 PMCID: PMC10226665 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1188301] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Monogenic diabetes gave us simplified models of complex molecular processes occurring within β-cells, which allowed to explore the roles of numerous proteins from single protein perspective. Constellation of characteristic phenotypic features and wide application of genetic sequencing techniques to clinical practice, made the major form of monogenic diabetes - the Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young to be distinguishable from type 1, type 2 as well as neonatal diabetes mellitus and understanding underlying molecular events for each type of MODY contributed to the advancements of antidiabetic therapy and stem cell research tremendously. The functional analysis of MODY-causing proteins in diabetes development, not only provided better care for patients suffering from diabetes, but also enriched our comprehension regarding the universal cellular processes including transcriptional and translational regulation, behavior of ion channels and transporters, cargo trafficking, exocytosis. In this review, we will overview structure and function of MODY-causing proteins, alterations in a particular protein arising from the deleterious mutations to the corresponding gene and their consequences, and translation of this knowledge into new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sama Samadli
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Pediatric Diseases II, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Qiaoli Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bixia Zheng
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Gu
- Department of Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Punapart M, Reimets R, Seppa K, Kirillov S, Gaur N, Eskla KL, Jagomäe T, Vasar E, Plaas M. Chronic Stress Alters Hippocampal Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Component Expression in an Aged Rat Model of Wolfram Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040827. [PMID: 37107585 PMCID: PMC10137641 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040827] [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] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biallelic mutations in the gene encoding WFS1 underlie the development of Wolfram syndrome (WS), a rare neurodegenerative disorder with no available cure. We have previously shown that Wfs1 deficiency can impair the functioning of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The expression of two key receptors, angiotensin II receptor type 2 (Agtr2) and bradykinin receptor B1 (Bdkrb1), was downregulated both in vitro and in vivo across multiple organs in a rat model of WS. Here, we show that the expression of key RAAS components is also dysregulated in neural tissue from aged WS rats and that these alterations are not normalized by pharmacological treatments (liraglutide (LIR), 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) or their combination). We found that the expression of angiotensin II receptor type 1a (Agtr1a), angiotensin II receptor type 1b (Agtr1b), Agtr2 and Bdkrb1 was significantly downregulated in the hippocampus of WS animals that experienced chronic experimental stress. Treatment-naïve WS rats displayed different gene expression patterns, underscoring the effect of prolonged experiment-induced stress. Altogether, we posit that Wfs1 deficiency disturbs RAAS functioning under chronic stressful conditions, thereby exacerbating neurodegeneration in WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marite Punapart
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 14B Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Riin Reimets
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 14B Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kadri Seppa
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 14B Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Silvia Kirillov
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 14B Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nayana Gaur
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 14B Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kattri-Liis Eskla
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Toomas Jagomäe
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 14B Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Eero Vasar
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mario Plaas
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 14B Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Correspondence:
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Morikawa S, Urano F. The Role of ER Stress in Diabetes: Exploring Pathological Mechanisms Using Wolfram Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24. [PMID: 36613674 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a cytosolic organelle that plays an essential role in the folding and processing of new secretory proteins, including insulin. The pathogenesis of diabetes, a group of metabolic disorders caused by dysfunctional insulin secretion (Type 1 diabetes, T1DM) or insulin sensitivity (Type 2 diabetes, T2DM), is known to involve the excess accumulation of "poorly folded proteins", namely, the induction of pathogenic ER stress in pancreatic β-cells. ER stress is known to contribute to the dysfunction of the insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells. T1DM and T2DM are multifactorial diseases, especially T2DM; both environmental and genetic factors are involved in their pathogenesis, making it difficult to create experimental disease models. In recent years, however, the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and other regenerative technologies has greatly expanded research capabilities, leading to the development of new candidate therapies. In this review, we will discuss the mechanism by which dysregulated ER stress responses contribute to T2DM pathogenesis. Moreover, we describe new treatment methods targeting protein folding and ER stress pathways with a particular focus on pivotal studies of Wolfram syndrome, a monogenic form of syndromic diabetes caused by pathogenic variants in the WFS1 gene, which also leads to ER dysfunction.
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