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Atrian F, Ramirez P, De Mange J, Marquez M, Gonzalez EM, Minaya M, Karch CM, Frost B. m6A-dependent circular RNA formation mediates tau-induced neurotoxicity. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.25.577211. [PMID: 38328044 PMCID: PMC10849734 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.25.577211] [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] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), covalently closed RNA molecules that form due to back-splicing of RNA transcripts, have recently been implicated in Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. circRNAs are regulated by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation, can serve as "sponges" for proteins and RNAs, and can be translated into protein via a cap-independent mechanism. Mechanisms underlying circRNA dysregulation in tauopathies and causal relationships between circRNA and neurodegeneration are currently unknown. In the current study, we aimed to determine whether pathogenic forms of tau drive circRNA dysregulation and whether such dysregulation causally mediates neurodegeneration. We identify circRNAs that are differentially expressed in the brain of a Drosophila model of tauopathy and in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons carrying a tau mutation associated with autosomal dominant tauopathy. We leverage Drosophila to discover that depletion of circular forms of muscleblind (circMbl), a circRNA that is particularly abundant in brains of tau transgenic Drosophila, significantly suppresses tau neurotoxicity, suggesting that tau-induced circMbl elevation is neurotoxic. We detect a general elevation of m6A RNA methylation and circRNA methylation in tau transgenic Drosophila and find that tau-induced m6A methylation is a mechanistic driver of circMbl formation. Interestingly, we find that circRNA and m6A RNA accumulate within nuclear envelope invaginations of tau transgenic Drosophila and in iPSC-derived cerebral organoid models of tauopathy. Taken together, our studies add critical new insight into the mechanisms underlying circRNA dysregulation in tauopathy and identify m6A-modified circRNA as a causal factor contributing to neurodegeneration. These findings add to a growing literature implicating pathogenic forms of tau as drivers of altered RNA metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Atrian
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Paulino Ramirez
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Jasmine De Mange
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Marissa Marquez
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Elias M. Gonzalez
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Miguel Minaya
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, St Louis, MO
| | | | - Bess Frost
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
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Atrian F, Ramirez P, Frost B. Investigating circular RNA-mediated neurotoxicity in tauopathies. Alzheimers Dement 2022. [PMID: 34971157 DOI: 10.1002/alz.058483] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNAs (circRNA) are a subclass of non-coding RNAs with a covalently closed loop structure that are formed via non-canonical splicing1 . CircRNAs are specifically enriched in the brain among different species and further accumulate in the brain as a function of physiological aging2 . CircRNA biogenesis is regulated by N6-methyladenosine (m6 A), a post transcriptional RNA modification3 . Elevated levels of circRNAs and abnormal m6 A modification significantly correlate with clinical diagnosis and development of Alzheimer's disease, respectively4, 5 . Alzheimer's disease and related "tauopathies" are pathologically defined by various forms of tau aggregates in the brains of affected individuals. We have previously reported that tau-induced dysfunction of lamin, a nuclear scaffold protein, causes nuclear polymorphisms including invaginations and blebs 6, 7 . We have also found that polyadenylated RNA accumulates within nuclear invaginations in the context of tauopathy and that genetic and pharmacologic reduction of RNA export reduce RNA accumulation within invaginations and suppresses tau neurotoxicity8 . While dysfunction of the nuclear envelope and consequent aberrant RNA export mediate tau-induced neurotoxicity, the identity of RNAs that accumulate within nuclear blebs, the role of m6 A in circRNA accumulation, and their relationship with aging and tauopathy are currently unknown. Based on the association between nuclear polymorphism and RNA export, alongside the global enrichment of circRNAs and disrupted RNA methylation in Alzheimer's disease brains, I hypothesize that m6 A-dependent accumulation of circRNAs in tauopathies sequester complementary RNAs and RNA binding proteins into large inclusions that trigger RNA export via nuclear blebbing. METHODS RNA-seq, digital PCR, TUNEL, electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. RESULTS I find that circRNAs accumulate in brains of a Drosophila model of tauopathy and that RNAi-mediated reduction of mbl, which is particularly enriched in its circular form in the brain, significantly suppresses tau-induced neurotoxicity. RNAi-mediated reduction of an m6 A writer and reader significantly reduces circMbl biogenesis and neuronal death in tau transgenic Drosophila. I find that circMbl lines the nuclear blebs that contain large inclusions in brains of tau transgenic Drosophila. CONCLUSIONS Tau-induced accumulation of circRNA is mediated by aberrant m6 A modification. Presence of circMbl-lined nuclear buds suggests a potential role of nuclear blebs in circRNA nuclear export.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Atrian
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Paulino Ramirez
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Bess Frost
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Dehkordi SK, Walker J, Sah E, Bennett E, Atrian F, Frost B, Woost B, Bennett RE, Orr TC, Zhou Y, Andhey PS, Colonna M, Sudmant PH, Xu P, Wang M, Zhang B, Zare H, Orr ME. Profiling senescent cells in human brains reveals neurons with CDKN2D/p19 and tau neuropathology. Nat Aging 2021; 1:1107-1116. [PMID: 35531351 PMCID: PMC9075501 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-021-00142-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Senescent cells contribute to pathology and dysfunction in animal models1. Their sparse distribution and heterogenous phenotype have presented challenges for detecting them in human tissues. We developed a senescence eigengene approach to identify these rare cells within large, diverse populations of postmortem human brain cells. Eigengenes are useful when no single gene reliably captures a phenotype, like senescence; they also help to reduce noise, which is important in large transcriptomic datasets where subtle signals from low-expressing genes can be lost. Each of our eigengenes detected ~2% senescent cells from a population of ~140,000 single nuclei derived from 76 postmortem human brains with various levels of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. More than 97% of the senescent cells were excitatory neurons and overlapped with tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2D (CDKN2D/p19) was predicted as the most significant contributor to the primary senescence eigengene. RNAscope and immunofluorescence confirmed its elevated expression in AD brain tissue whereby p19-expressing neurons had 1.8-fold larger nuclei and significantly more cells with lipofuscin than p19-negative neurons. These hallmark senescence phenotypes were further elevated in the presence of NFTs. Collectively, CDKN2D/p19-expressing neurons with NFTs represent a unique cellular population in human AD with a senescence phenotype. The eigengenes developed may be useful in future senescence profiling studies as they accurately identified senescent cells in snRNASeq datasets and predicted biomarkers for histological investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Kazempour Dehkordi
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases, 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jamie Walker
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases, 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Eric Sah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Emma Bennett
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Farzaneh Atrian
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Bess Frost
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases, 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Benjamin Woost
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Rachel E. Bennett
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Timothy C. Orr
- Department of Healthcare Innovations, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Yingyue Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Prabhakar S. Andhey
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Peter H. Sudmant
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Habil Zare
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases, 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Miranda E. Orr
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Salisbury VA Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA
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Chhetri A, Chittiboyina S, Atrian F, Bai Y, Delisi DA, Rahimi R, Garner J, Efremov Y, Park K, Talhouk R, Lelièvre SA. Cell Culture and Coculture for Oncological Research in Appropriate Microenvironments. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 11:e65. [PMID: 31166658 DOI: 10.1002/cpch.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
With the increase in knowledge on the importance of the tumor microenvironment, cell culture models of cancers can be adapted to better recapitulate physiologically relevant situations. Three main microenvironmental factors influence tumor phenotype: the biochemical components that stimulate cells, the fibrous molecules that influence the stiffness of the extracellular matrix, and noncancerous cells like epithelial cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Here we present methods for the culture of carcinomas in the presence of a matrix of specific stiffness, and for the coculture of tumors and fibroblasts as well as epithelial cells in the presence of matrix. Information is provided to help with choice and assessment of the matrix support and in working with serum-free medium. Using the example of a tissue chip recapitulating the environmental geometry of carcinomas, we also highlight the development of engineered platforms that provide exquisite control of cell culture parameters necessary in research and development. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apekshya Chhetri
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Shirisha Chittiboyina
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana.,3D Cell Culture Core (3D3C) Facility, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Farzaneh Atrian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Yunfeng Bai
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Davide A Delisi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Rahim Rahimi
- Department of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.,Birck Nanotechnology Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | | | - Yuri Efremov
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.,School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Kinam Park
- Akina, Inc., West Lafayette, Indiana.,Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.,Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Rabih Talhouk
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sophie A Lelièvre
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana.,3D Cell Culture Core (3D3C) Facility, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.,Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
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Chittiboyina S, Rahimi R, Atrian F, Ochoa M, Ziaie B, Lelièvre SA. Gradient-on-a-Chip with Reactive Oxygen Species Reveals Thresholds in the Nucleus Response of Cancer Cells Depending on the Matrix Environment. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 4:432-445. [PMID: 33418734 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.7b00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress-mediated cancer progression depends on exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the extracellular matrix (ECM). To study the impact of ROS levels on preinvasive breast cancer cells as a function of ECM characteristics, we created a gradient-on-a-chip in which H2O2 progressively mixes with the cell culture medium within connected microchannels and diffuses upward into the ECM of the open cell culture window. The device utilizes a paper-based microfluidic bifurcating mixer insert to prevent leakage and favor an even fluid distribution. The gradient was confirmed by measuring H2O2 catalyzed into oxygen, and increasing oxidative DNA damage and protective (AOP2) response were recorded in 2D and ECM-based 3D cell cultures. Interestingly, the impact of ROS on nuclear shape and size (annunciating phenotypical changes) was governed by the stiffness of the collagen I matrix, suggesting the existence of thresholds for the phenotypic response to microenvironmental chemical exposure depending on ECM conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirisha Chittiboyina
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, 625 Harrison Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Rahim Rahimi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 465 Northwestern Avenue, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.,Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, 1205 W State Street, Purdue Discovery Park, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Farzaneh Atrian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, 625 Harrison Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Manuel Ochoa
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 465 Northwestern Avenue, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.,Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, 1205 W State Street, Purdue Discovery Park, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Babak Ziaie
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 465 Northwestern Avenue, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.,Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, 1205 W State Street, Purdue Discovery Park, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 201 South University Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Sophie A Lelièvre
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, 625 Harrison Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.,Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, 1205 W State Street, Purdue Discovery Park, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 201 South University Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Abstract
The epigenetic nature of cancer encourages the development of inhibitors of epigenetic pathways. Yet, the clinical use for solid tumors of approved epigenetic drugs is meager. We argue that this situation might improve upon understanding the coinfluence between epigenetic pathways and tissue architecture. We present emerging information on the epigenetic control of the polarity axis, a central feature of epithelial architecture created by the orderly distribution of multiprotein complexes at cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix contacts and altered upon cancer onset (with apical polarity loss), invasive progression (with basolateral polarity loss) and metastatic development (with basoapical polarity imbalance). This information combined with the impact of polarity-related proteins on epigenetic mechanisms of cancer enables us to envision how to guide the choice of drugs specific for distinct epigenetic modifiers, in order to halt cancer development and counter the consequences of polarity alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Atrian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, Lynn Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Sophie A Lelièvre
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, Lynn Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
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