1
|
Nakayama J, Tan L, Li Y, Goh BC, Wang S, Makinoshima H, Gong Z. A zebrafish embryo screen utilizing gastrulation identifies the HTR2C inhibitor pizotifen as a suppressor of EMT-mediated metastasis. eLife 2021; 10:e70151. [PMID: 34919051 PMCID: PMC8824480 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70151] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is responsible for approximately 90% of cancer-associated mortality but few models exist that allow for rapid and effective screening of anti-metastasis drugs. Current mouse models of metastasis are too expensive and time consuming to use for rapid and high-throughput screening. Therefore, we created a unique screening concept utilizing conserved mechanisms between zebrafish gastrulation and cancer metastasis for identification of potential anti-metastatic drugs. We hypothesized that small chemicals that interrupt zebrafish gastrulation might also suppress metastatic progression of cancer cells and developed a phenotype-based chemical screen to test the hypothesis. The screen used epiboly, the first morphogenetic movement in gastrulation, as a marker and enabled 100 chemicals to be tested in 5 hr. The screen tested 1280 FDA-approved drugs and identified pizotifen, an antagonist for serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C) as an epiboly-interrupting drug. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of HTR2C suppressed metastatic progression in a mouse model. Blocking HTR2C with pizotifen restored epithelial properties to metastatic cells through inhibition of Wnt signaling. In contrast, HTR2C induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through activation of Wnt signaling and promoted metastatic dissemination of human cancer cells in a zebrafish xenotransplantation model. Taken together, our concept offers a novel platform for discovery of anti-metastasis drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joji Nakayama
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Shonai Regional Industry Promotion CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Lora Tan
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Boon Cher Goh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Shu Wang
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Institute of Bioengineering and NanotechnologySingaporeSingapore
| | - Hideki Makinoshima
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Division of Translational Research, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer CenterKashiwaJapan
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tewary M, Dziedzicka D, Ostblom J, Prochazka L, Shakiba N, Heydari T, Aguilar-Hidalgo D, Woodford C, Piccinini E, Becerra-Alonso D, Vickers A, Louis B, Rahman N, Danovi D, Geens M, Watt FM, Zandstra PW. High-throughput micropatterning platform reveals Nodal-dependent bisection of peri-gastrulation-associated versus preneurulation-associated fate patterning. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000081. [PMID: 31634368 PMCID: PMC6822778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro models of postimplantation human development are valuable to the fields of regenerative medicine and developmental biology. Here, we report characterization of a robust in vitro platform that enabled high-content screening of multiple human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) lines for their ability to undergo peri-gastrulation–like fate patterning upon bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) treatment of geometrically confined colonies and observed significant heterogeneity in their differentiation propensities along a gastrulation associable and neuralization associable axis. This cell line–associated heterogeneity was found to be attributable to endogenous Nodal expression, with up-regulation of Nodal correlated with expression of a gastrulation-associated gene profile, and Nodal down-regulation correlated with a preneurulation-associated gene profile expression. We harness this knowledge to establish a platform of preneurulation-like fate patterning in geometrically confined hPSC colonies in which fates arise because of a BMPs signalling gradient conveying positional information. Our work identifies a Nodal signalling-dependent switch in peri-gastrulation versus preneurulation-associated fate patterning in hPSC cells, provides a technology to robustly assay hPSC differentiation outcomes, and suggests conserved mechanisms of organized fate specification in differentiating epiblast and ectodermal tissues. This study describes a method to generate a robust high-throughput micropatterning platform, and uses it to reveal the role played by Nodal signalling in the self-organization of BMP signalling and the consequent fates that arise in micropatterned human embryonic stem cell colonies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mukul Tewary
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dominika Dziedzicka
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joel Ostblom
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Laura Prochazka
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nika Shakiba
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tiam Heydari
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daniel Aguilar-Hidalgo
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Curtis Woodford
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elia Piccinini
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Becerra-Alonso
- Department of Quantitative Methods, Universidad Loyola Andalucia, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Alice Vickers
- Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Blaise Louis
- Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nafees Rahman
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Davide Danovi
- Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mieke Geens
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fiona M. Watt
- Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter W. Zandstra
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chhabra S, Liu L, Goh R, Kong X, Warmflash A. Dissecting the dynamics of signaling events in the BMP, WNT, and NODAL cascade during self-organized fate patterning in human gastruloids. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000498. [PMID: 31613879 PMCID: PMC6814242 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During gastrulation, the pluripotent epiblast self-organizes into the 3 germ layers-endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm, which eventually form the entire embryo. Decades of research in the mouse embryo have revealed that a signaling cascade involving the Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP), WNT, and NODAL pathways is necessary for gastrulation. In vivo, WNT and NODAL ligands are expressed near the site of gastrulation in the posterior of the embryo, and knockout of these ligands leads to a failure to gastrulate. These data have led to the prevailing view that a signaling gradient in WNT and NODAL underlies patterning during gastrulation; however, the activities of these pathways in space and time have never been directly observed. In this study, we quantify BMP, WNT, and NODAL signaling dynamics in an in vitro model of human gastrulation. Our data suggest that BMP signaling initiates waves of WNT and NODAL signaling activity that move toward the colony center at a constant rate. Using a simple mathematical model, we show that this wave-like behavior is inconsistent with a reaction-diffusion-based Turing system, indicating that there is no stable signaling gradient of WNT/NODAL. Instead, the final signaling state is homogeneous, and spatial differences arise only from boundary effects. We further show that the durations of WNT and NODAL signaling control mesoderm differentiation, while the duration of BMP signaling controls differentiation of CDX2-positive extra-embryonic cells. The identity of these extra-embryonic cells has been controversial, and we use RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to obtain their transcriptomes and show that they closely resemble human trophoblast cells in vivo. The domain of BMP signaling is identical to the domain of differentiation of these trophoblast-like cells; however, neither WNT nor NODAL forms a spatial pattern that maps directly to the mesodermal region, suggesting that mesoderm differentiation is controlled dynamically by the combinatorial effect of multiple signals. We synthesize our data into a mathematical model that accurately recapitulates signaling dynamics and predicts cell fate patterning upon chemical and physical perturbations. Taken together, our study shows that the dynamics of signaling events in the BMP, WNT, and NODAL cascade in the absence of a stable signaling gradient control fate patterning of human gastruloids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sapna Chhabra
- Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lizhong Liu
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ryan Goh
- Department of Mathematics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Xiangyu Kong
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Aryeh Warmflash
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chu CY, Fung KP, Wang CC. Effects of low-dose melamine exposure during pregnancy on maternal and fetal kidneys in rats. Environ Toxicol 2018; 33:370-380. [PMID: 29265596 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 08/06/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the previous reports on melamine contamination in high concentrations some years ago, there were not many studies on low-level exposure in daily life, particularly in pregnancy. We investigated the effect of low-dose melamine on the kidneys of the pregnant rats and their developing embryos/fetuses during various gestational stages namely implantation, gastrulation, organogenesis, maturation and whole pregnancy. Our results showed that the repeated low level of melamine (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg bw/d) during pregnancy did not cause obstruction of renal tubules although more precipitating crystals were found in the early gestational periods. Simple hyperplasia in the maternal tubules and pelvic epithelium were more prominent after exposed to melamine during the whole gestational period. Neonatal kidneys significantly suffered more from congestion in glomeruli and interstitium, dilated tubules and interstitial edema after melamine administration to the mother in the late and the whole gestational periods. A trend of advance of glomerular development in fetuses was also observed. We conclude that in utero exposure of low-level melamine could post a risk on the kidneys of the pregnant mother as well as the developing fetuses, which may further increase the possibility of other health problems later in life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ching Yan Chu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kwok Pui Fung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hayashi K, Yamamoto TS, Ueno N. Intracellular calcium signal at the leading edge regulates mesodermal sheet migration during Xenopus gastrulation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2433. [PMID: 29402947 PMCID: PMC5799360 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20747-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During the gastrulation stage in animal embryogenesis, the cells leading the axial mesoderm migrate toward the anterior side of the embryo, vigorously extending cell protrusions such as lamellipodia. It is thought that the leading cells sense gradients of chemoattractants emanating from the ectodermal cells and translate them to initiate and maintain the cell movements necessary for gastrulation. However, it is unclear how the extracellular information is converted to the intracellular chemical reactions that lead to motion. Here we demonstrated that intracellular Ca2+ levels in the protrusion-forming leading cells are markedly higher than those of the following cells and the axial mesoderm cells. We also showed that inhibiting the intracellular Ca2+ significantly retarded the gastrulation cell movements, while increasing the intracellular Ca2+ with an ionophore enhanced the migration. We further found that the ionophore treatment increased the active form of the small GTPase Rac1 in these cells. Our results suggest that transient intracellular Ca2+ signals play an essential role in the active cell migration during gastrulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Hayashi
- Department of Developmental Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, The Graduate University of Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan
| | - Takamasa S Yamamoto
- Department of Developmental Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan
| | - Naoto Ueno
- Department of Developmental Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, The Graduate University of Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chu CY, Tang LY, Li L, Shum ASW, Fung KP, Wang CC. Adverse reproductive effects of maternal low-dose melamine exposure during pregnancy in rats. Environ Toxicol 2017; 32:131-138. [PMID: 26589250 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 07/19/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Melamine is a heterocyclic, aromatic amine and nitrogen-enriched environmental toxicant, found in not only adulterated foodstuffs but also industrial household tableware and paints. Previous studies demonstrated adverse effects of high-dose melamine on human infants and pregnant animals, but effects of low-dose melamine on pregnancy have not been reported. In this study, reproductive effects of low-dose melamine were investigated in pregnant rats. Melamine in the range of 12.5-50 mg/kg was administered to pregnant rats at different gestational stages. Maternal weight gain was not significantly affected, and other maternal morbidity was not observed. Low-dose melamine exposure during pregnancy increased fetal size but reduced somite number in gastrulation (GD8.5-GD10.5) and organogenesis (GD10.5-GD16.5) periods, and increased incidence of stillbirth in whole gestational period (GD0.5 to delivery). Embryotoxicity of melamine was further confirmed by whole embryo culture in vitro that melamine retarded embryonic growth, impaired development of brain and heart, and induced open neural tube and atrioventricular defects with increased apoptosis. In conclusion, adverse reproductive effects of low-dose melamine during pregnancy were identified in the developing rat embryos and the perinatal effects of melamine were gestational and developmental stage dependent. Detailed hazard and risk assessment of melamine in reproduction system are warrant. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 131-138, 2017.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ching Yan Chu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Ling Ying Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Alisa Sau Wun Shum
- School of Biomedical Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Kwok Pui Fung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Leclère L, Bause M, Sinigaglia C, Steger J, Rentzsch F. Development of the aboral domain in Nematostella requires β-catenin and the opposing activities of Six3/6 and Frizzled5/8. Development 2016; 143:1766-77. [PMID: 26989171 PMCID: PMC4874479 DOI: 10.1242/dev.120931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The development of the oral pole in cnidarians and the posterior pole in bilaterians is regulated by canonical Wnt signaling, whereas a set of transcription factors, including Six3/6 and FoxQ2, controls aboral development in cnidarians and anterior identity in bilaterians. However, it is poorly understood how these two patterning systems are initially set up in order to generate correct patterning along the primary body axis. Investigating the early steps of aboral pole formation in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, we found that, at blastula stage, oral genes are expressed before aboral genes and that Nvβ-catenin regulates both oral and aboral development. In the oral hemisphere, Nvβ-catenin specifies all subdomains except the oral-most, NvSnailA-expressing domain, which is expanded upon Nvβ-catenin knockdown. In addition, Nvβ-catenin establishes the aboral patterning system by promoting the expression of NvSix3/6 at the aboral pole and suppressing the Wnt receptor NvFrizzled5/8 at the oral pole. NvFrizzled5/8 expression thereby gets restricted to the aboral domain. At gastrula stage, NvSix3/6 and NvFrizzled5/8 are both expressed in the aboral domain, but they have opposing activities, with NvSix3/6 maintaining and NvFrizzled5/8 restricting the size of the aboral domain. At planula stage, NvFrizzled5/8 is required for patterning within the aboral domain and for regulating the size of the apical organ by modulation of a previously characterized FGF feedback loop. Our findings suggest conserved roles for Six3/6 and Frizzled5/8 in aboral/anterior development and reveal key functions for Nvβ-catenin in the patterning of the entire oral-aboral axis of Nematostella.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Leclère
- Sars Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgt 55, Bergen 5008, Norway Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), 181 chemin du Lazaret, Villefranche-sur-mer 06230, France
| | - Markus Bause
- Sars Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgt 55, Bergen 5008, Norway
| | - Chiara Sinigaglia
- Sars Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgt 55, Bergen 5008, Norway
| | - Julia Steger
- Sars Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgt 55, Bergen 5008, Norway
| | - Fabian Rentzsch
- Sars Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgt 55, Bergen 5008, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gao X, Yourick JJ, Sprando RL. Transcriptomic characterization of C57BL/6 mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation and its modulation by developmental toxicants. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108510. [PMID: 25247782 PMCID: PMC4172731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Tox21 program calls for transforming toxicology testing from traditional in vivo tests to less expensive and higher throughput in vitro methods. In developmental toxicology, a spectrum of alternative methods including cell line based tests has been developed. In particular, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have received widespread attention as a promising alternative model for developmental toxicity assessment. Here, we characterized gene expression changes during mouse ESC differentiation and their modulation by developmental toxicants. C57BL/6 ESCs were allowed to differentiate spontaneously and RNA of vehicle controls was collected at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 168 h after embryoid body (EB) formation; RNA of compound-exposed EBs were collected at 24 h. Samples were hybridized to Affymetrix Mouse Gene 2.0 ST Array; using stringent cut-off criteria of Bonferroni-adjusted p<0.05 and fold change >2.0, a total of 1996 genes were found differentially expressed among the vehicle controls at different time points. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed these regulated genes were mostly involved in differentiation-related processes such as development, morphogenesis, metabolism, cell differentiation, cell organization and biogenesis, embryonic development, and reproduction. Biomarkers of all three germ layers or of their derivative early cell types were identified in the gene list. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on these genes showed that the unexposed vehicle controls appeared in chronological order in the PCA plot, and formed a differentiation track when connected. Cultures exposed to thalidomide, monobutyl phthalate, or valproic acid deviated significantly from the differentiation track, manifesting the capacity of the differentiation track to identify the modulating effects of diverse developmental toxicants. The differentiation track defined in this study may be further exploited as a baseline for developmental toxicity testing, with compounds causing significant deviation from the differentiation track being predicted as potential developmental toxicants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiugong Gao
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey J. Yourick
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert L. Sprando
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Parajes S, Griffin A, Taylor AE, Rose IT, Miguel-Escalada I, Hadzhiev Y, Arlt W, Shackleton C, Müller F, Krone N. Redefining the initiation and maintenance of zebrafish interrenal steroidogenesis by characterizing the key enzyme cyp11a2. Endocrinology 2013; 154:2702-11. [PMID: 23671259 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish are emerging as a model to study steroid hormone action and associated disease. However, steroidogenesis in zebrafish is not well characterized. Mammalian P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) catalyzes the first step of steroidogenesis, the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone. Previous studies describe an essential role for zebrafish Cyp11a1 during early development. Cyp11a1 has been suggested to be the functional equivalent of mammalian CYP11A1 in the zebrafish interrenal gland (equivalent to the mammalian adrenal), gonad, and brain. However, reported cyp11a1 expression is inconsistent in zebrafish larvae, after active cortisol synthesis commences. Recently a duplicated cyp11a gene, cyp11a2, has been described, which shares an 85% identity with cyp11a1. We aimed to elucidate the specific role of the two cyp11a paralogs. cyp11a1 was expressed from 0 to 48 hours post-fertilization (hpf), whereas cyp11a2 expression started after the development of the interrenal primordium (32 hpf) and was the only paralog in larvae. cyp11a2 is expressed in adult steroidogenic tissues, such as the interrenal, gonads, and brain. In contrast, cyp11a1 was mainly restricted to the gonads. Antisense morpholino knockdown studies confirmed abnormal gastrulation in cyp11a1 morphants. cyp11a2 morphants showed impaired steroidogenesis and a phenotype indicative of metabolic abnormalities. The phenotype was rescued by pregnenolone replacement in cyp11a2 morphants. Thus, we conclude that cyp11a1 is required for early development, whereas cyp11a2 is essential for the initiation and maintenance of zebrafish interrenal steroidogenesis. Importantly, this study highlights the need for a comprehensive characterization of steroidogenesis in zebrafish prior to its implementation as a model organism in translational research of adrenal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Parajes
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
The transcription factor cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) and activating transcription factors (ATFs) are downstream components of the insulin/IGF cascade, playing crucial roles in maintaining cell viability and embryo survival. One of the CREB target genes is adiponectin, which acts synergistically with insulin. We have studied the CREB-ATF-adiponectin network in rabbit preimplantation development in vivo and in vitro. From the blastocyst stage onwards, CREB and ATF1, ATF3, and ATF4 are present with increasing expression for CREB, ATF1, and ATF3 during gastrulation and with a dominant expression in the embryoblast (EB). In vitro stimulation with insulin and IGF-I reduced CREB and ATF1 transcripts by approximately 50%, whereas CREB phosphorylation was increased. Activation of CREB was accompanied by subsequent reduction in adiponectin and adiponectin receptor (adipoR)1 expression. Under in vivo conditions of diabetes type 1, maternal adiponectin levels were up-regulated in serum and endometrium. Embryonic CREB expression was altered in a cell lineage-specific pattern. Although in EB cells CREB localization did not change, it was translocated from the nucleus into the cytosol in trophoblast (TB) cells. In TB, adiponectin expression was increased (diabetic 427.8 ± 59.3 pg/mL vs normoinsulinaemic 143.9 ± 26.5 pg/mL), whereas it was no longer measureable in the EB. Analysis of embryonic adipoRs showed an increased expression of adipoR1 and no changes in adipoR2 transcription. We conclude that the transcription factors CREB and ATFs vitally participate in embryo-maternal cross talk before implantation in a cell lineage-specific manner. Embryonic CREB/ATFs act as insulin/IGF sensors. Lack of insulin is compensated by a CREB-mediated adiponectin expression, which may maintain glucose uptake in blastocysts grown in diabetic mothers.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Activating Transcription Factor 1/genetics
- Activating Transcription Factor 1/metabolism
- Activating Transcription Factor 3/genetics
- Activating Transcription Factor 3/metabolism
- Adiponectin/genetics
- Adiponectin/metabolism
- Alloxan
- Animals
- Blastocyst/drug effects
- Blastocyst/metabolism
- Blotting, Western
- Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/genetics
- Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/chemically induced
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/genetics
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/chemically induced
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism
- Female
- Gastrulation/drug effects
- Gastrulation/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Insulin/pharmacology
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/pharmacology
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/pharmacology
- Male
- Phosphorylation/drug effects
- Rabbits
- Receptors, Adiponectin/genetics
- Receptors, Adiponectin/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Trophoblasts/drug effects
- Trophoblasts/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Schindler
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, D-06097 Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Javier AL, Doan LT, Luong M, Reyes de Mochel NS, Sun A, Monuki ES, Cho KWY. Bmp indicator mice reveal dynamic regulation of transcriptional response. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42566. [PMID: 22984405 PMCID: PMC3439458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular responses to Bmp ligands are regulated at multiple levels, both extracellularly and intracellularly. Therefore, the presence of these growth factors is not an accurate indicator of Bmp signaling activity. While a common approach to detect Bmp signaling activity is to determine the presence of phosphorylated forms of Smad1, 5 and 8 by immunostaining, this approach is time consuming and not quantitative. In order to provide a simpler readout system to examine the presence of Bmp signaling in developing animals, we developed BRE-gal mouse embryonic stem cells and a transgenic mouse line that specifically respond to Bmp ligand stimulation. Our reporter identifies specific transcriptional responses that are mediated by Smad1 and Smad4 with the Schnurri transcription factor complex binding to a conserved Bmp-Responsive Element (BRE), originally identified among Drosophila, Xenopus and human Bmp targets. Our BRE-gal mES cells specifically respond to Bmp ligands at concentrations as low as 5 ng/ml; and BRE-gal reporter mice, derived from the BRE-gal mES cells, show dynamic activity in many cellular sites, including extraembryonic structures and mammary glands, thereby making this a useful scientific tool.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Javier
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Linda T. Doan
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Mui Luong
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - N. Soledad Reyes de Mochel
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Aixu Sun
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Edwin S. Monuki
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Ken W. Y. Cho
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Smith SM, Flentke GR, Kragtorp KA, Tessmer L. Ethanol exposure during the early first trimester equivalent impairs reflexive motor activity and heightens fearfulness in an avian model. Alcohol 2011; 45:57-63. [PMID: 20705421 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2010.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 03/08/2010] [Revised: 05/24/2010] [Accepted: 06/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading cause of childhood neurodevelopmental disability. The adverse behavioral effects of alcohol exposure during the second and third trimester are well documented; less clear is whether early first trimester-equivalent exposures also alter behavior. We investigated this question using an established chick model of alcohol exposure. In ovo embryos experienced a single, acute ethanol exposure that spanned gastrulation through neuroectoderm induction and early brain patterning (19-22h incubation). At 7 days posthatch, the chicks were evaluated for reflexive motor function (wingflap extension, righting reflex), fearfulness (tonic immobility [TI]), and fear/social reinstatement (open-field behavior). Chicks exposed to a peak ethanol level of 0.23-0.28% were compared against untreated and saline-treated controls. Birds receiving early ethanol exposure had a normal righting reflex and a significantly reduced wingflap extension in response to a sudden descent. The ethanol-treated chicks also displayed heightened fearfulness, reflected in increased frequency of TI, and they required significantly fewer trials for its induction. In an open-field test, ethanol treatment did not affect latency to move, steps taken, vocalizations, defecations, or escape attempts. The current findings demonstrate that early ethanol exposure can increase fearfulness and impair aspects of motor function. Importantly, the observed dysfunctions resulted from an acute ethanol exposure during the period when the major brain components are induced and patterned. The equivalent period in human development is 3-4 weeks postconception. The current findings emphasize that ethanol exposure during the early first trimester equivalent can produce neurodevelopmental disability in the offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Smith
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bergeron KF, Xu X, Brandhorst BP. Oral-aboral patterning and gastrulation of sea urchin embryos depend on sulfated glycosaminoglycans. Mech Dev 2010; 128:71-89. [PMID: 21056656 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2010.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2010] [Revised: 10/30/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a heavily sulfated component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) implicated in a variety of cell signaling events involved in patterning of embryos. Embryos of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus were exposed to several inhibitors that disrupt GAG function during development. Treatment with chlorate, a general inhibitor of sulfation that leads to undersulfated GAGs, reduced sulfation of the urchin blastocoelar ECM. It also prevented correct specification of the oral-aboral axis and mouth formation, resulting in a radialized phenotype characterized by the lack of an oral field, incomplete gastrulation and formation of multiple skeletal spicule rudiments. Oral markers were initially expressed in most of the prospective ectoderm of chlorate-treated early blastulae, but then declined as aboral markers became expressed throughout most of the ectoderm. Nodal expression in the presumptive oral field is necessary and sufficient to specify the oral-aboral axis in urchins. Several lines of evidence suggest a deregulation of Nodal signaling is involved in the radialization caused by chlorate: (1) Radial embryos resemble those in which Nodal expression was knocked down. (2) Chlorate disrupted localized nodal expression in oral ectoderm, even when applied after the oral-aboral axis is specified and expression of other oral markers is resistant to treatment. (3) Inhibition with SB-431542 of ALK-4/5/7 receptors that mediate Nodal signaling causes defects in ectodermal patterning similar to those caused by chlorate. (4) Intriguingly, treatment of embryos with a sub-threshold dose of SB-431542 rescued the radialization caused by low concentrations of chlorate. Our results indicate important roles for sulfated GAGs in Nodal signaling and oral-aboral axial patterning, and in the cellular processes necessary for archenteron extension and mouth formation during gastrulation. We propose that interaction of the Nodal ligand with sulfated GAGs limits its diffusion, and is required to specify an oral field in the urchin embryo and organize the oral-aboral axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Frederik Bergeron
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kwon HJ, Bhat N, Sweet EM, Cornell RA, Riley BB. Identification of early requirements for preplacodal ectoderm and sensory organ development. PLoS Genet 2010; 6:e1001133. [PMID: 20885782 PMCID: PMC2944784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2009] [Accepted: 08/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Preplacodal ectoderm arises near the end of gastrulation as a narrow band of cells surrounding the anterior neural plate. This domain later resolves into discrete cranial placodes that, together with neural crest, produce paired sensory structures of the head. Unlike the better-characterized neural crest, little is known about early regulation of preplacodal development. Classical models of ectodermal patterning posit that preplacodal identity is specified by readout of a discrete level of Bmp signaling along a DV gradient. More recent studies indicate that Bmp-antagonists are critical for promoting preplacodal development. However, it is unclear whether Bmp-antagonists establish the proper level of Bmp signaling within a morphogen gradient or, alternatively, block Bmp altogether. To begin addressing these issues, we treated zebrafish embryos with a pharmacological inhibitor of Bmp, sometimes combined with heat shock-induction of Chordin and dominant-negative Bmp receptor, to fully block Bmp signaling at various developmental stages. We find that preplacodal development occurs in two phases with opposing Bmp requirements. Initially, Bmp is required before gastrulation to co-induce four transcription factors, Tfap2a, Tfap2c, Foxi1, and Gata3, which establish preplacodal competence throughout the nonneural ectoderm. Subsequently, Bmp must be fully blocked in late gastrulation by dorsally expressed Bmp-antagonists, together with dorsally expressed Fgf and Pdgf, to specify preplacodal identity within competent cells abutting the neural plate. Localized ventral misexpression of Fgf8 and Chordin can activate ectopic preplacodal development anywhere within the zone of competence, whereas dorsal misexpression of one or more competence factors can activate ectopic preplacodal development in the neural plate. Conversely, morpholino-knockdown of competence factors specifically ablates preplacodal development. Our work supports a relatively simple two-step model that traces regulation of preplacodal development to late blastula stage, resolves two distinct phases of Bmp dependence, and identifies the main factors required for preplacodal competence and specification. Cranial placodes, which produce sensory structures in the head, arise from a contiguous band of preplacodal ectoderm surrounding the anterior neural plate during gastrulation. Little is known about early regulation of preplacodal ectoderm, but modulation of signaling through Bone Morphogenetic Protein (Bmp) is clearly involved. Recent studies show that dorsally expressed Bmp-antagonists help establish preplacodal ectoderm, but it is not clear whether antagonists titrate Bmp to a discrete low level that actively induces preplacodal fate or, alternatively, whether Bmp must be fully blocked to permit preplacodal development. We show that in zebrafish preplacodal development occurs in distinct phases with differing Bmp requirements. Initially, Bmp is required before gastrulation to render all ventral ectoderm competent to form preplacodal tissue. We further show that four transcription factors, Foxi1, Gata3, Tfap2a, and Tfap2c, specifically mediate preplacodal competence. Once induced, these factors no longer require Bmp. Thereafter, Bmp must be fully blocked by dorsally expressed Bmp-antagonists to permit preplacodal development. In addition, dorsally expressed Fgf and/or Pdgf are also required, activating preplacodal development in competent cells abutting the neural plate. Thus, we have resolved the role of Bmp and traced the regulation of preplacodal development to pre-gastrula stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Joo Kwon
- Biology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Neha Bhat
- Biology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Elly M. Sweet
- Biology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Robert A. Cornell
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Bruce B. Riley
- Biology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Spicer E, Suckert C, Al-Attar H, Marsden M. Integrin alpha5beta1 function is regulated by XGIPC/kermit2 mediated endocytosis during Xenopus laevis gastrulation. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10665. [PMID: 20498857 PMCID: PMC2871791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2009] [Accepted: 04/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During Xenopus gastrulation α5β1 integrin function is modulated in a temporally and spatially restricted manner, however, the regulatory mechanisms behind this regulation remain uncharacterized. Here we report that XGIPC/kermit2 binds to the cytoplasmic domain of the α5 subunit and regulates the activity of α5β1 integrin. The interaction of kermit2 with α5β1 is essential for fibronectin (FN) matrix assembly during the early stages of gastrulation. We further demonstrate that kermit2 regulates α5β1 integrin endocytosis downstream of activin signaling. Inhibition of kermit2 function impairs cell migration but not adhesion to FN substrates indicating that integrin recycling is essential for mesoderm cell migration. Furthermore, we find that the α5β1 integrin is colocalized with kermit2 and Rab 21 in embryonic and XTC cells. These data support a model where region specific mesoderm induction acts through kermit2 to regulate the temporally and spatially restricted changes in adhesive properties of the α5β1 integrin through receptor endocytosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Spicer
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine Suckert
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hyder Al-Attar
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mungo Marsden
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Borgave S, Ghaskadbi S. Modulation of cell surface architecture in gastrulating chick embryo in response to altered fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling. Indian J Exp Biol 2010; 48:346-353. [PMID: 20726332] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Gastrulation is a fundamental process that results in formation of the three germ layers in an embryo. It involves highly coordinated cell migration. Cell to cell communication through cell surface and the surrounding molecular environment governs cell migration. In the present work, cell surface features, which are indicative of the migratory status of a cell, of an early gastrulating chick embryo were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The distinct ultrastructural features of cells located in the various regions of the epiblast are described. Differences in the surface features of cells from distinct embryonic regions indicate differences in their migratory capacities. Further, the dynamic nature of these cell surface features by their response to altered fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling, experimentally created by using either excess FGF or inhibition of FGF signaling are demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seema Borgave
- Division of Animal Sciences, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune 411 004, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Han M, Serrano MC, Lastra-Vicente R, Brinez P, Acharya G, Huhta JC, Chen R, Linask KK. Folate rescues lithium-, homocysteine- and Wnt3A-induced vertebrate cardiac anomalies. Dis Model Mech 2009; 2:467-78. [PMID: 19638421 PMCID: PMC2737056 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.001438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 08/26/2008] [Accepted: 04/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated plasma homocysteine (HCy), which results from folate (folic acid, FA) deficiency, and the mood-stabilizing drug lithium (Li) are both linked to the induction of human congenital heart and neural tube defects. We demonstrated previously that acute administration of Li to pregnant mice on embryonic day (E)6.75 induced cardiac valve defects by potentiating Wnt-beta-catenin signaling. We hypothesized that HCy may similarly induce cardiac defects during gastrulation by targeting the Wnt-beta-catenin pathway. Because dietary FA supplementation protects from neural tube defects, we sought to determine whether FA also protects the embryonic heart from Li- or HCy-induced birth defects and whether the protection occurs by impacting Wnt signaling. Maternal elevation of HCy or Li on E6.75 induced defective heart and placental function on E15.5, as identified non-invasively using echocardiography. This functional analysis of HCy-exposed mouse hearts revealed defects in tricuspid and semilunar valves, together with altered myocardial thickness. A smaller embryo and placental size was observed in the treated groups. FA supplementation ameliorates the observed developmental errors in the Li- or HCy-exposed mouse embryos and normalized heart function. Molecular analysis of gene expression within the avian cardiogenic crescent determined that Li, HCy or Wnt3A suppress Wnt-modulated Hex (also known as Hhex) and Islet-1 (also known as Isl1) expression, and that FA protects from the gene misexpression that is induced by all three factors. Furthermore, myoinositol with FA synergistically enhances the protective effect. Although the specific molecular epigenetic control mechanisms remain to be defined, it appears that Li or HCy induction and FA protection of cardiac defects involve intimate control of the canonical Wnt pathway at a crucial time preceding, and during, early heart organogenesis.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Avian Proteins/genetics
- Avian Proteins/metabolism
- Chickens
- Dietary Supplements
- Disease Models, Animal
- Embryo, Mammalian/abnormalities
- Embryo, Mammalian/diagnostic imaging
- Embryo, Mammalian/drug effects
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/abnormalities
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects
- Folic Acid/pharmacology
- Gastrulation/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects
- Heart Defects, Congenital/chemically induced
- Heart Defects, Congenital/diagnostic imaging
- Heart Defects, Congenital/physiopathology
- Heart Defects, Congenital/prevention & control
- Heart Function Tests/drug effects
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Homocysteine
- Inositol/pharmacology
- LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
- Lithium
- Mice
- Myocardium/metabolism
- Myocardium/pathology
- Transcription Factors
- Ultrasonography
- Wnt Proteins/metabolism
- Wnt3 Protein
- Wnt3A Protein
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingda Han
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Maria C. Serrano
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Rosana Lastra-Vicente
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Pilar Brinez
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Ganesh Acharya
- University Hospital of Northern Norway and University of Tromso, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, N9308 Tromso, Norway
| | - James C. Huhta
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Ren Chen
- USF College of Medicine, Biostatistics Core, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kersti K. Linask
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
It is often difficult to determine the effects of various substances on the development of the sea urchin embryo due to the lack of appropriate quantitative microassays. Here, a microplate assay has been developed for quantitatively evaluating the effects of substances, such as hyalin, on living sea urchin embryos. Hyalin (330 kDa) is a major constituent of the sea urchin hyaline layer, an extracellular matrix that develops 20 min postinsemination. Function of the hyaline layer and its major constituent, is the adhesion of cells during morphogenesis. Using wide-mouthed pipette tips, 25 microl of 24-h Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryos were transferred to each well of a 96-well polystyrene flat-bottom microplate yielding about 12 embryos per well. Specific concentrations of purified hyalin diluted in low calcium seawater were added to the wells containing the embryos, which were then incubated for 24 h at 15 degree C. The hyalin-treated and control samples were observed live and after fixation with 10% formaldehyde using a Zeiss Axiolab photomicroscope. The small number of embryos in each well allowed quantification of the developmental effects of the added media. Specific archenteron morphologies-attached, unattached, no invagination and exogastrula-were scored and a dose-dependent response curve was generated. Hyalin at high concentrations blocked invagination. At low concentrations, it inhibited archenteron elongation/attachment to the blastocoel roof. While many studies have implicated hyalin in a variety of interactions during morphogenesis, we are not aware of any past studies that have quantitatively examined the effects of exogenous hyalin on specific gastrulation events in whole embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z Razinia
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8303, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Alvarez M, Nnoli J, Carroll E, Hutchins-Carroll V, Razinia Z, Oppenheimer S. Exogenous hyalin and sea urchin gastrulation, Part II: hyalin, an interspecies cell adhesion molecule. ZYGOTE 2008; 16:73-8. [PMID: 18221584 PMCID: PMC2557437 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199407004546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The 330 kDa fibrillar glycoprotein hyalin is a well known component of the sea urchin embryo extracellular hyaline layer. Only recently, the main component of hyalin, the hyalin repeat domain, has been identified in organisms as widely divergent as bacteria and humans using the GenBank database and therefore its possible function has garnered a great deal of interest. In the sea urchin, hyalin serves as an adhesive substrate in the developing embryo and we have recently shown that exogenously added purified hyalin from Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryos blocks a model cellular interaction in these embryos, archenteron elongation/attachment to the blastocoel roof. It is important to demonstrate the generality of this result by observing if hyalin from one species of sea urchin blocks archenteron elongation/attachment in another species. Here we show in three repeated experiments, with 30 replicate samples for each condition, that the same concentration of S. purpuratus hyalin (57 microg/ml) that blocked the interaction in living S. purpuratus embryos blocked the same interaction in living Lytechinus pictus embryos. These results correspond with the known crossreactivity of antibody against S. purpuratus hyalin with L. pictus hyalin. We propose that hyalin-hyalin receptor binding may mediate this adhesive interaction. The use of a microplate assay that allows precise quantification of developmental effects should help facilitate identification of the function of hyalin in organisms as divergent as bacteria and humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Alvarez
- Department of Biology and Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330-8303, USA
| | - J. Nnoli
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8262, USA
| | - E.J. Carroll
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8262, USA
| | - V. Hutchins-Carroll
- Department of Biology and Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330-8303, USA
| | - Z. Razinia
- Department of Biology and Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330-8303, USA
| | - S.B. Oppenheimer
- Department of Biology and Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330-8303, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
The present study tests the hypothesis that a critical window for cortical development coincides with the period of neural stem cell proliferation (during the first 6 weeks of gestation), specifically, gastrulation (on embryonic day [E] 19 and E20). Pregnant female macaques were exposed to ethanol 1 day/week for 6 or 24 weeks such that it included E19 or E20 or a time before or after the time of gastrulation. Total forebrain size was increased in macaques exposed to ethanol on E19 or E20. Thus, various features of the gray and white matter of the paracentral lobule of adolescent offspring were examined. Ethanol exposure affected the gray matter, for example, the 1.63 billion neurons in somatosensory cortex of controls (areas 3a and 3b) was 32% lower in ethanol-exposed monkeys, but neither duration nor timing of the episodic exposure had a differential effect. In contrast, the timing of the exposure during the third week critically affected the amount of white matter (the mass of myelopil, but not cell number). Therefore, fetal exposure to ethanol unveils a normal programming mechanism wherein neural stem cells appear to be a target and a critical window for forebrain development concurs with gastrulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Miller
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ramis JM, Collart C, Smith JC. Xnrs and activin regulate distinct genes during Xenopus development: activin regulates cell division. PLoS One 2007; 2:e213. [PMID: 17299593 PMCID: PMC1790703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2007] [Accepted: 01/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mesoderm of the amphibian embryo is formed through an inductive interaction in which vegetal cells of the blastula-staged embryo act on overlying equatorial cells. Candidate mesoderm-inducing factors include members of the transforming growth factor type beta family such as Vg1, activin B, the nodal-related proteins and derrière. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPLE FINDINGS Microarray analysis reveals different functions for activin B and the nodal-related proteins during early Xenopus development. Inhibition of nodal-related protein function causes the down-regulation of regionally expressed genes such as chordin, dickkopf and XSox17alpha/beta, while genes that are mis-regulated in the absence of activin B tend to be more widely expressed and, interestingly, include several that are involved in cell cycle regulation. Consistent with the latter observation, cells of the involuting dorsal axial mesoderm, which normally undergo cell cycle arrest, continue to proliferate when the function of activin B is inhibited. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These observations reveal distinct functions for these two classes of the TGF-beta family during early Xenopus development, and in doing so identify a new role for activin B during gastrulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana M. Ramis
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kindgom
| | - Clara Collart
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kindgom
| | - James C. Smith
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kindgom
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|