ADAMTS18+ villus tip telocytes maintain a polarized VEGFA signaling domain and fenestrations in nutrient-absorbing intestinal blood vessels

Nature communications

2022 Jul 09

Bernier-Latmani, J;Mauri, C;Marcone, R;Renevey, F;Durot, S;He, L;Vanlandewijck, M;Maclachlan, C;Davanture, S;Zamboni, N;Knott, GW;Luther, SA;Betsholtz, C;Delorenzi, M;Brisken, C;Petrova, TV;
PMID: 35810168 | DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31571-2

The small intestinal villus tip is the first point of contact for lumen-derived substances including nutrients and microbial products. Electron microscopy studies from the early 1970s uncovered unusual spatial organization of small intestinal villus tip blood vessels: their exterior, epithelial-facing side is fenestrated, while the side facing the villus stroma is non-fenestrated, covered by pericytes and harbors endothelial nuclei. Such organization optimizes the absorption process, however the molecular mechanisms maintaining this highly specialized structure remain unclear. Here we report that perivascular LGR5+ villus tip telocytes (VTTs) are necessary for maintenance of villus tip endothelial cell polarization and fenestration by sequestering VEGFA signaling. Mechanistically, unique VTT expression of the protease ADAMTS18 is necessary for VEGFA signaling sequestration through limiting fibronectin accumulation. Therefore, we propose a model in which LGR5+ ADAMTS18+ telocytes are necessary to maintain a "just-right" level and location of VEGFA signaling in intestinal villus blood vasculature to ensure on one hand the presence of sufficient endothelial fenestrae, while avoiding excessive leakiness of the vessels and destabilization of villus tip epithelial structures.

Contribution of ATOH1+ Cells to the Homeostasis, Repair, and Tumorigenesis of the Colonic Epithelium

Stem Cell Reports

2017 Dec 07

Ishibashi F, Shimizu H, Nakata T, Fujii S, Suzuki K, Kawamoto A, Anzai S, Kuno R, Nagata S, Ito G, Murano T, Mizutani T, Oshima S, Tsuchiya K, Nakamura T, Watanabe M, Okamoto R.
PMID: 29233556 | DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.11.006

ATOH1 is a master transcription factor for the secretory lineage differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). However, the comprehensive contribution of ATOH1+ secretory lineage IECs to the homeostasis, repair, and tumorigenesis of the intestinal epithelium remains uncertain. Through our ATOH1+ cell-lineage tracing, we show here that a definite number of ATOH1+ IECs retain stem cell properties and can form ATOH1+IEC-derived clonal ribbons (ATOH1+ICRs) under completely homeostatic conditions. Interestingly, colonic ATOH1+IECs appeared to exhibit their stem cell function more frequently compared with those of the small intestine. Consistently, the formation of ATOH1+ICRs was significantly enhanced upon dextran sodium sulfate colitis-induced mucosal damage. In addition, colonic ATOH1+ IECs acquired tumor stem cell-like properties in the azoxymethane-DSS tumor model. Our results reveal an unexpected contribution of colonic ATOH1+ IECs to maintaining the stem cell population under both homeostatic and pathologic conditions and further illustrate the high plasticity of the crypt-intrinsic stem cell hierarchy.

Human Pancreatic Tumor Organoids Reveal Loss of Stem Cell Niche Factor Dependence during Disease Progression

Cell Stem Cell.

2018 Jan 10

Seino T, Kawasaki S, Shimokawa M, Tamagawa H, Toshimitsu K, Fujii M, Ohta Y, Matano M, Nanki K, Kawasaki K, Takahashi S, Sugimoto S, Iwasaki E, Takagi J, Itoi T, Kitago M, Kitagawa Y, Kanai T, Sato T.
PMID: 29337182 | DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2017.12.009

Despite recent efforts to dissect the inter-tumor heterogeneity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by determining prognosis-predictive gene expression signatures for specific subtypes, their functional differences remain elusive. Here, we established a pancreatic tumor organoid library encompassing 39 patient-derived PDACs and identified 3 functional subtypes based on their stem cell niche factor dependencies on Wnt and R-spondin. A Wnt-non-producing subtype required Wnt from cancer-associated fibroblasts, whereas a Wnt-producing subtype autonomously secreted Wnt ligands and an R-spondin-independent subtype grew in the absence of Wnt and R-spondin. Transcriptome analysis of PDAC organoids revealed gene-expression signatures that associated Wnt niche subtypes with GATA6-dependent gene expression subtypes, which were functionally supported by genetic perturbation of GATA6. Furthermore, CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing of PDAC driver genes (KRAS, CDKN2A, SMAD4, and TP53) demonstrated non-genetic acquisition of Wnt niche independence during pancreas tumorigenesis. Collectively, our results reveal functional heterogeneity of Wnt niche independency in PDAC that is non-genetically formed through tumor progression.

YAP-TEAD signaling promotes basal cell carcinoma development via a c-JUN/AP1 axis.

EMBO J.

2018 Jul 23

Maglic D, Schlegelmilch K, Dost AF, Panero R, Dill M, Calogero RA, Camargo FD.
PMID: 30037824 | DOI: 10.15252/embj.201798642

The mammalian Hippo signaling pathway, through its effectors YAP and TAZ, coerces epithelial progenitor cell expansion for appropriate tissue development or regeneration upon damage. Its ability to drive rapid tissue growth explains why many oncogenic events frequently exploit this pathway to promote cancer phenotypes. Indeed, several tumor types including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) show genetic aberrations in the Hippo (or YAP/TAZ) regulators. Here, we uncover that while YAP is dispensable for homeostatic epidermal regeneration, it is required for BCC development. Our clonal analyses further demonstrate that the few emerging Yap-null dysplasia have lower fitness and thus are diminished as they progress to invasive BCC Mechanistically, YAP depletion in BCC tumors leads to effective impairment of the JNK-JUN signaling, a well-established tumor-driving cascade. Importantly, in this context, YAP does not influence canonical Wnt or Hedgehog signaling. Overall, we reveal Hippo signaling as an independent promoter of BCC pathogenesis and thereby a viable target for drug-resistant BCC.

Microglia response following acute demyelination is heterogeneous and limits infiltrating macrophage dispersion.

Sci Adv

2020 Jan 15

Plemel JR, Stratton JA, Michaels NJ, Rawji KS, Zhang E, Sinha S, Baaklini CS, Dong Y, Ho M, Thorburn K, Friedman TN, Jawad S, Silva C, Caprariello AV, Hoghooghi V, Yue J, Jaffer A, Lee K, Kerr BJ, Midha R, Stys PK, Biernaskie J, Yong VW
PMID: 31998844 | DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay6324

Microglia and infiltrating macrophages are thought to orchestrate the central nervous system (CNS) response to injury; however, the similarities between these cells make it challenging to distinguish their relative contributions. We genetically labeled microglia and CNS-associated macrophages to distinguish them from infiltrating macrophages. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we describe multiple microglia activation states, one of which was enriched for interferon associated signaling. Although blood-derived macrophages acutely infiltrated the demyelinated lesion, microglia progressively monopolized the lesion environment where they surrounded infiltrating macrophages. In the microglia-devoid sciatic nerve, the infiltrating macrophage response was sustained. In the CNS, the preferential proliferation of microglia and sparse microglia death contributed to microglia dominating the lesion. Microglia ablation reversed the spatial restriction of macrophages with the demyelinated spinal cord, highlighting an unrealized macrophages-microglia interaction. The restriction of peripheral inflammation by microglia may be a previously unidentified mechanism by which the CNS maintains its "immune privileged" status.

Amino acid transporter SLC7A5 regulates Paneth cell function to affect the intestinal inflammatory response

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology

2023 Jan 24

Bao, L;Fu, L;Su, Y;Chen, Z;Peng, Z;Sun, L;Gonzalez, FJ;Wu, C;Zhang, H;Shi, B;Shi, YB;
PMID: 36789439 | DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.24.524966

The intestine is critical for not only processing and resorbing nutrients but also protecting the organism from the environment. These functions are mainly carried out by the epithelium, which is constantly being self-renewed. Many genes and pathways can influence intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. Among them is mTORC1, whose activation increases cell proliferation. Here, we report the first intestinal epithelial cell-specific knockout ( ΔIEC ) of an amino acid transporter capable of activating mTORC1. We show that the transporter, SLC7A5, is highly expressed in mouse intestinal crypt and Slc7a5 ΔIEC reduces mTORC1 signaling. Surprisingly, Slc7a5 ΔIEC mice have increased cell proliferation but reduced secretory cells, particularly mature Paneth cells. scRNA-seq and electron microscopic analyses revealed dedifferentiation of Paneth cells in Slc7a5 ΔIEC mice, leading to markedly reduced secretory granules with little effect on Paneth cell number. We further show that Slc7a5 ΔIEC mice are prone to experimental colitis. Thus, SLC7A5 regulates secretory cell differentiation to affect stem cell niche and/or inflammatory response to regulate cell proliferation.

Lymphatics act as a signaling hub to regulate intestinal stem cell activity

Cell stem cell

2022 Jun 15

Niec, RE;Chu, T;Schernthanner, M;Gur-Cohen, S;Hidalgo, L;Pasolli, HA;Luckett, KA;Wang, Z;Bhalla, SR;Cambuli, F;Kataru, RP;Ganesh, K;Mehrara, BJ;Pe'er, D;Fuchs, E;
PMID: 35728595 | DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.05.007

Barrier epithelia depend upon resident stem cells for homeostasis, defense, and repair. Epithelial stem cells of small and large intestines (ISCs) respond to their local microenvironments (niches) to fulfill a continuous demand for tissue turnover. The complexity of these niches and underlying communication pathways are not fully known. Here, we report a lymphatic network at the intestinal crypt base that intimately associates with ISCs. Employing in vivo loss of function and lymphatic:organoid cocultures, we show that crypt lymphatics maintain ISCs and inhibit their precocious differentiation. Pairing single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, we apply BayesPrism to deconvolve expression within spatial features and develop SpaceFold to robustly map the niche at high resolution, exposing lymphatics as a central signaling hub for the crypt in general and ISCs in particular. We identify WNT-signaling factors (WNT2, R-SPONDIN-3) and a hitherto unappreciated extracellular matrix protein, REELIN, as crypt lymphatic signals that directly govern the regenerative potential of ISCs.

MIF/CD74 axis is a target for novel therapies in colon carcinomatosis.

J Exp Clin Cancer Res.

2017 Jan 23

Bozzi F, Mogavero A, Varinelli L, Belfiore A, Manenti G, Caccia C, Volpi CC, Beznoussenko GV, Milione M, Leoni V, Gloghini A, Mironov AA, Leo E, Pilotti S, Pierotti MA, Bongarzone I, Gariboldi M.
PMID: 28114961 | DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0475-z

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Strategies aimed at obtaining a complete cytoreduction are needed to improve long-term survival for patients with colorectal cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis (CRC-pc).

METHODS:

We established organoid models from peritoneal metastases of two naïve CRC patients. A standard paraffin inclusion was conducted to compare their 3D structure and immunohistochemical profile with that of the corresponding surgical samples. RNA expression levels of the CRC stem cell marker LGR5 was measured by in situ hybridization. The secretome of organoids was profiled by mass spectrometry. Energy homeostasis of organoids was interfered with 4-IPP and metformin. Biochemical and metabolic changes after drug treatments were investigated by western blot and mass spectrometry. Mitochondria impairment was evaluated by electron microscopy and mitotraker staining.

RESULTS:

The two organoids recapitulated their corresponding clinical samples in terms of 3D structure and immmunoistochemical profile and were positive for the cancer stem cells marker LGR5. Proteomic analyses of organoids highlighted their strong dependence on energy producing pathways, which suggest that their targeting could be an effective therapeutic approach. To test this hypothesis, we treated organoids with two drugs that target metabolism acting on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the main regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, which may act as metabolic tumour suppressor in CRC. Organoids were treated with 4-IPP, an inhibitor of MIF/CD74 signalling axis which activates AMPK function, or metformin that inhibits mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I. As a new finding we observed that treatment with 4-IPP downregulated AMPK signalling activity, reduced AKT phosphorylation and activated a JNK-mediated stress-signalling response, thus generating mitochondrial impairment and cell death. Metformin treatment enhanced AMPK activation, decreasing the activity of the anabolic factors ribosomal protein S6 and p4EBP-1 and inducing mitochondrial depolarization.

CONCLUSION:

We provide evidence that the modulation of AMPK activity may be a strategy for targeting metabolism of CRC-pc organoids.

T-cell infiltration correlates with CXCL10 expression in ganglia of cynomolgus macaques with reactivated simian varicella virus.

Journal of virology, 87(5), 2979–2982.

Ouwendijk WJ, Abendroth A, Traina-Dorge V, Getu S, Steain M, Wellish M, Andeweg AC, Osterhaus AD, Gilden D, Verjans GM, Mahalingam R (2013).
PMID: 23269790 | DOI: 10.1128/JVI.03181-12.

Ganglia of monkeys with reactivated simian varicella virus (SVV) contained more CD8 than CD4 T cells around neurons. The abundance of CD8 T cells was greater less than 2 months after reactivation than that at later times and correlated with that of CXCL10 RNA but not with those of SVV protein or open reading frame 61 (ORF61) antisense RNA. CXCL10 RNA colocalized with T-cell clusters. After SVV reactivation, transient T-cell infiltration, possibly mediated by CXCL10, parallels varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation in humans.

Embryogenic stem cell-derived intestinal crypt fission directs de novo crypt genesis

Cell reports

2022 Dec 13

Huang, XT;Li, T;Li, T;Xing, S;Tian, JZ;Ding, YF;Cai, SL;Yang, YS;Wood, C;Yang, JS;Yang, WJ;
PMID: 36516755 | DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111796

Intestinal epithelial replenishment is fueled by continuously dividing intestinal stem cells (ISCs) resident at the crypt niche. However, the cell type(s) enabling replenishment upon damage and subsequent loss of whole crypts remain largely unclear. Using Set domain-containing protein 4 (Setd4), we identify a small population with reserve stem cell characteristics in the mouse intestine. Upon irradiation-induced injury, Setd4-expressing (Setd4+) cells survive radiation exposure and then activate to produce Sca-1-expressing cell types to restore the epithelial wall and regenerate crypts de novo via crypt fission. Setd4+ cells are confirmed to originate from the early fetal period, subsequently contributing to the development of embryonic gut and the establishment of postnatal crypts. Setd4+ cells are therefore represented as both originators and key regenerators of the intestine.

Lymphocyte networks are dynamic cellular communities in the immunoregulatory landscape of lung adenocarcinoma

Cancer cell

2023 Apr 08

Gaglia, G;Burger, ML;Ritch, CC;Rammos, D;Dai, Y;Crossland, GE;Tavana, SZ;Warchol, S;Jaeger, AM;Naranjo, S;Coy, S;Nirmal, AJ;Krueger, R;Lin, JR;Pfister, H;Sorger, PK;Jacks, T;Santagata, S;
PMID: 37059105 | DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.03.015

Lymphocytes are key for immune surveillance of tumors, but our understanding of the spatial organization and physical interactions that facilitate lymphocyte anti-cancer functions is limited. We used multiplexed imaging, quantitative spatial analysis, and machine learning to create high-definition maps of lung tumors from a Kras/Trp53-mutant mouse model and human resections. Networks of interacting lymphocytes ("lymphonets") emerged as a distinctive feature of the anti-cancer immune response. Lymphonets nucleated from small T cell clusters and incorporated B cells with increasing size. CXCR3-mediated trafficking modulated lymphonet size and number, but T cell antigen expression directed intratumoral localization. Lymphonets preferentially harbored TCF1+ PD-1+ progenitor CD8+ T cells involved in responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Upon treatment of mice with ICB or an antigen-targeted vaccine, lymphonets retained progenitor and gained cytotoxic CD8+ T cell populations, likely via progenitor differentiation. These data show that lymphonets create a spatial environment supportive of CD8+ T cell anti-tumor responses.

Mesenchymal-epithelial interaction regulates gastrointestinal tract development in mouse embryos

Cell reports

2022 Jul 12

Zhao, L;Song, W;Chen, YG;
PMID: 35830795 | DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111053

After gut tube patterning in early embryos, the cellular and molecular changes of developing stomach and intestine remain largely unknown. Here, combining single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial RNA sequencing, we construct a spatiotemporal transcriptomic landscape of the mouse stomach and intestine during embryonic days E9.5-E15.5. Several subpopulations are identified, including Lox+ stomach mesenchyme, Aldh1a3+ small-intestinal mesenchyme, and Adamdec1+ large-intestinal mesenchyme. The regionalization and heterogeneity of both the epithelium and the mesenchyme can be traced back to E9.5. The spatiotemporal distributions of cell clusters and the mesenchymal-epithelial interaction analysis indicate that a coordinated development of the epithelium and mesenchyme contribute to the stomach regionalization, intestine segmentation, and villus formation. Using the gut tube-derived organoids, we find that the cell fate of the foregut and hindgut can be switched by the regional niche factors, including fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and retinoic acid (RA). This work lays a foundation for further dissection of the mechanisms governing this process.

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	Description
sense Example: Hs-LAG3-sense	Standard probes for RNA detection are in antisense. Sense probe is reverse complent to the corresponding antisense probe.
Intron# Example: Mm-Htt-intron2	Probe targets the indicated intron in the target gene, commonly used for pre-mRNA detection
Pool/Pan Example: Hs-CD3-pool (Hs-CD3D, Hs-CD3E, Hs-CD3G)	A mixture of multiple probe sets targeting multiple genes or transcripts
No-XSp Example: Hs-PDGFB-No-XMm	Does not cross detect with the species (Sp)
XSp Example: Rn-Pde9a-XMm	designed to cross detect with the species (Sp)
O# Example: Mm-Islr-O1	Alternative design targeting different regions of the same transcript or isoforms
CDS Example: Hs-SLC31A-CDS	Probe targets the protein-coding sequence only
EnEm	Probe targets exons n and m
En-Em	Probe targets region from exon n to exon m
Retired Nomenclature
tvn Example: Hs-LEPR-tv1	Designed to target transcript variant n
ORF Example: Hs-ACVRL1-ORF	Probe targets open reading frame
UTR Example: Hs-HTT-UTR-C3	Probe targets the untranslated region (non-protein-coding region) only
5UTR Example: Hs-GNRHR-5UTR	Probe targets the 5' untranslated region only
3UTR Example: Rn-Npy1r-3UTR	Probe targets the 3' untranslated region only
Pan Example: Pool	A mixture of multiple probe sets targeting multiple genes or transcripts

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BACKGROUND:

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