Development (Cambridge, England)
Marczenke, M;Sunaga-Franze, DY;Popp, O;Althaus, IW;Sauer, S;Mertins, P;Christ, A;Allen, BL;Willnow, TE;
PMID: 34698766 | DOI: 10.1242/dev.200080
Growth arrest-specific 1 (GAS1) acts as a co-receptor to Patched 1 promoting sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling in the developing nervous system. GAS1 mutations in humans and animal models result in forebrain and craniofacial malformations, defects ascribed to a function for GAS1 in SHH signaling during early neurulation. Here, we confirm loss of SHH activity in the forebrain neuroepithelium in GAS1-deficient mice and in iPSC-derived cell models of human neuroepithelial differentiation. However, our studies document that this defect can be attributed, at least in part, to a novel role for GAS1 in facilitating Notch signaling, essential to sustain a persistent SHH activity domain in the forebrain neuroepithelium. GAS1 directly binds NOTCH1, enhancing ligand-induced processing of the NOTCH1 intracellular domain, which drives Notch pathway activity in the developing forebrain. Our findings identify a unique role for GAS1 in integrating Notch and SHH signal reception in neuroepithelial cells, and they suggest that loss of GAS1-dependent NOTCH1 activation contributes to forebrain malformations in individuals carrying GAS1 mutations.
Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology
Heinl, ES;Broeker, KA;Lehrmann, C;Heydn, R;Krieger, K;Ortmaier, K;Tauber, P;Schweda, F;
PMID: 36480070 | DOI: 10.1007/s00424-022-02774-9
The natriuretic peptides (NPs) ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) and BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) mediate their widespread effects by activating the natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A), while C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) acts via natriuretic peptide receptor-B (NPR-B). NPs are removed from the circulation by internalization via the natriuretic peptide clearance receptor natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C). In addition to their well-known functions, for instance on blood pressure, all three NPs confer significant cardioprotection and renoprotection. Since neither the NP-mediated renal functions nor the renal target cells of renoprotection are completely understood, we performed systematic localization studies of NP receptors using in situ hybridization (RNAscope) in mouse kidneys. NPR-A mRNA is highly expressed in glomeruli (mainly podocytes), renal arterioles, endothelial cells of peritubular capillaries, and PDGFR-receptor β positive (PDGFR-β) interstitial cells. No NPR-A mRNA was detected by RNAscope in the tubular system. In contrast, NPR-B expression is highest in proximal tubules. NPR-C is located in glomeruli (mainly podocytes), in endothelial cells and PDGFR-β positive cells. To test for a possible regulation of NPRs in kidney diseases, their distribution was studied in adenine nephropathy. Signal intensity of NPR-A and NPR-B mRNA was reduced while their spatial distribution was unaltered compared with healthy kidneys. In contrast, NPR-C mRNA signal was markedly enhanced in cell clusters of myofibroblasts in fibrotic areas of adenine kidneys. In conclusion, the primary renal targets of ANP and BNP are glomerular, vascular, and interstitial cells but not the tubular compartment, while the CNP receptor NPR-B is highly expressed in proximal tubules. Further studies are needed to clarify the function and interplay of this specific receptor expression pattern.
Journal for immunotherapy of cancer
Michels, KR;Sheih, A;Hernandez, SA;Brandes, AH;Parrilla, D;Irwin, B;Perez, AM;Ting, HA;Nicolai, CJ;Gervascio, T;Shin, S;Pankau, MD;Muhonen, M;Freeman, J;Gould, S;Getto, R;Larson, RP;Ryu, BY;Scharenberg, AM;Sullivan, AM;Green, S;
PMID: 36918221 | DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006292
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have demonstrated transformational outcomes in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, but their widespread use is hindered by technical and logistical challenges associated with ex vivo cell manufacturing. To overcome these challenges, we developed VivoVec, a lentiviral vector-based platform for in vivo engineering of T cells. UB-VV100, a VivoVec clinical candidate for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, displays an anti-CD3 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) on the surface and delivers a genetic payload that encodes a second-generation CD19-targeted CAR along with a rapamycin-activated cytokine receptor (RACR) system designed to overcome the need for lymphodepleting chemotherapy in supporting successful CAR T-cell expansion and persistence. In the presence of exogenous rapamycin, non-transduced immune cells are suppressed, while the RACR system in transduced cells converts rapamycin binding to an interleukin (IL)-2/IL-15 signal to promote proliferation.UB-VV100 was administered to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and from patients with B-cell malignancy without additional stimulation. Cultures were assessed for CAR T-cell transduction and function. Biodistribution was evaluated in CD34-humanized mice and in canines. In vivo efficacy was evaluated against normal B cells in CD34-humanized mice and against systemic tumor xenografts in PBMC-humanized mice.In vitro, administration of UB-VV100 resulted in dose-dependent and anti-CD3 scFv-dependent T-cell activation and CAR T-cell transduction. The resulting CAR T cells exhibited selective expansion in rapamycin and antigen-dependent activity against malignant B-cell targets. In humanized mouse and canine studies, UB-VV100 demonstrated a favorable biodistribution profile, with transduction events limited to the immune compartment after intranodal or intraperitoneal administration. Administration of UB-VV100 to humanized mice engrafted with B-cell tumors resulted in CAR T-cell transduction, expansion, and elimination of systemic malignancy.These findings demonstrate that UB-VV100 generates functional CAR T cells in vivo, which could expand patient access to CAR T technology in both hematological and solid tumors without the need for ex vivo cell manufacturing.
The Journal of clinical investigation
Alter, C;Henseler, AS;Owenier, C;Hesse, J;Ding, Z;Lautwein, T;Bahr, J;Hayat, S;Kramann, R;Kostenis, E;Scheller, J;Schrader, J;
PMID: 36943408 | DOI: 10.1172/JCI163799
Plasma IL-6 is elevated after myocardial infarction (MI) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Which cardiac cell type preferentially contributes to IL-6 and how its production is regulated is largely unknown. Here, we studied the cellular source and purinergic regulation of IL-6 formation in a murine MI model. IL-6, measured in various cell types in post MI hearts by qPCR, RNAscope and at protein level, was preferentially formed by fibroblasts (CFs). scRNAseq in infarcted mouse and human hearts confirmed this finding. Adenosine stimulated fibroblast IL-6 formation via A2bR in a Gq-dependent manner. CFs highly expressed Adora2b, rapidly degraded extracellular ATP to AMP but lacked CD73. In mice and humans Adora2B was also mainly expressed by fibroblasts (scRNAseq). Global IL-6 formation was assessed in isolated hearts in mice lacking CD73 on T-cells (CD4CD73-/-) a condition known to be associated with adverse cardiac remodeling. The ischemia-induced release of IL-6 was strongly attenuated in CD4CD73-/- mice, suggesting adenosine-mediated modulation. Together this demonstrates that post-MI IL-6 is mainly derived from activated CFs and is controlled by T-cell derived adenosine. Purinergic metabolic cooperation between CFs and T-cells is a novel mechanism with therapeutic potential which modulates IL6 formation by the heart.
J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018 Dec 4.
Mukherjee M, deRiso J, Otterpohl K, Ratnayake I, Kota D, Ahrenkiel P, Chandrasekar I, Surendran K.
PMID: 30514723 | DOI: 10.1681/ASN.2018040440
Abstract Background Notch signaling is required during kidney development for nephron formation and principal cell fate selection within the collecting ducts. Whether Notch signaling is required in the adult kidney to maintain epithelial diversity, or whether its loss can trigger principal cell transdifferentiation (which could explain acquired diabetes insipidus in patients receiving lithium) is unclear. Methods To investigate whether loss of Notch signaling can trigger principal cells to lose their identity, we genetically inactivated Notch1 and Notch2, inactivated the Notch signaling target Hes1, or induced expression of a Notch signaling inhibitor in all of the nephron segments and collecting ducts in mice after kidney development. We examined renal function and cell type composition of control littermates and mice with conditional Notch signaling inactivation in adult renal epithelia. In addition, we traced the fate of genetically labeled adult kidney collecting duct principal cells after Hes1 inactivation or lithium treatment. Results Notch signaling was required for maintenance of Aqp2-expressing cells in distal nephron and collecting duct segments in adult kidneys. Fate tracing revealed mature principal cells in the inner stripe of the outer medulla converted to intercalated cells after genetic inactivation of Hes1 and, to a lesser extent, lithium treatment. Hes1 ensured repression of Foxi1 to prevent the intercalated cell program from turning on in mature Aqp2+ cell types. Conclusions Notch signaling via Hes1 regulates maintenance of mature renal epithelial cell states. Loss of Notch signaling or use of lithium can trigger transdifferentiation of mature principal cells to intercalated cells in adult kidneys.
Saunders-Wood, T;Egawa, N;Zheng, K;Giaretta, A;Griffin, H;Doorbar, J;
PMID: 35019722 | DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01181-21
Papillomaviruses exclusively infect stratified epithelial tissues and cause chronic infections. To achieve this, infected cells must remain in the epithelial basal layer alongside their uninfected neighbours for years or even decades. To examine how papillomaviruses achieve this, we used the in vivo MmuPV1 model of lesion formation and persistence. During early lesion formation, an increased cell density in the basal layer, as well as a delay in the infected cells commitment to differentiation was apparent in cells expressing MmuPV1 E6/E7 RNA. Using cell culture models, keratinocytes exogenously expressing MmuPV1 E6, but not E7, recapitulated this delay in differentiation post-confluence and also grew to a significantly higher density. Cell competition assays further showed that MmuPV1 E6 expression led to a preferential persistence of the cell in the first layer, with control cells accumulating almost exclusively in the second layer. Interestingly, the disruption of MmuPV1 E6 binding to MAML1 protein abrogated these phenotypes. This suggests that the interaction between MAML1 and E6 is necessary for the lower (basal) layer persistence of MmuPV1 E6 expressing cells. Our results indicate a role for E6 in lesion establishment by facilitating the persistence of infected cells in the epithelial basal layer; a mechanism that is most likely shared by other papillomavirus types. Interruption of this interaction is predicted to impede persistent papillomavirus infection and consequently provides a novel treatment target. Importance Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can lead to development of HPV-associated cancers, and persistent low-risk HPV infection causes problematic diseases, such as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. The management and treatment of these conditions poses a considerable economic burden. Maintaining a reservoir of infected cells in the basal layer of the epithelium is critical for the persistence of infection in the host, and our studies using the mouse papillomavirus model suggest that E6 gene expression leads to the preferential persistence of epithelial cells in the lower layers during stratification. The E6 interaction with MAML1, a component of the Notch pathway, is required for this phenotype, and is linked to E6 effects on cell density and differentiation. These observations are likely to reflect a common E6 role that is preserved amongst papillomaviruses, and provide us with a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of recalcitrant lesions.
Li L, Grausam KB, Wang J, Lun MP, Ohli J, Lidov HG, Calicchio ML, Zeng E, Salisbury JL, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Lehtinen MK, Schüller U, Zhao H.
PMID: 26999738 | DOI: 10.1038/ncb3327
Aberrant Notch signalling has been linked to many cancers including choroid plexus (CP) tumours, a group of rare and predominantly paediatric brain neoplasms. We developed animal models of CP tumours, by inducing sustained expression of Notch1, that recapitulate properties of human CP tumours with aberrant NOTCH signalling. Whole-transcriptome and functional analyses showed that tumour cell proliferation is associated with Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) in the tumour microenvironment. Unlike CP epithelial cells, which have multiple primary cilia, tumour cells possess a solitary primary cilium as a result of Notch-mediated suppression of multiciliate differentiation. A Shh-driven signalling cascade in the primary cilium occurs in tumour cells but not in epithelial cells. Lineage studies show that CP tumours arise from monociliated progenitors in the roof plate characterized by elevated Notch signalling. Abnormal SHH signalling and distinct ciliogenesis are detected in human CP tumours, suggesting the SHH pathway and cilia differentiation as potential therapeutic avenues.
Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology
Douchi, D;Yamamura, A;Matsuo, J;Lee, JW;Nuttonmanit, N;Melissa Lim, YH;Suda, K;Shimura, M;Chen, S;Pang, S;Kohu, K;Kaneko, M;Kiyonari, H;Kaneda, A;Yoshida, H;Taniuchi, I;Osato, M;Yang, H;Unno, M;Bok-Yan So, J;Yeoh, KG;Huey Chuang, LS;Bae, SC;Ito, Y;
PMID: 35074568 | DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.01.010
RUNX transcription factors play pivotal roles in embryonic development and neoplasia. We previously identified the single missense mutation R122C in RUNX3 from human gastric cancer. However, how RUNX3R122C mutation disrupts stem cell homeostasis and promotes gastric carcinogenesis remained unclear.To understand the oncogenic nature of this mutation in vivo, we generated the RUNX3R122C knock-in mice. Stomach tissues were harvested, followed by histological and immunofluorescence staining, organoid culture, flow cytometry to isolate gastric corpus isthmus and non-isthmus epithelial cells, and RNA extraction for transcriptomic analysis.The corpus tissue of RUNX3R122C/R122C homozygous mice exhibited a precancerous phenotype such as spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM). We observed mucous neck cell hyperplasia, massive reduction of pit, parietal, and chief cell populations, as well as a dramatic increase in the number of rapidly proliferating isthmus stem/progenitor cells in the corpus of RUNX3R122C/R122C mice. Transcriptomic analyses of the isolated epithelial cells showed that the cell cycle-related MYC target gene signature was enriched in the corpus epithelial cells of RUNX3R122C/R122C mice compared with the wild-type corpus. Mechanistically, RUNX3R122C mutant protein disrupted the regulation of the restriction point where cells decide to enter either proliferative or quiescent state, thereby driving stem cell expansion and limiting the ability of cells to terminally differentiate.RUNX3R122C missense mutation is associated with the continuous cycling of isthmus stem/progenitor cells, maturation arrest and development of a precancerous state. This work highlights the importance of RUNX3 in prevention of metaplasia and gastric cancer.
Lawsonia intracellularis infected enterocytes lack sucrase-isomaltase which contributes to reduced pig digestive capacity
Helm, ET;Burrough, ER;Leite, FL;Gabler, NK;
PMID: 34147126 | DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00958-2
Lawsonia intracellularis is endemic to swine herds worldwide, however much is still unknown regarding its impact on intestinal function. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the impact of L. intracellularis on digestive function, and how vaccination mitigates these impacts. Thirty-six L. intracellularis negative barrows were assigned to treatment groups (n = 12/trt): (1) nonvaccinated, L. intracellularis negative (NC); (2) nonvaccinated, L intracellularis challenged (PC); and (3) L. intracellularis challenged, vaccinated (Enterisol Ileitis, Boehringer Ingelheim) 7 weeks pre-challenge (VAC). On days post-inoculation (dpi) 0 PC and VAC pigs were inoculated with L. intracellularis. From dpi 19-21 fecal samples were collected for apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and at dpi 21, pigs were euthanized for sample collection. Post-inoculation, ADG was reduced in PC pigs compared with NC (41%, P < 0.001) and VAC (25%, P < 0.001) pigs. Ileal gross lesion severity was greater in PC pigs compared with NC (P = 0.003) and VAC (P = 0.018) pigs. Dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, and energy ATTD were reduced in PC pigs compared with NC pigs (P ≤ 0.001 for all). RNAscope in situ hybridization revealed abolition of sucrase-isomaltase transcript in the ileum of PC pigs compared with NC and VAC pigs (P < 0.01). Conversely, abundance of stem cell signaling markers Wnt3, Hes1, and p27Kip1 were increased in PC pigs compared with NC pigs (P ≤ 0.085). Taken together, these data demonstrate that reduced digestibility during L. intracellularis challenge is partially driven by abolition of digestive machinery in lesioned tissue. Further, vaccination mitigated several of these effects, likely from lower bacterial burden and reduced disease severity.
Activation of notch signaling in dorsal root ganglia innervating knee joints in experimental osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
Wang, L;Miller, R;Malfait, A;
| DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.02.480
Purpose: Surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) is a widely used mouse model of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The cell bodies of primary sensory neurons innervating the knee joints are located in the lumbar dorsal root ganglia (L3-L5 DRG). Analysis of the gene expression profile of L3-L5 DRG after DMM or sham surgery revealed that innate neuro-immune pathways were strongly regulated, especially in the later stages of the model, 8-16 weeks after DMM, when persistent pain is associated with severe joint damage. In depth analysis of the microarray data further showed that a number of genes encoding molecules in the Notch signaling pathway were regulated, mostly in late-stage disease, along with the upregulation of the gene encoding monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1/C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). CCL2 is a proalgesic mediator that is released upon tolllike receptor (TLR) 2/4 activation, and plays a key role in initiating and maintaining pain in this model. The aim of this study was to investigate Notch signaling in the knee-innervating DRG of mice with experimental knee OA, and determine the effect of Notch signaling activation on TLR2/4-mediated CCL2 synthesis in cultured DRG cells. Methods: DMM or sham surgery was performed in the right knee of 10- week old male C57BL/6 mice. Ipsilateral L4 DRG from mice 26 weeks after DMM or sham surgery were collected and cryosectioned. Expression of the Notch downstream target gene, Hes1, was detected using RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) (RNAscope, Advanced Cell Diagnostics). Quantification of mRNA expression was performed as calculating H-score of each sample according to the 0-4 five-bin scoring system recommended by the manufacturer, based on the number of cells with the same range of number of dots per cell. Active Notch protein was detected via immunofluorescence (IF) staining using an antibody against Notch intracellular domain (NICD), which is only present after g-secretase cleavage of Notch at S3. For in vitro cultures of DRG cells, bilateral L3-L5 DRG were collected from 10-week old male naïve C57BL/6 mice. Following enzymatic digestion, DRG cells were plated on poly-L-lysine and laminin coated glass coverslips, and cultured in F12 medium supplemented with 1x N2 and 0.5% fetal bovine serum. Inhibition of Notch signaling was achieved by (1) g-secretase inhibitor, DAPT; (2) ADAM-17 inhibitor, TAPI-1; or (3) soluble form of the Jag1 peptide (sJag1). On day 4, cells were pre-treated with DAPT (25 mM), TAPI-1 (20 mM), or sJag1 (40 mM) for 1 hour, followed by addition of the TLR2 agonist, Pam3CSK4 (1 mg/ml), or the TLR4 agonist, LPS (1 mg/ ml). Then, RNA was collected 3 hours later for qRT-PCR to quantify Ccl2 mRNA expression, or culture supernatants were collected 24 hours later to measure the CCL2 protein level using Quantikine Mouse CCL2/JE/ MCP-1 Immunoassay kit from R&D Systems, Inc.
Pepe-Mooney BJ, Dill MT, Alemany A, Ordovas-Montanes J, Matsushita Y, Rao A, Sen A, Miyazaki M, Anakk S, Dawson PA, Ono N, Shalek AK, van Oudenaarden A, Camargo FD.
PMID: 31080134 | DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.04.004
The liver can substantially regenerate after injury, with both main epithelial cell types, hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells (BECs), playing important roles in parenchymal regeneration. Beyond metabolic functions, BECs exhibit substantial plasticity and in some contexts can drive hepatic repopulation. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing to examine BEC and hepatocyte heterogeneity during homeostasisand after injury. Instead of evidence for a transcriptionally defined progenitor-like BEC cell, we found significant homeostatic BEC heterogeneity that reflects fluctuating activation of a YAP-dependent program. This transcriptional signature defines a dynamic cellular state during homeostasis and is highly responsive to injury. YAP signaling is induced by physiological bile acids (BAs), required for BEC survival in response to BA exposure, and is necessary for hepatocyte reprogramming into biliary progenitors upon injury. Together, these findings uncover molecular heterogeneity within the ductal epithelium and reveal YAP as a protective rheostat and regenerative regulator in the mammalian liver.
Haber AL, Biton M, Rogel N, Herbst RH, Shekhar K, Smillie C, Burgin G, Delorey TM, Howitt MR, Katz Y, Tirosh I, Beyaz S, Dionne D, Zhang M, Raychowdhury R, Garrett WS, Rozenblatt-Rosen O, Shi HN, Yilmaz O, Xavier RJ, Regev A.
PMID: 29144463 | DOI: 10.1038/nature24489
Intestinal epithelial cells absorb nutrients, respond to microbes, function as a barrier and help to coordinate immune responses. Here we report profiling of 53,193 individual epithelial cells from the small intestine and organoids of mice, which enabled the identification and characterization of previously unknown subtypes of intestinal epithelial cell and their gene signatures. We found unexpected diversity in hormone-secreting enteroendocrine cells and constructed the taxonomy of newly identified subtypes, and distinguished between two subtypes of tuft cell, one of which expresses the epithelial cytokine Tslp and the pan-immune marker CD45, which was not previously associated with non-haematopoietic cells. We also characterized the ways in which cell-intrinsic states and the proportions of different cell types respond to bacterial and helminth infections: Salmonella infection caused an increase in the abundance of Paneth cells and enterocytes, and broad activation of an antimicrobial program; Heligmosomoides polygyrus caused an increase in the abundance of goblet and tuft cells. Our survey highlights previously unidentified markers and programs, associates sensory molecules with cell types, and uncovers principles of gut homeostasis and response to pathogens.
