Dynamic balance between master transcription factors determines the fates and functions of CD4 T cell and innate lymphoid cell subsets

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

CD4 T cells, including T regulatory cells (Treg cells) and effector T helper cells (Th cells), and recently identified innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) play important roles in host defense and inflammation. Both CD4 T cells and ILCs can be classified into distinct lineages based on their functions and the expression of lineage-specific genes, including those encoding effector cytokines, cell surface markers, and key transcription factors. It was first recognized that each lineage expresses a specific master transcription factor and the expression of these factors is mutually exclusive because of cross-regulation among these factors. However, recent studies indicate that the master regulators are often coexpressed. Furthermore, the expression of master regulators can be dynamic and quantitative. In this review, we will first discuss similarities and differences between the development and functions of CD4 T cell and ILC subsets and then summarize recent literature on quantitative, dynamic, and cell type–specific balance between the master transcription factors in determining heterogeneity and plasticity of these subsets. PMID:28630089

Prohormone convertase and autocrine growth factor mRNAs are coexpressed in small cell lung carcinoma.

PubMed

Rounseville, M P; Davis, T P

2000-08-01

A hallmark of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is the expression of autocrine growth factors such as neurotensin and gastrin-releasing peptide, which bind to cellular receptors and stimulate cell division. The biological activity of autocrine growth factors requires the concurrent expression of prohormone convertases that cleave the growth factors to their active form, suggesting the expression of these genes is linked in SCLCs. RNase protection assays were used to detect the expression of autocrine growth factor and prohormone convertase mRNAs in a panel of lung cancer cell lines. These mRNAs are coexpressed in SCLC and lung carcinoid cell lines, but not in normal lung epithelium or in non-small cell lung cancers. These findings, together with earlier results from our laboratory, suggest the expression of prohormone convertases has an important role in the development and maintenance of the SCLC phenotype and that autocrine growth factor and prohormone convertase genes respond to a common transcriptional activator in SCLC.

Egr-1 and serum response factor are involved in growth factors- and serum-mediated induction of E2-EPF UCP expression that regulates the VHL-HIF pathway.

PubMed

Lim, Jung Hwa; Jung, Cho-Rok; Lee, Chan-Hee; Im, Dong-Soo

2008-11-01

E2-EPF ubiquitin carrier protein (UCP) has been shown to be highly expressed in common human cancers and target von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) for proteosomal degradation in cells, thereby stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha. Here, we investigated cellular factors that regulate the expression of UCP gene. Promoter deletion assay identified binding sites for early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and serum response factor (SRF) in the UCP promoter. Hepatocyte or epidermal growth factor (EGF), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced UCP expression following early induction of Egr-1 expression in HeLa cells. Serum increased mRNA and protein levels of SRF and UCP in the cell. By electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, sequence-specific DNA-binding of Egr-1 and SRF to the UCP promoter was detected in nuclear extracts from HeLa cells treated with EGF and serum, respectively. Overexpression of Egr-1 or SRF increased UCP expression. RNA interference-mediated depletion of endogenous Egr-1 or SRF impaired EGF- or serum-mediated induction of UCP expression, which was required for cancer cell proliferation. Systemic delivery of EGF into mice also increased UCP expression following early induction of Egr-1 expression in mouse liver. The induced UCP expression by the growth factors or serum increased HIF-1alpha protein level under non-hypoxic conditions, suggesting that the Egr-1/SRF-UCP-VHL pathway is in part responsible for the increased HIF-1alpha protein level in vitro and in vivo. Thus, growth factors and serum induce expression of Egr-1 and SRF, respectively, which in turn induces UCP expression that positively regulates cancer cell growth.

c-erbA and v-erbA modulate growth and gene expression of a mouse glial precursor cell line.

PubMed

Iglesias, T; Llanos, S; López-Barahona, M; Pérez-Aranda, A; Rodríguez-Peña, A; Bernal, J; Höhne, A; Seliger, B; Muñoz, A

1994-07-01

The c-erbA alpha protooncogene coding for the thyroid hormone (T3) receptor (TR alpha 1) and the viral, mutated v-erbA oncogene were expressed in an immortal mouse glial cell line (B3.1) using retroviral vectors. c-erbA alpha expression led to a decrease in cell proliferation in high and low serum conditions, both in the presence and in the absence of T3. In serum-free medium, c-erbA-expressing cells (B3.1 + TR alpha 1) were completely arrested, whereas cells expressing v-erbA (B3.1 + v-erbA) showed a higher DNA synthesis rate than normal B3.1 cells. Although proliferation of all three cell types was stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, differences were also observed in the response to these agents. B3.1 + TR alpha 1 cells were more sensitive to platelet-derived growth factor than B3.1 and B3.1 + v-erbA cells. In contrast, B3.1 cells responded to basic fibroblast growth factor better than B3.1 + TR alpha 1 or B3.1 + v-erbA cells. Insulin-like growth factor I potentiated the action of platelet-derived growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Again, different responses to treatment with insulin-like growth factor I alone were observed; B3.1 + TR alpha 1 cells did not respond to it, whereas B3.1 + v-erbA cells showed a dramatic stimulation by this agent. Interestingly, in the presence of T3, the blockade in B3.1 + TR alpha 1 cell proliferation was accompanied by the down-regulation of the typical astrocytic genes, glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin. These hormone effects were not found in v-erbA-expressing cells. In addition, v-erbA inhibited the basal expression of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase gene, an oligodendrocytic marker.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of LIM-homeodomain transcription factors in the developing and mature mouse retina

PubMed Central

Balasubramanian, Revathi; Bui, Andrew; Ding, Qian; Gan, Lin

2014-01-01

LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcription factors have been extensively studied for their role in the development of the central nervous system. Their function is key to several developmental events like cell proliferation, differentiation and subtype specification. However, their roles in retinal neurogenesis remain largely unknown. Here we report a detailed expression study of LIM-HD transcription factors LHX9 and LHX2, LHX3 and LHX4, and LHX6 in the developing and mature mouse retina using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques. We show that LHX9 is expressed during the early stages of development in the retinal ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. We also show that LHX9 is expressed in a subset of amacrine cells in the adult retina. LHX2 is known to be expressed in retinal progenitor cells during development and in Müller glial cells and a subset of amacrine cells in the adult retina. We found that the LHX2 subset of amacrine cells is not cholinergic and that a very few of LHX2 amacrine cells express calretinin. LHX3 and LHX4 are expressed in a subset of bipolar cells in the adult retina. LHX6 is expressed in cells in the ganglion cell layer and the neuroblast layer starting at embryonic stage 13.5 (E13.5) and continues to be expressed in cells in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer, postnatally, suggesting its likely expression in amacrine cells or a subset thereof. Taken together, our comprehensive assay of expression patterns of LIM-HD transcription factors during mouse retinal development will help further studies elucidating their biological functions in the differentiation of retinal cell subtypes. PMID:24333658

Expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha in early-stage and in metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Ribeiro, Maisa; Teixeira, Sarah R; Azevedo, Monarko N; Fraga, Ailton C; Gontijo, Antônio Pm; Vêncio, Eneida F

2017-04-01

To investigate hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha expression in distinct oral squamous cell carcinoma subtypes and topographies and correlate with clinicopathological data. Hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 93 cases of OSCC. Clinical and histopathological data were reviewed from medical records. Hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha status was distinct according to tumor location, subtype and topography affect. In superficial oral squamous cell carcinomas, most tumor cells overexpressed hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha, whereas hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha was restricted to the intratumoral region in conventional squamous cell carcinomas. All basaloid squamous cell carcinomas exhibited downregulation of hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha. Interestingly, metastatic lymph nodes (91.7%, p = 0.001) and the intratumoral regions of corresponding primary tumors (58.3%, p = 0.142) showed hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha-positive tumor cells. Overall survival was poor in patients with metastatic lymph nodes. Hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha has distinct expression patterns in different oral squamous cell carcinoma subtypes and topographies, suggesting that low oxygen tension promotes the growth pattern of superficial and conventional squamous cell carcinoma, but not basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. Indeed, a hypoxic environment may facilitate regional metastasis, making it a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker in primary tumors.

Evaluation of procoagulant tissue factor expression in canine hemangiosarcoma cell lines

PubMed Central

Witter, Lauren E.; Gruber, Erika J.; Lean, Fabian Z. X.; Stokol, Tracy

2017-01-01

OBJECTIVE To evaluate expression of procoagulant tissue factor (TF) by canine hemangiosarcoma cells in vitro. SAMPLES 4 canine hemangiosarcoma cell lines (SB-HSA [mouse-passaged cutaneous tumor], Emma [primary metastatic brain tumor], and Frog and Dal-1 [primary splenic tumors]) and 1 nonneoplastic canine endothelial cell line (CnAoEC). PROCEDURES TF mRNA and TF antigen expression were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Thrombin generation was measured in canine plasma and in coagulation factor–replete or specific coagulation factor–deficient human plasma by calibrated automated thrombography. Corn trypsin inhibitor and annexin V were used to examine contributions of contact activation and membrane-bound phosphatidylserine, respectively, to thrombin generation. RESULTS All cell lines expressed TF mRNA and antigen, with significantly greater expression of both products in SB-HSA and Emma cells than in CnAoEC. A greater percentage of SB-HSA cells expressed TF antigen, compared with other hemangiosarcoma cell lines. All hemangiosarcoma cell lines generated significantly more thrombin than did CnAoEC in canine or factor-replete human plasma. Thrombin generation induced by SB-HSA cells was significantly lower in factor VII-deficient plasma than in factor-replete plasma and was abolished in factor X–deficient plasma; residual thrombin generation in FVII-deficient plasma was abolished by incubation of cells with annexin V. Thrombin generation by SB-HSA cells was unaffected by the addition of corn trypsin inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Hemangiosarcoma cell lines expressed procoagulant TF in vitro. Further research is needed to determine whether TF can be used as a biomarker for hemostatic dysfunction in dogs with hemangiosarcoma. PMID:28029283

[Low expression of activin A in mouse and human embryonic teratocarcinoma cells].

PubMed

Gordeeva, O F

2014-01-01

TGFP3 family factors play an important role in regulating the balance of self-renewal and differentiation of mouse and human pluripotent stem and embryonic teratocarcinoma cells. The expression patterns of TGFbeta family signaling ligands and functional roles of these signaling pathways differ significantly in mouse and human embryonic stem cells, but the activity and functional role of these factors in mouse and human embryonic teratocarcinoma cells were not sufficiently investigated. Comparative quantitative real-time PCR analysis of the expression of TGF@[beta] family factors in mouse embryonic stem, embryonic germ, and embryonic teratocarcinoma cells showed that embryonic teratocarcinoma cells express lower ActivinA than pluripotent stem cells but similar levels of factors Nodal, Lefty 1, TGFbeta1, BMP4, and GDF3. In human nullipotent embryonic teratocarcinoma PA-1 cells, most factors of the TGFbeta family (ACTIVINA, NODAL, LEFTY 1, BMP4, and GDF3) are expressed at lower levels than in human embryonic stem cells: Thus, in mouse and human nullipotent teratocarcinoma cells, theexpression of ActivinA is significantly reduced com- pared ivith embryonic stem cells. Presumably, these differences may be associated with changes in the functional activity of the respective signaling pathways and deregulation of proliferative and antiproliferative mechanisms in embryonic teratocarcinoma cells.

Aging impairs transcriptional regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in human microvascular endothelial cells: implications for angiogenesis and cell survival.

PubMed

Ahluwalia, A; Jones, M K; Szabo, S; Tarnawski, A S

2014-04-01

In some tissues, aging impairs angiogenesis and reduces expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF), a fundamental regulator of angiogenesis. We previously examined angiogenesis in aging and young gastric mucosa in vivo and in vitro and showed that an imbalance between expressions of VEGF (pro-angiogenic factor) and endostatin (anti-angiogenic protein) results in an aging-related impairment of angiogenesis in rats. However, the human relevance of these findings, and whether these mechanisms apply to endothelial cells derived from other tissues, is not clear. Since P-STAT3 and P-CREB are transcription factors that, in association with HIF-1α, can activate VEGF gene expression in some cells (e.g., liver cancer cells, vascular smooth muscle cells), we examined the expression of these two proteins in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) derived from aging and neonatal individuals. We examined and quantified in vitro angiogenesis, expression of VEGF, P-STAT3, P-CREB and importin-α in HMVECs isolated from neonates (neonatal) and a 66 year old subject (aging). We also examined the effects of treatment with exogenous VEGF and endostatin on in vitro angiogenesis in these cells. Endothelial cells isolated from aging individuals had impaired angiogenesis (vs. neonatal endothelial cells) and reduced expression of VEGF mRNA and protein. Aged HMVECs also had reduced importin-α expression, and reduced expression and nuclear translocation of P-STAT3 and P-CREB. Reduced VEGF gene expression in aged HMVECs strongly correlated with the decreased levels of P-STAT3, P-CREB and importin-α in these cells. Our study clearly demonstrates that endothelial cells from aging individuals have impaired angiogenesis and reduced expression of VEGF likely due to impaired nuclear transport of P-STAT3 and P-CREB transcription factors in these cells.

Hemoglobin enhances tissue factor expression on human malignant cells.

PubMed

Siddiqui, F A; Amirkhosravi, A; Amaya, M; Meyer, T; Biggerstaff, J; Desai, H; Francis, J L

2001-04-01

Tissue Factor (TF) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that complexes with factor VII/activated factor VII to initiate blood coagulation. TF may be expressed on the surface of various cells including monocytes and endothelial cells. Over-expression of TF in human tumor cell lines promotes metastasis. We recently showed that hemoglobin (Hb) forms a specific complex with TF purified from human malignant melanoma cells and enhances its procoagulant activity (PCA). To further study this interaction, we examined the effect of Hb on the expression of TF on human malignant (TF+) cells and KG1 myeloid leukemia (TF-) cells. Human melanoma A375 and J82 bladder carcinoma cells, which express TF at moderate and relatively high levels, respectively, were incubated with varying concentrations (0-1.5 mg/ml) of Hb. After washing, cells were analyzed for Hb binding and TF expression using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Hb bound to the cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and increased both TF expression and PCA. The human A375 malignant melanoma cells incubated with Hb (1 mg/ml) expressed up to six times more TF antigen than cells without Hb. This increase in TF expression and PCA of intact cells incubated with Hb was significantly inhibited by cycloheximide at a concentration of 10 microg/ml (P < 0.01). An increase in total cellular TF antigen content was demonstrated by specific immunoassay. In contrast, Hb (5 mg/ml) did not induce TF expression and PCA on KG1 cells as determined by flow cytometry and TF (FXAA) activity. We conclude that Hb specifically binds to TF-bearing malignant cells and increases their PCA. This effect seems to be at least partly due to de novo synthesis of TF and increased surface expression. However, the exact mechanism by which Hb binds and upregulates TF expression remains to be determined.

Expression of transcription factors during sodium phenylacetate induced erythroid differentiation in K562 cells.

PubMed

Rath, A V; Schmahl, G E; Niemeyer, C M

1997-01-01

During 15 days of treatment of K562 cells with sodium phenylacetate, we observed an increase in the cellular hemoglobin concentration with a similar increase in the expression of gamma-globin mRNA. Morphological studies demonstrated characteristic features of erythroid differentiation and maturation. At the same time there was no change in the level of expression of the cell surface antigenes CD33, CD34, CD45, CD71 and glycophorin A. Likewise, the level of expression of the erythroid transcription factors GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-E2, SCL and RBTN2, all expressed in untreated K562 cells, did not increase during sodium phenylacetate induced erythroid differentiation. The expression of the nuclear factors Evi-1 and c-myb, known to inhibit erythroid differentiation, did not decrease. We conclude that sodium phenylacetate treatment of K562 cells increases gamma-globin mRNA and induces cell maturation as judged by morphology without affecting the expression of the erythroid transcription factors, some of which are known to be involved in the regulation of beta-like globin genes.

Suppression of the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells.

PubMed

Chang, Zhi-Gang; Wei, Jun-Min; Qin, Chang-Fu; Hao, Kun; Tian, Xiao-Dong; Xie, Kun; Xie, Xue-Hai; Yang, Yin-Mo

2012-05-01

Aberrant expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been detected in pancreatic cancer; however, the mechanisms of EGFR in inducing pancreatic cancer development have not been adequately elucidated. The objective of this study was to determine the role of EGFR in mediating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer cells. Pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 was transfected with small interfering RNA of EGFR by use of a lentiviral expression vector to establish an EGFR-knockdown cell line (si-PANC-1). PANC-1 cells transfected with lentiviral vector expressing negative control sequence were used as negative control (NC-PANC-1). Scratch assay and transwell study were used to analyze cell migration and invasion. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of EMT markers E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, and fibronectin and transcription factors snail, slug, twist1, and sip1 in PANC-1, NC-PANC-1, and si-PANC-1 cells. Immunofluorescent staining with these antibodies and confocal microscopy were used to observe their cellular location and morphologic changes. After RNA interference of EGFR, the migration and invasion ability of si-PANC-1 cells decreased significantly. The expression of epithelial phenotype marker E-cadherin increased and the expression of mesenchymal phenotype markers N-cadherin, vimentin, and fibronectin decreased, indicating reversion of EMT. We also observed intracellular translocation of E-cadherin. Expression of transcription factors snail and slug in si-PANC-1 cells decreased significantly. Suppression of EGFR expression can significantly inhibit EMT of pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells. The mechanism may be related with the down-regulation of the expression of transcription factors snail and slug.

Endothelial connexin 32 regulates tissue factor expression induced by inflammatory stimulation and direct cell-cell interaction with activated cells.

PubMed

Okamoto, Takayuki; Akita, Nobuyuki; Hayashi, Tatsuya; Shimaoka, Motomu; Suzuki, Koji

2014-10-01

Endothelial cell (EC) interacts with adjacent EC through gap junction, and abnormal expression or function of Cxs is associated with cardiovascular diseases. In patients with endothelial dysfunction, the up-regulation of tissue factor (TF) expression promotes the pathogenic activation of blood coagulation, however the relationship between gap junctions and TF expression in ECs remains uncharacterized. ECs express the gap junction (GJ) proteins connexin32 (Cx32), Cx37, Cx40 and Cx43. We investigated the role of endothelial gap junctions, particularly Cx32, in modulating TF expression during vascular inflammation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and TF activity was assessed in the presence of GJ blockers and an inhibitory anti-Cx32 monoclonal antibody. Treatment with GJ blockers and anti-Cx32 monoclonal antibody enhanced the TNF-α-induced TF activity and mRNA expression in HUVECs. TNF-α-activated effector HUVECs or mouse MS-1 cells were co-cultured with non-stimulated acceptor HUVECs and TF expression in acceptor HUVECs was detected. Effector EC induced TF expression in adjacent acceptor HUVECs through direct cell-cell interaction. Cell-cell interaction induced TF expression was reduced by anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) monoclonal antibody. Soluble ICAM1-Fc fusion protein promotes TF expression. GJ blockers and anti-Cx32 monoclonal antibody enhanced TF expression induced by cell-cell interaction and ICAM1-Fc treatment. Blockade of endothelial Cx32 increased TF expression induced by TNF-α stimulation and cell-cell interaction which was at least partly dependent upon ICAM1. These results suggest that direct Cx32-mediated interaction modulates TF expression in ECs during vascular inflammation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hepatic leukemia factor promotes resistance to cell death: Implications for therapeutics and chronotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Waters, Katrina M.; Sontag, Ryan L.; Weber, Thomas J., E-mail: Thomas.Weber@pnl.gov

Physiological variation related to circadian rhythms and aberrant gene expression patterns are believed to modulate therapeutic efficacy, but the precise molecular determinants remain unclear. Here we examine the regulation of cell death by hepatic leukemia factor (HLF), which is an output regulator of circadian rhythms and is aberrantly expressed in human cancers, using an ectopic expression strategy in JB6 mouse epidermal cells and human keratinocytes. Ectopic HLF expression inhibited cell death in both JB6 cells and human keratinocytes, as induced by serum-starvation, tumor necrosis factor alpha and ionizing radiation. Microarray analysis indicates that HLF regulates a complex multi-gene transcriptional programmore » encompassing upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes, downregulation of pro-apoptotic genes, and many additional changes that are consistent with an anti-death program. Collectively, our results demonstrate that ectopic expression of HLF, an established transcription factor that cycles with circadian rhythms, can recapitulate many features associated with circadian-dependent physiological variation. - Highlights: ► Circadian-dependent physiological variation impacts therapeutic efficacy. ► Hepatic leukemia factor inhibits cell death and is a candidate circadian factor. ► Hepatic leukemia factor anti-death program is conserved in murine and human cells. ► Transcriptomics indicates the anti-death program results from a systems response.« less

Tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} enhances IL-15-induced natural killer cell differentiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Jiwon; Lee, Suk Hyung; Korea University of Science and Technology, Yusong, Daejeon 305-333

2009-09-04

The differentiation of natural killer (NK) cells is regulated by various factors including soluble growth factors and transcription factors. Here, we have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha}) is a positive regulator of NK cell differentiation. TNF-{alpha} augmented the IL-15-induced expression of NK1.1 and CD122 in mature NK cells, and TNF-{alpha} alone also induced NK cell maturation as well as IL-15. TNF-{alpha} also increased IFN-{gamma} production in NK cells in the presence of IL-15. Meanwhile, mRNA expression of several transcription factors, including T-bet and GATA-3, was increased by the addition of TNF-{alpha} and IL-15. In addition, TNF-{alpha} increased nuclear factor-kappamore » B (NF-{kappa}B) activity in NK cells and inhibition of NF-{kappa}B impeded TNF-{alpha}-enhanced NK cell maturation. Overall, these data suggest that TNF-{alpha} significantly increased IL-15-driven NK cell differentiation by increasing the expression of transcription factors that play crucial roles in NK cell maturation and inducing the NF-{kappa}B activity.« less

Coagulation factor VII is regulated by androgen receptor in breast cancer.

PubMed

Naderi, Ali

2015-02-01

Androgen receptor (AR) is widely expressed in breast cancer; however, there is limited information on the key molecular functions and gene targets of AR in this disease. In this study, gene expression data from a cohort of 52 breast cancer cell lines was analyzed to identify a network of AR co-expressed genes. A total of 300 genes, which were significantly enriched for cell cycle and metabolic functions, showed absolute correlation coefficients (|CC|) of more than 0.5 with AR expression across the dataset. In this network, a subset of 35 "AR-signature" genes were highly co-expressed with AR (|CC|>0.6) that included transcriptional regulators PATZ1, NFATC4, and SPDEF. Furthermore, gene encoding coagulation factor VII (F7) demonstrated the closest expression pattern with AR (CC=0.716) in the dataset and factor VII protein expression was significantly associated to that of AR in a cohort of 209 breast tumors. Moreover, functional studies demonstrated that AR activation results in the induction of factor VII expression at both transcript and protein levels and AR directly binds to a proximal region of F7 promoter in breast cancer cells. Importantly, AR activation in breast cancer cells induced endogenous factor VII activity to convert factor X to Xa in conjunction with tissue factor. In summary, F7 is a novel AR target gene and AR activation regulates the ectopic expression and activity of factor VII in breast cancer cells. These findings have functional implications in the pathobiology of thromboembolic events and regulation of factor VII/tissue factor signaling in breast cancer. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Doublecortin and CaM kinase-like-1 expression in pathological stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Tao, Hiroyuki; Tanaka, Toshiki; Okabe, Kazunori

2017-08-01

Doublecortin and CaM kinase-like-1 (DCLK1) regulates microtubule polymerization in migrating neurons. Recently, DCLK1 has been reported to act as an intestinal tumor stem cell marker and has been shown to be expressed in cancer cells and in the stroma of breast, colon, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. Here, we studied DCLK1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by immunohistochemistry in association with clinicopathological factors and patient prognosis. DCLK1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining of surgical specimens from 232 patients with pathological stage I NSCLC, including 187 adenocarcinomas. Relationships between the expression status of DCLK1 and clinicopathological factors were examined. The impact of DCLK1 expression status and other clinicopathological factors on survival was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Thirty-three (14.2%) of 232 patients had DCLK1-positive cancer cells. DCLK1 was also expressed in the tumor stroma in most of the specimens and was significantly associated with DCLK1 expression in cancer cells. DCLK1-positive cancer cells were more common in non-adenocarcinoma tissues (44.4%) than in adenocarcinoma tissues (7.0%). Moreover, positive DCLK1 expression in cancer cells and stromal cells was correlated with a worse prognosis. Histological analyses revealed that the presence of DCLK1-positive cancer cells was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in adenocarcinoma, but was not significantly associated with prognosis in non-adenocarcinoma. DCLK1 expression was observed in tumor cells in patients with pathological stage I NSCLC and was correlated with adverse prognosis, especially in patients with adenocarcinoma. DCLK1 may be a potential new therapeutic target.

Krüppel Like Factors Family Expression in Cervical Cancer Cells.

PubMed

Marrero-Rodríguez, Daniel; la Cruz, Hugo Arreola-De; Taniguchi-Ponciano, Keiko; Gomez-Virgilio, Laura; Huerta-Padilla, Victor; Ponce-Navarrete, Gustavo; Andonegui-Elguera, Sergio; Jimenez-Vega, Florinda; Romero-Morelos, Pablo; Rodriguez-Esquivel, Miriam; Meraz-Rios, Marco; Figueroa-Corona, Ma Del Pilar; Monroy, Alberto; Pérez-González, Oscar; Salcedo, Mauricio

2017-05-01

Krüppel Like Factors (KLF) refers to a family of seventeen members of transcription factors. Involved in several cellular processes. As other cancer types, Cervical Cancer (CC) presents molecular deregulations in transcription factors, but especially Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) sequences. Here in this work we analyzed the mRNA expression of all KLF family members in CC-derived cell lines and CC tissues. The cell lines used were HeLa, INBL, RoVa, C4-I, Ms751, ViPa, CaLo, SiHa, CaSki, C33a and ViBo and the non-tumorigenic HaCaT. mRNA expression was analyzed by means of expression microarray and RT-PCR, and KLF5 protein by immunofluorescence. The cell lines were grouped according to HPV genotype as HPV16, HPV18 positive or HPV negative cells. Heterogeneous expression was observed among the cell lines. Despite the heterogeneous expression profile, KLF3, -5, -12, -15 and -16 transcripts were present in all cell lines, KLF4 and -10 which were not expressed in CaSki; KLF11 and 13 were not expressed by Vipa and C4-I, and KLF7 was not expressed by C4-I and Rova. The CC tissue analysis shows expression of most of the KLF members, such as KLF5. KLF5 immunosignal was positive in the three cell lines analyzed. We suggest that KLF expression could not be related to HPV presence/genotype, at least at transcriptional level, and the expression of KLF family members may be necessary in the biology of the CC cells. Copyright © 2017 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Expression of a transmembrane phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibits cellular response to platelet-derived growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-1.

PubMed

Mooney, R A; Freund, G G; Way, B A; Bordwell, K L

1992-11-25

Tyrosine phosphorylation is a mechanism of signal transduction shared by many growth factor receptors and oncogene products. Phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) potentially modulate or counter-regulate these signaling pathways. To test this hypothesis, the transmembrane PTPase CD45 (leukocyte common antigen) was expressed in the murine cell line C127. Hormone-dependent autophosphorylation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors was markedly reduced in cells expressing the transmembrane PTPase. Tyrosine phosphorylation of other PDGF-dependent phosphoproteins (160, 140, and 55 kDa) and IGF-1-dependent phosphoproteins (145 kDa) was similarly decreased. Interestingly, the pattern of growth factor-independent tyrosine phosphorylations was comparable in cells expressing the PTPase and control cells. This suggests a selectivity or accessibility of the PTPase limited to a subset of cellular phosphotyrosyl proteins. The maximum mitogenic response to PDGF and IGF-1 in cells expressing the PTPase was decreased by 67 and 71%, respectively. These results demonstrate that a transmembrane PTPase can both affect the tyrosine phosphorylation state of growth factor receptors and modulate proximal and distal cellular responses to the growth factors.

Tissue factor expression as a possible determinant of thromboembolism in ovarian cancer

PubMed Central

Uno, K; Homma, S; Satoh, T; Nakanishi, K; Abe, D; Matsumoto, K; Oki, A; Tsunoda, H; Yamaguchi, I; Nagasawa, T; Yoshikawa, H; Aonuma, K

2007-01-01

Ovarian cancer, and clear cell carcinoma in particular, reportedly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the mechanisms remain unclear. Tissue factor (TF) supposedly represents a major factor in the procoagulant activities of cancer cells. The present study examined the involvement of TF expression in VTE for patients with ovarian cancer. Subjects comprised 32 consecutive patients (mean age 49.8 years) with histologically confirmed ovarian cancer. Presence of VTE was examined using a combination of clinical features, D-dimer levels and venous ultrasonography. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate TF expression into 4 degrees. Venous thromboembolism was identified in 10 of the 32 patients (31%), including five of the 11 patients with clear cell carcinoma. Tissue factor expression was detected in cancer tissues from 24 patients and displayed significant correlations with VTE development (P=0.0003), D-dimer concentration (P=0.003) and clear cell carcinoma (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified TF expression as an independent predictive factor of VTE development (P<0.05). Tissue factor (TF) expression is a possible determinant of VTE development in ovarian cancer. In particular, clear cell carcinoma may produce excessive levels of TF and is more likely to develop VTE. PMID:17211468

Hypoxia-inducible factors regulate pluripotency factor expression by ZNF217- and ALKBH5-mediated modulation of RNA methylation in breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Chuanzhao; Zhi, Wanqing Iris; Lu, Haiquan; Samanta, Debangshu; Chen, Ivan; Gabrielson, Edward; Semenza, Gregg L

2016-10-04

Exposure of breast cancer cells to hypoxia increases the percentage of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which are required for tumor initiation and metastasis, and this response is dependent on the activity of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). We previously reported that exposure of breast cancer cells to hypoxia induces the ALKBH5-mediated demethylation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in NANOG mRNA leading to increased expression of NANOG, which is a pluripotency factor that promotes BCSC specification. Here we report that exposure of breast cancer cells to hypoxia also induces ZNF217-dependent inhibition of m6A methylation of mRNAs encoding NANOG and KLF4, which is another pluripotency factor that mediates BCSC specification. Although hypoxia induced the BCSC phenotype in all breast-cancer cell lines analyzed, it did so through variable induction of pluripotency factors and ALKBH5 or ZNF217. However, in every breast cancer line, the hypoxic induction of pluripotency factor and ALKBH5 or ZNF217 expression was HIF-dependent. Immunohistochemistry revealed that expression of HIF-1α and ALKBH5 was concordant in all human breast cancer biopsies analyzed. ALKBH5 knockdown in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells significantly decreased metastasis from breast to lungs in immunodeficient mice. Thus, HIFs stimulate pluripotency factor expression and BCSC specification by negative regulation of RNA methylation.

Expression of the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factors 4E and 2α in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas

PubMed Central

Wang, Songtao; Rosenwald, Igor B.; Hutzler, Michael J.; Pihan, German A.; Savas, Lou; Chen, Jane-Jane; Woda, Bruce A.

1999-01-01

Transition of cells from quiescence to proliferation requires an increase in the rate of protein synthesis, which is regulated in part by two key translation initiation factors, 4E and 2α. The expression and activity of both factors are increased transiently when normal resting cells are stimulated to proliferate. They are constitutively elevated in oncogene transformed cultured cells, and overexpression of either initiation factor in rodent cells makes them tumorigenic. In this study we investigate an association between the expression of translation initiation factors and lymphomagenesis. We have analyzed the expression of the protein synthesis initiation factors 4E and 2α by immunohistochemistry in reactive lymph nodes and several types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma representing a wide range of clinical behaviors based on the Revised European-American Lymphoma behavioral classification. The study included 7 benign lymph nodes with follicular hyperplasia, 26 indolent lymphomas (6 marginal zone lymphomas, 7 small lymphocytic lymphomas, and 13 follicular lymphomas, grades 1 and 2), 16 moderately aggressive lymphomas (8 mantle cell lymphomas and 8 follicular lymphomas, grade 3), 24 aggressive lymphomas (14 large-B-cell lymphomas and 10 anaplastic large-cell lymphomas), and 15 highly aggressive lymphomas (7 lymphoblastic lymphomas and 8 Burkitt’s lymphomas). Strong expression of initiation factors 4E and 2α was demonstrated in the germinal centers of reactive follicles. Minimal or no expression was seen in the mantle zones and surrounding paracortices, indicating that high expression of initiation factors 4E and 2α is associated with the active proliferation of lymphocytes. Most cases of aggressive and highly aggressive lymphomas showed strong expression of initiation factors 4E and 2α, in contrast to the cases of indolent and moderately aggressive lymphoma, in which their expression was intermediate between the germinal centers and the mantles of reactive follicles. A positive correlation was found between the expression of both initiation factors 4E and 2α and the Revised European-American Lymphoma behavior classification (P < 0.05). Thus, constitutively increased expression of initiation factors 4E and 2α may play an important role in the development of lymphomas and is correlated with their biological aggressiveness. PMID:10393856

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human exocrine pancreas express transcription factors implicated in beta-cell development.

PubMed

Baertschiger, Reto M; Bosco, Domenico; Morel, Philippe; Serre-Beinier, Veronique; Berney, Thierry; Buhler, Leo H; Gonelle-Gispert, Carmen

2008-07-01

Transplantation of in vitro generated islets or insulin-producing cells represents an attractive option to overcome organ shortage. The aim of this study was to isolate, expand, and characterize cells from human exocrine pancreas and analyze their potential to differentiate into beta cells. Fibroblast-like cells growing out of human exocrine tissue were characterized by flow cytometry and by their capacity to differentiate into mesenchymal cell lineages. During cell expansion and after differentiation toward beta cells, expression of transcription factors of endocrine pancreatic progenitors was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cells emerged from 14/18 human pancreatic exocrine fractions and were expanded up to 40 population doublings. These cells displayed surface antigens similar to mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow. A culture of these cells in adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation media allowed differentiation into adipocyte- and chondrocyte-like cells. During expansion, cells expressed transcription factors implicated in islet development such as Isl1, Nkx2.2, Nkx6.1, nestin, Ngn3, Pdx1, and NeuroD. Activin A and hepatocyte growth factor induced an expression of insulin, glucagon, and glucokinase. Proliferating cells with characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and endocrine progenitors were isolated from exocrine tissue. Under specific conditions, these cells expressed little insulin. Human pancreatic exocrine tissue might thus be a source of endocrine cell progenitors.

HES6 reverses nuclear reprogramming of insulin-producing cells following cell fusion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ball, Andrew J.; Abrahamsson, Annelie E.; Tyrberg, Bjoern

2007-04-06

To examine the mechanism by which growth-stimulated pancreatic {beta}-cells dedifferentiate, somatic cell fusions were performed between MIN6, a highly differentiated mouse insulinoma, and {beta}lox5, a cell line derived from human {beta}-cells which progressively dedifferentiated in culture. MIN6/{beta}lox5 somatic cells hybrids underwent silencing of insulin expression and a marked decline in PDX1, NeuroD, and MafA, indicating that {beta}lox5 expresses a dominant transacting factor(s) that represses {beta}-cell differentiation. Expression of Hes1, which inhibits endocrine differentiation was higher in hybrid cells than in parental MIN6 cells. Hes6, a repressor of Hes1, was highly expressed in primary {beta}-cells as well as MIN6, but wasmore » repressed in hybrids. Hes6 overexpression using a retroviral vector led to a decrease in Hes1 levels, an increase in {beta}-cell transcription factors and partial restoration of insulin expression. We conclude that the balance of Notch activators and inhibitors may play an important role in maintaining the {beta}-cell differentiated state.« less

Stable expression of recombinant human coagulation factor XIII in protein-free suspension culture of Chinese hamster ovary cells.

PubMed

Chun, B H; Bang, W G; Park, Y K; Woo, S K

2001-11-01

The recombinant a and bsubunits for human coagulation factor XIII were transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. CHO cells were amplified and selected with methotrexate in adherent cultures containing serum, and CHO 1-62 cells were later selected in protein-free medium. To develop a recombinant factor XIII production process in a suspension culture, we have investigated the growth characteristics of CHO cells and the maintenance of factor XIII expression in the culture medium. Suspension adaptation of CHO cells was performed in protein-free medium, GC-CHO-PI, by two methods, such as serum weaning and direct switching from serum containing media to protein-free media. Although the growth of CHO cells in suspension culture was affected initially by serum depletion, cell specific productivity of factor XIII showed only minor changes by the direct switching to protein-free medium during a suspension culture. As for the long-term stability of factor XIII, CHO 1-62 cells showed a stable expression of factor XIII in protein-free condition for 1000 h. These results indicate that the CHO 1-62cells can be adapted to express recombinant human factor XIII in a stable maimer in suspension culture using a protein-free medium. Our results demonstrate that enhanced cell growth in a continuous manner is achievable for factor XIII production in a protein-free medium when a perfusion bioreactor culture system with a spin filter is employed.

Regulation of Schwann Cell Differentiation and Proliferation by the Pax-3 Transcription Factor

PubMed Central

Moate, Roy M.; Jessen, Kristjan R.; Mirsky, Rhona; Parkinson, David B.

2017-01-01

Pax-3 is a paired domain transcription factor that plays many roles during vertebrate development. In the Schwann cell lineage, Pax-3 is expressed at an early stage in Schwann cells precursors of the embryonic nerve, is maintained in the nonmyelinating cells of the adult nerve, and is upregulated in Schwann cells after peripheral nerve injury. Consistent with this expression pattern, Pax-3 has previously been shown to play a role in repressing the expression of the myelin basic protein gene in Schwann cells. We have studied the role of Pax-3 in Schwann cells and have found that it controls not only the regulation of cell differentiation but also the survival and proliferation of Schwann cells. Pax-3 expression blocks both the induction of Oct-6 and Krox-20 (K20) by cyclic AMP and completely inhibits the ability of K20, the physiological regulator of myelination in the peripheral nervous system, to induce myelin gene expression in Schwann cells. In contrast to other inhibitors of myelination, we find that Pax-3 represses myelin gene expression in a c-Jun-independent manner. In addition to this, we find that Pax-3 expression alone is sufficient to inhibit the induction of apoptosis by TGFβ1 in Schwann cells. Expression of Pax-3 is also sufficient to induce the proliferation of Schwann cells in the absence of added growth factors and to reverse K20-induced exit from the cell cycle. These findings indicate new roles for the Pax-3 transcription factor in controlling the differentiation and proliferation of Schwann cells during development and after peripheral nerve injury. PMID:22532290

Matrix Metallopeptidase 14 Plays an Important Role in Regulating Tumorigenic Gene Expression and Invasion Ability of HeLa Cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Ying-Hui; Wang, Juan-Juan; Li, Min; Zheng, Han-Xi; Xu, Lan; Chen, You-Guo

2016-03-01

The objectives of this study were to investigate the functional effect of matrix metallopeptidase 14 (MMP14) on cell invasion in cervical cancer cells (HeLa line) and to study the underlying molecular mechanisms. Expression vector of short hairpin RNA targeting MMP14 was treated in HeLa cells, and then, transfection efficiency was verified by a florescence microscope. Transwell assay was used to investigate cell invasion ability in HeLa cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the expression of MMP14 and relative factors in messenger RNA and protein levels, respectively. Matrix metallopeptidase 14 short hairpin RNA expression vector transfection obviously decreased MMP14 expression in messenger RNA and protein levels. Down-regulation of MMP14 suppressed invasion ability of HeLa cells and reduced transforming growth factor β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor B expressions. Furthermore, MMP14 knockdown decreased bone sialoprotein and enhanced forkhead box protein L2 expression in both RNA and protein levels. Matrix metallopeptidase 14 plays an important role in regulating invasion of HeLa cells. Matrix metallopeptidase 14 knockdown contributes to attenuating the malignant phenotype of cervical cancer cell.

Transcription factor EGR-1 suppresses the growth and transformation of human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells by induction of transforming growth factor beta 1.

PubMed Central

Liu, C; Adamson, E; Mercola, D

1996-01-01

The early growth response 1 (EGR-1) gene product is a transcription factor with role in differentiation and growth. We have previously shown that expression of exogenous EGR-1 in various human tumor cells unexpectedly and markedly reduces growth and tumorigenicity and, conversely, that suppression of endogenous Egr-1 expression by antisense RNA eliminates protein expression, enhances growth, and promotes phenotypic transformation. However, the mechanism of these effects remained unknown. The promoter of human transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) contains two GC-rich EGR-1 binding sites. We show that expression of EGR-1 in human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells uses increased secretion of biologically active TGF-beta 1 in direct proportion (rPearson = 0.96) to the amount of EGR-1 expressed and addition of recombinant human TGF-beta 1 is strongly growth-suppressive for these cells. Addition of monoclonal anti-TGF-beta 1 antibodies to EGR-1-expressing HT-1080 cells completely reverses the growth inhibitory effects of EGR-1. Reporter constructs bearing the EGR-1 binding segment of the TGF-beta 1 promoter was activated 4- to 6-fold relative to a control reporter in either HT-1080 cells that stably expressed or parental cells cotransfected with an EGR-1 expression vector. Expression of delta EGR-1, a mutant that cannot interact with the corepressors, nerve growth factor-activated factor binding proteins NAB1 and NAB2, due to deletion of the repressor domain, exhibited enhanced transactivation of 2- to 3.5-fold over that of wild-type EGR-1 showing that the reporter construct reflected the appropriate in vivo regulatory context. The EGR-1-stimulated transactivation was inhibited by expression of the Wilms tumor suppressor, a known specific DNA-binding competitor. These results indicate that EGR-1 suppresses growth of human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells by induction of TGF-beta 1. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 5 PMID:8876223

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Stimulates Angiogenic Factor Expression and Correlates With Differentiation and Lymph Node Status in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PubMed Central

Ren, Yi; Law, Simon; Huang, Xin; Lee, Ping Yin; Bacher, Michael; Srivastava, Gopesh; Wong, John

2005-01-01

Objective: The objectives of this study were: 1) to examine the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); 2) to see if a relationship exists between MIF expression, clinicopathologic features, and long-term prognosis; and 3) to ascertain the possible biologic function of MIF in angiogenesis. Summary Background Data: MIF has been linked to fundamental processes such as those controlling cell proliferation, cell survival, angiogenesis, and tumor progression. Its role in ESCC, and the correlation of MIF expression and tumor pathologic features in patients, has not been elucidated. Methods: The expression of MIF in tumor and nontumor tissues was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Concentrations of MIF, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in patients’ sera and in the supernatant of tumor cells culture were examined by ELISA. Correlations with clinicopathologic factors were made. Results: In 72 patients with ESCC, intracellular MIF was overexpressed in esophagectomy specimens. The expression of MIF correlated with both tumor differentiation and lymph node status. The median survival in the low-MIF expression group (<50% positively stained cancer cells on immunohistochemistry) and high expression group (≥50% positively stained cancer cells) was 28.3 months and 15.8 months, respectively (P = 0.03). The 3-year survival rates for the 2 groups were 37.7% and 12.1%, respectively. MIF expression was related to microvessel density; increased MIF serum levels also correlated with higher serum levels of VEGF. In addition, in vitro MIF stimulation of esophageal cancer cell lines induced a dose-dependent increase in VEGF and IL-8 secretion. Conclusions: These results demonstrate, for the first time, that human esophageal carcinomas express and secrete large amounts of MIF. Through its effects on VEGF and IL-8, MIF may serve as an autocrine factor in angiogenesis and thus play an important role in the pathogenesis of ESCC. PMID:15973102

The T-Cell Oncogene Tal2 Is a Target of PU.1 and Upregulated during Osteoclastogenesis

PubMed Central

Courtial, Nadine; Mücke, Christian; Herkt, Stefanie; Kolodziej, Stephan; Hussong, Helge; Lausen, Jörn

2013-01-01

Transcription factors play a crucial role in regulating differentiation processes during human life and are important in disease. The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors Tal1 and Lyl1 play a major role in the regulation of gene expression in the hematopoietic system and are involved in human leukemia. Tal2, which belongs to the same family of transcription factors as Tal1 and Lyl1, is also involved in human leukaemia. However, little is known regarding the expression and regulation of Tal2 in hematopoietic cells. Here we show that Tal2 is expressed in hematopoietic cells of the myeloid lineage. Interestingly, we found that usage of the Tal2 promoter is different in human and mouse cells. Two promoters, hP1 and hP2 drive Tal2 expression in human erythroleukemia K562 cells, however in mouse RAW cells only the mP1 promoter is used. Furthermore, we found that Tal2 expression is upregulated during oesteoclastogenesis. We show that Tal2 is a direct target gene of the myeloid transcription factor PU.1, which is a key transcription factor for osteoclast gene expression. Strikingly, PU.1 binding to the P1 promoter is conserved between mouse and human, but PU.1 binding to P2 was only detected in human K562 cells. Additionally, we provide evidence that Tal2 influences the expression of the osteoclastic differentiation gene TRACP. These findings provide novel insight into the expression control of Tal2 in hematopoietic cells and reveal a function of Tal2 as a regulator of gene expression during osteoclast differentiation. PMID:24086757

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in human pulp cells of teeth with complete and incomplete root development.

PubMed

Caviedes-Bucheli, J; Canales-Sánchez, P; Castrillón-Sarria, N; Jovel-Garcia, J; Alvarez-Vásquez, J; Rivero, C; Azuero-Holguín, M M; Diaz, E; Munoz, H R

2009-08-01

To quantify the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in human pulp cells of teeth with complete or incomplete root development, to support the specific role of IGF-1 in cell proliferation during tooth development and pulp reparative processes. Twenty six pulp samples were obtained from freshly extracted human third molars, equally divided in two groups according to root development stage (complete or incomplete root development). All samples were processed and immunostained to determine the expression of IGF-1 and PCNA in pulp cells. Sections were observed with a light microscope at 80x and morphometric analyses were performed to calculate the area of PCNA and IGF-1 immunostaining using digital image software. Mann-Whitney's test was used to determine statistically significant differences between groups (P < 0.05) for each peptide and the co-expression of both. Expression of IGF-1 and PCNA was observed in all human pulp samples with a statistically significant higher expression in cells of pulps having complete root development (P = 0.0009). Insulin-like growth factor-1 and PCNA are expressed in human pulp cells, with a significant greater expression in pulp cells of teeth having complete root development.

Tissue factor expression by endothelial cells in sickle cell anemia.

PubMed

Solovey, A; Gui, L; Key, N S; Hebbel, R P

1998-05-01

The role of the vascular endothelium in activation of the coagulation system, a fundamental homeostatic mechanism of mammalian biology, is uncertain because there is little evidence indicating that endothelial cells in vivo express tissue factor (TF), the system's triggering mechanism. As a surrogate for vessel wall endothelium, we examined circulating endothelial cells (CEC) from normals and patients with sickle cell anemia, a disease associated with activation of coagulation. We find that sickle CEC abnormally express TF antigen (expressed as percent CEC that are TF-positive), with 66+/-13% positive in sickle patients in steady-state, 83+/-19% positive in sickle patients presenting with acute vasoocclusive episodes, and only 10+/-13% positive in normal controls. Repeated samplings confirmed this impression that TF expression is greater when sickle patients develop acute vasoocclusive episodes. Sickle CEC are also positive for TF mRNA, with excellent concurrence between antigen and mRNA expression. The TF expressed on the antigen-positive CEC is functional, as demonstrated by a binding assay for Factor VIIa and a chromogenic assay sensitive to generation of Factor Xa. By establishing that endothelial cells in vivo can express TF, these data imply that the vast endothelial surface area does provide an important pathophysiologic trigger for coagulation activation.

Control of regulatory T cell lineage commitment and maintenance.

PubMed

Josefowicz, Steven Z; Rudensky, Alexander

2009-05-01

Foxp3-expressing regulatory T (Treg) cells suppress pathology mediated by immune responses against self and foreign antigens and commensal microorganisms. Sustained expression of the transcription factor Foxp3, a key distinguishing feature of Treg cells, is required for their differentiation and suppressor function. In addition, Foxp3 expression prevents deviation of Treg cells into effector T cell lineages and confers dependence of Treg cell survival and expansion on growth factors, foremost interleukin-2, provided by activated effector T cells. In this review we discuss Treg cell differentiation and maintenance with a particular emphasis on molecular regulation of Foxp3 expression, arguably a key to mechanistic understanding of biology of regulatory T cells.

Mediation of glucolipotoxicity in INS-1 rat insulinoma cells by small heterodimer partner interacting leucine zipper protein (SMILE).

PubMed

Lee, Kyeong-Min; Seo, Ye Jin; Kim, Mi-Kyung; Seo, Hyun-Ae; Jeong, Ji-Yun; Choi, Hueng-Sik; Lee, In-Kyu; Park, Keun-Gyu

2012-03-23

Sustained elevations of glucose and free fatty acid concentration have deleterious effects on pancreatic beta cell function. One of the hallmarks of such glucolipotoxicity is a reduction in insulin gene expression, resulting from decreased insulin promoter activity. Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), a lipogenic transcription factor, is related to the development of beta cell dysfunction caused by elevated concentrations of glucose and free fatty acid. Small heterodimer partner (SHP) interacting leucine zipper protein (SMILE), also known as Zhangfei, is a novel protein which interacts with SHP that mediates glucotoxicity in INS-1 rat insulinoma cells. Treatment of INS-1 cells with high concentrations of glucose and palmitate increased SREBP-1c and SMILE expression, and decreased insulin gene expression. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of SREBP-1c in INS-1 cells induced SMILE expression. Moreover, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of SMILE (Ad-SMILE) in INS-1 cells impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion as well as insulin gene expression. Ad-SMILE overexpression also inhibited the expression of beta-cell enriched transcription factors including pancreatic duodenal homeobox factor-1, beta cell E box transactivator 2 and RIPE3b1/MafA, in INS-1 cells. Finally, in COS-1 cells, expression of SMILE inhibited the insulin promoter activity induced by these same beta-cell enriched transcription factors. These results collectively suggest that SMILE plays an important role in the development of beta cell dysfunction induced by glucolipotoxicity. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Drosophila Extradenticle and Homothorax selector proteins control branchless/FGF expression in mesodermal bridge-cells.

PubMed

Merabet, Samir; Ebner, Andreas; Affolter, Markus

2005-08-01

The stereotyped outgrowth of tubular branches of the Drosophila tracheal system is orchestrated by the local and highly dynamic expression profile of branchless (bnl), which encodes a secreted fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-like molecule. Despite the importance of the spatial and temporal bnl regulation, little is known about the upstream mechanisms that establish its complex expression pattern. Here, we show that the Extradenticle and Homothorax selector proteins control bnl transcription in a single cell per segment, the mesodermal bridge-cell. In addition, we observed that a key determinant of bridge-cell specification, the transcription factor Hunchback, is also required for bnl expression. Therefore, we propose that one of the functions of the bridge-cell is to synthesize and secrete the chemoattractant Bnl. These findings provide a hitherto unknown and interesting link between combinatorial inputs of transcription factors, cell-specific ligand expression and organ morphogenesis.

Factors for C-Kit Expression in Cardiac Outgrowth Cells and Human Heart Tissue.

PubMed

Matsushita, Satoshi; Minematsu, Kazuo; Yamamoto, Taira; Inaba, Hirotaka; Kuwaki, Kenji; Shimada, Akie; Yokoyama, Yasutaka; Amano, Atsushi

2017-12-12

We determined the factors associated with the expression of c-kit in the heart and the proliferation of c-kit-positive (c-kit pos ) cardiac stem cells among the outgrowth cells cultured from human cardiac explants.Samples of the right atrium (RA), left atrium (LA), and left ventricle obtained from patients during open-heart surgery were processed for cell culture of outgrowth cells and tissue analysis. The total number of growing cells and the population of c-kit pos cells were measured and compared with c-kit expression in native tissues and characteristics of the patients according to the region of the heart.We analyzed 452 samples from 334 patients. Atrial fibrillation (AF) in the patients reduced the number of outgrowth cells from the RA and LA, and aging was a co-factor for the LA. The c-kit pos population from the RA was associated with serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). C-kit expression in native tissue was also associated with BNP expression. However, we observed no relationship in expression between outgrowth cells and native tissue. In addition, the RA tissue provided the highest number of c-kit pos cells, and the left ventricle provided the lowest.C-kit was weakly expressed in response to damage. In addition, no correlation between outgrowth cells and native tissue was found for c-kit expression.

Activated but not resting T cells or thymocytes express colony-stimulating factor 1 mRNA without co-expressing c-fms mRNA.

PubMed

Cerdan, C; Courcoul, M; Razanajaona, D; Pierrès, A; Maroc, N; Lopez, M; Mannoni, P; Mawas, C; Olive, D; Birg, F

1990-02-01

Following the observation that, besides acute myeloid leukemia cells, acute lymphoid leukemia cells of either B or T phenotype could express the transcript for the colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), a growth factor known to be restricted to the monocytic-macrophage lineage, various sources of resting and/or activated T cells and thymocytes were screened for expression of this hemopoietic growth factor. We report here that the CSF-1 transcript was rapidly (7 h) induced in T cells by a variety of stimuli, but was not detectable in either resting T cells or thymocytes. In addition, secretion of CSF-1 was detectable in the supernatants of activated T cells by 72 h, with a peak around 92-120 h. In contrast to activated monocytes, the transcript of the c-fms proto-oncogene, the product of which is the receptor for CSF-1, was not detectable in either resting or activated T cells. This observation could be relevant to the intimate relationships between T cells and antigen-presenting cells during immune responses.

Sox17 drives functional engraftment of endothelium converted from non-vascular cells.

PubMed

Schachterle, William; Badwe, Chaitanya R; Palikuqi, Brisa; Kunar, Balvir; Ginsberg, Michael; Lis, Raphael; Yokoyama, Masataka; Elemento, Olivier; Scandura, Joseph M; Rafii, Shahin

2017-01-16

Transplanting vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to support metabolism and express regenerative paracrine factors is a strategy to treat vasculopathies and to promote tissue regeneration. However, transplantation strategies have been challenging to develop, because ECs are difficult to culture and little is known about how to direct them to stably integrate into vasculature. Here we show that only amniotic cells could convert to cells that maintain EC gene expression. Even so, these converted cells perform sub-optimally in transplantation studies. Constitutive Akt signalling increases expression of EC morphogenesis genes, including Sox17, shifts the genomic targeting of Fli1 to favour nearby Sox consensus sites and enhances the vascular function of converted cells. Enforced expression of Sox17 increases expression of morphogenesis genes and promotes integration of transplanted converted cells into injured vessels. Thus, Ets transcription factors specify non-vascular, amniotic cells to EC-like cells, whereas Sox17 expression is required to confer EC function.

Gab1 Mediates Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Stimulated Mitogenicity and Morphogenesis in Multipotent Myeloid Cells

PubMed Central

Felici, Angelina; Giubellino, Alessio; Bottaro, Donald P.

2012-01-01

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-stimulated mitogenesis, motogenesis and morphogenesis in various cell types begins with activation of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase and the recruitment of intracellular adaptors and kinase substrates. The adapter protein Gab1 is a critical effector and substrate of activated Met, mediating morphogenesis, among other activities, in epithelial cells. To define its role downstream of Met in hematopoietic cells, Gab1 was expressed in the HGF-responsive, Gab1-negative murine myeloid cell line 32D. Interestingly, the adhesion and motility of Gab1-expressing cells were significantly greater than parental cells, independent of growth factor treatment. Downstream of activated Met, Gab1 expression was specifically associated with rapid Shp-2 recruitment and activation, increased mitogenic potency, suppression of GATA-1 expression and concomitant upregulation of GATA-2 transcription. In addition to enhanced proliferation, continuous culture of Gab1-expressing 32D cells in HGF resulted in cell attachment, filopodia extension and phenotypic changes suggestive of monocytic differentiation. Our results suggest that in myeloid cells, Gab1 is likely to enhance HGF mitogenicity by coupling Met to Shp-2 and GATA-2 expression, thereby potentially contributing to normal myeloid differentiation as well as oncogenic transformation. PMID:20506405

Tissue and cell-type co-expression networks of transcription factors and wood component genes in Populus trichocarpa.

PubMed

Shi, Rui; Wang, Jack P; Lin, Ying-Chung; Li, Quanzi; Sun, Ying-Hsuan; Chen, Hao; Sederoff, Ronald R; Chiang, Vincent L

2017-05-01

Co-expression networks based on transcriptomes of Populus trichocarpa major tissues and specific cell types suggest redundant control of cell wall component biosynthetic genes by transcription factors in wood formation. We analyzed the transcriptomes of five tissues (xylem, phloem, shoot, leaf, and root) and two wood forming cell types (fiber and vessel) of Populus trichocarpa to assemble gene co-expression subnetworks associated with wood formation. We identified 165 transcription factors (TFs) that showed xylem-, fiber-, and vessel-specific expression. Of these 165 TFs, 101 co-expressed (correlation coefficient, r > 0.7) with the 45 secondary cell wall cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin biosynthetic genes. Each cell wall component gene co-expressed on average with 34 TFs, suggesting redundant control of the cell wall component gene expression. Co-expression analysis showed that the 101 TFs and the 45 cell wall component genes each has two distinct groups (groups 1 and 2), based on their co-expression patterns. The group 1 TFs (44 members) are predominantly xylem and fiber specific, and are all highly positively co-expressed with the group 1 cell wall component genes (30 members), suggesting their roles as major wood formation regulators. Group 1 TFs include a lateral organ boundary domain gene (LBD) that has the highest number of positively correlated cell wall component genes (36) and TFs (47). The group 2 TFs have 57 members, including 14 vessel-specific TFs, and are generally less correlated with the cell wall component genes. An exception is a vessel-specific basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) gene that negatively correlates with 20 cell wall component genes, and may function as a key transcriptional suppressor. The co-expression networks revealed here suggest a well-structured transcriptional homeostasis for cell wall component biosynthesis during wood formation.

Defining the transcriptional signature of skeletal muscle stem cells.

PubMed

Yablonka-Reuveni, Z; Day, K; Vine, A; Shefer, G

2008-04-01

Satellite cells, the main source of myoblasts in postnatal muscle, are located beneath the myofiber basal lamina. The myogenic potential of satellite cells was initially documented based on their capacity to produce progeny that fused into myotubes. More recently, molecular markers of resident satellite cells were identified, further contributing to defining these cells as myogenic stem cells that produce differentiating progeny and self-renew. Herein, we discuss aspects of the satellite cell transcriptional milieu that have been intensively investigated in our research. We elaborate on the expression patterns of the paired box (Pax) transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7, and on the myogenic regulatory factors myogenic factor 5 (Myf5), myogenic determination factor 1 (MyoD), and myogenin. We also introduce original data on MyoD upregulation in newly activated satellite cells, which precedes the first round of cell proliferation. Such MyoD upregulation occurred even when parent myofibers with their associated satellite cells were exposed to pharmacological inhibitors of hepatocyte growth factor and fibroblast growth factor receptors, which are typically involved in promoting satellite cell proliferation. These observations support the hypothesis that most satellite cells in adult muscle are committed to rapidly entering myogenesis. We also detected expression of serum response factor in resident satellite cells prior to MyoD expression, which may facilitate the rapid upregulation of MyoD. Aspects of satellite cell self-renewal based on the reemergence of cells expressing Pax7, but not MyoD, in myogenic cultures are discussed further herein. We conclude by describing our recent studies using transgenic mice in which satellite cells are traced and isolated based on their expression of green fluorescence protein driven by regulatory elements of the nestin promoter (nestin-green fluorescence protein). This feature provides us with a novel means of studying satellite cell transcriptional signatures, heterogeneity among muscle groups, and the role of the myogenic niche in directing satellite cell self-renewal.

Targeting CTCF to Control Virus Gene Expression: A Common Theme amongst Diverse DNA Viruses.

PubMed

Pentland, Ieisha; Parish, Joanna L

2015-07-06

All viruses target host cell factors for successful life cycle completion. Transcriptional control of DNA viruses by host cell factors is important in the temporal and spatial regulation of virus gene expression. Many of these factors are recruited to enhance virus gene expression and thereby increase virus production, but host cell factors can also restrict virus gene expression and productivity of infection. CCCTC binding factor (CTCF) is a host cell DNA binding protein important for the regulation of genomic chromatin boundaries, transcriptional control and enhancer element usage. CTCF also functions in RNA polymerase II regulation and in doing so can influence co-transcriptional splicing events. Several DNA viruses, including Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) utilize CTCF to control virus gene expression and many studies have highlighted a role for CTCF in the persistence of these diverse oncogenic viruses. CTCF can both enhance and repress virus gene expression and in some cases CTCF increases the complexity of alternatively spliced transcripts. This review article will discuss the function of CTCF in the life cycle of DNA viruses in the context of known host cell CTCF functions.

[Effect of human oviductal embryotrophic factors on gene expression of mouse preimplantation embryos].

PubMed

Yao, Yuan-Qing; Lee, Kai-Fai; Xu, Jia-Seng; Ho, Pak-Chung; Yeung, Shu-Biu

2007-09-01

To investigate the effect of embryotrophic factors (ETF) from human oviductal cells on gene expression of mouse early developmental embryos and discuss the role of fallopian tube in early development of embryos. ETF was isolated from conditioned medium of human oviductal cell line by sequential liquid chromatographic systems. Mouse embryos were treated by ETF in vitro. Using differential display RT-PCR, the gene expression of embryos treated by ETF was compared with embryos without ETF treatment. The differentially expressed genes were separated, re-amplified, cloned and sequenced. Gene expression profiles of embryos with ETF treatment was different from embryos without this treatment. Eight differentially expressed genes were cloned and sequenced. These genes functioned in RNA degradation, synthesis, splicing, protein trafficking, cellular differentiation and embryo development. Embryotrophic factors from human oviductal cells affect gene expression of early developmental embryos. The human oviductal cells play wide roles in early developmental stages of embryos.

Effect of Removal of Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs) from In Vitro Culture on Gene Expression of Niche Factors in Bovine

PubMed Central

Akbarinejad, Vahid; Tajik, Parviz; Movahedin, Mansoureh; Youssefi, Reza

2016-01-01

Background: Niche cells, regulating Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs) fate are believed to have a reciprocal communication with SSCs. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of SSC elimination on the gene expression of Glial cell line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) and Kit Ligand (KITLG), which are the main growth factors regulating SSCs development and secreted by niche cells, primarily Sertoli cells. Methods: Following isolation, bovine testicular cells were cultured for 12 days on extracellular matrix-coated plates. In the germ cell-removed group, the SSCs were removed from the in vitro culture using differential plating; however, in the control group, no intervention in the culture was performed. Colony formation of SSCs was evaluated using an inverted microscope. The gene expression of growth factors and spermatogonia markers were assessed using quantitative real time PCR. Results: SSCs colonies were developed in the control group but they were rarely observed in the germ cell-removed group; moreover, the expression of spermatogonia markers was detected in the control group while it was not observed in the germ cell-removed group, substantiating the success of SSCs removal. The expression of Gdnf and Fgf2 was greater in the germ cell-removed than control group (p<0.05), whereas the expression of Kitlg was lower in the germ cell-removed than control group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the results revealed that niche cells respond to SSCs removal by upregulation of GDNF and FGF2, and downregulation of KITLG in order to stimulate self-renewal and arrest differentiation. PMID:27563426

Deficiency of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase DEP-1/PTPRJ promotes matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in meningioma cells.

PubMed

Petermann, Astrid; Stampnik, Yvonn; Cui, Yan; Morrison, Helen; Pachow, Doreen; Kliese, Nadine; Mawrin, Christian; Böhmer, Frank-D

2015-05-01

Brain-invasive growth of a subset of meningiomas is associated with less favorable prognosis. The molecular mechanisms causing invasiveness are only partially understood, however, the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been identified as a contributing factor. We have previously found that loss of density enhanced phosphatase-1 (DEP-1, also designated PTPRJ), a transmembrane protein-tyrosine phosphatase, promotes meningioma cell motility and invasive growth in an orthotopic xenotransplantation model. We have now analyzed potential alterations of the expression of genes involved in motility control, caused by DEP-1 loss in meningioma cell lines. DEP-1 depleted cells exhibited increased expression of mRNA encoding MMP-9, and the growth factors EGF and FGF-2. The increase of MMP-9 expression in DEP-1 depleted cells was also readily detectable at the protein level by zymography. MMP-9 upregulation was sensitive to chemical inhibitors of growth factor signal transduction. Conversely, MMP-9 mRNA levels could be stimulated with growth factors (e.g. EGF) and inflammatory cytokines (e.g. TNFα). Increase of MMP-9 expression by DEP-1 depletion, or growth factor/cytokine stimulation qualitatively correlated with increased invasiveness in vitro scored as transmigration through matrigel-coated membranes. The studies suggest induction of MMP-9 expression promoted by DEP-1 deficiency, or potentially by growth factors and inflammatory cytokines, as a mechanism contributing to meningioma brain invasiveness.

Hepatic Leukemia Factor Promotes Resistance To Cell Death: Implications For Therapeutics and Chronotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Waters, Katrina M.; Sontag, Ryan L.; Weber, Thomas J.

Physiological variation related to circadian rhythms and aberrant gene expression patterns are believed to modulate therapeutic efficacy, but the precise molecular determinants remain unclear. Here we examine the regulation of cell death by hepatic leukemia factor (HLF), which is an output regulator of circadian rhythms and is aberrantly expressed in human cancers, using an ectopic expression strategy in JB6 mouse epidermal cells and human keratinocytes. Ectopic HLF expression inhibited cell death in both JB6 cells and human keratinocytes, as induced by serum-starvation, tumor necrosis factor alpha and ionizing radiation. Microarray analysis indicates that HLF regulates a complex multi-gene transcriptional programmore » encompassing upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes, downregulation of pro-apoptotic genes, and many additional changes that are consistent with an anti-death program. Collectively, our results demonstrate that ectopic expression of HLF, an established transcription factor that cycles with circadian rhythms, can recapitulate many features associated with circadian-dependent physiological variation.« less

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Suppress Chronic Rejection in Heterotopic Small Intestine Transplant Rat Models Via Inhibition of CD68, Transforming Growth Factor- β1, and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Expression.

PubMed

Li, Fuxin; Cao, Jisen; Zhao, Zhicheng; Li, Chuan; Qi, Feng; Liu, Tong

2017-04-01

Mesenchymal stem cells are easy to obtain and expand, with characteristics of low immunogenicity and strong tissue repair capacity. In this study, our aim was to investigate the role of mesenchymal stem cells in chronic immune rejection of heterotopic small intestine transplant in rats. After successfully constructing a rat chronic immune rejection model of heterotopic small intestine transplant, we infused mesenchymal stem cells into the animal recipients. We observed mesenchymal stem cell location in the recipients, recipient survival, pathology changes, and the expression of CD68, transforming growth factor β1, and platelet-derived growth factor C in the donor intestine. Mesenchymal stem cells inhibited the lymphocyte proliferation caused by concanavalin A in vitro. After stem cells were infused into recipients, they were mainly located in the donor intestine, as well as in the spleen and thymus. Recovery after transplant and pathology changes of the donor intestine in rats with stem cell infusion were better than in the control group; however, we observed no differences in survival time, accompanied by downregulated expression of CD68, transforming growth factor β1, and platelet-derived growth factor C. Mesenchymal stem cells, to a certain extent, could inhibit the process of chronic rejection. The mechanisms may include the inhibited function of these cells on lymphocyte proliferation, reduced infiltration of macrophages, and reduced expression of transforming growth factor β1 and platelet-derived growth factor C.

Aspirin Enhances Osteogenic Potential of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells (PDLSCs) and Modulates the Expression Profile of Growth Factor-Associated Genes in PDLSCs.

PubMed

Abd Rahman, Fazliny; Mohd Ali, Johari; Abdullah, Mariam; Abu Kasim, Noor Hayaty; Musa, Sabri

2016-07-01

This study investigates the effects of aspirin (ASA) on the proliferative capacity, osteogenic potential, and expression of growth factor-associated genes in periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from PDL tissue were isolated from human premolars (n = 3). The MSCs' identity was confirmed by immunophenotyping and trilineage differentiation assays. Cell proliferation activity was assessed through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Polymerase chain reaction array was used to profile the expression of 84 growth factor-associated genes. Pathway analysis was used to identify the biologic functions and canonic pathways activated by ASA treatment. The osteogenic potential was evaluated through mineralization assay. ASA at 1,000 μM enhances osteogenic potential of PDLSCs. Using a fold change (FC) of 2.0 as a threshold value, the gene expression analyses indicated that 19 genes were differentially expressed, which includes 12 upregulated and seven downregulated genes. Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), interleukin-2, bone morphogenetic protein-10, VEGFC, and 2 (FGF2) were markedly upregulated (FC range, 6 to 15), whereas pleotropin, FGF5, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and Dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 1 were markedly downregulated (FC 32). Of the 84 growth factor-associated genes screened, 35 showed high cycle threshold values (≥35). ASA modulates the expression of growth factor-associated genes and enhances osteogenic potential in PDLSCs. ASA upregulated the expression of genes that could activate biologic functions and canonic pathways related to cell proliferation, human embryonic stem cell pluripotency, tissue regeneration, and differentiation. These findings suggest that ASA enhances PDLSC function and may be useful in regenerative dentistry applications, particularly in the areas of periodontal health and regeneration.

Industrial production of clotting factors: Challenges of expression, and choice of host cells.

PubMed

Kumar, Sampath R

2015-07-01

The development of recombinant forms of blood coagulation factors as safer alternatives to plasma derived factors marked a major advance in the treatment of common coagulation disorders. These are complex proteins, mostly enzymes or co-enzymes, involving multiple post-translational modifications, and therefore are difficult to express. This article reviews the nature of the expression challenges for the industrial production of these factors, vis-à-vis the translational and post-translational bottlenecks, as well as the choice of host cell lines for high-fidelity production. For achieving high productivities of vitamin K dependent proteins, which include factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX and X, and protein C, host cell limitation of γ-glutamyl carboxylation is a major bottleneck. Despite progress in addressing this, involvement of yet unidentified protein(s) impedes a complete cell engineering solution. Human factor VIII expresses at very low levels due to limitations at several steps in the protein secretion pathway. Protein and cell engineering, vector improvement and alternate host cells promise improvement in the productivity. Production of Von Willebrand factor is constrained by its large size, complex structure, and the need for extensive glycosylation and disulfide-bonded oligomerization. All the licensed therapeutic factors are produced in CHO, BHK or HEK293 cells. While HEK293 is a recent adoption, BHK cells appear to be disfavored. Copyright © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

NANOS2 acts downstream of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor signaling to suppress differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells.

PubMed

Sada, Aiko; Hasegawa, Kazuteru; Pin, Pui Han; Saga, Yumiko

2012-02-01

Stem cells are maintained by both stem cell-extrinsic niche signals and stem cell-intrinsic factors. During murine spermatogenesis, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signal emanated from Sertoli cells and germ cell-intrinsic factor NANOS2 represent key regulators for the maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells. However, it remains unclear how these factors intersect in stem cells to control their cellular state. Here, we show that GDNF signaling is essential to maintain NANOS2 expression, and overexpression of Nanos2 can alleviate the stem cell loss phenotype caused by the depletion of Gfra1, a receptor for GDNF. By using an inducible Cre-loxP system, we show that NANOS2 expression is downregulated upon the conditional knockout (cKO) of Gfra1, while ectopic expression of Nanos2 in GFRA1-negative spermatogonia does not induce de novo GFRA1 expression. Furthermore, overexpression of Nanos2 in the Gfra1-cKO testes prevents precocious differentiation of the Gfra1-knockout stem cells and partially rescues the stem cell loss phenotypes of Gfra1-deficient mice, indicating that the stem cell differentiation can be suppressed by NANOS2 even in the absence of GDNF signaling. Taken together, we suggest that NANOS2 acts downstream of GDNF signaling to maintain undifferentiated state of spermatogonial stem cells. Copyright © 2011 AlphaMed Press.

Interleukin-induced increase in Ia expression by normal mouse B cells.

PubMed

Roehm, N W; Leibson, H J; Zlotnik, A; Kappler, J; Marrack, P; Cambier, J C

1984-09-01

The constitutive culture supernatant (SN) of the macrophage tumor line P388D1 (P388 SN) and the concanavalin A (Con A)-induced culture supernatant of the T cell hybridoma FS6-14.13 (FS6 Con A SN) were shown to contain nonspecific factors capable of inducing increased Ia expression by normal resting B cells in a dose-dependent manner. In six consecutive experiments the relative increase in Ia expression induced by P388 SN was 4.9 +/- 0.9, with FS6 Con A SN 10.7 +/- 1.5, and with a combination of both preparations 13.0 +/- 1.7. This increase in Ia expression was observed to occur in virtually all the B cells, reaching maximum levels within 24 h of culture. The interleukin-induced increase in B cell Ia expression occurred in the absence of ancillary signals provided by ligand-receptor Ig cross-linking and despite the fact that virtually all the control B cells, cultured in the absence of factors, remained in G0. These results suggest that functional receptors for at least some interleukins are expressed on normal resting B cells and their effects can be manifest in the absence of additional activating signals. The increased Ia expression induced by the nonspecific factor preparations was shown to be correlated with enhanced antigen-presenting capacity by the B cells to T cell hybridomas. The nature of the interleukins responsible for these effects remains to be definitively determined, however, the activity of FS6 Con A SN was shown to correlate with B cell growth factor activity and increased B cell Ia expression was not observed using interleukin 2 (IL-2) or interferon-gamma, prepared by recombinant DNA technology.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)beta, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and retinoid signalling pathways promote pancreatic exocrine gene expression in mouse embryonic stem cells.

PubMed Central

Skoudy, Anouchka; Rovira, Meritxell; Savatier, Pierre; Martin, Franz; León-Quinto, Trinidad; Soria, Bernat; Real, Francisco X

2004-01-01

Extracellular signalling cues play a major role in the activation of differentiation programmes. Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent and can differentiate into a wide variety of specialized cells. Recently, protocols designed to induce endocrine pancreatic differentiation in vitro have been designed but little information is currently available concerning the potential of ES cells to differentiate into acinar pancreatic cells. By using conditioned media of cultured foetal pancreatic rudiments, we demonstrate that ES cells can respond in vitro to signalling pathways involved in exocrine development and differentiation. In particular, modulation of the hedgehog, transforming growth factor beta, retinoid, and fibroblast growth factor pathways in ES cell-derived embryoid bodies (EB) resulted in increased levels of transcripts encoding pancreatic transcription factors and cytodifferentiation markers, as demonstrated by RT-PCR. In EB undergoing spontaneous differentiation, expression of the majority of the acinar genes (i.e. amylase, carboxypeptidase A and elastase) was induced after the expression of endocrine genes, as occurs in vivo during development. These data indicate that ES cells can undergo exocrine pancreatic differentiation with a kinetic pattern of expression reminiscent of pancreas development in vivo and that ES cells can be coaxed to express an acinar phenotype by activation of signalling pathways known to play a role in pancreatic development and differentiation. PMID:14733613

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression is related to post-mitotic events in cerebellar development: regulation by thyroid hormone.

PubMed

Carrasco, Emilce; Blum, Mariann; Weickert, Cynthia Shannon; Casper, Diana

2003-01-10

It has been established that thyroid hormone and neurotrophic factors both orchestrate developmental events in the brain. However, it is not clear how these two influences are related. In this study, we investigated the effects of thyroid hormone on cerebellar development and the coincident expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), a ligand in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Profiles of thyroid hormone expression were measured in postnatal animals and were found to peak at postnatal day 15 (P15). These levels dropped below detectable levels when mice were made hypothyroid with propylthiouracil (PTU). TGF-alpha and EGFR expression, as determined by RNAse protection assay, was maximal at P6 in normal animals, but remained low in hypothyroid animals, suggesting that thyroid hormone was responsible for their induction. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis of EGFR expression revealed that this receptor was present on granule cells within the inner zone of the external granule cell layer (EGL), suggesting that EGFR-ligands were not inducing granule cell proliferation. The persistence of EGFR expression on migrating granule cells and subsequent down-regulation of expression in the internal granule cell layer (IGL) implicates a role for EGFR-ligands in differentiation and/or migration. In hypothyroid animals, we observed a delayed progression of granule cell migration, consistent with the persistence of EGFR labeling in the EGL, and in the 'pile-up' of labeled cells at the interface between the molecular layer and the Purkinje cell layer. Taken together, these results implicate thyroid hormone in the coordinated expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR, which are positioned to play a role in post-mitotic developmental events in the cerebellum.

Cell type-specific deficiency of c-kit gene expression in mutant mice of mi/mi genotype.

PubMed Central

Isozaki, K.; Tsujimura, T.; Nomura, S.; Morii, E.; Koshimizu, U.; Nishimune, Y.; Kitamura, Y.

1994-01-01

The mi locus of mice encodes a novel member of the basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper protein family of transcription factors (hereafter called mi factor). In addition to microphthalmus, osteopetrosis, and lack of melanocytes, mice of mi/mi genotype are deficient in mast cells. Since the c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase plays an important role in the development of mast cells, and since the c-kit expression by cultured mast cells from mi/mi mice is deficient in both mRNA and protein levels, the mast cell deficiency of mi/mi mice has been attributed at least in part to the deficient expression of c-kit. However, it remained to be examined whether the c-kit expression was also deficient in tissues of mi/mi mice. In the present study, we examined the c-kit expression by mi/mi skin mast cells using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, we examined the c-kit expression by various cells other than mast cells in tissues of mi/mi mice. We found that the c-kit expression was deficient in mast cells but not in erythroid precursors, testicular germ cells, and neurons of mi/mi mice. This suggested that the regulation of the c-kit transcription by the mi factor was dependent on cell types. Mice of mi/mi genotype appeared to be a useful model to analyze the function of transcription factors in the whole-animal level. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 PMID:7524330

Effect of The Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor кB and RANK Ligand on In Vitro Differentiation of Cord Blood CD133(+) Hematopoietic Stem Cells to Osteoclasts.

PubMed

Kalantari, Nasim; Abroun, Saeid; Soleimani, Masoud; Kaviani, Saeid; Azad, Mehdi; Eskandari, Fatemeh; Habibi, Hossein

2016-01-01

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) appears to be an osteoclast-activating factor, bearing an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. Some studies demonstrated that U-266 myeloma cell line and primary myeloma cells expressed RANK and RANKL. It had been reported that the expression of myeloid and monocytoid markers was increased by co-culturing myeloma cells with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). This study also attempted to show the molecular mechanism of RANK and RANKL on differentiation capability of human cord blood HSC to osteoclast, as well as expression of calcitonin receptor (CTR) on cord blood HSC surface. In this experimental study, CD133(+) hematopoietic stem cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood and cultured in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL. Osteoclast differentiation was characterized by using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, giemsa staining, immunophenotyping, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for specific genes. Hematopoietic stem cells expressed RANK before and after differentiation into osteoclast. Compared to control group, flow cytometric results showed an increased expression of RANK after differentiation. Expression of CTR mRNA showed TRAP reaction was positive in some differentiated cells, including osteoclast cells. Presence of RANKL and M-CSF in bone marrow could induce HSCs differentiation into osteoclast.

The Hidden Side of Disodium Cromolyn: from Mast Cell Stabilizer to an Angiogenic Factor and Antitumor Agent.

PubMed

Cimpean, Anca Maria; Raica, Marius

2016-12-01

Scattered data suggested that disodium cromolyn, well known as a mast cell stabilizer shows some effects on tumor cells and tumor-associated newly formed vascular networks. Most of these studies used tumor cell lines assessed by in vitro studies. Nor disodium cromolyn effects on melanoma cell lines were studied yet, neither its influence on recruited tumor blood vessels or angiogenic growth factors expression. We designed here a study regarding disodium cromolyn effects on A375 melanoma tumor cells implanted on chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and on blood vessels recruited by the experimental melanoma in the absence of mast cells, knowing that within CAM, the existence of mast cells are not certified yet. We also assessed the role of disodium cromolyn on the expression of several angiogenic growth factors. Disodium cromoglycate differentially acts on tumor cells and blood vessels. Extensive necrotic areas of experimental melanoma together with an increased number of peritumor blood vessels were observed in treated specimens as compared with untreated tumors. Disodium cromolyn inhibited VEGF and PDGF-BB expression, and had no effects on EG VEGF expression between treated and non treated specimens in a mast cells free microenvironment. Our results sustain the direct antitumor effects of sodium cromolyn and suggest the involvement of several growth factors in the recruitment of tumor vessels by A375 melanoma tumor cells. The expression of growth factors is differentially influenced by sodium cromolyn treatment.

The reprogramming factor nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 2 cannot replace octamer-binding transcription factor 4 function in the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells.

PubMed

Choi, Kyeng-Won; Oh, Hye-Rim; Lee, Jaeyoung; Lim, Bobae; Han, Yong-Mahn; Oh, Junseo; Kim, Jungho

2014-02-01

Although octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct-4) is one of the most intensively studied factors in mammalian development, no cellular genes capable of replacing Oct-4 function in embryonic stem (ES) cells have been found. Recent data show that nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 2 (Nr5a2) is able to replace Oct-4 function in the reprogramming process; however, it is unclear whether Nr5a2 can replace Oct-4 function in ES cells. In this study, the ability of Nr5a2 to maintain self-renewal and pluripotency in ES cells was investigated. Nr5a2 localized to the nucleus in ES cells, similarly to Oct-4. However, expression of Nr5a2 failed to rescue the stem cell phenotype or to maintain the self-renewal ability of ES cells. Furthermore, as compared with Oct-4-expressing ES cells, Nr5a2-expressing ES cells showed a reduced number of cells in S-phase, did not expand normally, and did not remain in an undifferentiated state. Ectopic expression of Nr5a2 in ES cells was not able to activate transcription of ES cell-specific genes, and gene expression profiling demonstrated differences between Nr5a2-expressing and Oct-4-expressing ES cells. In addition, Nr5a2-expressing ES cells were not able to form teratomas in nude mice. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the gene regulation properties of Nr5a2 and Oct-4 and their abilities to confer self-renewal and pluripotency of ES cells differ. The present study provides strong evidence that Nr5a2 cannot replace Oct-4 function in ES cells. © 2013 FEBS.

Transcription Factor Foxo1 Is a Negative Regulator of NK Cell Maturation and Function

PubMed Central

Deng, Youcai; Kerdiles, Yann; Chu, Jianhong; Yuan, Shunzong; Wang, Youwei; Chen, Xilin; Mao, Hsiaoyin; Zhang, Lingling; Zhang, Jianying; Hughes, Tiffany; Deng, Yafei; Zhang, Qi; Wang, Fangjie; Zou, Xianghong; Liu, Chang-Gong; Freud, Aharon G.; Li, Xiaohui; Caligiuri, Michael A; Vivier, Eric; Yu, Jianhua

2015-01-01

SUMMARY Little is known about the role of negative regulators in controlling natural killer (NK) cell development and effector functions. Foxo1 is a multifunctional transcription factor of the forkhead family. Using a mouse model of conditional deletion in NK cells, we found that Foxo1 negatively controlled NK cell differentiation and function. Immature NK cells expressed abundant Foxo1 and little Tbx21 relative to mature NK cells, but these two transcription factors reversed their expression as NK cells proceeded through development. Foxo1 promoted NK cell homing to lymph nodes through upregulating CD62L expression, and impaired late-stage maturation and effector functions by repressing Tbx21 expression. Loss of Foxo1 rescued the defect in late-stage NK cell maturation in heterozygous Tbx21+/− mice. Collectively, our data reveal a regulatory pathway by which the negative regulator Foxo1 and the positive regulator Tbx21 play opposing roles in controlling NK cell development and effector functions. PMID:25769609

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor enhances the invasion of mesothelioma cell lines and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases

PubMed Central

Harvey, P; Clark, I M; Jaurand, M-C; Warn, R M; Edwards, D R

2000-01-01

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a multifunctional factor involved both in development and tissue repair, as well as pathological processes such as cancer and metastasis. It has been identified in vivo in many types of tumours together with its tyrosine kinase receptor, Met. We show here that exogenous HGF/SF acts as a strong chemoattractant for human mesothelioma cell lines. The factor also enhanced cell adhesion to and invasion into Matrigel. The mesothelioma cell lines synthesized a panel of matrix metalloproteinases critical for tumour progression such as MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 and membrane-bound MT1-MMP. HGF/SF stimulated the expression of MMP-1, 9 and MT1-MMP and had a slight effect on expression of the MMP inhibitor TIMP-1 but not TIMP-2. However, there was no simple correlation between the levels of MMPs and TIMPs of the cell lines and their different invasion properties or between HGF/SF stimulatory effects on MMP expression and invasion. In addition, effects of protease inhibitors on invasion suggested that serine proteases were also expressed in human mesothelioma cell lines and were involved in HGF/SF-induced invasion. The results show a predominant role for HGF/SF in mesothelioma cell invasion, stimulating simultaneously adhesion, motility, invasion and regulation of MMP and TIMP levels. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign PMID:11027427

Nuclear factor I-A represses expression of the cell adhesion molecule L1

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Background The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 plays a crucial role in development and plasticity of the nervous system. Neural cells thus require precise control of L1 expression. Results We identified a full binding site for nuclear factor I (NFI) transcription factors in the regulatory region of the mouse L1 gene. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed binding of nuclear factor I-A (NFI-A) to this site. Moreover, for a brain-specific isoform of NFI-A (NFI-A bs), we confirmed the interaction in vivo using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Reporter gene assays showed that in neuroblastoma cells, overexpression of NFI-A bs repressed L1 expression threefold. Conclusion Our findings suggest that NFI-A, in particular its brain-specific isoform, represses L1 gene expression, and might act as a second silencer of L1 in addition to the neural restrictive silencer factor (NRSF). PMID:20003413

Prognostic impact of CXCL16 and CXCR6 in non-small cell lung cancer: combined high CXCL16 expression in tumor stroma and cancer cells yields improved survival.

PubMed

Hald, Sigurd M; Kiselev, Yury; Al-Saad, Samer; Richardsen, Elin; Johannessen, Charles; Eilertsen, Marte; Kilvaer, Thomas K; Al-Shibli, Khalid; Andersen, Sigve; Busund, Lill-Tove; Bremnes, Roy M; Donnem, Tom

2015-05-29

The chemokine CXCL16 and its receptor CXCR6 are expressed by a variety of immune cells and have been shown to influence angiogenesis. The expression of CXCR6 and CXCL16 has been examined in numerous human cancers; however no studies have yet investigated their influence on prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to explore their prognostic significance in NSCLC, in addition to examining associations with previously investigated markers. Resected tumor tissue from 335 consecutive unselected stage I-IIIA NSCLC patients (1990-2005) were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of CXCR6 and CXCL16 on tissue microarrays. In vitro, NSCLC cells (NCI-H460, A549 cells) were transfected with CXCL16 siRNA to examine effects on proliferation. In univariate analysis, ↑ stromal cell CXCL16 expression was a significant positive prognostic factor (P = 0.016). CXCR6 was expressed in cancer cells, but did not show any prognostic impact. In the multivariate analysis, combined ↑cancer, and ↑stromal cell CXCL16 expression was an independent positive prognostic factor when compared to ↓stromal and ↓cancer cell expression (HR: 0.42; 95 % CI: 0.20-0.88; P = 0.022). Knockdown of CXCL16 by siRNA resulted in accelerated proliferation of NSCLC cell lines. We have shown that combined ↑cancer and ↑stromal cell CXCL16 expression is an independent positive prognostic factor in NSCLC. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the biological mechanism underlying this finding.

Carbachol induces TGF-alpha expression and colonic epithelial cell proliferation in sensory-desensitised rats.

PubMed

Bulut, Kerem; Felderbauer, Peter; Hoeck, Karoline; Schmidt, Wolfgang E; Hoffmann, Peter

2010-03-01

Signals for the expression of the peptide growth factors epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha) in the gastrointestinal mucosa are largely unknown. We have shown earlier that extrinsic afferents in the gastrointestinal tract induce TGFalpha expression in colonic mucosa via the deliberation of neurotransmitters substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide. The aim of our present study was to determine the effects of carbachol on mucosal TGFalpha expression and epithelial cell proliferation in vivo. Rats were divided in three groups. Group 1 was treated with vehicle only, group 2 received one single subcutaneous injection of 250 microg/kg of carbachol and animals in group 3 were sensory-desensitised prior to the injection of 250 microg/kg carbachol. TGFalpha expression and epithelial cell proliferation was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis and bromodeoxyuridine staining. Carbachol induced a significant increase in mucosal epithelial cell proliferation and TGFalpha expression. Sensory desensitisation did neither abolish the increased TGFalpha expression nor the increase in epithelial cell proliferation. Parasympathetic pathways are involved in the control of TGFalpha expression in gastrointestinal mucosa as well as in epithelial cell proliferation.

ErbB2 and EGFR are downmodulated during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

PubMed

Pagano, Eleonora; Calvo, Juan Carlos

2003-10-15

The expression of receptors belonging to the epidermal growth factor receptor subfamily has been largely studied these last years in epithelial cells mainly as involved in cell proliferation and malignant progression. Although much work has focused on the role of these growth factor receptors in the differentiation of a variety of tissues, there is little information in regards to normal stromal cells. We investigated erbB2 expression in the murine fibroblast cell line Swiss 3T3L1, which naturally or hormonally induced undergoes adipocyte differentiation. We found that the Swiss 3T3-L1 fibroblasts express erbB2, in addition to EGFR, and in a quantity comparable to or even greater than the breast cancer cell line T47D. Proliferating cells increased erbB2 and EGFR levels when reaching confluence up to 4- and 10-fold, respectively. This expression showed a significant decrease when growth-arrested cells were stimulated to differentiate with dexamethasone and isobutyl-methylxanthine. Differentiated cells presented a decreased expression of both erbB2 and EGFR regardless of whether the cells were hormonally or spontaneously differentiated. EGF stimulation of serum-starved cells increased erbB2 tyrosine phosphorylation and retarded erbB2 migration in SDS-PAGE, suggesting receptor association and activation. Heregulin-alpha1 and -beta1, two EGF related factors, had no effect on erbB2 or EGFR phosphorylation. Although 3T3-L1 cells expressed heregulin, its specific receptors, erbB3 and erbB4, were not found. This is the first time in which erbB2 is reported to be expressed in an adipocytic cell line which does not depend on non EGF family growth factors (thyroid hormone, growth hormone, etc.) to accomplish adipose differentiation. Since erbB2 and EGFR expression were downmodulated as differentiation progressed it is conceivable that a mechanism of switching from a mitogenic to a differentiating signaling pathway may be involved, through regulation of the expression of these growth factor receptors. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Control of germline stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in the Drosophila ovary: concerted actions of niche signals and intrinsic factors.

PubMed

Xie, Ting

2013-01-01

In the Drosophila ovary, germline stem cells (GSCs) physically interact with their niche composed of terminal filament cells, cap cells, and possibly GSC-contacting escort cells (ECs). A GSC divides to generate a self-renewing stem cell that remains in the niche and a differentiating daughter that moves away from the niche. The GSC niche provides a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signal that maintains GSC self-renewal by preventing stem cell differentiation via repression of the differentiation-promoting gene bag of marbles (bam). In addition, it expresses E-cadherin, which mediates cell adhesion for anchoring GSCs in the niche, enabling continuous self-renewal. GSCs themselves also express different classes of intrinsic factors, including signal transducers, transcription factors, chromatin remodeling factors, translation regulators, and miRNAs, which control self-renewal by strengthening interactions with the niche and repressing various differentiation pathways. Differentiated GSC daughters, known as cystoblasts (CBs), also express distinct classes of intrinsic factors to inhibit self-renewal and promote germ cell differentiation. Surprisingly, GSC progeny are also dependent on their surrounding ECs for proper differentiation at least partly by preventing BMP from diffusing to the differentiated germ cell zone and by repressing ectopic BMP expression. Therefore, both GSC self-renewal and CB differentiation are controlled by collaborative actions of extrinsic signals and intrinsic factors. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Artificial Induction of Sox21 Regulates Sensory Cell Formation in the Embryonic Chicken Inner Ear

PubMed Central

Freeman, Stephen D.; Daudet, Nicolas

2012-01-01

During embryonic development, hair cells and support cells in the sensory epithelia of the inner ear derive from progenitors that express Sox2, a member of the SoxB1 family of transcription factors. Sox2 is essential for sensory specification, but high levels of Sox2 expression appear to inhibit hair cell differentiation, suggesting that factors regulating Sox2 activity could be critical for both processes. Antagonistic interactions between SoxB1 and SoxB2 factors are known to regulate cell differentiation in neural tissue, which led us to investigate the potential roles of the SoxB2 member Sox21 during chicken inner ear development. Sox21 is normally expressed by sensory progenitors within vestibular and auditory regions of the early embryonic chicken inner ear. At later stages, Sox21 is differentially expressed in the vestibular and auditory organs. Sox21 is restricted to the support cell layer of the auditory epithelium, while it is enriched in the hair cell layer of the vestibular organs. To test Sox21 function, we used two temporally distinct gain-of-function approaches. Sustained over-expression of Sox21 from early developmental stages prevented prosensory specification, and abolished the formation of both hair cells and support cells. However, later induction of Sox21 expression at the time of hair cell formation in organotypic cultures of vestibular epithelia inhibited endogenous Sox2 expression and Notch activity, and biased progenitor cells towards a hair cell fate. Interestingly, Sox21 did not promote hair cell differentiation in the immature auditory epithelium, which fits with the expression of endogenous Sox21 within mature support cells in this tissue. These results suggest that interactions among endogenous SoxB family transcription factors may regulate sensory cell formation in the inner ear, but in a context-dependent manner. PMID:23071561

Successful synthesis of active human coagulation factor VII by co-expression of mammalian gamma-glutamyl carboxylase and modification of vit.K cycle in Drosophila Schneider S2 cells.

PubMed

Nagahashi, Kotomi; Umemura, Kazuo; Kanayama, Naohiro; Iwaki, Takayuki

2017-04-01

Mammalian gamma-glutamyl carboxylase and reduced vitamin K are indispensable for synthesis of mature mammalian vitamin K dependent proteins including some of blood coagulation factors (factors II, VII, IX, and X). It was well known that Drosophila melanogaster expressed gamma-glutamyl carboxylase and possessed a vit.K cycle although native substrates for them have not been identified yet. Despite the potential capability of gamma carboxylation in D. melanogaster derived cells such as S2 cells, Drosophila gamma-glutamyl carboxylase failed to gamma carboxylate a peptide fused to the human coagulation factor IX propeptide. Thus, it had been believed that the Drosophila system was not adequate to synthesize mammalian vit.K dependent proteins. Indeed, we previously attempted to synthesize biologically active factor VII in S2 cells although we were not able to obtain it. However, recently, a successful transient expression of biologically active human factor IX from S2 cells was reported. In the present study, several expression vectors which enable expressing mammalian GGCX, VKORC1, and/or PDIA2 along with F7 were developed. S2 cells transfected with pMKA85, pMAK86, and pMAK219 successfully synthesized active FVII. Thus, mammalian GGCX was indispensable to synthesize active FVII while mammalian VKORC1 and PDIA2 were not critical but supportive factors for S2 cells.

STK-1, the human homolog of Flk-2/Flt-3, is selectively expressed in CD34+ human bone marrow cells and is involved in the proliferation of early progenitor/stem cells.

PubMed Central

Small, D; Levenstein, M; Kim, E; Carow, C; Amin, S; Rockwell, P; Witte, L; Burrow, C; Ratajczak, M Z; Gewirtz, A M

1994-01-01

We cloned the cDNA for stem cell tyrosine kinase 1 (STK-1), the human homolog of murine Flk-2/Flt-3, from a CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell-enriched library and investigated its expression in subsets of normal human bone marrow. The cDNA encodes a protein of 993 aa with 85% identity and 92% similarity to Flk-2/Flt-3. STK-1 is a member of the type III receptor tyrosine kinase family that includes KIT (steel factor receptor), FMS (colony-stimulating factor 1R), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor. STK-1 expression in human blood and marrow is restricted to CD34+ cells, a population greatly enriched for stem/progenitor cells. Anti-STK-1 antiserum recognizes polypeptides of 160 and 130 kDa in several STK-1-expressing cell lines and in 3T3 cells transfected with a STK-1 expression vector. Antisense oligonucleotides directed against STK-1 sequences inhibited hematopoietic colony formation, most strongly in long-term bone marrow cultures. These data suggest that STK-1 may function as a growth factor receptor on hematopoietic stem and/or progenitor cells. Images Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 PMID:7507245

Anti-sense suppression of epidermal growth factor receptor expression alters cellular proliferation, cell-adhesion and tumorigenicity in ovarian cancer cells.

PubMed

Alper, O; De Santis, M L; Stromberg, K; Hacker, N F; Cho-Chung, Y S; Salomon, D S

2000-11-15

Over-expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in ovarian cancer has been well documented. Human NIH:OVCAR-8 ovarian carcinoma cells were transfected with an expression vector containing the anti-sense orientation of truncated human EGFR cDNA. EGFR anti-sense over-expression resulted in decreased EGFR protein and mRNA expression, cell proliferation and tumor formation in nude mice. In accordance with the reduced levels of EGFR in EGFR anti-sense-expressing cells, tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR was decreased compared to untransfected parental cells treated with EGF. In EGFR anti-sense-transfected cells, expression of erbB-3, but not erbB-2, was increased. In addition, basal and heregulin-beta 1-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of erbB-3 was higher in EGFR anti-sense vector-transfected cells. A morphological alteration in EGFR anti-sense gene-expressing cells was correlated with a decrease in the expression of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin and, to a lesser extent, beta-catenin. Changes in the expression of these proteins were associated with a reduction in complex formation among E-cadherin, beta-catenin and alpha-catenin and between beta-catenin and EGFR in EGFR anti-sense-expressing cells compared to sense-transfected control cells. These results demonstrate that EGFR expression in ovarian carcinoma cells regulates expression of cell adhesion proteins that may enhance cell growth and invasiveness. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Transcription factor NF-kappaB participates in regulation of epithelial cell turnover in the colon.

PubMed

Inan, M S; Tolmacheva, V; Wang, Q S; Rosenberg, D W; Giardina, C

2000-12-01

The transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB regulates the expression of genes that can influence cell proliferation and death. Here we analyze the contribution of NF-kappaB to the regulation of epithelial cell turnover in the colon. Immunohistochemical, immunoblot, and DNA binding analyses indicate that NF-kappaB complexes change as colonocytes mature: p65-p50 complexes predominate in proliferating epithelial cells of the colon, whereas the p50-p50 dimer is prevalent in mature epithelial cells. NF-kappaB1 (p50) knockout mice were used to study the role of NF-kappaB in regulating epithelial cell turnover. Knockout animals lacked detectable NF-kappaB DNA binding activity in isolated epithelial cells and had significantly longer crypts with a more extensive proliferative zone than their wild-type counterparts (as determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining and in vivo bromodeoxyuridine labeling). Gene expression profiling reveals that the NF-kappaB1 knockout mice express the potentially growth-enhancing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and nerve growth factor-alpha genes at elevated levels, with in situ hybridization localizing some of the TNF-alpha expression to epithelial cells. TNF-alpha is NF-kappaB regulated, and its upregulation in NF-kappaB1 knockouts may result from an alleviation of p50-p50 repression. NF-kappaB complexes may therefore influence cell proliferation in the colon through their ability to selectively activate and/or repress gene expression.

Endocytosed factor V is trafficked to CD42b+ proplatelet extensions during differentiation of human umbilical cord blood-derived megakaryocytes.

PubMed

Gertz, Jacqueline M; McLean, Kelley C; Bouchard, Beth A

2018-05-15

Plasma- and platelet-derived factor Va are essential for thrombin generation catalyzed by the prothrombinase complex; however, several observations demonstrate that the platelet-derived cofactor, which is formed following megakaryocyte endocytosis and modification of the plasma procofactor, factor V, is more hemostatically relevant. Factor V endocytosis, as a function of megakaryocyte differentiation and proplatelet formation, was assessed by flow cytometry and microscopy in CD34 + hematopoietic progenitor cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood and cultured for 12 days in the presence of cytokines to induce ex vivo differentiation into megakaryocytes. Expression of an early marker of megakaryocyte differentiation, CD41, endocytosis of factor V, and the percentage of CD41 + cells that endocytosed factor V increased from days 6 to 12 of differentiation. In contrast, statistically significant decreases in expression of the stem cell marker, CD34, and in the percentage of CD34 + cells that endocytosed factor V were observed. A statistically significant increase in the expression of CD42b, a late marker of megakaryocyte differentiation, was also observed over time, such that by Day 12, all CD42b + cells endocytosed factor V and expressed CD41. This endocytosed factor V was trafficked to proplatelet extensions and was localized in a punctate pattern in the cytoplasm consistent with its storage in α-granules. In conclusion, loss of CD34 and expression of CD42b define cells capable of factor V endocytosis and trafficking to proplatelet extensions during differentiation of megakaryocytes ex vivo from progenitor cells isolated from umbilical cord blood. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Resetting the transcription factor network reverses terminal chronic hepatic failure

PubMed Central

Nishikawa, Taichiro; Bell, Aaron; Brooks, Jenna M.; Setoyama, Kentaro; Melis, Marta; Han, Bing; Fukumitsu, Ken; Handa, Kan; Tian, Jianmin; Kaestner, Klaus H.; Vodovotz, Yoram; Locker, Joseph; Soto-Gutierrez, Alejandro; Fox, Ira J.

2015-01-01

The cause of organ failure is enigmatic for many degenerative diseases, including end-stage liver disease. Here, using a CCl4-induced rat model of irreversible and fatal hepatic failure, which also exhibits terminal changes in the extracellular matrix, we demonstrated that chronic injury stably reprograms the critical balance of transcription factors and that diseased and dedifferentiated cells can be returned to normal function by re-expression of critical transcription factors, a process similar to the type of reprogramming that induces somatic cells to become pluripotent or to change their cell lineage. Forced re-expression of the transcription factor HNF4α induced expression of the other hepatocyte-expressed transcription factors; restored functionality in terminally diseased hepatocytes isolated from CCl4-treated rats; and rapidly reversed fatal liver failure in CCl4-treated animals by restoring diseased hepatocytes rather than replacing them with new hepatocytes or stem cells. Together, the results of our study indicate that disruption of the transcription factor network and cellular dedifferentiation likely mediate terminal liver failure and suggest reinstatement of this network has therapeutic potential for correcting organ failure without cell replacement. PMID:25774505

[In vitro generation of insulin-producing cells from the neonatal rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

PubMed

Li, Xiaohu; Huang, Haiyan; Liu, Xirong; Xia, Hongxia; Li, Mincai

2015-03-01

To observe the differentiation of the neonatal rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into insulin-producing cells and detect the expressions of insulin, pancreatic duodenal homebox-1 (PDX-1) and nestin. MSCs were isolated from the neonatal rats and cultured in the modified medium composed of 10 μg/L human epidermal growth factor (EGF), 10 μg/L basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), 10 μg/L hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), 10 μg/L human B cell regulin, 20 mmol/L nicotinamide and 20 g/L B27. After the induction, the mRNA expressions of insulin, PDX-1 and nestin were examined by reverse transcription-PCR, and the insulin, PDX-1 and nestin protein levels were detected by immunocytochemistry. The insulin and PDX-1 mRNA expressions increased and the nestin mRNA expression decreased in the differentiation of the neonatal rat MSCs into insulin-producing cells. The nestin, PDX-1 and insulin proteins were co-expressed in insulin-producing cells. MSCs can be induced to differentiate into insulin-producing cells.

Qualitatively Monitoring Binding and Expression of the Transcription Factors Sp1 and NFI as a Useful Tool to Evaluate the Quality of Primary Cultured Epithelial Stem Cells in Tissue Reconstruction.

PubMed

Le-Bel, Gaëtan; Ghio, Sergio Cortez; Larouche, Danielle; Germain, Lucie; Guérin, Sylvain L

2018-05-27

Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and Western blots are simple, efficient, and rapid methods to study DNA-protein interactions and protein expression, respectively. Primary cultures and subcultures of epithelial cells are widely used for the production of tissue-engineered substitutes and are gaining popularity as a model for gene expression studies. The preservation of stem cells through the culture process is essential to produce high quality substitutes. However, the increase in the number of cell passages is associated with a decrease in their ability to proliferate until senescence is reached. This process is likely to be mediated by the altered expression of nuclear-located transcription factors such as Sp1 and NFI, whose expression has been documented to be required for cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. In some of our recent studies, we observed a correlation between reconstructed tissues exhibiting poor histological and structural characteristics and a low expression of Sp1 in their constituting epithelial cells. Therefore, monitoring both the expression and DNA binding of these transcription factors in human skin and corneal epithelial cells is a useful tool for characterizing the quality of primary cultured epithelial cells.

P-body-induced inactivation of let-7a miRNP prevents the death of growth factor-deprived neuronal cells.

PubMed

Patranabis, Somi; Bhattacharyya, Suvendra Nath

2018-03-01

RNA processing bodies (P-bodies) are cytoplasmic RNA granules in eukaryotic cells that regulate gene expression by executing the translation suppression and degradation of mRNAs that are targeted to these bodies. P-bodies can also serve as storage sites for translationally repressed mRNAs both in mammalian cells and yeast cells. In this report, a unique role of mammalian P-bodies is documented. Depletion of P-body components dedifferentiate nerve growth factor-treated PC12 cells, whereas ectopic expression of P-body components induces the neuronal differentiation of precursor cells. Trophic factor withdrawal from differentiated cells induces a decrease in cellular P-body size and numbers that are coupled with dedifferentiation and cell death. Here, we report how the expression of P-body proteins-by ensuring the phosphorylation of argonaute protein 2 and the subsequent inactivation let-7a miRNPs-prevents the apoptotic death of growth factor-depleted neuronal cells.-Patranabis, S., Bhattacharyya, S. N. P-body-induced inactivation of let-7a miRNP prevents the death of growth factor-deprived neuronal cells.

Increasing RpoS expression causes cell death in Borrelia burgdorferi.

PubMed

Chen, Linxu; Xu, Qilong; Tu, Jiagang; Ge, Yihe; Liu, Jun; Liang, Fang Ting

2013-01-01

RpoS, one of the two alternative σ factors in Borrelia burgdorferi, is tightly controlled by multiple regulators and, in turn, determines expression of many critical virulence factors. Here we show that increasing RpoS expression causes cell death. The immediate effect of increasing RpoS expression was to promote bacterial division and as a consequence result in a rapid increase in cell number before causing bacterial death. No DNA fragmentation or degradation was observed during this induced cell death. Cryo-electron microscopy showed induced cells first formed blebs, which were eventually released from dying cells. Apparently blebbing initiated cell disintegration leading to cell death. These findings led us to hypothesize that increasing RpoS expression triggers intracellular programs and/or pathways that cause spirochete death. The potential biological significance of induced cell death may help B. burgdorferi regulate its population to maintain its life cycle in nature.

The Bicoid Class Homeodomain Factors ceh-36/OTX and unc-30/PITX Cooperate in C. elegans Embryonic Progenitor Cells to Regulate Robust Development

PubMed Central

Walton, Travis; Preston, Elicia; Nair, Gautham; Zacharias, Amanda L.; Raj, Arjun; Murray, John Isaac

2015-01-01

While many transcriptional regulators of pluripotent and terminally differentiated states have been identified, regulation of intermediate progenitor states is less well understood. Previous high throughput cellular resolution expression studies identified dozens of transcription factors with lineage-specific expression patterns in C. elegans embryos that could regulate progenitor identity. In this study we identified a broad embryonic role for the C. elegans OTX transcription factor ceh-36, which was previously shown to be required for the terminal specification of four neurons. ceh-36 is expressed in progenitors of over 30% of embryonic cells, yet is not required for embryonic viability. Quantitative phenotyping by computational analysis of time-lapse movies of ceh-36 mutant embryos identified cell cycle or cell migration defects in over 100 of these cells, but most defects were low-penetrance, suggesting redundancy. Expression of ceh-36 partially overlaps with that of the PITX transcription factor unc-30. unc-30 single mutants are viable but loss of both ceh-36 and unc-30 causes 100% lethality, and double mutants have significantly higher frequencies of cellular developmental defects in the cells where their expression normally overlaps. These factors are also required for robust expression of the downstream developmental regulator mls-2/HMX. This work provides the first example of genetic redundancy between the related yet evolutionarily distant OTX and PITX families of bicoid class homeodomain factors and demonstrates the power of quantitative developmental phenotyping in C. elegans to identify developmental regulators acting in progenitor cells. PMID:25738873

INHIBITION OF ERN1 SIGNALING ENZYME AFFECTS HYPOXIC REGULATION OF THE EXPRESSION OF E2F8, EPAS1, HOXC6, ATF3, TBX3 AND FOXF1 GENES IN U87 GLIOMA CELLS.

PubMed

Minchenko, O H; Tsymbal, D O; Minchenko, D O; Kovalevska, O V; Karbovskyi, L L; Bikfalvi, A

2015-01-01

Hypoxia as well as the endoplasmic reticulum stress are important factors of malignant tumor growth and control of the expression of genes, which regulate numerous metabolic processes and cell proliferation. Furthermore, blockade of ERN1 (endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus 1) suppresses cell proliferation and tumor growth. We studied the effect of hypoxia on the expression of genes encoding the transcription factors such as E2F8 (E2F transcription factor 8), EPAS1 (endothelial PAS domain protein 1), TBX3 (T-box 3), ATF3 (activating transcription factor 3), FOXF1 (forkhead box F), and HOXC6 (homeobox C6) in U87 glioma cells with and without ERN1 signaling enzyme function. We have established that hypoxia enhances the expression of HOXC6, E2F8, ATF3, and EPAS1 genes but does not change TBX3 and FOXF1 gene expression in glioma cells with ERNI function. At the same time, the expression level of all studied genes is strongly decreased, except for TBX3 gene, in glioma cells without ERN1 function. Moreover, the inhibition of ERN1 signaling enzyme function significantly modifies the effect of hypoxia on the expression of these transcription factor genes. removes or introduces this regulation as well as changes a direction or magnitude of hypoxic regulation. Present study demonstrates that fine-tuning of the expression of proliferation related genes depends upon hypoxia and ERN1-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling and correlates with slower proliferation rate of glioma cells without ERN1 function.

Effects of Ghrelin miRNA on Inflammation and Calcium Pathway in Pancreatic Acinar Cells of Acute Pancreatitis.

PubMed

Tang, Xiping; Tang, Guodu; Liang, Zhihai; Qin, Mengbin; Fang, Chunyun; Zhang, Luyi

The study investigated the effects of endogenous targeted inhibition of ghrelin gene on inflammation and calcium pathway in an in vitro pancreatic acinar cell model of acute pancreatitis. Lentiviral expression vector against ghrelin gene was constructed and transfected into AR42J cells. The mRNA and protein expression of each gene were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentration of intracellular calcium ([Ca]i) was determined by calcium fluorescence mark probe combined with laser scanning confocal microscopy. Compared with the control group, cerulein could upregulate mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory factors, calcium pathway, ghrelin, and [Ca]i. mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory factors increased significantly in cells transfected with ghrelin miRNA compared with the other groups. Intracellular calcium and expression of some calcium pathway proteins decreased significantly in cells transfected with ghrelin miRNA compared with the other groups. Targeted inhibition of ghrelin gene in pancreatic acinar cells of acute pancreatitis can upregulate the expression of the intracellular inflammatory factors and alleviate the intracellular calcium overload.

Genetic expression of adipose derived stem cell and smooth muscle cell markers to monitor differentiation potential following low intensity laser irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abrahamse, Heidi

2014-02-01

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity to differentiate into a variety of cell types that could potentially be used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Low intensity laser irradiation (LILI) has been shown to induce a significant increase in cell viability and proliferation. Growth factors such as retinoic acid (RA) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) play important roles in the differentiation of cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether LILI in combination with growth factors could induce the differentiation of adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) cocultured with smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The study used primary and continuous ADSC cell lines and a SMC line (SKUT-1) as control. Cells were co-cultured directly at a ratio of 1:1 using established methods, with and without growth factors and then exposed to LILI at 5 J/cm2 using a 636 nm diode laser. The cellular morphology, viability and proliferation of the co-cultures were assessed over a period of one week. The study also monitored the expression of cell specific markers over the same period of time. Genetic expression of the markers for both adipose derived stem cells (β1 Integrin and Thymidine 1) and smooth muscle cells (Heavy Myosin Chain) was monitored using flow cytometry. Cell viability and proliferation increased significantly in the co-cultured groups that were exposed to laser alone, as well as in combination with growth factors. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in the expression of stem cell markers in the ADSCs over time. The results indicate that LILI in combination with growth factors not only increases the viability and proliferation of co-cultured cells but also decreases the expression of ADSC stem cell markers. This could indicate the possible differentiation of ADSCs into SMCs.

Effects of tissue factor, PAR-2 and MMP-9 expression on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 invasion.

PubMed

Lin, Zeng-Mao; Zhao, Jian-Xin; Duan, Xue-Ning; Zhang, Lan-Bo; Ye, Jing-Ming; Xu, Ling; Liu, Yin-Hua

2014-01-01

This study aimed to explore the expression of tissue factor (TF), protease activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and influence on invasiveness. Stable MCF-7 cells transfected with TF cDNA and with TF ShRNA were established. TF, PAR-2, and MMP-9 protein expression was analyzed using indirect immunofluorescence and invasiveness was evaluated using a cell invasion test. Effects of an exogenous PAR-2 agonist were also examined. TF protein expression significantly differed between the TF cDNA and TF ShRNA groups. MMP-9 protein expression was significantly correlated with TF protein expression, but PAR-2 protein expression was unaffected. The PAR- 2 agonist significantly enhanced MMP-9 expression and slightly increased TF and PAR-2 expression in the TF ShRNA group, but did not significantly affect protein expression in MCF-7 cells transfected with TF cDNA. TF and MMP-9 expression was positively correlated with the invasiveness of tumor cells. TF, PAR-2, and MMP-9 affect invasiveness of MCF-7 cells. TF may increase MMP-9 expression by activating PAR-2.

[Effect of Yiguan Decoction on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells: an experimental research].

PubMed

Ping, Jian; Chen, Hong-Yun; Yang, Zhou; Yang, Cheng; Xu, Lie-Ming

2014-03-01

To observe the effect of Yiguan Decoction (YGD) on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro. Rat BMSCs were isolated using whole bone marrow adherent method. The properties of BMSCs were identified by analyzing the expression of surface cytokines by flow cytometry. The third passage cells were differentiated into fat cells to identify their features. BMSCs were incubated with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plus fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) or YGD containing serum YGD for 21 days. The mRNA expression of alpha-fetoprotein (alphaAFP), albumin (Alb), and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) were detected by real time PCR. Expression of AFP and cytokeratin 18 (CK18) protein was detected by cell immunofluorescence. Glycogen synthesis was observed using periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS). CK18, Wnt 3alpha, and alphacatenin protein expressions were detected by Western blot. High expression of CD90, CD29, and CD44, and low expression of CD34 and CD11b were observed in BMSCs isolated by whole bone mar- row adherent method, and numerous lipid droplets were observed in BMSCs using oil red O staining. Both YGD containing serum and growth factor stimulated the expression levels of Alb, AFP, HNF4alpha mRNA and CK18 protein. The down-regulated expression of Wnt 3alpha and beta-catenin could be detected at 21 days after induction. The synthesized glycogen granule could be seen. Down-regulated Wnt 3alpha and beta-catenin expression could also be observed. YGD could induce the differentiation of rat BMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells, which was related to down-regulating Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway.

Kruppel-like factor 2 inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha expression and function in the endothelium.

PubMed

Kawanami, Daiji; Mahabeleshwar, Ganapati H; Lin, Zhiyong; Atkins, G Brandon; Hamik, Anne; Haldar, Saptarsi M; Maemura, Koji; Lamanna, Joseph C; Jain, Mukesh K

2009-07-31

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a central regulator of the hypoxic response in many cell types. In endothelial cells, HIF-1 induces the expression of key proangiogenic factors to promote angiogenesis. Recent studies have identified Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) as a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. However, the role of KLF2 in regulating HIF-1 expression and function has not been evaluated. KLF2 expression was induced acutely by hypoxia in endothelial cells. Adenoviral overexpression of KLF2 inhibited hypoxia-induced expression of HIF-1alpha and its target genes such as interleukin 8, angiopoietin-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor in endothelial cells. Conversely, knockdown of KLF2 increased expression of HIF-1alpha and its targets. Furthermore, KLF2 inhibited hypoxia-induced endothelial tube formation, whereas endothelial cells from mice with haploinsufficiency of KLF2 showed increased tube formation in response to hypoxia. Consistent with this ex vivo observation, KLF2 heterozygous mice showed increased microvessel density in the brain. Mechanistically, KLF2 promoted HIF-1alpha degradation in a von Hippel-Lindau protein-independent but proteasome-dependent manner. Finally, KLF2 disrupted the interaction between HIF-1alpha and its chaperone Hsp90, suggesting that KLF2 promotes degradation of HIF-1alpha by affecting its folding and maturation. These observations identify KLF2 as a novel inhibitor of HIF-1alpha expression and function. Therefore, KLF2 may be a target for modulating the angiogenic response in disease states.

Sox17 drives functional engraftment of endothelium converted from non-vascular cells

PubMed Central

Schachterle, William; Badwe, Chaitanya R.; Palikuqi, Brisa; Kunar, Balvir; Ginsberg, Michael; Lis, Raphael; Yokoyama, Masataka; Elemento, Olivier; Scandura, Joseph M.; Rafii, Shahin

2017-01-01

Transplanting vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to support metabolism and express regenerative paracrine factors is a strategy to treat vasculopathies and to promote tissue regeneration. However, transplantation strategies have been challenging to develop, because ECs are difficult to culture and little is known about how to direct them to stably integrate into vasculature. Here we show that only amniotic cells could convert to cells that maintain EC gene expression. Even so, these converted cells perform sub-optimally in transplantation studies. Constitutive Akt signalling increases expression of EC morphogenesis genes, including Sox17, shifts the genomic targeting of Fli1 to favour nearby Sox consensus sites and enhances the vascular function of converted cells. Enforced expression of Sox17 increases expression of morphogenesis genes and promotes integration of transplanted converted cells into injured vessels. Thus, Ets transcription factors specify non-vascular, amniotic cells to EC-like cells, whereas Sox17 expression is required to confer EC function. PMID:28091527

Notch1 stimulation induces a vascularization switch with pericyte-like cell differentiation of glioblastoma stem cells.

PubMed

Guichet, Pierre-Olivier; Guelfi, Sophie; Teigell, Marisa; Hoppe, Liesa; Bakalara, Norbert; Bauchet, Luc; Duffau, Hugues; Lamszus, Katrin; Rothhut, Bernard; Hugnot, Jean-Philippe

2015-01-01

Glioblastoma multiforms (GBMs) are highly vascularized brain tumors containing a subpopulation of multipotent cancer stem cells. These cells closely interact with endothelial cells in neurovascular niches. In this study, we have uncovered a close link between the Notch1 pathway and the tumoral vascularization process of GBM stem cells. We observed that although the Notch1 receptor was activated, the typical target proteins (HES5, HEY1, and HEY2) were not or barely expressed in two explored GBM stem cell cultures. Notch1 signaling activation by expression of the intracellular form (NICD) in these cells was found to reduce their growth rate and migration, which was accompanied by the sharp reduction in neural stem cell transcription factor expression (ASCL1, OLIG2, and SOX2), while HEY1/2, KLF9, and SNAI2 transcription factors were upregulated. Expression of OLIG2 and growth were restored after termination of Notch1 stimulation. Remarkably, NICD expression induced the expression of pericyte cell markers (NG2, PDGFRβ, and α-smooth muscle actin [αSMA]) in GBM stem cells. This was paralleled with the induction of several angiogenesis-related factors most notably cytokines (heparin binding epidermal growth factor [HB-EGF], IL8, and PLGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP9), and adhesion proteins (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 [VCAM1], intercellular adhesion molecule 1 [ICAM1], and integrin alpha 9 [ITGA9]). In xenotransplantation experiments, contrasting with the infiltrative and poorly vascularized tumors obtained with control GBM stem cells, Notch1 stimulation resulted in poorly disseminating but highly vascularized grafts containing large vessels with lumen. Notch1-stimulated GBM cells expressed pericyte cell markers and closely associated with endothelial cells. These results reveal an important role for the Notch1 pathway in regulating GBM stem cell plasticity and angiogenic properties. © 2014 AlphaMed Press.

Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor and interleukin-3 increase expression of type II tumour necrosis factor receptor, increasing susceptibility to tumour necrosis factor-induced apoptosis. Control of leukaemia cell life/death switching.

PubMed

Rae, C; MacEwan, D J

2004-12-01

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) induces apoptosis in a range of cell types via its two receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2. Here, we demonstrate that proliferation and TNFR2 expression was increased in human leukaemic TF-1 cells by granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-3 (IL-3), with TNFR1 expression unaffected. Consequently, they switch from a proliferative to a TNF-induced apoptotic phenotype. Raised TNFR2 expression and susceptibility to TNF-induced apoptosis was not a general effect of proliferation as IL-1beta and IFN-gamma both proliferated TF-1 cells with no effect on TNFR expression or apoptosis. Although raised TNFR2 expression correlated with the apoptotic phenotype, stimulation of apoptosis in GM-CSF-pretreated cells was mediated by TNFR1, with stimulation of TNFR2 alone insufficient to initiate cell death. However, TNFR2 did play a role in apoptotic and proliferative responses as they were blocked by the presence of an antagonistic TNFR2 antibody. Additionally, coincubation with cycloheximide blocked the mitotic effects of GM-CSF or IL-3, allowing only the apoptotic responses of TNF to persist. TNF life/death was also observed in K562, but not MOLT-4 and HL-60 human leukaemic cell types. These findings show a cooperative role of TNFR2 in the TNF life/death switching phenomenon.

Growth factor expression pattern of homologous feeder layer for culturing buffalo embryonic stem cell-like cells.

PubMed

Sharma, Ruchi; George, Aman; Kamble, Nitin M; Chauhan, Manmohan S; Singla, Suresh; Manik, Radhey S; Palta, Prabhat

2012-01-01

The present study examined the expression profile of buffalo fetal fibroblasts (BFF) used as a feeder layer for embryonic stem (ES) cell-like cells. The expression of important growth factors was detected in cells at different passages. Mitomycin-C inactivation increased relative expression levels of ACTIVIN-A, TGF-β1, BMP-4 and GREMLIN but not of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). The expression level of ACTIVIN-A, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) and FGF-2 was similar in buffalo fetal fibroblast (BFF) cultured in stem cell medium (SCM), SCM+1000IU mL(-1) leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), SCM+5 ngmL(-1) FGF-2 or SCM+LIF+FGF-2 for 24 h whereas GREMLIN expression was higher in FGF-2-supplemented groups. In spent medium, the concentration of ACTIVIN-A was higher in FGF-2-supplemented groups whereas that of TGF-β1 was similar in SCM and LIF+FGF-2, which was higher than when either LIF or FGF-2 was used alone. Following culture of ES cell-like cells on a feeder layer for 24 h, the TGF-β1 concentration was higher with LIF+FGF-2 than with LIF or FGF-2 alone which, in turn, was higher than that in SCM. In the LIF+FGF-2 group, the concentration of TGF-β1 was lower and that of ACTIVIN-A was higher in spent medium at 24 h than at 48 h of culture. These results suggest that BFF produce signalling molecules that may help in self-renewal of buffalo ES cell-like cells.

Generation of hyaline cartilaginous tissue from mouse adult dermal fibroblast culture by defined factors

PubMed Central

Hiramatsu, Kunihiko; Sasagawa, Satoru; Outani, Hidetatsu; Nakagawa, Kanako; Yoshikawa, Hideki; Tsumaki, Noriyuki

2011-01-01

Repair of cartilage injury with hyaline cartilage continues to be a challenging clinical problem. Because of the limited number of chondrocytes in vivo, coupled with in vitro de-differentiation of chondrocytes into fibrochondrocytes, which secrete type I collagen and have an altered matrix architecture and mechanical function, there is a need for a novel cell source that produces hyaline cartilage. The generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has provided a tool for reprogramming dermal fibroblasts to an undifferentiated state by ectopic expression of reprogramming factors. Here, we show that retroviral expression of two reprogramming factors (c-Myc and Klf4) and one chondrogenic factor (SOX9) induces polygonal chondrogenic cells directly from adult dermal fibroblast cultures. Induced cells expressed marker genes for chondrocytes but not fibroblasts, i.e., the promoters of type I collagen genes were extensively methylated. Although some induced cell lines formed tumors when subcutaneously injected into nude mice, other induced cell lines generated stable homogenous hyaline cartilage–like tissue. Further, the doxycycline-inducible induction system demonstrated that induced cells are able to respond to chondrogenic medium by expressing endogenous Sox9 and maintain chondrogenic potential after substantial reduction of transgene expression. Thus, this approach could lead to the preparation of hyaline cartilage directly from skin, without generating iPS cells. PMID:21293062

CREB-1 and AP-1 transcription factors JunD and Fra-2 regulate bone sialoprotein gene expression in human breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Detry, C; Lamour, V; Castronovo, V; Bellahcène, A

2008-02-01

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) expression is detected in a variety of human osteotropic cancers. High expression of BSP in breast and prostate primary carcinomas is associated with progression and bone metastases development. In this study, we examined the transcriptional regulation of BSP gene expression in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells compared with Saos-2 human osteoblast-like cells. BSP human promoter deletion analyses delineated a -56/-84 region, which comprises a cAMP response element (CRE) that was sufficient for maximal promoter activity in breast cancer cell lines. We found that the basic fibroblast growth factor response element (FRE) also located in the proximal promoter was a crucial regulator of human BSP promoter activity in Saos-2 but not in breast cancer cells. Promoter activity experiments in combination with DNA mobility shift assays demonstrated that BSP promoter activity is under the control of the CRE element, through CREB-1, JunD and Fra-2 binding, in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and in Saos-2 cells. Forskolin, a protein kinase A pathway activator, failed to enhance BSP transcriptional activity suggesting that CRE site behaves as a constitutive rather than an inducible element in these cell lines. Over-expression of JunD and Fra-2 increased BSP promoter activity and upregulated endogenous BSP protein expression in MCF-7 and Saos-2 cells while siRNA-mediated inhibition of both factors expression significantly reduced BSP protein level in MDA-MB-231. Collectively, these data provide with new transcriptional mechanisms, implicating CREB and AP-1 factors, that control BSP gene expression in breast cancer cells.

Orf virus interleukin-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor-E modulate gene expression in cultured equine dermal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Wise, Lyn M; Bodaan, Christa J; Mercer, Andrew A; Riley, Christopher B; Theoret, Christine L

2016-10-01

Wounds in horses often exhibit sustained inflammation and inefficient vascularization, leading to excessive fibrosis and clinical complications such as "proud flesh". Orf virus-derived proteins, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-E and interleukin (ovIL)-10, enhance angiogenesis and control inflammation and fibrosis in skin wounds of laboratory animals. The study aimed to determine if equine dermal cells respond to VEGF-E and ovIL-10. Equine dermal cells are expected to express VEGF and IL-10 receptors, so viral protein treatment is likely to alter cellular gene expression and behaviour in a manner conducive to healing. Skin samples were harvested from the lateral thoracic wall of two healthy thoroughbred horses. Equine dermal cells were isolated using a skin explant method and their phenotype assessed by immunofluorescence. Cells were treated with recombinant proteins, with or without inflammatory stimuli. Gene expression was examined using standard and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Cell behaviour was evaluated in a scratch assay. Cultured cells were half vimentin(+ve) fibroblasts and half alpha smooth muscle actin(+ve) and vimentin(+ve) myofibroblasts. VEGF-E increased basal expression of IL-10 mRNA, whereas VEGF-A and collagenase-1 mRNA expression was increased by ovIL-10. In cells exposed to inflammatory stimulus, both treatments dampened tumour necrosis factor mRNA expression, and ovIL-10 exacerbated expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein. Neither viral protein influenced cell migration greatly. This study shows that VEGF-E and ovIL-10 are active on equine dermal cells and exert anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects that may enhance skin wound healing in horses. © 2016 ESVD and ACVD.

Novel Permissive Cell Lines for Complete Propagation of Hepatitis C Virus

PubMed Central

Shiokawa, Mai; Fukuhara, Takasuke; Ono, Chikako; Yamamoto, Satomi; Okamoto, Toru; Watanabe, Noriyuki; Wakita, Takaji

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major etiologic agent of chronic liver diseases. Although the HCV life cycle has been clarified by studying laboratory strains of HCV derived from the genotype 2a JFH-1 strain (cell culture-adapted HCV [HCVcc]), the mechanisms of particle formation have not been elucidated. Recently, we showed that exogenous expression of a liver-specific microRNA, miR-122, in nonhepatic cell lines facilitates efficient replication but not particle production of HCVcc, suggesting that liver-specific host factors are required for infectious particle formation. In this study, we screened human cancer cell lines for expression of the liver-specific α-fetoprotein by using a cDNA array database and identified liver-derived JHH-4 cells and stomach-derived FU97 cells, which express liver-specific host factors comparable to Huh7 cells. These cell lines permit not only replication of HCV RNA but also particle formation upon infection with HCVcc, suggesting that hepatic differentiation participates in the expression of liver-specific host factors required for HCV propagation. HCV inhibitors targeting host and viral factors exhibited different antiviral efficacies between Huh7 and FU97 cells. Furthermore, FU97 cells exhibited higher susceptibility for propagation of HCVcc derived from the JFH-2 strain than Huh7 cells. These results suggest that hepatic differentiation participates in the expression of liver-specific host factors required for complete propagation of HCV. IMPORTANCE Previous studies have shown that liver-specific host factors are required for efficient replication of HCV RNA and formation of infectious particles. In this study, we screened human cancer cell lines for expression of the liver-specific α-fetoprotein by using a cDNA array database and identified novel permissive cell lines for complete propagation of HCVcc without any artificial manipulation. In particular, gastric cancer-derived FU97 cells exhibited a much higher susceptibility to HCVcc/JFH-2 infection than observed in Huh7 cells, suggesting that FU97 cells would be useful for further investigation of the HCV life cycle, as well as the development of therapeutic agents for chronic hepatitis C. PMID:24599999

In Vitro Expression of Cytokeratin 19 in Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Is Induced by Epidermal Growth Factor.

PubMed

Chen, Shangliang; Wang, Mingzhu; Chen, Xinglu; Chen, Shaolian; Liu, Li; Zhu, Jianbin; Wang, Jinhui; Yang, Xiaorong; Cai, Xiangsheng

2018-06-21

BACKGROUND Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) is a typical epithelial marker. In this study, we determined whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) could enhance CK19 expression in adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), thereby inducing the differentiation of ADSCs into epithelial-like cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS ADSCs were isolated from perinephric fat, and the expression of CD29, CD90, and CD105 was confirmed. Following isolation, ADSCs were cultured in static medium or medium containing EGF or bFGF. RESULTS Flow cytometry revealed that EGF and bFGF could alter mesenchymal stem cell markers as well as the cell cycle of ADSCs. Western blotting and immunofluorescence revealed that after 14 days, EGF treatment enhanced the expression of CK19 in ADSCs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings offer important insight for the clinical use of ADSCs in the generation of epithelial-like cells in the future.

Dbl oncogene expression in MCF-10 A epithelial cells disrupts mammary acinar architecture, induces EMT and angiogenic factor secretion

PubMed Central

Vanni, Cristina; Ognibene, Marzia; Finetti, Federica; Mancini, Patrizia; Cabodi, Sara; Segalerba, Daniela; Torrisi, Maria Rosaria; Donnini, Sandra; Bosco, Maria Carla; Varesio, Luigi; Eva, Alessandra

2015-01-01

The proteins of the Dbl family are guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) of Rho GTPases and are known to be involved in cell growth regulation. Alterations of the normal function of these proteins lead to pathological processes such as developmental disorders, neoplastic transformation, and tumor metastasis. We have previously demonstrated that expression of Dbl oncogene in lens epithelial cells modulates genes encoding proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) and induces angiogenesis in the lens. Our present study was undertaken to investigate the role of Dbl oncogene in epithelial cells transformation, providing new insights into carcinoma progression.To assess how Dbl oncogene can modulate EMT, cell migration, morphogenesis, and expression of pro-apoptotic and angiogenic factors we utilized bi- and 3-dimensional cultures of MCF-10 A cells. We show that upon Dbl expression MCF-10 A cells undergo EMT. In addition, we found that Dbl overexpression sustains Cdc42 and Rac activation inducing morphological alterations, characterized by the presence of lamellipodia and conferring a high migratory capacity to the cells. Moreover, Dbl expressing MCF-10 A cells form altered 3D structures and can induce angiogenesis by producing proangiogenic factors such as CCL2. These results support a role for Dbl oncogene in epithelial cell differentiation and transformation and suggest the relevance of GEF deregulation in tumor onset and progression. PMID:25723869

TGF-β Negatively Regulates Mitf-E Expression and Canine Osteoclastogenesis.

PubMed

Asai, Kumiko; Hisasue, Masaharu; Shimokawa, Fumie; Funaba, Masayuki; Murakami, Masaru

2018-04-21

With longevity, the prevalence of osteoporosis, which occurs when the activity of osteoclast surpasses that of osteoblasts, has increased in dogs. However, limited information is available on canine osteoclastogenesis. We herein described culture conditions to induce osteoclasts from canine bone marrow cells, and identified factors affecting canine osteoclastogenesis. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells were efficiently formed in a culture of bone marrow mononuclear cells with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF 25 ng/mL) for 3 days and a subsequent culture in the presence of M-CSF (25 ng/mL) and soluble receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL 50 ng/mL) for 4 days. We previously reported in a murine cell system that gene induction of the E isoform of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf-E) was required and sufficient for osteoclastogenesis, while transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) enhanced RANKL-induced Mitf-E expression and osteoclastogenesis. Mitf-E expression also increased during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in canine cells; however, TGF-β down-regulated Mitf-E expression and osteoclastogenesis, indicating a species-dependent response. The results of the present study show that, consistent with murine cells, M-CSF and soluble RANKL enable canine bone marrow cells to differentiate into osteoclasts, and Mitf-E expression is induced during osteoclastogenesis. However, the role of TGF-β in osteoclast formation is distinct between murine and canine cells, suggesting the necessity of analyses using canine cells to examine the factors affecting canine osteoclastogenesis.

FOG-2, a Heart- and Brain-Enriched Cofactor for GATA Transcription Factors

PubMed Central

Lu, Jian-rong; McKinsey, Timothy A.; Xu, Hongtao; Wang, Da-zhi; Richardson, James A.; Olson, Eric N.

1999-01-01

Members of the GATA family of zinc finger transcription factors have been shown to play important roles in the control of gene expression in a variety of cell types. GATA-1, -2, and -3 are expressed primarily in hematopoietic cell lineages and are required for proliferation and differentiation of multiple hematopoietic cell types, whereas GATA-4, -5, and -6 are expressed in the heart, where they activate cardiac muscle structural genes. Friend of GATA-1 (FOG) is a multitype zinc finger protein that interacts with GATA-1 and serves as a cofactor for GATA-1-mediated transcription. FOG is coexpressed with GATA-1 in developing erythroid and megakaryocyte cell lineages and cooperates with GATA-1 to control erythropoiesis. We describe a novel FOG-related factor, FOG-2, that is expressed predominantly in the developing and adult heart, brain, and testis. FOG-2 interacts with GATA factors, and interaction of GATA-4 and FOG-2 results in either synergistic activation or repression of GATA-dependent cardiac promoters, depending on the specific promoter and the cell type in which they are tested. The properties of FOG-2 suggest its involvement in the control of cardiac and neural gene expression by GATA transcription factors. PMID:10330188

Insulin-like growth factor and fibroblast growth factor expression profiles in growth-restricted fetal sheep pancreas.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaochuan; Rozance, Paul J; Hay, William W; Limesand, Sean W

2012-05-01

Placental insufficiency results in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), impaired fetal insulin secretion and less fetal pancreatic β-cell mass, partly due to lower β-cell proliferation rates. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) regulate fetal β-cell proliferation and pancreas development, along with transcription factors, such as pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1). We determined expression levels for these growth factors, their receptors and IGF binding proteins in ovine fetal pancreas and isolated islets. In the IUGR pancreas, relative mRNA expression levels of IGF-I, PDX-1, FGF7 and FGFR2IIIb were 64% (P < 0.01), 76% (P < 0.05), 76% (P < 0.05) and 52% (P < 0.01) lower, respectively, compared with control fetuses. Conversely, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) mRNA and protein concentrations were 2.25- and 1.2-fold greater (P < 0.05) in the IUGR pancreas compared with controls. In isolated islets from IUGR fetuses, IGF-II and IGFBP-2 mRNA concentrations were 1.5- and 3.7-fold greater (P < 0.05), and insulin mRNA was 56% less (P < 0.05) than control islets. The growth factor expression profiles for IGF and FGF signaling pathways indicate that declines in β-cell mass are due to decreased growth factor signals for both pancreatic progenitor epithelial cell and mature β-cell replication.

Impact of C-rel inhibition of cord blood-derived B-, T-, and NK cells.

PubMed

Fallahi, Shirin; Mohammadi, Seyede Momeneh; Tayefi Nasrabadi, Hamid; Alihemmati, Alireza; Samadi, Naser; Gholami, Sanaz; Shanehbandi, Dariush; Nozad Charoudeh, Hojjatollah

2017-12-01

The c-Rel transcription factor is a unique member of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB family that has a role in curtailing the proliferation, differentiation, cytokine production, and overall activity of B- and T-cells. In addition, c-Rel is a key regulator of apoptosis in that it influences the expression of anti-apoptotic genes such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL; conversely, inhibition of c-Rel increases cell apoptosis. To better understand the relationship between c-Rel expression and effects on B- and T-cell expansion, the current study evaluated c-Rel expression in cord blood mononuclear cells. This particular source was selected as cord blood is an important source of cells used for transplantation and immunotherapy, primarily in treating leukemias. As stem cell factor (SCF) and FLT3 are important agents for hematopoietic stem cell expansion, and cytokines like interleukin (IL)-2, -7, and -15 are essential for T- and B- (and also NK) cell development and proliferation, the current study evaluated c-Rel expression in cord blood mononuclear cells and CD34 +  cells, as well as effects on B-, T-, and NK cells associated with alterations in c-Rel expression, using flow cytometry and PCR. The results showed c-Rel expression increased among cells cultured in the presence of SCF and FLT3 but was reduced when IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15 were used all together. Further, inhibition of c-Rel expression by siRNA reduced cord blood-derived B-, T-, and NK cell differentiation and expansion. These results indicated that with cells isolated from cord blood, c-Rel has an important role in B-, T-, and NK cell differentiation and, further, that agents (select cytokines/growth factors) that could impact on its expression might not only affect immune cell profiles in a host but could potentially also limit apoptotic activities in (non-)immune cells in that host. In the context of cancer (immuno)therapy, in particular, when cord blood is used an important source in stem cell transplantation in leukemia patients, such down-regulating changes in c-Rel levels could be counter-productive.

Immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in canine oral squamous cell carcinomas.

PubMed

Martano, Manuela; Restucci, Brunella; Ceccarelli, Dora Maria; Lo Muzio, Lorenzo; Maiolino, Paola

2016-01-01

Angiogenesis is crucial for the growth and metastasis of malignant tumours, and various proangiogenic factors promote this process. One of these factors is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which appears to play a key role in tumour angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess whether VEGF expression is associated with angiogenesis, disease progression and neoplastic proliferation in canine oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue. VEGF immunoreactivity was quantified by immunohistochemistry in 30 specimens, including normal oral mucosa and OSCC tissues graded as well, moderately or poorly differentiated. VEGF expression was correlated with tumour cell proliferation, as assessed using the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) marker and microvessel density (data already published). The present results revealed that VEGF and PCNA expression increased significantly between normal oral tissue and neoplastic tissue, and between well and moderately/poorly differentiated tumours. In addition, VEGF expression was strongly correlated with PCNA expression and microvessel density. It was concluded that VEGF may promote angiogenesis through a paracrine pathway, stimulating endothelial cell proliferation and, similarly, may induce tumour cell proliferation through an autocrine pathway. The present results suggest that the evaluation of VEGF may be a useful additional criterion for estimating malignancy and growth potential in canine OSCCs.

Cell-type-specific expression of NFIX in the developing and adult cerebellum.

PubMed

Fraser, James; Essebier, Alexandra; Gronostajski, Richard M; Boden, Mikael; Wainwright, Brandon J; Harvey, Tracey J; Piper, Michael

2017-07-01

Transcription factors from the nuclear factor one (NFI) family have been shown to play a central role in regulating neural progenitor cell differentiation within the embryonic and post-natal brain. NFIA and NFIB, for instance, promote the differentiation and functional maturation of granule neurons within the cerebellum. Mice lacking Nfix exhibit delays in the development of neuronal and glial lineages within the cerebellum, but the cell-type-specific expression of this transcription factor remains undefined. Here, we examined the expression of NFIX, together with various cell-type-specific markers, within the developing and adult cerebellum using both chromogenic immunohistochemistry and co-immunofluorescence labelling and confocal microscopy. In embryos, NFIX was expressed by progenitor cells within the rhombic lip and ventricular zone. After birth, progenitor cells within the external granule layer, as well as migrating and mature granule neurons, expressed NFIX. Within the adult cerebellum, NFIX displayed a broad expression profile, and was evident within granule cells, Bergmann glia, and interneurons, but not within Purkinje neurons. Furthermore, transcriptomic profiling of cerebellar granule neuron progenitor cells showed that multiple splice variants of Nfix are expressed within this germinal zone of the post-natal brain. Collectively, these data suggest that NFIX plays a role in regulating progenitor cell biology within the embryonic and post-natal cerebellum, as well as an ongoing role within multiple neuronal and glial populations within the adult cerebellum.

Dynamic expression of a Hydra FGF at boundaries and termini.

PubMed

Lange, Ellen; Bertrand, Stephanie; Holz, Oliver; Rebscher, Nicole; Hassel, Monika

2014-12-01

Guidance of cells and tissue sheets is an essential function in developing and differentiating animal tissues. In Hydra, where cells and tissue move dynamically due to constant cell proliferation towards the termini or into lateral, vegetative buds, factors essential for guidance are still unknown. Good candidates to take over this function are fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). We present the phylogeny of several Hydra FGFs and analysis of their expression patterns. One of the FGFs is expressed in all terminal regions targeted by tissue movement and at boundaries crossed by moving tissue and cells with an expression pattern slightly differing in two Hydra strains. A model addressing an involvement of this FGF in cell movement and morphogenesis is proposed: Hydra FGFf-expressing cells might serve as sources to attract tissue and cells towards the termini of the body column and across morphological boundaries. Moreover, a function in morphogenesis and/or differentiation of cells and tissue is suggested.

In vitro quantitative and relative gene expression analysis of pancreatic transcription factors Pdx-1, Ngn-3, Isl-1, Pax-4, Pax-6 and Nkx-6.1 in trans-differentiated human hepatic progenitors.

PubMed

Vishwakarma, Sandeep Kumar; Rahamathulla, Syed; Bardia, Avinash; Tiwari, Santosh K; Srinivas, Gunda; Raj, Avinash; Tripura, Chaturvedula; Sandhya, Annamaneni; Habeeb, Mohammed Aejaz; Khan, Aleem A; Pande, Gopal; Reddy, K Pratap; Reddy, P Yugandhar

2014-09-01

Diabetes is a major health concern throughout the world because of its increasing prevalence in epidemic proportions. β-Cell deterioration in the pancreas is a crucial factor for the progression of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the restoration of β-cell mass and its function is of vital importance for the development of effective therapeutic strategies and most accessible cell sources for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Human fetuses (12-20 weeks gestation age) were used to isolate human hepatic progenitor cells (hHPCs) from fetal liver using a two-step collagenase digestion method. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive (EpCAM+ve)-enriched hHPCs were cultured in vitro and induced with 5-30 mmol/L concentration of glucose for 0-32 h. Pdx-1 expression and insulin secretion was analyzed using immunophenotypic and chemifluorescence assays, respectively. Relative gene expression was quantified in induced hHPCs, and compared with uninduced and pancreatic cells to identify the activated transcription factors (Pdx-1, Ngn-3, Isl-1, Pax-4, Pax-6 and Nkx-6.1) involved in β-cell production. EpCAM+ve cells derived from human fetal liver showed high in vitro trans-differentiation potential towards the β-cell phenotype with 23 mmol/L glucose induction after 24 h. The transcription factors showed eminent expression in induced cells. The expression level of transcription factors was found significantly high in 23 mmol/L-induced hHPCs as compared with the uninduced cells. The present study has shown an exciting new insight into β-cell development from hHPCs trans-differentiation. Relative quantification of gene expression in trans-differentiated cells offers vast possibility for the production of a maximum number of functionally active pancreatic β-cells for a future cure of diabetes.

Hypoxia leads to significant changes in alternative splicing and elevated expression of CLK splice factor kinases in PC3 prostate cancer cells.

PubMed

Bowler, Elizabeth; Porazinski, Sean; Uzor, Simon; Thibault, Philippe; Durand, Mathieu; Lapointe, Elvy; Rouschop, Kasper M A; Hancock, John; Wilson, Ian; Ladomery, Michael

2018-04-02

Mounting evidence suggests that one of the ways that cells adapt to hypoxia is through alternative splicing. The aim of this study was firstly to examine the effect of hypoxia on the alternative splicing of cancer associated genes using the prostate cancer cell line PC3 as a model. Secondly, the effect of hypoxia on the expression of several regulators of splicing was examined. PC3 cells were grown in 1% oxygen in a hypoxic chamber for 48 h, RNA extracted and sent for high throughput PCR analysis at the RNomics platform at the University of Sherbrooke, Canada. Genes whose exon inclusion rate PSI (ψ) changed significantly were identified, and their altered exon inclusion rates verified by RT-PCR in three cell lines. The expression of splice factors and splice factor kinases in response to hypoxia was examined by qPCR and western blotting. The splice factor kinase CLK1 was inhibited with the benzothiazole TG003. In PC3 cells the exon inclusion rate PSI (ψ) was seen to change by > 25% in 12 cancer-associated genes; MBP, APAF1, PUF60, SYNE2, CDC42BPA, FGFR10P, BTN2A2, UTRN, RAP1GDS1, PTPN13, TTC23 and CASP9 (caspase 9). The expression of the splice factors SRSF1, SRSF2, SRSF3, SAM68, HuR, hnRNPA1, and of the splice factor kinases SRPK1 and CLK1 increased significantly in hypoxia. We also observed that the splice factor kinase CLK3, but not CLK2 and CLK4, was also induced in hypoxic DU145 prostate, HT29 colon and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines. Lastly, we show that the inhibition of CLK1 in PC3 cells with the benzothiazole TG003 increased expression of the anti-apoptotic isoform caspase 9b. Significant changes in alternative splicing of cancer associated genes occur in prostate cancer cells in hypoxic conditions. The expression of several splice factors and splice factor kinases increases during hypoxia, in particular the Cdc-like splice factor kinases CLK1 and CLK3. We suggest that in hypoxia the elevated expression of these regulators of splicing helps cells adapt through alternative splicing of key cancer-associated genes. We suggest that the CLK splice factor kinases could be targeted in cancers in which hypoxia contributes to resistance to therapy.

Expression of CAR in SW480 and HepG2 cells during G1 is associated with cell proliferation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Osabe, Makoto; Sugatani, Junko; Global COE Program, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is a transcription factor to regulate the expression of several genes related to drug-metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that CAR protein accumulates during G1 in human SW480 and HepG2 cells. After the G1/S phase transition, CAR protein levels decreased, and CAR was hardly detected in cells by the late M phase. CAR expression in both cell lines was suppressed by RNA interference-mediated suppression of CDK4. Depletion of CAR by RNA interference in both cells and by hepatocyte growth factor treatment in HepG2 cells resulted in decreased MDM2 expression that led to p21 upregulation and repression of HepG2more » cell growth. Thus, our results demonstrate that CAR expression is an early G1 event regulated by CDK4 that contributes to MDM2 expression; these findings suggest that CAR may influence the expression of genes involved in not only the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous substances but also in the cell proliferation.« less

Alkaline phosphatase and OCT-3/4 as useful markers for predicting susceptibility of human deciduous teeth-derived dental pulp cells to reprogramming factor-induced iPS cells.

PubMed

Inada, Emi; Saitoh, Issei; Kubota, Naoko; Soda, Miki; Matsueda, Kazunari; Murakami, Tomoya; Sawami, Tadashi; Kagoshima, Akiko; Yamasaki, Youichi; Sato, Masahiro

2017-11-01

The aim of the present study was to prove that primary cells enriched with stem cells are more easily reprogrammed to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells than those with scarce numbers of stem cells. We surveyed the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in five primarily-isolated human deciduous teeth-derived dental pulp cells (HDDPC) with cytochemical staining to examine the possible presence of stem cells. Next, the expression of stemness-specific factors, such as OCT(Octumer-binding transcription factor)3/4, NANOG, SOX2(SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2), CD90, muscle segment homeodomain homeobox (MSX) 1, and MSX2, was assessed with a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method. Finally, these isolated HDDPC were transfected with plasmids carrying genes coding Yamanaka factors to determine whether these cells could be reprogrammed to generate iPS cells. Of the five primarily-isolated HDDPC, two (HDDPC-1 and -5) exhibited higher degrees of ALP activity. OCT-3/4 expression was also prominent in those two lines. Furthermore, these two lines proliferated faster than the other three lines. The transfection of HDDPC with Yamanaka factors resulted in the generation of iPS cells from HDDPC-1 and -5. The number of cells with the stemness property of HDDPC differs among individuals, which suggests that HDDPC showing an increased expression of both ALP and OCT-3/4 can be more easily reprogrammed to generate iPS cells after the forced expression of reprogramming factors. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Regulatory iNKT cells lack PLZF expression and control Treg cell and macrophage homeostasis in adipose tissue

PubMed Central

Lynch, Lydia; Michelet, Xavier; Zhang, Sai; Brennan, Patrick J.; Moseman, Ashley; Lester, Chantel; Besra, Gurdyal; Vomhof-Dekrey, Emilie E.; Tighe, Mike; Koay, Hui-Fern; Godfrey, Dale I.; Leadbetter, Elizabeth A.; Sant’Angelo, Derek B.; von Andrian, Ulrich; Brenner, Michael B.

2015-01-01

iNKT cells are CD1d-restricted lipid-sensing innate T cells that express the transcription factor PLZF. iNKT cells accumulate in adipose tissue, where they are anti-inflammatory, but the factors that contribute to their anti-inflammatory nature, and their targets in adipose tissue are unknown. Here we report that adipose tissue iNKT cells have a unique transcriptional program and produce interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-10. Unlike other iNKT cells, they lack PLZF, but express the transcription factor E4BP4, which controls their IL-10 production. Adipose iNKT cells are a tissue resident population that induces an anti-inflammatory phenotype in macrophages and, through production of IL-2, controls the number, proliferation and suppressor function of adipose regulatory T (Treg) cells. Thus, adipose tissue iNKT cells are unique regulators of immune homeostasis in this tissue. PMID:25436972

Transcriptome of Atoh7 retinal progenitor cells identifies new Atoh7-dependent regulatory genes for retinal ganglion cell formation.

PubMed

Gao, Zhiguang; Mao, Chai-An; Pan, Ping; Mu, Xiuqian; Klein, William H

2014-11-01

The bHLH transcription factor ATOH7 (Math5) is essential for establishing retinal ganglion cell (RGC) fate. However, Atoh7-expressing retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) can give rise to all retinal cell types, suggesting that other factors are involved in specifying RGCs. The basis by which a subpopulation of Atoh7-expressing RPCs commits to an RGC fate remains uncertain but is of critical importance to retinal development since RGCs are the earliest cell type to differentiate. To better understand the regulatory mechanisms leading to cell-fate specification, a binary genetic system was generated to specifically label Atoh7-expressing cells with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-purified GFP(+) and GFP(-) cells were profiled by RNA-seq. Here, we identify 1497 transcripts that were differentially expressed between the two RPC populations. Pathway analysis revealed diminished growth factor signaling in Atoh7-expressing RPCs, indicating that these cells had exited the cell cycle. In contrast, axon guidance signals were enriched, suggesting that axons of Atoh7-expressing RPCs were already making synaptic connections. Notably, many genes enriched in Atoh7-expressing RPCs encoded transcriptional regulators, and several were direct targets of ATOH7, including, and unexpectedly, Ebf3 and Eya2. We present evidence for a Pax6-Atoh7-Eya2 pathway that acts downstream of Atoh7 but upstream of differentiation factor Pou4f2. EYA2 is a protein phosphatase involved in protein-protein interactions and posttranslational regulation. These properties, along with Eya2 as an early target gene of ATOH7, suggest that EYA2 functions in RGC specification. Our results expand current knowledge of the regulatory networks operating in Atoh7-expressing RPCs and offer new directions for exploring the earliest aspects of retinogenesis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The inhibitor of kappa B kinase-epsilon regulates MMP-3 expression levels and can promote lung metastasis.

PubMed

Seccareccia, E; Pinard, M; Wang, N; Li, S; Burnier, J; Dankort, D; Brodt, P

2014-08-18

The factors that determine the ability of metastatic tumor cells to expand and grow in specific secondary site(s) are not yet fully understood. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) were identified as potential regulators of the site-specificity of metastasis. We found that lung carcinoma cells ectopically expressing high levels of the receptor for the type I insulin like growth factor receptor (M27(R) cells) had a significant reduction in MMP-3 expression levels and this coincided with reduced metastasis to the lung. We used these cells to further investigate signaling pathways regulating MMP-3 expression and the role that MMP-3 plays in lung metastasis. We show that ectopic IκB kinase ɛ (IKKɛ) expression in these cells partly restored MMP-3 expression levels and also sensitized MMP-3 transcription to induction by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). This increase in MMP-3 production was due to increased activation of several signal transduction mediators, including protein kinase C alpha, ERK2, Akt and the transcription factor p65. Furthermore, reconstitution of MMP-3 expression in M27(R) cells restored their ability to colonize the lung whereas silencing of MMP-3 in M27 cells reduced metastases. Collectively, our results implicate IKKɛ as a central regulator of PMA-induced cell signaling and MMP-3 expression and identify MMP-3 as an enabler of tumor cell expansion in the lung.Oncogenesis (2014) 3, e116; doi:10.1038/oncsis.2014.28; published online 18 August 2014.

Hypoxia-inducible factor regulates alphavbeta3 integrin cell surface expression.

PubMed

Cowden Dahl, Karen D; Robertson, Sarah E; Weaver, Valerie M; Simon, M Celeste

2005-04-01

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-deficient placentas exhibit a number of defects, including changes in cell fate adoption, lack of fetal angiogenesis, hypocellularity, and poor invasion into maternal tissue. HIF is a heterodimeric transcription factor consisting of alpha and beta aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator or ARNT) subunits. We used undifferentiated trophoblast stem (TS) cells to characterize HIF-dependent adhesion, migration, and invasion. Arnt(-/-) and Hifalpha(-/-) TS cells exhibit reduced adhesion and migration toward vitronectin compared with wild-type cells. Furthermore, this defect is associated with decreased cell surface expression of integrin alphavbeta3 and significantly decreased expression of this integrin in focal adhesions. Because of the importance of adhesion and migration in tumor progression (in addition to placental development), we examined the affect of culturing B16F0 melanoma cells in 1.5% oxygen (O(2)). Culturing B16F0 melanoma cells at 1.5% O(2) resulted in increased alphavbeta3 integrin surface expression and increased adhesion to and migration toward vitronectin. Together, these data suggest that HIF and O(2) tension influence placental invasion and tumor migration by increasing cell surface expression of alphavbeta3 integrin.

Hypoxia-inducible Factor Regulates αvβ3 Integrin Cell Surface Expression

PubMed Central

Cowden Dahl, Karen D.; Robertson, Sarah E.; Weaver, Valerie M.; Simon, M. Celeste

2005-01-01

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-deficient placentas exhibit a number of defects, including changes in cell fate adoption, lack of fetal angiogenesis, hypocellularity, and poor invasion into maternal tissue. HIF is a heterodimeric transcription factor consisting of α and β aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator or ARNT) subunits. We used undifferentiated trophoblast stem (TS) cells to characterize HIF-dependent adhesion, migration, and invasion. Arnt-/- and Hifα-/- TS cells exhibit reduced adhesion and migration toward vitronectin compared with wild-type cells. Furthermore, this defect is associated with decreased cell surface expression of integrin αvβ3 and significantly decreased expression of this integrin in focal adhesions. Because of the importance of adhesion and migration in tumor progression (in addition to placental development), we examined the affect of culturing B16F0 melanoma cells in 1.5% oxygen (O2). Culturing B16F0 melanoma cells at 1.5% O2 resulted in increased αvβ3 integrin surface expression and increased adhesion to and migration toward vitronectin. Together, these data suggest that HIF and O2 tension influence placental invasion and tumor migration by increasing cell surface expression of αvβ3 integrin. PMID:15689487

Magnolol affects expression of IGF-1 and associated binding proteins in human prostate cancer cells in vitro.

PubMed

McKeown, Brendan T; Hurta, Robert A R

2014-11-01

This study investigated the effects of magnolol, a compound from Magnolia officinalis, on the behavior of LNCaP and PC3 human prostate cancer cells in vitro. In vitro cell culture approach with biochemical tests and Western blot analyses was used. Magnolol, (80 μM, 6 hour exposure) was found to affect the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and associated proteins. In both cell lines, protein expression of IGF-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) were significantly decreased, while protein expression of IGFBP-3 was significantly increased. Additionally, protein expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) was significantly increased and the phosphorylated form of IGF-1 (p-IGF-1R) was significantly decreased in PC3 cells, while IGFBP-4 protein expression was significantly increased in LNCaP cells. This study has demonstrated for the first time that magnolol can alter the expression of IGF-1 and associated proteins in human prostate cancer cells in vitro and suggests that magnolol may have a potential role as a novel anti-prostate cancer agent. Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

c-Met in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: an independent prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target.

PubMed

Ozawa, Yohei; Nakamura, Yasuhiro; Fujishima, Fumiyoshi; Felizola, Saulo J A; Takeda, Kenichiro; Okamoto, Hiroshi; Ito, Ken; Ishida, Hirotaka; Konno, Takuro; Kamei, Takashi; Miyata, Go; Ohuchi, Noriaki; Sasano, Hironobu

2015-06-03

c-Met is widely known as a poor prognostic factor in various human malignancies. Previous studies have suggested the involvement of c-Met and/or its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the correlation between c-Met status and clinical outcome remains unclear. Furthermore, the identification of a novel molecular therapeutic target might potentially help improve the clinical outcome of ESCC patients. The expression of c-Met and HGF was immunohistochemically assessed in 104 surgically obtained tissue specimens. The correlation between c-Met/HGF expression and patients' clinicopathological features, including survival, was evaluated. We also investigated changes in cell functions and protein expression of c-Met and its downstream signaling pathway components under treatments with HGF and/or c-Met inhibitor in ESCC cell lines. Elevated expression of c-Met was significantly correlated with tumor depth and pathological stage. Patients with high c-Met expression had significantly worse survival. In addition, multivariate analysis identified the high expression of c-Met as an independent prognostic factor. Treatment with c-Met inhibitor under HGF stimulation significantly inhibited the invasive capacity of an ESCC cell line with elevated c-Met mRNA expression. Moreover, c-Met and its downstream signaling inactivation was also detected after treatment with c-Met inhibitor. The results of our study identified c-Met expression as an independent prognostic factor in ESCC patients and demonstrated that c-Met could be a potential molecular therapeutic target for the treatment of ESCC with elevated c-Met expression.

B-cell activating factor detected on both naïve and memory B cells in bullous pemphigoid.

PubMed

Qian, Hua; Kusuhara, Masahiro; Li, Xiaoguang; Tsuruta, Daisuke; Tsuchisaka, Atsunari; Ishii, Norito; Koga, Hiroshi; Hayakawa, Taihei; Ohara, Koji; Karashima, Tadashi; Ohyama, Bungo; Ohata, Chika; Furumura, Minao; Hashimoto, Takashi

2014-08-01

B-cell activating factor (BAFF), an important immune regulatory cytokine, is involved in development of autoimmune diseases. Although BAFF is expressed in various cells, including dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes, BAFF expression on B cells has not been well documented. In the present study, BAFF molecules on DCs and naïve and memory B cells in autoimmune bullous diseases, including pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus and bullous pemphigoid (BP), were analysed by flow cytometry. Compared with healthy controls (HC), BAFF expression on naïve and memory B cells increased significantly in BP. No difference in BAFF receptor expression in naïve and memory B cells was shown among all study groups. Furthermore, BAFF expression in both naïve and memory B cells of BP, but not HC, was detected by confocal microscopic analysis. These results implied that BAFF expressed by B cells may play a pathogenic role in autoimmune bullous diseases, particularly BP. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effect of CMV and Aging on the Differential Expression of CD300a, CD161, T-bet, and Eomes on NK Cell Subsets.

PubMed

Lopez-Sejas, Nelson; Campos, Carmen; Hassouneh, Fakhri; Sanchez-Correa, Beatriz; Tarazona, Raquel; Pera, Alejandra; Solana, Rafael

2016-01-01

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells involved in the defense against virus-infected cells and tumor cells. NK cell phenotype and function is affected with age and cytomegalovirus (CMV) latent infection. Aging affects the frequency and phenotype of NK cells, and CMV infection also contributes to these alterations. Thus, a reduction of CD56 bright NK cell subpopulation associated with age and an expansion of memory-like NK cells CD56 dim CD57 + NKG2C + probably related to CMV seropositivity have been described. NK cells express T-bet and Eomes transcription factors that are necessary for the development of NK cells. Here, we analyze the effect of age and CMV seropositivity on the expression of CD300a and CD161 inhibitory receptors, and T-bet and Eomes transcription factors in NK cell subsets defined by the expression of CD56 and CD57. CD300a is expressed by the majority of NK cells. CD56 bright NK cells express higher levels of CD300a than CD56 dim NK cells. An increase in the expression of CD300a was associated with age, whereas a decreased expression of CD161 in CD56 dim NK cells was associated with CMV seropositivity. In CD56 dim NK cells, an increased percentage of CD57 + CD300a + and a reduction in the percentage of CD161 + CD300a + cells were found to be associated with CMV seropositivity. Regarding T-bet and Eomes transcription factors, CMV seropositivity was associated with a decrease of T-bet hi in CD56 dim CD57 + NK cells from young individuals, whereas Eomes expression was increased with CMV seropositivity in both CD56 bright and CD56 dim CD57 +/- (from middle age and young individuals, respectively) and was decreased with aging in all NK subsets from the three group of age. In conclusion, CMV infection and age induce significant changes in the expression of CD300a and CD161 in NK cell subsets defined by the expression of CD56 and CD57. T-bet and Eomes are differentially expressed on NK cell subsets, and their expression is affected by CMV latent infection and aging.

Identification of an osteoclast transcription factor that binds to the human T cell leukemia virus type I-long terminal repeat enhancer element.

PubMed

Inoue, D; Santiago, P; Horne, W C; Baron, R

1997-10-03

Transgenic mice expressing human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I)-tax under the control of HTLV-I-long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter develop skeletal abnormalities with high bone turnover and myelofibrosis. In these animals, Tax is highly expressed in bone with a pattern of expression restricted to osteoclasts and spindle-shaped cells within the endosteal myelofibrosis. To test the hypothesis that lineage-specific transcription factors promote transgene expression from the HTLV-I-LTR in osteoclasts, we first examined tax expression in transgenic bone marrow cultures. Expression was dependent on 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and coincided with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) expression, a marker of osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, Tax was expressed in vitronectin receptor-positive mononuclear precursors as well as in mature osteoclast-like cells (OCLs). Consistent with our hypothesis, electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed the presence of an OCL nuclear factor (NFOC-1) that binds to the LTR 21-base pair direct repeat, a region critical for the promoter activity. This binding is further enhanced by Tax. Since NFOC-1 is absent in macrophages and conserved in osteoclasts among species including human, such a factor may play a role in lineage determination and/or in expression of the differentiated osteoclast phenotype.

Regulatory iNKT cells lack expression of the transcription factor PLZF and control the homeostasis of T(reg) cells and macrophages in adipose tissue.

PubMed

Lynch, Lydia; Michelet, Xavier; Zhang, Sai; Brennan, Patrick J; Moseman, Ashley; Lester, Chantel; Besra, Gurdyal; Vomhof-Dekrey, Emilie E; Tighe, Mike; Koay, Hui-Fern; Godfrey, Dale I; Leadbetter, Elizabeth A; Sant'Angelo, Derek B; von Andrian, Ulrich; Brenner, Michael B

2015-01-01

Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) are lipid-sensing innate T cells that are restricted by the antigen-presenting molecule CD1d and express the transcription factor PLZF. iNKT cells accumulate in adipose tissue, where they are anti-inflammatory, but the factors that contribute to their anti-inflammatory nature, as well as their targets in adipose tissue, are unknown. Here we found that iNKT cells in adipose tissue had a unique transcriptional program and produced interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-10. Unlike other iNKT cells, they lacked PLZF but expressed the transcription factor E4BP4, which controlled their IL-10 production. The adipose iNKT cells were a tissue-resident population that induced an anti-inflammatory phenotype in macrophages and, through the production of IL-2, controlled the number, proliferation and suppressor function of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in adipose tissue. Thus, iNKT cells in adipose tissue are unique regulators of immunological homeostasis in this tissue.

Critical role of histone demethylase Jmjd3 in the regulation of CD4+ T cell differentiation

PubMed Central

Ding, Xilai; Chepelev, Iouri; Zhou, Xikun; Zhao, Wei; Wei, Gang; Cui, Jun; Zhao, Keji; Wang, Helen Y.; Wang, Rong-Fu

2014-01-01

Epigenetic factors have been implicated in the regulation of CD4+ T cell differentiation. Jmjd3 plays a role in many biological processes, but its in vivo function in T cell differentiation remains unknown. Here, we report that Jmjd3 ablation promotes CD4+ T cell differentiation into Th2 and Th17 cells in the small intestine and colon, and inhibits T cell differentiation into Th1 cells under different cytokine-polarizing conditions and in a Th1-dependent colitis model. Jmjd3 deficiency also restrains the plasticity of the conversion of Th2, Th17 or Treg cells to Th1 cells. The skewing of T cell differentiation is concomitant with changes in the expression of key transcription factors and cytokines. H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 levels in Jmjd3-deficient cells are correlated with altered gene expression through interactions with specific transcription factors. Our results identify Jmjd3 as an epigenetic factor in T cell differentiation via changes in histone methylation and target gene expression. PMID:25531312

Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) maintains basal epithelial expression of the miR-200 family: implications for epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

PubMed

Kolesnikoff, Natasha; Attema, Joanne L; Roslan, Suraya; Bert, Andrew G; Schwarz, Quenten P; Gregory, Philip A; Goodall, Gregory J

2014-04-18

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is required for the specification of tissues during embryonic development and is recapitulated during the metastatic progression of tumors. The miR-200 family plays a critical role in enforcing the epithelial state with their expression lost in cells undergoing EMT. EMT can be mediated by activation of the ZEB1 and ZEB2 (ZEB) transcription factors, which repress miR-200 expression via a self-reinforcing double negative feedback loop to promote the mesenchymal state. However, it remains unclear what factors drive and maintain epithelial-specific expression of miR-200 in the absence of EMT-inducing factors. Here, we show that the transcription factor Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1) binds to the miR-200b∼200a∼429 proximal promoter and activates miR-200 expression in epithelial cells. In mesenchymal cells, Sp1 expression is maintained, but its ability to activate the miR-200 promoter is perturbed by ZEB-mediated repression. Reduction of Sp1 expression caused changes in EMT-associated markers in epithelial cells. Furthermore, we observed co-expression of Sp1 and miR-200 during mouse embryonic development wherein miR-200 expression was only lost in regions with high ZEB expression. Together, these findings indicate that miR-200 family members require Sp1 to drive basal expression and to maintain an epithelial state.

Exposure to transforming growth factor-β1 after basic fibroblast growth factor promotes the fibroblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem/progenitor cell lines.

PubMed

Kono, Kiyomi; Maeda, Hidefumi; Fujii, Shinsuke; Tomokiyo, Atsushi; Yamamoto, Naohide; Wada, Naohisa; Monnouchi, Satoshi; Teramatsu, Yoko; Hamano, Sayuri; Koori, Katsuaki; Akamine, Akifumi

2013-05-01

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a cytokine that promotes the regeneration of the periodontium, the specialized tissues supporting the teeth. bFGF, does not, however, induce the synthesis of smooth muscle actin alpha 2 (ACTA2), type I collagen (COL1), or COL3, which are principal molecules in periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue, a component of the periodontium. We have suggested the feasibility of using transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) to induce fibroblastic differentiation of PDL stem/progenitor cells (PDLSCs). Here, we investigated the effect of the subsequent application of TGFβ1 after bFGF (bFGF/TGFβ1) on the differentiation of PDLSCs into fibroblastic cells. We first confirmed the expression of bFGF and TGFβ1 in rat PDL tissue and primary human PDL cells. Receptors for both bFGF and TGFβ1 were expressed in the human PDLSC lines 1-11 and 1-17. Exposure to bFGF for 2 days promoted vascular endothelial growth factor gene and protein expression in both cell lines and down-regulated the expression of ACTA2, COL1, and COL3 mRNA in both cell lines and the gene fibrillin 1 (FBN1) in cell line 1-11 alone. Furthermore, bFGF stimulated cell proliferation of these cell lines and significantly increased the number of cells in phase G2/M in the cell lines. Exposure to TGFβ1 for 2 days induced gene expression of ACTA2 and COL1 in both cell lines and FBN1 in cell line 1-11 alone. BFGF/TGFβ1 treatment significantly up-regulated ACTA2, COL1, and FBN1 expression as compared with the group treated with bFGF alone or the untreated control. This method might thus be useful for accelerating the generation and regeneration of functional periodontium.

Cell Alignment Required in Differentiation of Myxococcus xanthus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Seung K.; Kaiser, Dale

1990-08-01

During fruiting body morphogenesis of Myxococcus xanthus, cell movement is required for transmission of C-factor, a short range intercellular signaling protein necessary for sporulation and developmental gene expression. Nonmotile cells fail to sporulate and to express C-factor-dependent genes, but both defects were rescued by a simple manipulation of cell position that oriented the cells in aligned, parallel groups. A similar pattern of aligned cells normally results from coordinated recruitment of wild-type cells into multicellular aggregates, which later form mature fruiting bodies. It is proposed that directed cell movement establishes critical contacts between adjacent cells, which are required for efficient intercellular C-factor transmission.

Tissue Factor-Factor VII Complex As a Key Regulator of Ovarian Cancer Phenotypes.

PubMed

Koizume, Shiro; Miyagi, Yohei

2015-01-01

Tissue factor (TF) is an integral membrane protein widely expressed in normal human cells. Blood coagulation factor VII (fVII) is a key enzyme in the extrinsic coagulation cascade that is predominantly secreted by hepatocytes and released into the bloodstream. The TF-fVII complex is aberrantly expressed on the surface of cancer cells, including ovarian cancer cells. This procoagulant complex can initiate intracellular signaling mechanisms, resulting in malignant phenotypes. Cancer tissues are chronically exposed to hypoxia. TF and fVII can be induced in response to hypoxia in ovarian cancer cells at the gene expression level, leading to the autonomous production of the TF-fVII complex. Here, we discuss the roles of the TF-fVII complex in the induction of malignant phenotypes in ovarian cancer cells. The hypoxic nature of ovarian cancer tissues and the roles of TF expression in endometriosis are discussed. Arguments will be extended to potential strategies to treat ovarian cancers based on our current knowledge of TF-fVII function.

Thrombopoietin inhibits murine mast cell differentiation

PubMed Central

Martelli, Fabrizio; Ghinassi, Barbara; Lorenzini, Rodolfo; Vannucchi, Alessandro M; Rana, Rosa Alba; Nishikawa, Mitsuo; Partamian, Sandra; Migliaccio, Giovanni; Migliaccio, Anna Rita

2009-01-01

We have recently shown that Mpl, the thrombopoietin receptor, is expressed on murine mast cells and on their precursors and that targeted deletion of the Mpl gene increases mast cell differentiation in mice. Here we report that treatment of mice with thrombopoietin, or addition of this growth factor to bone marrow-derived mast cell cultures, severely hampers the generation of mature cells from their precursors by inducing apoptosis. Analysis of the expression profiling of mast cells obtained in the presence of thrombopoietin suggests that thrombopoietin induces apoptosis of mast cells by reducing expression of the transcription factor Mitf and its target anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2. PMID:18276801

Mouse glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor ligand is costimulatory for T cells

PubMed Central

Tone, Masahide; Tone, Yukiko; Adams, Elizabeth; Yates, Stephen F.; Frewin, Mark R.; Cobbold, Stephen P.; Waldmann, Herman

2003-01-01

Recently, agonist antibodies to glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 18) have been shown to neutralize the suppressive activity of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. It was anticipated that this would be the role of the physiological ligand. We have identified and expressed the gene for mouse GITR ligand and have confirmed that its interaction with GITR reverses suppression by CD4+CD25+ T cells. It also, however, provides a costimulatory signal for the antigen-driven proliferation of naïve T cells and polarized T helper 1 and T helper 2 clones. RT-PCR and mAb staining revealed mouse GITR ligand expression in dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells. Expression was controlled by the transcription factor NF-1 and potentially by alternative splicing of mRNA destabilization sequences. PMID:14608036

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in Juvenile Angiofibroma.

PubMed

Hota, Ashutosh; Sarkar, Chitra; Gupta, Siddhartha Datta; Kumar, Rakesh; Bhalla, Ashu Seith; Thakar, Alok

2015-06-01

To examine Juvenile Angiofibroma (JA) tissue for expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and to explore its relationship with puberty status, stage, recurrence and the intraoperative blood loss. Retrospective cohort study of 36 histologically proven cases of JA. Minimum follow up period was 3 years. VEGF expression on tumor cells assessed by immunohistochemistry and graded on two criteria--percentage of cells expressing positivity and the intensity of positivity. These two parameters assessed for impact on puberty status, stage, recurrence, and blood loss. VEGF expression noted on the tumor endothelial cells in 36/36, and on the tumor stromal cells in 34/36. The percentage of cells expressing VEGF and the intensity of expression were not significantly related to puberty status, tumor stage, recurrence, or intra-operative blood loss (p values 0.3-1.0). VEGF expression is near universal in JA. Such expression is independent of puberty status and stage, and does not impact on intra operative blood loss and recurrence. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Autocrine HBEGF expression promotes breast cancer intravasation, metastasis and macrophage-independent invasion in vivo.

PubMed

Zhou, Z N; Sharma, V P; Beaty, B T; Roh-Johnson, M; Peterson, E A; Van Rooijen, N; Kenny, P A; Wiley, H S; Condeelis, J S; Segall, J E

2014-07-17

Increased expression of HBEGF in estrogen receptor-negative breast tumors is correlated with enhanced metastasis to distant organ sites and more rapid disease recurrence upon removal of the primary tumor. Our previous work has demonstrated a paracrine loop between breast cancer cells and macrophages in which the tumor cells are capable of stimulating macrophages through the secretion of colony-stimulating factor-1 while the tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), in turn, aid in tumor cell invasion by secreting epidermal growth factor. To determine how the autocrine expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands by carcinoma cells would affect this paracrine loop mechanism, and in particular whether tumor cell invasion depends on spatial ligand gradients generated by TAMs, we generated cell lines with increased HBEGF expression. We found that autocrine HBEGF expression enhanced in vivo intravasation and metastasis and resulted in a novel phenomenon in which macrophages were no longer required for in vivo invasion of breast cancer cells. In vitro studies revealed that expression of HBEGF enhanced invadopodium formation, thus providing a mechanism for cell autonomous invasion. The increased invadopodium formation was directly dependent on EGFR signaling, as demonstrated by a rapid decrease in invadopodia upon inhibition of autocrine HBEGF/EGFR signaling as well as inhibition of signaling downstream of EGFR activation. HBEGF expression also resulted in enhanced invadopodium function via upregulation of matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 expression levels. We conclude that high levels of HBEGF expression can short-circuit the tumor cell/macrophage paracrine invasion loop, resulting in enhanced tumor invasion that is independent of macrophage signaling.

Fascin Overexpression Promotes Cholangiocarcinoma RBE Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion.

PubMed

Zhao, Haiying; Yang, Fuquan; Zhao, Wenyan; Zhang, Chunjv; Liu, Jingang

2016-04-01

Fascin is overexpressed in various tumor tissues and is closely related to tumor metastasis and invasion. However, the role of fascin in cholangiocarcinoma RBE cells has not been clearly reported. This study aimed to establish a cholangiocarcinoma cell line with stable and high expression of fascin to observe the effect of fascin on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. A fascin overexpression vector, pcDNA3.1-Fascin, was constructed and transfected into the human cholangiocarcinoma RBE cell line. The results of real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence indicated that fascin was steadily and highly expressed in RBE cells. The results of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and colony formation assay indicated that upregulated fascin expression could enhance cholangiocarcinoma cell proliferation. The results of wound healing assay and transwell assay indicated that fascin could promote cholangiocarcinoma cell migration and invasion, and a further study found that the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway was activated after upregulation of fascin, whereas E-cadherin expression in these cells was significantly decreased. Additionally, E-cadherin expression was significantly increased after inhibiting nuclear factor-κB activity using inhibitor or small interfering RNA, and E-cadherin expression was decreased by fascin overexpression after nuclear factor-κB inhibition, suggesting that nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway was not involved in the regulation of E-cadherin by fascin. In summary, the results of this study demonstrated that fascin effectively promoted cholangiocarcinoma RBE cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. This study provides evidence for fascin as a potential target in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. © The Author(s) 2015.

Clinicopathological analysis in PTCL-NOS with CADM1 expression.

PubMed

Kato, Takeharu; Miyoshi, Hiroaki; Kobayashi, Seiichiro; Yoshida, Noriaki; Imaizumi, Yoshitaka; Seto, Masao; Uchimaru, Kaoru; Miyazaki, Yasushi; Ohshima, Koichi

2017-11-01

Peripheral T cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), is a heterogeneous disease with respect to clinicopathological features. Cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) has been reported to be ectopically expressed in adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL). However, the frequency of CADM1 expression remains unknown in peripheral T cell lymphomas. In the current study, CADM1 expression was analysed in 88 PTCL-NOS patients. CADM1 was expressed in 14 of 88 (15.9%) PTCL-NOS cases, and its expression was associated with C-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4) expression and nuclear atypia. CADM1-positive PTCL-NOS cases (10/74) had a significantly poorer prognosis than CADM1-negative cases (64/74) (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that CADM1 expression was an independent prognostic factor in PTCL-NOS. These findings suggest that CADM1 expression is a novel prognostic factor for PTCL-NOS.

The role of Fas ligand and transforming growth factor beta in tumor progression: molecular mechanisms of immune privilege via Fas-mediated apoptosis and potential targets for cancer therapy.

PubMed

Kim, Ryungsa; Emi, Manabu; Tanabe, Kazuaki; Uchida, Yoko; Toge, Tetsuya

2004-06-01

Despite the fact that expression of Fas ligand (FasL) in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and in natural killer (NK) cells plays an important role in Fas-mediated tumor killing, During tumor progression FasL-expressing tumor cells are involved in counterattacking to kill tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Soluble FasL levels also increase with tumor progression in solid tumors, and this increase inhibits Fas-mediated tumor killing by CTLs and NK cells. The increased expression of FasL in tumor cells is associated with decreased expression of Fas; and the promoter region of the FASL gene is regulated by transcription factors, such as neuronal factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and AP-1, in the tumor microenvironment. Although the ratio of FasL expression to Fas expression in tumor cells is not strongly related to the induction of apoptosis in TILs, increased expression of FasL is associated with decreased Fas levels in tumor cells that can escape immune surveillance and facilitate tumor progression and metastasis. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a potent growth inhibitor and has tumor-suppressing activity in the early phases of carcinogenesis. During subsequent tumor progression, the increased secretion of TGF-beta by both tumor cells and, in a paracrine fashion, stromal cells, is involved in the enhancement of tumor invasion and metastasis accompanied by immunosuppression. Herein, the authors review the clinical significance of FasL and TGF-beta expression patterns as features of immune privilege accompanying tumor progression in the tumor microenvironment. Potential strategies for identifying which molecules can serve as targets for effective antitumor therapy also are discussed. Copyright 2004 American Cancer Society.

Modification of tissue-factor mRNA and protein response to thrombin and interleukin 1 by high glucose in cultured human endothelial cells.

PubMed

Boeri, D; Almus, F E; Maiello, M; Cagliero, E; Rao, L V; Lorenzi, M

1989-02-01

Because diabetic vascular disease is accompanied by a state of hypercoagulability, manifested by increased thrombin activity and foci of intravascular coagulation, we investigated whether a specific procoagulant property of the endothelium--production and surface expression of tissue factor--is modified by elevated glucose concentrations. In unperturbed human vascular endothelial cells, tissue factor mRNA and expression of the functional protein were undetectable and were not induced by 10-12 days of exposure to 30 mM glucose. In thrombin-stimulated cultures, tissue-factor expression was related inversely to cellular density, with confluent cultures producing (per 10(5) cells) half the amount of tissue factor measured in sparse cultures. Cells exposed to high glucose and studied when cell number and thymidine incorporation were identical to control cells manifested increased tissue-factor mRNA level and functional protein production in response to thrombin (P = .002). This effect was not attributable to hypertonicity and was not observed after short exposure to high glucose. In contrast, the tissue-factor response to interleukin 1, a modulator of endothelial function in the context of host defense, was decreased in cells cultured in high glucose (P = .04). These findings indicate that exposure to high glucose can alter tissue-factor gene expression in perturbed vascular endothelium. The reciprocal effects of high glucose on the tissue-factor response to thrombin and interleukin 1 points to different pathways of tissue-factor stimulation by the two agents and suggests functional consequences pertinent to the increased thrombin activity and compromised host-defense mechanisms observed in diabetes.

Expression and localization of insulin-like growth factor system in corpus luteum during different stages of estrous cycle in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and the effect of insulin-like growth factor I on production of vascular endothelial growth factor and progesterone in luteal cells cultured in vitro.

PubMed

Uniyal, S; Panda, R P; Chouhan, V S; Yadav, V P; Hyder, I; Dangi, S S; Gupta, M; Khan, F A; Sharma, G T; Bag, S; Sarkar, M

2015-01-01

This study investigated the expression and localization of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system at different stages of buffalo CL and the role of IGF-I in stimulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and progesterone (P4) production in cultured luteal cells. The mRNA expression of IGF system, VEGF, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, P450scc, and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) was investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Protein expression of IGF was demonstrated by Western blot and localization by immunohistochemistry. Progesterone and VEGF production was assayed using RIA and ELISA. A relatively high mRNA expression of IGF-I and IGF-II in early, mid- and late luteal phases with immunoreactivity mostly restricted to cytoplasm of large luteal cells indicates their autocrine role, whereas very weak immunoreactivity in endothelial cells during the mid-luteal phase indicates their paracrine role. Insulin-like growth factor receptors, IGF-IR and IGF-IIR, were restricted to large luteal cells with high mRNA and protein expressions in the mid-luteal phase. The significantly higher expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-1, -3, -5, and -6 in the early or mid-luteal phase suggested their stimulatory role, whereas that of IGFBP-2 and -4 in mid-, late, and regressive luteal stages implied their inhibitory role. The mRNA expressions of key steroidogenic factors and VEGF were significantly higher (P < 0.05) when the culture medium was supplemented with 100 ng/mL of IGF-I for 72 hours. Moreover, IGF-I at a dose of 100 ng/mL increased P4 and VEGF production (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that IGF family members via their autocrine and paracrine effect play significant roles in promoting angiogenesis through the production of VEGF in luteal cells and steroid synthesis through the production of key steroidogenic factors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Antigen expression level threshold tunes the fate of CD8 T cells during primary hepatic immune responses.

PubMed

Tay, Szun Szun; Wong, Yik Chun; McDonald, David M; Wood, Nicole A W; Roediger, Ben; Sierro, Frederic; Mcguffog, Claire; Alexander, Ian E; Bishop, G Alex; Gamble, Jennifer R; Weninger, Wolfgang; McCaughan, Geoffrey W; Bertolino, Patrick; Bowen, David G

2014-06-24

CD8 T-cell responses to liver-expressed antigens range from deletional tolerance to full effector differentiation resulting in overt hepatotoxicity. The reasons for these heterogeneous outcomes are not well understood. To identify factors that govern the fate of CD8 T cells activated by hepatocyte-expressed antigen, we exploited recombinant adenoassociated viral vectors that enabled us to vary potential parameters determining these outcomes in vivo. Our findings reveal a threshold of antigen expression within the liver as the dominant factor determining T-cell fate, irrespective of T-cell receptor affinity or antigen cross-presentation. Thus, when a low percentage of hepatocytes expressed cognate antigen, high-affinity T cells developed and maintained effector function, whereas, at a high percentage, they became functionally exhausted and silenced. Exhaustion was not irreversibly determined by initial activation, but was maintained by high intrahepatic antigen load during the early phase of the response; cytolytic function was restored when T cells primed under high antigen load conditions were transferred into an environment of low-level antigen expression. Our study reveals a hierarchy of factors dictating the fate of CD8 T cells during hepatic immune responses, and provides an explanation for the different immune outcomes observed in a variety of immune-mediated liver pathologic conditions.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Enhances Expression of Cadherin-5 in Lung Cancer Cells.

PubMed

Hung, Ming-Szu; Chen, I-Chuan; Lung, Jr-Hau; Lin, Paul-Yann; Li, Ya-Chin; Tsai, Ying-Huang

2016-01-01

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation has been shown to play a critical role in tumor angiogenesis. In this study, we investigate the correlation between EGFR mutations and cadherin-5 (CDH5), which is an angiogenic factor, in lung cancer cells. Increased expression CDH5 is observed in lung cancer cells with EGFR mutations. Stable lung cancer cell lines expressing mutant (exon 19 deletion E746-A750, and exon 21 missense mutation L858R) and wild type EGFR genes are established. A significantly higher expression of CDH5 is observed in exon 19 deletion stable lung cancer cells and mouse xenografts. Further studies show that expression of CDH5 is decreased after the inhibition of EGFR and downstream Akt pathways in lung cancer cells with EGFR mutation. In addition, mutant EGFR genes potentiates angiogenesis in lung cancer cells, which is inhibited by CDH5 siRNA, and potentiates migration and invasion in lung cancer cells. Our study shows that mutant EGFR genes are associated with overexpression of CDH5 through increased phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream Akt pathways. Our result may provide an insight into the association of mutant EGFR and CDH5 expression in lung cancer and aid further development of target therapy for NSCLC in the future.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Enhances Expression of Cadherin-5 in Lung Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Hung, Ming-Szu; Chen, I-Chuan; Lung, Jr-Hau; Lin, Paul-Yann; Li, Ya-Chin; Tsai, Ying-Huang

2016-01-01

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation has been shown to play a critical role in tumor angiogenesis. In this study, we investigate the correlation between EGFR mutations and cadherin-5 (CDH5), which is an angiogenic factor, in lung cancer cells. Increased expression CDH5 is observed in lung cancer cells with EGFR mutations. Stable lung cancer cell lines expressing mutant (exon 19 deletion E746-A750, and exon 21 missense mutation L858R) and wild type EGFR genes are established. A significantly higher expression of CDH5 is observed in exon 19 deletion stable lung cancer cells and mouse xenografts. Further studies show that expression of CDH5 is decreased after the inhibition of EGFR and downstream Akt pathways in lung cancer cells with EGFR mutation. In addition, mutant EGFR genes potentiates angiogenesis in lung cancer cells, which is inhibited by CDH5 siRNA, and potentiates migration and invasion in lung cancer cells. Our study shows that mutant EGFR genes are associated with overexpression of CDH5 through increased phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream Akt pathways. Our result may provide an insight into the association of mutant EGFR and CDH5 expression in lung cancer and aid further development of target therapy for NSCLC in the future. PMID:27362942

Bovine ovarian follicular growth and development correlate with lysophosphatidic acid expression.

PubMed

Sinderewicz, Emilia; Grycmacher, Katarzyna; Boruszewska, Dorota; Kowalczyk-Zięba, Ilona; Staszkiewicz, Joanna; Ślężak, Tomasz; Woclawek-Potocka, Izabela

2018-01-15

The basis of successful reproduction is proper ovarian follicular growth and development. In addition to prostaglandins and vascular endothelial growth factor, a number of novel factors are suggested as important regulators of follicular growth and development: PGES, TFG, CD36, RABGAP1, DBI and BTC. This study focuses on examining the expression of these factors in granulosa and thecal cells that originate from different ovarian follicle types and their link with the expression of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), known local regulator of reproductive functions in the cow. Ovarian follicles were divided into healthy, transitional, and atretic categories. The mRNA expression levels for PGES, TFG, CD36, RABGAP1, DBI and BTC in granulosa and thecal cells in different follicle types were measured by real-time PCR. The correlations among expression of enzymes synthesizing LPA (autotaxin, phospholipase A2), receptors for LPA and examined factors were measured. Immunolocalization of PGES, TFG, CD36, RABGAP1, DBI and BTC was examined by immunohistochemistry. We investigated follicle-type dependent mRNA expression of factors potentially involved in ovarian follicular growth and development, both in granulosa and thecal cells of bovine ovarian follicles. Strong correlations among receptors for LPA, enzymes synthesizing LPA, and the examined factors in healthy and transitional follicles were observed, with its strongest interconnection with TFG, DBI and RABGAP1 in granulosa cells, and TFG in thecal cells; whereas no correlations in atretic follicles were detected. A greater number of correlations were found in thecal cells than in granulosa cells as well as in healthy follicles than in transitional follicles. These data indicate the role of LPA in the growth, development and physiology of the bovine ovarian follicle. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-C by tumor necrosis factor-α in the conjunctiva and pterygium.

PubMed

Dong, Yoko; Kase, Satoru; Dong, Zhenyu; Fukuhara, Junichi; Tagawa, Yoshiaki; Ishizuka, Erdal Tan; Murata, Miyuki; Shinmei, Yasuhiro; Ohguchi, Takeshi; Kanda, Atsuhiro; Noda, Kousuke; Ishida, Susumu

2016-08-01

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) plays an important role in the development of a pterygium through lymphangiogenesis. We examined the association between VEGF-C and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of pterygia. Cultured conjunctival epithelial cells were treated with TNF-α, and the gene expression levels of VEGFC were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and VEGF-C protein expression levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, using ELISA, we evaluated the VEGF-C protein expression in the supernatants of cultured conjunctival epithelial cells, in which we neutralized TNF-α using anti‑TNF-α antibody. The gene expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 1A (TNFRSF1A), known as TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), was confirmed using reverse transcription PCR in cultured conjunctival epithelial cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to examine the localization of VEGF-C and TNFR1 in pterygium tissues and TNFR1 expression in cultured conjunctival epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the localization of TNFR1 in pterygia and normal conjunctival tissues. VEGFC gene expression increased in cultured conjunctival epithelial cells 24 h after the addition of TNF-α. The secretion of VEGF-C protein was significantly increased 48 h after the stimulation of cultured conjunctival epithelial cells with TNF-α. Increased VEGF-C protein secretion stimulated by TNF-α was significantly reduced by anti-TNF-α neutralizing antibody treatment. In cultured conjunctival epithelial cells, TNFRSF1A and TNFR1 were expressed. TNFR1 was immunolocalized in normal conjunctival tissues and in human pterygium tissues as well as in VEGF‑C‑positive epithelial cells from human pterygia. Our data demonstrate that TNF-α mediates VEGF-C expression, which plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pterygia.

The Third Intron of the Interferon Regulatory Factor-8 Is an Initiator of Repressed Chromatin Restricting Its Expression in Non-Immune Cells

PubMed Central

Barnea-Yizhar, Ofer; Ram, Sigal; Kovalev, Ekaterina; Azriel, Aviva; Rand, Ulfert; Nakayama, Manabu; Hauser, Hansjörg; Gepstein, Lior; Levi, Ben-Zion

2016-01-01

Interferon Regulatory Factor-8 (IRF-8) serves as a key factor in the hierarchical differentiation towards monocyte/dendritic cell lineages. While much insight has been accumulated into the mechanisms essential for its hematopoietic specific expression, the mode of restricting IRF-8 expression in non-hematopoietic cells is still unknown. Here we show that the repression of IRF-8 expression in restrictive cells is mediated by its 3rd intron. Removal of this intron alleviates the repression of Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) IRF-8 reporter gene in these cells. Fine deletion analysis points to conserved regions within this intron mediating its restricted expression. Further, the intron alone selectively initiates gene silencing only in expression-restrictive cells. Characterization of this intron’s properties points to its role as an initiator of sustainable gene silencing inducing chromatin condensation with suppressive histone modifications. This intronic element cannot silence episomal transgene expression underlining a strict chromatin-dependent silencing mechanism. We validated this chromatin-state specificity of IRF-8 intron upon in-vitro differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into cardiomyocytes. Taken together, the IRF-8 3rd intron is sufficient and necessary to initiate gene silencing in non-hematopoietic cells, highlighting its role as a nucleation core for repressed chromatin during differentiation. PMID:27257682

Global Screening of Antiviral Genes that Suppress Baculovirus Transgene Expression in Mammalian Cells.

PubMed

Wang, Chia-Hung; Naik, Nenavath Gopal; Liao, Lin-Li; Wei, Sung-Chan; Chao, Yu-Chan

2017-09-15

Although baculovirus has been used as a safe and convenient gene delivery vector in mammalian cells, baculovirus-mediated transgene expression is less effective in various mammalian cell lines. Identification of the negative regulators in host cells is necessary to improve baculovirus-based expression systems. Here, we performed high-throughput shRNA library screening, targeting 176 antiviral innate immune genes, and identified 43 host restriction factor genes in a human A549 lung carcinoma cell line. Among them, suppression of receptor interaction protein kinase 1 (RIP1, also known as RIPK1) significantly increased baculoviral transgene expression without resulting in significant cell death. Silencing of RIP1 did not affect viral entry or cell viability, but it did inhibit nuclear translocation of the IRF3 and NF-κB transcription factors. Also, activation of downstream signaling mediators (such as TBK1 and IRF7) was affected, and subsequent interferon and cytokine gene expression levels were abolished. Further, Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1)-an inhibitor of RIP1 kinase activity-dramatically increased baculoviral transgene expression in RIP1-silenced cells. Using baculovirus as a model system, this study presents an initial investigation of large numbers of human cell antiviral innate immune response factors against a "nonadaptive virus." In addition, our study has made baculovirus a more efficient gene transfer vector for some of the most frequently used mammalian cell systems.

Myostatin signals through Pax7 to regulate satellite cell self-renewal

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McFarlane, Craig; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton; Hennebry, Alex

2008-01-15

Myostatin, a Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-{beta}) super-family member, has previously been shown to negatively regulate satellite cell activation and self-renewal. However, to date the mechanism behind Myostatin function in satellite cell biology is not known. Here we show that Myostatin signals via a Pax7-dependent mechanism to regulate satellite cell self-renewal. While excess Myostatin inhibited Pax7 expression via ERK1/2 signaling, an increase in Pax7 expression was observed following both genetic inactivation and functional antagonism of Myostatin. As a result, we show that either blocking or inactivating Myostatin enhances the partitioning of the fusion-incompetent self-renewed satellite cell lineage (high Pax7 expression, lowmore » MyoD expression) from the pool of actively proliferating myogenic precursor cells. Consistent with this result, over-expression of Pax7 in C2C12 myogenic cells resulted in increased self-renewal through a mechanism which slowed both myogenic proliferation and differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that increased expression of Pax7 promotes satellite cell self-renewal, and furthermore Myostatin may control the process of satellite cell self-renewal through regulation of Pax7. Thus we speculate that, in addition to the intrinsic factors (such as Pax7), extrinsic factors both positive and negative in nature, will play a major role in determining the stemness of skeletal muscle satellite cells.« less

Zinc finger protein 267 is up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes tumor cell proliferation and migration.

PubMed

Schnabl, Bernd; Valletta, Daniela; Kirovski, Georgi; Hellerbrand, Claus

2011-12-01

Zinc finger protein 267 (ZNF267) belongs to the family of Kruppel-like transcription factors, which regulates diverse biological processes that include development, proliferation, and differentiation. We have previously demonstrated that ZNF267 mRNA is up-regulated in liver cirrhosis, which is the main risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we analyzed the expression of ZNF267 in human HCC cells and tissue specimens and found a significant up-regulation compared to primary human hepatocytes and corresponding non-tumorous liver tissue. Over-expression of the transcription factor Ets-1 further enhanced ZNF267 expression, and reporter gene assays revealed that mutation of the Ets-1 binding site to the ZNF267 promotor markedly inhibited ZNF267 promotor activity. Hypoxic conditions induced Ets-1 in HCC cells via HIF1alpha activation, and hypoxia induced ZNF267 expression while HIF1alpha inhibition significantly reduced both hypoxia-induced as well as basal ZNF267 expression in HCC cells. It is known that hypoxic conditions in tumorous tissues induce the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ROS have been identified as important factor in the regulation of Ets-1 expression in tumor cells. Here, we found that ROS induction induced and ROS scavenging reduced ZNF267 expression in HCC cells, respectively. Loss and gain of function analysis applying siRNA directed against ZNF267 or transient transfection revealed that ZNF267 promotes proliferation and migration of HCC cells in vitro. These findings indicate Ets-1 and HIF1alpha as critical regulators of basal and hypoxia- or ROS-induced ZNF267 expression in HCC, and further suggest that the pro-tumorigenic effect of these factors is at least in part mediated via increased ZNF267 expression in HCC. Since ZNF267 is already elevated in cirrhosis, ZNF267 appears as promising target for both prevention as well as treatment of HCC in patients with chronic liver disease. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Zinc finger protein 267 is up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes tumor cell proliferation and migration

PubMed Central

Schnabl, Bernd; Valletta, Daniela; Kirovski, Georgi; Hellerbrand, Claus

2012-01-01

Zinc finger protein 267 (ZNF267) belongs to the family of Kruppel-like transcription factors, which regulates diverse biological processes that include development, proliferation, and differentiation. We have previously demonstrated that ZNF267 mRNA is up-regulated in liver cirrhosis, which is the main risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we analyzed the expression of ZNF267 in human HCC cells and tissue specimens and found a significant up-regulation compared to primary human hepatocytes and corresponding non-tumorous liver tissue. Over-expression of the transcription factor Ets-1 further enhanced ZNF267 expression, and reporter gene assays revealed that mutation of the Ets-1 binding site to the ZNF267 promotor markedly inhibited ZNF267 promotor activity. Hypoxic conditions induced Ets-1 in HCC cells via HIF1alpha activation, and hypoxia induced ZNF267 expression while HIF1alpha inhibition significantly reduced both hypoxia-induced as well as basal ZNF267 expression in HCC cells. It is known that hypoxic conditions in tumorous tissues induce the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ROS have been identified as important factor in the regulation of Ets-1 expression in tumor cells. Here, we found that ROS induction induced and ROS scavenging reduced ZNF267 expression in HCC cells, respectively. Loss and gain of function analysis applying siRNA directed against ZNF267 or transient transfection revealed that ZNF267 promotes proliferation and migration of HCC cells in vitro. These findings indicate Ets-1 and HIF1alpha as critical regulators of basal and hypoxia- or ROS-induced ZNF267 expression in HCC, and further suggest that the pro-tumorigenic effect of these factors is at least in part mediated via increased ZNF267 expression in HCC. Since ZNF267 is already elevated in cirrhosis, ZNF267 appears as promising target for both prevention as well as treatment of HCC in patients with chronic liver disease. PMID:21840307

mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-induced and stem cell-associated genes in human glioblastoma.

PubMed

Bache, Matthias; Rot, Swetlana; Keßler, Jacqueline; Güttler, Antje; Wichmann, Henri; Greither, Thomas; Wach, Sven; Taubert, Helge; Söling, Ariane; Bilkenroth, Udo; Kappler, Matthias; Vordermark, Dirk

2015-06-01

The roles of hypoxia-induced and stem cell-associated genes in the development of malignancy and tumour progression are well known. However, there are a limited number of studies analysing the impact of mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-induced and stem cell-associated genes in the tissues of brain tumours and glioblastoma patients. In this study, tumour tissues from patients with glioblastoma multiforme and tumour adjacent tissues were analysed. We investigated mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) and osteopontin (OPN), and stem cell-associated genes survivin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), Nanog and octamer binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Our data revealed higher mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-induced and stem cell-associated genes in tumour tissue than levels in the tumour adjacent tissues in patients with glioblastoma multiforme. A strong positive correlation between the mRNA expression levels of HIF-2α, CA9, VEGF, GLUT-1 and OPN suggests a specific hypoxia-associated profile of mRNA expression in glioblastoma multiforme. Additionally, the results indicate the role of stem-cell-related genes in tumour hypoxia. Kaplan-Maier analysis revealed that high mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-induced markers showed a trend towards shorter overall survival in glioblastoma patients (P=0.061). Our data suggest that mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-induced genes are important tumour markers in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

Participation of an abnormality in the transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway in resistance of malignant glioma cells to growth inhibition induced by that factor.

PubMed

Zhang, Lei; Sato, Eiji; Amagasaki, Kenichi; Nakao, Atsuhito; Naganuma, Hirofumi

2006-07-01

Malignant glioma cells secrete and activate transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) and are resistant to growth inhibition by that factor. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying this effect remains poorly understood. In this study, the mechanism of the resistance to growth inhibition induced by TGFbeta was investigated. The authors examined the expression of downstream components of the TGFbeta receptor, including Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, and Smad7, and the effect of TGFbeta1 treatment on the phosphorylation of Smad2 and the nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad3 by using 10 glioma cell lines and the A549 cell line, which is sensitive to TGFbeta-mediated growth inhibition. The expression of two transcriptional corepressor proteins, SnoN and Ski, and the effect of TGFbeta1 treatment on the expression of the SnoN protein and the cell cycle regulators p21, p15, cyclin-dependent kinase-4 (CDK4), and cyclin D1 were also examined. Expression of the Smad2 and Smad3 proteins was lower in the glioma cell lines than in the A549 cell line and in normal astrocytes. In particular, Smad3 expression was low or very low in nine of the 10 malignant glioma cell lines. Expression of Smad4 was low in four glioma cell lines, and expression of the Smad7 protein was similar when compared with protein expression in the A549 cell line and in normal astrocytes. The levels of Smad2 phosphorylation after TGFbeta1 treatment were lower in glioma cell lines than in the A549 cell line, except for one glioma cell line. Seven of the 10 glioma cell lines exhibited lower levels of nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad3, and two cell lines that expressed very low levels of Smad3 protein showed no nuclear translocation. All glioma cell lines expressed the SnoN protein and its expression was unaltered by treatment with TGFbeta1. Three glioma cell lines expressed high levels of the Ski protein. The expression of the p21(cip1), p15(INK4B), CDK4, and cyclin D1 proteins was not altered by TGFbeta1, treatment, except in one cell line that displayed a slight increase in p21 protein. Overall, the expression of the Smad2 and Smad3 proteins was low in the glioma cell lines, the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad3 were impaired, and the TGFbeta receptor signal did not affect the expression of the SnoN, p21, p15, cyclin D1, and CDK4 proteins. These results suggest that the ability to resist TGFbeta-mediated growth inhibition in malignant glioma cells is due to abnormalities in the TGFbeta signaling pathway.

The Activity of Differentiation Factors Induces Apoptosis in Polyomavirus Large T-Expressing Myoblasts

PubMed Central

Fimia, Gian Maria; Gottifredi, Vanesa; Bellei, Barbara; Ricciardi, Maria Rosaria; Tafuri, Agostino; Amati, Paolo; Maione, Rossella

1998-01-01

It is commonly accepted that pathways that regulate proliferation/differentiation processes, if altered in their normal interplay, can lead to the induction of programmed cell death. In a previous work we reported that Polyoma virus Large Tumor antigen (PyLT) interferes with in vitro terminal differentiation of skeletal myoblasts by binding and inactivating the retinoblastoma antioncogene product. This inhibition occurs after the activation of some early steps of the myogenic program. In the present work we report that myoblasts expressing wild-type PyLT, when subjected to differentiation stimuli, undergo cell death and that this cell death can be defined as apoptosis. Apoptosis in PyLT-expressing myoblasts starts after growth factors removal, is promoted by cell confluence, and is temporally correlated with the expression of early markers of myogenic differentiation. The block of the initial events of myogenesis by transforming growth factor β or basic fibroblast growth factor prevents PyLT-induced apoptosis, while the acceleration of this process by the overexpression of the muscle-regulatory factor MyoD further increases cell death in this system. MyoD can induce PyLT-expressing myoblasts to accumulate RB, p21, and muscle- specific genes but is unable to induce G00 arrest. Several markers of different phases of the cell cycle, such as cyclin A, cdk-2, and cdc-2, fail to be down-regulated, indicating the occurrence of cell cycle progression. It has been frequently suggested that apoptosis can result from an unbalanced cell cycle progression in the presence of a contrasting signal, such as growth factor deprivation. Our data involve differentiation pathways, as a further contrasting signal, in the generation of this conflict during myoblast cell apoptosis. PMID:9614186

Prox1 and fibroblast growth factor receptors form a novel regulatory loop controlling lens fiber differentiation and gene expression

PubMed Central

Audette, Dylan S.; Anand, Deepti; So, Tammy; Rubenstein, Troy B.; Lachke, Salil A.; Lovicu, Frank J.; Duncan, Melinda K.

2016-01-01

Lens epithelial cells differentiate into lens fibers (LFs) in response to a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gradient. This cell fate decision requires the transcription factor Prox1, which has been hypothesized to promote cell cycle exit in differentiating LF cells. However, we find that conditional deletion of Prox1 from mouse lenses results in a failure in LF differentiation despite maintenance of normal cell cycle exit. Instead, RNA-seq demonstrated that Prox1 functions as a global regulator of LF cell gene expression. Intriguingly, Prox1 also controls the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) and can bind to their promoters, correlating with decreased downstream signaling through MAPK and AKT in Prox1 mutant lenses. Further, culturing rat lens explants in FGF increased their expression of Prox1, and this was attenuated by the addition of inhibitors of MAPK. Together, these results describe a novel feedback loop required for lens differentiation and morphogenesis, whereby Prox1 and FGFR signaling interact to mediate LF differentiation in response to FGF. PMID:26657765

Prox1 and fibroblast growth factor receptors form a novel regulatory loop controlling lens fiber differentiation and gene expression.

PubMed

Audette, Dylan S; Anand, Deepti; So, Tammy; Rubenstein, Troy B; Lachke, Salil A; Lovicu, Frank J; Duncan, Melinda K

2016-01-15

Lens epithelial cells differentiate into lens fibers (LFs) in response to a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gradient. This cell fate decision requires the transcription factor Prox1, which has been hypothesized to promote cell cycle exit in differentiating LF cells. However, we find that conditional deletion of Prox1 from mouse lenses results in a failure in LF differentiation despite maintenance of normal cell cycle exit. Instead, RNA-seq demonstrated that Prox1 functions as a global regulator of LF cell gene expression. Intriguingly, Prox1 also controls the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) and can bind to their promoters, correlating with decreased downstream signaling through MAPK and AKT in Prox1 mutant lenses. Further, culturing rat lens explants in FGF increased their expression of Prox1, and this was attenuated by the addition of inhibitors of MAPK. Together, these results describe a novel feedback loop required for lens differentiation and morphogenesis, whereby Prox1 and FGFR signaling interact to mediate LF differentiation in response to FGF. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Regulator of G protein signaling 4 is a novel target of GATA-6 transcription factor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Yonggang; Li, Fang; Xiao, Xiao

GATA transcription factors regulate an array of genes important in cell proliferation and differentiation. Here we report the identification of regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) as a novel target for GATA-6 transcription factor. Although three sites (a, b, c) within the proximal region of rabbit RGS4 promoter for GATA transcription factors were predicted by bioinformatics analysis, only GATA-a site (16 bp from the core TATA box) is essential for RGS4 transcriptional regulation. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that only GATA-6 was highly expressed in rabbit colonic smooth muscle cells but GATA-4/6 were expressed in cardiac myocytes and GATA-1/2/3 expressed inmore » blood cells. Adenovirus-mediated expression of GATA-6 but not GATA-1 significantly increased the constitutive and IL-1β-induced mRNA expression of the endogenous RGS4 in colonic smooth muscle cells. IL-1β stimulation induced GATA-6 nuclear translocation and increased GATA-6 binding to RGS4 promoter. These data suggest that GATA factor could affect G protein signaling through regulating RGS4 expression, and GATA signaling may develop as a future therapeutic target for RGS4-related diseases. - Highlights: • GATA-6 is highly expressed in colonic smooth muscle cells. • RGS4 is a novel target for GATA-6 transcription factor. • GATA-a response element is essential to regulate the core promoter of RGS4. • GATA-6 regulates IL-1β-induced RGS4 upregulation.« less

Skeletal muscle hypertrophy and regeneration: interplay between the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) pathways.

PubMed

Zanou, Nadège; Gailly, Philippe

2013-11-01

Adult skeletal muscle can regenerate in response to muscle damage. This ability is conferred by the presence of myogenic stem cells called satellite cells. In response to stimuli such as injury or exercise, these cells become activated and express myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), i.e., transcription factors of the myogenic lineage including Myf5, MyoD, myogenin, and Mrf4 to proliferate and differentiate into myofibers. The MRF family of proteins controls the transcription of important muscle-specific proteins such as myosin heavy chain and muscle creatine kinase. Different growth factors are secreted during muscle repair among which insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are the only ones that promote both muscle cell proliferation and differentiation and that play a key role in muscle regeneration and hypertrophy. Different isoforms of IGFs are expressed during muscle repair: IGF-IEa, IGF-IEb, or IGF-IEc (also known as mechano growth factor, MGF) and IGF-II. MGF is expressed first and is observed in satellite cells and in proliferating myoblasts whereas IGF-Ia and IGF-II expression occurs at the state of muscle fiber formation. Interestingly, several studies report the induction of MRFs in response to IGFs stimulation. Inversely, IGFs expression may also be regulated by MRFs. Various mechanisms are proposed to support these interactions. In this review, we describe the general process of muscle hypertrophy and regeneration and decipher the interactions between the two groups of factors involved in the process.

Effects of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor on cell repopulation and signal transduction in periodontal ligament cells after scratch wounding in vitro.

PubMed

Lee, J S; Kim, J M; Hong, E K; Kim, S-O; Yoo, Y-J; Cha, J-H

2009-02-01

A growing amount of attention has been placed on periodontal regeneration and wound healing for periodontal therapy. This study was conducted in an effort to determine the effects of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor on cell repopulation and signal transduction in periodontal ligament cells after scratch wounding in vitro. Human periodontal ligament cells were acquired from explant tissue of human healthy periodontal ligament. After the wounding of periodontal ligament cells, the change in expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptors 1-4 mRNA was assessed. The effects of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor on periodontal ligament cell proliferation and repopulation were assessed in vitro via the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and by photographing the injuries, respectively. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)1/2, p38 and Akt phosphorylation was characterized via western blotting. Scratch wounding resulted in a significant up-regulation of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor mRNA expression, whereas wounding had no effect on the expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptors 1-4. Interestingly, no expression of epidermal growth factor receptors 2 and 4 was detectable prior to or after wounding. Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor treatment promoted the proliferation and repopulation of periodontal ligament cells. The scratch wounding also stimulated the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and p38, but not of Akt, in periodontal ligament cells, and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor treatment applied after wounding amplified and extended the activations of Erk1/2 and p38, but not of Akt. Furthermore, Erk1/2 inhibition blocked the process of cell repopulation induced by heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor, whereas the inhibition of p38 delayed the process. These results indicate that heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor may constitute a critical factor in the wound healing of human periodontal ligament cells by a mechanism that requires the activation of Erk1/2 via specific interaction with epidermal growth factor receptor 1.

Induction of hepatocyte-like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells by lentivirus-mediated constitutive expression of Foxa2/Hnf4a.

PubMed

Liu, Tao; Zhang, Shichang; Xiang, Dedong; Wang, Yingjie

2013-11-01

Hepatocytes can be generated from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) using inducers such as chemical compounds and cytokines, but issues related to low differentiation efficiencies remain to be resolved. Recent work has shown that overexpression of lineage-specific transcription factors can directly cause cells phenotypic changes, including differentiation, trans-differentiation, and de-differentiation. We hypothesized that lentivirus-mediated constitutive expression of forkhead box A2 (Foxa2) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (Hnf4a) could promote inducing mouse ESCs to hepatocyte-likes cells. First, ESC lines that stably expressed Foxa2, Hnf4a, or Foxa2/Hnf4a were constructed via lentiviral expression vectors. Second, observations of cell morphology changes were made during the cell culture process, followed by experiments examining teratoma formation. Then, the effects of constitutive expression of Foxa2 and Hnf4a on hepatic differentiation and maturation were determined by measuring the marker gene expression levels of Albumin, α-fetoprotein, Cytokeratin18, and α1-antitrypsin. The results indicate that constitutive expression of Foxa2 and Hnf4a does not affect ESCs culture, teratoma formation, or the expression levels of the specific hepatocyte genes under autonomous differentiation. However, with some assistance from inducing factors, Foxa2 significantly increased the hepatic differentiation of ESCs, whereas the expression of Hnf4a alone or Foxa2/Hnf4a could not. Differentiated CCE-Foxa2 cells were more superior in expressing several liver-specific markers and protein, storing glycogen than differentiated CCE cells. Therefore, our method employing the transduction of Foxa2 would be a valuable tool for the efficient generation of functional hepatocytes derived from ESCs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reprogramming of the MHC-I and its regulation by NFκB in human-induced pluripotent stem cells.

PubMed

Pick, Marjorie; Ronen, Daniel; Yanuka, Ofra; Benvenisty, Nissim

2012-12-01

The immunogenicity of human pluripotent stem cells plays a major role in their potential use in the clinic. We show that, during their reprogramming, human-induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells downregulate expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A/B/C and β2 microglobulin (β2M), the two components of major histocompatibility complex-I (MHC-I). MHC-I expression in iPS cells can be restored by differentiation or treatment with interferon-gamma (IFNγ). To analyze the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression of the MHC-I molecules in human iPS cells, we searched for correlation between the expression of HLA-A/B/C and β2M and the expression of transcription factors that bind to the promoter of these genes. Our results show a significant positive correlation between MHC-I expression and expression of the nuclear factors, nuclear factor kappa B 1 (NFκB1) and RelA, at the levels of RNA, protein and was confirmed by chromatin binding. Concordantly, we detected robust levels of NFκB1 and RelA proteins in the nucleus of somatic cells but not in the iPS cell derived from them. Overexpression of NFκB1 and RelA in undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells led to induction in expression of MHC-I, whereas silencing NFκB1 and RelA by small hairpin RNA decreased the expression of β2M after IFNγ treatment. Our data point to the critical role of NFκB proteins in regulating the MHC-I expression in human pluripotent stem cells. Copyright © 2012 AlphaMed Press.

miR-448 is a novel prognostic factor of lung squamous cell carcinoma and regulates cells growth and metastasis by targeting DCLK1.

PubMed

Shan, Changting; Fei, Fan; Li, Fengzhu; Zhuang, Bo; Zheng, Yulong; Wan, Yufeng; Chen, Jianhui

2017-05-01

MicroRNA-448 (miR-448) has been showed to be low-expressed and function as tumor suppressor in most human cancers. However, there are limited reports on the clinical significance and biological function of miR-448 in lung squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we observed that miR-448 expression was decreased in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Meanwhile, miR-448 expression associated with differentiated degree, T classification (tumor size), N classification (lymph node metastasis), M classification (distant metastasis), clinical stage and prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma patients. In survival analysis, low expression of miR-448 was a poor independent prognostic factor for lung squamous cell carcinoma patients. Moreover, gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies showed miR-448 acted as a tumor suppressor regulating lung squamous cell carcinoma cells growth and metastasis. Furthermore, DCLK1 has been identified as a potential target for miR-448 to regulate lung squamous cell carcinoma cells growth and metastasis. In conclusion, miR-448 low-expression was a poor prognostic factor for lung squamous cell carcinoma patients, and miR-448 served as a tumor suppressor in lung squamous cell carcinoma cells via targeting DCLK1. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

mRNA-binding protein TIA-1 reduces cytokine expression in human endometrial stromal cells and is down-regulated in ectopic endometrium.

PubMed

Karalok, Hakan Mete; Aydin, Ebru; Saglam, Ozlen; Torun, Aysenur; Guzeloglu-Kayisli, Ozlem; Lalioti, Maria D; Kristiansson, Helena; Duke, Cindy M P; Choe, Gina; Flannery, Clare; Kallen, Caleb B; Seli, Emre

2014-12-01

Cytokines and growth factors play important roles in endometrial function and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. mRNAs encoding cytokines and growth factors undergo rapid turnover; primarily mediated by adenosine- and uridine-rich elements (AREs) located in their 3'-untranslated regions. T-cell intracellular antigen (TIA-1), an mRNA-binding protein, binds to AREs in target transcripts, leading to decreased gene expression. The purpose of this article was to determine whether TIA-1 plays a role in the regulation of endometrial cytokine and growth factor expression during the normal menstrual cycle and whether TIA-1 expression is altered in women with endometriosis. Eutopic endometrial tissue obtained from women without endometriosis (n = 30) and eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues from women with endometriosis (n = 17) were immunostained for TIA-1. Staining intensities were evaluated by histological scores (HSCOREs). The regulation of endometrial TIA-1 expression by immune factors and steroid hormones was studied by treating primary cultured human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) with vehicle, lipopolysaccharide, TNF-α, IL-6, estradiol, or progesterone, followed by protein blot analyses. HESCs were engineered to over- or underexpress TIA-1 to test whether TIA-1 regulates IL-6 or TNF-α expression in these cells. We found that TIA-1 is expressed in endometrial stromal and glandular cells throughout the menstrual cycle and that this expression is significantly higher in the perimenstrual phase. In women with endometriosis, TIA-1 expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrium was reduced compared with TIA-1 expression in eutopic endometrium of unaffected control women. Lipopolysaccharide and TNF-α increased TIA-1 expression in HESCs in vitro, whereas IL-6 or steroid hormones had no effect. In HESCs, down-regulation of TIA-1 resulted in elevated IL-6 and TNF-α expression, whereas TIA-1 overexpression resulted in decreased IL-6 and TNF-α expression. Endometrial TIA-1 is regulated throughout the menstrual cycle, TIA-1 modulates the expression of immune factors in endometrial cells, and downregulation of TIA-1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

mRNA-Binding Protein TIA-1 Reduces Cytokine Expression in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells and Is Down-Regulated in Ectopic Endometrium

PubMed Central

Karalok, Hakan Mete; Aydin, Ebru; Saglam, Ozlen; Torun, Aysenur; Guzeloglu-Kayisli, Ozlem; Lalioti, Maria D.; Kristiansson, Helena; Duke, Cindy M. P.; Choe, Gina; Flannery, Clare; Kallen, Caleb B.

2014-01-01

Background: Cytokines and growth factors play important roles in endometrial function and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. mRNAs encoding cytokines and growth factors undergo rapid turnover; primarily mediated by adenosine- and uridine-rich elements (AREs) located in their 3′-untranslated regions. T-cell intracellular antigen (TIA-1), an mRNA-binding protein, binds to AREs in target transcripts, leading to decreased gene expression. Objective: The purpose of this article was to determine whether TIA-1 plays a role in the regulation of endometrial cytokine and growth factor expression during the normal menstrual cycle and whether TIA-1 expression is altered in women with endometriosis. Methods: Eutopic endometrial tissue obtained from women without endometriosis (n = 30) and eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues from women with endometriosis (n = 17) were immunostained for TIA-1. Staining intensities were evaluated by histological scores (HSCOREs). The regulation of endometrial TIA-1 expression by immune factors and steroid hormones was studied by treating primary cultured human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) with vehicle, lipopolysaccharide, TNF-α, IL-6, estradiol, or progesterone, followed by protein blot analyses. HESCs were engineered to over- or underexpress TIA-1 to test whether TIA-1 regulates IL-6 or TNF-α expression in these cells. Results: We found that TIA-1 is expressed in endometrial stromal and glandular cells throughout the menstrual cycle and that this expression is significantly higher in the perimenstrual phase. In women with endometriosis, TIA-1 expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrium was reduced compared with TIA-1 expression in eutopic endometrium of unaffected control women. Lipopolysaccharide and TNF-α increased TIA-1 expression in HESCs in vitro, whereas IL-6 or steroid hormones had no effect. In HESCs, down-regulation of TIA-1 resulted in elevated IL-6 and TNF-α expression, whereas TIA-1 overexpression resulted in decreased IL-6 and TNF-α expression. Conclusions: Endometrial TIA-1 is regulated throughout the menstrual cycle, TIA-1 modulates the expression of immune factors in endometrial cells, and downregulation of TIA-1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. PMID:25140393

Ectopic Cdx2 Expression in Murine Esophagus Models an Intermediate Stage in the Emergence of Barrett's Esophagus

PubMed Central

Kong, Jianping; Crissey, Mary Ann; Funakoshi, Shinsuke; Kreindler, James L.; Lynch, John P.

2011-01-01

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is an intestinal metaplasia that occurs in the setting of chronic acid and bile reflux and is associated with a risk for adenocarcinoma. Expression of intestine-specific transcription factors in the esophagus likely contributes to metaplasia development. Our objective was to explore the effects of an intestine-specific transcription factor when expressed in the mouse esophageal epithelium. Transgenic mice were derived in which the transcription factor Cdx2 is expressed in squamous epithelium using the murine Keratin-14 gene promoter. Effects of the transgene upon cell proliferation and differentiation, gene expression, and barrier integrity were explored. K14-Cdx2 mice express the Cdx2 transgene in esophageal squamous tissues. Cdx2 expression was associated with reduced basal epithelial cell proliferation and altered cell morphology. Ultrastructurally two changes were noted. Cdx2 expression was associated with dilated space between the basal cells and diminished cell-cell adhesion caused by reduced Desmocollin-3 mRNA and protein expression. This compromised epithelial barrier function, as the measured trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of the K14-Cdx2 epithelium was significantly reduced compared to controls (1189 Ohm*cm2 ±343.5 to 508 Ohm*cm2±92.48, p = 0.0532). Secondly, basal cells with features of a transitional cell type, intermediate between keratinocytes and columnar Barrett's epithelial cells, were observed. These cells had reduced keratin bundles and increased endoplasmic reticulum levels, suggesting the adoption of secretory-cell features. Moreover, at the ultrastructural level they resembled “Distinctive” cells associated with multilayered epithelium. Treatment of the K14-Cdx2 mice with 5′-Azacytidine elicited expression of BE-associated genes including Cdx1, Krt18, and Slc26a3/Dra, suggesting the phenotype could be advanced under certain conditions. We conclude that ectopic Cdx2 expression in keratinocytes alters cell proliferation, barrier function, and differentiation. These altered cells represent a transitional cell type between normal squamous and columnar BE cells. The K14-Cdx2 mice represent a useful model to study progression from squamous epithelium to BE. PMID:21494671

Ectopic Cdx2 expression in murine esophagus models an intermediate stage in the emergence of Barrett's esophagus.

PubMed

Kong, Jianping; Crissey, Mary Ann; Funakoshi, Shinsuke; Kreindler, James L; Lynch, John P

2011-04-06

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is an intestinal metaplasia that occurs in the setting of chronic acid and bile reflux and is associated with a risk for adenocarcinoma. Expression of intestine-specific transcription factors in the esophagus likely contributes to metaplasia development. Our objective was to explore the effects of an intestine-specific transcription factor when expressed in the mouse esophageal epithelium. Transgenic mice were derived in which the transcription factor Cdx2 is expressed in squamous epithelium using the murine Keratin-14 gene promoter. Effects of the transgene upon cell proliferation and differentiation, gene expression, and barrier integrity were explored. K14-Cdx2 mice express the Cdx2 transgene in esophageal squamous tissues. Cdx2 expression was associated with reduced basal epithelial cell proliferation and altered cell morphology. Ultrastructurally two changes were noted. Cdx2 expression was associated with dilated space between the basal cells and diminished cell-cell adhesion caused by reduced Desmocollin-3 mRNA and protein expression. This compromised epithelial barrier function, as the measured trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of the K14-Cdx2 epithelium was significantly reduced compared to controls (1189 Ohm*cm(2) ±343.5 to 508 Ohm*cm(2)±92.48, p = 0.0532). Secondly, basal cells with features of a transitional cell type, intermediate between keratinocytes and columnar Barrett's epithelial cells, were observed. These cells had reduced keratin bundles and increased endoplasmic reticulum levels, suggesting the adoption of secretory-cell features. Moreover, at the ultrastructural level they resembled "Distinctive" cells associated with multilayered epithelium. Treatment of the K14-Cdx2 mice with 5'-Azacytidine elicited expression of BE-associated genes including Cdx1, Krt18, and Slc26a3/Dra, suggesting the phenotype could be advanced under certain conditions. We conclude that ectopic Cdx2 expression in keratinocytes alters cell proliferation, barrier function, and differentiation. These altered cells represent a transitional cell type between normal squamous and columnar BE cells. The K14-Cdx2 mice represent a useful model to study progression from squamous epithelium to BE.

Hematopoietic progenitors express neural genes

PubMed Central

Goolsby, James; Marty, Marie C.; Heletz, Dafna; Chiappelli, Joshua; Tashko, Gerti; Yarnell, Deborah; Fishman, Paul S.; Dhib-Jalbut, Suhayl; Bever, Christopher T.; Pessac, Bernard; Trisler, David

2003-01-01

Bone marrow, or cells selected from bone marrow, were reported recently to give rise to cells with a neural phenotype after in vitro treatment with neural-inducing factors or after delivery into the brain. However, we showed previously that untreated bone marrow cells express products of the neural myelin basic protein gene, and we demonstrate here that a subset of ex vivo bone marrow cells expresses the neurogenic transcription factor Pax-6 as well as neuronal genes encoding neurofilament H, NeuN (neuronal nuclear protein), HuC/HuD (Hu-antigen C/Hu-antigen D), and GAD65 (glutamic acid decarboxylase 65), as well as the oligodendroglial gene encoding CNPase (2′,3′ cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase). In contrast, astroglial glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was not detected. These cells also were CD34+, a marker of hematopoietic stem cells. Cultures of these highly proliferative CD34+ cells, derived from adult mouse bone marrow, uniformly displayed a phenotype comparable with that of hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD45+, CD34+, Sca-1+, AA4.1+, cKit+, GATA-2+, and LMO-2+). The neuronal and oligodendroglial genes expressed in ex vivo bone marrow also were expressed in all cultured CD34+ cells, and GFAP was not observed. After CD34+ cell transplantation into adult brain, neuronal or oligodendroglial markers segregated into distinct nonoverlapping cell populations, whereas astroglial GFAP appeared, in the absence of other neural markers, in a separate set of implanted cells. Thus, neuronal and oligodendroglial gene products are present in a subset of bone marrow cells, and the expression of these genes can be regulated in brain. The fact that these CD34+ cells also express transcription factors (Rex-1 and Oct-4) that are found in early development elicits the hypothesis that they may be pluripotent embryonic-like stem cells. PMID:14634211

Loss of RUNX3 expression inhibits bone invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma

PubMed Central

Park, Junhee; Kim, Hyun-Jeong; Kim, Ki Rim; Lee, Sun Kyoung; Kim, Hyungkeun; Park, Kwang-Kyun; Chung, Won-Yoon

2017-01-01

High recurrence and lower survival rates in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are associated with its bone invasion. We identified the oncogenic role of RUNX3 during bone invasion by OSCC. Tumor growth and the generation of osteolytic lesions were significantly inhibited in mice that were subcutaneously inoculated with RUNX3-knockdown human OSCC cells. RUNX3 knockdown enhanced TGF-β-induced growth arrest and inhibited OSCC cell migration and invasion in the absence or presence of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a major growth factor abundant in the bone microenvironment. RUNX3 knockdown induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 and G2 phases and promoted G2 arrest by TGF-β in Ca9.22 OSCC cells. RUNX3 knockdown also inhibited both the basal and TGF-β-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by increasing E-cadherin expression and suppressing the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. In addition, the expression and TGF-β-mediated induction of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), one of key osteolytic factors, was blocked in RUNX3-knockdown OSCC cells. Furthermore, treating human osteoblastic cells with conditioned medium derived from RUNX3-knockdown OSCC cells reduced the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin ratio compared with treatment with conditioned medium from RUNX3-expressing cells. These findings indicate that RUNX3 expression in OSCC cells contributes to their bone invasion and the resulting osteolysis by inducing their malignant behaviors and production of osteolytic factors. RUNX3 alone or in combination with TGF-β and PTHrP may be a useful predictive biomarker and therapeutic target for bone invasion by oral cancer. PMID:28030842

Loss of RUNX3 expression inhibits bone invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Park, Junhee; Kim, Hyun-Jeong; Kim, Ki Rim; Lee, Sun Kyoung; Kim, Hyungkeun; Park, Kwang-Kyun; Chung, Won-Yoon

2017-02-07

High recurrence and lower survival rates in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are associated with its bone invasion. We identified the oncogenic role of RUNX3 during bone invasion by OSCC. Tumor growth and the generation of osteolytic lesions were significantly inhibited in mice that were subcutaneously inoculated with RUNX3-knockdown human OSCC cells. RUNX3 knockdown enhanced TGF-β-induced growth arrest and inhibited OSCC cell migration and invasion in the absence or presence of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a major growth factor abundant in the bone microenvironment. RUNX3 knockdown induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 and G2 phases and promoted G2 arrest by TGF-β in Ca9.22 OSCC cells. RUNX3 knockdown also inhibited both the basal and TGF-β-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by increasing E-cadherin expression and suppressing the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. In addition, the expression and TGF-β-mediated induction of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), one of key osteolytic factors, was blocked in RUNX3-knockdown OSCC cells. Furthermore, treating human osteoblastic cells with conditioned medium derived from RUNX3-knockdown OSCC cells reduced the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin ratio compared with treatment with conditioned medium from RUNX3-expressing cells. These findings indicate that RUNX3 expression in OSCC cells contributes to their bone invasion and the resulting osteolysis by inducing their malignant behaviors and production of osteolytic factors. RUNX3 alone or in combination with TGF-β and PTHrP may be a useful predictive biomarker and therapeutic target for bone invasion by oral cancer.

Transcription Factor IRF4 Promotes CD8+ T Cell Exhaustion and Limits the Development of Memory-like T Cells during Chronic Infection.

PubMed

Man, Kevin; Gabriel, Sarah S; Liao, Yang; Gloury, Renee; Preston, Simon; Henstridge, Darren C; Pellegrini, Marc; Zehn, Dietmar; Berberich-Siebelt, Friederike; Febbraio, Mark A; Shi, Wei; Kallies, Axel

2017-12-19

During chronic stimulation, CD8 + T cells acquire an exhausted phenotype characterized by expression of inhibitory receptors, down-modulation of effector function, and metabolic impairments. T cell exhaustion protects from excessive immunopathology but limits clearance of virus-infected or tumor cells. We transcriptionally profiled antigen-specific T cells from mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus strains that cause acute or chronic disease. T cell exhaustion during chronic infection was driven by high amounts of T cell receptor (TCR)-induced transcription factors IRF4, BATF, and NFATc1. These regulators promoted expression of inhibitory receptors, including PD-1, and mediated impaired cellular metabolism. Furthermore, they repressed the expression of TCF1, a transcription factor required for memory T cell differentiation. Reducing IRF4 expression restored the functional and metabolic properties of antigen-specific T cells and promoted memory-like T cell development. These findings indicate that IRF4 functions as a central node in a TCR-responsive transcriptional circuit that establishes and sustains T cell exhaustion during chronic infection. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effector Regulatory T Cell Differentiation and Immune Homeostasis Depend on the Transcription Factor Myb.

PubMed

Dias, Sheila; D'Amico, Angela; Cretney, Erika; Liao, Yang; Tellier, Julie; Bruggeman, Christine; Almeida, Francisca F; Leahy, Jamie; Belz, Gabrielle T; Smyth, Gordon K; Shi, Wei; Nutt, Stephen L

2017-01-17

FoxP3-expressing regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis. Activated Treg cells undergo further differentiation into an effector state that highly expresses genes critical for Treg cell function, although how this process is coordinated on a transcriptional level is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that mice lacking the transcription factor Myb in Treg cells succumbed to a multi-organ inflammatory disease. Myb was specifically expressed in, and required for the differentiation of, thymus-derived effector Treg cells. The combination of transcriptome and genomic footprint analyses revealed that Myb directly regulated a large proportion of the gene expression specific to effector Treg cells, identifying Myb as a critical component of the gene regulatory network controlling effector Treg cell differentiation and function. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex is critical for the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in melanoma cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vachtenheim, Jiri, E-mail: jivach@upn.anet.cz; Ondrusova, Lubica; Borovansky, Jan

2010-02-12

The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is required for melanocyte development, maintenance of the melanocyte-specific transcription, and survival of melanoma cells. MITF positively regulates expression of more than 25 genes in pigment cells. Recently, it has been demonstrated that expression of several MITF downstream targets requires the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, which contains one of the two catalytic subunits, Brm or Brg1. Here we show that the expression of MITF itself critically requires active SWI/SNF. In several Brm/Brg1-expressing melanoma cell lines, knockdown of Brg1 severely compromised MITF expression with a concomitant dowregulation of MITF targets and decreased cell proliferation. Although Brmmore » was able to substitute for Brg1 in maintaining MITF expression and melanoma cell proliferation, sequential knockdown of both Brm and Brg1 in 501mel cells abolished proliferation. In Brg1-null SK-MEL-5 melanoma cells, depletion of Brm alone was sufficient to abrogate MITF expression and cell proliferation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed the binding of Brg1 or Brm to the promoter of MITF. Together these results demonstrate the essential role of SWI/SNF for expression of MITF and suggest that SWI/SNF may be a promissing target in melanoma therapy.« less

Suppression of the Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 and Inhibition of Migration and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Pancreatic Cancer PANC-1 Cells.

PubMed

Wang, Yun-Liang; Dong, Feng-Lin; Yang, Jian; Li, Zhi; Zhi, Qiao-Ming; Zhao, Xin; Yang, Yong; Li, De-Chun; Shen, Xiao-Chun; Zhou, Jin

2015-01-01

Epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 7 (EGFL7), a secreted protein specifically expressed by endothelial cells during embryogenesis, recently was identified as a critical gene in tumor metastasis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was found to be closely related with tumor progression. Accordingly, it is important to investigate the migration and EMT change after knock-down of EGFL7 gene expression in human pancreatic cancer cells. EGFL7 expression was firstly testified in 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and western blot, and the highest expression of EGFL7 was found in PANC-1 cell line. Then, PANC-1 cells transfected with small interference RNA (siRNA) of EGFL7 using plasmid vector were named si-PANC-1, while transfected with negative control plasmid vector were called NC-PANC-1. Transwell assay was used to analyze the migration of PANC-1 cells. Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression change of EGFL7 gene, EMT markers like E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin and transcription factors like snail, slug in PANC-1, NC- PANC-1, and si-PANC-1 cells, respectively. After successful plasmid transfection, EGFL7 gene were dramatically knock-down by RNA interference in si-PANC-1 group. Meanwhile, migration ability decreased significantly, compared with PANC-1 and NC-PANC-1 group. Meanwhile, the expression of epithelial phenotype marker E-Cadherin increased and that of mesenchymal phenotype markers N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin dramatically decreased in si-PANC-1 group, indicating a reversion of EMT. Also, transcription factors snail and slug decreased significantly after RNA interference. Current study suggested that highly-expressed EGFL7 promotes migration of PANC-1 cells and acts through transcription factors snail and slug to induce EMT, and further study is needed to confirm this issue.

Respiratory syncytial virus M2-1 protein induces the activation of nuclear factor kappa B

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Reimers, Kerstin; Buchholz, Katja; Werchau, Hermann

2005-01-20

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) induces the production of a number of cytokines and chemokines by activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-{kappa}B). The activation of NF-{kappa}B has been shown to depend on viral replication in the infected cells. In this study, we demonstrate that expression of RSV M2-1 protein, a transcriptional processivity and anti-termination factor, is sufficient to activate NF-{kappa}B in A549 cells. Electromobility shift assays show increased NF-{kappa}B complexes in the nuclei of M2-1-expressing cells. M2-1 protein is found in nuclei of M2-1-expressing cells and in RSV-infected cells. Co-immunoprecipitations of nuclear extracts of M2-1-expressing cells and of RSV-infected cellsmore » revealed an association of M2-1 with Rel A protein. Furthermore, the activation of NF-{kappa}B depends on the C-terminus of the RSV M2-1 protein, as shown by NF-{kappa}B-induced gene expression of a reporter gene construct.« less

Protein arginine Methyltransferase 8 gene is expressed in pluripotent stem cells and its expression is modulated by the transcription factor Sox2.

PubMed

Solari, Claudia; Echegaray, Camila Vázquez; Luzzani, Carlos; Cosentino, María Soledad; Waisman, Ariel; Petrone, María Victoria; Francia, Marcos; Sassone, Alina; Canizo, Jésica; Sevlever, Gustavo; Barañao, Lino; Miriuka, Santiago; Guberman, Alejandra

2016-04-22

Addition of methyl groups to arginine residues is catalyzed by a group of enzymes called Protein Arginine Methyltransferases (Prmt). Although Prmt1 is essential in development, its paralogue Prmt8 has been poorly studied. This gene was reported to be expressed in nervous system and involved in neurogenesis. In this work, we found that Prmt8 is expressed in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) and in induced pluripotent stem cells, and modulated along differentiation to neural precursor cells. We found that Prmt8 promoter activity is induced by the pluripotency transcription factors Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog. Moreover, endogenous Prmt8 mRNA levels were reduced in ESC transfected with Sox2 shRNA vector. As a whole, our results indicate that Prmt8 is expressed in pluripotent stem cells and its transcription is modulated by pluripotency transcription factors. These findings suggest that besides its known function in nervous system, Prmt8 could play a role in pluripotent stem cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tissue Factor-Factor VIIa Complex Triggers Protease Activated Receptor 2-Dependent Growth Factor Release and Migration in Ovarian Cancer

PubMed Central

Chanakira, Alice; Westmark, Pamela R.; Ong, Irene M.; Sheehan, John P.

2017-01-01

Objective Enhanced tissue factor (TF) expression in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is associated with aggressive disease. Our objective was to evaluate the role of the TF-factor VIIa-protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) pathway in human EOC. Methods TCGA RNAseq data from EOC databases were analyzed for PAR expression. Cell and microparticle (MP) associated TF protein expression (Western blot) and MP-associated coagulant activity were determined in human EOC (SKOV-3, OVCAR-3 and CaOV-3) and control cell lines. PAR-1 and PAR-2 protein expression were similarly examined. The PAR dependence of VEGF-A release (ELISA) and chemotactic migration in response to FVIIa and cellular proliferation in response to thrombin was evaluated with small molecule antagonists. Results Relative mRNA expression consistently demonstrated PAR-2>PAR-1≫PAR-3/4 in multiple EOC datasets. Human EOC cell line lysates confirmed expression of TF, PAR-1 and PAR-2 proteins. MPs isolated from EOC cell lines demonstrated markedly enhanced (4–10 fold) TF coagulant activity relative to control cell lines. FVIIa induced a dose-dependent increase in VEGF-A release (2.5-3 fold) from EOC cell lines that was abrogated by the PAR-2 antagonist ENMD-1068. FVIIa treatment of CaOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells resulted in increased chemotactic migration that was abolished by ENMD-1068. Thrombin induced dose-dependent EOC cell line proliferation was completely reversed by the PAR-1 antagonist vorapaxar. Small molecule antagonists had no effect on these phenotypes without protease present. Conclusions Enhanced activity of the TF-FVIIa-PAR-2 axis may contribute to the EOC progression via PAR-2 dependent signaling that supports an angiogenic and invasive phenotype and local thrombin generation supporting PAR-1 dependent proliferation. PMID:28148395

Cooperative function of Pdx1 and Oc1 in multipotent pancreatic progenitors impacts postnatal islet maturation and adaptability.

PubMed

Kropp, Peter A; Dunn, Jennifer C; Carboneau, Bethany A; Stoffers, Doris A; Gannon, Maureen

2018-04-01

The transcription factors pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) and onecut1 (Oc1) are coexpressed in multipotent pancreatic progenitors (MPCs), but their expression patterns diverge in hormone-expressing cells, with Oc1 expression being extinguished in the endocrine lineage and Pdx1 being maintained at high levels in β-cells. We previously demonstrated that cooperative function of these two factors in MPCs is necessary for proper specification and differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cells. In those studies, we observed a persistent decrease in expression of the β-cell maturity factor MafA. We therefore hypothesized that Pdx1 and Oc1 cooperativity in MPCs impacts postnatal β-cell maturation and function. Here our model of Pdx1-Oc1 double heterozygosity was used to investigate the impact of haploinsufficiency for both of these factors on postnatal β-cell maturation, function, and adaptability. Examining mice at postnatal day (P) 14, we observed alterations in pancreatic insulin content in both Pdx1 heterozygotes and double heterozygotes. Gene expression analysis at this age revealed significantly decreased expression of many genes important for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (e.g., Glut2, Pcsk1/2, Abcc8) exclusively in double heterozygotes. Analysis of P14 islets revealed an increase in the number of mixed islets in double heterozygotes. We predicted that double-heterozygous β-cells would have an impaired ability to respond to stress. Indeed, we observed that β-cell proliferation fails to increase in double heterozygotes in response to either high-fat diet or placental lactogen. We thus report here the importance of cooperation between regulatory factors early in development for postnatal islet maturation and adaptability.

A Novel Strategy for Enrichment and Isolation of Osteoprogenitor Cells from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Based on Surface Marker Combination

PubMed Central

Ochiai-Shino, Hiromi; Kato, Hiroshi; Sawada, Takashi; Onodera, Shoko; Saito, Akiko; Takato, Tsuyoshi; Shibahara, Takahiko; Muramatsu, Takashi; Azuma, Toshifumi

2014-01-01

In this study, we developed a new method to stimulate osteogenic differentiation in tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP)-positive cells liberated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) with 14 days long TGF-β/IGF-1/FGF-2 treatment. TNAP is a marker protein of osteolineage cells. We analyzed and isolated TNAP-positive and E-cadherin-negative nonepithelial cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Treating the cells with a combination of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 for 14 days greatly enhanced TNAP expression and maximized expression frequency up to 77.3%. The isolated cells expressed high levels of osterix, which is an exclusive osteogenic marker. Culturing these TNAP-positive cells in osteoblast differentiation medium (OBM) led to the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2, type I collagen, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin (OCN). These cells responded to treatment with activated vitamin D3 by upregulating OCN. Furthermore, in OBM they were capable of generating many mineralized nodules with strong expression of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand and sclerostin (SOST). Real-time RT-PCR showed a significant increase in the expression of osteocyte marker genes, including SOST, neuropeptide Y, and reelin. Scanning electron microscopy showed dendritic morphology. Examination of semi-thin toluidine blue-stained sections showed many interconnected dendrites. Thus, TNAP-positive cells cultured in OBM may eventually become terminally differentiated osteocyte-like cells. In conclusion, treating hiPSCs-derived cells with a combination of TGF-β, IGF-1, and FGF-2 generated TNAP-positive cells at high frequency. These TNAP-positive cells had a high osteogenic potential and could terminally differentiate into osteocyte-like cells. The method described here may reveal new pathways of osteogenesis and provide a novel tool for regenerative medicine and drug development. PMID:24911063

Epigenetic regulation of the transcription factor Foxa2 directs differential elafin expression in melanocytes and melanoma cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yu, Kyung Sook; Jo, Ji Yoon; Kim, Su Jin

2011-04-29

Highlights: {yields} Elafin expression is epigenetically silenced in human melanoma cells. {yields} Foxa2 expression in melanoma cells is silenced by promoter hypermethylation. {yields} Foxa2 directs activation of the elafin promoter in vivo. {yields} Foxa2 expression induces apoptosis of melanoma cells via elafin re-expression. -- Abstract: Elafin, a serine protease inhibitor, induces the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in human melanoma cells, where its expression is transcriptionally silenced. However, it remains unknown how the elafin gene is repressed in melanoma cells. We here demonstrate that elafin expression is modulated via epigenetically regulated expression of the transcription factor Foxa2. Treatment of melanoma cells withmore » a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor induced elafin expression, which was specifically responsible for reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis. Suppression of Foxa2 transcription, mediated by DNA hypermethylation in its promoter region, was released in melanoma cells upon treatment with the demethylating agent. Luciferase reporter assays indicated that the Foxa2 binding site in the elafin promoter was critical for the activation of the promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further showed that Foxa2 bound to the elafin promoter in vivo. Analyses of melanoma cells with varied levels of Foxa2 revealed a correlated expression between Foxa2 and elafin and the ability of Foxa2 to induce apoptosis. Our results collectively suggest that, in melanoma cells, Foxa2 expression is silenced and therefore elafin is maintained unexpressed to facilitate cell proliferation in the disease melanoma.« less

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibits differentiation of myogenic cells in human urethral rhabdosphincter.

PubMed

Shinohara, Mayuka; Sumino, Yasuhiro; Sato, Fuminori; Kiyono, Tohru; Hashimoto, Naohiro; Mimata, Hiromitsu

2017-06-01

To examine the inhibitory effects of tumor necrosis factor-α on myogenic differentiation of human urethral rhabdosphincter cells. A rhabdosphincter sample was obtained from a patient who underwent total cystectomy. To expand the lifespan of the primary cultured cells, rhabdosphincter myogenic cells were immortalized with mutated cyclin-dependent kinase 4, cyclin D1 and telomerase. The differential potential of the cells was investigated. The transfected human rhabdosphincter cells were induced for myogenic differentiation with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-α and/or the tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist etanercept at different concentrations, and activation of signaling pathways was monitored. Human rhabdosphincter cells were selectively cultured for at least 40 passages. Molecular analysis confirmed the expression of myosin heavy chain, which is a specific marker of differentiated muscle cells, significantly increased after differentiation induction. Although tumor necrosis factor-α treatment reduced the myosin heavy chain expression in a concentration-dependent manner, etanercept inhibited this suppression. Tumor necrosis factor-α suppressed phosphorylation of protein kinase B and p38, whereas etanercept pretreatment promoted phosphorylation and myosin heavy chain expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibits differentiation of urethral rhabdosphincter cells in part through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathways. Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α might be a useful strategy to treat stress urinary incontinence. © 2017 The Japanese Urological Association.

H19, a marker of developmental transition, is reexpressed in human atherosclerotic plaques and is regulated by the insulin family of growth factors in cultured rabbit smooth muscle cells.

PubMed

Han, D K; Khaing, Z Z; Pollock, R A; Haudenschild, C C; Liau, G

1996-03-01

H19 is a developmentally regulated gene with putative tumor suppressor activity, and loss of H19 expression may be involved in Wilms' tumorigenesis. In this report, we have performed in situ hybridization analysis of H19 expression during normal rabbit development and in human atherosclerotic plaques. We have also used cultured smooth muscle cells to identify H19 regulatory factors. Our data indicate that H19 expression in the developing skeletal and smooth muscles correlated with specific differentiation events in these tissues. Expression of H19 in the skeletal muscle correlated with nonproliferative, actin-positive muscle cells. In the prenatal blood vessel, H19 expression was both temporally and spatially regulated with initial loss of expression in the inner smooth muscle layers adjacent to the lumen. We also identified H19-positive cells within the adult atherosclerotic lesion and we suggest that these cells may recapitulate earlier developmental events. These results, along with the identification of the insulin family of growth factors as potent regulatory molecules for H19 expression, provide additional clues toward understanding the physiological regulation and function of H19.

H19, a marker of developmental transition, is reexpressed in human atherosclerotic plaques and is regulated by the insulin family of growth factors in cultured rabbit smooth muscle cells.

PubMed Central

Han, D K; Khaing, Z Z; Pollock, R A; Haudenschild, C C; Liau, G

1996-01-01

H19 is a developmentally regulated gene with putative tumor suppressor activity, and loss of H19 expression may be involved in Wilms' tumorigenesis. In this report, we have performed in situ hybridization analysis of H19 expression during normal rabbit development and in human atherosclerotic plaques. We have also used cultured smooth muscle cells to identify H19 regulatory factors. Our data indicate that H19 expression in the developing skeletal and smooth muscles correlated with specific differentiation events in these tissues. Expression of H19 in the skeletal muscle correlated with nonproliferative, actin-positive muscle cells. In the prenatal blood vessel, H19 expression was both temporally and spatially regulated with initial loss of expression in the inner smooth muscle layers adjacent to the lumen. We also identified H19-positive cells within the adult atherosclerotic lesion and we suggest that these cells may recapitulate earlier developmental events. These results, along with the identification of the insulin family of growth factors as potent regulatory molecules for H19 expression, provide additional clues toward understanding the physiological regulation and function of H19. PMID:8636440

The Role of Id2 Protein in Neuroblatoma in Children.

PubMed

Wieczorek, Aleksandra; Balwierz, Walentyna

2015-09-01

Id (DNA binding and/or differentiation) proteins occur physiologically during ontogenesis and negatively regulate the activity of other helix-loop-helix (HLH) proteins. Id2 protein causes block of cells differentiation in the S phase of the cell cycle and regulates the activity of Rb protein. The role of Id2 protein in physiological cell cycle progression and in neuroblastoma (NBL) pathogenesis was proposed by Lasorella. The aim of the study was evaluation of Id2 expression and its prognostic significance in NBL cells coming from primary tumors and evaluation of its prognostic significance, and correlation of Id2 expression with known prognostic factors. Sixty patients with primary NBL treated from 1991 to 2005 were included in the analysis. We found 50 patients with high and 10 patients with low intensity of Id2 expression. The median percentage of NBL cells with Id2 expression was 88 %. We found no correlation between the number of NBL cells or the intensity of Id2 expression and OS and DFS. In patients with stage 4 NBL, almost all patients had high expression of Id2 and it was significantly more common than in other disease stages (p = 0,03). We found no correlation between Id2 expression and other known prognostic factor in NBL patients. We assume that Id2 is not prognostic factor. However, due to its abundant expression in most of NBL cells and its role in cell cycle, it may be potential therapeutic target. Exact knowledge of expression time may be helpful in explaining mechanisms of oncogenesis.

Involvement of human decidual cell-expressed tissue factor in uterine hemostasis and abruption.

PubMed

Lockwood, C J; Paidas, M; Murk, W K; Kayisli, U A; Gopinath, A; Huang, S J; Krikun, G; Schatz, F

2009-11-01

Vascular injury increases access and binding of plasma-derived factor VII to perivascular cell membrane-bound tissue factor (TF). The resulting TF/VIIa complex promotes hemostasis by cleaving pro-thrombin to thrombin leading to the fibrin clot. In human pregnancy, decidual cell-expressed TF prevents decidual hemorrhage (abruption). During placentation, trophoblasts remodel decidual spiral arteries into high conductance vessels. Shallow trophoblast invasion impedes decidual vascular conversion, producing an inadequate uteroplacental blood flow that elicits abruption-related placental ischemia. Thrombin induces several biological effects via cell surface protease activated receptors. In first trimester human DCs thrombin increases synthesis of sFlt-1, which elicits placental ischemia by impeding angiogenesis-related decidual vascular remodeling. During pregnacy, the fibrillar collagen-rich amnion and choriodecidua extracellular matrix (ECM) provides greater than additive tensile strength and structural integrity. Thrombin acts as an autocrine/paracrine mediator that degrades these ECMs by augmenting decidual cell expression of: 1) matrix metalloproteinases and 2) interleukin-8, a key mediator of abruption-associated decidual infiltration of neutrophils, which express several ECM degrading proteases. Among the cell types at the maternal fetal interface at term, TF expression is highest in decidual cells indicating that this TF meets the hemostatic demands of labor and delivery. TF expression in cultured term decidual cells is enhanced by progestin and thrombin suggesting that the maintenance of elevated circulating progesterone provides hemostatic protection and that abruption-generated thrombin acts in an autocrine/paracrine fashion on decidual cells to promote hemostasis via enhanced TF expression.

Reconstitution of a secondary cell wall in a secondary cell wall-deficient Arabidopsis mutant.

PubMed

Sakamoto, Shingo; Mitsuda, Nobutaka

2015-02-01

The secondary cell wall constitutes a rigid frame of cells in plant tissues where rigidity is required. Deposition of the secondary cell wall in fiber cells contributes to the production of wood in woody plants. The secondary cell wall is assembled through co-operative activities of many enzymes, and their gene expression is precisely regulated by a pyramidal cascade of transcription factors. Deposition of a transmuted secondary cell wall in empty fiber cells by expressing selected gene(s) in this cascade has not been attempted previously. In this proof-of-concept study, we expressed chimeric activators of 24 transcription factors that are preferentially expressed in the stem, in empty fiber cells of the Arabidopsis nst1-1 nst3-1 double mutant, which lacks a secondary cell wall in fiber cells, under the control of the NST3 promoter. The chimeric activators of MYB46, SND2 and ANAC075, as well as NST3, reconstituted a secondary cell wall with different characteristics from those of the wild type in terms of its composition. The transgenic lines expressing the SND2 or ANAC075 chimeric activator showed increased glucose and xylose, and lower lignin content, whereas the transgenic line expressing the MYB46 chimeric activator showed increased mannose content. The expression profile of downstream genes in each transgenic line was also different from that of the wild type. This study proposed a new screening strategy to identify factors of secondary wall formation and also suggested the potential of the artificially reconstituted secondary cell walls as a novel raw material for production of bioethanol and other chemicals. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists.

Accurate expressions for solar cell fill factors including series and shunt resistances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Green, Martin A.

2016-02-01

Together with open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current, fill factor is a key solar cell parameter. In their classic paper on limiting efficiency, Shockley and Queisser first investigated this factor's analytical properties showing, for ideal cells, it could be expressed implicitly in terms of the maximum power point voltage. Subsequently, fill factors usually have been calculated iteratively from such implicit expressions or from analytical approximations. In the absence of detrimental series and shunt resistances, analytical fill factor expressions have recently been published in terms of the Lambert W function available in most mathematical computing software. Using a recently identified perturbative relationship, exact expressions in terms of this function are derived in technically interesting cases when both series and shunt resistances are present but have limited impact, allowing a better understanding of their effect individually and in combination. Approximate expressions for arbitrary shunt and series resistances are then deduced, which are significantly more accurate than any previously published. A method based on the insights developed is also reported for deducing one-diode fits to experimental data.

Fluorescent tagged episomals for stoichiometric induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming.

PubMed

Schmitt, Christopher E; Morales, Blanca M; Schmitz, Ellen M H; Hawkins, John S; Lizama, Carlos O; Zape, Joan P; Hsiao, Edward C; Zovein, Ann C

2017-06-05

Non-integrating episomal vectors have become an important tool for induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming. The episomal vectors carrying the "Yamanaka reprogramming factors" (Oct4, Klf, Sox2, and L-Myc + Lin28) are critical tools for non-integrating reprogramming of cells to a pluripotent state. However, the reprogramming process remains highly stochastic, and is hampered by an inability to easily identify clones that carry the episomal vectors. We modified the original set of vectors to express spectrally separable fluorescent proteins to allow for enrichment of transfected cells. The vectors were then tested against the standard original vectors for reprogramming efficiency and for the ability to enrich for stoichiometric ratios of factors. The reengineered vectors allow for cell sorting based on reprogramming factor expression. We show that these vectors can assist in tracking episomal expression in individual cells and can select the reprogramming factor dosage. Together, these modified vectors are a useful tool for understanding the reprogramming process and improving induced pluripotent stem cell isolation efficiency.

Retinoic Acid Improves Morphology of Cultured Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells from Patients Undergoing Dialysis

PubMed Central

Retana, Carmen; Sanchez, Elsa I.; Gonzalez, Sirenia; Perez-Lopez, Alejandro; Cruz, Armando; Lagunas-Munoz, Jesus; Alfaro-Cruz, Carmen; Vital-Flores, Socorro; Reyes, José L.

2013-01-01

Patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis are classified according to their peritoneal permeability as low transporter (low solute permeability) or High transporter (high solute permeability). Factors that determine the differences in permeability between them have not been fully disclosed. We investigated morphological features of cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells from low or high transporter patients and its response to All trans retinoic Acid (ATRA, vitamin A active metabolite), as compared to non-uremic human peritoneal mesothelial cells. Control cells were isolated from human omentum. High or low transporter cells were obtained from dialysis effluents. Cells were cultured in media containing ATRA (0, 50, 100 or 200 nM). We studied length and distribution of microvilli and cilia (scanning electron microscopy), epithelial (cytokeratin, claudin-1, ZO-1 and occludin) and mesenchymal (vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin) transition markers by immunofluorescence and Western blot, and transforming growth factor β1 expression by Western blot. Low and high transporter exhibited hypertrophic cells, reduction in claudin-1, occludin and ZO-1 expression, cytokeratin and vimentin disorganization and positive α-smooth muscle actin label. Vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor- β1 were overexpressed in low transporter. Ciliated cells were diminished in low and high transporters. Microvilli number and length were severely reduced in high transporter. ATRA reduced hypertrophic cells number in low transporter. It also improved cytokeratin and vimentin organization, decreased vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin expression, and increased claudin 1, occludin and ZO-1 expression, in low and high transporter. In low transporter, ATRA reduced transforming growth factor-β1 expression. ATRA augmented percentage of ciliated cells in low and high transporter. It also augmented cilia length in high transporter. Alterations in structure, epithelial mesenchymal markers and transforming growth factor-β1expression were differential between low and high transporter. Beneficial effects of ATRA were improved human peritoneal mesothelial cells morphology tending to normalize structures. PMID:24223992

African swine fever virus IAP-like protein induces the activation of nuclear factor kappa B.

PubMed

Rodríguez, Clara I; Nogal, María L; Carrascosa, Angel L; Salas, María L; Fresno, Manuel; Revilla, Yolanda

2002-04-01

African swine fever virus (ASFV) encodes a homologue of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) that promotes cell survival by controlling the activity of caspase-3. Here we show that ASFV IAP is also able to activate the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Thus, transient transfection of the viral IAP increases the activity of an NF-kappaB reporter gene in a dose-responsive manner in Jurkat cells. Similarly, stably transfected cells expressing ASFV IAP have elevated basal levels of c-rel, an NF-kappaB-dependent gene. NF-kappaB complexes in the nucleus were increased in A224L-expressing cells compared with control cells upon stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin. This resulted in greater NF-kappaB-dependent promoter activity in ASFV IAP-expressing than in control cells, both in basal conditions and after PMA plus ionophore stimulation. The elevated NF-kappaB activity seems to be the consequence of higher IkappaB kinase (IKK) basal activity in these cells. The NF-kappaB-inducing activity of ASFV IAP was abrogated by an IKK-2 dominant negative mutant and enhanced by expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2.

African Swine Fever Virus IAP-Like Protein Induces the Activation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B

PubMed Central

Rodríguez, Clara I.; Nogal, María L.; Carrascosa, Angel L.; Salas, María L.; Fresno, Manuel; Revilla, Yolanda

2002-01-01

African swine fever virus (ASFV) encodes a homologue of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) that promotes cell survival by controlling the activity of caspase-3. Here we show that ASFV IAP is also able to activate the transcription factor NF-κB. Thus, transient transfection of the viral IAP increases the activity of an NF-κB reporter gene in a dose-responsive manner in Jurkat cells. Similarly, stably transfected cells expressing ASFV IAP have elevated basal levels of c-rel, an NF-κB-dependent gene. NF-κB complexes in the nucleus were increased in A224L-expressing cells compared with control cells upon stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin. This resulted in greater NF-κB-dependent promoter activity in ASFV IAP-expressing than in control cells, both in basal conditions and after PMA plus ionophore stimulation. The elevated NF-κB activity seems to be the consequence of higher IκB kinase (IKK) basal activity in these cells. The NF-κB-inducing activity of ASFV IAP was abrogated by an IKK-2 dominant negative mutant and enhanced by expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2. PMID:11907233

Differential immunohistochemical expression profiles of perlecan-binding growth factors in epithelial dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Mayumi; Cheng, Jun; Maruyama, Satoshi; Yamazaki, Manabu; Abé, Tatsuya; Babkair, Hamzah; Saito, Chikara; Saku, Takashi

2016-05-01

The intercellular deposit of perlecan, a basement-membrane type heparan sulfate proteoglycan, is considered to function as a growth factor reservoir and is enhanced in oral epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma in situ (CIS). However, it remains unknown which types of growth factors function in these perlecan-enriched epithelial conditions. The aim of this study was to determine immunohistochemically which growth factors were associated with perlecan in normal oral epithelia and in different epithelial lesions from dysplasia and CIS to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Eighty-one surgical tissue specimens of oral SCC containing different precancerous stages, along with ten of normal mucosa, were examined by immunohistochemistry for growth factors. In normal epithelia, perlecan and growth factors were not definitely expressed. In epithelial dysplasia, VEGF, SHH, KGF, Flt-1, and Flk-1were localized in the lower half of rete ridges (in concordance with perlecan, 33-100%), in which Ki-67 positive cells were densely packed. In CIS, perlecan and those growth factors/receptors were more strongly expressed in the cell proliferating zone (63-100%). In SCC, perlecan and KGF disappeared from carcinoma cells but emerged in the stromal space (65-100%), while VEGF, SHH, and VEGF receptors remained positive in SCC cells (0%). Immunofluorescence showed that the four growth factors were shown to be produced by three oral SCC cell lines and that their signals were partially overlapped with perlecan signals. The results indicate that perlecan and its binding growth factors are differentially expressed and function in specific manners before (dysplasia/CIS) and after (SCC) invasion of dysplasia/carcinoma cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Tangeretin Inhibits IL-12 Expression and NF-κB Activation in Dendritic Cells and Attenuates Colitis in Mice.

PubMed

Eun, Su-Hyeon; Woo, Je-Te; Kim, Dong-Hyun

2017-04-01

In the preliminary study, tangeretin (5,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxy flavone), a major constituent of the pericarp of Citrus sp., inhibited TNF- α , IL-12, and IL-23 expression and nuclear factor kappa-B activation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated dendritic cells; however, it did not affect IL-10 expression. Furthermore, tangeretin (5, 10, and 20 µM) suppressed the activation and translocation of nuclear factor kappa-B (p65) into the nuclei in vitro by inhibiting the binding of lipopolysaccharide on dendritic cells. Oral administration of tangeretin (10 and 20 mg/kg) suppressed the inflammatory responses, such as nuclear factor kappa-B and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and myeloperoxidase activity, in the colon of mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis. Tangeretin increased 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-suppressed expression of tight junction proteins occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1. Tangeretin also inhibited 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells as well as the expression of T-bet, ROR γ t, interferon- γ , IL-12, IL-17, and TNF- α . However, tangeretin increased 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-suppressed differentiation of regulatory T cells as well as the expression of Foxp3 and IL-10. These results suggest that oral administration of tangeretin may attenuate colitis by suppressing IL-12 and TNF- α expression and nuclear factor kappa-B activation through the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide binding on immune cells such as dendritic cells. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Inhibition of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in gallbladder cancer cells leads to decreased growth in vitro

PubMed Central

Garcia, Patricia; Leal, Pamela; Ili, Carmen; Brebi, Priscilla; Alvarez, Hector; Roa, Juan C

2013-01-01

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive neoplasm associated with late diagnosis, unsatisfactory treatment and poor prognosis. Previous work showed that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression is increased in this malignancy. This matricellular protein plays an important role in various cellular processes and its involvement in the tumorigenesis of several human cancers has been demonstrated. However, the precise function of CTGF expression in cancer cells is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CTGF expression in gallbladder cancer cell lines, and its effect on cell viability, colony formation and in vitro cell migration. CTGF expression was evaluated in seven GBC cell lines by Western blot assay. Endogenous CTGF expression was downregulated by lentiviral shRNA directed against CTGF mRNA in G-415 cells, and the effects on cell viability, anchorage-independent growth and migration was assessed by comparing them to scrambled vector-transfected cells. Knockdown of CTGF resulted in significant reduction in cell viability, colony formation and anchorage-independent growth (P < 0.05). An increased p27 expression was observed in G-415 cells with loss of CTGF function. Our results suggest that high expression of this protein in gallbladder cancer may confer a growth advantage for neoplastic cells. PMID:23593935

Natural Killer Cells Control Tumor Growth by Sensing a Growth Factor.

PubMed

Barrow, Alexander D; Edeling, Melissa A; Trifonov, Vladimir; Luo, Jingqin; Goyal, Piyush; Bohl, Benjamin; Bando, Jennifer K; Kim, Albert H; Walker, John; Andahazy, Mary; Bugatti, Mattia; Melocchi, Laura; Vermi, William; Fremont, Daved H; Cox, Sarah; Cella, Marina; Schmedt, Christian; Colonna, Marco

2018-01-25

Many tumors produce platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-DD, which promotes cellular proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stromal reaction, and angiogenesis through autocrine and paracrine PDGFRβ signaling. By screening a secretome library, we found that the human immunoreceptor NKp44, encoded by NCR2 and expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and innate lymphoid cells, recognizes PDGF-DD. PDGF-DD engagement of NKp44 triggered NK cell secretion of interferon gamma (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) that induced tumor cell growth arrest. A distinctive transcriptional signature of PDGF-DD-induced cytokines and the downregulation of tumor cell-cycle genes correlated with NCR2 expression and greater survival in glioblastoma. NKp44 expression in mouse NK cells controlled the dissemination of tumors expressing PDGF-DD more effectively than control mice, an effect enhanced by blockade of the inhibitory receptor CD96 or CpG-oligonucleotide treatment. Thus, while cancer cell production of PDGF-DD supports tumor growth and stromal reaction, it concomitantly activates innate immune responses to tumor expansion. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Combined inhibition of EMMPRIN and epidermal growth factor receptor prevents the growth and migration of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.

PubMed

Suzuki, Shinsuke; Ishikawa, Kazuo

2014-03-01

It has been reported that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression is associated with the extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in some solid tumors; however, the relationship of EMMPRIN with EGFR in head and neck cancers is not fully understood. To determine the relationship between EMMPRIN and EGFR in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), HNSCC cells were stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF), a ligand of EGFR. EMMPRIN expression in HNSCC cells was upregulated by EGF. In addition, EGF stimulation induced HNSCC cell invasion and MMP-9 expression. This increase in invasion and MMP-9 expression was abrogated by downmodulation of EMMPRIN. Furthermore, to determine the effects of combined EMMPRIN and EGFR targeting in HNSCC, HNSCC cells were treated with an EMMPRIN function-blocking antibody and the EGFR inhibitor AG1478. This combined treatment resulted in greater inhibition of HNSCC cell proliferation and migration compared with the individual agents alone. These results suggest that EMMPRIN mediates EGFR-induced tumorigenicity and that combined targeting of EMMPRIN and EGFR may be an efficacious treatment approach.

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α during ovarian follicular growth and development in Sprague-Dawley rats.

PubMed

Zhang, Z H; Chen, L Y; Wang, F; Wu, Y Q; Su, J Q; Huang, X H; Wang, Z C; Cheng, Y

2015-06-01

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) has been identified as a transcription factor that is involved in diverse physiological and pathological processes in the ovary. In this study, we examined whether HIF-1α is expressed in a cell- and stage-specific manner during follicular growth and development in the mammalian ovaries. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, HIF-1α expression was observed in granulosa cells specifically and was significantly increased during the follicular growth and development of postnatal rats. Furthermore, pregnant mare serum gonadotropin also induced HIF-1α expression in granulosa cells and ovaries during the follicular development of immature rats primed with gonadotropin. Moreover, we also examined proliferation cell nuclear antigen, a cell proliferation marker, during follicular growth and development and found that its expression pattern was similar to that of HIF-1α protein. Granulosa cell culture experiments revealed that proliferation cell nuclear antigen expression may be regulated by HIF-1α. These results indicated that HIF-1α plays an important role in the follicular growth and development of these 2 rat models. The HIF-1α-mediated signaling pathway may be an important mechanism regulating follicular growth and development in mammalian ovaries in vivo.

Low-level expression of human ACAT2 gene in monocytic cells is regulated by the C/EBP transcription factors

PubMed Central

Guo, Dongqing; Lu, Ming; Hu, Xihan; Xu, Jiajia; Hu, Guangjing; Zhu, Ming; Zhang, Xiaowei; Li, Qin; Chang, Catherine C. Y.; Chang, Tayuan; Song, Baoliang; Xiong, Ying; Li, Boliang

2016-01-01

Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferases (ACATs) are the exclusive intracellular enzymes that catalyze the formation of cholesteryl/steryl esters (CE/SE). In our previous work, we found that the high-level expression of human ACAT2 gene with the CpG hypomethylation of its whole promoter was synergistically regulated by two transcription factors Cdx2 and HNF1α in the intestine and fetal liver. Here, we first observed that the specific CpG-hypomethylated promoter was correlated with the low expression of human ACAT2 gene in monocytic cell line THP-1. Then, two CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) elements within the activation domain in the specific CpG-hypomethylation promoter region were identified, and the expression of ACAT2 in THP-1 cells was evidently decreased when the C/EBP transcription factors were knock-downed using RNAi technology. Furthermore, ChIP assay confirmed that C/EBPs directly bind to their elements for low-level expression of human ACAT2 gene in THP-1 cells. Significantly, the increased expressions of ACAT2 and C/EBPs were also found in macrophages differentiated from both ATRA-treated THP-1 cells and cultured human blood monocytes. These results demonstrate that the low-level expression of human ACAT2 gene with specific CpG-hypomethylated promoter is regulated by the C/EBP transcription factors in monocytic cells, and imply that the lowly expressed ACAT2 catalyzes the synthesis of certain CE/SE that are assembled into lipoproteins for the secretion. PMID:27688151

CoGAPS matrix factorization algorithm identifies transcriptional changes in AP-2alpha target genes in feedback from therapeutic inhibition of the EGFR network

PubMed Central

Thakar, Manjusha; Howard, Jason D.; Kagohara, Luciane T.; Krigsfeld, Gabriel; Ranaweera, Ruchira S.; Hughes, Robert M.; Perez, Jimena; Jones, Siân; Favorov, Alexander V.; Carey, Jacob; Stein-O'Brien, Genevieve; Gaykalova, Daria A.; Ochs, Michael F.; Chung, Christine H.

2016-01-01

Patients with oncogene driven tumors are treated with targeted therapeutics including EGFR inhibitors. Genomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) demonstrates molecular alterations to EGFR, MAPK, and PI3K pathways in previously untreated tumors. Therefore, this study uses bioinformatics algorithms to delineate interactions resulting from EGFR inhibitor use in cancer cells with these genetic alterations. We modify the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line model to simulate cancer cells with constitutive activation of EGFR, HRAS, and PI3K in a controlled genetic background. We then measure gene expression after treating modified HaCaT cells with gefitinib, afatinib, and cetuximab. The CoGAPS algorithm distinguishes a gene expression signature associated with the anticipated silencing of the EGFR network. It also infers a feedback signature with EGFR gene expression itself increasing in cells that are responsive to EGFR inhibitors. This feedback signature has increased expression of several growth factor receptors regulated by the AP-2 family of transcription factors. The gene expression signatures for AP-2alpha are further correlated with sensitivity to cetuximab treatment in HNSCC cell lines and changes in EGFR expression in HNSCC tumors with low CDKN2A gene expression. In addition, the AP-2alpha gene expression signatures are also associated with inhibition of MEK, PI3K, and mTOR pathways in the Library of Integrated Network-Based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) data. These results suggest that AP-2 transcription factors are activated as feedback from EGFR network inhibition and may mediate EGFR inhibitor resistance. PMID:27650546

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptors in Bergmann glia cells.

PubMed

Poblete-Naredo, Irais; Guillem, Alain M; Juárez, Claudia; Zepeda, Rossana C; Ramírez, Leticia; Caba, Mario; Hernández-Kelly, Luisa C; Aguilera, José; López-Bayghen, Esther; Ortega, Arturo

2011-12-01

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is an abundant and widely distributed neurotrophin expressed in the Central Nervous System. It is critically involved in neuronal differentiation and survival. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and that of its catalytic active cognate receptor (TrkB) has been extensively studied in neuronal cells but their expression and function in glial cells is still controversial. Despite of this fact, brain-derived neurotrophic factor is released from astrocytes upon glutamate stimulation. A suitable model to study glia/neuronal interactions, in the context of glutamatergic synapses, is the well-characterized culture of chick cerebellar Bergmann glia cells. Using, this system, we show here that BDNF and its functional receptor are present in Bergmann glia and that BDNF stimulation is linked to the activation of the phosphatidyl-inositol 3 kinase/protein kinase C/mitogen-activated protein kinase/Activator Protein-1 signaling pathway. Accordingly, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) experiments predicted the expression of full-length and truncated TrkB isoforms. Our results suggest that Bergmann glia cells are able to express and respond to BDNF stimulation favoring the notion of their pivotal role in neuroprotection. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Erythropoietin protects myocardin-expressing cardiac stem cells against cytotoxicity of tumor necrosis factor-{alpha}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Madonna, Rosalinda; Institute of Cardiology, and Center of Excellence on Aging, 'G. d'Annunzio' University, Chieti; Shelat, Harnath

2009-10-15

Cardiac stem cells are vulnerable to inflammation caused by infarction or ischemic injury. The growth factor, erythropoietin (Epo), ameliorates the inflammatory response of the myocardium to ischemic injury. This study was designed to assess the role of Epo in regulation of expression and activation of the cell death-associated intracellular signaling components in cardiac myoblasts stimulated with the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-{alpha}. Cardiac myoblasts isolated from canine embryonic hearts characterized by expression of myocardin A, a promyogenic transcription factor for cardiovascular muscle development were pretreated with Epo and then exposed to TNF-{alpha}. Compared to untreated cells, the Epo-treated cardiacmore » myoblasts exhibited better morphology and viability. Immunoblotting revealed lower levels of active caspase-3 and reductions in iNOS expression and NO production in Epo-treated cells. Furthermore, Epo pretreatment reduced nuclear translocation of NF-{kappa}B and inhibited phosphorylation of inhibitor of kappa B (I{kappa}B) in TNF-{alpha}-stimulated cardiac myoblasts. Thus, Epo protects cardiac myocyte progenitors or myoblasts against the cytotoxic effects of TNF-{alpha} by inhibiting NF-{kappa}B-mediated iNOS expression and NO production and by preventing caspase-3 activation.« less

Expression of receptors for putative anabolic growth factors in human intervertebral disc: implications for repair and regeneration of the disc.

PubMed

Le Maitre, Christine L; Richardson, Stephen M A; Baird, Pauline; Freemont, Anthony J; Hoyland, Judith A

2005-12-01

Low back pain (LBP) is a common, debilitating and economically important disorder. Current evidence implicates loss of intervertebral disc (IVD) matrix consequent upon 'degeneration' as a major cause of LBP. Degeneration of the IVD involves increases in degradative enzymes and decreases in the extracellular matrix (ECM) component in a process that is controlled by a range of cytokines and growth factors. Studies have suggested using anabolic growth factors to regenerate the normal matrix of the IVD, hence restoring disc height and reversing degenerative disc disease. However, for such therapies to be successful it is vital that the target cells (i.e. the disc cells) express the appropriate receptors. This immunohistochemical study has for the first time investigated the expression and localization of four potentially beneficial growth factor receptors (i.e. TGFbetaRII, BMPRII, FGFR3 and IGFRI) in non-degenerate and degenerate human IVDs. Receptor expression was quantified across regions of the normal and degenerate disc and showed that cells of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and inner annulus fibrosus (IAF) expressed significantly higher levels of the four growth factor receptors investigated. There were no significant differences between the four growth factor expression in non-degenerate and degenerate biopsies. However, expression of TGFbetaRII, FGFR3 and IGFRI, but not BMP RII, were observed in the ingrowing blood vessels that characterize part of the disease aetiology. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated the expression of the four growth factor receptors at similar levels in the chondrocyte-like cells of the NP and IAF in both non-degenerate and degenerate discs, implicating a role in normal disc homeostasis and suggesting that the application of these growth factors to the degenerate human IVD would stimulate matrix production. However, the expression of some of the growth factor receptors on ingrowing blood vessels might be problematic in a therapeutic approach. Copyright 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Autocrine HBEGF expression promotes breast cancer intravasation, metastasis and macrophage-independent invasion in vivo

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhou, Z. N.; Sharma, V. P.; Beaty, B. T.

2014-10-13

Increased expression of HBEGF in estrogen receptor-negative breast tumors is correlated with enhanced metastasis to distant organ sites and more rapid disease recurrence upon removal of the primary tumor. Our previous work has demonstrated a paracrine loop between breast cancer cells and macrophages in which the tumor cells are capable of stimulating macrophages through the secretion of colony-stimulating factor-1 while the tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), in turn, aid in tumor cell invasion by secreting epidermal growth factor. To determine how the autocrine expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands by carcinoma cells would affect this paracrine loop mechanism, and inmore » particular whether tumor cell invasion depends on spatial ligand gradients generated by TAMs, we generated cell lines with increased HBEGF expression. We found that autocrine HBEGF expression enhanced in vivo intravasation and metastasis and resulted in a novel phenomenon in which macrophages were no longer required for in vivo invasion of breast cancer cells. In vitro studies revealed that expression of HBEGF enhanced invadopodium formation, thus providing a mechanism for cell autonomous invasion. The increased invadopodium formation was directly dependent on EGFR signaling, as demonstrated by a rapid decrease in invadopodia upon inhibition of autocrine HBEGF/EGFR signaling as well as inhibition of signaling downstream of EGFR activation. HBEGF expression also resulted in enhanced invadopodium function via upregulation of matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 expression levels. We conclude that high levels of HBEGF expression can short-circuit the tumor cell/macrophage paracrine invasion loop, resulting in enhanced tumor invasion that is independent of macrophage signaling.« less

TCF7L1 recruits CtBP and HDAC1 to repress DICKKOPF4 gene expression in human colorectal cancer cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Eshelman, Melanie A.; Shah, Meera; Raup-Konsavage, Wesley M.

The T-cell factor/Lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF; hereafter TCF) family of transcription factors are critical regulators of colorectal cancer (CRC) cell growth. Of the four TCF family members, TCF7L1 functions predominantly as a repressor of gene expression. Few studies have addressed the role of TCF7L1 in CRC and only a handful of target genes regulated by this repressor are known. By silencing TCF7L1 expression in HCT116 cells, we show that it promotes cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in vivo by driving cell cycle progression. Microarray analysis of transcripts differentially expressed in control and TCF7L1-silenced CRC cells identified genes that control cell cycle kinetics andmore » cancer pathways. Among these, expression of the Wnt antagonist DICKKOPF4 (DKK4) was upregulated when TCF7L1 levels were reduced. We found that TCF7L1 recruits the C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to the DKK4 promoter to repress DKK4 gene expression. In the absence of TCF7L1, TCF7L2 and β-catenin occupancy at the DKK4 promoter is stimulated and DKK4 expression is increased. These findings uncover a critical role for TCF7L1 in repressing DKK4 gene expression to promote the oncogenic potential of CRCs. - Highlights: • TCF7L1 promotes colorectal cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. • DICKKOPF4 is directly regulated by TCF7L1. • TCF7L1 recruits CtBP and HDAC1 to repress DKK4 gene expression.« less

Molecular cloning and production of caprine recombinant Oct4 protein for generation induced pluripotent stem cells.

PubMed

Singhal, Dinesh K; Singhal, Raxita; Malik, Hruda N; Singh, Surender; Kumar, Sudarshan; Kaushik, Jai K; Mohanty, Ashok K; Malakar, Dhruba

2015-12-01

Oct4, pluripotency marker and transcription factor, expresses in embryonic stem cells. It plays a pivotal role in determination of stem cells fate. Up and down regulation of Oct4 causes differentiation of embryonic stem cells. It is one of the main transcription factors which remained concerned in every study related to induced pluripotent stem cell. Here, we report the production of goat Oct4 protein using plasmid and lentiviral based vectors. Firstly, Oct4 ORF was cloned in pAcGFP1-N1 plasmid vector and positive clones were screened with colony PCR. Oct4 was over-expressed in CHO-K1 cell line and expression was confirmed by observing green florescent protein expression in CHO-K1 cells. Secondly, Oct4 lentiviral expression construct has been prepared using pLenti-gw vector. Oct4 ORF was cloned into pLenti4/V5-DEST vector and viral particles were produced in 293FT cells. Oct4 viral particles were used to infect goat fibroblast cells. Oct4 expression was observed and confirmed in transfected goat fibroblast cells using RT-PCR. Detection of Oct4 protein in western blotting assay affirmed the capacity of over-expression of our Oct4 lentiviral vector. The lentiviral expression construct and recombinant Oct4 protein may be used for reprogramming of somatic cell into induced pluripotent stem cell.

E-cadherin expression increases cell proliferation by regulating energy metabolism through nuclear factor-κB in AGS cells.

PubMed

Park, Song Yi; Shin, Jee-Hye; Kee, Sun-Ho

2017-09-01

β-Catenin is a central player in Wnt signaling, and activation of Wnt signaling is associated with cancer development. E-cadherin in complex with β-catenin mediates cell-cell adhesion, which suppresses β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling. Recently, a tumor-suppressive role for E-cadherin has been reconsidered, as re-expression of E-cadherin was reported to enhance the metastatic potential of malignant tumors. To explore the role of E-cadherin, we established an E-cadherin-expressing cell line, EC96, from AGS cells that featured undetectable E-cadherin expression and a high level of Wnt signaling. In EC96 cells, E-cadherin re-expression enhanced cell proliferation, although Wnt signaling activity was reduced. Subsequent analysis revealed that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and consequent c-myc expression might be involved in E-cadherin expression-mediated cell proliferation. To facilitate rapid proliferation, EC96 cells enhance glucose uptake and produce ATP using both mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, whereas AGS cells use these mechanisms less efficiently. These events appeared to be mediated by NF-κB activation. Therefore, E-cadherin re-expression and subsequent induction of NF-κB signaling likely enhance energy production and cell proliferation. © 2017 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

The Role of the Stem Cell Factor/c-kit Complex in Neurofibrormatosis.

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-10-01

investigations of the Kit/ stem cell factor complex in hyperplasias of these cells. In the request for no-cost extension, several experiments were listed to be...soluble stem cell factor from the NF1 knockout Schwann cells. We also found that most neural tumors express mRNA for Kit, and also for stem cell factor.

Early Growth Response-1 Induces and Enhances Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Expression in Lung Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Shimoyamada, Hiroaki; Yazawa, Takuya; Sato, Hanako; Okudela, Koji; Ishii, Jun; Sakaeda, Masashi; Kashiwagi, Korehito; Suzuki, Takehisa; Mitsui, Hideaki; Woo, Tetsukan; Tajiri, Michihiko; Ohmori, Takahiro; Ogura, Takashi; Masuda, Munetaka; Oshiro, Hisashi; Kitamura, Hitoshi

2010-01-01

Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is crucial for angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and metastasis during tumor development. We demonstrate here that early growth response-1 (EGR-1), which is induced by the extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation, activates VEGF-A in lung cancer cells. Increased EGR-1 expression was found in adenocarcinoma cells carrying mutant K-RAS or EGFR genes. Hypoxic culture, siRNA experiment, luciferase assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and quantitative RT-PCR using EGR-1–inducible lung cancer cells demonstrated that EGR-1 binds to the proximal region of the VEGF-A promoter, activates VEGF-A expression, and enhances hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)-mediated VEGF-A expression. The EGR-1 modulator, NAB-2, was rapidly induced by increased levels of EGR-1. Pathology samples of human lung adenocarcinomas revealed correlations between EGR-1/HIF-1α and VEGF-A expressions and relative elevation of EGR-1 and VEGF-A expression in mutant K-RAS- or EGFR-carrying adenocarcinomas. Both EGR-1 and VEGF-A expression increased as tumors dedifferentiated, whereas HIF-1α expression did not. Although weak correlation was found between EGR-1 and NAB-2 expressions on the whole, NAB-2 expression decreased as tumors dedifferentiated, and inhibition of DNA methyltransferase/histone deacetylase increased NAB-2 expression in lung cancer cells despite no epigenetic alteration in the NAB-2 promoter. These findings suggest that EGR-1 plays important roles on VEGF-A expression in lung cancer cells, and epigenetic silencing of transactivator(s) associated with NAB-2 expression might also contribute to upregulate VEGF-A expression. PMID:20489156

Effect of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Ageing on T-Bet and Eomes Expression on T-Cell Subsets.

PubMed

Hassouneh, Fakhri; Lopez-Sejas, Nelson; Campos, Carmen; Sanchez-Correa, Beatriz; Tarazona, Raquel; Pera, Alejandra; Solana, Rafael

2017-06-29

The differential impact of ageing and cytomegalovirus (CMV) latent infection on human T-cell subsets remains to some extent controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse the expression of the transcription factors T-bet and Eomes and CD57 on CD4+, CD4 hi CD8 lo and CD8+ T-cell subsets in healthy individuals, stratified by age and CMV serostatus. The percentage of CD4+ T-cells expressing T-bet or Eomes was very low, in particular in CD4+ T-cells from young CMV-seronegative individuals, and were higher in CMV-seropositive older individuals, in both CD57- and CD57+ CD4+ T-cells. The study of the minor peripheral blood double-positive CD4 hi CD8 lo T-cells showed that the percentage of these T-cells expressing both Eomes and T-bet was higher compared to CD4+ T-cells. The percentage of CD4 hi CD8 lo T-cells expressing T-bet was also associated with CMV seropositivity and the coexpression of Eomes, T-bet and CD57 on CD4 hi CD8 lo T-cells was only observed in CMV-seropositive donors, supporting the hypothesis that these cells are mature effector memory cells. The percentage of T-cells expressing Eomes and T-bet was higher in CD8+ T-cells than in CD4+ T-cells. The percentages of CD8+ T-cells expressing Eomes and T-bet increased with age in CMV-seronegative and -seropositive individuals and the percentages of CD57- CD8+ and CD57+ CD8+ T-cells coexpressing both transcription factors were similar in the different groups studied. These results support that CMV chronic infection and/or ageing are associated to the expansion of highly differentiated CD4+, CD4 hi CD8 lo and CD8+ T-cells that differentially express T-bet and Eomes suggesting that the expression of these transcription factors is essential for the generation and development of an effector-memory and effector T lymphocytes involved in conferring protection against chronic CMV infection.

E74-like factor 2 regulates valosin-containing protein expression

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Binglin; Tomita, Yasuhiko; Qiu, Ying

2007-05-11

Enhanced expression of valosin-containing protein (VCP) correlates with invasion and metastasis of cancers. To clarify the transcription mechanism of VCP, human and mouse genomic sequence was compared, revealing a 260 bp DNA sequence in the 5'-flanking region of VCP gene to be highly conserved between the two, in which binding motif of E74-like factor 2/new Ets-related factor (ELF2/NERF) was identified. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed binding of ELF2/NERF to the 5'-flanking region of VCP gene. Knock-down of ELF2/NERF by siRNA decreased expression level of VCP. Viability of cells under tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment significantly reduced in ELF2/NERF-knock-down breast cancer cell line.more » Immunohistochemical analysis on clinical breast cancer specimens showed a correlation of nuclear ELF2/NERF expression with VCP expression and proliferative activity of cells shown by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. These findings indicate that ELF2/NERF promotes VCP transcription and that ELF2/NERF-VCP pathway might be important for cell survival and proliferation under cytokine stress.« less

Enforced expression of KDR receptor promotes proliferation, survival and megakaryocytic differentiation of TF1 progenitor cell line.

PubMed

Coppola, S; Narciso, L; Feccia, T; Bonci, D; Calabrò, L; Morsilli, O; Gabbianelli, M; De Maria, R; Testa, U; Peschle, C

2006-01-01

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2/kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) is expressed in primitive hematopoietic cells, in megakaryocytes and platelets. In primitive hematopoiesis KDR mediates cell survival via autocrine VEGF, while its effect on cell growth and differentiation has not been elucidated. We induced enforced KDR expression in the granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-dependent TF1 progenitor cell line (TF1-KDR), treated the cells with VEGF and analyzed their response. In GM-CSF-deprived cells, VEGF induces cell proliferation and protection against apoptosis, followed by enhanced expression of megakaryocytic (MK) markers. Combined with GM-CSF, VEGF induces a mild proliferative stimulus, followed by cell adherence, accumulation in G0/G1, massive MK differentiation and Fas-mediated apoptosis. Accordingly, we observed that MK-differentiating cells, derived from hematopoietic progenitors, produce VEGF, express KDR, inhibition of which reduces MK differentiation, indicating a key role of KDR in megakaryopoiesis. In conclusion, TF1-KDR cells provide a reliable model to investigate the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying hematopoietic progenitor proliferation, survival and MK differentiation.

Determining Physical Mechanisms of Gene Expression Regulation from Single Cell Gene Expression Data.

PubMed

Ezer, Daphne; Moignard, Victoria; Göttgens, Berthold; Adryan, Boris

2016-08-01

Many genes are expressed in bursts, which can contribute to cell-to-cell heterogeneity. It is now possible to measure this heterogeneity with high throughput single cell gene expression assays (single cell qPCR and RNA-seq). These experimental approaches generate gene expression distributions which can be used to estimate the kinetic parameters of gene expression bursting, namely the rate that genes turn on, the rate that genes turn off, and the rate of transcription. We construct a complete pipeline for the analysis of single cell qPCR data that uses the mathematics behind bursty expression to develop more accurate and robust algorithms for analyzing the origin of heterogeneity in experimental samples, specifically an algorithm for clustering cells by their bursting behavior (Simulated Annealing for Bursty Expression Clustering, SABEC) and a statistical tool for comparing the kinetic parameters of bursty expression across populations of cells (Estimation of Parameter changes in Kinetics, EPiK). We applied these methods to hematopoiesis, including a new single cell dataset in which transcription factors (TFs) involved in the earliest branchpoint of blood differentiation were individually up- and down-regulated. We could identify two unique sub-populations within a seemingly homogenous group of hematopoietic stem cells. In addition, we could predict regulatory mechanisms controlling the expression levels of eighteen key hematopoietic transcription factors throughout differentiation. Detailed information about gene regulatory mechanisms can therefore be obtained simply from high throughput single cell gene expression data, which should be widely applicable given the rapid expansion of single cell genomics.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) promotes IL-2 mRNA expression through the up-regulation of NF-kappaB, AP-1 and NF-AT in EL4 cells.

PubMed

Han, S H; Yea, S S; Jeon, Y J; Yang, K H; Kaminski, N E

1998-12-01

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) has been previously shown to modulate interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion by activated T-cells. In the present studies, we determined that TGF-beta1 induced IL-2 mRNA expression in the murine T-cell line EL4, in the absence of other stimuli. IL-2 mRNA expression was significantly induced by TGF-beta1 (0.1-1 ng/ml) over a relatively narrow concentration range, which led to the induction of IL-2 secretion. Under identical condition, we examined the effect of TGF-beta1 on the activity of nuclear factor AT (NF-AT), nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), activator protein-1 (AP-1) and octamer, all of which contribute to the regulation of IL-2 gene expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that TGF-beta1 markedly increased NF-AT, NF-kappaB and AP-1 binding to their respective cognate DNA binding sites, whereas octamer binding remained constant, as compared with untreated cells. Employing a reporter gene expression system with p(NF-kappaB)3-CAT, p(NF-AT)3-CAT and p(AP-1)3-CAT, TGF-beta1 treatment of transfected EL4 cells induced a dose-related increase in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity that correlated well with the DNA binding profile found in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay studies. These results show that TGF-beta1, in the absence of any additional stimuli, up-regulates the activity of key transcription factors involved in IL-2 gene expression, including NF-AT, NF-kappaB and AP-1, to help promote IL-2 mRNA expression by EL4 cells.

Hepatitis C virus utilizes VLDLR as a novel entry pathway.

PubMed

Ujino, Saneyuki; Nishitsuji, Hironori; Hishiki, Takayuki; Sugiyama, Kazuo; Takaku, Hiroshi; Shimotohno, Kunitada

2016-01-05

Various host factors are involved in the cellular entry of hepatitis C virus (HCV). In addition to the factors previously reported, we discovered that the very-low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) mediates HCV entry independent of CD81. Culturing Huh7.5 cells under hypoxic conditions significantly increased HCV entry as a result of the expression of VLDLR, which was not expressed under normoxic conditions in this cell line. Ectopic VLDLR expression conferred susceptibility to HCV entry of CD81-deficient Huh7.5 cells. Additionally, VLDLR-mediated HCV entry was not affected by the knockdown of cellular factors known to act as HCV receptors or HCV entry factors. Because VLDLR is expressed in primary human hepatocytes, our results suggest that VLDLR functions in vivo as an HCV receptor independent of canonical CD81-mediated HCV entry.

System-wide analysis of the transcriptional network of human myelomonocytic leukemia cells predicts attractor structure and phorbol-ester-induced differentiation and dedifferentiation transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakata, Katsumi; Ohyanagi, Hajime; Sato, Shinji; Nobori, Hiroya; Hayashi, Akiko; Ishii, Hideshi; Daub, Carsten O.; Kawai, Jun; Suzuki, Harukazu; Saito, Toshiyuki

2015-02-01

We present a system-wide transcriptional network structure that controls cell types in the context of expression pattern transitions that correspond to cell type transitions. Co-expression based analyses uncovered a system-wide, ladder-like transcription factor cluster structure composed of nearly 1,600 transcription factors in a human transcriptional network. Computer simulations based on a transcriptional regulatory model deduced from the system-wide, ladder-like transcription factor cluster structure reproduced expression pattern transitions when human THP-1 myelomonocytic leukaemia cells cease proliferation and differentiate under phorbol myristate acetate stimulation. The behaviour of MYC, a reprogramming Yamanaka factor that was suggested to be essential for induced pluripotent stem cells during dedifferentiation, could be interpreted based on the transcriptional regulation predicted by the system-wide, ladder-like transcription factor cluster structure. This study introduces a novel system-wide structure to transcriptional networks that provides new insights into network topology.

The C. elegans SoxC protein SEM-2 opposes differentiation factors to promote a proliferative blast cell fate in the postembryonic mesoderm

PubMed Central

Tian, Chenxi; Shi, Herong; Colledge, Clark; Stern, Michael; Waterston, Robert; Liu, Jun

2011-01-01

The proper development of multicellular organisms requires precise regulation and coordination of cell fate specification, cell proliferation and differentiation. Abnormal regulation and coordination of these processes could lead to disease, including cancer. We have examined the function of the sole C. elegans SoxC protein, SEM-2, in the M lineage, which produces the postembryonic mesoderm. We found that SEM-2/SoxC is both necessary and sufficient to promote a proliferating blast cell fate, the sex myoblast fate, over a differentiated striated bodywall muscle fate. A number of factors control the specific expression of sem-2 in the sex myoblast precursors and their descendants. This includes direct control of sem-2 expression by a Hox-PBC complex. The crucial nature of the HOX/PBC factors in directly enhancing expression of this proliferative factor in the C. elegans M lineage suggests a possible more general link between Hox-PBC factors and SoxC proteins in regulating cell proliferation. PMID:21307099

Cell-cell contact regulates gene expression in CDK4-transformed mouse podocytes.

PubMed

Sakairi, Toru; Abe, Yoshifusa; Jat, Parmijit S; Kopp, Jeffrey B

2010-10-01

We transformed mouse podocytes by ectopic expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). Compared with podocytes transformed with a thermo-sensitive SV40 large T antigen mutant tsA58U19 (tsT podocytes), podocytes transformed with CDK4 (CDK4 podocytes) exhibited significantly higher expression of nephrin mRNA. Synaptopodin mRNA expression was significantly lower in CDK4 podocytes and in tsT podocytes under growth-permissive conditions (33°C) compared with tsT podocytes under growth-restricted conditions (37°C), which suggests a role for cell cycle arrest in synaptopodin mRNA expression. Confluent CDK4 podocytes showed significantly higher mRNA expression levels for nephrin, synaptopodin, Wilms tumor 1, podocalyxin, and P-cadherin compared with subconfluent cultures. We carried out experiments to clarify roles of various factors in the confluent podocyte cultures; our findings indicate that cell-cell contact promotes expression of five podocyte marker genes studied, that cellular quiescence increases synaptopodin and podocalyxin mRNA expression, and that soluble factors play a role in nephrin mRNA expression. Our findings suggest that CDK4 podocytes are useful tools to study podocyte biology. Furthermore, the role of cell-cell contact in podocyte gene expression may have relevance for podocyte function in vivo.

Cells differentiated from mouse embryonic stem cells via embryoid bodies express renal marker molecules.

PubMed

Kramer, Jan; Steinhoff, Jürgen; Klinger, Matthias; Fricke, Lutz; Rohwedel, Jürgen

2006-03-01

Differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells via embryoid bodies (EB) is established as a suitable model to study cellular processes of development in vitro. ES cells are known to be pluripotent because of their capability to differentiate into cell types of all three germ layers including germ cells. Here, we show that ES cells differentiate into renal cell types in vitro. We found that genes were expressed during EB cultivation, which have been previously described to be involved in renal development. Marker molecules characteristic for terminally differentiated renal cell types were found to be expressed predominantly during late stages of EB cultivation, while marker molecules involved in the initiation of nephrogenesis were already expressed during early steps of EB development. On the cellular level--using immunostaining--we detected cells expressing podocin, nephrin and wt-1, characteristic for differentiated podocytes and other cells, which expressed Tamm-Horsfall protein, a marker for distal tubule epithelial cells of kidney tissue. Furthermore, the proximal tubule marker molecules renal-specific oxido reductase, kidney androgen-related protein and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3alpha-hydroxylase were found to be expressed in EBs. In particular, we could demonstrate that cells expressing podocyte marker molecules assemble to distinct ring-like structures within the EBs. Because the differentiation efficiency into these cell types is still relatively low, application of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 in combination with leukaemia inhibitory factor was tested for induction, but did not enhance ES cell-derived renal differentiation in vitro.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Angiopoietin are Required for Prostate Regeneration.

PubMed Central

Wang, Gui-min; Kovalenko, Bruce; Huang, Yili; Moscatelli, David

2007-01-01

BACKGROUND The regulation of the prostate size by androgens may be partly the result of androgen effects on the prostatic vasculature. We examined the effect of changes in androgen levels on the expression of a variety of angiogenic factors in the mouse prostate and determined if vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and the angiopoietins are involved in the vascular response to androgens. METHODS Expression of angiogenic factors in prostate was quantitated using real-time PCR at different times after castration and after administration of testosterone to castrated mice. Angiopoietins were localized in prostate by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The roles of VEGF and the angiopoietins in regeneration of the prostate were examined in mice inoculated with cells expressing soluble VEGF receptor-2 or soluble Tie-2. RESULTS Castration resulted in a decrease in VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, placenta growth factor, FGF-2, and FGF-8 expression after one day. In contrast, VEGF-D mRNA levels increased. No changes in angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), hepatocyte growth factor, VEGF receptor-1, VEGF receptor-2 or tie-2 mRNA levels were observed. Administration of testosterone to castrated mice had the opposite effect on expression of these angiogenic factors. Ang-2 was expressed predominately in prostate epithelial cells whereas Ang-1 was expressed in epithelium and smooth muscle. Inoculation of mice with cells expressing soluble VEGF receptor-2 or Tie-2 blocked the increase in vascular density normally observed after administration of testosterone to castrated mice. The soluble receptors also blocked the increase in prostate weight and proliferation of prostatic epithelial cells. CONCLUSION VEGF-A and angiopoietins are required for the vascular response to androgens and for the ability of the prostate to regenerate in response to androgens. PMID:17221843

A Multistate Toggle Switch Defines Fungal Cell Fates and Is Regulated by Synergistic Genetic Cues

PubMed Central

Anderson, Matthew Z.; Porman, Allison M.; Wang, Na; Mancera, Eugenio; Bennett, Richard J.

2016-01-01

Heritable epigenetic changes underlie the ability of cells to differentiate into distinct cell types. Here, we demonstrate that the fungal pathogen Candida tropicalis exhibits multipotency, undergoing stochastic and reversible switching between three cellular states. The three cell states exhibit unique cellular morphologies, growth rates, and global gene expression profiles. Genetic analysis identified six transcription factors that play key roles in regulating cell differentiation. In particular, we show that forced expression of Wor1 or Efg1 transcription factors can be used to manipulate transitions between all three cell states. A model for tristability is proposed in which Wor1 and Efg1 are self-activating but mutually antagonistic transcription factors, thereby forming a symmetrical self-activating toggle switch. We explicitly test this model and show that ectopic expression of WOR1 can induce white-to-hybrid-to-opaque switching, whereas ectopic expression of EFG1 drives switching in the opposite direction, from opaque-to-hybrid-to-white cell states. We also address the stability of induced cell states and demonstrate that stable differentiation events require ectopic gene expression in combination with chromatin-based cues. These studies therefore experimentally test a model of multistate stability and demonstrate that transcriptional circuits act synergistically with chromatin-based changes to drive cell state transitions. We also establish close mechanistic parallels between phenotypic switching in unicellular fungi and cell fate decisions during stem cell reprogramming. PMID:27711197

Proton receptor GPR68 expression in dendritic-cell-like S100β-positive cells of rat anterior pituitary gland: GPR68 induces interleukin-6 gene expression in extracellular acidification.

PubMed

Horiguchi, Kotaro; Higuchi, Masashi; Yoshida, Saishu; Nakakura, Takashi; Tateno, Kozue; Hasegawa, Rumi; Takigami, Shu; Ohsako, Shunji; Kato, Takako; Kato, Yukio

2014-11-01

S100β-positive cells, which do not express the classical pituitary hormones, appear to possess multifunctional properties and are assumed to be heterogeneous in the anterior pituitary gland. The presence of several protein markers has shown that S100β-positive cells are composed of populations such as stem/progenitor cells, epithelial cells, astrocytes and dendritic cells. Recently, we succeeded in separating S100β-positive cells into round-cell (dendritic-cell-like) and process-cell types. We also found the characteristic expression of anti-inflammatory factors (interleukin-6, Il-6) and membrane receptors (integrin β-6) in the round type. Here, we further investigate the function of the subpopulation of S100β-positive cells. Since IL-6 is also a paracrine factor that regulates hormone producing-cells, we examine whether a correlation exists among extracellular acid stress, IL-6 and hormone production by using primary cultures of anterior pituitary cells. Dendritic-cell-like S100β-positive cells notably expressed Gpr68 (proton receptor) and Il-6. Furthermore, the expression of Il-6 and proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) was up-regulated by extracellular acidification. The functional role of IL-6 and GPR68 in the gene expression of Pomc during extracellular acidification was also examined. Small interfering RNA for Il-6 up-regulated Pomc expression and that for Gpr68 reversed the down-regulation of Il-6 and up-regulated Pomc expression by extracellular acidification. Thus, S100β-positive dendritic-like cells can sense an increase in extracellular protons via GPR68 and respond by the production of IL-6 in order to suppress the up-regulation of Pomc expression.

Cellular stress induces cancer stem-like cells through expression of DNAJB8 by activation of heat shock factor 1.

PubMed

Kusumoto, Hiroki; Hirohashi, Yoshihiko; Nishizawa, Satoshi; Yamashita, Masamichi; Yasuda, Kazuyo; Murai, Aiko; Takaya, Akari; Mori, Takashi; Kubo, Terufumi; Nakatsugawa, Munehide; Kanaseki, Takayuki; Tsukahara, Tomohide; Kondo, Toru; Sato, Noriyuki; Hara, Isao; Torigoe, Toshihiko

2018-03-01

In a previous study, we found that DNAJB8, a heat shock protein (HSP) 40 family member is expressed in kidney cancer stem-like cells (CSC)/cancer-initiating cells (CIC) and that it has a role in the maintenance of kidney CSC/CIC. Heat shock factor (HSF) 1 is a key transcription factor for responses to stress including heat shock, and it induces HSP family expression through activation by phosphorylation. In the present study, we therefore examined whether heat shock (HS) induces CSC/CIC. We treated the human kidney cancer cell line ACHN with HS, and found that HS increased side population (SP) cells. Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR showed that HS increased the expression of DNAJB8 and SOX2. Gene knockdown experiments using siRNAs showed that the increase in SOX2 expression and SP cell ratio depends on DNAJB8 and that the increase in DNAJB8 and SOX2 depend on HSF1. Furthermore, treatment with a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, temsirolimus, decreased the expression of DNAJB8 and SOX2 and the ratio of SP cells. Taken together, the results indicate that heat shock induces DNAJB8 by activation of HSF1 and induces cancer stem-like cells. © 2018 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

Trichostatin A-induced apoptosis is mediated by Kruppel-like factor 4 in ovarian and lung cancer.

PubMed

Zohre, Sadeghi; Kazem, Nejati-Koshki; Abolfazl, Akbarzadeh; Mohammad, Rahmati-Yamchi; Aliakbar, Movassaghpour; Effat, Alizadeh; Zahra, Davoudi; Hassan, Dariushnejad; Nosratollah, Zarghami

2014-01-01

The istone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) is known to mediate the regulation of gene expression and anti proliferation activity in cancer cells. Kruppel-like factor 4 (klf4) is a zinc finger- containing transcription factor of the SP/KLF family, that is expressed in a variety of tissues and regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, and apoptosis. It may either either function as a tumor suppressor or an oncogene depending on genetic context of tumors. In this study, we tested the possibility that TSA may increase klf4 expression and cancer cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in SKOV-3 and A549 cells. The cytotoxicity of TSA was determined using the MTT assay test, while klf4 gene expression was assessed by real time PCR and to ability of TSA to induce apoptosis using a Vybrant Apoptosis Assay kit. Our results showed that TSA exerted dose and time dependent cytotoxicity effect on SKOV-3 and A549 cells. Moreover TSA up-regulated klf4 expression. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that apoptosis was increased after TSA treatment. Taken together, this study showed that TSA increased klf4 expression in SKOV3 and A549 cell lines, consequently, klf4 may played a tumor-suppressor role by increasing both cell growth inhibition and apoptosis. This study sheds light on the details of molecular mechanisms of HDACI-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

The Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor MYC2 Directly Represses PLETHORA Expression during Jasmonate-Mediated Modulation of the Root Stem Cell Niche in Arabidopsis[W][OA

PubMed Central

Chen, Qian; Sun, Jiaqiang; Zhai, Qingzhe; Zhou, Wenkun; Qi, Linlin; Xu, Li; Wang, Bao; Chen, Rong; Jiang, Hongling; Qi, Jing; Li, Xugang; Palme, Klaus; Li, Chuanyou

2011-01-01

The root stem cell niche, which in the Arabidopsis thaliana root meristem is an area of four mitotically inactive quiescent cells (QCs) and the surrounding mitotically active stem cells, is critical for root development and growth. We report here that during jasmonate-induced inhibition of primary root growth, jasmonate reduces root meristem activity and leads to irregular QC division and columella stem cell differentiation. Consistently, jasmonate reduces the expression levels of the AP2-domain transcription factors PLETHORA1 (PLT1) and PLT2, which form a developmentally instructive protein gradient and mediate auxin-induced regulation of stem cell niche maintenance. Not surprisingly, the effects of jasmonate on root stem cell niche maintenance and PLT expression require the functioning of MYC2/JASMONATE INSENSITIVE1, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that involves versatile aspects of jasmonate-regulated gene expression. Gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments reveal that MYC2 directly binds the promoters of PLT1 and PLT2 and represses their expression. We propose that MYC2-mediated repression of PLT expression integrates jasmonate action into the auxin pathway in regulating root meristem activity and stem cell niche maintenance. This study illustrates a molecular framework for jasmonate-induced inhibition of root growth through interaction with the growth regulator auxin. PMID:21954460

The transcription factor IRF8 counteracts BCR-ABL to rescue dendritic cell development in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

PubMed

Watanabe, Tomoya; Hotta, Chie; Koizumi, Shin-ichi; Miyashita, Kazuho; Nakabayashi, Jun; Kurotaki, Daisuke; Sato, Go R; Yamamoto, Michio; Nakazawa, Masatoshi; Fujita, Hiroyuki; Sakai, Rika; Fujisawa, Shin; Nishiyama, Akira; Ikezawa, Zenro; Aihara, Michiko; Ishigatsubo, Yoshiaki; Tamura, Tomohiko

2013-11-15

BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have dramatically improved therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, several problems leading to TKI resistance still impede a complete cure of this disease. IFN regulatory factor-8 (IRF8) is a transcription factor essential for the development and functions of immune cells, including dendritic cells. Irf8(-/-) mice develop a CML-like disease and IRF8 expression is downregulated in patients with CML, suggesting that IRF8 is involved in the pathogenesis of CML. In this study, by using a murine CML model, we show that BCR-ABL strongly inhibits a generation of dendritic cells from an early stage of their differentiation in vivo, concomitant with suppression of Irf8 expression. Forced expression of IRF8 overrode BCR-ABL (both wild-type and T315I-mutated) to rescue dendritic cell development in vitro, indicating that the suppression of Irf8 causes dendritic cell deficiency. Gene expression profiling revealed that IRF8 restored the expression of a significant portion of BCR-ABL-dysregulated genes and predicted that BCR-ABL has immune-stimulatory potential. Indeed, IRF8-rescued BCR-ABL-expressing dendritic cells were capable of inducing CTLs more efficiently than control dendritic cells. Altogether, our findings suggest that IRF8 is an attractive target in next-generation therapies for CML. ©2013 AACR

Differential expression of immune-regulatory genes associated with PD-L1 display in melanoma: implications for PD-1 pathway blockade

PubMed Central

Taube, Janis M.; Young, Geoffrey D.; McMiller, Tracee L.; Chen, Shuming; Salas, January T.; Pritchard, Theresa S.; Xu, Haiying; Meeker, Alan K.; Fan, Jinshui; Cheadle, Chris; Berger, Alan E.; Pardoll, Drew M.; Topalian, Suzanne L.

2015-01-01

Purpose Blocking the immunosuppressive PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has anti-tumor activity in multiple cancer types, and PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and infiltrating myeloid cells correlates with the likelihood of response. We previously found that IFNG (interferon-gamma) was over-expressed by TILs in PD-L1+ vs. PD-L1(−) melanomas, creating adaptive immune resistance by promoting PD-L1 display. The current study was undertaken to identify additional factors in the PD-L1+ melanoma microenvironment coordinately contributing to immunosuppression. Experimental design Archived, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded melanoma specimens were assessed for PD-L1 protein expression at the tumor cell surface with immunohistochemistry (IHC). Whole genome expression analysis, quantitative (q)RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and functional in vitro validation studies were employed to assess factors differentially expressed in PD-L1+ versus PD-L1(−) melanomas. Results Functional annotation clustering based on whole genome expression profiling revealed pathways up-regulated in PD-L1+ melanomas, involving immune cell activation, inflammation, and antigen processing and presentation. Analysis by qRT-PCR demonstrated over-expression of functionally related genes in PD-L1+ melanomas, involved in CD8+ T cell activation (CD8A, IFNG, PRF1, CCL5), antigen presentation (CD163, TLR3, CXCL1, LYZ), and immunosuppression [PDCD1 (PD-1), CD274(PD-L1), LAG3, IL10]. Functional studies demonstrated that some factors, including IL-10 and IL-32-gamma, induced PD-L1 expression on monocytes but not tumor cells. Conclusions These studies elucidate the complexity of immune checkpoint regulation in the tumor microenvironment, identifying multiple factors likely contributing to coordinated immunosuppression. These factors may provide tumor escape mechanisms from anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, and should be considered for co-targeting in combinatorial immunomodulation treatment strategies. PMID:25944800

Genetic manipulation of murine embryonic stem cells with enhanced green fluorescence protein and sulfatase-modifying factor I genes.

PubMed

Zhao, Guoying; Karageorgos, Litsa; Hutchinson, Rhonda G; Hopwood, John J; Hemsley, Kim

2010-05-01

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA (MPS IIIA) is a lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) in which an absence of sulfamidase results in incomplete degradation and subsequent accumulation of its substrate, heparan sulfate. Most neurodegenerative LSD remain untreatable. However, therapy options, such as gene, enzyme end cell therapy, are under investigation. Previously, we have constructed an embryonic stem (ES) cell line (NS21) that over-expresses human sulphamidase as a potential treatment for murine MPS IIIA. In the present study the sulfatase-modifying factor I (SUMF1) and enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) genes were co-introduced under a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter into NS21 cells, to enhance further sulfamidase activity and provide a marker for in vivo cell tracking, respectively. eGFP was also introduced under the control of the human elongation factor-1alpha (hEF-1alpha) promoter to compare the stability of transgene expression. During differentiation of ES cells into glial precursors, SUMF1 was down-regulated and was hardly detectable by day 18 of differentiation. Likewise, eGFP expression was heterogeneous and highly unstable. Use of a human EF-1alpha promoter resulted in more homogeneous eGFP expression, with approximately 50% of cells eGFP positive following differentiation into glial precursors. Compared with NS21 cells, the outgrowth of eGFP-expressing cells was not as confluent when differentiated into glial precursors. Our data suggest that SUMF1 enhances sulfamidase activity in ES cells, hEF-1alpha is a stronger promoter than CMV for ES cells and over-expression of eGFP may affect cell growth and contribute to unstable gene expression.

Multiple regulatory mechanisms of hepatocyte growth factor expression in malignant cells with a short poly(dA) sequence in the HGF gene promoter.

PubMed

Sakai, Kazuko; Takeda, Masayuki; Okamoto, Isamu; Nakagawa, Kazuhiko; Nishio, Kazuto

2015-01-01

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) expression is a poor prognostic factor in various types of cancer. Expression levels of HGF have been reported to be regulated by shorter poly(dA) sequences in the promoter region. In the present study, the poly(dA) mononucleotide tract in various types of human cancer cell lines was examined and compared with the HGF expression levels in those cells. Short deoxyadenosine repeat sequences were detected in five of the 55 cell lines used in the present study. The H69, IM95, CCK-81, Sui73 and H28 cells exhibited a truncated poly(dA) sequence in which the number of poly(dA) repeats was reduced by ≥5 bp. Two of the cell lines exhibited high HGF expression, determined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The CCK-81, Sui73 and H28 cells with shorter poly(dA) sequences exhibited low HGF expression. The cause of the suppression of HGF expression in the CCK-81, Sui73 and H28 cells was clarified by two approaches, suppression by methylation and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the HGF gene. Exposure to 5-Aza-dC, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase 1, induced an increased expression of HGF in the CCK-81 cells, but not in the other cells. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs72525097 in intron 1 was detected in the Sui73 and H28 cells. Taken together, it was found that the defect of poly(dA) in the HGF promoter was present in various types of cancer, including lung, stomach, colorectal, pancreas and mesothelioma. The present study proposes the negative regulation mechanisms by methylation and SNP in intron 1 of HGF for HGF expression in cancer cells with short poly(dA).

E5 can be expressed in anal cancer and leads to epidermal growth factor receptor-induced invasion in a human papillomavirus 16-transformed anal epithelial cell line.

PubMed

Wechsler, Erin Isaacson; Tugizov, Sharof; Herrera, Rossana; Da Costa, Maria; Palefsky, Joel M

2018-05-01

We detected the first human papillomavirus (HPV)-16-immortalized anal epithelial cell line, known as AKC2 cells to establish an in vitro model of HPV-16-induced anal carcinogenesis. Consistent with detection of E6, E7 and E5 expression in anal cancer biopsies, AKC2 cells expressed high levels of all three HPV oncogenes. Also, similar to findings in anal cancer biopsies, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was overexpressed in AKC2 cells. AKC2 cells exhibited a poorly differentiated and invasive phenotype in three-dimensional raft culture and inhibition of EGFR function abrogated AKC2 invasion. Reducing E5 expression using E5-targeted siRNAs in AKC2 cells led to knockdown of E5 expression, but also HPV-16 E2, E6 and E7 expression. AKC2 cells treated with E5-targeted siRNA had reduced levels of total and phosphorylated EGFR, and reduced invasion. Rescue of E6/E7 expression with simultaneous E5 knockdown confirmed that E5 plays a key role in EGFR overexpression and EGFR-induced invasion.

Oxygen Modulates Human Decidual Natural Killer Cell Surface Receptor Expression and Interactions with Trophoblasts1

PubMed Central

Wallace, Alison E.; Goulwara, Sonu S.; Whitley, Guy S.; Cartwright, Judith E.

2014-01-01

Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells have been shown to both promote and inhibit trophoblast behavior important for decidual remodeling in pregnancy and have a distinct phenotype compared to peripheral blood NK cells. We investigated whether different levels of oxygen tension, mimicking the physiological conditions of the decidua in early pregnancy, altered cell surface receptor expression and activity of dNK cells and their interactions with trophoblast. dNK cells were isolated from terminated first-trimester pregnancies and cultured in oxygen tensions of 3%, 10%, and 21% for 24 h. Cell surface receptor expression was examined by flow cytometry, and the effects of secreted factors in conditioned medium (CM) on the trophoblast cell line SGHPL-4 were assessed in vitro. SGHPL-4 cells treated with dNK cell CM incubated in oxygen tensions of 10% were significantly more invasive (P < 0.05) and formed endothelial-like networks to a greater extent (P < 0.05) than SGHPL-4 cells treated with dNK cell CM incubated in oxygen tensions of 3% or 21%. After 24 h, a lower percentage of dNK cells expressed CD56 at 21% oxygen (P < 0.05), and an increased percentage of dNK cells expressed NKG2D at 10% oxygen (P < 0.05) compared to other oxygen tensions, with large patient variation. This study demonstrates dNK cell phenotype and secreted factors are modulated by oxygen tension, which induces changes in trophoblast invasion and endovascular-like differentiation. Alterations in dNK cell surface receptor expression and secreted factors at different oxygen tensions may represent regulation of function within the decidua during the first trimester of pregnancy. PMID:25232021

Adult Palatum as a Novel Source of Neural Crest-Related Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Widera, Darius; Zander, Christin; Heidbreder, Meike; Kasperek, Yvonne; Noll, Thomas; Seitz, Oliver; Saldamli, Belma; Sudhoff, Holger; Sader, Robert; Kaltschmidt, Christian; Kaltschmidt, Barbara

2009-01-01

Somatic neural and neural crest stem cells are promising sources for cellular therapy of several neurodegenerative diseases. However, because of practical considerations such as inadequate accessibility of the source material, the application of neural crest stem cells is strictly limited. The secondary palate is a highly regenerative and heavily innervated tissue, which develops embryonically under direct contribution of neural crest cells. Here, we describe for the first time the presence of nestin-positive neural crest-related stem cells within Meissner corpuscles and Merkel cell-neurite complexes located in the hard palate of adult Wistar rats. After isolation, palatal neural crest-related stem cells (pNC-SCs) were cultivated in the presence of epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor under serum-free conditions, resulting in large amounts of neurospheres. We used immunocytochemical techniques and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to assess the expression profile of pNC-SCs. In addition to the expression of neural crest stem cell markers such as Nestin, Sox2, and p75, we detected the expression of Klf4, Oct4, and c-Myc. pNC-SCs differentiated efficiently into neuronal and glial cells. Finally, we investigated the potential expression of stemness markers within the human palate. We identified expression of stem cell markers nestin and CD133 and the transcription factors needed for reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent cells: Sox2, Oct4, Klf4, and c-Myc. These data show that cells isolated from palatal rugae form neurospheres, are highly plastic, and express neural crest stem cell markers. In addition, pNC-SCs may have the ability to differentiate into functional neurons and glial cells, serving as a starting point for therapeutic studies. Stem Cells 2009;27:1899–1910 PMID:19544446

The TCP4 transcription factor of Arabidopsis blocks cell division in yeast at G1 {yields} S transition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aggarwal, Pooja; Padmanabhan, Bhavna; Bhat, Abhay

2011-07-01

Highlights: {yields} TCP4 is a class II TCP transcription factor, that represses cell division in Arabidopsis. {yields} TCP4 expression in yeast retards cell division by blocking G1 {yields} S transition. {yields} Genome-wide expression studies and Western analysis reveals stabilization of cell cycle inhibitor Sic1, as possible mechanism. -- Abstract: The TCP transcription factors control important aspects of plant development. Members of class I TCP proteins promote cell cycle by regulating genes directly involved in cell proliferation. In contrast, members of class II TCP proteins repress cell division. While it has been postulated that class II proteins induce differentiation signal, theirmore » exact role on cell cycle has not been studied. Here, we report that TCP4, a class II TCP protein from Arabidopsis that repress cell proliferation in developing leaves, inhibits cell division by blocking G1 {yields} S transition in budding yeast. Cells expressing TCP4 protein with increased transcriptional activity fail to progress beyond G1 phase. By analyzing global transcriptional status of these cells, we show that expression of a number of cell cycle genes is altered. The possible mechanism of G1 {yields} S arrest is discussed.« less

Better Prognosis of Patients with Glioma Expressing FGF2-Dependent PDGFRA Irrespective of Morphological Diagnosis

PubMed Central

Chen, Dongfeng; Persson, Annette; Sun, Yingyu; Salford, Leif G.; Nord, David Gisselsson; Englund, Elisabet; Jiang, Tao; Fan, Xiaolong

2013-01-01

Signaling of platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) is critically involved in the development of gliomas. However, the clinical relevance of PDGFRA expression in glioma subtypes and the mechanisms of PDGFRA expression in gliomas have been controversial. Under the supervision of morphological diagnosis, analysis of the GSE16011 and the Repository of Molecular Brain Neoplasia Data (Rembrandt) set revealed enriched PDGFRA expression in low-grade gliomas. However, gliomas with the top 25% of PDGFRA expression levels contained nearly all morphological subtypes, which was associated with frequent IDH1 mutation, 1p LOH, 19q LOH, less EGFR amplification, younger age at disease onset and better survival compared to those gliomas with lower levels of PDGFRA expression. SNP analysis in Rembrandt data set and FISH analysis in eleven low passage glioma cell lines showed infrequent amplification of PDGFRA. Using in vitro culture of these low passage glioma cells, we tested the hypothesis of gliogenic factor dependent expression of PDGFRA in glioma cells. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) was able to maintain PDGFRA expression in glioma cells. FGF2 also induced PDGFRA expression in glioma cells with low or non-detectable PDGFRA expression. FGF2-dependent maintenance of PDGFRA expression was concordant with the maintenance of a subset of gliogenic genes and higher rates of cell proliferation. Further, concordant expression patterns of FGF2 and PDGFRA were detected in glioma samples by immunohistochemical staining. Our findings suggest a role of FGF2 in regulating PDGFRA expression in the subset of gliomas with younger age at disease onset and longer patient survival regardless of their morphological diagnosis. PMID:23630597

Long noncoding RNA PANDA and scaffold-attachment-factor SAFA control senescence entry and exit.

PubMed

Puvvula, Pavan Kumar; Desetty, Rohini Devi; Pineau, Pascal; Marchio, Agnés; Moon, Anne; Dejean, Anne; Bischof, Oliver

2014-11-19

Cellular senescence is a stable cell cycle arrest that limits the proliferation of pre-cancerous cells. Here we demonstrate that scaffold-attachment-factor A (SAFA) and the long noncoding RNA PANDA differentially interact with polycomb repressive complexes (PRC1 and PRC2) and the transcription factor NF-YA to either promote or suppress senescence. In proliferating cells, SAFA and PANDA recruit PRC complexes to repress the transcription of senescence-promoting genes. Conversely, the loss of SAFA-PANDA-PRC interactions allows expression of the senescence programme. Accordingly, we find that depleting either SAFA or PANDA in proliferating cells induces senescence. However, in senescent cells where PANDA sequesters transcription factor NF-YA and limits the expression of NF-YA-E2F-coregulated proliferation-promoting genes, PANDA depletion leads to an exit from senescence. Together, our results demonstrate that PANDA confines cells to their existing proliferative state and that modulating its level of expression can cause entry or exit from senescence.

Effects of Forskolin on Trefoil factor 1 expression in cultured ventral mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons.

PubMed

Jensen, P; Ducray, A D; Widmer, H R; Meyer, M

2015-12-03

Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) belongs to a family of secreted peptides that are mainly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. Notably, TFF1 has been suggested to operate as a neuropeptide, however, its specific cellular expression, regulation and function remain largely unknown. We have previously shown that TFF1 is expressed in developing and adult rat ventral mesencephalic tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) dopaminergic neurons. Here, we investigated the expression of TFF1 in rat ventral mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons (embryonic day 14) grown in culture for 5, 7 or 10 days in the absence (controls) or presence of either glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), Forskolin or the combination. No TFF1-ir cells were identified at day 5 and only a few at day 7, whereas TH was markedly expressed at both time points. At day 10, several TFF1-ir cells were detected, and their numbers were significantly increased after the addition of GDNF (2.2-fold) or Forskolin (4.1-fold) compared to controls. Furthermore, the combination of GDNF and Forskolin had an additive effect and increased the number of TFF1-ir cells by 5.6-fold compared to controls. TFF1 expression was restricted to neuronal cells, and the percentage of TH/TFF1 co-expressing cells was increased to the same extent in GDNF and Forskolin-treated cultures (4-fold) as compared to controls. Interestingly, the combination of GDNF and Forskolin resulted in a significantly increased co-expression (8-fold) of TH/TFF1, which could indicate that GDNF and Forskolin targeted different subpopulations of TH/TFF1 neurons. Short-term treatment with Forskolin resulted in an increased number of TFF1-ir cells, and this effect was significantly reduced by the MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 or the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89, suggesting that Forskolin induced TFF1 expression through diverse signaling pathways. In conclusion, distinct populations of cultured dopaminergic neurons express TFF1, and their numbers can be increased by factors known to influence survival and differentiation of dopaminergic cells. Copyright © 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

p21WAF1 expression induced by MEK/ERK pathway activation or inhibition correlates with growth arrest, myogenic differentiation and onco-phenotype reversal in rhabdomyosarcoma cells

PubMed Central

Ciccarelli, Carmela; Marampon, Francesco; Scoglio, Arianna; Mauro, Annunziata; Giacinti, Cristina; De Cesaris, Paola; Zani, Bianca M

2005-01-01

Background p21WAF1, implicated in the cell cycle control of both normal and malignant cells, can be induced by p53-dependent and independent mechanisms. In some cells, MEKs/ERKs regulate p21WAF1 transcriptionally, while in others they also affect the post-transcriptional processes. In myogenic differentiation, p21WAF1 expression is also controlled by the myogenic transcription factor MyoD. We have previously demonstrated that the embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell line undergoes growth arrest and myogenic differentiation following treatments with TPA and the MEK inhibitor U0126, which respectively activate and inhibit the ERK pathway. In this paper we attempt to clarify the mechanism of ERK-mediated and ERK-independent growth arrest and myogenic differentiation of embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, particularly as regards the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21WAF1. Results p21WAF1 expression and growth arrest are induced in both embryonal (RD) and alveolar (RH30) rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines following TPA or MEK/ERK inhibitor (U0126) treatments, whereas myogenic differentiation is induced in RD cells alone. Furthermore, the TPA-mediated post-transcriptional mechanism of p21WAF1-enhanced expression in RD cells is due to activation of the MEK/ERK pathway, as shown by transfections with constitutively active MEK1 or MEK2, which induces p21WAF1 expression, and with ERK1 and ERK2 siRNA, which prevents p21WAF1 expression. By contrast, U0126-mediated p21WAF1 expression is controlled transcriptionally by the p38 pathway. Similarly, myogenin and MyoD expression is induced both by U0126 and TPA and is prevented by p38 inhibition. Although MyoD and myogenin depletion by siRNA prevents U0126-mediated p21WAF1 expression, the over-expression of these two transcription factors is insufficient to induce p21WAF1. These data suggest that the transcriptional mechanism of p21WAF1 expression in RD cells is rescued when MEK/ERK inhibition relieves the functions of myogenic transcription factors. Notably, the forced expression of p21WAF1 in RD cells causes growth arrest and the reversion of anchorage-independent growth. Conclusion Our data provide evidence of the key role played by the MEK/ERK pathway in the growth arrest of Rhabdomyosarcoma cells. The results of this study suggest that the targeting of MEK/ERKs to rescue p21WAF1 expression and myogenic transcription factor functions leads to the reversal of the Rhabdomyosarcoma phenotype. PMID:16351709

p21WAF1 expression induced by MEK/ERK pathway activation or inhibition correlates with growth arrest, myogenic differentiation and onco-phenotype reversal in rhabdomyosarcoma cells.

PubMed

Ciccarelli, Carmela; Marampon, Francesco; Scoglio, Arianna; Mauro, Annunziata; Giacinti, Cristina; De Cesaris, Paola; Zani, Bianca M

2005-12-13

p21WAF1, implicated in the cell cycle control of both normal and malignant cells, can be induced by p53-dependent and independent mechanisms. In some cells, MEKs/ERKs regulate p21WAF1 transcriptionally, while in others they also affect the post-transcriptional processes. In myogenic differentiation, p21WAF1 expression is also controlled by the myogenic transcription factor MyoD. We have previously demonstrated that the embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell line undergoes growth arrest and myogenic differentiation following treatments with TPA and the MEK inhibitor U0126, which respectively activate and inhibit the ERK pathway. In this paper we attempt to clarify the mechanism of ERK-mediated and ERK-independent growth arrest and myogenic differentiation of embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, particularly as regards the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21WAF1. p21WAF1 expression and growth arrest are induced in both embryonal (RD) and alveolar (RH30) rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines following TPA or MEK/ERK inhibitor (U0126) treatments, whereas myogenic differentiation is induced in RD cells alone. Furthermore, the TPA-mediated post-transcriptional mechanism of p21WAF1-enhanced expression in RD cells is due to activation of the MEK/ERK pathway, as shown by transfections with constitutively active MEK1 or MEK2, which induces p21WAF1 expression, and with ERK1 and ERK2 siRNA, which prevents p21WAF1 expression. By contrast, U0126-mediated p21WAF1 expression is controlled transcriptionally by the p38 pathway. Similarly, myogenin and MyoD expression is induced both by U0126 and TPA and is prevented by p38 inhibition. Although MyoD and myogenin depletion by siRNA prevents U0126-mediated p21WAF1 expression, the over-expression of these two transcription factors is insufficient to induce p21WAF1. These data suggest that the transcriptional mechanism of p21WAF1 expression in RD cells is rescued when MEK/ERK inhibition relieves the functions of myogenic transcription factors. Notably, the forced expression of p21WAF1 in RD cells causes growth arrest and the reversion of anchorage-independent growth. Our data provide evidence of the key role played by the MEK/ERK pathway in the growth arrest of Rhabdomyosarcoma cells. The results of this study suggest that the targeting of MEK/ERKs to rescue p21WAF1 expression and myogenic transcription factor functions leads to the reversal of the Rhabdomyosarcoma phenotype.

Double-stranded RNA transcribed from vector-based oligodeoxynucleotide acts as transcription factor decoy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiao, Xiao; Gang, Yi; Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710038, Shaanxi Province

2015-02-06

Highlights: • A shRNA vector based transcription factor decoy, VB-ODN, was designed. • VB-ODN for NF-κB inhibited cell viability in HEK293 cells. • VB-ODN inhibited expression of downstream genes of target transcription factors. • VB-ODN may enhance nuclear entry ratio for its feasibility of virus production. - Abstract: In this study, we designed a short hairpin RNA vector-based oligodeoxynucleotide (VB-ODN) carrying transcription factor (TF) consensus sequence which could function as a decoy to block TF activity. Specifically, VB-ODN for Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) could inhibit cell viability and decrease downstream gene expression in HEK293 cells without affecting expression of NF-κB itself.more » The specific binding between VB-ODN produced double-stranded RNA and NF-κB was evidenced by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Moreover, similar VB-ODNs designed for three other TFs also inhibit their downstream gene expression but not that of themselves. Our study provides a new design of decoy for blocking TF activity.« less

AGL61 interacts with AGL80 and is required for central cell development in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Steffen, Joshua G; Kang, Il-Ho; Portereiko, Michael F; Lloyd, Alan; Drews, Gary N

2008-09-01

The central cell of the female gametophyte plays a role in pollen tube guidance and in regulating the initiation of endosperm development. Following fertilization, the central cell gives rise to the seed's endosperm, which nourishes the developing embryo within the seed. The molecular mechanisms controlling specification and differentiation of the central cell are poorly understood. We identified AGL61 in a screen for transcription factor genes expressed in the female gametophyte. AGL61 encodes a Type I MADS domain protein, which likely functions as a transcription factor. Consistent with this, an AGL61-green fluorescent protein fusion protein is localized to the nucleus. In the context of the ovule and seed, AGL61 is expressed exclusively in the central cell and early endosperm. agl61 female gametophytes are affected in the central cell specifically. The morphological defects include an overall reduction in size of the central cell and a reduced or absent central cell vacuole. When fertilized with wild-type pollen, agl61 central cells fail to give rise to endosperm. In addition, synergid- and antipodal-expressed genes are ectopically expressed in agl61 central cells. The expression pattern and mutant phenotype of AGL61 are similar to those of AGL80, suggesting that AGL61 may function as a heterodimer with AGL80 within the central cell; consistent with this, AGL61 and AGL80 interact in yeast two-hybrid assays. Together, these data suggest that AGL61 functions as a transcription factor and controls the expression of downstream genes during central cell development.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor expression in U937 foam cells.

PubMed

Yang, Peng-Yuan; Rui, Yao-Cheng; Jin, You-Xin; Li, Tie-Jun; Qiu, Yan; Zhang, Li; Wang, Jie-Song

2003-06-01

To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced by oxidized low density liporotein (ox-LDL) and the inhibitory effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (asODN) on the levels of VEGF protein and mRNA in the U937 foam cells. U937 cells were incubated with ox-LDL 80 mg/L for 48 h, then, the foam cells were treated with asODN (0, 5, 10, and 20 micromol/L). The VEGF concentration in the media was determined by ELISA. The VEGF protein expression level in cells was measured by immuohistochemistry; the positive ratio detected by a morphometrical analysis system was used as the amount of the VEGF expression level. The VEGF mRNA level was examined by Northern blotting. After U937 cells were incubated with ox-LDL, VEGF expression level increased greatly both in the cells and in the media. asODN markedly inhibited the increase of VEGF. After treatment with asODN 20 micromol/L, the VEGF protein concentration in the media decreased by 45.0%, the VEGF positive ratio detected by immuohistochemistry in cells decreased by 64.9%, and the VEGF mRNA level decreased by 47.1%. The expression of VEGF in U937 foam cells was strong. asODN inhibited VEGF expression significantly in U937 foam cells in vitro.

FOXD3 inhibits SCN2A gene transcription in intractable epilepsy cell models.

PubMed

Xiang, Jun; Wen, Fang; Zhang, Lingyun; Zhou, Yu

2018-04-01

The expression of sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 2 (SCN2A) is closely related to the development of epilepsy. This study investigated regulatory element of the SCN2A gene involved in epilepsy. An intractable epilepsy cell model was constructed using hippocampal primary neurons and the SH-SY5Y cell line. SCN2A protein and gene expression in cells as well as the level of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cell culture supernatants was detected. Potential regulatory factors of SCN2A and its upstream regulatory elements were identified using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Finally, the role of the hypothetical transcription factor in epilepsy was examined by using its small interfering RNA (siRNA). Results found that levels of LDH and expression of the hypothetical transcription factor, Forkhead box D3 (FOXD3), was both increased in the model cells, whereas that of SCN2A was decreased. The results of dual-luciferase reporter assays revealed that an upstream region of SCN2A gene spanning from nucleotides -1617 to -1470 was a transcription factor binding region and a trans-acting factor role of FOXD3 was identified in the core region (GGCAAAATTAT). Then the FOXD3 binding site was further verified by the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). After SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with FOXD3 siRNA, the release of LDH into culture supernatants and the LDH expression levels in cells were significantly decreased. SCN2A expression in model cells was increased by knockdown of FOXD3. Therefore, this study demonstrated that FOXD3 is a trans-acting factor of SCN2A, and this mechanism may play a role in cell injury after epilepsy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Production of Zebrafish Offspring from Cultured Female Germline Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Wong, Ten-Tsao; Tesfamichael, Abraham; Collodi, Paul

2013-01-01

Zebrafish female germline stem cell (FGSC) cultures were generated from a transgenic line of fish that expresses Neo and DsRed under the control of the germ cell specific promoter, ziwi [Tg(ziwi:neo);Tg(ziwi:DsRed)]. Homogeneous FGSC cultures were established by G418 selection and continued to express ziwi for more than 6 weeks along with the germ cell markers nanos3, dnd, dazl and vasa. A key component of the cell culture system was the use of a feeder cell line that was initiated from ovaries of a transgenic line of fish [Tg(gsdf:neo)] that expresses Neo controlled by the zebrafish gonadal soma derived factor (gsdf) promoter. The feeder cell line was selected in G418 and engineered to express zebrafish leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif), basic fibroblast growth factor (Fgf2) and glial-cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf). These factors were shown to significantly enhance FGSC growth, survival and germline competency in culture. Results from cell transplantation experiments revealed that the cultured FGSCs were able to successfully colonize the gonad of sterile recipient fish and generate functional gametes. Up to 20% of surviving recipient fish that were injected with the cultured FGSCs were fertile and generated multiple batches of normal offspring for at least 6 months. The FGSC cultures will provide an in vitro system for studies of zebrafish germ cell growth and differentiation and their high frequency of germline transmission following transplantation could form the basis of a stem cell-mediated strategy for gene transfer and manipulation of the zebrafish genome. PMID:23671620

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Greene, Carol Ann, E-mail: carol.greene@auckland.ac.nz; Chang, Chuan-Yuan; Fraser, Cameron J.

Cells thought to be stem cells isolated from the cornea of the eye have been shown to exhibit neurogenic potential. We set out to uncover the identity and location of these cells within the cornea and to elucidate their neuronal protein and gene expression profile during the process of switching to a neuron-like cell. Here we report that every cell of the adult human and rat corneal stroma is capable of differentiating into a neuron-like cell when treated with neurogenic differentiation specifying growth factors. Furthermore, the expression of genes regulating neurogenesis and mature neuronal structure and function was increased. Themore » switch from a corneal stromal cell to a neuron-like cell was also shown to occur in vivo in intact corneas of living rats. Our results clearly indicate that lineage specifying growth factors can affect changes in the protein and gene expression profiles of adult cells, suggesting that possibly many adult cell populations can be made to switch into another type of mature cell by simply modifying the growth factor environment. - Highlights: • Adult corneal stromal cells can differentiated into neuron-like cells. • Neuronal specification of the adult stromal cell population is stochastic. • Neuronal specification in an adult cell population can be brought about by growth factors.« less

Hair growth-promoting effect of Geranium sibiricum extract in human dermal papilla cells and C57BL/6 mice.

PubMed

Boisvert, William A; Yu, Miri; Choi, Youngbin; Jeong, Gi Hee; Zhang, Yi-Lin; Cho, Sunghun; Choi, Changsun; Lee, Sanghyun; Lee, Bog-Hieu

2017-02-13

Geranium sibiricum L. has been used as a medicinal plant to treat diarrhea, bacterial infection, and cancer in Bulgaria, Peru, and Korea. However, its hair growth-promoting effect was not investigated so far. This study examined the effects of Geranium sibiricum L. extract (GSE) on hair growth, using in vitro and in vivo models. Antioxidant, proliferation and migration assay of GSE was performed with human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Hair-growth promoting effect was measured in animal model. Relative expression of interleukin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta 1 was determined by real time RT-PCR. Expression of Ki-67 and stem cell factor were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. GSE treatment proliferated and migrated human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) more than treatment of 10 μM minoxidil. GSE significantly stimulated the expression of Ki-67 protein and the mRNA levels of hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in hDPCs. Topical application of 1,000 ppm GSE for 3 weeks promoted more significant hair growth on shaved C57BL/6 mice than did 5% minoxidil. The histological morphology of hair follicles demonstrated an active anagen phase with the induction of stem cell factor. GSE treatment significantly reduced the number of mast cells and the expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 in mouse skin tissues. These results demonstrated that GSE promotes hair growth in vitro and in vivo by regulating growth factors and the cellular response.

Age-related guanine nucleotide exchange factor, mouse Zizimin2, induces filopodia in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background We recently isolated and identified Zizimin2 as a functional factor that is highly expressed in murine splenic germinal center B cells after immunization with T-cell-dependent antigen. Zizimin2 was revealed to be a new family member of Dock (dedicator of cytokinesis), Dock11, which is the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Cdc42, a low-molecular-weight GTPase. However, the molecular function of Zizimin2 in acquired immunity has not been elucidated. Results In this study, we show that the protein expression of Zizimin2, which is also restricted to lymphoid tissues and lymphocytes, is reduced in aged mice. Over-expression of full-length Zizimin2 induced filopodial formation in 293T cells, whereas expression of CZH2 domain inhibited it. Stimulation of Fcγ receptor and Toll-like receptor 4 triggered Zizimin2 up-regulation and Cdc42 activation in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Conclusions These data suggest that Zizimin2 is an immune-related and age-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor, which facilitates filopodial formation through activation of Cdc42, which results in activation of cell migration. PMID:22494997

Gene expression analysis of pig cumulus-oocyte complexes stimulated in vitro with follicle stimulating hormone or epidermal growth factor-like peptides.

PubMed

Blaha, Milan; Nemcova, Lucie; Kepkova, Katerina Vodickova; Vodicka, Petr; Prochazka, Radek

2015-10-06

The gonadotropin-induced resumption of oocyte meiosis in preovulatory follicles is preceded by expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like peptides, amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG), in mural granulosa and cumulus cells. Both the gonadotropins and the EGF-like peptides possess the capacity to stimulate resumption of oocyte meiosis in vitro via activation of a broad signaling network in cumulus cells. To better understand the rapid genomic actions of gonadotropins (FSH) and EGF-like peptides, we analyzed transcriptomes of cumulus cells at 3 h after their stimulation. We hybridized aRNA from cumulus cells to a pig oligonucleotide microarray and compared the transcriptomes of FSH- and AREG/EREG-stimulated cumulus cells with untreated control cells and vice versa. The identified over- and underexpressed genes were subjected to functional genomic analysis according to their molecular and cellular functions. The expression pattern of 50 selected genes with a known or potential function in ovarian development was verified by real-time qRT-PCR. Both FSH and AREG/EREG increased the expression of genes associated with regulation of cell proliferation, cell migration, blood coagulation and extracellular matrix remodeling. FSH alone induced the expression of genes involved in inflammatory response and in the response to reactive oxygen species. Moreover, FSH stimulated the expression of genes closely related to some ovulatory events either exclusively or significantly more than AREG/EREG (AREG, ADAMTS1, HAS2, TNFAIP6, PLAUR, PLAT, and HSD17B7). In contrast to AREG/EREG, FSH also increased the expression of genes coding for key transcription factors (CEBPB, FOS, ID1/3, and NR5A2), which may contribute to the differing expression profiles of FSH- and AREG/EREG-treated cumulus cells. The impact of FSH on cumulus cell gene transcription was higher than the impact of EGF-like factors in terms of the number of cell functions affected as well as the number of over- and underexpressed genes. Both FSH and EGF-like factors overexpressed genes involved in the post-ovulatory switch in steroidogenesis and tissue remodelling. However, FSH was remarkably more efficient in the up-regulation of several specific genes essential for ovulation of matured oocytes and also genes that been reported to play an important role in maturation of cumulus-enclosed oocytes in vitro.

Ligand independent aryl hydrocarbon receptor inhibits lung cancer cell invasion by degradation of Smad4.

PubMed

Lee, Chen-Chen; Yang, Wen-Hao; Li, Ching-Hao; Cheng, Yu-Wen; Tsai, Chi-Hao; Kang, Jaw-Jou

2016-07-01

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent-activated transcriptional factor that regulates the metabolism of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds. Although AhR plays a crucial role in air toxicant-induced carcinogenesis, AhR expression was shown to negatively regulate tumorigenesis. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of AhR without ligand treatment on cancer invasion in lung cancer cell lines. Lung cancer cells expressing lower levels of AhR showed higher invasion ability (H1299 cells) compared with cells expressing higher levels of AhR (A549 cells). Overexpression of AhR in H1299 cells inhibited the invasion ability. We found that vimentin expression was inhibited in AhR-overexpressing H1299 cells. Additionally, the expression of EMT-related transcriptional factors Snail and ID-1 decreased. Interestingly, we found that Smad4 degradation was induced in AhR-overexpressing H1299 cells. Our data showed that AhR could interact with Jun-activation domain binding protein (Jab1) and Smad4, which may cause degradation of Smad4 by the proteasome. Our data suggest that AhR affects the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway by inducing Smad4 degradation by the proteasome and suppressing tumor metastasis via epithelial to mesenchymal transition reduction in lung cancer cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Janus-faced roles of Krüppel-like factor 4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

PubMed

Li, Wenwen; Liu, Man; Su, Ying; Zhou, Xinying; Liu, Yao; Zhang, Xinyan

2015-12-29

Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc-finger transcription factor that regulates many essential processes, including development and cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Along with these roles in normal cells and tissues, KLF4 has important tumor suppressive and oncogenic functions in some malignancies. However, the roles of KLF4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma remain unclear. This study investigated the epigenetic alterations and possible roles of KLF4 in oral cancer carcinogenesis. Notably, KLF4 expression was significantly decreased in human oral cancer tissues compared with healthy controls, and KLF4 promoter hypermethylation contributed to the suppression of KLF4 expression. KLF4 expression was associated with tumor grade. Its expression was much lower in poorly differentiated oral cancers than in well-differentiated cancer cells. KLF4 exerted its antitumor activity in vitro and/or in vivo by inhibiting cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell colony formation and by inducing apoptosis. In addition, KLF4 over-expression promoted oral cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro. Knockdown of KLF4 promoted oral cancer cells growth and colony formation, and simultaneously inhibited cell migration and invasion. Mechanistic studies revealed that MMP-9 might contribute to KLF4-mediated cell migration and invasion. These results provide evidence that KLF4 might play Janus-faced roles in oral cancer carcinogenesis, acting both as a tumor suppressor and as an oncogene.

MSX-1 gene expression and regulation in embryonic palatal tissue.

PubMed

Nugent, P; Greene, R M

1998-01-01

The palatal cleft seen in Msx-1 knock-out mice suggests a role for this gene in normal palate development. The cleft is presumed secondary to tooth and jaw malformations, since in situ hybridization suggests that Msx-1 mRNA is not highly expressed in developing palatal tissue. In this study we demonstrate, by Northern blot analysis, the expression of Msx-1, but not Msx-2, in the developing palate and in primary cultures of murine embryonic palate mesenchymal cells. Furthermore, we propose a role for Msx-1 in retinoic acid-induced cleft palate, since retinoic acid inhibits Msx-1 mRNA expression in palate mesenchymal cells. We also demonstrate that transforming growth factor beta inhibits Msx-1 mRNA expression in palate mesenchymal cells, with retinoic acid and transforming growth factor beta acting synergistically when added simultaneously to these cells. These data suggest a mechanistic interaction between retinoic acid, transforming growth factor beta, and Msx-1 in the etiology of retinoic acid-induced cleft palate.

Differential expression of FGF receptors and of myogenic regulatory factors in primary cultures of satellite cells originating from fast (EDL) and slow (Soleus) twitch rat muscles.

PubMed

Martelly, I; Soulet, L; Bonnavaud, S; Cebrian, J; Gautron, J; Barritault, D

2000-11-01

In the rat, the fast and slow twitch muscles respectively Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and Soleus present differential characteristics during regeneration. This suggests that their satellite cells responsible for muscle growth and repair represent distinct cellular populations. We have previously shown that satellite cells dissociated from Soleus and grown in vitro proliferate more readily than those isolated from EDL muscle. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are known as regulators of myoblast proliferation and several studies have revealed a relationship between the response of myoblasts to FGF and the expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRF) of the MyoD family by myoblasts. Therefore, we presently examined the possibility that the satellite cells isolated from EDL and Soleus muscles differ in the expression of FGF receptors (FGF-R) and of MRF expression. FGF-R1 and -R4 were strongly expressed in proliferating cultures whereas FGF-R2 and R3 were not detected in these cultures. In differentiating cultures, only -R1 was present in EDL satellite cells while FGF-R4 was also still expressed in Soleus cells. Interestingly, the unconventional receptor for FGF called cystein rich FGF receptor (CFR), of yet unknown function, was mainly detected in EDL satellite cell cultures. Soleus and EDL satellite cell cultures also differed in the expression MRFs. These results are consistent with the notion that satellite cells from fast and slow twitch muscles belong to different types of myogenic cells and suggest that satellite cells might play distinct roles in the formation and diversification of fast and slow fibres.

Prohibitin 2 Regulates the Proliferation and Lineage-Specific Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Mitochondria

PubMed Central

Komazaki, Shinji; Enomoto, Kei; Seki, Yasuhiro; Wang, Ying Ying; Ishigaki, Yohei; Ninomiya, Naoto; Noguchi, Taka-aki K.; Kokubu, Yuko; Ohnishi, Keigoh; Nakajima, Yoshiro; Kato, Kaoru; Intoh, Atsushi; Takada, Hitomi; Yamakawa, Norio; Wang, Pi-Chao; Asashima, Makoto; Kurisaki, Akira

2014-01-01

Background The pluripotent state of embryonic stem (ES) cells is controlled by a network of specific transcription factors. Recent studies also suggested the significant contribution of mitochondria on the regulation of pluripotent stem cells. However, the molecules involved in these regulations are still unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we found that prohibitin 2 (PHB2), a pleiotrophic factor mainly localized in mitochondria, is a crucial regulatory factor for the homeostasis and differentiation of ES cells. PHB2 was highly expressed in undifferentiated mouse ES cells, and the expression was decreased during the differentiation of ES cells. Knockdown of PHB2 induced significant apoptosis in pluripotent ES cells, whereas enhanced expression of PHB2 contributed to the proliferation of ES cells. However, enhanced expression of PHB2 strongly inhibited ES cell differentiation into neuronal and endodermal cells. Interestingly, only PHB2 with intact mitochondrial targeting signal showed these specific effects on ES cells. Moreover, overexpression of PHB2 enhanced the processing of a dynamin-like GTPase (OPA1) that regulates mitochondrial fusion and cristae remodeling, which could induce partial dysfunction of mitochondria. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that PHB2 is a crucial mitochondrial regulator for homeostasis and lineage-specific differentiation of ES cells. PMID:24709813

Hexamethylenebisacetamide (HMBA) is a growth factor for human, ovine and porcine thyroid cells.

PubMed

Fayet, G; Amphoux-Fazekas, T; Aouani, A; Hovsépian, S

1996-03-01

Hexamethylenebisacetamide (HMBA) provokes in murine erythroleukemia cells (MELC) a commitment to terminal differentiation leading to the activation of the expression of hemoglobin. HMBA has been tested also in other cells from colon cancer, melanoma or lung cancer. However it has not yet been tested in the thyroid. We demonstrate in this paper that HMBA in kinetics and concentration-response experiments increases the proliferation of human thyroid cells isolated from Graves'-Basedow patients. It also acts like a growth factor for ovine and porcine thyroid cells, respectively, from the OVNIS line and the ATHOS line. This molecule which is a differentiating factor in the MELC system and a growth factor in human thyroid cell cultures represents a potential to get human thyroid cell lines expressing specialized functions.

Defining the role of mesenchymal stromal cells on the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases in skeletal muscle cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sassoli, Chiara; Nosi, Daniele; Tani, Alessia

Recent studies indicate that mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation improves healing of injured and diseased skeletal muscle, although the mechanisms of benefit are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated whether MSCs and/or their trophic factors were able to regulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity in different cells of the muscle tissue. MSCs in co-culture with C2C12 cells or their conditioned medium (MSC-CM) up-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and function in the myoblastic cells; these effects were concomitant with the down-regulation of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and -2 and with increased cell motility. In the singlemore » muscle fiber experiments, MSC-CM administration increased MMP-2/9 expression in Pax-7{sup +} satellite cells and stimulated their mobilization, differentiation and fusion. The anti-fibrotic properties of MSC-CM involved also the regulation of MMPs by skeletal fibroblasts and the inhibition of their differentiation into myofibroblasts. The treatment with SB-3CT, a potent MMP inhibitor, prevented in these cells, the decrease of α-smooth actin and type-I collagen expression induced by MSC-CM, suggesting that MSC-CM could attenuate the fibrogenic response through mechanisms mediated by MMPs. Our results indicate that growth factors and cytokines released by these cells may modulate the fibrotic response and improve the endogenous mechanisms of muscle repair/regeneration. - Highlights: • MSC-CM contains paracrine factors that up-regulate MMP expression and function in different skeletal muscle cells. • MSC-CM promotes myoblast and satellite cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. • MSC-CM negatively interferes with fibroblast-myoblast transition in primary skeletal fibroblasts. • Paracrine factors from MSCs modulate the fibrotic response and improve the endogenous mechanisms of muscle regeneration.« less

Xin, an actin binding protein, is expressed within muscle satellite cells and newly regenerated skeletal muscle fibers.

PubMed

Hawke, Thomas J; Atkinson, Daniel J; Kanatous, Shane B; Van der Ven, Peter F M; Goetsch, Sean C; Garry, Daniel J

2007-11-01

Xin is a muscle-specific actin binding protein of which its role and regulation within skeletal muscle is not well understood. Here we demonstrate that Xin mRNA is robustly upregulated (>16-fold) within 12 h of skeletal muscle injury and is localized to the muscle satellite cell population. RT-PCR confirmed the expression pattern of Xin during regeneration, as well as within primary muscle myoblast cultures, but not other known stem cell populations. Immunohistochemical staining of single myofibers demonstrate Xin expression colocalized with the satellite cell marker Syndecan-4 further supporting the mRNA expression of Xin in satellite cells. In situ hybridization of regenerating muscle 5-7 days postinjury illustrates Xin expression within newly regenerated myofibers. Promoter-reporter assays demonstrate that known myogenic transcription factors [myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2), myogenic differentiation-1 (MyoD), and myogenic factor-5 (Myf-5)] transactivate Xin promoter constructs supporting the muscle-specific expression of Xin. To determine the role of Xin within muscle precursor cells, proliferation, migration, and differentiation analysis using Xin, short hairpin RNA (shRNA) were undertaken in C2C12 myoblasts. Reducing endogenous Xin expression resulted in a 26% increase (P < 0.05) in cell proliferation and a 20% increase (P < 0.05) in myoblast migratory capacity. Skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain protein levels were increased (P < 0.05) with Xin shRNA administration; however, this was not accompanied by changes in myoglobin protein (another marker of differentiation) nor overt morphological differences relative to differentiating control cells. Taken together, the present findings support the hypothesis that Xin is expressed within muscle satellite cells during skeletal muscle regeneration and is involved in the regulation of myoblast function.

Targeted taste cell-specific overexpression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adult taste buds elevates phosphorylated TrkB protein levels in taste cells, increases taste bud size, and promotes gustatory innervation.

PubMed

Nosrat, Irina V; Margolskee, Robert F; Nosrat, Christopher A

2012-05-11

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most potent neurotrophic factor in the peripheral taste system during embryonic development. It is also expressed in adult taste buds. There is a lack of understanding of the role of BDNF in the adult taste system. To address this, we generated novel transgenic mice in which transgene expression was driven by an α-gustducin promoter coupling BDNF expression to the postnatal expression of gustducin in taste cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly stronger BDNF labeling in taste cells of high BDNF-expressing mouse lines compared with controls. We show that taste buds in these mice are significantly larger and have a larger number of taste cells compared with controls. To examine whether innervation was affected in Gust-BDNF mice, we used antibodies to neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and ATP receptor P2X3. The total density of general innervation and specifically the gustatory innervation was markedly increased in high BDNF-expressing mice compared with controls. TrkB and NCAM gene expression in laser capture microdissected taste epithelia were significantly up-regulated in these mice. Up-regulation of TrkB transcripts in taste buds and elevated taste cell-specific TrkB phosphorylation in response to increased BDNF levels indicate that BDNF controls the expression and activation of its high affinity receptor in taste cells. This demonstrates a direct taste cell function for BDNF. BDNF also orchestrates and maintains taste bud innervation. We propose that the Gust-BDNF transgenic mouse models can be employed to further dissect the specific roles of BDNF in the adult taste system.

Targeted Taste Cell-specific Overexpression of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Adult Taste Buds Elevates Phosphorylated TrkB Protein Levels in Taste Cells, Increases Taste Bud Size, and Promotes Gustatory Innervation*

PubMed Central

Nosrat, Irina V.; Margolskee, Robert F.; Nosrat, Christopher A.

2012-01-01

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most potent neurotrophic factor in the peripheral taste system during embryonic development. It is also expressed in adult taste buds. There is a lack of understanding of the role of BDNF in the adult taste system. To address this, we generated novel transgenic mice in which transgene expression was driven by an α-gustducin promoter coupling BDNF expression to the postnatal expression of gustducin in taste cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly stronger BDNF labeling in taste cells of high BDNF-expressing mouse lines compared with controls. We show that taste buds in these mice are significantly larger and have a larger number of taste cells compared with controls. To examine whether innervation was affected in Gust-BDNF mice, we used antibodies to neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and ATP receptor P2X3. The total density of general innervation and specifically the gustatory innervation was markedly increased in high BDNF-expressing mice compared with controls. TrkB and NCAM gene expression in laser capture microdissected taste epithelia were significantly up-regulated in these mice. Up-regulation of TrkB transcripts in taste buds and elevated taste cell-specific TrkB phosphorylation in response to increased BDNF levels indicate that BDNF controls the expression and activation of its high affinity receptor in taste cells. This demonstrates a direct taste cell function for BDNF. BDNF also orchestrates and maintains taste bud innervation. We propose that the Gust-BDNF transgenic mouse models can be employed to further dissect the specific roles of BDNF in the adult taste system. PMID:22442142

Nemo-like kinase (NLK) expression in osteoblastic cells and suppression of osteoblastic differentiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nifuji, Akira, E-mail: nifuji-a@tsurumi-u.ac.jp; Department of Pharmacology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama; Ideno, Hisashi

2010-04-15

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate proliferation and differentiation in osteoblasts. The vertebral homologue of nemo, nemo-like kinase (NLK), is an atypical MAPK that targets several signaling components, including the T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/Lef1) transcription factor. Recent studies have shown that NLK forms a complex with the histone H3-K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 and suppresses peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma:: action in the mesenchymal cell line ST2. Here we investigated whether NLK regulates osteoblastic differentiation. We showed that NLK mRNA is expressed in vivo in osteoblasts at embryonic day 18.5 (E18.5) mouse calvariae. By using retrovirus vectors, we performed forced expression of NLKmore » in primary calvarial osteoblasts (pOB cells) and the mesenchymal cell line ST2. Wild-type NLK (NLK-WT) suppressed alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of bone marker genes such as alkaline phosphatase, type I procollagen, runx2, osterix, steopontin and osteocalcin in these cells. NLK-WT also decreased type I collagen protein expression in pOB and ST2 cells. Furthermore, mineralized nodule formation was reduced in pOB cells overexpressing NLK-WT. In contrast, kinase-negative form of NLK (NLK-KN) did not suppress or partially suppress ALP activity and bone marker gene expression in pOB and ST2 cells. NLK-KN did not suppress nodule formation in pOB cells. In addition to forced expression, suppression of endogenous NLK expression by siRNA increased bone marker gene expression in pOB and ST2 cells. Finally, transcriptional activity analysis of gene promoters revealed that NLK-WT suppressed Wnt1 activation of TOP flash promoter and Runx2 activation of the osteocalcin promoter. Taken together, these results suggest that NLK negatively regulates osteoblastic differentiation.« less

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor does not promote transformation but confers a growth advantage in vivo to Chinese hamster ovary cells.

PubMed Central

Ferrara, N; Winer, J; Burton, T; Rowland, A; Siegel, M; Phillips, H S; Terrell, T; Keller, G A; Levinson, A D

1993-01-01

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mitogen with a specificity for endothelial cells in vitro and an angiogenic inducer in vivo. We tested the hypothesis that VEGF may confer on expressing cells a growth advantage in vivo. Dihydrofolatereductase--Chinese hamster ovary cells were transfected with expression vectors which direct the constitutive synthesis of VEGF. Neither the expression nor the exogenous administration of VEGF stimulated anchorage-dependent or anchorage-independent growth of Chinese hamster ovary cells in vitro. However, VEGF-expressing clones, unlike control cells, demonstrated an ability to proliferate in nude mice. Histologic examination revealed that the proliferative lesions were compact, well vascularized, and nonedematous. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that capillaries within the lesions were of the continuous type. These findings indicate that the expression of VEGF may confer on cells the ability to grow in vivo in the absence of transformation by purely paracrine mechanisms. Since VEGF is a widely distributed protein, this property may have relevance for a variety of physiological and pathological proliferative processes. Images PMID:8423215

qFlow Cytometry-Based Receptoromic Screening: A High-Throughput Quantification Approach Informing Biomarker Selection and Nanosensor Development.

PubMed

Chen, Si; Weddell, Jared; Gupta, Pavan; Conard, Grace; Parkin, James; Imoukhuede, Princess I

2017-01-01

Nanosensor-based detection of biomarkers can improve medical diagnosis; however, a critical factor in nanosensor development is deciding which biomarker to target, as most diseases present several biomarkers. Biomarker-targeting decisions can be informed via an understanding of biomarker expression. Currently, immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the accepted standard for profiling biomarker expression. While IHC provides a relative mapping of biomarker expression, it does not provide cell-by-cell readouts of biomarker expression or absolute biomarker quantification. Flow cytometry overcomes both these IHC challenges by offering biomarker expression on a cell-by-cell basis, and when combined with calibration standards, providing quantitation of biomarker concentrations: this is known as qFlow cytometry. Here, we outline the key components for applying qFlow cytometry to detect biomarkers within the angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor receptor family. The key aspects of the qFlow cytometry methodology include: antibody specificity testing, immunofluorescent cell labeling, saturation analysis, fluorescent microsphere calibration, and quantitative analysis of both ensemble and cell-by-cell data. Together, these methods enable high-throughput quantification of biomarker expression.

Effect of interferon-gamma on complement gene expression in different cell types.

PubMed

Lappin, D F; Guc, D; Hill, A; McShane, T; Whaley, K

1992-01-15

We have studied the expression of the complement components C2, C3, factor B, C1 inhibitor (C1-inh), C4-binding protein (C4-bp) and factor H in human peripheral blood monocytes, skin fibroblasts, umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the human hepatoma cell line G2 (Hep G2) in the absence and the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). E.l.i.s.a. performed on culture fluids, run-on transcription assays, Northern blot and double-dilution dot-blot techniques confirmed that monocytes expressed all six components, whereas fibroblasts, HUVEC and HepG2 each expressed five of the six components. Fibroblasts and HUVEC did not synthesize C4-bp, and Hep G2 did not produce factor H. In addition to these differences, the synthesis rates of C3, C1-inh and factor H were not the same in all cell types. However, the synthesis rates of C2 and factor B were similar in all four cell types. The half-lives of the mRNAs were shorter in monocytes than in other cell types. Monocyte factor H mRNA had a half-life of 12 min in monocytes, compared with over 3 h in fibroblasts and HUVEC. The instability of factor H mRNA in monocytes may contribute to their low factor H secretion rate. IFN-gamma produced dose-dependent stimulation of C2, factor B, C1-inh, C4-bp and factor H synthesis by all cell types expressing these proteins, but decreased C3 synthesis in all four cell types. Cell-specific differences in the response to IFN-gamma were observed. The increased rates of transcription of the C1-inh and factor H genes in HUVEC were greater than in other cell types, while the increased rate of transcription of the C2, factor B and C1-inh genes in Hep G2 cells was less than in other cell types. IFN-gamma did not affect the stability of C3, factor H or C4 bp mRNAs, but increased the stability of factor B and C1-inh mRNAs and decreased the stability of C2 mRNA. Although these changes occurred in all four cell types studied, the half-life of C1-inh mRNA in monocytes was increased almost 4-fold, whereas the increases in the other cell types were less than 30%. These data show that the constitutive synthesis rates of complement components may vary in the different cell types. They also show that the degree of change in synthesis rates in response to IFN-gamma in each of the cell types often varies due to differences in transcriptional response, sometimes in association with changes in mRNA stability.

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase regulates vascular endothelial growth factor expression via human papillomavirus oncogene E7 in HPV-18-positive cervical cancer cells.

PubMed

Li, Fang; Cui, Jinquan

2015-07-01

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection induces chronic and precancerous lesions and results in invasive cervical cancer. Human telomerase as well as inflammatory and angiogenic factors such as telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could play a role in regulating HPV-induced cervical cancer. This study investigated underlying molecular events in HPV-induced HPV-positive cervical cancer through hTERT and VEGF in vitro. Expressions of hTERT, a rate-limiting subunit of telomerase, and VEGF mRNA and proteins were, respectively, assessed by qRT-PCR, ELISA, and TRAP-ELISA in HPV-positive tissue samples and cervical cancer cell lines. To assess hTERT and VEGF secretion, hTERT overexpression and knockdown were conducted in HPV-18-positive Hela cells by hTERT cDNA and shRNA transfection, respectively. Then, the effect of HPV E6 and E7 on VEGF expressions was assessed in HPV-negative cervical cancer cells. Data have shown that VEGF expression levels are associated with hTERT expressions and telomerase activity in HPV-positive cervical cancer tissues and cells. Knockdown of hTERT expression down-regulated VEGF expressions, whereas overexpression of hTERT up-regulated VEGF expressions in HPV-18-positive Hela cells. Furthermore, HPV E7 oncoprotein was necessary for hTERT to up-regulate VEGF expressions in HPV-negative cervical cancer cells. Data from this current study indicate that HPV oncoproteins up-regulated hTERT and telomerase activity and in turn promoted VEGF expressions, which could be a key mechanism for HPV-induced cervical cancer development and progression.

Neurotrophin regulation of sodium and calcium channels in human neuroblastoma cells.

PubMed

Urbano, F J; Buño, W

2000-01-01

Neurotrophins, acting through tyrosine kinase family genes, are essential for neuronal differentiation. The expression of tyrosine kinase family genes is prognostic in neuroblastoma, and neurotrophins reduce proliferation and induce differentiation, indicating that neuroblastomas are regulated by neurotrophins. We tested the effects of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor on Na(+) and Ca(2+) currents, using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, in human neuroblastoma NB69 cells. Control cells exhibited a slow tetrodotoxin-resistant (IC(50)=98 nM) Na(+) current and a high-voltage-activated Ca(2+) current. Exposure to nerve growth factor (50 ng/ml) and/or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (5 ng/ml) produced the expression of a fast tetrodotoxin-sensitive (IC(50)=10 nM) Na(+) current after day 3, and suppressed the slow tetrodotoxin-resistant variety. The same type of high-voltage-activated Ca(2+) current was expressed in control and treated cells. The treatment increased the surface density of both Na(+) and Ca(2+) currents with time after plating, from 17 pA/pF at days 3-5 and 1-5 to 34 and 30 pA/pF after days 6-10, respectively. Therefore, both nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, acting through different receptors of the tyrosine kinase family and also possibly the tumor necrosis factor receptor-II, were able to regulate differentiation and the expression of Na(+) and Ca(2+) channels, partially reproducing the modifications induced by diffusible astroglial factors. We show that neurotrophins induced differentiation to a neuronal phenotype and modified the expression of Na(+) and Ca(2+) currents, partially reproducing the effects of diffusible astroglial factors.

Immunoregulatory effects of human dental pulp-derived stem cells on T cells: comparison of transwell co-culture and mixed lymphocyte reaction systems.

PubMed

Demircan, Pinar Cetinalp; Sariboyaci, Ayla Eker; Unal, Zehra Seda; Gacar, Gulcin; Subasi, Cansu; Karaoz, Erdal

2011-11-01

BACKGROUND AIMS. Studies performed using human and animal models have indicated the immunoregulatory capability of mesenchymal stromal cells in several lineages. We investigated whether human dental pulp-derived stem cells (hDP-SC) have regulatory effects on phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated CD3(+) T cells. We aimed to define the regulatory mechanisms associated with hDP-SC that occur in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and transwell systems with PHA-CD3(+) T cells and hDP-SC at a ratio of 1:1. METHODS. Proliferation, apoptosis and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines of PHA-CD3(+)T cells, the expression of Regulatory T cells (Treg) markers and some regulatory factors related to hDP-SC, were studied in Both transwell and MLR are co-cultures systems. RESULTS. Anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of hDP-SC were determined in co-culture systems. Elevated expression levels of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-β1, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1)-1, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by hDP-SC were detected in the co-culture systems. We observed decreased expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-2, IL-6 receptor (R), IL-12, Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] and increased expression levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine [inducible protein (IP)-10] from PHA-CD3(+) T cells in the transwell system. Expression of Treg (CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+)) markers was significantly induced by hDP-SC in both co-culture systems. We observed apoptosis of PHA-CD3(+) T cells with 24 h using time-lapse camera photographs and active caspase labeling; it is likely that paracrine soluble factors and molecular signals secreted by hDP-SC led this apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS. We suggest that hDP-SC have potent immunoregulatory functions because of their soluble factors and cytokines via paracrine mechanisms associated with PHA-CD3(+) T cells, which could contribute to clinical therapies.

Deciphering the role of the signal- and Sty1 kinase-dependent phosphorylation of the stress-responsive transcription factor Atf1 on gene activation.

PubMed

Salat-Canela, Clàudia; Paulo, Esther; Sánchez-Mir, Laura; Carmona, Mercè; Ayté, José; Oliva, Baldo; Hidalgo, Elena

2017-08-18

Adaptation to stress triggers the most dramatic shift in gene expression in fission yeast ( Schizosaccharomyces pombe ), and this response is driven by signaling via the MAPK Sty1. Upon activation, Sty1 accumulates in the nucleus and stimulates expression of hundreds of genes via the nuclear transcription factor Atf1, including expression of atf1 itself. However, the role of stress-induced, Sty1-mediated Atf1 phosphorylation in transcriptional activation is unclear. To this end, we expressed Atf1 phosphorylation mutants from a constitutive promoter to uncouple Atf1 activity from endogenous, stress-activated Atf1 expression. We found that cells expressing a nonphosphorylatable Atf1 variant are sensitive to oxidative stress because of impaired transcription of a subset of stress genes whose expression is also controlled by another transcription factor, Pap1. Furthermore, cells expressing a phospho-mimicking Atf1 mutant display enhanced stress resistance, and although expression of the Pap1-dependent genes still relied on stress induction, another subset of stress-responsive genes was constitutively expressed in these cells. We also observed that, in cells expressing the phospho-mimicking Atf1 mutant, the presence of Sty1 was completely dispensable, with all stress defects of Sty1-deficient cells being suppressed by expression of the Atf1 mutant. We further demonstrated that Sty1-mediated Atf1 phosphorylation does not stimulate binding of Atf1 to DNA but, rather, establishes a platform of interactions with the basal transcriptional machinery to facilitate transcription initiation. In summary, our results provide evidence that Atf1 phosphorylation by the MAPK Sty1 is required for oxidative stress responses in fission yeast cells by promoting transcription initiation. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Supplementation of conventional freezing medium with a combination of catalase and trehalose results in better protection of surface molecules and functionality of hematopoietic cells.

PubMed

Sasnoor, Lalita M; Kale, Vaijayanti P; Limaye, Lalita S

2003-10-01

Our previous studies had shown that a combination of the bio-antioxidant catalase and the membrane stabilizer trehalose in the conventional freezing mixture affords better cryoprotection to hematopoietic cells as judged by clonogenic assays. In the present investigation, we extended these studies using several parameters like responsiveness to growth factors, expression of growth factor receptors, adhesion assays, adhesion molecule expression, and long-term culture-forming ability. Cells were frozen with (test cells) or without additives (control cells) in the conventional medium containing 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Experiments were done on mononuclear cells (MNC) from cord blood/fetal liver hematopoietic cells (CB/FL) and CD34(+) cells isolated from frozen MNC. Our results showed that the responsiveness of test cells to the two early-acting cytokines, viz. interleukin-3 (IL-3) and stem cell factor (SCF) in CFU assays was better than control cells as seen by higher colony formation at limiting concentrations of these cytokines. We, therefore, analyzed the expression of these two growth factor receptors by flow cytometry. We found that in cryopreserved test MNC, as well as CD34(+) cells isolated from them, the expression of both cytokine receptors was two- to three-fold higher than control MNC and CD34(+) cells isolated from them. Adhesion assays carried out with CB/FL-derived CD34(+) cells and KG1a cells showed significantly higher adherence of test cells to M210B4 than respective control cells. Cryopreserved test MNC as well as CD34(+) cells isolated from them showed increased expression of adhesion molecules like CD43, CD44, CD49d, and CD49e. On isolated CD34(+) cells and KG1a cells, there was a two- to three-fold increase in a double-positive population expressing CD34/L-selectin in test cells as compared to control cells. Long-term cultures (LTC) were set up with frozen MNC as well as with CD34(+) cells. Clonogenic cells from LTC were enumerated at the end of the fifth week. There was a significantly increased formation of CFU from test cells than from control cells, indicating better preservation of early progenitors in test cells. Our results suggest that use of a combination of catalase and trehalose as a supplement in the conventional freezing medium results in better protection of growth factor receptors, adhesion molecules, and functionality of hematopoietic cells, yielding a better graft quality.

The Transcription Factor Bright Plays a Role in Marginal Zone B Lymphocyte Development and Autoantibody Production

PubMed Central

Oldham, Athenia L.; Miner, Cathrine A.; Wang, Hong-Cheng; Webb, Carol F.

2011-01-01

Previous data suggested that constitutive expression of the transcription factor Bright (B cell regulator of immunoglobulin heavy chain transcription), normally tightly regulated during B cell differentiation, was associated with autoantibody production. Here we show that constitutive Bright expression results in skewing of mature B lineage subpopulations toward marginal zone cells at the expense of the follicular subpopulation. C57Bl/6 transgenic mice constitutively expressing Bright in B lineage cells generated autoantibodies that were not the result of global increases in immunoglobulin or of breaches in key tolerance checkpoints typically defective in other autoimmune mouse models. Rather, autoimmunity correlated with increased numbers of marginal zone B cells and alterations in the phenotype and gene expression profiles of lymphocytes within the follicular B cell compartment. These data suggest a novel role for Bright in the normal development of mature B cell subsets and in autoantibody production. PMID:21963220

Transcription factors YY1, Sp1 and Sp3 modulate dystrophin Dp71 gene expression in hepatic cells.

PubMed

Peñuelas-Urquides, Katia; Becerril-Esquivel, Carolina; Mendoza-de-León, Laura C; Silva-Ramírez, Beatriz; Dávila-Velderrain, José; Cisneros, Bulmaro; de León, Mario Bermúdez

2016-07-01

Dystrophin Dp71, the smallest product encoded by the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene, is ubiquitously expressed in all non-muscle cells. Although Dp71 is involved in various cellular processes, the mechanisms underlying its expression have been little studied. In hepatic cells, Dp71 expression is down-regulated by the xenobiotic β-naphthoflavone. However, the effectors of this regulation remain unknown. In the present study we aimed at identifying DNA elements and transcription factors involved in Dp71 expression in hepatic cells. Relevant DNA elements on the Dp71 promoter were identified by comparing Dp71 5'-end flanking regions between species. The functionality of these elements was demonstrated by site-directed mutagenesis. Using EMSAs and ChIP, we showed that the Sp1 (specificity protein 1), Sp3 (specificity protein 3) and YY1 (Yin and Yang 1) transcription factors bind to the Dp71 promoter region. Knockdown of Sp1, Sp3 and YY1 in hepatic cells increased endogenous Dp71 expression, but reduced Dp71 promoter activity. In summary, Dp71 expression in hepatic cells is carried out, in part, by YY1-, Sp1- and Sp3-mediated transcription from the Dp71 promoter. © 2016 The Author(s). published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.

Advanced Glycation End-Products affect transcription factors regulating insulin gene expression

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Puddu, A., E-mail: alep100@hotmail.com; Storace, D.; Odetti, P.

2010-04-23

Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) are generated by the covalent interaction of reducing sugars with proteins, lipids or nucleic acids. AGEs are implicated in diabetic complications and pancreatic {beta}-cell dysfunction. We previously demonstrated that exposure of the pancreatic islet cell line HIT-T15 to high concentrations of AGEs leads to a significant decrease of insulin secretion and content. Insulin gene transcription is positively regulated by the beta cell specific transcription factor PDX-1 (Pancreatic and Duodenal Homeobox-1). On the contrary, the forkhead transcription factor FoxO1 inhibits PDX-1 gene transcription. Activity of FoxO1 is regulated by post-translational modifications: phosphorylation deactivates FoxO1, and acetylation preventsmore » FoxO1 ubiquitination. In this work we investigated whether AGEs affect expression and subcellular localization of PDX-1 and FoxO1. HIT-T15 cells were cultured for 5 days in presence of AGEs. Cells were then lysed and processed for subcellular fractionation. We determined intracellular insulin content, then we assessed the expression and subcellular localization of PDX-1, FoxO1, phosphoFoxO1 and acetylFoxO1. As expected intracellular insulin content was lower in HIT-T15 cells cultured with AGEs. The results showed that AGEs decreased expression and nuclear localization of PDX-1, reduced phosphorylation of FoxO1, and increased expression and acetylation of FoxO1. These results suggest that AGEs decrease insulin content unbalancing transcription factors regulating insulin gene expression.« less

[Effect of Leonurus Heterophyllus Sweet on tissue factor transcription and expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro].

PubMed

Zheng, Lian; Fang, Chi-hua

2007-06-01

To investigate the effect of Leonurus Heterophyllus Sweet, (LHS) on tissue factor (TF) transcription and expression induced by thrombin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were incubated with different concentrations of LHS and the TF mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). LHS treatment of HUVECs at different concentrations and for different times resulted in significant differences in TF expression (Plt;0.01). The transcription of TF in LHS-treated cells was significantly different from that of the blank control group (Plt;0.01). LHS can decrease the expression of TF and intervene with TF transcription in HUVECs in vitro.

Molecular pathways mediating differential responses to lipopolysaccharide between human and baboon arterial endothelial cells.

PubMed

Shi, Qiang; Cox, Laura A; Glenn, Jeremy; Tejero, Maria E; Hondara, Vida; Vandeberg, John L; Wang, Xing Li

2010-02-01

1. Vascular inflammation plays a critical role in atherogenesis. Previously, we showed that baboon arterial endothelial cells (BAEC) were hyporesponsive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared with human arterial endothelial cells (HAEC). 2. In the present study, we investigated mechanisms underlying differential responses between HAEC and BAEC to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and LPS. 3. Both HAEC and BAEC responded similarly to TNF-alpha. However, BAEC showed retarded responses to LPS in expression of E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-8 (P < 0.05). These changes were confirmed at the mRNA level. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha activated nuclear factor-kappaB members such as p50, p52, p65, c-rel and RelB in both HAEC and BAEC. In contrast, LPS activated p50 and p65 only in HAEC. Using microarray assays, we found that TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF-2), TNF receptor superfamily, member 1A-associated via death domain (TRADD) and nuclear factors such as nuclear factor of kappa in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (NFKBIA) and nuclear factor of kappa in B-cells inhibitor, beta (NFKBIB) were upregulated by LPS only in HAEC. Although the baseline expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 was low in both HAEC and BAEC, TNF-alpha activated TLR4 expression in both cell types. Although LPS increased TLR4 expression only in HAEC, human and baboon peripheral blood mononuclear cells exhibited similar TLR4 expression and response to LPS. Transfecting BAEC with TLR4/myeloid differentiation protein-2 overexpression vector conferred BAEC responsiveness to LPS. 4. The findings of the present study indicate that an altered TLR4 system may be responsible for the resistance of baboon endothelial cells to LPS. Given the importance of TLR4 in human immune responses and vascular diseases, the natural resistance of baboons to LPS/TLR4-initiated inflammation could make the baboon a valuable animal model in which to study how inflammation affects atherogenesis.

Krüppel-like factor 4 regulates the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase induced by TNF-α in human fibroblast-like synoviocyte MH7A cells.

PubMed

Mo, Xuanrong; Chen, Jie; Wang, Xinjuan; Pan, Zhenyu; Ke, Yuping; Zhou, Zhidong; Xie, Jiangwen; Lv, Guoju; Luo, Xinjing

2018-01-01

Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a zinc finger transcription factor, has been implicated in the inflammation mediated by macrophages and endothelial cells by regulating the expression of inflammatory mediators. Here, we investigated whether KLF4 affects the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an important inflammatory mediator, in the human RA fibroblast-like synovial cell line MH7A. A pcDNA3.1-KLF4 plasmid or short interfering RNA KLF4 was transfected into MH7A cells, and the iNOS expression and nitric oxide (NO) production were analyzed by quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, and nitrite measurement. The iNOS promoter activity was determined by luciferase assay. The results showed overexpression of KLF4 increased iNOS expression and NO production in the presence or absence of TNF-α. Conversely, KLF4 knockdown markedly reduced iNOS expression and NO production induced by TNF-α. KLF4 activated the transcription activity of iNOS promoter in MH7A cells stimulated by TNF-α. This study indicates that KLF4 is important for regulating the expression of iNOS by TNF-α in human synoviocytes.

Role of Tat-interacting protein of 110 kDa and microRNAs in the regulation of hematopoiesis.

PubMed

Liu, Ying; He, Johnny J

2016-07-01

Hematopoiesis is regulated by cellular factors including transcription factors, microRNAs, and epigenetic modifiers. Understanding how these factors regulate hematopoiesis is pivotal for manipulating them to achieve their desired potential. In this review, we will focus on HIV-1 Tat-interacting protein of 110 kDa (Tip110) and its regulation of hematopoiesis. There are several pathways in hematopoiesis that involve Tip110 regulation. Tip110 is expressed in human cord blood CD34 cells; its expression decreases when CD34 cells begin to differentiate. Tip110 is also expressed in mouse marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC). Tip110 expression increases the number, survival, and cell cycling of HPC. Tip110-mediated regulation of hematopoiesis has been linked to its reciprocal control of proto-oncogene expression. Small noncoding microRNAs (miRs) have been shown to play important roles in regulation of hematopoiesis. miR-124 specifically targets 3'-untranslated region of Tip110 and subsequently regulates Tip110 expression in HSC. Our recent findings for manipulating expression levels of Tip110 in HSC and HPC could be useful for expanding HSC and HPC and for improving engraftment of cord blood HSC/HPC.

Steroid hormone induction of temporal gene expression in Drosophila brain neuroblasts generates neuronal and glial diversity.

PubMed

Syed, Mubarak Hussain; Mark, Brandon; Doe, Chris Q

2017-04-10

An important question in neuroscience is how stem cells generate neuronal diversity. During Drosophila embryonic development, neural stem cells (neuroblasts) sequentially express transcription factors that generate neuronal diversity; regulation of the embryonic temporal transcription factor cascade is lineage-intrinsic. In contrast, larval neuroblasts generate longer ~50 division lineages, and currently only one mid-larval molecular transition is known: Chinmo/Imp/Lin-28+ neuroblasts transition to Syncrip+ neuroblasts. Here we show that the hormone ecdysone is required to down-regulate Chinmo/Imp and activate Syncrip, plus two late neuroblast factors, Broad and E93. We show that Seven-up triggers Chinmo/Imp to Syncrip/Broad/E93 transition by inducing expression of the Ecdysone receptor in mid-larval neuroblasts, rendering them competent to respond to the systemic hormone ecdysone. Importantly, late temporal gene expression is essential for proper neuronal and glial cell type specification. This is the first example of hormonal regulation of temporal factor expression in Drosophila embryonic or larval neural progenitors.

Inhibition of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in gallbladder cancer cells leads to decreased growth in vitro.

PubMed

Garcia, Patricia; Leal, Pamela; Ili, Carmen; Brebi, Priscilla; Alvarez, Hector; Roa, Juan C

2013-06-01

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive neoplasm associated with late diagnosis, unsatisfactory treatment and poor prognosis. Previous work showed that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression is increased in this malignancy. This matricellular protein plays an important role in various cellular processes and its involvement in the tumorigenesis of several human cancers has been demonstrated. However, the precise function of CTGF expression in cancer cells is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CTGF expression in gallbladder cancer cell lines, and its effect on cell viability, colony formation and in vitro cell migration. CTGF expression was evaluated in seven GBC cell lines by Western blot assay. Endogenous CTGF expression was downregulated by lentiviral shRNA directed against CTGF mRNA in G-415 cells, and the effects on cell viability, anchorage-independent growth and migration was assessed by comparing them to scrambled vector-transfected cells. Knockdown of CTGF resulted in significant reduction in cell viability, colony formation and anchorage-independent growth (P < 0.05). An increased p27 expression was observed in G-415 cells with loss of CTGF function. Our results suggest that high expression of this protein in gallbladder cancer may confer a growth advantage for neoplastic cells. © 2013 The Authors. International Journal of Experimental Pathology © 2013 International Journal of Experimental Pathology.

NF-κB is involved in the LPS-mediated proliferation and apoptosis of MAC-T epithelial cells as part of the subacute ruminal acidosis response in cows.

PubMed

Fan, Wen-Jie; Li, He-Ping; Zhu, He-Shui; Sui, Shi-Ping; Chen, Pei-Ge; Deng, Yue; Sui, Tong-Ming; Wang, Yue-Ying

2016-11-01

To determine the effect of NF-κB on cell proliferation and apoptosis, we investigate the expression of inflammation and apoptosis-related factors in the bovine mammary epithelial cell line, MAC-T. MAC-T cells were cultured in vitro and MTT and LDH assays used to determine the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on proliferation and cytotoxicity respectively. RT-PCR and western blotting were used to evaluate the effect of LPS and NF-κB inhibition [pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) treatment] on the expression of inflammation and apoptosis-related factors. LPS significantly inhibited MAC-T cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, LPS promoted apoptosis while the NF-кB inhibitor PDTC attenuated this effect. After LPS treatment, the NF-кB signaling pathway was activated, and the expression of inflammation and apoptosis-related factors increased. When PDTC blocked NF-кB signaling, the expression of inflammation and apoptosis-related factors were decreased in MAC-T cells. LPS activates the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in MAC-T cells. NF-кB inhibition attenuates MAC-T cell apoptosis and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. NF-кB inhibitor alleviating MAC-T cell apoptosis is presumably modulated by NF-кB.

Transcription Factors Runx1 to 3 Are Expressed in the Lacrimal Gland Epithelium and Are Involved in Regulation of Gland Morphogenesis and Regeneration

PubMed Central

Voronov, Dmitry; Gromova, Anastasia; Liu, Daren; Zoukhri, Driss; Medvinsky, Alexander; Meech, Robyn; Makarenkova, Helen P.

2013-01-01

Purpose. Lacrimal gland (LG) morphogenesis and repair are regulated by a complex interplay of intrinsic factors (e.g., transcription factors) and extrinsic signals (e.g., soluble growth/signaling factors). Many of these interconnections remain poorly characterized. Runt-related (Runx) factors belong to a small family of heterodimeric transcription factors known to regulate lineage-specific proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. The purpose of this study was to define the expression pattern and the role of Runx proteins in LG development and regeneration. Methods. Expression of epithelial-restricted transcription factors in murine LG was examined using immunostaining, qRT-PCR, and RT2Profiler PCR microarrays. The role of Runx transcription factors in LG morphogenesis was studied using siRNA and ex vivo LG cultures. Expression of Runx transcription factors during LG regeneration was assessed using in vivo model of LG regeneration. Results. We found that Runx factors are expressed in the epithelial compartment of the LG; in particular, Runx1 was restricted to the epithelium with highest level of expression in ductal and centroacinar cells. Downregulation of Runx1 to 3 expression using Runx-specific siRNAs abolished LG growth and branching and our data suggest that Runx1, 2, and 3 are partially redundant in LG development. In siRNA-treated LG, reduction of branching correlated with reduction of epithelial proliferation, as well as expression of cyclin D1 and the putative epithelial progenitor cell marker cytokeratin-5. Runx1, Runx3, and cytokeratin-5 expression increased significantly in regenerating LG and there was modest increase in Runx2 expression during LG differentiation. Conclusions. Runx1 and 2 are new markers of the LG epithelial lineage and Runx factors are important for normal LG morphogenesis and regeneration. PMID:23532528

Slit2 ameliorates renal inflammation and fibrosis after hypoxia-and lipopolysaccharide-induced epithelial cells injury in vitro

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhou, Xiangjun; Yao, Qisheng, E-mail: yymcyqs@126.com; Sun, Xinbo

Hypoxic acute kidney injury (AKI) is often incompletely repaired and leads to chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is characterized by tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis. The Slit2 family of secreted glycoproteins is expressed in the kidney, it has been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory activity and prevent ischemic renal injury in vivo. However, whether Slit2 reduces renal fibrosis and inflammation after hypoxic and inflammatory epithelial cells injury in vitro remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether Slit2 ameliorated fibrosis and inflammation in two renal epithelial cells line challenged with hypoxia and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Renal epithelial cells were treatedmore » with hypoxia and LPS to induce cell injury. Hoechst staining and Western blot analysis was conducted to examine epithelial cells injury. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tested the inflammatory factor interleukin (IL)−1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and Western blot analysis determined the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)−1α, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Results revealed that hypoxia induced epithelial cells apoptosis, inflammatory factor IL-1β and TNF-α release and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. LPS could exacerbate hypoxia -induced epithelial cells apoptosis, IL-1β and TNF-α release and fibrosis. Slit2 reduced the expression of fibronectin, the rate of epithelial cell apoptosis, and the expression of inflammatory factor. Slit2 could also inhibit the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB, but not the expression of HIF-1α. Therefore, Slit2 attenuated inflammation and fibrosis after LPS- and hypoxia-induced epithelial cells injury via the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, but not depending on the HIF-1α signaling pathway. - Highlights: • Slit2 ameliorates inflammation after hypoxia-and LPS-induced epithelial cells injury. • Slit2 ameliorates fibrosis after hypoxia-and LPS-induced epithelial cells injury. • Slit2 ameliorates inflammation and fibrosis after hypoxia-and LPS-induced renal epithelial cells injury via TLR4/NF-κB.« less

Expression and rearrangement of the ROS1 gene in human glioblastoma cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Birchmeier, C.; Sharma, S.; Wigler, M.

1987-12-01

The human ROS1 gene, which possibly encodes a growth factor receptor, was found to be expressed in human tumor cell lines. In a survey of 45 different human cell lines, the authors found ROS1 to be expressed in glioblastoma-derived cell lines at high levels and not to be expressed at all, or expressed at very low levels, in the remaining cell lines. The ROS1 gene was present in normal copy numbers in all cell lines that expressed the gene. However, in one particular glioblastoma line, they detected a potentially activating mutation at the ROS1 locus.

Transient acquisition of pluripotency during somatic cell transdifferentiation with iPSC reprogramming factors.

PubMed

Maza, Itay; Caspi, Inbal; Zviran, Asaf; Chomsky, Elad; Rais, Yoach; Viukov, Sergey; Geula, Shay; Buenrostro, Jason D; Weinberger, Leehee; Krupalnik, Vladislav; Hanna, Suhair; Zerbib, Mirie; Dutton, James R; Greenleaf, William J; Massarwa, Rada; Novershtern, Noa; Hanna, Jacob H

2015-07-01

Somatic cells can be transdifferentiated to other cell types without passing through a pluripotent state by ectopic expression of appropriate transcription factors. Recent reports have proposed an alternative transdifferentiation method in which fibroblasts are directly converted to various mature somatic cell types by brief expression of the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc (OSKM) followed by cell expansion in media that promote lineage differentiation. Here we test this method using genetic lineage tracing for expression of endogenous Nanog and Oct4 and for X chromosome reactivation, as these events mark acquisition of pluripotency. We show that the vast majority of reprogrammed cardiomyocytes or neural stem cells obtained from mouse fibroblasts by OSKM-induced 'transdifferentiation' pass through a transient pluripotent state, and that their derivation is molecularly coupled to iPSC formation mechanisms. Our findings underscore the importance of defining trajectories during cell reprogramming by various methods.

Transient Acquisition of Pluripotency During Somatic Cell Transdifferentiation with iPSC Reprogramming Factors

PubMed Central

Maza, Itay; Caspi, Inbal; Zviran, Asaf; Chomsky, Elad; Rais, Yoach; Viukov, Sergey; Geula, Shay; Buenrostro, Jason D.; Weinberger, Leehee; Krupalnik, Vladislav; Hanna, Suhair; Zerbib, Mirie; Dutton, James R.; Greenleaf, William J.; Massarwa, Rada; Novershtern, Noa; Hanna, Jacob H.

2015-01-01

Somatic cells can be transdifferentiated to other cell types without passing through a pluripotent state by ectopic expression of appropriate transcription factors1,2. Recent reports have proposed an alternative transdifferentiation method in which fibroblasts are directly converted to various mature somatic cell types by brief expression of the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc (OSKM) followed by cell expansion in media that promote lineage differentiation3–6. Here we test this method using genetic lineage tracing for expression of endogenous Nanog and Oct4 and for X chromosome reactivation, as these events mark acquisition of pluripotency. We show that the vast majority of reprogrammed cardiomyocytes or neural stem cells obtained from mouse fibroblasts by OSKM-induced transdifferentiation pass through a transient pluripotent state, and that their derivation is molecularly coupled to iPSC formation mechanisms. Our findings underscore the importance of defining trajectories during cell reprogramming by different methods. PMID:26098448

Systemic and Gene Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Metastatic Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-01

downregulate the expression of growth factors , receptor tyrosine kinases, proteases, and AR both in vitro and in vivo only when the cells express high... growth , and apoptosis as shown in Figure 1A. Downregulation of growth factors , FGF, Mdk, PDGF, Ptn, TGFb1 and TGFb3, tyrosine kinase receptors Ffgr3 and... growth factors and receptor tyrosine kinases mainly in andro- gen-sensitive and AR-overexpressing cells. The effect was more pronounced in Erk, Ras, and

The orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 regulates decidual prolactin expression in human endometrial stromal cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jiang, Yue; Hu, Yali; Zhao, Jing

2011-01-14

Research highlights: {yields} Decidually produced PRL plays a key role during pregnancy. {yields} Overexpression of Nur77 increased PRL mRNA expression and enhanced decidual PRL promoter activity. {yields} Knockdown of Nur77 decreased decidual PRL secretion induced by 8-Br-cAMP and MPA. {yields} Nur77 is a novel transcription factor that plays an active role in decidual prolactin expression. -- Abstract: Prolactin (PRL) is synthesized and released by several extrapituitary tissues, including decidualized stromal cells. Despite the important role of decidual PRL during pregnancy, little is understood about the factors involved in the proper regulation of decidual PRL expression. Here we present evidence thatmore » the transcription factor Nur77 plays an active role in decidual prolactin expression in human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs). Nur77 mRNA expression in hESCs was significantly increased after decidualization stimulated by 8-Br-cAMP and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Nur77 in hESCs markedly increased PRL mRNA expression and enhanced decidual PRL promoter (dPRL/-332Luc) activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, knockdown of Nur77 in hESCs significantly decreased decidual PRL promoter activation and substantially attenuated PRL mRNA expression and PRL secretion (P < 0.01) induced by 8-Br-cAMP and MPA. These results demonstrate that Nur77 is a novel transcription factor that contributes significantly to the regulation of prolactin gene expression in human endometrial stromal cells.« less

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-ligand based molecular staging predicts prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma partly due to deregulated EGF- induced amphiregulin expression.

PubMed

Gao, Jian; Ulekleiv, Camilla H; Halstensen, Trond S

2016-09-26

Increased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its ligands is associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance in many carcinoma types, but its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is unclear. Our aim was to clarify whether mRNA expression of EGFR-ligands was linked to prognosis and cisplatin resistance, and if so, which ligand was most important and how was the expression regulated. To examine the prognostic effect of EGFR-ligand expression, we analyzed tumorous mRNA expression in 399 HNSCC patients. The intracellular signaling pathways controlling epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced amphiregulin (AREG) expression were examined in three oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines. Effect of AREG on cisplatin resistance was examined by viability assays in four-, and by association in 11 OSCC cell lines. The patients were divided into five groups according to the median mRNA expression levels of four EGFR ligands, i.e. AREG, EGF, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) and beta-cellulin (BTC). The number of increased-expressed EGFR-ligands were progressively correlated to five-year survival, even in advanced TNM-stage IV patients, where five-year mortality increased from 26 % if tumor expressed none to one EGFR-ligand, to 45 % in three to four ligand expressing tumors. Thus, staging the tumor according to these EGFR-ligand mRNA expression pattern completely out performed TNM staging in predicting prognosis. Multivariate analysis identified AREG as the dominating predictor, and AREG was overexpressed in OSCC compared to tumors from other sites. Both EGF and HBEGF stimulation induced strong AREG increase in OSCC cell lines, which was partially mediated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway, and negatively regulated by p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and phosphoinositide-3 kinase. Although increased AREG mRNA expression predicted unfavorable prognosis in platinum treated HNSCC patients, AREG did not mediate cisplatin resistance in the OSCC cell lines. Increased tumorous mRNA expression of four EGFR ligands was progressively associated with poor prognosis in HNSCC. Thus, EGFR-ligands mRNA expression pattern may be a new prognostic biomarker. The tightly regulated EGF-induced AREG mRNA expression was partly lost in the OSCC cell lines and restoring its regulation may be a new target in cancer treatment. Not applicable as the clinical data of the 498 HNSCC patients and their mRNA expression profiles were collected from the open TCGA database: http://cancergenome.nih.gov/cancersselected/headandneck .

The role of tumor necrosis factor-α-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in mediating autophagy in myositis skeletal muscle: A potential non-immune mechanism of muscle damage

PubMed Central

Alger, Heather M.; Raben, Nina; Pistilli, Emidio; Francia, Dwight; Rawat, Rashmi; Getnet, Derese; Ghimbovschi, Svetlana; Chen, Yi-Wen; Lundberg, Ingrid E.; Nagaraju, Kanneboyina

2011-01-01

Objective Multinucleated cells are relatively resistant to classical apoptosis, and the factors initiating cell-death and damage in myositis are not well defined. We hypothesized that non-immune autophagic cell death may play a role in muscle fiber damage. Recent literature indicates that tumor necrosis factor-alpha-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) may induce both NFκB (nuclear factor kappa-light chain enhancer of activated B cells) activation and autophagic cell death in other systems. Here, we have investigated its role in cell death and pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo using myositis (human and mouse) muscle tissues. Methods Gene expression profiling indicated that expression of TRAIL and several autophagy markers was specifically upregulated in myositis muscle tissue; these results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. We also analyzed TRAIL-induced cell death (apoptosis and autophagy) and NFκB activation in vitro in cultured cells. Results TRAIL was expressed predominantly in muscle fibers of myositis, but not in biopsies from normal or other dystrophic-diseased muscle. Autophagy markers were upregulated in human and mouse models of myositis. TRAIL expression was restricted to regenerating/atrophic areas of muscle fascicles, blood vessels, and infiltrating lymphocytes. TRAIL induced NFκB activation and IκB degradation in cultured cells that are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis but undergo autophagic cell death. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that TRAIL is expressed in myositis muscle and may mediate both activation of NFκB and autophagic cell death in myositis. Thus, this non-immune pathway may be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in myositis. PMID:21769834

IFN Regulatory Factor 8 Represses GM-CSF Expression in T cells to Affect Myeloid Cell Lineage Differentiation

PubMed Central

Paschall, Amy V.; Zhang, Ruihua; Qi, Chen-Feng; Bardhan, Kankana; Peng, Liang; Lu, Geming; Yang, Jianjun; Merad, Miriam; McGaha, Tracy; Zhou, Gang; Mellor, Andrew; Abrams, Scott I.; Morse, Herbert C.; Ozato, Keiko; Xiong, Huabao; Liu, Kebin

2015-01-01

During hematopoiesis, hematopoietic stem cells constantly differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages via a distinct differentiation program that is tightly controlled by myeloid lineage-specific transcription factors. Mice with a null mutation of IFN Regulatory Factor 8 (IRF8) accumulate CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cells that phenotypically and functionally resemble tumor-induced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), indicating an essential role of IRF8 in myeloid cell lineage differentiation. However, IRF8 is expressed in various types of immune cells and whether IRF8 functions intrinsically or extrinsically in regulation of myeloid cell lineage differentiation is not fully understood. Here we report an intriguing finding that although IRF8-deficient mice exhibit deregulated myeloid cell differentiation and resultant accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+ MDSCs, surprisingly, mice with IRF8 deficiency only in myeloid cells exhibit no abnormal myeloid cell lineage differentiation. Instead, mice with IRF8 deficiency only in T cells exhibited deregulated myeloid cell differentiation and MDSC accumulation. We further demonstrated that IRF8-deficient T cells exhibit elevated GM-CSF expression and secretion. Treatment of mice with GM-CSF increased MDSC accumulation, and adoptive transfer of IRF8-deficient T cells, but not GM-CSF-deficient T cells, increased MDSC accumulation in the recipient chimeric mice. Moreover, overexpression of IRF8 decreased GM-CSF expression in T cells. Our data determine that in addition to its intrinsic function as an apoptosis regulator in myeloid cells, IRF8 also acts extrinsically to represses GM-CSF expression in T cells to control myeloid cell lineage differentiation, revealing a novel mechanism that the adaptive immune component of the immune system regulates the innate immune cell myelopoiesis in vivo. PMID:25646302

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 mRNA and protein expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, as well as its clinicopathological factors and prognosis

PubMed Central

LIU, HONG-BIN; YANG, QI-CHANG; SHEN, YI; ZHU, YAN; ZHANG, XIAO-JUAN; CHEN, HAO

2015-01-01

The aim of the present study was to explore a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) mRNA and protein expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its association with clinicopathological factors and prognosis. Through semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, the ADAM17 mRNA expression in 50 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding normal esophageal mucosa were detected. Using streptavidin peroxidase conjugated immunohistochemistry, ADAM17 protein levels were detected in 80 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding normal esophageal mucosa. A log rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model were used for the esophageal cancer survival analysis. ADAM17 mRNA expression levels in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding normal esophageal mucosa were 0.937±0.241 and 0.225±0.077, respectively (P<0.01). ADAM17 mRNA expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was correlated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.01) and tumor, node and metastasis (TNM) staging (P<0.05), however, it was not correlated with gender, age or histological grade (P>0.05). ADAM17 protein expression rates in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding normal esophageal mucosa were 66.25 and 6.25% respectively, a difference that was statistically significant (P<0.01). In addition, ADAM17 protein expression in esophageal squamous cells was correlated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P<0.05), while it was not correlated with gender, age or histological grade (P>0.05). ADAM17 protein expression and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein expression were positively correlated (P<0.01). Lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, ADAM17 and EGFR protein expression may be used as independent prognostic indicators of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (all P<0.05). ADAM17 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; they have important roles in invasion and metastasis and a certain value in judging the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. PMID:25351873

Pluripotency, Differentiation, and Reprogramming: A Gene Expression Dynamics Model with Epigenetic Feedback Regulation

PubMed Central

Miyamoto, Tadashi; Furusawa, Chikara; Kaneko, Kunihiko

2015-01-01

Embryonic stem cells exhibit pluripotency: they can differentiate into all types of somatic cells. Pluripotent genes such as Oct4 and Nanog are activated in the pluripotent state, and their expression decreases during cell differentiation. Inversely, expression of differentiation genes such as Gata6 and Gata4 is promoted during differentiation. The gene regulatory network controlling the expression of these genes has been described, and slower-scale epigenetic modifications have been uncovered. Although the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells is normally irreversible, reprogramming of cells can be experimentally manipulated to regain pluripotency via overexpression of certain genes. Despite these experimental advances, the dynamics and mechanisms of differentiation and reprogramming are not yet fully understood. Based on recent experimental findings, we constructed a simple gene regulatory network including pluripotent and differentiation genes, and we demonstrated the existence of pluripotent and differentiated states from the resultant dynamical-systems model. Two differentiation mechanisms, interaction-induced switching from an expression oscillatory state and noise-assisted transition between bistable stationary states, were tested in the model. The former was found to be relevant to the differentiation process. We also introduced variables representing epigenetic modifications, which controlled the threshold for gene expression. By assuming positive feedback between expression levels and the epigenetic variables, we observed differentiation in expression dynamics. Additionally, with numerical reprogramming experiments for differentiated cells, we showed that pluripotency was recovered in cells by imposing overexpression of two pluripotent genes and external factors to control expression of differentiation genes. Interestingly, these factors were consistent with the four Yamanaka factors, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and Myc, which were necessary for the establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells. These results, based on a gene regulatory network and expression dynamics, contribute to our wider understanding of pluripotency, differentiation, and reprogramming of cells, and they provide a fresh viewpoint on robustness and control during development. PMID:26308610

A mammary cell-specific enhancer in mouse mammary tumor virus DNA is composed of multiple regulatory elements including binding sites for CTF/NFI and a novel transcription factor, mammary cell-activating factor.

PubMed Central

Mink, S; Härtig, E; Jennewein, P; Doppler, W; Cato, A C

1992-01-01

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is a milk-transmitted retrovirus involved in the neoplastic transformation of mouse mammary gland cells. The expression of this virus is regulated by mammary cell type-specific factors, steroid hormones, and polypeptide growth factors. Sequences for mammary cell-specific expression are located in an enhancer element in the extreme 5' end of the long terminal repeat region of this virus. This enhancer, when cloned in front of the herpes simplex thymidine kinase promoter, endows the promoter with mammary cell-specific response. Using functional and DNA-protein-binding studies with constructs mutated in the MMTV long terminal repeat enhancer, we have identified two main regulatory elements necessary for the mammary cell-specific response. These elements consist of binding sites for a transcription factor in the family of CTF/NFI proteins and the transcription factor mammary cell-activating factor (MAF) that recognizes the sequence G Pu Pu G C/G A A G G/T. Combinations of CTF/NFI- and MAF-binding sites or multiple copies of either one of these binding sites but not solitary binding sites mediate mammary cell-specific expression. The functional activities of these two regulatory elements are enhanced by another factor that binds to the core sequence ACAAAG. Interdigitated binding sites for CTF/NFI, MAF, and/or the ACAAAG factor are also found in the 5' upstream regions of genes encoding whey milk proteins from different species. These findings suggest that mammary cell-specific regulation is achieved by a concerted action of factors binding to multiple regulatory sites. Images PMID:1328867

Expression of the transforming growth factor alpha protooncogene in differentiating human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells.

PubMed

Walz, T M; Malm, C; Wasteson, A

1993-01-01

The process of myeloid differentiation in human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) is accompanied by the coordinate expression of numerous protooncogenes. To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in myeloid differentiation, HL-60 cells were induced to differentiate into granulocytes with 1.25% dimethyl sulfoxide, 0.2 microM all-trans retinoic acid, or 500 microM N6,O2-dibutyryladenosine-3'5'-cyclic monophosphate or differentiated along the monocyte/macrophage pathway with 0.1 microM phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. Using Northern blot analyses, TGF-alpha transcripts were detected within 24 h of treatment in cells differentiating toward granulocytes; maximal levels of gene expression were reached after 3 days or later and remained essentially constant throughout the observation period. These cells released TGF-alpha protein, as demonstrated by analysis of the incubation medium. In contrast, no TGF-alpha RNA or protein was detectable in HL-60 cell cultures when induced with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. Epidermal growth factor receptor transcripts could not be detected either in undifferentiated or in differentiated HL-60 cells; therefore it appears as if an autocrine loop involving TGF-alpha in HL-60 cells is unlikely. In conclusion, the results demonstrate, for the first time, the expression of TGF-alpha in human granulocyte precursor cells. Our findings may indicate novel regulatory pathways in hematopoiesis.

Lycopene inhibits NF-κB activation and adhesion molecule expression through Nrf2-mediated heme oxygenase-1 in endothelial cells.

PubMed

Yang, Po-Min; Chen, Huang-Zhi; Huang, Yu-Ting; Hsieh, Chia-Wen; Wung, Being-Sun

2017-06-01

The endothelial expression of cell adhesion molecules plays a leading role in atherosclerosis. Lycopene, a carotenoid with 11 conjugated double bonds, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we demonstrate a putative mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effects of lycopene. We demonstrate that lycopene inhibits the adhesion of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-stimulated monocytes to endothelial cells and suppresses the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) at the transcriptional level. Moreover, lycopene was found to exert its inhibitory effects by blocking the degradation of the inhibitory protein, IκBα, following 6 h of pre-treatment. In TNFα-stimulated endothelial cells, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity were abolished by up to 12 h of lycopene pre-treatment. We also found that lycopene increased the intracellular glutathione (GSH) level and glutamate-cysteine ligase expression. Subsequently, lycopene induced nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation, leading to the increased expression of downstream of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). The use of siRNA targeting HO-1 blocked the inhibitory effects of lycopene on IκB degradation and ICAM-1 expression. The inhibitory effects of lycopene thus appear to be mediated through its induction of Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression. Therefore, the findings of the present study indicate that lycopene suppresses the activation of TNFα-induced signaling pathways through the upregulation of Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression.

Heterogeneous expression pattern of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors in myeloid progenitor cells of patients with severe congenital neutropenia treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

PubMed

Cario, Gunnar; Skokowa, Julia; Wang, Zheng; Bucan, Vesna; Zeidler, Cornelia; Stanulla, Martin; Schrappe, Martin; Welte, Karl

2005-04-01

Apoptosis is accelerated in the myeloid progenitor cells of patients with severe congenital neutropenia (CN). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) increases neutrophil numbers in most CN patients. The effect of G-CSF on apoptosis in CN was analysed by apoptosis rate and expression of anti- and pro-apoptotic factors. G-CSF-treated patients showed higher apoptosis frequency, lower expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xL, but higher expression of bfl-1/A1 and mcl-1. Caspase 9 was highly expressed in patients and controls after G-CSF administration. Thus, G-CSF acts on apoptosis regulation, but additional mechanisms leading to the increase of neutrophil numbers must be assumed.

Intracellular Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Induces Bcl-2 Expression in Airway Epithelial Cells 1

PubMed Central

Chand, Hitendra S.; Harris, Jennifer Foster; Mebratu, Yohannes; Chen, Yangde; Wright, Paul S.; Randell, Scott H.; Tesfaigzi, Yohannes

2012-01-01

Bcl-2, a prosurvival protein, regulates programmed cell death during development and repair processes, and can be oncogenic when cell proliferation is deregulated. The present study investigated what factors modulate Bcl-2 expression in airway epithelial cells and identified the pathways involved. Microarray analysis of mRNA from airway epithelial cells captured by laser microdissection showed that increased expression of IL-1β and IGF-1 coincided with induced Bcl-2 expression compared to controls. Treatment of cultured airway epithelial cells with IL-1β and IGF-1 induced Bcl-2 expression by increasing Bcl-2 mRNA stability with no discernible changes in promoter activity. Silencing the IGF-1 expression using shRNA showed that intracellular (IC)-IGF-1 was increasing Bcl-2 expression. Blocking EGFR or IGF-1R activation also suppressed IC-IGF-1, and abolished the Bcl-2 induction. Induced expression and co-localization of IC-IGF-1 and Bcl-2 were observed in airway epithelial cells of mice exposed to LPS or cigarette smoke and of patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchitis but not in the respective controls. These studies demonstrate that IC-IGF-1 induces Bcl-2 expression in epithelial cells via IGF-1R and EGFR pathways, and targeting IC-IGF-1 could be beneficial to treat chronic airway diseases. PMID:22461702

Dendrimer-driven neurotrophin expression differs in temporal patterns between rodent and human stem cells.

PubMed

Shakhbazau, Antos; Shcharbin, Dzmitry; Seviaryn, Ihar; Goncharova, Natalya; Kosmacheva, Svetlana; Potapnev, Mihail; Bryszewska, Maria; Kumar, Ranjan; Biernaskie, Jeffrey; Midha, Rajiv

2012-05-07

This study reports the use of a nonviral expression system based on polyamidoamine dendrimers for time-restricted neurotrophin overproduction in mesenchymal stem cells and skin precursor-derived Schwann cells. The dendrimers were used to deliver plasmids for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) expression in both rodent and human stem cells, and the timelines of expression were studied. We have found that, despite the fact that transfection efficiencies and protein expression levels were comparable, dendrimer-driven expression in human mesenchymal stem cells was characterized by a more rapid decline compared to rodent cells. Transient expression systems can be beneficial for some neurotrophins, which were earlier reported to cause unwanted side effects in virus-based long-term expression models. Nonviral neurotrophin expression is a biologically safe and accessible alternative to increase the therapeutic potential of autologous adult stem cells and stem cell-derived functional differentiated cells.

Epigenetic inactivation of TCF2 in ovarian cancer and various cancer cell lines

PubMed Central

Terasawa, K; Toyota, M; Sagae, S; Ogi, K; Suzuki, H; Sonoda, T; Akino, K; Maruyama, R; Nishikawa, N; Imai, K; Shinomura, Y; Saito, T; Tokino, T

2006-01-01

Transcription factor 2 gene (TCF2) encodes hepatocyte nuclear factor 1β (HNF1β), a transcription factor associated with development and metabolism. Mutation of TCF2 has been observed in renal cell cancer, and by screening aberrantly methylated genes, we have now identified TCF2 as a target for epigenetic inactivation in ovarian cancer. TCF2 was methylated in 53% of ovarian cancer cell lines and 26% of primary ovarian cancers, resulting in loss of the gene's expression. TCF2 expression was restored by treating cells with a methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2′deoxycitidine (5-aza-dC). In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation showed deacetylation of histone H3 in methylated cells and, when combined with 5-aza-dC, the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A synergistically induced TCF2 expression. Epigenetic inactivation of TCF2 was also seen in colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cell lines, suggesting general involvement of epigenetic inactivation of TCF2 in tumorigenesis. Restoration of TCF2 expression induced expression of HNF4α, a transcriptional target of HNF1β, indicating that epigenetic silencing of TCF2 leads to alteration of the hepatocyte nuclear factor network in tumours. These results suggest that TCF2 is involved in the development of ovarian cancers and may represent a useful target for their detection and treatment. PMID:16479257

Synergistic growth inhibition of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck by erlotinib and epigallocatechin-3-gallate: the role of p53-dependent inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB.

PubMed

Amin, A R M Ruhul; Khuri, Fadlo R; Chen, Zhuo Georgia; Shin, Dong M

2009-06-01

We have previously reported that the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and the epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib had synergistic growth-inhibitory effects in cell culture and a nude mouse xenograft model of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. However, the mechanism of their antitumor synergism is not fully understood. In the current study, we investigate the mechanism of their synergistic growth-inhibitory effects. The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck cell lines with erlotinib time-dependently increased the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins p21 and p27 and apoptosis regulatory protein Bim. EGCG alone had very little or no effect on the expression of these proteins among the cell lines. However, simultaneous treatment with EGCG and erlotinib strongly inhibited erlotinib-induced expression of p21 and p27 without affecting the expression of Bim. Moreover, erlotinib increased the expression of p53 protein, the ablation of which by short hairpin RNA strongly inhibited EGCG- and erlotinib-mediated growth inhibition and the expression of p21, p27, and Bim. In addition, combined treatment with erlotinib and EGCG inhibited the protein level of p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappaB and its transcriptional target Bcl-2, but failed to do so in cells with ablated p53. Taken together, our results, for the first time, suggest that erlotinib treatment activates p53, which plays a critical role in synergistic growth inhibition by erlotinib and EGCG via inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway. Characterizing the underlying mechanisms of EGCG and erlotinib synergism will provide an important rationale for chemoprevention or treatment trials using this combination.

Modulation of p53 and met expression by Krüppel-like factor 8 regulates zebrafish cerebellar development.

PubMed

Tsai, Ming-Yuan; Lu, Yu-Fen; Liu, Yu-Hsiu; Lien, Huang-Wei; Huang, Chang-Jen; Wu, Jen-Leih; Hwang, Sheng-Ping L

2015-09-01

Krüppel-like factor 8 (Klf8) is a zinc-finger transcription factor implicated in cell proliferation, and cancer cell survival and invasion; however, little is known about its role in normal embryonic development. Here, we show that Klf8 is required for normal cerebellar development in zebrafish embryos. Morpholino knockdown of klf8 resulted in abnormal cerebellar primordium morphology and the induction of p53 in the brain region at 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf). Both p53-dependent reduction of cell proliferation and augmentation of apoptosis were observed in the cerebellar anlage of 24 hpf-klf8 morphants. In klf8 morphants, expression of ptf1a in the ventricular zone was decreased from 48 to 72 hpf; on the other hand, expression of atohla in the upper rhombic lip was unaffected. Consistent with this finding, Purkinje cell development was perturbed and granule cell number was reduced in 72 hpf-klf8 morphants; co-injection of p53 MO(sp) or klf8 mRNA substantially rescued development of cerebellar Purkinje cells in klf8 morphants. Hepatocyte growth factor/Met signaling is known to regulate cerebellar development in zebrafish and mouse. We observed decreased met expression in the tectum and rhombomere 1 of 24 hpf-klf8 morphants, which was largely rescued by co-injection with klf8 mRNA. Moreover, co-injection of met mRNA substantially rescued formation of Purkinje cells in klf8 morphants at 72 hpf. Together, these results demonstrate that Klf8 modulates expression of p53 and met to maintain ptf1a-expressing neuronal progenitors, which are required for the appropriate development of cerebellar Purkinje and granule cells in zebrafish embryos. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The effect of nutritional status and myogenic satellite cell age on turkey satellite cell proliferation, differentiation, and expression of myogenic transcriptional regulatory factors and heparan sulfate proteoglycans syndecan-4 and glypican-1.

PubMed

Harthan, Laura B; McFarland, Douglas C; Velleman, Sandra G

2014-01-01

Posthatch satellite cell mitotic activity is a critical component of muscle development and growth. Satellite cells are myogenic stem cells that can be induced by nutrition to follow other cellular developmental pathways, and whose mitotic activity declines with age. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of restricting protein synthesis on the proliferation and differentiation, expression of myogenic transcriptional regulatory factors myogenic determination factor 1, myogenin, and myogenic regulatory factor 4, and expression of the heparan sulfate proteoglycans syndecan-4 and glypican-1 in satellite cells isolated from 1-d-, 7-wk-, and 16-wk-old turkey pectoralis major muscle (1 d, 7 wk, and 16 wk cells, respectively) by using variable concentrations of Met and Cys. Four Met concentrations-30 (control), 7.5, 3, or 0 mg/L with 3.2 mg/L of Cys per 1 mg/L of Met-were used for culture of satellite cells to determine the effect of nutrition and age on satellite cell behavior during proliferation and differentiation. Proliferation was reduced by lower Met and Cys concentrations in all ages at 96 h of proliferation. Differentiation was increased in the 1 d Met-restricted cells, whereas the 7 wk cells treated with 3 mg/L of Met had decreased differentiation. Reduced Met and Cys levels from the control did not significantly affect the 16 wk cells at 72 h of differentiation. However, medium with no Met or Cys suppressed differentiation at all ages. The expression of myogenic determination factor 1, myogenin, myogenic regulatory factor 4, syndecan-4, and glypican-1 was differentially affected by age and Met or Cys treatment. These data demonstrate the age-specific manner in which turkey pectoralis major muscle satellite cells respond to nutritional availability and the importance of defining optimal nutrition to maximize satellite cell proliferation and differentiation for subsequent muscle mass accretion.

Optimum 3D Matrix Stiffness for Maintenance of Cancer Stem Cells Is Dependent on Tissue Origin of Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Jabbari, Esmaiel; Sarvestani, Samaneh K.; Daneshian, Leily; Moeinzadeh, Seyedsina

2015-01-01

Introduction The growth and expression of cancer stem cells (CSCs) depend on many factors in the tumor microenvironment. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of cancer cells’ tissue origin on the optimum matrix stiffness for CSC growth and marker expression in a model polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel without the interference of other factors in the microenvironment. Methods Human MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma, HCT116 colorectal and AGS gastric carcinoma, and U2OS osteosarcoma cells were used. The cells were encapsulated in PEGDA gels with compressive moduli in the 2-70 kPa range and optimized cell seeding density of 0.6x106 cells/mL. Micropatterning was used to optimize the growth of encapsulated cells with respect to average tumorsphere size. The CSC sub-population of the encapsulated cells was characterized by cell number, tumorsphere size and number density, and mRNA expression of CSC markers. Results The optimum matrix stiffness for growth and marker expression of CSC sub-population of cancer cells was 5 kPa for breast MCF7 and MDA231, 25 kPa for colorectal HCT116 and gastric AGS, and 50 kPa for bone U2OS cells. Conjugation of a CD44 binding peptide to the gel stopped tumorsphere formation by cancer cells from different tissue origin. The expression of YAP/TAZ transcription factors by the encapsulated cancer cells was highest at the optimum stiffness indicating a link between the Hippo transducers and CSC growth. The optimum average tumorsphere size for CSC growth and marker expression was 50 μm. Conclusion The marker expression results suggest that the CSC sub-population of cancer cells resides within a niche with optimum stiffness which depends on the cancer cells’ tissue origin. PMID:26168187

Hepatocyte growth factor upregulation promotes carcinogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma via Akt and COX-2 pathways

PubMed Central

Ogunwobi, Olorunseun O.

2013-01-01

Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important cause of cancer mortality. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to be an important biological process in cancer progression and metastasis. We have focused on elucidating factors that induce EMT to promote carcinogenesis and subsequent metastasis in HCC using the BNL CL.2 (BNL) and BNL 1ME A. 7R.1 (1MEA) cell lines. BNL cells are normal hepatocytes whereas the 1MEA cells are HCC cells derived from chemical transformation of the BNL cells. Their morphological characteristics were examined. Expression levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), markers of EMT and mediators of HGF signaling were determined and functional characteristics were compared. BNL cells were treated with HGF and effects on EMT-marker and mediators of HGF signaling were analyzed. BNL cells display characteristic epithelial morphology whereas 1MEA cells display mesenchymal characteristics. 1MEA cells express and secrete more HGF than BNL cells. There was significantly decreased expression of E-cadherin, albumin, AAT and increased expression of fibronectin, collagen-1, vimentin, snail and slug in 1MEA cells. There was also increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Akt and phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) in 1MEA cells. Moreover, 1MEA cells had increased migratory capacity inhibited by inhibition of COX-2 and Akt but not extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). Molecular mesenchymal characteristics of 1MEA cells were reversed by inhibition of COX-2, Akt and ERK. Treatment of BNL cells with HGF led to decreased expression of E-cadherin and increased expression of fibronectin, vimentin, snail, slug, COX-2, Akt, pAkt and increased migration, invasiveness and clonogenicity. We conclude that development of HCC is associated with upregulation of HGF which promotes EMT and carcinogenesis via upregulation of COX-2 and Akt. Consequently, HGF signaling may be targeted for therapy in advanced and metastatic HCC. PMID:21744257

Hepatocyte growth factor upregulation promotes carcinogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma via Akt and COX-2 pathways.

PubMed

Ogunwobi, Olorunseun O; Liu, Chen

2011-12-01

Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important cause of cancer mortality. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to be an important biological process in cancer progression and metastasis. We have focused on elucidating factors that induce EMT to promote carcinogenesis and subsequent metastasis in HCC using the BNL CL.2 (BNL) and BNL 1ME A. 7R.1 (1MEA) cell lines. BNL cells are normal hepatocytes whereas the 1MEA cells are HCC cells derived from chemical transformation of the BNL cells. Their morphological characteristics were examined. Expression levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), markers of EMT and mediators of HGF signaling were determined and functional characteristics were compared. BNL cells were treated with HGF and effects on EMT-marker and mediators of HGF signaling were analyzed. BNL cells display characteristic epithelial morphology whereas 1MEA cells display mesenchymal characteristics. 1MEA cells express and secrete more HGF than BNL cells. There was significantly decreased expression of E-cadherin, albumin, AAT and increased expression of fibronectin, collagen-1, vimentin, snail and slug in 1MEA cells. There was also increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Akt and phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) in 1MEA cells. Moreover, 1MEA cells had increased migratory capacity inhibited by inhibition of COX-2 and Akt but not extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). Molecular mesenchymal characteristics of 1MEA cells were reversed by inhibition of COX-2, Akt and ERK. Treatment of BNL cells with HGF led to decreased expression of E-cadherin and increased expression of fibronectin, vimentin, snail, slug, COX-2, Akt, pAkt and increased migration, invasiveness and clonogenicity. We conclude that development of HCC is associated with upregulation of HGF which promotes EMT and carcinogenesis via upregulation of COX-2 and Akt. Consequently, HGF signaling may be targeted for therapy in advanced and metastatic HCC.

Impact of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate for induction of human regulatory T cells.

PubMed

Kehrmann, Jan; Tatura, Roman; Zeschnigk, Michael; Probst-Kepper, Michael; Geffers, Robert; Steinmann, Joerg; Buer, Jan

2014-07-01

The epigenetic regulation of transcription factor genes is critical for T-cell lineage specification. A specific methylation pattern within a conserved region of the lineage specifying transcription factor gene FOXP3, the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR), is restricted to regulatory T (Treg) cells and is required for stable expression of FOXP3 and suppressive function. We analysed the impact of hypomethylating agents 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate on human CD4(+)  CD25(-) T cells for generating demethylation within FOXP3-TSDR and inducing functional Treg cells. Gene expression, including lineage-specifying transcription factors of the major T-cell lineages and their leading cytokines, functional properties and global transcriptome changes were analysed. The FOXP3-TSDR methylation pattern was determined by using deep amplicon bisulphite sequencing. 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine induced FOXP3-TSDR hypomethylation and expression of the Treg-cell-specific genes FOXP3 and LRRC32. Proliferation of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine-treated cells was reduced, but the cells did not show suppressive function. Hypomethylation was not restricted to FOXP3-TSDR and expression of master transcription factors and leading cytokines of T helper type 1 and type 17 cells were induced. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate induced global DNA hypomethylation to a lesser extent than 5-aza-2'-deoxycitidine, but no relevant hypomethylation within FOXP3-TSDR or expression of Treg-cell-specific genes. Neither of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitors induced fully functional human Treg cells. 5-aza-2'-deoxycitidine-treated cells resembled Treg cells, but they did not suppress proliferation of responder cells, which is an essential capability to be used for Treg cell transfer therapy. Using a recently developed targeted demethylation technology might be a more promising approach for the generation of functional Treg cells. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Pneumococcal infection of respiratory cells exposed to welding fumes; Role of oxidative stress and HIF-1 alpha.

PubMed

Grigg, Jonathan; Miyashita, Lisa; Suri, Reetika

2017-01-01

Welders are more susceptible to pneumococcal pneumonia. The mechanisms are yet unclear. Pneumococci co-opt the platelet activating factor receptor (PAFR) to infect respiratory epithelial cells. We previously reported that exposure of respiratory cells to welding fumes (WF), upregulates PAFR-dependent pneumococcal infection. The signaling pathway for this response is unknown, however, in intestinal cells, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF 1α) is reported to mediate PAFR-dependent infection. We sought to assess whether oxidative stress plays a role in susceptibility to pneumococcal infection via the platelet activating factor receptor. We also sought to evaluate the suitability of nasal epithelial PAFR expression in welders as a biomarker of susceptibility to infection. Finally, we investigated the generalisability of the effect of welding fumes on pneumococcal infection and growth using a variety of different welding fume samples. Nasal epithelial PAFR expression in welders and controls was analysed by flow cytometry. WF were collected using standard methodology. The effect of WF on respiratory cell reactive oxygen species production, HIF-1α expression, and pneumococcal infection was determined using flow cytometry, HIF-1α knockdown and overexpression, and pneumococcal infection assays. We found that nasal PAFR expression is significantly increased in welders compared with controls and that WF significantly increased reactive oxygen species production, HIF-1α and PAFR expression, and pneumococcal infection of respiratory cells. In unstimulated cells, HIF-1α knockdown decreased PAFR expression and HIF-1α overexpression increased PAFR expression. However, in knockdown cells pneumococcal infection was paradoxically increased and in overexpressing cells infection was unaffected. Nasal epithelial PAFR expression may be used as a biomarker of susceptibility to pneumococcal infection in order to target individuals, particularly those at high risk such as welders, for the pneumococcal vaccine. Expression of HIF-1α in unexposed respiratory cells inhibits basal pneumococcal infection via PAFR-independent mechanisms.

Induction of chemokine receptor CXCR4 expression by transforming growth factor-β1 in human basal cell carcinoma cells.

PubMed

Chu, Chia-Yu; Sheen, Yi-Shuan; Cha, Shih-Ting; Hu, Yeh-Fang; Tan, Ching-Ting; Chiu, Hsien-Ching; Chang, Cheng-Chi; Chen, Min-Wei; Kuo, Min-Liang; Jee, Shiou-Hwa

2013-11-01

Higher CXCR4 expression enhances basal cell carcinoma (BCC) invasion and angiogenesis. The underlying mechanism of increased CXCR4 expression in invasive BCC is still not well understood. To investigate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of CXCR4 expression in invasive BCC. We used qRT-PCR, RT-PCR, Western blot, and flow cytometric analyses to examine different CXCR4 levels among the clinical samples, co-cultured BCC cells and BCC cells treated with recombinant transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Immunohistochemical studies were used to demonstrate the correlation between TGF-β1 and CXCR4 expressions. The signal transduction pathway and transcriptional regulation were confirmed by treatments with chemical inhibitors, neutralizing antibodies, or short interfering RNAs, as well as luciferase reporter activity. Invasive BCC has higher TGF-β1 and CTGF levels compared to non-invasive BCC. Non-contact dermal fibroblasts co-culture with human BCC cells also increases the expression of CXCR4 in BCC cells. Treatment with recombinant human TGF-β1, but not CTGF, enhanced the CXCR4 levels in time- and dose-dependent manners. The protein level and surface expression of CXCR4 in human BCC cells was increased by TGF-β1 treatment. TGF-β1 was intensely expressed in the surrounding fibroblasts of invasive BCC and was positively correlated with the CXCR4 expression of BCC cells. The transcriptional regulation of CXCR4 by TGF-β1 is mediated by its binding to the TGF-β receptor II and phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)-ETS-1 pathway. TGF-β1 induces upregulation of CXCR4 in human BCC cells by phosphorylation of ERK1/2-ETS-1 pathway. Copyright © 2013 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The large Maf factor Traffic Jam controls gonad morphogenesis in Drosophila.

PubMed

Li, Michelle A; Alls, Jeffrey D; Avancini, Rita M; Koo, Karen; Godt, Dorothea

2003-11-01

Interactions between somatic and germline cells are critical for the normal development of egg and sperm. Here we show that the gene traffic jam (tj) produces a soma-specific factor that controls gonad morphogenesis and is required for female and male fertility. tj encodes the only large Maf factor in Drosophila melanogaster, an orthologue of the atypical basic Leu zipper transcription factors c-Maf and MafB/Kreisler in vertebrates. Expression of tj occurs in somatic gonadal cells that are in direct contact with germline cells throughout development. In tj mutant gonads, somatic cells fail to inter-mingle and properly envelop germline cells, causing an early block in germ cell differentiation. In addition, tj mutant somatic cells show an increase in the level of expression for several adhesion molecules. We propose that tj is a critical modulator of the adhesive properties of somatic cells, facilitating germline-soma interactions that are essential for germ cell differentiation.

Human microRNA-1245 down-regulates the NKG2D receptor in natural killer cells and impairs NKG2D-mediated functions

PubMed Central

Espinoza, J. Luis; Takami, Akiyoshi; Yoshioka, Katsuji; Nakata, Katsuya; Sato, Tokiharu; Kasahara, Yoshihito; Nakao, Shinji

2012-01-01

Background NKG2D is an activating receptor expressed by natural killer and T cells, which have crucial functions in tumor and microbial immunosurveillance. Several cytokines have been identified as modulators of NKG2D receptor expression. However, little is known about NKG2D gene regulation. In this study, we found that microRNA 1245 attenuated the expression of NKG2D in natural killer cells. Design and Methods We investigated the potential interactions between the 3′-untranslated region of the NKG2D gene and microRNA as well as their functional roles in the regulation of NKG2D expression and cytotoxicity in natural killer cells. Results Transforming growth factor-β1, a major negative regulator of NKG2D expression, post-transcriptionally up-regulated mature microRNA-1245 expression, thus down-regulating NKG2D expression and impairing NKG2D-mediated immune responses in natural killer cells. Conversely, microRNA-1245 down-regulation significantly increased the expression of NKG2D expression in natural killer cells, resulting in more efficient NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity. Conclusions These results reveal a novel NKG2D regulatory pathway mediated by microRNA-1245, which may represent one of the mechanisms used by transforming growth factor-β1 to attenuate NKG2D expression in natural killer cells. PMID:22491735

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-2 receptors on EL4 lymphoma cells overexpressing growth hormone.

PubMed

Farmer, John T; Weigent, Douglas A

2007-01-01

In the present study, we report the upregulation of functional IGF-2Rs in cells overexpressing growth hormone (GH). EL4 lymphoma cells stably transfected with an rGH cDNA overexpression vector (GHo) exhibited an increase in the binding of (125)I-IGF-2 with no change in the binding affinity compared to vector alone controls. An increase in the expression of the insulin-like growth factor-2 receptor (IGF-2R) in cells overexpressing GH was confirmed by Western blot analysis and IGF-2R promoter luciferase assays. EL4 cells produce insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) as detected by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); however, no IGF-2 protein was detected by Western analysis. The increase in the expression of the IGF-2R resulted in greater levels of IGF-2 uptake in GHo cells compared to vector alone controls. The data suggest that one of the consequences of the overexpression of GH is an increase in the expression of the IGF-2R.

Involvement of human decidual cell-expressed tissue factor in uterine hemostasis and abruption

PubMed Central

Lockwood, C.J.; Paidas, M.; Murk, W.K.; Kayisli, U.A.; Gopinath, A.; Krikun, G.; Huang, S.J.; Schatz, F.

2009-01-01

Vascular injury increases access and binding of plasma-derived factor VII to perivascular cell membrane-bound tissue factor (TF). The resulting TF/VIIa complex promotes hemostasis by cleaving pro-thrombin to thrombin leading to the fibrin clot. In human pregnancy, decidual cell-expressed TF prevents decidual hemorrhage (abruption). During placentation, trophoblasts remodel decidual spiral arteries into high conductance vessels. Shallow trophoblast invasion impedes decidual vascular conversion, producing an inadequate uteroplacental blood flow that elicits abruption-related placental ischemia. Thrombin induces several biological effects via cell surface protease activated receptors. In first trimester human DCs thrombin increases synthesis of sFlt-1, which elicits placental ischemia by impeding angiogenesis-related decidual vascular remodeling. During pregnacy, the fibrillar collagen-rich amnion and choriodecidua extracellular matrix (ECM) provides greater than additive tensile strength and structural integrity. Thrombin acts as an autocrine/paracrine mediator that degrades these ECMs by augmenting decidual cell expression of: 1) matrix metalloproteinases and 2) interleukin-8, a key mediator of abruption-associated decidual infiltration of neutrophils, which express several ECM degrading proteases. Our recent observations that: 1) among the cell types at the maternal fetal interface at term TF expression is highest in decidual cells indicates that this TF meets the hemostatic demands of labor and delivery; 2) TF expression in cultured term decidual cells is enhanced by progestin and thrombin suggest that maintenance of elevated circulating progesterone at term provides hemostatic protection, whereas abruption-generated thrombin can act in autocrine/paracrine fashion on DCs to promote hemostasis via enhanced TF expression. PMID:19720393

MUC4: a novel prognostic factor of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Hamada, Tomofumi; Wakamatsu, Tsunenobu; Miyahara, Mayumi; Nagata, Satoshi; Nomura, Masahiro; Kamikawa, Yoshiaki; Yamada, Norishige; Batra, Surinder K; Yonezawa, Suguru; Sugihara, Kazumasa

2012-04-15

MUC4 mucin is now known to be expressed in various normal and cancer tissues. We have previously reported that MUC4 expression is a novel prognostic factor in several malignant tumors; however, it has not been investigated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of our study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of MUC4 expression in OSCC. We examined the expression profile of MUC4 in OSCC tissues from 150 patients using immunohistochemistry. Its prognostic significance in OSCC was statistically analyzed. MUC4 was expressed in 61 of the 150 patients with OSCC. MUC4 expression was significantly correlated with higher T classification (p = 0.0004), positive nodal metastasis (p = 0.049), advanced tumor stage (p = 0.002), diffuse invasion of cancer cells (p = 0.004) and patient's death (p = 0.004) in OSCC. Multivariate analysis showed that MUC4 expression (p = 0.011), tumor location (p = 0.032) and diffuse invasion (p = 0.009) were statistically significant risk factors. Backward stepwise multivariate analysis demonstrated MUC4 expression (p = 0.0015) and diffuse invasion (p = 0.018) to be statistically significant independent risk factors of poor survival in OSCC. The disease-free and overall survival of patients with MUC4 expression was significantly worse than those without MUC4 expression (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0001). In addition, the MUC4 expression was a significant risk factor for local recurrence and subsequent nodal metastasis in OSCC (p = 0.017 and p = 0.0001). We first report MUC4 overexpression is an independent factor for poor prognosis of patients with OSCC; therefore, patients with OSCC showing positive MUC4 expression should be followed up carefully. Copyright © 2011 UICC.

Recombinant expression of extracellular domain of mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in prokaryotic and baculovirus expression systems.

PubMed

Vettath, Sunitha Kodengil; Shivashankar, Gaganashree; Menon, Krishnakumar N; Vijayachandran, Lakshmi S

2018-04-15

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is a tumor specific antigen detected in various tumors including gliomas, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Screening of EGFRvIII targeting drug molecules can be accelerated by developing drug screening platforms using recombinantly expressed protein. Choice of expression system is one of the major factors deciding the success of recombinant expression of a protein. In our study, we have tried to express and purify the extracellular domain (ECD) of this highly unstable protein using bacterial and baculovirus expression systems to select the expression system suited for our purpose. Even though the protein was successfully expressed in prokaryotic system, purification could be done only under denaturing conditions. But in the baculovirus expression system, the protein was expressed in soluble form and could be purified under native conditions, with single step of purification. Based on our results, we conclude that insect cells are better choice over E. coli cells for expressing EGFRvIII ECD in soluble form. This study provides insights for other researchers involved in expression of similar unstable membrane proteins, on selecting the best expression system and challenges involved. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Production of Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) by Primary Sertoli Cells; Its Possible Involvement in Migration of Spermatogonial Cells.

PubMed

Huleihel, Mahmoud; Abofoul-Azab, Maram; Abarbanel, Yael; Einav, Iris; Levitas, Elyahu; Lunenfeld, Eitan

2017-10-01

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional molecule. MIF was originally identified as a T-cell-derived factor responsible for the inhibition of macrophage migration. In testicular tissue of adult rats, MIF is constitutively expressed by Leydig cells under physiological conditions. The aim of this study was to examine MIF levels in testicular homogenates from different aged mice, and the capacity of Sertoli cells to produce it. We also examined MIF involvement in spermatogonial cell migration. Similar levels of MIF protein were detected in testicular homogenates of mice of different ages (1-8-week-old). However, the RNA expression levels of MIF were high in 1-week-old mice and significantly decreased with age compared to 1-week-old mice. MIF was stained in Sertoli, Leydig cells, and developed germ cells in the seminiferous tubules. Isolated Sertoli cells from 1-week-old mice stained to MIF. Cultures of Sertoli cells from 1-week-old mice produced and expressed high levels of MIF which significantly decreased with age. MIF was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of Sertoli cell cultures isolated from 1-week-old mice; however, it was localized only in the cytoplasm and branches of cultures isolated from 8-week-old mice. MIFR was detected in GFRα1 and Sertoli cells. MIF could induce migration of spermatogonial cells, and this effect was synergistic with glial cell-line neurotrophic factor. Our results show, for the first time, the capacity of Sertoli cells to produce MIF under normal conditions and that MIFR expressed in GFRα1 and Sertoli cells. We also showed that MIF induced spermatogonial cell migration. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2869-2877, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evaluation of the effect of follicular stimulating hormone on the in vitro bovine spermatogonial stem cells self-renewal: An experimental study

PubMed Central

Jabarpour, Masoome; Tajik, Parviz

2017-01-01

Background: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are undifferentiated cells which are highly reproducible and expandable. Several studies have been conducted to reproduce these cells in culture. They used growth factors, hormones and different feeder cells to improve survival and proliferation of SSCs. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) on gene expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in Sertoli cells. Materials and Methods: Sertoli cells and SSCs were isolated from 3-5 month-old calves. Bovine testicular cells were cultured for 15 days with or without FSH. Identification of these cells was confirmed by immunocytochemistry analysis. Colony formation of SSCs was evaluated using an inverted microscope. The gene expression of FGF2 and GDNF and the gene markers bcl6b, thy-1, and C-kit were evaluated using the quantitative RT-PCR technique. Results: The results indicated that FSH increased colonization of SSCs. the expression of GDNF, FGF2, and markers of undifferentiated spermatogonia was increased following culture in control and FSH groups (p<0.05), this increase was more in FSH group. Conversely, the expression of C-kit was decreased in both groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that FSH can increase the self-renewal of SSCs in vitro via upregulation of GDNF and FGF2 expression in Sertoli cells. PMID:29492477

Factor XIIIa is expressed by fibroblasts in fibrovascular tumors.

PubMed

Nemeth, A J; Penneys, N S

1989-10-01

Factor XIIIa (FXIIIa), a blood and intracellularly produced coagulation factor, has been found in a variety of cell types including fibroblast-like mesenchymal cells, and has been shown to stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts and some neoplastic cells in vitro. We have already shown that the dendritic fibroblasts composing the fibrous papule contain this factor. We hypothesized that histopathologically similar fibrovascular tumors may also express FXIIIa and, in this report, show that the large stellate fibroblasts found in acquired digital fibrokeratomas, angiofibromas (adenoma sebaceum of Pringle), and oral fibroma (oral fibrous hyperplasia) also express FXIIIa. We postulate that FXIIIa, possibly acting as a growth factor, may be a common denominator in the pathogenesis of these tumors. Another possibility is that these tumors may be the consequence of a local overproduction of FXIIIa in response to an, as yet, unidentified stimulus.

Induced stem cell neoplasia in a cnidarian by ectopic expression of a POU domain transcription factor.

PubMed

Millane, R Cathriona; Kanska, Justyna; Duffy, David J; Seoighe, Cathal; Cunningham, Stephen; Plickert, Günter; Frank, Uri

2011-06-01

The evolutionary origin of stem cell pluripotency is an unresolved question. In mammals, pluripotency is limited to early embryos and is induced and maintained by a small number of key transcription factors, of which the POU domain protein Oct4 is considered central. Clonal invertebrates, by contrast, possess pluripotent stem cells throughout their life, but the molecular mechanisms that control their pluripotency are poorly defined. To address this problem, we analyzed the expression pattern and function of Polynem (Pln), a POU domain gene from the marine cnidarian Hydractinia echinata. We show that Pln is expressed in the embryo and adult stem cells of the animal and that ectopic expression in epithelial cells induces stem cell neoplasms and loss of epithelial tissue. Neoplasm cells downregulated the transgene but expressed the endogenous Pln gene and also Nanos, Vasa, Piwi and Myc, which are all known cnidarian stem cell markers. Retinoic acid treatment caused downregulation of Pln and the differentiation of neoplasm cells to neurosensory and epithelial cells. Pln downregulation by RNAi led to differentiation. Collectively, our results suggest an ancient role of POU proteins as key regulators of animal stem cells.

Multiple transcription factors directly regulate Hox gene lin-39 expression in ventral hypodermal cells of the C. elegans embryo and larva, including the hypodermal fate regulators LIN-26 and ELT-6.

PubMed

Liu, Wan-Ju; Reece-Hoyes, John S; Walhout, Albertha J M; Eisenmann, David M

2014-05-13

Hox genes encode master regulators of regional fate specification during early metazoan development. Much is known about the initiation and regulation of Hox gene expression in Drosophila and vertebrates, but less is known in the non-arthropod invertebrate model system, C. elegans. The C. elegans Hox gene lin-39 is required for correct fate specification in the midbody region, including the Vulval Precursor Cells (VPCs). To better understand lin-39 regulation and function, we aimed to identify transcription factors necessary for lin-39 expression in the VPCs, and in particular sought factors that initiate lin-39 expression in the embryo. We used the yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) method to screen for factors that bound to 13 fragments from the lin-39 region: twelve fragments contained sequences conserved between C. elegans and two other nematode species, while one fragment was known to drive reporter gene expression in the early embryo in cells that generate the VPCs. Sixteen transcription factors that bind to eight lin-39 genomic fragments were identified in yeast, and we characterized several factors by verifying their physical interactions in vitro, and showing that reduction of their function leads to alterations in lin-39 levels and lin-39::GFP reporter expression in vivo. Three factors, the orphan nuclear hormone receptor NHR-43, the hypodermal fate regulator LIN-26, and the GATA factor ELT-6 positively regulate lin-39 expression in the embryonic precursors to the VPCs. In particular, ELT-6 interacts with an enhancer that drives GFP expression in the early embryo, and the ELT-6 site we identified is necessary for proper embryonic expression. These three factors, along with the factors ZTF-17, BED-3 and TBX-9, also positively regulate lin-39 expression in the larval VPCs. These results significantly expand the number of factors known to directly bind and regulate lin-39 expression, identify the first factors required for lin-39 expression in the embryo, and hint at a positive feedback mechanism involving GATA factors that maintains lin-39 expression in the vulval lineage. This work indicates that, as in other organisms, the regulation of Hox gene expression in C. elegans is complicated, redundant and robust.

Sulforaphane inhibits hypoxia-induced HIF-1α and VEGF expression and migration of human colon cancer cells.

PubMed

Kim, Dong Hwan; Sung, Bokyung; Kang, Yong Jung; Hwang, Seong Yeon; Kim, Min Jeong; Yoon, Jeong-Hyun; Im, Eunok; Kim, Nam Deuk

2015-12-01

The effects of sulforaphane (a natural product commonly found in broccoli) was investigated on hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression in HCT116 human colon cancer cells and AGS human gastric cancer cells. We found that hypoxia-induced HIF-1α protein expression in HCT116 and AGS cells, while treatment with sulforaphane markedly and concentration-dependently inhibited HIF-1α expression in both cell lines. Treatment with sulforaphane inhibited hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in HCT116 cells. Treatment with sulforaphane modulated the effect of hypoxia on HIF-1α stability. However, degradation of HIF-1α by sulforaphane was not mediated through the 26S proteasome pathway. We also found that the inhibition of HIF-1α by sulforaphane was not mediated through AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation under hypoxic conditions. Finally, hypoxia-induced HCT116 cell migration was inhibited by sulforaphane. These data suggest that sulforaphane may inhibit human colon cancer progression and cancer cell angiogenesis by inhibiting HIF-1α and VEGF expression. Taken together, these results indicate that sulforaphane is a new and potent chemopreventive drug candidate for treating patients with human colon cancer.

FOXO1 opposition of CD8+ T cell effector programming confers early memory properties and phenotypic diversity.

PubMed

Delpoux, Arnaud; Lai, Chen-Yen; Hedrick, Stephen M; Doedens, Andrew L

2017-10-17

The factors and steps controlling postinfection CD8 + T cell terminal effector versus memory differentiation are incompletely understood. Whereas we found that naive TCF7 (alias "Tcf-1") expression is FOXO1 independent, early postinfection we report bimodal, FOXO1-dependent expression of the memory-essential transcription factor TCF7 in pathogen-specific CD8 + T cells. We determined the early postinfection TCF7 high population is marked by low TIM3 expression and bears memory signature hallmarks before the appearance of established memory precursor marker CD127 (IL-7R). These cells exhibit diminished TBET, GZMB, mTOR signaling, and cell cycle progression. Day 5 postinfection, TCF7 high cells express higher memory-associated BCL2 and EOMES, as well as increased accumulation potential and capacity to differentiate into memory phenotype cells. TCF7 retroviral transduction opposes GZMB expression and the formation of KLRG1 pos phenotype cells, demonstrating an active role for TCF7 in extinguishing the effector program and forestalling terminal differentiation. Past the peak of the cellular immune response, we report a gradient of FOXO1 and TCF7 expression, which functions to oppose TBET and orchestrate a continuum of effector-to-memory phenotypes.

Trichostatin A specifically improves the aberrant expression of transcription factor genes in embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer

PubMed Central

Inoue, Kimiko; Oikawa, Mami; Kamimura, Satoshi; Ogonuki, Narumi; Nakamura, Toshinobu; Nakano, Toru; Abe, Kuniya; Ogura, Atsuo

2015-01-01

Although mammalian cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been established in various species, the low developmental efficiency has hampered its practical applications. Treatment of SCNT-derived embryos with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can improve their development, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. To address this question, we analysed gene expression profiles of SCNT-derived 2-cell mouse embryos treated with trichostatin A (TSA), a potent HDAC inhibitor that is best used for mouse cloning. Unexpectedly, TSA had no effect on the numbers of aberrantly expressed genes or the overall gene expression pattern in the embryos. However, in-depth investigation by gene ontology and functional analyses revealed that TSA treatment specifically improved the expression of a small subset of genes encoding transcription factors and their regulatory factors, suggesting their positive involvement in de novo RNA synthesis. Indeed, introduction of one of such transcription factors, Spi-C, into the embryos at least partially mimicked the TSA-induced improvement in embryonic development by activating gene networks associated with transcriptional regulation. Thus, the effects of TSA treatment on embryonic gene expression did not seem to be stochastic, but more specific than expected, targeting genes that direct development and trigger zygotic genome activation at the 2-cell stage. PMID:25974394

Network-based expression analyses and experimental validations revealed high co-expression between Yap1 and stem cell markers compared to differentiated cells.

PubMed

Dehghanian, Fariba; Hojati, Zohreh; Esmaeili, Fariba; Masoudi-Nejad, Ali

2018-05-21

The Hippo signaling pathway is identified as a potential regulatory pathway which plays critical roles in differentiation and stem cell self-renewal. Yap1 is a primary transcriptional effector of this pathway. The importance of Yap1 in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and differentiation procedure remains a challenging question, since two different observations have been reported. To answer this question we used co-expression network and differential co-expression analyses followed by experimental validations. Our results indicate that Yap1 is highly co-expressed with stem cell markers in ESCs but not in differentiated cells (DCs). The significant Yap1 down-regulation and also translocation of Yap1 into the cytoplasm during P19 differentiation was also detected. Moreover, our results suggest the E2f7, Lin28a and Dppa4 genes as possible regulatory nuclear factors of Hippo pathway in stem cells. The present findings are actively consistent with studies that suggested Yap1 as an essential factor for stem cell self-renewal. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identification of embryonic precursor cells that differentiate into thymic epithelial cells expressing autoimmune regulator

PubMed Central

Takizawa, Nobukazu; Miyauchi, Maki; Yanai, Hiromi; Tateishi, Ryosuke; Shinzawa, Miho; Yoshinaga, Riko; Kurihara, Masaaki; Yasuda, Hisataka; Sakamoto, Reiko; Yoshida, Nobuaki

2016-01-01

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) expressing autoimmune regulator (Aire) are critical for preventing the onset of autoimmunity. However, the differentiation program of Aire-expressing mTECs (Aire+ mTECs) is unclear. Here, we describe novel embryonic precursors of Aire+ mTECs. We found the candidate precursors of Aire+ mTECs (pMECs) by monitoring the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), which is required for Aire+ mTEC differentiation. pMECs unexpectedly expressed cortical TEC molecules in addition to the mTEC markers UEA-1 ligand and RANK and differentiated into mTECs in reaggregation thymic organ culture. Introduction of pMECs in the embryonic thymus permitted long-term maintenance of Aire+ mTECs and efficiently suppressed the onset of autoimmunity induced by Aire+ mTEC deficiency. Mechanistically, pMECs differentiated into Aire+ mTECs by tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-dependent RANK signaling. Moreover, nonclassical nuclear factor-κB activation triggered by RANK and lymphotoxin-β receptor signaling promoted pMEC induction from progenitors exhibiting lower RANK expression and higher CD24 expression. Thus, our findings identified two novel stages in the differentiation program of Aire+ mTECs. PMID:27401343

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase is dynamically expressed during bone marrow stem cell differentiation into endothelial cells.

PubMed

Liu, Zhenguo; Jiang, Yuehua; Hao, Hong; Gupta, Kalpna; Xu, Jian; Chu, Ling; McFalls, Edward; Zweier, Jay; Verfaillie, Catherine; Bache, Robert J

2007-09-01

This study was designed to investigate the developmental expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) during stem cell differentiation into endothelial cells and to examine the functional status of the newly differentiated endothelial cells. Mouse adult multipotent progenitor cells (MAPCs) were used as the source of stem cells and were induced to differentiate into endothelial cells with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum-free medium. Expression of eNOS in the cells during differentiation was evaluated with real-time PCR, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, and Western blot analysis. It was found that eNOS, but no other NOS, was present in undifferentiated MAPCs. eNOS expression disappeared in the cells immediately after induction of differentiation. However, eNOS expression reoccurred at day 7 during differentiation. Increasing eNOS mRNA, protein content, and activity were observed in the cells at days 14 and 21 during differentiation. The differentiated endothelial cells formed dense capillary networks on growth factor-reduced Matrigel. VEGF-stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1 and ERK-2 occurred in these cells, which was inhibited by NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that eNOS is present in MAPCs and is dynamically expressed during the differentiation of MAPCs into endothelial cells in vitro.

Phospholipase D2 Enhances Epidermal Growth Factor-Induced Akt Activation in EL4 Lymphoma Cells.

PubMed

Chahal, Manpreet S; Brauner, Daniel J; Meier, Kathryn E

2010-07-02

Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) generates phosphatidic acid through hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine. PLD2 has been shown to play a role in enhancing tumorigenesis. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can both activate and interact with PLD2. Murine lymphoma EL4 cells lacking endogenous PLD2 present a unique model to elucidate the role of PLD2 in signal transduction. In the current study, we investigated effects of PLD2 on EGF response. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to establish that both parental cells and PLD2 transfectants express endogenous EGFR. Levels of EGFR protein are increased in cells expressing active PLD2, as compared to parental cells or cells expressing inactive PLD2. EGF stimulates proliferation of EL4 cells transfected with active PLD2, but not parental cells or cells transfected with inactive PLD2. EGF-mediated proliferation in cells expressing active PLD2 is dependent on the activities of both the EGFR and the PI3K/Akt pathway, as demonstrated by studies using protein kinase inhibitors. EGF-induced invasion through a synthetic extracellular matrix is enhanced in cells expressing active PLD2, as compared to parental cells or cells expressing inactive PLD2. Taken together, the data suggest that PLD2 acts in concert with EGFR to enhance mitogenesis and invasion in lymphoma cells.

Phospholipase D2 Enhances Epidermal Growth Factor-Induced Akt Activation in EL4 Lymphoma Cells

PubMed Central

Chahal, Manpreet S.; Brauner, Daniel J.; Meier, Kathryn E.

2010-01-01

Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) generates phosphatidic acid through hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine. PLD2 has been shown to play a role in enhancing tumorigenesis. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can both activate and interact with PLD2. Murine lymphoma EL4 cells lacking endogenous PLD2 present a unique model to elucidate the role of PLD2 in signal transduction. In the current study, we investigated effects of PLD2 on EGF response. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to establish that both parental cells and PLD2 transfectants express endogenous EGFR. Levels of EGFR protein are increased in cells expressing active PLD2, as compared to parental cells or cells expressing inactive PLD2. EGF stimulates proliferation of EL4 cells transfected with active PLD2, but not parental cells or cells transfected with inactive PLD2. EGF-mediated proliferation in cells expressing active PLD2 is dependent on the activities of both the EGFR and the PI3K/Akt pathway, as demonstrated by studies using protein kinase inhibitors. EGF-induced invasion through a synthetic extracellular matrix is enhanced in cells expressing active PLD2, as compared to parental cells or cells expressing inactive PLD2. Taken together, the data suggest that PLD2 acts in concert with EGFR to enhance mitogenesis and invasion in lymphoma cells. PMID:27713341

Expression of Metallothionein and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Isoforms in Breast Cancer Cells.

PubMed

Wierzowiecka, Barbara; Gomulkiewicz, Agnieszka; Cwynar-Zajac, Lucja; Olbromski, Mateusz; Grzegrzolka, Jedrzej; Kobierzycki, Christopher; Podhorska-Okolow, Marzenna; Dziegiel, Piotr

2016-01-01

Metallothioneins (MTs) are low-molecular-weight and cysteine-rich proteins that bind heavy metal ions and oxygen-free radicals. MTs are commonly expressed in various tissues of mammals and are involved in regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, and may be engaged in angiogenesis. Expression of MTs has been studied in many cancer types, especially breast cancer. The research results indicate that MTs may play important, although not yet fully known, roles in cancer angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of gene expression of selected MT isoforms induced with zinc ions in correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms in in vitro models of breast cancer. The studies were carried out in three breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231). An epithelial cell line derived from normal breast tissue (Me16c) was used as a control. The levels of expression of selected MT isoforms and selected genes involved in angiogenesis were studied with real-time PCR. Expression of different MT isoforms was induced by zinc ions to differing degrees in individual breast cancer cell lines. An increase in the expression of some MT isoforms was associated with a slight increase in the level of expression of VEGFA. The research results may indicate certain correlation between an increased expression of selected MT isoforms and a pro-angiogenic factor VEGF in specific types of breast cancer cells. Copyright © 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Retinal hypoxia induces vascular endothelial growth factor through induction of estrogen-related receptor γ

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Do, Ji Yeon; Choi, Young Keun; Kook, Hyun

2015-05-01

Ischemic retinopathies causing overexpression of pro-angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are the most common cause of blindness. Thus, understanding the pathophysiology of targetable pathways that regulate retinal VEGF is of great interest. A conserved binding site for estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) has been identified in the promoter of the Vegfa gene. ERRγ is a constitutively active orphan nuclear receptor and its expression is increased by hypoxic stimuli in metabolically active tissues. This study evaluated the role of ERRγ in the ischemic retina and the anti-VEGF potential of GSK5182, a selective inverse agonist of ERRγ. In an oxygen-inducedmore » retinopathy (OIR) mouse model, immunohistochemistry showed significantly increased ERRγ expression in the ganglion cell layer at postnatal day (P) 17. In a ganglion cell line (RGC-5), mRNA and protein levels of ERRγ were increased by desferrioxamine treatment and hypoxic conditions (1% O{sub 2}). Transient transfection of RGC-5 cells revealed that ERRγ regulated Vegfa expression and this was inhibited by GSK5182. Intravitreal injection of GSK5182 into the OIR model at P14 inhibited retinal Vegfa mRNA expression at P17. GSK5182 suppresses hypoxia-induced VEGF expression via ERRγ; therefore, ERRγ could be a treatment target for ischemic retinopathies. - Highlights: • OIR mice exhibited increased ERRγ expression in the ganglion cell layer. • Hypoxia-induced ERRγ expression was observed in retinal ganglion cells. • ERRγ overexpression increased VEGFA expression in retinal ganglion cells. • An ERRγ inverse agonist suppressed VEGFA expression in retinal ganglion cells. • Intravitreal injection of an ERRγ inverse agonist suppressed VEGFA in OIR mice.« less

Downregulation of connective tissue growth factor inhibits the growth and invasion of gastric cancer cells and attenuates peritoneal dissemination

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been shown to be implicated in tumor development and progression. However, the role of CTGF in gastric cancer remains largely unknown. Results In this study, we showed that CTGF was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues compared with matched normal gastric tissues. The CTGF expression in tumor tissue was associated with histologic grade, lymph node metastasis and peritoneal dissemination (P < 0.05). Patients with positive CTGF expression had significantly lower cumulative postoperative 5 year survival rate than those with negative CTGF expression (22.9% versus 48.1%, P < 0.001). We demonstrated that knockdown of CTGF expression significantly inhibited cell growth of gastric cancer cells and decreased cyclin D1 expression. Moreover, knockdown of CTGF expression also markedly reduced the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells and decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Animal studies revealed that nude mice injected with the CTGF knockdown stable cell lines featured a smaller number of peritoneal seeding nodules than the control cell lines. Conclusions These data suggest that CTGF plays an important role in cell growth and invasion in human gastric cancer and it appears to be a potential prognostic marker for patients with gastric cancer. PMID:21955589

Downregulation of connective tissue growth factor inhibits the growth and invasion of gastric cancer cells and attenuates peritoneal dissemination.

PubMed

Jiang, Cheng-Gang; Lv, Ling; Liu, Fu-Rong; Wang, Zhen-Ning; Liu, Fu-Nan; Li, Yan-Shu; Wang, Chun-Yu; Zhang, Hong-Yan; Sun, Zhe; Xu, Hui-Mian

2011-09-28

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been shown to be implicated in tumor development and progression. However, the role of CTGF in gastric cancer remains largely unknown. In this study, we showed that CTGF was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues compared with matched normal gastric tissues. The CTGF expression in tumor tissue was associated with histologic grade, lymph node metastasis and peritoneal dissemination (P < 0.05). Patients with positive CTGF expression had significantly lower cumulative postoperative 5 year survival rate than those with negative CTGF expression (22.9% versus 48.1%, P < 0.001). We demonstrated that knockdown of CTGF expression significantly inhibited cell growth of gastric cancer cells and decreased cyclin D1 expression. Moreover, knockdown of CTGF expression also markedly reduced the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells and decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Animal studies revealed that nude mice injected with the CTGF knockdown stable cell lines featured a smaller number of peritoneal seeding nodules than the control cell lines. These data suggest that CTGF plays an important role in cell growth and invasion in human gastric cancer and it appears to be a potential prognostic marker for patients with gastric cancer.

Mangiferin inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and cellular invasion by suppressing nuclear factor-κB activity

PubMed Central

Dilshara, Matharage Gayani; Kang, Chang-Hee; Choi, Yung Hyun; Kim, Gi-Young

2015-01-01

We investigated the effects of mangiferin on the expression and activity of metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and the invasion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated human LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis showed that mangiferin significantly reversed TNF-α-induced mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9 expression. Zymography data confirmed that stimulation of cells with TNF-α significantly increased MMP-9 activity. However, mangiferin substantially reduced the TNF-α-induced activity of MMP-9. Additionally, a matrigel invasion assay showed that mangiferin significantly reduced TNF-α-induced invasion of LNCaP cells. Compared to untreated controls, TNF-α-stimulated LNCaP cells showed a significant increase in nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) luciferase activity. However, mangiferin treatment markedly decreased TNF-α-induced NF-κB luciferase activity. Furthermore, mangiferin suppressed nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunits p65 and p50. Collectively, our results indicate that mangiferin is a potential anti-invasive agent that acts by suppressing NF-κB-mediated MMP-9 expression. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(10): 559-564] PMID:25739392

Mangiferin inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and cellular invasion by suppressing nuclear factor-κB activity.

PubMed

Dilshara, Matharage Gayani; Kang, Chang-Hee; Choi, Yung Hyun; Kim, Gi-Young

2015-10-01

We investigated the effects of mangiferin on the expression and activity of metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and the invasion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated human LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis showed that mangiferin significantly reversed TNF-α-induced mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9 expression. Zymography data confirmed that stimulation of cells with TNF-α significantly increased MMP-9 activity. However, mangiferin substantially reduced the TNF-α-induced activity of MMP-9. Additionally, a matrigel invasion assay showed that mangiferin significantly reduced TNF-α-induced invasion of LNCaP cells. Compared to untreated controls, TNF-α-stimulated LNCaP cells showed a significant increase in nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) luciferase activity. However, mangiferin treatment markedly decreased TNF-α-induced NF-κB luciferase activity. Furthermore, mangiferin suppressed nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunits p65 and p50. Collectively, our results indicate that mangiferin is a potential anti-invasive agent that acts by suppressing NF-κB-mediated MMP-9 expression.

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in wine, inhibits tissue factor expression in vascular cells : A possible mechanism for the cardiovascular benefits associated with moderate consumption of wine.

PubMed

Pendurthi, U R; Williams, J T; Rao, L V

1999-02-01

A number of studies suggest that moderate consumption of red wine may be more effective than other alcoholic beverages in decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease mortality. The phytochemical resveratrol found in wine, derived from grapes, has been thought to be responsible for cardiovascular benefits associated with wine consumption because it was shown to have antioxidant and antiplatelet activities. In the present investigation, we examined the effect of resveratrol on induction of tissue factor (TF) expression in vascular cells that were exposed to pathophysiological stimuli. The data presented herein show that resveratrol, in a dose-dependent manner, inhibited the expression of TF in endothelial cells stimulated with a variety of agonists, including interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A similar inhibition of TF induction was also seen in LPS stimulated monocytes that were pretreated with resveratrol before their stimulation with LPS. In addition, resveratrol was shown to inhibit the LPS-induced expression of TNFalpha mRNA in endothelial cells and of TNFalpha and IL-1beta mRNA in monocytes. Nuclear run-on analysis in endothelial cells showed that resveratrol inhibited TF expression at the level of transcription. However, resveratrol did not significantly alter the binding of the transcription factors c-Fos/c-Jun and c-Rel/p65, the transcription factors required for the induction of TF promoter in both endothelial cells and monocytes. Similarly, resveratrol had no significant effect on the binding of NF-kappaB in endothelial cells stimulated with IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and LPS. Overall, our data show that resveratrol could effectively suppress the aberrant expression of TF and cytokines in vascular cells, but it requires further investigation to understand how resveratrol exerts its inhibitory effect.

Self-production of tissue factor-coagulation factor VII complex by ovarian cancer cells.

PubMed

Yokota, N; Koizume, S; Miyagi, E; Hirahara, F; Nakamura, Y; Kikuchi, K; Ruf, W; Sakuma, Y; Tsuchiya, E; Miyagi, Y

2009-12-15

Thromboembolic events are a major complication in ovarian cancer patients. Tissue factor (TF) is frequently overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissue and correlates with intravascular thrombosis. TF binds to coagulation factor VII (fVII), changing it to its active form, fVIIa. This leads to activation of the extrinsic coagulation cascade. fVII is produced by the liver and believed to be supplied from blood plasma at the site of coagulation. However, we recently showed that ovarian cancer cells express fVII transcripts under normoxia and that this transcription is inducible under hypoxia. These findings led us to hypothesise that ovarian cancer cells are intrinsically associated with TF-fVIIa coagulation activity, which could result in thrombosis. In this study, we examined whether ectopically expressed fVII could cause thrombosis by means of immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, western blotting and flow cytometry. Ectopic fVII expression occurs frequently in ovarian cancers, particularly in clear cell carcinoma. We further showed that ovarian cancer cells express TF-fVIIa on the cell surface under normoxia and that this procoagulant activity is enhanced by hypoxic stimuli. Moreover, we showed that ovarian cancer cells secrete microparticles (MPs) with TF-fVIIa activity. Production of this procoagulant secretion is enhanced under hypoxia. These results raise the possibility that cancer cell-derived TF-fVIIa could cause thrombotic events in ovarian cancer patients.

Overexpression of stromal cell-derived factor 1 and its receptor CXCR4 induces autocrine/paracrine cell proliferation in human pituitary adenomas.

PubMed

Barbieri, Federica; Bajetto, Adriana; Stumm, Ralf; Pattarozzi, Alessandra; Porcile, Carola; Zona, Gianluigi; Dorcaratto, Alessandra; Ravetti, Jean-Louis; Minuto, Francesco; Spaziante, Renato; Schettini, Gennaro; Ferone, Diego; Florio, Tullio

2008-08-15

Hypothalamic or locally produced growth factors and cytokines control pituitary development, functioning, and cell division. We evaluated the expression of the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) and its receptor CXCR4 in human pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary tissues and their role in cell proliferation. The expression of SDF1 and CXCR4 in 65 human pituitary adenomas and 4 human normal pituitaries was determined by reverse transcription-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and confocal immunofluorescence. The proliferative effect of SDF1 was evaluated in eight fibroblast-free human pituitary adenoma cell cultures. CXCR4 mRNA was expressed in 92% of growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenomas (GHoma) and 81% of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA), whereas SDF1 was identified in 63% and 78% of GHomas and NFPAs, respectively. Immunostaining for CXCR4 and SDF1 showed a strong homogenous labeling in all tumoral cells in both GHomas and NFPAs. In normal tissues, CXCR4 and SDF1 were expressed only in a subset of anterior pituitary cells, with a lower expression of SDF1 compared with its cognate receptor. CXCR4 and SDF1 were not confined to a specific cell population in the anterior pituitary but colocalized with discrete subpopulations of GH-, prolactin-, and adrenocorticorticotropic hormone-secreting cells. Conversely, most of the SDF1-containing cells expressed CXCR4. In six of eight pituitary adenoma primary cultures, SDF1 induced a statistically significant increase in DNA synthesis that was prevented by the treatment with the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 or somatostatin. CXCR4 and SDF1 are overexpressed in human pituitary adenomas and CXCR4 activation may contribute to pituitary cell proliferation and, possibly, to adenoma development in humans.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in non-small-cell lung carcinomas

PubMed Central

Fontanini, G; Boldrini, L; Chinè, S; Pisaturo, F; Basolo, F; Calcinai, A; Lucchi, M; Mussi, A; Angeletti, C A; Bevilacqua, G

1999-01-01

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to be strictly related to vascular permeability and endothelial cell growth under physiological and pathological conditions. In tumour development and progression, VEGF plays a pivotal role in the development of the tumoral vascular network, and useful information in the progression of human cancer can be obtained by analysing the vascular endothelial growth factor expression of the tumours. In this study, we investigated the vascular endothelial growth factor transcript expression in non-small-cell lung carcinomas to evaluate the significance of this factor in a group of cancers in which the vascular pattern has been shown to significantly affect progression. Surgical samples of 42 patients with NSCLC were studied using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and in situ hybridization. Thirty-three out of 42 cases (78.6%) showed VEGF transcript expression predominantly as transcripts for the secretory forms of VEGF (isoforms 121 and 165). In situ hybridization, performed on 24 out of 42 samples, showed that the VEGF transcript expression was in several cases present in the cytoplasm both of neoplastic and normal cells, even if the VEGF mRNA was less expressed in the corresponding non-tumoral part. The VEGF 121 expression was associated with hilar and/or mediastinal nodal involvement (P = 0.02), and, taken together, the VEGF isoforms were shown to significantly influence overall (P = 0.02) and disease-free survival (P = 0.03). As a regulator of tumour angiogenesis, VEGF may represent a useful indicator of progression and poor prognosis in non-small-cell lung carcinomas. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign PMID:9888482

Cross talk between primary human renal tubular cells and endothelial cells in cocultures.

PubMed

Tasnim, Farah; Zink, Daniele

2012-04-15

Interactions between renal tubular epithelial cells and adjacent endothelial cells are essential for normal renal functions but also play important roles in renal disease and repair. Here, we investigated cocultures of human primary renal proximal tubular cells (HPTC) and human primary endothelial cells to address the cross talk between these cell types. HPTC showed improved proliferation, marker gene expression, and enzyme activity in cocultures. Also, the long-term maintenance of epithelia formed by HPTC was improved, which was due to the secretion of transforming growth factor-β1 and its antagonist α2-macroglobulin. HPTC induced endothelial cells to secrete increased amounts of these factors, which balanced each other functionally and only displayed in combination the observed positive effects. In addition, in the presence of HPTC endothelial cells expressed increased amounts of hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, which have well-characterized effects on renal tubular epithelial cells as well as on endothelial cells. Together, the results showed that HPTC stimulated endothelial cells to express a functionally balanced combination of various factors, which in turn improved the performance of HPTC. The results give new insights into the cross talk between renal epithelial and endothelial cells and suggest that cocultures could be also useful models for the analysis of cellular communication in renal disease and repair. Furthermore, the characterization of defined microenvironments, which positively affect HPTC, will be helpful for improving the performance of this cell type in in vitro applications including in vitro toxicology and kidney tissue engineering.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha induces transdifferentiation of hematopoietic cells into hepatocytes.

PubMed

Khurana, Satish; Jaiswal, Amit K; Mukhopadhyay, Asok

2010-02-12

Hematopoietic stem cells can directly transdifferentiate into hepatocytes because of cellular plasticity, but the molecular basis of transdifferentiation is not known. Here, we show the molecular basis using lineage-depleted oncostatin M receptor beta-expressing (Lin(-)OSMRbeta(+)) mouse bone marrow cells in a hepatic differentiation culture system. Differentiation of the cells was marked by the expression of albumin. Hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-4alpha was expressed and translocated into the nuclei of the differentiating cells. Suppression of its activation in OSM-neutralized culture medium inhibited cellular differentiation. Ectopic expression of full-length HNF4alpha in 32D myeloid cells resulted in decreased myeloid colony-forming potential and increased expression of hepatocyte-specific genes and proteins. Nevertheless, the neohepatocytes produced in culture expressed active P450 enzyme. The obligatory role of HNF4alpha in hepatic differentiation was confirmed by transfecting Lin(-)OSMRbeta(+) cells with dominant negative HNF4alpha in the differentiation culture because its expression inhibited the transcription of the albumin and tyrosine aminotransferase genes. The loss and gain of functional activities strongly suggested that HNF4alpha plays a central role in the transdifferentiation process. For the first time, this report demonstrates the mechanism of transdifferentiation of hematopoietic cells into hepatocytes, in which HNF4alpha serves as a molecular switch.

Rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic, inhibits the release of pro-angiogenic mediators in colon cancer cells through a pregnane X receptor-dependent pathway.

PubMed

Esposito, Giuseppe; Gigli, Stefano; Seguella, Luisa; Nobile, Nicola; D'Alessandro, Alessandra; Pesce, Marcella; Capoccia, Elena; Steardo, Luca; Cirillo, Carla; Cuomo, Rosario; Sarnelli, Giovanni

2016-08-01

Activation of intestinal human pregnane X receptor (PXR) has recently been proposed as a promising strategy for the chemoprevention of inflammation-induced colon cancer. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effect of rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic, in inhibiting angiogenesis in a model of human colorectal epithelium and investigating the role of PXR in its mechanism of action. Caco-2 cells were treated with rifaximin (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 µM) in the presence or absence of ketoconazole (10 µM) and assessed for cell proliferation, migration and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO), expression of Akt, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and -9) were also evaluated. Treatment with rifaximin 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 µM caused significant and concentration-dependent reduction of cell proliferation, cell migration and PCNA expression in the Caco-2 cells vs. untreated cells. Treatment downregulated VEGF secretion, NO release, VEGFR-2 expression, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression vs. untreated cells. Rifaximin treatment also resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in the phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR, p38MAPK and inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α), p70S6K and NF-κB. Ketoconazole (PXR antagonist) treatment inhibited these effects. These findings demonstrated that rifaximin causes PXR-mediated inhibition of angiogenic factors in Caco-2 cell line and may be a promising anticancer tool.

Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Synthesize Neuromodulatory Factors

PubMed Central

Sakry, Dominik; Yigit, Hatice; Dimou, Leda; Trotter, Jacqueline

2015-01-01

NG2 protein-expressing oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) are a persisting and major glial cell population in the adult mammalian brain. Direct synaptic innervation of OPC by neurons throughout the brain together with their ability to sense neuronal network activity raises the question of additional physiological roles of OPC, supplementary to generating myelinating oligodendrocytes. In this study we investigated whether OPC express neuromodulatory factors, typically synthesized by other CNS cell types. Our results show that OPC express two well-characterized neuromodulatory proteins: Prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) and neuronal Pentraxin 2 (Nptx2/Narp). Expression levels of the enzyme PTGDS are influenced in cultured OPC by the NG2 intracellular region which can be released by cleavage and localizes to glial nuclei upon transfection. Furthermore PTGDS mRNA levels are reduced in OPC from NG2-KO mouse brain compared to WT cells after isolation by cell sorting and direct analysis. These results show that OPC can contribute to the expression of these proteins within the CNS and suggest PTGDS expression as a downstream target of NG2 signaling. PMID:25966014

SALL4 EXPRESSION IN GERM CELL AND NON GERM-CELL TUMORS – A SYSTEMATIC IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF 3215 CASES

PubMed Central

Miettinen, Markku; Wang, Zengfeng; Mc. Cue, Peter A.; Sarlomo-Rikala, Maarit; Rys, Janusz; Biernat, Wojciech; Lasota, Jerzy; Lee, Yi-Shan

2014-01-01

SALL4 transcription factor is associated with embryonic cell pluripotency and has been shown as a useful immunohistochemical marker for germ cell tumors. However, information of SALL4 distribution in normal human tissues and non germ-cell tumors is limited. In this study we examined normal human tissues and 3215 tumors for SALL4 expression using a monoclonal antibody 6E3 and automated immunohistochemistry. In a 10th week embryo, SALL4 was expressed in ovocytes, intestine, kidney, and some hepatocytes. In adult tissues, it was only detected in germ cells. SALL4 was consistently expressed in all germ cell tumors except some trophoblastic tumors and mature components of teratomas, where it was selectively expressed in intestinal-like and some squamous epithelia. In non germ-cell carcinomas, SALL4 was detected in 20% of cases or more of serous carcinoma of ovary, urothelial high-grade carcinoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma (especially the intestinal type). SALL4 was only rarely (≤5%) expressed in mammary, colorectal, prostatic, and squamous cell carcinomas. Many SALL4 positive carcinomas showed poorly differentiated patterns and some showed positivity in most tumor cells mimicking the expression in germ cell tumors. SALL4 was commonly expressed in rhabdoid tumors of kidney and extrarenal sites, and in Wilms tumor. Expression of SALL4 was rare in other mesenchymal and neuroendocrine tumors but was occasionally detected in melanoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, epithelioid sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. All hematopoietic tumors were negative. SALL4 is an excellent marker of non-teratomatous germ cell tumors, but it is also expressed in other tumors, sometimes extensively. Such expression may reflect stem-cell like differentiation and must be considered when using SALL4 as a marker for germ cell tumors. Observed lack of other pluripotency factors, OCT4 and NANOG, in SALL4-positive non-germ cell tumors can also be diagnostically helpful. PMID:24525512

Connective Tissue Growth Factor reporter mice label a subpopulation of mesenchymal progenitor cells that reside in the trabecular bone region.

PubMed

Wang, Wen; Strecker, Sara; Liu, Yaling; Wang, Liping; Assanah, Fayekah; Smith, Spenser; Maye, Peter

2015-02-01

Few gene markers selectively identify mesenchymal progenitor cells inside the bone marrow. We have investigated a cell population located in the mouse bone marrow labeled by Connective Tissue Growth Factor reporter expression (CTGF-EGFP). Bone marrow flushed from CTGF reporter mice yielded an EGFP+ stromal cell population. Interestingly, the percentage of stromal cells retaining CTGF reporter expression decreased with age in vivo and was half the frequency in females compared to males. In culture, CTGF reporter expression and endogenous CTGF expression marked the same cell types as those labeled using Twist2-Cre and Osterix-Cre fate mapping approaches, which previously had been shown to identify mesenchymal progenitors in vitro. Consistent with this past work, sorted CTGF+ cells displayed an ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes in vitro and into osteoblast, adipocyte, and stromal cell lineages after transplantation into a parietal bone defect. In vivo examination of CTGF reporter expression in bone tissue sections revealed that it marked cells highly localized to the trabecular bone region and was not expressed in the perichondrium or periosteum. Mesenchymal cells retaining high CTGF reporter expression were adjacent to, but distinct from mature osteoblasts lining bone surfaces and endothelial cells forming the vascular sinuses. Comparison of CTGF and Osterix reporter expression in bone tissue sections indicated an inverse correlation between the strength of CTGF expression and osteoblast maturation. Down-regulation of CTGF reporter expression also occurred during in vitro osteogenic differentiation. Collectively, our studies indicate that CTGF reporter mice selectively identify a subpopulation of bone marrow mesenchymal progenitor cells that reside in the trabecular bone region. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Connective Tissue Growth Factor Reporter Mice Label a Subpopulation of Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells that Reside in the Trabecular Bone Region

PubMed Central

Wang, Wen; Strecker, Sara; Liu, Yaling; Wang, Liping; Assanah, Fayekah; Smith, Spenser; Maye, Peter

2014-01-01

Few gene markers selectively identify mesenchymal progenitor cells inside the bone marrow. We have investigated a cell population located in the mouse bone marrow labeled by Connective Tissue Growth Factor reporter expression (CTGF-EGFP). Bone marrow flushed from CTGF reporter mice yielded an EGFP+ stromal cell population. Interestingly, the percentage of stromal cells retaining CTGF reporter expression decreased with age in vivo and was half the frequency in females compared to males. In culture, CTGF reporter expression and endogenous CTGF expression marked the same cell types as those labeled using Twist2-Cre and Osterix-Cre fate mapping approaches, which previously has been shown to identify mesenchymal progenitors in vitro. Consistent with this past work, sorted CTGF+ cells displayed an ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes in vitro and into osteoblast, adipocyte, and stromal cell lineages after transplantation into a parietal bone defect. In vivo examination of CTGF reporter expression in bone tissue sections revealed it marked cells highly localized to the trabecular bone region and was not expressed in the perichondrium or periosteum. Mesenchymal cells retaining high CTGF reporter expression were adjacent to, but distinct from mature osteoblasts lining bone surfaces and endothelial cells forming the vascular sinuses. Comparison of CTGF and Osterix reporter expression in bone tissue sections indicated an inverse correlation between the strength of CTGF expression and osteoblast maturation. Down-regulation of CTGF reporter expression also occurred during in vitro osteogenic differentiation. Collectively, our studies indicate that CTGF reporter mice selectively identify a subpopulation of bone marrow mesenchymal progenitor cells that reside in the trabecular bone region. PMID:25464947

Expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in human atherosclerosis and regulation in macrophages by colony stimulating factors and oxidized low density lipoprotein

PubMed Central

Ricote, Mercedes; Huang, Jannet; Fajas, Luis; Li, Andrew; Welch, John; Najib, Jamila; Witztum, Joseph L.; Auwerx, Johan; Palinski, Wulf; Glass, Christopher K.

1998-01-01

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that has been demonstrated to regulate fat cell development and glucose homeostasis. PPARγ is also expressed in a subset of macrophages and negatively regulates the expression of several proinflammatory genes in response to natural and synthetic ligands. We here demonstrate that PPARγ is expressed in macrophage foam cells of human atherosclerotic lesions, in a pattern that is highly correlated with that of oxidation-specific epitopes. Oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor, which are known to be present in atherosclerotic lesions, stimulated PPARγ expression in primary macrophages and monocytic cell lines. PPARγ mRNA expression was also induced in primary macrophages and THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Inhibition of protein kinase C blocked the induction of PPARγ expression by TPA, but not by oxLDL, suggesting that more than one signaling pathway regulates PPARγ expression in macrophages. TPA induced the expression of PPARγ in RAW 264.7 macrophages by increasing transcription from the PPARγ1 and PPARγ3 promoters. In concert, these observations provide insights into the regulation of PPARγ expression in activated macrophages and raise the possibility that PPARγ ligands may influence the progression of atherosclerosis. PMID:9636198

Transcriptional deregulation of oncogenic myocyte enhancer factor 2C in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PubMed

Nagel, Stefan; Venturini, Letizia; Meyer, Corinna; Kaufmann, Maren; Scherr, Michaela; Drexler, Hans G; Macleod, Roderick A F

2011-02-01

Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) encodes a transcription factor which is ectopically expressed in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines, deregulated directly by ectopically expressed homeodomain protein NKX2-5 or by loss of promoter regions via del(5)(q14). Here, we analyzed the MEF2C 5'-region, thus identifying potential regulatory binding sites for GFI1B, basic helix-loop-helix proteins, STAT5, and HOXA9/HOXA10. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and overexpression analyses demonstrated direct activation by GFI1B and LYL1 and inhibition by STAT5. HOXA9/HOXA10 activated expression of NMYC which in turn mediated MEF2C repression, indicating an indirect mode of regulation via NMYC interactor (NMI) and STAT5. Lacking comma: Chromosomal deletion of the STAT5 binding site in LOUCY cells reduced protein levels of STAT5 in some MEF2C-positve T-ALL cell lines, and the presence of inhibitory IL7-JAK-STAT5 signaling highlighted the repressive impact of this factor in MEF2C regulation. Taken together, our results indicate that the expression of MEF2C in T-ALL cells is principally deregulated via activating leukemic transcription factors GFI1B or NKX2-5 and by escaping inhibitory developmental STAT5 signaling.

Epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 expression and regulation in uterine leiomyoma.

PubMed

Marsh, Erica E; Chibber, Shani; Wu, Ju; Siegersma, Kendra; Kim, Julie; Bulun, Serdar

2016-04-01

To determine the presence, differential expression, and regulation of epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) in uterine leiomyomas. Laboratory in vivo and in vitro study with the use of human leiomyoma and myometrial tissue and primary cells. Academic medical center. Leiomyoma and myometrial tissue samples and cultured cells. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) treatment. Fold-change difference between EFEMP1 and fibulin-3 expression in leiomyoma tissue and cells compared with matched myometrial samples, and fold-change difference in EFEMP1 expression with 5-Aza-dC treatment. In vivo, EFEMP1 expression was 3.19-fold higher in myometrial tissue than in leiomyoma tissue. EFEMP1 expression in vitro was 5.03-fold higher in myometrial cells than in leiomyoma cells. Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining of tissue and cells confirmed similar findings in protein expression. Treatment of leiomyoma cells with 5-Aza-dC resulted in increased expression of EFEMP1 in vitro. The EFEMP1 gene and its protein product, fibulin-3, are both significantly down-regulated in leiomyoma compared with myometrium when studied both in vivo and in vitro. The increase in EFEMP1 expression in leiomyoma cells with 5-Aza-dC treatment suggest that differential methylation is responsible, in part, for the differences seen in gene expression. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor in rat pancreas: genetic expression and testosterone regulation.

PubMed

Morales, Angélica; Morimoto, Sumiko; Díaz, Lorenza; Robles, Guillermo; Díaz-Sánchez, Vicente

2008-05-01

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) is an endothelial cell mitogen, expressed essentially in steroidogenic cells. Recently, the expression of EG-VEGF in normal human pancreas and pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been demonstrated. Epidemiologically, pancreatic carcinogenesis is more frequent in males than females, and given that androgen receptors and testosterone biotransformation have been described in pancreas, we hypothesized that testosterone could participate in the regulation of EG-VEGF expression. In this study, we investigated the regulation of EG-VEGF gene expression by testosterone in normal rat pancreatic tissue and rat insulinoma cells (RINm5F). Total RNA was extracted from rat pancreas and cultured cells. Gene expression was studied by real-time PCR and protein detection by immunohistochemistry. Serum testosterone was quantified by RIA. Results showed that EG-VEGF is expressed predominantly in pancreatic islets and vascular endothelium, as well as in RINm5F cells. EG-VEGF gene expression was lower in the pancreas of rats with higher testosterone serum levels. A similar effect that was reverted by flutamide was observed in testosterone-treated RINm5F cells. In summary, testosterone down-regulated EG-VEGF gene expression in rat pancreatic tissue and RINm5F cells. This effect could be mediated by the androgen receptor. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a direct effect of testosterone on EG-VEGF gene expression in rat pancreas and RINm5F cells is demonstrated.

Integrin Expression Regulates Neuroblastoma Attachment and Migration1

PubMed Central

Meyer, Amy; van Golen, Cynthia M.; Kim, Bhumsoo; van Golen, Kenneth L.; Feldman, Eva L.

2004-01-01

Abstract Neuroblastoma (NBL) is the most common malignant disease of infancy, and children with bone metastasis have a mortality rate greater than 90%. Two major classes of proteins, integrins and growth factors, regulate the metastatic process. We have previously shown that tumorigenic NBL cells express higher levels of the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) and that β1 integrin expression is inversely proportional to tumorigenic potential in NBL. In the current study, we analyze the effect of β1 integrin and IGF-IR on NBL cell attachment and migration. Nontumorigenic S-cells express high levels of β1 integrin, whereas tumorigenic N-cells express little β1 integrin. Alterations in β1 integrin are due to regulation at the protein level, as translation is decreased in N-type cells. Moreover, inhibition of protein synthesis shows that β1 integrin is degraded more slowly in S-type cells (SHEP) than in N-type cells (SH-SY5Y and IMR32). Inhibition of α5β1 integrin prevents SHEP (but not SH-SY5Y or IMR32) cell attachment to fibronectin and increases SHEP cell migration. Increases in IGF-IR decrease β1 integrin expression, and enhance SHEP cell migration, potentially through increased expression of αvβ3. These data suggest that specific classes of integrins in concert with IGF-IR regulate NBL attachment and migration. PMID:15256055

Pluripotency transcription factors and Tet1/2 maintain Brd4-independent stem cell identity.

PubMed

Finley, Lydia W S; Vardhana, Santosha A; Carey, Bryce W; Alonso-Curbelo, Direna; Koche, Richard; Chen, Yanyang; Wen, Duancheng; King, Bryan; Radler, Megan R; Rafii, Shahin; Lowe, Scott W; Allis, C David; Thompson, Craig B

2018-05-01

A robust network of transcription factors and an open chromatin landscape are hallmarks of the naive pluripotent state. Recently, the acetyllysine reader Brd4 has been implicated in stem cell maintenance, but the relative contribution of Brd4 to pluripotency remains unclear. Here, we show that Brd4 is dispensable for self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). When maintained in their ground state, ESCs retain transcription factor binding and chromatin accessibility independent of Brd4 function or expression. In metastable ESCs, Brd4 independence can be achieved by increased expression of pluripotency transcription factors, including STAT3, Nanog or Klf4, so long as the DNA methylcytosine oxidases Tet1 and Tet2 are present. These data reveal that Brd4 is not essential for ESC self-renewal. Rather, the levels of pluripotency transcription factor abundance and Tet1/2 function determine the extent to which bromodomain recognition of protein acetylation contributes to the maintenance of gene expression and cell identity.

Myostatin downregulates the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor gene in HeLa cells.

PubMed

Liu, H Z; Luo, P; Chen, S H; Shang, J H

2012-01-01

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2), a potent tumorigenic cytokine, improves cells proliferation and angiogenesis in tumor and also plays vital roles in tumor growth, metastasis as well as prognosis. Screening and application of effective cytokines against bFGF tumorigenic activity would be helpful to oncologic therapy. Myostatin, a member of transforming growth factor β superfamily, recently showed an antitumor activity and was reported to induce HeLa cells apoptosis through mitochondrion pathway. The above data raised our assumption that expression level of endogenous bFGF gene may be suppressed by exogenous myostatin in myostatin-treated HeLa cells. To test the hypothesis, myostatin was employed to stimulate HeLa cells and expressional level of endogenous bFGF gene in HeLa cells was detected with real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. Results of the suppressed expression level of bFGF gene in Hela cells implied that myostatin may be regarded as an effective cytokine against bFGF to treat certain cancers (Fig. 3, Ref. 26).

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) expression in colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Nagano, Hideki; Goi, Takanori; Koneri, Kenji; Hirono, Yasuo; Katayama, Kanji; Yamaguchi, Akio

2007-12-01

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known as an important factor in the growth and metastasis of cancer cells. In 2001, a novel angiogenesis factor, endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF), was cloned. In this study, we investigated the expression of EG-VEGF in colorectal cancer, the relationship between its expression and clinicopathological factors, and the in vitro activity of EG-VEGF transfectants. We determined expression levels of EG-VEGF in 113 advanced colorectal cancers resected in our hospital by quantitative PCR, and compared the expression levels and clinicopathological findings by multivariate analyses. The expression of EG-VEGF mRNA was positive in 31 cancers and negative in 82 cancers. We found that compared with the negative expression of the EG-VEGF gene, its positive expression was more frequently associated with hematogenous metastasis, and was associated with a poorer survival rate. In addition, EG-VEGF transfectants showed a higher degree of in vitro tubular formation than control cells. We speculate that, in colorectal cancers, the EG-VEGF gene functions as an important factor in angiogenesis in primary and metastatic lesions, and consider that it is useful as a novel prognostic factor. EG-VEGF molecule-targeted therapy has the potential for improving survival rates.

The RORγt-CCR6-CCL20 axis augments Th17 cells invasion into the synovia of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

PubMed

Kaneko, Shunta; Kondo, Yuya; Yokosawa, Masahiro; Furuyama, Kotona; Segawa, Seiji; Tsuboi, Hiroto; Kanamori, Akihiro; Matsumoto, Isao; Yamazaki, Masashi; Sumida, Takayuki

2018-01-22

To clarify the pathogenic role of transcription factor expression of CD4 + T helper (Th) cell subsets in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We collected CD4 + T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) by magnetic cell sorting. The proportion of Th cell subsets were classified from cell surface markers (CD45RA, CXCR5, CXCR3, CCR6) and the expression of their transcription factors (T-bet, GATA3, RORγt) were analyzed by flow cytometry before and at 24 weeks after anti-rheumatic treatment. Chemotaxis assays quantified migratory ability. The expression of CCR6 and RORγt in Th17 cells from PBMC of RA patients was significantly higher than in healthy control volunteers and osteoarthritis patients. The proportion of Th17 cells in SFMCs of RA patients was significantly higher than that in PBMCs. Chemotaxis assays revealed that the migration index of Th17 cells towards CCL20 was remarkably enhanced in RA patients. The expression of CCR6 and RORγt in Th17 cells at 24 weeks post-therapeutic intervention was significantly decreased compared to before treatment. The high expression of RORγt might facilitate the migration of Th17 cells to inflamed joints via the enhanced expression of CCR6 and contribute to the pathology of RA.

The Effect of Recombinant Tyrosine Hydroxylase Expression on the Neurogenic Differentiation Potency of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Duruksu, Gokhan; Karaoz, Erdal

2018-01-01

Objective Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is a rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis, making the enhancement of its activity a target for ensuring sufficient dopamine levels. Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs) are known to synthesize TH after differentiating into neuronal cells through chemical induction, but the effect of its ectopic expression on these cells has not yet been determined. This study investigated the effects of ectopic recombinant TH expression on the stemness characteristics of rBM-MSCs. Methods After cloning, a cell line with stable TH expression was maintained, and the proliferation, the gene expression profile, and differentiation potential of rBM-MSCs were analyzed. Analysis of the cells showed an increment in the proliferation rate that could be reversed by the neutralization of TH. Results The constitutive expression of TH in rBM-MSCs was successfully implemented, without significantly affecting their osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential. TH expression improved the expression of other neuronal markers, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein, β-tubulin, nestin, and c-Fos, confirming the neurogenic differentiation capacity of the stem cells. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) significantly increased after the chemical induction of neurogenic differentiation. Conclusion In this study, the expression of recombinant TH improved the neuroprotective effect of MSCs by upregulating the expression of BDNF and CNTF. Although the neuronal markers were upregulated, the expression of recombinant TH alone in rBM-MSCs was not sufficient for MSCs to differentiate into neurogenic cell lines. PMID:29656620

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shimo, Naoki; Matsuoka, Taka-aki, E-mail: matsuoka@endmet.med.osaka-u.ac.jp; Miyatsuka, Takeshi

Alleviation of hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidemia improves pancreatic β-cell function in type 2 diabetes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not well clarified. In this study, we aimed to elucidate how the expression alterations of key β-cell factors are altered by the short-term selective alleviation of glucotoxicity or lipotoxicity. We treated db/db mice for one week with empagliflozin and/or bezafibrate to alleviate glucotoxicity and/or liptotoxicity, respectively. The gene expression levels of Pdx1 and Mafa, and their potential targets, insulin 1, Slc2a2, and Glp1r, were higher in the islets of empagliflozin-treated mice, and levels of insulin 2 were higher in micemore » treated with both reagents, than in untreated mice. Moreover, compared to the pretreatment levels, Mafa and insulin 1 expression increased in empagliflozin-treated mice, and Slc2a2 increased in combination-treated mice. In addition, empagliflozin treatment enhanced β-cell proliferation assessed by Ki-67 immunostaining. Our date clearly demonstrated that the one-week selective alleviation of glucotoxicity led to the better expression levels of the key β-cell factors critical for β-cell function over pretreatment levels, and that the alleviation of lipotoxicity along with glucotoxicity augmented the favorable effects under diabetic conditions. - Highlights: • One-week selective reduction of gluco- and lipo-toxicity in db/db mice was performed. • Selective glucotoxicity reduction increases key pancreatic β-cell factors expression. • Selective glucotoxicity reduction improves β-cell factors over pretreatment levels. • Selective glucotoxicity reduction turns β-cell mass toward increase. • Lipotoxicity reduction has additive effects on glucotoxicity reduction.« less

Withaferin A inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced expression of cell adhesion molecules by inactivation of Akt and NF-kappaB in human pulmonary epithelial cells.

PubMed

Oh, Jung Hwa; Kwon, Taeg Kyu

2009-05-01

We here investigated the functional effect of withaferin A on airway inflammation and its action mechanism. Withaferin A inhibited the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in human lung epithelial A549 cells stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), resulting in the suppression of leukocyte adhesion to lung epithelial A549 cells. In addition, withaferin A inhibited TNF-alpha-induced expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) protein and mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Withaferin A prevented DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. It also inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which are upstream in the regulation of adhesion molecules by TNF-alpha. Furthermore, withaferin A inhibited U937 monocyte adhesion to A549 cells stimulated by TNF-alpha, suggesting that it may inhibit the binding of these cells by regulating the expression of critical adhesion molecules by TNF-alpha. Taken together, these results suggest that withaferin A inhibits cell adhesion through inhibition of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, at least in part, by blocking Akt and down-regulating NF-kappaB activity.

Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry Reveals Changes in Lipid and Metabolite Expression in RAW 264.7 Cells upon Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Bo; Patterson, Nathan Heath; Tsui, Tina; Caprioli, Richard M.; Norris, Jeremy L.

2018-05-01

It has been widely recognized that individual cells that exist within a large population of cells, even if they are genetically identical, can have divergent molecular makeups resulting from a variety of factors, including local environmental factors and stochastic processes within each cell. Presently, numerous approaches have been described that permit the resolution of these single-cell expression differences for RNA and protein; however, relatively few techniques exist for the study of lipids and metabolites in this manner. This study presents a methodology for the analysis of metabolite and lipid expression at the level of a single cell through the use of imaging mass spectrometry on a high-performance Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. This report provides a detailed description of the overall experimental approach, including sample preparation as well as the data acquisition and analysis strategy for single cells. Applying this approach to the study of cultured RAW264.7 cells, we demonstrate that this method can be used to study the variation in molecular expression with cell populations and is sensitive to alterations in that expression that occurs upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry Reveals Changes in Lipid and Metabolite Expression in RAW 264.7 Cells upon Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Bo; Patterson, Nathan Heath; Tsui, Tina; Caprioli, Richard M.; Norris, Jeremy L.

2018-03-01

It has been widely recognized that individual cells that exist within a large population of cells, even if they are genetically identical, can have divergent molecular makeups resulting from a variety of factors, including local environmental factors and stochastic processes within each cell. Presently, numerous approaches have been described that permit the resolution of these single-cell expression differences for RNA and protein; however, relatively few techniques exist for the study of lipids and metabolites in this manner. This study presents a methodology for the analysis of metabolite and lipid expression at the level of a single cell through the use of imaging mass spectrometry on a high-performance Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. This report provides a detailed description of the overall experimental approach, including sample preparation as well as the data acquisition and analysis strategy for single cells. Applying this approach to the study of cultured RAW264.7 cells, we demonstrate that this method can be used to study the variation in molecular expression with cell populations and is sensitive to alterations in that expression that occurs upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

The Plasma Concentration of the B Cell Activating Factor Is Increased in Children With Acute Malaria

PubMed Central

Nduati, Eunice; Gwela, Agnes; Karanja, Henry; Mugyenyi, Cleopatra; Langhorne, Jean; Marsh, Kevin

2011-01-01

Malaria-specific antibody responses in children often appear to be short-lived but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptors expressed on B cells with antibody responses during and after acute malaria in children. Our results demonstrate that BAFF plasma levels increased during acute malarial disease and reflected disease severity. The expression profiles for BAFF receptors on B cells agreed with rapid activation and differentiation of a proportion of B cells to plasma cells. However, BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) expression was reduced on all peripheral blood B cells during acute infection, but those children with the highest level of BAFF-R expression on B cells maintained schizont-specific immunoglobin G (IgG) over a period of 4 months, indicating that dysregulation of BAFF-R expression on B cells may contribute to short-lived antibody responses to malarial antigens in children. In summary, this study suggests a potential role for BAFF during malaria disease, both as a marker for disease severity and in shaping the differentiation pattern of antigen-specific B cells. PMID:21849293

Protection by [6]-shogaol against lipopolysaccharide-induced toxicity in murine astrocytes is related to production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

PubMed

Shim, Sehwan; Kim, Sokho; Kwon, Young-Bae; Kwon, Jungkee

2012-03-01

[6]-Shogaol has beneficial effects in spinal neuronal regeneration, but associated molecules and mechanisms are not identified. Neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are associated with proliferation and differentiation of neuronal cells and exert a neuroprotective effect in neurodegenerative models. We investigated whether treatment with [6]-shogaol increases BDNF expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated astrocytes, and examined the effect of [6]-shogaol on neuronal protection. [6]-Shogaol significantly attenuated the cell death induced by LPS. Western blotting showed that [6]-shogaol treatment reduced Bax expression and increased B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and BclxL expression in LPS-treated cells, consistent with the effects of BDNF treatment. Furthermore, K252a, a blocker of neurotrophic factors, attenuated the cellular protective effects of [6]-shogaol and BDNF. This study provides the first evidence that [6]-shogaol increases the expression of BDNF in LPS-treated astrocytes. Furthermore, these experimental results indicate that production of BDNF in astrocytes might be related to altered cell viability following [6]-shogaol treatment. Thus, the neuroprotective effects of [6]-shogaol is mediated by up-regulation of BDNF. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hydroxyl-HIF2-alpha is potential therapeutic target for renal cell carcinomas

PubMed Central

Isono, Takahiro; Chano, Tokuhiro; Yoshida, Tetsuya; Kageyama, Susumu; Kawauchi, Akihiro; Suzaki, Masafumi; Yuasa, Takeshi

2016-01-01

Dormant cancer cells are deprivation-resistant, and cause a number of problems for therapeutic approaches for cancers. Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) include deprivation-resistant cells that are resistant to various treatments. In this study, the specific characteristics of deprivation-resistant cells were transcriptionally identified by next generation sequencing. The hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) transcription factor network was significantly enhanced in deprivation-resistant RCCs compared to the sensitive RCCs. Deprivation-resistant RCCs, that had lost Von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor expression, expressed hydroxyl-HIF2-alpha in the nucleus, but not sensitive-RCCs. Hydroxyl-HIF-alpha was also expressed in nuclei of RCC tissue samples. Knockdown for HIF2-alpha, but not HIF1-alpha, induced cell death related to a reduction in HIF-related gene expression in deprivation-resistant RCC cells. Chetomin, a nuclear HIF-inhibitor, induced marked level of cytotoxicity in deprivation-resistant cells, similar to the knockdown of HIF2-alpha. Therefore, hydroxyl-HIF2-alpha might be a potential therapeutic target for RCCs. PMID:27822416

DDX3X RNA helicase affects breast cancer cell cycle progression by regulating expression of KLF4.

PubMed

Cannizzaro, Ester; Bannister, Andrew John; Han, Namshik; Alendar, Andrej; Kouzarides, Tony

2018-05-21

DDX3X is a multifunctional RNA helicase with documented roles in different cancer types. Here, we demonstrate that DDX3X plays an oncogenic role in breast cancer cells by modulating the cell cycle. Depletion of DDX3X in MCF7 cells slows cell proliferation by inducing a G1 phase arrest. Notably, DDX3X inhibits expression of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a transcription factor and cell cycle repressor. Moreover, DDX3X directly interacts with KLF4 mRNA and regulates its splicing. We show that DDX3X-mediated repression of KLF4 promotes expression of S-phase inducing genes in MCF7 breast cancer cells. These findings provide evidence for a novel function of DDX3X in regulating expression and downstream functions of KLF4, a master negative regulator of the cell cycle. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

VEGF-C and TGF-β reciprocally regulate mesenchymal stem cell commitment to differentiation into lymphatic endothelial or osteoblastic phenotypes.

PubMed

Igarashi, Yasuyuki; Chosa, Naoyuki; Sawada, Shunsuke; Kondo, Hisatomo; Yaegashi, Takashi; Ishisaki, Akira

2016-04-01

The direction of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation is regulated by stimulation with various growth factors and cytokines. We recently established MSC lines, [transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-responsive SG‑2 cells, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-responsive SG‑3 cells, and TGF-β/BMP-non-responsive SG‑5 cells], derived from the bone marrow of green fluorescent protein-transgenic mice. In this study, to compare gene expression profiles in these MSC lines, we used DNA microarray analysis to characterize the specific gene expression profiles observed in the TGF-β-responsive SG‑2 cells. Among the genes that were highly expressed in the SG‑2 cells, we focused on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 3 (VEGFR3), the gene product of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 4 (Flt4). We found that VEGF-C, a specific ligand of VEGFR3, significantly induced the cell proliferative activity, migratory ability (as shown by Transwell migration assay), as well as the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 in the SG‑2 cells. Additionally, VEGF-C significantly increased the expression of prospero homeobox 1 (Prox1) and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (Lyve1), which are lymphatic endothelial cell markers, and decreased the expression of osteogenic differentiation marker genes in these cells. By contrast, TGF-β significantly increased the expression of early-phase osteogenic differentiation marker genes in the SG‑2 cells and markedly decreased the expression of lymphatic endothelial cell markers. The findings of our study strongly suggest the following: i) that VEGF-C promotes the proliferative activity and migratory ability of MSCs; and ii) VEGF-C and TGF-β reciprocally regulate MSC commitment to differentiation into lymphatic endothelial or osteoblastic phenotypes, respectively. Our findings provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the regenerative ability of MSCs.

Phylogeographic origin of Helicobacter pylori determines host-adaptive responses upon coculture with gastric epithelial cells.

PubMed

Sheh, Alexander; Chaturvedi, Rupesh; Merrell, D Scott; Correa, Pelayo; Wilson, Keith T; Fox, James G

2013-07-01

While Helicobacter pylori infects over 50% of the world's population, the mechanisms involved in the development of gastric disease are not fully understood. Bacterial, host, and environmental factors play a role in disease outcome. To investigate the role of bacterial factors in H. pylori pathogenesis, global gene expression of six H. pylori isolates was analyzed during coculture with gastric epithelial cells. Clustering analysis of six Colombian clinical isolates from a region with low gastric cancer risk and a region with high gastric cancer risk segregated strains based on their phylogeographic origin. One hundred forty-six genes had increased expression in European strains, while 350 genes had increased expression in African strains. Differential expression was observed in genes associated with motility, pathogenicity, and other adaptations to the host environment. European strains had greater expression of the virulence factors cagA, vacA, and babB and were associated with increased gastric histologic lesions in patients. In AGS cells, European strains promoted significantly higher interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression than did African strains. African strains significantly induced apoptosis, whereas only one European strain significantly induced apoptosis. Our data suggest that gene expression profiles of clinical isolates can discriminate strains by phylogeographic origin and that these profiles are associated with changes in expression of the proinflammatory and protumorigenic cytokine IL-8 and levels of apoptosis in host epithelial cells. These findings support the hypothesis that bacterial factors determined by the phylogeographic origin of H. pylori strains may promote increased gastric disease.

Autocrine expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor ligand heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in cervical cancer.

PubMed

Schrevel, Marlies; Osse, E Michelle; Prins, Frans A; Trimbos, J Baptist M Z; Fleuren, Gert Jan; Gorter, Arko; Jordanova, Ekaterina S

2017-06-01

In cervical cancer, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in 70-90% of the cases and has been associated with poor prognosis. EGFR-based therapy is currently being explored in cervical cancer. We investigated which EGFR ligand is primarily expressed in cervical cancer and which cell type functions as the major source of this ligand. We hypothesized that macrophages are the main source of EGFR ligands and that a paracrine loop between tumor cells and macrophages is responsible for ligand expression. mRNA expression analysis was performed on 32 cervical cancer cases to determine the expression of the EGFR ligands amphiregulin, β-cellulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), epiregulin, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB‑EGF) and transforming growth factor α (TGFα). Subsequently, protein expression was determined immunohistochemically on 36 additional cases. To assess whether macrophages are the major source of EGFR ligands, immunohistochemical double staining was performed on four representative tissue slides. Expression of the chemokines granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) was determined by mRNA in situ hybridization. Of the known EGFR ligands, HB‑EGF had the highest mRNA expression and HB‑EGF and EGFR protein expression were highly correlated. Tumor specimens with high EGFR expression showed higher numbers of macrophages, and higher expression of GM-CSF and CCL2, but only a small subset (9%) of macrophages was found to be HB‑EGF-positive. Strikingly, 78% of cervical cancer specimens were found to express HB‑EGF. Standardized assessment of staining intensity, using spectral imaging analysis, showed that HB‑EGF expression was higher in the tumor compartment than in the stromal compartment. These results suggest that HB‑EGF is an important EGFR ligand in cervical cancer and that cervical cancer cells are the predominant source of HB‑EGF. Therefore, we propose an autocrine EGFR stimulation model in cervical carcinomas.

Fisetin inhibits the generation of inflammatory mediators in interleukin-1β-induced human lung epithelial cells by suppressing the NF-κB and ERK1/2 pathways.

PubMed

Peng, Hui-Ling; Huang, Wen-Chung; Cheng, Shu-Chen; Liou, Chian-Jiun

2018-07-01

Fisetin, a flavone that can be isolated from fruits and vegetables, has anti-tumor and anti-oxidative properties and ameliorates airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice. This study investigated whether fisetin can suppress the expression of inflammatory mediators and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in A549 human lung epithelial cells that were stimulated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to induce inflammatory responses. A549 cells were treated with fisetin (3-30 μM) and then with IL-1β. Fisetin significantly inhibited COX-2 expression and reduced prostaglandin E 2 production, and it suppressed the levels of IL-8, CCL5, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, tumor necrosis factor α, and IL-6. Fisetin also significantly attenuated the expression of chemokine and inflammatory cytokine genes and decreased the expression of ICAM-1, which mediates THP-1 monocyte adhesion to inflammatory A549 cells. Fisetin decreased the translocation of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-κB) subunit p65 into the nucleus and inhibited the phosphorylation of proteins in the ERK1/2 pathway. Co-treatment of IL-1β-stimulated A549 cells with ERK1/2 inhibitors plus fisetin reduced ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, fisetin significantly increased the effects of the protective antioxidant pathway by promoting the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 and heme oxygenase 1. Taken together, these data suggest that fisetin has anti-inflammatory effects and that it suppresses the expression of chemokines, inflammatory cytokines, and ICAM-1 by suppressing the NF-κB and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in IL-1β-stimulated human lung epithelial A549 cells. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enhanced Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 IIIc Promotes Human Esophageal Carcinoma Cell Proliferation

PubMed Central

Ueno, Nobuhiro; Shimizu, Akio; Kanai, Michiyuki; Iwaya, Yugo; Ueda, Shugo; Nakayama, Jun; Seo, Misuzu Kurokawa

2015-01-01

Deregulated expression of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) and their ligands plays critical roles in tumorigenesis. The gene expression of an alternatively spliced isoforms of FGFR3, FGFR3IIIc, was analyzed by RT-PCR in samples from patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC), including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adenocarcinoma (EAC). The incidence of FGFR3IIIc was higher in EC [12/16 (75%); p=0.073] than in non-cancerous mucosa (NCM) [6/16 (38%)]. Indeed, an immunohistochemical analysis of early-stage ESCC showed that carcinoma cells expressing FGFR3IIIc stained positively with SCC-112, a tumor marker, and Ki67, a cell proliferation marker, suggesting that the expression of FGFR3IIIc promotes cell proliferation. We used EC-GI-10 cells endogenously expressing FGFR3IIIc as a model of ESCC to provide mechanistic insight into the role of FGFR3IIIc in ESCC. The knockdown of endogenous FGFR3 using siRNA treatment significantly abrogated cell proliferation and the overexpression of FGFR3IIIc in cells with enhanced cell proliferation. EC-GI-10 cells and ESCC from patients with EC showed endogenous expression of FGF2, a specific ligand for FGFR3IIIc, suggesting that the upregulated expression of FGFR3IIIc may create autocrine FGF signaling in ESCC. Taken together, FGFR3IIIc may have the potential to be an early-stage tumor marker and a molecular target for ESCC therapy. PMID:26487184

Expression of genes involved in early cell fate decisions in human embryos and their regulation by growth factors.

PubMed

Kimber, S J; Sneddon, S F; Bloor, D J; El-Bareg, A M; Hawkhead, J A; Metcalfe, A D; Houghton, F D; Leese, H J; Rutherford, A; Lieberman, B A; Brison, D R

2008-05-01

Little is understood about the regulation of gene expression in human preimplantation embryos. We set out to examine the expression in human preimplantation embryos of a number of genes known to be critical for early development of the murine embryo. The expression profile of these genes was analysed throughout preimplantation development and in response to growth factor (GF) stimulation. Developmental expression of a number of genes was similar to that seen in murine embryos (OCT3B/4, CDX2, NANOG). However, GATA6 is expressed throughout preimplantation development in the human. Embryos were cultured in IGF-I, leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) or heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF), all of which are known to stimulate the development of human embryos. Our data show that culture in HBEGF and LIF appears to facilitate human embryo expression of a number of genes: ERBB4 (LIF) and LIFR and DSC2 (HBEGF) while in the presence of HBEGF no blastocysts expressed EOMES and when cultured with LIF only two out of nine blastocysts expressed TBN. These data improve our knowledge of the similarities between human and murine embryos and the influence of GFs on human embryo gene expression. Results from this study will improve the understanding of cell fate decisions in early human embryos, which has important implications for both IVF treatment and the derivation of human embryonic stem cells.

Forced expression of Hnf1b/Foxa3 promotes hepatic fate of embryonic stem cells.

PubMed

Yahoo, Neda; Pournasr, Behshad; Rostamzadeh, Jalal; Hakhamaneshi, Mohammad Saeed; Ebadifar, Asghar; Fathi, Fardin; Baharvand, Hossein

2016-05-20

Embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived hepatocytes have the potential to be used for basic research, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery. Recent reports demonstrated that in addition to conventional differentiation inducers such as chemical compounds and cytokines, overexpression of lineage-specific transcription factors could induce ES cells to differentiate to a hepatic fate. Here, we hypothesized that lentivirus-mediated inducible expression of hepatic lineage transcription factors could enhance mouse ES cells to hepatocyte-like cells. We screened the effects of candidate transcription factors Hnf1b, Hnf1a, Hnf4a, Foxa1, Foxa3 and Hex, and determined that the combination of Hnf1b/Foxa3 promoted expression of several hepatic lineage-specific markers and proteins, in addition to glycogen storage, ICG uptake, and secretion of albumin and urea. The differentiated cells were engraftable and expressed albumin when transplanted into a carbon tetrachloride-injured mouse model. These results demonstrated the crucial role of Hnf1b and Foxa3 in hepatogenesis in vitro and provided a valuable tool for the efficient differentiation of HLCs from ES cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Absence of tissue factor is characteristic of lymphoid malignancies of both T- and B-cell origin

PubMed Central

Cesarman-Maus, Gabriela; Braggio, Esteban; Lome-Maldonado, Carmen; Morales-Leyte, Ana Lilia; Fonseca, Rafael

2014-01-01

Summary Background Thrombosis is a marker of poor prognosis in individuals with solid tumors. The expression of tissue factor (TF) on the cell surface membrane of malignant cells is a pivotal molecular link between activation of coagulation, angiogenesis, metastasis, aggressive tumor behavior and poor survival. Interestingly, thrombosis is associated with shortened survival in solid, but not in lymphoid neoplasias. Objectives We sought to study whether the lack of impact of thrombosis on survival in lymphoid neoplasias could be due to a lack of tumor-derived TF expression. Methods We analyzed TF gene (F3) expression in lymphoid (N=114), myeloid (N=49) and solid tumor (N=856) cell lines using the publicly available dataset from the Broad-Novartis Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (http://www.broadinstitute.org/ccle/home), and in 90 patient-derived lymphoma samples. TF protein expression was studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results In sharp contrast to wide F3 expression in solid tumors (74.2%), F3 was absent in all low and high grade T- and B-cell lymphomas, and in most myeloid tumors, except for select acute myeloid leukemias with monocytic component. IHC confirmed the absence of TF protein in all indolent and high-grade B-cell (0/90) and T-cell (0/20) lymphomas, and acute leukemias (0/11). Conclusions We show that TF in lymphomas does not derive from the malignant cells, since these do not express either F3 or TF protein. Therefore, it is unlikely that thrombosis in patients with lymphoid neoplasms is secondary to tumor-derived tissue factor. PMID:24491425

Loss of Twist1 in the Mesenchymal Compartment Promotes Increased Fibrosis in Experimental Lung Injury by Enhanced Expression of CXCL12

PubMed Central

Tan, Jiangning; Tedrow, John R.; Nouraie, Mehdi; Dutta, Justin A.; Miller, David T.; Li, Xiaoyun; Yu, Shibing; Chu, Yanxia; Juan-Guardela, Brenda; Kaminski, Naftali; Ramani, Kritika; Biswas, Partha S.; Zhang, Yingze

2017-01-01

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease characterized by the accumulation of apoptosis-resistant fibroblasts in the lung. We have previously shown that high expression of the transcription factor Twist1 may explain this prosurvival phenotype in vitro. However, this observation has never been tested in vivo. We found that loss of Twist1 in COL1A2+ cells led to increased fibrosis characterized by very significant accumulation of T cells and bone marrow–derived matrix-producing cells. We found that Twist1-null cells expressed high levels of the T cell chemoattractant CXCL12. In vitro, we found that the loss of Twist1 in IPF lung fibroblasts increased expression of CXCL12 downstream of increased expression of the noncanonical NF-κB transcription factor RelB. Finally, blockade of CXCL12 with AMD3100 attenuated the exaggerated fibrosis observed in Twist1-null mice. Transcriptomic analysis of 134 IPF patients revealed that low expression of Twist1 was characterized by enrichment of T cell pathways. In conclusion, loss of Twist1 in collagen-producing cells led to increased bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which is mediated by increased expression of CXCL12. Twist1 expression is associated with dysregulation of T cells in IPF patients. Twist1 may shape the IPF phenotype and regulate inflammation in fibrotic lung injury. PMID:28179498

Organ-specific gene expression: the bHLH protein Sage provides tissue specificity to Drosophila FoxA.

PubMed

Fox, Rebecca M; Vaishnavi, Aria; Maruyama, Rika; Andrew, Deborah J

2013-05-01

FoxA transcription factors play major roles in organ-specific gene expression, regulating, for example, glucagon expression in the pancreas, GLUT2 expression in the liver, and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in dopaminergic neurons. Organ-specific gene regulation by FoxA proteins is achieved through cooperative regulation with a broad array of transcription factors with more limited expression domains. Fork head (Fkh), the sole Drosophila FoxA family member, is required for the development of multiple distinct organs, yet little is known regarding how Fkh regulates tissue-specific gene expression. Here, we characterize Sage, a bHLH transcription factor expressed exclusively in the Drosophila salivary gland (SG). We show that Sage is required for late SG survival and normal tube morphology. We find that many Sage targets, identified by microarray analysis, encode SG-specific secreted cargo, transmembrane proteins, and the enzymes that modify these proteins. We show that both Sage and Fkh are required for the expression of Sage target genes, and that co-expression of Sage and Fkh is sufficient to drive target gene expression in multiple cell types. Sage and Fkh drive expression of the bZip transcription factor Senseless (Sens), which boosts expression of Sage-Fkh targets, and Sage, Fkh and Sens colocalize on SG chromosomes. Importantly, expression of Sage-Fkh target genes appears to simply add to the tissue-specific gene expression programs already established in other cell types, and Sage and Fkh cannot alter the fate of most embryonic cell types even when expressed early and continuously.

Organ-specific gene expression: the bHLH protein Sage provides tissue specificity to Drosophila FoxA

PubMed Central

Fox, Rebecca M.; Vaishnavi, Aria; Maruyama, Rika; Andrew, Deborah J.

2013-01-01

FoxA transcription factors play major roles in organ-specific gene expression, regulating, for example, glucagon expression in the pancreas, GLUT2 expression in the liver, and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in dopaminergic neurons. Organ-specific gene regulation by FoxA proteins is achieved through cooperative regulation with a broad array of transcription factors with more limited expression domains. Fork head (Fkh), the sole Drosophila FoxA family member, is required for the development of multiple distinct organs, yet little is known regarding how Fkh regulates tissue-specific gene expression. Here, we characterize Sage, a bHLH transcription factor expressed exclusively in the Drosophila salivary gland (SG). We show that Sage is required for late SG survival and normal tube morphology. We find that many Sage targets, identified by microarray analysis, encode SG-specific secreted cargo, transmembrane proteins, and the enzymes that modify these proteins. We show that both Sage and Fkh are required for the expression of Sage target genes, and that co-expression of Sage and Fkh is sufficient to drive target gene expression in multiple cell types. Sage and Fkh drive expression of the bZip transcription factor Senseless (Sens), which boosts expression of Sage-Fkh targets, and Sage, Fkh and Sens colocalize on SG chromosomes. Importantly, expression of Sage-Fkh target genes appears to simply add to the tissue-specific gene expression programs already established in other cell types, and Sage and Fkh cannot alter the fate of most embryonic cell types even when expressed early and continuously. PMID:23578928

HuB/C/D, nPTB, REST4, and miR-124 regulators of neuronal cell identity are also utilized in the lens.

PubMed

Bitel, Claudine L; Perrone-Bizzozero, Nora I; Frederikse, Peter H

2010-11-04

An interlocking network of transcription factors, RNA binding proteins, and miRNAs globally regulates gene expression and alternative splicing throughout development, and ensures the coordinated mutually exclusive expression of non-neural and neuronal forms of these factors during neurogenesis. Striking similarities between lens fiber cell and neuron cell morphology led us to determine if these factors are also used in the lens. HuR and polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) have been described as 'global regulators' of RNA alternative splicing, stability, and translation in non-neuronal (including ectodermal) tissues examined to date in diverse species, and REST/NRSF (RE-1 Silencing Transcription Factor/Neuron Restrictive Silencing Factor) represses>2,000 neuronal genes in all non-neuronal tissues examined to date, but has not included the lens. During neurogenesis these factors are replaced by what has been considered neuron-specific HuB/C/D, nPTB, and alternatively spliced REST (REST4), which work with miR-124 to activate this battery of genes, comprehensively reprogram neuronal alternative splicing, and maintain their exclusive expression in post-mitotic neurons. Immunoprecipitation, western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expression and distribution of proteins in mouse and rat lenses. Mobility shift assays were used to examine lenses for REST/NRSF DNA binding activity, and RT-PCR, DNA sequencing, and northern blots were used to identify RNA expression and alternative splicing events in lenses from mouse, rat, and goldfish (N. crassa). We demonstrated that REST, HuR, and PTB proteins are expressed predominantly in epithelial cells in mouse and rat lenses, and showed these factors are also replaced by the predominant expression of REST4, HuB/C/D and nPTB in post-mitotic fiber cells, together with miR-124 expression in vertebrate lenses. REST-regulated gene products were found to be restricted to fiber cells where REST is decreased. These findings predicted nPTB- and HuB/C/D-dependent splicing reactions can also occur in lenses, and we showed Neuronal C-src and Type 1 Neurofibromatosis 1 splicing as well as calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM-180) alternative transcripts in lenses. Transgenic mice with increased HuD in lens also showed increased growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) and Ca++/Calmodulin dependent kinase IIα (CamKIIα) HuD target gene expression in the lens, similar to brain. The present study provides the first evidence this fundamental set of regulatory factors, previously considered to have a unique role in governing neurogenesis are also used in the lens, and raises questions about the origins of these developmental factors and mechanisms in lens and neuronal cells that also have a basic role in determining the neuronal phenotype.

HuB/C/D, nPTB, REST4, and miR-124 regulators of neuronal cell identity are also utilized in the lens

PubMed Central

Bitel, Claudine L.; Perrone-Bizzozero, Nora I.

2010-01-01

Purpose An interlocking network of transcription factors, RNA binding proteins, and miRNAs globally regulates gene expression and alternative splicing throughout development, and ensures the coordinated mutually exclusive expression of non-neural and neuronal forms of these factors during neurogenesis. Striking similarities between lens fiber cell and neuron cell morphology led us to determine if these factors are also used in the lens. HuR and polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) have been described as ‘global regulators’ of RNA alternative splicing, stability, and translation in non-neuronal (including ectodermal) tissues examined to date in diverse species, and REST/NRSF (RE-1 Silencing Transcription Factor/Neuron Restrictive Silencing Factor) represses >2,000 neuronal genes in all non-neuronal tissues examined to date, but has not included the lens. During neurogenesis these factors are replaced by what has been considered neuron-specific HuB/C/D, nPTB, and alternatively spliced REST (REST4), which work with miR-124 to activate this battery of genes, comprehensively reprogram neuronal alternative splicing, and maintain their exclusive expression in post-mitotic neurons. Methods Immunoprecipitation, western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expression and distribution of proteins in mouse and rat lenses. Mobility shift assays were used to examine lenses for REST/NRSF DNA binding activity, and RT–PCR, DNA sequencing, and northern blots were used to identify RNA expression and alternative splicing events in lenses from mouse, rat, and goldfish (N. crassa). Results We demonstrated that REST, HuR, and PTB proteins are expressed predominantly in epithelial cells in mouse and rat lenses, and showed these factors are also replaced by the predominant expression of REST4, HuB/C/D and nPTB in post-mitotic fiber cells, together with miR-124 expression in vertebrate lenses. REST-regulated gene products were found to be restricted to fiber cells where REST is decreased. These findings predicted nPTB- and HuB/C/D-dependent splicing reactions can also occur in lenses, and we showed Neuronal C-src and Type 1 Neurofibromatosis 1 splicing as well as calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM-180) alternative transcripts in lenses. Transgenic mice with increased HuD in lens also showed increased growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) and Ca++/Calmodulin dependent kinase IIα (CamKIIα) HuD target gene expression in the lens, similar to brain. Conclusions The present study provides the first evidence this fundamental set of regulatory factors, previously considered to have a unique role in governing neurogenesis are also used in the lens, and raises questions about the origins of these developmental factors and mechanisms in lens and neuronal cells that also have a basic role in determining the neuronal phenotype. PMID:21139978

Skeletal muscle-specific eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α phosphorylation controls amino acid metabolism and fibroblast growth factor 21-mediated non-cell-autonomous energy metabolism.

PubMed

Miyake, Masato; Nomura, Akitoshi; Ogura, Atsushi; Takehana, Kenji; Kitahara, Yoshihiro; Takahara, Kazuna; Tsugawa, Kazue; Miyamoto, Chinobu; Miura, Naoko; Sato, Ryosuke; Kurahashi, Kiyoe; Harding, Heather P; Oyadomari, Miho; Ron, David; Oyadomari, Seiichi

2016-02-01

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation-dependent integrated stress response (ISR), a component of the unfolded protein response, has long been known to regulate intermediary metabolism, but the details are poorly worked out. We report that profiling of mRNAs of transgenic mice harboring a ligand-activated skeletal muscle-specific derivative of the eIF2α protein kinase R-like ER kinase revealed the expected up-regulation of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis and transport but also uncovered the induced expression and secretion of a myokine, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), that stimulates energy consumption and prevents obesity. The link between the ISR and FGF21 expression was further reinforced by the identification of a small-molecule ISR activator that promoted Fgf21 expression in cell-based screens and by implication of the ISR-inducible activating transcription factor 4 in the process. Our findings establish that eIF2α phosphorylation regulates not only cell-autonomous proteostasis and amino acid metabolism, but also affects non-cell-autonomous metabolic regulation by induced expression of a potent myokine. © FASEB.

BOLITA, an Arabidopsis AP2/ERF-like transcription factor that affects cell expansion and proliferation/differentiation pathways.

PubMed

Marsch-Martinez, Nayelli; Greco, Raffaella; Becker, Jörg D; Dixit, Shital; Bergervoet, Jan H W; Karaba, Aarati; de Folter, Stefan; Pereira, Andy

2006-12-01

The BOLITA (BOL) gene, an AP2/ERF transcription factor, was characterized with the help of an activation tag mutant and overexpression lines in Arabidopsis and tobacco. The leaf size of plants overexpressing BOL was smaller than wild type plants due to a reduction in both cell size and cell number. Moreover, severe overexpressors showed ectopic callus formation in roots. Accordingly, global gene expression analysis using the overexpression mutant reflected the alterations in cell proliferation, differentiation and growth through expression changes in RBR, CYCD, and TCP genes, as well as genes involved in cell expansion (i.e. expansins and the actin remodeling factor ADF5). Furthermore, the expression of hormone signaling (i.e. auxin and cytokinin), biosynthesis (i.e. ethylene and jasmonic acid) and regulatory genes was found to be perturbed in bol-D mutant leaves.

Mediator and Cohesin Connect Gene Expression and Chromatin Architecture

PubMed Central

Kagey, Michael H.; Newman, Jamie J.; Bilodeau, Steve; Zhan, Ye; Orlando, David A.; van Berkum, Nynke L.; Ebmeier, Christopher C.; Goossens, Jesse; Rahl, Peter B.; Levine, Stuart S.; Taatjes, Dylan J.; Dekker, Job; Young, Richard A.

2010-01-01

Summary Transcription factors control cell specific gene expression programs through interactions with diverse coactivators and the transcription apparatus. Gene activation may involve DNA loop formation between enhancer-bound transcription factors and the transcription apparatus at the core promoter, but this process is not well understood. We report here that Mediator and Cohesin physically and functionally connect the enhancers and core promoters of active genes in embryonic stem cells. Mediator, a transcriptional coactivator, forms a complex with Cohesin, which can form rings that connect two DNA segments. The Cohesin loading factor Nipbl is associated with Mediator/Cohesin complexes, providing a means to load Cohesin at promoters. DNA looping is observed between the enhancers and promoters occupied by Mediator and Cohesin. Mediator and Cohesin occupy different promoters in different cells, thus generating cell-type specific DNA loops linked to the gene expression program of each cell. PMID:20720539

Migration and differentiation potential of stem cells in the cnidarian Hydractinia analysed in eGFP-transgenic animals and chimeras.

PubMed

Künzel, Timo; Heiermann, Reinhard; Frank, Uri; Müller, Werner; Tilmann, Wido; Bause, Markus; Nonn, Anja; Helling, Matthias; Schwarz, Ryan S; Plickert, Günter

2010-12-01

To analyse cell migration and the differentiation potential of migratory stem cells in Hydractinia, we generated animals with an eGFP reporter gene stably expressed and transmitted via the germline. The transgene was placed under the control of two different actin promoters and the promoter of elongation factor-1α. One actin promoter (Act-II) and the EF-1α promoter enabled expression of the transgene in all cells, the other actin promoter (Act-I) in epithelial and gametogenic cells, but not in the pluripotent migratory stem cells. We produced chimeric animals consisting of histocompatible wild type and transgenic parts. When the transgene was under the control of the epithelial cell specific actin-I promoter, non-fluorescent transgenic stem cells immigrated into wild type tissue, stopped migration and differentiated into epithelial cells which then commenced eGFP-expression. Migratory stem cells are therefore pluripotent and can give rise not only to germ cells, nematocytes and nerve cells, but also to epithelial cells. While in somatic cells expression of the act-I promoter was restricted to epithelial cells it became also active in gametogenesis. The act-I gene is expressed in spermatogonia, oogonia and oocytes. In males the expression pattern showed that migratory stem cells are the precursors of both the spermatogonia and their somatic envelopes. Comparative expression studies using the promoters of the actin-II gene and the elongation factor-1α gene revealed the potential of transgenic techniques to trace the development of the nervous system. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

NFAT5 promotes proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells in part through regulating AQP5 expression

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, Kai, E-mail: gk161@163.com; Department of Respiration, 161th Hospital, PLA, Wuhan 430015; Jin, Faguang, E-mail: jinfag@fmmu.edu.cn

2015-09-25

The osmoregulated transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5(NFAT5), has been found to play important roles in the development of many kinds of human cancers, including breast cancer, colon carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. The aim of the present study was to determine whether NFAT5 is involved in the proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells. We found that NFAT5 was upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma cells and knockdown of NFAT5 decreased proliferation and migration of the cells, accompanied by a significant reduction in the expression of AQP5. AQP5 was upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma cells and knockdown of AQP5more » also inhibited proliferation and migration of the cells as knockdown of NFAT5 did. Moreover, overexpression of NFAT5 promoted proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells, accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of AQP5. These results indicate that NFAT5 plays important roles in proliferation and migration of human lung adenocarcinoma cells through regulating AQP5 expression, providing a new therapeutic option for lung adenocarcinoma therapy. - Highlights: • NFAT5 expression is higher in lung adenocarcinoma cells compared with normal cells. • NFAT5 knockdown decreases proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells. • Knockdown of NFAT5 reduces AQP5 expression in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. • Overexpression of NFAT5 promotes proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells. • Overexpression of NFAT5 increases AQP5 expression in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.« less

From CNS stem cells to neurons and glia: Sox for everyone.

PubMed

Reiprich, Simone; Wegner, Michael

2015-01-01

Neuroepithelial precursor cells of the vertebrate central nervous system either self-renew or differentiate into neurons, oligodendrocytes or astrocytes under the influence of a gene regulatory network that consists in transcription factors, epigenetic modifiers and microRNAs. Sox transcription factors are central to this regulatory network, especially members of the SoxB, SoxC, SoxD, SoxE and SoxF groups. These Sox proteins are widely expressed in neuroepithelial precursor cells and in newly specified, differentiating and mature neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes and influence their identity, survival and development. They exert their effect predominantly at the transcriptional level but also have substantial impact on expression at the epigenetic and posttranscriptional levels with some Sox proteins acting as pioneer factors, recruiting chromatin-modifying and -remodelling complexes or influencing microRNA expression. They interact with a large variety of other transcription factors and influence the expression of regulatory molecules and effector genes in a cell-type-specific and temporally controlled manner. As versatile regulators with context-dependent functions, they are not only indispensable for central nervous system development but might also be instrumental for the development of reprogramming and cell conversion strategies for replacement therapies and for assisted regeneration after injury or degeneration-induced cell loss in the central nervous system.

Inhibition of Tumorigenesis by the Thyroid Hormone Receptor β in Xenograft Models

PubMed Central

Kim, Won Gu; Zhao, Li; Kim, Dong Wook; Willingham, Mark C.

2014-01-01

Background: Previous studies showed a close association between several types of human cancers and somatic mutations of thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ) and reduced expression of TRβ due to epigenetic inactivation and/or deletion of the THRB gene. These observations suggest that TRβ could act as a tumor suppressor in carcinogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which TRβ could function to inhibit tumorigenesis are less well understood. Methods: We used the human follicular thyroid cancer cell lines (FTC-133 and FTC-236 cells) to elucidate how functional expression of the THRB gene could affect tumorigenesis. We stably expressed the THRB gene in FTC cells and evaluated the effects of the expressed TRβ on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and tumor growth in cell-based studies and xenograft models. Results: Expression of TRβ in FTC-133 cells, as compared with control FTC cells without TRβ, reduced cancer cell proliferation and impeded migration of tumor cells through inhibition of the AKT-mTOR-p70 S6K pathway. TRβ expression in FTC-133 and FTC-236 led to less tumor growth in xenograft models. Importantly, new vessel formation was significantly suppressed in tumors induced by FTC cells expressing TRβ compared with control FTC cells without TRβ. The decrease in vessel formation was mediated by the downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in FTC cells expressing TRβ. Conclusions: These findings indicate that TRβ acts as a tumor suppressor through downregulation of the AKT-mTOR-p70 S6K pathway and decreased vascular endothelial growth factor expression in FTC cells. The present results raise the possibility that TRβ could be considered as a potential therapeutic target for thyroid cancer. PMID:23731250

Environmental factors that shape biofilm formation.

PubMed

Toyofuku, Masanori; Inaba, Tomohiro; Kiyokawa, Tatsunori; Obana, Nozomu; Yawata, Yutaka; Nomura, Nobuhiko

2016-01-01

Cells respond to the environment and alter gene expression. Recent studies have revealed the social aspects of bacterial life, such as biofilm formation. Biofilm formation is largely affected by the environment, and the mechanisms by which the gene expression of individual cells affects biofilm development have attracted interest. Environmental factors determine the cell's decision to form or leave a biofilm. In addition, the biofilm structure largely depends on the environment, implying that biofilms are shaped to adapt to local conditions. Second messengers such as cAMP and c-di-GMP are key factors that link environmental factors with gene regulation. Cell-to-cell communication is also an important factor in shaping the biofilm. In this short review, we will introduce the basics of biofilm formation and further discuss environmental factors that shape biofilm formation. Finally, the state-of-the-art tools that allow us investigate biofilms under various conditions are discussed.

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) increases survivin expression via enhanced β-catenin–T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer binding factor-dependent transcription

PubMed Central

Tapia, J. C.; Torres, V. A.; Rodriguez, D. A.; Leyton, L.; Quest, A. F. G.

2006-01-01

Increased expression of casein kinase 2 (CK2) is associated with hyperproliferation and suppression of apoptosis in cancer. Mutations in the tumor suppressor APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) are frequent in colon cancer and often augment β-catenin–T cell factor (Tcf)/lymphoid enhancer binding factor (Lef)-dependent transcription of genes such as c-myc and cyclin-D1. CK2 has also been implicated recently in the regulation of β-catenin stability. To identify mechanisms by which CK2 promotes survival, effects of the specific CK2 inhibitors 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) and 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole were assessed. TBB and 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole significantly decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of HT29(US) colon cancer cells. RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis revealed that both inhibitors decreased survivin mRNA and protein levels in HT29(US) cells. Similar effects were observed with TBB in human DLD-1 and SW-480 colorectal cells as well as ZR-75 breast cancer cells and HEK-293T embryonic kidney cells. Expression of GFP–CK2α in HEK-293T cells resulted in β-catenin–Tcf/Lef-dependent up-regulation of survivin and increased resistance to anticancer drugs. Augmented β-catenin–Tcf/Lef-dependent transcription and resistance to apoptosis observed upon GFP–CK2α expression were abolished by TBB. Alternatively, HEK-293T cells expressing GFP–survivin were resistant to TBB-induced apoptosis. Finally, siRNA-mediated down-regulation of CK2α in HEK-293T cells coincided with reduced β-catenin and survivin levels. Taken together, these results suggest that CK2 kinase activity promotes survival by increasing survivin expression via β-catenin–Tcf/Lef-mediated transcription. Hence, selective CK2 inhibition or down-regulation in tumors may provide an attractive opportunity for the development of novel cancer therapies. PMID:17005722

Molecular characterization and expression profile of nanos in Schistosoma japonicum and its influence on the expression several mammalian stem cell factors.

PubMed

Giri, Bikash Ranjan; Du, Xiaoli; Xia, Tianqi; Chen, Yongjun; Li, Hao; Cheng, Guofeng

2017-07-01

Pluripotent stem cells, called neoblasts, are well known for the regenerative capability and developmental plasticity in flatworms. Impressive advancement has been made in free-living flatworms, while in case of its parasitic counterpart, neoblast-like stem cells have attracted recent attention for its self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Nanos is a key conserved post-transcriptional regulator critical for the formation, development, and/or maintenance of the pluripotent germ line stem cell systems in many metazoans including schistosomes. In the present study, we report the molecular cloning and expression of nanos orthologous genes nanos in Schistosoma japonicum (Sjnanos). The cDNA of Sjnanos is 826 bp long, containing an open reading frame (ORF) for 223 amino acid long protein. qRT-PCR analysis shown that Sjnanos was differently expressed in several stages of schistosomes with relatively high level in schistosomula. Additionally, Sjnanos was expressed highly in adult females compared to adult males. Transfection of recombinant plasmid for expressing Sjnanos resulted in significant proliferation and increased expression of several stem cell factors in mammalian cells. Overall, our preliminary study provides the molecular basis to further functionally characterize Sjnanos in S. japonicum.

Human Dermal Mast Cells Contain and Release Tumor Necrosis Factor α, which Induces Endothelial Leukocyte Adhesion Molecule 1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Laurence J.; Trinchieri, Giorgio; Waldorf, Heidi A.; Whitaker, Diana; Murphy, George F.

1991-05-01

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine that mediates endothelial leukocyte interactions by inducing expression of adhesion molecules. In this report, we demonstrate that human dermal mast cells contain sizeable stores of immunoreactive and biologically active TNF-α within granules, which can be released rapidly into the extracellular space upon degranulation. Among normal human dermal cells, mast cells are the predominant cell type that expresses both TNF-α protein and TNF-α mRNA. Moreover, induction of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 expression is a direct consequence of release of mast cell-derived TNF-α. These findings establish a role for human mast cells as "gatekeepers" of the dermal microvasculature and indicate that mast cell products other than vasoactive amines influence endothelium in a proinflammatory fashion.

Fibroblast growth factor 5-short (FGF5s) inhibits the activity of FGF5 in primary and secondary hair follicle dermal papilla cells of cashmere goats.

PubMed

He, Xiaolin; Chao, Yuan; Zhou, Guangxian; Chen, Yulin

2016-01-10

To determine the relationship between fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) and FGF5-short (FGF5s) in dermal papilla cells of cashmere goat primary and secondary hair follicles. We isolated dermal papilla cells from primary hair follicle (PHF) and secondary hair follicle (SHF) of cashmere goat, and found that the FGF5 receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), was expressed in these two types of dermal papilla cells. Moreover, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of FGF5 could upregulate the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), versican and noggin that were important for follicle growth maintenance, whereas downregulate the expression of anagen chalone bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) in dermal papilla cells. However, these alterations were partly reversed by FGF5s overexpression. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that FGF5s acted as an inhibitor of FGF5 in the regulation of anagen-catagen transition of cashmere goat dermal papilla cells. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Transcription factor CREB is involved in CaSR-mediated cytoskeleton gene expression.

PubMed

Huang, Shuaishuai; Ren, Yu; Wang, Ping; Li, Yanyuan; Wang, Xue; Zhuang, Haihui; Fang, Rong; Wang, Yuduo; Liu, Ningsheng; Hehir, Michael; Zhou, Jeff X

2015-03-01

Our previous studies illustrated that a steady increase of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was important for maintaining microtubules (MTs) rearrangement in apoptotic cells. However, little is known about the effect of calcium sensing receptor (CaSR)-mediated increase in [Ca2+]i on cytoskeleton gene expression. We examined the impact of taxol or CaSR agonist/antagonist on the regulation of [Ca2+]i concentration, cytoskeleton arrangement, phosphorylated CREB and cytoskeleton gene expressions in HeLa cells with dominant negative plasmid of CREB (PM). This study demonstrated that Gdcl3 (a specific CaSR agonist) evoked a rapid increase of [Ca2+]i, formed a rigid bundle of MTs which surrounded the nucleus and decreased the cytoskeleton gene expressions in HeLa cells. These effects were rescued by addition of NPS2390 (a specific CaSR antagonist). Moreover, CaSR activity affected cytoskeleton gene expression through transcription factor CREB. Histoscores of pCREB immunoreactivity in tissues of cervical adenocarcinoma, renal clear cell carcinoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were markedly increased compared with non malignant tissue. These data demonstrate, for the first time, that CaSR-mediated increase in [Ca2+]i probably modulate cytoskeleton organization and gene expression via transcription factor. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Interleukin 1-beta upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin 3 and neuropilin 2 gene expression and NGF production in annulus cells.

PubMed

Gruber, H E; Hoelscher, G L; Bethea, S; Hanley, E N

2012-11-01

The relationship between disc cells, nerves and pain production in the intervertebral disc is poorly understood. Neurotrophins, signaling molecules involved in the survival, differentiation and migration of neurons, and neurite outgrowth, are expressed in non-neuronal tissues including the disc. We hypothesized that three-dimensional exposure of human disc cells to the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1ß in vitro would elevate neurotrophin gene expression levels and production of nerve growth factor (NGF). Cells isolated from Thompson grade III and IV discs were cultured for 14 days under control conditions or with addition of 10(2) pM IL-1ß; mRNA was isolated and conditioned media assayed for NGF content. IL-1ß exposure in three-dimensional culture significantly increased expression of neurotrophin 3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neuropilin 2 compared to controls. IL-1ß-exposed cells showed significantly increased NGF production compared to controls. Findings support our hypothesis, expand previous data concerning expression of neurotrophins, and provide the first documented expression of neurotrophin 3 and neuropilin 2. Our results have direct translational relevance, because they address the primary clinical issue of low back pain and open the possibility of novel analgesic therapies using specific small-molecular antagonists to neurotrophins.

Lenticular cytoprotection. Part 1: the role of hypoxia inducible factors-1α and -2α and vascular endothelial growth factor in lens epithelial cell survival in hypoxia.

PubMed

Neelam, Sudha; Brooks, Morgan M; Cammarata, Patrick R

2013-01-01

The prosurvival signaling cascades that mediate the unique ability of human lens epithelial cells to survive in their naturally hypoxic environment are not well defined. Hypoxia induces the synthesis of the hypoxia inducible factor HIF-1α that in turn, plays a crucial role in modulating a downstream survival scheme, where vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) also plays a major role. To date, no published reports in the lens literature attest to the expression and functionality of HIF-2α and the role it might play in regulating VEGF expression. The aim of this study was to identify the functional expression of the hypoxia inducible factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α and establish their role in regulating VEGF expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate a link between sustained VEGF expression and the ability of the hypoxic human lens epithelial cell to thrive in low oxygen conditions and resist mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (also referred to as lenticular cytoprotection). Hypoxia inducible factor translation inhibitors were used to demonstrate the role of HIF-1α and HIF-2α and the simultaneous expression of both hypoxic inducible factors to determine their role in regulating VEGF expression. Axitinib, which inhibits lenticular cell autophosphorylation of its VEGF receptor, was employed to demonstrate a role for the VEGF-VEGFR2 receptor complex in regulating Bcl-2 expression. Specific antisera and western blot analysis were used to detect the protein levels of HIF-1α and HIF-2α, as well as the proapoptotic protein, BAX and the prosurvival protein, Bcl-2. VEGF levels were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The potentiometric dye, 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro1,1',3,3'-tetraethyl-benzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide, was used to determine the effect of the inhibitors on mitochondrial membrane permeability transition. Cultured human lens epithelial cells (HLE-B3) maintained under hypoxic condition (1% oxygen) displayed consistent accumulation of VEGF throughout the 72 h incubation period. Using hypoxia inducible factor translation inhibitors targeting HIF-1α or HIF-2α, the specific inhibition of each protein did not diminish VEGF synthesis. The combined inhibition of HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression, using a double hypoxia inducible factor translation inhibitor, markedly decreased the level of VEGF. The inhibition of VEGF synthesis was associated with a profound deficiency in the level of the prosurvival protein, Bcl-2. Axitinib also prevented the VEGF-mediated expression of Bcl-2. The loss of VEGF coupled with the decrease in intracellular Bcl-2 correlated with marked mitochondrial depolarization, an early predictor of cellular apoptosis. Our data support a model in which the sustained synthesis of VEGF in human lens epithelial cells, maintained under hypoxic condition, is regulated by a compensatory inter-relationship between HIF-1α and HIF-2α. VEGF acts as a prosurvival factor in hypoxic lens epithelial cells by maintaining consistent expression of the prosurvival protein Bcl-2, which likely prevents the translocation of cytosolic BAX to the outer mitochondrial membrane, thus preventing the initiation of mitochondrial depolarization.

Wnt signaling regulates pancreatic β cell proliferation

PubMed Central

Rulifson, Ingrid C.; Karnik, Satyajit K.; Heiser, Patrick W.; ten Berge, Derk; Chen, Hainan; Gu, Xueying; Taketo, Makoto M.; Nusse, Roel; Hebrok, Matthias; Kim, Seung K.

2007-01-01

There is widespread interest in defining factors and mechanisms that stimulate proliferation of pancreatic islet cells. Wnt signaling is an important regulator of organ growth and cell fates, and genes encoding Wnt-signaling factors are expressed in the pancreas. However, it is unclear whether Wnt signaling regulates pancreatic islet proliferation and differentiation. Here we provide evidence that Wnt signaling stimulates islet β cell proliferation. The addition of purified Wnt3a protein to cultured β cells or islets promoted expression of Pitx2, a direct target of Wnt signaling, and Cyclin D2, an essential regulator of β cell cycle progression, and led to increased β cell proliferation in vitro. Conditional pancreatic β cell expression of activated β-catenin, a crucial Wnt signal transduction protein, produced similar phenotypes in vivo, leading to β cell expansion, increased insulin production and serum levels, and enhanced glucose handling. Conditional β cell expression of Axin, a potent negative regulator of Wnt signaling, led to reduced Pitx2 and Cyclin D2 expression by β cells, resulting in reduced neonatal β cell expansion and mass and impaired glucose tolerance. Thus, Wnt signaling is both necessary and sufficient for islet β cell proliferation, and our study provides previously unrecognized evidence of a mechanism governing endocrine pancreas growth and function. PMID:17404238

Molecular and Electrophysiological Characterization of GABAergic Interneurons Expressing the Transcription Factor COUP-TFII in the Adult Human Temporal Cortex

PubMed Central

Varga, Csaba; Tamas, Gabor; Barzo, Pal; Olah, Szabolcs; Somogyi, Peter

2015-01-01

Transcription factors contribute to the differentiation of cortical neurons, orchestrate specific interneuronal circuits, and define synaptic relationships. We have investigated neurons expressing chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II (COUP-TFII), which plays a role in the migration of GABAergic neurons. Whole-cell, patch-clamp recording in vitro combined with colocalization of molecular cell markers in the adult cortex differentiates distinct interneurons. The majority of strongly COUP-TFII-expressing neurons were in layers I–III. Most calretinin (CR) and/or cholecystokinin- (CCK) and/or reelin-positive interneurons were also COUP-TFII-positive. CR-, CCK-, or reelin-positive neurons formed 80%, 20%, or 17% of COUP-TFII-positive interneurons, respectively. About half of COUP-TFII-/CCK-positive interneurons were CR-positive, a quarter of them reelin-positive, but none expressed both. Interneurons positive for COUP-TFII fired irregular, accommodating and adapting trains of action potentials (APs) and innervated mostly small dendritic shafts and rarely spines or somata. Paired recording showed that a calretinin-/COUP-TFII-positive interneuron elicited inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in a reciprocally connected pyramidal cell. Calbindin, somatostatin, or parvalbumin-immunoreactive interneurons and most pyramidal cells express no immunohistochemically detectable COUP-TFII. In layers V and VI, some pyramidal cells expressed a low level of COUP-TFII in the nucleus. In conclusion, COUP-TFII is expressed in a diverse subset of GABAergic interneurons predominantly innervating small dendritic shafts originating from both interneurons and pyramidal cells. PMID:25787832

PDGF-BB induces vascular smooth muscle cell expression of high molecular weight FGF-2, which accumulates in the nucleus.

PubMed

Pintucci, Giuseppe; Yu, Pey-Jen; Saponara, Fiorella; Kadian-Dodov, Daniella L; Galloway, Aubrey C; Mignatti, Paolo

2005-08-15

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are implicated in vascular remodeling secondary to injury. Both growth factors control vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and survival through overlapping intracellular signaling pathways. In vascular smooth muscle cells PDGF-BB induces FGF-2 expression. However, the effect of PDGF on the different forms of FGF-2 has not been elucidated. Here, we report that treatment of vascular aortic smooth muscle cells with PDGF-BB rapidly induces expression of 20.5 and 21 kDa, high molecular weight (HMW) FGF-2 that accumulates in the nucleus and nucleolus. Conversely, PDGF treatment has little or no effect on 18 kDa, low-molecular weight FGF-2 expression. PDGF-BB-induced upregulation of HMW FGF-2 expression is controlled by sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2 and is abolished by actinomycin D. These data describe a novel interaction between PDGF-BB and FGF-2, and indicate that the nuclear forms of FGF-2 may mediate the effect of PDGF activity on vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiogenesis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, tumour necrosis factor-α and hypoxia inducible factor-1α in canine renal cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Yhee, J Y; Yu, C H; Kim, J H; Im, K S; Kim, N H; Brodersen, B W; Doster, A R; Sur, J-H

2012-01-01

The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution and characteristics of microvessels in various histological types of canine renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The study compared microvessel density (MVD) and distribution of blood vessels according to histological type and evaluated the presence of angiogenesis-related proteins. Nine archival samples of canine RCC were studied. MVD was calculated as the mean number of blood vessels per mm(2). The diameter of blood vessels was calculated by determining either the length of the long axis of blood vessels (diameter(max)) or the mean distance from the centre of each blood vessel to the tunica adventia (diameter(mean)). A significant difference in MVD was evident between RCCs and normal kidneys (46.6 ± 28.0 versus 8.4 ± 2.2 microvessels/mm(2)). Diameter(max) in canine RCCs (34.1 ± 14.7 μm) was also significantly different from normal canine kidney (23.2 ± 3.4 μm). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was expressed by tumour cells and vascular endothelial cells and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression was observed in vascular endothelial cells in both neoplastic and normal kidney. Although VEGF is involved in angiogenesis and correlates with tumour stage of development, no correlation was found between VEGF expression and MVD. Tumour-associated macrophages expressing TNF-α and hypoxia inducible factor 1α were identified in peritumoural tissue and may play an important role in angiogenesis. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Glioma-secreted soluble factors stimulate microglial activation: The role of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α.

PubMed

Hwang, Ji-Sun; Jung, Eun-Hye; Kwon, Mi-Youn; Han, Inn-Oc

2016-09-15

We aimed to elucidate the effect of soluble factors secreted by glioma on microglial activation. Conditioned medium (CM) from glioma cells, CRT-MG and C6, significantly induced nitric oxide (NO) production and stimulated the mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in BV2 cells. Glioma CM stimulated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, and a p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, suppressed CM-induced NO production in BV2 cells. In addition, CM stimulated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) DNA binding and transcriptional activity, which was repressed by SB203580. Gliomas displayed higher mRNA expression and release of TNF-α and IL-1β than primary astrocyte cells. Neutralization of TNF-α and IL-1β in C6-CM using a neutralizing antibody inhibited NO/iNOS expression in BV-2 cells. These results indicate potential contribution of diffusible tumor-derived factors to regulate microglial activation and subsequent tumor microenvironment. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Onecut 1 and Onecut 2 Are Potential Regulators of Mouse Retinal Development

PubMed Central

Wu, Fuguo; Sapkota, Darshan; Li, Renzhong; Mu, Xiuqian

2014-01-01

Our current study focuses on the expression of two members of the onecut transcription factor family, One-cut1 (Oc1) and Onecut2 (Oc2), in the developing mouse retina. By immunofluorescence staining, we found that Oc1 and Oc2 had very similar expression patterns throughout retinal development. Both factors started to be expressed in the retina at around embryonic day (E) 11.5. At early stages (E11.5 and E12.5), they were expressed in both the neuroblast layer (NBL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). As development progressed (from E14.5 to postnatal day [P] 0), expression diminished in the retinal progenitor cells and became more restricted to the GCL. By P5, Oc1 and Oc2 were expressed at very low levels in the GCL. By co-labeling with transcription factors known to be involved in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) development, we found that Oc1 and Oc2 had extensive overlap with Math5 in the NBL, and that they completely overlapped with Pou4f2 and Isl1 in the GCL, but only partially in the NBL. Co-labeling of Oc1 with cell cycle markers confirmed that Oc1 was expressed in both proliferating retinal progenitors and postmitotic retinal cells. In addition, we demonstrated that expression of Oc1 and Oc2 did not require Math5, Isl1, or Pou4f2. Thus, Oc1 and Oc2 may regulate the formation of RGCs in a pathway independent of Math5, Pou4f2, and Isl1. Furthermore, we showed that Oc1 and Oc2 were expressed in both developing and mature horizontal cells (HCs). Therefore the two factors may also function in the genesis and maintenance of HCs. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:952–969, 2012. PMID:21830221

Dynamic genome wide expression profiling of Drosophila head development reveals a novel role of Hunchback in retinal glia cell development and blood-brain barrier integrity

PubMed Central

Torres-Oliva, Montserrat; Schneider, Julia; Wiegleb, Gordon

2018-01-01

Drosophila melanogaster head development represents a valuable process to study the developmental control of various organs, such as the antennae, the dorsal ocelli and the compound eyes from a common precursor, the eye-antennal imaginal disc. While the gene regulatory network underlying compound eye development has been extensively studied, the key transcription factors regulating the formation of other head structures from the same imaginal disc are largely unknown. We obtained the developmental transcriptome of the eye-antennal discs covering late patterning processes at the late 2nd larval instar stage to the onset and progression of differentiation at the end of larval development. We revealed the expression profiles of all genes expressed during eye-antennal disc development and we determined temporally co-expressed genes by hierarchical clustering. Since co-expressed genes may be regulated by common transcriptional regulators, we combined our transcriptome dataset with publicly available ChIP-seq data to identify central transcription factors that co-regulate genes during head development. Besides the identification of already known and well-described transcription factors, we show that the transcription factor Hunchback (Hb) regulates a significant number of genes that are expressed during late differentiation stages. We confirm that hb is expressed in two polyploid subperineurial glia cells (carpet cells) and a thorough functional analysis shows that loss of Hb function results in a loss of carpet cells in the eye-antennal disc. Additionally, we provide for the first time functional data indicating that carpet cells are an integral part of the blood-brain barrier. Eventually, we combined our expression data with a de novo Hb motif search to reveal stage specific putative target genes of which we find a significant number indeed expressed in carpet cells. PMID:29360820

The low expression of miR-451 predicts a worse prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer cases.

PubMed

Goto, Akiteru; Tanaka, Masamitsu; Yoshida, Makoto; Umakoshi, Michinobu; Nanjo, Hiroshi; Shiraishi, Kouya; Saito, Motonobu; Kohno, Takashi; Kuriyama, Sei; Konno, Hayato; Imai, Kazuhiro; Saito, Hajime; Minamiya, Yoshihiro; Maeda, Daichi

2017-01-01

miR-451 is a tumor suppressive microRNA with several target genes, including Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). As little is known about the expression and clinicopathological significance of mir-451 in NSCLC, we performed a clinicopathological study of 370 NSCLC cases to clarify them. Cell biological experiments were also performed on NSCLC cell lines to confirm the tumor-suppressive role of miR-451 and whether or not MIF is targeted by miR-451. We analyzed 370 NSCLC cases for the miR-451 expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the MIF expression by immunohistochemistry. Eighty-four background lung tissue samples were also evaluated for the miR-451 expression. The clinicopathological and genetic factors surveyed were the disease-free survival, smoking status, histological type, disease stage, EGFR gene mutations and ALK rearrangements. In 286 adenocarcinoma cases, the invasive status (adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma and invasive adenocarcinoma) was also evaluated. Five NSCLC cell lines (H23, H441, H522, H1703, and H1975) were cultured and evaluated for their miR-451 and MIF expression. The cell lines with lower miR-451 and higher MIF expressions were then selected and transfected with miR-451-mimic to observe its effects on MIF expression, Akt and Erk status, cell proliferation, and cell migration. The miR-451 expression was down-regulated in cancer tissues compared with background lung tissues (P<0.0001). Factors such as advanced disease stage, positive pleural invasion and nodal status and being a smoker were significantly correlated with a lower expression of miR-451 (P<0.05 each), while EGFR gene mutations and ALK rearrangements were not. In adenocarcinoma, invasive and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma showed lower expression of miR-451 than adenocarcinoma in situ (P<0.0005, respectively). A survival analysis showed that a lower expression of miR-451 was an independent predictor of a poor prognosis for NSCLC (P<0.05). The MIF expression was inversely correlated with the miR-451 expression. Out of 5 NSCLC cell lines examined, H441 and H1975 showed higher MIF and lower miR-451 expressions. After the transfection of miR-451-mimic, the MIF expression and phosphorylated Akt expression of these cell lines was suppressed, as were cell proliferation and cell migration. This clinicopathological study of 370 NSCLC cases and the cell biological studies of NSCLC cell lines clarified the tumor-suppressive role of miR-451 and its prognostic value. We also validated MIF as a target of miR-451 in NSCLC.

Knockdown of HIF-1α and IL-8 induced apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma triggers apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells.

PubMed

Choi, Sung Hoon; Park, Jun Yong; Kang, Wonseok; Kim, Seung Up; Kim, Do Young; Ahn, Sang Hoon; Ro, Simon Wonsang; Han, Kwang-Hyub

2016-01-01

A local hypoxic microenvironment is one of the most important characteristics of solid tumors. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) activate tumor survival from hypoxic-induced apoptosis in each pathway. This study aimed to evaluate whether knockdown of HIF-1α and IL-8 induced apoptosis of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and endothelial cell lines. HCC cell lines were infected with adenovirus-expressing shRNA for HIF-1α and IL-8 and maintained under hypoxic conditions (1% O2, 24 h). The expression levels of HIF-1α and both apoptotic and growth factors were examined by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. We also investigated apoptosis by TUNEL assay (FACS and Immunofluorescence) and measured the concentration of cytochrome C. Inhibition of HIF-1α and IL-8 up-regulated the expression of apoptotic factors while downregulating anti-apoptotic factors simultaneously. Knockdown of HIF-1α and IL-8 increased the concentration of cytochrome C and enhanced DNA fragmentation in HCC cell lines. Moreover, culture supernatant collected from the knockdown of HIF-1α and IL-8 in HCC cell lines induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells under hypoxia, and the expression of variable apoptotic ligand increased from HCC cell lines, time-dependently. These data suggest that adenovirus-mediated knockdown of HIF-1α and IL-8 induced apoptosis in HCC cells and triggered apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells.

Tissue factor transcription driven by Egr-1 is a critical mechanism of murine pulmonary fibrin deposition in hypoxia

PubMed Central

Yan, Shi-Fang; Zou, Yu Shan; Gao, Yun; Zhai, Chao; Mackman, Nigel; Lee, Stephen L.; Milbrandt, Jeffrey; Pinsky, David; Kisiel, Walter; Stern, David

1998-01-01

Local hypoxemia and stasis trigger thrombosis. We have demonstrated previously that in a murine model of normobaric hypoxia pulmonary fibrin deposition is a result of expression of tissue factor, especially in oxygen-deprived mononuclear phagocytes (MPs). We now show that transcription factor early-growth-response gene product (Egr-1) is rapidly activated in hypoxia, both in vitro and in vivo, and is responsible for transcription and expression of tissue factor in hypoxic lung. MPs and HeLa cells subjected to hypoxia (pO2 ≈13 torr) had increased levels of tissue factor transcripts (≈18-fold) and an increased rate of transcription (≈15-fold), based on nuclear run-on analysis. Gel-shift analysis of nuclear extracts from hypoxic MPs and HeLa cells demonstrated increased DNA-binding activity at the serum response region (SRR; −111/+14 bp) of the tissue factor promoter at Egr-1 motifs. Using 32P-labeled Egr consensus oligonucleotide, we observed induction of DNA-binding activity in nuclear extracts from hypoxic lung and HeLa cells because of activation of Egr-1, by means of supershift analysis. Transient transfection of HeLa cells with chimeric plasmids containing wild-type or mutant SRR from the tissue factor promoter showed that intact Sp1 sites are necessary for basal promoter activity, whereas the integrity of Egr-1 sites was required for hypoxia-enhanced expression. A central role for Egr-1 in hypoxia-mediated tissue factor expression was confirmed by experiments with homozygous Egr-1 null mice; wild-type mice subjected to oxygen deprivation expressed tissue factor and showed fibrin deposition, but hypoxic homozygous Egr-1 null mice displayed neither tissue factor nor fibrin. These data delineate a novel biology for hypoxia-induced fibrin deposition, in which oxygen deprivation-induced activation of Egr-1, resulting in expression of tissue factor, has an unexpected and central role. PMID:9653181

IRF-8 Controls Melanoma Progression by Regulating the Cross Talk between Cancer and Immune Cells within the Tumor Microenvironment12

PubMed Central

Mattei, Fabrizio; Schiavoni, Giovanna; Sestili, Paola; Spadaro, Francesca; Fragale, Alessandra; Sistigu, Antonella; Lucarini, Valeria; Spada, Massimo; Sanchez, Massimo; Scala, Stefania; Battistini, Angela; Belardelli, Filippo; Gabriele, Lucia

2012-01-01

The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor-8 (IRF-8) is crucial for myeloid cell development and immune response and also acts as a tumor suppressor gene. Here, we analyzed the role of IRF-8 in the cross talk between melanoma cells and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes. B16-F10 melanoma cells transplanted into IRF-8-deficient (IRF-8-/-) mice grow more rapidly, leading to higher numbers of lung metastasis, with respect to control animals. These events correlated with reduced dendritic cell and T cell infiltration, accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and a chemokine/chemokine receptor expression profile within the tumor microenvironment supporting tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Noticeably, primary tumors developing in IRF-8-/- mice displayed a clear-cut inhibition of IRF-8 expression in melanoma cells. Injection of the demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine into melanoma-bearing IRF-8-/- animals induced intratumoral IRF-8 expression and resulted in the re-establishment of a chemokine/ chemokine receptor pattern favoring leukocyte infiltration and melanoma growth arrest. Importantly, intrinsic IRF-8 expression was progressively down-modulated during melanoma growth in mice and in human metastatic melanoma cells with respect to primary tumors. Lastly, IRF-8 expression in melanoma cells was directly modulated by soluble factors, among which interleukin-27 (IL-27), released by immune cells from tumor-bearing mice. Collectively, these results underscore a key role of IRF-8 in the cross talk between melanoma and immune cells, thus revealing its critical function within the tumor microenvironment in regulating melanoma progression and invasiveness. PMID:23308054

Expression of decay-accelerating factor (CD55), membrane cofactor protein (CD46) and CD59 in the human astroglioma cell line, D54-MG, and primary rat astrocytes.

PubMed

Yang, C; Jones, J L; Barnum, S R

1993-09-01

In this report, we have shown the expression of the complement regulatory proteins decay-accelerating factor (DAF, CD55), membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46) and CD59 on human D54-MG astroglioma cells by several methods, including immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and Western blotting and Northern blot analysis. These studies demonstrate that all three proteins are structurally and antigenically similar to their counterparts expressed on HepG2 and SW480 cells (hepatocyte and epithelial cell lines, respectively). D54-MG cells express mRNA for all three proteins of the appropriate size(s). The phosphatidylinositol-specific enzyme, PIPLC, cleaved DAF from the surface of D54-MG cells, demonstrating that DAF is linked by a glycophospholipid anchor as has been shown for other cell types. Flow cytometry demonstrates that primary rat astrocytes also constitutively express all three regulatory proteins. These data are the first to demonstrate the expression of CD59 on astrocytes, and the presence of all three regulatory proteins on astrocytes suggests that regulation of complement activation in the central nervous system is important in neural host defense mechanisms.

Expression of Tlx in both stem cells and transit amplifying progenitors regulates stem cell activation and differentiation in the neonatal lateral subependymal zone.

PubMed

Obernier, Kirsten; Simeonova, Ina; Fila, Tatiana; Mandl, Claudia; Hölzl-Wenig, Gabriele; Monaghan-Nichols, Paula; Ciccolini, Francesca

2011-09-01

Niche homeostasis in the postnatal subependymal zone of the lateral ventricle (lSEZ) requires coordinated proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells. The mechanisms regulating this balance are scarcely known. Recent observations indicate that the orphan nuclear receptor Tlx is an intrinsic factor essential in maintaining this balance. However, the effect of Tlx on gene expression depends on age and cell-type cues. Therefore, it is essential to establish its expression pattern at different developmental ages. Here, we show for the first time that in the neonatal lSEZ activated neural stem cells (NSCs) and especially transit-amplifying progenitors (TAPs) express Tlx and that its expression may be regulated at the posttranscriptional level. We also provide evidence that in both cell types Tlx affects gene expression in a positive and negative manner. In activated NSCs, but not in TAPs, absence of Tlx leads to overexpression of negative cell cycle regulators and impairment of proliferation. Moreover, in both cell types, the homeobox transcription factor Dlx2 is downregulated in the absence of Tlx. This is paralleled by increased expression of Olig2 in activated NSCs and glial fibrillary acidic protein in TAPs, indicating that in both populations Tlx decreases gliogenesis. Consistent with this, we found a higher proportion of cells expressing glial makers in the neonatal lSEZ of mutant mice than in the wild type counterpart. Thus, Tlx playing a dual role affects the expression of distinct genes in these two lSEZ cell types. Copyright © 2011 AlphaMed Press.

microRNA-26a suppresses recruitment of macrophages by down-regulating macrophage colony-stimulating factor expression through the PI3K/Akt pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.

PubMed

Chai, Zong-Tao; Zhu, Xiao-Dong; Ao, Jian-Yang; Wang, Wen-Quan; Gao, Dong-Mei; Kong, Jian; Zhang, Ning; Zhang, Yuan-Yuan; Ye, Bo-Gen; Ma, De-Ning; Cai, Hao; Sun, Hui-Chuan

2015-05-29

microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to modulate macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and macrophages. The aim of this study was to find whether miR-26a can suppress M-CSF expression and the recruitment of macrophages. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with decreased or increased expression of miR-26a were established in a previous study. M-CSF expression by tumor cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cell migration assays were used to explore the effect of HCC cell lines on macrophage recruitment in vitro. Real-time PCR measured a panel of mRNAs expressed by macrophages. Xenograft models were used to observe tumor growth. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to study the relation between miR-26a expression and M-CSF expression and macrophage recruitment in patients with HCC. Ectopic expression of miR-26a reduced expression of M-CSF. The conditioned medium (CM) from HepG2 cells that overexpressed miR-26a reduced the migration ability of THP-1 cells stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) increased expression of interleukin (IL)-12b or IL-23 mRNA and decreased expression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)22, CCL17, and IL-10 mRNA, in comparison to the medium from the parental HepG2 cells. These effects could be interrupted by the PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor LY294002. Ectopic expression of miR-26a in HCC cells suppressed tumor growth, M-CSF expression, and infiltration of macrophages in tumors. Similar results were also found when using HCCLM3 cells. Furthermore, the expression of miR-26a was inversely correlated with M-CSF expression and macrophage infiltration in tumor tissues from patients with HCC. miR-26a expression reduced M-CSF expression and recruitment of macrophages in HCC.

F-prostanoid receptor regulation of fibroblast growth factor 2 signaling in endometrial adenocarcinoma cells.

PubMed

Sales, Kurt J; Boddy, Sheila C; Williams, Alistair R W; Anderson, Richard A; Jabbour, Henry N

2007-08-01

Prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) is a potent bioactive lipid in the female reproductive tract, and exerts its function after coupling with its heptahelical G-protein-coupled receptor [F-series-prostanoid (FP) receptor] to initiate cell signaling and target gene transcription. In the present study, we found elevated expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2, FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1), and FP receptor, colocalized within the neoplastic epithelial cells of endometrial adenocarcinomas. We investigated a role for PGF(2alpha)-FP receptor interaction in modulating FGF2 expression and signaling using an endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line stably expressing the FP receptor to the levels detected in endometrial adenocarcinomas (FPS cells) and endometrial adenocarcinoma tissue explants. PGF(2alpha)-FP receptor activation rapidly induced FGF2 mRNA expression, and elevated FGF2 protein expression and secretion into the culture medium in FPS cells and endometrial adenocarcinoma explants. The effect of PGF(2alpha) on the expression and secretion of FGF2 could be abolished by treatment of FPS cells and endometrial tissues with an FP receptor antagonist (AL8810) and inhibitor of ERK (PD98059). Furthermore, we have shown that FGF2 can promote the expression of FGF2 and cyclooxygenase-2, and enhance proliferation of endometrial adenocarcinoma cells via the FGFR1 and ERK pathways, thereby establishing a positive feedback loop to regulate neoplastic epithelial cell function in endometrial adenocarcinomas.

Enhanced heterologous expression of biologically active human granulocyte colony stimulating factor in transgenic tobacco BY-2 cells by localization to endoplasmic reticulum.

PubMed

Nair, Nisha R; Chidambareswaren, M; Manjula, S

2014-09-01

Tobacco Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) cells, one of the best characterized cell lines is an attractive expression system for heterologous protein expression. However, the expression of foreign proteins is currently hampered by their low yield, which is partially the result of proteolytic degradation. Human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (hG-CSF) is a hematopoietic cytokine. Recombinant hG-CSF is successfully being used for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in cancer patients. Here, we describe a simple strategy for producing biologically active hG-CSF in tobacco BY-2 cells, localized in the apoplast of BY-2 cells, as well as targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER targeting significantly enhanced recombinant production which scaled to 17.89 mg/l from 4.19 mg/l when expressed in the apoplasts. Southern blotting confirmed the stable integration of hG-CSF in the BY-2 nuclear genome, and the expression of hG-CSF was analysed by Western blotting. Total soluble protein containing hG-CSF isolated from positive calli showed proliferative potential when tested on HL-60 cell lines by MTT assay. We also report the potential of a Fluorescence-activated cell sorting approach for an efficient sorting of the hG-CSF-expressing cell lines, which will enable the generation of homogenous high-producing cell lines.

Selective expression of a splice variant of decay-accelerating factor in c-erbB-2-positive mammary carcinoma cells showing increased transendothelial invasiveness

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brandt, Burkhard; Mikesch, Jan-Hendrik; Simon, Ronald

2005-04-01

By differential-display-PCR a subclone of the SK-BR-3 cell line with high in vitro transendothelial invasiveness was identified to express increased levels of a new alternative splice variant of decay-accelerating factor (DAF). DAF seems to play an important role in some malignant tumours since on the one hand the expression of complement inhibitors on the surface of tumour cells prevents the accumulation of complement factors and in consequence cell lysis. On the other hand, DAF has been identified as a ligand for the CD97 surface receptor which induces cell migration. Immunofluorescence procedures, Western blot analyses, and cDNA clone sequencing were employedmore » to confirm the expression of DAF restricted to invasive tumour cells. Using a radioactive RNA-in situ hybridisation on freshly frozen tissue microarrays and RT-PCR on native tumour tissue, the expression of alternative spliced DAF mRNA was demonstrated in invasive breast cancer. Due to the fact that it could thereby not be detected in normal mammary tissues, it has to be confirmed in larger studies that the DAF splice variant might be a specific tumour marker for invasive breast cancer.« less

Relationship between serum response factor and androgen receptor in prostate cancer.

PubMed

Prencipe, Maria; O'Neill, Amanda; O'Hurley, Gillian; Nguyen, Lan K; Fabre, Aurelie; Bjartell, Anders; Gallagher, William M; Morrissey, Colm; Kay, Elaine W; Watson, R William

2015-11-01

Serum response factor (SRF) is an important transcription factor in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Since CRPC is associated with androgen receptor (AR) hypersensitivity, we investigated the relationship between SRF and AR. Transcriptional activity was assessed by luciferase assay. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT and flow cytometry. Protein expression in patients was assessed by immunohistochemistry. To investigate AR involvement in SRF response to androgen, AR expression was down-regulated using siRNA. This resulted in the abrogation of SRF induction post-DHT. Moreover, DHT stimulation failed to induce SRF transcriptional activity in AR-negative PC346 DCC cells, which was only restored following AR over-expression. Next, SRF expression was down-regulated by siRNA, resulting in AR increased transcriptional activity in castrate-resistant LNCaP Abl cells but not in the parental LNCaP. This negative feedback loop in the resistant cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry which showed a negative correlation between AR and SRF expression in CRPC bone metastases and a positive correlation in androgen-naïve prostatectomies. Cell proliferation was next assessed following SRF inhibition, demonstrating that SRF inhibition is more effective than AR inhibition in castrate-resistant cells. Our data support SRF as a promising therapeutic target in combination with current treatments. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

GASDERMIN, suppressed frequently in gastric cancer, is a target of LMO1 in TGF-beta-dependent apoptotic signalling.

PubMed

Saeki, N; Kim, D H; Usui, T; Aoyagi, K; Tatsuta, T; Aoki, K; Yanagihara, K; Tamura, M; Mizushima, H; Sakamoto, H; Ogawa, K; Ohki, M; Shiroishi, T; Yoshida, T; Sasaki, H

2007-10-04

Defining apoptosis-regulatory cascades of the epithelium is important for understanding carcinogenesis, since cancer cells are considered to arise as a result of the collapse of the cascades. We previously reported that a novel gene GASDERMIN (GSDM) is expressed in the stomach but suppressed in gastric cancer cell lines. Furthermore, in this study, we demonstrated that GSDM is expressed in the mucus-secreting pit cells of the gastric epithelium and frequently silenced in primary gastric cancers. We found that GSDM has a highly apoptotic activity and its expression is regulated by a transcription factor LIM domain only 1 (LMO1) through a sequence to which Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) binds, in a GSDM promoter region. We observed coexpression of GSDM with LMO1, RUNX3 and type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor (TGF-betaRII) in the pit cells, and found that TGF-beta upregulates the LMO1- and GSDM-expression in the gastric epithelial cell line and induces apoptosis, which was confirmed by the finding that the apoptosis induction is inhibited by suppression of each LMO1-, RUNX3- and GSDM expression, respectively. The present data suggest that TGF-beta, LMO1, possibly RUNX3, and GSDM form a regulatory pathway for directing the pit cells to apoptosis.

Repression of myoblast proliferation and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 promoter activity by KLF10 protein.

PubMed

Parakati, Rajini; DiMario, Joseph X

2013-05-10

FGFR1 gene expression regulates myoblast proliferation and differentiation, and its expression is controlled by Krüppel-like transcription factors. KLF10 interacts with the FGFR1 promoter, repressing its activity and cell proliferation. KLF10 represses FGFR1 promoter activity and thereby myoblast proliferation. A model of transcriptional control of chicken FGFR1 gene regulation during myogenesis is presented. Skeletal muscle development is controlled by regulation of myoblast proliferation and differentiation into muscle fibers. Growth factors such as fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) regulate cell proliferation and differentiation in numerous tissues, including skeletal muscle. Transcriptional regulation of FGFR1 gene expression is developmentally regulated by the Sp1 transcription factor, a member of the Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family of transcriptional regulators. Here, we show that another KLF transcription factor, KLF10, also regulates myoblast proliferation and FGFR1 promoter activity. Expression of KLF10 reduced myoblast proliferation by 86%. KLF10 expression also significantly reduced FGFR1 promoter activity in myoblasts and Sp1-mediated FGFR1 promoter activity in Drosophila SL2 cells. Southwestern blot, electromobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that KLF10 bound to the proximal Sp factor binding site of the FGFR1 promoter and reduced Sp1 complex formation with the FGFR1 promoter at that site. These results indicate that KLF10 is an effective repressor of myoblast proliferation and represses FGFR1 promoter activity in these cells via an Sp1 binding site.

Identification of transactivation-responsive DNA-binding protein 43 (TARDBP43; TDP-43) as a novel factor for TNF-α expression upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation in human monocytes.

PubMed

Murata, H; Hattori, T; Maeda, H; Takashiba, S; Takigawa, M; Kido, J; Nagata, T

2015-08-01

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a major cytokine implicated in various inflammatory diseases. The nature of the nuclear factors associated with human TNF-α gene regulation is not well elucidated. We previously identified a novel region located from -550 to -487 in human TNF-α promoter that did not contain the reported binding sites for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) but showed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced transcriptional activity. The purpose of this study is to identify novel factors that bind to the promoter region and regulate TNF-α expression. To identify DNA-binding proteins that bound to the target region of TNF-α promoter, a cDNA library from LPS-stimulated human monocytic cell line THP-1 was screened using a yeast one-hybrid system. Cellular localizations of the DNA-binding protein in the cells were examined by subcellular immunocytochemistry. Nuclear amounts of the protein in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells were identified by western blot analysis. Expression of mRNA of the protein in the cells was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed to confirm the DNA-binding profile. Overexpression of the protein and knockdown of the gene were also performed to investigate the role for TNF-α expression. Several candidates were identified from the cDNA library and transactivation-responsive DNA-binding protein 43 (TARDBP43; TDP-43) was focused on. Western blot analysis revealed that nuclear TDP-43 protein was increased in the LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. Expression of TDP-43 mRNA was already enhanced before TNF-α induction by LPS. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay analysis showed that nuclear extracts obtained by overexpressing FLAG-tagged TDP-43 bound to the -550 to -487 TNF-α promoter fragments. Overexpression of TDP-43 in THP-1 cells resulted in an increase of TNF-α expression. Knockdown of TDP-43 in THP-1 cells downregulated TNF-α expression. We identified TDP-43 as one of the novel TNF-α factors and found that it bound to the LPS-responsive element in the TNF-α promoter to increase TNF-α expression. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Downregulation of transcription factor GATA4 sensitizes human hepatoblastoma cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis.

PubMed

Soini, Tea; Pihlajoki, Marjut; Kyrönlahti, Antti; Andersson, Leif C; Wilson, David B; Heikinheimo, Markku

2017-03-01

Hepatoblastoma, the most common type of pediatric liver cancer, is treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. An essential drug in the treatment of hepatoblastoma is doxorubicin, which in high doses is cardiotoxic. This adverse effect is due to downregulation of cardiac expression of transcription factor GATA4, leading in turn to diminished levels of anti-apoptotic BCL2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) protein family members. GATA4 is also expressed in early fetal liver, but absent from normal postnatal hepatocytes. However, GATA4 is highly expressed in hepatoblastoma tissue. In this study, we assessed the role of GATA4 in doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of hepatoblastoma cells. Herein, we demonstrate that doxorubicin decreases GATA4 expression and alters the expression pattern of BCL2 family members, most profoundly that of BCL2 and BAK, in the HUH6 hepatoblastoma cell line. Silencing of GATA4 by siRNA prior to doxorubicin treatment sensitizes HUH6 cells to the apoptotic effect of this drug by further shifting the balance of BCL2 family members to the pro-apoptotic direction. Specifically, expression levels of anti-apoptotic BCL2 were decreased and pro-apoptotic BID were increased after GATA4 silencing. On the whole, our results indicate that since high endogenous levels of transcription factor GATA4 likely protect hepatoblastoma cells from doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, these cells can be rendered more sensitive to the drug by downregulation of GATA4.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma on expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in human bladder cancer cells.

PubMed

Shin, K Y; Moon, H S; Park, H Y; Lee, T Y; Woo, Y N; Kim, H J; Lee, S J; Kong, G

2000-10-31

We have investigated the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon (INF-gamma), the potent Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-induced cytokines on the production of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and MT1-MMP in high grade human bladder cancer cell lines, T-24, J-82 and HT-1376 cell lines. MMP-2 expression and activity were decreased in T-24 cells treated with both cytokines in a dose dependent manner. However, J-82 cells treated with TNF-alpha and INF-gamma revealed dose dependent increases of MMP-9 expression and activity with similar baseline expression and activity of MMP-2. HT-1376 cells after exposure to TNF-alpha only enhanced the expression and activity of MMP-9. These results indicate that TNF-alpha and INF-gamma could regulate the production of MMP-2 or MMP-9 on bladder cancer cells and their patterns of regulation are cell specific. Furthermore, this diverse response of bladder cancer cells to TNF-alpha and INF-gamma suggests that BCG immunotherapy may enhance the invasiveness of bladder cancer in certain conditions with induction of MMPs.

Dermal Stem Cells Can Differentiate Down an Endothelial Lineage

PubMed Central

Bell, Emma; Richardson, Gavin D.; Jahoda, Colin A.; Gledhill, Karl; Phillips, Helen M.; Henderson, Deborah; Owens, W. Andrew

2012-01-01

In this study, we have demonstrated that cells of neural crest origin located in the dermal papilla (DP) exhibit endothelial marker expression and a functional activity. When grown in endothelial growth media, DP primary cultures upregulate expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (FLT1) mRNA and downregulate expression of the dermal stem cell marker α-smooth muscle actin. DP cells have demonstrated functional characteristics of endothelial cells, including the ability to form capillary-like structures on Matrigel, increase uptake of low-density lipoprotein and upregulate ICAM1 (CD54) in response to tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) stimulation. We confirmed that these observations were not due to contaminating endothelial cells, by using DP clones. We have also used the WNT1cre/ROSA26R and WNT1cre/YFP lineage-tracing mouse models to identify a population of neural crest-derived cells in DP cultures that express the endothelial marker PECAM (CD31); these cells also form capillary-like structures on Matrigel. Importantly, cells of neural crest origin that express markers of endothelial and mesenchymal lineages exist within the dermal sheath of the vibrissae follicle. PMID:22571645

eXpression2Kinases (X2K) Web: linking expression signatures to upstream cell signaling networks.

PubMed

Clarke, Daniel J B; Kuleshov, Maxim V; Schilder, Brian M; Torre, Denis; Duffy, Mary E; Keenan, Alexandra B; Lachmann, Alexander; Feldmann, Axel S; Gundersen, Gregory W; Silverstein, Moshe C; Wang, Zichen; Ma'ayan, Avi

2018-05-25

While gene expression data at the mRNA level can be globally and accurately measured, profiling the activity of cell signaling pathways is currently much more difficult. eXpression2Kinases (X2K) computationally predicts involvement of upstream cell signaling pathways, given a signature of differentially expressed genes. X2K first computes enrichment for transcription factors likely to regulate the expression of the differentially expressed genes. The next step of X2K connects these enriched transcription factors through known protein-protein interactions (PPIs) to construct a subnetwork. The final step performs kinase enrichment analysis on the members of the subnetwork. X2K Web is a new implementation of the original eXpression2Kinases algorithm with important enhancements. X2K Web includes many new transcription factor and kinase libraries, and PPI networks. For demonstration, thousands of gene expression signatures induced by kinase inhibitors, applied to six breast cancer cell lines, are provided for fetching directly into X2K Web. The results are displayed as interactive downloadable vector graphic network images and bar graphs. Benchmarking various settings via random permutations enabled the identification of an optimal set of parameters to be used as the default settings in X2K Web. X2K Web is freely available from http://X2K.cloud.

Donor-derived stem-cells and epithelial mesenchymal transition in squamous cell carcinoma in transplant recipients.

PubMed

Verneuil, Laurence; Leboeuf, Christophe; Bousquet, Guilhem; Brugiere, Charlotte; Elbouchtaoui, Morad; Plassa, Louis-François; Peraldi, Marie-Noelle; Lebbé, Celeste; Ratajczak, Philippe; Janin, Anne

2015-12-08

Skin squamous-cell-carcinoma (SCC), is the main complication in long-term kidney-transplant recipients, and it can include donor-derived cells. Preclinical models demonstrated the involvement of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the progression of skin SCC, and the role of Snail, an EMT transcription factor, in cancer stem-cell survival and expansion.Here, we studied stem-cells and EMT expression in SCCs and concomitant actinic keratoses (AK) in kidney-transplant recipients. In SCC and AK in 3 female recipients of male kidney-transplants, donor-derived Y chromosome in epidermal stem cells was assessed using combined XY-FISH/CD133 immunostaining, and digital-droplet-PCR on laser-microdissected CD133 expressing epidermal cells.For EMT study, double immunostainings of CD133 with vimentin or snail and slug, electron microscopy and immunostainings of keratinocytes junctions were performed. Digital droplet PCR was used to check CDH1 (E-cadherin) expression level in laser-microdissected cells co-expressing CD133 and vimentin or snail and slug.The numbers of Y-chromosome were assessed using digital droplet PCR in laser-microdissected cells co-expressing CD133 and vimentin, or snail and slug, and in CD133 positive cells not expressing any EMT maker. We identified donor-derived stem-cells in basal layers and invasive areas in all skin SCCs and in concomitant AKs, but not in surrounding normal skin.The donor-derived stem-cells expressed the EMT markers, vimentin, snail and slug in SCCs but not in AKs. The expression of the EMT transcription factor, SNAI1, was higher in stem-cells when they expressed vimentin. They were located in invasive areas of SCCs. In these areas, the expressions of claudin-1 and desmoglein 1 were reduced or absent, and within the basal layer there were features of basal membrane disappearance.Donor-derived stem cells were in larger numbers in stem cells co-expressing vimentin or snail and slug than in stem cells not expressing any EMT marker. We identified here donor-derived stem cells within skin SCC in kidney-transplant recipients. They were located in invasive areas of SCC and had EMT characteristics.

Toll-like Receptor 2 Signalling and the Lysosomal Machinery in Barrett's Esophagus.

PubMed

Verbeek, Romy E; Siersema, Peter D; Vleggaar, Frank P; Ten Kate, Fiebo J; Posthuma, George; Souza, Rhonda F; de Haan, Judith; van Baal, Jantine W P M

2016-09-01

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma and its metaplastic precursor lesion, Barrett's esophagus. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 signalling and lysosomal function have been linked to inflammation-associated carcinogenesis. We examined the expression of TLR2 in the esophagus and the effect of long-term TLR2 activation on morphological changes and expression of factors involved in lysosomal function in a Barrett's esophagus epithelium cell line. TLR2 expression in normal squamous esophagus, reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma biopsies was assessed with Q-RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Barrett's esophagus epithelium cells (BAR-T) were incubated with acid and bile salts in the presence or absence of the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4 for a period up to 4 weeks. Morphological changes were assessed with electron microscopy, while Q-RT-PCR was used to determine the expression of lysosomal enzymes (Cathepsin B and C) and factors involved in endocytosis (LAMP-1 and M6PR) and autophagy (LC3 and Rab7). TLR2 was expressed in normal squamous esophagus, reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus but was most prominent in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Long-term TLR2 activation in acid and bile salts exposed BAR-T cells resulted in more and larger lysosomes, more mitochondria and increased expression of LAMP-1, M6PR, Cathepsin B and C when compared to BAR-T cells incubated with acid and bile salts but no TLR2 agonist. Factors associated with autophagy (LC3 and Rab7) expression remained largely unchanged. Activation of TLR2 in acid and bile salts exposed Barrett epithelium cells resulted in an increased number of mitochondria and lysosomes and increased expression of lysosomal enzymes and factors involved in endocytosis.

Developmental expression of Toll‑like receptors in the guinea pig lung.

PubMed

Ma, Lingjie; Yang, Jiali; Yang, Li; Shi, Juan; Xue, Jing; Li, Yong; Liu, Xiaoming

2017-03-01

The guinea pig is a useful model for investigating infectious and non‑infectious lung diseases due to the sensitivity of its respiratory system and susceptibility to infectious agents. Toll‑like receptors (TLRs) are important components of the innate immune response and are critical for lung immune function. In the present study, the differentiation of epithelial cells in the guinea pig lung was examined during gestation by studying anatomic morphology and the major epithelial cell types using cell type‑specific markers. The developmental expression of all 9 TLRs and the TLR signaling adaptors myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF‑6) were investigated by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis. The formation of lung lobes in guinea pigs was observed at 45 days of gestation (dGA), along with the expression of the basal cell marker keratin 14 and the alveolar type II cell marker pro‑surfactant protein. However, the cube cell marker secretoglobin family1A member 1 and ciliated cell marker b‑tubulin IV were only detected in the lungs from 52 dGA onward. The expression levels of all TLRs, MyD88 and TRAF‑6 were determined in lung tissues harvested from embryos, newborn, postnatal and adult animals. The expression levels of all TLR signaling components displayed similar dynamic expression patterns with gestation age and postnatal maturation time, except for TLR‑4 and TLR‑7. mRNA expression levels of TLR components were significantly increased in the lungs at 45 and 52 dGA, compared with later developmental stages. These results suggest that TLR expression in the guinea pig lung is developmentally regulated, enhancing the understanding of lung biology in guinea pig models.

The Forkhead Transcription Factor FOXP2 Is Required for Regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 in 143B Osteosarcoma Cell Growth Arrest.

PubMed

Gascoyne, Duncan M; Spearman, Hayley; Lyne, Linden; Puliyadi, Rathi; Perez-Alcantara, Marta; Coulton, Les; Fisher, Simon E; Croucher, Peter I; Banham, Alison H

2015-01-01

Mutations of the forkhead transcription factor FOXP2 gene have been implicated in inherited speech-and-language disorders, and specific Foxp2 expression patterns in neuronal populations and neuronal phenotypes arising from Foxp2 disruption have been described. However, molecular functions of FOXP2 are not completely understood. Here we report a requirement for FOXP2 in growth arrest of the osteosarcoma cell line 143B. We observed endogenous expression of this transcription factor both transiently in normally developing murine osteoblasts and constitutively in human SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells blocked in early osteoblast development. Critically, we demonstrate that in 143B osteosarcoma cells with minimal endogenous expression, FOXP2 induced by growth arrest is required for up-regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1. Upon growth factor withdrawal, FOXP2 induction occurs rapidly and precedes p21WAF1/CIP1 activation. Additionally, FOXP2 expression could be induced by MAPK pathway inhibition in growth-arrested 143B cells, but not in traditional cell line models of osteoblast differentiation (MG-63, C2C12, MC3T3-E1). Our data are consistent with a model in which transient upregulation of Foxp2 in pre-osteoblast mesenchymal cells regulates a p21-dependent growth arrest checkpoint, which may have implications for normal mesenchymal and osteosarcoma biology.

The Forkhead Transcription Factor FOXP2 Is Required for Regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 in 143B Osteosarcoma Cell Growth Arrest

PubMed Central

Gascoyne, Duncan M.; Spearman, Hayley; Lyne, Linden; Puliyadi, Rathi; Perez-Alcantara, Marta; Coulton, Les; Fisher, Simon E.; Croucher, Peter I.; Banham, Alison H.

2015-01-01

Mutations of the forkhead transcription factor FOXP2 gene have been implicated in inherited speech-and-language disorders, and specific Foxp2 expression patterns in neuronal populations and neuronal phenotypes arising from Foxp2 disruption have been described. However, molecular functions of FOXP2 are not completely understood. Here we report a requirement for FOXP2 in growth arrest of the osteosarcoma cell line 143B. We observed endogenous expression of this transcription factor both transiently in normally developing murine osteoblasts and constitutively in human SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells blocked in early osteoblast development. Critically, we demonstrate that in 143B osteosarcoma cells with minimal endogenous expression, FOXP2 induced by growth arrest is required for up-regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1. Upon growth factor withdrawal, FOXP2 induction occurs rapidly and precedes p21WAF1/CIP1 activation. Additionally, FOXP2 expression could be induced by MAPK pathway inhibition in growth-arrested 143B cells, but not in traditional cell line models of osteoblast differentiation (MG-63, C2C12, MC3T3-E1). Our data are consistent with a model in which transient upregulation of Foxp2 in pre-osteoblast mesenchymal cells regulates a p21-dependent growth arrest checkpoint, which may have implications for normal mesenchymal and osteosarcoma biology. PMID:26034982

Comparison of Genome-Wide Binding of MyoD in Normal Human Myogenic Cells and Rhabdomyosarcomas Identifies Regional and Local Suppression of Promyogenic Transcription Factors

PubMed Central

MacQuarrie, Kyle L.; Yao, Zizhen; Fong, Abraham P.; Diede, Scott J.; Rudzinski, Erin R.; Hawkins, Douglas S.

2013-01-01

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a pediatric tumor of skeletal muscle that expresses the myogenic basic helix-loop-helix protein MyoD but fails to undergo terminal differentiation. Prior work has determined that DNA binding by MyoD occurs in the tumor cells, but myogenic targets fail to activate. Using MyoD chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to high-throughput sequencing and gene expression analysis in both primary human muscle cells and RD rhabdomyosarcoma cells, we demonstrate that MyoD binds in a similar genome-wide pattern in both tumor and normal cells but binds poorly at a subset of myogenic genes that fail to activate in the tumor cells. Binding differences are found both across genomic regions and locally at specific sites that are associated with binding motifs for RUNX1, MEF2C, JDP2, and NFIC. These factors are expressed at lower levels in RD cells than muscle cells and rescue myogenesis when expressed in RD cells. MEF2C is located in a genomic region that exhibits poor MyoD binding in RD cells, whereas JDP2 exhibits local DNA hypermethylation in its promoter in both RD cells and primary tumor samples. These results demonstrate that regional and local silencing of differentiation factors contributes to the differentiation defect in rhabdomyosarcomas. PMID:23230269

Paracrine Engineering of Human Explant-Derived Cardiac Stem Cells to Over-Express Stromal-Cell Derived Factor 1α Enhances Myocardial Repair.

PubMed

Tilokee, Everad L; Latham, Nicholas; Jackson, Robyn; Mayfield, Audrey E; Ye, Bin; Mount, Seth; Lam, Buu-Khanh; Suuronen, Erik J; Ruel, Marc; Stewart, Duncan J; Davis, Darryl R

2016-07-01

First generation cardiac stem cell products provide indirect cardiac repair but variably produce key cardioprotective cytokines, such as stromal-cell derived factor 1α, which opens the prospect of maximizing up-front paracrine-mediated repair. The mesenchymal subpopulation within explant derived human cardiac stem cells underwent lentiviral mediated gene transfer of stromal-cell derived factor 1α. Unlike previous unsuccessful attempts to increase efficacy by boosting the paracrine signature of cardiac stem cells, cytokine profiling revealed that stromal-cell derived factor 1α over-expression prevented lv-mediated "loss of cytokines" through autocrine stimulation of CXCR4+ cardiac stem cells. Stromal-cell derived factor 1α enhanced angiogenesis and stem cell recruitment while priming cardiac stem cells to readily adopt a cardiac identity. As compared to injection with unmodified cardiac stem cells, transplant of stromal-cell derived factor 1α enhanced cells into immunodeficient mice improved myocardial function and angiogenesis while reducing scarring. Increases in myocardial stromal-cell derived factor 1α content paralleled reductions in myocyte apoptosis but did not influence long-term engraftment or the fate of transplanted cells. Transplantation of stromal-cell derived factor 1α transduced cardiac stem cells increased the generation of new myocytes, recruitment of bone marrow cells, new myocyte/vessel formation and the salvage of reversibly damaged myocardium to enhance cardiac repair after experimental infarction. Stem Cells 2016;34:1826-1835. © 2016 AlphaMed Press.

Characterization of Arginase Expression in Glioma-Associated Microglia and Macrophages

PubMed Central

Zhang, Leying; Gao, Hang; Song, Yanyan; Ren, Hui; Ouyang, Mao; Wu, Xiwei; D’Apuzzo, Massimo; Badie, Behnam

2016-01-01

Microglia (MG) and macrophages (MPs) represent a significant component of the inflammatory response to gliomas. When activated, MG/MP release a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines, however, they also secrete anti-inflammatory factors that limit their cytotoxic function. The balance between pro and anti-inflammatory functions dictates their antitumor activity. To evaluate potential variations in MG and MP function in gliomas, we isolated these cells (and other Gr1+ cells) from intracranial GL261 murine gliomas by FACS and evaluated their gene expression profiles by microarray analysis. As expected, arginase 1 (Arg1, M2 marker) was highly expressed by tumor-associated Gr1+, MG and MP. However, in contrast to MP and Gr1+ cells that expressed Arg1 shortly after tumor trafficking, Arg1 expression in MG was delayed and occurred in larger tumors. Interestingly, depletion of MPs in tumors did not prevent MG polarization, suggesting direct influence of tumor-specific factors on MG Arg1 upregulation. Finally, Arg1 expression was confirmed in human GBM samples, but most Arg1+ cells were neutrophils and not MPs. These findings confirm variations in tumor MG and MP polarization states and its dependency on tumor microenvironmental factors. PMID:27936099

Characterization of Arginase Expression in Glioma-Associated Microglia and Macrophages.

PubMed

Zhang, Ian; Alizadeh, Darya; Liang, Junling; Zhang, Leying; Gao, Hang; Song, Yanyan; Ren, Hui; Ouyang, Mao; Wu, Xiwei; D'Apuzzo, Massimo; Badie, Behnam

2016-01-01

Microglia (MG) and macrophages (MPs) represent a significant component of the inflammatory response to gliomas. When activated, MG/MP release a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines, however, they also secrete anti-inflammatory factors that limit their cytotoxic function. The balance between pro and anti-inflammatory functions dictates their antitumor activity. To evaluate potential variations in MG and MP function in gliomas, we isolated these cells (and other Gr1+ cells) from intracranial GL261 murine gliomas by FACS and evaluated their gene expression profiles by microarray analysis. As expected, arginase 1 (Arg1, M2 marker) was highly expressed by tumor-associated Gr1+, MG and MP. However, in contrast to MP and Gr1+ cells that expressed Arg1 shortly after tumor trafficking, Arg1 expression in MG was delayed and occurred in larger tumors. Interestingly, depletion of MPs in tumors did not prevent MG polarization, suggesting direct influence of tumor-specific factors on MG Arg1 upregulation. Finally, Arg1 expression was confirmed in human GBM samples, but most Arg1+ cells were neutrophils and not MPs. These findings confirm variations in tumor MG and MP polarization states and its dependency on tumor microenvironmental factors.

Transcription factor Sox4 is required for PUMA-mediated apoptosis induced by histone deacetylase inhibitor, TSA.

PubMed

Jang, Sang-Min; Kang, Eun-Jin; Kim, Jung-Woong; Kim, Chul-Hong; An, Joo-Hee; Choi, Kyung-Hee

2013-08-23

PUMA is a crucial regulator of apoptotic cell death mediated by p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanisms. In many cancer cells, PUMA expression is induced in response to DNA-damaging reagent in a p53-dependent manner. However, few studies have investigated transcription factors that lead to the induction of PUMA expression via p53-independent apoptotic signaling. In this study, we found that the transcription factor Sox4 increased PUMA expression in response to trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor in the p53-null human lung cancer cell line H1299. Ectopic expression of Sox4 led to the induction of PUMA expression at the mRNA and protein levels, and TSA-mediated up-regulation of PUMA transcription was repressed by the knockdown of Sox4. Using luciferase assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we also determined that Sox4 recruits p300 on the PUMA promoter region and increases PUMA gene expression in response to TSA treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that Sox4 is required for p53-independent apoptotic cell death mediated by PUMA induction via TSA treatment. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nitric oxide donors reduce the invasion ability of ovarian cancer cells in vitro.

PubMed

Kielbik, Michal; Szulc, Izabela; Brzezinska, Marta; Bednarska, Katarzyna; Przygodzka, Patrycja; Sulowska, Zofia; Nowak, Marek; Klink, Magdalena

2014-11-01

The most important factors involved in tumor metastasis and angiogenesis are metalloproteinases (MMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor, and multifunctional transforming growth factor β1. These factors are responsible for extracellular matrix degradation, induction of vascular permeability, and enhancement of tumor cells' invasion and metastasis. Elevated expression and secretion of the above-mentioned factors are correlated with the higher aggressiveness of tumors and low patient survival for example, patients with ovarian cancer. Therefore, regulation of the expression, secretion, and activity of these factors is still considered a potent target for therapeutic intervention in cancer patients. Nitric oxide (NO) donors belong to the class of agents with multivalent targeted activities in cancer cells and are considered potential anticancer therapeutics. Our studies have shown that NO donors such as spermine/NO and diethylenetriamine/NO decrease the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor-A from the OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cell line, but not from the SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cell line. The release of MMP-2 from both cell lines was reduced in a soluble guanylate cyclase-dependent manner by spermine/NO and diethylenetriamine/NO. Nevertheless, MMP-2 activity was only affected in SK-OV-3 cells. Both NO donors reduced the transmigration of the ovarian cancer cell lines. We did not observe any significant effect of spermine/NO and diethylenetriamine/NO on mRNA expression of the tested aggressiveness factors. In conclusion, our data indicated that NO donors reduced the metastatic potential of ovarian cancer cells, but its impact is rather low and requires high concentrations of donors. Moreover, both the tested cell lines differed in the susceptibility to NO donors.

Coordinating Regulation of Gene Expression in Cardiovascular Disease: Interactions between Chromatin Modifiers and Transcription Factors

PubMed Central

Bauer, Ashley J.; Martin, Kathleen A.

2017-01-01

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death with increasing economic burden. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases is complex, but can arise from genetic and/or environmental risk factors. This can lead to dysregulated gene expression in numerous cell types including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and inflammatory cells. While initial studies addressed transcriptional control of gene expression, epigenetics has been increasingly appreciated to also play an important role in this process through alterations in chromatin structure and gene accessibility. Chromatin-modifying proteins including enzymes that modulate DNA methylation, histone methylation, and histone acetylation can influence gene expression in numerous ways. These chromatin modifiers and their marks can promote or prevent transcription factor recruitment to regulatory regions of genes through modifications to DNA, histones, or the transcription factors themselves. This review will focus on the emerging question of how epigenetic modifiers and transcription factors interact to coordinately regulate gene expression in cardiovascular disease. While most studies have addressed the roles of either epigenetic or transcriptional control, our understanding of the integration of these processes is only just beginning. Interrogating these interactions is challenging, and improved technical approaches will be needed to fully dissect the temporal and spatial relationships between transcription factors, chromatin modifiers, and gene expression in cardiovascular disease. We summarize the current state of the field and provide perspectives on limitations and future directions. Through studies of epigenetic and transcriptional interactions, we can advance our understanding of the basic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease pathogenesis to develop novel therapeutics. PMID:28428957

Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Enhances Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression through PERK/ATF4 Signaling Pathway.

PubMed

Wang, Bohan; Ning, Hongxiu; Reed-Maldonado, Amanda B; Zhou, Jun; Ruan, Yajun; Zhou, Tie; Wang, Hsun Shuan; Oh, Byung Seok; Banie, Lia; Lin, Guiting; Lue, Tom F

2017-02-16

Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but its mechanisms are not well understood. Previously, we found that Li-ESWT increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Here we assessed the underlying signaling pathways in Schwann cells in vitro and in penis tissue in vivo after nerve injury. The result indicated that BDNF were significantly increased by the Li-ESWT after nerve injury, as well as the expression of BDNF in Schwann cells (SCs, RT4-D6P2T) in vitro. Li-ESWT activated the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase (PERK) pathway by increasing the phosphorylation levels of PERK and eukaryotic initiation factor 2a (eIF2α), and enhanced activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in an energy-dependent manner. In addition, GSK2656157-an inhibitor of PERK-effectively inhibited the effect of Li-ESWT on the phosphorylation of PERK, eIF2α, and the expression of ATF4. Furthermore, silencing ATF4 dramatically attenuated the effect of Li-ESWT on the expression of BDNF, but had no effect on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)1α or glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in Schwann cells. In conclusion, our findings shed new light on the underlying mechanisms by which Li-ESWT may stimulate the expression of BDNF through activation of PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway. This information may help to refine the use of Li-ESWT to further improve its clinical efficacy.

Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Enhances Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression through PERK/ATF4 Signaling Pathway

PubMed Central

Wang, Bohan; Ning, Hongxiu; Reed-Maldonado, Amanda B.; Zhou, Jun; Ruan, Yajun; Zhou, Tie; Wang, Hsun Shuan; Oh, Byung Seok; Banie, Lia; Lin, Guiting; Lue, Tom F.

2017-01-01

Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but its mechanisms are not well understood. Previously, we found that Li-ESWT increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Here we assessed the underlying signaling pathways in Schwann cells in vitro and in penis tissue in vivo after nerve injury. The result indicated that BDNF were significantly increased by the Li-ESWT after nerve injury, as well as the expression of BDNF in Schwann cells (SCs, RT4-D6P2T) in vitro. Li-ESWT activated the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase (PERK) pathway by increasing the phosphorylation levels of PERK and eukaryotic initiation factor 2a (eIF2α), and enhanced activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in an energy-dependent manner. In addition, GSK2656157—an inhibitor of PERK—effectively inhibited the effect of Li-ESWT on the phosphorylation of PERK, eIF2α, and the expression of ATF4. Furthermore, silencing ATF4 dramatically attenuated the effect of Li-ESWT on the expression of BDNF, but had no effect on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)1α or glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in Schwann cells. In conclusion, our findings shed new light on the underlying mechanisms by which Li-ESWT may stimulate the expression of BDNF through activation of PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway. This information may help to refine the use of Li-ESWT to further improve its clinical efficacy. PMID:28212323

Pheromone induction of agglutination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae a cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Terrance, K.; Lipke, P.N.

1987-10-01

a-Agglutinin, the cell surface sexual agglutinin of yeast a cells, was assayed by its ability to bind its complementary agglutinin, ..cap alpha..-agglutinin. The specific binding of /sup 125/I-..cap alpha..-agglutinin to a cells treated with the sex pheromone ..cap alpha..-factor was 2 to 2.5 times that of binding to a cells not treated with ..cap alpha..-factor. Competition with unlabeled ..cap alpha..-agglutinin revealed that the increased binding was due to increased cell surface expression of a-agglutinin, with no apparent change in the binding constant. The increase in site number was similar to the increase in cellular agglutinability. Increased expression of a-agglutinin followedmore » the same kinetics as the increase in cellular agglutinability, with a 10-min lag followed by a 15- to 20-min response time. Induction kinetics were similar in cells in phases G1 and G2 of the cell cycle. Maximal expression levels were similar in cells treated with excess pheromone and in cells exposed to pheromone after destruction of constitutively expressed a-agglutinin.« less

The group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 and NFATc4 pathway mediates IL-1β-induced expression of chemokines CCL2 and CXCL10 in rat fibroblasts.

PubMed

Kuwata, Hiroshi; Yuzurihara, Chihiro; Kinoshita, Natsumi; Taki, Yuki; Ikegami, Yuki; Washio, Sana; Hirakawa, Yushi; Yoda, Emiko; Aiuchi, Toshihiro; Itabe, Hiroyuki; Nakatani, Yoshihito; Hara, Shuntaro

2018-06-01

Chemokines are secreted proteins that regulate cell migration and are involved in inflammatory and immune responses. Here, we sought to define the functional crosstalk between the lipid signaling and chemokine signaling. We obtained evidence that the induction of some chemokines is regulated by group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A 2 β (iPLA 2 β) in IL-1β-stimulated rat fibroblastic 3Y1 cells. Treatment of 3Y1 cells with IL-1β elicited an increased release of chemotactic factor(s) for monocytic THP-1 cells into culture medium in a time-dependent manner. Inhibitor studies revealed that an intracellular PLA 2 inhibitor, arachidonoyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF 3 ), but not the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, attenuated the release of chemotactic factor(s). The chemotactic activity was inactivated by treatment with either heat or proteinase K, suggesting this chemotactic factor(s) is a proteinaceous factor(s). We purified the chemotactic factor(s) from the conditioned medium of IL-1β-stimulated 3Y1 cells using a heparin column and identified several chemokines, including CCL2 and CXCL10. The inducible expressions of CCL2 and CXCL10 were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with AACOCF 3 . Gene silencing using siRNA revealed that the inductions of CCL2 and CXCL10 were attenuated by iPLA 2 β knockdown. Additionally, the transcriptional activation of nuclear factor of activated T-cell proteins (NFATs), but not nuclear factor-κB, by IL-1β stimulation was markedly attenuated by the iPLA 2 inhibitor bromoenol lactone, and NFATc4 knockdown markedly attenuated the IL-1β-induced expression of both CCL2 and CXCL10. Collectively, these results indicated that iPLA 2 β plays roles in IL-1β-induced chemokine expression, in part via NFATc4 signaling. © 2018 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

A Splice Variant of the Human Ion Channel TRPM2 Modulates Neuroblastoma Tumor Growth through Hypoxia-inducible Factor (HIF)-1/2α*

PubMed Central

Chen, Shu-jen; Hoffman, Nicholas E.; Shanmughapriya, Santhanam; Bao, Lei; Keefer, Kerry; Conrad, Kathleen; Merali, Salim; Takahashi, Yoshinori; Abraham, Thomas; Hirschler-Laszkiewicz, Iwona; Wang, JuFang; Zhang, Xue-Qian; Song, Jianliang; Barrero, Carlos; Shi, Yuguang; Kawasawa, Yuka Imamura; Bayerl, Michael; Sun, Tianyu; Barbour, Mustafa; Wang, Hong-Gang; Madesh, Muniswamy; Cheung, Joseph Y.; Miller, Barbara A.

2014-01-01

The calcium-permeable ion channel TRPM2 is highly expressed in a number of cancers. In neuroblastoma, full-length TRPM2 (TRPM2-L) protected cells from moderate oxidative stress through increased levels of forkhead box transcription factor 3a (FOXO3a) and superoxide dismutase 2. Cells expressing the dominant negative short isoform (TRPM2-S) had reduced FOXO3a and superoxide dismutase 2 levels, reduced calcium influx in response to oxidative stress, and enhanced reactive oxygen species, leading to decreased cell viability. Here, in xenografts generated with SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells stably expressing TRPM2 isoforms, growth of tumors expressing TRPM2-S was significantly reduced compared with tumors expressing TRPM2-L. Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1/2α was significantly reduced in TRPM2-S-expressing tumor cells as was expression of target proteins regulated by HIF-1/2α including those involved in glycolysis (lactate dehydrogenase A and enolase 2), oxidant stress (FOXO3a), angiogenesis (VEGF), mitophagy and mitochondrial function (BNIP3 and NDUFA4L2), and mitochondrial electron transport chain activity (cytochrome oxidase 4.1/4.2 in complex IV). The reduction in HIF-1/2α was mediated through both significantly reduced HIF-1/2α mRNA levels and increased levels of von Hippel-Lindau E3 ligase in TRPM2-S-expressing cells. Inhibition of TRPM2-L by pretreatment with clotrimazole or expression of TRPM2-S significantly increased sensitivity of cells to doxorubicin. Reduced survival of TRPM2-S-expressing cells after doxorubicin treatment was rescued by gain of HIF-1 or -2α function. These data suggest that TRPM2 activity is important for tumor growth and for cell viability and survival following doxorubicin treatment and that interference with TRPM2-L function may be a novel approach to reduce tumor growth through modulation of HIF-1/2α, mitochondrial function, and mitophagy. PMID:25391657

B cells expressing the transcription factor T-bet drive lupus-like autoimmunity

PubMed Central

Rubtsov, Anatoly V.; Thurman, Joshua M.; Mennona, Johanna M.; Kappler, John W.; Marrack, Philippa

2017-01-01

B cells contribute to multiple aspects of autoimmune disorders and may play a role in triggering disease. Thus, targeting B cells may be a promising strategy for treating autoimmune disorders. Better understanding of the B cell subsets that are responsible for the development of autoimmunity will be critical for developing efficient therapies. Here we have reported that B cells expressing the transcription factor T-bet promote the rapid appearance of autoantibodies and germinal centers in spontaneous murine models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Conditional deletion of T-bet from B cells impaired the formation of germinal centers and mitigated the development of kidney damage and rapid mortality in SLE mice. B cell–specific deletion of T-bet was also associated with lower activation of both B cells and T cells. Taken together, our results suggest that targeting T-bet–expressing B cells may be a potential target for therapy for autoimmune diseases. PMID:28240602

An essential role for IL-2 receptor in regulatory T cell function

PubMed Central

Levine, Andrew G; Fan, Xiying; Klein, Ulf; Zheng, Ye; Gasteiger, Georg; Feng, Yongqiang; Fontenot, Jason D.; Rudensky, Alexander Y.

2016-01-01

Regulatory T (Treg) cells, expressing abundant amounts of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), are reliant on IL-2 produced by activated T cells. This feature implied a key role for a simple network based on IL-2 consumption by Treg cells in their suppressor function. However, congenital deficiency in IL-2R results in reduced expression of the Treg cell lineage specification factor Foxp3, confounding experimental efforts to understand the role of IL-2R expression and signaling in Treg suppressor function. Using genetic gain and loss of function approaches, we demonstrate that IL-2 capture is dispensable for control of CD4+ T cells, but is important for limiting CD8+ T cell activation, and that IL-2R dependent STAT5 transcription factor activation plays an essential role in Treg cell suppressor function separable from T cell receptor signaling. PMID:27595233

Tissue factor expression by myeloid cells contributes to protective immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

PubMed

Venkatasubramanian, Sambasivan; Tripathi, Deepak; Tucker, Torry; Paidipally, Padmaja; Cheekatla, Satyanarayana; Welch, Elwyn; Raghunath, Anjana; Jeffers, Ann; Tvinnereim, Amy R; Schechter, Melissa E; Andrade, Bruno B; Mackman, Nizel; Idell, Steven; Vankayalapati, Ramakrishna

2016-02-01

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays an essential role in hemostasis by activating coagulation. TF is also expressed by monocytes/macrophages as part of the innate immune response to infections. In the current study, we determined the role of TF expressed by myeloid cells during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) infection by using mice lacking the TF gene in myeloid cells (TF(Δ) ) and human monocyte derived macrophages (MDMs). We found that during M. tb infection, a deficiency of TF in myeloid cells was associated with reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, enhanced arginase 1 (Arg1) expression, enhanced IL-10 production and reduced apoptosis in infected macrophages, which augmented M. tb growth. Our results demonstrate that a deficiency of TF in myeloid cells promotes M2-like phenotype in M .tb infected macrophages. A deficiency in TF expression by myeloid cells was also associated with reduced fibrin deposition and increased matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 mediated inflammation in M. tb infected lungs. Our studies demonstrate that TF expressed by myeloid cells has newly recognized abilities to polarize macrophages and to regulate M. tb growth. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A Complex Interaction Between Reduced Reelin Expression and Prenatal Organophosphate Exposure Alters Neuronal Cell Morphology.

PubMed

Mullen, Brian R; Ross, Brennan; Chou, Joan Wang; Khankan, Rana; Khialeeva, Elvira; Bui, Kimberly; Carpenter, Ellen M

2016-06-01

Genetic and environmental factors are both likely to contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and major depressive disorders. Prior studies from our laboratory and others have demonstrated that the combinatorial effect of two factors-reduced expression of reelin protein and prenatal exposure to the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos oxon-gives rise to acute biochemical effects and to morphological and behavioral phenotypes in adolescent and young adult mice. In the current study, we examine the consequences of these factors on reelin protein expression and neuronal cell morphology in adult mice. While the cell populations that express reelin in the adult brain appear unchanged in location and distribution, the levels of full length and cleaved reelin protein show persistent reductions following prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos oxon. Cell positioning and organization in the hippocampus and cerebellum are largely normal in animals with either reduced reelin expression or prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos oxon, but cellular complexity and dendritic spine organization is altered, with a skewed distribution of immature dendritic spines in adult animals. Paradoxically, combinatorial exposure to both factors appears to generate a rescue of the dendritic spine phenotypes, similar to the mitigation of behavioral and morphological changes observed in our prior study. Together, our observations support an interaction between reelin expression and chlorpyrifos oxon exposure that is not simply additive, suggesting a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in regulating brain morphology. © The Author(s) 2016.

Porous titanium and Ti-35Nb alloy: effects on gene expression of osteoblastic cells derived from human alveolar bone.

PubMed

do Prado, Renata Falchete; Rabêlo, Sylvia Bicalho; de Andrade, Dennia Perez; Nascimento, Rodrigo Dias; Henriques, Vinicius André Rodrigues; Carvalho, Yasmin Rodarte; Cairo, Carlos Alberto Alves; de Vasconcellos, Luana Marotta Reis

2015-11-01

Tests on titanium alloys that possess low elastic modulus, corrosion resistance and minimal potential toxicity are ongoing. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of human osteoblastic cells cultured on dense and porous Titanium (Ti) samples comparing to dense and porous Ti-35 Niobium (Ti-35Nb) samples, using gene expression analysis. Scanning electronic microscopy confirmed surface porosity and pore interconnectivity and X-ray diffraction showed titanium beta-phase stabilization in Ti-35Nb alloy. There were no differences in expression of transforming growth factor-β, integrin-β1, alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, macrophage colony stimulating factor, prostaglandin E synthase, and apolipoprotein E regarding the type of alloy, porosity and experimental period. The experimental period was a significant factor for the markers: bone sialoprotein II and interleukin 6, with expression increasing over time. Porosity diminished Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx-2) expression. Cells adhering to the Ti-35Nb alloy showed statistically similar expression to those adhering to commercially pure Ti grade II, for all the markers tested. In conclusion, the molecular mechanisms of interaction between human osteoblasts and the Ti-35Nb alloy follow the principal routes of osseointegration of commercially pure Ti grade II. Porosity impaired the route of transcription factor Runx-2.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 regulates expression of nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related transcription factor-1 (Nrf1) and inhibits pro-survival function of Nrf1

PubMed Central

Biswas, Madhurima; Kwong, Erick K.; Park, Eujean; Nagra, Parminder; Chan, Jefferson Y.

2013-01-01

Nuclear factor E2-related factor-1 (Nrf1) is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor that is known to regulate antioxidant and cytoprotective gene expression. It was recently shown that Nrf1 is regulated by SCF-Fbw7 ubiquitin ligase. However our knowledge of upstream signals that targets Nrf1 for degradation by the UPS is not known. We report here that Nrf1 expression is negatively regulated by glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in Fbw7-dependent manner. We show that GSK3 interacts with Nrf1 and phosphorylates the Cdc4 phosphodegron domain (CPD) in Nrf1. Mutation of serine residue in the CPD of Nrf1 to alanine (S350A), blocks Nrf1 from phosphorylation by GSK3, and stabilizes Nrf1. Knockdown of Nrf1 and expression of a constitutively active form of GSK3 results in increased apoptosis in neuronal cells in response to ER stress, while expression of the GSK3 phosphorylation resistant S350A–Nrfl attenuates apoptotic cell death. Together these data suggest that GSK3 regulates Nrf1 expression and cell survival function in response to stress activation. PMID:23623971

Expression of microphthalmia transcription factor, S100 protein, and HMB-45 in malignant melanoma and pigmented nevi.

PubMed

Xia, Jianxin; Wang, Yanlong; Li, Fuqiu; Wang, Jinfeng; Mu, Yan; Mei, Xianglin; Li, Xue; Zhu, Wenjing; Jin, Xianhua; Yu, Kai

2016-09-01

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a type of malignant tumor, which originates from neural crest melanocytes. MM progresses rapidly and results in a high mortality rate. The present study aims to investigate the expression of microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF), the S100 protein, and HMB-45 in MM and pigmented nevi. A total of 32 MM samples (including three skin metastasis, three lymph node metastasis and two spindle cell MM samples), two Spitz nevus samples, four pigmented nevus samples and two blue nevus samples were collected. The expression levels of S100 protein, HMB-45, and MITF were observed via immunostaining. The S100 protein exhibited high positive rates in MM and pigment disorders (96.7 and 100%, respectively), but with low specificity. The S100 protein was also expressed in fibroblasts, myoepithelial cells, histocytes and Langerhans cells in normal skin samples. HMB-45 had high specificity. Its positive expression was only confined to MM cells and junctional nevus cells. Furthermore, HMB-45 was not expressed in melanocytes in the normal tissue samples around the tumor or in the benign intradermal nevus cells. MITF exhibited high specificity and high sensitivity. It was expressed in the nuclei of melanocytes, MM cells and nevus cells. It was observed to be strongly expressed in metastatic MM and spindle cell MMs. Thus, MITF may present as a specific immunomarker for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of MM.

Constitutive expression of the promyelocytic leukemia-associated oncogene PML-RARalpha in TF1 cells: isoform-specific and retinoic acid-dependent effects on growth, bcl-2 expression, and apoptosis.

PubMed

Slack, J L; Yu, M

1998-05-01

Two major isoforms of PML-RARalpha are associated with (15;17)-positive acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL); however, functional differences between these isoforms have been difficult to define, and the molecular mechanism by which each isoform contributes to the pathogenesis of APL is not fully understood. To address these issues, the 'short' (S) and 'long' (L) isoforms of PML-RARalpha were constitutively expressed in the factor-dependent human erythroleukemia cell line, TF1. Expression of the L, but not the S, isoform inhibited growth of these cells in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In the absence of GM-CSF, the S isoform partially protected against apoptosis, while the L isoform accelerated cell death. Treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) inhibited cell growth and caused apoptosis only in PML-RARalpha-expressing cells, and these effects of ATRA were more marked in cells expressing the L isoform. ATRA treatment also led to downregulation of bcl-2 and endogenous RARalpha in PML-RARalpha-expressing cells, but had little effect on the level of exogenously expressed PML-RARalpha. We conclude that (1) subtle differences exist in the biologic activities of the L and S isoforms of PML-RARalpha, and (2) both isoforms are capable of transducing an ATRA-mediated signal that leads to downregulation of bcl-2 and induction of programmed cell death.

Nuclear factor one B (NFIB) encodes a subtype-specific tumour suppressor in glioblastoma

PubMed Central

Stringer, Brett W.; Bunt, Jens; Day, Bryan W.; Barry, Guy; Jamieson, Paul R.; Ensbey, Kathleen S.; Bruce, Zara C.; Goasdoué, Kate; Vidal, Hélène; Charmsaz, Sara; Smith, Fiona M.; Cooper, Leanne T.; Piper, Michael

2016-01-01

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an essentially incurable and rapidly fatal cancer, with few markers predicting a favourable prognosis. Here we report that the transcription factor NFIB is associated with significantly improved survival in GBM. NFIB expression correlates inversely with astrocytoma grade and is lowest in mesenchymal GBM. Ectopic expression of NFIB in low-passage, patient-derived classical and mesenchymal subtype GBM cells inhibits tumourigenesis. Ectopic NFIB expression activated phospho-STAT3 signalling only in classical and mesenchymal GBM cells, suggesting a mechanism through which NFIB may exert its context-dependent tumour suppressor activity. Finally, NFIB expression can be induced in GBM cells by drug treatment with beneficial effects. PMID:27083054

Steroid hormone induction of temporal gene expression in Drosophila brain neuroblasts generates neuronal and glial diversity

PubMed Central

Syed, Mubarak Hussain; Mark, Brandon; Doe, Chris Q

2017-01-01

An important question in neuroscience is how stem cells generate neuronal diversity. During Drosophila embryonic development, neural stem cells (neuroblasts) sequentially express transcription factors that generate neuronal diversity; regulation of the embryonic temporal transcription factor cascade is lineage-intrinsic. In contrast, larval neuroblasts generate longer ~50 division lineages, and currently only one mid-larval molecular transition is known: Chinmo/Imp/Lin-28+ neuroblasts transition to Syncrip+ neuroblasts. Here we show that the hormone ecdysone is required to down-regulate Chinmo/Imp and activate Syncrip, plus two late neuroblast factors, Broad and E93. We show that Seven-up triggers Chinmo/Imp to Syncrip/Broad/E93 transition by inducing expression of the Ecdysone receptor in mid-larval neuroblasts, rendering them competent to respond to the systemic hormone ecdysone. Importantly, late temporal gene expression is essential for proper neuronal and glial cell type specification. This is the first example of hormonal regulation of temporal factor expression in Drosophila embryonic or larval neural progenitors. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.26287.001 PMID:28394252

CD13 as target for tissue factor induced tumor vascular infarction in small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Schmidt, Lars Henning; Stucke-Ring, Janine; Brand, Caroline; Schliemann, Christoph; Harrach, Saliha; Muley, Thomas; Herpel, Esther; Kessler, Torsten; Mohr, Michael; Görlich, Dennis; Kreuter, Michael; Lenz, Georg; Wardelmann, Eva; Thomas, Michael; Berdel, Wolfgang E; Schwöppe, Christian; Hartmann, Wolfgang

2017-11-01

Zinc-binding protease aminopeptidase N (CD13) is expressed on tumor vascular cells and tumor cells. It represents a potential candidate for molecular targeted therapy, e.g. employing truncated tissue factor (tTF)-NGR, which can bind CD13 and thereby induce tumor vascular infarction. We performed a comprehensive analysis of CD13 expression in a clinically well characterized cohort of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) to evaluate its potential use for targeted therapies in this disease. CD13 expression was analyzed immunohistochemically in 27 SCLC patients and correlated with clinical course and outcome. In CD-1 nude mice bearing human HTB119 SCLC xenotransplants, the systemic effects of the CD13-targeting fusion protein tTF-NGR on tumor growth were tested. In 52% of the investigated SCLC tissue samples, CD13 was expressed in tumor stroma cells, while the tumor cells were negative for CD13. No prognostic effect was found in the investigated SCLC study collective with regard to overall survival (p>0.05). In CD-1 nude mice, xenografts of CD13 negative HTB119 SCLC cells showed CD13 expression in the intratumoral vascular and perivascular cells, and the systemic application of CD13-targeted tissue factor tTF-NGR led to a significant reduction of tumor growth. We here present first data on the expression of CD13 in SCLC tumor samples. Our results strongly recommend the further investigation of tTF-NGR and other molecules targeted by NGR-peptides in SCLC patients. Considering the differential expression of CD13 in SCLC samples pre-therapeutic CD13 analysis is proposed for testing as investigational predictive biomarker for patient selection. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The PBX1 lupus susceptibility gene regulates CD44 expression

PubMed Central

Niu, Yuxin; Sengupta, Mayami; Titov, Anton A.; Choi, Seung-Chul; Morel, Laurence

2017-01-01

PBX1-d is novel splice isoform of pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox 1 (PBX1) that lacks its DNA-binding and Hox-binding domains, and functions as a dominant negative. We have shown that PBX1-d expression in CD4+ T cells is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a mouse model as well as in human subjects. More specifically, PBX1-d expression leads to the production of autoreactive activated CD4+ T cells, a reduced frequency and function of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and an expansion of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. Very little is known about the function of PBX1 in T cells, except that it directly regulates the expression of miRNAs associated with Treg and Tfh homeostasis. In the present study, we show that PBX1 directly regulated the expression of CD44, a marker of T cell activation. Two PBX1 binding sites in the promoter directly regulated CD44 expression, with PBX1-d driving a higher expression than the normal isoform PBX1-b. In addition, mutations in each of the two binding sites had different effects of PBX1-b and PBX1-d. Finally, we showed that an enhanced recruitment of co-factor MEIS by PBX1-d over PBX1-b, while there was no difference for co-factor PREP1 recruitment. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the lupus-associated PBX1-d isoform directly transactivates CD44, a marker of CD44 activation and memory, and that it has different DNA binding and co-factor recruitment relative to the normal isoform. Taken together, these results confirm that PBX1 directly regulates genes related to T cell activation and show that the lupus-associated isoform PBX1-d has unique molecular functions. PMID:28257976

Enhanced Expression of WD Repeat-Containing Protein 35 via Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Activation in Bupivacaine-Treated Neuro2a Cells

PubMed Central

Huang, Lei; Kondo, Fumio; Harato, Misako; Feng, Guo-Gang; Ishikawa, Naoshisa; Fujiwara, Yoshihiro; Okada, Shoshiro

2014-01-01

The family of WD repeat proteins comprises a large number of proteins and is involved in a wide variety of cellular processes such as signal transduction, cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. Bupivacaine is a sodium channel blocker administered for local infiltration, nerve block, epidural, and intrathecal anesthesia. Recently, we reported that bupivacaine induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, resulting in an increase in the expression of WD repeat-containing protein 35 (WDR35) in mouse neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells. It has been shown that ROS activate MAPK through phosphorylation, followed by activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). The present study was undertaken to test whether NF-κB and c-Jun/AP-1 are involved in bupivacaine-induced WDR35 expression in Neuro2a cells. Bupivacaine activated both NF-κB and c-Jun in Neuro2a cells. APDC, an NF-κB inhibitor, attenuated the increase in NF-κB activity and WDR35 protein expression in bupivacaine-treated Neuro2a cells. GW9662, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ antagonist, enhanced the increase in NF-κB activity and WDR35 protein expression in bupivacaine-treated Neuro2a cells. In contrast, c-Jun siRNA did not inhibit the bupivacaine-induced increase in WDR35 mRNA expression. These results indicate that bupivacaine induces the activation of transcription factors NF-κB and c-Jun/AP-1 in Neuro2a cells, while activation of NF-κB is involved in bupivacaine-induced increases in WDR35 expression. PMID:24466034

Evaluation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 and transcription factors in both primary breast cancer and axillary lymph node metastases as a prognostic factor.

PubMed

Ito, Maiko; Shien, Tadahiko; Omori, Masako; Mizoo, Taeko; Iwamoto, Takayuki; Nogami, Tomohiro; Motoki, Takayuki; Taira, Naruto; Doihara, Hiroyoshi; Miyoshi, Shinichiro

2016-05-01

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) is a marker of breast cancer stem cells, and the expression of ALDH1 may be a prognostic factor of poor clinical outcome. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition may produce cells with stem-cell-like properties promoted by transcription factors. We investigated the expression of ALDH1 and transcription factors in both primary and metastatic lesions, and prognostic value of them in breast cancer patients with axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM). Forty-seven breast cancer patients with ALNM who underwent surgery at Okayama University Hospital from 2002 to 2008 were enrolled. We retrospectively evaluated the levels of ALDH1 and transcription factors, such as Snail, Slug and Twist, in both primary and metastatic lesions by immunohistochemistry. In primary lesions, the positive rate of ALDH1, Snail, Slug and Twist was 19, 49, 40 and 26%, respectively. In lymph nodes, that of ALDH1, Snail, Slug and Twist was 21, 32, 13 and 23%, respectively. The expression of ALDH1 or transcription factors alone was not significantly associated with a poor prognosis. However, co-expression of ALDH1 and Slug in primary lesions was associated with a shorter DFS (P = 0.009). The evaluation of the co-expression of ALDH1 and transcription factors in primary lesions may be useful in prognosis of node-positive breast cancers.

CD47 is an adverse prognostic factor and a therapeutic target in gastric cancer

PubMed Central

Yoshida, Kazumichi; Tsujimoto, Hironori; Matsumura, Kouji; Kinoshita, Manabu; Takahata, Risa; Matsumoto, Yusuke; Hiraki, Shuichi; Ono, Satoshi; Seki, Shuhji; Yamamoto, Junji; Hase, Kazuo

2015-01-01

CD47 is an antiphagocytic molecule that acts via ligation to signal regulatory protein alpha on phagocytes; its enhanced expression and therapeutic targeting have recently been reported for several malignancies. However, CD47 expression in gastric cancer is not well documented. Immunohistochemical expression of CD47 in surgical specimens was investigated. Expression of CD47 and CD44, a known gastric cancer stem cell marker, were investigated in gastric cancer cell lines by flow cytometry. MKN45 and MKN74 gastric cancer cells were sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting according to CD44 and CD47 expression levels, and their in vitro proliferation, spheroid-forming capacity, and in vivo tumorigenicity were studied. In vitro phagocytosis of cancer cells by human macrophages in the presence of a CD47 blocking monoclonal antibody (B6H12) and the survival of immunodeficient mice intraperitoneally engrafted with MKN45 cells and B6H12 were compared to experiments using control antibodies. Immunohistochemistry of the clinical specimens indicated that CD47 was positive in 57 out of 115 cases, and its positivity was an independent adverse prognostic factor. Approximately 90% of the MKN45 and MKN74 cells expressed CD47 and CD44. CD47hi gastric cancer cells showed significantly higher proliferation and spheroid colony formation than CD47lo, and CD44hiCD47hi cells showed the highest proliferation in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. B6H12 significantly enhanced in vitro phagocytosis of cancer cells by human macrophages and prolonged the survival of intraperitoneal cancer dissemination in mice compared to control antibodies. In conclusion, CD47 is an adverse prognostic factor and promising therapeutic target in gastric cancer. PMID:26077800

Inhibitory effect of indigo naturalis on tumor necrosis factor-α-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

PubMed

Chang, Hsin-Ning; Pang, Jong-Hwei Su; Yang, Sien-Hung; Hung, Chi-Feng; Chiang, Chi-Hsin; Lin, Tung-Yi; Lin, Yin-Ku

2010-09-14

The use of indigo naturalis to treat psoriasis has proved effective in our previous clinical studies. The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of indigo naturalis in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Pretreatment of cells with indigo naturalis extract attenuated TNF-α-induced increase in Jurkat T cell adhesion to HUVECs as well as decreased the protein and messenger (m)RNA expression levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on HUVECs. Indigo naturalis extract also inhibited the protein expression of activator protein-1 (AP-1)/c-Jun, a critical transcription factor for the activation of VCAM-1 gene expression. Since the reduction of lymphocyte adhesion to vascular cells by indigo naturalis extract could subsequently reduce the inflammatory reactions caused by lymphocyte infiltration in the epidermal layer and help to improve psoriasis, this study provides a potential mechanism for the anti-inflammatory therapeutic effect of indigo naturalis extract in psoriasis.

Growth Factor-Activated Stem Cell Circuits and Stromal Signals Cooperatively Accelerate Non-Integrated iPSC Reprogramming of Human Myeloid Progenitors

PubMed Central

Park, Tea Soon; Huo, Jeffrey S.; Peters, Ann; Talbot, C. Conover; Verma, Karan; Zimmerlin, Ludovic; Kaplan, Ian M.; Zambidis, Elias T.

2012-01-01

Nonviral conversion of skin or blood cells into clinically useful human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) occurs in only rare fractions (∼0.001%–0.5%) of donor cells transfected with non-integrating reprogramming factors. Pluripotency induction of developmentally immature stem-progenitors is generally more efficient than differentiated somatic cell targets. However, the nature of augmented progenitor reprogramming remains obscure, and its potential has not been fully explored for improving the extremely slow pace of non-integrated reprogramming. Here, we report highly optimized four-factor reprogramming of lineage-committed cord blood (CB) myeloid progenitors with bulk efficiencies of ∼50% in purified episome-expressing cells. Lineage-committed CD33+CD45+CD34− myeloid cells and not primitive hematopoietic stem-progenitors were the main targets of a rapid and nearly complete non-integrated reprogramming. The efficient conversion of mature myeloid populations into NANOG+TRA-1-81+ hiPSC was mediated by synergies between hematopoietic growth factor (GF), stromal activation signals, and episomal Yamanaka factor expression. Using a modular bioinformatics approach, we demonstrated that efficient myeloid reprogramming correlated not to increased proliferation or endogenous Core factor expressions, but to poised expression of GF-activated transcriptional circuits that commonly regulate plasticity in both hematopoietic progenitors and embryonic stem cells (ESC). Factor-driven conversion of myeloid progenitors to a high-fidelity pluripotent state was further accelerated by soluble and contact-dependent stromal signals that included an implied and unexpected role for Toll receptor-NFκB signaling. These data provide a paradigm for understanding the augmented reprogramming capacity of somatic progenitors, and reveal that efficient induced pluripotency in other cell types may also require extrinsic activation of a molecular framework that commonly regulates self-renewal and differentiation in both hematopoietic progenitors and ESC. PMID:22905176

B-cell transcription factors Pax-5, Oct-2, BOB.1, Bcl-6, and MUM1 are useful markers for the diagnosis of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.

PubMed

Herbeck, Rosemarie; Teodorescu Brînzeu, D; Giubelan, Marioara; Lazăr, Elena; Dema, Alis; Ioniţă, Hortensia

2011-01-01

In some instances, the overlap in morphologic features and antigen expression between nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) can cause confusion in the diagnosis. In these cases, the transcription factors (TFs) B-cell specific activator protein (BSAP)/Pax-5, octamer binding protein-2 (Oct-2), B-lymphocyte-specific co-activator BOB.1/OBF.1, Bcl-6 protein and multiple myeloma-1/interferon regulatory factor-4 (MUM1/IRF-4) may aid in clarifying the diagnosis. Twenty-two cases of NLPHL were studied for the immunohistochemical expression of Pax-5, Oct-2, BOB.1, Bcl-6 protein and MUM1/IRF-4. Our results sustain the usefulness of the selected set of TFs to diagnose and distinguish NLPHL from cHL since Pax-5, Oct-2, BOB.1 and Bcl-6 are consistently expressed by lymphocyte predominant (LP) cells and reported by others to be often unexpressed in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. By contrast, MUM1/IRF-4 protein scored negative in the majority of LP cells, but is reported to be expressed in almost all cases of cHL. Thus, although the expression of transcription factors is very heterogeneous, their simultaneous implementation for positive and differential diagnosis may be useful.

hCG-dependent regulation of angiogenic factors in human granulosa lutein cells.

PubMed

Phan, B; Rakenius, A; Pietrowski, D; Bettendorf, H; Keck, C; Herr, D

2006-07-01

As prerequisite for development and maintenance of many diseases angiogenesis is of particular interest in medicine. Pathologic angiogenesis takes place in chronic arthritis, collagen diseases, arteriosclerosis, retinopathy associated with diabetes, and particularly in cancers. However, angiogenesis as a physiological process regularly occurs in the ovary. After ovulation the corpus luteum is formed by rapid vascularization of initially avascular granulosa lutein cell tissue. This process is regulated by gonadotropic hormones. In order to gain further insights in the regulatory mechanisms of angiogenesis in the ovary, we investigated these mechanisms in cell culture of human granulosa lutein cells. In particular, we determined the expression and production of several angiogenic factors including tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), Leptin, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), meningioma-associated complimentary DNA (Mac25), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and Midkine. In addition, we showed that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has distinct effects on their expression and production. hCG enhances the expression and production of TIMP-1, whereas it downregulates the expression of CTGF and Mac25. Furthermore it decreases the expression of Leptin. Our results provide evidence that hCG determines growth and development of the corpus luteum by mediating angiogenic pathways in human granulosa lutein cells. Hence we describe a further approach to understand the regulation of angiogenesis in the ovary.

Pluripotent Nontumorigenic Adipose Tissue-Derived Muse Cells have Immunomodulatory Capacity Mediated by Transforming Growth Factor-β1.

PubMed

Gimeno, María L; Fuertes, Florencia; Barcala Tabarrozzi, Andres E; Attorressi, Alejandra I; Cucchiani, Rodolfo; Corrales, Luis; Oliveira, Talita C; Sogayar, Mari C; Labriola, Leticia; Dewey, Ricardo A; Perone, Marcelo J

2017-01-01

Adult mesenchymal stromal cell-based interventions have shown promising results in a broad range of diseases. However, their use has faced limited effectiveness owing to the low survival rates and susceptibility to environmental stress on transplantation. We describe the cellular and molecular characteristics of multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells derived from adipose tissue (AT), a subpopulation of pluripotent stem cells isolated from human lipoaspirates. Muse-AT cells were efficiently obtained using a simple, fast, and affordable procedure, avoiding cell sorting and genetic manipulation methods. Muse-AT cells isolated under severe cellular stress, expressed pluripotency stem cell markers and spontaneously differentiated into the three germ lineages. Muse-AT cells grown as spheroids have a limited proliferation rate, a diameter of ∼15 µm, and ultrastructural organization similar to that of embryonic stem cells. Muse-AT cells evidenced high stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3) expression (∼60% of cells) after 7-10 days growing in suspension and did not form teratomas when injected into immunodeficient mice. SSEA-3 + -Muse-AT cells expressed CD105, CD29, CD73, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I, CD44, and CD90 and low levels of HLA class II, CD45, and CD34. Using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages and antigen-challenged T-cell assays, we have shown that Muse-AT cells have anti-inflammatory activities downregulating the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α. Muse-AT cells spontaneously gained transforming growth factor-β1 expression that, in a phosphorylated SMAD2-dependent manner, might prove pivotal in their observed immunoregulatory activity through decreased expression of T-box transcription factor in T cells. Collectively, the present study has demonstrated the feasibility and efficiency of obtaining Muse-AT cells that can potentially be harnessed as immunoregulators to treat immune-related disorders. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:161-173. © 2016 The Authors Stem Cells Translational Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of AlphaMed Press.

The death-inducer obliterator 1 (Dido1) gene regulates embryonic stem cell self-renewal.

PubMed

Liu, Yinyin; Kim, Hyeung; Liang, Jiancong; Lu, Weisi; Ouyang, Bin; Liu, Dan; Songyang, Zhou

2014-02-21

The regulatory network of factors that center on master transcription factors such as Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2 help maintain embryonic stem (ES) cells and ensure their pluripotency. The target genes of these master transcription factors define the ES cell transcriptional landscape. In this study, we report our findings that Dido1, a target of canonical transcription factors such as Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog, plays an important role in regulating ES cell maintenance. We found that depletion of Dido1 in mouse ES cells led to differentiation, and ectopic expression of Dido1 inhibited differentiation induced by leukemia inhibitory factor withdrawal. We further demonstrated that whereas Nanog and Oct4 could occupy the Dido1 locus and promote its transcription, Dido1 could also target to the loci of pluripotency factors such as Nanog and Oct4 and positively regulate their expression. Through this feedback and feedforward loop, Dido1 is able to regulate self-renewal of mouse ES cells.

Characterisation of T cell phenotypes, cytokines and transcription factors in the skin of dogs with cutaneous adverse food reactions.

PubMed

Veenhof, Eveline Z; Knol, Edward F; Schlotter, Yvette M; Vernooij, Johannes C; Rutten, Victor P; Willemse, Ton

2011-03-01

The immunopathogenesis of cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFRs) in dogs is unknown. Since the clinical manifestations in the skin are like those found in canine atopic dermatitis (AD), this study investigated the similarity in T cell phenotypes and gene expression of cytokines and transcription factors in CAFRs. In addition, the influence of an elimination diet on these parameters was tested. In the skin of canine CAFRs, a predominant presence of CD8(+) T cells and increased expression of the IL-4, IL-13, Foxp3 and SOCS-3 genes were observed. IFN-γ gene expression was increased in lesional compared to non-lesional skin. The predominance of CD8(+) T cells indicates that the immunopathogenesis of CAFRs is different from that of canine AD. The elimination diet relieved clinical signs, but did not influence T cell phenotypes or expression of the cytokine and transcription factor genes in the skin of dogs with CAFRs, indicating a continuously pre-activated immune status in dogs sensitised to food constituents. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor, Tissue Factor, and VEGF-R Bound VEGF in Human Breast Cancer In Loco.

PubMed

Wojtukiewicz, Marek Z; Sierko, Ewa; Skalij, Piotr; Kamińska, Magda; Zimnoch, Lech; Brekken, Ralf A; Thorpe, Philip E

2016-01-01

Doxorubicin and docetaxel-based chemotherapy regimens used in breast cancer patients are associated with high risk of febrile neutropenia (FN). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) are recommended for both treating and preventing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Increased thrombosis incidence in G-CSF treated patients was reported; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The principal activator of blood coagulation in cancer is tissue factor (TF). It additionally contributes to cancer progression and stimulates angiogenesis. The main proangiogenic factor is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The aim of the study was to evaluate granulocyte-colony stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR), tissue factor (TF) expression and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R) bound VEGF in human breast cancer in loco. G-CSFR, TF and VEGFR bound VEGF (VEGF: VEGFR) were assessed in 28 breast cancer tissue samples. Immunohistochemical (IHC) methodologies according to ABC technique and double staining IHC procedure were employed utilizing antibodies against G-CSFR, TF and VEGF associated with VEGFR (VEGF: VEGFR). Expression of G-CSFR was demonstrated in 20 breast cancer tissue specimens (71%). In 6 cases (21%) the expression was strong (IRS 9-12). Strong expression of TF was observed in all investigated cases (100%). Moreover, expression of VEGF: VEGFR was visualized in cancer cells (IRS 5-8). No presence of G-CSFR, TF or VEGF: VEGFR was detected on healthy breast cells. Double staining IHC studies revealed co-localization of G-CSFR and TF, G-CSFR and VEGF: VEGFR, as well as TF and VEGF: VEGFR on breast cancer cells and ECs. The results of the study indicate that GCSFR, TF and VEGF: VEGFR expression as well as their co-expression might influence breast cancer biology, and may increase thromboembolic adverse events incidence.

A novel long non-coding RNA, hypoxia-inducible factor-2α promoter upstream transcript, functions as an inhibitor of osteosarcoma stem cells in vitro.

PubMed

Wang, Yongcheng; Yao, Jie; Meng, Haoye; Yu, Zhiguo; Wang, Zhigang; Yuan, Xueling; Chen, Hong; Wang, Aiyuan

2015-04-01

Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been identified as novel modulators of malignant tumors. However, the function of lncRNAs in cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the regulating role of a novel lncRNA, hypoxia‑inducible factor‑2α (HIF‑2α) promoter upstream transcript (HIF2PUT), in osteosarcoma stem cells. The expression levels of HIF2PUT were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 17 osteosarcoma tissue specimens, and the correlation between the expression of HIF2PUT and its host transcript‑HIF‑2α was determined. In functional experiments, HIF2PUT expression was knocked down by small interfering RNAs, or overexpressed by transfection with pcDNA‑HIF2PUT, in order to evaluate the effects of HIF2PUT on cell proliferation, migration, expression rate of osteosarcoma stem cell marker CD133, and stem sphere‑forming ability in MG63 cells. HIF2PUT expression levels were positively correlated with HIF‑2α in osteosarcoma tissues. Overexpression of HIF2PUT markedly inhibited cell proliferation and migration, decreased the percentage of CD133 expressing cells, and impaired the osteosarcoma stem sphere‑forming ability of the MG63 cells. Whereas, knockdown of HIF2PUT expression had the opposite effect. Furthermore, altering the expression of HIF2PUT resulted in a concomitant change to HIF‑2α mRNA expression. These results indicate that the lncRNA HIF2PUT may be a novel regulatory factor of osteosarcoma stem cells, which may exert its function partly by controlling HIF‑2α expression. Further studies regarding HIF2PUT may provide a novel therapeutic target of osteosarcoma in the future.

Investigating Conservation of the Cell-Cycle-Regulated Transcriptional Program in the Fungal Pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans

PubMed Central

Sierra, Crystal S.; Haase, Steven B.

2016-01-01

The pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans causes fungal meningitis in immune-compromised patients. Cell proliferation in the budding yeast form is required for C. neoformans to infect human hosts, and virulence factors such as capsule formation and melanin production are affected by cell-cycle perturbation. Thus, understanding cell-cycle regulation is critical for a full understanding of virulence factors for disease. Our group and others have demonstrated that a large fraction of genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is expressed periodically during the cell cycle, and that proper regulation of this transcriptional program is important for proper cell division. Despite the evolutionary divergence of the two budding yeasts, we found that a similar percentage of all genes (~20%) is periodically expressed during the cell cycle in both yeasts. However, the temporal ordering of periodic expression has diverged for some orthologous cell-cycle genes, especially those related to bud emergence and bud growth. Genes regulating DNA replication and mitosis exhibited a conserved ordering in both yeasts, suggesting that essential cell-cycle processes are conserved in periodicity and in timing of expression (i.e. duplication before division). In S. cerevisiae cells, we have proposed that an interconnected network of periodic transcription factors (TFs) controls the bulk of the cell-cycle transcriptional program. We found that temporal ordering of orthologous network TFs was not always maintained; however, the TF network topology at cell-cycle commitment appears to be conserved in C. neoformans. During the C. neoformans cell cycle, DNA replication genes, mitosis genes, and 40 genes involved in virulence are periodically expressed. Future work toward understanding the gene regulatory network that controls cell-cycle genes is critical for developing novel antifungals to inhibit pathogen proliferation. PMID:27918582

Trefoil factor 3 is required for differentiation of thyroid follicular cells and acts as a context-dependent tumor suppressor.

PubMed

Abols, A; Ducena, K; Andrejeva, D; Sadovska, L; Zandberga, E; Vilmanis, J; Narbuts, Z; Tars, J; Eglitis, J; Pirags, V; Line, A

2015-01-01

Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) is overexpressed in a variety of solid epithelial cancers, where it has been shown to promote migration, invasion, proliferation, survival and angiogenesis. On the contrary, in the majority of thyroid tumors, it is downregulated, yet its role in the development of thyroid cancer remains unknown. Here we show that TFF3 exhibits strong cytoplasmic staining of normal thyroid follicular cells and colloid and the staining is increased in hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules, while it is decreased in all thyroid cancers of follicular cell origin. By meta-analysis of gene expression datasets, we found that in the thyroid cancer, conversely to the breast cancer, the expression of TFF3 mRNA was downregulated by estrogen signaling and confirmed this by treating thyroid cancer cells with estradiol. Forced expression of TFF3 in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells resulted in decreased cell proliferation, clonal spheroid formation and entry into the S phase. Furthermore, it induced acquisition of epithelial-like cell morphology and expression of the differentiation markers of thyroid follicular cells and transcription factors implicated in the thyroid morphogenesis and function. Taken together, this study provides the first evidence that TFF3 may act as a tumor suppressor or an oncogene depending on the cellular context.

Dexamethasone treatment induces the reprogramming of pancreatic acinar cells to hepatocytes and ductal cells.

PubMed

Al-Adsani, Amani; Burke, Zoë D; Eberhard, Daniel; Lawrence, Katherine L; Shen, Chia-Ning; Rustgi, Anil K; Sakaue, Hiroshi; Farrant, J Mark; Tosh, David

2010-10-27

The pancreatic exocrine cell line AR42J-B13 can be reprogrammed to hepatocytes following treatment with dexamethasone. The question arises whether dexamethasone also has the capacity to induce ductal cells as well as hepatocytes. AR42J-B13 cells were treated with and without dexamethasone and analyzed for the expression of pancreatic exocrine, hepatocyte and ductal markers. Addition of dexamethasone inhibited pancreatic amylase expression, induced expression of the hepatocyte marker transferrin as well as markers typical of ductal cells: cytokeratin 7 and 19 and the lectin peanut agglutinin. However, the number of ductal cells was low compared to hepatocytes. The proportion of ductal cells was enhanced by culture with dexamethasone and epidermal growth factor (EGF). We established several features of the mechanism underlying the transdifferentiation of pancreatic exocrine cells to ductal cells. Using a CK19 promoter reporter, we show that a proportion of the ductal cells arise from differentiated pancreatic exocrine-like cells. We also examined whether C/EBPβ (a transcription factor important in the conversion of pancreatic cells to hepatocytes) could alter the conversion from acinar cells to a ductal phenotype. Overexpression of an activated form of C/EBPβ in dexamethasone/EGF-treated cells provoked the expression of hepatocyte markers and inhibited the expression of ductal markers. Conversely, ectopic expression of a dominant-negative form of C/EBPβ, liver inhibitory protein, inhibited hepatocyte formation in dexamethasone-treated cultures and enhanced the ductal phenotype. These results indicate that hepatocytes and ductal cells may be induced from pancreatic exocrine AR42J-B13 cells following treatment with dexamethasone. The conversion from pancreatic to hepatocyte or ductal cells is dependent upon the expression of C/EBPβ.

Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Phosphorylation on Tumor-Associated Endothelial Cells Leads to Treatment of Orthotopic Human Colon Cancer in Nude Mice1

PubMed Central

Sasaki, Takamitsu; Kitadai, Yasuhiko; Nakamura, Toru; Kim, Jang-Seong; Tsan, Rachel Z; Kuwai, Toshio; Langley, Robert R; Fan, Dominic; Kim, Sun-Jin; Fidler, Isaiah J

2007-01-01

The purpose of our study was to determine whether the dual inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling pathways in tumor-associated endothelial cells can inhibit the progressive growth of human colon carcinoma in the cecum of nude mice. SW620CE2 human colon cancer cells growing in culture and orthotopically in the cecum of nude mice expressed a high level of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) but were negative for EGFR, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and VEGFR. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed that tumor-associated endothelial cells expressed EGFR, VEGFR2, phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR), and phosphorylated VEGFR (pVEGFR). Treatment of mice with either 7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d]-pyrimidine lead scaffold (AEE788; an inhibitor of EGFR and VEGFR tyrosine kinase) or CPT-11 as single agents significantly inhibited the growth of cecal tumors (P < .01); this decrease was even more pronounced with AEE788 combined with CPT-11 (P < .001). AEE788 alone or combined with CPT-11 also inhibited the expression of pEGFR and pVEGFR on tumor-associated endothelial cells, significantly decreased vascularization and tumor cell proliferation, and increased the level of apoptosis in both tumor-associated endothelial cells and tumor cells. These data demonstrate that targeting EGFR and VEGFR signaling on tumor-associated endothelial cells provides a viable approach for the treatment of colon cancer. PMID:18084614

Persistent induction of c-fos and c-jun expression by asbestos

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heintz, N.H.; Mossman, B.T.; Janssen, Y.M.

To investigate the mechanisms of asbestos-induced carcinogenesis, expression of c-fos and c-jun protooncogenes was examined in rat pleural mesothelial cells and hamster tracheal epithelial cells after exposure to crocidolite or chrysotile asbestos. In contrast to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which induces rapid and transient increases in c-fos and c-jun mRNA, asbestos causes 2- to 5-fold increases in c-fos and c-jun mRNA that persist for at least 24 hr in mesothelial cells. The induction of c-fos and c-jun mRNA by asbestos in mesothelial cells is dose-dependent and is most pronounced with crocidolite, the type of asbestos most pathogenic in the causation ofmore » pleural mesothelioma. Induction of c-jun gene expression by asbestos occurs in tracheal epithelial cells but is not accompanied by a corresponding induction of c-fos gene expression. In both cell types, asbestos induces increases in protein factors that bind specifically to the DNA sites that mediate gene expression by the AP-1 family of transcription factors. The persistent induction of AP-1 transcription factors by asbestos suggests a model of asbestos-induced carcinogenesis involving chronic stimulation of cell proliferation through activation of the early response gene pathway that includes c-jun and/or c-fos. 30 refs., 5 figs.« less

Spatial distribution of osteoblast-specific transcription factor Cbfa1 and bone formation in atherosclerotic arteries.

PubMed

Bobryshev, Yuri V; Killingsworth, Murray C; Lord, Reginald S A

2008-08-01

The mechanisms of ectopic bone formation in arteries are poorly understood. Osteoblasts might originate either from stem cells that penetrate atherosclerotic plaques from the blood stream or from pluripotent mesenchymal cells that have remained in the arterial wall from embryonic stages of the development. We have examined the frequency of the expression and spatial distribution of osteoblast-specific factor-2/core binding factor-1 (Osf2/Cbfa1) in carotid and coronary arteries. Cbfa1-expressing cells were rarely observed but were found in all tissue specimens in the deep portions of atherosclerotic plaques under the necrotic cores. The deep portions of atherosclerotic plaques under the necrotic cores were characterized by the lack of capillaries of neovascularization. In contrast, plaque shoulders, which were enriched by plexuses of neovascularization, lacked Cbfa1-expressing cells. No bone formation was found in any of the 21 carotid plaques examined and ectopic bone was observed in only two of 12 coronary plaques. We speculate that the sparse invasion of sprouts of neovascularization into areas underlying the necrotic cores, where Cbfa1-expressing cells reside, might explain the rarity of events of ectopic bone formation in the arterial wall. This study has also revealed that Cbfa1-expressing cells contain alpha-smooth muscle actin and myofilaments, indicating their relationship with arterial smooth muscle cells.

Casein Kinase II Regulation of the Hot1 Transcription Factor Promotes Stochastic Gene Expression*

PubMed Central

Burns, Laura T.; Wente, Susan R.

2014-01-01

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hog1 MAPK is activated and induces a transcriptional program in response to hyperosmotic stress. Several Hog1-responsive genes exhibit stochastic transcription, resulting in cell-to-cell variability in mRNA and protein levels. However, the mechanisms governing stochastic gene activity are not fully defined. Here we uncover a novel role for casein kinase II (CK2) in the cellular response to hyperosmotic stress. CK2 interacts with and phosphorylates the Hot1 transcription factor; however, Hot1 phosphorylation is not sufficient for controlling the stochastic response. The CK2 protein itself is required to negatively regulate mRNA expression of Hot1-responsive genes and Hot1 enrichment at target promoters. Single-cell gene expression analysis reveals altered activation of Hot1-targeted STL1 in ck2 mutants, resulting in a bimodal to unimodal shift in expression. Together, this work reveals a novel CK2 function during the hyperosmotic stress response that promotes cell-to-cell variability in gene expression. PMID:24817120

Regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression between gingival fibroblast cells from old and young rats

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Su-Jung; Chung, Yong-Koo; Chung, Tae-Wook

2009-01-09

Gingival fibroblast cells (rGF) from aged rats have an age-related decline in proliferative capacity compared with young rats. We investigated G1 phase cell cycle regulation and MMP-9 expression in both young and aged rGF. G1 cell cycle protein levels and activity were significantly reduced in response to interleukin-1{beta} (IL-1{beta}) stimulation with increasing in vitro age. Tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha})-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression was also decreased in aged rGF in comparison with young rGF. Mutational analysis and gel shift assays demonstrated that the lower MMP-9 expression in aged rGF is associated with lower activities of transcription factors NF-{kappa}B and AP-1.more » These results suggest that cell cycle dysregulation and down-regulation of MMP-9 expression in rGF may play a role in gingival remodeling during in vitro aging.« less

Zfp206 regulates ES cell gene expression and differentiation.

PubMed

Zhang, Wen; Walker, Emily; Tamplin, Owen J; Rossant, Janet; Stanford, William L; Hughes, Timothy R

2006-01-01

Understanding transcriptional regulation in early developmental stages is fundamental to understanding mammalian development and embryonic stem (ES) cell properties. Expression surveys suggest that the putative SCAN-Zinc finger transcription factor Zfp206 is expressed specifically in ES cells [Zhang,W., Morris,Q.D., Chang,R., Shai,O., Bakowski,M.A., Mitsakakis,N., Mohammad,N., Robinson,M.D., Zirngibl,R., Somogyi,E. et al., (2004) J. Biol., 3, 21; Brandenberger,R., Wei,H., Zhang,S., Lei,S., Murage,J., Fisk,G.J., Li,Y., Xu,C., Fang,R., Guegler,K. et al., (2004) Nat. Biotechnol., 22, 707-716]. Here, we confirm this observation, and we show that ZFP206 expression decreases rapidly upon differentiation of cultured mouse ES cells, and during development of mouse embryos. We find that there are at least six isoforms of the ZFP206 transcript, the longest being predominant. Overexpression and depletion experiments show that Zfp206 promotes formation of undifferentiated ES cell clones, and positively regulates abundance of a very small set of transcripts whose expression is also specific to ES cells and the two- to four-cell stages of preimplantation embryos. This set includes members of the Zscan4, Thoc4, Tcstv1 and eIF-1A gene families, none of which have been functionally characterized in vivo but whose members include apparent transcription factors, RNA-binding proteins and translation factors. Together, these data indicate that Zfp206 is a regulator of ES cell differentiation that controls a set of genes expressed very early in development, most of which themselves appear to be regulators.

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Regulates the Expression of the Ammonium Permease Gene RHBG in Human Cancer Cells.

PubMed

Merhi, Ahmad; De Mees, Christelle; Abdo, Rami; Victoria Alberola, Jennifer; Marini, Anna Maria

2015-01-01

Ammonium is a metabolic waste product mainly detoxified by the liver. Hepatic dysfunction can lead to cytotoxic accumulation of circulating ammonium and to subsequent encephalopathy. Transmembrane ammonium transport is a widely spread process ensured by the highly conserved proteins of the Mep-Amt-Rh superfamily, including the mammalian Rhesus (Rh) factors. The regulatory mechanisms involved in the control of RH genes expression remain poorly studied. Here we addressed the expression regulation of one of these factors, RHBG. We identify HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cells as expressing RHBG and show that its expression relies on β-catenin signaling. siRNA-mediated β-catenin knockdown resulted in significant reduction of RHBG mRNA in both cell lines. Pharmaceutical inhibition of the TCF4/β-catenin interaction or knockdown of the transcription factor TCF4 also downregulated RHBG expression. We identify a minimal RHBG regulatory sequence displaying a promoter activity and show that β-catenin and TCF4 bind to this fragment in vivo. We finally characterize the role of potential TCF4 binding sites in RHBG regulation. Taken together, our results indicate RHBG expression as a direct target of β-catenin regulation, a pathway frequently deregulated in many cancers and associated with tumorigenesis.

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Regulates the Expression of the Ammonium Permease Gene RHBG in Human Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Merhi, Ahmad; De Mees, Christelle; Abdo, Rami; Victoria Alberola, Jennifer; Marini, Anna Maria

2015-01-01

Ammonium is a metabolic waste product mainly detoxified by the liver. Hepatic dysfunction can lead to cytotoxic accumulation of circulating ammonium and to subsequent encephalopathy. Transmembrane ammonium transport is a widely spread process ensured by the highly conserved proteins of the Mep-Amt-Rh superfamily, including the mammalian Rhesus (Rh) factors. The regulatory mechanisms involved in the control of RH genes expression remain poorly studied. Here we addressed the expression regulation of one of these factors, RHBG. We identify HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cells as expressing RHBG and show that its expression relies on β-catenin signaling. siRNA-mediated β-catenin knockdown resulted in significant reduction of RHBG mRNA in both cell lines. Pharmaceutical inhibition of the TCF4/β-catenin interaction or knockdown of the transcription factor TCF4 also downregulated RHBG expression. We identify a minimal RHBG regulatory sequence displaying a promoter activity and show that β-catenin and TCF4 bind to this fragment in vivo. We finally characterize the role of potential TCF4 binding sites in RHBG regulation. Taken together, our results indicate RHBG expression as a direct target of β-catenin regulation, a pathway frequently deregulated in many cancers and associated with tumorigenesis. PMID:26029888

The grape berry-specific basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor VvCEB1 affects cell size.

PubMed

Nicolas, Philippe; Lecourieux, David; Gomès, Eric; Delrot, Serge; Lecourieux, Fatma

2013-02-01

The development of fleshy fruits involves complex physiological and biochemical changes. After fertilization, fruit growth usually begins with cell division, continues with both cell division and expansion, allowing fruit set to occur, and ends with cell expansion only. In spite of the economical importance of grapevine, the molecular mechanisms controlling berry growth are not fully understood. The present work identified and characterized Vitis vinifera cell elongation bHLH protein (VvCEB1), a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor controlling cell expansion in grape. VvCEB1 was expressed specifically in berry-expanding tissues with a maximum around veraison. The study of VvCEB1 promoter activity in tomato confirmed its specific fruit expression during the expansion phase. Overexpression of VvCEB1 in grape embryos showed that this protein stimulates cell expansion and affects the expression of genes involved in cell expansion, including genes of auxin metabolism and signalling. Taken together, these data show that VvCEB1 is a fruit-specific bHLH transcription factor involved in grape berry development.

Ferrous glycinate regulates cell energy metabolism by restrictinghypoxia-induced factor-1α expression in human A549 cells.

PubMed

Kuo, Yung-Ting; Jheng, Jhong-Huei; Lo, Mei-Chen; Chen, Wei-Lu; Wang, Shyang-Guang; Lee, Horng-Mo

2018-06-04

Iron or oxygen regulates the stability of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). We investigated whether ferrous glycinate would affect HIF-1α accumulation, aerobic glycolysis and mitochondrial energy metabolism in human A549 lung cancer cells. Incubation of A549 cells with ferrous glycinate decreased the protein levels of HIF-1α, which was abrogated by proteosome inhibitor, or prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor. The addition of ferrous glycinate decreased protein levels of glucose transporter-1, hexokinase-2, and lactate dehydrogenase A, and decreased pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 (PDK-1) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) phosphorylation in A549 cells. Ferrous glycinate also increased the expression of the mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and the mitochondrial protein, cytochrome c oxidase (COX-IV). Silencing of HIF-1α expression mimicked the effects of ferrous glycinate on PDK-1, PDH, TFAM and COX-IV in A549 cells. Ferrous glycinate increased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production in A549 cells. These results suggest that ferrous glycinate may reverse Warburg effect through down regulating HIF-1α in A549 cells.

Icotinib inhibits the invasion of Tca8113 cells via downregulation of nuclear factor κB-mediated matrix metalloproteinase expression

PubMed Central

YANG, CAILING; YAN, JIANGUO; YUAN, GUOYAN; ZHANG, YINGHUA; LU, DERONG; REN, MINGXIN; CUI, WEIGANG

2014-01-01

Icotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which has been revealed to inhibit proliferation in tumor cells. However, the effect of icotinib on cancer cell metastasis remains to be explained. This study examines the effect of icotinib on the migration and invasion of squamous cells of tongue carcinoma (Tca8113 cells) in vitro. The results of the Boyden chamber invasion assay demonstrated that icotinib reduced cell invasion, suppressed the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-9, and increased the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. In addition, icotinib was found to significantly decrease the protein levels of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65, which suggested that icotinib inhibits NF-κB activity. Furthermore, treatment with the NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, suppressed cell invasion and MMP-2 expression. These results suggested that icotinib inhibits the invasion of Tca8113 cells by downregulating MMP via the inactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathways. PMID:25120710

Icotinib inhibits the invasion of Tca8113 cells via downregulation of nuclear factor κB-mediated matrix metalloproteinase expression.

PubMed

Yang, Cailing; Yan, Jianguo; Yuan, Guoyan; Zhang, Yinghua; Lu, Derong; Ren, Mingxin; Cui, Weigang

2014-09-01

Icotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which has been revealed to inhibit proliferation in tumor cells. However, the effect of icotinib on cancer cell metastasis remains to be explained. This study examines the effect of icotinib on the migration and invasion of squamous cells of tongue carcinoma (Tca8113 cells) in vitro . The results of the Boyden chamber invasion assay demonstrated that icotinib reduced cell invasion, suppressed the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-9, and increased the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. In addition, icotinib was found to significantly decrease the protein levels of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65, which suggested that icotinib inhibits NF-κB activity. Furthermore, treatment with the NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, suppressed cell invasion and MMP-2 expression. These results suggested that icotinib inhibits the invasion of Tca8113 cells by downregulating MMP via the inactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathways.

The grape berry-specific basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor VvCEB1 affects cell size

PubMed Central

Lecourieux, Fatma

2013-01-01

The development of fleshy fruits involves complex physiological and biochemical changes. After fertilization, fruit growth usually begins with cell division, continues with both cell division and expansion, allowing fruit set to occur, and ends with cell expansion only. In spite of the economical importance of grapevine, the molecular mechanisms controlling berry growth are not fully understood. The present work identified and characterized Vitis vinifera cell elongation bHLH protein (VvCEB1), a basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor controlling cell expansion in grape. VvCEB1 was expressed specifically in berry-expanding tissues with a maximum around veraison. The study of VvCEB1 promoter activity in tomato confirmed its specific fruit expression during the expansion phase. Overexpression of VvCEB1 in grape embryos showed that this protein stimulates cell expansion and affects the expression of genes involved in cell expansion, including genes of auxin metabolism and signalling. Taken together, these data show that VvCEB1 is a fruit-specific bHLH transcription factor involved in grape berry development. PMID:23314819

Involvement of Retinoblastoma Protein and HBP1 in Histone H10 Gene Expression

PubMed Central

Lemercier, Claudie; Duncliffe, Kym; Boibessot, Isabelle; Zhang, Hui; Verdel, André; Angelov, Dimitar; Khochbin, Saadi

2000-01-01

The histone H10-encoding gene is expressed in vertebrates in differentiating cells during the arrest of proliferation. In the H10 promoter, a specific regulatory element, which we named the H4 box, exhibits features which implicate a role in mediating H10 gene expression in response to both differentiation and cell cycle control signals. For instance, within the linker histone gene family, the H4 box is found only in the promoters of differentiation-associated subtypes, suggesting that it is specifically involved in differentiation-dependent expression of these genes. In addition, an element nearly identical to the H4 box is conserved in the promoters of histone H4-encoding genes and is known to be involved in their cell cycle-dependent expression. The transcription factors interacting with the H10 H4 box were therefore expected to link differentiation-dependent expression of H10 to the cell cycle control machinery. The aim of this work was to identify such transcription factors and to obtain information concerning the regulatory pathway involved. Interestingly, our cloning strategy led to the isolation of a retinoblastoma protein (RB) partner known as HBP1. HBP1, a high-mobility group box transcription factor, interacted specifically with the H10 H4 box and moreover was expressed in a differentiation-dependent manner. We also showed that the HBP1-encoding gene is able to produce different forms of HBP1. Finally, we demonstrated that both HBP1 and RB were involved in the activation of H10 gene expression. We therefore propose that HBP1 mediates a link between the cell cycle control machinery and cell differentiation signals. Through modulating the expression of specific chromatin-associated proteins such as histone H10, HBP1 plays a vital role in chromatin remodeling events during the arrest of cell proliferation in differentiating cells. PMID:10958660

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression predicts lymph node metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

PubMed

Suzuki, Kazumi; Morita, Tatsuo; Tokue, Akihiko

2005-02-01

It has been found that expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in several carcinomas is significantly associated with angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and regional lymph node metastasis. However, VEGF-C expression in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) has not yet been reported. To elucidate the role of VEGF-C in bladder TCC, we examined VEGF-C expression in bladder TCC and pelvic lymph node metastasis specimens obtained from patients who underwent radical cystectomy. Eighty-seven patients who underwent radical cystectomy for clinically organ-confined TCC of the bladder were enrolled in the present study. No neoadjuvant treatments, except transurethral resection of the tumor, were given to these patients. The VEGF-C expressions of 87 bladder tumors and 20 pelvic lymph node metastasis specimens were examined immunohistochemically and the association between VEGF-C expression and clinicopathological factors, including angiogenesis as evaluated by microvessel density (MVD), was also examined. Vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression was found in the cytoplasm of tumor cells, but not in the normal transitional epithelium. Vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression was significantly associated with the pathological T stage (P = 0.0289), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001), lymphatic involvement (P = 0.0008), venous involvement (P = 0.0002) and high MVD (P = 0.0043). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that VEGF-C expression and high MVD in bladder TCC were independent risk factors influencing the pelvic lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the patients with VEGF-C-positive tumors had significantly poorer prognoses than those with the VEGF-C-negative tumors (P = 0.0087) in the univariate analysis. The multivariate analysis based on Cox proportional hazard model showed that the independent prognostic factors were patient age (P = 0.0132) and pelvic lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0333). The present study suggests that VEGF-C expression is an important predictive factor of pelvic lymph node metastasis in bladder cancer patients.

Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Differentiated in Fully Defined Medium Generate Hematopoietic CD34+ and CD34− Progenitors with Distinct Characteristics

PubMed Central

Chicha, Laurie; Feki, Anis; Boni, Alessandro; Irion, Olivier; Hovatta, Outi; Jaconi, Marisa

2011-01-01

Background Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells in vitro provides a powerful means to investigate early developmental fates, including hematopoiesis. In particular, the use of a fully defined medium (FDM) would avoid biases induced by unidentified factors contained in serum, and would also allow key molecular mediators involved in such a process to be identified. Our goal was to induce in vitro, the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into morphologically and phenotypically mature leukocytes and erythrocytes, in the complete absence of serum and feeder cells. Methodology/Principal Findings ESC and iPSC were sequentially induced in liquid cultures for 4 days with bone morphogenic protein-4, and for 4 days with FLT3-ligand, stem cell factor, thrombopoietin and vascular endothelium growth factor. Cell differentiation status was investigated by both mRNA expression and FACS expression profiles. Cells were further sorted and assayed for their hematopoietic properties in colony-forming unit (CFU) assays. In liquid cultures, cells progressively down-modulated Oct-4 expression while a sizeable cell fraction expressed CD34 de novo. SCL/Tal1 and Runx1 transcripts were exclusively detected in CD34+ cells. In clonal assays, both ESC and iPSC-derived cells generated CFU, albeit with a 150-fold lower efficacy than cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells. ESC-derived CD34+ cells generated myeloid and fully hemoglobinized erythroid cells whereas CD34− cells almost exclusively generated small erythroid colonies. Both ESC and iPSC-derived erythroid cells expressed embryonic and fetal globins but were unable to synthesize adult β-globin in contrast with CB cells, suggesting that they had differentiated from primitive rather than from definitive hematopoietic progenitors. Conclusions/Significance Short-term, animal protein-free culture conditions are sufficient to sustain the differentiation of human ESC and iPSC into primitive hematopoietic progenitors, which, in turn, produce more mature blood cell types. However, additional factors have yet to be identified to allow their differentiation into definitive erythroid cultures. PMID:21364915

Human pluripotent stem cells differentiated in fully defined medium generate hematopoietic CD34- and CD34+ progenitors with distinct characteristics.

PubMed

Chicha, Laurie; Feki, Anis; Boni, Alessandro; Irion, Olivier; Hovatta, Outi; Jaconi, Marisa

2011-02-25

Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells in vitro provides a powerful means to investigate early developmental fates, including hematopoiesis. In particular, the use of a fully defined medium (FDM) would avoid biases induced by unidentified factors contained in serum, and would also allow key molecular mediators involved in such a process to be identified. Our goal was to induce in vitro, the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into morphologically and phenotypically mature leukocytes and erythrocytes, in the complete absence of serum and feeder cells. ESC and iPSC were sequentially induced in liquid cultures for 4 days with bone morphogenic protein-4, and for 4 days with FLT3-ligand, stem cell factor, thrombopoietin and vascular endothelium growth factor. Cell differentiation status was investigated by both mRNA expression and FACS expression profiles. Cells were further sorted and assayed for their hematopoietic properties in colony-forming unit (CFU) assays. In liquid cultures, cells progressively down-modulated Oct-4 expression while a sizeable cell fraction expressed CD34 de novo. SCL/Tal1 and Runx1 transcripts were exclusively detected in CD34(+) cells. In clonal assays, both ESC and iPSC-derived cells generated CFU, albeit with a 150-fold lower efficacy than cord blood (CB) CD34(+) cells. ESC-derived CD34(+) cells generated myeloid and fully hemoglobinized erythroid cells whereas CD34(-) cells almost exclusively generated small erythroid colonies. Both ESC and iPSC-derived erythroid cells expressed embryonic and fetal globins but were unable to synthesize adult β-globin in contrast with CB cells, suggesting that they had differentiated from primitive rather than from definitive hematopoietic progenitors. Short-term, animal protein-free culture conditions are sufficient to sustain the differentiation of human ESC and iPSC into primitive hematopoietic progenitors, which, in turn, produce more mature blood cell types. However, additional factors have yet to be identified to allow their differentiation into definitive erythroid cultures.

The Hippo pathway member Yap plays a key role in influencing fate decisions in muscle satellite cells

PubMed Central

Judson, Robert N.; Tremblay, Annie M.; Knopp, Paul; White, Robert B.; Urcia, Roby; De Bari, Cosimo; Zammit, Peter S.; Camargo, Fernando D.; Wackerhage, Henning

2012-01-01

Summary Satellite cells are the resident stem cells of skeletal muscle. Mitotically quiescent in mature muscle, they can be activated to proliferate and generate myoblasts to supply further myonuclei to hypertrophying or regenerating muscle fibres, or self-renew to maintain the resident stem cell pool. Here, we identify the transcriptional co-factor Yap as a novel regulator of satellite cell fate decisions. Yap expression increases during satellite cell activation and Yap remains highly expressed until after the differentiation versus self-renewal decision is made. Constitutive expression of Yap maintains Pax7+ and MyoD+ satellite cells and satellite cell-derived myoblasts, promotes proliferation but prevents differentiation. In contrast, Yap knockdown reduces the proliferation of satellite cell-derived myoblasts by ≈40%. Consistent with the cellular phenotype, microarrays show that Yap increases expression of genes associated with Yap inhibition, the cell cycle, ribosome biogenesis and that it represses several genes associated with angiotensin signalling. We also identify known regulators of satellite cell function such as BMP4, CD34 and Myf6 (Mrf4) as genes whose expression is dependent on Yap activity. Finally, we confirm in myoblasts that Yap binds to Tead transcription factors and co-activates MCAT elements which are enriched in the proximal promoters of Yap-responsive genes. PMID:23038772

KLF5 regulates infection- and inflammation-induced pro-labour mediators in human myometrium.

PubMed

Lappas, Martha

2015-05-01

The transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) has been shown to associate with nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) to regulate genes involved in inflammation. However, there are no studies on the expression and regulation of KLF5 in the processes of human labour and delivery. Thus, the aims of this study were to determine the effect of i) human labour on KLF5 expression in both foetal membranes and myometrium; ii) the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta (IL1β), bacterial product flagellin and the viral dsRNA analogue poly(I:C) on KLF5 expression and iii) KLF5 knockdown by siRNA in human myometrial primary cells on pro-inflammatory and pro-labour mediators. In foetal membranes, there was no effect of term or preterm labour on KLF5 expression. In myometrium, the term labour was associated with an increase in nuclear KLF5 protein expression. Moreover, KLF5 expression was also increased in myometrial cells treated with IL1β, flagellin or poly(IC), likely factors contributing to preterm birth. KLF5 silencing in myometrial cells significantly decreased IL1β-induced cytokine expression (IL6 and IL8 mRNA expression and release), COX2 mRNA expression, and subsequent release of prostaglandins PGE2 and PGF2 α. KLF5 silencing also significantly reduced flagellin- and poly(I:C)-induced IL6 and IL8 mRNA expression. Lastly, IL1β-, flagellin- and poly(I:C)-stimulated NFκB transcriptional activity was significantly suppressed in KLF5-knockout myometrial cells. In conclusion, this study describes novel data in which KLF5 is increased in labouring myometrium, and KLF5 silencing decreased inflammation- and infection-induced pro-labour mediators. © 2015 Society for Reproduction and Fertility.

DIFFERENTIAL TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR ACTIVATION AD GENE EXPRESSION PROFILES IN HUMAN VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL CELLS ON EXPOSURE TO RESIDUAL OIL FLY ASH (ROFA) AND VANADIUM

EPA Science Inventory

Differential transcription factor activation and gene expression profiles in human vascular endothelial cells on exposure to residual oil fly ash (ROFA) and vanadium.
Srikanth S. Nadadur and Daniel L. Costa, US EPA, ORD, NHEERL (ETD, Pulmonary Toxicology Branch), Research ...

COACTIVATOR ACTIVATOR (CoAA) PREVENTS THE TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVITY OF RUNT DOMAIN TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS

PubMed Central

Li, Xiaodong; Hoeppner, Luke H.; Jensen, Eric D.; Gopalakrishnan, Rajaram; Westendorf, Jennifer J.

2013-01-01

Runx proteins are essential for a number of developmental processes and are aberrantly expressed in many human cancers. Runx factors bind DNA and co-factors to activate or repress genes crucial for bone formation, hematopoiesis, and neuronal development. Co-activator activator (CoAA) is a nuclear protein that regulates gene expression, RNA splicing and is overexpressed in many human tumors. In this study, we identified CoAA as a Runx2 binding protein. CoAA repressed Runx factor-dependent activation of reporter genes in a histone deacetylase-independent manner. CoAA also blocked Runx2-mediated repression of the Axin2 promoter, a novel Runx target gene. The carboxy-terminus of CoAA is essential for binding the Runt domains of Runx1 and Runx2. In electophoretic mobility shift assays, CoAA inhibited Runx2 interactions with DNA. These data indicate that CoAA is an inhibitor of Runx factors and can negate Runx factor regulation of gene expression. CoAA is expressed at high levels in human fetal osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cell lines. Suppression of CoAA expression by RNA interference reduced osteosarcoma cell viability in vitro, suggesting that it contributes to the proliferation and/or survival of osteoblast lineage cells. PMID:19585539

Isolation of Oct4-Expressing Extraembryonic Endoderm Precursor Cell Lines

PubMed Central

Debeb, Bisrat G.; Galat, Vasiliy; Epple-Farmer, Jessica; Iannaccone, Steve; Woodward, Wendy A.; Bader, Michael; Iannaccone, Philip; Binas, Bert

2009-01-01

Background The extraembryonic endoderm (ExEn) defines the yolk sac, a set of membranes that provide essential support for mammalian embryos. Recent findings suggest that the committed ExEn precursor is present already in the embryonic Inner Cell Mass (ICM) as a group of cells that intermingles with the closely related epiblast precursor. All ICM cells contain Oct4, a key transcription factor that is first expressed at the morula stage. In vitro, the epiblast precursor is most closely represented by the well-characterized embryonic stem (ES) cell lines that maintain the expression of Oct4, but analogous ExEn precursor cell lines are not known and it is unclear if they would express Oct4. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we report the isolation and characterization of permanently proliferating Oct4-expressing rat cell lines (“XEN-P cell lines”), which closely resemble the ExEn precursor. We isolated the XEN-P cell lines from blastocysts and characterized them by plating and gene expression assays as well as by injection into embryos. Like ES cells, the XEN-P cells express Oct4 and SSEA1 at high levels and their growth is stimulated by leukemia inhibitory factor, but instead of the epiblast determinant Nanog, they express the ExEn determinants Gata6 and Gata4. Further, they lack markers characteristic of the more differentiated primitive/visceral and parietal ExEn stages, but exclusively differentiate into these stages in vitro and contribute to them in vivo. Conclusions/Significance Our findings (i) suggest strongly that the ExEn precursor is a self-renewable entity, (ii) indicate that active Oct4 gene expression (transcription plus translation) is part of its molecular identity, and (iii) provide an in vitro model of early ExEn differentiation. PMID:19784378

Apoptosis Signal-Regulating Kinase 1 Is Involved in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)-Enhanced Cell Motility and Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 Expression in Human Chondrosarcoma Cells

PubMed Central

Lin, Chih-Yang; Chang, Sunny Li-Yun; Fong, Yi-Chin; Hsu, Chin-Jung; Tang, Chih-Hsin

2013-01-01

Chondrosarcoma is the primary malignancy of bone that is characterized by a potent capacity to invade locally and cause distant metastasis, and is therefore associated with poor prognoses. Chondrosarcoma further shows a predilection for metastasis to the lungs. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a small molecule in the neurotrophin family of growth factors that is associated with the disease status and outcome of cancers. However, the effect of BDNF on cell motility in human chondrosarcoma cells is mostly unknown. Here, we found that human chondrosarcoma cell lines had significantly higher cell motility and BDNF expression compared to normal chondrocytes. We also found that BDNF increased cell motility and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in human chondrosarcoma cells. BDNF-mediated cell motility and MMP-1 up-regulation were attenuated by Trk inhibitor (K252a), ASK1 inhibitor (thioredoxin), JNK inhibitor (SP600125), and p38 inhibitor (SB203580). Furthermore, BDNF also promoted Sp1 activation. Our results indicate that BDNF enhances the migration and invasion activity of chondrosarcoma cells by increasing MMP-1 expression through a signal transduction pathway that involves the TrkB receptor, ASK1, JNK/p38, and Sp1. BDNF thus represents a promising new target for treating chondrosarcoma metastasis. PMID:23892595

Transforming growth factor-{beta} inhibits CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein expression and PPAR{gamma} activity in unloaded bone marrow stromal cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahdjoudj, S.; Kaabeche, K.; Holy, X.

2005-02-01

The molecular mechanisms regulating the adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells in vivo remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF-{beta}2) on transcription factors involved in adipogenic differentiation induced by hind limb suspension in rat bone marrow stromal cells in vivo. Time course real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of gene expression showed that skeletal unloading progressively increases the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP){alpha} and C/EBP{beta} {alpha} at 5 days in bone marrow stromal cells resulting in increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor {gamma} (PPAR{gamma}2) transcripts at 7 days. TGF-{beta}2more » administration in unloaded rats corrected the rise in C/EBP{alpha} and C/EBP{beta} transcripts induced by unloading in bone marrow stromal cells. This resulted in inhibition of PPAR{gamma}2 expression that was associated with increased Runx2 expression. Additionally, the inhibition of C/EBP{alpha} and C/EBP{beta} expression by TGF-{beta}2 was associated with increased PPAR{gamma} serine phosphorylation in bone marrow stromal cells, a mechanism that inhibits PPAR{gamma} transactivating activity. The sequential inhibitory effect of TGF-{beta}2 on C/EBP{alpha}, C/EBP{beta}, and PPAR{gamma}2 resulted in reduced LPL expression and abolition of bone marrow stromal cell adipogenic differentiation, which contributed to prevent bone loss induced by skeletal unloading. We conclude that TGF-{beta}2 inhibits the excessive adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells induced by skeletal unloading by inhibiting C/EBP{alpha}, C/EBP{beta}, and PPAR{gamma} expression and activity, which provides a sequential mechanism by which TGF-{beta}2 regulates adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells in vivo.« less

Aberrantly Expressed OTX Homeobox Genes Deregulate B-Cell Differentiation in Hodgkin Lymphoma.

PubMed

Nagel, Stefan; Ehrentraut, Stefan; Meyer, Corinna; Kaufmann, Maren; Drexler, Hans G; MacLeod, Roderick A F

2015-01-01

In Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) we recently reported that deregulated homeobox gene MSX1 mediates repression of the B-cell specific transcription factor ZHX2. In this study we investigated regulation of MSX1 in this B-cell malignancy. Accordingly, we analyzed expression and function of OTX homeobox genes which activate MSX1 transcription during embryonal development in the neural plate border region. Our data demonstrate that OTX1 and OTX2 are aberrantly expressed in both HL patients and cell lines. Moreover, both OTX loci are targeted by genomic gains in overexpressing cell lines. Comparative expression profiling and subsequent pathway modulations in HL cell lines indicated that aberrantly enhanced FGF2-signalling activates the expression of OTX2. Downstream analyses of OTX2 demonstrated transcriptional activation of genes encoding transcription factors MSX1, FOXC1 and ZHX1. Interestingly, examination of the physiological expression profile of ZHX1 in normal hematopoietic cells revealed elevated levels in T-cells and reduced expression in B-cells, indicating a discriminatory role in lymphopoiesis. Furthermore, two OTX-negative HL cell lines overexpressed ZHX1 in correlation with genomic amplification of its locus at chromosomal band 8q24, supporting the oncogenic potential of this gene in HL. Taken together, our data demonstrate that deregulated homeobox genes MSX1 and OTX2 respectively impact transcriptional inhibition of (B-cell specific) ZHX2 and activation of (T-cell specific) ZHX1. Thus, we show how reactivation of a specific embryonal gene regulatory network promotes disturbed B-cell differentiation in HL.

Interleukin-like EMT inducer regulates partial phenotype switching in MITF-low melanoma cell lines

PubMed Central

Noguchi, Ken; Dalton, Annamarie C.; Howley, Breege V.; McCall, Buckley J.; Yoshida, Akihiro; Diehl, J. Alan

2017-01-01

ILEI (FAM3C) is a secreted factor that contributes to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a cell biological process that confers metastatic properties to a tumor cell. Initially, we found that ILEI mRNA is highly expressed in melanoma metastases but not in primary tumors, suggesting that ILEI contributes to the malignant properties of melanoma. While melanoma is not an epithelial cell-derived tumor and does not undergo a traditional EMT, melanoma undergoes a similar process known as phenotype switching in which high (micropthalmia-related transcription factor) MITF expressing (MITF-high) proliferative cells switch to a low expressing (MITF-low) invasive state. We observed that MITF-high proliferative cells express low levels of ILEI (ILEI-low) and MITF-low invasive cells express high levels of ILEI (ILEI-high). We found that inducing phenotype switching towards the MITF-low invasive state increases ILEI mRNA expression, whereas phenotype switching towards the MITF-high proliferative state decreases ILEI mRNA expression. Next, we used in vitro assays to show that knockdown of ILEI attenuates invasive potential but not MITF expression or chemoresistance. Finally, we used gene expression analysis to show that ILEI regulates several genes involved in the MITF-low invasive phenotype including JARID1B, HIF-2α, and BDNF. Gene set enrichment analysis suggested that ILEI-regulated genes are enriched for JUN signaling, a known regulator of the MITF-low invasive phenotype. In conclusion, we demonstrate that phenotype switching regulates ILEI expression, and that ILEI regulates partial phenotype switching in MITF-low melanoma cell lines. PMID:28545079

Understanding Transcription Factor Regulation by Integrating Gene Expression and DNase I Hypersensitive Sites.

PubMed

Wang, Guohua; Wang, Fang; Huang, Qian; Li, Yu; Liu, Yunlong; Wang, Yadong

2015-01-01

Transcription factors are proteins that bind to DNA sequences to regulate gene transcription. The transcription factor binding sites are short DNA sequences (5-20 bp long) specifically bound by one or more transcription factors. The identification of transcription factor binding sites and prediction of their function continue to be challenging problems in computational biology. In this study, by integrating the DNase I hypersensitive sites with known position weight matrices in the TRANSFAC database, the transcription factor binding sites in gene regulatory region are identified. Based on the global gene expression patterns in cervical cancer HeLaS3 cell and HelaS3-ifnα4h cell (interferon treatment on HeLaS3 cell for 4 hours), we present a model-based computational approach to predict a set of transcription factors that potentially cause such differential gene expression. Significantly, 6 out 10 predicted functional factors, including IRF, IRF-2, IRF-9, IRF-1 and IRF-3, ICSBP, belong to interferon regulatory factor family and upregulate the gene expression levels responding to the interferon treatment. Another factor, ISGF-3, is also a transcriptional activator induced by interferon alpha. Using the different transcription factor binding sites selected criteria, the prediction result of our model is consistent. Our model demonstrated the potential to computationally identify the functional transcription factors in gene regulation.

Transcript levels of several epigenome regulatory genes in bovine somatic donor cells are not correlated with their cloning efficiency.

PubMed

Zhou, Wenli; Sadeghieh, Sanaz; Abruzzese, Ronald; Uppada, Subhadra; Meredith, Justin; Ohlrichs, Charletta; Broek, Diane; Polejaeva, Irina

2009-09-01

Among many factors that potentially affect somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryo development is the donor cell itself. Cloning potentials of somatic donor cells vary greatly, possibly because the cells have different capacities to be reprogrammed by ooplasma. It is therefore intriguing to identify factors that regulate the reprogrammability of somatic donor cells. Gene expression analysis is a widely used tool to investigate underlying mechanisms of various phenotypes. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis investigating whether donor cell lines with distinct cloning efficiencies express different levels of genes involved in epigenetic reprogramming including histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC1), -2 (HDAC2); DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1), -3a (DNMT3a),-3b (DNMT3b), and the bovine homolog of yeast sucrose nonfermenting-2 (SNF2L), a SWI/SNF family of ATPases. Cell samples from 12 bovine donor cell lines were collected at the time of nuclear transfer experiments and expression levels of the genes were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results show that there are no significant differences in expression levels of these genes between donor cell lines of high and low cloning efficiency defined as live calving rates, although inverse correlations are observed between in vitro embryo developmental rates and expression levels of HDAC2 and SNF2L. We also show that selection of stable reference genes is important for relative quantification, and different batches of cells can have different gene expression patterns. In summary, we demonstrate that expression levels of these epigenome regulatory genes in bovine donor cells are not correlated with cloning potential. The experimental design and data analysis method reported here can be applied to study any genes expressed in donor cells.

Transcriptional regulation induced by cAMP elevation in mouse Schwann cells

PubMed Central

Schmid, Daniela; Zeis, Thomas; Schaeren-Wiemers, Nicole

2014-01-01

In peripheral nerves, Schwann cell development is regulated by a variety of signals. Some of the aspects of Schwann cell differentiation can be reproduced in vitro in response to forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator elevating intracellular cAMP levels. Herein, the effect of forskolin treatment was investigated by a comprehensive genome-wide expression study on primary mouse Schwann cell cultures. Additional to myelin-related genes, many so far unconsidered genes were ascertained to be modulated by forskolin. One of the strongest differentially regulated gene transcripts was the transcription factor Olig1 (oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1), whose mRNA expression levels were reduced in treated Schwann cells. Olig1 protein was localized in myelinating and nonmyelinating Schwann cells within the sciatic nerve as well as in primary Schwann cells, proposing it as a novel transcription factor of the Schwann cell lineage. Data analysis further revealed that a number of differentially expressed genes in forskolin-treated Schwann cells were associated with the ECM (extracellular matrix), underlining its importance during Schwann cell differentiation in vitro. Comparison of samples derived from postnatal sciatic nerves and from both treated and untreated Schwann cell cultures showed considerable differences in gene expression between in vivo and in vitro, allowing us to separate Schwann cell autonomous from tissue-related changes. The whole data set of the cell culture microarray study is provided to offer an interactive search tool for genes of interest. PMID:24641305

In vitro differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocytes.

PubMed

Feng, Zhihui; Li, Changying; Jiao, Shuxian; Hu, Bin; Zhao, Lin

2011-01-01

To investigate the mechanism and regulation of differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into hepatocytes and to find a new source for therapies of hepatic diseases. We isolated BMSCs for subsequent differentiation in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or beta-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF). Cell morphology was observed and cell surface phenotypings were detected by flow cytometry. a1-antitrypsin (AAT) expression of the hepatocytes was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and albumin expression was validated by real time PCR and western blotting. The expression of high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (TrkA) and the activation of Erk pathway were detected by western blotting. Hepatocyte functional activity was confirmed by uptake of indocyanine green (ICG) assay. Small round cells appeared in the presence of HGF on day 10 or beta-NGF on day 12. Differentiated cells expressed albumin and had functional characteristics of hepatocytes, such as uptake of ICG. BMSCs were positive for TrkA. HGF and beta-NGF significantly upregulated the protein levels of phospho-Erk. BMSCs could differentiate into hepatocytes in the differentiation media including HGF or beta-NGF. Combination of HGF and beta-NGF significantly increased the efficiency of hepatic differentiation.

In vitro generation of type-II pneumocytes can be initiated in human CD34(+) stem cells.

PubMed

Srikanth, Lokanathan; Venkatesh, Katari; Sunitha, Manne Mudhu; Kumar, Pasupuleti Santhosh; Chandrasekhar, Chodimella; Vengamma, Bhuma; Sarma, Potukuchi Venkata Gurunadha Krishna

2016-02-01

Human CD34(+) stem cells differentiated into type-II pneumocytes in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) having hydrocortisone, insulin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), expressing surfactant proteins-B (SP-B) and C (SP-C), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lysozyme. FACS-enumerated pure CD34(+) cells, isolated from human peripheral blood, were cultured in DMEM and showed positive reaction with anti-human CD34 monoclonal antibodies in immunocytochemistry. These cells were cultured in DMEM having hydrocortisone, insulin, FGF, EGF and BSA (HIFEB-D) medium having an air-liquid interface. They differentiated into type-II pneumocytes with expression of SP-B and SP-C genes and disappearance of CD34 expression as assessed using real-time PCR. In reverse transcription-PCR amplicons showed 208 and 907 bp confirming SP-B and SP-C expressions. These cells expressed ALP with an activity of 1.05 ± 0.09 mM ml(-1) min(-1) and lysozyme that killed E. coli. The successful differentiation of human CD34(+) stem cells into type-II pneumocytes, and transplantation of such cells obtained from the patient's stem cell could be the futuristic approach to regenerate diseased lung alveoli.

Insulin receptor substrate 1 expression enhances the sensitivity of 32D cells to chemotherapy-induced cell death

PubMed Central

Porter, Holly A.; Carey, Gregory B.; Keegan, Achsah D.

2012-01-01

The adaptors IRS1 and IRS2 link growth factor receptors to downstream signaling pathways that regulate proliferation and survival. Both suppress factor-withdrawal-induced apoptosis and have been implicated in cancer progression. However, recent studies suggest IRS1 and IRS2 mediate differential functions in cancer pathogenesis. IRS1 promoted breast cancer proliferation, while IRS2 promoted metastasis. The role of IRS1 and IRS2 in controlling cell responses to chemotherapy is unknown. To determine the role of IRS1 and IRS2 in the sensitivity of cells to chemotherapy, we treated 32D cells lacking or expressing IRS proteins with various concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents. We found that expression of IRS1, in contrast to IRS2, enhanced the sensitivity of 32D cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. When IRS2 was expressed with IRS1, the cells no longer showed enhanced sensitivity. Expression of IRS1 did not alter the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins; however, 32D-IRS1 cells expressed higher levels of Annexin A2. In 32D-IRS1 cells, IRS1 and Annexin A2 were both located in cytoplasmic and membrane fractions. We also found that IRS1 coprecipitated with Annexin A2, while IRS2 did not. Decreasing Annexin A2 levels reduced 32D-IRS1 cell sensitivity to chemotherapy. These results suggest IRS1 enhances sensitivity to chemotherapy in part through Annexin A2. PMID:22652453

[Roles of KLF5 in inhibition TNFα-induced SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell apoptosis].

PubMed

Shi, Jianhong; Liu, Caiyun; Zhang, Anyi; Cui, Naipeng; Wang, Bing; Chen, Baoping; Ma, Zhenfeng

2014-07-08

To explore the expression levels and roles of Krüpple-like factor 5 (KLF5) in tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-induced SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells. SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells were stimulated by TNFα at different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 20 µg/L) for specified durations (0, 6, 12, 24, 36 h). Western blot was performed to detect KLF5 protein levels. Then Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis genes. Flow cytometry and qRT-PCR were used to observe the effects of exogenous KLF5 on TNFα-induced apoptosis of SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell. KLF5 expression levels significantly decreased in TNFα-stimulated SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Quantitative RT-PCR results showed that TNFα up-regulate apoptosis gene caspase 3, caspase 9 and bax expression levels and down-regulate bcl-1 level in SK-BR-3 cells. Adenovirus expression vectors of pAd-GFP and pAd-GFP-KLF5 were constructed and used to infect SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells. Over-expression of GFP-KLF5 inhibited apoptosis in TNFα-stimulated SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells. TNFα reduces KLF5 expression in SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells and KLF5 participates in TNFα-induced SK-BR-3 cell apoptosis.

Induced PTF1a expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells activates acinar gene networks, reduces tumorigenic properties, and sensitizes cells to gemcitabine treatment.

PubMed

Jakubison, Brad L; Schweickert, Patrick G; Moser, Sarah E; Yang, Yi; Gao, Hongyu; Scully, Kathleen; Itkin-Ansari, Pamela; Liu, Yunlong; Konieczny, Stephen F

2018-05-02

Pancreatic acinar cells synthesize, package, and secrete digestive enzymes into the duodenum to aid in nutrient absorption and meet metabolic demands. When exposed to cellular stresses and insults, acinar cells undergo a dedifferentiation process termed acinar-ductal metaplasia (ADM). ADM lesions with oncogenic mutations eventually give rise to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In healthy pancreata, the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors MIST1 and PTF1a coordinate an acinar-specific transcription network that maintains the highly developed differentiation status of the cells, protecting the pancreas from undergoing a transformative process. However, when MIST1 and PTF1a gene expression is silenced, cells are more prone to progress to PDAC. In this study, we tested whether induced MIST1 or PTF1a expression in PDAC cells could (i) re-establish the transcriptional program of differentiated acinar cells and (ii) simultaneously reduce tumor cell properties. As predicted, PTF1a induced gene expression of digestive enzymes and acinar-specific transcription factors, while MIST1 induced gene expression of vesicle trafficking molecules as well as activation of unfolded protein response components, all of which are essential to handle the high protein production load that is characteristic of acinar cells. Importantly, induction of PTF1a in PDAC also influenced cancer-associated properties, leading to a decrease in cell proliferation, cancer stem cell numbers, and repression of key ATP-binding cassette efflux transporters resulting in heightened sensitivity to gemcitabine. Thus, activation of pancreatic bHLH transcription factors rescues the acinar gene program and decreases tumorigenic properties in pancreatic cancer cells, offering unique opportunities to develop novel therapeutic intervention strategies for this deadly disease. © 2018 The Authors. Published by FEBS Press and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors Are Components of Autocrine Signaling Networks in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

PubMed Central

Marshall, Marianne E.; Hinz, Trista K.; Kono, Scott A.; Singleton, Katherine R.; Bichon, Brady; Ware, Kathryn E.; Marek, Lindsay; Frederick, Barbara A.; Raben, David; Heasley, Lynn E.

2011-01-01

Purpose We previously reported that a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) signaling pathway drives growth of lung cancer cell lines of squamous and large cell histologies. Herein, we explored FGFR dependency in cell lines derived from the tobacco-related malignancy, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Experimental Design FGF and FGFR mRNA and protein expression was assessed in nine HNSCC cell lines. Dependence on secreted FGF2 for cell growth was tested with FP-1039, an FGFR1-Fc fusion protein. FGFR and EGFR-dependence was defined by sensitivity to multiple inhibitors selective for FGFRs or EGFR. Results FGF2 was expressed in eight of the nine HNSCC cell lines examined. Also, FGFR2 and FGFR3 were frequently expressed while only two lines expressed FGFR1. FP-1039 inhibited growth of HNSCC cell lines expressing FGF2, identifying FGF2 as an autocrine growth factor. FGFR inhibitors selectively reduced in vitro growth and ERK signaling in three HNSCC cell lines while three distinct lines exhibited responsiveness to both EGFR and FGFR inhibitors. Combinations of these drugs yielded additive growth inhibition. Finally, three cell lines were highly sensitive to EGFR TKIs with no contribution from FGFR pathways. Conclusions FGFR signaling was dominant or co-dominant with EGFR in six HNSCC lines while three lines exhibited little or no role for FGFRs and were highly EGFR-dependent. Thus, the HNSCC cell lines can be divided into subsets defined by sensitivity to EGFR and FGFR-specific TKIs. FGFR inhibitors may represent novel therapeutics to deploy alone or in combination with EGFR inhibitors in HNSCC. PMID:21673064

Identification of Regulatory Factors for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Salivary Epithelial Cells in a Co-Culture System

PubMed Central

Park, Yun-Jong; Koh, Jin; Gauna, Adrienne E.; Chen, Sixue; Cha, Seunghee

2014-01-01

Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome or head and neck cancer patients who have undergone radiation therapy suffer from severe dry mouth (xerostomia) due to salivary exocrine cell death. Regeneration of the salivary glands requires a better understanding of regulatory mechanisms by which stem cells differentiate into exocrine cells. In our study, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with primary salivary epithelial cells from C57BL/6 mice. Co-cultured bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells clearly resembled salivary epithelial cells, as confirmed by strong expression of salivary gland epithelial cell-specific markers, such as alpha-amylase, muscarinic type 3 receptor, aquaporin-5, and cytokeratin 19. To identify regulatory factors involved in this differentiation, transdifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells were analyzed temporarily by two-dimensional-gel-electrophoresis, which detected 58 protein spots (>1.5 fold change, p<0.05) that were further categorized into 12 temporal expression patterns. Of those proteins only induced in differentiated mesenchymal stem cells, ankryin-repeat-domain-containing-protein 56, high-mobility-group-protein 20B, and transcription factor E2a were selected as putative regulatory factors for mesenchymal stem cell transdifferentiation based on putative roles in salivary gland development. Induction of these molecules was confirmed by RT-PCR and western blotting on separate sets of co-cultured mesenchymal stem cells. In conclusion, our study is the first to identify differentially expressed proteins that are implicated in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into salivary gland epithelial cells. Further investigation to elucidate regulatory roles of these three transcription factors in mesenchymal stem cell reprogramming will provide a critical foundation for a novel cell-based regenerative therapy for patients with xerostomia. PMID:25402494

Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE) Is Expressed in Spermatogenic Cells, and It Altered the Expression of Several Nucleic-Acid-Binding and Cytoskeletal Proteins in Germ Cell 1 Spermatogonial (GC1-spg) Cells.

PubMed

Radhakrishnan, Karthika; Bhagya, Kongattu P; Kumar, Anil Tr; Devi, Anandavalli N; Sengottaiyan, Jeeva; Kumar, Pradeep G

2016-08-01

Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is a gene associated with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED). AIRE is expressed heavily in the thymic epithelial cells and is involved in maintaining self-tolerance through regulating the expression of tissue-specific antigens. The testes are the most predominant extrathymic location where a heavy expression of AIRE is reported. Homozygous Aire-deficient male mice were infertile, possibly due to impaired spermatogenesis, deregulated germ cell apoptosis, or autoimmunity. We report that AIRE is expressed in the testes of neonatal, adolescent, and adult mice. AIRE expression was detected in glial cell derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha (GFRα)(+) (spermatogonia), GFRα(-)/synaptonemal complex protein (SCP3)(+) (meiotic), and GFRα(-)/Phosphoglycerate kinase 2 (PGK2)(+) (postmeiotic) germ cells in mouse testes. GC1-spg, a germ-cell-derived cell line, did not express AIRE. Retinoic acid induced AIRE expression in GC1-spg cells. Ectopic expression of AIRE in GC1-spg cells using label-free LC-MS/MS identified a total of 371 proteins that were differentially expressed. 100 proteins were up-regulated, and 271 proteins were down-regulated. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002511. Functional analysis of the differentially expressed proteins showed increased levels of various nucleic-acid-binding proteins and transcription factors and a decreased level of various cytoskeletal and structural proteins in the AIRE overexpressing cells as compared with the empty vector-transfected controls. The transcripts of a select set of the up-regulated proteins were also elevated. However, there was no corresponding decrease in the mRNA levels of the down-regulated set of proteins. Molecular function network analysis indicated that AIRE influenced gene expression in GC1-spg cells by acting at multiple levels, including transcription, translation, RNA processing, protein transport, protein localization, and protein degradation, thus setting the foundation in understanding the functional role of AIRE in germ cell biology. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Requirement for Bhlhb5 in the specification of amacrine and cone bipolar subtypes in mouse retina

PubMed Central

Feng, Liang; Xie, Xiaoling; Joshi, Pushkar S.; Yang, Zhiyong; Shibasaki, Koji; Chow, Robert L.; Gan, Lin

2010-01-01

The mammalian retina comprises six major neuronal cell types and one glial type that are further classified into multiple subtypes based on their anatomical and functional differences. Nevertheless, how these subtypes arise remains largely unknown at the molecular level. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of Bhlhb5, a bHLH transcription factor of the Olig family, is tightly associated with the generation of selective GABAergic amacrine and Type 2 OFF-cone bipolar subtypes throughout retinogenesis. Targeted deletion of Bhlhb5 results in a significant reduction in the generation of these selective bipolar and amacrine subtypes. Furthermore, although a Bhlhb5-null mutation has no effect on the expression of bHLH-class retinogenic genes, Bhlhb5 expression overlaps with that of the pan-amacrine factor NeuroD and the expression of Bhlhb5 and NeuroD is negatively regulated by ganglion cell-competence factor Math5. Our results reveal that a bHLH transcription factor cascade is involved in regulating retinal cell differentiation and imply that Bhlhb5 functions downstream of retinogenic factors to specify bipolar and amacrine subtypes. PMID:17092954

The multiple roles of the innate immune system in the regulation of apoptosis and inflammation in the brain.

PubMed

Griffiths, Mark R; Gasque, Philippe; Neal, James W

2009-03-01

Central nervous system (CNS) tissues contain cells (i.e. glia and neurons) that have innate immune functions. These cells express a range of receptors that are capable of detecting and clearing apoptotic cells and regulating inflammatory responses. Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells is a nonphlogistic (i.e. noninflammatory) process that provides immune regulation through anti-inflammatory cytokines andregulatory T cells. Neurons and glia express cellular death signals, including CD95Fas/CD95L, FasL, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR), through which they can trigger apoptosis in T cells and other infiltrating cells. Microglia, astrocytes, ependymal cells, and neurons express defense collagens and scavenger and phagocytic receptors that recognize apoptotic cells displaying apoptotic cell-associated molecular patterns, which serve as markers of "altered self." Glia also express pentraxins and complement proteins (C1q, C3b, and iC3b) that opsonize apoptotic cells, making them targets for the phagocytic receptors CR3 and CR4. Immunoregulatory molecules such as the complement regulator CD46 are lost from apoptotic cells and stimulate phagocytosis, whereas the expression of CD47 and CD200 is upregulated during apoptosis; this inhibits proinflammatory microglial cytokine expression, thereby reducing the severity of inflammation. This review outlines the cellular pathways used for the detection and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in vitro and in experimental models of CNS inflammation.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) confers resistance to pancreatic cancer cells against oncolytic parvovirus H-1 infection through IFNA receptor-mediated signaling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaowinn, Sirichat; Cho, Il-Rae; Moon, Jeong

2015-04-03

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF), a novel oncogene, plays a crucial role in the development of pancreatic cancer, including its metastasis and proliferation. Therefore, PAUF-expressing pancreatic cancer cells could be important targets for oncolytic virus-mediated treatment. Panc-1 cells expressing PAUF (Panc-PAUF) showed relative resistance to parvovirus H-1 infection compared with Panc-1 cells expressing an empty vector (Panc-Vec). Of interest, expression of type I IFN-α receptor (IFNAR) was higher in Panc-PAUF cells than in Panc-Vec cells. Increased expression of IFNAR in turn increased the activation of Stat1 and Tyk2 in Panc-PAUF cells compared with that in Panc-Vec cells. Suppression of Tyk2more » and Stat1, which are important downstream molecules for IFN-α signaling, sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to parvovirus H-1-mediated apoptosis. Further, constitutive suppression of PAUF sensitized Bxpc3 pancreatic cancer cells to parvovirus H-1 infection. Taken together, these results suggested that PAUF conferred resistance to pancreatic cancer cells against oncolytic parvovirus H-1 infection through IFNAR-mediated signaling. - Highlights: • PAUF confers resistance against oncolytic parvovirus H-1 infection. • PAUF enhances the expression of IFNAR in Panc-1 cells. • Increased activation of Tyk2 or Stat1 by PAUF provides resistance to parvovirus H-1-mediated apoptosis. • Constitutive inhibition of PAUF enhances parvovirus H-1-mediated oncolysis of Bxpc3 pancreatic cancer cells.« less