Epigenetic reprogramming to prevent genetic cardiomyopathy

Mutations in the gene that codes for lamin A/C (LMNA) are a common cause of adult-onset cardiomyopathy and heart failure. In this issue of the JCI, Guénantin and Jebeniani et al. identify impaired cardiomyocyte development and maturation as a prenatal feature in a model of laminopathy. Cardiomyocytes carrying the Lmna point mutation H222P misexpressed genes involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and showed decreased methylation at the fourth lysine of histone H3 (H3K4). Notably, inhibiting lysine-specific demethylase 1 in the LMNA H222P mouse model treated this congenital form of cardiomyopathy and improved survival in utero. These data highlight early epigenomic modifications in lamin A/C-mediated pathology and indicate a unique therapeutic strategy for cardiomyopathy.     

Progerin elicits disease phenotypes of progeria in mice whether or not it is farnesylated

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), a rare disease that results in what appears to be premature aging, is caused by the production of a mutant form of prelamin A known as progerin. Progerin retains a farnesyl lipid anchor at its carboxyl terminus, a modification that is thought to be important in disease pathogenesis. Inhibition of protein farnesylation improves the hallmark nuclear shape abnormalities in HGPS cells and ameliorates disease phenotypes in mice harboring a knockin HGPS mutation (Lmna^HG/+). The amelioration of disease, however, is incomplete, leading us to hypothesize that nonfarnesylated progerin also might be capable of eliciting disease. To test this hypothesis, we created knockin mice expressing nonfarnesylated progerin (Lmna^nHG/+). Lmna^nHG/+ mice developed the same disease phenotypes observed in Lmna^HG/+ mice, although the phenotypes were milder, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from these mice contained fewer misshapen nuclei. The steady-state levels of progerin in Lmna^nHG/+ MEFs and tissues were lower, suggesting a possible explanation for the milder phenotypes. These data support the concept that inhibition of protein farnesylation in progeria could be therapeutically useful but also suggest that this approach may be limited, as progerin elicits disease phenotypes whether or not it is farnesylated.     

miRNA‐1 and miRNA‐133a are involved in early commitment of pluripotent stem cells and demonstrate antagonistic roles in the regulation of cardiac differentiation

miRNA‐1 (miR‐1) and miRNA‐133a (miR‐133a) are muscle‐specific miRNAs that play an important role in heart development and physiopathology. Although both miRNAs have been broadly studied during cardiogenesis, the mechanisms by which miR‐1 and miR‐133a could influence linage commitment in pluripotent stem cells remain poorly characterized. In this study we analysed the regulation of miR‐1 and miR‐133a expression during pluripotent stem cell differentiation [P19.CL6 cells; embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)] and investigated their role in DMSO and embryoid body (EB)‐mediated mesodermal and cardiac differentiation by gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies, as well as in vivo, by the induction of teratomas. Gene expression analysis revealed that miR‐1 and miR‐133a are upregulated during cardiac differentiation of P19.CL6 cells, and also during ESC and iPSC EB differentiation. Forced overexpression of both miRNAs promoted mesodermal commitment and a concomitant decrease in the expression of neural differentiation markers. Moreover, overexpression of miR‐1 enhanced the cardiac differentiation of P19.CL6, while miR‐133a reduced it with respect to control cells. Teratoma formation experiments with P19.CL6 cells confirmed the influence of miR‐1 and miR‐133a during in vivo differentiation. Finally, inhibition of both miRNAs during P19.CL6 cardiac differentiation had opposite results to their overexpression. In conclusion, gene regulation involving miR‐1 and miR‐133a controls the mesodermal and cardiac fate of pluripotent stem cells. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient Generation of Hepatoblasts From Human ES Cells and iPS Cells by Transient Overexpression of Homeobox Gene HEX

Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have the potential to differentiate into all cell lineages, including hepatocytes, in vitro. Induced hepatocytes have a wide range of potential application in biomedical research, drug discovery, and the treatment of liver disease. However, the existing protocols for hepatic differentiation of PSCs are not very efficient. In this study, we developed an efficient method to induce hepatoblasts, which are progenitors of hepatocytes, from human ESCs and iPSCs by overexpression of the HEX gene, which is a homeotic gene and also essential for hepatic differentiation, using a HEX-expressing adenovirus (Ad) vector under serum/feeder cell-free chemically defined conditions. Ad-HEX-transduced cells expressed α-fetoprotein (AFP) at day 9 and then expressed albumin (ALB) at day 12. Furthermore, the Ad-HEX-transduced cells derived from human iPSCs also produced several cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes, and these P450 isozymes were capable of converting the substrates to metabolites and responding to the chemical stimulation. Our differentiation protocol using Ad vector-mediated transient HEX transduction under chemically defined conditions efficiently generates hepatoblasts from human ESCs and iPSCs. Thus, our methods would be useful for not only drug screening but also therapeutic applications.     

Measurement of lysine-specific demethylase-1 activity in the nuclear extracts by flow-injection based time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A), a histone-modifying enzyme, is upregulated in many cancers, especially in neuroblastoma, breast cancer and hepatoma. We have established a simple method to measure LSD1 activity using a synthetic N-terminal 21-mer peptide of histone H3, which is dimethylated at Lys-4 (H3K4me2). After the enzyme reaction, a substrate of H3K4me2 and two demethylated products, H3K4me1 and H3K4me0, were quantitatively determined by flow injection time-of-flight mass spectrometry (FI-TOF/MS). By using recombinant human LSD1, a nonlinear fitting simulation of the data obtained by FI-TOF/MS produced typical consecutive-reaction kinetics. Apparent K_m and k_cat values of hLSD1 for the first and second demethylation reactions were found to be in the range of reported values. Tranylcypromine was shown to inhibit LSD1 activity with an IC₅₀ of 6.9 µM for the first demethylation reaction and 5.8 µM for the second demethylation reaction. The FI-TOF/MS assay revealed that the endogenous LSD1 activity was higher in the nuclear extracts of SH-SY5Y cells than in HeLa or PC-3 cells, and this is in accordance with the immunoblotting data using an anti-LSD1 antibody. A simple, straightforward FI-TOF/MS assay is described to efficiently measure LSD1 activity in the nuclear extracts of cultured cells.     

KRAS mutant–driven SUMOylation controls extracellular vesicle transmission to trigger lymphangiogenesis in pancreatic cancer

Lymph node (LN) metastasis occurs frequently in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and predicts poor prognosis for patients. The KRAS^G12D mutation confers an aggressive PDAC phenotype that is susceptible to lymphatic dissemination. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying KRAS^G12D mutation–driven LN metastasis in PDAC remains unclear. Herein, we found that PDAC with the KRAS^G12D mutation (KRAS^G12D PDAC) sustained extracellular vesicle–mediated (EV-mediated) transmission of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) in a SUMOylation-dependent manner and promoted lymphangiogenesis and LN metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, hnRNPA1 bound with SUMO2 at the lysine 113 residue via KRAS^G12D-induced hyperactivation of SUMOylation, which enabled its interaction with TSG101 to enhance hnRNPA1 packaging and transmission via EVs. Subsequently, SUMOylation induced EV-packaged-hnRNPA1 anchoring to the adenylate- and uridylate-rich elements of PROX1 in lymphatic endothelial cells, thus stabilizing PROX1 mRNA. Importantly, impeding SUMOylation of EV-packaged hnRNPA1 dramatically inhibited LN metastasis of KRAS^G12D PDAC in a genetically engineered Kras^G12D/+ Trp53^R172H/+ Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) mouse model. Our findings highlight the mechanism by which KRAS mutant–driven SUMOylation triggers EV-packaged hnRNPA1 transmission to promote lymphangiogenesis and LN metastasis, shedding light on the potential application of hnRNPA1 as a therapeutic target in patients with KRAS^G12D PDAC.     

SCN5A Rare Variants in Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy Decrease Peak Sodium Current Depending on the Common Polymorphism H558R and Common Splice Variant Q1077del

Obtaining functional data with newly identified rare variants increases certainty that the variant identified is relevant for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) causation. Two novel SCN5A rare variants, R222Q and I1835T, segregated with DCM in two families with affected individuals homozygous or heterozygous for the common SCN5A polymorphism H558R. cDNAs with each rare variant were constructed in the common Q1077del or Q1077 splice variant backgrounds with and without the H558R polymorphism and expressed in HEK293 cells. Sodium current (I _Na) was studied for each using whole‐cell voltage clamp. In the Q1077del background I _Na densities of R222Q and I1835T were not different from wild type, but the combined variants of R222Q/H558R, I1835T/H558R caused approximately 35% and approximately 30% reduction, respectively, and each showed slower recovery from inactivation. In the Q1077del background R222Q and R222Q/H558R also exhibited a significant negative shift in both activation and inactivation while I1835T/H558R showed a significant negative shift in inactivation that tended to decrease window current. In contrast, expression in the Q1077 background showed no changes in peak I _Na densities, decay, or recovery from inactivation for R222Q/H558R and I1835T/H558R. We conclude that the biophysical findings, dependent upon common SCN5A variants, provide further evidence that these novel SCN5A rare variants are relevant for DCM. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 287–294     

Skeletal tissue engineering using embryonic stem cells

Various cell types have been investigated as candidate cell sources for cartilage and bone tissue engineering. In this review, we focused on chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and their potential in cartilage and bone tissue engineering. A decade ago, mouse ESCs were first used as a model to study cartilage and bone development and essential genes, factors and conditions for chondrogenesis and osteogenesis were unravelled. This knowledge, combined with data from the differentiation of adult stem cells, led to successful chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of mouse ESCs and later also human ESCs. Next, researchers focused on the use of ESCs for skeletal tissue engineering. Cartilage and bone tissue was formed in vivo using ESCs. However, the amount, homogeneity and stability of the cartilage and bone formed were still insufficient for clinical application. The current protocols require improvement not only in differentiation efficiency but also in ESC‐specific hurdles, such as tumourigenicity and immunorejection. In addition, some of the general tissue engineering challenges, such as cell seeding and nutrient limitation in larger constructs, will also apply for ESCs. In conclusion, there are still many challenges, but there is potential for ESCs in skeletal tissue engineering. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Activation of MAPK pathways links LMNA mutations to cardiomyopathy in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy

Mutations in LMNA, which encodes nuclear Lamins A and C cause diseases affecting various organs, including the heart. We have determined the effects of an Lmna H222P mutation on signaling pathways involved in the development of cardiomyopathy in a knockin mouse model of autosomal dominant Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. Analysis of genome-wide expression profiles in hearts using Affymetrix GeneChips showed statistically significant differences in expression of genes in the MAPK pathways at the incipience of the development of clinical disease. Using real-time PCR, we showed that activation of MAPK pathways preceded clinical signs or detectable molecular markers of cardiomyopathy. In heart tissue and isolated cardiomyocytes, there was activation of MAPK cascades and downstream targets, implicated previously in the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. Expression of H222P Lamin A in cultured cells activated MAPKs and downstream target genes. Activation of MAPK signaling by mutant A-type lamins could be a cornerstone in the development of heart disease in autosomal dominant Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.     

HLA Engineering of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

The clinical use of human pluripotent stem cells and their derivatives is limited by the rejection of transplanted cells due to differences in their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. This has led to the proposed use of histocompatible, patient-specific stem cells; however, the preparation of many different stem cell lines for clinical use is a daunting task. Here, we develop two distinct genetic engineering approaches that address this problem. First, we use a combination of gene targeting and mitotic recombination to derive HLA-homozygous embryonic stem cell (ESC) subclones from an HLA-heterozygous parental line. A small bank of HLA-homozygous stem cells with common haplotypes would match a significant proportion of the population. Second, we derive HLA class I–negative cells by targeted disruption of both alleles of the Beta-2 Microglobulin (B2M) gene in ESCs. Mixed leukocyte reactions and peptide-specific HLA-restricted CD8⁺ T cell responses were reduced in class I–negative cells that had undergone differentiation in embryoid bodies. These B2M^−/− ESCs could act as universal donor cells in applications where the transplanted cells do not express HLA class II genes. Both approaches used adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for efficient gene targeting in the absence of potentially genotoxic nucleases, and produced pluripotent, transgene-free cell lines.     

Antisense oligonucleotide therapy reduces seizures and extends life span in an SCN2A gain-of-function epilepsy model

De novo variation in SCN2A can give rise to severe childhood disorders. Biophysical gain of function in SCN2A is seen in some patients with early seizure onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). In these cases, targeted reduction in SCN2A expression could substantially improve clinical outcomes. We tested this theory by central administration of a gapmer antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting Scn2a mRNA in a mouse model of Scn2a early seizure onset DEE (Q/+ mice). Untreated Q/+ mice presented with spontaneous seizures at P1 and did not survive beyond P30. Administration of the ASO to Q/+ mice reduced spontaneous seizures and significantly extended life span. Across a range of behavioral tests, Scn2a ASO-treated Q/+ mice were largely indistinguishable from WT mice, suggesting treatment is well tolerated. A human SCN2A gapmer ASO could likewise impact the lives of patients with SCN2A gain-of-function DEE.     

Biocompatibility of synthetic poly(ester urethane)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane matrices with embryonic stem cell proliferation and differentiation

Incorporation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) into poly(ester urethanes) (PEU) as a building block results in a PEU/POSS hybrid polymer with increased mechanical strength and thermostability. An attractive feature of the new polymer is that it forms a porous matrix when cast in the form of a thin film, making it potentially useful in tissue engineering. In this study, we present detailed microscopic analysis of the PEU/POSS matrix and demonstrate its biocompatibility with cell culture. The PEU/POSS polymer forms a continuous porous matrix with open pores and interconnected grooves. From SEM image analysis, it is calculated that there are about 950 pores/mm² of the matrix area with pore diameter size in the range 1–15 µm. The area occupied by the pores represents approximately 7.6% of the matrix area. Using mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we demonstrate that the PEU/POSS matrix provides excellent support for cell proliferation and differentiation. Under the cell culture condition optimized to maintain self‐renewal, ESCs grown on a PEU/POSS matrix exhibit undifferentiated morphology, express pluripotency markers and have a similar growth rate to cells grown on gelatin. When induced for differentiation, ESCs underwent dramatic morphological change, characterized by the loss of clonogenecity and increased cell size, with well‐expanded cytoskeleton networks. Differentiated cells are able to form a continuous monolayer that is closely embedded in the matrix. The excellent compatibility between the PEU/POSS matrix and ESC proliferation/differentiation demonstrates the potential of using PEU/POSS polymers in future ESC‐based tissue engineering. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mesodermal Pten inactivation leads to alveolar capillary dysplasia-like phenotype

Alveolar capillary dysplasia (ACD) is a congenital, lethal disorder of the pulmonary vasculature. Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted from chromosome 10 (Pten) encodes a lipid phosphatase controlling key cellular functions, including stem/progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation; however, the role of PTEN in mesodermal lung cell lineage formation remains unexamined. To determine the role of mesodermal PTEN in the ontogeny of various mesenchymal cell lineages during lung development, we specifically deleted Pten in early embryonic lung mesenchyme in mice. Pups lacking Pten died at birth, with evidence of failure in blood oxygenation. Analysis at the cellular level showed defects in angioblast differentiation to endothelial cells and an accompanying accumulation of the angioblast cell population that was associated with disorganized capillary beds. We also found decreased expression of Forkhead box protein F1 (Foxf1), a gene associated with the ACD human phenotype. Analysis of human samples for ACD revealed a significant decrease in PTEN and increased activated protein kinase B (AKT). These studies demonstrate that mesodermal PTEN has a key role in controlling the amplification of angioblasts as well as their differentiation into endothelial cells, thereby directing the establishment of a functional gas exchange interface. Additionally, these mice could serve as a murine model of ACD.     

Humanized neurofibroma model from induced pluripotent stem cells delineates tumor pathogenesis and developmental origins

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common tumor predisposition syndrome caused by NF1 gene mutation, in which affected patients develop Schwann cell lineage peripheral nerve sheath tumors (neurofibromas). To investigate human neurofibroma pathogenesis, we differentiated a series of isogenic, patient-specific NF1-mutant human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into Schwannian lineage cells (SLCs). We found that, although WT and heterozygous NF1-mutant hiPSCs-SLCs did not form tumors following mouse sciatic nerve implantation, NF1-null SLCs formed bona fide neurofibromas with high levels of SOX10 expression. To confirm that SOX10⁺ SLCs contained the cells of origin for neurofibromas, both Nf1 alleles were inactivated in mouse Sox10⁺ cells, leading to classic nodular cutaneous and plexiform neurofibroma formation that completely recapitulated their human counterparts. Moreover, we discovered that NF1 loss impaired Schwann cell differentiation by inducing a persistent stem-like state to expand the pool of progenitors required to initiate tumor formation, indicating that, in addition to regulating MAPK-mediated cell growth, NF1 loss also altered Schwann cell differentiation to promote neurofibroma development. Taken together, we established a complementary humanized neurofibroma explant and, to our knowledge, first-in-kind genetically engineered nodular cutaneous neurofibroma mouse models that delineate neurofibroma pathogenesis amenable to future therapeutic target discovery and evaluation.     

Loss of Rab25 promotes the development of intestinal neoplasia in mice and is associated with human colorectal adenocarcinomas

Transformation of epithelial cells is associated with loss of cell polarity, which includes alterations in cell morphology as well as changes in the complement of plasma membrane proteins. Rab proteins regulate polarized trafficking to the cell membrane and therefore represent potential regulators of this neoplastic transition. Here we have demonstrated a tumor suppressor function for Rab25 in intestinal neoplasia in both mice and humans. Human colorectal adenocarcinomas exhibited reductions in Rab25 expression independent of stage, with lower Rab25 expression levels correlating with substantially shorter patient survival. In wild-type mice, Rab25 was strongly expressed in cells luminal to the proliferating cells of intestinal crypts. While Rab25-deficient mice did not exhibit gross pathology, Apc^Min/+ mice crossed onto a Rab25-deficient background showed a 4-fold increase in intestinal polyps and a 2-fold increase in colonic tumors compared with parental Apc^Min/+ mice. Rab25-deficient mice had decreased β₁ integrin staining in the lateral membranes of villus cells, and this pattern was accentuated in Rab25-deficient mice crossed onto the Apc^Min/+ background. Additionally, Smad3^+/– mice crossed onto a Rab25-deficient background demonstrated a marked increase in colonic tumor formation. Taken together, these results suggest that Rab25 may function as a tumor suppressor in intestinal epithelial cells through regulation of protein trafficking to the cell surface.     

Notch1蛋白在胚胎干细胞向神经细胞诱导分化过程中的表达

背景:胚胎干细胞是体内各种成熟细胞的"种子"细胞,是神经移植和发育基因功能研究的有利工具.Notch1信号足多种神经细胞有序分化的关键性调控通路,目前对其在胚胎干细胞诱导分化过程中的动态表达尚无报道.目的:探讨胚胎干细胞向神经细胞定向诱导分化过程中,跨膜信号分子Notch1蛋向的表达.设计、时间及地点:细胞观察,于2003-10/2004-10在中山大学中山眼科中心完成.材料:中山大学实验动物中心自建BALB/C小鼠胚胎干细胞Ⅵ株,具备XY染色体,正常核型比例80%以上,由中山大学中山眼科中心黄冰教授惠赠.方法:胚胎干细胞复苏后,加入含20%胎牛血清、106 IU/L小鼠白血病抑制因子的高糖DMEM细胞培养基,置于37℃,5%CO2培养箱中,两三天常规消化传代.向传至11代的胚胎干细胞中加入含20%胎牛血清、5×10-7mol/L维甲酸的高糖DMEM诱导分化培养基,设立诱导1,5,9d 3个观察时间点.主要观察指标:倒置相差显微镜观察细胞形态变化.免疫荧光化学检测成熟神经元标志性抗原MAP-2的表达.免疫细胞化学、Western Blot法及流式细胞术检测Notch1蛋白的表达.结果:胚胎干细胞呈克隆样生长,至诱导第9天大部分克隆周围为单一密集的神经网络.随着诱导时间延长,胚胎干细胞分化出的MAP-2阳性神经细胞数逐渐增多.胚胎干细胞克隆内的细胞几乎均呈Notch1强阳性或刚性表达,诱导分化后Notch1蛋白的表达随时间延长而逐渐降低(P<0.01).结论:在胚胎干细胞向神经细胞的诱导分化过程中,Notch1信号逐渐关闭,提示Notch1可能对胚胎干细胞向神经细胞的特异性分化起重要作用.     

Application of the ApcMin/+ mouse model for studying inflammation-associated intestinal tumor

Chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract have been known to increase risk of developing a form of colorectal cancer known as inflammation-associated cancer. The roles of inflammation in tumor formation and development in Apc^Min/+ mice have been broadly corroborated. The Apc^Min/+ mouse model contains a point mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) gene and only develops intestinal precancerous lesions, the benign adenomas. Thus, it provides an excellent in vivo system to investigate the molecular events involved in the inflammatory process which may contribute to multistep tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis. Recent investigations that employ this model studied the effects of gene alterations, intestinal microorganisms, drugs, diet, exercise and sleep on the inflammatory process and tumor development, and revealed the mechanisms involved in the formation, promotion and carcinogenesis of adenomas with the background of inflammation. Herein, we focus our review on the application of the Apc^Min/+ mouse model for studying inflammation-associated intestinal tumor and find that anti-inflammation is a possible strategy in combating intestinal tumor, but sometimes anti-inflammation cannot help reduce tumor burden. Moreover, various inflammation-related genes are involved in different mechanistic stages of tumor in Apc^Min/+ mice and intricate regulatory effects of inflammation exist in the whole progression of intestinal tumor.