Endothelial SUR‐8 acts in an ERK‐independent pathway during atrioventricular cushion development

SUR‐8, a conserved leucine‐rich repeats protein, was first identified as a positive regulator of Ras pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. Biochemical studies indicated that SUR‐8 interacts with Ras and Raf, leading to the elevated ERK activity. However, the physiological role of SUR‐8 during mammalian development remains unclear. Here we found that germline deletion of SUR‐8 in mice resulted in early embryonic lethality. Inactivated SUR‐8 specifically in mouse endothelial cells (ECs) revealed that SUR‐8 is essential for embryonic heart development. SUR‐8 deficiency in ECs resulted in late embryonic lethality, and the mutant mice displayed multiple cardiac defects. The reduced endothelial‐mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and the reduced mesenchyme proliferation phase were observed in the atrioventricular canal (AVC) within the mutant hearts, leading to the formation of hypoplastic endocardial cushions. However, ERK activation did not appear to be affected in mutant ECs, suggesting that SUR‐8 may act in an ERK‐independent pathway to regulate AVC development. Developmental Dynamics 239:2005–2013, 2010 © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

小鼠胚胎心脏房室管心内膜垫发育的形态学特征

目的 探讨小鼠胚胎心脏房室管心内膜垫的形成与融合过程中的形态学特征。方法 选用抗α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）、抗心肌肌球蛋白重链（MHC）、抗磷酸化组蛋白H3（PHH3）抗体,对30只胚龄9～13d小鼠胚胎连续切片进行HE和免疫组织化学染色。另选15只胚龄12d、12.5d、13d小鼠胚胎心脏制作半薄切片和超薄切片进行观察。 结果 胚龄9d,心房与心室之间可见缩窄的房室管,房室管的心胶质较厚,但未见间充质细胞出现。胚龄10d,房室管心内膜垫开始形成,但连续切片观察显示背侧心内膜垫体积大于腹侧心内膜垫,且背侧心内膜垫对应的α-SMA、MHC阳性房室管心肌向心内膜垫内有明显延伸。心内膜垫内间充质细胞不表达α-SMA或PHH3。胚龄11～12d,背、腹侧心内膜垫变得对称,垫内间充质细胞增多,偶见α-SMA或PHH3阳性细胞。胚龄12～13d,两侧房室管心内膜垫彼此接近开始融合。透射电子显微镜下观察仅部分间充质细胞相邻细胞膜彼此相贴,局部形成细胞连接。胞质内可见粗面内质网、线粒体等细胞器,微丝较少。 结论 小鼠胚胎心脏房室管心内膜垫形成时首先表现为内皮细胞由扁平变为立方形;两侧房室管心内膜垫形成不同步;房室管心内膜垫融合时间充质细胞局部形成细胞连接,胞质内微丝少,与流出道嵴融合时的超微结构特点不同。     

Expression of bone morphogenetic protein‐5 gene during chick heart development: Possible roles in valvuloseptal endocardial cushion formation

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family, comprising multifunctional peptide growth factors, regulates many developmental processes in a variety of tissues. We examined the spatiotemporal expression of BMP5 by in situ hybridization in chick embryonic hearts from stages 5 to 33. The BMP5 gene was first expressed in the endoderm underlying the precardiac mesoderm at stages 5 to 8. Thereafter, BMP5 expression was restricted to the myocardium of the atrioventricular (AV) canal and outflow tract (OT) regions, where the valvuloseptal endocardial cushion tissue is induced. These results suggest that BMP5 may play important roles not only in myocardial differentiation, but also in the formation and maintenance of endocardial cushion tissue. Anat Rec 264:313–316, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Smad2和Smad4在家猫睾丸发育和精子发生中的表达与定位

目的 研究转化生长因子β(TGF-β)超家族的下游信号转导分子Smad2和Smad4蛋白,在不同发育阶段家猫睾丸中的表达和定位,探索Smad2和Smad4蛋白与家猫睾丸发育和精子发生的关系. 方法 应用免疫组织化学技术,研究Smad2和Smad4蛋白在幼年(n=3)、青春期(n=3)和性成熟(n=18)睾丸中的定位,并通过Western blotting技术对免疫组织化学中所用抗体的特异性进行了检测. 结果 免疫组织化学结果显示,Smad2和Smad4蛋白定位于各发育阶段家猫睾丸的生殖细胞、支持细胞和间质细胞的胞质中;Western blotting结果显示,多克隆兔抗Smad2和Smad4抗体与家猫睾丸蛋白提取物中分子量约为58kD、66kD的蛋白条带发生免疫阳性反应. 结论 Smad2和Smad4蛋白在家猫睾丸发育和精子发生的各个阶段均有表达,提示其参与睾丸发育和精子发生的调节.     

超声诊断胎儿先天性心内膜垫缺损

目的探讨产前超声诊断胎儿心内膜垫缺损的临床价值。方法对2004年10月～2008年10月77832例孕18w以上的胎儿心脏应用超声检查,以胎儿四腔心切面为常规,多切面扫查观察胎儿心脏大小、形态、房室结构、房室瓣开闭、左右心室流出道。结果发现心内膜垫缺损16例,伴发其他畸形4例,漏诊1例。结论产前超声是诊断胎儿先天性心内膜垫缺损的可靠方法及技术,可阻止严重先天性畸形——心内膜垫缺损的胎儿出生。     

BMP4 is required in the anterior heart field and its derivatives for endocardial cushion remodeling, outflow tract septation, and semilunar valve development

The endocardial cushions play a critical role in septation of the four-chambered mammalian heart and in the formation of the valve leaflets that control blood flow through the heart. Within the outflow tract (OFT), both cardiac neural crest and endocardial-derived mesenchymal cells contribute to the endocardial cushions. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is required for endocardial cushion development and for normal septation of the OFT. In the present study, we show that anterior heart field (AHF)-derived myocardium is an essential source of BMP4 required for normal endocardial cushion expansion and remodeling. Loss of BMP4 from the AHF in mice results in an insufficient number of cells in the developing OFT endocardial cushions, defective cushion remodeling, ventricular septal defects, persistent truncus arteriosus, and abnormal semilunar valve formation.     

Impairment of endothelial‐mesenchymal transformation during atrioventricular cushion formation in Tmem100 null embryos

Background: Endothelial‐mesenchymal transformation (EndMT) is essential for endocardial cushion formation during cardiac morphogenesis. We recently identified Tmem100 as an endothelial gene indispensable for vascular development. In this study, we further investigated its roles for EndMT during atrioventricular canal (AVC) cushion formation. Results: Tmem100 was expressed in AVC endocardial cells, and Tmem100 null embryos showed severe EndMT defect in the AVC cushions. While calcineurin‐dependent suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the AVC myocardium is important for EndMT, significant up‐regulation of Vegfa expression was observed in Tmem100 null heart. EndMT impaired in Tmem100 null AVC explants was partially but significantly restored by the expression of constitutively‐active calcineurin A, suggesting dysregulation of myocardial calcineurin‐VEGF signaling in Tmem100 null heart. Moreover, Tmem100 null endocardial cells in explant culture did not show EndMT in response to the treatment with myocardium‐derived growth factors, transforming growth factor β2 and bone morphogenetic protein 2, indicating involvement of an additional endocardial‐specific abnormality in the mechanism of EndMT defect. The lack of NFATc1 nuclear translocation in endocardial cells of Tmem100 null embryos suggests impairment of endocardial calcium signaling. Conclusions: The Tmem100 deficiency causes EndMT defect during AVC cushion formation possibly via disturbance of multiple calcium‐related signaling events. Developmental Dynamics 244:31–42, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Expression and localization of Smad2 and Smad4 proteins in the porcine ovary

The objective of the present study was to investigate the temporal and spatial expression of Smad2 and Smad4 proteins, the downstream signaling molecules of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily, in the porcine ovary. Cellular localization of Smad2 and Smad4 proteins was examined using immunohistochemistry. The specificity of the antibodies was examined using Western blot assay. Western blot analyses demonstrated that 52 kDa Smad2 and 60 kDa Smad4 proteins were expressed in the porcine ovary. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Smad2 and Smad4 were widely expressed in the porcine ovary, mainly localized in the oocyte, granulosa and thecal cells at different stages of folliculogenesis. Within the primordial and primary follicles, Smad2 and Smad4 showed strong staining in oocytes and follicular cells. In the antral follicle, strong staining was observed in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells. These findings suggest that Smad2 and Smad4 may be a key regulator of follicular development and growth of oocytes in the porcine ovary.     

Smad4对小鼠眼睑发育的影响

目的: 利用眼特异性 Smad4 基因敲除小鼠,观察其眼睑表型并探讨其眼睑发育异常的可能机制。方法: 选择 PAX6 第一启动子P0驱动的晶体外胚层特异性表达 Cre重组酶的转基因小鼠(Le-Cre)作为介导敲除的工具鼠,将其与 Smad4 条件基因小鼠( Smad4 ^fl/fl)交配获得 Le-Cre特异性Smad4 基因敲除小鼠,通过HE染色揭示其眼睑组织形态学的改变,采用免疫染色技术对某些关键蛋白的表达进行检测并与野生型小鼠进行比较,并检测其眼睑上皮细胞凋亡和增殖的改变。结果: Smad4 在眼睑的失活导致眼睑在发育过程中不能融合,生后眼睑保持开放;Smad4在眼睑的表达缺失不影响眼睑睑缘上皮细胞的增殖和凋亡,但导致上皮细胞内c-Jun磷酸化过程受损,表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)核转位受影响,引起细胞内肌动蛋白束装配异常而导致上皮细胞移行受损,出现眼睑发育时融合不能。结论: Smad4在眼睑发育中对于眼睑的闭合是必需的。     

Smad4/Smad7 balance: A role of tumorigenesis in gastric cancer

Smad signaling pathway plays an important role in tumorigenesis and progression in cancer (Halder, S.K., Rachakonda, G., Deane, N.G., Datta, P.K., 2008. Smad7 induces hepatic metastasis in colorectal cancer. Br. J. Cancer 99, 957-965). The protein level of Smad is associated with growth, inhibition, and metastasis in different cancers. It is unclear if the differentiation, metastasis and apoptosis are reduced by Smad expression pattern in gastric cancer. To determine the effect of Smad on gastric cancer cells, we investigated the relationship of Smad4/Smad7 expression, and differentiation, metastasis, and apoptosis in different gastric cancer. The results show that Smad4 expression in the gastric cancer tissue was dramatically lower than that in the peritumoral tissue. A lower expression of Samd4 was significantly lower in the poorly differentiated tissue than that in the well and middle differentiated tissues (P < 0.01). In contrast, Smad7 expression in gastric cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in the peritumoral tissue. Smad7 was overexpressed in poorly differentiated tissue, also higher than those in the middle, and well differentiated tissues (P < 0.05). The Smad4 or Smad7 expression obviously related with the lymphatic metastasis in gastric cancer. There were 45 cases with lymphatic metastasis in all 78 patients. Smad4 expression in the cases with lymphatic metastasis was lower than the cases without metastasis (P < 0.01), whereas Smad7 expression in the cases with lymphatic metastasis was much higher than the case without metastasis (P < 0.01). To better understand the mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis of gastric cancer, we established SGC7901 gastric cancer cell lines transduced with Smad4 or Smad7 plasmid DNA. Apoptosis and survival of cancer cells was induced after Smad4 and Smad7 transduction. This effect is concentration and time dependent. Thus, this study provides a mechanism by which a balance between Smad4 and Smad7 in human gastric cancer is critical for differentiation, metastasis, and apoptosis of tumor cells.     

Immunolocalization of Smad4 protein in the testis of domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) during postnatal development

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily exerts a wide range of effects on biological events, including spermatogenesis. Smad proteins are downstream signal mediators, which transduce TGF-β signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. Smad4 protein is the common transducer of the TGF-β superfamily that participates in the signaling of all the members of TGF-β superfamily. Smad4 is expressed in the mammalian testis and is believed to play an important role during testicular development and spermatogenesis. Information about Smad4 distribution and function in the testis of birds, including the domestic fowl, is still unclear. In the current study, our objective was to clarify the signal transduction pathway of the TGF-β superfamily in the regulation of testicular development and spermatogenesis by investigating the expression of Smad4 protein in the testis of newborn, prepuberty, puberty and adult domestic fowl. Cellular localization of Smad4 was determined by immunohistochemistry. Our study revealed that the Smad4 was widely expressed in the fowl testis, mainly immunolocalized in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and germ cells. The presence of Smad4 protein in these testicular cells provides molecular and morphological evidence for TGF-β signal transduction during testicular development and spermatogenesis.     

小鼠胚胎心流出道心内膜垫的形成与融合

目的观察不同发育时期小鼠胚胎心流出道心内膜垫的发育过程。方法对胚龄9-12d小鼠胚胎心脏连续切片进行HE染色和免疫组化染色。结果胚龄10d,流出道远端心胶质内开始观察到间充质细胞。胚龄11d,两侧流出道心内膜垫形成,心内膜垫内部分间充质细胞染色呈α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)阳性。胚龄12d,两侧流出道心内膜垫内部分间充质细胞聚集形成致密漩涡状结构,随着心内膜垫融合,两侧漩涡状结构融合。结论小鼠胚胎流出道心内膜垫形成于胚胎发育第11天,第12天融合,间充质细胞参与心内膜垫融合。     

MiR-183 regulates the differentiation of osteoblasts in the development of osteoporosis by targeting Smad4

ObjectiveTo discuss the effect of miR-183 on osteoblast differentiation in the osteoporosis progression via targeting Smad4.MethodsOsteoporosis models were constructed on ovariectomized (OVX) mice to determine the expression of miR-183 and Smad4. Then, MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts were divided into Mock, miR-control, miR-183 mimic, miR-183 inhibitor, siSmad4 and miR-183 inhibitor + siSmad4 groups. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining were performed to determine ALP activity, alizarin red staining to evaluate the calcium deposit, while qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of related molecules. Besides, MC3T3-E1 cells transfected with miR-control or miR-183 mimic were cultured with or without TGF-β1 to verify whether miR-183 regulates the TGF-β signaling pathway.ResultsMiR-183 was up-regulated with decreased Smad4 in the femur of OVX mice, and dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that Smad4 was a target of miR-183. As compared to Mock group, MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts in the miR-183 mimic group and siSmad4 group had significant reductions of OCN, OPN, Runx2 and Osx, as well as decreased ALP activity and calcium deposit. Contrarily, miR-183 and Smad4 were up-regulated and down-regulated respectively. However, cells in the miR-183 inhibitor group manifested the opposite changes. Besides, osteoblast differentiation in the miR-183 inhibitor + siSmad4 group was weakened evidently when compared to miR-183 inhibitor group. Pathway analysis indicated that miR-183 regulated osteogenic differentiation via TGF-β signaling pathway.ConclusionMiR-183 was up-regulated in osteoporosis, and miR-183 overexpression can inhibit osteoblast differentiation by targetedly down-regulating TGF-β pathway member Smad4 to trigger osteoporosis.     

Dosage-sensitive requirement for mouse Dll4 in artery development

Involvement of the Notch signaling pathway in vascular development has been demonstrated by both gain- and loss-of-function mutations in humans, mice, and zebrafish. In zebrafish, Notch signaling is required for arterial identity by suppressing the venous fate in developing artery cells. In mice, the Notch4 receptor and the Delta-like 4 (Dll4) ligand are specifically expressed in arterial endothelial cells, suggesting a similar role. Here we show that the Dll4 ligand alone is required in a dosage-sensitive manner for normal arterial patterning in development. This implicates Dll4 as the specific mammalian endothelial ligand for autocrine endothelial Notch signaling, and suggests that Dll4 may be a suitable target for intervention in arterial angiogenesis.     

转化生长因子β及其信号转导分子Smad4在肾小球硬化中的作用研究

目的：探讨转化生长因子β（TGF-β1）及其信号转导分子Smad4在肾小球肾炎中的表达及其意义。 方法： 以20例正常肾组织为对照组,对38例各种不同组织学类型肾小球肾炎的肾活检标本,分别行免疫组化方法观察TGF-β1、Smad4、胶原Ⅰ（collagen type Ⅰ）在肾小球中的染色强度,并对其检测结果作图像分析处理;以体外培养的人系膜细胞为对象，观察TGFβ1对系膜细胞表达Smad4、胶原Ⅰ的影响，Smad4、胶原Ⅰ的基因表达用RT-PCR检测，蛋白表达用Western blotting检测。 结果： 所有增生、硬化病理类型肾炎中病变肾小球TGFβ1、Smad4、胶原Ⅰ蛋白表达均高于对照组（P<0.05）,且TGFβ1、Smad4两者在肾小球中的表达与胶原Ⅰ在肾小球中的堆积呈多重相关（P<0.05）；外源性TGFβ1刺激人肾系膜细胞后，细胞的Smad4基因表达和蛋白表达增高（P<0.05）；胶原Ⅰ的基因表达和蛋白表达也相应增高（P<0.05）。 结论： TGFβ1及其信号转导分子Smad4可能参与病变肾小球ECM的过量堆积，在肾小球硬化过程中起重要作用。     

BMP4/Smad Signaling Pathway Induces the Differentiation of Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells via Upregulation of Sohlh2

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) capable of self‐renewal and differentiation are the foundation for spermatogenesis. Although several factors that govern these processes have been investigated, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the role of BMP4 in mouse SSC differentiation, and found that SSCs cultured in the presence of BMP4 underwent differentiation, characterized by downregulation of SSC self‐renewal markers, Plzf, and upregulation of SSC differentiation marker, c‐kit. Smad1/5/8 proteins were phosphorylated during BMP4‐induced differentiation. The effects of BMP4 on SSCs were blocked by BMP4 inhibitor (Dorsomorphin). The activation of BMP4/Smad signaling pathway in SSCs increased the expression of Sohlh2, which is involved in the early differentiation of spermatogonia. Knockdown sohlh2 expression by RNA interference abolished the effect of BMP4 on SSC differentiation and the upregulation of c‐kit expression. Overall, our results suggest that BMP4 plays an important role during the early differentiation of SSCs via upregulation of sohlh2. Anat Rec, 297:749–757, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.