scholarly journals mTORC1 activation in lung mesenchyme drives sex- and age-dependent pulmonary structure and function decline

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kseniya Obraztsova ◽  
Maria C. Basil ◽  
Ryan Rue ◽  
Aravind Sivakumar ◽  
Susan M. Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Mesenchymal Cell ◽  
Mouse Lung ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Cystic Lung ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
And Function

Abstract Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare fatal cystic lung disease due to bi-allelic inactivating mutations in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC1/TSC2) genes coding for suppressors of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). The origin of LAM cells is still unknown. Here, we profile a LAM lung compared to an age- and sex-matched healthy control lung as a hypothesis-generating approach to identify cell subtypes that are specific to LAM. Our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis reveals novel mesenchymal and transitional alveolar epithelial states unique to LAM lung. This analysis identifies a mesenchymal cell hub coordinating the LAM disease phenotype. Mesenchymal-restricted deletion of Tsc2 in the mouse lung produces a mTORC1-driven pulmonary phenotype, with a progressive disruption of alveolar structure, a decline in pulmonary function, increase of rapamycin-sensitive expression of WNT ligands, and profound female-specific changes in mesenchymal and epithelial lung cell gene expression. Genetic inactivation of WNT signaling reverses age-dependent changes of mTORC1-driven lung phenotype, but WNT activation alone in lung mesenchyme is not sufficient for the development of mouse LAM-like phenotype. The alterations in gene expression are driven by distinctive crosstalk between mesenchymal and epithelial subsets of cells observed in mesenchymal Tsc2-deficient lungs. This study identifies sex- and age-specific gene changes in the mTORC1-activated lung mesenchyme and establishes the importance of the WNT signaling pathway in the mTORC1-driven lung phenotype.

scholarly journals Colocalization and Redistribution of Dishevelled and Actin during WNT-Induced Mesenchymal Morphogenesis

2000 ◽  
Vol 149 (7) ◽  
pp. 1433-1442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica A. Torres ◽  
W. James Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cell Spreading ◽  
Mesenchymal Cell ◽  
Mouse Kidney ◽  
Cell Morphogenesis ◽  
Embryonic Mouse ◽  
Stimulation Of

Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is important for induction of gene expression and cell morphogenesis throughout embryonic development. We examined the subcellular localization of dishevelled, the immediate downstream component from the Wnt receptor, in the embryonic mouse kidney. Using immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy, and coimmunoprecipitation experiments, we show that dishevelled associates with actin fibers and focal adhesion plaques in metanephric mesenchymal cells. Stimulation of Wnt signaling leads to profound changes in metanephric mesenchymal cell morphology, including disruption of the actin cytoskeleton, increased cell spreading, and increased karyokinesis. Upon activation of Wnt signaling, dishevelled also accumulates in and around the nucleus. Casein kinase Iε colocalizes with dishevelled along actin fibers and in the perinuclear region, whereas axin and GSK-3 are only present around the nucleus. These data indicate a branched Wnt signaling pathway comprising a canonical signal that targets the nucleus and gene expression, and another signal that targets the cytoskeleton and regulates cell morphogenesis.

scholarly journals Gene expression profile in functioning and non-functioning nodules of autonomous multinodular goiter from an area of iodine deficiency: unexpected common characteristics between the two entities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Agretti ◽  
G. De Marco ◽  
E. Ferrarini ◽  
C. Di Cosmo ◽  
L. Montanelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Expression Profile ◽  
Expression Profile ◽  
Multinodular Goiter ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Iodine Intake ◽  
Healthy Tissue ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Complement Components

Abstract Purpose Toxic multinodular goiter is a heterogeneous disease associated with hyperthyroidism frequently detected in areas with deficient iodine intake, and functioning and non-functioning nodules, characterized by increased proliferation but opposite functional activity, may coexist in the same gland. To understand the distinct molecular pathology of each entity present in the same gland, the gene expression profile was evaluated by using the Affymetrix technology. Methods Total RNA was extracted from nodular and healthy tissues of two patients and double-strand cDNA was synthesized. Biotinylated cRNA was obtained and, after chemical fragmentation, was hybridized on U133A and B arrays. Each array was stained and the acquired images were analyzed to obtain the expression levels of the transcripts. Both functioning and non-functioning nodules were compared versus healthy tissue of the corresponding patient. Results About 16% of genes were modulated in functioning nodules, while in non-functioning nodules only 9% of genes were modulated with respect to the healthy tissue. In functioning nodules of both patients and up-regulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 was observed, suggesting the presence of a possible feedback control of proliferation. Complement components C1s, C7 and C3 were down-regulated in both types of nodules, suggesting a silencing of the innate immune response. Cellular fibronectin precursor was up-regulated in both functioning nodules suggesting a possible increase of endothelial cells. Finally, Frizzled-1 was down-regulated only in functioning nodules, suggesting a role of Wnt signaling pathway in the proliferation and differentiation of these tumors. None of the thyroid-specific gene was deregulated in microarray analysis. Conclusion In conclusion, the main finding from our data is a similar modulation for both kinds of nodules in genes possibly implicated in thyroid growth.

scholarly journals Equine Genital Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with EcPV2 Infection: RANKL Pathway Correlated to Inflammation and Wnt Signaling Activation

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 244
Author(s):  
Samanta Mecocci ◽  
Ilaria Porcellato ◽  
Federico Armando ◽  
Luca Mechelli ◽  
Chiara Brachelente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Nuclear Factor Kappa ◽  
Signaling Activation ◽  
Expression Evaluation

Equine genital squamous cell carcinomas (egSCCs) are among the most common equine tumors after sarcoids, severely impairing animal health and welfare. Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection is often related to these tumors. The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanisms behind egSCCs associated with EcPV2 infection, investigating receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) signaling in NF-kB pathway, together with the Wnt and IL17 signaling pathways. We analyzed the innate immune response through gene expression evaluation of key cytokines and transcription factors. Moreover, Ki67 index was assessed with immunohistochemistry. EcPV2-E6 DNA was checked, and viral presence was confirmed in 21 positive out to 23 cases (91%). Oncogene expression was confirmed in 14 cases (60.8%) for E6 and in 8 (34.7%) for E2. RANKL, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFKB)-p50, NFKBp65, interleukin (IL)-6, IL17, IL23p19, IL8, IL12p35, IL12p40, β-catenin (BCATN1), FOS like 1 (FOSL1), and lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) showed a significant upregulation in tumor samples compared to healthy tissues. Our results describe an inflammatory environment characterized by the activation of RANKL/RANK and IL17 with the relative downstream pathways, and a positive modulation of inflammatory cytokines genes such as IL6 and IL8. Moreover, the increase of BCATN1, FOSL1, and LEF1 gene expression suggests an activation of both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway that could be critical for carcinogenesis and tumor progression.

scholarly journals Differential Regulation of Gene Expression of Alveolar Epithelial Cell Markers in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma-Derived A549 Clones

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Kondo ◽  
Keiko Miyoshi ◽  
Shoji Sakiyama ◽  
Akira Tangoku ◽  
Takafumi Noma
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cell ◽  
Marker Gene ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Surfactant Protein ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial

Stem cell therapy appears to be promising for restoring damaged or irreparable lung tissue. However, establishing a simple and reproducible protocol for preparing lung progenitor populations is difficult because the molecular basis for alveolar epithelial cell differentiation is not fully understood. We investigated anin vitrosystem to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of alveolus-specific gene expression using a human alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cell line, A549. After cloning A549 subpopulations, each clone was classified into five groups according to cell morphology and marker gene expression. Two clones (B7 and H12) were further analyzed. Under serum-free culture conditions,surfactant protein C(SPC), an ATII marker, was upregulated in both H12 and B7.Aquaporin 5(AQP5), an ATI marker, was upregulated in H12 and significantly induced in B7. When the RAS/MAPK pathway was inhibited,SPCandthyroid transcription factor-1(TTF-1) expression levels were enhanced. After treatment with dexamethasone (DEX), 8-bromoadenosine 3′5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP), 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF),surfactant protein BandTTF-1expression levels were enhanced. We found that A549-derived clones have plasticity in gene expression of alveolar epithelial differentiation markers and could be useful in studying ATII maintenance and differentiation.

scholarly journals Wnt Signaling in Vascular Calcification

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaylee Bundy ◽  
Jada Boone ◽  
C. LaShan Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Vascular Calcification ◽  
Arterial Wall ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Phenotypic Switch ◽  
Wnt Ligands ◽  
And Function ◽  
Canonical Wnt

Cardiovascular disease is a worldwide epidemic and considered the leading cause of death globally. Due to its high mortality rates, it is imperative to study the underlying causes and mechanisms of the disease. Vascular calcification, or the buildup of hydroxyapatite within the arterial wall, is one of the greatest contributors to cardiovascular disease. Medial vascular calcification is a predictor of cardiovascular events such as, but not limited to, hypertension, stiffness, and even heart failure. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which line the arterial wall and function to maintain blood pressure, are hypothesized to undergo a phenotypic switch into bone-forming cells during calcification, mimicking the manner by which mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into osteoblast cells throughout osteogenesis. RunX2, a transcription factor necessary for osteoblast differentiation and a target gene of the Wnt signaling pathway, has also shown to be upregulated when calcification is present, implicating that the Wnt cascade may be a key player in the transdifferentiation of VSMCs. It is important to note that the phenotypic switch of VSMCs from a healthy, contractile state to a proliferative, synthetic state is necessary in response to the vascular injury surrounding calcification. The lingering question, however, is if VSMCs acquire this synthetic phenotype through the Wnt pathway, how and why does this signaling occur? This review seeks to highlight the potential role of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway within vascular calcification based on several studies and further discuss the Wnt ligands that specifically aid in VSMC transdifferentiation.

scholarly journals Na+/H+ Exchangers Are Required for the Development and Function of Vertebrate Mucociliary Epithelia

2018 ◽  
Vol 205 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 279-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dingyuan I. Sun ◽  
Alexia Tasca ◽  
Maximilian Haas ◽  
Grober Baltazar ◽  
Richard M. Harland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Airway Epithelial Cells ◽  
Airway Epithelial ◽  
Ph Homeostasis ◽  
Human Respiratory Tract ◽  
Airway Infections ◽  
Cilia Formation ◽  
And Function ◽  
Mucociliary Epithelia

Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) represent a highly conserved family of ion transporters that regulate pH homeostasis. NHEs as well as other proton transporters were previously linked to the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, cell polarity signaling, and mucociliary function. Furthermore, mutations in the gene SLC9A3 (encoding NHE3) were detected as additional risk factors for airway infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Here, we used the Xenopus embryonic mucociliary epidermis as well as human airway epithelial cells (HAECs) as models to investigate the functional roles of NHEs in mucociliary development and regeneration. In Xenopus embryos, NHEs 1–3 were expressed during epidermal development, and loss of NHE function impaired mucociliary clearance in tadpoles. Clearance defects were caused by reduced cilia formation, disrupted alignment of basal bodies in multiciliated cells (MCCs), and dysregulated mucociliary gene expression. These data also suggested that NHEs may contribute to the activation of Wnt signaling in mucociliary epithelia. In HAECs, pharmacological inhibition of NHE function also caused defective ciliation and regeneration in airway MCCs. Collectively, our data revealed a requirement for NHEs in vertebrate mucociliary epithelia and linked NHE activity to cilia formation and function in differentiating MCCs. Our results provide an entry point for the understanding of the contribution of NHEs to signaling, development, and pathogenesis in the human respiratory tract.

A Wnt signaling pathway controls hox gene expression and neuroblast migration in C. elegans

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.N. Maloof ◽  
J. Whangbo ◽  
J.M. Harris ◽  
G.D. Jongeward ◽  
C. Kenyon
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Wnt Pathway ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Hox Gene ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Neuroblast Migration ◽  
Pathway Gene

The specification of body pattern along the anteroposterior (A/P) body axis is achieved largely by the actions of conserved clusters of Hox genes. Limiting expression of these genes to localized regional domains and controlling the precise patterns of expression within those domains is critically important for normal patterning. Here we report that egl-20, a C. elegans gene required to activate expression of the Hox gene mab-5 in the migratory neuroblast QL, encodes a member of the Wnt family of secreted glycoproteins. We have found that a second Wnt pathway gene, bar-1, which encodes a beta-catenin/Armadillo-like protein, is also required for activation of mab-5 expression in QL. In addition, we describe the gene pry-1, which is required to limit expression of the Hox genes lin-39, mab-5 and egl-5 to their correct local domains. We find that egl-20, pry-1 and bar-1 all function in a linear genetic pathway with conserved Wnt signaling components, suggesting that a conserved Wnt pathway activates expression of mab-5 in the migratory neuroblast QL. Moreover, we find that members of this Wnt signaling system play a major role in both the general and fine-scale control of Hox gene expression in other cell types along the A/P axis.

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