scholarly journals miR-203 imposes an intrinsic barrier during cellular reprogramming by targeting NFATC2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Salazar-Roa ◽  
Sara Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Osvaldo Graña-Castro ◽  
Mónica Álvarez-Fernández ◽  
Marianna Trakala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cellular Reprogramming ◽  
Pluripotent Cells ◽  
Multiple Functions ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Cellular Models ◽  
Reprogramming Factors ◽  
Early Phases

AbstractCellular reprogramming from somatic to pluripotent cells is the basis for multiple applications aimed to replace damaged tissues in regenerative medicine. However, this process is limited by intrinsic barriers that are induced in response to reprogramming factors. In this manuscript we report that miR-203, a microRNA with multiple functions in differentiation and tumor suppression, acts as an endogenous barrier to reprogramming. Genetic ablation of miR-203 results in enhanced reprogramming whereas its expression prevents the formation of pluripotent cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, this effect correlates with the direct repression of NFATC2, a transcription factor involved in the early phases of reprogramming. Inhibition of NFATC2 mimics miR-203 effects whereas NFATC2 overexpression rescues inducible cell pluripotency in miR-203-overexpressing cultures. These data suggest that miR-203 repression may favor the efficiency of reprogramming in a variety of cellular models.

scholarly journals EZN-2208 treatment suppresses chronic lymphocytic leukaemia by interfering with environmental protection and increases response to fludarabine

Open Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 190262
Author(s):  
Roberta Valsecchi ◽  
Nadia Coltella ◽  
Daniela Magliulo ◽  
Lucia Bongiovanni ◽  
Lydia Scarfò ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukaemia ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Leukaemic Cells ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Early Phases

The transcription factor HIF-1α is overexpressed in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), where it promotes leukaemia progression by favouring the interaction of leukaemic cells with protective tissue microenvironments. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a pharmacological compound previously shown to inhibit HIF-1α may act as a chemosensitizer by interrupting protective microenvironmental interactions and exposing CLL cells to fludarabine-induced cytotoxicity. We found that the camptothecin-11 analogue EZN-2208 sensitizes CLL cells to fludarabine-induced apoptosis in cytoprotective in vitro cultures; in vivo EZN-2208 improves fludarabine responses, especially in early phases of leukaemia expansion, and exerts significant anti-leukaemia activity, thus suggesting that this or similar compounds may be considered as effective CLL therapeutic approaches.

Subnuclear compartmentalization of sequence-specific transcription factors and regulation of eukaryotic gene expression

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth N Corry ◽  
D Alan Underhill
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Nuclear Architecture ◽  
Subnuclear Localization ◽  
Modular Structures

To date, the majority of the research regarding eukaryotic transcription factors has focused on characterizing their function primarily through in vitro methods. These studies have revealed that transcription factors are essentially modular structures, containing separate regions that participate in such activities as DNA binding, protein–protein interaction, and transcriptional activation or repression. To fully comprehend the behavior of a given transcription factor, however, these domains must be analyzed in the context of the entire protein, and in certain cases the context of a multiprotein complex. Furthermore, it must be appreciated that transcription factors function in the nucleus, where they must contend with a variety of factors, including the nuclear architecture, chromatin domains, chromosome territories, and cell-cycle-associated processes. Recent examinations of transcription factors in the nucleus have clarified the behavior of these proteins in vivo and have increased our understanding of how gene expression is regulated in eukaryotes. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding sequence-specific transcription factor compartmentalization within the nucleus and discuss its impact on the regulation of such processes as activation or repression of gene expression and interaction with coregulatory factors.Key words: transcription, subnuclear localization, chromatin, gene expression, nuclear architecture.

scholarly journals The Revolutionary Roads to Study Cell–Cell Interactions in 3D In Vitro Pancreatic Cancer Models

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 930
Author(s):  
Donatella Delle Cave ◽  
Riccardo Rizzo ◽  
Bruno Sainz ◽  
Giuseppe Gigli ◽  
Loretta L. del Mercato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Therapeutic Response ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cellular Models ◽  
Common Cancer ◽  
Cancer Models ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Tumor Environment

Pancreatic cancer, the fourth most common cancer worldwide, shows a highly unsuccessful therapeutic response. In the last 10 years, neither important advancements nor new therapeutic strategies have significantly impacted patient survival, highlighting the need to pursue new avenues for drug development discovery and design. Advanced cellular models, resembling as much as possible the original in vivo tumor environment, may be more successful in predicting the efficacy of future anti-cancer candidates in clinical trials. In this review, we discuss novel bioengineered platforms for anticancer drug discovery in pancreatic cancer, from traditional two-dimensional models to innovative three-dimensional ones.

scholarly journals Integrin α3β1 Promotes Invasive and Metastatic Properties of Breast Cancer Cells through Induction of the Brn-2 Transcription Factor

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Rakshitha Pandulal Miskin ◽  
Janine S. A. Warren ◽  
Abibatou Ndoye ◽  
Lei Wu ◽  
John M. Lamar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cell Invasion ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Gene Promoter ◽  
Akt Inhibitor ◽  
Integrin Α3β1

In the current study, we demonstrate that integrin α3β1 promotes invasive and metastatic traits of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells through induction of the transcription factor, Brain-2 (Brn-2). We show that RNAi-mediated suppression of α3β1 in MDA-MB-231 cells caused reduced expression of Brn-2 mRNA and protein and reduced activity of the BRN2 gene promoter. In addition, RNAi-targeting of Brn-2 in MDA-MB-231 cells decreased invasion in vitro and lung colonization in vivo, and exogenous Brn-2 expression partially restored invasion to cells in which α3β1 was suppressed. α3β1 promoted phosphorylation of Akt in MDA-MB-231 cells, and treatment of these cells with a pharmacological Akt inhibitor (MK-2206) reduced both Brn-2 expression and cell invasion, indicating that α3β1-Akt signaling contributes to Brn-2 induction. Analysis of RNAseq data from patients with invasive breast carcinoma revealed that high BRN2 expression correlates with poor survival. Moreover, high BRN2 expression positively correlates with high ITGA3 expression in basal-like breast cancer, which is consistent with our experimental findings that α3β1 induces Brn-2 in TNBC cells. Together, our study demonstrates a pro-invasive/pro-metastatic role for Brn-2 in breast cancer cells and identifies a role for integrin α3β1 in regulating Brn-2 expression, thereby revealing a novel mechanism of integrin-dependent breast cancer cell invasion.

scholarly journals Thymoquinone, a Dietary Bioactive Compound, Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Colitis by Stimulating Expression of the Colonic Epithelial PPAR-γ Transcription Factor

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1343
Author(s):  
Balaji Venkataraman ◽  
Saeeda Almarzooqi ◽  
Vishnu Raj ◽  
Abdullah T. Alhassani ◽  
Ahmad S. Alhassani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Nigella Sativa ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Ppar Γ ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Ht 29

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory disorders with increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. Here, we investigated thymoquinone (TQ), a naturally occurring phytochemical present in Nigella sativa, for anti-inflammatory effects in colonic inflammation. To address this, we used in vivo (mice) and in vitro (HT-29 cells) models in this investigation. Our results showed that TQ treatment significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and protected colon microscopic architecture. In addition, TQ also reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators at both the mRNA and protein levels. Further, TQ decreased phosphorylation of the activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) proteins and enhanced colon epithelial PPAR-γ transcription factor expression. TQ significantly decreased proinflammatory chemokines (CXCL-1 and IL-8), and mediator (COX-2) mRNA expression in HT-29 cells treated with TNF-α. TQ also increased HT-29 PPAR-γ mRNA, PPAR-γ protein expression, and PPAR-γ promoter activity. These results indicate that TQ inhibits MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways and transcriptionally regulates PPAR-γ expression to induce potent anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro models of colon inflammation.

scholarly journals Machine learning-based classification of mitochondrial morphology in primary neurons and brain

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrett M. Fogo ◽  
Anthony R. Anzell ◽  
Kathleen J. Maheras ◽  
Sarita Raghunayakula ◽  
Joseph M. Wider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽  
Automated Image Analysis ◽  
Mitochondrial Morphology ◽  
Analysis Pipeline ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Block Face

AbstractThe mitochondrial network continually undergoes events of fission and fusion. Under physiologic conditions, the network is in equilibrium and is characterized by the presence of both elongated and punctate mitochondria. However, this balanced, homeostatic mitochondrial profile can change morphologic distribution in response to various stressors. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a method that robustly measures mitochondrial morphology with high accuracy. Here, we developed a semi-automated image analysis pipeline for the quantitation of mitochondrial morphology for both in vitro and in vivo applications. The image analysis pipeline was generated and validated utilizing images of primary cortical neurons from transgenic mice, allowing genetic ablation of key components of mitochondrial dynamics. This analysis pipeline was further extended to evaluate mitochondrial morphology in vivo through immunolabeling of brain sections as well as serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. These data demonstrate a highly specific and sensitive method that accurately classifies distinct physiological and pathological mitochondrial morphologies. Furthermore, this workflow employs the use of readily available, free open-source software designed for high throughput image processing, segmentation, and analysis that is customizable to various biological models.

scholarly journals Complement C5 is not critical for the formation of sub-RPE deposits in Efemp1 mutant mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donita L. Garland ◽  
Eric A. Pierce ◽  
Rosario Fernandez-Godino
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Deposit Formation ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Complement Dysregulation

AbstractThe complement system plays a role in the formation of sub-retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) deposits in early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But the specific mechanisms that connect complement activation and deposit formation in AMD patients are unknown, which limits the development of efficient therapies to reduce or stop disease progression. We have previously demonstrated that C3 blockage prevents the formation of sub-RPE deposits in a mouse model of EFEMP1-associated macular degeneration. In this study, we have used double mutant Efemp1R345W/R345W:C5-/- mice to investigate the role of C5 in the formation of sub-RPE deposits in vivo and in vitro. The data revealed that the genetic ablation of C5 does not eliminate the formation of sub-RPE deposits. Contrarily, the absence of C5 in RPE cultures promotes complement dysregulation that results in increased activation of C3, which likely contributes to deposit formation even in the absence of EFEMP1-R345W mutant protein. The results also suggest that genetic ablation of C5 alters the extracellular matrix turnover through an effect on matrix metalloproteinases in RPE cell cultures. These results confirm that C3 rather than C5 could be an effective therapeutic target to treat early AMD.

scholarly journals Progression and Differentiation of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Is Regulated by PAX7 Transcription Factor—Significance of Tumor Subclones

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1870
Author(s):  
Klaudia Skrzypek ◽  
Grażyna Adamek ◽  
Marta Kot ◽  
Bogna Badyra ◽  
Marcin Majka
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Migration Activity ◽  
Id Proteins ◽  
Rh30 Cell ◽  
Str Profile ◽  
And Migration

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), is the most frequent soft tissue tumor in children that originates from disturbances in differentiation process. Mechanisms leading to the development of RMS are still poorly understood. Therefore, by analysis of two RMS RH30 cell line subclones, one subclone PAX7 negative, while the second one PAX7 positive, and comparison with other RMS cell lines we aimed at identifying new mechanisms crucial for RMS progression. RH30 subclones were characterized by the same STR profile, but different morphology, rate of proliferation, migration activity and chemotactic abilities in vitro, as well as differences in tumor morphology and growth in vivo. Our analysis indicated a different level of expression of adhesion molecules (e.g., from VLA and ICAM families), myogenic microRNAs, such as miR-206 and transcription factors, such as MYOD, MYOG, SIX1, and ID. Silencing of PAX7 transcription factor with siRNA confirmed the crucial role of PAX7 transcription factor in proliferation, differentiation and migration of RMS cells. To conclude, our results suggest that tumor cell lines with the same STR profile can produce subclones that differ in many features and indicate crucial roles of PAX7 and ID proteins in the development of RMS.

scholarly journals Self-organization and culture of Mesenchymal Stem Cell spheroids in acoustic levitation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Jeger-Madiot ◽  
Lousineh Arakelian ◽  
Niclas Setterblad ◽  
Patrick Bruneval ◽  
Mauricio Hoyos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
3D Cell Culture ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Acoustic Levitation ◽  
Cell Sheets ◽  
Cell Therapies ◽  
Cellular Models ◽  
Cell Spheroids

AbstractIn recent years, 3D cell culture models such as spheroid or organoid technologies have known important developments. Many studies have shown that 3D cultures exhibit better biomimetic properties compared to 2D cultures. These properties are important for in-vitro modeling systems, as well as for in-vivo cell therapies and tissue engineering approaches. A reliable use of 3D cellular models still requires standardized protocols with well-controlled and reproducible parameters. To address this challenge, a robust and scaffold-free approach is proposed, which relies on multi-trap acoustic levitation. This technology is successfully applied to Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) maintained in acoustic levitation over a 24-h period. During the culture, MSCs spontaneously self-organized from cell sheets to cell spheroids with a characteristic time of about 10 h. Each acoustofluidic chip could contain up to 30 spheroids in acoustic levitation and four chips could be ran in parallel, leading to the production of 120 spheroids per experiment. Various biological characterizations showed that the cells inside the spheroids were viable, maintained the expression of their cell surface markers and had a higher differentiation capacity compared to standard 2D culture conditions. These results open the path to long-time cell culture in acoustic levitation of cell sheets or spheroids for any type of cells.

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