FGF23, PHEX, and MEPE regulation of phosphate homeostasis and skeletal mineralization

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (1) ◽  
pp. E1-E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Darryl Quarles

There is evidence for a hormone/enzyme/extracellular matrix protein cascade involving fibroblastic growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases on the X chromosome (PHEX), and a matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE) that regulates systemic phosphate homeostasis and mineralization. Genetic studies of autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR) and X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) identified the phosphaturic hormone FGF23 and the membrane metalloprotease PHEX, and investigations of tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) discovered the extracellular matrix protein MEPE. Similarities between ADHR, XLH, and TIO suggest a model to explain the common pathogenesis of renal phosphate wasting and defective mineralization in these disorders. In this model, increments in FGF23 and MEPE, respectively, cause renal phosphate wasting and intrinsic mineralization abnormalities. FGF23 elevations in ADHR are due to mutations of FGF23 that block its degradation, in XLH from indirect actions of inactivating mutations of PHEX to modify the expression and/or degradation of FGF23 and MEPE, and in TIO because of increased production of FGF23 and MEPE. Although this model is attractive, several aspects need to be validated. First, the enzymes responsible for metabolizing FGF23 and MEPE need to be established. Second, the physiologically relevant PHEX substrates and the mechanisms whereby PHEX controls FGF23 and MEPE metabolism need to be elucidated. Finally, additional studies are required to establish the molecular mechanisms of FGF23 and MEPE actions on kidney and bone, as well as to confirm the role of these and other potential “phosphatonins,” such as frizzled related protein-4, in the pathogenesis of the renal and skeletal phenotypes in XLH and TIO. Unraveling the components of this hormone/enzyme/extracellular matrix pathway will not only lead to a better understanding of phosphate homeostasis and mineralization but may also improve the diagnosis and treatment of hypo- and hyperphosphatemic disorders.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Przyklenk ◽  
Veronika Georgieva ◽  
Fabian Metzen ◽  
Sebastian Mostert ◽  
Birgit Kobbe ◽  
...  

LTBP1 is a large extracellular matrix protein and an associated ligand of fibrillin-microfibrils. Knowledge of LTBP1 functions is largely limited to its role in targeting and sequestering TGFβ growth factors within the extracellular matrix, thereby regulating their bioavailability. However, the recent description of a wide spectrum of phenotypes in multiple tissues in patients harboring LTBP1 pathogenic variants suggests a multifaceted role of the protein in the homeostasis of connective tissues. To better understand the human pathology caused by LTBP1 deficiency it is important to investigate its functional role in extracellular matrix formation. In this study, we show that LTBP1 coordinates the incorporation of fibrillin-1 and -2 into the extracellular matrix in vitro. We also demonstrate that this function is differentially exerted by the two isoforms, the short and long forms of LTBP1. Thereby our findings uncover a novel TGFβ-independent LTBP1 function potentially contributing to the development of connective tissue disorders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Rudziak ◽  
Christopher G. Ellis ◽  
Paulina M. Kowalewska

Leukocyte recruitment is a hallmark of the inflammatory response. Migrating leukocytes breach the endothelium along with the vascular basement membrane and associated pericytes. While much is known about leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions, the mechanisms and role of pericytes in extravasation are poorly understood and the classical paradigm of leukocyte recruitment in the microvasculature seldom adequately discusses the involvement of pericytes. Emerging evidence shows that pericytes are essential players in the regulation of leukocyte extravasation in addition to their functions in blood vessel formation and blood-brain barrier maintenance. Junctions between venular endothelial cells are closely aligned with extracellular matrix protein low expression regions (LERs) in the basement membrane, which in turn are aligned with gaps between pericytes. This forms preferential paths for leukocyte extravasation. Breaching of the layer formed by pericytes and the basement membrane entails remodelling of LERs, leukocyte-pericyte adhesion, crawling of leukocytes on pericyte processes, and enlargement of gaps between pericytes to form channels for migrating leukocytes. Furthermore, inflamed arteriolar and capillary pericytes induce chemotactic migration of leukocytes that exit postcapillary venules, and through direct pericyte-leukocyte contact, they induce efficient interstitial migration to enhance the immunosurveillance capacity of leukocytes. Given their role as regulators of leukocyte extravasation, proper pericyte function is imperative in inflammatory disease contexts such as diabetic retinopathy and sepsis. This review summarizes research on the molecular mechanisms by which pericytes mediate leukocyte diapedesis in inflamed tissues.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 601-601
Author(s):  
Hannah Uckelmann ◽  
Sandra Blaszkiewicz ◽  
Marieke Essers

Abstract The life-long maintenance of the blood system is accomplished by a pool of self-renewing multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Adult HSCs are found in a dormant state for most of their lifetime, entering cell cycle only to maintain homeostatic blood supply. Under stress conditions such as infection or chemotherapy, the loss of mature blood cells leads to an activation of dormant HSCs to replenish the blood system. Gene expression analysis performed by our group now revealed that Matrilin-4 is highly expressed in long-term HSCs (LT-HSCs) compared to short-term HSCs or committed progenitors, suggesting a potential role of Matrilin-4 in HSC function. Matrilin-4 is a member of the von Willebrand factor A-containing family of extracellular adapter proteins, which form filamentous structures outside of cells. Using mice lacking the entire family of Matrilins (1-4) we have investigated the role of Matrilins in HSC function. Constitutive Matrilin 1-4 KO mice exhibit normal hematopoiesis with a mild reduction in bone marrow cellularity and LSK numbers. However, when Matrilin KO bone marrow cells are pushed to proliferate in competitive transplantation assays with wildtype (WT) cells, they show a striking growth advantage. In a competitive transplant setting, where bone marrow cells of Matrilin KO versus WT mice are transplanted in a 1:1 ratio, the KO cells outcompete WT cells within four weeks, reaching a 90% chimerism at 16 weeks. This competitive advantage of Matrilin KO cells is evident in the long-term stem cell level as well as progenitors and is consistent in secondary transplants. To explore this remarkable phenotype, we performed single cell transplantation experiments of LT-HSCs and observed a more rapid reconstitution of peripheral blood cell levels of KO HSCs compared to WT controls. Confirming this growth advantage, Matrilin KO LSK cells show higher colony forming and serial replating potential in vitro, which can be rescued by the addition of recombinant or overexpressed Matrilin-4. While Matrilin-4 is highly expressed in homeostatic HSCs, in vivo treatment with IFNα or other inflammatory agents, such as LPS or G-CSF result in a dramatic downregulation (25-fold) of Matrilin-4 on the transcript as well as the protein level. Moreover, Matrilin KO HSCs are more sensitive to inflammatory stress, as they show a 2-fold stronger cell cycle activation in response to IFNα in vivo. Critically, Matrilin-4 KO HSCs return to the G0 state of the cell cycle normally after stress-induced activation and transplantation, thereby preventing their exhaustion. In summary, we show that the extracellular matrix protein Matrilin-4 is a novel component of the HSC niche, regulating HSC stress response. Surprisingly, HSCs lacking this extracellular matrix protein show a higher HSC potential due to an accelerated response to stress. Our data suggest that high expression of Matrilin-4 in LT-HSCs confers a resistance to stress stimuli. In situations of acute stress such as infection or transplantation however, this protection is rapidly lost to allow HSCs to efficiently replenish the blood system. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Hardy ◽  
N S Mabotuwana ◽  
L A Murtha ◽  
B Coulter ◽  
S S Bezenilla ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Cardiac fibrosis is a severe consequence of cardiovascular disease and aging, in which we currently have no effective treatments. The mechanisms underpinning the development of cardiac fibrosis remains poorly understood. Our preliminary data suggested extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is involved in cardiac fibrosis. We therefore aimed to investigate the role of ECM1 in several fibrotic cardiac diseases. Methods Young and ageing (3m/18m) male C57BL/6 mice, and primary mouse cardiac fibroblast (cFB) cultures, commercial human cardiac fibroblasts (Hu-cFB), human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC)/smooth muscle cell (HCASMC), and human cardiac myocyte (HCM) cell lines were used. Young mice were subject to myocardial infarction (MI, 3-day/28-day, n=6/6), or pressure overload (TAC, 3-day/13-week, n=4/4). Left ventricle (LV) was collected at all time-points, and at 18m (ageing; n=3). Spleen and bone marrow was extracted from young control mice. Hu-cFB cells were treated with recombinant ECM1 (20ng/ml) for either 10, 30 or 50 min, or 48h. Immunoblotting was conducted on all samples, qPCR on LV tissue only, density gradient centrifugation and multicolour flow cytometry coupled with fluorescent ECM1 mRNA in-situ hybridisation (FISH-Flow) on bone marrow cells. Results ECM1 expression was upregulated in ageing LV (mRNA 2.2±0.1-fold, p=0.0002; protein 2.0-fold, p=0.0006), day-3 post-MI (mRNA, 4.9±2.0-fold, p=0.004; protein, 3.0-fold, p=0.004), a trend of ECM1 upregulation was observed at day-28 post-MI (mRNA, 13.2±12.0-fold, p=0.003; protein, 1.8-fold, p=0.2), but no change post-TAC. Both ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation was upregulated 10 min post-ECM1 treatment of Hu-cFBs (ERK1/2, 2.0-fold, p<0.0001; AKT, 1.9-fold, p<0.0001), and Collagen-I protein expression was upregulated 48h post-ECM1 treatment (1.9-fold, p=0.004). ECM1 protein was not expressed in cFB, Hu-cFB, HCAEC, HCASMC or HCM, however ECM1 protein was highly expressed in spleen and bone marrow; to a greater extent in granulocytes compared to monocytes (p=0.004). tSNE analysis of ECM1 mRNA FISH-Flow revealed ECM1+ are highly granular, moderate to large in size, and express (to varying levels) CD45, CD11b, CD11c, F4/80, Ly6-C, Ly-6G, and FcεrI-α. However ECM1+ cells did not express markers indicative of smaller cells (CD3 or MHC II). Conclusions These data demonstrate that ECM1 plays a role in ageing and post-MI fibrosis. Although ECM1 was not produced by resident cardiac cells, it was highly expressed in spleen and bone marrow; specifically, large, granular bone marrow cell sub-types such as granulocytes and/or macrophages. Our data suggest ECM1 is expressed by cardiac infiltrating leukocytes to provoke fibroblast collagen expression in a disease specific manner; potentially via the ERK1/2 and/or AKT pathway activation. Therefore, ECM1 warrants further investigation, and may be a promising target for the treatment of fibrotic cardiac diseases. Acknowledgement/Funding John hunter hospital charitable trust, Hunter medical research institute (HMRI) grants


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