Super-Resolution Imaging of the Filtration Barrier Suggests a Role for Podocin R229Q in Genetic Predisposition to Glomerular Disease

2021 ◽  
pp. ASN.2020060858
Author(s):  
Linus Butt ◽  
David Unnersjö-Jess ◽  
Martin Höhne ◽  
Robert Hahnfeldt ◽  
Dervla Reilly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Predisposition ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Genetic Diagnosis ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Glomerular Injury ◽  
Filtration Barrier ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy

Background Diseases of the kidney's glomerular filtration barrier are a leading cause of end-stage renal failure. Despite of a growing understanding of genes involved in glomerular disorders in children, the vast majority of adult patients lack a clear genetic diagnosis. The protein podocin p.R229Q, which results from the most common missense variant in NPHS2, is enriched in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) patient cohorts. However, p.R229Q has been proposed to cause disease only when trans-associated to specific additional genetic alterations, and population-based epidemiologic studies on its association with albuminuria yielded ambiguous results. Methods To test whether podocin p.R229Q may also predispose to the complex disease pathogenesis in adults, we introduced the exact genetic alteration in mice using CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing (PodR231Q). We assessed the phenotype using super-resolution microscopy and albuminuria measurements, and evaluated the stability of the mutant protein in cell culture experiments. Results Heterozygous PodR231Q/wildtype mice did not present any overt kidney disease or proteinuria. However, homozygous PodR231Q/R231Q mice developed increased levels of albuminuria with age, and super-resolution microscopy revealed preceding ultrastructural morphologic alterations that were recently linked to disease predisposition. When injected with nephrotoxic serum to induce glomerular injury, heterozygous PodR231Q/wildtype mice showed a more severe course of disease compared with Podwildtype/wildtype mice. Podocin protein levels were decreased in PodR231Q/wildtype and PodR231Q/R231Q mice as well as in human cultured podocytes expressing the podocinR231Q variant. Our in vitro experiments indicate an underlying increased proteasomal degradation Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that podocin R231Q exerts a pathogenic effect on its own, supporting the concept of podocin R229Q contributing to genetic predisposition in adult patients

scholarly journals Human pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoids for personalized congenital and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome modeling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jitske Jansen ◽  
Bartholomeus T van den Berge ◽  
Martijn van den Broek ◽  
Rutger J Maas ◽  
Brigith Willemsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nephrotic Syndrome ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Glomerular Injury ◽  
Kidney Organoids

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by severe proteinuria as a consequence of kidney glomerular injury due to podocyte damage. In vitro models mimicking in vivo podocyte characteristics are a prerequisite to resolve NS pathogenesis. Here, we report human induced pluripotent stem cell derived kidney organoids containing a podocyte population that heads towards adult podocytes and were superior compared to 2D counterparts, based on scRNA sequencing, super-resolution imaging and electron microscopy. In this study, these next-generation podocytes in kidney organoids enabled personalized idiopathic nephrotic syndrome modeling as shown by activated slit diaphragm signaling and podocyte injury following protamine sulfate treatment and exposure to NS plasma containing pathogenic permeability factors. Organoids cultured from cells of a patient with heterozygous NPHS2 mutations showed poor NPHS2 expression and aberrant NPHS1 localization, which was reversible after genetic correction. Repaired organoids displayed increased VEGFA pathway activity and transcription factor activity known to be essential for podocyte physiology, as shown by RNA sequencing. This study shows that organoids are the preferred model of choice to study idiopathic and congenital podocytopathies.

scholarly journals MC1R is dispensable for the proteinuria reducing and glomerular protective effect of melanocortin therapy

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingjin Qiao ◽  
Anna-Lena Berg ◽  
Pei Wang ◽  
Yan Ge ◽  
Songxia Quan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nephrotic Syndrome ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Melanocortin Receptor ◽  
Hair Color ◽  
Glomerular Injury ◽  
Glomerular Diseases ◽  
Red Hair ◽  
Filtration Barrier

Abstract Melanocortin therapy by using adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or non-steroidogenic melanocortin peptides attenuates proteinuria and glomerular injury in experimental glomerular diseases and induces remission of nephrotic syndrome in patients with diverse glomerulopathies, even those resistant to steroids. The underlying mechanism remains elusive, but the role of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) has been implicated and was examined here. Four patients with congenital red hair color and nephrotic syndrome caused by idiopathic membranous nephropathy or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis were confirmed by gene sequencing to bear dominant-negative MC1R mutations. Despite prior corticosteroid resistance, all patients responded to ACTH monotherapy and ultimately achieved clinical remission, inferring a steroidogenic-independent and MC1R-dispensable anti-proteinuric effect of melanocortin signaling. In confirmatory animal studies, the protective effect of [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (NDP-MSH), a potent non-steroidogenic pan-melanocortin receptor agonist, on the lipopolysaccharide elicited podocytopathy was completely preserved in MC1R-null mice, marked by reduced albuminuria and diminished histologic signs of podocyte injury. Moreover, in complementary in vitro studies, NDP-MSH attenuated the lipopolysaccharide elicited apoptosis, hypermotility and impairment of filtration barrier function equally in primary podocytes derived from MC1R-null and wild-type mice. Collectively, our findings suggest that melanocortin therapy confers a proteinuria reducing and podoprotective effect in proteinuric glomerulopathies via MC1R-independent mechanisms.

scholarly journals Glomerular endothelial cell fenestrations: an integral component of the glomerular filtration barrier

2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (5) ◽  
pp. F947-F956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon C. Satchell ◽  
Filip Braet
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Glomerular Filtration ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Glomerular Injury ◽  
Glomerular Endothelial Cell ◽  
Glomerular Filtration Barrier ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Filtration Barrier ◽  
Glomerular Development

Glomerular endothelial cell (GEnC) fenestrations are analogous to podocyte filtration slits, but their important contribution to the glomerular filtration barrier has not received corresponding attention. GEnC fenestrations are transcytoplasmic holes, specialized for their unique role as a prerequisite for filtration across the glomerular capillary wall. Glomerular filtration rate is dependent on the fractional area of the fenestrations and, through the glycocalyx they contain, GEnC fenestrations are important in restriction of protein passage. Hence, dysregulation of GEnC fenestrations may be associated with both renal failure and proteinuria, and the pathophysiological importance of GEnC fenestrations is well characterized in conditions such as preeclampsia. Recent evidence suggests a wider significance in repair of glomerular injury and in common, yet serious, conditions, including diabetic nephropathy. Study of endothelial cell fenestrations is challenging because of limited availability of suitable in vitro models and by the requirement for electron microscopy to image these sub-100-nm structures. However, extensive evidence, from glomerular development in rodents to in vitro studies in human GEnC, points to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a key inducer of fenestrations. In systemic endothelial fenestrations, the intracellular pathways through which VEGF acts to induce fenestrations include a key role for the fenestral diaphragm protein plasmalemmal vesicle-associated protein-1 (PV-1). The role of PV-1 in GEnC is less clear, not least because of controversy over existence of GEnC fenestral diaphragms. In this article, the structure-function relationships of GEnC fenestrations will be evaluated in depth, their role in health and disease explored, and the outlook for future study and therapeutic implications of these peculiar structures will be approached.

scholarly journals Radial F-actin Organization During Early Neuronal Development

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Durga Praveen Meka ◽  
Robin Scharrenberg ◽  
Bing Zhao ◽  
Theresa König ◽  
Irina Schaefer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Cell Periphery ◽  
Microtubule Organizing Center ◽  
Actin Organization ◽  
Organizing Center ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy ◽  
Radial Organization

AbstractThe centrosome is thought to be the major neuronal microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) in early neuronal development, producing microtubules with a radial organization. In addition, albeit in vitro, recent work showed that isolated centrosomes could serve as an actin-organizing center (Farina et al., 2016), raising the possibility that neuronal development may, in addition, require a centrosome-based actin radial organization. Here we report, using super-resolution microscopy and live-cell imaging, F-actin organization around the centrosome with dynamic F-actin aster-like structures with F-actin fibers extending and retracting actively. Photoconversion/photoactivation experiments and molecular manipulations of F-actin stability reveal a robust flux of somatic F-actin towards the cell periphery. Finally, we show that somatic F-actin intermingles with centrosomal PCM-1 satellites. Knockdown of PCM-1 and disruption of centrosomal activity not only affect F-actin dynamics near the centrosome but also in distal growth cones. Collectively the data show a radial F-actin organization during early neuronal development, which might be a cellular mechanism for providing peripheral regions with a fast and continuous source of actin polymers; hence sustaining initial neuronal development.

scholarly journals Targeting Telomere Biology in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6653
Author(s):  
Axel Karow ◽  
Monika Haubitz ◽  
Elisabeth Oppliger Leibundgut ◽  
Ingrid Helsen ◽  
Nicole Preising ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
High Risk ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Pediatric All ◽  
B And T Lymphocytes

Increased cell proliferation is a hallmark of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and genetic alterations driving clonal proliferation have been identified as prognostic factors. To evaluate replicative history and its potential prognostic value, we determined telomere length (TL) in lymphoblasts, B-, and T-lymphocytes, and measured telomerase activity (TA) in leukocytes of patients with ALL. In addition, we evaluated the potential to suppress the in vitro growth of B-ALL cells by the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat. We found a significantly lower TL in lymphoblasts (4.3 kb in pediatric and 2.3 kb in adult patients with ALL) compared to B- and T-lymphocytes (8.0 kb and 8.2 kb in pediatric, and 6.4 kb and 5.5 kb in adult patients with ALL). TA in leukocytes was 3.2 TA/C for pediatric and 0.7 TA/C for adult patients. Notably, patients with high-risk pediatric ALL had a significantly higher TA of 6.6 TA/C compared to non-high-risk patients with 2.2 TA/C. The inhibition of telomerase with imetelstat ex vivo led to significant dose-dependent apoptosis of B-ALL cells. These results suggest that TL reflects clonal expansion and indicate that elevated TA correlates with high-risk pediatric ALL. In addition, telomerase inhibition induces apoptosis of B-ALL cells cultured in vitro. TL and TA might complement established markers for the identification of patients with high-risk ALL. Moreover, TA seems to be an effective therapeutic target; hence, telomerase inhibitors, such as imetelstat, may augment standard ALL treatment.

scholarly journals Mutant EGFR is a preferred SMURF2 substrate of ubiquitination: role in enhanced receptor stability and TKI sensitivity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paramita Ray ◽  
Krishnan Raghunathan ◽  
Aarif Ahsan ◽  
Uday Sankar Allam ◽  
Shirish Shukla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Receptor Internalization ◽  
Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy ◽  
Steady State Levels ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
Optical Reconstruction ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy

ABSTRACTWe previously reported that differential protein degradation of TKI-sensitive [L858R, del(E746-A750)] and resistant (T790M) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutants upon erlotinib treatment correlates with drug sensitivity. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. We also reported SMAD ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (SMURF2) ligase activity is important in stabilizing EGFR. Here, using in vitro and in vivo ubiquitination assays, mass spectrometry, and super-resolution microscopy, we show SMURF2-EGFR functional interaction is critical in receptor stability and TKI sensitivity. We found that L858R/T790M EGFR is a preferred substrate of SMURF2-UBCH5 (an E3-E2) complex-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitination, which preferentially stabilizes mutant receptor. We identified four lysine (K) residues (K721, 846, 1037 and 1164) as the sites of ubiquitination and replacement of K to acetylation-mimicking asparagine (Q) at K1037 position in L858R/T790M background converts the stable protein sensitive to erlotinib-induced degradation. Using STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) imaging, we show that SMURF2 presence allows longer membrane retention of activated EGFR upon EGF treatment, whereas, siRNA-mediated SMURF2 knockdown fastens receptor endocytosis and lysosome enrichment. In an erlotinib-sensitive PC9 cells, SMURF2 overexpression increased EGFR levels with improved erlotinib tolerance, whereas, SMURF2 knockdown decreased EGFR steady state levels in NCI-H1975 and PC9-AR cells to overcome erlotinib and AZD-9291 resistance respectively. Additionally, by genetically altering the SMURF2-UBCH5 complex formation destabilized EGFR. Together, we propose that SMURF2-mediated preferential polyubiquitination of L858R/T790M EGFR may be competing with acetylation-mediated receptor internalization to provide enhanced receptor stability and that disruption of the E3-E2 complex may be an attractive alternate to overcome TKI resistance.

scholarly journals Binding of the RNA Chaperone Hfq on Target mRNAs Promotes the Small RNA RyhB-Induced Degradation in Escherichia coli

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
David Lalaouna ◽  
Karine Prévost ◽  
Seongjin Park ◽  
Thierry Chénard ◽  
Marie-Pier Bouchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Formation ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Rnase E ◽  
Rna Chaperone ◽  
Target Mrnas ◽  
Mrna Targets ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy

Many RNA-RNA interactions depend on molecular chaperones to form and remain stable in living cells. A prime example is the RNA chaperone Hfq, which is a critical effector involved in regulatory interactions between small RNAs (sRNAs) and cognate target mRNAs in Enterobacteriaceae. While there is a great deal of in vitro biochemical evidence supporting the model that Hfq enhances rates or affinities of sRNA:mRNA interactions, there is little corroborating in vivo evidence. Here we used in vivo tools including reporter genes, co-purification assays, and super-resolution microscopy to analyze the role of Hfq in RyhB-mediated regulation, and we found that Hfq is often unnecessary for efficient RyhB:mRNA complex formation in vivo. Remarkably, our data suggest that a primary function of Hfq is to promote RyhB-induced cleavage of mRNA targets by RNase E. Moreover, our work indicates that Hfq plays a more limited role in dictating regulatory outcomes following sRNAs RybB and DsrA complex formation with specific target mRNAs. Our investigation helps evaluate the roles played by Hfq in some RNA-mediated regulation.

scholarly journals Chromosome segregation is driven by joint microtubule sliding action of kinesins KIF4A and EG5

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kruno Vukušić ◽  
Renata Buđa ◽  
Ivana Ponjavić ◽  
Patrik Risteski ◽  
Iva M. Tolić
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Microtubule Stability ◽  
Sliding Mechanism ◽  
Spindle Elongation ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy

Successful cell division requires proper chromosome segregation during anaphase. Forces required for chromosome segregation in human cells are linked to sliding of antiparallel microtubules and sliding capacity has been demonstrated in vitro for multiple motor proteins, but the molecular mechanism of sliding in the spindle of human cells remains unknown. Using combined depletion and inactivation assays to explore redundancy between multiple targets together with CRISPR technology, we found that PRC1-dependent motor KIF4A/kinesin-4, together with EG5/kinesin-5 motor is essential for spindle elongation in human cells. Photoactivation of tubulin and super-resolution microscopy show that perturbation of both proteins impairs sliding, while decreased midzone microtubule stability cannot explain the observed anaphase arrest. Thus, two independent sliding modules power sliding mechanism that drives spindle elongation in human cells.

scholarly journals Hyperphosphorylated tau self-assembles into amorphous aggregates eliciting TLR4-dependent inflammatory responses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Klenerman ◽  
Jonathan Meng ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Dominik Saman ◽  
Suman De ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Hyperphosphorylated Tau ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 4 ◽  
Soluble Aggregates ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy

Abstract Soluble aggregates of the microtubule-associated protein tau have been challenging to assemble and characterize, despite their important role in the development of tauopathies. We found that sequential hyperphosphorylation by PKA in conjugation with either GSK3-β or SAPK4 enabled recombinant wild-type (WT) tau of isoform 0N4R to spontaneously polymerize into small amorphous aggregates in vitro. We employed tandem mass spectrometry to determine the phosphorylation sites and the degree of phosphorylation, and super-resolution microscopy and electron microscopy to characterize the morphology of aggregates formed. Functionally, in comparison with the unmodified aggregates, which require heparin induction to assemble, these self-assembled hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates more efficiently disrupt membrane bilayers and induce Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent inflammatory responses. Together, our results demonstrate that tau hyperphosphorylation is potentially damaging to cells, providing a mechanistic model of how hyperphosphorylation of tau aggregates drives neuroinflammation in tauopathies.

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