scholarly journals Involvement of MAP3K7 in FMD2 and CSCF, delineation of genotype/phenotype correlations.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geeske van Woerden ◽  
Richelle Senden ◽  
Charlotte de Konink ◽  
Rossella Avagliano Trezza ◽  
anwar baban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Noonan Syndrome ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Molecular Fingerprint ◽  
Clinical Phenotypes ◽  
Pathogenic Variants ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Mitogen-Activated Protein 3 Kinase 7 (MAP3K7, MIM 602614) encodes the ubiquitously expressed transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)–activated kinase 1 (TAK1), which plays a crucial role in many cellular processes. Variants in the MAP3K7 gene have been linked to 2 distinct disorders: frontometaphyseal dysplasia type 2 (FMD2, MIM #617137) and cardiospondylocarpofacial syndrome (CSCF, MIM #157800). The fact that different variants can induce 2 distinct phenotypes suggests a phenotype/genotype correlation, but no side-by-side comparison has been done thus far to confirm this. Here we significantly expand the cohort and the description of clinical phenotypes for individuals with CSCF and FMD2 who carry variants in MAP3K7. We show that in contrast to FMD2-causing variants, CSCF-causing variants in MAP3K7 have a loss-of-function effect. Additionally, patients with pathogenic variants in MAP3K7 are at risk for cardiac disease, have symptoms associated with connective tissue disease and we show overlap in clinical phenotypes of CSCF with Noonan syndrome. Together, we provide evidence for a molecular fingerprint of FMD2- versus CSCF-causing MAP3K7 variants and conclude that variants in MAP3K7 should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with syndromic congenital cardiac defects and/or cardiomyopathy, syndromic connective tissue disorders and in the differential diagnosis of Noonan syndrome.

scholarly journals TGF-β Signaling-Related Genes and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norifumi Takeda ◽  
Hironori Hara ◽  
Takayuki Fujiwara ◽  
Tsubasa Kanaya ◽  
Sonoko Maemura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Angiotensin Ii Receptor ◽  
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Structural Weakness ◽  
History Of

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF)-β signaling plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of various organs, including the vasculature. Accordingly, the mutations in TGF-β signaling pathway-related genes cause heritable disorders of the connective tissue, such as Marfan syndrome (MFS), Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS), and Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (SGS), and these syndromes may affect skeletal, ocular, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems. Aortic root aneurysms are common problems that can result in aortic dissection or rupture, which is the leading cause of sudden death in the natural history of MFS and LDS, and recent improvements in surgical treatment have improved life expectancy. However, there is currently no genotype-specific medical treatment. Accumulating evidence suggest that not only structural weakness of connective tissue but also increased TGF-β signaling contributes to the complicated pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm formation, but a comprehensive understanding of governing molecular mechanisms remains lacking. Inhibition of angiotensin II receptor signaling and endothelial dysfunction have gained attention as a possible MFS treatment strategy, but interactions with TGF-β signaling remain elusive. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in TGF-β receptors 1 and 2 (TGFBR1 and TGFBR2) cause LDS, but TGF-β signaling is activated in the aorta (referred to as the TGF-β paradox) by mechanisms yet to be elucidated. In this review, we present and discuss the current understanding of molecular mechanisms responsible for aortopathies of MFS and related disorders.

Renoprotective effects of a novel Nox1/4 inhibitor in a mouse model of Type 2 diabetes

2012 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Sedeek ◽  
Alex Gutsol ◽  
Augusto C. Montezano ◽  
Dylan Burger ◽  
Aurelie Nguyen Dinh Cat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Thiobarbituric Acid ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Diabetic Mice ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Nox (NADPH oxidase)-derived ROS (reactive oxygen species) have been implicated in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Of the Nox isoforms in the kidney, Nox4 is important because of its renal abundance. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that GKT136901, a Nox1/4 inhibitor, prevents the development of nephropathy in db/db (diabetic) mice. Six groups of male mice (8-week-old) were studied: (i) untreated control db/m, (ii) low-dose GKT136901-treated db/m (30 mg/kg of body weight per day), (iii) high-dose GKT136901-treated db/m (90 mg/kg of body weight per day), (iv) untreated db/db; (v) low dose GKT136901-treated db/db; and (vi) high-dose GKT136901-treated db/db. GKT136901, in chow, was administered for 16 weeks. db/db mice developed diabetes and nephropathy as evidenced by hyperglycaemia, albuminuria and renal injury (mesangial expansion, tubular dystrophy and glomerulosclerosis). GKT136901 treatment had no effect on plasma glucose or BP (blood pressure) in any of the groups. Plasma and urine TBARSs (thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances) levels, markers of systemic and renal oxidative stress, respectively, were increased in diabetic mice. Renal mRNA expression of Nox4, but not of Nox2, increased, Nox1 was barely detectable in db/db. Expression of the antioxidant enzyme SOD-1 (superoxide dismutase 1) decreased in db/db mice. Renal content of fibronectin, pro-collagen, TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) and VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) were augmented in db/db kidneys, with no change in p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase). Treatment reduced albuminuria, TBARS and renal ERK1/2 phosphorylation and preserved renal structure in diabetic mice. Our findings suggest a renoprotective effect of the Nox1/4 inhibitor, possibly through reduced oxidative damage and decreased ERK1/2 activation. These phenomena occur independently of improved glucose control, suggesting GKT136901-sensitive targets are involved in complications of diabetes rather than in the disease process.

scholarly journals ECM stiffness primes the TGFβ pathway to promote chondrocyte differentiation

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (18) ◽  
pp. 3731-3742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Allen ◽  
Margaret E. Cooke ◽  
Tamara Alliston
Keyword(s):  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Chondrocyte Differentiation ◽  
Cellular Decision Making ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Smad3 Phosphorylation ◽  
Potent Agonist ◽  
Integrated Response ◽  
Tgfβ Pathway

Cells encounter physical cues such as extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness in a microenvironment replete with biochemical cues. However, the mechanisms by which cells integrate physical and biochemical cues to guide cellular decision making are not well defined. Here we investigate mechanisms by which chondrocytes generate an integrated response to ECM stiffness and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), a potent agonist of chondrocyte differentiation. Primary murine chondrocytes and ATDC5 cells grown on 0.5-MPa substrates deposit more proteoglycan and express more Sox9, Col2α1, and aggrecan mRNA relative to cells exposed to substrates of any other stiffness. The chondroinductive effect of this discrete stiffness, which falls within the range reported for articular cartilage, requires the stiffness-sensitive induction of TGFβ1. Smad3 phosphorylation, nuclear localization, and transcriptional activity are specifically increased in cells grown on 0.5-MPa substrates. ECM stiffness also primes cells for a synergistic response, such that the combination of ECM stiffness and exogenous TGFβ induces chondrocyte gene expression more robustly than either cue alone through a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase–dependent mechanism. In this way, the ECM stiffness primes the TGFβ pathway to efficiently promote chondrocyte differentiation. This work reveals novel mechanisms by which cells integrate physical and biochemical cues to exert a coordinated response to their unique cellular microenvironment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document