LKB1 tumor suppression in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

Kasvainten, ajatellaan syntyvän yksittäisen solun perimän mutaatioista, jonka seurauksena tuon solun kasvu häiriintyy. Ruoansulatuskanavan polyyppien syntyä käytetään usein mallina siitä, miten nämä epiteelisoluun kerääntyvät mutaatiot aiheuttavat asteittain pahenevan kasvuhäiriön. Peutz–Jeghersin oireyhtymä (PJS) on perinnöllinen polypoosisyndrooma, jossa oireita aiheuttavat erityisesti maha-suolikanavan hamartomatoottiset polyypit. Noin puolella PJS potilaista havaitaan mutaatioita LKB1 kasvunrajoite geenissä. Hiirille joilta toinen Lkb1 alleeli on poistettu (Lkb1+/-) kehittyy PJS-tyypin maha-suolikanavan polyyppeja, joissa on epiteelin liikakasvun lisäksi merkittävä sileälihaskomponentti, aivan kuten PJS polyypeissa. Kuten myös muissa ruoansulatuskanavan polypooseissa, sekä PJS että hiirten polyypeissa Cyclo-oxygenaasi-2:n (COX-2) määrä on usein kohonnut. PJS-polyyppien kehittymisen molekulaarinen mekanismi on kuitenkin selvittämättä. Koska vain osa PJS potilaista kantaa LKB1 mutaatioita, mutaatiot jossakin toisessa lokuksessa saattaisivat selittää osan PJS tapauksista. Jotta PJS:n geneettinen tausta selviäisi, seulottiin kolmen LKB1:n kanssa interaktoivan proteiinin (BRG1, STRADα ja MO25α) geenit PJS potilaista joilla ei ole havaittu LKB1 mutaatioita. Yhdessäkään tutkituista geeneistä ei havaittu tautia aiheuttavia mutaatioita. Näiden kolmen geenin pois sulkeminen, ja uusien menetelmien ansiosta kasvanut havaittujen Lkb1 mutaatioden määrä viittaavat LKB1:n olevan useimpien PJS tapausten taustalla. COX-2:n estäjien käyttö on tehokkaasti vähentänyt polyyppien määrää familiaarisessa adenomatoottisessa polypoosissa. Tästä johtuen COX-2:n eston tehokkuutta tutkittiin PJS polypoosissa. PJS-tyypin polypoosin havaittin pienenevän merkittävästi Lkb1+/- hiirissä, joilta oli lisäksi poistettu toinen tai molemmat COX-2:n alleeleista. Lisäksi farmakologinen COX-2:n esto Celecoxib:lla vähensi polypoosia tehokkaasti. Näin ollen COX-2:n eston tehokkuutta tutkittiin seuraavaksi PJS potilaissa. Kuuden kuukauden Celecoxib hoidon jälkeen polypoosin havaittiin vähentyneen merkittävästi osalla potilaista (2/6). Nämä tulokset osoittavat COX-2:n roolin PJS-polyyppien kehityksessä, ja viittaavat COX-2:n eston vähentävän polypoosia. Kasvunrajoitegeenin klassisen määritelmän mukaan kasvaimen kehitys vaatii perinnöllisen mutaation lisäksi geenin toisenkin alleelin mutaation, mutta PJS-polyyppien häiriintyneestä epiteelistä ei kuitenkaan systemaattisesti löydy toista LKB1:n mutaatiota. Havainto johti tutkimukseen, jossa selvitettiin voisiko LKB1:n kasvun rajoitus välittyäkin epäsuorasti tukikudokseksi ajatelluista sileälihassoluista. Tätä tutkittiin kehittämällä poistogeeninen hiirimalli jossa Lkb1 on mutatoitunut vain sileälihassoluissa. Näille hiirille kehittyi polyyppeja, jotka ovat kaikin tavoin PJS-polyyppien kaltaisia. Lkb1:n menettäneiden solujen havaittiin tuottavan vähemmän transformoivaa kasvutekijä beetaa (TGFß), joka aiheutti solujen välisen viestinnän heikentymisen ja mahdollisesti viereisten epiteelisolujen liikakasvun. Vastaava häiriö havaittiin myös PJS-potilaiden polyypeissa, mikä viittaa siihen, että potilaillakin sileälihassolujen häiriö on polyyppien taustalla. Havainto suuntaa täten hoitokohteiden etsintää ja osoittaa että LKB1 toimii kasvunrajoittajana epätyypillisellä tavalla pitäen naapurisolujen kasvun kurissa.

Functional evaluation of genetic variants associated with endometriosis near GREB1

STUDY QUESTION: Do DNA variants in the growth regulation by estrogen in breast cancer 1 (GREB1) region regulate endometrial GREB1 expression and increase the risk of developing endometriosis in women? SUMMARY ANSWER: We identified new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with strong association with endometriosis at the GREB1 locus although we did not detect altered GREB1 expression in endometriosis patients with defined genotypes. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN: Genome-wide association studies have identified the GREB1 region on chromosome 2p25.1 for increasing endometriosis risk. The differential expression of GREB1 has also been reported by others in association with endometriosis disease phenotype. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Fine mapping studies comprehensively evaluated SNPs within the GREB1 region in a large-scale data set (>2500 cases and >4000 controls). Publicly available bioinformatics tools were employed to functionally annotate SNPs showing the strongest association signal with endometriosis risk. Endometrial GREB1 mRNA and protein expression was studied with respect to phases of the menstrual cycle (n = 2-45 per cycle stage) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis for significant SNPs were undertaken for GREB1 [mRNA (n = 94) and protein (n = 44) in endometrium]. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants in this study are females who provided blood and/or endometrial tissue samples in a hospital setting. The key SNPs were genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY. The functional roles and regulatory annotations for identified SNPs are predicted by various publicly available bioinformatics tools. Endometrial GREB1 expression work employed qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry studies. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Fine mapping results identified a number of SNPs showing stronger association (0.004 < P < 0.032) with endometriosis risk than the original GWAS SNP (rs13394619) (P = 0.034). Some of these SNPs were predicted to have functional roles, for example, interaction with transcription factor motifs. The haplotype (a combination of alleles) formed by the risk alleles from two common SNPs showed significant association (P = 0.026) with endometriosis and epistasis analysis showed no evidence for interaction between the two SNPs, suggesting an additive effect of SNPs on endometriosis risk. In normal human endometrium, GREB1 protein expression was altered depending on the cycle stage (significantly different in late proliferative versus late secretory, P < 0.05) and cell type (glandular epithelium, not stromal cells). However, GREB1 expression in endometriosis cases versus controls and eQTL analyses did not reveal any significant changes. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: In silico prediction tools are generally based on cell lines different to our tissue and disease of interest. Functional annotations drawn from these analyses should be considered with this limitation in mind. We identified cell-specific and hormone-specific changes in GREB1 protein expression. The lack of a significant difference observed following our GREB1 expression studies may be the result of moderate power on mixed cell populations in the endometrial tissue samples. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study further implicates the GREB1 region on chromosome 2p25.1 and the GREB1 gene with involvement in endometriosis risk. More detailed functional studies are required to determine the role of the novel GREB1 transcripts in endometriosis pathophysiology. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Funding for this work was provided by NHMRC Project Grants APP1012245, APP1026033, APP1049472 and APP1046880. There are no competing interests.

Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins : Adhesive functions and matrix association of LTBP-2 and potential functions of LTBP-1 and LTBP-3 in mesothelioma

Latent transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) binding proteins (LTBPs) -1, -3 and -4 are ECM components whose major function is to augment the secretion and matrix targeting of TGF-beta, a multipotent cytokine. LTBP-2 does not bind small latent TGF-beta but has suggested functions as a structural protein in ECM microfibrils. In the current work we focused on analyzing possible adhesive functions of LTBP-2 as well as on characterizing the kinetics and regulation of LTBP-2 secretion and ECM deposition. We also explored the role of TGF-beta binding LTBPs in endothelial cells activated to mimic angiogenesis as well as in malignant mesothelioma. We found that, unlike most adherent cells, several melanoma cell lines efficiently adhered to purified recombinant LTBP-2. Further characterization revealed that the adhesion was mediated by alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1 integrins. Heparin also inhibited the melanoma cell adhesion suggesting a role for heparan sulphate proteoglycans. LTBP-2 was also identified as a haptotactic substrate for melanoma cell migration. We used cultured human embryonic lung fibroblasts to analyze the temporal and spatial association of LTBP-2 into ECM. By We found that LTBP-2 was efficiently assembled to the ECM only in confluent cultures following the deposition of fibronectin (FN) and fibrillin-1. In early, subconfluent cultures it remained primarily in soluble form after secretion. LTBP-2 colocalized transiently with FN and fibrillin-1. Silencing of fibrillin-1 expression by lentiviral shRNAs profoundly disrupted the deposition of LTBP-2 indicating that the ECM association of LTBP-2 depends on a pre-formed fibrillin-1 network. Considering the established role of TGF-beta as a regulator of angiogenesis we induced morphological activation of endothelial cells by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and followed the fate of LTBP-1 in the endothelial ECM. This resulted in profound proteolytic processing of LTBP-1 and release of latent TGF-beta complexes from the ECM. The processing was coupled with increased activation of MT-MMPs and specific upregulation of MT1-MMP. The major role of MT1-MMP in the proteolysis of LTBP-1 was confirmed by suppressing the expression with lentivirally induced short-hairpin RNAs as well as by various metalloproteinases inhibitors. TGF-beta can promote tumorigenesis of malignant mesothelioma (MM), which is an aggressive tumor of the pleura with poor prognosis. TGF-beta activity was analyzed in a panel of MM tumors by immunohistochemical staining of phosphorylated Smad-2 (P-Smad2). The tumor cells were strongly positive for P-Smad2 whereas LTBP-1 immunoreactivity was abundant in the stroma, and there was a negative correlation between LTBP-1 and P-Smad2 staining. In addition, the high P-Smad2 immunoreactivity correlated with shorter survival of patients. mRNA analysis revealed that TGF-beta1 was the most highly expressed isoform in both normal human pleura and MM tissue. LTBP-1 and LTBP-3 were both abundantly expressed. LTBP-1 was the predominant isoform in established MM cell lines whereas the expression of LTBP-3 was high in control cells. Suppression of LTBP-3 expression by siRNAs resulted in increased TGF-beta activity in MM cell lines accompanied by decreased proliferation. Our results suggest that decreased expression of LTBP-3 in MM could alter the targeting of TGF-beta to the ECM and lead to its increased activation. The current work emphasizes the coordinated process of the assembly and appropriate targeting of LTBPs with distinct adhesive or cytokine harboring properties into the ECM. The hierarchical assembly may have implications in the modulation of signaling events during morphogenesis and tissue remodeling.

VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 and PDGF-B/PDGFR-b pathways in embryonic lymphangiogenesis

The circulatory system comprises the blood vascular system and the lymphatic vascular system. These two systems function in parallel. Blood vessels form a closed system that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and removes waste products from the tissues, while lymphatic vessels are blind-ended tubes that collect extravasated fluid and cells from the tissues and return them back to blood circulation. Development of blood and lymphatic vascular systems occurs in series. Blood vessels are formed via vasculogenesis and angiogenesis whereas lymphatic vessels develop via lymphangiogenesis, after the blood vascular system is already functional. Members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family are regulators of both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, while members of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family are major mitogens for pericytes and smooth muscle cells and regulate formation of blood vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is the major lymphatic growth factor and signaling through its receptor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) is sufficient for lymphangiogenesis in adults. We studied the role of VEGF-C in embryonic lymphangiogenesis and showed that VEGF-C is absolutely required for the formation of lymph sacs from embryonic veins. VEGFR-3 is also required for normal development of the blood vascular system during embryogenesis, as Vegfr3 knockout mice die at mid-gestation due to failure in remodeling of the blood vessels. We showed that sufficient VEGFR-3 signaling in the embryo proper is required for embryonic angiogenesis and in a dosage-sensitive manner for embryonic lymphangiogenesis. Importantly, mice deficient in both VEGFR-3 ligands, Vegfc and Vegfd, developed a normal blood vasculature, suggesting VEGF-C- and VEGF-D- independent functions for VEGFR-3 in the early embryo. Platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) signals via PDGFR-b and regulates formation of blood vessels by recruiting pericytes and smooth muscle cells around nascent endothelial tubes. We showed that PDGF-B fails to induce lymphangiogenesis when overexpressed in adult mouse skin using adenoviral vectors. However, mouse embryos lacking Pdgfb showed abnormal lymphatic vessels, suggesting that PDGF-B plays a role in lymphatic vessel maturation and separation from blood vessels during embryogenesis. Lymphatic vessels play a key role in immune surveillance, fat absorption and maintenance of fluid homeostasis in the body. However, lymphatic vessels are also involved in various diseases, such as lymphedema and tumor metastasis. These studies elucidate the basic mechanisms of embryonic lymphangiogenesis and add to the knowledge of lymphedema and tumor metastasis treatments by giving novel insights into how lymphatic vessel growth could be induced (in lymphedema) or inhibited (in tumor metastasis).

Genetic Mechanisms of Tumourigenesis in von Hippel-Lindau-Associated Tumours with the Emphasis on Capillary Hemangioblastoma

The von Hippel-lindau (VHL) disease is a dominantly inherited neoplastic disorder which predisposes patients to multiple tumours including capillary haemangioblastomas (CHBs), pheochromocytomas (PCCs), renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). CHBs are the most common manifestations of VHL disease, occurring sporadically or as a manifestation of VHL disease. Inactivation of the VHL gene at 3p25-26 is believed to cause both familial and sporadic VHL-associated tumours and germ-line mutation of the VHL gene have been detected in 100% of the CHBs studied. However, a limited number of sporadic CHBs, PCCs display VHL inactivation. Other molecular alterations involved in tumourigenesis of sporadic CHBs, PCCs remain largely unknown. The purpose of the present work was to search for genetic alterations, or other mechanisms of inactivation, in addition to the VHL gene, that may be important in the development of VHL-associated tumours. Though less satisfactory than cure, prevention and early detection are the most promising and feasible means reducing cancer morbidity and mortality. This work is based on the view that increasing knowledge about the molecular events underlying tumour development will eventually aid in early detection and lead to improved treatment. We evaluated a large set of VHL-associated patients, searched for a clinical and radiologic signs of the disease. We succesfully performed a germ-line mutation analysis and characterised three patient groups, VHL, suspect VHL and sporadic, a germ-line mutation analysis revealed a 50% mutation rate only in the VHL groups, no sporadic or suspect cases displayed any mutation. We also utilized comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to screen for DNA copy number changes in both sporadic and VHL-associated CHB. Our analysis revealed (27%) DNA copy number losses. The most common finding was loss of chromosomal arm 6q, seen in (23%) cases, No differences were noted between VHL-associated and sporadic tumours. Furthermore a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) study on chromosome 3p and 6q was done with the purpose to determine allele losses not observable by CGH, and to uncover the location of putative tumour suppressor genes important in CHB and PCC tumourigenesis. We identified loss of chromosome 6q and a minimal deleted area at 6q23-24 in CHBs. We also showed LOH at 6q23-24 in PCCs and identified the ZAC1 (6q24-25) as a candidate gene, ZAC1 is a maternally imprinted tumour suppressor gene with anti proliferative properties. To study further the role of ZAC inactivation in CHBs, we investigated LOH, promoter hypermethylation and expression status of the ZAC1 gene in mainly sporadic CHBs. Our LOH analysis revealed that the majority of the tumours with allele loss. The gene promoter methylation analysis similarly detected predominance of the methylated ZAC sequence in almost all tumours. Immunohistochemistry exhibited a strongly reduced expression of ZAC in stromal cells of all CHBs studied. Our current results indicate that the absence of the unmethylated, ZAC1 promoter sequence was highly concurrent with LOH for the ZAC1 region or 6q loss. This observation together with lack of ZAC expression, points to preferential loss of the non imprinted, expressed ZAC allele in CHB, in summary, our series of studies reveal a new chromosomal region 6q, emphasizes the importance of ZAC1 gene in the development of CHB and PCC, particularly in non-VHL associated cases.

Major Cellular and Physiological Impacts of Ocean Acidification on a Reef Building Coral

As atmospheric levels of CO2 increase, reef-building corals are under greater stress from both increased sea surface temperatures and declining sea water pH. To date, most studies have focused on either coral bleaching due to warming oceans or declining calcification due to decreasing oceanic carbonate ion concentrations. Here, through the use of physiology measurements and cDNA microarrays, we show that changes in pH and ocean chemistry consistent with two scenarios put forward by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) drive major changes in gene expression, respiration, photosynthesis and symbiosis of the coral, Acropora millepora, before affects on biomineralisation are apparent at the phenotype level. Under high CO2 conditions corals at the phenotype level lost over half their Symbiodinium populations, and had a decrease in both photosynthesis and respiration. Changes in gene expression were consistent with metabolic suppression, an increase in oxidative stress, apoptosis and symbiont loss. Other expression patterns demonstrate upregulation of membrane transporters, as well as the regulation of genes involved in membrane cytoskeletal interactions and cytoskeletal remodeling. These widespread changes in gene expression emphasize the need to expand future studies of ocean acidification to include a wider spectrum of cellular processes, many of which may occur before impacts on calcification.

The use of metabolomics to monitor simultaneous changes in metabolic variables following supramaximal low volume high intensity exercise

High Intensity Exercise (HIE) stimulates greater physiological remodeling when compared to workload matched low-moderate intensity exercise. This study utilized an untargeted metabolomics approach to examine the metabolic perturbations that occur following two workload matched supramaximal low volume HIE trials. In a randomized order, 7 untrained males completed two exercise protocols separated by one week; 1) HIE150%: 30 x 20s cycling at 150% VO2peak, 40s passive rest; 2) HIE300%: 30 x 10s cycling at 300% VO2peak, 50 s passive rest. Total exercise duration was 30 minutes for both trials. Blood samples were taken at rest, during and immediately following exercise and at 60 minutes post exercise. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of plasma identified 43 known metabolites of which 3 demonstrated significant fold changes (HIE300% compared to the HIE150% value) during exercise, 14 post exercise and 23 at the end of the recovery period. Significant changes in plasma metabolites relating to lipid metabolism [fatty acids: dodecanoate (p=0.042), hexadecanoate (p=0.001), octadecanoate (p=0.001)], total cholesterol (p=0.001), and glycolysis [lactate (p=0.018)] were observed following exercise and during the recovery period. The HIE300% protocol elicited greater metabolic changes relating to lipid metabolism and glycolysis when compared to HIE150% protocol. These changes were more pronounced throughout the recovery period rather than during the exercise bout itself. Data from the current study demonstrate the use of metabolomics to monitor intensity-dependent changes in multiple metabolic pathways following exercise. The small sample size indicates a need for further studies in a larger sample cohort to validate these findings.

Spatiotemporal Organization of AT- and GC-rich DNA and Their Association With Transition Proteins TP1 and TP2 in Rat Condensing Spermatids

Transition protein 1 (TP1) and TP2 replace histones during midspermiogenesis (stages 12-15) and are finally replaced by protamines. TPs play a predominant role in DNA condensation and chromatin remodeling during mammalian spermiogenesis. TP2 is a zinc metalloprotein with two novel zinc finger modules that condenses DNA in vitro in a GC-preference manner. TP2 also localizes to the nucleolus in transfected HeLa and Cos-7 cells, suggesting a GC-rich preference, even in vivo. We have now studied the localization pattern of TP2 in the rat spermatid nucleus. Colocalization studies using GC-selective DNA-binding dyes chromomycin A3 and 7-amino actinomycin D and an AT-selective dye, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, indicate that TP2 is preferentially localized to GC-rich sequences. Interestingly, as spermatids mature, TP2 and GC-rich DNA moves toward the nuclear periphery, and in the late stages of spermatid maturation, TP2 is predominantly localized at the nuclear periphery. Another interesting observation is the mutually exclusive localization of GC- and AT-rich DNA in the elongating and elongated spermatids. A combined immunofluorescence experiment with anti-TP2 and anti-TP1 antibodies revealed several foci of overlapping localization, indicating that TP1 and TP2 may have concerted functional roles during chromatin remodeling in mammalian spermiogenesis.

Missing-In-Metastasis (MIM) regulates cell morphology by promoting plasma membrane and actin cytoskeleton dynamics

The cells of multicellular organisms have differentiated to carry out specific functions that are often accompanied by distinct cell morphology. The actin cytoskeleton is one of the key regulators of cell shape subsequently controlling multiple cellular events including cell migration, cell division, endo- and exocytosis. A large set of actin regulating proteins has evolved to achieve and tightly coordinate this wide range of functions. Some actin regulator proteins have so-called house keeping roles and are essential for all eukaryotic cells, but some have evolved to meet the requirements of more specialized cell-types found in higher organisms enabling complex functions of differentiated organs, such as liver, kidney and brain. Often processes mediated by the actin cytoskeleton, like formation of cellular protrusions during cell migration, are intimately linked to plasma membrane remodeling. Thus, a close cooperation between these two cellular compartments is necessary, yet not much is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. This study focused on a vertebrate-specific protein called missing-in-metastasis (MIM), which was originally characterized as a metastasis suppressor of bladder cancer. We demonstrated that MIM regulates the dynamics of actin cytoskeleton via its WH2 domain, and is expressed in a cell-type specific manner. Interestingly, further examination showed that the IM-domain of MIM displays a novel membrane tubulation activity, which induces formation of filopodia in cells. Following studies demonstrated that this membrane deformation activity is crucial for cell protrusions driven by MIM. In mammals, there are five members of IM-domain protein family. Functions and expression patterns of these family members have remained poorly characterized. To understand the physiological functions of MIM, we generated MIM knockout mice. MIM-deficient mice display no apparent developmental defects, but instead suffer from progressive renal disease and increased susceptibility to tumors. This indicates that MIM plays a role in the maintenance of specific physiological functions associated with distinct cell morphologies. Taken together, these studies implicate MIM both in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane. Our results thus suggest that members of MIM/IRSp53 protein family coordinate the actin cytoskeleton:plasma membrane interface to control cell and tissue morphogenesis in multicellular organisms.

Pathogenic Mechanisms of Polycystic Lipomembranous Osteodysplasia with Sclerosing Leukoencephalopathy (PLOSL)

PATHOGENIC MECHANISMS OF PLOSL Polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy (PLOSL), also known as Nasu-Hakola disease, is a recessively inherited disease of brain and bone. PLOSL manifests as early-onset progressive dementia and bone fractures. Mutations in the TYROBP (DAP12) and TREM2 genes have been identified as the primary cause of PLOSL. DAP12 and TREM2 encode important signalling molecules in cells of the innate immune system. The mechanism by which loss-of-function of the DAP12/TREM2 signalling complex leads to PLOSL is currently unknown. The aim of this thesis work was to gain insight into the pathogenic mechanisms behind PLOSL. To first identify the central nervous system (CNS) cell types that express both Dap12 and Trem2, the expression patterns of Dap12 and Trem2 in mouse CNS were analyzed. Dap12 and Trem2 expression was seen from embryonic stage to adulthood and microglial cells and oligodendrocytes were identified as the major Dap12/Trem2 producing cells of the CNS. To subsequently identify the pathways and biological processes associated with DAP12/TREM2 mediated signalling in human cells, genome wide transcript analysis of in vitro differentiated dendritic cells (DCs) of PLOSL patients representing functional knockouts of either DAP12 or TREM2 was performed. Both DAP12 and TREM2 deficient cells differentiated into DCs and responded to pathogenic stimuli. However, the DCs showed morphological differences compared to control cells due to defects in the actin filaments. Transcript profiles of the patient DCs showed differential expression of genes involved in immune response and for genes earlier associated with other disorders of the CNS as well as genes involved in the remodeling of bone, linking the findings with the tissue phenotype of PLOSL patients. To analyze the effect of Dap12 deficiency in the CNS, genome wide expression analysis of Dap12 deficient mouse brain and Dap12 deficient microglia as well as functional analysis of Dap12 deficient microglia was performed. Regulation of several pathways involved in synaptic function and transcripts coding for the myelin components was seen in Dap12 knockout mice. Decreased migration, morphological changes and shortened lifespan of the Dap12 knockout microglia was further observed. Taken together, this thesis work showed that both Dap12 and Trem2 are expressed by CNS microglia and that Dap12 deficiency results in functional defects of these cells. Lack of Dap12 in the CNS also leads to synaptic abnormalities even before pathological changes are seen in the tissue level.This work further showed that loss-of-function of DAP12 or TREM2 leads to changes in morphology and gene expression in human dendritic cells. These data underline the functional diversity of the molecules of the innate immune system and implies their significant contribution also in demyelinating CNS disorders, including those resulting in dementia.

The role of cyclase-associated protein (CAP) in actin dynamics during cell motility and morphogenesis

The highly dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton is responsible for most motile and morphogenetic processes in all eukaryotic cells. In order to generate appropriate spatial and temporal movements, the actin dynamics must be under tight control of an array of actin binding proteins (ABPs). Many proteins have been shown to play a specific role in actin filament growth or disassembly of older filaments. Very little is known about the proteins affecting recycling i.e. the step where newly depolymerized actin monomers are funneled into new rounds of filament assembly. A central protein family involved in the regulation of actin turnover is cyclase-associated proteins (CAP, called Srv2 in budding yeast). This 50-60 kDa protein was first identified from yeast as a suppressor of an activated RAS-allele and a factor associated with adenylyl cyclase. The CAP proteins harbor N-terminal coiled-coil (cc) domain, originally identified as a site for adenylyl cyclase binding. In the N-terminal half is also a 14-3-3 like domain, which is followed by central proline-rich domains and the WH2 domain. In the C-terminal end locates the highly conserved ADP-G-actin binding domain. In this study, we identified two previously suggested but poorly characterized interaction partners for Srv2/CAP: profilin and ADF/cofilin. Profilins are small proteins (12-16 kDa) that bind ATP-actin monomers and promote the nucleotide exchange of actin. The profilin-ATP-actin complex can be directly targeted to the growth of the filament barbed ends capped by Ena/VASP or formins. ADF/cofilins are also small (13-19 kDa) and highly conserved actin binding proteins. They depolymerize ADP-actin monomers from filament pointed ends and remain bound to ADP-actin strongly inhibiting nucleotide exchange. We revealed that the ADP-actin-cofilin complex is able to directly interact with the 14-3-3 like domain at the N-terminal region of Srv2/CAP. The C-terminal high affinity ADP-actin binding site of Srv2/CAP competes with cofilin for an actin monomer. Cofilin can thus be released from Srv2/CAP for the subsequent round of depolymerization. We also revealed that profilin interacts with the first proline-rich region of Srv2/CAP and that the binding occurs simultaneously with ADP-actin binding to C-terminal domain of Srv2/CAP. Both profilin and Srv2/CAP can promote nucleotide exchange of actin monomer. Because profilin has much higher affinity to ATP-actin than Srv2/CAP, the ATP-actin-profilin complex is released for filament polymerization. While a disruption of cofilin binding in yeast Srv2/CAP produces a severe phenotype comparable to Srv2/CAP deletion, an impairment of profilin binding from Srv2/CAP results in much milder phenotype. This suggests that the interaction with cofilin is essential for the function of Srv2/CAP, whereas profilin can also promote its function without direct interaction with Srv2/CAP. We also show that two CAP isoforms with specific expression patterns are present in mice. CAP1 is the major isoform in most tissues, while CAP2 is predominantly expressed in muscles. Deletion of CAP1 from non-muscle cells results in severe actin phenotype accompanied with mislocalization of cofilin to cytoplasmic aggregates. Together these studies suggest that Srv2/CAP recycles actin monomers from cofilin to profilin and thus it plays a central role in actin dynamics in both yeast and mammalian cells.

Bustle behind the scenes of action : nemosis as a model for fibroblast inflammatory activation

Wound healing is a complex process that requires an interplay between several cell types. Classically, fibroblasts have been viewed as producers of extracellular matrix, but more recently they have been recognized as orchestrators of the healing response, promoting and directing, inflammation and neovascularization processes. Compared to those from healthy tissue, inflammation-associated fibroblasts display a dramatically altered phenotype and have been described as sentinel cells, able to switch to an immunoregulatory profile on cue. However, the activation mechanism still remains largely uncharacterized. Nemosis is a model for stromal fibroblast activation. When normal human primary fibroblasts are deprived of growth support they cluster, forming multicellular spheroids. Clustering results in upregulation of proinflammatory markers such as cyclooxygenase-2 and secretion of prostaglandins, proteinases, cytokines, and growth factors. Fibroblasts in nemosis induce wound healing and tumorigenic responses in many cell types found in inflammatory and tumor microenvironments. This study investigated the effect of nemotic fibroblasts on two components of the vascular system, leukocytes and endothelium, and characterized the inflammation-promoting responses that arose in these cell types. Fibroblasts in nemosis were found to secrete an array of chemotactic cytokines and attract leukocytes, as well as promote their adhesion to the endothelium. Nuclear factor-kB, the master regulator of many inflammatory responses, is activated in nemotic fibroblasts. Nemotic fibroblasts are known to produce large amounts of hepatocyte growth factor, a motogenic and angiogenic factor. Also, as shown in this study, they produce vascular endothelial growth factor. These two factors induced migratory and sprouting responses in endothelial cells, both required for neovascularization. Nemotic fibroblasts also caused a decrease in the expression of adherens and tight junction components on the surface of endothelial cells. The results allow the conclusion that fibroblasts in nemosis share many similarities with inflammation-associated fibroblasts. Both inflammation and stromal fibroblasts are known to be involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Nemosis may be viewed as a model for stromal fibroblast activation, or it may correlate with cell-cell interactions between adjacent fibroblasts in vivo. Nevertheless, due to nemosis-derived production of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors, fibroblast nemosis may have therapeutic potential as an inducer of controlled tissue repair. Knowledge of stromal fibroblast activation gained through studies of nemosis, could provide new strategies to control unwanted inflammation and tumor progression.

Functional Analysis of MrpL55, Vig and Mat1 Acting at the Crossroad of Cell Cycle, Transcription and Metabolism Regulation

Cell proliferation, transcription and metabolism are regulated by complex partly overlapping signaling networks involving proteins in various subcellular compartments. The objective of this study was to increase our knowledge on such regulatory networks and their interrelationships through analysis of MrpL55, Vig, and Mat1 representing three gene products implicated in regulation of cell cycle, transcription, and metabolism. Genome-wide and biochemical in vitro studies have previously revealed MrpL55 as a component of the large subunit of the mitochondrial ribosome and demonstrated a possible role for the protein in cell cycle regulation. Vig has been implicated in heterochromatin formation and identified as a constituent of the RNAi-induced silencing complex (RISC) involved in cell cycle regulation and RNAi-directed transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) coupled to RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription. Mat1 has been characterized as a regulatory subunit of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (Cdk7) complex phosphorylating and regulating critical targets involved in cell cycle progression, energy metabolism and transcription by RNAPII. The first part of the study explored whether mRpL55 is required for cell viability or involved in a regulation of energy metabolism and cell proliferation. The results revealed a dynamic requirement of the essential Drosophila mRpL55 gene during development and suggested a function of MrpL55 in cell cycle control either at the G1/S or G2/M transition prior to cell differentiation. This first in vivo characterization of a metazoan-specific constituent of the large subunit of mitochondrial ribosome also demonstrated forth compelling evidence of the interconnection of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes as well as complex functions of the evolutionarily young metazoan-specific mitochondrial ribosomal proteins. In studies on the Drosophila RISC complex regulation, it was noted that Vig, a protein involved in heterochromatin formation, unlike other analyzed RISC associated proteins Argonaute2 and R2D2, is dynamically phosphorylated in a dsRNA-independent manner. Vig displays similarity with a known in vivo substrate for protein kinase C (PKC), human chromatin remodeling factor Ki-1/57, and is efficiently phosphorylated by PKC on multiple sites in vitro. These results suggest that function of the RISC complex protein Vig in RNAi-directed TGS and chromatin modification may be regulated through dsRNA-independent phosphorylation by PKC. In the third part of this study the role of Mat1 in regulating RNAPII transcription was investigated using cultured murine immortal fibroblasts with a conditional allele of Mat1. The results demonstrated that phosphorylation of the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of the large subunit of RNAPII in the heptapeptide YSPTSPS repeat in Mat-/- cells was over 10-fold reduced on Serine-5 and subsequently on Serine-2. Occupancy of the hypophosphorylated RNAPII in gene bodies was detectably decreased, whereas capping, splicing, histone methylation and mRNA levels were generally not affected. However, a subset of transcripts in absence of Mat1 was repressed and associated with decreased occupancy of RNAPII at promoters as well as defective capping. The results identify the Cdk7-CycH-Mat1 kinase submodule of TFIIH as a stimulatory non-essential regulator of transcriptional elongation and a genespecific essential factor for stable binding of RNAPII at the promoter region and capping. The results of these studies suggest important roles for both MrpL55 and Mat1 in cell cycle progression and their possible interplay at the G2/M stage in undifferentiated cells. The identified function of Mat1 and of TFIIH kinase complex in gene-specific transcriptional repression is challenging for further studies in regard to a possible link to Vig and RISC-mediated transcriptional gene silencing.

Acetylation of Transition Protein 2 (TP2) by KAT3B (p300) Alters Its DNA Condensation Property and Interaction with Putative Histone Chaperone NPM3

The hallmark of mammalian spermiogenesis is the dramatic chromatin remodeling process wherein the nucleosomal histones are replaced by the transition proteins TP1, TP2, and TP4. Subsequently these transition proteins are replaced by the protamines P1 and P2. Hyperacetylation of histone H4 is linked to their replacement by transition proteins. Here we report that TP2 is acetylated in vivo as detected by anti-acetylated lysine antibody and mass spectrometric analysis. Further, recombinant TP2 is acetylated in vitro by acetyltransferase KAT3B (p300) more efficiently than by KAT2B (PCAF). In vivo p300 was demonstrated to acetylate TP2. p300 acetylates TP2 in its C-terminal domain, which is highly basic in nature and possesses chromatin-condensing properties. Mass spectrometric analysis showed that p300 acetylates four lysine residues in the C-terminal domain of TP2. Acetylation of TP2 by p300 leads to significant reduction in its DNA condensation property as studied by circular dichroism and atomic force microscopy analysis. TP2 also interacts with a putative histone chaperone, NPM3, wherein expression is elevated in haploid spermatids.Interestingly, acetylation of TP2 impedes its interaction with NPM3. Thus, acetylation of TP2 adds a new dimension to its role in the dynamic reorganization of chromatin during mammalian spermiogenesis.

The mast cell as a regulator of atherosclerotic plaque stability

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease progressing over years via the accumulation of cholesterol in arterial intima with subsequent formation of atherosclerotic plaques. The stability of a plaque is determined by the size of its cholesterol-rich necrotic lipid core and the thickness of the fibrous cap covering it. The strength and thickness of the cap are maintained by smooth muscle cells and the extracellular matrix produced by them. A plaque with a large lipid core and a thin cap is vulnerable to rupture that may lead to acute atherothrombotic events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. In addition, endothelial erosion, possibly induced by apoptosis of endothelial cells, may lead to such clinical events. One of the major causes of plaque destabilization is inflammation induced by accumulated and modified lipoproteins, and exacerbated by local aberrant shear stress conditions. Macrophages, T-lymphocytes and mast cells infiltrate particularly into the plaque’s shoulder regions prone to atherothrombotic events, and they are present at the actual sites of plaque rupture and erosion. Two major mechanisms of plaque destabilization induced by inflammation are extracellular matrix remodeling and apoptosis. Mast cells are bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells that as progenitors upon chemotactic stimuli infiltrate the target tissues, such as the arterial wall, differentiate in the target tissues and mediate their effects via the release of various mediators, typically in a process called degranulation. The released preformed mast cell granules contain proteases such as tryptase, chymase and cathepsin G bound to heparin and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. In addition, various soluble mediators such as histamine and TNF-alpha are released. Mast cells also synthesize many mediators such as cytokines and lipid mediators upon activation. Mast cells are capable of increasing the level of LDL cholesterol in the arterial intima by increasing accumulation and retention of LDL and by decreasing removal of cholesterol by HDL in vitro. In addition, by secreting proinflammatory mediators and proteases, mast cells may induce plaque destabilization by inducing apoptosis of smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Also in vivo data from apoE-/- and ldlr-/- mice suggest a role for mast cells in the progression of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, mast cell-deficient mice have become powerful tools to study the effects of mast cells in vivo. In this study, evidence suggesting a role for mast cells in the regulation of plaque stability is presented. In a mouse model genetically susceptible to atherosclerosis, mast cell deficiency (ldlr-/-/KitW-sh/W-sh mice) was associated with a less atherogenic lipid profile, a decreased level of lipid accumulation in the aortic arterial wall and a decreased level of vascular inflammation as compared to mast-cell competent littermates. In vitro, mast cell chymase-induced smooth muscle cell apoptosis was mediated by inhibition of NF-kappaB activity, followed by downregulation of bcl-2, release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3. Mast cell-induced endothelial cell apoptosis was mediated by chymase and TNF-alpha, and involved chymase-mediated degradation of fibronectin and vitronectin, and inactivation of FAK- and Akt-mediated survival signaling. Subsequently, mast cells induced inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and activation of caspase-8 and -9. In addition, possible mast cell protease-mediated mechanisms of endothelial erosion may include degradation of fibronectin and VE-cadherin. Thus, the present results suggest a role for mast cells in destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques.