EMC3 regulates trafficking and pulmonary toxicity of the SFTPC^I73T mutation associated with interstitial lung disease

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

The most common mutation in surfactant protein C gene (SFTPC), SFTPCI73T, causes interstitial lung disease with few therapeutic options. We previously demonstrated that EMC3, an important component of the multiprotein endoplasmic reticulum membrane complex (EMC), is required for surfactant homeostasis in alveolar type 2 epithelial (AT2) cells at birth. In the present study, we investigated the role of EMC3 in the control of SFTPCI73T metabolism and its associated alveolar dysfunction. Using a knock-in mouse model phenocopying the I73T mutation, we demonstrated that conditional deletion of Emc3 in AT2 cells rescued alveolar remodeling/simplification defects in neonatal and adult mice. Proteomic analysis revealed that Emc3 depletion reversed the disruption of vesicle trafficking pathways and rescued the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with I73T mutation. Affinity purification-mass spectrometry analysis identified potential EMC3 interacting proteins in lung AT2 cells, including Valosin Containing Protein (VCP) and its interactors. Treatment of SftpcI73T knock-in mice and SFTPCI73T expressing iAT2 cells derived from SFTPCI73T patient-specific iPSCs with the specific VCP inhibitor CB5083 restored alveolar structure and SFTPCI73T trafficking respectively. Taken together, the present work identifies the EMC complex and VCP in the metabolism of the disease-associated SFTPCI73T mutant, providing novel therapeutical targets for SFTPCI73T-associated interstitial lung disease.

Authors

Xiaofang Tang, Wei Wei, Yuqing Sun, Timothy E. Weaver, Ernesto S. Nakayasu, Geremy Clair, John M. Snowball, Cheng-Lun Na, Karen S. Apsley, Emily P. Martin, Darrell N. Kotton, Konstantinos-Dionysios Alysandratos, Jiuzhou Huo, Jeffery D. Molkentin, William A. Gower, Xinhua Lin, Jeffrey A. Whitsett

TREM2 aggravates sepsis by inhibiting fatty acid oxidation via the SHP1/BTK axis

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

Impaired fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and the therapeutic benefits of FAO restoration have been revealed in sepsis. However, the regulatory factors contributing to FAO dysfunction during sepsis remain inadequately clarified. In this study, we identified a subset of lipid-associated macrophages characterized by high expression of trigger receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) and demonstrated that TREM2 acted as a suppressor of FAO to increase the susceptibility to sepsis. TREM2 expression was markedly up-regulated in sepsis patients and correlated with the severity of sepsis. Knock out of TREM2 in macrophages improved the survival rate and reduced inflammation and organ injuries of sepsis mice. Notably, TREM2-deficient mice exhibited decreased triglyceride accumulation and an enhanced FAO rate. Further observations showed that the blockade of FAO substantially abolished the alleviated symptoms observed in TREM2 knockout mice. Mechanically, we demonstrated that TREM2 interacted with the phosphatase SHP1 to inhibit Bruton tyrosine kinas (BTK)-mediated FAO in sepsis. Our findings expand the understanding of FAO dysfunction in sepsis and reveal TREM2 as a critical regulator of FAO, which may provide a promising target for the clinical treatment of sepsis.

Authors

Siqi Ming, Xingyu Li, Qiang Xiao, Siying Qu, Qiaohua Wang, Qiongyan Fang, Pingping Liang, Yating Xu, Jingwen Yang, Yongqiang Yang, Xi Huang, Yongjian Wu

The Nr4a family regulates intrahepatic Treg proliferation and liver fibrosis in MASLD models

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic progressive liver disease and highly prevalent worldwide. NASH is characterized by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis and liver damage, which eventually results in liver dysfunction due to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying NASH progression remain largely unknown. Here, we found an increase of Nr4a family of orphan nuclear receptors expression in intrahepatic T cells from mice with diet-induced NASH. Loss of Nr4a1 and Nr4a2 in T cell (dKO) ameliorated liver cell death and fibrosis, thereby mitigating liver dysfunction in NASH mice. dKO resulted in reduction of infiltrated macrophages and Th1/Th17 cells, whereas massive accumulation of T regulatory (Treg) cells in the liver of NASH mice. Combined single-cell RNA transcriptomic and TCR sequencing analysis revealed that intrahepatic dKO Tregs exhibited enhanced TIGIT and IL10 expression and were clonally expanded during NASH progression. Mechanistically, we found that dKO Tregs expressed high levels of Batf which promotes Treg cell proliferation and function upon TCR stimulation. Collectively, our findings not only provide an insight into the impact of intrahepatic Treg cells on NASH pathogenesis, but also suggest a therapeutic potential of targeting of Nr4a family to treat the disease.

Authors

Daisuke Aki, Taeko Hayakawa, Tanakorn Srirat, Shigeyuki Shichino, Minako Ito, Shin-Ichiroh Saitoh, Setsuko Mise-Omata, Akihiko Yoshimura

Adipocyte lipin 1 expression associates with human metabolic health and regulates systemic metabolism in mice

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

Dysfunctional adipose tissue is believed to promote the development of hepatic steatosis and systemic insulin resistance, but many of the mechanisms involved are still unclear. Lipin 1 catalyzes the conversion of phosphatidic acid to diacylglycerol (DAG), the penultimate step of triglyceride synthesis, which is essential for lipid storage. Herein we found that adipose tissue LPIN1 expression is decreased in people with obesity compared to lean subjects, and low LPIN1 expression correlated with multi-tissue insulin resistance and increased rates of hepatic de novo lipogenesis. Comprehensive metabolic and multi-omic phenotyping demonstrated that adipocyte-specific Lpin1–/– mice had a metabolically-unhealthy phenotype, including liver and skeletal muscle insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis, and transcriptomic signatures of metabolically associated steatohepatitis that was exacerbated by high-fat diets. We conclude that adipocyte lipin 1-mediated lipid storage is vital for preserving adipose tissue and systemic metabolic health, and its loss predisposes mice to metabolically associated steatohepatitis.

Authors

Andrew LaPoint, Jason M. Singer, Daniel Ferguson, Trevor M. Shew, M. Katie Renkemeyer, Hector H. Palacios, Rachael L. Field, Sireeesha Yerrathota, Roshan Kumari, Mahalakshmi Shankaran, Gordon I. Smith, Jun Yoshino, Mai He, Gary J. Patti, Marc K. Hellerstein, Samuel Klein, E. Matthew Morris, Jonathan R. Brestoff, Brian N. Finck, Andrew Lutkewitte

Transcription factor KROX20 marks epithelial stem cells for hair follicle formation

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

Epidermal stem cells control homeostasis and regeneration of skin and hair. In the hair follicle (HF) bulge of mammals, populations of slow-cycling stem cells regenerate the HF during cyclical rounds of anagen (growth), telogen (quiescence), and catagen (regression). Multipotent epidermal cells are also present in the HF above the bulge area, contributing to the formation and maintenance of sebaceous gland and upper and middle portions of the HF. Here, we report that the transcription factor Krox20 is enriched in an epidermal stem cell population located in the upper/ middle HF. Expression analyses and lineage tracing using inducible Krox20-CreERT showed that Krox20-lineage cells migrate out of this HF region and contribute to the formation of bulge in the HF, serving as ancestors of bulge stem cells. In vivo depletion of these cells arrests HF morphogenesis. This study identifies a novel marker for an epidermal stem cell population that is indispensable for hair homeostasis.

Authors

Elnaz Ghotbi, Edem Tchegnon, Zhiguo Chen, Stephen Li, Tracey Shipman, Yong Wang, Jenny Raman, Yumeng Zhang, Renee M. McKay, Chung-Ping Liao, Lu Q. Le

Reactive microglia partially envelop viable neurons in prion diseases

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

Microglia are recognized as the main cells in the central nervous system responsible for phagocytosis. The current study demonstrated that in prion disease, microglia effectively phagocytose prions or PrPSc during early preclinical stages. However, a critical shift occured in microglial activity during the late preclinical stage, transitioning from PrPSc uptake to establishing extensive neuron-microglia body-to-body cell contacts. This change was followed by a rapid accumulation of PrPSc in the brain. Microglia that enveloped neurons exhibited hypertrophic, cathepsin D-positive lysosomal compartments. However, most neurons undergoing envelopment were only partially encircled by microglia. Despite up to 40% of cortical neurons being partially enveloped at clinical stages, only a small percentage of envelopment proceeded to full engulfment. Partially enveloped neurons lacked apoptotic markers but showed signs of functional decline. Neuronal envelopment was independent of the CD11b pathway, previously associated with phagocytosis of newborn neurons during neurodevelopment. This phenomenon of partial envelopment was consistently observed across multiple prion-affected brain regions, various mouse-adapted strains, and different subtypes of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) in humans. The current work describes a new phenomenon of partial envelopment of neurons by reactive microglia in the context of an actual neurodegenerative disease, not a disease model.

Authors

Natallia Makarava, Tarek Safadi, Olga Bocharova, Olga Mychko, Narayan P. Pandit, Kara Molesworth, Simone Baiardi, Li Zhang, Piero Parchi, Ilia V. Baskakov

Neutrophil-specific Shp1 loss results in lethal pulmonary hemorrhage in mouse models of acute lung injury

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and neutrophils are critical to its pathogenesis. Neutrophil activation is closely regulated by inhibitory tyrosine phosphatases including Src homology region 2 domain containing phosphatase-1 (Shp1). Here, we report that loss of neutrophil Shp1 in mice produced hyperinflammation and lethal pulmonary hemorrhage in sterile inflammation and pathogen-induced models of acute lung injury (ALI) through a Syk kinase-dependent mechanism. We observed large intravascular neutrophil clusters, perivascular inflammation, and excessive neutrophil extracellular traps in neutrophil-specific Shp1 knockout mice suggesting an underlying mechanism for the observed pulmonary hemorrhage. Targeted immunomodulation through the administration of a Shp1 activator (SC43) reduced agonist-induced reactive oxygen species in vitro and ameliorated ALI-induced alveolar neutrophilia and NETs in vivo. We propose that the pharmacologic activation of Shp1 has the potential to fine-tune neutrophil hyperinflammation that is central to the pathogenesis of ARDS.

Authors

S. Farshid Moussavi-Harami, Simon J. Cleary, Mélia Magnen, Yurim Seo, Catharina Conrad, Bevin C. English, Longhui Qiu, Kristin M. Wang, Clare L. Abram, Clifford A. Lowell, Mark R. Looney

Endothelial YAP/TAZ activation promotes atherosclerosis in a mouse model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare disease caused by the expression of progerin, an aberrant protein produced by a point mutation in the LMNA gene. HGPS patients show accelerated aging and die prematurely mainly from complications of atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke. However, the mechanisms underlying HGPS vascular pathology remain ill defined. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the aorta in progerin-expressing LmnaG609G/G609G mice and wild-type controls, with a special focus on endothelial cells (ECs). HGPS ECs showed gene expression changes associated with extracellular matrix alterations, increased leukocyte extravasation, and activation of the yes-associated protein 1/transcriptional activator with PDZ-binding domain (YAP/TAZ) mechanosensing pathway, all validated by different techniques. Atomic force microscopy experiments demonstrated stiffer subendothelial extracellular matrix in progeroid aortas, and ultrasound assessment of live HGPS mice revealed disturbed aortic blood flow, both key inducers of the YAP/TAZ pathway in ECs. YAP/TAZ inhibition with verteporfin reduced leukocyte accumulation in the aortic intimal layer and decreased atherosclerosis burden in progeroid mice. Our findings identify endothelial YAP/TAZ signaling as a key mechanism of HGPS vascular disease and open a new avenue for the development of YAP/TAZ targeting drugs to ameliorate progerin-induced atherosclerosis.

Authors

Ana Barettino, Cristina González-Gómez, Pilar Gonzalo, María J. Andrés-Manzano, Carlos R. Guerrero, Francisco M. Espinosa, Rosa M. Carmona, Yaazan Blanco, Beatriz Dorado, Carlos Torroja, Fátima Sánchez-Cabo, Ana Quintas, Alberto Benguría, Ana Dopazo, Ricardo García, Ignacio Benedicto, Vicente Andrés

Dual targeting macrophages and microglia is a therapeutic vulnerability in models of PTEN-deficient glioblastoma

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

Tumor-associated macrophages and microglia (TAMs) are critical for tumor progression and therapy resistance in glioblastoma (GBM), a type of incurable brain cancer. We previously identified lysyl oxidase (LOX) and olfactomedin like-3 (OLFML3) as essential macrophage and microglia chemokines, respectively, in GBM. Here, single-cell transcriptomics and multiplex sequential immunofluorescence followed by functional studies demonstrate that macrophages negatively correlate with microglia in the GBM tumor microenvironment. LOX inhibition in PTEN-deficient GBM cells upregulates OLFML3 expression via the NF-κB-PATZ1 signaling pathway, inducing a compensatory increase of microglia infiltration. Dual targeting macrophages and microglia via inhibition of LOX and the CLOCK-OLFML3 axis generates potent anti-tumor effects and offers a complete tumor regression in more than 60% of animals when combined with anti-PD1 therapy in PTEN-deficient GBM mouse models. Thus, our findings provide a translational triple therapeutic strategy for this lethal disease.

Authors

Yang Liu, Junyan Wu, Hinda Najem, Yiyun Lin, Lizhi Pang, Fatima Khan, Fei Zhou, Heba Ali, Amy B. Heimberger, Peiwen Chen

Neuropilin-2 expressing cells in breast cancer are S-nitrosylation hubs that mitigate radiation-induced oxidative stress

• Text
• PDF

Abstract

The high rate of recurrence after radiation therapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) indicates that novel approaches and targets are needed to enhance radiosensitivity. Here, we report that neuropilin-2 (NRP2), a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that is enriched on sub-populations of TNBC cells with stem cell properties, is an effective therapeutic target for sensitizing TNBC to radiotherapy. Specifically, VEGF/NRP2 signaling induces nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) transcription by a mechanism dependent on Gli1. NRP2-expressing tumor cells serve as a hub to produce nitric oxide (NO), an autocrine and paracrine signaling metabolite, which promotes cysteine-nitrosylation of Kelch-like ECH-asssociated protein 1 (KEAP1) and, consequently, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2)-mediated transcription of antioxidant response genes. Inhibiting VEGF binding to NRP2, using a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb), results in NFE2L2 degradation via KEAP1 rendering cell lines and organoids vulnerable to irradiation. Importantly, treatment of patient-derived xenografts with the NRP2 mAb and radiation resulted in significant tumor necrosis and regression compared to radiation alone. Together, these findings reveal a targetable mechanism of radioresistance and they support the use of NRP2 mAb as an effective radiosensitizer in TNBC.

Authors

Ayush Kumar, Hira Goel, Christi Wisniewski, Tao Wang, Yansong Geng, Mengdie Wang, Shivam Goel, Kai Hu, Rui Li, Lihua J. Zhu, Jennifer L. Clark, Lindsay M. Ferreira, Michael Brehm, Thomas J. Fitzgerald, Arthur M. Mercurio