| 1. |
- Dahl, Markus, et al.
(författare)
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Fine-Tuning of Smad Protein Function by Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerases and Poly(ADP-Ribose) Glycohydrolase during Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling
- 2014
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:8, s. e103651-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND:Initiation, amplitude, duration and termination of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling via Smad proteins is regulated by post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination and acetylation. We previously reported that ADP-ribosylation of Smads by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) negatively influences Smad-mediated transcription. PARP-1 is known to functionally interact with PARP-2 in the nucleus and the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) can remove poly(ADP-ribose) chains from target proteins. Here we aimed at analyzing possible cooperation between PARP-1, PARP-2 and PARG in regulation of TGFβ signaling.METHODS:A robust cell model of TGFβ signaling, i.e. human HaCaT keratinocytes, was used. Endogenous Smad3 ADP-ribosylation and protein complexes between Smads and PARPs were studied using proximity ligation assays and co-immunoprecipitation assays, which were complemented by in vitro ADP-ribosylation assays using recombinant proteins. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of mRNA levels and promoter-reporter assays provided quantitative analysis of gene expression in response to TGFβ stimulation and after genetic perturbations of PARP-1/-2 and PARG based on RNA interference.RESULTS:TGFβ signaling rapidly induces nuclear ADP-ribosylation of Smad3 that coincides with a relative enhancement of nuclear complexes of Smads with PARP-1 and PARP-2. Inversely, PARG interacts with Smads and can de-ADP-ribosylate Smad3 in vitro. PARP-1 and PARP-2 also form complexes with each other, and Smads interact and activate auto-ADP-ribosylation of both PARP-1 and PARP-2. PARP-2, similar to PARP-1, negatively regulates specific TGFβ target genes (fibronectin, Smad7) and Smad transcriptional responses, and PARG positively regulates these genes. Accordingly, inhibition of TGFβ-mediated transcription caused by silencing endogenous PARG expression could be relieved after simultaneous depletion of PARP-1.CONCLUSION:Nuclear Smad function is negatively regulated by PARP-1 that is assisted by PARP-2 and positively regulated by PARG during the course of TGFβ signaling.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Almstedt, Elin, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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Integrative discovery of treatments for high-risk neuroblastoma
- 2020
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723 .- 2041-1723. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite advances in the molecular exploration of paediatric cancers, approximately 50% of children with high-risk neuroblastoma lack effective treatment. To identify therapeutic options for this group of high-risk patients, we combine predictive data mining with experimental evaluation in patient-derived xenograft cells. Our proposed algorithm, TargetTranslator, integrates data from tumour biobanks, pharmacological databases, and cellular networks to predict how targeted interventions affect mRNA signatures associated with high patient risk or disease processes. We find more than 80 targets to be associated with neuroblastoma risk and differentiation signatures. Selected targets are evaluated in cell lines derived from high-risk patients to demonstrate reversal of risk signatures and malignant phenotypes. Using neuroblastoma xenograft models, we establish CNR2 and MAPK8 as promising candidates for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma. We expect that our method, available as a public tool (targettranslator.org), will enhance and expedite the discovery of risk-associated targets for paediatric and adult cancers.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Bernier-Latmani, Jeremiah, et al.
(författare)
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ADAMTS18+ villus tip telocytes maintain a polarized VEGFA signaling domain and fenestrations in nutrient-absorbing intestinal blood vessels
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The small intestinal villus tip is the first point of contact for lumen-derived substances including nutrients and microbial products. Electron microscopy studies from the early 1970s uncovered unusual spatial organization of small intestinal villus tip blood vessels: their exterior, epithelial-facing side is fenestrated, while the side facing the villus stroma is non-fenestrated, covered by pericytes and harbors endothelial nuclei. Such organization optimizes the absorption process, however the molecular mechanisms maintaining this highly specialized structure remain unclear. Here we report that perivascular LGR5(+) villus tip telocytes (VTTs) are necessary for maintenance of villus tip endothelial cell polarization and fenestration by sequestering VEGFA signaling. Mechanistically, unique VTT expression of the protease ADAMTS18 is necessary for VEGFA signaling sequestration through limiting fibronectin accumulation. Therefore, we propose a model in which LGR5(+) ADAMTS18(+) telocytes are necessary to maintain a "just-right" level and location of VEGFA signaling in intestinal villus blood vasculature to ensure on one hand the presence of sufficient endothelial fenestrae, while avoiding excessive leakiness of the vessels and destabilization of villus tip epithelial structures. The molecular mechanisms ensuring the specialized structure of small intestinal villus tip blood vessels are incompletely understood. Here the authors show that ADAMTS18(+) telocytes maintain a "just-right" level and location of VEGFA signaling on intestinal villus blood vessels, thereby ensuring the presence of endothelial fenestrae for nutrient absorption, while avoiding excessive leakiness and destabilization of villus tip epithelial structures.
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| 6. |
- Bjornholm, Katrine Dahl, et al.
(författare)
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A robust and efficient microvascular isolation method for multimodal characterization of the mouse brain vasculature
- 2023
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Ingår i: CELL REPORTS METHODS. - : Elsevier. - 2667-2375. ; 3:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Studying disease-related changes in the brain vasculature is warranted due to its crucial role in supplying oxygen and nutrients and removing waste and due to the anticipated vascular dysfunction in brain dis-eases. To this end, we have developed a protocol for fast and simple isolation of brain vascular fragments without the use of transgenic reporters. We used it to isolate and analyze 22,515 cells by single-cell RNA sequencing. The cells distributed into 23 distinct clusters corresponding to all known vascular and perivas-cular cell types in the brain. Western blot analysis also suggested that the protocol is suitable for proteomic analysis. We further adapted it for the establishment of primary cell cultures. The protocol generated highly reproducible results. In conclusion, we have developed a simple and robust brain vascular isolation proto-col suitable for different experimental modalities, such as single-cell analyses, western blotting, and pri-mary cell culture.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Carthy, Jon M., et al.
(författare)
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Chemical regulators of epithelial plasticity reveal a nuclear receptor pathway controlling myofibroblast differentiation
- 2016
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plasticity in epithelial tissues relates to processes of embryonic development, tissue fibrosis and cancer progression. Pharmacological modulation of epithelial transitions during disease progression may thus be clinically useful. Using human keratinocytes and a robotic high-content imaging platform, we screened for chemical compounds that reverse transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition to TGF-beta receptor kinase inhibitors, we identified small molecule epithelial plasticity modulators including a naturally occurring hydroxysterol agonist of the liver X receptors (LXRs), members of the nuclear receptor transcription factor family. Endogenous and synthetic LXR agonists tested in diverse cell models blocked alpha-smooth muscle actin expression, myofibroblast differentiation and function. Agonist-dependent LXR activity or LXR overexpression in the absence of ligand counteracted TGF-beta-mediated myofibroblast terminal differentiation and collagen contraction. The protective effect of LXR agonists against TGF-beta-induced pro-fibrotic activity raises the possibility that anti-lipidogenic therapy may be relevant in fibrotic disorders and advanced cancer.
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| 9. |
- Dias, Mariana Castro, et al.
(författare)
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Claudin-3-deficient C57BL/6J mice display intact brain barriers
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 9
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The tight junction protein claudin-3 has been identified as a transcriptional target of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway regulating blood-brain barrier (BBB) maturation. In neurological disorders loss of claudin-3 immunostaining is observed at the compromised BBB and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). Although these observations support a central role of claudin-3 in regulating brain barriers' tight junction integrity, expression of claudin-3 at the brain barriers has remained a matter of debate. This prompted us to establish claudin-3-/-C57BL/6J mice to study the role of claudin-3 in brain barrier integrity in health and neuroinflammation. Bulk and single cell RNA sequencing and direct comparative qRT-PCR analysis of brain microvascular samples from WT and claudin-3-/- mice show beyond doubt that brain endothelial cells do not express claudin-3 mRNA. Detection of claudin-3 protein at the BBB in vivo and in vitro is rather due to junctional reactivity of anti-claudin-3 antibodies to an unknown antigen still detected in claudin-3-/- brain endothelium. We confirm expression and junctional localization of claudin-3 at the BCSFB of the choroid plexus. Our study clarifies that claudin-3 is not expressed at the BBB and shows that absence of claudin-3 does not impair brain barrier function during health and neuroinflammation in C57BL/6J mice.
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| 10. |
- Engelbrecht, Eric, et al.
(författare)
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Sphingosine 1-phosphate-regulated transcriptomes in heterogenous arterial and lymphatic endothelium of the aorta
- 2020
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Ingår i: eLIFE. - : ELIFE SCIENCES PUBLICATIONS LTD. - 2050-084X. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite the medical importance of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), in vivo cellular heterogeneity of GPCR signaling and downstream transcriptional responses are not understood. We report the comprehensive characterization of transcriptomes (bulk and single-cell) and chromatin domains regulated by sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1PR1) in adult mouse aortic endothelial cells. First, S1PR1 regulates NF kappa B and nuclear glucocorticoid receptor pathways to suppress inflammation-related mRNAs. Second, S1PR1 signaling in the heterogenous endothelial cell (EC) subtypes occurs at spatially-distinct areas of the aorta. For example, a transcriptomically distinct arterial EC population at vascular branch points (aEC1) exhibits ligand-independent S1PR1/beta-arrestin coupling. In contrast, circulatory S1P-dependent S1PR1/beta-arrestin coupling was observed in non-branch point aEC2 cells that exhibit an inflammatory gene expression signature. Moreover, S1P/S1PR1 signaling regulates the expression of lymphangiogenic and inflammation-related transcripts in an adventitial lymphatic EC (LEC) population in a ligand-dependent manner. These insights add resolution to existing concepts of endothelial heterogeneity, GPCR signaling and S1P biology.
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| 11. |
- He, Liqun, et al.
(författare)
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Analysis of the brain mural cell transcriptome
- 2016
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pericytes, the mural cells of blood microvessels, regulate microvascular development and function and have been implicated in many brain diseases. However, due to a paucity of defining markers, pericyte identification and functional characterization remain ambiguous and data interpretation problematic. In mice carrying two transgenic reporters, Pdgfrb-eGFP and NG2-DsRed, we found that double-positive cells were vascular mural cells, while the single reporters marked additional, but non-overlapping, neuroglial cells. Double-positive cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and analyzed by RNA sequencing. To reveal defining patterns of mural cell transcripts, we compared the RNA sequencing data with data from four previously published studies. The meta-analysis provided a conservative catalogue of 260 brain mural cell-enriched gene transcripts. We validated pericyte-specific expression of two novel markers, vitronectin (Vtn) and interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (Ifitm1), using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. We further analyzed signaling pathways and interaction networks of the pericyte-enriched genes in silico. This work provides novel insight into the molecular composition of brain mural cells. The reported gene catalogue facilitates identification of brain pericytes by providing numerous new candidate marker genes and is a rich source for new hypotheses for future studies of brain mural cell physiology and pathophysiology.
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| 12. |
- He, Liqun, et al.
(författare)
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Single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse brain and lung vascular and vessel-associated cell types
- 2018
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Ingår i: Scientific Data. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2052-4463. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vascular diseases are major causes of death, yet our understanding of the cellular constituents of blood vessels, including how differences in their gene expression profiles create diversity in vascular structure and function, is limited. In this paper, we describe a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset that defines vascular and vessel-associated cell types and subtypes in mouse brain and lung. The dataset contains 3,436 single cell transcriptomes from mouse brain, which formed 15 distinct clusters corresponding to cell (sub) types, and another 1,504 single cell transcriptomes from mouse lung, which formed 17 cell clusters. In order to allow user-friendly access to our data, we constructed a searchable database (http://betsholtzlab.org/VascularSingleCells/database.html). Our dataset constitutes a comprehensive molecular atlas of vascular and vessel-associated cell types in the mouse brain and lung, and as such provides a strong foundation for future studies of vascular development and diseases.
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| 13. |
- Heldin, Carl-Henrik, et al.
(författare)
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Regulation of EMT by TGFβ in cancer
- 2012
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Ingår i: FEBS Letters. - : Wiley. - 0014-5793 .- 1873-3468. ; 586:14, s. 1959-1970
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) suppresses tumor formation since it inhibits cell growth and promotes apoptosis. However, in advanced cancers TGF beta elicits tumor promoting effects through its ability to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) which enhances invasiveness and metastasis; in addition, TGF beta exerts tumor promoting effects on non-malignant cells of the tumor, including suppression of immune surveillance and stimulation of angiogenesis. TGF beta promotes EMT by transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of a group of transcription factors that suppresses epithelial features, such as expression of components of cell junctions and polarity complexes, and enhances mesenchymal features, such as production of matrix molecules and several cytokines and growth factors that stimulate cell migration. The EMT program has certain similarities with the stem cell program. Inducers and effectors of EMT are interesting targets for the development of improved diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of cancer.
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| 14. |
- Kowanetz, Marcin, et al.
(författare)
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TGFβ induces SIK to negatively regulate type I receptor kinase signaling
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Cell Biology. - : The Rockefeller University Press. - 0021-9525 .- 1540-8140. ; 182:4, s. 655-662
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Signal transduction by transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) coordinates physiological responses in diverse cell types. TGFbeta signals via type I and type II receptor serine/threonine kinases and intracellular Smad proteins that regulate transcription. Strength and duration of TGFbeta signaling is largely dependent on a negative-feedback program initiated during signal progression. We have identified an inducible gene target of TGFbeta/Smad signaling, the salt-inducible kinase (SIK), which negatively regulates signaling together with Smad7. SIK and Smad7 form a complex and cooperate to down-regulate the activated type I receptor ALK5. We further show that both the kinase and ubiquitin-associated domain of SIK are required for proper ALK5 degradation, with ubiquitin functioning to enhance SIK-mediated receptor degradation. Loss of endogenous SIK results in enhanced gene responses of the fibrotic and cytostatic programs of TGFbeta. We thus identify in SIK a negative regulator that controls TGFbeta receptor turnover and physiological signaling.
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| 15. |
- Liu, Jianping, et al.
(författare)
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A human cell type similar to murine central nervous system perivascular fibroblasts
- 2021
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Ingår i: Experimental Cell Research. - : Elsevier. - 0014-4827 .- 1090-2422. ; 402:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The brain vasculature has several specific features, one of them being the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which supports and protects the brain by allowing for the passage of oxygen and nutrients, while at the same time preventing passage of pathogens and toxins. The BBB also prevents efficient delivery of drugs to the brain, e.g. for treatment of brain tumors. In the murine brain, perivascular fibroblasts were recently identified as a novel potential constituent of the BBB. Here we present the existence of human cells that could be the equivalent to the murine brain perivascular fibroblasts. Using RNA sequencing, we show a similar transcriptomic profile of cultured human brain cells and murine perivascular fibroblasts. These data open up a window for new hypotheses on cell types involved in human CNS diseases.
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| 16. |
- Loganathan, Krishnapriya, et al.
(författare)
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Angiopoietin-1 deficiency increases renal capillary rarefaction and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in mice
- 2018
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 13:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Presence of tubulointerstitial fibrosis is predictive of progressive decline in kidney function, independent of its underlying cause. Injury to the renal microvasculature is a major factor in the progression of fibrosis and identification of factors that regulate endothelium in fibrosis is desirable as they might be candidate targets for treatment of kidney diseases. The current study investigates how loss of Angipoietin-1 (Angpt1), a ligand for endothelial tyrosine-kinase receptor Tek (also called Tie2), affects tubulointerstitial fibrosis and renal microvasculature. Inducible Angpt1 knockout mice were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) to induce fibrosis, and kidneys were collected at different time points up to 10 days after obstruction. Staining for aSMA showed that Angpt1 deficient kidneys had significantly more fibrosis compared to wildtype mice 3, 6, and 10 days after UUO. Further investigation 3 days after UUO showed a significant increase of Col1a1 and vimentin in Angpt1 deficient mice, as well as increased gene expression of Tgfb1, Col1a1, Fn1, and CD44. Kidney injury molecule 1 (Kim1/Havcr1) was significantly more increased in Angpt1 deficient mice 1 and 3 days after UUO, suggesting a more severe injury early in the fibrotic process in Angpt1 deficient mice. Staining for endomucin showed that capillary rarefaction was evident 3 days after UUO and Angpt1 deficient mice had significantly less capillaries 6 and 10 days after UUO compared to UUO kidneys in wildtype mice. RNA sequencing revealed downregulation of several markers for endothelial cells 3 days after UUO, and that Angpt1 deficient mice had a further downregulation of Emcn, Plvap, Pecam1, Erg, and Tek. Our results suggest that loss of Angpt1 is central in capillary rarefaction and fibrogenesis and propose that manipulations to maintain Angpt1 levels may slow down fibrosis progression.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Lönn, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Transcriptional induction of salt-inducible kinase 1 by transforming growth factor β leads to negative regulation of type I receptor signaling in cooperation with the Smurf2 ubiquitin ligase
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 287:16, s. 12867-12878
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)1 regulates many physiological processes and requires control mechanisms to safeguard proper and timely action. We have previously described how negative regulation of TGFβ signaling is controlled by the serine/threonine kinase salt-inducible kinase (SIK) 1. SIK1 forms complexes with the TGFβ type I receptor and with the inhibitory Smad7 and downregulates the type I receptor. We now demonstrate that TGFβ induces SIK1 levels via a direct transcriptional mechanism that implicates the Smad proteins and we have mapped a putative enhancer element on the SIK1 gene. We provide evidence that the ubiquitin ligase Smurf2 forms complexes and functionally cooperates with SIK1. Both the kinase activity of SIK1 and the ubiquitin ligase activity of Smurf2 are important for proper type I receptor turnover. We also show that knockdown of endogenous SIK1 and Smurf2 enhances physiological signaling by TGFβ that leads to epithelial growth arrest. In conclusion, TGFβ induces expression of Smad7, Smurf2 and SIK1, the products of which physically and functionally interlink to control the activity of this pathway.
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| 19. |
- Muhl, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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A single-cell transcriptomic inventory of murine smooth muscle cells
- 2022
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Ingår i: Developmental Cell. - : Elsevier. - 1534-5807 .- 1878-1551. ; 57:20, s. 2426-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) execute important physiological functions in numerous vital organ systems, including the vascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urogenital tracts. SMC differ morphologically and functionally at these different anatomical locations, but the molecular underpinnings of the differences remain poorly understood. Here, using deep single-cell RNA sequencing combined with in situ gene and pro-tein expression analysis in four murine organs-heart, aorta, lung, and colon-we identify a molecular basis for high-level differences among vascular, visceral, and airway SMC, as well as more subtle differences between, for example, SMC in elastic and muscular arteries and zonation of elastic artery SMC along the direction of blood flow. Arterial SMC exhibit extensive organotypic heterogeneity, whereas venous SMC are similar across organs. We further identify a specific SMC subtype within the pulmonary vasculature. This comparative SMC cross-organ resource offers insight into SMC subtypes and their specific functions.
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| 20. |
- Muhl, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Single-cell analysis uncovers fibroblast heterogeneity and criteria for fibroblast and mural cell identification and discrimination
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many important cell types in adult vertebrates have a mesenchymal origin, including fibroblasts and vascular mural cells. Although their biological importance is undisputed, the level of mesenchymal cell heterogeneity within and between organs, while appreciated, has not been analyzed in detail. Here, we compare single-cell transcriptional profiles of fibroblasts and vascular mural cells across four murine muscular organs: heart, skeletal muscle, intestine and bladder. We reveal gene expression signatures that demarcate fibroblasts from mural cells and provide molecular signatures for cell subtype identification. We observe striking inter- and intra-organ heterogeneity amongst the fibroblasts, primarily reflecting differences in the expression of extracellular matrix components. Fibroblast subtypes localize to discrete anatomical positions offering novel predictions about physiological function(s) and regulatory signaling circuits. Our data shed new light on the diversity of poorly defined classes of cells and provide a foundation for improved understanding of their roles in physiological and pathological processes. To define and distinguish fibroblasts from vascular mural cells have remained challenging. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing and tissue imaging, the authors provide a molecular basis for cell type classification and reveal inter- and intra-organ diversity of these cell types.
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| 21. |
- Muhl, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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The SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 is expressed in mouse pericytes but not endothelial cells : Implications for COVID-19 vascular research
- 2022
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Ingår i: Stem Cell Reports. - : Elsevier. - 2213-6711. ; 17:5, s. 1089-1104
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Humanized mouse models and mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 virus are increasingly used to study COVID-19 pathogenesis, so it is impor-tant to learn where the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 is expressed. Here we mapped ACE2 expression during mouse postnatal development and in adulthood. Pericytes in the CNS, heart, and pancreas express ACE2 strongly, as do perineurial and adrenal fibroblasts, whereas endothelial cells do not at any location analyzed. In a number of other organs, pericytes do not express ACE2, including in the lung where ACE2 instead is expressed in bronchial epithelium and alveolar type II cells. The onset of ACE2 expression is organ specific: in bronchial epithelium already at birth, in brain pericytes before, andin heart pericytes after postnatal day 10.5. Establishing the vascular localization of ACE2 expression is central to correctly interpret data from modeling COVID-19 in the mouse and may shed light on the cause of vascular COVID-19 complications.
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| 22. |
- Mäe, Maarja Andaloussi, et al.
(författare)
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Prolonged systemic hyperglycemia does not cause pericyte loss and permeability at the mouse blood-brain barrier
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Scientific reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 8:1, s. 17462-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Diabetes mellitus is associated with cognitive impairment and various central nervous system pathologies such as stroke, vascular dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease. The exact pathophysiology of these conditions is poorly understood. Recent reports suggest that hyperglycemia causes cerebral microcirculation pathology and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and leakage. The majority of these reports, however, are based on methods including in vitro BBB modeling or streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rodents, opening questions regarding the translation of the in vitro findings to the in vivo situation, and possible direct effects of streptozotocin on the brain vasculature. Here we used a genetic mouse model of hyperglycemia (Ins2AKITA) to address whether prolonged systemic hyperglycemia induces BBB dysfunction and leakage. We applied a variety of methodologies to carefully evaluate BBB function and cellular integrity in vivo, including the quantification and visualization of specific tracers and evaluation of transcriptional and morphological changes in the BBB and its supporting cellular components. These experiments did neither reveal altered BBB permeability nor morphological changes of the brain vasculature in hyperglycemic mice. We conclude that prolonged hyperglycemia does not lead to BBB dysfunction, and thus the cognitive impairment observed in diabetes may have other causes.
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| 23. |
- Mäe, Maarja Andaloussi, et al.
(författare)
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Single-Cell Analysis of Blood-Brain Barrier Response to Pericyte Loss
- 2021
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Ingår i: Circulation Research. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0009-7330 .- 1524-4571. ; 128:4, s. E46-E62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rationale: Pericytes are capillary mural cells playing a role in stabilizing newly formed blood vessels during development and tissue repair. Loss of pericytes has been described in several brain disorders, and genetically induced pericyte deficiency in the brain leads to increased macromolecular leakage across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, the molecular details of the endothelial response to pericyte deficiency remain elusive.Objective: To map the transcriptional changes in brain endothelial cells resulting from lack of pericyte contact at single-cell level and to correlate them with regional heterogeneities in BBB function and vascular phenotype.Methods and Results: We reveal transcriptional, morphological, and functional consequences of pericyte absence for brain endothelial cells using a combination of methodologies, including single-cell RNA sequencing, tracer analyses, and immunofluorescent detection of protein expression in pericyte-deficient adult Pdgfb(ret/ret) mice. We find that endothelial cells without pericyte contact retain a general BBB-specific gene expression profile, however, they acquire a venous-shifted molecular pattern and become transformed regarding the expression of numerous growth factors and regulatory proteins. Adult Pdgfb(ret/ret) brains display ongoing angiogenic sprouting without concomitant cell proliferation providing unique insights into the endothelial tip cell transcriptome. We also reveal heterogeneous modes of pericyte-deficient BBB impairment, where hotspot leakage sites display arteriolar-shifted identity and pinpoint putative BBB regulators. By testing the causal involvement of some of these using reverse genetics, we uncover a reinforcing role for angiopoietin 2 at the BBB.Conclusions: By elucidating the complexity of endothelial response to pericyte deficiency at cellular resolution, our study provides insight into the importance of brain pericytes for endothelial arterio-venous zonation, angiogenic quiescence, and a limited set of BBB functions. The BBB-reinforcing role of ANGPT2 (angiopoietin 2) is paradoxical given its wider role as TIE2 (TEK receptor tyrosine kinase) receptor antagonist and may suggest a unique and context-dependent function of ANGPT2 in the brain.
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| 24. |
- Nahar, Khayrun, et al.
(författare)
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Astrocyte-microglial association and matrix composition are common events in the natural history of primary familial brain calcification
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Brain Pathology. - : Wiley. - 1015-6305 .- 1750-3639. ; 30:3, s. 446-64
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) is an age-dependent and rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by microvascular calcium phosphate deposits in the deep brain regions. Known genetic causes of PFBC include loss-of-function mutations in genes involved in either of three processes-platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling, phosphate homeostasis or protein glycosylation-with unclear molecular links. To provide insight into the pathogenesis of PFBC, we analyzed murine models of PFBC for the first two of these processes in Pdgfb(ret/ret) and Slc20a2(-/-) mice with regard to the structure, molecular composition, development and distribution of perivascular calcified nodules. Analyses by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence revealed that calcified nodules in both of these models have a multilayered ultrastructure and occur in direct contact with reactive astrocytes and microglia. However, whereas nodules in Pdgfb(ret/ret) mice were large, solitary and smooth surfaced, the nodules in Slc20a2(-/-) mice were multi-lobulated and occurred in clusters. The regional distribution of nodules also differed between the two models. Proteomic analysis and immunofluorescence stainings revealed a common molecular composition of the nodules in the two models, involving proteins implicated in bone homeostasis, but also proteins not previously linked to tissue mineralization. While the brain vasculature of Pdgfb(ret/ret) mice has been reported to display reduced pericyte coverage and abnormal permeability, we found that Slc20a2(-/-) mice have a normal pericyte coverage and no overtly increased permeability. Thus, lack of pericytes and increase in permeability of the blood-brain barrier are likely not the causal triggers for PFBC pathogenesis. Instead, gene expression and spatial correlations suggest that astrocytes are intimately linked to the calcification process in PFBC.
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Niaudet, Colin, et al.
(författare)
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Gpr116 Receptor Regulates Distinctive Functions in Pneumocytes and Vascular Endothelium
- 2015
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite its known expression in both the vascular endothelium and the lung epithelium, until recently the physiological role of the adhesion receptor Gpr116/ADGRF5 has remained elusive. We generated a new mouse model of constitutive Gpr116 inactivation, with a large genetic deletion encompassing exon 4 to exon 21 of the Gpr116 gene. This model allowed us to confirm recent results defining Gpr116 as necessary regulator of surfactant homeostasis. The loss of Gpr116 provokes an early accumulation of surfactant in the lungs, followed by a massive infiltration of macrophages, and eventually progresses into an emphysemalike pathology. Further analysis of this knockout model revealed cerebral vascular leakage, beginning at around 1.5 months of age. Additionally, endothelial-specific deletion of Gpr116 resulted in a significant increase of the brain vascular leakage. Mice devoid of Gpr116 developed an anatomically normal and largely functional vascular network, surprisingly exhibited an attenuated pathological retinal vascular response in a model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. These data suggest that Gpr116 modulates endothelial properties, a previously unappreciated function despite the pan-vascular expression of this receptor. Our results support the key pulmonary function of Gpr116 and describe a new role in the central nervous system vasculature.
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| 27. |
- Niimi, Hideki, et al.
(författare)
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Notch signaling is necessary for epithelial growth arrest by TGF-beta
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Cell Biology. - : Rockefeller University Press. - 0021-9525 .- 1540-8140. ; 176:5, s. 695-707
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and Notch act as tumor suppressors by inhibiting epithelial cell proliferation. TGF-beta additionally promotes tumor invasiveness and metastasis, whereas Notch supports oncogenic growth. We demonstrate that TGF-beta and ectopic Notch1 receptor cooperatively arrest epithelial growth, whereas endogenous Notch signaling was found to be required for TGF-beta to elicit cytostasis. Transcriptomic analysis after blocking endogenous Notch signaling uncovered several genes, including Notch pathway components and cell cycle and apoptosis factors, whose regulation by TGF-beta requires an active Notch pathway. A prominent gene coregulated by the two pathways is the cell cycle inhibitor p21. Both transcriptional induction of the Notch ligand Jagged1 by TGF-beta and endogenous levels of the Notch effector CSL contribute to p21 induction and epithelial cytostasis. Cooperative inhibition of cell proliferation by TGF-beta and Notch is lost in human mammary cells in which the p21 gene has been knocked out. We establish an intimate involvement of Notch signaling in the epithelial cytostatic response to TGF-beta.
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| 28. |
- Petkova, Milena, et al.
(författare)
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Immune-interacting lymphatic endothelial subtype at capillary terminals drives lymphatic malformation
- 2023
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Ingår i: The Journal of experimental medicine. - : Rockefeller University Press. - 1540-9538 .- 0022-1007. ; 220:4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Oncogenic mutations in PIK3CA, encoding p110α-PI3K, are a common cause of venous and lymphatic malformations. Vessel type–specific disease pathogenesis is poorly understood, hampering development of efficient therapies. Here, we reveal a new immune-interacting subtype of Ptx3-positive dermal lymphatic capillary endothelial cells (iLECs) that recruit pro-lymphangiogenic macrophages to promote progressive lymphatic overgrowth. Mouse model of Pik3caH1047R-driven vascular malformations showed that proliferation was induced in both venous and lymphatic ECs but sustained selectively in LECs of advanced lesions. Single-cell transcriptomics identified the iLEC population, residing at lymphatic capillary terminals of normal vasculature, that was expanded in Pik3caH1047R mice. Expression of pro-inflammatory genes, including monocyte/macrophage chemokine Ccl2, in Pik3caH1047R-iLECs was associated with recruitment of VEGF-C–producing macrophages. Macrophage depletion, CCL2 blockade, or anti-inflammatory COX-2 inhibition limited Pik3caH1047R-driven lymphangiogenesis. Thus, targeting the paracrine crosstalk involving iLECs and macrophages provides a new therapeutic opportunity for lymphatic malformations. Identification of iLECs further indicates that peripheral lymphatic vessels not only respond to but also actively orchestrate inflammatory processes.
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| 29. |
- Pietilä, Riikka, et al.
(författare)
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Molecular anatomy of adult mouse leptomeninges
- 2023
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Ingår i: Neuron. - : Elsevier. - 0896-6273 .- 1097-4199. ; 111:23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Leptomeninges, consisting of the pia mater and arachnoid, form a connective tissue investment and barrier enclosure of the brain. The exact nature of leptomeningeal cells has long been debated. In this study, we iden-tify five molecularly distinct fibroblast-like transcriptomes in cerebral leptomeninges; link them to anatomically distinct cell types of the pia, inner arachnoid, outer arachnoid barrier, and dural border layer; and contrast them to a sixth fibroblast-like transcriptome present in the choroid plexus and median eminence. Newly identified transcriptional markers enabled molecular characterization of cell types responsible for adherence of arach-noid layers to one another and for the arachnoid barrier. These markers also proved useful in identifying the molecular features of leptomeningeal development, injury, and repair that were preserved or changed after traumatic brain injury. Together, the findings highlight the value of identifying fibroblast transcriptional subsets and their cellular locations toward advancing the understanding of leptomeningeal physiology and pathology.
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
- Schevenels, Giel, et al.
(författare)
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A brain-specific angiogenic mechanism enabled by tip cell specialization
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Nature. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 628:8009, s. 863-871
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vertebrate organs require locally adapted blood vessels1,2. The gain of such organotypic vessel specializations is often deemed to be molecularly unrelated to the process of organ vascularization. Here, opposing this model, we reveal a molecular mechanism for brain-specific angiogenesis that operates under the control of Wnt7a/b ligands—well-known blood–brain barrier maturation signals3,4,5. The control mechanism relies on Wnt7a/b-dependent expression of Mmp25, which we find is enriched in brain endothelial cells. CRISPR–Cas9 mutagenesis in zebrafish reveals that this poorly characterized glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored matrix metalloproteinase is selectively required in endothelial tip cells to enable their initial migration across the pial basement membrane lining the brain surface. Mechanistically, Mmp25 confers brain invasive competence by cleaving meningeal fibroblast-derived collagen IV α5/6 chains within a short non-collagenous region of the central helical part of the heterotrimer. After genetic interference with the pial basement membrane composition, the Wnt–β-catenin-dependent organotypic control of brain angiogenesis is lost, resulting in properly patterned, yet blood–brain-barrier-defective cerebrovasculatures. We reveal an organ-specific angiogenesis mechanism, shed light on tip cell mechanistic angiodiversity and thereby illustrate how organs, by imposing local constraints on angiogenic tip cells, can select vessels matching their distinctive physiological requirements.
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| 32. |
- Somuncular, Ece, et al.
(författare)
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CD49b identifies functionally and epigenetically distinct subsets of lineage-biased hematopoietic stem cells
- 2022
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Ingår i: Stem Cell Reports. - : Elsevier. - 2213-6711. ; 17:7, s. 1546-1560
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hematopoiesis is maintained by functionally diverse lineage-biased hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The functional significance of HSC heterogeneity and the regulatory mechanisms underlying lineage bias are not well understood. However, absolute purification of HSC subtypes with a pre-determined behavior remains challenging, highlighting the importance of continued efforts toward prospective isolation of homogeneous HSC subsets. In this study, we demonstrate that CD49b subdivides the most primitive HSC compartment into functionally distinct subtypes: CD49b(-) HSCs are highly enriched for myeloid-biased and the most durable cells, while CD49b(+) HSCs are enriched for multipotent cells with lymphoid bias and reduced self-renewal ability. We further demonstrate considerable transcriptional similarities between CD49b(-) and CD49b(+) HSCs but distinct differences in chromatin accessibility. Our studies highlight the diversity of HSC functional behaviors and provide insights into the molecular regulation of HSC heterogeneity through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms.
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| 33. |
- van Kuijk, Kim, et al.
(författare)
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Heterogeneity and plasticity in healthy and atherosclerotic vasculature explored by single-cell sequencing
- 2019
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Ingår i: Cardiovascular Research. - : Oxford University Press. - 0008-6363 .- 1755-3245. ; 115:12, s. 1705-1715
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cellular characteristics and their adjustment to a state of disease have become more evident due to recent advances in imaging, fluorescent reporter mice, and whole genome RNA sequencing. The uncovered cellular heterogeneity and/or plasticity potentially complicates experimental studies and clinical applications, as markers derived from whole tissue 'bulk' sequencing is unable to yield a subtype transcriptome and specific markers. Here, we propose definitions on heterogeneity and plasticity, discuss current knowledge thereof in the vasculature and how this may be improved by single-cell sequencing (SCS). SCS is emerging as an emerging technique, enabling researchers to investigate different cell populations in more depth than ever before. Cell selection methods, e.g. flow assisted cell sorting, and the quantity of cells can influence the choice of SCS method. Smart-Seq2 offers sequencing of the complete mRNA molecule on a low quantity of cells, while Drop-seq is possible on large numbers of cells on a more superficial level. SCS has given more insight in heterogeneity in healthy vasculature, where it revealed that zonation is crucial in gene expression profiles among the anatomical axis. In diseased vasculature, this heterogeneity seems even more prominent with discovery of new immune subsets in atherosclerosis as proof. Vascular smooth muscle cells and mesenchymal cells also share these plastic characteristics with the ability to up-regulate markers linked to stem cells, such as Sca-1 or CD34. Current SCS studies show some limitations to the number of replicates, quantity of cells used, or the loss of spatial information. Bioinformatical tools could give some more insight in current datasets, making use of pseudo-time analysis or RNA velocity to investigate cell differentiation or polarization. In this review, we discuss the use of SCS in unravelling heterogeneity in the vasculature, its current limitations and promising future applications.
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| 34. |
- Vanlandewijck, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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A molecular atlas of cell types and zonation in the brain vasculature
- 2018
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Ingår i: Nature. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 554:7693, s. 475-480
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cerebrovascular disease is the third most common cause of death in developed countries, but our understanding of the cells that compose the cerebral vasculature is limited. Here, using vascular single-cell transcriptomics, we provide molecular definitions for the principal types of blood vascular and vessel-associated cells in the adult mouse brain. We uncover the transcriptional basis of the gradual phenotypic change (zonation) along the arteriovenous axis and reveal unexpected cell type differences: a seamless continuum for endothelial cells versus a punctuated continuum for mural cells. We also provide insight into pericyte organotypicity and define a population of perivascular fibroblast-like cells that are present on all vessel types except capillaries. Our work illustrates the power of single-cell transcriptomics to decode the higher organizational principles of a tissue and may provide the initial chapter in a molecular encyclopaedia of the mammalian vasculature.
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| 35. |
- Vanlandewijck, Michael, 1982-
(författare)
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Diversification of TGF-β Signaling in Homeostasis and Disease
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- With the dawn of metazoans, the ability of cells to communicate with each other became of paramount importance in maintaining tissue homeostasis. The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, which plays important roles during embryogenesis and in the adult organism, signals via a heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of two type II and two type I receptors. After receptor activation through ligand binding, Smads mediate the signal from the receptor complex to the nucleus, where they orchestrate transcription. Depending on the context of activation, TGF-β can mediate a plethora of cellular responses, including proliferation, growth arrest, apoptosis and differentiation. In cancer, TGF-β can act as both as a tumor suppressor and promoter. During early stages of tumorigenesis, TGF-β prevents proliferation. However, TGF-β is also known to promote tumor progression during later stages of the disease, where it can induce differentiation of cancer cells towards a migratory phenotype. The aim of this thesis was to investigate how cells can differentiate their response upon TGF-β pathway activation. The first paper describes the role of Notch signaling in TGF-β induced growth arrest, demonstrating that TGF-β promotes Notch activity and that Notch signaling is required for prolonged TGF-β induced cell cycle arrest. In the second and third paper, we investigate the role of SIK, a member of the AMPK family of kinases, mediating signaling strength of TGF-β through degradation of the TGF-β type I receptor ALK5. While the second paper focuses on the effect of SIK on ALK5 stability and subsequent alterations in TGF-β signaling, the third paper emphasizes cooperation between SIK, Smad7 and the E3 ligase Smurf in degradation of ALK5. Finally, the fourth paper explores a novel role of SIK during TGF-β induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). SIK binds to and degrades the polarity protein Par3, leading to enhanced EMT.
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| 36. |
- Vanlandewijck, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Functional Characterization of Germline Mutations in PDGFB and PDGFRB in Primary Familial Brain Calcification
- 2015
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:11
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Primary Familial Brain Calcification (PFBC), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive pericapillary calcifications, has recently been linked to heterozygous mutations in PDGFB and PDGFRB genes. Here, we functionally analyzed several of these mutations in vitro. All six analyzed PDGFB mutations led to complete loss of PDGF-B function either through abolished protein synthesis or through defective binding and/or stimulation of PDGF-R beta. The three analyzed PDGFRB mutations had more diverse consequences. Whereas PDGF-R beta autophosphorylation was almost totally abolished in the PDGFRB L658P mutation, the two sporadic PDGFRB mutations R987W and E1071V caused reductions in protein levels and specific changes in the intensity and kinetics of PLC. activation, respectively. Since at least some of the PDGFB mutations were predicted to act through haploinsufficiency, we explored the consequences of reduced Pdgfb or Pdgfrb transcript and protein levels in mice. Heterozygous Pdgfb or Pdgfrb knockouts, as well as double Pdgfb(+/-); Pdgfrb(+/-) mice did not develop brain calcification, nor did Pdgfrb(redeye/redeye) mice, which show a 90% reduction of PDGFR beta protein levels. In contrast, Pdgfb(ret/ret) mice, which have altered tissue distribution of PDGF-B protein due to loss of a proteoglycan binding motif, developed brain calcifications. We also determined pericyte coverage in calcification-prone and non-calcification-prone brain regions in Pdgfb(ret/ret) mice. Surprisingly and contrary to our hypothesis, we found that the calcification-prone brain regions in Pdgfb(ret/ret) mice model had a higher pericyte coverage and a more intact blood-brain barrier (BBB) compared to non-calcification-prone brain regions. While our findings provide clear evidence that loss-of-function mutations in PDGFB or PDGFRB cause PFBC, they also demonstrate species differences in the threshold levels of PDGF-B/PDGF-R beta signaling that protect against small-vessel calcification in the brain. They further implicate region-specific susceptibility factor(s) in PFBC pathogenesis that are distinct from pericyte and BBB deficiency.
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| 37. |
- Vanlandewijck, Michael, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
-
SIK phosphorylates and degrades Par3 to mediate tight junction disassembly during epithelial-mesenchymal transition
- 2011
-
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in homeostasis and disease during embryonic and adult life. TGFβ alters epithelial cell differentiation by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which involves disassembly of the epithelial adherens and tight junctions and downregulation of several junctional constituents.The mechanism by which TGFβ controls tight junction disassembly is poorly understood. We found that one of the newly identified gene targets of TGFβ, encodes for the serine/threonine kinase SIK (salt-inducible kinase), and controls tight junction assembly by this cytokine. We then identified a new phosphorylation substrate for SIK, the polarity complex protein Par3, which is an important regulator of tight junction assembly. SIK associates with Par3, phosphorylates serine 885 within the atypical protein kinase C-binding domain of Par3, and causes degradation of Par3. Mutation of serine 885 to alanine renders Par3 resistant to degradation induced by SIK. This mechanism is functionally important because both SIK and Par3 participate in the downregulation of tight junctions during EMT initiated by TGFβ signaling. Furthermore, we verified high level SIK expression in several different advanced and invasive human cancers. Notably, high SIK expression correlated with high level TGFβ/Smad signaling activity and with low or undetectable expression of Par3 in human breast cancers. Our model suggests that as the TGFβ signal progresses, SIK gets engaged in a concerted action that lowers signaling by its own receptor and initiates disassembly of the tight junction by acting directly on the polarity complex protein Par3.
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| 38. |
- Vanlandewijck, Michael, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
-
The protein kinase SIK downregulates the polarity protein Par3
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Oncotarget. - : Impact Journals, LLC. - 1949-2553. ; 9, s. 5716-5735
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The multifunctional cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) controls homeostasis and disease during embryonic and adult life. TGFβ alters epithelial cell differentiation by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which involves downregulation of several cell-cell junctional constituents. Little is understood about the mechanism of tight junction disassembly by TGFβ. We found that one of the newly identified gene targets of TGFβ, encoding the serine/threonine kinase salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK), controls tight junction dynamics. We provide bioinformatic and biochemical evidence that SIK can potentially phosphorylate the polarity complex protein Par3, an established regulator of tight junction assembly. SIK associates with Par3, and induces degradation of Par3 that can be prevented by proteasomal and lysosomal inhibition or by mutation of Ser885, a putative phosphorylation site on Par3. Functionally, this mechanism impacts on tight junction downregulation. Furthermore, SIK contributes to the loss of epithelial polarity and examination of advanced and invasive human cancers of diverse origin displayed high levels of SIK expression and a corresponding low expression of Par3 protein. High SIK mRNA expression also correlates with lower chance for survival in various carcinomas. In specific human breast cancer samples, aneuploidy of tumor cells best correlated with cytoplasmic SIK distribution, and SIK expression correlated with TGFβ/Smad signaling activity and low or undetectable expression of Par3. Our model suggests that SIK can act directly on the polarity protein Par3 to regulate tight junction assembly.
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| 39. |
- Vázquez-Liébanas, Elisa, et al.
(författare)
-
Mosaic deletion of claudin-5 reveals rapid non-cell-autonomous consequences of blood-brain barrier leakage
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Cell Reports. - : Elsevier. - 2211-1247. ; 43:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Claudin-5 (CLDN5) is an endothelial tight junction protein essential for blood-brain barrier (BBB) formation. Abnormal CLDN5 expression is common in brain disease, and knockdown of Cldn5 at the BBB has been proposed to facilitate drug delivery to the brain. To study the consequences of CLDN5 loss in the mature brain, we induced mosaic endothelial-specific Cldn5 gene ablation in adult mice (Cldn5iECKO). These mice displayed increased BBB permeability to tracers up to 10 kDa in size from 6 days post induction (dpi) and ensuing lethality from 10 dpi. Single-cell RNA sequencing at 11 dpi revealed profound transcriptomic differences in brain endothelial cells regardless of their Cldn5 status in mosaic mice, suggesting major non-cell-autonomous responses. Reactive microglia and astrocytes suggested rapid cellular responses to BBB leakage. Our study demonstrates a critical role for CLDN5 in the adult BBB and provides molecular insight into the consequences and risks associated with CLDN5 inhibition.
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| 40. |
- Wu, Dan, et al.
(författare)
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The infantile myofibromatosis NOTCH3 L1519P mutation leads to hyperactivated ligand-independent Notch signaling and increased PDGFRB expression
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : COMPANY BIOLOGISTS LTD. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 14:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Infantile myofibromatosis (IMF) is a benign tumor form characterized by the development of nonmetastatic tumors in skin, bone, muscle and sometimes viscera. Autosomal-dominant forms of IMF are caused by mutations in the PDGFRB gene, but a family carrying a L1519P mutation in the NOTCH3 gene has also recently been identified. In this study, we address the molecular consequences of the NOTCH3L1519P mutation and the relationship between Notch and PDGFRB signaling in IMF. The NOTCH3L1519P receptor generates enhanced downstream signaling in a ligand-independent manner. Despite the enhanced signaling, the NOTCH3L1519P receptor is absent from the cell surface and instead accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, the localization of the NOTCH3L1519P receptor in the bipartite, heterodimeric state is altered, combined with avid secretion of the mutated extracellular domain from the cell. Chloroquine treatment strongly reduces the amount of secreted NOTCH3L1519P extracellular domain and decreases signaling. Finally, NOTCH3L1519P upregulates PDGFRB expression in fibroblasts, supporting a functional link between Notch and PDGF dysregulation in IMF. Collectively, our data define a NOTCH3-PDGFRB axis in IMF, in which an IMF-mutated NOTCH3 receptor elevates PDGFRB expression. The functional characterization of a ligand-independent gain-of-function NOTCH3 mutation is important for Notch therapy considerations for IMF, including strategies aimed at altering lysosome function.
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| 41. |
- Xiang, Menglan, et al.
(författare)
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A Single-Cell Transcriptional Roadmap of the Mouse and Human Lymph Node Lymphatic Vasculature
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. - : FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. - 2297-055X. ; 7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Single-cell transcriptomics promise to revolutionize our understanding of the vasculature. Emerging computational methods applied to high-dimensional single-cell data allow integration of results between samples and species and illuminate the diversity and underlying developmental and architectural organization of cell populations. Here, we illustrate these methods in the analysis of mouse lymph node (LN) lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) at single-cell resolution. Clustering identifies five well-delineated subsets, including two medullary sinus subsets not previously recognized as distinct. Nearest neighbor alignments in trajectory space position the major subsets in a sequence that recapitulates the known features and suggests novel features of LN lymphatic organization, providing a transcriptional map of the lymphatic endothelial niches and of the transitions between them. Differences in gene expression reveal specialized programs for (1) subcapsular ceiling endothelial interactions with the capsule connective tissue and cells; (2) subcapsular floor regulation of lymph borne cell entry into the LN parenchyma and antigen presentation; and (3) pathogen interactions and (4) LN remodeling in distinct medullary subsets. LEC of the subcapsular sinus floor and medulla, which represent major sites of cell entry and exit from the LN parenchyma respectively, respond robustly to oxazolone inflammation challenge with enriched signaling pathways that converge on both innate and adaptive immune responses. Integration of mouse and human single-cell profiles reveals a conserved cross-species pattern of lymphatic vascular niches and gene expression, as well as specialized human subsets and genes unique to each species. The examples provided demonstrate the power of single-cell analysis in elucidating endothelial cell heterogeneity, vascular organization, and endothelial cell responses. We discuss the findings from the perspective of LEC functions in relation to niche formations in the unique stromal and highly immunological environment of the LN.
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