scholarly journals Phosphorylation of LXRα impacts atherosclerosis regression by modulating monocyte/macrophage trafficking

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Shrestha ◽  
Maud Voisin ◽  
Tessa J. Barrett ◽  
Hitoo Nishi ◽  
David J. Cantor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Movement ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Favorable Effect ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Phosphorylated Form ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Normal Glucose ◽  
Plaque Regression

AbstractLXRα activation in macrophages enhances regression of atherosclerotic plaques in mice by regulating genes crucial for cholesterol efflux, cell motility and inflammation. Diabetes, however, impairs plaque regression in mice. LXRα is phosphorylated at serine 198 (pS198), which affects the expression of genes controlling inflammation, lipid metabolism and cell movement. We hypothesize that LXRα function is affected by hyperglycemia through changes in LXRα pS198. Indeed, macrophages cultured in diabetes relevant high glucose versus normal glucose display alterations in LXR-dependent gene expression and increased LXRα pS198. We therefore examined the consequence of disrupting LXRα phosphorylation (S196A in mouse LXRα) during regression of atherosclerosis in normal and diabetic mice. We find that phosphorylation deficient LXRα S196A reduces macrophage retention in plaques in diabetes, which is predicted to be anti-atherogenic and enhance plaque regression. However, this favorable effect on regression is masked by increased monocyte infiltration in the plaque attributed to leukocytosis in LXRα S196A mice. RNA-seq of plaque macrophages from diabetic S196A mice shows increased expression of chemotaxis and decreased expression of cell adhesion genes, consistent with reduced macrophage retention by LXRα S196A. Thus, the non-phosphorylated form of LXRα precludes macrophage retention in the plaque. Our study provides the first evidence for a physiological role of LXRα phosphorylation in modulating atherosclerosis regression. Compounds that prevent LXRα phosphorylation or ligands that induce the conformation of non-phosphorylated LXRα may selectively enhance macrophage emigration from atherosclerotic plaques.

Abstract MP259: The Role Of Sertad4 In Pathological Cardiac Remodeling

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Stratton ◽  
Ashley Francois ◽  
Oscar Bermeo-Blanco ◽  
Alessandro Canella ◽  
Lynn Marcho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Remodeling ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Systolic Function ◽  
Myocardial Infarct ◽  
Proteasome Inhibition ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Tgf Β1

Over 6 million Americans suffer from heart failure (HF) while the 5-year mortality rate following first admission for HF is over 40%. Cardiac fibrosis is a clinical hallmark of HF, regardless of the initiating pathology and is thought to contribute to disease progression. Using an epigenomics discovery approach, we uncovered a nuclear protein, Sertad4, as a potential anti-fibrotic target. Our data indicate that Sertad4 is a positive regulator of fibroblast activation. Specifically, cultured cardiac fibroblast experiments demonstrate that Sertad4 targeting with shRNAs blocks fibroblast proliferation and causes cells to arrest in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Also, shRNA targeting of Sertad4 dramatically blocked activation of myofibroblast differentiation genes (αSMA/POSTN/COL1A1). Mechanistically, these effects appear to be mediated by Sertad4 regulation of SMAD2 protein stability in the presence of TGF-β1 stimulation as demonstrated by proteasome inhibition experiments. RNA-seq analysis indicate that Sertad4 also regulates the expression of genes involved in ubiquitination and proteasome degradation. Next, we sought to determine the effect of global Sertad4 knockout on post-myocardial infarct (MI) remodeling and cardiac function in mice. After 4 weeks of permanent LAD ligation, echocardiography was performed to measure systolic function. Relative to wild-type (WT) controls, the Sertad4 KO mice showed preserved systolic function as evident by improved ejection fraction (WT 14.4 +/- 3.6 vs. KO 33.9+/-5.9, p=0.035) and fractional shortening (WT 6.5 +/- 1.7 vs. KO 16.4 +/- 3.4, p=0.046). β-gal staining in the Sertad4/LacZ reporter mouse subjected to MI showed robust Sertad4/LacZ expression in the ischemic scar and boarder-zone with almost no expression in control hearts. This data supports the notion that Sertad4 has a key role in cardiac remodeling in response to ischemic injury.

scholarly journals miR-21 blocks obesity in mice: a potential therapy for humans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Said Lhamyani ◽  
Adriana-Mariel Gentile ◽  
Rosa M. Giráldez-Pérez ◽  
Mónica Feijóo-Cuaresma ◽  
Silvana Yanina Romero-Zerbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Fat Diet ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Obesity In Mice ◽  
Metabolically Healthy

AbstractmicroRNAs are promising drug targets in obesity and metabolic disorders. miR-21 expression is upregulated in obese white adipose tissue (WAT); however, its physiological role in WAT has not been fully explored. We aimed to dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-21 in treating obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance. We demonstrated, in human and mice, that elevated miR-21 expression is associated with metabolically healthy obesity. miR-21 mimic affected the expression of genes associated with adipogenesis, thermogenesis, and browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, it blocked high fat diet-induced weight gain in obese mice, without modifying food intake or physical activity. This was associated with metabolic enhancements, WAT browning and thermogenic programming, and brown AT induction through VEGF-A, p53, and TGFβ1 signaling pathways. Our findings add a novel role of miR-21 in the regulation of obesity and a potential therapy for both obesity and T2D without altering caloric intake and physical activities.

scholarly journals Knockout of the OsNAC006 Transcription Factor Causes Drought and Heat Sensitivity in Rice

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Wang ◽  
Zhaohui Zhong ◽  
Xia Wang ◽  
Xiangyan Han ◽  
Deshui Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Heat Sensitivity ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Oxidoreductase Activity ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Nac Transcription Factors ◽  
Cofactor Binding ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Indole 3 Acetic Acid

Rice (Oryza sativa) responds to various abiotic stresses during growth. Plant-specific NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2 (NAC) transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in controlling numerous vital growth and developmental processes. To date, 170 NAC TFs have been reported in rice, but their roles remain largely unknown. Herein, we discovered that the TF OsNAC006 is constitutively expressed in rice, and regulated by H2O2, cold, heat, abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin (GA), NaCl, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 treatments. Furthermore, knockout of OsNAC006 using the CRISPR-Cas9 system resulted in drought and heat sensitivity. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) transcriptome analysis revealed that OsNAC006 regulates the expression of genes mainly involved in response to stimuli, oxidoreductase activity, cofactor binding, and membrane-related pathways. Our findings elucidate the important role of OsNAC006 in drought responses, and provide valuable information for genetic manipulation to enhance stress tolerance in future plant breeding programs.

Abstract 273: Shear Stress--Induced Atherosclerotic Plaque Regression Explained by Increased Macrophage Efferocytosis and Migration

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Simeone ◽  
Talin Ebrahimian ◽  
Veronique Michaud ◽  
Stephanie Lehoux
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
High Fat Diet ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
High Shear ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Mmp Inhibitor ◽  
Plaque Regression ◽  
Static Conditions

Atherosclerotic plaques form in regions of low blood flow, whereas vessels exposed to high shear stress remain lesion-free. Using a model of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in mice, we have previously shown that exposing established atherosclerotic plaques to elevated shear stress leads to lesion regression and increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. MMP inhibition abolished shear stress-induced plaque regression and macrophage migration, suggesting that facilitating inflammatory cell movement within the plaque contributes to regression. We hypothesized that increased shear stress also leads to more efficient efferocytosis, another important hallmark of regression. LDLR-/- mice were placed on a high-fat diet. Sham and AVF surgery was performed at week 12 and mice were kept on a high-fat diet for a further 4 weeks (wk16). Control mice were sacrificed at wk12. The AVF procedure increases the shear stress in the brachiocephalic artery (BCA) but does not alter serum lipid levels. Using 3D echocardiography between wk12 and wk16, we observed that plaques progressed in the BCA of sham mice, whereas the AVF plaques regressed. Furthermore, the size of the necrotic core was significantly smaller in the AVF plaques than sham and control (P<0.05). This could be due to increased efferocytosis in the AVF, as verified using an in vitro model of the plaque environment. Endothelial cells (EC) were co-cultured with macrophages in a system wherein ECs are exposed to high or no shear stress and macrophages are exposed to the EC effluent. Uptake of apoptotic cells by macrophages was 50% higher in the high shear vs. static conditions (P<0.01). The MMP inhibitor, GM6001, had no effect on efferocytosis. However, a cytokine array on the co-culture effluent revealed interesting candidates. CCL3 and GMCSF, both of which have been associated with enhanced efferocytosis, were more highly expressed in high shear conditions vs. static. Our findings suggest that shear stress increases efferocytosis, leading to smaller necrotic cores through a mechanism that probably involves altered cytokine production. The combination of more efficient cell migration and efferocytosis in the presence of increased shear stress likely leads to plaque regression.

scholarly journals Importance of Bacillithiol in the Oxidative Stress Response of Staphylococcus aureus

2013 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 316-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Posada ◽  
Stacey L. Kolar ◽  
Renata G. Dusi ◽  
Patrice Francois ◽  
Alexandra A. Roberts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chromatography Analysis ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Fold Reduction ◽  
Fosfomycin Resistance ◽  
Microarray Analyses

ABSTRACTInStaphylococcus aureus, the low-molecular-weight thiol called bacillithiol (BSH), together with cognateS-transferases, is believed to be the counterpart to the glutathione system of other organisms. To explore the physiological role of BSH inS. aureus, we constructed mutants with the deletion ofbshA(sa1291), which encodes the glycosyltransferase that catalyzes the first step of BSH biosynthesis, andfosB(sa2124), which encodes a BSH-S-transferase that confers fosfomycin resistance, in severalS. aureusstrains, including clinical isolates. Mutation offosBorbshAcaused a 16- to 60-fold reduction in fosfomycin resistance in theseS. aureusstrains. High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis, which quantified thiol extracts, revealed some variability in the amounts of BSH present acrossS. aureusstrains. Deletion offosBled to a decrease in BSH levels. ThefosBandbshAmutants of strain COL and a USA300 isolate, upon further characterization, were found to be sensitive to H2O2and exhibited decreased NADPH levels compared with those in the isogenic parents. Microarray analyses of COL and the isogenicbshAmutant revealed increased expression of genes involved in staphyloxanthin synthesis in thebshAmutant relative to that in COL under thiol stress conditions. However, thebshAmutant of COL demonstrated decreased survival compared to that of the parent in human whole-blood survival assays; likewise, the naturally BSH-deficient strain SH1000 survived less well than its BSH-producing isogenic counterpart. Thus, the survival ofS. aureusunder oxidative stress is facilitated by BSH, possibly via a FosB-mediated mechanism, independently of its capability to produce staphyloxanthin.

scholarly journals Crucial Role of Salmonella Genomic Island 1 Master Activator in Parasitism of IncC plasmids

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Durand ◽  
Kévin T. Huguet ◽  
Nicolas Rivard ◽  
Nicolas Carraro ◽  
Sébastien Rodrigue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Island ◽  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Conjugative Plasmids ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Reporter Assays ◽  
Complete Set ◽  
In Trans

ABSTRACTIncC conjugative plasmids and the multiple variants of Salmonella Genomic Island 1 (SGI1) are two functionally interacting families of mobile genetic elements commonly associated with multidrug resistance in Gammaproteobacteria. SGI1 and its siblings are specifically mobilised in trans by IncC conjugative plasmids. Conjugative transfer of IncC plasmids is activated by the plasmid-encoded master activator AcaCD. SGI1 carries five AcaCD-responsive promoters that drive the expression of genes involved in its excision, replication, and mobilisation. SGI1 encodes an AcaCD homologue, the transcriptional activator complex SgaCD (also known as FlhDCSGI1) that seems to recognise and activate the same SGI1 promoters. Here, we investigated the relevance of SgaCD in SGI1’s lifecycle. Mating assays revealed the requirement for SgaCD and its IncC-encoded counterpart AcaCD in the mobilisation of SGI1. An integrative approach combining ChIP-exo, Cappable-seq, and RNA-seq confirmed that SgaCD activates each of the 18 AcaCD-responsive promoters driving the expression of the plasmid transfer functions. A comprehensive analysis of the activity of the complete set of AcaCD-responsive promoters in both SGI1 and IncC plasmid was performed through reporter assays. qPCR and flow cytometry assays revealed that SgaCD is essential for the excision and replication of SGI1, and the destabilisation of the helper IncC plasmid.

scholarly journals The Bacillus Virulome in Endophthalmitis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip S. Coburn ◽  
Frederick C. Miller ◽  
Morgan A. Enty ◽  
Craig Land ◽  
Austin L. LaGrow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Murine Model ◽  
Manganese Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Manganese Superoxide ◽  
New Treatment

AbstractBacillus cereus is recognized as a causative agent of gastrointestinal syndromes, but can also cause a devastating form of intraocular infection known as endophthalmitis. We have previously reported that the PlcR/PapR master virulence factor regulator system regulates intraocular virulence, and that the S-layer protein (SlpA) contributes to the severity of B. cereus endophthalmitis. To begin to better understand the role of other B. cereus virulence genes in endophthalmitis, expression levels of a subset of factors was measured at the midpoint of disease progression in a murine model of experimental endophthalmitis by RNA-Seq. Several cytolytic toxins were expressed at significantly higher levels in vivo than in BHI. The virulence regulators codY, gntR, and nprR were also expressed in vivo. However, at this timepoint, plcR/papR was not detectable, we previously reported that a B. cereus mutant deficient in PlcR was attenuated in the eye. The motility-related genes fla, fliF, and motB, and the chemotaxis-related gene cheA were detected during infection. We have shown previously that motility and chemotaxis phenotypes are important in B. cereus endophthalmitis. The sodA2 variant of manganese superoxide dismutase was the most highly expression gene in vivo, suggesting that this gene is criticial for intraocular survival, potentially through inhibition of neutrophil activity. Expression of the surface layer protein gene, slpA, an activator of Toll-like receptors (TLR) −2 and −4, and a potent contributor to intraocular inflammation and disease severvity, was also detected during infection, albeit at low levels. In summary, genes expressed in a mouse model of Bacillus endophthalmitis might prove to play crucial roles in the unique virulence of B. cereus endophthalmitis, and serve as candidates for novel therapies designed attenuate the severity of this often blinding infection.Impact statementB. cereus causes a potent and rapid infection of the eye that usually results in blindness or enucleation, even with the utilization of current treatment modalities. This necessitates the development of new treatment modalities based on new targets. To begin to better define those B. cereus factors with roles in intraocular infection, we analyzed the expression of genes with both known and hypothesized roles in intraocular infection at the midpoint of infection using a murine model of Bacillus endophthalmitis. Potentially targetable candidate genes were demonstrated to be expressed in vivo, which suggests that these genes might contribute to the unique virulence of B. cereus endophthalmitis. Importantly, our results begin to define the virulome of B. cereus in intraocular infections and identify previously uncharacterized factors with potential roles in the severity and outcome of Bacillus endophthalmitis.

HOXC10 suppresses browning to maintain white adipocyte identity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Y. Angeline Tan ◽  
M. F. Michelle Sim ◽  
Shi-Xiong Tan ◽  
Yvonne Ng ◽  
Sin Yee Gan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Level ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Shotgun Proteomics ◽  
White Adipocyte ◽  
E3 Ligases ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Proteomics Approach ◽  
Adipocyte Development

Promoting beige adipocyte development within white adipose tissue (WAT) is a potential therapeutic approach to staunch the current obesity epidemic. Previously, we identified homeobox-containing transcription factor HOXC10 as a suppressor of browning in subcutaneous WAT. Here, we provide evidence for the physiological role of HOXC10 in regulating WAT thermogenesis. Analysis of an adipose-specific HOXC10 knockout mouse line with no detectable HOXC10 in mature adipocytes revealed spontaneous subcutaneous WAT browning, increased expression of genes involved in browning, increased basal rectal temperature, enhanced cold tolerance and improved glucose homeostasis. These phenotypes were further exacerbated by exposure to cold or a β-adrenergic stimulant. Mechanistically, cold and β-adrenergic exposure led to reduced HOXC10 protein level without affecting its mRNA level. Cold exposure induced PKA-dependent proteasome-mediated degradation of HOXC10 in cultured adipocytes and shotgun proteomics approach identified KCTD 2, 5 and 17 as potential E3 ligases regulating HOXC10 proteasomal degradation. Collectively, these data demonstrate that HOXC10 is a gatekeeper of WAT identity, and targeting HOXC10 could be a plausible therapeutic strategy to unlock WAT thermogenic potentials.

scholarly journals HigB1 Toxin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Is Upregulated During Stress and Required to Establish Infection in Guinea Pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Sharma ◽  
Kalpana Sagar ◽  
Neeraj Kumar Chauhan ◽  
Balaji Venkataraman ◽  
Nidhi Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
Cumulative Evidence ◽  
Host Tissues

The extraordinary expansion of Toxin Antitoxin (TA) modules in the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has received significant attention over the last few decades. The cumulative evidence suggests that TA systems are activated in response to stress conditions and are essential for M. tuberculosis pathogenesis. In M. tuberculosis, Rv1955-Rv1956-Rv1957 constitutes the only tripartite TAC (Toxin Antitoxin Chaperone) module. In this locus, Rv1955 (HigB1) encodes for the toxin and Rv1956 (HigA1) encodes for antitoxin. Rv1957 encodes for a SecB-like chaperone that regulates HigBA1 toxin antitoxin system by preventing HigA1 degradation. Here, we have investigated the physiological role of HigB1 toxin in stress adaptation and pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. qPCR studies revealed that higBA1 is upregulated in nutrient limiting conditions and upon exposure to levofloxacin. We also show that the promoter activity of higBA1 locus in M. tuberculosis is (p)ppGpp dependent. We observed that HigB1 locus is non-essential for M. tuberculosis growth under different stress conditions in vitro. However, guinea pigs infected with higB1 deletion strain exhibited significantly reduced bacterial loads and pathological damage in comparison to the animals infected with the parental strain. Transcriptome analysis suggested that deletion of higB1 reduced the expression of genes involved in virulence, detoxification and adaptation. The present study describes the role of higB1 toxin in M. tuberculosis physiology and highlights the importance of higBA1 locus during infection in host tissues.

scholarly journals Transcriptome Response of Metallicolous and a Non-Metallicolous Ecotypes of Noccaea goesingensis to Nickel Excess

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 951
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Domka ◽  
Piotr Rozpądek ◽  
Rafał Ważny ◽  
Roman Jan Jędrzejczyk ◽  
Magdalena Hubalewska-Mazgaj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Culture Medium ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Nickel Concentration ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Metal Transporters ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Accumulation Capacity ◽  
Transcriptome Response

Root transcriptomic profile was comparatively studied in a serpentine (TM) and a non-metallicolous (NTM) population of Noccaea goesingensis in order to investigate possible features of Ni hyperaccumulation. Both populations were characterised by contrasting Ni tolerance and accumulation capacity. The growth of the TM population was unaffected by metal excess, while the shoot biomass production in the NTM population was significantly lower in the presence of Ni in the culture medium. Nickel concentration was nearly six- and two-fold higher in the shoots than in the roots of the TM and NTM population, respectively. The comparison of root transcriptomes using the RNA-seq method indicated distinct responses to Ni treatment between tested ecotypes. Among differentially expressed genes, the expression of IRT1 and IRT2, encoding metal transporters, was upregulated in the TM population and downregulated/unchanged in the NTM ecotype. Furthermore, differences were observed among ethylene metabolism and response related genes. In the TM population, the expression of genes including ACS7, ACO5, ERF104 and ERF105 was upregulated, while in the NTM population, expression of these genes remained unchanged, thus suggesting a possible regulatory role of this hormone in Ni hyperaccumulation. The present results could serve as a starting point for further studies concerning the plant mechanisms responsible for Ni tolerance and accumulation.

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