参考文献

The growth factor Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) has pleiotropic roles in proliferation and differentiation of the stem cell niche in different tissues. It has been implicated in gut,brain and muscle development and repair. Six isoform classes of NRG1 and over 28 protein isoforms have been previously described. Here we report a new class of NRG1,designated NRG1-VII to denote that these NRG1 isoforms arise from a myeloid-specific transcriptional start site (TSS) previously uncharacterized. Long-read sequencing was used to identify eight high-confidence NRG1-VII transcripts. These transcripts presented major structural differences from one another,through the use of cassette exons and alternative stop codons. Expression of NRG1-VII was confirmed in primary human monocytes and tissue resident macrophages and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages (iPSC-derived macrophages). Isoform switching via cassette exon usage and alternate polyadenylation was apparent during monocyte maturation and macrophage differentiation. NRG1-VII is the major class expressed by the myeloid lineage,including tissue-resident macrophages. Analysis of public gene expression data indicates that monocytes and macrophages are a primary source of NRG1. The size and structure of class VII isoforms suggests that they may be more diffusible through tissues than other NRG1 classes. However,the specific roles of class VII variants in tissue homeostasis and repair have not yet been determined. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-024-10723-2. View Publication

Intermediate-length repeat expansions in ATAXIN-2 (ATXN2) are the strongest genetic risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). At the molecular level,ATXN2 intermediate expansions enhance TDP-43 toxicity and pathology. However,whether this triggers ALS pathogenesis at the cellular and functional level remains unknown. Here,we combine patient-derived and mouse models to dissect the effects of ATXN2 intermediate expansions in an ALS background. iPSC-derived motor neurons from ATXN2-ALS patients show altered stress granules,neurite damage and abnormal electrophysiological properties compared to healthy control and other familial ALS mutations. In TDP-43 Tg -ALS mice,ATXN2-Q33 causes reduced motor function,NMJ alterations,neuron degeneration and altered in vitro stress granule dynamics. Furthermore,gene expression changes related to mitochondrial function and inflammatory response are detected and confirmed at the cellular level in mice and human neuron and organoid models. Together,these results define pathogenic defects underlying ATXN2-ALS and provide a framework for future research into ATXN2-dependent pathogenesis and therapy. Subject terms: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,Molecular neuroscience,Cellular neuroscience View Publication

Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are frontline therapies for Myelodysplastic Neoplasms (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). However,acquired resistance and treatment failure are commonplace. To address this,we perform a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen in a human MDS-derived cell line,MDS-L,and identify TOPORS as a loss-of-function target that synergizes with HMAs,reducing leukemic burden and improving survival in xenograft models. We demonstrate that depletion of TOPORS mediates sensitivity to HMAs by predisposing leukemic blasts to an impaired DNA damage response (DDR) accompanied by an accumulation of SUMOylated DNMT1 in HMA-treated TOPORS-depleted cells. The combination of HMAs with targeting of TOPORS does not impair healthy hematopoiesis. While inhibitors of TOPORS are unavailable,we show that inhibition of protein SUMOylation with TAK-981 partially phenocopies HMA-sensitivity and DDR impairment. Overall,our data suggest that the combination of HMAs with inhibition of SUMOylation or TOPORS is a rational treatment option for High-Risk MDS (HR-MDS) or AML. Subject terms: Myelodysplastic syndrome,Acute myeloid leukaemia,Sumoylation View Publication

DNA hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are used for the treatment of myeloid malignancies,although their therapeutic effects have been unsatisfactory. Here we show that CRISPR-Cas9 screening reveals that knockout of topoisomerase 1-binding arginine/serine-rich protein ( TOPORS ),which encodes a ubiquitin/SUMO E3 ligase,augments the efficacy of HMAs on myeloid leukemic cells with little effect on normal hematopoiesis,suggesting that TOPORS is involved in resistance to HMAs. HMAs are incorporated into the DNA and trap DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) to form DNA-DNMT1 crosslinks,which undergo SUMOylation,followed by proteasomal degradation. Persistent crosslinking is cytotoxic. The TOPORS RING finger domain,which mediates ubiquitination,is responsible for HMA resistance. In TOPORS knockout cells,DNMT1 is stabilized by HMA treatment due to inefficient ubiquitination,resulting in the accumulation of unresolved SUMOylated DNMT1. This indicates that TOPORS ubiquitinates SUMOylated DNMT1,thereby promoting the resolution of DNA-DNMT1 crosslinks. Consistently,the ubiquitination inhibitor,TAK-243,and the SUMOylation inhibitor,TAK-981,show synergistic effects with HMAs through DNMT1 stabilization. Our study provides a novel HMA-based therapeutic strategy that interferes with the resolution of DNA-DNMT1 crosslinks. Subject terms: Myelodysplastic syndrome,Myelodysplastic syndrome View Publication

Three-dimensionality (3D) was proven essential for developing reliable models for different anatomical compartments and many diseases. However,the neuronal compartment still poses a great challenge as we still do not understand precisely how the brain computes information and how the complex chain of neuronal events can generate conscious behavior. Therefore,a comprehensive model of neuronal tissue has not yet been found. The present work was conceived in this framework: we aimed to contribute to what must be a collective effort by filling in some information on possible 3D strategies to pursue. We compared directly different kinds of scaffolds (i.e.,PDMS sponges,thermally crosslinked hydrogels,and glass microbeads) in their effect on neuronal network activity recorded using micro-electrode arrays. While the overall rate of spiking activity remained consistent,the type of scaffold had a notable impact on bursting dynamics. The frequency,density of bursts,and occurrence of random spikes were all affected. The examination of inter-burst intervals revealed distinct burst generation patterns unique to different scaffold types. Network burst propagation unveiled divergent trends among configurations. Notably,it showed the most differences,underlying that functional variations may arise from a different 3D spatial organization. This evidence suggests that not all 3D neuronal constructs can sustain the same level of richness of activity. Furthermore,we commented on the reproducibility,efficacy,and scalability of the methods,where the beads still offer superior performances. By comparing different 3D scaffolds,our results move toward understanding the best strategies to develop functional 3D neuronal units for reliable pre-clinical studies. View Publication

Despite advances in breast cancer screening and treatment,prognosis for metastatic disease remains dismal at 30% five-year survival. This is due,in large,to the failure of current therapeutics to target properties unique to metastatic cells. One of the drivers of metastasis is miR-10b,a small noncoding RNA implicated in cancer cell invasion,migration,viability,and proliferation. We have developed a nanodrug,termed MN-anti-miR10b,that delivers anti-miR-10b antisense oligomers to cancer cells. In mouse models of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer,MN-anti-miR10b has been shown to prevent onset of metastasis and eliminate existing metastases in combination with chemotherapy,even after treatment has been stopped. Recent studies have implicated miR-10b in conferring stem cell-like properties onto cancer cells,such as chemoresistance. In this study,we show transcriptional evidence that inhibition of miR-10b with MN-anti-miR10b activates developmental processes in cancer cells and that stem-like cancer cells have increased miR-10b expression. We then demonstrate that treatment of breast cancer cells with MN-anti-miR10b reduces their stemness,confirming that these properties make metastatic cells susceptible to the nanodrug actions. Collectively,these findings indicate that inhibition of miR-10b functions to impair breast cancer cell stemness,positioning MN-anti-miR10b as an effective treatment option for stem-like breast cancer subtypes. View Publication

Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is a premier cancer drug target for immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Because PD-1 receptor inhibition activates tumor-specific T-cell immunity,research has predominantly focused on T-cell-PD-1 expression and its immunobiology. In contrast,cancer cell-intrinsic PD-1 functional regulation is not well understood. Here,we demonstrate induction of PD-1 in melanoma cells via type I interferon receptor (IFNAR) signaling and reversal of ICB efficacy through IFNAR pathway inhibition. Treatment of melanoma cells with IFN-α or IFN-β triggers IFNAR-mediated Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling,increases chromatin accessibility and resultant STAT1/2 and IFN regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) binding within a PD-1 gene enhancer,and leads to PD-1 induction. IFNAR1 or JAK/STAT inhibition suppresses melanoma-PD-1 expression and disrupts ICB efficacy in preclinical models. Our results uncover type I IFN-dependent regulation of cancer cell-PD-1 and provide mechanistic insight into the potential unintended ICB-neutralizing effects of widely used IFNAR1 and JAK inhibitors. Subject terms: Melanoma,Cancer immunotherapy,Tumour immunology View Publication

As autologous induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) therapy requires a custom-made small-lot cell production line,and the cell production method differs significantly from the existing processes for producing allogeneic iPSC stocks for clinical use. Specifically,mass culture to produce stock is no longer necessary; instead,a series of operations from iPSC production to induction of differentiation of therapeutic cells must be performed continuously. A three-dimensional (3D) culture method using small,closed-cell manufacturing devices is suitable for autologous iPSC therapy. The use of such devices avoids the need to handle many patient-derived specimens in a single clean room; handling of cell cultures in an open system in a cell processing facility increases the risk of infection. In this study,atelocollagen beads were evaluated as a 3D biomaterial to assist 3D culture in the establishment,expansion culture,and induction of differentiation of iPSCs. It was found that iPSCs can be handled in a closed-cell device with the same ease as use of a two-dimensional (2D) culture when laminin-511 is added to the medium. In conclusion,atelocollagen beads enable 3D culture of iPSCs,and the quality of the obtained cells is at the same level as those derived from 2D culture. View Publication

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) demonstrates enhanced glycolysis,critically contributing to tumor development. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) aids tumor cells in evading T-cell-mediated immune surveillance. Yet,the specific mechanism by which glycolysis influences PD-L1 expression in ccRCC is not fully understood. Our research identified that the glycolysis-related gene (GRG) HK3 has a unique correlation with PD-L1 expression. HK3 has been identified as a key regulator of O-GlcNAcylation in ccRCC. O-GlcNAcylation exists on the serine 900 (Ser900) site of EP300 and can enhance its stability and oncogenic activity by preventing ubiquitination. Stably expressed EP300 works together with TFAP2A as a co-transcription factor to promote PD-L1 transcription and as an acetyltransferase to stabilize PD-L1 protein. Furthermore,ccRCC exhibits interactive dynamics with tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The uridine 5′-diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc),which serves as a critical substrate for the O-GlcNAcylation process,facilitates TAMs polarization. In ccRCC cells,HK3 expression is influenced by IL-10 secreted by M2 TAMs. Our study elucidates that HK3-mediated O-GlcNAcylation of EP300 is involved in tumor immune evasion. This finding suggests potential strategies to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Subject terms: Cancer metabolism,Renal cell carcinoma View Publication

During embryogenesis,human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) first emerge in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region via transformation of specialized hemogenic endothelial (HE) cells into premature HSC precursors. This process is termed endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT),in which the HE cells undergo drastic functional and morphological changes from flat,anchorage-dependent endothelial cells to free-floating round hematopoietic cells. Despite its essential role in human HSC development,molecular mechanisms underlying the EHT are largely unknown. This is due to lack of methods to visualize the emergence of human HSC precursors in real time in contrast to mouse and other model organisms. In this study,by inducing HE from human pluripotent stem cells in feeder-free monolayer cultures,we achieved real-time observation of the human EHT in vitro . By continuous observation and single-cell tracking in the culture,it was possible to visualize a process that a single endothelial cell gives rise to a hematopoietic cell and subsequently form a hematopoietic-cell cluster. The EHT was also confirmed by a drastic HE-to-HSC switching in molecular marker expressions. Notably,HSC precursor emergence was not linked to asymmetric cell division,whereas the hematopoietic cell cluster was formed through proliferation and assembling of the floating cells after the EHT. These results reveal unappreciated dynamics in the human EHT,and we anticipate that our human EHT model in vitro will provide an opportunity to improve our understanding of the human HSC development. View Publication