技术资料

Post-transcriptional mechanisms have the potential to influence complex changes in gene expression,yet their role in cell fate transitions remains largely unexplored. Here,we show that suppression of the RNA helicase DDX6 endows human and mouse primed embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with a differentiation-resistant,hyper-pluripotent" state which readily reprograms to a naive state resembling the preimplantation embryo. We further demonstrate that DDX6 plays a key role in adult progenitors where it controls the balance between self-renewal and differentiation in a context-dependent manner. Mechanistically DDX6 mediates the translational suppression of target mRNAs in P-bodies. Upon loss of DDX6 activity P-bodies dissolve and release mRNAs encoding fate-instructive transcription and chromatin factors that re-enter the ribosome pool. Increased translation of these targets impacts cell fate by rewiring the enhancer heterochromatin and DNA methylation landscapes of undifferentiated cell types. Collectively our data establish a link between P-body homeostasis chromatin organization and stem cell potency." View Publication

mTORC1 regulates cellular growth and is activated by growth factors and by essential amino acids such as Leu. Leu enters cells via the Leu transporter LAT1-4F2hc (LAT1). Here we show that the Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter NKCC1 (SLC12A2),a known regulator of cell volume,is present in complex with LAT1. We further show that NKCC1 depletion or deletion enhances LAT1 activity,as well as activation of Akt and Erk,leading to activation of mTORC1 in cells,colonic organoids,and mouse colon. Moreover,NKCC1 depletion reduces intracellular Na+ concentration and cell volume (size) and mass and stimulates cell proliferation. NKCC1,therefore,suppresses mTORC1 by inhibiting its key activating signaling pathways. Importantly,by linking ion transport and cell volume regulation to mTORC1 function,NKCC1 provides a long-sought link connecting cell volume (size) to cell mass regulation. View Publication

BACKGROUND Vascularization is important for the clinical application of tissue engineered products. Both adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and surgical prefabrication can be used to induce angiogenesis in scaffolds. Our aim was to compare the angiogenic potential of ASC-seeded scaffolds combined with scaffold prefabrication with that of non-seeded,non-prefabricated scaffolds. METHODS For prefabrication,functional blood vessels were introduced into the scaffold using a flow-through pedicle system. ASCs were isolated from rat fat deposits. Three-dimensional-printed cylindrical poly-$\epsilon$-caprolactone scaffolds were fabricated by fused deposition modelling. Three groups,each containing six rats,were investigated by using non-seeded,ASC-seeded,and osteogenic induced ASC-seeded scaffolds. In each group,one rat was implanted with two scaffolds in the inguinal region. On the right side,a scaffold was implanted subcutaneously around the inferior epigastric vessels (classic prefabrication group). On the left side,the inferior epigastric vessels were placed inside the prefabricated scaffold in the flow-through pedicle system (flow-through prefabrication group). The vessel density and vascular architecture were examined histopathologically and by $\mu$CT imaging,respectively,at 2 months after implantation. RESULTS The mean vessel densities were 10- and 5-fold higher in the ASC-seeded and osteogenic induced ASC-seeded scaffolds with flow-through prefabrication,respectively,than in the non-seeded classic prefabricated group (p {\textless} 0.001). $\mu$CT imaging revealed functional vessels within the scaffold. CONCLUSION ASC-seeded scaffolds with prefabrication showed significantly improved scaffold vasculogenesis and could be useful for application to tissue engineering products in the clinical settings. View Publication

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM-MSCs) have immunoregulatory properties and have been used as immune regulators for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Human dental tissue mesenchymal stem cells (DT-MSCs) constitute an attractive alternative to BM-MSCs for potential clinical applications because of their accessibility and easy preparation. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare MSCs from dental pulp (DP-MSCs),gingival tissue (G-MSCs),and periodontal ligament (PDL-MSCs) in terms of their immunosuppressive properties against lymphoid cell populations enriched for CD3+ T cells to determine which MSCs would be the most appropriate for in vivo immunoregulatory applications. BM-MSCs were included as the gold standard. Our results demonstrated,in vitro,that MSCs from DP,G,and PDL showed immunoregulatory properties similar to those from BM,in terms of the cellular proliferation inhibition of both CD4+- and CD8+-activated T-cells. This reduced proliferation in cell co-cultures correlated with the production of interferon-$\gamma$ and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) and the upregulation of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in MSCs and cytotoxic T-cell-associated Ag-4 (CTLA-4) in T-cells and increased interleukin-10 and prostaglandin E2 production. Interestingly,we observed differences in the production of cytokines and surface and secreted molecules that may participate in T-cell immunosuppression in co-cultures in the presence of DT-MSCs compared with BM-MSCs. Importantly,MSCs from four sources favored the generation of T-cell subsets displaying the regulatory phenotypes CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD25+CTLA-4+. Our results in vitro indicate that,in addition to BM-MSCs,MSCs from all of the dental sources analyzed in this study might be candidates for future therapeutic applications. View Publication

BACKGROUND The inhibition of Janus kinases (JAKs) and subsequent signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) by tofacitinib represents a new therapeutic strategy in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) as clinical trials have led to approval of tofacitinib for ulcerative colitis (UC) and hint at a possible efficacy for Crohn`s disease (CD). However,the impact of tofacitinib on cellular response of monocytes,which are key players in inflammatory responses,has not been investigated so far. We aimed to analyze JAK/STAT-inhibition by tofacitinib in monocytes of IBD patients and healthy controls. METHODS Primary monocytes of IBD patients with active disease and healthy controls (n = 18) were analyzed for cytokine expression and phenotype after granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)/interferon (IFN)$\gamma$-stimulation and tofacitinib pretreatment (1-1000 nM) and capacity to induce Foxp3+-regulatory T cells (Tregs) in cocultures. In total,20 UC patients and 21 CD patients were included. Additionally,dose-dependent inhibition of JAK/STAT-phosphorylation was analyzed in controls. RESULTS Pro-inflammatory costimulation with GM-CSF/IFN$\gamma$ resulted in significant tumor necrosis factor (TNF$\alpha$) and interleukin (IL)-6 increase,whereas IL-10 expression decreased in monocytes. Tofacitinib modulated the responses of activated monocytes toward a regulatory phenotype through reduced TNF$\alpha$ and IL-6 secretion and enhanced Treg induction in cocultures. However,in monocytes from active IBD patients,higher tofacitinib dosages were needed for blockade of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Tofacitinib induced stronger regulatory phenotypes in monocytes of UC patients,including more effective inhibition of pro-inflammatory pathways and better restoration of anti-inflammatory mechanisms as compared with CD-derived monocytes. CONCLUSION Tofacitinib dose-dependently reprograms monocytes toward a more regulatory cell type. This beneficial effect possibly results from selective JAK/STAT-blockade by adequate tofacitinib dosage with inhibition of pro-inflammatory responses and permission of a balance-shift toward regulatory pathways. View Publication

INTRODUCTION Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been extensively investigated from a perspective on cardiac regeneration therapy. The current study aimed to investigate the protective effect conferred by BMSCs in subacute myocardial injury,and to identify an appropriate BMSC reinfusion time. METHODS BMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow blood. Daunorubicin (DNR)-induced subacute myocardial models were subsequently established. The rats with DNR-induced subacute myocardial injury were injected with dexrazoxane (DZR) and/or BMSCs at varying time points,after which cardiac function was evaluated by assessing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fraction shortening (FS). The myocardial structural changes were analyzed,after which the levels of CD3 and human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) were examined to further validate the mechanism by which BMSCs could influence subacute myocardial injury. RESULTS BMSCs combined with DZR treatment enhanced the cardiac function of rats with DNR-induced myocardial injury,as reflected by increased LVEF and FS. DNR-induced myocardial injuries were mitigated via the application of BMSCs combined with treatment of DZR,accompanied by diminished infiltration or vacuolization. Moreover,BMSCs were observed to alleviate infiltration of T lymphocyte and antigen-presenting cells,as evidenced by reduced expression of CD3 and HLA-DR. CONCLUSION Taken together,this study demonstrates that BMSCs could protect against DNR-induced myocardial injury,especially in the first three days of DNR administration. BMSCs combined with DZR exert a better therapeutic effect,but there are individual differences. View Publication

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is one of the main components of the traditional Chinese medicine of licorice,which can coordinate and promote the effects of other medicines in the traditional prescription. We found that GA could promote the proliferation,decrease the apoptotic rate,and attenuate DFMO-elicited growth arrest and delay in restitution after wounding in IEC-6 cells via HuR. GA failed to promote proliferation and to suppress apoptosis after silencing HuR by siRNA in IEC-6 cells. Furthermore,with the model of small intestinal organoids developed from intestinal crypt stem cells,we found that GA could increase HuR and its downstream ki67 levels to promote intestinal organoid development. In the in vivo assay,GA was shown to maintain the integrity of the intestinal epithelium under the circumstance of 48 h-fasting in rats via raising HuR and its downstream genes such as EGF,EGFR,and MEK. These results suggested that via HuR modulation,GA could promote intestinal epithelium homeostasis,and therefore contribute to the absorption of constituents from other medicines co-existing in the traditional prescription with licorice in the small intestine. Our results provide a new perspective for understanding the effect of licorice on enhancing the therapeutic effect of traditional prescriptions according to the traditional Chinese medicine theory. View Publication

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare aggressive myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm of early childhood,initiated by RAS-activating mutations. Genomic analyses have recently described JMML mutational landscape; however,the nature of JMML-propagating cells (JMML-PCs) and the clonal architecture of the disease remained until now elusive. Combining genomic (exome,RNA-seq),Colony forming assay and xenograft studies,we detect the presence of JMML-PCs that faithfully reproduce JMML features including the complex/nonlinear organization of dominant/minor clones,both at diagnosis and relapse. Further integrated analysis also reveals that although the mutations are acquired in hematopoietic stem cells,JMML-PCs are not always restricted to this compartment,highlighting the heterogeneity of the disease during the initiation steps. We show that the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell phenotype is globally maintained in JMML despite overexpression of CD90/THY-1 in a subset of patients. This study shed new lights into the ontogeny of JMML,and the identity of JMML-PCs,and provides robust models to monitor the disease and test novel therapeutic approaches. View Publication

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) represents ∼10{\%} of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia cases and typically affects young children ({\textless}3 years of age). It remains plagued with extremely poor treatment outcomes ({\textless}40{\%} cure rates),mostly due to primary chemotherapy refractory disease and/or early relapse. Recurrent and mutually exclusive chimeric fusion oncogenes have been detected in 60{\%} to 70{\%} of cases and include nucleoporin 98 (NUP98) gene rearrangements,most commonly NUP98-KDM5A. Human models of NUP98-KDM5A-driven AMKL capable of faithfully recapitulating the disease have been lacking,and patient samples are rare,further limiting biomarkers and drug discovery. To overcome these impediments,we overexpressed NUP98-KDM5A in human cord blood hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells using a lentiviral-based approach to create physiopathologically relevant disease models. The NUP98-KDM5A fusion oncogene was a potent inducer of maturation arrest,sustaining long-term proliferative and progenitor capacities of engineered cells in optimized culture conditions. Adoptive transfer of NUP98-KDM5A-transformed cells into immunodeficient mice led to multiple subtypes of leukemia,including AMKL,that phenocopy human disease phenotypically and molecularly. The integrative molecular characterization of synthetic and patient NUP98-KDM5A AMKL samples revealed SELP,MPIG6B,and NEO1 as distinctive and novel disease biomarkers. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses pointed to upregulation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in the model AMKL. Both synthetic models and patient-derived xenografts of NUP98-rearranged AMKL showed in vitro therapeutic vulnerability to ruxolitinib,a clinically approved JAK2 inhibitor. Overall,synthetic human AMKL models contribute to defining functional dependencies of rare genotypes of high-fatality pediatric leukemia,which lack effective and rationally designed treatments. View Publication

Current guidelines encourage administering pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar-13 to patients with lupus,but whether such vaccinations affect disease severity is unclear. To address this issue,we treated 3-month-old MRL-lpr mice,that spontaneously develop a lupus-like syndrome,with Prevnar-13 or vehicle control. After 3 months,we quantified circulating anti-Pneumococcal polysaccharide capsule (PPS) antibodies and signs of disease severity,including albuminuria,renal histology and skin severity score. We also compared immunophenotypes and function of T and B cells from treated and untreated animals. Prevnar-13 elicited the formation of anti-pneumococcal IgM and IgG. Prevnar-13 treated animals showed reduced albuminuria,renal histological lesions,and milder dermatitis compared to vehicle-treated controls. Mitigated disease severity was associated with reduced and increased T follicular helper cells (TFH) and T follicular regulatory cells (TFR),respectively,in Prevnar-treated animals. T cells from Prevnar-13 vaccinated mice showed differential cytokine production after aCD3/aCD28 stimulation,with significantly decreased IL-17 and IL-4,and increased IL-10 production compared to non-vaccinated mice. In conclusion,pneumococcal vaccination elicits anti-pneumococcal antibody response and ameliorates disease severity in MRL-lpr mice,which associates with fewer TFH and increased TFR. Together,the data support use of Prevnar vaccination in individuals with SLE. View Publication

The microbes in the gastrointestinal tract are separated from the host by a single layer of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) that plays pivotal roles in maintaining homeostasis by absorbing nutrients and providing a physical and immunological barrier to potential pathogens. Preservation of homeostasis requires the crosstalk between the epithelium and the microbial environment. One epithelial-driven innate immune mechanism that participates in host-microbe communication involves the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS),such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2),toward the lumen. Phagocytes produce high amounts of ROS which is critical for microbicidal functions; the functional contribution of epithelial ROS,however,has been hindered by the lack of methodologies to reliably quantify extracellular release of ROS. Here,we used a modified Amplex Red assay to investigate the inflammatory and microbial regulation of IEC-generated H2O2 and the potential role of Duox2,a NADPH oxidase that is an important source of H2O2. We found that colonoids respond to interferon-$\gamma$ and flagellin by enhancing production of H2O2 in a Duox2-mediated fashion. To extend these findings,we analyzed ex vivo production of H2O2 by IECs after acute and chronic inflammation,as well as after exposure to dysbiotic microbiota. While acute inflammation did not induce a significant increase in epithelial-driven H2O2,chronic inflammation caused IECs to release higher levels of H2O2. Furthermore,colonization of germ-free mice with dysbiotic microbiota from mice or patients with IBD resulted in increased H2O2 production compared with healthy controls. Collectively,these data suggest that IECs are capable of H2O2 production during chronic inflammation and dysbiotic states. Our results provide insight into luminal production of H2O2 by IECs as a read-out of innate defense by the mucosa. View Publication

The macrophages from Crohn's Disease (CD) patients are defective to control the replication of CD-associated adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC). We aimed to identify the host factors associated with AIEC replication focusing on polymorphisms related to autophagy. Peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM),obtained from 95 CD patient,30 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 15 healthy subjects,were genotyped for several CD-associated polymorphisms. AIEC bacteria survival increased within MDM from CD patients compared to UC (p = 0.0019). AIEC bacteria survival increased in patients with CD-associated polymorphism IRGM (p = 0.05) and reduced in those with CD-associated polymorphisms XBP-1 (p = 0.026) and ULK-1 (p = 0.033). AIEC infection led to an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1$\beta$ (p {\textless} 0.0001) and TNF-$\alpha$ (p {\textless} 0.0001) in CD macrophages. ULK-1 expression increased in AIEC-infected MDM from CD patients compared to MDM from UC patients or healthy subjects (p = 0.0056) and correlated with AIEC survival (p = 0.0013). Moreover,the expression of ULK-1 phosphorylation on Serine 757 decreased following to AIEC infection (p {\textless} 0.0001). Short-term silencing of ULK-1 and IRGM genes restricted and promote,respectively,AIEC survival within MDM (p = 0.0018 and p = 0.0291). In conclusion,the macrophage defect to mediate AIEC clearance in CD patients is linked to polymorphisms related to autophagy such as IRGM and ULK-1. View Publication