JUNB governs a feed-forward network of TGFß signaling that aggravates breast cancer invasion.

It is well established that transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß) switches its function from being a tumor suppressor to a tumor promoter during the course of tumorigenesis, which involves both cell-intrinsic and environment-mediated mechanisms. We are interested in breast cancer cells, in which SMAD mutations are rare and interactions between SMAD and other transcription factors define pro-oncogenic events. Here, we have performed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-sequencing analyses which indicate that the genome-wide landscape of SMAD2/3 binding is altered after prolonged TGFß stimulation. De novo motif analyses of the SMAD2/3 binding regions predict enrichment of binding motifs for activator protein (AP)1 in addition to SMAD motifs. TGFß-induced expression of the AP1 component JUNB was required for expression of many late invasion-mediating genes, creating a feed-forward regulatory network. Moreover, we found that several components in the WNT pathway were enriched among the late TGFß-target genes, including the invasion-inducing WNT7 proteins. Consistently, overexpression of WNT7A or WNT7B enhanced and potentiated TGFß-induced breast cancer cell invasion, while inhibition of the WNT pathway reduced this process. Our study thereby helps to explain how accumulation of pro-oncogenic stimuli switches and stabilizes TGFß-induced cellular phenotypes of epithelial cells.

Tyrosine kinase Eph receptor A6 sensitizes glioma-initiating cells towards bone morphogenetic protein-induced apoptosis.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling plays important roles in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a lethal form of brain tumor. BMP reduces GBM tumorigenicity through its differentiation- and apoptosis-inducing effects on glioma-initiating cells (GIC). However, some GIC do not respond to the tumor suppressive effects of BMP. Using a phosphoreceptor tyrosine kinase array, we found that EPHA6 (erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor A6) phosphorylation was regulated by BMP-2 signaling in some GIC. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas showed that EPHA6 expression was lower in patients with GBM than in the normal brain, and that high EPHA6 expression was correlated with better prognosis. EPHA6 receptor increased the susceptibility of both sensitive and resistant GIC to BMP-2-induced apoptosis. The cooperative effect on apoptosis induction depended on the kinase activity of BMP type I receptor but was independent of EPHA6 kinase function. Overexpression of the EPHA6 receptor in GIC resulted in the formation of a protein complex of EPHA6 receptor and the BMP type I receptor ALK-2, which was associated with BMP-induced apoptosis in GIC. Intracranial injection of GIC into nude mice showed that gain-of-function of EPHA6 together with BMP-2 pretreatment slowed GBM tumor progression in the mouse brain and promoted mouse survival. In summary, EPHA6 together with BMP-2 signaling led to apoptotic cell death in GIC, and thus is a putative tumor suppressor in GBM.

Palbociclib enhances activin-SMAD-induced cytostasis in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and CDK6 inhibitors are effective therapeutic options for hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer. Although CDK4/6 inhibitors mainly target the cyclin D-CDK4/6-retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (RB) axis, little is known about the clinical impact of inhibiting phosphorylation of other CDK4/6 target proteins. Here, we focused on other CDK4/6 targets, SMAD proteins. We showed that a CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib and activin-SMAD2 signaling cooperatively inhibited cell cycle progression of a luminal-type breast cancer cell line T47D. Palbociclib enhanced SMAD2 binding to the genome by inhibiting CDK4/6-mediated linker phosphorylation of the SMAD2 protein. We also showed that cyclin G2 plays essential roles in SMAD2-dependent cytostatic response. Moreover, comparison of the SMAD2 ChIP-seq data of T47D cells with those of Hs578T (triple-negative breast cancer cells) indicated that palbociclib augmented different SMAD2-mediated functions based on cell type, and enhanced SMAD2 binding to the target regions on the genome without affecting its binding pattern. In summary, palbociclib enhances the cytostatic effects of the activin-SMAD2 signaling pathway, whereas it possibly strengthens the tumor-promoting aspect in aggressive breast cancer.

Identification of a novel fusion gene HMGA2-EGFR in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is one of the most malignant forms of cancer, for which no effective targeted therapy has been found. Although The Cancer Genome Atlas has provided a list of fusion genes in glioblastoma, their role in progression of glioblastoma remains largely unknown. To search for novel fusion genes, we obtained RNA-seq data from TGS-01 human glioma-initiating cells, and identified a novel fusion gene (HMGA2-EGFR), encoding a protein comprising the N-terminal region of the high-mobility group AT-hook protein 2 (HMGA2) fused to the C-terminal region of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which retained the transmembrane and kinase domains of the EGFR. This fusion gene product showed transforming potential and a high tumor-forming capacity in cell culture and in vivo. Mechanistically, HMGA2-EGFR constitutively induced a higher level of phosphorylated STAT5B than EGFRvIII, an in-frame exon deletion product of the EGFR gene that is commonly found in primary glioblastoma. Forced expression of HMGA2-EGFR enhanced orthotopic tumor formation of the U87MG human glioma cell line. Furthermore, the EGFR kinase inhibitor erlotinib blocked sphere formation of TGS-01 cells in culture and inhibited tumor formation in vivo. These findings suggest that, in addition to gene amplification and in-frame exon deletion, EGFR signaling can also be activated by gene fusion, suggesting a possible avenue for treatment of glioblastoma.

Transforming growth factor-ß-induced lncRNA-Smad7 inhibits apoptosis of mouse breast cancer JygMC(A) cells.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß exhibits both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic effects on epithelial cells in a context-dependent manner. The anti-apoptotic function of TGF-ß is mediated by several downstream regulatory mechanisms, and has been implicated in the tumor-progressive phenotype of breast cancer cells. We conducted RNA sequencing of mouse mammary gland epithelial (NMuMG) cells and identified a long non-coding RNA, termed lncRNA-Smad7, which has anti-apoptotic functions, as a target of TGF-ß. lncRNA-Smad7 was located adjacent to the mouse Smad7 gene, and its expression was induced by TGF-ß in all of the mouse mammary gland epithelial cell lines and breast cancer cell lines that we evaluated. Suppression of lncRNA-Smad7 expression cancelled the anti-apoptotic function of TGF-ß. In contrast, forced expression of lncRNA-Smad7 rescued apoptosis induced by a TGF-ß type I receptor kinase inhibitor in the mouse breast cancer cell line JygMC(A). The anti-apoptotic effect of lncRNA-Smad7 appeared to occur independently of the transcriptional regulation by TGF-ß of anti-apoptotic DEC1 and pro-apoptotic Bim proteins. Small interfering RNA for lncRNA-Smad7 did not alter the process of TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, phosphorylation of Smad2 or expression of the Smad7 gene, suggesting that the contribution of this lncRNA to TGF-ß functions may be restricted to apoptosis. Our findings suggest a complex mechanism for regulating the anti-apoptotic and tumor-progressive aspects of TGF-ß signaling.

Activation of Bmp2-Smad1 signal and its regulation by coordinated alteration of H3K27 trimethylation in Ras-induced senescence.

Cellular senescence involves epigenetic alteration, e.g. loss of H3K27me3 in Ink4a-Arf locus. Using mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF), we here analyzed transcription and epigenetic alteration during Ras-induced senescence on genome-wide scale by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-sequencing and microarray. Bmp2 was the most activated secreted factor with H3K4me3 gain and H3K27me3 loss, whereas H3K4me3 loss and de novo formation of H3K27me3 occurred inversely in repression of nine genes, including two BMP-SMAD inhibitors Smad6 and Noggin. DNA methylation alteration unlikely occurred. Ras-activated cells senesced with nuclear accumulation of phosphorylated SMAD1/5/8. Senescence was bypassed in Ras-activated cells when Bmp2/Smad1 signal was blocked by Bmp2 knockdown, Smad6 induction, or Noggin induction. Senescence was induced when recombinant BMP2 protein was added to Bmp2-knocked-down Ras-activated cells. Downstream Bmp2-Smad1 target genes were then analyzed genome-wide by ChIP-sequencing using anti-Smad1 antibody in MEF that was exposed to BMP2. Smad1 target sites were enriched nearby transcription start sites of genes, which significantly correlated to upregulation by BMP2 stimulation. While Smad6 was one of Smad1 target genes to be upregulated by BMP2 exposure, Smad6 repression in Ras-activated cells with increased enrichment of Ezh2 and gain of H3K27me3 suggested epigenetic disruption of negative feedback by Polycomb. Among Smad1 target genes that were upregulated in Ras-activated cells without increased repressive mark, Parvb was found to contribute to growth inhibition as Parvb knockdown lead to escape from senescence. It was revealed through genome-wide analyses in this study that Bmp2-Smad1 signal and its regulation by harmonized epigenomic alteration play an important role in Ras-induced senescence.

Ets family members induce lymphangiogenesis through physical and functional interaction with Prox1.

Prox1 plays pivotal roles during embryonic lymphatic development and maintenance of adult lymphatic systems by modulating the expression of various lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers, such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3). However, the molecular mechanisms by which Prox1 transactivates its target genes remain largely unknown. Here, we identified Ets-2 as a candidate molecule that regulates the functions of Prox1. Whereas Ets-2 has been implicated in angiogenesis, its roles during lymphangiogenesis have not yet been elucidated. We found that endogenous Ets-2 interacts with Prox1 in LECs. Using an in vivo model of chronic aseptic peritonitis, we found that Ets-2 enhanced inflammatory lymphangiogenesis, whereas a dominant-negative mutant of Ets-1 suppressed it. Ets-2 also enhanced endothelial migration towards VEGF-C through induction of expression of VEGFR3 in collaboration with Prox1. Furthermore, we found that both Prox1 and Ets-2 bind to the VEGFR3 promoter in intact chromatin. These findings suggest that Ets family members function as transcriptional cofactors that enhance Prox1-induced lymphangiogenesis.

ChIP-seq reveals cell type-specific binding patterns of BMP-specific Smads and a novel binding motif.

Dysregulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in endothelial cells (ECs) and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) are implicated in human genetic disorders. Here, we generated genome-wide maps of Smad1/5 binding sites in ECs and PASMCs. Smad1/5 preferentially bound to the region outside the promoter of known genes, and the binding was associated with target gene upregulation. Cell-selective Smad1/5 binding patterns appear to be determined mostly by cell-specific differences in baseline chromatin accessibility patterns. We identified, for the first time, a Smad1/5 binding motif in mammals, and termed GC-rich Smad binding element (GC-SBE). Several sequences in the identified GC-SBE motif had relatively weak affinity for Smad binding, and were enriched in cell type-specific Smad1/5 binding regions. We also found that both GC-SBE and the canonical SBE affect binding affinity for the Smad complex. Furthermore, we characterized EC-specific Smad1/5 target genes and found that several Notch signaling pathway-related genes were induced by BMP in ECs. Among them, a Notch ligand, JAG1 was regulated directly by Smad1/5, transactivating Notch signaling in the neighboring cells. These results provide insights into the molecular mechanism of BMP signaling and the pathogenesis of vascular lesions of certain genetic disorders, including hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Cell type-specific target selection by combinatorial binding of Smad2/3 proteins and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha in HepG2 cells.

Specific regulation of target genes by transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) in a given cellular context is determined in part by transcription factors and cofactors that interact with the Smad complex. In this study, we determined Smad2 and Smad3 (Smad2/3) binding regions in the promoters of known genes in HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells, and we compared them with those in HaCaT epidermal keratinocytes to elucidate the mechanisms of cell type- and context-dependent regulation of transcription induced by TGF-ß. Our results show that 81% of the Smad2/3 binding regions in HepG2 cells were not shared with those found in HaCaT cells. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is expressed in HepG2 cells but not in HaCaT cells, and the HNF4α-binding motif was identified as an enriched motif in the HepG2-specific Smad2/3 binding regions. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis of HNF4α binding regions under TGF-ß stimulation revealed that 32.5% of the Smad2/3 binding regions overlapped HNF4α bindings. MIXL1 was identified as a new combinatorial target of HNF4α and Smad2/3, and both the HNF4α protein and its binding motif were required for the induction of MIXL1 by TGF-ß in HepG2 cells. These findings generalize the importance of binding of HNF4α on Smad2/3 binding genomic regions for HepG2-specific regulation of transcription by TGF-ß and suggest that certain transcription factors expressed in a cell type-specific manner play important roles in the transcription regulated by the TGF-ß-Smad signaling pathway.

MAB21L4 regulates the TGF-ß-induced expression of target genes in epidermal keratinocytes.

Smad proteins transduce signals downstream of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and are one of the factors that regulate the expression of genes related to diseases affecting the skin. In the present study, we identified MAB21L4, also known as male abnormal 21 like 4 or C2orf54, as the most up-regulated targets of TGF-ß and Smad3 in differentiated human progenitor epidermal keratinocytes using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We found that TGF-ß induced expression of the barrier protein involucrin (encoded by the IVL gene). Transcriptional activity of the IVL promoter induced by TGF-ß was inhibited by MAB21L4 siRNAs. Further analysis revealed that MAB21L4 siRNAs also down-regulated the expression of several target genes of TGF-ß. MAB21L4 protein was located mainly in the cytosol, where it was physically bound to Smad3 and a transcriptional corepressor c-Ski. siRNAs for MAB21L4 did not inhibit the binding of Smad3 to their target genomic regions but down-regulated the acetylation of histone H3 lys 27 (H3K27ac), an active histone mark, near the Smad3 binding regions. These findings suggest that TGF-ß-induced MAB21L4 up-regulates the gene expression induced by TGF-ß, possibly through the inhibition of c-Ski via physical interaction in the cytosol.

PRRX1 induced by BMP signaling decreases tumorigenesis by epigenetically regulating glioma-initiating cell properties via DNA methyltransferase 3A.

Glioma-initiating cells (GICs), a major source of glioblastoma recurrence, are characterized by the expression of neural stem cell markers and the ability to grow by forming nonadherent spheres under serum-free conditions. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor-ß family, induce differentiation of GICs and suppress their tumorigenicity. However, the mechanisms underlying the BMP-induced loss of GIC stemness have not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that paired related homeobox 1 (PRRX1) induced by BMPs decreases the CD133-positive GIC population and inhibits tumorigenic activity of GICs in vivo. Of the two splice isoforms of PRRX1, the longer isoform, pmx-1b, but not the shorter isoform, pmx-1a, induces GIC differentiation. Upon BMP stimulation, pmx-1b interacts with the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A and induces promoter methylation of the PROM1 gene encoding CD133. Silencing DNMT3A maintains PROM1 expression and increases the CD133-positive GIC population. Thus, pmx-1b promotes loss of stem cell-like properties of GICs through region-specific epigenetic regulation of CD133 expression by recruiting DNMT3A, which is associated with decreased tumorigenicity of GICs.

Preparation of monovalent follistatin-like 3-Fc-fusion protein and evaluation of its effects on muscle mass in mice.

Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) is an endogenous antagonist against transforming growth factor-ß family ligands. Monovalent FSTL3-Fc fusion protein (mono-FSTL3-Fc) generated with knobs-into-holes technology overcomes limitations of current anti-myostatin therapies. We have developed a facile protocol for affinity purification of the Fc-fused protein from the supernatant of HEK293T cells stably expressing the protein. This protocol is advantageous by only requiring readily accessible equipment. We further outline the steps for validation of mono-FSTL3-Fc increasing systemic muscle mass in mice after intraperitoneal administration. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ozawa et al. (2021).

Anti-pyroptotic function of TGF-ß is suppressed by a synthetic dsRNA analogue in triple negative breast cancer cells.

Development of innovative therapeutic modalities would address an unmet clinical need in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Activation of retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) such as melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) and RIG-I in cancer cells is suggested to suppress tumor progression by inducing cell death. Transfection of polyI:C, a conventionally used synthetic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) analogue that activates RLRs, has been evaluated in clinical trials. However, detailed mechanisms of tumor suppression by RLRs, especially interactions with other signaling pathways, remain elusive. Here, we showed that transfection of polyI:C suppressed transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling in a MDA5- and RIG-I-dependent manner. We found that suppression of TGF-ß signaling by polyI:C promoted cancer cell death, which was attenuated by forced expression of constitutively active Smad3. More detailed analysis suggested that cell death by polyI:C transfection exhibited characteristics of pyroptosis, which is distinct from apoptosis. Therapeutic efficacy of polyI:C transfection was also demonstrated using a mouse model. These results indicated that intratumor administration of polyI:C and related dsRNA analogues may be promising treatments for TNBC through inhibition of the anti-pyroptotic function of TGF-ß.

Systemic administration of monovalent follistatin-like 3-Fc-fusion protein increases muscle mass in mice.

Targeting the signaling pathway of growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8), also known as myostatin, has been regarded as a promising strategy to increase muscle mass in the elderly and in patients. Accumulating evidence in animal models and clinical trials has indicated that a rational approach is to inhibit a limited number of transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) family ligands, including GDF8 and activin A, without affecting other members. Here, we focused on one of the endogenous antagonists against TGF-ß family ligands, follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3), which mainly binds and neutralizes activins, GDF8, and GDF11. Although bivalent human FSTL3 Fc-fusion protein was rapidly cleared from mouse circulation similar to follistatin (FST)-Fc, monovalent FSTL3-Fc (mono-FSTL3-Fc) generated with the knobs-into-holes technology exhibited longer serum half-life. Systemic administration of mono-FSTL3-Fc in mice induced muscle fiber hypertrophy and increased muscle mass in vivo. Our results indicate that the monovalent FSTL3-based therapy overcomes the difficulties of current anti-GDF8 therapies.

BMP-induced Atoh8 attenuates osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Runx2 transcriptional activity and reducing the Rankl/Opg expression ratio in osteoblasts.

Adult bone structural integrity is maintained by remodeling via the coupling of osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation. Osteocytes or osteoblasts express receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (Rankl) or osteoprotegerin (Opg) to promote or inhibit osteoclastogenesis, respectively. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is a potent bone inducer, but its major role in adult bone is to induce osteocytes to upregulate sclerostin (Sost) and increase the Rankl/Opg expression ratio, resulting in promotion of osteoclastogenesis. However, the precise effect of BMP-target gene(s) in osteoblasts on the Rankl/Opg expression ratio remains unclear. In the present study, we identified atonal homolog 8 (Atoh8), which is directly upregulated by the BMP-Smad1 axis in osteoblasts. In vivo, Atoh8 was detected in osteoblasts but not osteocytes in adult mice. Although global Atoh8-knockout mice showed only a mild phenotype in the neonate skeleton, the bone volume was decreased and osteoclasts were increased in the adult phase. Atoh8-null marrow stroma cells were more potent than wild-type cells in inducing osteoclastogenesis in marrow cells. Atoh8 loss in osteoblasts increased Runx2 expression and the Rankl/Opg expression ratio, while Runx2 knockdown normalized the Rankl/Opg expression ratio. Moreover, Atoh8 formed a protein complex with Runx2 to inhibit Runx2 transcriptional activity and decrease the Rankl/Opg expression ratio. These results suggest that bone remodeling is regulated elaborately by BMP signaling; while BMP primarily promotes bone resorption, it simultaneously induces Atoh8 to inhibit Runx2 and reduce the Rankl/Opg expression ratio in osteoblasts, suppressing osteoclastogenesis and preventing excessive BMP-mediated bone resorption.

Comparative analysis of TTF-1 binding DNA regions in small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer.

Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1, encoded by the NKX2-1 gene) is highly expressed in small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LADC), but how its functional roles differ between SCLC and LADC remains to be elucidated. Here, we compared the genome-wide distributions of TTF-1 binding regions and the transcriptional programs regulated by TTF-1 between NCI-H209 (H209), a human SCLC cell line, and NCI-H441 (H441), a human LADC cell line, using chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). TTF-1 binding regions in H209 and H441 cells differed by 75.0% and E-box motifs were highly enriched exclusively in the TTF-1 binding regions of H209 cells. Transcriptome profiling revealed that TTF-1 is involved in neuroendocrine differentiation in H209 cells. We report that TTF-1 and achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1, also known as ASH1, an E-box binding basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, and a lineage-survival oncogene of SCLC) are coexpressed and bound to adjacent sites on target genes expressed in SCLC, and cooperatively regulate transcription. Furthermore, TTF-1 regulated expression of the Bcl-2 gene family and showed antiapoptotic function in SCLC. Our findings suggest that TTF-1 promotes SCLC growth and contributes to neuroendocrine and antiapoptotic gene expression by partly coordinating with ASCL1.

TGFß and EGF signaling orchestrates the AP-1- and p63 transcriptional regulation of breast cancer invasiveness.

Activator protein (AP)-1 transcription factors are essential elements of the pro-oncogenic functions of transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß)-SMAD signaling. Here we show that in multiple HER2+ and/or EGFR+ breast cancer cell lines these AP-1-dependent tumorigenic properties of TGFß critically rely on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation and expression of the ΔN isoform of transcriptional regulator p63. EGFR and ΔNp63 enabled and/or potentiated the activation of a subset of TGFß-inducible invasion/migration-associated genes, e.g., ITGA2, LAMB3, and WNT7A/B, and enhanced the recruitment of SMAD2/3 to these genes. The TGFß- and EGF-induced binding of SMAD2/3 and JUNB to these gene loci was accompanied by p63-SMAD2/3 and p63-JUNB complex formation. p63 and EGFR were also found to strongly potentiate TGFß induction of AP-1 proteins and, in particular, FOS family members. Ectopic overexpression of FOS could counteract the decrease in TGFß-induced gene activation after p63 depletion. p63 is also involved in the transcriptional regulation of heparin binding (HB)-EGF and EGFR genes, thereby establishing a self-amplification loop that facilitates and empowers the pro-invasive functions of TGFß. These cooperative pro-oncogenic functions of EGFR, AP-1, p63, and TGFß were efficiently inhibited by clinically relevant chemical inhibitors. Our findings may, therefore, be of importance for therapy of patients with breast cancers with an activated EGFR-RAS-RAF pathway.

EGFL7 Mediates BMP9-Induced Sprouting Angiogenesis of Endothelial Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are instrumental in characterizing the molecular mechanisms of human vascular development and disease. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play a pivotal role in cardiovascular development in mice, but their importance for vascular cells derived from hESCs has not yet been fully explored. Here, we demonstrate that BMP9 promotes, via its receptor ALK1 and SMAD1/5 activation, sprouting angiogenesis of hESC-derived endothelial cells. We show that the secreted angiogenic factor epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) is a downstream target of BMP9-SMAD1/5-mediated signaling, and that EGFL7 promotes expansion of endothelium via interference with NOTCH signaling, activation of ERK, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of EGFL7 highlights the critical role of EGFL7 in BMP9-induced endothelial sprouting and the promotion of angiogenesis. Our study illustrates the complex role of the BMP family in orchestrating hESC vascular development and endothelial sprouting.

The ALK-1/SMAD/ATOH8 axis attenuates hypoxic responses and protects against the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Dysregulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in endothelial cells (ECs) is implicated in vascular diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Here, we showed that the transcription factor ATOH8 was a direct target of SMAD1/5 and was induced in a manner dependent on BMP but independent of Notch, another critical signaling pathway in ECs. In zebrafish and mice, inactivation of Atoh8 did not cause an arteriovenous malformation-like phenotype, which may arise because of dysregulated Notch signaling. In contrast, Atoh8-deficient mice exhibited a phenotype mimicking PAH, which included increased pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy. Moreover, ATOH8 expression was decreased in PAH patient lungs. We showed that in cells, ATOH8 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) and decreased its abundance, leading to reduced induction of HIF-2α target genes in response to hypoxia. Together, these findings suggest that the BMP receptor type II/ALK-1/SMAD/ATOH8 axis may attenuate hypoxic responses in ECs in the pulmonary circulation and may help prevent the development of PAH.

Intracellular and extracellular TGF-ß signaling in cancer: some recent topics.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß regulates a wide variety of cellular responses, including cell growth arrest, apoptosis, cell differentiation, motility, invasion, extracellular matrix production, tissue fibrosis, angiogenesis, and immune function. Although tumor-suppressive roles of TGF-ß have been extensively studied and well-characterized in many cancers, especially at early stages, accumulating evidence has revealed the critical roles of TGF-ß as a pro-tumorigenic factor in various types of cancer. This review will focus on recent findings regarding epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by TGF-ß, in relation to crosstalk with some other signaling pathways, and the roles of TGF-ß in lung and pancreatic cancers, in which TGF-ß has been shown to be involved in cancer progression. Recent findings also strongly suggested that targeting TGF-ß signaling using specific inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of some cancers. TGF-ß plays a pivotal role in the differentiation and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). TGF-ß is produced as latent high molecular weight complexes, and the latent TGF-ß complex expressed on the surface of Tregs contains glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP, also known as leucine-rich repeat containing 32 or LRRC32). Inhibition of the TGF-ß activities through regulation of the latent TGF-ß complex activation will be discussed.