Dynamic Ligand Discrimination in the Notch Signaling Pathway.

The Notch signaling pathway comprises multiple ligands that are used in distinct biological contexts. In principle, different ligands could activate distinct target programs in signal-receiving cells, but it is unclear how such ligand discrimination could occur. Here, we show that cells use dynamics to discriminate signaling by the ligands Dll1 and Dll4 through the Notch1 receptor. Quantitative single-cell imaging revealed that Dll1 activates Notch1 in discrete, frequency-modulated pulses that specifically upregulate the Notch target gene Hes1. By contrast, Dll4 activates Notch1 in a sustained, amplitude-modulated manner that predominantly upregulates Hey1 and HeyL. Ectopic expression of Dll1 or Dll4 in chick neural crest produced opposite effects on myogenic differentiation, showing that ligand discrimination can occur in vivo. Finally, analysis of chimeric ligands suggests that ligand-receptor clustering underlies dynamic encoding of ligand identity. The ability of the pathway to utilize ligands as distinct communication channels has implications for diverse Notch-dependent processes.

Environmental and molecular control of tissue-specific ionocyte differentiation in zebrafish.

Organisms cope with environmental fluctuations and maintain fitness in part via reversible phenotypic changes (acclimation). Aquatic animals are subject to dramatic seasonal fluctuations in water salinity, which affect osmolarity of their cells and consequently cellular function. Mechanosensory lateral line hair cells detect water motion for swimming behavior and are especially susceptible to salinity changes due to their direct contact with the environment. To maintain hair cell function when salinity decreases, neuromast (Nm)-associated ionocytes differentiate and invade lateral line neuromasts. The signals that trigger the adaptive differentiation of Nm ionocytes are unknown. We demonstrate that new Nm ionocytes are rapidly specified and selectively triggered to proliferate by low Ca2+ and Na+/Cl- levels. We further show that Nm ionocyte recruitment and induction is affected by hair cell activity. Once specified, Nm ionocyte differentiation and survival are associated with sequential activation of different Notch pathway components, a process different from other tissue-specific ionocytes. In summary, we show how environmental changes activate a signaling cascade that leads to physiological adaptation. This may prove essential for survival not only in seasonal changing environments but also in changing climates.

The N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase Radical fringe contributes to defects in JAG1-dependent turnover and signaling of NOTCH3 CADASIL mutants.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a genetic vascular dementia characterized by age-related degeneration of vascular mural cells and accumulation of a NOTCH3 mutant protein. NOTCH3 functions as a signaling receptor, activating downstream gene expression in response to ligands like JAG1 and DLL4, which regulate the development and survival of mural cells. This signal transduction process is thought to be connected with NOTCH3 endocytic degradation. However, the specific cellular circumstances that modulate turnover and signaling efficacy of NOTCH3 mutant protein remain largely unknown. Here, we found elevated NOTCH3 and Radical fringe (RFNG) expression in senescent human pericyte cells. We then investigated impacts of RFNG on glycosylation, degradation, and signal activity of three NOTCH3 CADASIL mutants (R90C, R141C, and C185R) in EGF-like repeat-2, 3, and 4, respectively. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that RFNG modified NOTCH3 WT and C185R to different degrees. Additionally, coculture experiments demonstrated that RFNG significantly promoted JAG1-dependent degradation of NOTCH3 WT but not that of R141C and C185R mutants. Furthermore, RFNG exhibited a greater inhibitory effect on JAG1-mediated activity of NOTCH3 R141C and C185R compared to that of NOTCH3 WT and R90C. In summary, our findings suggest that NOTCH3 R141C and C185R mutant proteins are relatively susceptible to accumulation and signaling impairment under cellular conditions of RFNG and JAG1 coexistence.

Comprehensive analysis of the proximity-dependent nuclear interactome for the oncoprotein NOTCH1 in live cells.

Notch signaling plays a critical role in cell fate decisions in all cell types. Furthermore, gain-of-function mutations in NOTCH1 have been uncovered in many human cancers. Disruption of Notch signaling has recently emerged as an attractive disease treatment strategy. However, the nuclear interaction landscape of the oncoprotein NOTCH1 remains largely unexplored. We therefore employed here a proximity-dependent biotin identification approach to identify in vivo protein associations with the nuclear Notch1 intracellular domain in live cells. We identified a large set of previously reported and unreported proteins that associate with NOTCH1, including general transcription and elongation factors, DNA repair and replication factors, coactivators, corepressors, and components of the NuRD and SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes. We also found that Notch1 intracellular domain associates with protein modifiers and components of other signaling pathways that may influence Notch signal transduction and protein stability such as USP7. We further validated the interaction of NOTCH1 with histone deacetylase 1 or GATAD2B using protein network analysis, proximity-based ligation, in vivo cross-linking and coimmunoprecipitation assays in several Notch-addicted cancer cell lines. Through data mining, we also revealed potential drug targets for the inhibition of Notch signaling. Collectively, these results provide a valuable resource to uncover the mechanisms that fine-tune Notch signaling in tumorigenesis and inform therapeutic targets for Notch-addicted tumors.

Reversible and bidirectional signaling of notch ligands.

The Notch signaling pathway is a direct cell-cell communication system involved in a wide variety of biological processes, and its disruption is observed in several pathologies. The pathway is comprised of a ligand-expressing (sender) cell and a receptor-expressing (receiver) cell. The canonical ligands are members of the Delta/Serrate/Lag-1 (DSL) family of proteins. Their binding to a Notch receptor in a neighboring cell induces a conformational change in the receptor, which will undergo regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP), liberating the Notch intracellular domain (NICD). The NICD is translocated to the nucleus and promotes gene transcription. It has been demonstrated that the ligands can also undergo RIP and nuclear translocation, suggesting a function for the ligands in the sender cell and possible bidirectionality of the Notch pathway. Although the complete mechanism of ligand processing is not entirely understood, and its dependence on Notch receptors has not been ruled out. Also, ligands have autonomous functions beyond Notch activation. Here we review the concepts of reverse and bidirectional signalization of DSL proteins and discuss the characteristics that make them more than just ligands of the Notch pathway.

Vasorin (VASN) overexpression promotes pulmonary metastasis and resistance to adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: LARC patients commonly receive adjuvant therapy, however, hidden micrometastases still limit the improvement of OS. This study aims to investigate the impact of VASN in rectal cancer with pulmonary metastasis and understand the underlying molecular mechanisms to guide adjuvant chemotherapy selection. METHODS: Sequencing data from rectal cancer patients with pulmonary metastasis from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) and publicly available data were meticulously analyzed. The functional role of VASN in pulmonary metastasis was validated in vivo and in vitro. Coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP), immunofluorescence, and rescue experiments were conducted to unravel potential molecular mechanisms of VASN. Moreover, VASN expression levels in tumor samples were examined and analyzed for their correlations with pulmonary metastasis status, tumor stage, adjuvant chemotherapy benefit, and survival outcome. RESULTS: Our study revealed a significant association between high VASN expression and pulmonary metastasis in LARC patients. Experiments in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that VASN could promote the cell proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance of colorectal cancer. Mechanistically, VASN interacts with the NOTCH1 protein, leading to concurrent activation of the NOTCH and MAPK pathways. Clinically, pulmonary metastasis and advanced tumor stage were observed in 90% of VASN-positive patients and 53.5% of VASN-high patients, respectively, and VASN-high patients had a lower five-year survival rate than VASN-low patients (26.7% vs. 83.7%). Moreover, the Cox analysis and OS analysis indicated that VASN was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR = 7.4, P value < 0.001) and a predictor of adjuvant therapy efficacy in rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the role of VASN in decreasing drug sensitivity and activating the NOTCH and MAPK pathways, which leads to tumorigenesis and pulmonary metastasis. Both experimental and clinical data support that rectal cancer patients with VASN overexpression detected in biopsies have a higher risk of pulmonary metastasis and adjuvant chemotherapy resistance.

Resveratrol Promotes Diabetic Wound Healing by Inhibiting Notch Pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication that threatens the daily lives of patients with diabetes and represents a serious challenge to the global health system. Considering that impaired wound healing is the leading cause of DFU, exploring the mechanism of diabetic wound healing is beneficial for improving DFU treatment. Resveratrol (RES) is a native polyphenol with various pharmacological characteristics, and recent studies have indicated an accelerated function of RES in diabetic wound healing. As human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) play a significant role in diabetic wound healing, this study aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of RES in HDFs. METHODS: To mimic diabetic wound healing in vitro, the HDFs were stimulated with high glucose (HG). Our findings revealed that RES reversed HG-induced suppression of HDF proliferation and migration caused by HG. RES inhibits the Notch signaling pathway. More importantly, we demonstrated that the activation of the Notch pathway abrogated the effects of RES on HG-induced HDFs. RESULTS: In vivo assays also illustrated that RES contributed to wound healing in diabetic mice by blocking the Notch pathway. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, RES improved diabetic wound healing by targeting the Notch pathway, which offers novel insights into DFU therapy.

The progression of obstructive renal fibrosis in rats is regulated by ADAMTS18 gene methylation in the embryonic kidney through the AKT/Notch pathway.

This study aimed to explore the mechanism by which postembryonic renal ADAMTS18 methylation influences obstructive renal fibrosis in rats. After exposure to transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 during the embryonic period, analysis of postembryonic renal ADAMTS18 methylation and expression levels was conducted. Histological analysis was performed to assess embryonic kidney lesions and damage. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of renal fibrosis markers. Rats with ureteral obstruction and a healthy control group were selected. The methylation levels of ADAMTS18 in the different groups were analyzed. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyze the expression of renal fibrosis markers, and kidney-related indicators were measured. Treatment with TGF-ß1 resulted in abnormal development of the postembryonic kidney, which was characterized by rough kidney surfaces with mild depressions and irregularities on the outer surface. TGF-ß1 treatment significantly promoted ADAMTS18 methylation and activated the protein kinase B (AKT)/Notch pathway. Ureteral obstruction was induced to establish a renal hydronephrosis model, which led to renal fibrotic injury in newborn rats. Overexpression of the ADAMTS18 gene alleviated renal fibrosis. The western blot results showed that compared to that in the control group, the expression of renal fibrosis markers was significantly decreased after ADAMTS18 overexpression, and there was a thicker renal parenchymal tissue layer and significantly reduced p-AKT/AKT and Notch1 levels. TGF-ß1 can induce ADAMTS18 gene methylation in the postembryonic kidney, and the resulting downregulation of ADAMTS18 expression has long-term effects on kidney development, potentially leading to increased susceptibility to obstructive renal fibrosis. This mechanism may involve activation of the AKT/Notch pathway. Reversing ADAMTS18 gene methylation may reverse this process.

GRWD1 Over-Expression Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression by Activating Notch Signaling Pathway via Up-Regulation of ADAM17.

BACKGROUND: Glutamate-rich WD repeat containing 1 (GRWD1) is over-expressed in a variety of malignant tumors and is considered to be a potential oncogene. However, its mechanism of action in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. METHODS: Data analysis, Immunohistochemistry, and Western Blot (WB) were performed to verify the expression of GRWD1 in GC and para-cancerous tissues. The association between GRWD1 expression and tumor size, tissue differentiation, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and prognosis was analyzed according to the high and low expression levels of GRWD1. The relationship between GRWD1 and Notch pathway was verified by data analysis and WB. The effects of GRWD1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells were verified by cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays. We confirmed that the high expression of GRWD1 promoted the proliferation of GC cells in vivo through the tumor formation assay in nude mice. RESULTS: The expression of GRWD1 was higher in GC tissues than in para-cancerous tissues, and its expression was positively correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage, but negatively correlated with differentiation grade and prognosis. GRWD1 over-expression increased ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17 (ADAM17) expression and promoted Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) release to promote GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Results from animal studies have shown that high GRWD1 expression could promote GC cell proliferation in vivo by activating the Notch signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: GRWD1 promotes GC progression through ADAM17-dependent Notch signaling, and GRWD1 may be a novel tumor marker and therapeutic target.

Comprehensive Catalog of Variants Potentially Associated with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Including Newly Identified Variants from a Cohort of 100 Patients.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease characterized by painful, recurrent abscesses, nodules, and scarring, primarily in skin folds. The exact causes of HS are multifactorial, involving genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. It is associated with systemic diseases such as metabolic syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Genetic studies have identified mutations in the γ-secretase complex that affect Notch signaling pathways critical for skin cell regulation. Despite its high heritability, most reported HS cases do not follow a simple genetic pattern. In this article, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) on a cohort of 100 individuals with HS, and we provide a comprehensive review of the variants known to be described or associated with HS. 91 variants were associated with the γ-secretase complex, and 78 variants were associated with other genes involved in the Notch pathway, keratinization, or immune response. Through this new genetic analysis, we have added ten new variants to the existing catalogs. All variants are available in a .vcf file and are provided as a resource for future studies.

Comprehensive analysis of transcription factors involved in odontoblast differentiation mechanism.

Primary cultured odontoblasts rapidly lose their tissue-specific phenotype. To identify transcription factors (TF) that are important for the maintenance of the odontoblast phenotype, primary cultures of C57BL/6 J mouse dental mesenchymal cells (DMC) were isolated, and expression of TF and odontoblast marker genes in cells immediately after isolation and 2 days after culture were comprehensively evaluated and compared using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). The expression of odontoblast markers in mouse dental mesenchymal cells decreased rapidly after isolation. In addition, the expression of Hedgehog-related, Notch-related, and immediate- early gene (IEG)-related transcription factors significantly decreased. Forced expression of these genes in lentiviral vectors, together with fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4), fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), and the Wnt pathway activator CHIR99021, significantly induced the expression of odontogenic marker genes. These results indicate, for the first time, that Notch signaling and early genes may be important for maintaining odontoblast cultures. Furthermore, simultaneous stimulation of FGF, Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch pathways, and IEG transcription factors cooperatively promoted the maintenance of the odontoblast phenotype. These results suggest that the Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathways may play an important role in maintaining odontoblast phenotypes, in addition to FGF and Wnt signaling.

SNORA73B promotes endometrial cancer progression through targeting MIB1 and regulating host gene RCC1 alternative splicing.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common gynaecological malignant tumour with unclear pathogenesis. Small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) is involved in many biological processes, including those of cancers. Using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the expression pattern of a snoRNA, SNORA73B, was analysed. The biological functions of SNORA73B were assessed by in vitro proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion assays and in vivo by the xenograft model. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were performed to determine the relationship between SNORA73B and its target genes. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to detect the pseudouridine content of the mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 gene (MIB1). The stability of MIB1 mRNA was evaluated using a transcription inhibitor, actinomycin D. By performing co-immunoprecipitation assays, the change in the ubiquitin levels of the Jagged canonical Notch ligand 1 (Jag 1), caused by SNORA73B and MIB1, was identified. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR were performed to detect the alternative splicing of the regulator of the chromosome condensation 1 gene (RCC1). The TCGA database analysis showed that SNORA73B was highly expressed in EC. SNORA73B promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibited apoptosis. SNORA73B modified the pseudouridine content in MIB1 and increased the stability of MIB1 mRNA and protein; thus, it affected Jag 1 ubiquitination and further activated the Notch pathway. SNORA73B also affected the alternative splicing of RCC1, increasing the number of transcripts, RCC1-T2 and RCC1-T3, which promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. SNORA73B can be a potential target for EC.

Lfng and Dll3 cooperate to modulate protein interactions in cis and coordinate oscillatory Notch pathway activation in the segmentation clock.

In mammalian development, oscillatory activation of Notch signaling is required for segmentation clock function during somitogenesis. Notch activity oscillations are synchronized between neighboring cells in the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) and have a period that matches the rate of somite formation. Normal clock function requires cyclic expression of the Lunatic fringe (LFNG) glycosyltransferase, as well as expression of the inhibitory Notch ligand Delta-like 3 (DLL3). How these factors coordinate Notch activation in the clock is not well understood. Recent evidence suggests that LFNG can act in a signal-sending cell to influence Notch activity in the clock, raising the possibility that in this context, glycosylation of Notch pathway proteins by LFNG may affect ligand activity. Here we dissect the genetic interactions of Lfng and Dll3 specifically in the segmentation clock and observe distinctions in the skeletal and clock phenotypes of mutant embryos showing that paradoxically, loss of Dll3 is associated with strong reductions in Notch activity in the caudal PSM. The patterns of Notch activity in the PSM suggest that the loss of Dll3 is epistatic to the loss of Lfng in the segmentation clock, and we present direct evidence for the modification of several DLL1 and DLL3 EGF-repeats by LFNG. We further demonstrate that DLL3 expression in cells co-expressing DLL1 and NOTCH1 can potentiate a cell's signal-sending activity and that this effect is modulated by LFNG, suggesting a mechanism for coordinated regulation of oscillatory Notch activation in the clock by glycosylation and cis-inhibition.

Transcriptional profiling reveals roles of intercellular Fgf9 signaling in astrocyte maturation and synaptic refinement during brainstem development.

Neural tissue maturation is a coordinated process under tight transcriptional control. We previously analyzed the kinetics of gene expression in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) in the brainstem during the critical postnatal phase of its development. While this work revealed timed execution of transcriptional programs, it was blind to the specific cells where gene expression changes occurred. Here, we utilized single-cell RNA-Seq to determine transcriptional profiles of each major MNTB cell type. We discerned directional signaling patterns between neuronal, glial, and vascular-associated cells for VEGF, TGFß, and Delta-Notch pathways during a robust period of vascular remodeling in the MNTB. Furthermore, we describe functional outcomes of the disruption of neuron-astrocyte fibroblast growth factor 9 (Fgf9) signaling. We used a conditional KO (cKO) approach to genetically delete Fgf9 from principal neurons in the MNTB, which led to an early onset of glial fibrillary acidic protein (Gfap) expression in astrocytes. In turn, Fgf9 cKO mice show increased levels of astrocyte-enriched brevican (Bcan), a component of the perineuronal net matrix that ensheaths principal neurons in the MNTB and the large calyx of Held terminal, while levels of the neuron-enriched hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (Hapln1) were unchanged. Finally, volumetric analysis of vesicular glutamate transporters 1 and 2 (Vglut1/2), which serves as a proxy for terminal size, revealed an increase in calyx of Held volume in the Fgf9 cKO. Overall, we demonstrate a coordinated neuron-astrocyte Fgf9 signaling network that functions to regulate astrocyte maturation, perineuronal net structure, and synaptic refinement.

Periosteum-derived podoplanin-expressing stromal cells regulate nascent vascularization during epiphyseal marrow development.

Bone marrow development and endochondral bone formation occur simultaneously. During endochondral ossification, periosteal vasculatures and stromal progenitors invade the primary avascular cartilaginous anlage, which induces primitive marrow development. We previously determined that bone marrow podoplanin (PDPN)-expressing stromal cells exist in the perivascular microenvironment and promote megakaryopoiesis and erythropoiesis. In this study, we aimed to examine the involvement of PDPN-expressing stromal cells in postnatal bone marrow generation. Using histological analysis, we observed that periosteum-derived PDPN-expressing stromal cells infiltrated the cartilaginous anlage of the postnatal epiphysis and populated on the primitive vasculature of secondary ossification center. Furthermore, immunophenotyping and cellular characteristic analyses indicated that the PDPN-expressing stromal cells constituted a subpopulation of the skeletal stem cell lineage. In vitro xenovascular model cocultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and PDPN-expressing skeletal stem cell progenies showed that PDPN-expressing stromal cells maintained vascular integrity via the release of angiogenic factors and vascular basement membrane-related extracellular matrices. We show that in this process, Notch signal activation committed the PDPN-expressing stromal cells into a dominant state with basement membrane-related extracellular matrices, especially type IV collagens. Our findings suggest that the PDPN-expressing stromal cells regulate the integrity of the primitive vasculatures in the epiphyseal nascent marrow. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively examine how PDPN-expressing stromal cells contribute to marrow development and homeostasis.

Notch signaling in malignant gliomas: supporting tumor growth and the vascular environment.

Glioblastoma is the most malignant form of glioma, which is the most commonly occurring tumor of the central nervous system. Notch signaling in glioblastoma is considered to be a marker of an undifferentiated tumor cell state, associated with tumor stem cells. Notch is also known for facilitating tumor dormancy escape, recurrence and progression after treatment. Studies in vitro suggest that reducing, removing or blocking the expression of this gene triggers tumor cell differentiation, which shifts the phenotype away from stemness status and consequently facilitates treatment. In contrast, in the vasculature, Notch appears to also function as an important receptor that defines mature non-leaking vessels, and increasing its expression promotes tumor normalization in models of cancer in vivo. Failures in clinical trials with Notch inhibitors are potentially related to their opposing effects on the tumor versus the tumor vasculature, which points to the need for a greater understanding of this signaling pathway.

Differential gene regulation in DAPT-treated Hydra reveals candidate direct Notch signalling targets.

In Hydra, Notch inhibition causes defects in head patterning and prevents differentiation of proliferating nematocyte progenitor cells into mature nematocytes. To understand the molecular mechanisms by which the Notch pathway regulates these processes, we performed RNA-seq and identified genes that are differentially regulated in response to 48 h of treating the animals with the Notch inhibitor DAPT. To identify candidate direct regulators of Notch signalling, we profiled gene expression changes that occur during subsequent restoration of Notch activity and performed promoter analyses to identify RBPJ transcription factor-binding sites in the regulatory regions of Notch-responsive genes. Interrogating the available single-cell sequencing data set revealed the gene expression patterns of Notch-regulated Hydra genes. Through these analyses, a comprehensive picture of the molecular pathways regulated by Notch signalling in head patterning and in interstitial cell differentiation in Hydra emerged. As prime candidates for direct Notch target genes, in addition to Hydra (Hy)Hes, we suggest Sp5 and HyAlx. They rapidly recovered their expression levels after DAPT removal and possess Notch-responsive RBPJ transcription factor-binding sites in their regulatory regions.

In vitro effects of gamma-secretase inhibition in HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: New chemotherapy agents are warranted for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), particularly for incidence-rising HPV-positive tumors. Based on the evidence of Notch pathway involvement in cancer promotion and progression, we aimed to gain insights into the in vitro antineoplastic effects of gamma-secretase inhibition in HPV-positive and -negative HNSCC models. METHODS: All in vitro experiments were conducted in two HPV-negative (Cal27 and FaDu) and one HPV-associated HNSCC cell line (SCC154). The influence of the gamma-secretase inhibitor PF03084014 (PF) on proliferation, migration, colony forming, and apoptosis was assessed. RESULTS: We observed significant anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, anti-clonogenic, and pro-apoptotic effects in all three HNSCC cell lines. Furthermore, synergistic effects with concomitant radiation were observable in the proliferation assay. Interestingly, effects were slightly more potent in the HPV-positive cells. CONCLUSION: We provided novel insights into the potential therapeutic relevance of gamma-secretase inhibition in HNSCC cell lines in vitro. Therefore, PF may become a viable treatment option for patients with HNSCC, particularly for patients with HPV-induced malignancy. Indeed, further in vitro and in vivo experiments should be conducted to validate our results and decipher the mechanism behind the observed anti-neoplastic effects.

Characterization of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) expression in normal endometrium and in the endometrium of women with poor reproductive outcomes.

STUDY QUESTION: Could epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) be a factor involved in the preparation of the endometrium for implantation and could its dysregulation be implicated in poor reproductive outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER: EGFL7 is highly expressed in the endothelium and glandular epithelium throughout the menstrual cycle; it is upregulated by stromal cells in secretory phase and appears strongly reduced in endometrial biopsies and isolated stromal cells of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (uRPL) and recurrent implantation failure (RIF). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The secreted factor EGFL7, originally identified as a gene primarily expressed in endothelial cells, is also expressed by the mouse blastocyst and by mouse and human trophoblast cells. It regulates trophoblast migration and invasion by activating NOTCH1 signaling. NOTCH1 has been demonstrated to play a fundamental role in endometrial receptivity and its dysregulation may be involved in selected pregnancy complications characterized by altered endometrial receptivity, such as uRPL. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This is an exploratory study for which 84 endometrial biopsies were collected from normally fertile women, as well as from women with uRPL and RIF. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Samples were collected from women in both the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and stratified into three sub-groups according to the patient clinical history: 20 fertile women (8 in proliferative and 12 in secretory phase), 41 women with uRPL (6 in proliferative and 35 in secretory phase), and 27 women with RIF (8 in proliferative and 19 in secretory phase). Immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and western blot analyses were performed to study the expression of EGFL7 and NOTCH1, as well as the NOTCH target genes. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Analysis of spatial and temporal distribution of EGFL7 in endometrial biopsies from fertile women revealed higher levels of EGFL7 in samples from the secretory phase compared to proliferative phase. The expected expression of EGFL7 in endothelial cells was shown as well as the novel, not previously reported, expression in endometrial glands and stromal cells. EGFL7 was significantly reduced in the endometrium of women with uRPL and RIF in the secretory phases and this was associated with a downregulation of the NOTCH1 signaling pathway. Human recombinant EGFL7 was able to activate the NOTCH1 signaling pathway in endometrial stromal cells (EndSCs) obtained from fertile women but not in cells from uRPL or RIF patients. EndSCs from fertile women and decidualized in vitro for three days showed an upregulation of EGFL7 expression, whereas cells obtained from women with uRPL and RIF and decidualized in vitro did not. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study was conducted with a relatively small number of patient samples. Although results are highly reproducible and consistent, additional observations from multicentric cohorts would strengthen the relevance of the data. Moreover, this is an in vitro study, which might only partially represent the in vivo conditions. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our results demonstrate for the first time that EGFL7 is new player involved in decidualization and provide new insights into the pathophysiology of selected implantation defects and early pregnancy complications. Our studies have revealed that alterations in EGFL7 expression and the consequent dysregulation of NOTCH signaling are potential underlying causes of RIF and uRPL. Our results might have therapeutic relevance, as the EGFL7/NOTCH pathway may represent a potential target for medical intervention. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study has been supported by the Grant for Fertility Innovation 2017 (Merck KGaA). There are no competing interests to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

VEGF Induces Expression of Genes That Either Promote or Limit Relaxation of the Retinal Endothelial Barrier.

The purpose of this study was to identify genes that mediate VEGF-induced permeability. We performed RNA-Seq analysis on primary human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) cultured in normal (5 mM) and high glucose (30 mM) conditions that were treated with vehicle, VEGF, or VEGF then anti-VEGF. We filtered our RNA-Seq dataset to identify genes with the following four characteristics: (1) regulated by VEGF, (2) VEGF regulation reversed by anti-VEGF, (3) regulated by VEGF in both normal and high glucose conditions, and (4) known contribution to vascular homeostasis. Of the resultant 18 genes, members of the Notch signaling pathway and ANGPT2 (Ang2) were selected for further study. Permeability assays revealed that while the Notch pathway was dispensable for relaxing the barrier, it contributed to maintaining an open barrier. In contrast, Ang2 limited the extent of barrier relaxation in response to VEGF. These findings indicate that VEGF engages distinct sets of genes to induce and sustain barrier relaxation. Furthermore, VEGF induces expression of genes that limit the extent of barrier relaxation. Together, these observations begin to elucidate the elegance of VEGF-mediated transcriptional regulation of permeability.