Analysis of Protein Cysteine Acylation Using a Modified Suspension Trap (Acyl-Trap).

Protein cysteine thiols undergo reversible S-acylation via a thioester linkage in vivo. S-palmitoylation, modification by C16:0 fatty acid, is a common S-acylation that mediates protein-membrane and protein-protein interactions critical to an array of biological processes, from homeostatic lung surfactant function to cellular transformation. The most widely used S-acylation assays, including acyl-biotin exchange (ABE) and acyl resin-assisted capture (Acyl-RAC), utilize blocking of free Cys thiols, hydroxylamine-dependent cleavage of the thioester and subsequent labeling of nascent thiol. ABE and Acyl-RAC have enabled both the proteome-wide identification of S-palmitoylation sites and basic biochemical studies. Yet, these assays generally utilize hundreds of micrograms to milligrams of input material and require numerous reagent removal and washing steps, making them laborious and ill-suited for high throughput and low input applications. To overcome this, we devised "Acyl-Trap", a suspension trap-based assay that utilizes a thiol-reactive quartz to enable buffer exchange and hydroxylamine-mediated S-acyl enrichment from 20-50 micrograms of input protein. The method is compatible with protein-level detection of Sacylated proteins as well as S-acyl site-based identification and quantification using on-quartz isobaric (tandem mass tag) labeling and LC-MS/MS. Also described are conditions for long-term hydroxylamine storage, which further expedites the assay and minimizes waste. More generally, Acyl-Trap serves as a proof-of-concept for PTM-tailored suspension traps suitable for both traditional intact protein detection and chemoproteomic workflows.

SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern fitness and adaptation in primary human airway epithelia.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic is characterized by the emergence of novel variants of concern (VOCs) that replace ancestral strains. Here, we dissect the complex selective pressures by evaluating variant fitness and adaptation in human respiratory tissues. We evaluate viral properties and host responses to reconstruct forces behind D614G through Omicron (BA.1) emergence. We observe differential replication in airway epithelia, differences in cellular tropism, and virus-induced cytotoxicity. D614G accumulates the most mutations after infection, supporting zoonosis and adaptation to the human airway. We perform head-to-head competitions and observe the highest fitness for Gamma and Delta. Under these conditions, RNA recombination favors variants encoding the B.1.617.1 lineage 3' end. Based on viral growth kinetics, Alpha, Gamma, and Delta exhibit increased fitness compared to D614G. In contrast, the global success of Omicron likely derives from increased transmission and antigenic variation. Our data provide molecular evidence to support epidemiological observations of VOC emergence.

Stem cell migration drives lung repair in living mice.

Tissue repair requires a highly coordinated cellular response to injury. In the lung, alveolar type 2 cells (AT2s) act as stem cells to replenish both themselves and alveolar type 1 cells (AT1s); however, the complex orchestration of stem cell activity after injury is poorly understood. Here, we establish longitudinal imaging of AT2s in murine intact tissues ex vivo and in vivo in order to track their dynamic behavior over time. We discover that a large fraction of AT2s become motile following injury and provide direct evidence for their migration between alveolar units. High-resolution morphokinetic mapping of AT2s further uncovers the emergence of distinct motile phenotypes. Inhibition of AT2 migration via genetic depletion of ArpC3 leads to impaired regeneration of AT2s and AT1s in vivo. Together, our results establish a requirement for stem cell migration between alveolar units and identify properties of stem cell motility at high cellular resolution.

Recent advances in lung organoid development and applications in disease modeling.

Over the last decade, several organoid models have evolved to acquire increasing cellular, structural, and functional complexity. Advanced lung organoid platforms derived from various sources, including adult, fetal, and induced pluripotent stem cells, have now been generated, which more closely mimic the cellular architecture found within the airways and alveoli. In this regard, the establishment of novel protocols with optimized stem cell isolation and culture conditions has given rise to an array of models able to study key cellular and molecular players involved in lung injury and repair. In addition, introduction of other nonepithelial cellular components, such as immune, mesenchymal, and endothelial cells, and employment of novel precision gene editing tools have further broadened the range of applications for these systems by providing a microenvironment and/or phenotype closer to the desired in vivo scenario. Thus, these developments in organoid technology have enhanced our ability to model various aspects of lung biology, including pathogenesis of diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and infectious disease and host-microbe interactions, in ways that are often difficult to undertake using only in vivo models. In this Review, we summarize the latest developments in lung organoid technology and their applicability for disease modeling and outline their strengths, drawbacks, and potential avenues for future development.

Transitional cell states sculpt tissue topology during lung regeneration.

Organ regeneration requires dynamic cell interactions to reestablish cell numbers and tissue architecture. While we know the identity of progenitor cells that replace lost tissue, the transient states they give rise to and their role in repair remain elusive. Here, using multiple injury models, we find that alveolar fibroblasts acquire distinct states marked by Sfrp1 and Runx1 that influence tissue remodeling and reorganization. Unexpectedly, ablation of alveolar epithelial type-1 (AT1) cells alone is sufficient to induce tissue remodeling and transitional states. Integrated scRNA-seq followed by genetic interrogation reveals RUNX1 is a key driver of fibroblast states. Importantly, the ectopic induction or accumulation of epithelial transitional states induce rapid formation of transient alveolar fibroblasts, leading to organ-wide fibrosis. Conversely, the elimination of epithelial or fibroblast transitional states or RUNX1 loss, leads to tissue simplification resembling emphysema. This work uncovered a key role for transitional states in orchestrating tissue topologies during regeneration.

Meta-Analysis of COVID-19 BAL Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Alveolar Epithelial Transitions and Unique Alveolar Epithelial Cell Fates.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of BAL cells has provided insights into coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, reports have been limited by small patient cohorts. We performed a meta-analysis of BAL scRNA-seq data from healthy control subjects (n = 13) and patients with COVID-19 (n = 20), sourced from six independent studies (167,280 high-quality cells in total). Consistent with the source reports, increases in infiltrating leukocyte subtypes were noted, several with type I IFN signatures and unique gene expression signatures associated with transcellular chemokine signaling. Noting dramatic reductions of inferred NKX2-1 and NR4A1 activity in alveolar epithelial type II (AT-II) cells, we modeled pseudotemporal AT-II-to-AT-I progression. This revealed changes in inferred AT-II cell metabolic activity, increased transitional cells, and a previously undescribed AT-I state. This cell state was conspicuously marked by the induction of genes of the epidermal differentiation complex, including the cornified envelope protein SPRR3 (small proline-rich protein 3), upregulation of multiple KRT (keratin) genes, inferred mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death signatures including apoptosis and ferroptosis. Immunohistochemistry of lungs from patients with COVID-19 confirmed upregulation and colocalization of KRT13 and SPRR3 in the distal airspaces. Forced overexpression of SPRR3 in human alveolar epithelial cells ex vivo did not activate caspase-3 or upregulate KRT13, suggesting that SPRR3 marks an AT-I cornification program in COVID-19 but is not sufficient for phenotypic changes.

Efficient Adeno-associated Virus-mediated Transgenesis in Alveolar Stem Cells and Associated Niches.

Targeted delivery of transgenes to tissue-resident stem cells and related niches offers avenues for interrogating pathways and editing endogenous alleles for therapeutic interventions. Here, we survey multiple adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes, administered via intranasal and retroorbital routes in mice, to target lung alveolar stem cell niches. We found that AAV5, AAV4, and AAV8 efficiently and preferentially transduce alveolar type-2 stem cells (AT2s), endothelial cells, and PDGFRA+ fibroblasts, respectively. Notably, some AAVs show different cell tropisms depending on the route of administration. Proof-of-concept experiments reveal the versatility of AAV5-mediated transgenesis for AT2-lineage labeling, clonal cell tracing after cell ablation, and conditional gene inactivation in both postnatal and adult mouse lungs in vivo. AAV6, but not AAV5, efficiently transduces both mouse and human AT2s in alveolar organoid cultures. Furthermore, AAV5 and AAV6 can be used to deliver guide RNAs and transgene cassettes for homologous recombination in vivo and ex vivo, respectively. Using this system coupled with clonal derivation of AT2 organoids, we demonstrate efficient and simultaneous editing of multiple loci, including targeted insertion of a payload cassette in AT2s. Taken together, our studies highlight the powerful utility of AAVs for interrogating alveolar stem cells and other specific cell types both in vivo and ex vivo.

GAA deficiency disrupts distal airway cells in Pompe disease.

Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive glycogen storage disease caused by mutations in the gene that encodes acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA)-an enzyme responsible for hydrolyzing lysosomal glycogen. GAA deficiency results in systemic lysosomal glycogen accumulation and cellular disruption. Glycogen accumulation in skeletal muscles, motor neurons, and airway smooth muscle cells is known to contribute to respiratory insufficiency in Pompe disease. However, the impact of GAA deficiency on the distal alveolar type 1 and type 2 cells (AT1 and AT2) has not been evaluated. AT1 cells rely on lysosomes for cellular homeostasis so that they can maintain a thin barrier for gas exchange, whereas AT2 cells depend on lysosome-like structures (lamellar bodies) for surfactant production. Using a mouse model of Pompe disease, the Gaa-/- mouse, we investigated the consequences of GAA deficiency on AT1 and AT2 cells using histology, pulmonary function and mechanics, and transcriptional analysis. Histological analysis revealed increased accumulation of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) in the Gaa-/- mice lungs. Furthermore, ultrastructural examination showed extensive intracytoplasmic vacuoles enlargement and lamellar body engorgement. Respiratory dysfunction was confirmed using whole body plethysmography and forced oscillometry. Finally, transcriptomic analysis demonstrated dysregulation of surfactant proteins in AT2 cells, specifically reduced levels of surfactant protein D in the Gaa-/- mice. We conclude that GAA enzyme deficiency leads to glycogen accumulation in the distal airway cells that disrupts surfactant homeostasis and contributes to respiratory impairments in Pompe disease.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This research highlights the impact of Pompe disease on distal airway cells. Prior to this work, respiratory insufficiency in Pompe disease was classically attributed to pathology in respiratory muscles and motor neurons. Using the Pompe mouse model, we note significant pathology in alveolar type 1 and 2 cells with reductions in surfactant protein D and disrupted surfactant homeostasis. These novel findings highlight the potential contributions of alveolar pathology to respiratory insufficiency in Pompe disease.

Sex differences in resilience to ferroptosis underlie sexual dimorphism in kidney injury and repair.

In both humans and mice, repair of acute kidney injury is worse in males than in females. Here, we provide evidence that this sexual dimorphism results from sex differences in ferroptosis, an iron-dependent, lipid-peroxidation-driven regulated cell death. Using genetic and single-cell transcriptomic approaches in mice, we report that female sex confers striking protection against ferroptosis, which was experimentally induced in proximal tubular (PT) cells by deleting glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4). Single-cell transcriptomic analyses further identify the NFE2-related factor 2 (NRF2) antioxidant protective pathway as a female resilience mechanism against ferroptosis. Genetic inhibition and pharmacological activation studies show that NRF2 controls PT cell fate and plasticity by regulating ferroptosis. Importantly, pharmacological NRF2 activation protects male PT cells from ferroptosis and improves cellular plasticity as in females. Our data highlight NRF2 as a potential therapeutic target to prevent failed renal repair after acute kidney injury in both sexes by modulating cellular plasticity.

Host protein kinases required for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphorylation and viral replication.

Multiple coronaviruses have emerged independently in the past 20 years that cause lethal human diseases. Although vaccine development targeting these viruses has been accelerated substantially, there remain patients requiring treatment who cannot be vaccinated or who experience breakthrough infections. Understanding the common host factors necessary for the life cycles of coronaviruses may reveal conserved therapeutic targets. Here, we used the known substrate specificities of mammalian protein kinases to deconvolute the sequence of phosphorylation events mediated by three host protein kinase families (SRPK, GSK-3, and CK1) that coordinately phosphorylate a cluster of serine and threonine residues in the viral N protein, which is required for viral replication. We also showed that loss or inhibition of SRPK1/2, which we propose initiates the N protein phosphorylation cascade, compromised the viral replication cycle. Because these phosphorylation sites are highly conserved across coronaviruses, inhibitors of these protein kinases not only may have therapeutic potential against COVID-19 but also may be broadly useful against coronavirus-mediated diseases.

Multi-apical polarity of alveolar stem cells and their dynamics during lung development and regeneration.

Epithelial cells of diverse tissues are characterized by the presence of a single apical domain. In the lung, electron microscopy studies have suggested that alveolar type-2 epithelial cells (AT2s) en face multiple alveolar sacs. However, apical and basolateral organization of the AT2s and their establishment during development and remodeling after injury repair remain unknown. Thick tissue imaging and electron microscopy revealed that a single AT2 can have multiple apical domains that enface multiple alveoli. AT2s gradually establish multi-apical domains post-natally, and they are maintained throughout life. Lineage tracing, live imaging, and selective cell ablation revealed that AT2s dynamically reorganize multi-apical domains during injury repair. Single-cell transcriptome signatures of residual AT2s revealed changes in cytoskeleton and cell migration. Significantly, cigarette smoke and oncogene activation lead to dysregulation of multi-apical domains. We propose that the multi-apical domains of AT2s enable them to be poised to support the regeneration of a large array of alveolar sacs.

Coupled myovascular expansion directs cardiac growth and regeneration.

Heart regeneration requires multiple cell types to enable cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferation. How these cells interact to create growth niches is unclear. Here, we profile proliferation kinetics of cardiac endothelial cells (CECs) and CMs in the neonatal mouse heart and find that they are spatiotemporally coupled. We show that coupled myovascular expansion during cardiac growth or regeneration is dependent upon VEGF-VEGFR2 signaling, as genetic deletion of Vegfr2 from CECs or inhibition of VEGFA abrogates both CEC and CM proliferation. Repair of cryoinjury displays poor spatial coupling of CEC and CM proliferation. Boosting CEC density after cryoinjury with virus encoding Vegfa enhances regeneration. Using Mendelian randomization, we demonstrate that circulating VEGFA levels are positively linked with human myocardial mass, suggesting that Vegfa can stimulate human cardiac growth. Our work demonstrates the importance of coupled CEC and CM expansion and reveals a myovascular niche that may be therapeutically targeted for heart regeneration.

Defined conditions for long-term expansion of murine and human alveolar epithelial stem cells in three-dimensional cultures.

Alveolar type 2 cells (AT2s) serve as stem cells of the alveoli and restore cell numbers after injury. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for the isolation, purification, and culture of murine and human AT2s. We have developed chemically defined and stroma-free culture conditions that enable expansion and maintenance of AT2s. The culture conditions are scalable and compatible with high-throughput chemical and genetic screenings and can potentially be used to generate large AT2 numbers for cell-based therapies. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Katsura et al. (2020).

Identification of distinct non-myogenic skeletal-muscle-resident mesenchymal cell populations.

Mesenchymal progenitors of the lateral plate mesoderm give rise to various cell fates within limbs, including a heterogeneous group of muscle-resident mesenchymal cells. Often described as fibro-adipogenic progenitors, these cells are key players in muscle development, disease, and regeneration. To further define this cell population(s), we perform lineage/reporter analysis, flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, immunofluorescent staining, and differentiation assays on normal and injured murine muscles. Here we identify six distinct Pdgfra+ non-myogenic muscle-resident mesenchymal cell populations that fit within a bipartite differentiation trajectory from a common progenitor. One branch of the trajectory gives rise to two populations of immune-responsive mesenchymal cells with strong adipogenic potential and the capability to respond to acute and chronic muscle injury, whereas the alternative branch contains two cell populations with limited adipogenic capacity and inherent mineralizing capabilities; one of the populations displays a unique neuromuscular junction association and an ability to respond to nerve injury.

An In Vitro Microfluidic Alveolus Model to Study Lung Biomechanics.

The gas exchange units of the lung, the alveoli, are mechanically active and undergo cyclic deformation during breathing. The epithelial cells that line the alveoli contribute to lung function by reducing surface tension via surfactant secretion, which is highly influenced by the breathing-associated mechanical cues. These spatially heterogeneous mechanical cues have been linked to several physiological and pathophysiological states. Here, we describe the development of a microfluidically assisted lung cell culture model that incorporates heterogeneous cyclic stretching to mimic alveolar respiratory motions. Employing this device, we have examined the effects of respiratory biomechanics (associated with breathing-like movements) and strain heterogeneity on alveolar epithelial cell functions. Furthermore, we have assessed the potential application of this platform to model altered matrix compliance associated with lung pathogenesis and ventilator-induced lung injury. Lung microphysiological platforms incorporating human cells and dynamic biomechanics could serve as an important tool to delineate the role of alveolar micromechanics in physiological and pathological outcomes in the lung.

Human distal lung maps and lineage hierarchies reveal a bipotent progenitor.

Mapping the spatial distribution and molecular identity of constituent cells is essential for understanding tissue dynamics in health and disease. We lack a comprehensive map of human distal airways, including the terminal and respiratory bronchioles (TRBs), which are implicated in respiratory diseases1-4. Here, using spatial transcriptomics and single-cell profiling of microdissected distal airways, we identify molecularly distinct TRB cell types that have not-to our knowledge-been previously characterized. These include airway-associated LGR5+ fibroblasts and TRB-specific alveolar type-0 (AT0) cells and TRB secretory cells (TRB-SCs). Connectome maps and organoid-based co-cultures reveal that LGR5+ fibroblasts form a signalling hub in the airway niche. AT0 cells and TRB-SCs are conserved in primates and emerge dynamically during human lung development. Using a non-human primate model of lung injury, together with human organoids and tissue specimens, we show that alveolar type-2 cells in regenerating lungs transiently acquire an AT0 state from which they can differentiate into either alveolar type-1 cells or TRB-SCs. This differentiation programme is distinct from that identified in the mouse lung5-7. Our study also reveals mechanisms that drive the differentiation of the bipotent AT0 cell state into normal or pathological states. In sum, our findings revise human lung cell maps and lineage trajectories, and implicate an epithelial transitional state in primate lung regeneration and disease.

Epigenetic basis of oncogenic-Kras-mediated epithelial-cellular proliferation and plasticity.

Oncogenic Kras induces a hyper-proliferative state that permits cells to progress to neoplasms in diverse epithelial tissues. Depending on the cell of origin, this also involves lineage transformation. Although a multitude of downstream factors have been implicated in these processes, the precise chronology of molecular events controlling them remains elusive. Using mouse models, primary human tissues, and cell lines, we show that, in Kras-mutant alveolar type II cells (AEC2), FOSL1-based AP-1 factor guides the mSWI/SNF complex to increase chromatin accessibility at genomic loci controlling the expression of genes necessary for neoplastic transformation. We identified two orthogonal processes in Kras-mutant distal airway club cells. The first promoted their transdifferentiation into an AEC2-like state through NKX2.1, and the second controlled oncogenic transformation through the AP-1 complex. Our results suggest that neoplasms retain an epigenetic memory of their cell of origin through cell-type-specific transcription factors. Our analysis showed that a cross-tissue-conserved AP-1-dependent chromatin remodeling program regulates carcinogenesis.

Lung Regeneration: Cells, Models, and Mechanisms.

Lung epithelium, the lining that covers the inner surface of the respiratory tract, is directly exposed to the environment and thus susceptible to airborne toxins, irritants, and pathogen-induced damages. In adult mammalian lungs, epithelial cells are generally quiescent but can respond rapidly to repair of damaged tissues. Evidence from experimental injury models in rodents and human clinical samples has led to the identification of these regenerative cells, as well as pathological metaplastic states specifically associated with different forms of damages. Here, we provide a compendium of cells and cell states that exist during homeostasis in normal lungs and the lineage relationships between them. Additionally, we discuss various experimental injury models currently being used to probe the cellular sources-both resident and recruited-that contribute to repair, regeneration, and remodeling following acute and chronic injuries. Finally, we discuss certain maladaptive regeneration-associated cell states and their role in disease pathogenesis.

Chromatin Remodeling of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis is Mediated by an HGF-PU.1-DPP4 Axis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasizes mainly to the liver, which accounts for the majority of CRC-related deaths. Here it is shown that metastatic cells undergo specific chromatin remodeling in the liver. Hepatic growth factor (HGF) induces phosphorylation of PU.1, a pioneer factor, which in turn binds and opens chromatin regions of downstream effector genes. PU.1 increases histone acetylation at the DPP4 locus. Precise epigenetic silencing by CRISPR/dCas9KRAB or CRISPR/dCas9HDAC revealed that individual PU.1-remodeled regulatory elements collectively modulate DPP4 expression and liver metastasis growth. Genetic silencing or pharmacological inhibition of each factor along this chromatin remodeling axis strongly suppressed liver metastasis. Therefore, microenvironment-induced epimutation is an important mechanism for metastatic tumor cells to grow in their new niche. This study presents a potential strategy to target chromatin remodeling in metastatic cancer and the promise of repurposing drugs to treat metastasis.