Complement factor D targeting protects endotheliopathy in organoid and monkey models of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is linked to endotheliopathy and coagulopathy, which can result in multi-organ failure. The mechanisms causing endothelial damage due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remain elusive. Here, we developed an infection-competent human vascular organoid from pluripotent stem cells for modeling endotheliopathy. Longitudinal serum proteome analysis identified aberrant complement signature in critically ill patients driven by the amplification cycle regulated by complement factor B and D (CFD). This deviant complement pattern initiates endothelial damage, neutrophil activation, and thrombosis specific to organoid-derived human blood vessels, as verified through intravital imaging. We examined a new long-acting, pH-sensitive (acid-switched) antibody targeting CFD. In both human and macaque COVID-19 models, this long-acting anti-CFD monoclonal antibody mitigated abnormal complement activation, protected endothelial cells, and curtailed the innate immune response post-viral exposure. Collectively, our findings suggest that the complement alternative pathway exacerbates endothelial injury and inflammation. This underscores the potential of CFD-targeted therapeutics against severe viral-induced inflammathrombotic outcomes.

Polygenic architecture informs potential vulnerability to drug-induced liver injury.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a leading cause of termination in drug development programs and removal of drugs from the market; this is partially due to the inability to identify patients who are at risk1. In this study, we developed a polygenic risk score (PRS) for DILI by aggregating effects of numerous genome-wide loci identified from previous large-scale genome-wide association studies2. The PRS predicted the susceptibility to DILI in patients treated with fasiglifam, amoxicillin-clavulanate or flucloxacillin and in primary hepatocytes and stem cell-derived organoids from multiple donors treated with over ten different drugs. Pathway analysis highlighted processes previously implicated in DILI, including unfolded protein responses and oxidative stress. In silico screening identified compounds that elicit transcriptomic signatures present in hepatocytes from individuals with elevated PRS, supporting mechanistic links and suggesting a novel screen for safety of new drug candidates. This genetic-, cellular-, organoid- and human-scale evidence underscored the polygenic architecture underlying DILI vulnerability at the level of hepatocytes, thus facilitating future mechanistic studies. Moreover, the proposed 'polygenicity-in-a-dish' strategy might potentially inform designs of safer, more efficient and robust clinical trials.

Root apical meristem diversity in extant lycophytes and implications for root origins.

Root apical meristem (RAM) organization in lycophytes could be a key to understanding the early evolution of roots, but this topic has been insufficiently explored. We examined the RAM organization of lycophytes in terms of cell division activities and anatomies, and compared RAMs among vascular plants. RAMs of 13 species of lycophytes were semi-thin-sectioned and observed under a light microscope. Furthermore, the frequency of cell division in the RAM of species was analyzed using thymidine analogs. RAMs of lycophytes exhibited four organization types: type I (Lycopodium and Diphasiastrum), II (Huperzia and Lycopodiella), III (Isoetes) and RAM with apical cell (Selaginella). The type I RAM found in Lycopodium had a region with a very low cell division frequency, reminiscent of the quiescent center (QC) in angiosperm roots. This is the first clear indication that a QC-like region is present in nonseed plants. At least four types of RAM are present in extant lycophytes, suggesting that RAM organization is more diverse than expected. Our results support the paleobotanical hypothesis that roots evolved several times in lycophytes, as well as in euphyllophytes.

Therapeutic potential of RQ-00311651, a novel T-type Ca2+ channel blocker, in distinct rodent models for neuropathic and visceral pain.

T-type Ca channels (T channels), particularly Cav3.2 among the 3 isoforms, play a role in neuropathic and visceral pain. We thus characterized the effects of RQ-00311651 (RQ), a novel T-channel blocker, in HEK293 cells transfected with human Cav3.1 or Cav3.2 by electrophysiological and fluorescent Ca signaling assays, and also evaluated the antiallodynic/antihyperalgesic activity of RQ in somatic, visceral, and neuropathic pain models in rodents. RQ-00311651 strongly suppressed T currents when tested at holding potentials of -65 ∼ -60 mV, but not -80 mV, in the Cav3.1- or Cav3.2-expressing cells. RQ-00311651 also inhibited high K-induced Ca signaling in those cells. In mice, RQ, administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at 5 to 20 mg/kg or orally at 20 to 40 mg/kg, significantly suppressed the somatic hyperalgesia and visceral pain-like nociceptive behavior/referred hyperalgesia caused by intraplantar and intracolonic administration of NaHS or Na2S, H2S donors, respectively, which involve the enhanced activity of Cav3.2 channels. RQ-00311651, given i.p. at 5 to 20 mg/kg, exhibited antiallodynic or antihyperalgesic activity in rats with spinal nerve injury-induced neuropathy or in rats and mice with paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. Oral and i.p. RQ at 10 to 20 mg/kg also suppressed the visceral nociceptive behavior and/or referred hyperalgesia accompanying cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in mice. The analgesic and antihyperalgesic/antiallodynic doses of oral and i.p. RQ did not significantly affect the locomotor activity and motor coordination. Together, RQ is considered a state-dependent blocker of Cav3.1/Cav3.2 T channels and may serve as an orally available analgesic for treatment of neuropathic and inflammatory pain including distinct visceral pain with minimum central side effects.

The histone demethylase Fbxl11/Kdm2a plays an essential role in embryonic development by repressing cell-cycle regulators.

Methylation and de-methylation of histone lysine residues play pivotal roles in mammalian early development; these modifications influence chromatin architecture and regulate gene transcription. Fbxl11 (F-box and leucine-rich repeat 11)/Kdm2a is a histone demethylase that selectively removes mono- and di-methylation from histone H3K36. Previously, two other histone H3K36 demethylases (Jmjd5 or Fbxl10) were analyzed based on the phenotypes of the corresponding knockout (KO) mice; the results of those studies implicated H3K36 demethylases in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence (Fukuda et al., 2011; Ishimura et al., 2012). To elucidate the physiological role of Fbxl11, we generated and examined Fbxl11 KO mice. Fbxl11 was expressed throughout the body during embryogenesis, and the Fbxl11 KO mice exhibited embryonic lethality at E10.5-12.5, accompanied with severe growth defects leading to reduced body size. Furthermore, knockout of Fbxl11 decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. The lack of Fbxl11 resulted in downregulation of the Polycomb group protein (PcG) Ezh2, PcG mediated H2A ubiquitination and upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1. Taken together, our findings suggest that Fbxl11 plays an essential role in embryonic development and homeostasis by regulating cell proliferation and survival.

Development of FGF2-dependent pluripotent stem cells showing naive state characteristics from murine preimplantation inner cell mass.

Two distinct types of embryonic pluripotent stem cells can be established from either the inner cell mass (ICM) of preimplantation blastocyst (leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-dependent embryonic stem cell, ESC, called naive state) or the epiblast of postimplantation fetuses (fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)-dependent epiblast stem cells, EpiSC, called primed state). Here, we report that naive pluripotent stem cell was established from the ICM, but maintained its self-renewal by treatment with FGF2 and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) when they were exposed FGF2 during establishment. This cell line is competent to contribute to chimeric animals, including germ cells, at high efficiency. The ERK1/2, SMAD2/3, and JAK/STAT3 pathways are essential to maintain self-renewal. Inhibition of ERK1/2 or SMAD2/3 initiates transition to a naive state ESC-like state, whereas inhibition of JAK/STAT3 promotes a primed EpiSC-like character. Our present results could provide novel insights into understanding the growth factor environment and ICM plasticity, and mechanisms which orchestrate the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells and the capacity for chimeric contributions.

Effect of dietary components on renal inorganic phosphate (Pi) excretion induced by a Pi-depleted diet.

Dietary inorganic phosphate (Pi) is the most important factor in the regulation of renal Pi excretion. Recent studies suggest the presence of an enteric-renal signaling axis for dietary Pi as well as the existence of a mechanism by which the intestine detects changes in luminal Pi concentrations. The mechanisms of intestinal Pi sensing, however, are unknown. In the present study, we focused on Pi depletion signals and investigated the effects of dietary components on intestinal Pi sensing. After feeding rats experimental diets for 3 days, we investigated urinary Pi excretion and plasma biochemical parameters. Renal Pi excretion was suppressed in rats fed a low-Pi diet (0.02% Pi). Elimination of dietary calcium (Ca) completely blocked the suppression of Pi excretion, suggesting that the presence of Ca is essential for the Pi depletion signal. Furthermore, a minimum Ca content of more than 0.02% was necessary for the Pi depletion signal. Magnesium, lanthanum, and strontium, which are agonists of calcium sensing receptor, instead of Ca, reduced Pi excretion. Therefore, dietary Ca appears to be important for the Pi depletion-sensing mechanism in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the calcium sensing receptor may be involved in the Pi depletion signal.

Control of phosphate appetite in young rats.

In the present study, we investigated whether a diet deficient in inorganic phosphate (Pi) stimulates an ingestive behavior to seek sources of Pi. Male Wistar rats were placed in individual cages with unrestricted access to tap water and a low (LPD, 0.02% Pi) or normal (NPD, 0.6% Pi) Pi diet for 6 days. On day 7, LDP rats were given unlimited access to a solution of 25 mM potassium phosphate water (Pi-water) for 9 additional days. Rats fed LPD consumed 70-100% more Pi-water then those fed NPD. The increase in Pi-water intake resulted in a marked rise in the growth rate of rats fed LPD during day 9. A similar intake of Pi was induced after only 2 days of LPD and was associated with significant reductions in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Pi; these levels remained low throughout Pi restriction, despite a significant intake of Pi-water. Replenishment with a high-Pi diet rapidly quenched the appetite for Pi-water and was associated with restoration of both plasma and CSF Pi levels. These findings suggest that an appetite for Pi can be induced in rats, perhaps through lowered plasma and CSF Pi levels.

Role of the vitamin D receptor in FGF23 action on phosphate metabolism.

FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor 23) is a novel phosphaturic factor that influences vitamin D metabolism and renal re-absorption of Pi. The goal of the present study was to characterize the role of the VDR (vitamin D receptor) in FGF23 action using VDR(-/-) (VDR null) mice. Injection of FGF23M (naked DNA encoding the R179Q mutant of human FGF23) into VDR(-/-) and wildtype VDR(+/+) mice resulted in an elevation in serum FGF23 levels, but had no effect on serum calcium or parathyroid hormone levels. In contrast, injection of FGF23M resulted in significant decreases in serum Pi levels, renal Na/Pi co-transport activity and type II transporter protein levels in both groups when compared with controls injected with mock vector or with FGFWT (naked DNA encoding wild-type human FGF23). Injection of FGF23M resulted in a decrease in 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1a-hydroxylase mRNA levels in VDR(-/-) and VDR(+/+) mice, while 25-hydroxyvitamin D 24-hydroxylase mRNA levels were significantly increased in FGF23M-treated animals compared with mock vector control- or FGF23WT-treated animals. The degree of 24-hydroxylase induction by FGF23M was dependent on the VDR, since FGF23M significantly reduced the levels of serum 1,25(OH)2D3 [1,25-hydroxyvitamin D3] in VDR(+/+) mice, but not in VDR(-/-) mice. We conclude that FGF23 reduces renal Pi transport and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1a-hydroxylase levels by a mechanism that is independent of the VDR. In contrast, the induction of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 24-hydroxylase and the reduction of serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels induced by FGF23 are dependent on the VDR.

Effect of hydrolysis-resistant FGF23-R179Q on dietary phosphate regulation of the renal type-II Na/Pi transporter.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphaturic factor, is involved in the regulation of renal inorganic phosphate (Pi) reabsorption. Proteolysis-resistant FGF23 mutants expressed in rodents reduce Pi uptake in both intestine and kidney, independent of parathyroid hormone action. In the present study, we investigated whether FGF23 affects dietary regulation of Na(+)-dependent Pi (Na/Pi) cotransport in the rat kidney using wild-type FGF23 and an R179Q mutant, which disrupts a consensus proteolytic cleavage motif. Rats injected with naked human FGF23 DNA (wild-type or R179Q mutant) expressed the human FGF23 transcript in the liver. In those animals, plasma calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were not affected by FGF23 (either wild-type or R179Q mutant). FGF23-R179Q did, however, significantly decrease plasma Pi and renal Na/Pi cotransport activity and also the level of type-IIc Na/Pi cotransporter protein in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) from normal rat kidney. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses in rats fed a low-Pi diet showed the levels of types-IIa and -IIc Na/Pi cotransporters to be markedly increased. After injection of FGF23-R179Q DNA into the rats fed a low-Pi diet, the levels of the types-IIa and -IIc transporter proteins were decreased. The FGF23 mutant thus blunts the signalling of Pi deprivation to the renal type-II Na/Pi cotransporter, suggesting that the FGF23 pathway could be involved in the signalling of dietary Pi.