ADAMTS12 promotes fibrosis by restructuring extracellular matrix to enable activation of injury-responsive fibroblasts.

Fibrosis represents the uncontrolled replacement of parenchymal tissue with extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by myofibroblasts. While genetic fate-tracing and single-cell RNA-Seq technologies have helped elucidate fibroblast heterogeneity and ontogeny beyond fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation, newly identified fibroblast populations remain ill defined, with respect to both the molecular cues driving their differentiation and their subsequent role in fibrosis. Using an unbiased approach, we identified the metalloprotease ADAMTS12 as a fibroblast-specific gene that is strongly upregulated during active fibrogenesis in humans and mice. Functional in vivo KO studies in mice confirmed that Adamts12 was critical during fibrogenesis in both heart and kidney. Mechanistically, using a combination of spatial transcriptomics and expression of catalytically active or inactive ADAMTS12, we demonstrated that the active protease of ADAMTS12 shaped ECM composition and cleaved hemicentin 1 (HMCN1) to enable the activation and migration of a distinct injury-responsive fibroblast subset defined by aberrant high JAK/STAT signaling.

Identification and Validation of Prognostic Markers for Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Growing evidence suggests that endometriosis (EMs) is a risk factor for endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC). The aim was to identify and validate gene signatures associated with EMs that may serve as potential biomarkers for evaluating the prognosis of patients with EAOC. Methods: The data of EMs and control samples was obtained from GEO database. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified modular genes significantly associated with EMs. The KEGG pathway and GO functional enrichment analyses were also performed. Univariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to screen marker genes associated with the prognosis of EAOC patients. Finally, RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical verified the expression of ADAMTS19 and TUBB in normal ovarian and EAOC tissues, and the biological functions of ADAMTS19 and TUBB were preliminarily explored by CCK8 and Transwell assays. Results: The WGCNA identified 2 co-expression modules, which in total included 615 genes, and 7642 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected thorough analysis of the EAOC dataset. After taking the intersection of 615 modular genes and 7642 DEGs, 214 shared genes were obtained, and univariate COX regression analysis pointed 10 genes associated with the prognosis of EAOC. Moreover, it was demonstrated by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical staining experiments that ADAMTS19 expression was elevated, while TUBB expression was reduced in EAOC compared with normal ovarian cells and tissues. Finally, cell experiments revealed that ADAMTS19 promoted the proliferation and invasion in EAOC cells, while overexpression of TUBB inhibited these processes. Conclusions: The present study identified and validated new EMs-associated gene markers, which could serve as potential biomarkers for assessing the prognostic risk of EAOC patients. In addition, some of these genes may have significance as novel therapeutic targets and could be used to guide clinical applications.

ADAMTS2 promotes radial migration by activating TGF-ß signaling in the developing neocortex.

The mammalian neocortex is formed by sequential radial migration of newborn excitatory neurons. Migrating neurons undergo a multipolar-to-bipolar transition at the subplate (SP) layer, where extracellular matrix (ECM) components are abundantly expressed. Here, we investigate the role of the ECM at the SP layer. We show that TGF-ß signaling-related ECM proteins, and their downstream effector, p-smad2/3, are selectively expressed in the SP layer. We also find that migrating neurons express a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif 2 (ADAMTS2), an ECM metalloproteinase, just below the SP layer. Knockdown and knockout of Adamts2 suppresses the multipolar-to-bipolar transition of migrating neurons and disturbs radial migration. Time-lapse luminescence imaging of TGF-ß signaling indicates that ADAMTS2 activates this signaling pathway in migrating neurons during the multipolar-to-bipolar transition at the SP layer. Overexpression of TGF-ß2 in migrating neurons partially rescues migration defects in ADAMTS2 knockout mice. Our data suggest that ADAMTS2 secreted by the migrating multipolar neurons activates TGF-ß signaling by ECM remodeling of the SP layer, which might drive the multipolar to bipolar transition.

AdamTS proteases control basement membrane heterogeneity and organ shape in Drosophila.

The basement membrane (BM) is an extracellular matrix that plays important roles in animal development. A spatial heterogeneity in composition and structural properties of the BM provide cells with vital cues for morphogenetic processes such as cell migration or cell polarization. Here, using the Drosophila egg chamber as a model system, we show that the BM becomes heterogeneous during development, with a reduction in Collagen IV density at the posterior pole and differences in the micropattern of aligned fiber-like structures. We identified two AdamTS matrix proteases required for the proper elongated shape of the egg chamber, yet the molecular mechanisms by which they act are different. Stall is required to establish BM heterogeneity by locally limiting Collagen IV protein density, whereas AdamTS-A alters the micropattern of fiber-like structures within the BM at the posterior pole. Our results suggest that AdamTS proteases control BM heterogeneity required for organ shape.

The Increased Burden of Rare Variants in Four Matrix Metalloproteinase-Related Genes in Childhood Glaucoma Suggests a Complex Genetic Inheritance of the Disease.

Childhood glaucoma encompasses congenital and juvenile primary glaucoma, which are heterogeneous, uncommon, and irreversible optic neuropathies leading to visual impairment with a poorly understood genetic basis. Our goal was to identify gene variants associated with these glaucoma types by assessing the mutational burden in 76 matrix metalloproteinase-related genes. We studied 101 childhood glaucoma patients with no identified monogenic alterations using next-generation sequencing. Gene expression was assessed through immunohistochemistry. Functional analysis of selected gene variants was conducted in cultured cells and in zebrafish. Patients presented a higher proportion of rare variants in four metalloproteinase-related genes, including CPAMD8 and ADAMTSL4, compared to controls. ADAMTSL4 protein expression was observed in the anterior segment of both the adult human and zebrafish larvae's eye, including tissues associated with glaucoma. In HEK-293T cells, expression of four ADAMTSL4 variants identified in this study showed that two variants (p.Arg774Trp and p.Arg98Trp) accumulated intracellularly, inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress. Additionally, overexpressing these ADAMTSL4 variants in zebrafish embryos confirmed partial loss-of-function effects for p.Ser719Leu and p.Arg1083His. Double heterozygous functional suppression of adamtsl4 and cpamd8 zebrafish orthologs resulted in reduced volume of both the anterior eye chamber and lens within the chamber, supporting a genetic interaction between these genes. Our findings suggest that accumulation of partial functional defects in matrix metalloproteinase-related genes may contribute to increased susceptibility to early-onset glaucoma and provide further evidence supporting the notion of a complex genetic inheritance pattern underlying the disease.

ADAMTSL2 is a potential prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for colorectal cancer: Bioinformatic analysis and experimental verification.

The ADAMTS Like 2 (ADAMTSL2) mutation has been identified to be associated with different human genetic diseases. The role of ADAMTSL2 is unclear in colorectal cancer (CRC). The study investigated the expression of ADAMTSL2 in both pan cancer and CRC, using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to assess its diagnostic value. The study examined the correlation between ADAMTSL2 expression levels and clinical characteristics, as well as prognosis in CRC. The study explored potential regulatory networks involving ADAMTSL2, including its association with immune infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, tumor mutational burden (TMB) / microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor stemness index (mRNAsi), and drug sensitivity in CRC. ADAMTSL2 expression was validated using GSE71187 and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). ADAMTSL2 was aberrantly expressed in pan cancer and CRC. An increased level of ADAMTSL2 expression in patients with CRC was significantly associated with the pathologic N stage (p < 0.001), pathologic stage (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), histological type (p < 0.001), and neoplasm type (p = 0.001). The high expression of ADAMTSL2 in patients with CRC was found to be significantly associated with a poorer overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.18-2.38; p = 0.004), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.14-2.11; p = 0.005) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.16-2.89; p = 0.010). The expression of ADAMTSL2 in patients with CRC (p = 0.009) was identified as an independent prognostic determinant. ADAMTSL2 was associated with extracellular matrix receptor (ECM-receptor) interaction, transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) signaling pathway, and more. ADAMTSL2 expression was correlated with immune infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, TMB / MSI and mRNAsi in CRC. ADAMTSL2 expression was significantly and negatively correlated with 1-BET-762, Trametinib, and WZ3105 in CRC. ADAMTSL2 was significantly upregulated in CRC cell lines. The high expression of ADAMTSL2 is significantly correlated with lower OS and immune infiltration of CRC. ADAMTSL2 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for CRC patients.

Multi-Omics Pan-Cancer Analysis of Procollagen N-Propeptidase Gene Family of ADAMTS as Novel Biomarkers to Associate with Prognosis, Tumor Immune Microenvironment, Signaling Pathways, and Drug Sensitivities.

BACKGROUND: The extracellular matrix (ECM) modeling induced by the metalloproteinases is a vital characteristic for tumor progression. Previous studies mainly focus on the functions of two subgroups of metalloproteinases: matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAMs) in tumors. The roles of another important group: the ADAMs with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) remain unclear. This study aimed to perform a pan-cancer analysis of procollagen N-propeptidase subgroup of ADAMTS (PNPSA). METHODS: We systematically analyzed expression landscape, genomic variations, prognostic value, and cell expression clusters of PNPSA in pan-cancer based on the multiple integrated open databases. Besides, we also analyzed the impacts of expressions and genomic variations of PNPSA members on tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and immune-related molecules in pan-cancer based on the immune-related open databases. The Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was performed to evaluate the associations of the whole PNPSA with prognosis, tumor indicators, TIME, and drug sensitivities. Meanwhile, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was performed to reveal related signaling pathways. Finally, immunohistochemical staining was used to validate the differential analysis results. RESULTS: We found a dual prognostic role of PNPSA members in pan-cancer and they were significantly correlated with TIME and immune-related molecules. Interestingly, the copy number variations (CNVs) of all PNPSA members were revealed to be negatively correlated with NK cell infiltration in most cancers. Single-cell sequencing analysis reveals expressions of PNPSA gene family members on some specific tumor and immune cells in addition to the fibroblasts. The GSVA score was found to have some predictive value for survival status in Brain Lower Grade Glioma (LGG), Mesothelioma (MESO), and Uveal Melanoma (UVM) and to be significantly correlated with tumorigenesis-related pathways such as PI3K-Akt, AGE-RAGE, etc. The GSVA score also shows some predictive value for chemotherapy and immunotherapy efficacy in some tumors. CONCLUSIONS: PNPSA was correlated with tumor development and might be potential tumor biomarker and therapeutic target.

ADAMTSL2 mutations determine the phenotypic severity in geleophysic dysplasia.

Geleophysic dysplasia-1 (GD1) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by ADAMTS-like 2 (ADAMTSL2) variants. It is characterized by distinctive facial features, limited joint mobility, short stature, brachydactyly, and life-threatening cardiorespiratory complications. The clinical spectrum spans from perinatal lethality to milder adult phenotypes. We developed and characterized cellular and mouse models, to replicate the genetic profile of a patient who is compound heterozygous for 2 ADAMTSL2 variants, namely p.R61H and p.A165T. The impairment of ADAMTSL2 secretion was observed in both variants, but p.A165T exhibited a more severe impact. Mice carrying different allelic combinations revealed a spectrum of phenotypic severity, from lethality in knockout homozygotes to mild growth impairment observed in adult p.R61H homozygotes. Homozygous and hemizygous p.A165T mice survived but displayed severe respiratory and cardiac dysfunction. The respiratory dysfunction mainly affected the expiration phase, and some of these animals had microscopic post-obstructive pneumonia. Echocardiograms and MRI studies revealed a significant systolic dysfunction, accompanied by a reduction of the aortic root size. Histology verified the presence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with myocyte hypertrophy, chondroid metaplasia, and mild interstitial fibrosis. This study revealed a substantial correlation between the degree of impaired ADAMTSL2 secretion and the severity of the observed phenotype in GD1.

ADAMTS Gene-Derived circRNA Molecules in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Expression Profiling, Clinical Correlations and Survival Analysis.

The present study examines the relationship between circular RNA (circRNA) derived from three genes of the family a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs): ADAMTS6, ADAMTS9 and ADAMTS12 and the host gene expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with regard to various clinical factors. Notably, an association was identified between ADAMTS12 expression and specific circRNA molecules, as well as certain expression patterns of ADAMTS6 and its derived circRNA that were specific to histopathological subtypes. The survival analysis demonstrated that a lower ADAMTS6 expression in squamous cell carcinoma was associated with extended survival. Furthermore, the higher ADAMTS9 expression was linked to prolonged survival, while the overexpression of ADAMTS12 was correlated with a shorter survival. These findings suggest that circRNA molecules may serve as potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for NSCLC, highlighting the importance of considering molecular patterns in distinct cancer subtypes.

Lung Inflammatory Phenotype in Mice Deficient in Fibulin-2 and ADAMTS-12.

Interaction between extracellular matrix (ECM) components plays an important role in the regulation of cellular behavior and hence in tissue function. Consequently, characterization of new interactions within ECM opens the possibility of studying not only the functional but also the pathological consequences derived from those interactions. We have previously described the interaction between fibulin2 and ADAMTS-12 in vitro and the effects of that interaction using cellular models of cancer. Now, we generate a mouse deficient in both ECM components and evaluate functional consequences of their absence using different cancer and inflammation murine models. The main findings indicate that mice deficient in both fibulin2 and ADAMTS12 markedly increase the development of lung tumors following intraperitoneal urethane injections. Moreover, inflammatory phenotype is exacerbated in the lung after LPS treatment as can be inferred from the accumulation of active immune cells in lung parenchyma. Overall, our results suggest that protective effects in cancer or inflammation shown by fibulin2 and ADAMTS12 as interactive partners in vitro are also shown in a more realistic in vivo context.

Secreted ADAMTS-like proteins as regulators of connective tissue function.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) determines functional properties of connective tissues through structural components, such as collagens, elastic fibers, or proteoglycans. The ECM also instructs cell behavior through regulatory proteins, including proteases, growth factors, and matricellular proteins, which can be soluble or tethered to ECM scaffolds. The secreted a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 repeats/motifs-like (ADAMTSL) proteins constitute a family of regulatory ECM proteins that are related to ADAMTS proteases but lack their protease domains. In mammals, the ADAMTSL protein family comprises seven members, ADAMTSL1-6 and papilin. ADAMTSL orthologs are also present in the worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, and the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Like other matricellular proteins, ADAMTSL expression is characterized by tight spatiotemporal regulation during embryonic development and early postnatal growth and by cell type- and tissue-specific functional pleiotropy. Although largely quiescent during adult tissue homeostasis, reexpression of ADAMTSL proteins is frequently observed in the context of physiological and pathological tissue remodeling and during regeneration and repair after injury. The diverse functions of ADAMTSL proteins are further evident from disorders caused by mutations in individual ADAMTSL proteins, which can affect multiple organ systems. In addition, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADAMTSL genes to complex traits, such as lung function, asthma, height, body mass, fibrosis, or schizophrenia. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about individual members of the ADAMTSL protein family and highlight recent mechanistic studies that began to elucidate their diverse functions.

[A family with developmental glaucoma and microcornea due to novel ADAMTS18 gene mutations].

This case report presents a family with developmental glaucoma accompanied by microcornea resulting from novel mutations in the ADAMTS18 gene. The index case involves a 5-year-old twin brother, who, during a routine examination, exhibited elevated intraocular pressure persisting for over a month. The peak intraocular pressure reached approximately 25 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) in both eyes, with a corneal diameter of less than 10 mm. Ocular examination revealed an enlarged cup-to-disc ratio, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer. Ultrasound biomicroscopy combined with gonioscopy indicated partial angle closure and abnormal anterior chamber angle development. The ocular manifestations in the twin brother were consistent with those observed in the twin sister. The clinical diagnosis was bilateral developmental glaucoma with microcornea. Genetic sequencing identified two novel compound heterozygous mutations in the ADAMTS18 gene in the twins: Mutation 1 (M1) involving the variant site 1 (c.3436C>T:p.R1146W) and Mutation 2 (M2) involving the variant site 2 (c.1454T>G:p.F485C). Ocular examinations of four additional family members were normal. Genetic testing revealed that the twins' father and sister carried M1, while the index case's mother and brother carried M2. This report underscores a unique association between ADAMTS18 gene mutations and developmental glaucoma with microcornea within a familial context, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening for early diagnosis and targeted management strategies.

Genome-wide mining of diversity and evolutionary signatures revealed selective hotspots in Indian Sahiwal cattle.

The Sahiwal cattle breed is the best indigenous dairy cattle breed, and it plays a pivotal role in the Indian dairy industry. This is due to its exceptional milk-producing potential, adaptability to local tropical conditions, and its resilience to ticks and diseases. The study aimed to identify selective sweeps and estimate intrapopulation genetic diversity parameters in Sahiwal cattle using ddRAD sequencing-based genotyping data from 82 individuals. After applying filtering criteria, 78,193 high-quality SNPs remained for further analysis. The population exhibited an average minor allele frequency of 0.221 ± 0.119. Genetic diversity metrics, including observed (0.597 ± 0.196) and expected heterozygosity (0.433 ± 0.096), nucleotide diversity (0.327 ± 0.114), the proportion of polymorphic SNPs (0.726), and allelic richness (1.323 ± 0.134), indicated ample genomic diversity within the breed. Furthermore, an effective population size of 74 was observed in the most recent generation. The overall mean linkage disequilibrium (r2) for pairwise SNPs was 0.269 ± 0.057. Moreover, a greater proportion of short Runs of Homozygosity (ROH) segments were observed suggesting that there may be low levels of recent inbreeding in this population. The genomic inbreeding coefficients, computed using different inbreeding estimates (FHOM, FUNI, FROH, and FGROM), ranged from -0.0289 to 0.0725. Subsequently, we found 146 regions undergoing selective sweeps using five distinct statistical tests: Tajima's D, CLR, |iHS|, |iHH12|, and ROH. These regions, located in non-overlapping 500 kb windows, were mapped and revealed various protein-coding genes associated with enhanced immune systems and disease resistance (IFNL3, IRF8, BLK), as well as production traits (NRXN1, PLCE1, GHR). Notably, we identified interleukin 2 (IL2) on Chr17: 35217075-35223276 as a gene linked to tick resistance and uncovered a cluster of genes (HSPA8, UBASH3B, ADAMTS18, CRTAM) associated with heat stress. These findings indicate the evolutionary impact of natural and artificial selection on the environmental adaptation of the Sahiwal cattle population.

The genetic architecture of the human hypothalamus and its involvement in neuropsychiatric behaviours and disorders.

Despite its crucial role in the regulation of vital metabolic and neurological functions, the genetic architecture of the hypothalamus remains unknown. Here we conducted multivariate genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using hypothalamic imaging data from 32,956 individuals to uncover the genetic underpinnings of the hypothalamus and its involvement in neuropsychiatric traits. There were 23 significant loci associated with the whole hypothalamus and its subunits, with functional enrichment for genes involved in intracellular trafficking systems and metabolic processes of steroid-related compounds. The hypothalamus exhibited substantial genetic associations with limbic system structures and neuropsychiatric traits including chronotype, risky behaviour, cognition, satiety and sympathetic-parasympathetic activity. The strongest signal in the primary GWAS, the ADAMTS8 locus, was replicated in three independent datasets (N = 1,685-4,321) and was strengthened after meta-analysis. Exome-wide association analyses added evidence to the association for ADAMTS8, and Mendelian randomization showed lower ADAMTS8 expression with larger hypothalamic volumes. The current study advances our understanding of complex structure-function relationships of the hypothalamus and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie hypothalamic formation.

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.

ADAMTS18 deficiency associates extracellular matrix dysfunction with a higher risk of HER2-positive mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer accounts for about 20% of all breast cancer cases and is correlated with a high relapse rate and poor prognosis. ADAMTS18 is proposed as an important functional tumor suppressor gene involved in multiple malignancies, including breast cancer. It functions as an extracellular matrix (ECM) modifier. However, it remains unclear whether ADAMTS18 affects mammary tumorigenesis and malignant progression through its essential ECM regulatory function. METHODS: To elucidate the role of ADAMTS18 in HER2-positive mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo, we compared the incidence of mammary tumor and metastasis between Adamts18-knockout (MMTV)-Her2/ErbB2/Neu+ transgenic mice (i.e., Her2t/w/Adamts18-/-) and Adamts18-wildtype (MMTV)-Her2/ErbB2/Neu+ transgenic mice (i.e., Her2t/w/Adamts18+/+). The underlying mechanisms by which ADAMTS18 regulates HER2-positive tumorigenesis and metastasis were investigated by pathology, cell culture, Western blot and immunochemistry. RESULTS: Adamts18 mRNA is mainly expressed in myoepithelial cells of the mammary duct. ADAMTS18 deficiency leads to a significantly increased incidence of mammary tumors and metastasis, as well as mammary hyperplasia in mice, over 30 months of observation. The proliferation, migration and invasion capacities of primary Her2t/w/Adamts18-/- mammary tumor cells are significantly higher than those of primary Her2t/w/Adamts18+/+ mammary tumor cells in vitro. At 30 months of age, the expression levels of laminin (LNα5), fibronectin (FN) and type I collagen (ColI) in the mammary glands of Her2t/w/Adamts18-/- mice are significantly increased, and the activities of integrin-mediated PI3K/AKT, ERK and JNK signaling pathways are enhanced. CONCLUSIONS: ADAMTS18 deficiency leads to alterations in mammary ECM components (e.g., LNα5, FN, ColI), which are associated with a higher risk of HER2-positive mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis.

Extracellular Matrix Disorganization Caused by ADAMTS16 Deficiency Leads to Bicuspid Aortic Valve With Raphe Formation.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of the molecular mechanism of aortic valve development and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) formation would significantly improve and optimize the therapeutic strategy for BAV treatment. Over the past decade, the genes involved in aortic valve development and BAV formation have been increasingly recognized. On the other hand, ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) gene family members have been reported to be able to modulate cardiovascular development and diseases. The present study aimed to further investigate the roles of ADAMTS family members in aortic valve development and BAV formation. METHODS: Morpholino-based ADAMTS family gene-targeted screening for zebrafish heart outflow tract phenotypes combined with DNA sequencing in a 304 cohort BAV patient registry study was initially carried out to identify potentially related genes. Both ADAMTS gene-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization assay and genetic tracing experiments were performed to evaluate the expression pattern in the aortic valve. Accordingly, related genetic mouse models (both knockout and knockin) were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated 9) method to further study the roles of ADAMTS family genes. The lineage-tracing technique was used again to evaluate how the cellular activity of specific progenitor cells was regulated by ADAMTS genes. Bulk RNA sequencing was used to investigate the signaling pathways involved. Inducible pluripotent stem cells derived from both BAV patients and genetic mouse tissue were used to study the molecular mechanism of ADAMTS. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the phenotype of cardiac valve anomalies, especially in the extracellular matrix components. RESULTS: ADAMTS genes targeting and phenotype screening in zebrafish and targeted DNA sequencing on a cohort of patients with BAV identified ADAMTS16 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 16) as a BAV-causing gene and found the ADAMTS16 p. H357Q variant in an inherited BAV family. Both in situ hybridization and genetic tracing studies described a unique spatiotemporal pattern of ADAMTS16 expression during aortic valve development. Adamts16+/- and Adamts16+/H355Q mouse models both exhibited a right coronary cusp-noncoronary cusp fusion-type BAV phenotype, with progressive aortic valve thickening associated with raphe formation (fusion of the commissure). Further, ADAMTS16 deficiency in Tie2 lineage cells recapitulated the BAV phenotype. This was confirmed in lineage-tracing mouse models in which Adamts16 deficiency affected endothelial and second heart field cells, not the neural crest cells. Accordingly, the changes were mainly detected in the noncoronary and right coronary leaflets. Bulk RNA sequencing using inducible pluripotent stem cells-derived endothelial cells and genetic mouse embryonic heart tissue unveiled enhanced FAK (focal adhesion kinase) signaling, which was accompanied by elevated fibronectin levels. Both in vitro inducible pluripotent stem cells-derived endothelial cells culture and ex vivo embryonic outflow tract explant studies validated the altered FAK signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Our present study identified a novel BAV-causing ADAMTS16 p. H357Q variant. ADAMTS16 deficiency led to BAV formation.

Opposing roles for ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14 in myofibroblast differentiation and function.

Crosstalk between cancer and stellate cells is pivotal in pancreatic cancer, resulting in differentiation of stellate cells into myofibroblasts that drives tumour progression. To assess cooperative mechanisms in a 3D context, we generated chimeric spheroids using human and mouse cancer and stellate cells. Species-specific deconvolution of bulk-RNA sequencing data revealed cell type-specific transcriptomes underpinning invasion. This dataset highlighted stellate-specific expression of transcripts encoding the collagen-processing enzymes ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14. Strikingly, loss of ADAMTS2 reduced, while loss of ADAMTS14 promoted, myofibroblast differentiation and invasion independently of their primary role in collagen-processing. Functional and proteomic analysis demonstrated that these two enzymes regulate myofibroblast differentiation through opposing roles in the regulation of transforming growth factor ß availability, acting on the protease-specific substrates, Serpin E2 and fibulin 2, for ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14, respectively. Showcasing a broader complexity for these enzymes, we uncovered a novel regulatory axis governing malignant behaviour of the pancreatic cancer stroma. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Expression and Purification of Recombinant ADAMTS8.

ADAMTS8 (A Disintegrin-like and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs 8) is a secreted zinc-dependent metalloproteinase whose expression is downregulated in a variety of solid tumors. Xenografts expressing high levels of ADAMTS8 have a poor capacity to invade and migrate in nude mice. While this data highlights a beneficial, anti-cancerogenic role of ADAMTS8, the mechanism behind this activity is still not fully elucidated. So far, the only reported substrate for ADAMTS8 is osteopontin (OPN), an extracellular matrix protein widely implicated in multiple steps of cancer progression, albeit, similar to other ADAMTS family members, it is very likely that ADAMTS8 cleaves a variety of substrates. The availability of purified ADAMTS8 may enlighten the biological role of this metalloproteinase.Here we describe methods for expression and purification of recombinant ADAMTS8 in HEK293T cells as well as a convenient assay to test ADAMTS8 proteolytic activity using OPN as a substrate.

A novel ADAMTSL4 compound heterozygous mutation in isolated ectopia lentis: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Congenital ectopia lentis is characterized by dislocation of the lens caused by partial or complete abnormalities in the zonular fibers. It can be caused by either systemic diseases or isolated ocular diseases. Gene detection techniques can provide valuable information when an etiological diagnosis is challenging. Herein, we report the case of a six-year-old girl with a confirmed diagnosis of isolated ectopia lentis caused by a compound heterozygous ADAMTSL4 gene mutation. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 6-year-old Chinese Han girl with strabismus in the right eye. Slit lamp examination revealed that the lens in the right eye was opacified and dislocated, without an ectopic pupil. Gene detection demonstrated the presence of a compound heterozygous mutation in the ADAMTSL4 gene [c. 2270dupG (p.Gly758Trpfs *59) and c. 2110A > G (p.Ser704Gly)], and the diagnosis of isolated ectopia lentis was confirmed. She underwent lens extraction, and a sutured scleral-fixated posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) was placed in the right eye. The best-corrected visual acuity was 0.1 one month postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Gene detection plays a crucial role in diagnosing disorders with similar symptoms, such as isolated ectopia lentis and Marfan syndrome. In this study, we used whole exons sequencing to diagnose isolated ectopia lentis and identified the variant c.2110A > G (p.Ser704Gly), which may be associated with the development of ectopia lentis and early-onset cataract in the patient. These pathogenic gene mutations have significant implications for the genetic diagnosis of congenital ectopia lentis, treatment, surveillance, and hereditary and prenatal counseling for the patient and their family members.