JAM-A facilitates hair follicle regeneration in alopecia areata through functioning as ceRNA to protect VCAN expression in dermal papilla cells.

The dermal papilla cells in hair follicles function as critical regulators of hair growth. In particular, alopecia areata (AA) is closely related to the malfunctioning of the human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Thus, identifying the regulatory mechanism of hDPCs is important in inducing hair follicle (HF) regeneration in AA patients. Recently, growing evidence has indicated that 3' untranslated regions (3' UTR) of key genes may participate in the regulatory circuitry underlying cell differentiation and diseases through a so-called competing endogenous mechanism, but none have been reported in HF regeneration. Here, we demonstrate that the 3' UTR of junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A) could act as an essential competing endogenous RNA to maintain hDPCs function and promote HF regeneration in AA. We showed that the 3' UTR of JAM-A shares many microRNA (miRNA) response elements, especially miR-221-3p, with versican (VCAN) mRNA, and JAM-A 3' UTR could directly modulate the miRNA-mediated suppression of VCAN in self-renewing hDPCs. Furthermore, upregulated VCAN can in turn promote the expression level of JAM-A. Overall, we propose that JAM-A 3' UTR forms a feedback loop with VCAN and miR-221-3p to regulate hDPC maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation, which may lead to developing new therapies for hair loss.

Long non-coding RNA GAS5 controls human embryonic stem cell self-renewal by maintaining NODAL signalling.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known players in the regulatory circuitry of the self-renewal in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). However, most hESC-specific lncRNAs remain uncharacterized. Here we demonstrate that growth-arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5), a known tumour suppressor and growth arrest-related lncRNA, is highly expressed and directly regulated by pluripotency factors OCT4 and SOX2 in hESCs. Phenotypic analysis shows that GAS5 knockdown significantly impairs hESC self-renewal, but its overexpression significantly promotes hESC self-renewal. Using RNA sequencing and functional analysis, we demonstrate that GAS5 maintains NODAL signalling by protecting NODAL expression from miRNA-mediated degradation. Therefore, we propose that the above pluripotency factors, GAS5 and NODAL form a feed-forward signalling loop that maintains hESC self-renewal. As this regulatory function of GAS5 is stem cell specific, our findings also indicate that the functions of lncRNAs may vary in different cell types due to competing endogenous mechanisms.

Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomal MicroRNAs Suppress Myofibroblast Differentiation by Inhibiting the Transforming Growth Factor-ß/SMAD2 Pathway During Wound Healing.

: Excessive scar formation caused by myofibroblast aggregations is of great clinical importance during skin wound healing. Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can promote skin regeneration, but whether MSCs contribute to scar formation remains undefined. We found that umbilical cord-derived MSCs (uMSCs) reduced scar formation and myofibroblast accumulation in a skin-defect mouse model. We found that these functions were mainly dependent on uMSC-derived exosomes (uMSC-Exos) and especially exosomal microRNAs. Through high-throughput RNA sequencing and functional analysis, we demonstrated that a group of uMSC-Exos enriched in specific microRNAs (miR-21, -23a, -125b, and -145) played key roles in suppressing myofibroblast formation by inhibiting the transforming growth factor-ß2/SMAD2 pathway. Finally, using the strategy we established to block miRNAs inside the exosomes, we showed that these specific exosomal miRNAs were essential for the myofibroblast-suppressing and anti-scarring functions of uMSCs both in vitro and in vivo. Our study revealed a novel role of exosomal miRNAs in uMSC-mediated therapy, suggesting that the clinical application of uMSC-derived exosomes might represent a strategy to prevent scar formation during wound healing. SIGNIFICANCE: Exosomes have been identified as a new type of major paracrine factor released by umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (uMSCs). They have been reported to be an important mediator of cell-to-cell communication. However, it is still unclear precisely which molecule or group of molecules carried within MSC-derived exosomes can mediate myofibroblast functions, especially in the process of wound repair. The present study explored the functional roles of uMSC-exosomal microRNAs in the process of myofibroblast formation, which can cause excessive scarring. This is an unreported function of uMSC exosomes. Also, for the first time, the uMSC-exosomal microRNAs were examined by high-throughput sequencing, with a group of specific microRNAs (miR-21, miR-23a, miR-125b, and miR-145) found to play key roles in suppressing myofibroblast formation by inhibiting excess α-smooth muscle actin and collagen deposition associated with activity of the transforming growth factor-ß/SMAD2 signaling pathway.

Shp2 and Pten have antagonistic roles in myeloproliferation but cooperate to promote erythropoiesis in mammals.

Previous data suggested a negative role of phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) and a positive function of SH2-containing tyrosine phosphatase (Shp2)/Ptpn11 in myelopoiesis and leukemogenesis. Herein we demonstrate that ablating Shp2 indeed suppressed the myeloproliferative effect of Pten loss, indicating directly opposing functions between pathways regulated by these two enzymes. Surprisingly, the Shp2 and Pten double-knockout mice suffered lethal anemia, a phenotype that reveals previously unappreciated cooperative roles of Pten and Shp2 in erythropoiesis. The lethal anemia was caused collectively by skewed progenitor differentiation and shortened erythrocyte lifespan. Consistently, treatment of Pten-deficient mice with a specific Shp2 inhibitor suppressed myeloproliferative neoplasm while causing anemia. These results identify concerted actions of Pten and Shp2 in promoting erythropoiesis, while acting antagonistically in myeloproliferative neoplasm development. This study illustrates cell type-specific signal cross-talk in blood cell lineages, and will guide better design of pharmaceuticals for leukemia and other types of cancer in the era of precision medicine.

JAM-A promotes wound healing by enhancing both homing and secretory activities of mesenchymal stem cells.

The homing ability and secretory function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are key factors that influence cell involvement in wound repair. These factors are controlled by multilayer regulatory circuitry, including adhesion molecules, core transcription factors (TFs) and certain other regulators. However, the role of adhesion molecules in this regulatory circuitry and their underlying mechanism remain undefined. In the present paper, we demonstrate that an adhesion molecule, junction adhesion molecule A (JAM-A), may function as a key promoter molecule to regulate skin wound healing by MSCs. In in vivo experiments, we show that JAM-A up-regulation promoted both MSC homing to full-thickness skin wounds and wound healing-related cytokine secretion by MSCs. In vitro experiments also showed that JAM-A promoted MSC proliferation and migration by activating T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1). We suggest that JAM-A up-regulation can increase the proliferation, cytokine secretion and wound-homing ability of MSCs, thus accelerating the repair rate of full-thickness skin defects. These results may provide insights into a novel and potentially effective approach to improve the efficacy of MSC treatment.

Cytoplasmic tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 coordinates hepatic regulation of bile acid and FGF15/19 signaling to repress bile acid synthesis.

Bile acid (BA) biosynthesis is tightly controlled by intrahepatic negative feedback signaling elicited by BA binding to farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and also by enterohepatic communication involving ileal BA reabsorption and FGF15/19 secretion. However, how these pathways are coordinated is poorly understood. We show here that nonreceptor tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 is a critical player that couples and regulates the intrahepatic and enterohepatic signals for repression of BA synthesis. Ablating Shp2 in hepatocytes suppressed signal relay from FGFR4, receptor for FGF15/19, and attenuated BA activation of FXR signaling, resulting in elevation of systemic BA levels and chronic hepatobiliary disorders in mice. Acting immediately downstream of FGFR4, Shp2 associates with FRS2α and promotes the receptor activation and signal relay to several pathways. These results elucidate a molecular mechanism for the control of BA homeostasis by Shp2 through the orchestration of multiple signals in hepatocytes.

Mir-218 contributes to the transformation of 5-Aza/GF induced umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into hematopoietic cells through the MITF pathway.

Experiments with 5'-azacytidine and hematopoietic growth factor approved for the transformation of human mesenchymal cells into hematopoietic cells have demonstrated that cell fate can be dramatically altered by changing the epigenetic state of cells. Here, we demonstrate that umbilical cord-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (uMSC) are easily accessible and could be induced into cells with hematopoietic function. Furthermore, we focused on the crucial miRNAs and relative transcription factors (TFs) in our study. We show that combined Aza/GF incubation can increase expression of miR-218, miR-150, and miR-451. Accordingly, miR-218 overexpression achieved an increase in expression of CD34 (3-13%), CD45 (50-65%), CD133 and c-Kit in uMSCs that cultured with Aza/GF. The expression of the relevant transcriptional factors, such as HoxB4 and NF-Ya, was higher than in the negative control group or miR-218 inhibitor transfected group, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is regarded to be a direct target of miR-218, as demonstrated by luciferase assays. Overexpression of miR-218 might, in conjunction with the MITF, upregulate the expression of NF-Ya and HoxB4, which induce a hematopoietic state. We concluded that miR-218 might have a role in the transformation of hematopoietic cells through the MITF pathway.

Directed differentiation of aged human bone marrow multipotent stem cells effectively generates dopamine neurons.

This study aimed to isolate aged human bone marrow multipotent stem cells (hAMSCs) with the potential for multilineage differentiation and to directly induce the cells to generate dopamine neurons, which could be used for Parkinson's disease therapy. We compared different culture methods for stem cells from aged human bone marrow and identified hAMSCs that could proliferate in vitro for at least 60 doubling times. Using RT-PCR and IHC, we found that these hAMSCs expressed pluripotent genes, such as Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog. In vitro studies also proved that hAMSCs could differentiate into three germ layer-derived cell types, such as osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic, and hepatocyte-liked cells. After induction for more than 20 d in vitro with retinoic acid, basic fibroblast growth factor, and sonic hedgehog using a two-step method and withdrawal of serum, hAMSCs could differentiate into dopamine neurons at the positive ratio of 70%, which showed DA secretion function upon depolarization. In conclusion, we suggest that hAMSCs can be used as cell sources to develop medical treatments to prevent the progression of Parkinson's disease, especially in aged persons.

Epidermal growth factor promotes transforming growth factor-ß1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HK-2 cells through a synergistic effect on Snail.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a central mechanism for wound healing, tissue repair, organ fibrosis and carcinoma progression in adults. Evidence shows that both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) are upregulated during renal interstitial fibrosis, and that co-stimulation of EGF and TGF-ß1 could induce renal tubular epithelial cells to undergo EMT more effectively than EGF or TGF-ß1 alone. This study was intended to explore the molecular mechanism underlying this effect. HK-2 cells underwent apparent EMT with increased cell motility after co-stimulation of EGF and TGF-ß1 as compared with TGF-ß1 or EGF alone. Co-stimulation of EGF and TGF-ß1 resulted in rapid and robust ERK1/2 activation and induced persistent high expression of Snail protein. Treatment with the MEK inhibitor U0126 followed by co-stimulation with EGF and TGF-ß1 prevented the upregulation of Snail protein, EMT and motility, without impairing Snail mRNA. TGF-ß1 induced Snail at the transcriptional level, which was not influenced by EGF. Inhibition of Snail expression by siRNA interference also prevented EMT caused by co-stimulation of EGF and TGF-ß1. These data suggest that EGF promotes TGF-ß1-induced EMT through a synergistic effect on Snail at the post-transcriptional level in HK-2 cells.

Nonreceptor tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 promotes adipogenesis through inhibition of p38 MAP kinase.

The molecular mechanism underlying adipogenesis and the physiological functions of adipose tissue are not fully understood. We describe here a unique mouse model of severe lipodystrophy. Ablation of Ptpn11/Shp2 in adipocytes, mediated by aP2-Cre, led to premature death, lack of white fat, low blood pressure, compensatory erythrocytosis, and hepatic steatosis in Shp2(fat-/-) mice. Fat transplantation partially rescued the lifespan and blood pressure in Shp2(fat-/-) mice, and administration of leptin also restored partially the blood pressure of mutant animals with endogenous leptin deficiency. Consistently, homozygous deletion of Shp2 inhibited adipocyte differentiation from embryonic stem (ES) cells. Biochemical analyses suggest a Shp2-TAO2-p38-p300-PPARγ pathway in adipogenesis, in which Shp2 suppresses p38 activation, leading to stabilization of p300 and enhanced PPARγ expression. Inhibition of p38 restored adipocyte differentiation from Shp2(-/-) ES cells, and p38 signaling is also suppressed in obese patients and obese animals. These results illustrate an essential role of adipose tissue in mammalian survival and physiology and also suggest a common signaling mechanism involved in adipogenesis and obesity development.

Kit-Shp2-Kit signaling acts to maintain a functional hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell pool.

The stem cell factor (SCF)/Kit system has served as a classic model in deciphering molecular signaling events in the hematopoietic compartment, and Kit expression is a most critical marker for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitors. However, it remains to be elucidated how Kit expression is regulated in HSCs. Herein we report that a cytoplasmic tyrosine phosphatase Shp2, acting downstream of Kit and other RTKs, promotes Kit gene expression, constituting a Kit-Shp2-Kit signaling axis. Inducible ablation of PTPN11/Shp2 resulted in severe cytopenia in BM, spleen, and peripheral blood in mice. Shp2 removal suppressed the functional pool of HSCs/progenitors, and Shp2-deficient HSCs failed to reconstitute lethally irradiated recipients because of defects in homing, self-renewal, and survival. We show that Shp2 regulates coordinately multiple signals involving up-regulation of Kit expression via Gata2. Therefore, this study reveals a critical role of Shp2 in maintenance of a functional HSC/progenitor pool in adult mammals, at least in part through a kinase-phosphatase-kinase cascade.

Rat marrow-derived multipotent adult progenitor cells differentiate into skin epidermal cells in vivo.

Wound repair and functional reconstruction are two key aspects for treatment of skin injury. Research on cell source for skin repair has become a focus of study. The immune rejection induced by allograft cells and the limited source of autologous epidermal stem cells have led to more attention on the multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC). In this study, we examined the influence of the local environment of skin injury on the migration and differentiation of MAPC in nude mice. The homing of MAPC to the wounds and the epidermal differentiation of MAPC were investigated by detecting the expression of specific antigens of rat major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I) antigen and the tracing markers. Three weeks after transplantation, hair follicle-like structure appeared and rat MHC-I antigen was positive in the follicles of the healed skin. PKH26-labeled cells expressing cytokeratin were found in the regenerated follicle-like structures, sebaceous glands and sweat glands. Our findings indicate that MAPC can migrate to the skin injury site and the hair follicles, and participate in skin wound healing by differentiating into epidermal cells, which contributes to the theoretical research of MAPC plasticity and provides theoretical evidence for clinical application of transplantation therapy with MAPC.

Simultaneous expression of Oct4 and genes of three germ layers in single cell-derived multipotent adult progenitor cells.

Future application of adult stem cells in clinical therapies largely depends on the successful isolation of homogeneous stem cells with high plasticity. Multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) are thought to be a more primitive stem cell population capable of extensive in vitro proliferation with no senescence or loss of differentiation capability. The present study was aimed to find a less complicated and more economical protocol for obtaining single cell-derived MAPCs and understand the molecule mechanism of multi-lineage differentiation of MAPCs. We successfully obtained a comparatively homogeneous population of MAPCs and confirmed that single cell-derived MAPCs were able to transcribe Oct4 and genes of three germ layers simultaneously, and differentiate into multiple lineages. Our observations suggest that single cell-derived MAPCs under appropriate circumstances could maintain not only characteristics of stem cells but multi-lineage differentiation potential through quantitative modulation of corresponding regulating gene expression, rather than switching on expression of specific genes.

Recombined CC chemokine ligand 2 into B16 cells induces production of Th2-dominant [correction of dominanted] cytokines and inhibits melanoma metastasis.

This study is aimed to verify whether CCL2 can induce Th2 polarization in vivo and subsequently inhibit tumor metastasis. B16 cells (a murine melanoma cell line) highly expressing CCL2 (CCL2-B16 cells) were obtained by transfection with recombinant plasmid CCL2-pcDNA3. Primary thymocytes were co-cultured with CCL2-B16 cells and STAT-6-mediated Th2 polarization was noticed after co-culture. Caudal vein injection of CCL2-B16 cells effectively inhibited pulmonary metastasis in C57BL/6 mice, but not in nude mice, indicating that T cells play a role in CCL2-induced inhibition of tumor metastasis. We found that high level of CCL2 up-regulated the expression of Th2-related cytokine (IL-4) in tumor microenvironment and increased CD4+, CD8+, and CD45RB+ cells in the peripheral blood and tumor tissues. We also demonstrated that inoculation of mice with CCL2-B16 cells prolonged mice survival time when they were reinjected with wildtype B16 cells, implying that CCL2 can activate immuno-memory in mice. It is concluded that high expression of CCL2 can induce Th2 polarization in tumor microenvironment and can effectively inhibit tumor metastasis, which casts new lights on the role of chemokines in reconstruction of immune surveillance in patients suffering from tumors.

[Clonal culture of rat bone marrow-derived multipotential adult progenitor cells and study of their biological properties].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the culture conditions for clonal isolation of rat bone marrow-derived multipotential adult progenitor cells (rMAPC) and identify their surface markers and differentiation potentials. METHODS: By using a low concentration of fetal bovine serum culture medium, rMAPCs were primarily isolated from bone marrow by attachment culture and clonal-like cells were selected by single cell limiting dilution. The surface antigens of the cloned rMAPC were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Multi-differentiation capacities were evaluated by lipoblasts and osteoblasts and neuroblasts differentiation induction. The expressions of Oct-4 and three embryonic germ layer markers were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Single cell-derived rMAPC could be expanded to passage 20 in vitro which still maintained active proliferation ability. The expanded rMAPCs expressed CD71, alpha-SMA and vimentin, but not CD34, CD44 and CD45. About 83% of the rMAPCs was in the resting phase(G0 + G1) of cell cycle and 17% in S + G2 + M phase. They could be induced to differentiate into adipogenic cells, osteogenic cells and neural like cells. RT-PCR demonstrated that there were expressions of oct-4 gene and three embryonic germ layer markers on the rMAPCs. CONCLUSIONS: Cloned rMAPC can maintain the phenotypes of stem cell during in vitro culturing. It might be an potential adult stem cell source for therapeutic stem cell transplanting and tissue engineering.

Characterization of stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 expression during early stages of human embryogenesis.

Extensive expression of stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1) has been documented in some animal species, but not in human embryos. In this study, SSEA-1 was detected during human embryogenesis by whole-mount immunohistochemistry. Alkaline phosphatase (Ap) activity was detected to identify human primordial germ cells. SSEA-1 was expressed steadily and restrictedly in some cells/tissues, especially in the nephric duct and nephric tubule (including the pronephric duct and tubule, mesonephric duct and tubule, metanephric tissues) besides embryonic ectodermal cells and yolk sac from 3 to 7 weeks. High level of Ap activity was observed in vessels, part of the mesonephric duct, especially in embryonic primordial germ cells localized in the yolk sac, primitive gut, dorsal mesenteries and genital ridges. No colocalization of AP and SSEA-1 cells was observed. SSEA-1 was expressed in human embryos in a different pattern at early stages compared to that in mouse embryos. It was expressed in the nephric duct, nephric tubule, yolk sac and on the surface of embryonic ectodermal cells of the epidermis, but not in human primordial germ cells.

Molecular analysis of signaling events mediated by the cytoplasmic domain of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor alpha subunit.

A chimeric receptor (130/190) containing the cytoplasmic region of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor alpha subunit (LIFRalpha, or gp190) and the extracellular transmembrane region of gp130 was generated. Expressed of the 130/190 chimera in HL-60 cells to induced the homodimerization of the cytoplasmic domains (190cyt-190cyt) with whole LIFRalpha subunit on HL-60 cells in response to LIF. Expression and activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription factor-3 (Stat3) and inhibition of leukemia cell proliferation were evaluated in cells transfected with this chimeric molecule. Increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of Stat3 at Tyr705 was detected after 10 min LIF treatment in cells transfected with either the 130/190 or the wild type receptor. Cell proliferation was decreased upon LIF treatment in both cell types. However, expression of the C-terminal region of the cytoplasmic region of LIFRalpha subunit (190CT) in HL-60 cells resulted in lower levels of Stat3 phosphorylation induction by LIF and cell proliferation was unaffected. Immunohistochemical staining indicated an inverse correlation between Cdc25B expression and the levels of phospho-Stat3 in 190CT and 130/190 cells. Expression of CD15, a cell differentiation marker, was lower in 190CT than in 130/190 cells. Together, these results suggest that homodimerization of the 190 cytoplasmic region promotes the Tyr 705 phosphorylation, which correlates with the inhibition of proliferation and stimulation of differentiation in HL-60 cells. Our results also suggest a signal link between Stat3 and Cdc25B.