Let-7b and miR-495 stimulate differentiation and prevent metaplasia of pancreatic acinar cells by repressing HNF6.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Diseases of the exocrine pancreas are often associated with perturbed differentiation of acinar cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate pancreas development, yet little is known about their contribution to acinar cell differentiation. We aimed to identify miRNAs that promote and control the maintenance of acinar differentiation. METHODS: We studied mice with pancreas- or acinar-specific inactivation of Dicer (Foxa3-Cre/Dicer(loxP/-) mice), combined (or not) with inactivation of hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF) 6 (Foxa3-Cre/Dicer(loxP/-)/Hnf6-/- mice). The role of specific miRNAs in acinar differentiation was investigated by transfecting cultured cells with miRNA mimics or inhibitors. Pancreatitis-induced metaplasia was investigated in mice after administration of cerulein. RESULTS: Inhibition of miRNA synthesis in acini by inactivation of Dicer and pancreatitis-induced metaplasia were associated with repression of acinar differentiation and with induction of HNF6 and hepatic genes. The phenotype of Dicer-deficient acini depends on the induction of HNF6; overexpression of this factor in developing acinar cells is sufficient to repress acinar differentiation and to induce hepatic genes. Let-7b and miR-495 repress HNF6 and are expressed in developing acini. Their expression is inhibited in Dicer-deficient acini, as well as in pancreatitis-induced metaplasia. In addition, inhibiting let-7b and miR-495 in acinar cells results in similar effects to those found in Dicer-deficient acini and metaplastic cells, namely induction of HNF6 and hepatic genes and repression of acinar differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Let-7b, miR-495, and their targets constitute a gene network that is required to establish and maintain pancreatic acinar cell differentiation. Additional studies of this network will increase our understanding of pancreatic diseases.

Role of the ductal transcription factors HNF6 and Sox9 in pancreatic acinar-to-ductal metaplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Growing evidence suggests that a phenotypic switch converting pancreatic acinar cells to duct-like cells can lead to pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and eventually to invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Histologically, the onset of this switch is characterised by the co-expression of acinar and ductal markers in acini, a lesion called acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM). The transcriptional regulators required to initiate ADM are unknown, but need to be identified to characterise the regulatory networks that drive ADM. In this study, the role of the ductal transcription factors hepatocyte nuclear factor 6 (HNF6, also known as Onecut1) and SRY-related HMG box factor 9 (Sox9) in ADM was investigated. DESIGN: Expression of HNF6 and Sox9 was measured by immunostaining in normal and diseased human pancreas. The function of the factors was tested in cultured cells and in mouse models of ADM by a combination of gain and loss of function experiments. RESULTS: Expression of HNF6 and Sox9 was ectopically induced in acinar cells in human ADM as well as in mouse models of ADM. HNF6 and, to a lesser extent, Sox9 were required for repression of acinar genes, for modulation of ADM-associated changes in cell polarity and for activation of ductal genes in metaplastic acinar cells. CONCLUSIONS: HNF6 and Sox9 are new biomarkers of ADM and constitute candidate targets for preventive treatment in cases when ADM may lead to cancer. This work also shows that ectopic activation of transcription factors may underlie metaplastic processes occurring in other organs.

Epithelial: Endothelial cross-talk regulates exocrine differentiation in developing pancreas.

Endothelial cells are required to initiate pancreas development from the endoderm. They also control the function of endocrine islets after birth. Here we investigate in developing pancreas how the endothelial cells become organized during branching morphogenesis and how their development affects pancreatic cell differentiation. We show that endothelial cells closely surround the epithelial bud at the onset of pancreas morphogenesis. During branching morphogenesis, the endothelial cells become preferentially located near the central (trunk) epithelial cells and remain at a distance from the branch tips where acinar cells differentiate. This correlates with predominant expression of the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in trunk cells. In vivo ablation of VEGF-A expression by pancreas-specific inactivation of floxed Vegfa alleles results in reduced endothelial development and in excessive acinar differentiation. On the contrary, acinar differentiation is repressed when endothelial cells are recruited around tip cells that overexpress VEGF-A. Treatment of embryonic day 12.5 explants with VEGF-A or with VEGF receptor antagonists confirms that acinar development is tightly controlled by endothelial cells. We also provide evidence that endothelial cells repress the expression of Ptf1a, a transcription factor essential for acinar differentiation, and stimulate the expression of Hey-1 and Hey-2, two repressors of Ptf1a activity. In explants, we provide evidence that VEGF-A signaling is required, but not sufficient, to induce endocrine differentiation. In conclusion, our data suggest that, in developing pancreas, epithelial production of VEGF-A determines the spatial organization of endothelial cells which, in turn, limit acinar differentiation of the epithelium.

MiR-495 and miR-218 regulate the expression of the Onecut transcription factors HNF-6 and OC-2.

MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that posttranscriptionally regulate gene expression mainly by binding to the 3'UTR of their target mRNAs. Recent data revealed that microRNAs have an important role in pancreas and liver development and physiology. Using cloning and microarray profiling approaches, we show that a unique repertoire of microRNAs is expressed at the onset of liver and pancreas organogenesis, and in pancreas and liver at key stages of cell fate determination. Among the microRNAs that are expressed at these stages, miR-495 and miR-218 were predicted to, respectively, target the Onecut (OC) transcription factors Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-6 (HNF-6/OC-1) and OC-2, two important regulators of liver and pancreas development. MiR-495 and miR-218 are dynamically expressed in developing liver and pancreas, and by transient transfection, we show that they target HNF-6 and OC-2 3'UTRs. Moreover, when overexpressed in cultured cells, miR-495 and miR-218 decrease the endogenous levels of HNF-6 and OC-2 mRNA. These results indicate that the expression of regulators of liver and pancreas development is modulated by microRNAs. They also suggest a developmental role for miR-495 and miR-218.

MicroRNA-124 Regulates Cell Specification in the Cochlea through Modulation of Sfrp4/5.

The organ of Corti, the auditory organ of the mammalian inner ear, contains sensory hair cells and supporting cells that arise from a common sensory progenitor. The molecular bases allowing the specification of these progenitors remain elusive. In the present study, by combining microarray analyses with conditional deletion of Dicer in the developing inner ear, we identified that miR-124 controls cell fate in the developing organ of Corti. By targeting secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (Sfrp4) and Sfrp5, two inhibitors of the Wnt pathway, we showed that miR-124 controls the ß-catenin-dependent and also the PCP-related non-canonical Wnt pathways that contribute to HC differentiation and polarization in the organ of Corti. Thus, our work emphasizes the importance of miR-124 as an epigenetic safeguard that fine-tunes the expression of genes critical for cell patterning during cochlear differentiation.

A Dynamic Unfolded Protein Response Contributes to the Control of Cortical Neurogenesis.

The cerebral cortex contains layers of neurons sequentially generated by distinct lineage-related progenitors. At the onset of corticogenesis, the first-born progenitors are apical progenitors (APs), whose asymmetric division gives birth directly to neurons. Later, they switch to indirect neurogenesis by generating intermediate progenitors (IPs), which give rise to projection neurons of all cortical layers. While a direct lineage relationship between APs and IPs has been established, the molecular mechanism that controls their transition remains elusive. Here we show that interfering with codon translation speed triggers ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR), further impairing the generation of IPs and leading to microcephaly. Moreover, we demonstrate that a progressive downregulation of UPR in cortical progenitors acts as a physiological signal to amplify IPs and promotes indirect neurogenesis. Thus, our findings reveal a contribution of UPR to cell fate acquisition during mammalian brain development.

MicroRNA targeting of CoREST controls polarization of migrating cortical neurons.

The migration of cortical projection neurons is a multistep process characterized by dynamic cell shape remodeling. The molecular basis of these changes remains elusive, and the present work describes how microRNAs (miRNAs) control neuronal polarization during radial migration. We show that miR-22 and miR-124 are expressed in the cortical wall where they target components of the CoREST/REST transcriptional repressor complex, thereby regulating doublecortin transcription in migrating neurons. This molecular pathway underlies radial migration by promoting dynamic multipolar-bipolar cell conversion at early phases of migration, and later stabilization of cell polarity to support locomotion on radial glia fibers. Thus, our work emphasizes key roles of some miRNAs that control radial migration during cerebral corticogenesis.

Intracellular NAD levels regulate tumor necrosis factor protein synthesis in a sirtuin-dependent manner.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) synthesis is known to play a major part in numerous inflammatory disorders, and multiple transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms have therefore evolved to dampen the production of this key proinflammatory cytokine. The high expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), an enzyme involved in the nicotinamide-dependent NAD biosynthetic pathway, in cells of the immune system has led us to examine the potential relationship between NAD metabolism and inflammation. We show here that intracellular NAD concentration promotes TNF synthesis by activated immune cells. Using a positive screen, we have identified Sirt6, a member of the sirtuin family, as the NAD-dependent enzyme able to regulate TNF production by acting at a post-transcriptional step. These studies reveal a previously undescribed relationship between metabolism and the inflammatory response and identify Sirt6 and the nicotinamide-dependent NAD biosynthetic pathway as novel candidates for immunointervention in an inflammatory setting.

Direct protein detection with a nano-interdigitated array gate MOSFET.

A new protein sensor is demonstrated by replacing the gate of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) with a nano-interdigitated array (nIDA). The sensor is able to detect the binding reaction of a typical antibody Ixodes ricinus immunosuppressor (anti-Iris) protein at a concentration lower than 1 ng/ml. The sensor exhibits a high selectivity and reproducible specific detection. We provide a simple model that describes the behavior of the sensor and explains the origin of its high sensitivity. The simulated and experimental results indicate that the drain current of nIDA-gate MOSFET sensor is significantly increased with the successive binding of the thiol layer, Iris and anti-Iris protein layers. It is found that the sensor detection limit can be improved by well optimizing the geometrical parameters of nIDA-gate MOSFET. This nanobiosensor, with real-time and label-free capabilities, can easily be used for the detection of other proteins, DNA, virus and cancer markers. Moreover, an on-chip associated electronics nearby the sensor can be integrated since its fabrication is compatible with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.

Exosites mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of a multifunctional serpin from the saliva of the tick Ixodes ricinus.

Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) are a structurally related but functionally diverse family of ubiquitous proteins. We previously described Ixodes ricinus immunosuppressor (Iris) as a serpin from the saliva of the tick I. ricinus displaying high affinity for human leukocyte elastase. Iris also displays pleotropic effects because it interferes with both the immune response and hemostasis of the host. It thus inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and the secretion of interferon-gamma or tumor necrosis factor-alpha by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and also platelet adhesion, coagulation and fibrinolysis. Its ability to interfere with coagulation and fibrinolysis, but not platelet adhesion, depends on the integrity of its antiproteolytic reactive center loop domain. Here, we dissect the mechanisms underlying the interaction of recombinant Iris with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We show that Iris binds to monocytes/macrophages and inhibits their ability to secrete tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Recombinant Iris also has a protective role in endotoxemic shock. The anti-inflammatory ability of Iris does not depend on its antiprotease activity. Moreover, we pinpoint the exosites involved in this activity.

Ixodes ricinus tick lipocalins: identification, cloning, phylogenetic analysis and biochemical characterization.

BACKGROUND: During their blood meal, ticks secrete a wide variety of proteins that interfere with their host's defense mechanisms. Among these proteins, lipocalins play a major role in the modulation of the inflammatory response. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Screening a cDNA library in association with RT-PCR and RACE methodologies allowed us to identify 14 new lipocalin genes in the salivary glands of the Ixodes ricinus hard tick. A computational in-depth structural analysis confirmed that LIRs belong to the lipocalin family. These proteins were called LIR for "Lipocalin from I. ricinus" and numbered from 1 to 14 (LIR1 to LIR14). According to their percentage identity/similarity, LIR proteins may be assigned to 6 distinct phylogenetic groups. The mature proteins have calculated pM and pI varying from 21.8 kDa to 37.2 kDa and from 4.45 to 9.57 respectively. In a western blot analysis, all recombinant LIRs appeared as a series of thin bands at 50-70 kDa, suggesting extensive glycosylation, which was experimentally confirmed by treatment with N-glycosidase F. In addition, the in vivo expression analysis of LIRs in I. ricinus, examined by RT-PCR, showed homogeneous expression profiles for certain phylogenetic groups and relatively heterogeneous profiles for other groups. Finally, we demonstrated that LIR6 codes for a protein that specifically binds leukotriene B4. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This work confirms that, regarding their biochemical properties, expression profile, and sequence signature, lipocalins in Ixodes hard tick genus, and more specifically in the Ixodes ricinus species, are segregated into distinct phylogenetic groups suggesting potential distinct function. This was particularly demonstrated by the ability of LIR6 to scavenge leukotriene B4. The other LIRs did not bind any of the ligands tested, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, ADP, norepinephrine, platelet activating factor, prostaglandins D2 and E2, and finally leukotrienes B4 and C4.

Variability and action mechanism of a family of anticomplement proteins in Ixodes ricinus.

BACKGROUND: Ticks are blood feeding arachnids that characteristically take a long blood meal. They must therefore counteract host defence mechanisms such as hemostasis, inflammation and the immune response. This is achieved by expressing batteries of salivary proteins coded by multigene families. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We report the in-depth analysis of a tick multigene family and describe five new anticomplement proteins in Ixodes ricinus. Compared to previously described Ixodes anticomplement proteins, these segregated into a new phylogenetic group or subfamily. These proteins have a novel action mechanism as they specifically bind to properdin, leading to the inhibition of C3 convertase and the alternative complement pathway. An excess of non-synonymous over synonymous changes indicated that coding sequences had undergone diversifying selection. Diversification was not associated with structural, biochemical or functional diversity, adaptation to host species or stage specificity but rather to differences in antigenicity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Anticomplement proteins from I. ricinus are the first inhibitors that specifically target a positive regulator of complement, properdin. They may provide new tools for the investigation of role of properdin in physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. They may also be useful in disorders affecting the alternative complement pathway. Looking for and detecting the different selection pressures involved will help in understanding the evolution of multigene families and hematophagy in arthropods.

Ir-LBP, an ixodes ricinus tick salivary LTB4-binding lipocalin, interferes with host neutrophil function.

BACKGROUND: During their blood meal, ticks secrete a wide variety of proteins that can interfere with their host's defense mechanisms. Among these proteins, lipocalins play a major role in the modulation of the inflammatory response. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We previously identified 14 new lipocalin genes in the tick Ixodes ricinus. One of them codes for a protein that specifically binds leukotriene B4 with a very high affinity (Kd: +/-1 nM), similar to that of the neutrophil transmembrane receptor BLT1. By in silico approaches, we modeled the 3D structure of the protein and the binding of LTB4 into the ligand pocket. This protein, called Ir-LBP, inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro and delays LTB4-induced apoptosis. Ir-LBP also inhibits the host inflammatory response in vivo by decreasing the number and activation of neutrophils located at the tick bite site. Thus, Ir-LBP participates in the tick's ability to interfere with proper neutrophil function in inflammation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These elements suggest that Ir-LBP is a "scavenger" of LTB4, which, in combination with other factors, such as histamine-binding proteins or proteins inhibiting the classical or alternative complement pathways, permits the tick to properly manage its blood meal. Moreover, with regard to its properties, Ir-LBP could possibly be used as a therapeutic tool for illnesses associated with an increased LTB4 production.

Anti-hemostatic effects of a serpin from the saliva of the tick Ixodes ricinus.

Serpins (serine protease inhibitors) are a large family of structurally related proteins found in a wide variety of organisms, including hematophagous arthropods. Protein analyses revealed that Iris, previously described as an immunomodulator secreted in the tick saliva, is related to the leukocyte elastase inhibitor and possesses serpin motifs, including the reactive center loop (RCL), which is involved in the interaction between serpins and serine proteases. Only serine proteases were inhibited by purified recombinant Iris (rIris), whereas mutants L339A and A332P were found devoid of any protease inhibitory activity. The highest Ka was observed with human leukocyte-elastase, suggesting that elastase-like proteases are the natural targets of Iris. In addition, mutation M340R completely changed both Iris substrate specificity and affinity. This likely identified Met-340 as amino acid P1 in the RCL. The effects of rIris and its mutants were also tested on primary hemostasis, blood clotting, and fibrinolysis. rIris increased platelet adhesion, the contact phase-activated pathway of coagulation, and fibrinolysis times in a dose-dependent manner, whereas rIris mutant L339A affected only platelet adhesion. Taken together, these results indicate that Iris disrupts coagulation and fibrinolysis via the anti-proteolytic RCL domain. One or more other domains could be responsible for primary hemostasis inhibition. To our knowledge, this is the first ectoparasite serpin that interferes with both hemostasis and the immune response.