Muscle stem cells undergo a dramatic metabolic switch to oxidative phosphorylation during differentiation, which is achieved by massively increased mitochondrial activity. Since expression of the ...muscle-specific miR-1/133a gene cluster correlates with increased mitochondrial activity during muscle stem cell (MuSC) differentiation, we examined the potential role of miR-1/133a in metabolic maturation of skeletal muscles in mice. We found that miR-1/133a downregulate Mef2A in differentiated myocytes, thereby suppressing the Dlk1-Dio3 gene cluster, which encodes multiple microRNAs inhibiting expression of mitochondrial genes. Loss of miR-1/133a in skeletal muscles or increased Mef2A expression causes continuous high-level expression of the Dlk1-Dio3 gene cluster, compromising mitochondrial function. Failure to terminate the stem cell-like metabolic program characterized by high-level Dlk1-Dio3 gene cluster expression initiates profound changes in muscle physiology, essentially abrogating endurance running. Our results suggest a major role of miR-1/133a in metabolic maturation of skeletal muscles but exclude major functions in muscle development and MuSC maintenance.
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•Loss of miR-1/133a in muscles disturbs mitochondrial activity and endurance running•Restriction of MEF2A levels by miR-1/133a limits expression of Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs•Increased expression of Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs compromises mitochondrial respiration•miR-1/133a are dispensable for normal muscle stem cell differentiation
Wüst et al. identified a regulatory axis consisting of miR-1/133a, the transcription factor MEF2A, and miRNAs located within the Dlk1-Dio3 gene cluster, critical for normal mitochondrial morphology and function in skeletal muscles. Axis disruption prevents activation of efficient mitochondrial respiration after muscle stem cell differentiation and lasting muscle activity.
Phenotypic assays have a proven track record for generating leads that become first-in-class therapies. Whole cell assays that inform on a phenotype or mechanism also possess great potential in drug ...repositioning studies by illuminating new activities for the existing pharmacopeia. The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) pharmaceutical collection (NPC) is the largest reported collection of approved small molecule therapeutics that is available for screening in a high-throughput setting. Via a wide-ranging collaborative effort, this library was analyzed in the Open Innovation Drug Discovery (OIDD) phenotypic assay modules publicly offered by Lilly. The results of these tests are publically available online at www.ncats.nih.gov/expertise/preclinical/pd2 and via the PubChem Database (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) (AID 1117321). Phenotypic outcomes for numerous drugs were confirmed, including sulfonylureas as insulin secretagogues and the anti-angiogenesis actions of multikinase inhibitors sorafenib, axitinib and pazopanib. Several novel outcomes were also noted including the Wnt potentiating activities of rotenone and the antifolate class of drugs, and the anti-angiogenic activity of cetaben.
The angiogenic function of endothelial cells is regulated by numerous mechanisms, but the impact of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has hardly been studied. We set out to identify novel and ...functionally important endothelial lncRNAs.
Epigenetically controlled lncRNAs in human umbilical vein endothelial cells were searched by exon-array analysis after knockdown of the histone demethylase JARID1B. Molecular mechanisms were investigated by RNA pulldown and immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, microarray, several knockdown approaches, CRISPR-Cas9, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing, and chromatin immunoprecipitation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Patient samples from lung and tumors were studied for MANTIS expression.
A search for epigenetically controlled endothelial lncRNAs yielded lncRNA n342419, here termed MANTIS, as the most strongly regulated lncRNA. Controlled by the histone demethylase JARID1B, MANTIS was downregulated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and in rats treated with monocrotaline, whereas it was upregulated in carotid arteries of
subjected to atherosclerosis regression diet, and in endothelial cells isolated from human glioblastoma patients. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion or silencing of MANTIS with small interfering RNAs or GapmeRs inhibited angiogenic sprouting and alignment of endothelial cells in response to shear stress. Mechanistically, the nuclear-localized MANTIS lncRNA interacted with BRG1, the catalytic subunit of the switch/sucrose nonfermentable chromatin-remodeling complex. This interaction was required for nucleosome remodeling by keeping the ATPase function of BRG1 active. Thereby, the transcription of key endothelial genes such as
,
, and
was regulated by ensuring efficient RNA polymerase II machinery binding.
MANTIS is a differentially regulated novel lncRNA facilitating endothelial angiogenic function.
The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the long-term outcomes and safety of laparoscopic simple prostatectomy.
Between 2012 and 2019 80 patients with prostates volumes ≥ 80 mL were treated ...with laparoscopic simple prostatectomy at our department. Uroflowmetry, post void residual volume and standardized questionnaires were assessed pre- and postoperatively. Perioperative complications were categorized using the Clavien-Dindo classification.
The mean specimen weight was 83 grams, and the mean operation time was 156 minutes. At a mean follow-up time of 40 months patients showed a significant improvement of Qmax (P = .002), IPSS (P < .001) and QoL (P < .001). Post void residual volumes decreased significantly. Complications occurred in 11 patients (13.8%), nine had mild (grade 1 - 2) and two had severe (grade 3b - 4a) complications. One conversion to open surgery due to massive prostatic adherence from previous abscess formation was recorded and one patient needed blood transfusion intraoperatively.
laparoscopic simple prostatectomy is an effective and safe procedure for large volume prostate glands with a significant and stable long term symptoms improvement.
Abstract Peripheral or central nerve injury is a frequent cause of chronic pain and the mechanisms are not fully understood. Using newly generated transgenic mice we show that progranulin ...overexpression in sensory neurons attenuates neuropathic pain after sciatic nerve injury and accelerates nerve healing. A yeast-2-hybrid screen revealed putative interactions of progranulin with autophagy-related proteins, ATG12 and ATG4b. This was supported by colocalization and proteomic studies showing regulations of ATG13 and ATG4b and other members of the autophagy network, lysosomal proteins and proteins involved in endocytosis. The association of progranulin with the autophagic pathway was functionally confirmed in primary sensory neurons. Autophagy and survival were impaired in progranulin-deficient neurons and improved in progranulin overexpressing neurons. Nerve injury in vivo caused an accumulation of LC3b-EGFP positive bodies in neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and nerves suggesting an impairment of autophagic flux. Overexpression of progranulin in these neurons was associated with a reduction of the stress marker ATF3, fewer protein aggregates in the injured nerve and enhanced stump healing. At the behavioral level, further inhibition of the autophagic flux by hydroxychloroquine intensified cold and heat nociception after sciatic nerve injury and offset the pain protection provided by progranulin. We infer that progranulin may assist in removal of protein waste and thereby helps to resolve neuropathic pain after nerve injury.
X‐Treme is a soft X‐ray beamline recently built in the Swiss Light Source at the Paul Scherrer Institut in collaboration with École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. The beamline is dedicated to ...polarization‐dependent X‐ray absorption spectroscopy at high magnetic fields and low temperature. The source is an elliptically polarizing undulator. The end‐station has a superconducting 7 T–2 T vector magnet, with sample temperature down to 2 K and is equipped with an in situ sample preparation system for surface science. The beamline commissioning measurements, which show a resolving power of 8000 and a maximum flux at the sample of 4.7 × 1012 photons s−1, are presented. Scientific examples showing X‐ray magnetic circular and X‐ray magnetic linear dichroism measurements are also presented.
Aims
Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently associated with a prodromal sensory neuropathy manifesting with sensory loss and chronic pain. We have recently shown that PD‐associated sensory neuropathy ...in patients is associated with high levels of glucosylceramides. Here, we assessed the underlying pathology and mechanisms in Pink1−/−SNCAA53T double mutant mice.
Methods
We studied nociceptive and olfactory behaviour and the neuropathology of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), including ultrastructure, mitochondrial respiration, transcriptomes, outgrowth and calcium currents of primary neurons, and tissue ceramides and sphingolipids before the onset of a PD‐like disease that spontaneously develops in Pink1−/−SNCAA53T double mutant mice beyond 15 months of age.
Results
Similar to PD patients, Pink1−/−SNCAA53T mice developed a progressive prodromal sensory neuropathy with a loss of thermal sensitivity starting as early as 4 months of age. In analogy to human plasma, lipid analyses revealed an accumulation of glucosylceramides (GlcCer) in the DRGs and sciatic nerves, which was associated with pathological mitochondria, impairment of mitochondrial respiration, and deregulation of transient receptor potential channels (TRPV and TRPA) at mRNA, protein and functional levels in DRGs. Direct exposure of DRG neurons to GlcCer caused transient hyperexcitability, followed by a premature decline of the viability of sensory neurons cultures upon repeated GlcCer application.
Conclusions
The results suggest that pathological GlcCer contribute to prodromal sensory disease in PD mice via mitochondrial damage and calcium channel hyperexcitability. GlcCer‐associated sensory neuron pathology might be amenable to GlcCer lowering therapeutic strategies.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently associated with a prodromal sensory neuropathy and chronic pain. We show that Pink1−/−SNCAA53T double mutant mice develop a very similar prodromal PD‐associated sensory neuropathy. The underlying pathology is characterized by an accumulation of glucosylceramides (GlcCer) in neurons of the dorsal root ganglia, mitochondrial pathology and a loss of TRP channels. Stimulation of neurons with GlcCer caused hyperexcitability and reduced neuron survival.