Browsing by Author "Xu, Mingjiang"

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    An abnormal bone marrow microenvironment contributes to hematopoietic dysfunction in Fanconi anemia
    (Ferrata Storti Foundation, 2017-06) Zhou, Yuan; He, Yongzheng; Xing, Wen; Zhang, Peng; Shi, Hui; Chen, Shi; Shi, Jun; Bai, Jie; Rhodes, Steven D.; Zhang, Fengqui; Yuan, Jin; Yang, Xianlin; Zhu, Xiaofan; Li, Yan; Hanenberg, Helmut; Xu, Mingjiang; Robertson, Kent A.; Yuan, Weiping; Nalepa, Grzegorz; Cheng, Tao; Clapp, D. Wade; Yang, Feng-Chun; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Fanconi anemia is a complex heterogeneous genetic disorder with a high incidence of bone marrow failure, clonal evolution to acute myeloid leukemia and mesenchymal-derived congenital anomalies. Increasing evidence in Fanconi anemia and other genetic disorders points towards an interdependence of skeletal and hematopoietic development, yet the impact of the marrow microenvironment in the pathogenesis of the bone marrow failure in Fanconi anemia remains unclear. Here we demonstrated that mice with double knockout of both Fancc and Fancg genes had decreased bone formation at least partially due to impaired osteoblast differentiation from mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells from the double knockout mice showed impaired hematopoietic supportive activity. Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells of patients with Fanconi anemia exhibited similar cellular deficits, including increased senescence, reduced proliferation, impaired osteoblast differentiation and defective hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell supportive activity. Collectively, these studies provide unique insights into the physiological significance of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in supporting the marrow microenvironment, which is potentially of broad relevance in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
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    ASXL1 interacts with the cohesin complex to maintain chromatid separation and gene expression for normal hematopoiesis
    (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2017-01-20) Li, Zhaomin; Zhang, Peng; Yan, Aimin; Guo, Zhengyu; Ban, Yuguang; Li, Jin; Chen, Shi; Yang, Hui; He, Yongzheng; Li, Jianping; Guo, Ying; Zhang, Wen; Hajiramezanali, Ehsan; An, Huangda; Fajardo, Darlene; Harbour, J. William; Ruan, Yijun; Nimer, Stephen D.; Yu, Peng; Chen, Xi; Xu, Mingjiang; Yang, Feng-Chun; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine
    ASXL1 is frequently mutated in a spectrum of myeloid malignancies with poor prognosis. Loss of Asxl1 leads to myelodysplastic syndrome-like disease in mice; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We report that ASXL1 interacts with the cohesin complex, which has been shown to guide sister chromatid segregation and regulate gene expression. Loss of Asxl1 impairs the cohesin function, as reflected by an impaired telophase chromatid disjunction in hematopoietic cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by DNA sequencing data revealed that ASXL1, RAD21, and SMC1A share 93% of genomic binding sites at promoter regions in Lin-cKit+ (LK) cells. We have shown that loss of Asxl1 reduces the genome binding of RAD21 and SMC1A and alters the expression of ASXL1/cohesin target genes in LK cells. Our study underscores the ASXL1-cohesin interaction as a novel means to maintain normal sister chromatid separation and regulate gene expression in hematopoietic cells.
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    c-Fms Signaling Mediates Neurofibromatosis Type-1 Osteoclast Gain-In-Functions
    (Public Library of Science, 2012) He, Yongzheng; Rhodes, Steven D.; Chen, Shi; Wu, Xiaohua; Yuan, Jin; Yang, Xianlin; Jiang, Li; Li, Xianqi; Takahashi, Naoyuki; Xu, Mingjiang; Mohammad, Khalid S.; Guise, Theresa A.; Yang, Feng- Chun; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Skeletal abnormalities including osteoporosis and osteopenia occur frequently in both pediatric and adult neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients. NF1 (Nf1) haploinsufficient osteoclasts and osteoclast progenitors derived from both NF1 patients and Nf1(+/-) mice exhibit increased differentiation, migration, and bone resorptive capacity in vitro, mediated by hyperactivation of p21(Ras) in response to limiting concentrations of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). Here, we show that M-CSF binding to its receptor, c-Fms, results in increased c-Fms activation in Nf1(+/) (-) osteoclast progenitors, mediating multiple gain-in-functions through the downstream effectors Erk1/2 and p90RSK. PLX3397, a potent and selective c-Fms inhibitor, attenuated M-CSF mediated Nf1(+/-) osteoclast migration by 50%, adhesion by 70%, and pit formation by 60%. In vivo, we administered PLX3397 to Nf1(+/-) osteoporotic mice induced by ovariectomy (OVX) and evaluated changes in bone mass and skeletal architecture. We found that PLX3397 prevented bone loss in Nf1(+/-)-OVX mice by reducing osteoclast differentiation and bone resorptive activity in vivo. Collectively, these results implicate the M-CSF/c-Fms signaling axis as a critical pathway underlying the aberrant functioning of Nf1 haploinsufficient osteoclasts and may provide a potential therapeutic target for treating NF1 associated osteoporosis and osteopenia.
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    Cardiac Sca-1+ cells are not intrinsic stem cells for myocardial development, renewal and repair
    (American Heart Association, 2018-12-18) Zhang, Lu; Sultana, Nishat; Yan, Jianyun; Yang, Fan; Chen, Fuxue; Chepurko, Elena; Yang, Feng-Chun; Du, Qinghua; Zangi, Lior; Xu, Mingjiang; Bu, Lei; Cai, Chen-Leng; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Background: For over a decade, Sca-1+ cells within the mouse heart have been widely recognized as a stem cell population with multipotency that can give rise to cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells in vitro and after cardiac grafting. However, the developmental origin and authentic nature of these cells remain elusive. Methods: Here, we used a series of high-fidelity genetic mouse models to characterize the identity and regenerative potential of cardiac resident Sca-1+ cells. Results: With these novel genetic mouse models, we found that Sca-1 does not label cardiac precursor cells during early embryonic heart formation. Postnatal cardiac resident Sca-1+ cells are in fact a pure endothelial cell population. They retain endothelial properties and exhibit minimal cardiomyogenic potential during development, normal aging and upon ischemic injury. Conclusions: Our study provides definitive insights into the nature of cardiac resident Sca-1+ cells. The observations challenge the current dogma that cardiac resident Sca-1+ cells are intrinsic stem cells for myocardial development, renewal and repair and suggest that the mechanisms of transplanted Sca-1+ cells in heart repair need to be reassessed.
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    Chronic-plus-binge alcohol intake induces production of proinflammatory mtDNA-enriched extracellular vesicles and steatohepatitis via ASK1/p38MAPKα-dependent mechanisms
    (American Society for Clinical Investigation, 2020-06-16) Ma, Jing; Cao, Haixia; Rodrigues, Robim M.; Xu, Mingjiang; Ren, Tianyi; He, Yong; Hwang, Seonghwan; Feng, Dechun; Ren, Ruixue; Yang, Peixin; Liangpunsakul, Suthat; Sun, Jian; Gao, Bin; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Alcohol-associated liver disease is a spectrum of liver disorders with histopathological changes ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent data suggest that chronic-plus-binge ethanol intake induces steatohepatitis by promoting release by hepatocytes of proinflammatory mitochondrial DNA–enriched (mtDNA-enriched) extracellular vesicles (EVs). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the stress kinase apoptosis signal–regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) in chronic-plus-binge ethanol–induced steatohepatitis and mtDNA-enriched EV release. Microarray analysis revealed the greatest hepatic upregulation of metallothionein 1 and 2 (Mt1/2), which encode 2 of the most potent antioxidant proteins. Genetic deletion of the Mt1 and Mt2 genes aggravated ethanol-induced liver injury, as evidenced by elevation of serum ALT, neutrophil infiltration, oxidative stress, and ASK1/p38 activation in the liver. Inhibition or genetic deletion of Ask1 or p38 ameliorated ethanol-induced liver injury, inflammation, ROS levels, and expression of phagocytic oxidase and ER stress markers in the liver. In addition, inhibition of ASK1 or p38 also attenuated ethanol-induced mtDNA-enriched EV secretion from hepatocytes. Taken together, these findings indicate that induction of hepatic mtDNA-enriched EVs by ethanol is dependent on ASK1 and p38, thereby promoting alcoholic steatohepatitis.
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    Combined deficiency of Tet1 and Tet2 causes epigenetic abnormalities but is compatible with postnatal development
    (Elsevier, 2013) Dawlaty, Meelad M.; Breiling, Achim; Le, Thuc; Raddatz, Günter; Barrasa, M. Inmaculada; Cheng, Albert W.; Gao, Qing; Powell, Benjamin E.; Li, Zhe; Xu, Mingjiang; Faull, Kym F.; Lyko, Frank; Jaenisch, Rudolf; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Tet enzymes (Tet1/2/3) convert 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in various embryonic and adult tissues. Mice mutant for either Tet1 or Tet2 are viable, raising the question of whether these enzymes have overlapping roles in development. Here we have generated Tet1 and Tet2 double-knockout (DKO) embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and mice. DKO ESCs remained pluripotent but were depleted of 5hmC and caused developmental defects in chimeric embryos. While a fraction of double-mutant embryos exhibited midgestation abnormalities with perinatal lethality, viable and overtly normal Tet1/Tet2-deficient mice were also obtained. DKO mice had reduced 5hmC and increased 5mC levels and abnormal methylation at various imprinted loci. Nevertheless, animals of both sexes were fertile, with females having smaller ovaries and reduced fertility. Our data show that loss of both enzymes is compatible with development but promotes hypermethylation and compromises imprinting. The data also suggest a significant contribution of Tet3 to hydroxylation of 5mC during development.
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    Combined loss of Tet1 and Tet2 promotes B-cell, but not myeloid malignancies in mice.
    (Elsevier, 2015-11-24) Zhao, Zhigang; Chen, Li; Dawlaty, Meelad M.; Pan, Feng; Weeks, Ophelia; Zhou, Yuan; Cao, Zeng; Shi, Hui; Wang, Jiapeng; Lin, Li; Chen, Shi; Yuan, Weiping; Qin, Zhaohui; Ni, Hongyu; Nimer, Stephen D.; Yang, Feng-Chun; Jaenisch, Rudolf; Jin, Peng; Xu, Mingjiang; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine
    TET1/2/3 are methylcytosine dioxygenases that regulate cytosine hydroxymethylation. Tet1/2 are abundantly expressed in HSC/HPCs and are implicated in hematological malignancies. Tet2-deletion in mice causes myeloid malignancies, while Tet1-null mice develop B-cell lymphoma after an extended period of latency. Interestingly, TET1/2 are often concomitantly downregulated in acute B-lymphocytic leukemia. Here, we investigated the overlapping and non-redundant functions of Tet1/2 in HSC maintenance and development of hematological malignancies using Tet1/2 double knockout (DKO) mice. DKO and Tet2−/− HSC/HPCs showed overlapping and unique 5hmC and 5mC profiles, and behaved differently. DKO mice exhibited strikingly decreased incidence and delayed-onset of myeloid malignancies compared to Tet2−/− mice, and in contrast developed lethal B-cell malignancies. Transcriptome analysis of DKO tumors revealed expression changes in many genes dysregulated in human B-cell malignancies, such as LMO2, BCL6 and MYC. These results highlight the critical roles of TET1/2 individually and together via communication in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies.
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    Consecutive epigenetically-active agent combinations act in ID1-RUNX3-TET2 and HOXA pathways for Flt3ITD+ve AML
    (Impact Journals, 2017-12-25) Sayar, Hamid; Liu, Yan; Gao, Rui; Zaid, Mohammad Abu; Cripe, Larry D.; Weisenbach, Jill; Sargent, Katie J.; Nassiri, Mehdi; Li, Lang; Konig, Heiko; Suvannasankha, Attaya; Pan, Feng; Shanmugam, Rajasubramaniam; Goswami, Chirayu; Kapur, Reuben; Xu, Mingjiang; Boswell, H. Scott; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Co-occurrence of Flt3ITD and TET2 mutations provoke an animal model of AML by epigenetic repression of Wnt pathway antagonists, including RUNX3, and by hyperexpression of ID1, encoding Wnt agonist. These affect HOXA over-expression and treatment resistance. A comparable epigenetic phenotype was identified among adult AML patients needing novel intervention. We chose combinations of targeted agents acting on distinct effectors, at the levels of both signal transduction and chromatin remodeling, in relapsed/refractory AML's, including Flt3ITD+ve, described with a signature of repressed tumor suppressor genes, involving Wnt antagonist RUNX3, occurring along with ID1 and HOXA over-expressions. We tracked patient response to combination of Flt3/Raf inhibitor, Sorafenib, and Vorinostat, pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, without or with added Bortezomib, in consecutive phase I trials. A striking association of rapid objective remissions (near-complete, complete responses) was noted to accompany induced early pharmacodynamic changes within patient blasts in situ, involving these effectors, significantly linking RUNX3/Wnt antagonist de-repression (80%) and ID1 downregulation (85%), to a response, also preceded by profound HOXA9 repression. Response occurred in context of concurrent TET2 mutation/hypomorphy and Flt3ITD+ve mutation (83% of complete responses). Addition of Bortezomib to the combination was vital to attainment of complete response in Flt3ITD+ve cases exhibiting such Wnt pathway dysregulation.
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    Hydroxylation of 5-methylcytosine by TET2 maintains the active state of the mammalian HOXA cluster
    (Springer Nature, 2012-05-08) Bocker, Michael T.; Tuorto, Francesca; Raddatz, Günter; Musch, Tanja; Yang, Feng-Chun; Xu, Mingjiang; Lyko, Frank; Breiling, Achim; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Differentiation is accompanied by extensive epigenomic reprogramming, leading to the repression of stemness factors and the transcriptional maintenance of activated lineage-specific genes. Here we use the mammalian Hoxa cluster of developmental genes as a model system to follow changes in DNA modification patterns during retinoic acid-induced differentiation. We find the inactive cluster to be marked by defined patterns of 5-methylcytosine (5mC). Upon the induction of differentiation, the active anterior part of the cluster becomes increasingly enriched in 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), following closely the colinear activation pattern of the gene array, which is paralleled by the reduction of 5mC. Depletion of the 5hmC generating dioxygenase Tet2 impairs the maintenance of Hoxa activity and partially restores 5mC levels. Our results indicate that gene-specific 5mC-5hmC conversion by Tet2 is crucial for the maintenance of active chromatin states at lineage-specific loci.
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    Hyperactive Ras/MAPK signaling is critical for tibial nonunion fracture in neurofibromin-deficient mice
    (Oxford University Press, 2013-12-01) Sharma, Richa; Wu, Xiaohua; Rhodes, Steven D.; Chen, Shi; He, Yongzheng; Yuan, Jin; Li, Jiliang; Yang, Xianlin; Li, Xiaohong; Jiang, Li; Kim, Edward T.; Stevenson, David A.; Viskochil, David; Xu, Mingjiang; Yang, Feng-Chun; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine
    Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common genetic disorder affecting 1 in 3500 individuals. Patients with NF1 are predisposed to debilitating skeletal manifestations, including osteopenia/osteoporosis and long bone pseudarthrosis (nonunion fracture). Hyperactivation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in NF1 is known to underlie aberrant proliferation and differentiation in cell lineages, including osteoclast progenitors and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also known as osteoblast progenitors (pro-OBLs). Our current study demonstrates the hyper Ras/MAPK as a critical pathway underlying the pathogenesis of NF1-associated fracture repair deficits. Nf1-deficient pro-OBLs exhibit Ras/MAPK hyperactivation. Introduction of the NF1 GTPase activating-related domain (NF1 GAP-related domain) in vitro is sufficient to rescue hyper Ras activity and enhance osteoblast (OBL) differentiation in Nf1−/− pro-OBLs and NF1 human (h) MSCs cultured from NF1 patients with skeletal abnormalities, including pseudarthrosis or scoliosis. Pharmacologic inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) signaling with PD98059 partially rescues aberrant Erk activation while enhancing OBL differentiation and expression of OBL markers, osterix and osteocalcin, in Nf1-deficient murine pro-OBLs. Similarly, MEK inhibition enhances OBL differentiation of hMSCs. In addition, PD98059 rescues aberrant osteoclast maturation in Nf1 haploinsufficient bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs). Importantly, MEK inhibitor significantly improves fracture healing in an NF1 murine model, Col2.3Cre