Biology subjects

Schipma, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Schipma, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Post-ischemic inactivation of HIF prolyl hydroxylases in endothelium promotes maladaptive kidney repair by inducing glycolysis

Ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in hospitalized patients and increases the risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Impaired endothelial cell (EC) functions are thought to contribute in AKI to CKD transition, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identify a critical role for endothelial oxygen sensing prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes 1-3 in regulating post-ischemic kidney repair. In renal endothelium, we observed compartment-specific differences in the expression of the three PHD isoforms in both mice and humans. We found that post-ischemic concurrent inactivation of endothelial PHD1, PHD2, and PHD3 but not PHD2 alone promoted maladaptive kidney repair characterized by exacerbated tissue injury, fibrosis, and inflammation. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis of the post-ischemic endothelial PHD1, PHD2 and PHD3 deficient (PHDTiEC) kidney revealed an endothelial glycolytic transcriptional signature, also observed in human kidneys with severe AKI. This metabolic program was coupled to upregulation of the SLC16A3 gene encoding the lactate exporter monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4). Strikingly, treatment with the MCT4 inhibitor syrosingopine restored adaptive kidney repair in PHDTiEC mice. Mechanistically, MCT4 inhibition suppressed pro-inflammatory EC activation reducing monocyte-endothelial cell interaction. Our findings suggest avenues for halting AKI to CKD transition based on selectively targeting the endothelial hypoxia-driven glycolysis/MCT4 axis.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2023

DNA damage and nuclear morphological changes in cardiac hypertrophy are mediated by SNRK through actin depolymerization

BACKGROUNDProper nuclear organization is critical for cardiomyocyte (CM) function, as global structural remodeling of nuclear morphology and chromatin structure underpins the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Previous reports have implicated a role for DNA damage in cardiac hypertrophy, however, the mechanism for this process is not well delineated. AMPK family of proteins regulate metabolism and DNA damage response (DDR). Here, we examine whether a member of this family, SNF1-related kinase (SNRK), which plays a role in cardiac metabolism, is also involved in hypertrophic remodeling through changes in DDR and structural properties of the nucleus. METHODSWe subjected cardiac specific (cs)-Snrk-/- mice to trans-aortic banding (TAC) to assess the effect on cardiac function and DDR. In parallel, we modulated SNRK in vitro and assessed its effects on DDR and nuclear parameters. We also used phospho-proteomics to identify novel proteins that are phosphorylated by SNRK. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) was used to verify Destrin (DSTN) as the binding partner of SNRK that modulates its effects on the nucleus and DDR. RESULTScs-Snrk-/- mice display worse cardiac function and cardiac hypertrophy in response to TAC, and an increase in DDR marker pH2AX in their hearts. Additionally, in vitro Snrk knockdown results in increased DNA damage and chromatin compaction, along with alterations in nuclear flatness and 3D volume. Phospho-proteomic studies identified a novel SNRK target, DSTN, a member of F-actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) proteins that directly binds to and depolymerize F-actin. SNRK binds to DSTN, and DSTN downregulation reverses excess DNA damage and changes in nuclear parameters, in addition to cellular hypertrophy, with SNRK knockdown. We also demonstrate that SNRK knockdown promotes excessive actin depolymerization, measured by the increased ratio of globular (G-) actin to F-actin. Finally, Jasplakinolide, a pharmacological stabilizer of F-actin, rescues the increased DNA damage and aberrant nuclear morphology in SNRK downregulated cells. CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that SNRK is a key player in cardiac hypertrophy and DNA damage through its interaction with DSTN. This interaction fine-tunes actin polymerization to reduce DDR and maintain proper CM nuclear shape and morphology. Clinical PerspectiveO_LIWhat is new? O_LIAnimal hearts subjected to pressure overload display increased SNF1-related kinase (SNRK) protein expression levels and cardiomyocyte specific SNRK deletion leads to aggravated myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure. C_LIO_LIWe have found that downregulation of SNRK impairs DSTN-mediated actin polymerization, leading to maladaptive changes in nuclear morphology, higher DNA damage response (DDR) and increased hypertrophy. C_LI C_LIO_LIWhat are the clinical implications? O_LIOur results suggest that disruption of DDR through genetic loss of SNRK results in an exaggerated pressure overload-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. C_LIO_LITargeting DDR, actin polymerization or SNRK/DSTN interaction represent promising therapeutic targets in pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy. C_LI C_LI

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Unique molecular signatures sustained in circulating monocytes and regulatory T cells in Convalescent COVID-19 patients

Over two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the human immune response to SARS-CoV-2 during the active disease phase has been extensively studied. However, the long-term impact after recovery, which is critical to advance our understanding SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19-associated long-term complications, remains largely unknown. Herein, we characterized multi-omic single-cell profiles of circulating immune cells in the peripheral blood of 100 patients, including covenlesent COVID-19 and sero-negative controls. The reduced frequencies of both short-lived monocytes and long-lived regulatory T (Treg) cells are significantly associated with the patients recovered from severe COVID-19. Consistently, sc-RNA seq analysis reveals seven heterogeneous clusters of monocytes (M0-M6) and ten Treg clusters (T0-T9) featuring distinct molecular signatures and associated with COVID-19 severity. Asymptomatic patients contain the most abundant clusters of monocyte and Treg expressing high CD74 or IFN-responsive genes. In contrast, the patients recovered from a severe disease have shown two dominant inflammatory monocyte clusters with S100 family genes: S100A8 & A9 with high HLA-I whereas S100A4 & A6 with high HLA-II genes, a specific non-classical monocyte cluster with distinct IFITM family genes, and a unique TGF-{beta} high Treg Cluster. The outpatients and seronegative controls share most of the monocyte and Treg clusters patterns with high expression of HLA genes. Surprisingly, while presumably short-ived monocytes appear to have sustained alterations over 4 months, the decreased frequencies of long-lived Tregs (high HLA-DRA and S100A6) in the outpatients restore over the tested convalescent time (>= 4 months). Collectively, our study identifies sustained and dynamically altered monocytes and Treg clusters with distinct molecular signatures after recovery, associated with COVID-19 severity.

immunology↗