Mrinmoy Sanyal

Leukemia Proto-Oncoprotein MLL Forms a SET1-Like Histone Methyltransferase Complex with Menin To Regulate Hox Gene Expression

ABSTRACT MLL (for mixed-lineage leukemia) is a proto-oncogene that is mutated in a variety of human leukemias. Its product, a homolog of Drosophila melanogaster trithorax, displays intrinsic histone methyltransferase activity and functions genetically to maintain embryonic Hox gene expression. Here we report the biochemical purification of MLL and demonstrate that it associates with a cohort of proteins shared with the yeast and human SET1 histone methyltransferase complexes, including a homolog of Ash2, another Trx-G group protein. Two other members of the novel MLL complex identified here are host cell factor 1 (HCF-1), a transcriptional coregulator, and the related HCF-2, both of which specifically interact with a conserved binding motif in the MLLN (p300) subunit of MLL and provide a potential mechanism for regulating its antagonistic transcriptional properties. Menin, a product of the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene, is also a component of the 1-MDa MLL complex. Abrogation of menin expression phenocopies loss of MLL and reveals a critical role for menin in the maintenance of Hox gene expression. Oncogenic mutant forms of MLL retain an ability to interact with menin but not other identified complex components. These studies link the menin tumor suppressor protein with the MLL histone methyltransferase machinery, with implications for Hox gene expression in development and leukemia pathogenesis.

Pbx/Meis Deficiencies Demonstrate Multigenetic Origins of Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart diseases are traditionally considered to be multifactorial in pathogenesis resulting from environmental and genetic interactions that determine penetrance and expressivity within a genetically predisposed family. Recent evidence suggests that genetic contributions have been significantly underestimated. However, single gene defects occur only in a minority of cases, and multigenetic causes of congenital heart diseases have not been fully demonstrated. Here, we show that interactions between alleles of 3 Pbx genes, which encode homeodomain transcription factors, are sufficient to determine the phenotypic presentation of congenital heart diseases in mice. A major role is served by Pbx1, whose inactivation results in persistent truncus arteriosus. Reduction or absence of Pbx2 or Pbx3 leads to Pbx1 haploinsufficiency and specific malformations that resemble tetralogy of Fallot, overriding aorta with ventricular septal defect, and bicuspid aortic valves. Disruption of Meis1, which encodes a Pbx DNA-binding partner, results in cardiac anomalies that resemble those caused by Pbx mutations. Each of the observed cardiac defects represents developmental abnormalities affecting distinct stages of cardiac outflow tract development and corresponds to specific types of human congenital heart disease. Thus, varied deficiencies in the Pbx gene family produce a full spectrum of cardiac defects involving the outflow tract, providing a framework for determining multigenetic causes of congenital heart anomalies.

The TALE homeodomain protein Pbx2 is not essential for development and long-term survival.

ABSTRACT Pbx2 is one of four mammalian genes that encode closely related TALE homeodomain proteins, which serve as DNA binding partners for a subset of Hox transcription factors. The expression and contributions of Pbx2 to mammalian development remain undefined, in contrast to the essential roles recently established for family members Pbx1 and Pbx3. Here we report that Pbx2 is widely expressed during embryonic development, particularly in neural and epithelial tissues during late gestation. Despite wide Pbx2 expression, mice homozygous mutant for Pbx2 are born at the expected Mendelian frequencies and exhibit no detectable abnormalities in development and organogenesis or reduction of long-term survival. The lack of an apparent phenotype in Pbx2− /− mice likely reflects functional redundancy, since the Pbx2 protein is present at considerably lower levels than comparable isoforms of Pbx1 and/or Pbx3 in embryonic tissues. In postnatal bone marrow and thymus, however, Pbx2 is the predominant high-molecular-weight (MW)-isoform Pbx protein detectable by immunoblotting. Nevertheless, the absence of Pbx2 has no measurable effect on steady-state hematopoiesis or immune function in adult mice, suggesting possible compensation by low-MW-isoform Pbx proteins present in these tissues. We conclude that the roles of Pbx2 in murine embryonic development, organogenesis, hematopoiesis, immune responses, and long-term survival are not essential.

Severe combined immunodeficiency mouse–human skin chimeras: a unique animal model for the study of psoriasis and cutaneous inflammation

Elucidation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of psoriasis had been significantly handicapped due to lack of an ideal animal model. To overcome this hurdle several investigators have developed a number of animal models for psoriasis. Recent establishment of the SCID‐human skin chimeras with transplanted psoriasis plaques has opened new vistas to study the molecular complexities involved in psoriasis. This model also offers a unique opportunity to investigate various key biological events such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, homing in of T cells in target tissues, neurogenic inflammation and cytokine/chemokine cascades involved in an inflammatory reaction. The SCID mouse model will be of immense help to target the cellular and molecular events associated with these pathogenic processes and develop novel drugs for psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases. In this article we have reviewed the prospects and the limitations of the SCID mouse model of psoriasis.

Penetrance of biallelic SMARCAL1 mutations is associated with environmental and genetic disturbances of gene expression

Biallelic mutations of the DNA annealing helicase SMARCAL1 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily a-like 1) cause Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD, MIM 242900), an incompletely penetrant autosomal recessive disorder. Using human, Drosophila and mouse models, we show that the proteins encoded by SMARCAL1 orthologs localize to transcriptionally active chromatin and modulate gene expression. We also show that, as found in SIOD patients, deficiency of the SMARCAL1 orthologs alone is insufficient to cause disease in fruit flies and mice, although such deficiency causes modest diffuse alterations in gene expression. Rather, disease manifests when SMARCAL1 deficiency interacts with genetic and environmental factors that further alter gene expression. We conclude that the SMARCAL1 annealing helicase buffers fluctuations in gene expression and that alterations in gene expression contribute to the penetrance of SIOD.

Localization of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Human Trophoblast Cells: Role of Nitric Oxide in Trophoblast Proliferation and Differentiation

PROBLEM: There are conflicting reports about the isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) present in trophoblast cells. In this study, we have examined the presence of different NOS isoforms in trophoblast cells. In addition, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in trophoblast function has also been studied by investigating the possible role of nitric oxide in trophoblast proliferation and differentiation. METHOD OF STUDY: NOS isoforms in primary‐term trophoblast and JEG‐3 cells were identified by immunocytochemistry. The intracellular localization of this enzyme was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Trophoblast proliferation was studied by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrasolium bromide (MTT) conversion assay and cellular differentiation was monitored by human chorionic gonodotropin (hCG) and progesterone secretion, measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The immunoreactive NOS was present in human trophoblast cells of normal term placenta and JEG‐3 cells (a choriocarcinoma cell line) maintained in culture. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)‐dependent diaphorase activity overlapped with the immunostaining of NOS. Specific antibodies against the different isoforms of NOS detected the presence of neuronal‐type NOS (nNOS) only. The other two isoforms, i.e., eNOS (endothelial) and iNOS (macrophage specific) were completely absent. The nNOS was localized in cell cytoplasm. In culture, JEG‐3 cells normally undergo proliferation and cytotrophoblast cells in primary culture differentiate to form hormone‐secreting syncytial cells. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor, when added to the culture, significantly increased proliferation of JEG‐3 cells and inhibited the differentiation of cytotrophoblast cells. The arrest by SNP in the formation of syncytial cells was further evidenced by the low secretion profile of hCG and progesterone. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest for the first time the presence of nNOS in the human trophoblast cells and a previously unrecognized role of NO in trophoblast proliferation and differentiation.

CD8+CD44hi but not CD4+CD44hi memory T cells mediate potent graft antilymphoma activity without GVHD

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation can be curative in patients with leukemia and lymphoma. However, progressive growth of malignant cells, relapse after transplantation, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remain important problems. The goal of the current murine study was to select a freshly isolated donor T-cell subset for infusion that separates antilymphoma activity from GVHD, and to determine whether the selected subset could effectively prevent or treat progressive growth of a naturally occurring B-cell lymphoma (BCL(1)) without GVHD after recipients were given T cell-depleted bone marrow transplantations from major histocompatibility complex-mismatched donors. Lethal GVHD was observed when total T cells, naive CD4(+) T cells, or naive CD8(+) T cells were used. Memory CD4(+)CD44(hi) and CD8(+)CD44(hi) T cells containing both central and effector memory cells did not induce lethal GVHD, but only memory CD8(+) T cells had potent antilymphoma activity and promoted complete chimerism. Infusion of CD8(+) memory T cells after transplantation was able to eradicate the BCL(1) lymphoma even after progressive growth without inducing severe GVHD. In conclusion, the memory CD8(+) T-cell subset separated graft antilymphoma activity from GVHD more effectively than naive T cells, memory CD4(+) T cells, or memory total T cells.

CD81 protein is expressed at high levels in normal germinal center B cells and in subtypes of human lymphomas

CD81 is a tetraspanin cell surface protein that regulates CD19 expression in B lymphocytes and enables hepatitis C virus infection of human cells. Immunohistologic analysis in normal hematopoietic tissue showed strong staining for CD81 in normal germinal center B cells, a cell type in which its increased expression has not been previously recognized. High-dimensional flow cytometry analysis of normal hematopoietic tissue confirmed that among B- and T-cell subsets, germinal center B cells showed the highest level of CD81 expression. In more than 800 neoplastic tissue samples, its expression was also found in most non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Staining for CD81 was rarely seen in multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, or myeloid leukemia. In hierarchical cluster analysis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, staining for CD81 was most similar to other germinal center B cell-associated markers, particularly LMO2. By flow cytometry, CD81 was expressed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells independent of the presence or absence of CD10, another germinal center B-cell marker. The detection of CD81 in routine biopsy samples and its differential expression in lymphoma subtypes, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, warrant further study to assess CD81 expression and its role in the risk stratification of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Peripheral Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Candidate Cells Responsible for Healing Critical-Sized Calvarial Bone Defects

Postnatal tissue‐specific stem/progenitor cells hold great promise to enhance repair of damaged tissues. Many of these cells are retrieved from bone marrow or adipose tissue via invasive procedures. Peripheral blood is an ideal alternative source for the stem/progenitor cells because of its ease of retrieval. We present a coculture system that routinely produces a group of cells from adult peripheral blood. Treatment with these cells enhanced healing of critical‐size bone defects in the mouse calvarium, a proof of principle that peripheral blood‐derived cells can be used to heal bone defects. From these cells, we isolated a subset of CD45− cells with a fibroblastic morphology. The CD45− cells were responsible for most of the differentiation‐induced calcification activity and were most likely responsible for the enhanced healing process. These CD45− fibroblastic cells are plastic‐adherent and exhibit a surface marker profile negative for CD34, CD19, CD11b, lineage, and c‐kit and positive for stem cell antigen 1, CD73, CD44, CD90.1, CD29, CD105, CD106, and CD140α. Furthermore, these cells exhibited osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, and adipogenesis capabilities. The CD45− fibroblastic cells are the first peripheral blood‐derived cells that fulfill the criteria of mesenchymal stem cells as defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. We have named these cells “blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells.”

PBX1: A Novel Stage‐Specific Regulator of Adipocyte Development

Although adipocyte terminal differentiation has been extensively studied, the early steps of adipocyte development and the embryonic origin of this lineage remain largely unknown. Here we describe a novel role for the pre‐B‐cell leukemia transcription factor one (PBX1) in adipocyte development using both mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and human multipotent adipose‐derived stem (hMADS) cells. We show that Pbx1−/− mESCs are unable to generate adipocytes, despite normal expression of neuroectoderm and neural crest (NC) markers. Early adipocyte lineage markers are not induced in Pbx1−/− mESCs, suggesting that Pbx1 controls the generation and/or the maintenance of adipocyte progenitors (APs) from the NC. We further characterize the function of PBX1 in postnatal adipogenesis and show that silencing of PBX1 expression in hMADS cells reduces their proliferation by preventing their entry in the S phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, it promotes differentiation of hMADS cells into adipocytes and partially substitutes for glucocorticoids and rosiglitazone, two key proadipogenic agents. These effects involve direct modulation of PPARγ activity, most likely through regulation of the biosynthesis of PPARγ natural endogenous ligand(s). Together, our data suggest that PBX1 regulates adipocyte development at multiple levels, promoting the generation of NC‐derived APs during embryogenesis, while favoring APs proliferation and preventing their commitment to the adipocyte lineage in postnatal life. STEM CELLS 2011;29:1837–1848