Wnt信号通路在毛细胞分化和再生过程中的作用

Wnt信号通路在生物发育和维持内环境稳态过程中起着重要作用。Wnt配体通过与Frizzle受体结合参与体轴的形成、细胞分化和细胞命运决定等生命活动。在小鼠内耳发育过程中,Wnt信号通路扮演了重要角色：在内耳发育早期阶段,参与听基板的特化和听泡的形成;在内耳发育后期阶段,调控毛细胞分化及毛细胞纤毛束的定向。本文综述了Wnt信号通路在内耳毛细胞发育分化及再生过程中的研究进展,以期为从事相关领域的科研人员提供参考。     

视网膜母细胞瘤蛋白与内耳毛细胞发育

视网膜母细胞瘤蛋白虽然是一种抑癌蛋白,但其在听觉系统发育过程中起到重要调控作用。与前庭毛细胞相比,视网膜母细胞瘤蛋白可能在耳蜗毛细胞的发育过程中扮演更加重要的角色。本文主要就视网膜母细胞瘤蛋白在内耳感觉祖细胞的细胞周期退出、细胞命运决定和分化以及毛细胞成熟、存活等各个阶段的作用进行综述,并分析了它在毛细胞再生研究中的重要价值。暂时阻断视网膜母细胞瘤蛋白表达可能为毛细胞再生提供有效途径,开辟听力损伤修复的新方向。     

Hippo-YAP信号通路在FGF诱导的晶状体上皮细胞增殖和纤维分化中的作用

转录共激活物-Yes相关蛋白(YAP)及其调控途径-Hippo在控制晶状体发育过程中的细胞生长和命运中起重要作用,而成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF)是晶状体细胞行为的调节因子。为了揭示Hippo-YAP信号通路在FGF诱导的晶状体上皮细胞增殖和纤维分化中的作用,本研究将大鼠晶状体上皮外植体与FGF一起孵育以诱导上皮细胞增殖和纤维形成,采用免疫标记法检测Hippo信号传导成分和磷酸化YAP的表达。结果显示,FGF诱导的晶状体细胞增殖与Total-YAP的强核定位及磷酸化YAP的低染色水平相关。FGF诱导的晶状体纤维分化与磷酸化YAP及核心Hippo信号传导组分的升高有关。使用维替泊芬抑制YAP后,可显著抑制FGF诱导的晶状体细胞增殖。FGF在晶状体细胞增殖和分化过程中促进Hippo/YAP信号传导,其中FGF诱导的核YAP表达在促进晶状体上皮细胞增殖中发挥重要作用。     

心肌程序分化过程中的信号通路密码

干细胞的体外心肌诱导分化是一个连续但分阶段的发育过程,涉及内在转录调控程序和外源调制信号的二者协同。外源信号对心肌分化的影响,取决于细胞所处分化状态,因而展现了明显的阶段特异性和剂量依赖性。在心肌多阶段程序分化的进程中,有多个信号转导通路的参与,包括TGF-β、Wnt、Notch、FGF和Hedgehog等。这些通路在细胞不同的分化阶段,活化方式不一,发挥各自独特的作用,共同决定细胞在分化节点的命运选择。通过调制这些信号通路,可引导细胞定向分化,制备性质均一、数量充沛的心肌细胞。     

FGF/FGFR信号调控成骨细胞分化的研究进展

不管是在胚胎骨骼形成还是出生后骨骼发育过程中,FGF/FGFR信号都发挥着重要的作用,成骨细胞在骨骼形成过程中起主导作用,成骨细胞不断地分化是骨骼形成的必要条件,FGF/FGFR信号可调控成骨细胞分化过程中不同标志性基因的表达。该信号不仅可以通过自身作用于成骨细胞分化,而且也可与其他信号通路(BMP,Wnt和PTH)相互作用,共同协调控制成骨细胞分化。FGFR突变会引起成骨细胞分化异常从而出现各种骨疾病,如颅缝早闭,骨质疏松,异位骨化等。现对FGF及FGFR家族,成骨细胞分化过程中标志性基因及相应的标志物,FGF/FGFR信号调控成骨细胞分化作用等方面进行综述。     

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路与癌症发生发展及其免疫治疗

经典的Wnt/β-catenin信号通路参与调控机体的多种生物学功能,包括干细胞自我更新,细胞的增殖、分化、凋亡以及胚胎早期发育和组织再生等,与癌症发生发展紧密相关.此外,该信号通路在胸腺T细胞的发育和分化过程中发挥重要作用,影响抗肿瘤免疫效应的多个环节.异常激活的Wnt/β-catenin信号通路可诱导恶性肿瘤的形成...     

上皮间质转化与干细胞自我更新和分化

上皮间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）是指上皮细胞失去连接和极性转变为间质细胞的过程,这一现象普遍存在于胚胎发育、创伤愈合、器官纤维化以及肿瘤转移。在胚胎早期发育和晚期发育过程,例如着床、原肠运动、心血管发育等事件中有EMT和间质上皮转化（mesenchymal-epithelial transition,MET）的参与。EMT和MET参与调控干细胞表型变化、细胞迁移运动,是细胞差异分化和三维组织构建的重要机制。EMT的重要标志是细胞黏附分子表达由E-钙黏着蛋白(E-cadherin)向N-钙黏着蛋白(N-cadherin)转换。E-钙黏着蛋白通过与β-联蛋白、p120-联蛋白、α-联蛋白联合,影响Wnt、小GTP酶超家族等信号通路活化,调控细胞骨架运动。TGFβ、Notch、Wnt、BMP、FGF等信号通路,Snail、Twist、Zeb等转录因子,联合表观修饰酶,协同参与EMT的启动和调控。体外研究模型表明,E-钙黏着蛋白参与干细胞自我更新;而体细胞重编程可视为MET,重编程因子辅助体细胞获得E 钙黏着蛋白表达。体外研究发现,EMT及相关分子（例如E-钙黏着蛋白、Snail、Twist、Zeb等）参与了早期三胚层分化及晚期特定细胞类型的形成。对EMT机制的研究有助于理解和改善干细胞体外诱导分化效率,促进类器官的构建和诱导。     

MicroRNA调控耳蜗毛细胞发育的分子机制

耳聋是严重影响人类生活质量的全球重大健康问题之一。目前,因耳蜗毛细胞损伤而导致的耳聋疾病尚未有成功的治疗方法。MicroRNA (miRNA)作为一类高度保守的内源性非编码小RNA,在耳蜗以及毛细胞发育过程中发挥着重要作用。本文介绍了miRNA在耳蜗毛细胞产生过程中的时空表达,揭示了其不可或缺的重要作用;同时阐述了miRNA参与调控耳蜗毛细胞发育中相关转录因子的分子机制,为耳聋的毛细胞移植治疗和毛细胞再生研究提供理论参考。     

内耳毛细胞再生相关的信号通路及信号互作研究进展

内耳毛细胞是一种感受器,负责将机械声能转化为神经脉冲,使机体感知外界声音.毛细胞的功能丧失是永久性感音性神经耳聋的主要原因之一,毛细胞在成体哺乳动物中不会自发再生,研究人员通过模拟哺乳动物内耳损伤,发现Notch信号通路通过侧抑制和侧诱导作用形成新的感觉毛细胞.Notch的下游信号Wnt和上游信号FGF-FGFR是促进...     

肾脏发育中信号通路的调控作用

肾脏发育是一个复杂的过程,需要在输尿管芽细胞和基质细胞相互诱导下,引起细胞生长、增殖、分化,从而产生肾单位及各种管状结构,最终发育为成熟的肾脏。在肾脏发育过程中,GDNF/Ret、Wnt、BMP等一系列信号通路参与了发育的调控过程。这些信号通路在肾脏发育的不同阶段或不同位置发挥着重要的调控作用,并且通路之间存在相互的调控,从而形成了一个复杂而精细的调控网络,保证了肾脏的正常发育。文章概括了肾脏发育的过程,总结了肾脏发育过程中相关信号通路对肾脏发育的调控作用以及信号通路之间的相互调控。     

Analysis of FGF-Dependent and FGF-Independent Pathways in Otic Placode Induction

The inner ear develops from a patch of thickened cranial ectoderm adjacent to the hindbrain called the otic placode. Studies in a number of vertebrate species suggest that the initial steps in induction of the otic placode are regulated by members of the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) family, and that inhibition of FGF signaling can prevent otic placode formation. To better understand the genetic pathways activated by FGF signaling during otic placode induction, we performed microarray experiments to estimate the proportion of chicken otic placode genes that can be up-regulated by the FGF pathway in a simple culture model of otic placode induction. Surprisingly, we find that FGF is only sufficient to induce about 15% of chick otic placode-specific genes in our experimental system. However, pharmacological blockade of the FGF pathway in cultured chick embryos showed that although FGF signaling was not sufficient to induce the majority of otic placode-specific genes, it was still necessary for their expression in vivo. These inhibitor experiments further suggest that the early steps in otic placode induction regulated by FGF signaling occur through the MAP kinase pathway. Although our work suggests that FGF signaling is necessary for otic placode induction, it demonstrates that other unidentified signaling pathways are required to co-operate with FGF signaling to induce the full otic placode program.     

The first steps towards hearing: mechanisms of otic placode induction

The entire inner ear, together with the neurons that innervate it, derive from a simple piece of ectoderm on the side of the embryonic head the otic placode. In this review, we describe the current state of the field of otic placode induction. Several lines of evidence suggest that all craniofacial sensory organs, including the inner ear, derive from a common "pre-placodal region" early in development. We review data showing that assumption of a pre-placodal cell state correlates with the competence of embryonic ectoderm to respond to otic placode inducing signals, such as members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. We also review evidence for FGF-independent signals that contribute to the induction of the otic placode. Finally, we review recent evidence suggesting that Wnt signals may act after FGF signaling to mediate a cell fate decision between otic placode and epidermis.     

Differential requirements for FGF3, FGF8 and FGF10 during inner ear development

FGF signaling is required during multiple stages of inner ear development in many different vertebrates, where it is involved in induction of the otic placode, in formation and morphogenesis of the otic vesicle as well as for cellular differentiation within the sensory epithelia. In this study we have looked to define the redundant and conserved roles of FGF3, FGF8 and FGF10 during the development of the murine and avian inner ear. In the mouse, hindbrain-derived FGF10 ectopically induces FGF8 and rescues otic vesicle formation in Fgf3 and Fgf10 homozygous double mutants. Conditional inactivation of Fgf8 after induction of the placode does not interfere with otic vesicle formation and morphogenesis but affects cellular differentiation in the inner ear. In contrast, inactivation of Fgf8 during induction of the placode in a homozygous Fgf3 null background leads to a reduced size otic vesicle or the complete absence of otic tissue. This latter phenotype is more severe than the one observed in mutants carrying null mutations for both Fgf3 and Fgf10 that develop microvesicles. However, FGF3 and FGF10 are redundantly required for morphogenesis of the otic vesicle and the formation of semicircular ducts. In the chicken embryo, misexpression of Fgf3 in the hindbrain induces ectopic otic vesicles in vivo. On the other hand, Fgf3 expression in the hindbrain or pharyngeal endoderm is required for formation of the otic vesicle from the otic placode. Together these results provide important insights into how the spatial and temporal expression of various FGFs controls different steps of inner ear formation during vertebrate development.     

Notch signaling during cell fate determination in the inner ear

In the inner ear, Notch signaling has been proposed to specify the sensory regions, as well as regulate the differentiation of hair cells and supporting cell within those regions. In addition, Notch plays an important role in otic neurogenesis, by determining which cells differentiate as neurons, sensory cells and non-sensory cells. Here, I review the evidence for the complex and myriad roles Notch participates in during inner ear development. A particular challenge for those studying ear development and Notch is to decipher how activation of a single pathway can lead to different outcomes within the ear, which may include changes in the intrinsic properties of the cell, Notch modulation, and potential non-canonical pathways.     

The role of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in proliferation and regeneration of the developing basilar papilla and lateral line

Canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling has been implicated in multiple developmental events including the regulation of proliferation, cell fate, and differentiation. In the inner ear, Wnt/β‐catenin signaling is required from the earliest stages of otic placode specification through the formation of the mature cochlea. Within the avian inner ear, the basilar papilla (BP), many Wnt pathway components are expressed throughout development. Here, using reporter constructs for Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, we show that this pathway is active throughout the BP (E6‐E14) in both hair cells (HCs) and supporting cells. To characterize the role of Wnt/β‐catenin activity in developing HCs, we performed gain‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments in vitro and in vivo in the chick BP and zebrafish lateral line systems, respectively. Pharmacological inhibition of Wnt signaling in the BP and lateral line neuromasts during the periods of proliferation and HC differentiation resulted in reduced proliferation and decreased HC formation. Conversely, pharmacological activation of this pathway significantly increased the number of HCs in the lateral line and BP. Results demonstrated that this increase was the result of up‐regulated cell proliferation within the Sox2‐positive cells of the prosensory domains. Furthermore, Wnt/β‐catenin activation resulted in enhanced HC regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line following aminoglycoside‐induced HC loss. Combined, our data suggest that Wnt/β‐catenin signaling specifies the number of cells within the prosensory domain and subsequently the number of HCs. This ability to induce proliferation suggests that the modulation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling could play an important role in therapeutic HC regeneration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 438–456, 2014     

A Spatial and Temporal Gradient of Fgf Differentially Regulates Distinct Stages of Neural Development in the Zebrafish Inner Ear

Neuroblasts of the statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) initially form in the floor of the otic vesicle during a relatively brief developmental window. They soon delaminate and undergo a protracted phase of proliferation and migration (transit-amplification). Neuroblasts eventually differentiate and extend processes bi-directionally to synapse with hair cells in the inner ear and various targets in the hindbrain. Our studies in zebrafish have shown that Fgf signaling controls multiple phases of this complex developmental process. Moderate levels of Fgf in a gradient emanating from the nascent utricular macula specify SAG neuroblasts in laterally adjacent otic epithelium. At a later stage, differentiating SAG neurons express Fgf5, which serves two functions: First, as SAG neurons accumulate, increasing levels of Fgf exceed an upper threshold that terminates the initial phase of neuroblast specification. Second, elevated Fgf delays differentiation of transit-amplifying cells, balancing the rate of progenitor renewal with neuronal differentiation. Laser-ablation of mature SAG neurons abolishes feedback-inhibition and causes precocious neuronal differentiation. Similar effects are obtained by Fgf5-knockdown or global impairment of Fgf signaling, whereas Fgf misexpression has the opposite effect. Thus Fgf signaling renders SAG development self-regulating, ensuring steady production of an appropriate number of neurons as the larva grows.     

Dual embryonic origin of the mammalian otic vesicle forming the inner ear

The inner ear and cochleovestibular ganglion (CVG) derive from a specialized region of head ectoderm termed the otic placode. During embryogenesis, the otic placode invaginates into the head to form the otic vesicle (OV), the primordium of the inner ear and CVG. Non-autonomous cell signaling from the hindbrain to the OV is required for inner ear morphogenesis and neurogenesis. In this study, we show that neuroepithelial cells (NECs), including neural crest cells (NCCs), can contribute directly to the OV from the neural tube. Using Wnt1-Cre, Pax3(Cre/+) and Hoxb1(Cre/+) mice to label and fate map cranial NEC lineages, we have demonstrated that cells from the neural tube incorporate into the otic epithelium after otic placode induction has occurred. Pax3(Cre/+) labeled a more extensive population of NEC derivatives in the OV than did Wnt1-Cre. NEC derivatives constitute a significant population of the OV and, moreover, are regionalized specifically to proneurosensory domains. Descendents of Pax3(Cre/+) and Wnt1-Cre labeled cells are localized within sensory epithelia of the saccule, utricle and cochlea throughout development and into adulthood, where they differentiate into hair cells and supporting cells. Some NEC derivatives give rise to neuroblasts in the OV and CVG, in addition to their known contribution to glial cells. This study defines a dual cellular origin of the inner ear from sensory placode ectoderm and NECs, and changes the current paradigm of inner ear neurosensory development.     

Fgf8 and Fgf3 are required for zebrafish ear placode induction,maintenance and inner ear patterning

The vertebrate inner ear develops from initially 'simple' ectodermal placode and vesicle stages into the complex three-dimensional structure which is necessary for the senses of hearing and equilibrium. Although the main morphological events in vertebrate inner ear development are known, the genetic mechanisms controlling them are scarcely understood. Previous studies have suggested that the otic placode is induced by signals from the chordamesoderm and the hindbrain, notably by fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) and Wnt proteins. Here we study the role of Fgf8 as a bona-fide hindbrain-derived signal that acts in conjunction with Fgf3 during placode induction, maintenance and otic vesicle patterning. Acerebellar (ace) is a mutant in the fgf8 gene that results in a non-functional Fgf8 product. Homozygous mutants for acerebellar (ace) have smaller ears that typically have only one otolith, abnormal semi-circular canals, and behavioral defects. Using gene expression markers for the otic placode, we find that ace/fgf8 and Fgf-signaling are required for normal otic placode formation and maintenance. Conversely, misexpression of fgf8 or Fgf8-coated beads implanted into the vicinity of the otic placode can increase ear size and marker gene expression, although competence to respond to the induction appears restricted. Cell transplantation experiments and expression analysis suggest that Fgf8 is required in the hindbrain in the rhombomere 4-6 area to restore normal placode development in ace mutants, in close neighbourhood to the forming placode, but not in mesodermal tissues. Fgf3 and Fgf8 are expressed in hindbrain rhombomere 4 during the stages that are critical for placode induction. Joint inactivation of Fgf3 and Fgf8 by mutation or antisense-morpholino injection causes failure of placode formation and results in ear-less embryos, mimicking the phenotype we observe after pharmacological inhibition of Fgf-signaling. Fgf8 and Fgf3 together therefore act during induction and differentiation of the ear placode. In addition to the early requirement for Fgf signaling, the abnormal differentiation of inner ear structures and mechanosensory hair cells in ace mutants, pharmacological inhibition of Fgf signaling, and the expression of fgf8 and fgf3 in the otic vesicle demonstrate independent Fgf function(s) during later development of the otic vesicle and lateral line organ. We furthermore addressed a potential role of endomesomerm by studying mzoep mutant embryos that are depleted of head endomesodermal tissue, including chordamesoderm, due to a lack of Nodal-pathway signaling. In these embryos, early placode induction proceeds largely normally, but the ear placode extends abnormally to midline levels at later stages, suggesting a role for the midline in restricting placode development to dorsolateral levels. We suggest a model of zebrafish inner ear development with several discrete steps that utilize sequential Fgf signals during otic placode induction and vesicle patterning.     

Differentiation of the lateral compartment of the cochlea requires a temporally restricted FGF20 signal

A large proportion of age-related hearing loss is caused by loss or damage to outer hair cells in the organ of Corti. The organ of Corti is the mechanosensory transducing apparatus in the inner ear and is composed of inner hair cells, outer hair cells, and highly specialized supporting cells. The mechanisms that regulate differentiation of inner and outer hair cells are not known. Here we report that fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) is required for differentiation of cells in the lateral cochlear compartment (outer hair and supporting cells) within the organ of Corti during a specific developmental time. In the absence of FGF20, mice are deaf and lateral compartment cells remain undifferentiated, postmitotic, and unresponsive to Notch-dependent lateral inhibition. These studies identify developmentally distinct medial (inner hair and supporting cells) and lateral compartments in the developing organ of Corti. The viability and hearing loss in Fgf20 knockout mice suggest that FGF20 may also be a deafness-associated gene in humans.