Granulopoeisis and leukemogenesis: lessons from congenital neutropenia

Congenital neutropenia are extremely rare diseases, defined by a permanent or cyclic decrease of blood neutrophils. Molecular basis of several congenital neutropenia has been recently determined, involving gene coding for the neutrophil elastase gene (ELA2), GFI1, WAS protein and mitochondrial HAX1 protein. These mutations, dominant (ELA2, GFI1), X-linked (WAS) and autosomal recessive (HAX1), result in instability of the contents of the granules- particularly the neutrophil elastase- or in abnormalities of the cytoskeleton, and possibly, in an increased apoptosis. ELA2 mutations resulting both in profound and permanent neutropenia, and in cyclic--pseudo sinusoidal--neutropenia lead to consider that time pattern is very close in the two apparently distinct phenotypes. This observation suggests that temporal variations of neutrophils could be represented by non linear functions. Congenital neutropenia, specifically ELA2 mutated, are also characterized by a high rate of leukemia (about 15% at 20 years of age). Leukemia risk does not appear to be related to an oncogenic effect of ELA2 mutations, but much likely to the deepness of the neutropenia, and the intensity of G-CSF therapy.     

HAX1 maintains the glioma progression in hypoxia through promoting mitochondrial fission

HCLS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX1), an anti-apoptotic molecular, overexpresses in glioma. However, the role of HAX1 in glioma cell surviving in hypoxic environment remains unclear. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, Transwell assay, TUNEL assay, wounding healing assay, clone formation, tumour xenograft model and immunohistochemical staining were used to investigate the role of HAX1 in glioma. HAX1 regulated by HIF-1α was increased in glioma cells cultured in hypoxia. Silencing of HAX1 could cause an increased apoptosis of glioma cells cultured in hypoxia. Silencing of HAX1 also decreased the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells cultured in hypoxia. Increased mitochondrial fission could prevent glioma cells from the damage induced by HAX1 knockdown in hypoxia. Furthermore, HAX1 was found to regulate glioma cells through phosphorylated AKT/Drp signal pathway. In conclusion, our study suggested that HAX1 promoted survival of glioma cells in hypoxic environment via AKT/Drp signal pathway. Our study also provided a potential therapeutic target for glioma.     

Germline stem cell arrest inhibits the collapse of somatic proteostasis early in Caenorhabditis elegans adulthood

All cells rely on highly conserved protein folding and clearance pathways to detect and resolve protein damage and to maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Because age is associated with an imbalance in proteostasis, there is a need to understand how protein folding is regulated in a multicellular organism that undergoes aging. We have observed that the ability of Caenorhabditis elegans to maintain proteostasis declines sharply following the onset of oocyte biomass production, suggesting that a restricted protein folding capacity may be linked to the onset of reproduction. To test this hypothesis, we monitored the effects of different sterile mutations on the maintenance of proteostasis in the soma of C. elegans. We found that germline stem cell (GSC) arrest rescued protein quality control, resulting in maintenance of robust proteostasis in different somatic tissues of adult animals. We further demonstrated that GSC‐dependent modulation of proteostasis requires several different signaling pathways, including hsf‐1 and daf‐16/kri‐1/tcer‐1, daf‐12, daf‐9, daf‐36, nhr‐80, and pha‐4 that differentially modulate somatic quality control functions, such that each signaling pathway affects different aspects of proteostasis and cannot functionally complement the other pathways. We propose that the effect of GSCs on the collapse of proteostasis at the transition to adulthood is due to a switch mechanism that links GSC status with maintenance of somatic proteostasis via regulation of the expression and function of different quality control machineries and cellular stress responses that progressively lead to a decline in the maintenance of proteostasis in adulthood, thereby linking reproduction to the maintenance of the soma.     

TORC1‐mediated sensing of chaperone activity alters glucose metabolism and extends lifespan

Protein quality control mechanisms, required for normal cellular functioning, encompass multiple functions related to protein production and maintenance. However, the existence of communication between proteostasis and metabolic networks and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report that enhanced chaperone activity and consequent improved proteostasis are sensed by TORC1 via the activity of Hsp82. Chaperone enrichment decreases the level of Hsp82, which deactivates TORC1 and leads to activation of Snf1/AMPK, regardless of glucose availability. This mechanism culminates in the extension of yeast replicative lifespan (RLS) that is fully reliant on both TORC1 deactivation and Snf1/AMPK activation. Specifically, we identify oxygen consumption increase as the downstream effect of Snf1 activation responsible for the entire RLS extension. Our results set a novel paradigm for the role of proteostasis in aging: modulation of the misfolded protein level can affect cellular metabolic features as well as mitochondrial activity and consequently modify lifespan. The described mechanism is expected to open new avenues for research of aging and age‐related diseases.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> study of HAX1 gene therapy by retro viral transduction as a therapeutic target in severe congenital neutropenia

Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a primary immunodeficiency disease in which a number of underlying gene defects are responsible for abnormalities in neutrophil development. The HCLS1-associated protein X1 (HAX1) mutation is associated with an autosomal-recessive form of SCN. Considering the potential of gene therapy approaches for the treatment of monogenic disorders, in this study we aimed to develop retroviral vectors expressing coding sequences (CDS) to be used for the removal of the genetic blockade in deficient hematopoietic cells. Following amplification of CDS with primers containing appropriate restriction sites, HAX1 CDS was cloned into an intermediate vector using TA-cloning. The sequence was transferred into a retroviral vector, followed by retroviral packaging in Plat-A cells. To show HAX1 protein expression, HEK293T cells were exposed to 10 multiplicity of infection (MOI) of retroviral particles and HAX1 expression was confirmed in these cells, using indirect intracellular flow cytometry. This vector was applied for in vitro transduction of hematopoietic stem cell with HAX1 mutation; after 11 days, cultured cells were analyzed for CD66acde and CD177 (neutrophil surface markers) expression. Increased neutrophil production in HAX1 viral vector-expressing hematopoietic cells was observed as compared to control vector transduced cells. Hence, according to the results, this type of therapy could be considered a potential treatment protocol for the disease.     

HAX1和EGFP共表达重组腺病毒载体的构建、鉴定

目的构建和鉴定HAX1和EGFP双基因共表达重组腺病毒载体。方法采用DNA重组技术,将目的基因HAX1克隆至含有报告基因EGFP的穿梭质粒pAdTrack—CMV中,并转化于大肠埃希菌DH5a;筛选出重组质粒pAdTrack—CMV—HAX1,并在BJ5183细菌中与pAdEasy-1质粒进行同源重组,产生重组腺病毒载体;用lipofectamine将其转染HEK293细胞,包装携带全长HAX1的重组复制缺陷型腺病毒pad—HAX1-EGFP,酶切和序列测定鉴定;用制备好的Ad—HAX1-EGFP感染HEK293细胞,流式细胞术检测其感染效率,RT—PCR、Western印迹鉴定外源基因HAX1的表达。BrdU检测感染了Ad—HAX1-EGFP的HEK293细胞增殖情况。结果pAdTrack—CMV—HAX1重组质粒构建成功。pAdTrack—CMV—HAX1质粒与pAdEasy-1质粒同源重组后与预期结果相符。构建好的Ad—HAX1-EGFP能有效感染HEK293细胞;外源基因能在239细胞中有效表达。HAX1高表达的HEK293细胞其增殖率得以提高。结论成功构建了表达HAX1和EGFP共表达的重组腺病毒载体,HAX1能够促进结肠癌细胞HEK293细胞的增殖。     

The intrinsic proteostasis network of stem cells

The proteostasis network adjusts protein composition and maintains protein integrity, which are essential processes for cell function and viability. Current efforts, given their intrinsic characteristics, regenerative potential and fundamental biological functions, have been directed to define proteostasis of stem cells. These insights demonstrate that embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells exhibit an endogenous proteostasis network that not only modulates their pluripotency and differentiation but also provides a striking ability to suppress aggregation of disease-related proteins. Moreover, recent findings establish a central role of enhanced proteostasis to prevent the aging of somatic stem cells in adult organisms. Notably, proteostasis is also required for the biological purpose of adult germline stem cells, that is to be passed from one generation to the next. Beyond these links between proteostasis and stem cell function, we also discuss the implications of these findings for disease, aging, and reproduction.     

Lanosterol modulates proteostasis via dissolving cytosolic sequestosomes/aggresome-like induced structures

Sequestration of misfolded proteins into distinct cellular compartments plays a pivotal role in proteostasis and proteopathies. Cytoplasmic ubiquitinated proteins are sequestered by p62/SQSTM1 to deposit in sequestosomes or aggresome-like induced structures (ALIS). Most aggresome or ALIS regulators identified thus far are recruiters, while little is known about the disaggregases or dissolvers. In this research, we showed that lanosterol synthase and its enzymatic product lanosterol effectively reduced the number and/or size of sequestosomes/ALIS/aggresomes formed by endogenous proteins in the HeLa and HEK-293A cells cultured under both non-stressed and stressed conditions. Supplemented lanosterol did not affect the proteasome and autophagic activities, but released the trapped proteins from the p62-positive inclusions accompanied with the activation of HSF1 and up-regulation of various heat shock proteins. Our results suggested that the coordinated actions of disaggregation by lanosterol and refolding by heat shock proteins might facilitate the cells to recycle proteins from aggregates. The disaggregation activity of lanosterol was not shared by cholesterol, indicating that lanosterol possesses additional cellular functions in proteostasis regulation. Our findings highlight that besides protein modulators, the cells also possess endogenous low-molecular-weight compounds as efficient proteostasis regulators.     

Location,location, location: subcellular protein partitioning in proteostasis and aging

Somatic maintenance and cell survival rely on proper protein homeostasis to ensure reliable functions across the cell and to prevent proteome collapse. Maintaining protein folding and solubility is central to proteostasis and is coordinated by protein synthesis, chaperoning, and degradation capacities. An emerging aspect that influences proteostasis is the dynamic protein partitioning across different subcellular structures and compartments. Here, we review recent literature related to nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of proteins, nuclear and cytoplasmic quality control mechanisms, and their impact on the development of age-related diseases. We also highlight new points of entry to modulate spatially-regulated proteostatic mechanisms to delay aging.     

Remodeling the Proteostasis Network to Rescue Glucocerebrosidase Variants by Inhibiting ER-Associated Degradation and Enhancing ER Folding

Gaucher’s disease (GD) is characterized by loss of lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GC) activity. Mutations in the gene encoding GC destabilize the protein’s native folding leading to ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of the misfolded enzyme. Enhancing the cellular folding capacity by remodeling the proteostasis network promotes native folding and lysosomal activity of mutated GC variants. However, proteostasis modulators reported so far, including ERAD inhibitors, trigger cellular stress and lead to induction of apoptosis. We show herein that lacidipine, an L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker that also inhibits ryanodine receptors on the ER membrane, enhances folding, trafficking and lysosomal activity of the most severely destabilized GC variant achieved via ERAD inhibition in fibroblasts derived from patients with GD. Interestingly, reprogramming the proteostasis network by combining modulation of Ca²⁺ homeostasis and ERAD inhibition remodels the unfolded protein response and dramatically lowers apoptosis induction typically associated with ERAD inhibition.     

Calcium signaling at the endoplasmic reticulum: fine-tuning stress responses

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium signaling is implicated in a myriad of coordinated cellular processes. The ER calcium content is tightly regulated as it allows a favorable environment for protein folding, in addition to operate as a major reservoir for fast and specific release of calcium. Altered ER homeostasis impacts protein folding, activating the unfolded protein response (UPR) as a rescue mechanism to restore proteostasis. ER calcium release impacts mitochondrial metabolism and also fine-tunes the threshold to undergo apoptosis under chronic stress. The global coordination between UPR signaling and energetic demands takes place at mitochondrial associated membranes (MAMs), specialized subdomains mediating interorganelle communication. Here we discuss current models explaining the functional relationship between ER homeostasis and various cellular responses to coordinate proteostasis and metabolic maintenance.     

Endoplasmic reticulum proteostasis impairment in aging

Perturbed neuronal proteostasis is a salient feature shared by both aging and protein misfolding disorders. The proteostasis network controls the health of the proteome by integrating pathways involved in protein synthesis, folding, trafficking, secretion, and their degradation. A reduction in the buffering capacity of the proteostasis network during aging may increase the risk to undergo neurodegeneration by enhancing the accumulation of misfolded proteins. As almost one‐third of the proteome is synthetized at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), maintenance of its proper function is fundamental to sustain neuronal function. In fact, ER stress is a common feature of most neurodegenerative diseases. The unfolded protein response (UPR) operates as central player to maintain ER homeostasis or the induction of cell death of chronically damaged cells. Here, we discuss recent evidence placing ER stress as a driver of brain aging, and the emerging impact of neuronal UPR in controlling global proteostasis at the whole organismal level. Finally, we discuss possible therapeutic interventions to improve proteostasis and prevent pathological brain aging.     

The endoplasmic reticulum proteostasis network profoundly shapes the protein sequence space accessible to HIV envelope

The sequence space accessible to evolving proteins can be enhanced by cellular chaperones that assist biophysically defective clients in navigating complex folding landscapes. It is also possible, at least in theory, for proteostasis mechanisms that promote strict quality control to greatly constrain accessible protein sequence space. Unfortunately, most efforts to understand how proteostasis mechanisms influence evolution rely on artificial inhibition or genetic knockdown of specific chaperones. The few experiments that perturb quality control pathways also generally modulate the levels of only individual quality control factors. Here, we use chemical genetic strategies to tune proteostasis networks via natural stress response pathways that regulate the levels of entire suites of chaperones and quality control mechanisms. Specifically, we upregulate the unfolded protein response (UPR) to test the hypothesis that the host endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteostasis network shapes the sequence space accessible to human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env) protein. Elucidating factors that enhance or constrain Env sequence space is critical because Env evolves extremely rapidly, yielding HIV strains with antibody- and drug-escape mutations. We find that UPR-mediated upregulation of ER proteostasis factors, particularly those controlled by the IRE1-XBP1s UPR arm, globally reduces Env mutational tolerance. Conserved, functionally important Env regions exhibit the largest decreases in mutational tolerance upon XBP1s induction. Our data indicate that this phenomenon likely reflects strict quality control endowed by XBP1s-mediated remodeling of the ER proteostasis environment. Intriguingly, and in contrast, specific regions of Env, including regions targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies, display enhanced mutational tolerance when XBP1s is induced, hinting at a role for host proteostasis network hijacking in potentiating antibody escape. These observations reveal a key function for proteostasis networks in decreasing instead of expanding the sequence space accessible to client proteins, while also demonstrating that the host ER proteostasis network profoundly shapes the mutational tolerance of Env in ways that could have important consequences for HIV adaptation.

The host cell’s endoplasmic reticulum proteostasis network has a profound, constraining impact on the protein sequence space accessible to HIV’s envelope protein, which is a major target of the host’s adaptive immune system; in particular, upregulation of stringent quality control pathways appears to restrict the viability of destabilizing envelope variants.