The miR‐379/miR‐410 cluster at the imprinted Dlk1‐Dio3 domain controls neonatal metabolic adaptation

In mammals, birth entails complex metabolic adjustments essential for neonatal survival. Using a mouse knockout model, we identify crucial biological roles for the miR‐379/miR‐410 cluster within the imprinted Dlk1‐Dio3 region during this metabolic transition. The miR‐379/miR‐410 locus, also named C14MC in humans, is the largest known placental mammal‐specific miRNA cluster, whose 39 miRNA genes are expressed only from the maternal allele. We found that heterozygote pups with a maternal—but not paternal—deletion of the miRNA cluster display partially penetrant neonatal lethality with defects in the maintenance of energy homeostasis. This maladaptive metabolic response is caused, at least in part, by profound changes in the activation of the neonatal hepatic gene expression program, pointing to as yet unidentified regulatory pathways that govern this crucial metabolic transition in the newborn's liver. Not only does our study highlight the physiological importance of miRNA genes that recently evolved in placental mammal lineages but it also unveils additional layers of RNA‐mediated gene regulation at the Dlk1‐Dio3 domain that impose parent‐of‐origin effects on metabolic control at birth and have likely contributed to mammal evolution.     

C5orf42 is the major gene responsible for OFD syndrome type VI

Oral-facial-digital syndrome type VI (OFD VI) is a recessive ciliopathy defined by two diagnostic criteria: molar tooth sign (MTS) and one or more of the following: (1) tongue hamartoma (s) and/or additional frenula and/or upper lip notch; (2) mesoaxial polydactyly of one or more hands or feet; (3) hypothalamic hamartoma. Because of the MTS, OFD VI belongs to the “Joubert syndrome related disorders”. Its genetic aetiology remains largely unknown although mutations in the TMEM216 gene, responsible for Joubert (JBS2) and Meckel-Gruber (MKS2) syndromes, have been reported in two OFD VI patients. To explore the molecular cause(s) of OFD VI syndrome, we used an exome sequencing strategy in six unrelated families followed by Sanger sequencing. We identified a total of 14 novel mutations in the C5orf42 gene in 9/11 families with positive OFD VI diagnostic criteria including a severe fetal case with microphthalmia, cerebellar hypoplasia, corpus callosum agenesis, polydactyly and skeletal dysplasia. C5orf42 mutations have already been reported in Joubert syndrome confirming that OFD VI and JBS are allelic disorders, thus enhancing our knowledge of the complex, highly heterogeneous nature of ciliopathies.     

Cryptosporidium parvum-induced ileo-caecal adenocarcinoma and Wnt signaling in a mouse model

Cryptosporidium species are apicomplexan protozoans that are found worldwide. These parasites constitute a large risk to human and animal health. They cause self-limited diarrhea in immunocompetent hosts and a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised hosts. Interestingly, Cryptosporidium parvum has been related to digestive carcinogenesis in humans. Consistent with a potential tumorigenic role of this parasite, in an original reproducible animal model of chronic cryptosporidiosis based on dexamethasone-treated or untreated adult SCID mice, we formerly reported that C. parvum (strains of animal and human origin) is able to induce digestive adenocarcinoma even in infections induced with very low inoculum. The aim of this study was to further characterize this animal model and to explore metabolic pathways potentially involved in the development of C. parvum-induced ileo-caecal oncogenesis. We searched for alterations in genes or proteins commonly involved in cell cycle, differentiation or cell migration, such as β-catenin, Apc, E-cadherin, Kras and p53. After infection of animals with C. parvum we demonstrated immunohistochemical abnormal localization of Wnt signaling pathway components and p53. Mutations in the selected loci of studied genes were not found after high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore, alterations in the ultrastructure of adherens junctions of the ileo-caecal neoplastic epithelia of C. parvum-infected mice were recorded using transmission electron microscopy. In conclusion, we found for the first time that the Wnt signaling pathway, and particularly the cytoskeleton network, seems to be pivotal for the development of the C. parvum-induced neoplastic process and cell migration of transformed cells. Furthermore, this model is a valuable tool in understanding the host-pathogen interactions associated with the intricate infection process of this parasite, which is able to modulate host cytoskeleton activities and several host-cell biological processes and remains a significant cause of infection worldwide.KEY WORDS: SCID mouse model, Cryptosporidiosis, Wnt pathway, Cytoskeleton, Digestive cancer     

Miltefosine enhances infectivity of a miltefosine-resistant Leishmania infantum strain by attenuating its innate immune recognition

BackgroundMiltefosine (MIL) is currently the only oral drug available to treat visceral leishmaniasis but its use as first-line monotherapy has been compromised by an increasing treatment failure. Despite the scarce number of resistant clinical isolates, MIL-resistance by mutations in a single aminophospholipid transporter gene can easily be selected in a laboratory environment. These mutations result in a reduced survival in the mammalian host, which can partially be restored by exposure to MIL, suggesting a kind of drug-dependency.Methodology/Principal findingsTo enable a combined study of the infection dynamics and underlying immunological events for differential in vivo survival, firefly luciferase (PpyRE9) / red fluorescent protein (DsRed) double-reporter strains were generated of MIL-resistant (MIL-R) and syngeneic MIL-sensitive (MIL-S) Leishmania infantum. Results in C57Bl/6 and BALB/c mice show that MIL-R parasites induce an increased innate immune response that is characterized by enhanced influx and infection of neutrophils, monocytes and dendritic cells in the liver and elevated serum IFN-γ levels, finally resulting in a less efficient establishment in liver macrophages. The elevated IFN-γ levels were shown to originate from an increased response of hepatic NK and NKT cells to the MIL-R parasites. In addition, we demonstrated that MIL could increase the in vivo fitness of MIL-R parasites by lowering NK and NKT cell activation, leading to a reduced IFN-γ production.Conclusions/SignificanceDifferential induction of innate immune responses in the liver was found to underlie the attenuated phenotype of a MIL-R parasite and its peculiar feature of drug-dependency. The impact of MIL on hepatic NK and NKT activation and IFN-γ production following recognition of a MIL-R strain indicates that this mechanism may sustain infections with resistant parasites and contribute to treatment failure.     

New molecular evidence of wine yeast-bacteria interaction unraveled by non-targeted exometabolomic profiling

Introduction

Bacterial malolactic fermentation (MLF) has a considerable impact on wine quality. The yeast strain used for primary fermentation can systematically stimulate (MLF+ phenotype) or inhibit (MLF?) bacteria and the MLF process as a function of numerous winemaking practices, but the underlying molecular evidence still remains a mystery.

Objectives

The goal of the study was to elucidate such evidence by the direct comparison of extracellular metabolic profiles of MLF+ and MLF? phenotypes.

Methods

We have applied a non-targeted metabolomic approach combining ultrahigh-resolution FT-ICR-MS analysis, powerful statistical tools and a comprehensive wine metabolite database.

Results

We discovered around 2500 unknown masses and 800 putative biomarkers involved in phenotypic distinction. For the putative biomarkers, we also developed a biomarker identification workflow and elucidated the exact structure (by UPLC-Q-ToF–MS²) and/or exact physiological impact (by in vitro tests) of several novel biomarkers, such as D-gluconic acid, citric acid, trehalose and tripeptide Pro-Phe-Val. In addition to valid biomarkers, molecular evidence was reflected by unprecedented chemical diversity (around 3000 discriminant masses) that characterized both the yeast phenotypes. While distinct chemical families such as phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, amino acids and peptides characterize the extracellular metabolic profiles of the MLF+ phenotype, the MLF? phenotype is associated with sulphur-containing peptides.

Conclusion

The non-targeted approach used in this study played an important role in finding new and unexpected molecular evidence.

     

TGF‐β gene transfer and overexpression via rAAV vectors stimulates chondrogenic events in human bone marrow aspirates

Genetic modification of marrow concentrates may provide convenient approaches to enhance the chondrogenic differentiation processes and improve the repair capacities in sites of cartilage defects following administration in the lesions. Here, we provided clinically adapted recombinant adeno‐associated virus (rAAV) vectors to human bone marrow aspirates to promote the expression of the potent transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) as a means to regulate the biological and chondrogenic activities in the samples in vitro. Successful TGF‐β gene transfer and expression via rAAV was reached relative to control (lacZ) treatment (from 511.1 to 16.1 pg rhTGF‐β/mg total proteins after 21 days), allowing to durably enhance the levels of cell proliferation, matrix synthesis, and chondrogenic differentiation. Strikingly, in the conditions applied here, application of the candidate TGF‐β vector was also capable of reducing the hypertrophic and osteogenic differentiation processes in the aspirates, showing the potential benefits of using this particular vector to directly modify marrow concentrates to generate single‐step, effective approaches that aim at improving articular cartilage repair in vivo.     

Adaptation of the Wine Bacterium Oenococcus oeni to Ethanol Stress: Role of the Small Heat Shock Protein Lo18 in Membrane Integrity

Malolactic fermentation in wine is often carried out by Oenococcus oeni. Wine is a stressful environment for bacteria because ethanol is a toxic compound that impairs the integrity of bacterial membranes. The small heat shock protein (sHsp) Lo18 is an essential actor of the stress response in O. oeni. Lo18 prevents the thermal aggregation of proteins and plays a crucial role in membrane quality control. Here, we investigated the interaction between Lo18 and four types of liposomes: one was prepared from O. oeni grown under optimal growth conditions (here, control liposomes), one was prepared from O. oeni grown in the presence of 8% ethanol (here, ethanol liposomes), one was prepared from synthetic phospholipids, and one was prepared from phospholipids from Bacillus subtilis or Lactococcus lactis. We observed the strongest interaction between Lo18 and control liposomes. The lipid binding activity of Lo18 required the dissociation of oligomeric structures into dimers. Protein protection experiments carried out in the presence of the liposomes from O. oeni suggested that Lo18 had a higher affinity for control liposomes than for a model protein. In anisotropy experiments, we mimicked ethanol action by temperature-dependent fluidization of the liposomes. Results suggest that the principal determinant of Lo18-membrane interaction is lipid bilayer phase behavior rather than phospholipid composition. We suggest a model to describe the ethanol adaptation of O. oeni. This model highlights the dual role of Lo18 in the protection of proteins from aggregation and membrane stabilization and suggests how modifications of phospholipid content may be a key factor determining the balance between these two functions.     

Local stimulation of articular cartilage repair by transplantation of encapsulated chondrocytes overexpressing human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) in vivo

BACKGROUND: Defects of articular cartilage are an unsolved problem in orthopaedics. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that gene transfer of human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) via transplantation of encapsulated genetically modified articular chondrocytes stimulates chondrogenesis in cartilage defects in vivo. METHODS: Lapine articular chondrocytes overexpressing a lacZ or a human FGF-2 gene sequence were encapsulated in alginate and further characterized. The resulting lacZ or FGF-2 spheres were applied to cartilage defects in the knee joints of rabbits. In vivo, cartilage repair was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively at 3 and 14 weeks after implantation. RESULTS: In vitro, bioactive FGF-2 was secreted, leading to a significant increase in the cell numbers in FGF-2 spheres. In vivo, FGF-2 continued to be expressed for at least 3 weeks without leading to differences in FGF-2 concentrations in the synovial fluid between treatment groups. Histological analysis revealed no adverse pathologic effects on the synovial membrane at any time point. FGF-2 gene transfer enhanced type II collagen expression and individual parameters of chondrogenesis, such as the cell morphology and architecture of the new tissue. Overall articular cartilage repair was significantly improved at both time points in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that localized overexpression of FGF-2 enhances the repair of cartilage defects via stimulation of chondrogenesis, without adverse effects on the synovial membrane. These results may lead to the development of safe gene-based therapies for human articular cartilage defects.