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Zeb2 is essential for Schwann cell differentiation, myelination and nerve repair.

ABSTRACT: Schwann cell development and peripheral nerve myelination require the serial expression of transcriptional activators, such as Sox10, Oct6 (also called Scip or Pou3f1) and Krox20 (also called Egr2). Here we show that transcriptional repression, mediated by the zinc-finger protein Zeb2 (also known as Sip1), is essential for differentiation and myelination. Mice lacking Zeb2 in Schwann cells develop a severe peripheral neuropathy, caused by failure of axonal sorting and virtual absence of myelin membranes. Zeb2-deficient Schwann cells continuously express repressors of lineage progression. Moreover, genes for negative regulators of maturation such as Sox2 and Ednrb emerge as Zeb2 target genes, supporting its function as an 'inhibitor of inhibitors' in myelination control. When Zeb2 is deleted in adult mice, Schwann cells readily dedifferentiate following peripheral nerve injury and become repair cells. However, nerve regeneration and remyelination are both perturbed, demonstrating that Zeb2, although undetectable in adult Schwann cells, has a latent function throughout life.

SUBMITTER: Quintes S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4964942 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Zeb2 is essential for Schwann cell differentiation, myelination and nerve repair.

Quintes Susanne S Brinkmann Bastian G BG Ebert Madlen M Fröb Franziska F Kungl Theresa T Arlt Friederike A FA Tarabykin Victor V Huylebroeck Danny D Meijer Dies D Suter Ueli U Wegner Michael M Sereda Michael W MW Nave Klaus-Armin KA

Nature neuroscience 20160613 8

Schwann cell development and peripheral nerve myelination require the serial expression of transcriptional activators, such as Sox10, Oct6 (also called Scip or Pou3f1) and Krox20 (also called Egr2). Here we show that transcriptional repression, mediated by the zinc-finger protein Zeb2 (also known as Sip1), is essential for differentiation and myelination. Mice lacking Zeb2 in Schwann cells develop a severe peripheral neuropathy, caused by failure of axonal sorting and virtual absence of myelin m ...[more]

PMID: 27294512

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Project description:BackgroundMyelin sheath is a crucial accessory to the functional nerve-fiber unit, its disruption or loss can lead to axonal degeneration and subsequent neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Notwithstanding of substantial progress in possible molecular mechanisms underlying myelination, there is no therapeutics that prevent demyelination in NDs. Therefore, it is crucial to seek for potential intervention targets. Here, we focused on the transcriptional factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (Stat1), to explore its effects on myelination and its potential as a drug target.MethodsBy analyzing the transcriptome data obtained from Schwann cells (SCs) at different stages of myelination, it was found that Stat1 might be involved in myelination. To test this, we used the following experiments: (1) In vivo, the effect of Stat1 on remyelination was observed in an in vivo myelination mode with Stat1 knockdown in sciatic nerves or specific knockdown in SCs. (2) In vitro, the RNA interference combined with cell proliferation assay, scratch assay, SC aggregate sphere migration assay, and a SC differentiation model, were used to assess the effects of Stat1 on SC proliferation, migration and differentiation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq), RNA-Seq, ChIP-qPCR and luciferase activity reporter assay were performed to investigate the possible mechanisms of Stat1 regulating myelination.ResultsStat1 is important for myelination. Stat1 knockdown in nerve or in SCs reduces the axonal remyelination in the injured sciatic nerve of rats. Deletion of Stat1 in SCs blocks SC differentiation thereby inhibiting the myelination program. Stat1 interacts with the promoter of Rab11-family interacting protein 1 (Rab11fip1) to initiate SC differentiation.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that Stat1 regulates SC differentiation to control myelinogenic programs and repair, uncover a novel function of Stat1, providing a candidate molecule for clinical intervention in demyelinating diseases.

Project description:BackgroundAxonal myelination is critical for the functioning of vertebrate nervous system. Myelin sheath malformation or degeneration can cause a variety of neurological diseases. Our previous study identified multiple potential myelination-related transcriptional factors (TFs), including expressed sequence tag (ETS) variant transcription factor 1 (Etv1)/Er81, via gene microarray analysis of Schwann cells (SCs) at various myelination stages. Etv1 is known to be involved in the regulation of neuronal specialization, muscle spindle differentiation, and sensorimotor connectivity. However, to our knowledge, to date, there are no relevant studies that Etv1 regulates SC myelination.MethodsTo investigate the roles of Etv1 in SC re-myelination, an in vivo mouse myelination model was used, in which the sciatic nerve is crushed. Etv1 in nerves was knocked down via in situ injection of cholesterol-modified Etv1-small interfering (si)RNA. The expression of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) was evaluated by Western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Myelination was assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of Etv1 on SC proliferation, migration, and differentiation were assessed in vitro using the EdU cell proliferation kit, a culture-insert scratch assay, a SC aggregate sphere migration assay on the axons of dorsal root ganglions (DRGs), and a SC differentiation model. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) united with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), known as ChIP-qPCR, and luciferase activity reporter assays were performed to explore the possible mechanisms by which Etv1 controls SC differentiation and myelination.ResultsThe results demonstrated that Etv1 promoted myelination by facilitating SC proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Etv1 expression in SCs was upregulated during re-myelination, and knocking down Etv1 expression dramatically abrogated SC re-myelination in the crushed sciatic nerves. Moreover, silencing of Etv1 by siRNA in SCs in vitro inhibited its migration, proliferation, and differentiation. The results of ChIP-qPCR and luciferase reporter assay showed that Etv1 may regulate SC differentiation and myelination by binding to the promoters of myelination-related genes, such as MAG and Runx2, to initiate their transcription.ConclusionsTaken together, these findings demonstrated a previously unknown role of Etv1 in SC differentiation and myelination, providing a candidate molecular target for clinical interventions in demyelinating diseases.

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Zeb2 is essential for Schwann cell differentiation, myelination and nerve repair.

Publications

Zeb2 is essential for Schwann cell differentiation, myelination and nerve repair.

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