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Epithelial expressions of Gata4 and Sox2 regulate murine specification of the squamous–columnar junction via MAPK/ERK signaling

ABSTRACT: The squamous–columnar junction (SCJ) is a boundary consisting of precisely positioned transitional epithelium between the squamous and columnar epithelium. Transitional epithelium is a hotspot for precancerous lesions, and is therefore clinically important; however, the origins and physiological properties of transitional epithelium have not been fully elucidated. Here, by using mouse genetics, lineage tracing, and organoid culture, we examine the development of the SCJ in the mouse stomach, and thus define the unique features of transitional epithelium. We find that two transcription factors, encoded by Sox2 and Gata4, specify primitive transitional epithelium into squamous and columnar epithelium. The proximal–distal segregation of Sox2 and Gata4 expression establishes the boundary of the unspecified transitional epithelium between committed squamous and columnar epithelium. Mechanistically, Gata4-mediated expression of the morphogen Fgf10 in the distal stomach and Sox2-mediated Fgfr2 expression in the proximal stomach induce the intermediate regional activation of MAPK/ERK, which prevents the differentiation of transitional epithelial cells at the SCJ boundary. Our results have implications for tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis, which are related to the SCJ.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE143217 | GEO | 2020/12/17

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background & Aims: Tissue metaplasia is uncommon in adults because established cis-element programs resist rewiring. In Barrett’s esophagus, the distal esophageal mucosa acquires predominantly intestinal character, with notable gastric features, and is predisposed to develop invasive cancers. We sought to understand the chromatin underpinnings of Barrett’s metaplasia and why it commonly displays simultaneous gastric and intestinal properties. Methods: We profiled cis-regulatory elements with active histone modifications in primary human biopsy materials using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq). Mutations in Barrett’s esophagus were examined in relation to tissue-specific enhancer landscapes using a random-forest machine learning algorithm. We also profiled open chromatin at single-cell resolution in primary Barrett’s biopsy specimens using the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (ATAC-seq). We used one- and two-color immunohistochemistry to examine protein expression of tissue-restricted genes. Results: Barrett’s esophagus bears epigenome fingerprints of human stomach and intestinal columnar, but not esophageal squamous, epithelia. Mutational patterns were best explained as arising on the epigenome background of active gastric cis-elements, supporting the view that adjoining stomach epithelium is a likely tissue source. Individual cells in Barrett’s metaplasia co-express gastric and intestinal genes, reflecting concomitant chromatin access at enhancers ordinarily restricted to one or the other epithelium. Protein expression of stomach-specific mucins, CLDN18, and a novel gastric marker, ANXA10, revealed extensive tissue and sub-clonal heterogeneity of dual stomach-intestinal cell states. Conclusions: These findings reveal mixed and dynamic tissue-restricted chromatin states and phenotypic heterogeneity in Barrett’s esophagus. Pervasive intra-gland variation argues against stem-cell governance of this phenotype.

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Epithelial expressions of Gata4 and Sox2 regulate murine specification of the squamous–columnar junction via MAPK/ERK signaling

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