Tbx2 and Tbx3 regulate cell fate progression of the otic vesicle for inner ear development
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: The morphogenesis of the otic vesicle (OV) to form inner ear organs serves as an excellent model system to understand cell fate acquisition on a single cell level. Tbx2 and Tbx3 (Tbx2/3) encode closely related T-box transcription factors that are expressed widely in the mammalian otic vesicle (OV). Inactivation of both genes in the Pax2-Cre lineage (Tbx2/3cKO) results in failed morphogenesis of the OV into inner ear organs. To understand the basis of these defects, single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed on the OV lineage using Pax2-Cre, in controls versus Tbx2/3cKO embryos, at stage E10.5. We identified a multipotent population termed otic progenitors that are localized to the anterior ventrolateral region of the OV in controls and are marked by expression of Fgf18, Sox3, and Cxcl12. The otic progenitor population was increased three-fold in Tbx2/3cKO embryos, concomitant with dysregulation of genes in these cells as well as reduced progression to more differentiated states of prosensory and nonsensory cells. An ectopic neural population of cells was detected in the posterior OV of Tbx2/3cKO embryos due to increased expression of Neurog1 and NeuroD1 but with reduced maturation. As all three cell fates were affected in Tbx2/3cKO embryos, we suggest that Tbx2/3 promotes progression of multipotent otic progenitors to more differentiated cell types in the OV.
Project description:The T-box transcription factor Tbx1 is expressed in the otic vesicle and surrounding periotic mesenchyme during inner ear development. Mesenchymal Tbx1 is essential for inner ear development, with conditional mutants displaying defects in both auditory and vestibular systems. We have previously identified reduced expression of retinoic acid metabolic genes in the periotic mesenchyme of mesoderm conditional Tbx1 mutants, using the T-Cre mouse line, implicating retinoic acid in mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of Tbx1 in the periotic mesenchyme. In order to identify downstream effectors of mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of mesenchymal Tbx1, we have utilized a gene profiling approach comparing embryonic day 11.5 otic vesicle and surrounding periotic mesenchyme from T-Cre-mediated conditional Tbx1 mutants (Mest-KO) and conditional heterozygous control litter mates (control). This data was used in conjunction with OV-only data (GSE34064) to identify expression changes within the periotic mesenchyme. E11.5 T-Cre-mediated conditional Tbx1 mutants (Mest-KO) and control (T-Cre conditional Tbx1 heterozygotes) embryos were microdissected to isolate the otic vesicle and surrounding periotic mesenchyme. Left and right ears from 3 embryos of the same genotype were pooled for each chip, and 3 biological replicates of each chip were performed.
Project description:The T-box transcription factor Tbx1 is expressed in the otic vesicle and surrounding periotic mesenchyme during inner ear development. Mesenchymal Tbx1 is essential for inner ear development, with conditional mutants displaying defects in both auditory and vestibular systems. We have previously identified reduced expression of retinoic acid metabolic genes in the periotic mesenchyme of mesoderm conditional Tbx1 mutants, using the T-Cre mouse line, implicating retinoic acid in mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of Tbx1 in the periotic mesenchyme. In order to identify downstream effectors of mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of mesenchymal Tbx1, we have utilized a gene profiling approach comparing embryonic day 11.5 otic vesicle tissue from T-Cre-mediated conditional Tbx1 mutants (Mest-KO) and conditional heterozygous control litter mates (control). E11.5 T-Cre-mediated conditional Tbx1 mutants (Mest-KO) and control (T-Cre conditional Tbx1 heterozygotes) embryos were microdissected to isolate the otic vesicle. Left and right ears from 3 embryos of the same genotype were pooled for each chip.
Project description:The T-box transcription factor Tbx1 is expressed in the otic vesicle and surrounding periotic mesenchyme during inner ear development. Mesenchymal Tbx1 is essential for inner ear development, with conditional mutants displaying defects in both auditory and vestibular systems. We have previously identified reduced expression of retinoic acid metabolic genes in the periotic mesenchyme of mesoderm conditional Tbx1 mutants, using the T-Cre mouse line, implicating retinoic acid in mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of Tbx1 in the periotic mesenchyme. In order to identify downstream effectors of mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of mesenchymal Tbx1, we have utilized a gene profiling approach comparing embryonic day 11.5 otic vesicle and surrounding periotic mesenchyme from T-Cre-mediated conditional Tbx1 mutants (Mest-KO) and conditional heterozygous control litter mates (control). This data was used in conjunction with OV-only data (GSE34064) to identify expression changes within the periotic mesenchyme.
Project description:The T-box transcription factor Tbx1 is expressed in the otic vesicle and surrounding periotic mesenchyme during inner ear development. Mesenchymal Tbx1 is essential for inner ear development, with conditional mutants displaying defects in both auditory and vestibular systems. We have previously identified reduced expression of retinoic acid metabolic genes in the periotic mesenchyme of mesoderm conditional Tbx1 mutants, using the T-Cre mouse line, implicating retinoic acid in mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of Tbx1 in the periotic mesenchyme. In order to identify downstream effectors of mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of mesenchymal Tbx1, we have utilized a gene profiling approach comparing embryonic day 12.5 periotic tissue from T-Cre-mediated conditional Tbx1 mutants (Mest-KO) and conditional heterozygous control litter mates (control). E12.5 T-Cre-mediated conditional Tbx1 mutants (Mest-KO) and control (T-Cre conditional Tbx1 heterozygotes) embryos were microdissected to isolate the otic vesicle and surrounding periotic mesenchyme. Left and right tissue from each individual embryo was pooled, and 5 control and 5 mutant embryos were analyzed on individual microarrays using Affymetrix Mouse Gene ST 1.0 chips.
Project description:A large number of congenital hearing loss cases have an unknown genetic etiology. So far, transcriptomic approaches have successfully identified many candidate regulators of otic development, little is known about the abundance of their protein products during the development of the inner eat. Herein we used a multiplexed quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach to determine temporal trends in protein abundances during inner ear (otic) development in Xenopus. Wild type Xenopus embryos were cultured to larval stages and their otic tissues were manually dissected at five stages that represent that represent key transitions in otic morphology. The samples were processed using a bottom-up proteomic workflow and analyzed using LC-MS3.The analysis revealed dynamic expression of proteins related to cytoskeletal regulation, integrin signaling, and the extracellular matrix as inner ear structures developed. We correlated the dynamically regulated proteins in our dataset with previously published putative downstream targets of syndromic hearing loss genes SIX1 and CHD7 to identify novel candidate genes for congenital hearing loss.
Project description:The T-box transcription factor Tbx1 is expressed in the otic vesicle and surrounding periotic mesenchyme during inner ear development. Mesenchymal Tbx1 is essential for inner ear development, with conditional mutants displaying defects in both auditory and vestibular systems. We have previously identified reduced expression of retinoic acid metabolic genes in the periotic mesenchyme of mesoderm conditional Tbx1 mutants, using the T-Cre mouse line, implicating retinoic acid in mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of Tbx1 in the periotic mesenchyme. In order to identify downstream effectors of mesenchymal-epithelial signaling downstream of mesenchymal Tbx1, we have utilized a gene profiling approach comparing embryonic day 11.5 otic vesicle tissue from T-Cre-mediated conditional Tbx1 mutants (Mest-KO) and conditional heterozygous control litter mates (control).
Project description:An immortalized multipotent otic progenitor (iMOP) cell was generated by transient expression of c-Myc in Sox2-expressing otic progenitor cells. The procedure activated endogenous c-Myc expression in the cells and amplified existing Sox2-dependent transcripts to promote self-renewal. Downregulation of c-Myc expression following growth factor withdrawal resulted in a molecular switch from self-renewal to otic differentiation. Progenitor cells from embryonic inner ear that form otospheres were infected with a c-Myc retrovirus to promote self-renewal
Project description:Inner ear morphogenesis requires tightly regulated epigenetic and transcriptional control of gene expression. CHD7, an ATP-dependent chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein, and SOX2, an SRY-related HMG box pioneer transcription factor, are known to contribute to vestibular and auditory system development, but their genetic interactions in the ear have not been explored. Here, we analyzed inner ear development and the transcriptional regulatory landscapes in mice with variable dosage of Chd7 and/or Sox2. We show that combined haploinsufficiency for Chd7 and Sox2 results in reduced otic cell proliferation, severe malformations of semicircular canals, and shortened cochlea with ectopic hair cells. Examination of mice with conditional, inducible Chd7 loss by Sox2CreER reveals a critical period (~E9.5) of susceptibility in the inner ear to combined Chd7 and Sox2 loss. Data from genome-wide RNA-sequencing and CUT&Tag studies in the otocyst show that CHD7 regulates Sox2 expression and acts early in a gene regulatory network to control expression of key otic patterning genes, including Pax2 and Otx2. CHD7 and SOX2 directly bind independently and cooperatively at transcription start sites and enhancers to regulate otic progenitor cell proliferation and function. Together, our findings reveal essential roles for Chd7 and Sox2 in the early inner ear and may be applicable for CHD7 and SOX2 related syndromic and other forms of hearing or balance disorders.
Project description:Inner ear morphogenesis requires tightly regulated epigenetic and transcriptional control of gene expression. CHD7, an ATP-dependent chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein, and SOX2, an SRY-related HMG box pioneer transcription factor, are known to contribute to vestibular and auditory system development, but their genetic interactions in the ear have not been explored. Here, we analyzed inner ear development and the transcriptional regulatory landscapes in mice with variable dosage of Chd7 and/or Sox2. We show that combined haploinsufficiency for Chd7 and Sox2 results in reduced otic cell proliferation, severe malformations of semicircular canals, and shortened cochlea with ectopic hair cells. Examination of mice with conditional, inducible Chd7 loss by Sox2CreER reveals a critical period (~E9.5) of susceptibility in the inner ear to combined Chd7 and Sox2 loss. Data from genome-wide RNA-sequencing and CUT&Tag studies in the otocyst show that CHD7 regulates Sox2 expression and acts early in a gene regulatory network to control expression of key otic patterning genes, including Pax2 and Otx2. CHD7 and SOX2 directly bind independently and cooperatively at transcription start sites and enhancers to regulate otic progenitor cell proliferation and function. Together, our findings reveal essential roles for Chd7 and Sox2 in the early inner ear and may be applicable for CHD7 and SOX2 related syndromic and other forms of hearing or balance disorders.