ABSTRACT: Deletion of Scap in Alveolar Type II Cells Influences Lung Lipid Homeostasis and Identifies a Compensatory Role for Pulmonary Lipofibroblasts
Project description:Pulmonary function after birth is dependent upon surfactant lipids that reduce surface tension in the alveoli. The sterol-responsive element-binding proteins (SREBPs) are transcription factors regulating expression of genes controlling lipid homeostasis in many tissues. To identify the role of SREBPs in the lung, we conditionally deleted the SREBP cleavage-activating protein gene, Scap, in respiratory epithelial cells (Scap∆/∆) in vivo. Prior to birth (E18.5), deletion of Scap decreased the expression of both SREBPs and a number of genes regulating fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism. Nevertheless, Scap∆/∆ mice survived postnatally, surfactant and lung tissue lipids being substantially normalized in adult Scap∆/∆ mice. Although phospholipid synthesis was decreased in type II cells from adult Scap∆/∆ mice, lipid storage, synthesis, and transfer by lung lipofibroblasts were increased. mRNA microarray data indicated that SCAP influenced two major gene networks, one regulating lipid metabolism and the other stress-related responses. Deletion of the SCAP/SREBP pathway in respiratory epithelial cells altered lung lipid homeostasis and induced compensatory lipid accumulation and synthesis in lung lipofibroblasts. To identify the role of SREBPs in the lung, we conditionally deleted the SREBP cleavage-activating protein gene, Scap, in respiratory epithelial cells (Scap∆/∆) in vivo.Lung cRNA was hybridized to the murine genome MOE430 V2 chips.
Project description:Pulmonary function after birth is dependent upon surfactant lipids that reduce surface tension in the alveoli. The sterol-responsive element-binding proteins (SREBPs) are transcription factors regulating expression of genes controlling lipid homeostasis in many tissues. To identify the role of SREBPs in the lung, we conditionally deleted the SREBP cleavage-activating protein gene, Scap, in respiratory epithelial cells (Scap∆/∆) in vivo. Prior to birth (E18.5), deletion of Scap decreased the expression of both SREBPs and a number of genes regulating fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism. Nevertheless, Scap∆/∆ mice survived postnatally, surfactant and lung tissue lipids being substantially normalized in adult Scap∆/∆ mice. Although phospholipid synthesis was decreased in type II cells from adult Scap∆/∆ mice, lipid storage, synthesis, and transfer by lung lipofibroblasts were increased. mRNA microarray data indicated that SCAP influenced two major gene networks, one regulating lipid metabolism and the other stress-related responses. Deletion of the SCAP/SREBP pathway in respiratory epithelial cells altered lung lipid homeostasis and induced compensatory lipid accumulation and synthesis in lung lipofibroblasts.
Project description:We have previously demonstrated that deletion of the Cebpa gene in the developing fetal mouse lung caused death soon after birth from the failure of lung maturation. Many of the transcriptional pathways regulating morphogenesis of the fetal lung are induced postnatally and mediate repair of the injured lung. We hypothesized that C/EBPa plays a role in protection of the alveolar epithelium following hyperoxia injury of the mature lung. Transgenic Cebpa∆/∆ mice in which Cebpa was conditionally deleted from Clara cells (from early gestation) and type II cells (from near-term) were developed. Cebpa∆/∆ mice grow normally without any pulmonary abnormalities. Cebpa∆/∆ mice were highly susceptible to hyperoxia. Cebpa∆/∆ mice died within 4d after hyperoxia associated with severe lung inflammation and altered surfactant components at a time when all control mice survived. Microarrays were analyzed on isolated type II cells at an early stage (24h) of hyperoxia exposure to detect the primary genes influenced by deletion of Cebpa. The associated network analysis revealed the reduced expression of key genes related to surfactant lipid and protein homeostasis, such as Srebf, Scap, Lpcat1, Abca3, Sftpb, and Napsa. Genes for the cell signaling, immune response, and protective antioxidants, including GSH and Vnn-1,3, were decreased in the Cebpa∆/∆ mice lung. C/EBPa did not play a critical role in postnatal pulmonary function under normal conditions. In contrast, in the absence of C/EBPa, exposure to hyperoxia caused respiratory failure, supporting the concept that C/EBPa plays an important role in enhancing epithelial cell survival, surfactant lipid homeostasis, and maturation of SP-B from pro-SP-B.
Project description:The amount of pulmonary surfactant within type II cells and in the alveolar space, referred to as surfactant pool sizes, are tightly regulated. The molecular pathways that sense and regulate surfactant pool size within the alveolus have not been identified and constitute a fundamental knowledge gap in the field. Our data show that mice with a germline mutation in the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR116, have a 30-fold accumulation of surfactant phospholipids that causes respiratory distress in adult animals. This phenotype is associated with increased surfactant secretion and induction of the purinergic receptor P2RY2 in young animals, and lipid-laden macrophages and alveolar destruction in older animals. We further demonstrate that GPR116 mRNA expression is developmentally regulated in the murine lung with peak expression at birth when surfactant pool sizes are maximal. Within the lung, GPR116 protein expression is restricted to the apical plasma membrane of alveolar type I and type II epithelial cells. To better understand the roles and molecular mechanisms by which Gpr116 influences gene expression in lung, the effect of cell-selective deletion of Gpr116 (Gpr116D/D) on genome-wide mRNA expression profiles was determined in murine type II alveolar epithelial cells. Differentially expressed genes were identified from Affymetrix Murine GeneChips analysis and subjected to gene ontology classification promoter analysis, pathway mapping and literature mining.
Project description:Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is an autosomal recessive lung disease caused by a deficiency in the pulmonary epithelial Npt2b sodium-phosphate co-transporter that results in accumulation of phosphate and formation of hydroxyapatite microliths in the alveolar space. The single cell transcriptomic analysis of a pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis lung explant showing a robust osteoclast gene signature in alveolar monocytes and the finding that calcium phosphate microliths contain a rich protein and lipid matrix that includes bone resorbing osteoclast enzymes and other proteins suggested a role for osteoclast-like cells in the host response to microliths. While investigating the mechanisms of microlith clearance, we found that Npt2b modulates pulmonary phosphate homeostasis through effects on alternative phosphate transporter activity and alveolar osteoprotegerin, and that microliths induce osteoclast formation and activation in a receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) ligand and dietary phosphate dependent manner. This work reveals that Npt2b and pulmonary osteoclast like cells play key roles in pulmonary homeostasis and suggest potential new therapeutic targets for the treatment of lung disease.
Project description:Deletion of Stat3 induced genes influencing protein metabolism, transport, chemotaxis and apoptosis and decreased the expression of genes mediating lipid synthesis and metabolism. Srebf1 and 2, key regulators of fatty acid and steroid biosynthesis, were decreased in Stat3D/D mice. Stat3 influenced both pro- and anti-apoptotic pathways, regulating and maintaining the balance between a subset of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes that determine cell death or survival. Akt, a known target of Stat3, participates in many Stat3 mediated pathways including Jak-Stat signaling, apoptosis, the MAPK signaling, cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis. Deletion of Stat3 from type II epithelial cells altered the expression of genes regulating diverse cellular processes, including cell growth and apoptosis, lipid biosynthesis and metabolism. Stat3 regulates cell formation through a complex regulatory network that likely enhances alveolar epithelial cell survival and surfactant/lipid synthesis, necessary for the protection of the lung during injury. Experiment Overall Design: To better understand the roles and molecular mechanisms by which Stat3 influences gene expression in lung, the effect of cell-selective deletion of Stat3 (Stat3D/D) on genome wide mRNA expression profiles was determined in murine type II alveolar epithelial cells. Differentially expressed genes were identified from Affymetrix Murine GeneChips analysis and subjected to gene ontology classification promoter analysis, pathway mapping and literature mining.
Project description:Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is an autosomal recessive lung disease caused by a deficiency in the pulmonary epithelial Npt2b sodium-phosphate co-transporter that results in accumulation of phosphate and formation of hydroxyapatite microliths in the alveolar space. The single cell transcriptomic analysis of a pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis lung explant showing a robust osteoclast gene signature in alveolar monocytes and the finding that calcium phosphate microliths contain a rich protein and lipid matrix that includes bone resorbing osteoclast enzymes and other proteins suggested a role for osteoclast-like cells in the host response to microliths. While investigating the mechanisms of microlith clearance, we found that Npt2b modulates pulmonary phosphate homeostasis through effects on alternative phosphate transporter activity and alveolar osteoprotegerin, and that microliths induce osteoclast formation and activation in a receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) ligand and dietary phosphate dependent manner. This work reveals that Npt2b and pulmonary osteoclast like cells play key roles in pulmonary homeostasis and suggest potential new therapeutic targets for the treatment of lung disease.
Project description:Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary syndrome characterized by impaired surfactant clearance, driven by dysfunctional cholesterol efflux in alveolar macrophages (AMs). However, the molecular determinants governing AM cholesterol homeostasis remain largely elusive. Here, through a genome-wide CRISPR activation screen in foamy macrophages and bulk RNA sequencing of AMs from PAP patients, we identify Deltex E3 Ubiquitin Ligase 4 (DTX4) as a pivotal regulator of cholesterol efflux in AMs. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) -mediated silencing of DTX4 led to excessive lipid accumulation in AMs, exacerbated alveolar proteinosis, increased lung opacities on imaging, and significantly deteriorated pulmonary function in mice. Similarly, DTX4 depletion in primary AMs impaired cholesterol efflux and promoted intracellular lipid deposition. In contrast, AM-specific overexpression of DTX4 markedly alleviated lipid accumulation, mitigated alveolar proteinosis, restored lung densities on computed tomography, and rescued pulmonary function in Csf2ra-/-mice, a model of PAP. Mechanistically, DTX4 deficiency downregulated PPAR-γ expression, driving foamy AM formation. Notably, the regulatory function of DTX4 in lipid homeostasis was partially mediated by PPAR-γ but independent of its canonical E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Collectively, our findings establish DTX4 as a central orchestrator of AM cholesterol efflux and surfactant homeostasis, positioning it as a promising therapeutic target for PAP and a potential paradigm for cholesterol dysregulation in related disorders.
Project description:Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary syndrome characterized by impaired surfactant clearance, driven by dysfunctional cholesterol efflux in alveolar macrophages (AMs). However, the molecular determinants governing AM cholesterol homeostasis remain largely elusive. Here, through a genome-wide CRISPR activation screen in foamy macrophages and bulk RNA sequencing of AMs from PAP patients, we identify Deltex E3 Ubiquitin Ligase 4 (DTX4) as a pivotal regulator of cholesterol efflux in AMs. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) -mediated silencing of DTX4 led to excessive lipid accumulation in AMs, exacerbated alveolar proteinosis, increased lung opacities on imaging, and significantly deteriorated pulmonary function in mice. Similarly, DTX4 depletion in primary AMs impaired cholesterol efflux and promoted intracellular lipid deposition. In contrast, AM-specific overexpression of DTX4 markedly alleviated lipid accumulation, mitigated alveolar proteinosis, restored lung densities on computed tomography, and rescued pulmonary function in Csf2ra-/-mice, a model of PAP. Mechanistically, DTX4 deficiency downregulated PPAR-γ expression, driving foamy AM formation. Notably, the regulatory function of DTX4 in lipid homeostasis was partially mediated by PPAR-γ but independent of its canonical E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Collectively, our findings establish DTX4 as a central orchestrator of AM cholesterol efflux and surfactant homeostasis, positioning it as a promising therapeutic target for PAP and a potential paradigm for cholesterol dysregulation in related disorders.
Project description:Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary syndrome characterized by impaired surfactant clearance, driven by dysfunctional cholesterol efflux in alveolar macrophages (AMs). However, the molecular determinants governing AM cholesterol homeostasis remain largely elusive. Here, through a genome-wide CRISPR activation screen in foamy macrophages and bulk RNA sequencing of AMs from PAP patients, we identify Deltex E3 Ubiquitin Ligase 4 (DTX4) as a pivotal regulator of cholesterol efflux in AMs. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) -mediated silencing of DTX4 led to excessive lipid accumulation in AMs, exacerbated alveolar proteinosis, increased lung opacities on imaging, and significantly deteriorated pulmonary function in mice. Similarly, DTX4 depletion in primary AMs impaired cholesterol efflux and promoted intracellular lipid deposition. In contrast, AM-specific overexpression of DTX4 markedly alleviated lipid accumulation, mitigated alveolar proteinosis, restored lung densities on computed tomography, and rescued pulmonary function in Csf2ra-/-mice, a model of PAP. Mechanistically, DTX4 deficiency downregulated PPAR-γ expression, driving foamy AM formation. Notably, the regulatory function of DTX4 in lipid homeostasis was partially mediated by PPAR-γ but independent of its canonical E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Collectively, our findings establish DTX4 as a central orchestrator of AM cholesterol efflux and surfactant homeostasis, positioning it as a promising therapeutic target for PAP and a potential paradigm for cholesterol dysregulation in related disorders.