Project description:We wanted to assess the role of a specific smooth muscle protein (MMP17) in two different intestinal compartments, the epithelium (crypts) and the smooth muscle. To do that we isolate intestinal crypts from wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO, Mmp17-/-) mice, and obtained clean strips of smooth muscle. After muscle dissociation, we obtained RNA directly from crypts and muscle, and it was used for RNA-seq. By comparing WT and KO samples we observed a higher impact in gene expression affecting crypts, even though MMP17 is only expressed in muscle. This helped us to identify altered signaling pathways in KO crypts that linked MMP17 with SMAD4 and BMP signaling.
Project description:mRNA profiling of mouse ureters comparing wild-type ureter vs. ureters from mice having whole body deletion of miR-143 and miR-145 which results in abnormal ureter peristalsis and hydronephrosis We used microarrays to detail the global program of gene expression in wild-type and miR-143/145-deficient ureters which revealed dysregulation of genes linked to smooth muscle morphology and function.
Project description:In order to unravel the impact of intestinal smooth muscle tissue on the intestinal epithelium, we isolated clean smooth muscle, cultured it for 24h in DMEM-F12, and collected the supernatant (muscle-SN). This supernatant was used to treat small intestinal organoids (made of intestinal epithelium), compared to normal ENR treatment. After 5 days of muscle-SN exposure, we disrupted the organoids, and directly isolate the RNA. RNA-seq was performed in this sample to assess the genetic changes induced by muscle products.
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells require beta1 integrin for survival. Following the induced deletion of smooth muscle beta1 integrin, smooth muscle cells undergo apoptosis and arteries become fibrotic. This microarray study on mesenteric arteries 2 weeks after the initiation of beta1 integrin deletion specifically in smooth muscle cells of the adult mouse aimed to examine early changes in expression following deletion. Mesenteric arteries from three wild type mixed background and three beta1 integrin smooth muscle knockout mixed background mice are examined.
Project description:mRNA profiling of mouse ureters comparing wild-type ureter vs. ureters from mice having whole body deletion of miR-143 and miR-145 which results in abnormal ureter peristalsis and hydronephrosis We used microarrays to detail the global program of gene expression in wild-type and miR-143/145-deficient ureters which revealed dysregulation of genes linked to smooth muscle morphology and function. Two condition experiment: wild type vs miR-143/145 KO; biological replicates: individual mice - 2 wild type, 2 mutant. One replicate per array.
Project description:Diverse functions of the homeodomain transcription factor BARX1 include Wnt-dependent, non-cell autonomous specification of the stomach epithelium, tracheo-bronchial septation, and Wnt-independent expansion of the spleen primordium. Tight spatio-temporal regulation of Barx1 levels in the mesentery and stomach mesenchyme suggests additional roles. To determine these functions, we forced constitutive BARX1 expression in the Bapx1 expression domain, which includes the mesentery and intestinal mesenchyme, and also examined Barx1-/- embryos in further detail. Transgenic embryos invariably showed intestinal truncation and malrotation, in part reflecting abnormal left-right patterning. Ectopic BARX1 expression did not affect intestinal epithelium, but intestinal smooth muscle developed with features typical of the stomach wall. BARX1, which is normally restricted to the developing stomach, drives robust smooth muscle expansion in this organ by promoting proliferation of myogenic progenitors at the expense of other sub-epithelial cells. Undifferentiated embryonic stomach and intestinal mesenchyme showed modest differences in mRNA expression and BARX1 was sufficient to induce much of the stomach profile in intestinal cells. However, limited binding at cis-regulatory sites implies that BARX1 may act principally through other transcription factors. Genes expressed ectopically in BARX1+ intestinal mesenchyme and reduced in Barx1-/- stomach mesenchyme include Isl1, Pitx1, Six2 and Pitx2, transcription factors known to control left-right patterning and influence smooth muscle development. The sum of evidence suggests that potent BARX1 functions in intestinal rotation and stomach myogenesis occur through this small group of intermediary transcription factors. To investigate how Barx1 regulates gut smooth muscle development in a cell-autonomous manner, we used Affymetrix arrays to profile genes enriched in wild-type stomach and BARX1-overexpressing intestinal mesenchyme, compared to wild-type intestinal mesenchyme.
Project description:We show that Mustn1 (Musculoskeletal embryonic nuclear protein 1, also known as Mustang) is highly expressed in skeletal muscle during the early stages of hindlimb reloading. Mustn1 expression is transiently elevated in mouse and human skeletal muscle in response to intense exercise, resistance exercise, or injury. We find that Mustn1 expression is highest in smooth muscle-rich tissues, followed by skeletal muscle fibers. Muscle from heterozygous Mustn1-deficient mice exhibit differences in gene expression related to the extracellular matrix and cell adhesion, compared to wild-type littermates. Mustn1-deficient mice have normal muscle and aorta function and whole-body glucose metabolism. Loss of Mustn1 in vascular smooth muscle cells does not affect their proliferative or migratory functions. We show that Mustn1 can be secreted from smooth muscle cells, and that it is present in arterioles of the muscle microvasculature and in muscle interstitial fluid, in particular during the hindlimb reloading phase. Proteomics analysis of muscle from Mustn1-deficient mice confirms differences in extracellular matrix composition, and female mice display higher collagen content after chemically induced muscle injury compared to wild-type littermates.