Project description:Calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), through the actions of their respective receptors, the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) and the vitamin D receptor (VDR), potentiate keratinocyte differentiation. VDR regulates epidermal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation by modulating gene transcription, whereas the CaSR, a member of the family C G-protein coupled receptor, calcium mobilizes intracellular calcium and induces the formation of cell-cell junctions. 1,25D3 augments the sensitivity of the prodifferentiating actions of calcium by increasing the expression of CaSR. CaSR- and VDR-deficient keratinocytes share common characteristics such as abnormal intercellular adhesion and sphigolipid metabolism. Both CaSR and VDR are abundantly expressed in epidermal stem cell populations including CD34 expressing bulge keratinocytes in hair follicles and basal cells in interfollicular epidermis. To delineate the role of CaSR- and VDR-dependent pathways in regulating epidermal development and functions in physiological state, we generated conditional CaSR-null and VDR-null mice, where Casr and VDR gene was removed from keratinocytes. Keratinocyte-specific CaSR-null and VDR-null mice manifest distinct phenotypes. CaSR-null mice display defective epidermal permeability barrier function due to aberrant keratinocyte differentiation. VDR-null mice develop alopecia after completing the first hair follicle cycling. Concurrent ablation of CaSR and VDR genes in keratinocytes delays rate of wound repair and increases incidence of skin tumor formation to a greater extent than deletion of the CaSR or VDR alone, indicative of synergistic effects of calcium and 1,25D3 signaling. Gene expression profiles and subsequent pathway analysis on the epidermis derived from 5-day-old neonates revealed that ablation of CaSR or VDR increased expression of genes associated with cancer progression and metastasis. Deletion of VDR markedly inhibited signaling pathways that regulate hair development. Furthermore, concurrent ablation of CaSR and VDR significantly suppressed calcium, VDR, Wnt/b-catenin signaling, as well as epithelial adherence junction signaling to maintain appropriate keratinocyte adhesion. These results indicated the interplay of calcium/CaSR and 1,25D3/VDR signaling in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, and their importance in maintaining normal epidermal adhesion and functions. n=3 CON and KO (each sample contain RNA isolated from neonatal epidermis separated from 3 mice)

Project description:Calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), through the actions of their respective receptors, the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) and the vitamin D receptor (VDR), potentiate keratinocyte differentiation. VDR regulates epidermal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation by modulating gene transcription, whereas the CaSR, a member of the family C G-protein coupled receptor, calcium mobilizes intracellular calcium and induces the formation of cell-cell junctions. 1,25D3 augments the sensitivity of the prodifferentiating actions of calcium by increasing the expression of CaSR. CaSR- and VDR-deficient keratinocytes share common characteristics such as abnormal intercellular adhesion and sphigolipid metabolism. Both CaSR and VDR are abundantly expressed in epidermal stem cell populations including CD34 expressing bulge keratinocytes in hair follicles and basal cells in interfollicular epidermis. To delineate the role of CaSR- and VDR-dependent pathways in regulating epidermal development and functions in physiological state, we generated conditional CaSR-null and VDR-null mice, where Casr and VDR gene was removed from keratinocytes. Keratinocyte-specific CaSR-null and VDR-null mice manifest distinct phenotypes. CaSR-null mice display defective epidermal permeability barrier function due to aberrant keratinocyte differentiation. VDR-null mice develop alopecia after completing the first hair follicle cycling. Concurrent ablation of CaSR and VDR genes in keratinocytes delays rate of wound repair and increases incidence of skin tumor formation to a greater extent than deletion of the CaSR or VDR alone, indicative of synergistic effects of calcium and 1,25D3 signaling. Gene expression profiles and subsequent pathway analysis on the epidermis derived from 5-day-old neonates revealed that ablation of CaSR or VDR increased expression of genes associated with cancer progression and metastasis. Deletion of VDR markedly inhibited signaling pathways that regulate hair development. Furthermore, concurrent ablation of CaSR and VDR significantly suppressed calcium, VDR, Wnt/b-catenin signaling, as well as epithelial adherence junction signaling to maintain appropriate keratinocyte adhesion. These results indicated the interplay of calcium/CaSR and 1,25D3/VDR signaling in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, and their importance in maintaining normal epidermal adhesion and functions.

Project description:Pituicytoma (PITUI), granular cell tumor (GCT), and spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) are rare tumors of the posterior pituitary. Histologically, they may be challenging to distinguish and have been proposed to represent a histological spectrum of a single entity. We performed targeted next-generation sequencing, DNA methylation profiling, and copy number analysis on 47 tumors (14 PITUI; 12 GCT; 21 SCO) to investigate molecular features and explore possibilities of clinically meaningful tumor subclassification. We detected two main epigenomic subgroups by unsupervised clustering of DNA methylation data, though the overall methylation differences were subtle. The largest group (n = 23) contained most PITUIs and a subset of SCOs and was enriched for pathogenic mutations within genes in the MAPK/PI3K pathways (12/17 [71%] of sequenced tumors: FGFR1 (3), HRAS (3), BRAF (2), NF1 (2), CBL (1), MAP2K2 (1), PTEN (1)) and two with accompanying TERT promoter mutation. The second group (n = 16) contained most GCTs and a subset of SCOs, all of which mostly lacked identifiable genetic drivers. Outcome analysis demonstrated that the presence of chromosomal imbalances was significantly associated with reduced progression-free survival especially within the combined PITUI and SCO group (p = 0.031). In summary, we observed only subtle DNA methylation differences between posterior pituitary tumors, indicating that these tumors may be best classified as subtypes of a single entity. Nevertheless, our data indicate differences in mutation patterns and clinical outcome. For a clinically meaningful subclassification, we propose a combined histo-molecular approach into three subtypes: one subtype is defined by granular cell histology, scarcity of identifiable oncogenic mutations, and favorable outcome. The other two subtypes have either SCO or PITUI histology but are segregated by chromosomal copy number profile into a favorable group (no copy number changes) and a less favorable group (copy number imbalances present). Both of the latter groups have recurrent MAPK/PI3K genetic alterations that represent potential therapeutic targets.

Dataset Information

Calcium, vitamin D, VDR genotypes, and epigenetic and genetic changes in rectal tumors.

Publications

Calcium, vitamin D, VDR genotypes, and epigenetic and genetic changes in rectal tumors.

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