Project description:Srf is a MADS-box transcription factor that is critical for muscle differentiation. Its function in hematopoiesis has not yet been revealed. Mkl1, a cofactor of Srf, is part of the t(1;22) translocation in acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, and plays a critical role in megakaryopoiesis. In order to test the role of Srf in megakaryocyte development, we crossed Pf4-Cre mice, which express Cre recombinase in cells committed to the megakaryocytic lineage, to SrfF/F mice in which functional Srf is no longer expressed after Cre-mediated excision. Pf4-Cre/SrfF/F (KO) mice are born with normal mendelian frequency, but have significant macrothrombocytopenia with approximately 50% reduction in platelet count. In contrast, the BM has increased numbers and percentages of CD41+ megakaryocytes (WT: 0.41+/-0.06%; KO: 1.92+/-0.12%) with significantly reduced ploidy. KO mice show significantly increased megakaryocyte progenitors in the BM by both FACS analysis and CFU-Mk. Megakaryocytes lacking Srf have abnormal stress fiber and demarcation membrane formation and platelets lacking Srf have abnormal actin distribution. In vitro and in vivo assays reveal platelet function defects in KO mice. Critical actin cytoskeletal genes are downregulated in KO megakaryocytes. Thus, Srf is required for normal megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production, due at least in part, to regulation of cytoskeletal genes. C-kit+CD41+ megakaryocyte progenitors from PF4-Cre/SRF C57BL/6 SRF WT (3) and C57BL/6 SRF KO (3) mice were sorted by flow cytometry and cultured for three days in thrombopoietin.
Project description:Srf is a MADS-box transcription factor that is critical for muscle differentiation. Its function in hematopoiesis has not yet been revealed. Mkl1, a cofactor of Srf, is part of the t(1;22) translocation in acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, and plays a critical role in megakaryopoiesis. In order to test the role of Srf in megakaryocyte development, we crossed Pf4-Cre mice, which express Cre recombinase in cells committed to the megakaryocytic lineage, to SrfF/F mice in which functional Srf is no longer expressed after Cre-mediated excision. Pf4-Cre/SrfF/F (KO) mice are born with normal mendelian frequency, but have significant macrothrombocytopenia with approximately 50% reduction in platelet count. In contrast, the BM has increased numbers and percentages of CD41+ megakaryocytes (WT: 0.41+/-0.06%; KO: 1.92+/-0.12%) with significantly reduced ploidy. KO mice show significantly increased megakaryocyte progenitors in the BM by both FACS analysis and CFU-Mk. Megakaryocytes lacking Srf have abnormal stress fiber and demarcation membrane formation and platelets lacking Srf have abnormal actin distribution. In vitro and in vivo assays reveal platelet function defects in KO mice. Critical actin cytoskeletal genes are downregulated in KO megakaryocytes. Thus, Srf is required for normal megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production, due at least in part, to regulation of cytoskeletal genes.
Project description:Megakaryocytes isolated from Gfi1b flox/flox mice carrying PF4-Cre or not, and from Gfi1b flox/flox mice carrying ROSA-Cre-ERT with or without tamoxifen injection were analyzed for differential expression by RNA-Seq
Project description:Primary liver cancer usually occurs in a context of chronic liver disease (CLD), being associated with fibrosis. Platelets have emerged as important regulators of CLD and liver cancer, although their precise function and mechanism of action need to be clarified. C3G (RapGEF1) regulates platelet activation, adhesion and secretion. Therefore, we have evaluated the role of platelet C3G in chemically-induced fibrosis and liver cancer associated with fibrosis using genetically modified mouse models: mice overexpressing full-length C3G or C3G lacking the catalytic domain in platelets and megakaryocytes, and C3G knockout mice with deletion of C3G in platelets and megakaryocytes (PF4-C3GKO mouse model). Liver immune cell populations have been analyzed as well as regulatory factors involved in regulation of liver fibrosis and cancer. In relation to this, proteins differentially present in platelet-rich -plasma (PRP) from wt and PF4-C3GKO mice have been identified in a wide proteomic analysis. Additionally, differentially secreted proteins by PF4-C3GKO compared to wt platelets have been identified.
Project description:Serum response factor (SRF), a MADS-box transcription factor, is essential for murine embryonic development and for the function of muscle cells and neurons. SRF and its transcriptional co-factors are broadly expressed. To determine the in vivo role of SRF in developing lymphocytes we specifically inactivated the murine Srf gene during T or B cell development using lymphocyte-specific Cre transgenic mouse lines. T cell-specific Srf deletion led to a severe block in thymocyte development at the transition from double to single positive stage. The few residual T cells detectable in the periphery retained at least one functional Srf allele, thereby demonstrating the importance of SRF in T cell development. In contrast, deletion of Srf in developing B cells did not interfere with the growth and survival of B cells in general, yet led to a complete loss of marginal zone B cells and a marked reduction of the CD5+ B cell subset. Our study also revealed a contribution of SRF to the expression of the surface molecules IgM, CD19, and the chemokine receptor 4 in B lymphocytes. Experiment Overall Design: Comparison of the gene expression profile between murine wildtype IgM+IgD+ cells and srf-deficient IgM+IgD+ cells isolated from spleens
Project description:We found that BAP1 (BRCA1 Associated Protein-1) shows loss of heterozygosity in over 25% of pancreatic cancer patients and functions as tumor suppressor. Conditional deletion of Bap1 in murine pancreas led to genomic instability, accumulation of DNA damage, and an inflammatory response that evolved to pancreatitis with full penetrance. Concomitant expression of oncogenic KrasG12D led to malignant transformation and development of invasive and metastatic pancreatic cancer. At the molecular level, BAP1 maintains the integrity of the exocrine pancreas by regulating genomic stability and its loss confers sensitivity to radio- and platinum-based therapies.
Project description:Serum response factor (SRF), a MADS-box transcription factor, is essential for murine embryonic development and for the function of muscle cells and neurons. SRF and its transcriptional co-factors are broadly expressed. To determine the in vivo role of SRF in developing lymphocytes we specifically inactivated the murine Srf gene during T or B cell development using lymphocyte-specific Cre transgenic mouse lines. T cell-specific Srf deletion led to a severe block in thymocyte development at the transition from double to single positive stage. The few residual T cells detectable in the periphery retained at least one functional Srf allele, thereby demonstrating the importance of SRF in T cell development. In contrast, deletion of Srf in developing B cells did not interfere with the growth and survival of B cells in general, yet led to a complete loss of marginal zone B cells and a marked reduction of the CD5+ B cell subset. Our study also revealed a contribution of SRF to the expression of the surface molecules IgM, CD19, and the chemokine receptor 4 in B lymphocytes. Keywords: Genetic modification