Project description:Here we reveal a lncRNA-transcription factor network with the MAF/MAFB transcription factors as central players in directing the epidermal differentiation program.
Project description:Using kinetic gene expression analysis of regenerated epidermis over a 7 day time-course, we identify a lncRNA-transription factor network with the MAF/MAFB transcription factors as central players in directing the epidermal differentiation program.
Project description:MafB is a member of the Maf family of bZip transcription factor and plays important roles in the developmental processes of various tissues, as well as in cell-type specific gene expression. MafB is expressed in differentiating keratinocytes in mice and is transcriptionally up-regulated upon human keratinocyte differentiation in vitro. In MafB-deficient mice, epidermal differentiation is partially impaired and the cornified layer is thinner. To gain insights into more detailed molecular mechanisms of MafB regulation of epidermal development, we performed microarray analysis of mRNAs isolated from dorsal skin epidermis of MafB-/- and wild-type mice at E18.5. Epidermis was separated from dorsal skin tissues of E18.5 mouse embryos (MafB-/- and WT) by Dispase (Life Technologies) treatment. Total RNA was isolated using Trizol reagent (Life Technologies), purified using an RNeasy mini kit (Qiagen), and subjected to microarray analysis.
Project description:MafB is a member of the Maf family of bZip transcription factor and plays important roles in the developmental processes of various tissues, as well as in cell-type specific gene expression. MafB is expressed in differentiating keratinocytes in mice and is transcriptionally up-regulated upon human keratinocyte differentiation in vitro. In MafB-deficient mice, epidermal differentiation is partially impaired and the cornified layer is thinner. To gain insights into more detailed molecular mechanisms of MafB regulation of epidermal development, we performed microarray analysis of mRNAs isolated from dorsal skin epidermis of MafB-/- and wild-type mice at E18.5.
Project description:Morphogenesis of the gonad requires cell-cell adhesion changes between diverse cell types. In the Drosophila gonad, the gene traffic jam regulates cell adhesion changes required for gonad formation and germ cell development (Li et al., 2003. Nature Cell Biol). To determine if the mammalian homologs of traffic jam in mammals, c-Maf and Mafb, also play a role in the transcription regulation of cell adhesion molecules in the mouse gonad, we performed a microarray analysis of FACS-purified Mafb-GFP-positive cells in E12.5 male control and c-Maf/Mafb mutant gonads. We used microarrays to determine genes affected by c-Maf mutation in E12.5 mouse gonad/mesonephros interstitial cells and macrophages E12.5 XY control (c-Maf+/-;Mafb-GFP+/-) and c-mutant (c-Maf-/-;Mafb-GFP+/-) gonad/interstitial interstitial cells and macrophages were obtained by FACS sorting of Mafb-GFP-positive cells. RNA was extracted for subsequent hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays.
Project description:Morphogenesis of the gonad requires cell-cell adhesion changes between diverse cell types. In the Drosophila gonad, the gene traffic jam regulates cell adhesion changes required for gonad formation and germ cell development (Li et al., 2003. Nature Cell Biol). To determine if the mammalian homologs of traffic jam in mammals, c-Maf and Mafb, also play a role in the transcription regulation of cell adhesion molecules in the mouse gonad, we performed a microarray analysis of FACS-purified Mafb-GFP-positive cells in E12.5 male control and c-Maf/Mafb mutant gonads. We used microarrays to determine genes affected by c-Maf mutation in E12.5 mouse gonad/mesonephros interstitial cells and macrophages
Project description:Numerous long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were shown to have functional impact on cellular processes, such as human epidermal homeostasis, but for only a few the mode of action has been elucidated. Here, we report that lncRNA LINC00941 controls keratinocyte differentiation on a global level through association with the MTA2/NuRD complex, one of the major chromatin remodelers in cells. LINC00941 was found to interact with NuRD-associated MTA2, suppressing the expression of the transcription factor EGR3, a regulator of epidermal differentiation. Both LINC00941 and the MTA2/NuRD complex are enriched in non-differentiated keratinocytes and repress the expression of differentiation genes through epigenetic silencing of EGR3, consequentially preventing premature differentiation of human progenitor cells.
Project description:Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) are highly specialized within the hepatic vascular niche, controlling liver function and disease pathogenesis by angiocrine signaling. Recently, we identified GATA4 as a major transcription factor controlling LSEC development and protecting against liver fibrosis. As the transcription factor c-Maf was strongly downregulated in Gata4-deficient LSEC, we hypothesized that c-Maf might be an important downstream effector of GATA4 in LSEC differentiation and liver fibrogenesis. Clec4g-iCre/Maf fl/fl mice (Maf-LSEC-KO) mice with LSEC-specific Maf deficiency were generated and liver tissue was analyzed by histology, immunofluorescence, and in situ-hybridization at the age of three months. LSECs were isolated for RNA-, ATAC-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) analysis. The expression of MAF and its targets were analyzed in published human scRNA-seq data. Endothelial Maf deficiency resulted in perisinusoidal liver fibrosis without affecting metabolic liver zonation, accompanied by a switch from sinusoidal to continuous endothelial differentiation. Furthermore, endothelial Maf deficiency caused hepatic endothelial proliferation and expression of profibrotic angiocrine factors such as Pdgfb, Igfbp5, Sparcl-1, and Flrt2. scRNA-seq revealed replacement of zonated LSEC subpopulations by capillarized, proliferative, sprouting and secretory endothelial cell subset promoting liver fibrogenesis and angiogenesis. This fundamental dysregulation of LSEC gene expression and differentiation was caused by changes in chromatin accessibility and transcription factor network alterations at promoter and enhancer regions following loss of Maf. Notably, endothelial MAF expression was also significantly reduced in human liver cirrhosis patients. Hepatic endothelial c-Maf protects against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis-like liver fibrosis and regulates endothelial differentiation and zonation by controlling chromatin opening. Notably, our findings may open up new avenues to develop angiotargeted strategies for hepatic disease prevention and liver repair.