FOXF1
Forkhead box protein F1 (Forkhead-related activator 1) (FREAC-1) (Forkhead-related protein FKHL5) (Forkhead-related transcription factor 1) [FKHL5] [FREAC1]
Publications[править]
Functional characterization of non-coding elements in the human genome is a major genomic challenge and the maturation of genome-editing technologies is revolutionizing our ability to achieve this task. Oncogene-induced senescence, a cellular state of irreversible proliferation arrest that is enforced following excessive oncogenic activity, is a major barrier against cancer transformation; therefore, bypassing oncogene-induced senescence is a critical step in tumorigenesis. Here, we aim at further identification of enhancer elements that are required for the establishment of this state. We first apply genome-wide profiling of enhancer-RNAs (eRNAs) to systematically identify enhancers that are activated upon oncogenic stress. DNA motif analysis of these enhancers indicates AP-1 as a major regulator of the transcriptional program induced by oncogene-induced senescence. We thus constructed a CRISPR-Cas9 sgRNA library designed to target senescence-induced enhancers that are putatively regulated by AP-1 and used it in a functional screen. We identify a critical enhancer that we name Enh and validate that mutating the AP-1 binding site within this element results in oncogene-induced senescence bypass. Furthermore, we identify FOXF1 as the gene regulated by this enhancer and demonstrate that FOXF1 mediates Enh effect on the senescence phenotype. Our study elucidates a novel cascade mediated by AP-1 and FOXF1 that regulates oncogene-induced senescence and further demonstrates the power of CRISPR-based functional genomic screens in deciphering the function of non-coding regulatory elements in the genome.
MeSH Terms
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Cellular Senescence
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic
- Forkhead Transcription Factors
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Genetic Testing
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Models, Biological
- Oncogenes
- Transcription Factor AP-1
Keywords
- AP1
- CRISPR
- Enhancers
- FOS
- FOXF1
- Functional screen
- Gene regulation
- JUN
- Oncogene-induced senescence
Cell therapy for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) faces serious barriers since tissue-specific adult cells such as nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) have limited proliferative ability and poor regenerative potential; in addition, it is difficult for exogenous adult stem cells to survive the harsh environment of the degenerated intervertebral disc. Endogenous repair by nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells (NPMSCs) has recently shown promising regenerative potential for the treatment of IDD. Notochordal cells (NCs) and NC-conditioned medium (NCCM) have been proven to possess regenerative ability for the treatment of IDD, but this approach is limited by the isolation and passaging of NCs. Our previous study demonstrated that modified notochordal cell-rich nucleus pulposus (NC-rich NP) has potential for the repair of IDD. However, whether this can protect NPMSCs during IDD has not been evaluated. In the current study, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was used to mimic the inflammatory environment of IDD. Human NPMSCs were cocultured with NC-rich NP explants from healthy rabbit lumbar spine with or without TNF-α. Cell proliferation and senescence were analyzed to investigate the effect of NC-rich NP explants on TNF-α-treated NPMSCs. The expression of mRNA encoding proteins related to matrix macromolecules (such as aggrecan, Sox-9, collagen Iα, and collagen IIα), markers related to the nucleus pulposus cell phenotype (including CA12, FOXF1, PAX1, and HIF-1α), and senescence markers (such as p16, p21, and p53), senescence-associated proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6), and extracellular proteases (MMP-13, ADAMTS-5) was assessed. The protein expression of CA12 and collagen II was also evaluated. After a 7-day treatment, the NC-rich NP explant was found to enhance cell proliferation, decrease cellular senescence, promote glycosaminoglycan (GAG), collagen II, and CA12 production, upregulate the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes (collagen I, collagen II, SOX9, and ACAN), and enhance the expression of nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) markers (HIF-1α, FOXF1, PAX1, and CA12). Modified NC-rich NP explants can attenuate TNF-α-induced degeneration and senescence of NPMSCs in vitro. Our findings provide new insights into the therapeutic potential of NC-rich NP for the treatment of IDD.
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Cell Proliferation
- Coculture Techniques
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells
- Middle Aged
- Notochord
- Nucleus Pulposus
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Keywords
- Intervertebral disc degeneration
- Notochordal cell-rich nucleus pulposus explants
- Nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells
- Senescence
- TNF-α