@article {710, title = {Transcriptomic Analysis of a Diabetic Skin-Humanized Mouse Model Dissects Molecular Pathways Underlying the Delayed Wound Healing Response.}, journal = {Genes (Basel)}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {2020 12 31}, abstract = {

Defective healing leading to cutaneous ulcer formation is one of the most feared complications of diabetes due to its consequences on patients{\textquoteright} quality of life and on the healthcare system. A more in-depth analysis of the underlying molecular pathophysiology is required to develop effective healing-promoting therapies for those patients. Major architectural and functional differences with human epidermis limit extrapolation of results coming from rodents and other small mammal-healing models. Therefore, the search for reliable humanized models has become mandatory. Previously, we developed a diabetes-induced delayed humanized wound healing model that faithfully recapitulated the major histological features of such skin repair-deficient condition. Herein, we present the results of a transcriptomic and functional enrichment analysis followed by a mechanistic analysis performed in such humanized wound healing model. The deregulation of genes implicated in functions such as angiogenesis, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling processes were evidenced, confirming published data in diabetic patients that in fact might also underlie some of the histological features previously reported in the delayed skin-humanized healing model. Altogether, these molecular findings support the utility of such preclinical model as a valuable tool to gain insight into the molecular basis of the delayed diabetic healing with potential impact in the translational medicine field.

}, keywords = {Animals, Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental, Gene Expression Profiling, Gene Expression Regulation, Gene ontology, Humans, Metabolic Networks and Pathways, Mice, Mice, Nude, Microarray Analysis, Molecular Sequence Annotation, Principal Component Analysis, Signal Transduction, Skin, Skin Transplantation, Skin Ulcer, Streptozocin, Tissue Engineering, Transcriptome, Transplantation, Heterologous, Wound Healing}, issn = {2073-4425}, doi = {10.3390/genes12010047}, author = {Le{\'o}n, Carlos and Garcia-Garcia, Francisco and Llames, Sara and Garc{\'\i}a-P{\'e}rez, Eva and Carretero, Marta and Arriba, Mar{\'\i}a Del Carmen and Dopazo, Joaquin and Del Rio, Marcela and Escamez, Maria Jos{\'e} and Mart{\'\i}nez-Santamar{\'\i}a, Luc{\'\i}a} } @article {457, title = {Global Transcriptome Analysis of Primary Cerebrocortical Cells: Identification of Genes Regulated by Triiodothyronine in Specific Cell Types.}, journal = {Cereb Cortex}, volume = {27}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 01 01}, pages = {706-717}, abstract = {

Thyroid hormones, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine (T3) are crucial for cerebral cortex development acting through regulation of gene expression. To define the transcriptional program under T3 regulation, we have performed RNA-Seq of T3-treated and untreated primary mouse cerebrocortical cells. The expression of 1145 genes or 7.7\% of expressed genes was changed upon T3 addition, of which 371 responded to T3 in the presence of cycloheximide indicating direct transcriptional regulation. The results were compared with available transcriptomic datasets of defined cellular types. In this way, we could identify targets of T3 within genes enriched in astrocytes and neurons, in specific layers including the subplate, and in specific neurons such as prepronociceptin, cholecystokinin, or cortistatin neurons. The subplate and the prepronociceptin neurons appear as potentially major targets of T3 action. T3 upregulates mostly genes related to cell membrane events, such as G-protein signaling, neurotransmission, and ion transport and downregulates genes involved in nuclear events associated with the M phase of cell cycle, such as chromosome organization and segregation. Remarkably, the transcriptomic changes induced by T3 sustain the transition from fetal to adult patterns of gene expression. The results allow defining in molecular terms the elusive role of thyroid hormones on neocortical development.

}, keywords = {Animals, Astrocytes, Cells, Cultured, Cerebral Cortex, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Gene Expression Profiling, Mice, 129 Strain, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Neurons, Piperazines, Transcriptome, Triiodothyronine}, issn = {1460-2199}, doi = {10.1093/cercor/bhv273}, author = {Gil-Iba{\~n}ez, Pilar and Garcia-Garcia, Francisco and Dopazo, Joaquin and Bernal, Juan and Morte, Beatriz} } @article {436, title = {Dysfunctional mitochondrial fission impairs cell reprogramming.}, journal = {Cell Cycle}, volume = {15}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Dec}, pages = {3240-3250}, abstract = {

We have recently shown that mitochondrial fission is induced early in reprogramming in a Drp1-dependent manner; however, the identity of the factors controlling Drp1 recruitment to mitochondria was unexplored. To investigate this, we used a panel of RNAi targeting factors involved in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and we observed that MiD51, Gdap1 and, to a lesser extent, Mff were found to play key roles in this process. Cells derived from Gdap1-null mice were used to further explore the role of this factor in cell reprogramming. Microarray data revealed a prominent down-regulation of cell cycle pathways in Gdap1-null cells early in reprogramming and cell cycle profiling uncovered a G2/M growth arrest in Gdap1-null cells undergoing reprogramming. High-Content analysis showed that this growth arrest was DNA damage-independent. We propose that lack of efficient mitochondrial fission impairs cell reprogramming by interfering with cell cycle progression in a DNA damage-independent manner.

}, keywords = {Animals, Cell Cycle Checkpoints, Cellular Reprogramming, DNA Damage, G2 Phase, Gene Knockdown Techniques, Mice, Mitochondrial Dynamics, Mitosis, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Pluripotent Stem Cells, Transcription Factors}, issn = {1551-4005}, doi = {10.1080/15384101.2016.1241930}, author = {Prieto, Javier and Le{\'o}n, Marian and Ponsoda, Xavier and Garcia-Garcia, Francisco and Bort, Roque and Serna, Eva and Barneo-Mu{\~n}oz, Manuela and Palau, Francesc and Dopazo, Joaquin and L{\'o}pez-Garc{\'\i}a, Carlos and Torres, Josema} } @article {463, title = {Whole-exome sequencing reveals ZNF408 as a new gene associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa with vitreal alterations.}, journal = {Hum Mol Genet}, volume = {24}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 Jul 15}, pages = {4037-48}, abstract = {

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of progressive inherited retinal dystrophies that cause visual impairment as a result of photoreceptor cell death. RP is heterogeneous, both clinically and genetically making difficult to establish precise genotype-phenotype correlations. In a Spanish family with autosomal recessive RP (arRP), homozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing led to the identification of a homozygous mutation (c.358_359delGT; p.Ala122Leufs*2) in the ZNF408 gene. A screening performed in 217 additional unrelated families revealed another homozygous mutation (c.1621C>T; p.Arg541Cys) in an isolated RP case. ZNF408 encodes a transcription factor that harbors 10 predicted C2H2-type fingers thought to be implicated in DNA binding. To elucidate the ZNF408 role in the retina and the pathogenesis of these mutations we have performed different functional studies. By immunohistochemical analysis in healthy human retina, we identified that ZNF408 is expressed in both cone and rod photoreceptors, in a specific type of amacrine and ganglion cells, and in retinal blood vessels. ZNF408 revealed a cytoplasmic localization and a nuclear distribution in areas corresponding with the euchromatin fraction. Immunolocalization studies showed a partial mislocalization of the p.Arg541Cys mutant protein retaining part of the WT protein in the cytoplasm. Our study demonstrates that ZNF408, previously associated with Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), is a new gene causing arRP with vitreous condensations supporting the evidence that this protein plays additional functions into the human retina.

}, keywords = {Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Chlorocebus aethiops, Chromosome Mapping, COS Cells, DNA-Binding Proteins, Exome, Genome-Wide Association Study, High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing, Homozygote, Humans, Molecular Sequence Data, Mutant Proteins, Pedigree, Retina, Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells, Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells, Retinitis pigmentosa, Transcription Factors}, issn = {1460-2083}, doi = {10.1093/hmg/ddv140}, author = {Avila-Fernandez, Almudena and Perez-Carro, Raquel and Corton, Marta and Lopez-Molina, Maria Isabel and Campello, Laura and Garanto, Alejandro and Fernandez-Sanchez, Laura and Duijkers, Lonneke and Lopez-Martinez, Miguel Angel and Riveiro-Alvarez, Rosa and da Silva, Luciana Rodrigues Jacy and Sanchez-Alcudia, Roc{\'\i}o and Martin-Garrido, Esther and Reyes, Noelia and Garcia-Garcia, Francisco and Dopazo, Joaquin and Garcia-Sandoval, Blanca and Collin, Rob W J and Cuenca, Nicolas and Ayuso, Carmen} } @article {492, title = {Permanent cardiac sarcomere changes in a rabbit model of intrauterine growth restriction.}, journal = {PLoS One}, volume = {9}, year = {2014}, month = {2014}, pages = {e113067}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) induces fetal cardiac remodelling and dysfunction, which persists postnatally and may explain the link between low birth weight and increased cardiovascular mortality in adulthood. However, the cellular and molecular bases for these changes are still not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that IUGR is associated with structural and functional gene expression changes in the fetal sarcomere cytoarchitecture, which remain present in adulthood.

METHODS AND RESULTS: IUGR was induced in New Zealand pregnant rabbits by selective ligation of the utero-placental vessels. Fetal echocardiography demonstrated more globular hearts and signs of cardiac dysfunction in IUGR. Second harmonic generation microscopy (SHGM) showed shorter sarcomere length and shorter A-band and thick-thin filament interaction lengths, that were already present in utero and persisted at 70 postnatal days (adulthood). Sarcomeric M-band (GO: 0031430) functional term was over-represented in IUGR fetal hearts.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that IUGR induces cardiac dysfunction and permanent changes on the sarcomere.

}, keywords = {Animals, biomarkers, Blood Pressure, Body Weight, Disease Models, Animal, Echocardiography, Female, Fetal Growth Retardation, Fetal Heart, Fetus, Gene Expression Profiling, Organ Size, Placenta, Pregnancy, Rabbits, Sarcomeres}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0113067}, author = {Torre, Iratxe and Gonz{\'a}lez-Tendero, Anna and Garc{\'\i}a-Ca{\~n}adilla, Patricia and Crispi, F{\'a}tima and Garcia-Garcia, Francisco and Bijnens, Bart and Iruretagoyena, Igor and Dopazo, Joaquin and Amat-Rold{\'a}n, Ivan and Gratac{\'o}s, Eduard} } @article {497, title = {Grape antioxidant dietary fiber inhibits intestinal polyposis in ApcMin/+ mice: relation to cell cycle and immune response.}, journal = {Carcinogenesis}, volume = {34}, year = {2013}, month = {2013 Aug}, pages = {1881-8}, abstract = {

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that fiber and phenolic compounds might have a protective effect on the development of colon cancer in humans. Accordingly, we assessed the chemopreventive efficacy and associated mechanisms of action of a lyophilized red grape pomace containing proanthocyanidin (PA)-rich dietary fiber [grape antioxidant dietary fiber (GADF)] on spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis in the Apc(Min/+) mouse model. Mice were fed a standard diet (control group) or a 1\% (w/w) GADF-supplemented diet (GADF group) for 6 weeks. GADF supplementation greatly reduced intestinal tumorigenesis, significantly decreasing the total number of polyps by 76\%. Moreover, size distribution analysis showed a considerable reduction in all polyp size categories [diameter <1mm (65\%), 1-2mm (67\%) and >2mm (87\%)]. In terms of polyp formation in the proximal, middle and distal portions of the small intestine, a decrease of 76, 81 and 73\% was observed, respectively. Putative molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of intestinal tumorigenesis were investigated by comparison of microarray expression profiles of GADF-treated and non-treated mice. We observed that the effects of GADF are mainly associated with the induction of a G1 cell cycle arrest and the downregulation of genes related to the immune response and inflammation. Our findings show for the first time the efficacy and associated mechanisms of action of GADF against intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc(Min/+) mice, suggesting its potential for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

}, keywords = {Animals, Antioxidants, Body Weight, Carcinogenesis, Cell Cycle, Cell Cycle Checkpoints, Colorectal Neoplasms, Dietary Fiber, Dietary Supplements, Down-Regulation, G1 Phase, Inflammation, Intestinal Polyposis, Intestinal Polyps, Intestine, Small, Male, Mice, Transcriptome, Vitis}, issn = {1460-2180}, doi = {10.1093/carcin/bgt140}, author = {S{\'a}nchez-Tena, Susana and Lizarraga, Daneida and Miranda, Anibal and Vinardell, Maria P and Garcia-Garcia, Francisco and Dopazo, Joaquin and Torres, Josep L and Saura-Calixto, Fulgencio and Capell{\`a}, Gabriel and Cascante, Marta} } @article {496, title = {Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with cardiac ultrastructural and gene expression changes related to the energetic metabolism in a rabbit model.}, journal = {Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol}, volume = {305}, year = {2013}, month = {2013 Dec}, pages = {H1752-60}, abstract = {

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects 7-10\% of pregnancies and is associated with cardiovascular remodeling and dysfunction, which persists into adulthood. The underlying subcellular remodeling and cardiovascular programming events are still poorly documented. Cardiac muscle is central in the fetal adaptive mechanism to IUGR given its high energetic demands. The energetic homeostasis depends on the correct interaction of several molecular pathways and the adequate arrangement of intracellular energetic units (ICEUs), where mitochondria interact with the contractile machinery and the main cardiac ATPases to enable a quick and efficient energy transfer. We studied subcellular cardiac adaptations to IUGR in an experimental rabbit model. We evaluated the ultrastructure of ICEUs with transmission electron microscopy and observed an altered spatial arrangement in IUGR, with significant increases in cytosolic space between mitochondria and myofilaments. A global decrease of mitochondrial density was also observed. In addition, we conducted a global gene expression profile by advanced bioinformatics tools to assess the expression of genes involved in the cardiomyocyte energetic metabolism and identified four gene modules with a coordinated over-representation in IUGR: oxygen homeostasis (GO: 0032364), mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I (GO:0005747), oxidative phosphorylation (GO: 0006119), and NADH dehydrogenase activity (GO:0003954). These findings might contribute to changes in energetic homeostasis in IUGR. The potential persistence and role of these changes in long-term cardiovascular programming deserves further investigation.

}, keywords = {Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Energy Metabolism, Female, Fetal Growth Retardation, gene expression, Mitochondria, Myocardium, Oxidative Phosphorylation, Placenta, Pregnancy, Rabbits}, issn = {1522-1539}, doi = {10.1152/ajpheart.00514.2013}, author = {Gonz{\'a}lez-Tendero, Anna and Torre, Iratxe and Garc{\'\i}a-Ca{\~n}adilla, Patricia and Crispi, F{\'a}tima and Garcia-Garcia, Francisco and Dopazo, Joaquin and Bijnens, Bart and Gratac{\'o}s, Eduard} } @article {531, title = {Early peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma regulated genes involved in expansion of pancreatic beta cell mass.}, journal = {BMC Med Genomics}, volume = {4}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Dec 30}, pages = {86}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: The progression towards type 2 diabetes depends on the allostatic response of pancreatic beta cells to synthesise and secrete enough insulin to compensate for insulin resistance. The endocrine pancreas is a plastic tissue able to expand or regress in response to the requirements imposed by physiological and pathophysiological states associated to insulin resistance such as pregnancy, obesity or ageing, but the mechanisms mediating beta cell mass expansion in these scenarios are not well defined. We have recently shown that ob/ob mice with genetic ablation of PPARγ2, a mouse model known as the POKO mouse failed to expand its beta cell mass. This phenotype contrasted with the appropriate expansion of the beta cell mass observed in their obese littermate ob/ob mice. Thus, comparison of these models islets particularly at early ages could provide some new insights on early PPARγ dependent transcriptional responses involved in the process of beta cell mass expansion

RESULTS: Here we have investigated PPARγ dependent transcriptional responses occurring during the early stages of beta cell adaptation to insulin resistance in wild type, ob/ob, PPARγ2 KO and POKO mice. We have identified genes known to regulate both the rate of proliferation and the survival signals of beta cells. Moreover we have also identified new pathways induced in ob/ob islets that remained unchanged in POKO islets, suggesting an important role for PPARγ in maintenance/activation of mechanisms essential for the continued function of the beta cell.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the expansion of beta cell mass observed in ob/ob islets is associated with the activation of an immune response that fails to occur in POKO islets. We have also indentified other PPARγ dependent differentially regulated pathways including cholesterol biosynthesis, apoptosis through TGF-β signaling and decreased oxidative phosphorylation.

}, keywords = {Animals, Cell Proliferation, Cell Survival, Cholesterol, Down-Regulation, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Gene Knockout Techniques, Insulin Resistance, Insulin-Secreting Cells, Mice, obesity, Oxidation-Reduction, Phosphorylation, PPAR gamma, Signal Transduction, Transcription, Genetic, Transforming Growth Factor beta}, issn = {1755-8794}, doi = {10.1186/1755-8794-4-86}, author = {Vivas, Yurena and Martinez-Garcia, Cristina and Izquierdo, Adriana and Garcia-Garcia, Francisco and Callejas, Sergio and Velasco, Ismael and Campbell, Mark and Ros, Manuel and Dopazo, Ana and Dopazo, Joaquin and Vidal-Puig, Antonio and Medina-Gomez, Gema} }