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Hannu Sariola

Publications and source records attributed to Hannu Sariola.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

SLC26A6 and SLC26A7 anion exchangers have a distinct distribution in human kidney.

BACKGROUND: The anion transporters SLC26A6 (PAT1) and SLC26A7, transporting at least chloride, oxalate, sulfate and bicarbonate, show a distinct expression and function in different mammalian species. They are expressed in kidney, but their exact localization in human kidney has not been studied. We therefore examined SLC26A6 and A7 expression in human kidneys. METHODS: The localization of SLC26A6 and A7 in different segments of human nephrons was studied by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry by comparing to the tubular markers PNRA, CD10, Tamm-Horsfall antigen, high molecular weight cytokeratin, CK7, AQP2 and H(+)V-ATPase. RESULTS: In human kidney, SLC26A6 is expressed in distal segments of proximal tubules, parts of the thin and thick ascending limbs of Henle's loops, macula densa, distal convoluted tubules and a subpopulation of intercalated cells of collecting ducts. SLC26A7 is expressed in extraglomerular mesangial cells and a subpopulation of intercalated cells of collecting ducts. CONCLUSION: Our results show that in human kidney SLC26A6 and A7 have a distinct, partially overlapping expression in distal segments of nephrons. The distribution partly differs from that found previously in rodent kidneys.

Adult↗

Crosstalk between Jagged1 and GDNF/Ret/GFRalpha1 signalling regulates ureteric budding and branching.

Glial-Cell-Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) is the major mesenchyme-derived regulator of ureteric budding and branching during nephrogenesis. The ligand activates on the ureteric bud epithelium a receptor complex composed of Ret and GFRalpha1. The upstream regulators of the GDNF receptors are poorly known. A Notch ligand, Jagged1 (Jag1), co-localises with GDNF and its receptors during early kidney morphogenesis. In this study we utilized both in vitro and in vivo models to study the possible regulatory relationship of Ret and Notch pathways. Urogenital blocks were exposed to exogenous GDNF, which promotes supernumerary ureteric budding from the Wolffian duct. GDNF-induced ectopic buds expressed Jag1, which suggests that GDNF can, directly or indirectly, up-regulate Jag1 through Ret/GFRalpha1 signalling. We then studied the role of Jag1 in nephrogenesis by transgenic mice constitutively expressing human Jag1 in Wolffian duct and its derivatives under HoxB7 promoter. Jag1 transgenic mice showed a spectrum of renal defects ranging from aplasia to hypoplasia. Ret and GFRalpha1 are normally downregulated in the Wolffian duct, but they were persistently expressed in the entire transgenic duct. Simultaneously, GDNF expression remained unexpectedly low in the metanephric mesenchyme. In vitro, exogenous GDNF restored the budding and branching defects in transgenic urogenital blocks. Renal differentiation apparently failed because of perturbed stimulation of primary ureteric budding and subsequent branching. Thus, the data provide evidence for a novel crosstalk between Notch and Ret/GFRalpha1 signalling during early nephrogenesis.

Animals↗

The expression of plexins during mouse embryogenesis.

Plexins are large transmembrane proteins that are receptors for semaphorins, either alone or in a complex with neuropilin-1 or -2. Nine different mouse plexins have been found: Plexin-A1-4, -B1-3, -C1 and -D1. The expression and function of plexins in non-neuronal tissues has been poorly characterized, although Plexin-A1 has been shown to have a role during lung and cardiac morphogenesis. We have done an extensive non-radioactive in situ hybridisation survey of Plxna1-a4, Plxnb1 -b3 and Plxnc1 in E14 mouse embryo. At E14, Plxnb3 expression could not be detected by in situ hybridisation. All other plexins studied are widely expressed both in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. We have also followed the expression patterns of plexins during the development of the kidney, tooth and testis. Plxnb1 and Plxnb2 are expressed in the immature glomeruli and mesenchyme of the developing kidney. In the tooth bud, Plxna1 and Plxnb1 are expressed in the oral epithelium, enamel knot and in both the inner and outer enamel epithelium, whereas the expression of Plxnb2 is more restricted to the inner enamel epithelium. In the testis, Plxna1, Plxnb1 and Plxnc1 are expressed in the developing sex chords. This study shows that during development, plexins are expressed in specific and distinct patterns also in non-neuronal tissues.

Animals↗

Differential requirement of Tyr1062 multidocking site by RET isoforms to promote neural cell scattering and epithelial cell branching.

The receptor tyrosine kinase RET is alternatively spliced to yield two main isoforms, RET9 and RET51, which differ in their carboxyl terminal. Activated RET induces different biological responses such as morphological transformation, neurite outgrowth, proliferation, cell migration and branching. The two isoforms have been suggested to have separate intracellular signaling pathways and different roles in mouse development. Here we show that both isoforms are able to induce cell scattering of SK-N-MC neuroepithelioma cell line and branching tubule formation in MDCK cell line. However, the Y1062F mutation, which abrogates the transforming activity of both activated RET isoforms in NIH3T3 cells, does not abolish scattering and branching morphogenesis of RET51, whereas impairs these biological effects of RET9. The GDNF-induced biological effects of RET51 are inhibited by the simultaneous abrogation of both Tyr1062 and Tyr1096 docking sites. Thus, Tyr1096 may substitute the functions of Tyr1062. GRB2 is the only known adaptor protein binding to Tyr1096. Dominant-negative GRB2 expressed in MDCK cells together with RET9 or RET51 significantly reduces branching. Therefore, GRB2 is necessary for RET-mediated branching of MDCK cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Semicarbazide sensitive amine oxidase overexpression has dual consequences: insulin mimicry and diabetes-like complications.

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidases (SSAO) are copper-containing enzymes that oxidatively deaminate primary amines to produce hydrogen peroxide, ammonium, and specific aldehydes. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is a cell surface and soluble molecule that possesses SSAO activity. VAP-1 protein, SSAO activity, and SSAO reaction products are elevated in the serum of patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure, and specific inflammatory liver diseases. By expressing human VAP-1/SSAO on mouse endothelial cells and subsequently in the serum, and by chronically treating the transgenic mice for 15 months with a high-fat diet and a physiological substrate for SSAO, methylamine, the in vivo roles of SSAO were assessed. The VAP-1 transgene increased the mouse body mass index and subcutaneous abdominal fat pad weights in a manner independent of food consumption. The transgene together with increased SSAO substrate availability enhanced glucose uptake in an SSAO-dependent manner. The increased SSAO activity also led to diabetes-like complications, including advanced glycation end product formation, elevated blood pressure, altered atherosclerosis progression, and nephropathy. These findings suggest that, although manipulation of VAP-1/SSAO has potential to serve as a therapeutic treatment in insulin-resistant conditions, care must be taken to fully understand its impact on obesity and vascular damage.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗

Biological effects of the dual phenotypic Janus mutation of ret cosegregating with both multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and Hirschsprung's disease.

Gain-of-function mutations of ret receptor tyrosine kinase, the signaling receptor for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, cause sporadic thyroid and adrenal malignancies as well as endocrine cancer syndromes, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia types 2A and 2B (MEN 2A and MEN 2B) and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. Loss-of-function mutations of ret cause Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) or colonic aganglionosis. In 20-30% of families with a mutation at residues 609, 611, 618, or 620 of RET, MEN 2A and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma cosegregate with HSCR. These mutations constitutively activate RET due to aberrant disulfide homodimerization and diminish the level of RET at the plasma membrane. It is not known how these mutations simultaneously lead to both gain- and loss-of-function RET-associated diseases. We provide an explanation for the dual phenotypic Janus mutation at Cys620 of RET. In Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, the Janus mutation impairs the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-induced effects of RET on cell migration, differentiation, and survival but simultaneously promotes rapid cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Pathbase: a database of mutant mouse pathology.

Pathbase is a database that stores images of the abnormal histology associated with spontaneous and induced mutations of both embryonic and adult mice including those produced by transgenesis, targeted mutagenesis and chemical mutagenesis. Images of normal mouse histology and strain-dependent background lesions are also available. The database and the images are publicly accessible (http://www.pathbase.net) and linked by anatomical site, gene and other identifiers to relevant databases; there are also facilities for public comment and record annotation. The database is structured around a novel ontology of mouse disorders (MPATH) and provides high-resolution downloadable images of normal and diseased tissues that are searchable through orthogonal ontologies for pathology, developmental stage, anatomy and gene attributes (GO terms), together with controlled vocabularies for type of genetic manipulation or mutation, genotype and free text annotation for mouse strain and additional attributes. The database is actively curated and data records assessed by pathologists in the Pathbase Consortium before publication. The database interface is designed to have optimal browser and platform compatibility and to interact directly with other web-based mouse genetic resources.

Animals↗

Pathbase: a new reference resource and database for laboratory mouse pathology.

Pathbase (http://www.pathbase.net) is a web accessible database of histopathological images of laboratory mice, developed as a resource for the coding and archiving of data derived from the analysis of mutant or genetically engineered mice and their background strains. The metadata for the images, which allows retrieval and interoperability with other databases, is derived from a series of orthogonal ontologies and controlled vocabularies. One of these controlled vocabularies, MPATH, was developed by the Pathbase Consortium as a formal description of the content of mouse histopathological images. The database currently has over 1000 images on-line with 2000 more under curation and presents a paradigm for the development of future databases dedicated to aspects of experimental biology.

Animals↗

Novel functions and signalling pathways for GDNF.

Glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was originally identified as a survival factor for midbrain dopaminergic neurons. GDNF and related ligands, neurturin (NRTN), artemin (ARTN) and persephin (PSPN), maintain several neuronal populations in the central nervous systems, including midbrain dopamine neurons and motoneurons. In addition, GDNF, NRTN and ARTN support the survival and regulate the differentiation of many peripheral neurons, including sympathetic, parasympathetic, sensory and enteric neurons. GDNF has further critical roles outside the nervous system in the regulation of kidney morphogenesis and spermatogenesis. GDNF family ligands bind to specific GDNF family receptor alpha (GFRalpha) proteins, all of which form receptor complexes and signal through the RET receptor tyrosine kinase. The biology of GDNF signalling is much more complex than originally assumed. The neurotrophic effect of GDNF, except in motoneurons, requires the presence of transforming growth factor beta, which activates the transport of GFRalpha1 to the cell membrane. GDNF can also signal RET independently through GFR1alpha. Upon ligand binding, GDNF in complex with GFRalpha1 may interact with heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycans to activate the Met receptor tyrosine kinase through cytoplasmic Src-family kinases. GDNF family ligands also signal through the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM. In cells lacking RET, GDNF binds with high affinity to the NCAM and GFRalpha1 complex, which activates Fyn and FAK.

Animals↗

GDNF promotes tubulogenesis of GFRalpha1-expressing MDCK cells by Src-mediated phosphorylation of Met receptor tyrosine kinase.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are multifunctional signaling molecules in embryogenesis. HGF binds to and activates Met receptor tyrosine kinase. The signaling receptor complex for GDNF typically includes both GDNF family receptor alpha1 (GFRalpha1) and Ret receptor tyrosine kinase. GDNF can also signal independently of Ret via GFRalpha1, although the mechanism has remained unclear. We now show that GDNF partially restores ureteric branching morphogenesis in ret-deficient mice with severe renal hypodysplasia. The mechanism of Ret-independent effect of GDNF was therefore studied by the MDCK cell model. In MDCK cells expressing GFRalpha1 but no Ret, GDNF stimulates branching but not chemotactic migration, whereas both branching and chemotaxis are promoted by GDNF in the cells coexpressing Ret and GFRalpha1, mimicking HGF/Met responses in wild-type MDCK cells. Indeed, GDNF induces Met phosphorylation in several ret-deficient/GFRalpha1-positive and GFRalpha1/Ret-coexpressing cell lines. However, GDNF does not immunoprecipite Met, making a direct interaction between GDNF and Met highly improbable. Met activation is mediated by Src family kinases. The GDNF-induced branching of MDCK cells requires Src activation, whereas the HGF-induced branching does not. Our data show a mechanism for the GDNF-induced branching morphogenesis in non-Ret signaling.

Animals↗

GDNF-induced seminomatous tumours in mouse--an experimental model for human seminomas?

Glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a distant member of the transforming growth factor superfamily. It binds to and activates a receptor complex consisting of GFR-alpha1 and Ret receptor tyrosine kinase. In testis, GDNF is expressed by Sertoli cells. We have shown by transgenic loss- and gain-of-function mouse models that GDNF regulates the cell fate decision of undifferentiated spermatogonia. In the GDNF +/- mice, the spermatogonia differentiate in excess leading to the depletion of germ cells. In the mice overexpressing GDNF in testes, undifferentiated spermatogonia accumulate in the tubules, no sperm is produced, and the mice are infertile. After a year, the GDNF overexpressing mice frequently (89%) develop testicular tumours, and most of them are bilateral (56%). All these tumours show the same histological pattern. They are composed of round spermatogonial/gonocytic cells with only a scant cytoplasm. The tumours are locally invasive but do not metastasise. They express germ line markers, are positive for alkaline phosphatase, and aneuploid with a triploid peak. Thus, by several histological, molecular, and histochemical characteristics, the GDNF-induced tumours mimic classical seminomas in men, but the precursor lesions are apparently different in mouse and man.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Gdnf haploinsufficiency causes Hirschsprung-like intestinal obstruction and early-onset lethality in mice.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a common congenital disorder that results in intestinal obstruction and lethality, as a result of defective innervation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Despite its congenital origin, the molecular etiology of HSCR remains elusive for >70% of patients. Although mutations in the c-RET receptor gene are frequently detected in patients with HSCR, mutations in the gene encoding its ligand (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor [GDNF]), are rarely found. In an effort to establish a possible link between human HSCR and mutations affecting the Gdnf locus, we studied a large population of mice heterozygous for a Gdnf null mutation. This Gdnf(+/-) mutant cohort recapitulates complex features characteristic of HSCR, including dominant inheritance, incomplete penetrance, and variable severity of symptoms. The lack of one functioning Gdnf allele causes a spectrum of defects in gastrointestinal motility and predisposes the mutant mice to HSCR-like phenotypes. As many as one in five Gdnf(+/-) mutant mice die shortly after birth. Using a transgenic marking strategy, we identified hypoganglionosis of the gastrointestinal tract as a developmental defect that renders the mutant mice susceptible to clinical symptoms of HSCR. Our findings offer a plausible way to link an array of seemingly disparate features characteristic of a complex disease to a much more narrowly defined genetic cause. These findings may have general implications for the genetic analysis of cause and effect in complex human diseases.

Age of Onset↗

The Drosophila hugin gene codes for myostimulatory and ecdysis-modifying neuropeptides.

In a genomic screen we isolated the Drosophila gene hugin (hug, cytology 87C1-2) by cross-hybridisation to a human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor cDNA. Upon cDNA sequence analysis and in vitro expression assays, the hugin gene was found to encode a signal peptide containing proprotein that was further processed in Schneider-2 cells into peptides similar to known neuropeptides. Two of the peptides were similar to FXPRL-amides (pyrokinins) and to the ecdysis-triggering hormone, respectively. The former displayed myostimulatory activity in a bioassay on the cockroach hyperneural muscle preparation, as well as in the Drosophila heart muscle assay. Hugin is expressed during the later half of embryogenesis and during larval stages in a subgroup of neurosecretory cells of the suboesophageal ganglion. Ubiquitous ectopic hugin expression resulted in larval death predominantly at or shortly after ecdysis from second to third instar, suggesting that at least one of the posttranslational cleavage products affects molting of the larva by interfering with the regulation of ecdysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nephron induction.

One of the most remarkable transformations of cells during organogenesis is the epithelial transformation of nephrogenic mesenchyme to secretory nephrons. During recent years, gene targeting and organ culture approaches have been used efficiently to resolve key molecules involved in this multistage process. Nephrons are induced by the tips of the branching ureteric bud that later forms the collecting duct network. The first signal in nephron induction is obviously maintaining the mesenchyme; the second enhances cell proliferation and brings together the set of cells that contribute to one single nephron. This stage is characterized by two types of condensations (first the cap stage and then pre-tubular condensation). The final step, epithelial transformation, is a cell-autonomous process. Although the molecular cascade in nephron induction is being resolved in the rat, the same signals seem to work less efficiently in the mouse. In the rat, fibroblast growth factor-2 maintains the nephrogenic mesenchyme; leukaemia inhibitory factor together with transforming growth factor beta-2 induce its condensation; and autocrine secretion of Wnt-4 converts it to epithelium.

Animals↗

Transgene insertion induced dominant male sterility and rescue of male fertility using round spermatid injection.

Transgene insertions in the mouse often cause mutations at chromosomal loci. Analysis of insertion mutations that cause male sterility may lead to the identification of novel molecular mechanisms implicated in male fertility. Here we show a line of transgenic mice with dominant inheritance of male sterility (DMS) that was found amid several lines that were normally fertile. Transgene-positive males from this line invariably were sterile, whereas transgenic females and transgene-negative male littermates were fertile. Histologic analysis and TUNEL staining for apoptotic cells in DMS testis showed spermatogenesis arrest at metaphase of meiosis I (M-I), accompanied by massive apoptosis of spermatocytes. Meiosis I arrest was incomplete, however, as small numbers of spermatids and spermatozoa were found. Both round spermatids and spermatozoa were evaluated for their permissiveness in the assisted reproductive technologies intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and round spermatid injection (ROSI). Surprisingly, ROSI but not ICSI gave live offspring, suggesting that mature sperm had deteriorated by the time of recovery from the epididymis. Mapping the transgene insertion by fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed a site on chromosome 14 D3-E1. Two candidate genes, GFR alpha 2 and GnRH, that were previously mapped to that region and the functions of which in spermatogenesis are well established were not altered in DMS. As a consequence, positional cloning of the DMS locus will be essential to identify new molecules potentially involved in arrest at M-I. Furthermore, mice carrying this genetic trait might be useful for studies of assisted reproductive technologies and male contraceptives.

Animals↗

Nephron induction revisited: from caps to condensates.

Conversion of mesenchyme to epithelium in the metanephric kidney is clearly a multimolecular, multistep and partly redundant process. The present short review focuses on a neglected morphological aspect of kidney differentiation: the development of two transitory mesenchymal condensations that precede epithelial differentiation of nephrons. The first appearing condensate covers the tips of the collecting ducts and is termed a cap condensate. In the early kidney rudiment this structure has been referred to as a primary or early condensate. A few cells of the cap condensate (maybe only four to six cells), situated at the lateral edge of the cap, start proliferating rapidly and form a pretubular aggregate (or pretubular condensate), which converts to secretory nephron epithelia and finally segregates to different tubule segments. Throughout nephrogenesis, the cap condensates and pretubular aggregates are clearly distinguishable structures that show only partly overlapping gene expression profiles. Apart from being the source for the pretubular aggregates, the role of the cap condensate is unknown. It is now proposed that the cap regulates ureteric branching morphogenesis.

Animals↗