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Expression of Notch1 and Jagged2 in the enteric nervous system.

The Notch signaling pathway is a vitally important pathway in regulating brain development. To explore the involvement of the Notch pathway in neuronal cells of adult rat gut, we investigated the expression of Notch1 and Jagged2 by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In the enteric nervous system, Notch1 and Jagged2 were expressed in ganglia of the submucosal and myenteric plexus. Notch1 was preferentially expressed in cholinergic neurons lacking calretinin or nitric oxide synthase (NOS), whereas Jagged2 was present in most neuron subtypes. We propose that Notch1 and Jagged2 have a continuing role in the maintenance and function of neuronal cells in the adult enteric nervous system.

Animals↗

Notch signaling is necessary but not sufficient for differentiation of dendritic cells.

The Notch family of receptors plays an important role in regulation of cell differentiation via direct contact between hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and bone marrow stroma (BMS). However the precise contribution of Notch in dendritic cell (DC) differentiation is controversial. In 2 different experimental systems using Notch-1-null embryonic stem cells and Notch-1-deficient HPCs we have found that Notch-1 is necessary for DC differentiation. However, activation of Notch-1 and Notch-2 with cell-bound Notch ligand did not result in differentiation of mature DCs or macrophages. Instead, it caused accumulation of immature myeloid cells. Removal of feeder cells resulted in rapid differentiation of DCs and macrophages. Addition of interleukin 4 (IL-4) into the culture dramatically increased accumulation of functionally potent DCs. Lipopolysaccharide was not able to reproduce this effect. Thus, these data indicate that Notch signaling prevents differentiation of mature myeloid cells. Instead, it results in accumulation of precursors readily able to differentiate into mature DCs once the Notch signal is stopped (eg, after cell emigration from bone marrow) and in the presence of other additional differentiation signals provided by IL-4. Thus, Notch is required but not sufficient for DC differentiation.

Animals↗

Jagged1-induced Notch signaling drives proliferation of multiple myeloma cells.

Notch receptors expressed on hematopoietic stem cells interact with their ligands on bone marrow stromal cells and thereby control cell fate decisions and survival. We recently demonstrated that Notch signaling is involved in proliferation and survival of B cell-derived tumor cells of classic Hodgkin disease and described a novel mechanism for the oncogenic capacity of Notch. In this study we investigated whether Notch signaling is involved in the tight interactions between neoplastic plasma cells and their bone marrow microenvironment, which are essential for tumor cell growth in multiple myeloma (MM). Here we demonstrate that Notch receptors and their ligand Jagged1 are highly expressed in cultured and primary MM cells, whereas nonneoplastic counterparts show low to undetectable levels of Notch. Functional data indicate that ligand-induced Notch signaling is a growth factor for MM cells and suggest that these interactions contribute to myelomagenesis in vivo.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Dose-dependent effects of the Notch ligand Delta1 on ex vivo differentiation and in vivo marrow repopulating ability of cord blood cells.

Although significant advances have been made over the last decade with respect to our understanding of stem cell biology, progress has been limited in the development of successful techniques for clinically significant ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. We here describe the effect of Notch ligand density on induction of Notch signaling and subsequent cell fate of human CD34+CD38- cord blood progenitors. Lower densities of Delta1(ext-IgG) enhanced the generation of CD34+ cells as well as CD14+ and CD7+ cells, consistent with early myeloid and lymphoid differentiation, respectively. However, culture with increased amounts of Delta1(ext-IgG) induced apoptosis of CD34+ precursors resulting in decreased cell numbers, without affecting generation of CD7+ cells. RNA interference studies revealed that the promotion of lymphoid differentiation was primarily mediated by Delta1 activation of Notch1. Furthermore, enhanced generation of NOD/SCID repopulating cells was seen following culture with lower but not higher densities of ligand. These studies indicate critical, quantitative aspects of Notch signaling in affecting hematopoietic precursor cell-fate outcomes and suggest that density of Notch ligands in different organ systems may be an important determinant in regulating cell-fate outcomes. Moreover, these findings contribute to the development of methodology for manipulation of hematopoietic precursors for therapeutic purposes.

Cell Differentiation↗

Human homologues of Delta-1 and Delta-4 function as mitogenic regulators of primitive human hematopoietic cells.

Delta-mediated Notch signaling controls cell fate decisions during invertebrate and murine development. However, in the human, functional roles for Delta have yet to be described. This study reports the characterization of Delta-1 and Delta-4 in the human. Human Delta-4 was found to be expressed in a wide range of adult and fetal tissues, including sites of hematopoiesis. Subsets of immature hematopoietic cells, along with stromal and endothelial cells that support hematopoiesis, were shown to express Notch and both Delta-1 and Delta-4. Soluble forms of human Delta-1 (h Delta-1) and h Delta-4 proteins were able to augment the proliferation of primitive human hematopoietic progenitors in vitro. Intravenous transplantation of treated cultures into immune-deficient mice revealed that h Delta-1 is capable of expanding pluripotent human hematopoietic repopulating cells detected in vivo. This study provides the first evidence for a role of Delta ligands as a mitogenic regulator of primitive hematopoietic cells in the human. (Blood. 2001;97:1960-1967)

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

The Notch ligand, Delta-1, inhibits the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages but permits their differentiation into dendritic cells.

Notch-mediated cellular interactions are known to regulate cell fate decisions in various developmental systems. A previous report indicated that monocytes express relatively high amounts of Notch-1 and Notch-2 and that the immobilized extracellular domain of the Notch ligand, Delta-1 (Delta(ext-myc)), induces apoptosis in peripheral blood monocytes cultured with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), but not granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF). The present study determined the effect of Notch signaling on monocyte differentiation into macrophages and dendritic cells. Results showed that immobilized Delta(ext-myc) inhibited differentiation of monocytes into mature macrophages (CD1a+/-CD14+/- CD64+) with GM-CSF. However, Delta(ext-myc) permitted differentiation into immature dendritic cells (CD1a+CD14-CD64-) with GM-CSF and interleukin 4 (IL-4), and further differentiation into mature dendritic cells (CD1a+CD83+) with GM-CSF, IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Notch signaling affected the differentiation of CD1a-CD14+ macrophage/dendritic cell precursors derived in vitro from CD34+ cells. With GM-CSF and TNF-alpha, exposure to Delta(ext-myc) increased the proportion of precursors that differentiated into CD1a+CD14- dendritic cells (51% in the presence of Delta(ext-myc) versus 10% in control cultures), whereas a decreased proportion differentiated into CD1a-CD14+ macrophages (6% versus 65%). These data indicate a role for Notch signaling in regulating cell fate decisions by bipotent macrophage/dendritic precursors.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Node and midline defects are associated with left-right development in Delta1 mutant embryos.

Axes formation is a fundamental process of early embryonic development. In addition to the anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes, the determination of the left-right axis is crucial for the proper morphogenesis of internal organs and is evolutionarily conserved in vertebrates. Genes known to be required for the normal establishment and/or maintenance of left-right asymmetry in vertebrates include, for example, components of the TGF-beta family of intercellular signalling molecules and genes required for node and midline function. We report that Notch signalling, which previously had not been implicated in this morphogenetic process, is required for normal left-right determination in mice. We show, that the loss-of-function of the delta 1 (Dll1) gene causes a situs ambiguous phenotype, including randomisation of the direction of heart looping and embryonic turning. The most probable cause for this left-right defect in Dll1 mutant embryos is a failure in the development of proper midline structures. These originate from the node, which is disrupted and deformed in Dll1 mutant embryos. Based on expression analysis in wild-type and mutant embryos, we suggest a model, in which Notch signalling is required for the proper differentiation of node cells and node morphology.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

RBPjkappa-dependent Notch function regulates Gata2 and is essential for the formation of intra-embryonic hematopoietic cells.

Definitive hematopoiesis in the mouse embryo originates from the aortic floor in the P-Sp/AGM region in close association with endothelial cells. An important role for Notch1 in the control of hematopoietic ontogeny has been recently established, although its mechanism of action is poorly understood. Here, we show detailed analysis of Notch family gene expression in the aorta endothelium between embryonic day (E) 9.5 and E10.5. Since Notch requires binding to RBPjkappa transcription factor to activate transcription, we analyzed the aorta of the para-aortic splanchnopleura/AGM in RBPjkappa mutant embryos. We found specific patterns of expression of Notch receptors, ligands and Hes genes that were lost in RBPjkappa mutants. Analysis of these mutants revealed the absence of hematopoietic progenitors, accompanied by the lack of expression of the hematopoietic transcription factors Aml1/Runx1, Gata2 and Scl/Tal1. We show that in wild-type embryos, a few cells lining the aorta endothelium at E9.5 simultaneously expressed Notch1 and Gata2, and demonstrate by chromatin immunoprecipitation that Notch1 specifically associated with the Gata2 promoter in E9.5 wild-type embryos and 32D myeloid cells, an interaction lost in RBPjkappamutants. Consistent with a role for Notch1 in regulating Gata2, we observe increased expression of this gene in 32D cells expressing activated Notch1. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that activation of Gata2 expression by Notch1/RBPjkappa is a crucial event for the onset of definitive hematopoiesis in the embryo.

Animals↗

A new role for Notch and Delta in cell fate decisions: patterning the feather array.

Chick embryonic feather buds arise in a distinct spatial and temporal pattern. Although many genes are implicated in the growth and differentiation of the feather buds, little is known about how the discrete pattern of the feather array is formed and which gene products may be involved. Possible candidates include Notch and its ligands, Delta and Serrate, as they play a role in numerous cell fate decisions in many organisms. Here we show that Notch-1 and Notch-2 mRNAs are expressed in the skin in a localized pattern prior to feather bud initiation. In the early stages of feather bud development, Delta-1 and Notch-1 are localized to the forming buds while Notch-2 expression is excluded from the bud. Thus, Notch and Delta-1 are expressed at the correct time and place to be players in the formation of the feather pattern. Once the initial buds form, expression of Notch and its ligands is observed within each bud. Notch-1 and -2 and Serrate-1 and -2 are expressed throughout the growth and differentiation of the feathers whereas Delta-1 transcripts are downregulated. We have also misexpressed chick Delta-1 using a replication competent retrovirus. This results in induction of Notch-1 and-2 and a loss of feather buds from the embryo in either large or small patches. In large regions of Delta-1 misexpression, feathers are lost throughout the infected area. In contrast, in small regions of misexpression, Delta-1 expressing cells differentiate into feather buds more quickly than normal and inhibit their neighbors from accepting a feather fate. We propose a dual role for Delta-1 in promoting feather bud development and in lateral inhibition. These results implicate the Notch/Delta receptor ligand pair in the formation of the feather array.

Animals↗

Delta-1 negatively regulates the transition from prehypertrophic to hypertrophic chondrocytes during cartilage formation.

Endochondral bone development begins with the formation of a cartilage template. Chondrocytes within this template undergo a progressive program of maturation from proliferative to prehypertrophic chondrocytes to hypertrophic chondrocytes. The progression of cells through these steps of differentiation must be carefully controlled to ensure coordinated growth. Because the Delta/Notch signaling system is known to regulate cell fate choices, we sought to determine if these molecules might be involved in the progressive cell fate decisions that chondocytes undergo. Here we demonstrate in the chick that Delta/Notch signaling negatively regulates progression from the prehypertrophic to hypertrophic state of differentiation. Delta-1 is expressed specifically in the hypertrophic chondrocytes while Notch-2 is expressed in chondrocytes at all stages. Misexpression of Delta-1 using a replication-competent retrovirus blocks chondrocyte maturation. Prehypertrophic cells form normally but do not undergo differentiation to hypertrophic cells, resulting in shortened skeletal elements that lack ossification. We conclude that Delta-1 acts during chondrogenesis to inhibit the transition from prehypertrophic chondrocytes to hypertrophic chondrocytes, thus defining a novel mechanism for the regulation of the chondrocyte maturation program. In addition, these results reveal a new role for Delta/Notch signaling in regulating the progression to a terminally differentiated state.

Animals↗

Notch signaling imposes two distinct blocks in the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts.

Notch signal transduction regulates expression of downstream genes through the activation of the DNA-binding protein Su(H)/CBF1. In Drosophila most of Notch signaling requires Su(H); however, some Notch-dependent processes occur in the absence of Su(H) suggesting that Notch signaling does not always involve activation of this factor. Using constitutively active forms of Notch lacking CBF1-interacting sequences we identified a Notch signaling pathway that inhibits myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts in the absence of CBF1 activation. Here we show that ligand-induced Notch signaling suppresses myogenesis in C2C12 myoblasts that express a dominant negative form of CBF1, providing additional evidence for CBF1-independent Notch signal transduction. Surprisingly mutant forms of Notch deficient in CBF1 activation are unable to antagonize MyoD activity, despite the fact that they inhibit myogenesis. Moreover, Notch-induced antagonism of MyoD requires CBF1 suggesting that the CBF1-dependent pathway mediates a cell-type-specific block in the myogenic program. However, Notch signaling in the absence of CBF1 activation blocks both myogenesis and osteogenesis, indicative of a general block in cellular differentiation. Taken together our data provide evidence for two distinct Notch signaling pathways that function to block differentiation at separate steps during the process of myogenesis in C2C12 myoblasts.

3T3 Cells↗

Murine Delta homologue, mDelta1, expressed on feeder cells controls cellular differentiation.

The Delta/Serrate-Notch pathway is involved in intercellular signaling that controls cell fate during the development of invertebrates and vertebrates. Delta is a prototype of Notch ligands and has been studied extensively in Drosophila. In higher vertebrates, four Delta/Serrate homologues and four Notch homologues have been identified. Recent studies showed that the murine Delta homologue, mDelta1, is essential in early embryogenesis. The biological activity of mammalian Delta and its roles in cellular differentiation, however, have remained unclear. In this study, we first surveyed expression of mDelta1 in the adult mouse and found it to be present in a wide range of tissues. For testing biological activity of mDelta1, we expressed a mDelta1 full-length cDNA in L cells using a eukaryotic expression vector. Effects of mDelta1 on cellular differentiation were examined in two independent systems, featuring C2C12 myogenic differentiation and multipotent murine bone marrow cell differentiation. Inhibition of the former was observed with mDelta1 expression on L cells, associated with suppression of myogenin, a myogenic transcription factor. Expression of mDelta1 in conjunction with GM-CSF promoted differentiation of bone marrow cells to myeloid dendritic cells at the expense of other lineages. Although the effects of mDelta1 on two differentiation systems appeared opposing, as inhibition occurring in one and induction in the other, this can be understood by the unifying concept of generation of diverse cell types from equivalent progenitors. Thus, the present study provided evidence that mammalian Delta participates in intercellular signaling, determining the cell fate in a wide variety of tissues.

Animals↗

Stimulation of osteoblastic cell differentiation by Notch.

Notch is a transmembrane protein that plays a critical role in the determination of cellular differentiation pathways. Although its importance in the development of mesenchymal tissues has been suggested, its role in skeletal tissues has not been well investigated. Northern blot experiments showed the expression of Notch1 in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells at early differentiation stages. When a Notch1 cytoplasmic domain (Notch-IC [NIC]) delivered by an adenovirus vector was expressed in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, a significant increase in calcified nodule formation was observed in long-term cultures. Activation of endogenous Notch in MC3T3-E1 by coculturing them with Delta-like-1 (Dll1)-expressing myeloma cells also resulted in a stimulation of calcified nodule formation. Not only affecting nodule formation, Notch activation also had effects on osteoblastic differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal cells. Osteoblastic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells induced by bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) was significantly stimulated, whereas adipogenic differentiation was suppressed strongly, resulting in a dominant differentiation of osteoblastic cells. NIC expression in primary human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) also induced both spontaneous and stimulated osteoblastic cell differentiation. These observations suggest that osteoblastic cell differentiation is regulated positively by Notch and that Notch could be a unique and interesting target molecule for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Animals↗

Independent development of pancreatic alpha- and beta-cells from neurogenin3-expressing precursors: a role for the notch pathway in repression of premature differentiation.

The nature and identity of the pancreatic beta-cell precursor has remained elusive for many years. One model envisions an early multihormonal precursor that gives rise to both alpha- and beta-cells and the other endocrine cell types. Alternatively, beta-cells have been suggested to arise late, directly from the GLUT2- and pancreatic duodenal homeobox factor-1 (PDX1)-expressing epithelium, which gives rise also to the acinar cells during this stage. In this study, we have identified a subset of the PDX1+ epithelial cells that are marked by expression of Neurogenin3 (Ngn3). Ngn3, a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors, is suggested to act upstream of NeuroD in a bHLH cascade. Detailed analysis of Ngn3/paired box factor 6 (PAX6) and NeuroD/PAX6 co-expression shows that the two bHLH factors are expressed in a largely nonoverlapping set of cells, but such analysis also suggests that the NeuroD+ cells arise from cells expressing Ngn3 transiently. NeuroD+ cells do not express Ki-67, a marker of proliferating cells, which shows that these cells are postmitotic. In contrast, Ki-67 is readily detected in Ngn3+ cells. Thus, Ngn3+ cells fulfill the criteria for an endocrine precursor cell. These expression patterns support the notion that both alpha- and beta-cells develop independently from PDX1+/Ngn3+ epithelial cells, rather than from GLU+/INS+ intermediate stages. The earliest sign of alpha-cell development appears to be Brain4 expression, which apparently precedes Islet-1 (ISL1) expression. Based on our expression analysis, we propose a temporal sequence of gene activation and inactivation for developing alpha- and beta-cells beginning with activation of NeuroD expression. Endocrine cells leave the cell cycle before NeuroD activation, but re-enter the cell cycle at perinatal stages. Dynamic expression of Notch1 in PDX+ epithelial cells suggests that Notch signaling could inhibit a Ngn-NeuroD cascade as seen in the nervous system and thus prevent premature differentiation of endocrine cells.

Animals↗

Expression of Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins in acute myeloid leukemia cells.

Cell fate of hematopoietic progenitors is regulated by interaction between Notch proteins on progenitors and Notch ligands such as Jagged1 on stromal cells. Since acute myeloid leukemia (AML) originates from dysregulated hematopoietic progenitors, some abnormalities in the Notch-Jagged system may exist in AML cells. As the first step to clarify this, we examined the expression of Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins in eight AML cell lines and 15 fresh AML samples by immunoblotting. In the Notch1 protein, two bands, a 300 kDa band and a 120 kDa band, which appeared to be a full-length protein and a transmembrane fragment, respectively, were recognized in five AML cell lines and six fresh samples. In addition, three of the five cell lines showed a 110 kDa fragment, which appeared to be from an intracellular domain, namely an active form. One cell line showed aberrant sized fragments, which suggested a structural abnormality. Jagged1 protein was recognized in six cell lines and six fresh samples. In four cell lines and four fresh samples, both Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins were observed. In these cells, Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins may interact among themselves. We showed that Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins are widely expressed in AML cells. We hypothesize that some abnormalities in the Notch-Jagged system which cause the excessive self-renewal and the block of differentiation, may be involved in the abnormal proliferation of AML cells.

Acute Disease↗

The possible correlation of Notch-1 and Notch-2 with clinical outcome and tumour clinicopathological parameters in human breast cancer.

The Notch-1 and Notch-2 receptors play crucial roles in cell fate determination through interaction with the Delta/Serrate/Lag-2 family of ligands. The function of Notch signalling in tumourigenesis is still unclear, however, reports have demonstrated unregulated Notch activity in a variety of human cancers. We quantified Notch-1 and Notch-2 expression, in association with clinical outcome, in tissue samples from breast cancer patients (normal specimens n=24, breast cancer specimens n=97). We used qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR analysis, along with immunohistochemical staining to examine Notch-1 and Notch-2 expression in association with the patients clinical parameters (median follow-up 72 months). Our results show that there are aberrant levels of Notch-1 and Notch-2 in breast cancer tissues compared with normal breast tissue. Examination of the breast cancer patients' clinicopathological parameters reported that a high level of Notch-1 may be associated with a poorer outlook for the breast cancer patient, while a high level of Notch-2 correlated to a higher chance of survival. Notch-1 and Notch-2 also appear to play crucial and contrasting roles in breast tumour differentiation. Notch-1 expression was low in grade 1 tumours and increased in poorly-differentiated tumours, whereas, Notch-2 expression was high in well-differentiated tumours and reduced in breast tumours with poor differentiation. Therefore, Notch-1 may possess tumour-promoting functions, while Notch-2 could play a tumour-suppressive role in human breast cancer. These results support the notion that suppression of Notch-1 activity may represent a novel therapeutic strategy.

Base Sequence↗

Interactions between fibroblast growth factors and Notch regulate neuronal differentiation.

The differentiation of precursor cells into neurons has been shown to be influenced by both the Notch signaling pathway and growth factor stimulation. In this study, the regulation of neuronal differentiation by these mechanisms was examined in the embryonic day 10 neuroepithelial precursor (NEP) population. By downregulating Notch1 expression and by the addition of a Delta1 fusion protein (Delta Fc), it was shown that signaling via the Notch pathway inhibited neuron differentiation in the NEP cells, in vitro. The expression of two of the Notch receptor homologs, Notch1 and Notch3, and the ligand Delta1 in these NEP cells was found to be influenced by a number of different growth factors, indicating a potential interaction between growth factors and Notch signaling. Interestingly, none of the growth factors examined promoted neuron differentiation; however, the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) 1 and 2 potently inhibited differentiation. FGF1 and FGF2 upregulated the expression of Notch and decreased expression of Delta1 in the NEP cells. In addition, the inhibitory response of the cells to the FGFs could be overcome by downregulating Notch1 expression and by disrupting Notch cleavage and signaling by the ablation of the Presenilin1 gene. These results indicate that FGF1 and FGF2 act via the Notch pathway, either directly or indirectly, to inhibit differentiation. Thus, signaling through the Notch receptor may be a common regulator of neuronal differentiation within the developing forebrain.

Animals↗

Notch and epithelial-mesenchyme transition in development and tumor progression: another turn of the screw.

Notch is an ancient cell signaling system that regulates cell fate specification, stem cell maintenance and initiation of differentiation in embryonic and postnatal tissues.(1) Alteration of these functions in the adult have been associated to various types of cancer in which Notch may act as an oncogene or as a tumor suppressor. As occurs during development, Notch cooperates with other signaling pathways in the transformation process. Notch has recently been shown to promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during cardiac valve formation, via snail induction and subsequent cadherin downregulation. One implication of this work is that Notch acting through a similar mechanism, may also be involved in the EMT process that occurs during tumor progression and converts polarized epithelial cells into motile, invasive cells.

Animals↗