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Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) has been linked to abnormal structure/function of ciliary proteins, leading to renal dysfunction. Recently, attention has been focused in the significant vascular abnormalities associated with PKD, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain elusive. Here, we seek to define the molecular events regulating the angiogenic imbalance observed in PKD. Using micro computed tomography (n=7) and protein expression analysis (n=5), we assessed the vascular density and the angiogenic profile of noncystic organs in a well-established PKD rat model (Polycystic Kidney-PCK rat). Heart and lungs of PCK rats have reduced vascular density and decreased expression of angiogenic factors compared with wild type. Similarly, PCK-vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs; n=4) exhibited lower levels of vascular markers. Then, using small interfering RNA (n=4), we determined the role of the ciliary protein fibrocystin in wild type-VSMCs, a critical component/regulator of vascular structure and function. Reduction of fibrocystin in wild type-VSMCs (n=4) led to an abnormal angiogenic potential similar to that observed in PCK-VSMCs. Furthermore, we investigated the involvement of the hedgehog signaling, a pathway closely linked to the primary cilium and associated with vascular development, in PKD. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that impairment of the hedgehog signaling mediates, in part, this abnormal angiogenic phenotype. Lastly, overexpression of Gli1 in PCK-VSMCs (n=4) restored the expression levels of proangiogenic molecules. Our data support a critical role of fibrocystin in the abnormal vascular phenotype of PKD and indicate that a dysregulation of hedgehog may be responsible, at least in part, for these vascular deficiencies.

The Hedgehog-regulated transcription factors GLI1 and GLI2 play overlapping roles in development and disease; however, the mechanisms underlying their interplay remain elusive. We report for the first time that GLI1 and GLI2 physically and functionally interact in cancer cells. GLI1 and GLI2 were shown to co-immunoprecipitate in PANC1 pancreatic cancer cells and RMS13 rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Mapping analysis demonstrated that the zinc finger domains of both proteins are required for their heteromerization. RNAi knockdown of either GLI1 or GLI2 inhibited expression of many well-characterized GLI target genes (BCL2, MYCN, PTCH2, IL7 and CCND1) in PANC1 cells, whereas PTCH1 expression was only inhibited by GLI1 depletion. qPCR screening of a large set of putative canonical and non-canonical Hedgehog/GLI targets identified further genes (e.g. E2F1, BMP1, CDK2) strongly down-regulated by GLI1 and/or GLI2 depletion in PANC1 cells, and demonstrated that ANO1, AQP1 and SOCS1 are up-regulated by knockdown of either GLI1 or GLI2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that GLI1 and GLI2 occupied the same regions at the BCL2, MYCN and CCND1 promoters. Furthermore, depletion of GLI1 inhibited GLI2 occupancy at these promoters, suggesting that GLI1/GLI2 interaction is required for the recruitment of GLI2 to these sites. Together, these findings indicate that GLI1 and GLI2 co-ordinately regulate the transcription of some genes, and provide mechanistic insight into the roles of GLI proteins in carcinogenesis., (© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.)

Our aim was to understand the involvement of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) morphogen in the oriented distribution of neural crest cells (NCCs) toward the optic vesicle and to look for potential disorders of this guiding mechanism after ethanol exposure. In vitro directional analysis showed the chemotactic response of NCCs up Shh gradients and to notochord co-cultures (Shh source) or to their conditioned medium, a response inhibited by anti-Shh antibody, receptor inhibitor cyclopamine and anti-Smo morpholino (MO). Expression of the Ptch-Smo receptor complex on in vitro NCCs was also shown. In whole embryos, the expression of Shh mRNA and protein was seen in the ocular region, and of Ptch, Smo and Gli/Sufu system on cephalic NCCs. Anti-Smo MO or Ptch-mutated plasmid (Ptch1(Δloop2)) impaired cephalic NCC migration/distribution, with fewer cells invading the optic region and with higher cell density at the homolateral mesencephalic level. Beads embedded with cyclopamine (Smo-blocking) or Shh (ectopic signal) supported the role of Shh as an in vivo guide molecule for cephalic NCCs. Ethanol exposure perturbed in vitro and in vivo NCC migration. Early stage embryos treated with ethanol, in a model reproducing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, showed later disruptions of craniofacial development associated with abnormal in situ expression of Shh morphogen. The results show the Shh/Ptch/Smo-dependent migration of NCCs toward the optic vesicle, with the support of specific inactivation with genetic and pharmacological tools. They also help to understand mechanisms of accurate distribution of embryonic cells and of their perturbation by a commonly consumed teratogen, and demonstrate, in addition to its other known developmental functions, a new biological activity of cellular guidance for Shh., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)