Dominant Negative N-cadherin Research Articles

Targeting Wnt/β-Catenin Activated Cells with Dominant-Negative N-cadherin to Reduce Neointima Formation

Approximately 50% of coronary artery bypass grafts using the autologous saphenous vein fail within 10 years due to intimal thickening. This study examined whether a gene therapy approach that selectively kills Wnt/β-catenin/T cell factor (TCF) activated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) using dominant-negative N-cadherin (dn-N-cadherin) reduced intimal thickening. Cultured human VSMCs infected with an adenovirus (Ad) encoding dn-N-cadherin via the TCF promoter (Ad-TOP-dn-N-cadherin) specifically expressed dn-N-cadherin in response to activation of the Wnt/β-catenin/TCF pathway. Infection with Ad-TOP-dn-N-cadherin significantly increased VSMC apoptosis (3 ± 0.2% versus 9 ± 0.7%; p < 0.05, n = 6) and significantly inhibited VSMC migration by 83 ± 15% (p < 0.05, n = 6), but did not affect VSMC proliferation (p > 0.05, n = 5). In an ex vivo human saphenous vein organ culture model, luminal delivery of Ad-TOP-dn-N-cadherin significantly increased VSMC apoptosis after 7 days of culture (4 ± 1.4% versus 9 ± 1.6%; p < 0.01, n = 6) and suppressed intimal thickening by 75 ± 7% (p < 0.05, n = 5), without a detrimental effect on endothelial cell coverage. In vivo, Ad-TOP-dn-N-cadherin significantly reduced intimal thickening at day 21 (n = 10) in comparison to the Ad-β-galactosidase (Ad-β-gal) control virus (n = 12, p < 0.05) in the mouse carotid artery ligation model. In summary, we have developed a novel approach to selectively reduce intimal thickening, which may be beneficial in reducing late vein graft failure.

Two-tiered coupling between flowing actin and immobilized N-cadherin/catenin complexes in neuronal growth cones

Neuronal growth cones move forward by dynamically connecting actin-based motility to substrate adhesion, but the mechanisms at the individual molecular level remain unclear. We cultured primary neurons on N-cadherin-coated micropatterned substrates, and imaged adhesion and cytoskeletal proteins at the ventral surface of growth cones using single particle tracking combined to photoactivated localization microscopy (sptPALM). We demonstrate transient interactions in the second time scale between flowing actin filaments and immobilized N-cadherin/catenin complexes, translating into a local reduction of the actin retrograde flow. Normal actin flow on micropatterns was rescued by expression of a dominant negative N-cadherin construct competing for the coupling between actin and endogenous N-cadherin. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments confirmed the differential kinetics of actin and N-cadherin, and further revealed a 20% actin population confined at N-cadherin micropatterns, contributing to local actin accumulation. Computer simulations with relevant kinetic parameters modeled N-cadherin and actin turnover well, validating this mechanism. Such a combination of short- and long-lived interactions between the motile actin network and spatially restricted adhesive complexes represents a two-tiered clutch mechanism likely to sustain dynamic environment sensing and provide the force necessary for growth cone migration.

A Slipping Clutch in Neuronal Growth Cones Revealed by Transient Single Molecule Interactions between Flowing Actin and N-Cadherin Adhesions

The molecular clutch model proposes that the actin motile machinery generated inside cells is coupled to adhesion at the cell membrane, thus generating forces on the substrate and allowing cells to move forward. Many reports have provided evidence for clutch-like behaviors in different cell types and adhesive systems, including integrins and cadherins (Giannone et al., Trends Cell Biol 2009). However, the exact mechanisms underlying the dynamic molecular coupling between the actin retrograde flow and adhesion proteins remain elusive. We previously inferred using optical tweezers that a molecular clutch between the actin flow and N-cadherin adhesions could drive growth cone migration (Bard et al., J Neurosci 2008), but did not achieve a direct visualization of the engagement process. Here, to trigger N-cadherin homophilic adhesions at specific locations, we cultured primary neurons on micropatterned substrates comprising arrays of dots coated with purified N-cadherin, surrounded by a cytophobic background. We then tracked the trajectories of single adhesion and cytoskeletal molecules fused with photo-convertible fluorescent proteins (mEOS2), at the ventral surface of growth cones. N-cadherin and α-catenin were immobilized, while the actin retrograde flow was significantly reduced at N-cadherin coated micro-patterns, compared to non-adhesive regions. Normal actin flow on micro-patterns was restored by expression of a dominant negative N-cadherin construct inhibiting the coupling between endogenous N-cadherin and actin, demonstrating specificity of the process. Strikingly, individual actin trajectories exhibited pauses of the order of seconds selectively on N-cadherin-coated micro-patterns. Thus, at the individual molecular level, clutch engagement is characterized by transient interactions between flowing actin filaments and the immobilized N-cadherin/catenin complex. To our knowledge, this study represents the first direct demonstration of the intrinsic molecular coupling underlying the clutch process in growth cone locomotion.

AKT activation by N-cadherin regulates beta-catenin signaling and neuronal differentiation during cortical development

BackgroundDuring cerebral cortical development, neural precursor-precursor interactions in the ventricular zone neurogenic niche coordinate signaling pathways that regulate proliferation and differentiation. Previous studies with shRNA knockdown approaches indicated that N-cadherin adhesion between cortical precursors regulates β-catenin signaling, but the underlying mechanisms remained poorly understood.ResultsHere, with conditional knockout approaches, we find further supporting evidence that N-cadherin maintains β-catenin signaling during cortical development. Using shRNA to N-cadherin and dominant negative N-cadherin overexpression in cell culture, we find that N-cadherin regulates Wnt-stimulated β-catenin signaling in a cell-autonomous fashion. Knockdown or inhibition of N-cadherin with function-blocking antibodies leads to reduced activation of the Wnt co-receptor LRP6. We also find that N-cadherin regulates β-catenin via AKT, as reduction of N-cadherin causes decreased AKT activation and reduced phosphorylation of AKT targets GSK3β and β-catenin. Inhibition of AKT signaling in neural precursors in vivo leads to reduced β-catenin-dependent transcriptional activation, increased migration from the ventricular zone, premature neuronal differentiation, and increased apoptotic cell death.ConclusionsThese results show that N-cadherin regulates β-catenin signaling through both Wnt and AKT, and suggest a previously unrecognized role for AKT in neuronal differentiation and cell survival during cortical development.

Bin1: A New Player in IBD Barrier Dysfunction

The ability of the host to regulate permeability of the intestinal barrier is a critical determinant of host defense. Regulation of permeability occurs at the level of epithelial tight junctions (TJ). TJ are composed of transmembrane proteins, such as occludin, claudin, and JAM family proteins. Plaque proteins, such as zonula occludins (ZO), connect the TJ complex to F-actin and actomyosin rings regulating cytoskeletal reorganization (Fig. 1, reviewed in [1]). Several signaling pathways, such as myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), protein kinase C (PKC), mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPK), and the Rho family of small GTPases, control the remodeling and maintenance of TJ. TJ not only regulate paracellular transport of nutrients and water, but they also provide a barrier against enteric microbes. Although the exact etiology is unknown, there is ample evidence that epithelial barrier function is compromised in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Data from various studies using inert non-metabolized probes indicate that paracellular permeability is increased in Crohn’s Disease (CD) [2]. Furthermore, increased permeability may precede the onset of inflammation [3]. Researchers also found that enteric permeability is increased in 10–54 % of healthy, first-degree relatives of IBD patients [4, 5]. To date, several studies have associated IBD with mutations in the NOD2 gene [6, 7]. However, NOD2 penetrance of the most at-risk genotypes is low [8], and it is likely that cooperation with other genetic factors, such as TJ defects, is required for disease development. Interestingly, Buhner et al. detected increased permeability in IBD patients and family members with NOD2 mutations [9]. Altogether, these findings support the speculation that altered permeability constitutes one of several genetically determined variables that enhances the risk for developing IBD. The notion that altered epithelial permeability predisposes patients to IBD is supported by data from several animal models with transmucosal barrier defects. Using transgenic mice that express constitutively active MLCK, Su et al. demonstrated that, while insufficient to fully induce experimental colitis alone, TJ defects exacerbated disease in the adoptive transfer colitis model [10]. Other models of barrier disruption, such as dominant negative N-cadherin expression, resulted in spontaneous inflammation [11], further enforcing the link between barrier dysfunction and immune homeostasis. Altered permeability may also occur due to effects of local cytokines. Tumor necrosis factor, a cytokine critical for the pathogenesis of IBD, activates MLCK, resulting in TJ disruption via internalization of occludin from the cell membrane [12]. Also, interleukin-13, a cytokine upregulated in ulcerative colitis, induces expression of the pore-forming TJ protein claudin-2, leading to barrier dysfunction [13]. Altogether, these data represent the dynamic relationship between inflammation and permeability and how their imbalance may result in the development of IBD. In this issue of Digestive Diseases and Sciences, Chang et al. present data that further support the tie between TJ permeability and IBD pathogenesis via the protein Bridging integrator 1 (Bin1) [14]. Bin1 is a member of the Bin amphiphysin rys (BAR) adaptor family with myriad H. Ryu D. Posca T. Barrett (&) Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 E. Chicago Ave., Tarry 4-725, Chicago, IL 60611, USA e-mail: tabarrett@northwestern.edu

N-cadherin specifies first asymmetry in developing neurons

The precise polarization and orientation of developing neurons is essential for the correct wiring of the brain. In pyramidal excitatory neurons, polarization begins with the sprouting of opposite neurites, which later define directed migration and axo-dendritic domains. We here show that endogenous N-cadherin concentrates at one pole of the newborn neuron, from where the first neurite subsequently emerges. Ectopic N-cadherin is sufficient to favour the place of appearance of the first neurite. The Golgi and centrosome move towards this newly formed morphological pole in a second step, which is regulated by PI3K and the actin/microtubule cytoskeleton. Moreover, loss of function experiments in vivo showed that developing neurons with a non-functional N-cadherin misorient their cell axis. These results show that polarization of N-cadherin in the immediate post-mitotic stage is an early and crucial mechanism in neuronal polarity.

Slit1b-Robo3 Signaling and N-Cadherin Regulate Apical Process Retraction in Developing Retinal Ganglion Cells

When neurons exit the cell cycle after their terminal mitosis, they detach from the apical surface of the neuroepithelium. Despite the fact that this detachment is crucial for further neurogenesis and neuronal migration, the underlying mechanisms are still not understood. Here, taking advantage of the genetics and imaging possibilities of the zebrafish retina as a model system, we show by knockdown experiments that the guidance molecule Slit1b and its receptor Robo3 are required for apical retraction of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In contrast, N-cadherin seems to be responsible for maintenance of apical attachment, as expression of dominant-negative N-cadherin causes RGCs to lose apical attachments prematurely and rescues retraction in slit1b morphants. These results suggest that Slit-Robo signaling downregulates N-cadherin activity to allow apical retraction in newly generated RGCs.

N-Cadherin in Osteolineage Cells Is Not Required for Maintenance of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Abstract 2390Osteoblast lineage cells have been shown to play an important role in regulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and there is intense interest in identifying HSC regulatory molecules they produce. It has been reported that HSCs lie adjacent to spindle-shaped N-cadherin+ osteoblasts (SNO cells) and home to them in irradiated recipients, suggesting that N-cadherin may tether HSCs to their niche. Studies of N-cadherin expression in HSCs and its role in regulating HSC function have yielded conflicting results. Conditional deletion of Cdh2 (encoding N-cadherin) in HSCs had no affect on HSC number or function. On the other hand, silencing of N-cadherin using shRNA or expression of a dominant negative N-cadherin mutant resulted in the loss of HSC quiescence and repopulating activity. In addition to forming homodimers, N-cadherin is able to interact with other cadherins such E-cadherin, C-cadherin, and R-cadherin as well as non-cadherins such as KLRG1. Thus it is possible that expression of other cadherins in HSCs may compensate for the loss of N-cadherin. Rather than attempt to reconcile the conflicting results involving HSC production of N-cadherin, we chose to investigate what role that osteolineage production of N-cadherin plays in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Specifically, we conditionally deleted N-cadherin from osteoblast lineage cells using transgenic mice expressing Cre-recombinase under control of the osterix promoter (Osx-Cre mice). Our lineage mapping studies using the Osx-Cre mice demonstrated that this transgene directs recombination in SNO cells in the bone marrow. Accordingly, we intercrossed the Osx-Cre mice with Cdh2flox mice to generate N-cadherin-deleted (Cdh2flox/flox Osx-Cre) and control (Cdh2flox/flox) mice. N-cadherin expression was efficiently ablated in osteoblast lineage cells as assessed by mRNA expression (20-fold lower than control mice) and immunostaining of bone sections. Blood counts, bone marrow and spleen cellularity, and leukocyte differentials in N-cadherin-deleted mice were no different from control mice, indicating that basal hematopoiesis is normal. Moreover, the number of phenotypic HSCs (defined as lin− c-kit+ sca+ CD41− CD48− CD150+ cells) and their cell cycle status was normal. HSC long-term repopulating activity and self-renewal capacity were assessed by competitive repopulation assays and serial transplantation, respectively; we show that loss of osteoblast N-cadherin had no effect on these parameters. N-cadherin has been implicated in the homing and retention of HSCs to the bone marrow. However, we show that homing and engraftment of wildtype cells into N-cadherin-deleted recipients was normal. Finally, we tested the response to G-CSF, a potent HSC mobilizing stimulus, which leads to a profound loss of osteoblasts. N-cadherin-deleted mice showed normal mobilization of progenitors to the blood and spleen. Together, our data show that N-cadherin expression on SNO cells (and other osteoblast-lineage cells) is dispensable for HSC maintenance and trafficking. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Inhibition of N-cadherin retards smooth muscle cell migration and intimal thickening via induction of apoptosis

ObjectivesInhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration is a potential strategy for reducing intimal thickening during in-stent restenosis and vein graft failure. In this study, we examined the effect of disrupting the function of the VSMC adhesion molecule, N-cadherin, using antagonists, neutralizing antibodies, and a dominant negative, on VSMC migration and intimal thickening. Migration was assessed by the scratch-wound assay of human saphenous vein VSMCs and in a human saphenous vein ex vivo organ culture model of intimal thickening.ResultsInhibition of cadherin function using a pan-cadherin antagonist, significantly reduced migration by 53% ± 8% compared with the control peptide (n = 3; P < .05). Furthermore, inhibition of N-cadherin function with an N-cadherin antagonist, neutralizing antibodies, and adenoviral expression of dominant negative N-cadherin (RAd dn-N-cadherin), significantly reduced migration by 31% ± 2%, 23% ± 1% and 32% ± 7% compared with controls, respectively (n = 3; P < .05). Inhibition of cadherin function significantly increased apoptosis by between 1.5- and 3.3-fold at the wound edge. In an ex vivo model of intimal thickening, inhibition of N-cadherin function by infection of human saphenous vein segments with RAd dn-N-cadherin significantly reduced VSMC migration by 55% and increased VSMC apoptosis by 2.7-fold. As a result, intimal thickening was significantly suppressed by 54% ± 14%. Importantly, there was no detrimental effect of dn-N-cadherin on endothelial coverage; in fact, it was significantly increased, as was survival of cultured human saphenous vein endothelial cells.ConclusionsUnder the condition of this study, cell-cell adhesion mediated by N-cadherin regulates VSMC migration via modulation of viability. Interestingly, inhibition of N-cadherin function significantly retards intimal thickening via inhibition of VSMC migration and promotion of endothelial cell survival. We suggest that disruption of N-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contacts is a potential strategy for reducing VSMC migration and intimal thickening.

Cell–Cell Contact: Cooperating Clusters of Actin and Cadherin

Cooperation between cadherins and actin critically influences tissue organization. A new report identifies distinct pools of actin filaments that influence the spatial distribution of cadherins at cell-cell contacts.

Perspective: Cell–Cell Adhesion and Signaling Through Cadherins: Connecting Bone Cells in Their Microenvironment

Perspective: Cell–Cell Adhesion and Signaling Through Cadherins: Connecting Bone Cells in Their Microenvironment

Convergence ofIgf2expression and adhesion signalling via RhoA and p38 MAPK enhances myogenic differentiation

Cell-cell contact is essential for appropriate co-ordination of development and it initiates significant signalling events. During myogenesis, committed myoblasts migrate to sites of muscle formation, align and form adhesive contacts that instigate cell-cycle exit and terminal differentiation into multinucleated myotubes; thus myogenesis is an excellent paradigm for the investigation of signals derived from cell-cell contact. PI3-K and p38 MAPK are both essential for successful myogenesis. Pro-myogenic growth factors such as IGF-II activate PI3-K via receptor tyrosine kinases but the extracellular cues and upstream intermediates required for activation of the p38 MAPK pathway in myoblast differentiation are not known. Initial observations suggested a correlation between p38 MAPK phosphorylation and cell density, which was also related to N-cadherin levels and Igf2 expression. Subsequent studies using N-cadherin ligand, dominant-negative N-cadherin, constitutively active and dominant-negative forms of RhoA, and MKK6 and p38 constructs, reveal a novel pathway in differentiating myoblasts that links cell-cell adhesion via N-cadherin to Igf2 expression (assessed using northern and promoter-reporter analyses) via RhoA and p38alpha and/or beta but not gamma. We thus define a regulatory mechanism for p38 activation that relates cell-cell-derived adhesion signalling to the synthesis of the major fetal growth factor, IGF-II.

N-cadherin signals through Rac1 determine the localization of connexin 43 in cardiac myocytes

It has been proposed that the formation of gap junction is influenced by adherens junction in cardiac myocytes. To examine whether signals through N-cadherin are involved in the distribution of connexin 43 (Cx43), the distribution of cell-cell adhesion molecules, N-cadherin and Cx43, was analyzed in aligned cardiac myocytes. To induce cell orientation running in parallel to tension direction, neonatal rat cardiac myocytes were plated for 3 hours and exposed to 20% cyclic stretch for 24 hours on silicone dishes. The aligned cells cultured for 0-5 days were immunostained with anti- N-cadherin or anti-Cx43 antibody. After cultivation for 3-5 days, following the accumulation of N-cadherin, Cx43 was localized at the longitudinal cell termini. Adenoviral gene transfer of dominant negative N-cadherin significantly attenuated the localization of Cx43 at the longitudinal cell termini, suggesting that Cx43 localization is regulated downstream of N-cadherin. In the process of Cx43 localization, Rho family proteins, RhoA and Rac1, were activated, but not Cdc42. RhoA and Rac1 activation was inhibited by the transfection of dominant negative N-cadherin, indicating that RhoA and Rac1 were activated by N-cadherin in the oriented cardiac myocytes. The inhibition of Rho family proteins by Rho GDI significantly attenuated the accumulation of Cx43, but not that of N-cadherin. Furthermore, the translocation of Cx43 to longitudinal cell termini was prevented by the inhibition of Rac1, but not RhoA. Collectively, these findings suggest that the localization of Cx43 was determined through the Rac1 pathway downstream of N-cadherin in cardiac myocytes.

Dominant Negative N-Cadherin Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation by Interfering With β-Catenin Regulation of RANKL, Independent of Cell-Cell Adhesion

We studied the effects of dominant negative N-cadherin (NCadDeltaC) expression in ST2 cells on their ability to support osteoclastogenesis. Expression of NCadDeltaC in ST2 cells did not decrease cell-to-cell adhesion but significantly reduced osteoclast formation when co-cultured with BMMs. NCadDeltaC inhibited beta-catenin/TCF signaling, resulting in decreased RANKL expression, which could contribute to the reduced osteoclast formation. Cadherin is a calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule that plays major roles during embryonic development and morphogenesis. Classic cadherins interact with beta-catenin, which is also involved in the Wnt signaling pathway. We tested whether disruption of N-cadherin function in stromal cells by dominant negative N-cadherin affects their ability to support osteoclastogenesis by altering heterotypic interaction with osteoclast precursors. ST2 cells were transduced with retrovirus encoding extracellular domain-truncated, dominant negative N-cadherin (NCadDeltaC) and co-cultured with bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) to study the ability to support osteoclastogenesis. As a downstream target of NCadDeltaC, beta-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF) transcriptional activity was analyzed using TOPflash reporter construct. Real-time RT-PCR analysis and RANKL-luciferase reporter assays were performed to study the effects of NCadDeltaC on the osteoprotegerin (OPG)/RANKL system. Immunoblotting analysis showed that primary bone marrow stromal cells, ST2 cells, and BMMs expressed N-cadherin. Retroviral expression of NCadDeltaC in ST2 cells did not significantly inhibit cell adhesion but markedly impaired the formation of TRACP(+) osteoclasts (>40%) when co-cultured with BMMs. However, the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis was not reproduced by neutralizing antibody against N-cadherin. Expression of NCadDeltaC, however, strongly suppressed beta-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity in ST2 cells, which was rescued by constitutively active beta-catenin adenovirus (Ad DeltaN46 beta-catenin) or constitutively active TCF mutant (pCS2-VP16DeltabetaXTCF-3). As a potential downstream target of Wnt signaling, we found that the expression of RANKL was reduced in ST2 cells expressing NCadDeltaC. Moreover, Wnt-3A, Ad DeltaN46 beta-catenin, and VP16DeltabetaXTCF-3 increased the expression of RANKL and enhanced the transcriptional activity of mouse RANKL promoter in ST2 cells. Our data suggest that expression of dominant negative N-cadherin in ST2 cells suppressed osteoclastogenesis by interfering with beta-catenin regulation of RANKL independent of cell-cell adhesion.

N-Cadherin–Dependent Cell–Cell Contacts Promote Human Saphenous Vein Smooth Muscle Cell Survival

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis is thought to contribute to atherosclerotic plaque instability. Cadherin mediates calcium-dependent homophilic cell-cell contact. We studied the role of N-cadherin in VSMC apoptosis. Human saphenous vein VSMCs were grown in agarose-coated wells to allow cadherin-mediated aggregate formation. Cell death and apoptosis were determined after disruption of cadherins using several approaches (n> or =3 per approach). Calcium removal from culture medium or addition of nonspecific cadherin antagonist peptides significantly decreased aggregate formation and increased cell death by apoptosis (34+/-6% versus 75+/-1% and 19+/-1% versus 40+/-5%, respectively; P<0.05). Specific inhibition of N-cadherin using antagonists and neutralizing antibodies similarly increased apoptosis. Supporting this, overexpression of full-length N-cadherin significantly reduced VSMC apoptosis from 44+/-10% to 20+/-3% (P<0.05), whereas abolishing N-cadherin expression by overexpression of a dominant-negative N-cadherin significantly, even in the presence of cell-matrix contacts, increased apoptosis from 9+/-2% to 50+/-1% (P<0.05). Interestingly, cell-cell contacts provided a similar degree of protection from apoptosis to cell-matrix contacts. Finally, N-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contacts initiated anti-apoptotic signaling by increasing Akt and Bad phosphorylation. Our results indicate that VSMC survival is dependent on N-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contacts, which could be important in the context of plaque instability.

N-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion determines the plasticity for cell alignment in response to mechanical stretch in cultured cardiomyocytes

Mechanical stretch has been implicated as the growth stimuli in the heart. Physiologically, mechanical stretch is reported to contribute to the orientation of cardiomyocytes, though the molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. This study was designed to make clear functional significances of N-cadherin in plasticity of cell alignment in response to mechanical stretch. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, cultured on silicone dishes, were subjected to artificial uniaxial cyclic stretch. Mechanical stretch was started at certain times (3–75 h) after seeding and continued for 24 h. Stretch stimulation in 3 h after cultivation promoted cell orientation running parallel to tension direction. In contrast, cardiac myocytes fail to align when exposed to stretch 24–75 h after cultivation. To address the importance of N-cadherin in the responsiveness to stretch, the expression and distribution of N-cadherin were analyzed. Immediately after seeding, N-cadherin showed dispersed distributions. During cultivation, N-cadherin localized to cell–cell contacts accompanied by the upregulation of its protein. Next, to investigate influence of cell–cell adhesion, cardiomyocytes cultured for 72 h were replated by trypsin treatment and exposed to stretch 3 h after replating. The cardiomyocytes replated by trypsinization were oriented in parallel to tension direction by mechanical stretch. Finally, adenoviral transfection of dominant-negative N-cadherin recovered the ability to exhibit cell orientation in response to stretch. Our results suggested that N-cadherin was involved in the oriented responses of cardiomyocytes induced by mechanical stretch.

Oriented responses of cultured cardiomyocytes by mechanical stretch is regulated by N-cadherin

Objective: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary myocardial disease, leading to cardiac failure. Disarray of cardiomyocytes, characteristic of HCM, has been believed to lead to arrhythmia and weakness of contraction, though little is elucidated about the mechanisms for disarray. Interestingly, it was reported that mechanical stretch induced oriented responses of cardiomyocytes. To make clear the mechanisms for oriented responses, we investigated the functional significances of N-cadherin in cyclic stretch model. Methods: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes cultured on silicone chambers were subjected to linear cyclic stretch. Mechanical stimulation was started at various times (3, 24, or 72h) after seeding and continued for 24h. Results: Three hours after cultivation, cardiomyocytes exhibited round-shape, attaching to the chamber, and stretch stimulation promoted cell orientation. In contrast, cells did not show oriented responses 72 hours after cultivation with the upregulation of its protein. Thus we replated the cardiomyocytes cultured for 72 hours and exposed the culture to stretch. The modulation of cell-cell adhesion by replating enabled cells to rearrange their orientation following stretch stimulation. Adenoviral gene transfer of dominant negative N-cadherin restored the ability to align in response to stretch. Conclusion: Our results suggested that N-cadherin could be a significant molecule as regulator of oriented responses of cardiomyocytes by mechanical stretch.

Requirement of the juxtamembrane domain of the cadherin cytoplasmic tail for morphogenetic cell rearrangement during myotome development.

During development, the activity of cadherin cell adhesion molecules is assumed to be regulated to allow for cell rearrangement or translocation. Previous studies suggest that the juxtamembrane (JM) domain of the cadherin cytoplasmic tail, which contains the site for binding to p120ctn, has a regulatory function in this adhesion system. To study the possible role of JM domain–dependent cadherin regulation in embryonic cell rearrangement, we ectopically expressed a series of N-cadherin mutants in developing somites of chicken embryos. When a JM domain–deficient N-cadherin was expressed, the morphogenetic expansion of the myotome was strongly suppressed. However, a triple alanine substitution in the JM domain, which specifically inhibited the p120ctn binding, had no effect on myotome development. Furthermore, a dominant negative N-cadherin, which had a deletion at the extracellular domain but maintained the normal cytoplasmic tail, did not affect myotome expansion; although it disrupted intersomite boundaries. Overexpression of p120ctn also did not affect myotome expansion, but it did perturb myofiber orientation. These and other observations suggest that the JM domain of N-cadherin has a regulatory role in myotome cell rearrangement in which molecules other than p120ctn are involved. The p120ctn molecule itself seems to play a critical role in the arrangement of myofibers.

A role for N-cadherin in the development of the differentiated osteoblastic phenotype.

Cadherins are a family of cell surface adhesion molecules that play an important role in tissue differentiation. A limited repertoire of cadherins has been identified in osteoblasts, and the role of these molecules in osteoblast function remains to be elucidated. We recently cloned an osteoblast-derived N-cadherin gene from a rat osteoblast complementary DNA library. After in situ hybridization of rat bone and immunohistochemistry of human osteophytes, N-cadherin expression was localized prominently in well-differentiated (lining) osteoblasts. Northern blot hybridization in primary cultures of fetal rat calvaria and in human SaOS-2 and rat ROS osteoblast-like cells showed a relationship between N-cadherin messenger RNA expression and cell-to-cell adhesion, morphological differentiation, and alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin gene expression. Treatment with a synthetic peptide containing the His-Ala-Val (HAV) adhesion motif of N-cadherin significantly decreased bone nodule formation in primary cultures of fetal rat calvaria and inhibited cell-to-cell contact in rat osteoblastic TRAB-11 cells. HAV peptide also regulated the expression of specific genes such as alkaline phosphatase and the immediate early gene zif268 in SaOS-2 cells. Transient transfection of SaOS-2 cells with a dominant-negative N-cadherin mutant (NCADdeltaC) significantly inhibited their morphological differentiation. In addition, aggregation of NCTC cells derived from mouse connective tissue stably transfected with osteoblast-derived N-cadherin was inhibited by either treatment with HAV or transfection with NCADdeltaC. Together, these results strongly support a role for N-cadherin, in concert with other previously identified osteoblast cadherins, in the late stages of osteoblast differentiation.

Chondrogenic differentiation of murine C3H10T1/2 multipotential mesenchymal cells: II. Stimulation by bone morphogenetic protein-2 requires modulation of N-cadherin expression and function

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, is characterized by its ability to induce cartilage and bone formation. We have recently demonstrated that the multipotential, murine embryonic mesenchymal cell line, C3H10T1/2, when cultured at high density, is induced by BMP-2 or TGF-β1 to undergo chondrogenic differentiation. The high-cell-density requirement suggests that specific cell-cell interactions, such as those mediated by cell adhesion molecules, are important in the chondrogenic response. In view of our recent finding that N-cadherin, a Ca 2+-dependent cell adhesion molecule, is functionally required in normal embryonic limb mesenchyme cellular condensation and chondrogenesis, we examine here whether N-cadherin is also involved in BMP-2 induction of chondrogenesis in C3H10T1/2 cells. BMP-2 stimulation of chondrogenesis in high-density micromass cultures of C3H10T1/2 cells was evidenced by Alcian blue staining, elevated [ 35S]sulfate incorporation, and expression of the cartilage matrix markers, collagen type II and cartilage proteoglycan link protein. With BMP-2 treatment, N-cadherin mRNA expression was stimulated 4-fold within 24 h, and by day 5, protein levels were stimulated 8-fold. An N-cadherin peptidomimic containing the His-Ala-Val sequence to abrogate homotypic N-cadherin interactions inhibited chondrogenesis in a concentration-dependent manner. To analyze the functional role of N-cadherin further, C3H10T1/2 cells were stably transfected with expression constructs of either full-length N-cadherin or a dominant negative, N-terminal deletion mutant of N-cadherin. Moderate (2-fold) overexpression of full-length N-cadherin augmented, whereas higher (4-fold) overexpression inhibited the BMP-2-chondrogenic effect. On the other hand, expression of the dominant negative N-cadherin mutant dramatically inhibited BMP-2 stimulated chondrogenesis. These data strongly suggest that upregulation of N-cadherin expression, at defined critical levels, is a candidate mechanistic component of BMP-2 stimulation of mesenchymal chondrogenesis.