Wnt signaling in regulation of biological functions of the nurse cell harboring Trichinella spp.

Abstract

Background

The nurse cell (NC) constitutes in mammalian skeletal muscles a confined intracellular niche to support the metabolic needs of muscle larvae of Trichinella spp. encapsulating species. The main biological functions of NC were identified as hypermitogenic growth arrest and pro-inflammatory phenotype, both inferred to depend on AP-1 (activator protein 1) transcription factor. Since those functions, as well as AP-1 activity, are known to be regulated among other pathways, also by Wnt (Wingless-Type of Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Integration Site) signaling, transcription profiling of molecules participating in Wnt signaling cascades in NC, was performed.

Methods

Wnt signaling-involved gene expression level was measured by quantitative RT-PCR approach with the use of Qiagen RT² Profiler PCR Arrays and complemented by that obtained by searching microarray data sets characterizing NC transcriptome.

Results

The genes involved in inhibition of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade as well as leading to β-catenin degradation were found expressed in NC at high level, indicating inhibition of this cascade activity. High expression in NC of genes transmitting the signal of Wnt non-canonical signaling cascades leading to activation of AP-1 transcription factor, points to predominant role of non-canonical Wnt signaling in a long term maintenance of NC biological functions.

Conclusions

Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade is postulated to play a role at the early stages of NC formation when muscle regeneration process is triggered. Following mis-differentiation of infected myofiber and setting of NC functional specificity, are inferred to be controlled among other pathways, by Wnt non-canonical signaling cascades.

Background

The nurse cell (NC) constitutes an intracellular niche for the muscle larvae of parasitic nematode Trichinella spp. Its basic morphological structure, called cyst, is formed within mammalian striated muscles 20–28 days post-oral infection [1, 2]. Larva penetration into the muscles induces degeneration of infected myofiber, followed by its fusion with muscle satellite cells and commencement of regeneration process. However, eventually mis-differentiation takes place and part of the infected myofiber transforms into a non-muscular structure, the NC fulfilling larva metabolic requirements. NC-larva complex confined within a collagen capsule and surrounded by circulatory rete is stably maintained throughout the life span of the host [1]. NC is characterized by hypertrophy and 4 N DNA content [3, 4]. Based on transcription profiling NC growth arrest stage was identified as being of G₁-like type accompanied by cellular senescence [5]. NC was also found to display antigen presentation capability and pro-inflammatory secretory phenotype [6].

Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in morphogenesis and postnatal stem cell fate determination [7, 8]. Inhibition of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling is required for cell lineage differentiation but the cascade, if recapitulated in mature differentiated cellular systems, is associated with onset of various diseases, including neurodegeneration and malignancies [9–11]. A role in cellular senescence and aging-associated disorders have been ascribed to various Wnt ligands [12–14]. Physiological responses to Wnt signaling are elicited by diverse cellular functions: cell survival, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, cell movement and immunological activities [15]. Wnt growth factors bind to transmembrane Frizzled (Fzd) receptors, belonging to G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) family [9]. The signal is subsequently transduced via three distinct routes: the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and two non-canonical Wnt/PCP (Planar Cell Polarity) and Wnt/Ca²⁺, signaling cascades [15, 16]. Particular Wnt ligand-Fzd receptor interactions are tissue- and process-specific. It is emphasized for Wnt signal transduction that various combinations of ligand-receptor complexes, as well as many regulatory loops and cross-talks, also with other signaling pathways, ultimately lead to a cell-specific type of response [17, 18]. Despite such a diversity, specifically Wnt 4, Wnt 5A and Wnt 11 ligands are considered to activate Wnt non-canonical cascades [18, 19]. Of note, Wnt 5A upregulation was demonstrated to occur in stimulated antigen-presenting cells, i.e. dendritic cells and macrophages [20]. In the case of canonical Wnt signaling route transcription of effector genes is activated by β-catenin transcription activation complex, and in the case of non-canonical Wnt signaling route, by AP-1 transcription factor [15].

As far as skeletal muscles are concerned, Wnt signaling is involved in myogenesis and muscle regeneration. Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediated by Wnt 1 and Wnt 7A ligands was shown to induce early myogenesis in mice [21]. Wnt 3A, Wnt 5A/5B and Wnt 7A/7B ligands signaling is considered critical for muscle regeneration, with myoblast differentiation and myotube fusion assumed to be affected [8]. Yet transient β-catenin activation, accompanying this process, is also viewed rather as a vestige from embryonic lineage, crucial for myogenesis but requiring inhibition for muscle regeneration to proceed [22].

As a cellular system, NC originates from muscle cells suspended during regeneration. Immunological activities with signaling pathways culminating at AP-1 transcription factor activation, were identified as its prominent biological functions [6]. Those characteristics should apparently be controlled by Wnt signaling. Additionally, Wnt 2 ligand was found in general analysis of NC transcriptome to be highly upregulated, in comparison to myoblastic cell line [5]. Therefore, the present scrutinized analysis was undertaken, of expression level of factors involved in Wnt signaling in NC, performed with the use of PCR arrays and supported by the search of microarray data sets [5]. The results point to a putative essential role of Wnt factors in setting of NC phenotype.

Methods

NC isolation

Trichinellosis in BALB/c mice, infected with Trichinella spiralis H2 human isolate, was exploited as previously described [23]. NCs were isolated from mice carrying 6 month-old infections by sequential muscle digestion, as earlier presented [5]. NC in a typical preparation is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

NC-Trichinella spiralis larva complex. The nuclei were visualized with Hoechst 33342 dye (Lonza). The image was taken with Nikon Optiphot-Z fluorescence microscope. Scale-bar: 100 μm

RT² Profiler PCR Arrays

Qiagen kits were used at all steps. Total RNA was isolated with the use of RNaesy Mini kit, according to manufacturer’s instruction, with implementation of the RNase-Free DNase digestion step. RNA integrity was confirmed using Agilent 2100 BioAnalyzer. RT² First Strand kit was used for reverse transcription. RT² SYBR Green/ROX qPCR Master Mix was used for quantitative PCR on Qiagen RT² Profiler PCR Array of Mouse Wnt Signaling Pathway. The run was performed on 7500 Sequence Detection System (Applied Biosystems), including all control reactions recommended by the arrays’ manufacturer. Target gene expression level was calculated according to Qiagen RT² Profiler PCR Array handbook, applying the comparative threshold cycle (C_T) method, with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) used as a reference gene. It is given as 2exp-ΔC_T (± average deviation for n = 2), where ΔC_T is C_T (target gene)-C_T (GAPDH). The genes included into RT² Profiler PCR Array whose threshold cycle fell above 35th cycle were excluded from data presentation.

Microarray data sets searching

In order to complement performed herein transcription profiling of Wnt signaling factors in NC, the previously obtained competitive microarray data sets [5], were searched for identifiers included in Qiagen RT² Profiler PCR Array, as well as the identifiers not included in the PCR array but otherwise related to Wnt signaling. In the aforementioned competitive microarray analysis, the transcriptomes of C2C12 myoblasts and C2C12 myotubes served as referral systems to the NC transcriptome. In order to eliminate biological differences among NC preparations, four different preparations of NCs isolated from mice carrying 5 to 12 month-infections were exploited for competitive microarray analysis. Only the identifiers with differential gene expression level ≥ 2 accompanied by a P-value ≤ 0.05, were considered signaling pathway-eligible. Fold change in gene expression level in NC, in relation to C2C12 myoblasts or myotubes, was calculated form log₂ratio value and is provided as the average of quadruplicates, accompanied by the P-values calculated by Student’s one-sample t-test. All parameters of statistical analysis, including log₂ratio ± standard deviation (SD) as well as the t-values, are shown in Additional file 1: Table S1.

Results and discussion

Characteristics of NC formation process

The NC is a non-muscular structure originating from a few types of cells. During encapsulation of the larva lasting up to 28 days post-infection, the nuclei, mitochondria and basophilic cytoplasm (i.e. staining with haematoxylin in haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining protocol), of infected myofiber, degenerate with the signs of apoptosis and autocrine signaling by tumor necrosis factor α [24, 25]. Inhibition of transforming growth factor β signaling by c-Ski repressor was also shown to accompany this process [26]. Muscle satellite cells, fusing with the infected degenerating myofiber, become the main source of nuclei, mitochondria and eosinophilic cytoplasm (i.e. staining with eosin in H&E staining procedure), in the completely established NC at 3-month-old infection. Some nuclei of NC become hypertrophied at this stage, and infiltrating lymphocytes were also identified entrapped in the NC cytoplasm [27]. It should be noted that during NC formation two various kinds of cytoplasm, basophilic and eosinophilic, are separated by plasma membrane and the whole process in independent on p53 suppressor gene [2, 27, 28]. Analysis of NC transcriptome during the process of intracellular transformation (i.e. 23rd day post-infection), indicated activation of survival mechanism mediated by insulin-like growth factor 1 which may lead to induction of AP-1 transcription factor [29, 30]. Wnt 8A and 5B ligand expression was also found upregulated at this stage of NC development, as analyzed in the whole infected vs uninfected muscle tissue [29]. Wnt canonical signaling cascade inhibitory factor Dickkopf homolog 4 (DKK4 gene) [31], was also found upregulated in those settings [29]. These findings indicate that already at the stage of larva encapsulation Wnt signaling-involved factors shape NC functional specificity towards non-canonical Wnt signaling and AP-1 factor activation, serving to determine survival and immunological properties.

Inhibitory factors of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade are expressed in fully established NC

A network of molecules participating in Wnt signaling, whose expression was detected in NC, is depicted in Fig. 2. Gene description and gene expression levels are shown in Table 1. In cells unstimulated by Wnt ligands, central molecule of this cascade, β-catenin (encoded by CTNNB1 gene), is known to remain in the cytoplasm in a phosphorylated form complexed with GSK3B and scaffolding factors APC and AXIN1 [32]. Apart from GSK3B, also casein kinases, represented in NC by CSNK1A1, CSNK1D and CSNK2A1, are known to phosphorylate β-catenin. Additionally, bound with protein phosphatases (PPP2CA, PPP2R1A and PPP2R5D subunits are expressed in NC), β-catenin is ubiqutinated in the presence of BTRC and driven for proteasomal degradation [32]. SENP2 peptidase is also known to participate in downregulation of β-catenin level [33, 34]. Assuming autocrine stimulation to occur, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade can be activated in NC by Wnt 1, Wnt 2/2B, Wnt 3/3A, Wnt 6, Wnt 9A and Wnt 16. Upon stimulation of FZD receptors by Wnt ligands activated Dsh1/2 proteins (encoded by DVL1/2 genes), lead to inhibition of β-catenin phosphorylation. Unphosphorylated β-catenin translocates to the nucleus where it forms a transcription activation complex with TCF/LEF factors, additionally activated by EP300 and BCL9/PYGO1 complex [32]. FZD receptors 1 through 8, coreceptors LRP5/6, as well as DVL1/2, TCF3/7 and LEF1 genes, are expressed in NC, though TCF7 and LEF1 are down regulated in relation to C2C12 cellular systems. Numerous molecules known to inhibit β-catenin transcription activation complex, including TLE1/2, CTBP1/2, CTNNBIP1, as well as an effector, and simultaneously an inhibitor, of this cascade, NKD1 gene product [35], are expressed in NC. NKD1 expression is also very highly upregulated in relation to C2C12 myoblasts/myotubes. Of note, NKD1 is known to switch Wnt signaling from canonical to non-canonical Wnt/PCP cascade [36]. Apart from apparent inhibition of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade in NC by intracellular factors, this cascade may also be inhibited at the plasma membrane level. KRM1 (alias KREMEN1), WIF1, FRZB (alias SFRP3) and SFRP1/2/4 gene products, expressed in NC, are known to inhibit Wnt signaling via interaction with LRP5/6 coreceptors (KRM1), binding to Wnt ligands (WIF1 and FRZB) or interaction with both Wnt ligands and Fzd receptors (SFRP1/2/4 factors) [37, 38]. Importance of an inhibitory route of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in NC at the plasma membrane level is further stressed by very high upregulation of FRZB and high upregulation of WIF1 expression in NC, in relation to C2C12 myoblasts/myotubes. Of note is that Wnt 1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1 WISP1, known to display anti-apoptotic activity [39], is expressed in NC at the level significantly lower than in C2C12 cellular systems. Effector genes of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade expressed in NC include factors involved in regulation of cell fate and inflammation: cyclins D, c-Myc, Fra1 (encoded by FOSL gene) and c-Jun, as well as angiogenic factor VEGFC [web.stanford.edu/group/nusselab/cgi-bin/wnt/target_genes].

Fig. 2

Summary of interactions involved in Wnt signaling cascades inferred to regulate NC biological functions. Only the molecules whose expression was detected in NC by RT² Profiler PCR Arrays and/or microarrays, are marked. Wnt signaling consensus pathway was complied from Wnt signaling pathway available at www.qiagen.com/pl/shop/genes-and-pathways/pathway-details/?pwid=474, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software (www.ingenuity.com/products.ipa) and references [9, 15]. Sharp arrows indicate activatory interactions and blunt arrows indicate inhibitory interactions. Descriptions of molecule names are given in Table 1

Table 1 Expression in NC of molecules involved in Wnt signaling pathway. Gene expression level determined by RT² Profiler PCR Arrays is given as 2^−∆CT, and by competitive microarray approach as a fold change, increase or decrease (↓) in relation to C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes. Data analysis was performed as described under Methods section

It is thus inferred that dominant expression in NC of molecules involved in β-catenin degradation as well as inhibition of canonical Wnt signal transduction and β-catenin-dependent transcription, indicate that even though could be operating, Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade is inhibited. Expression of the cascade effector genes may have resulted from Wnt/β-catenin-activated transcription at the earlier stages of NC formation, but in fully established NC this regulation seems to be attributed rather to other signaling pathways.

Effector factors of non-canonical Wnt/PCP and Wnt/Ca²⁺ signaling cascades are expressed in fully established NC

A network of molecules participating in non-canonical Wnt signaling cascades, whose expression was detected in NC, is schematically depicted in Fig. 2, with gene descriptions and expression level values provided in Table 1. Non-canonical Wnt signaling was shown in various cellular systems to be stimulated by Wnt 1/11 and Wnt 5A ligands [15, 40, 41]. Wnt 11 and Wnt 5B are expressed in NC at the highest level among other Wnt ligands. Their expression, as well as the expression of Wnt 5A, is also upregulated in relation to C2C12 myoblasts/myotubes. Similar to the canonical cascade, activation of Wnt/PCP cascade occurs via phosphorylation of Dsh proteins [16]. In NC, the signal can be transduced downstream by DAAM1 factor and RHOU-MAP3K1/4-JNK3 axis, to induce cytoskeleton rearrangements. JNK3 can also be activated in NC via Ca²⁺ and protein kinase C axis, known to be activated also by classical GPCRs. JNK3 phosphorylates c-Jun and JunD which then dimerise with one of the Fos proteins to form transcription factor AP-1, known to display prosurvival and proinflammatory action, as well as to inhibit myogenesis [16, 42–47]. Expression of c-Jun, JunD, Fra-1 (encoded by FOSL1 gene), FosB and Fos is found in NC, with Fos being the most highly upregulated gene in relation to C2C12 cellular systems. Thus expression in NC of Wnt 11, Wnt 5A/5B ligands, as well as JNK3 and Jun/Fos factors, indicate importance of AP-1 factor in maintenance of NC biological functions mediated by non-canonical Wnt signaling cascades. One of the effector genes of Wnt/Ca²⁺ signaling cascade, expressed in NC, is Nemo-like kinase (NLK, Table 1). As NLK is known to suppress β-catenin-dependent transcription [48], its expression in NC further points to inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling cascade.

It is inferred from the study performed that canonical, as well as non-canonical cascades operate in NC at the various stages of its formation. Expression in the fully established NC of Wnt ligands responsible for activation of canonical Wnt signaling cascade, the latter known to accompany induction of muscle regeneration [8, 22], may reflect the vestiges from those stages of NC formation when muscle regeneration was triggered. Eventually the cascade inhibition prevails. It is also possible that expression in fully established NC of the cascade inhibiting factors, including a feedback inhibitor NKD1, is indicative of execution of a tight control of the remaining activity of canonical Wnt signaling. It can be hypothesized that at the time point of larva penetration Wnt autocrine signaling may be responsible for β-catenin-dependent induction of infected myofiber regeneration. As no differentiation ultimately occurs, probably due to influence of EGF (epidermal growth factor)/FGF (fibroblast growth factor)/PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor)- induced proliferative stimulation [5], Wnt 5A/5B- and Wnt 11-activated non-canonical signaling cascades sustain the activation of AP-1 transcription factor to regulate NC growth arrest and immunological functions [6]. Current analysis was based on putative loops of autocrine signaling operating in NC. Parasite-derived factors and paracrine signaling should also control NC formation and the functioning of NC at fully established stage. Long-term maintenance of NC biological specificity apparently results from a precise orchestration of various cellular signaling events. The nature of the exact factor causing transformation of muscular cells to the parasite-favorable environment, remains to be identified.

Conclusions

The NC is an intracellular habitat for Trichinella spp. muscle larvae. Assuming autocrine signaling by Wnt ligands to occur during a long-term existence of the NC-Trichinella muscle larva complex, the canonical Wnt signaling cascade is inferred to be inhibited, but the non-canonical Wnt/PCP and Wnt/Ca²⁺ cascades are postulated to lead to maintenance of AP-1 transcription factor activation and execution of NC biological functions.