Role of WFS1 in Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Signaling: A Dissertation

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multi-functional cellular compartment that functions in protein folding, lipid biosynthesis, and calcium homeostasis. Perturbations to ER function lead to the dysregulation of ER homeostasis, causing the accumulation of unfolded and misfolded proteins in the cell. This is a state of ER stress. ER stress elicits a cytoprotective, adaptive signaling cascade to mitigate stress, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). As long as the UPR can moderate stress, cells can produce the proper amount of proteins and maintain a state of homeostasis. If the UPR, however, is dysfunctional and fails to achieve this, cells will undergo apoptosis. Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by persistent high blood glucose levels. The pathogenesis of this disease involves pancreatic β-cell dysfunction: an abnormality in the primary function of the β-cell, insulin production and secretion. Activation of the UPR is critical to pancreatic β-cell survival, where a disruption in ER stress signaling can lead to cell death and consequently diabetes. There are several models of ER stress leading to diabetes. Wolcott-Rallison syndrome, for example, occurs when there is a mutation in the gene encoding one of the master regulators of the UPR, PKR-like ER kinase (PERK). In this dissertation, we show that Wolfram Syndrome 1 (WFS1), an ER transmembrane protein, is a component of the UPR and is a downstream target of two of the master regulators of the UPR, Inositol Requiring 1 (IRE1) and PERK. WFS1 mutations lead to Wolfram syndrome, a non-autoimmune form of type 1 diabetes accompanied by optical atrophy and other neurological disorders. It has been shown that patients develop diabetes due to the selective loss of their pancreatic β-cells. Here we define the underlying molecular mechanism of β-cell loss in Wolfram syndrome, and link this cell loss to ER stress and a dysfunction in a component of the UPR, WFS1. We show that WFS1 expression is localized to the β-cell of the pancreas, it is upregulated during insulin secretion and ER stress, and its inactivation leads to chronic ER stress and apoptosis. This dissertation also reveals the previously unknown function of WFS1 in the UPR. Positive regulation of the UPR has been extensively studied, however, the precise mechanisms of negative regulation of this signaling pathway have not. Here we report that WFS1 regulates a key transcription factor of the UPR, activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. WFS1 expression decreases expression levels of ATF6 target genes and represses ATF6-mediated activation of the ER stress response (ERSE) promoter. WFS1 recruits and stabilizes an E3 ubiquitin ligase, HMG-CoA reductase degradation protein 1 (HRD1), on the ER membrane. The WFS1-HRD1 complex recruits ATF6 to the proteasome and enhances its ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation, leading to suppression of the UPR under non-stress conditions. In response to ER stress, ATF6 is released from WFS1 and activates the UPR to mitigate ER stress. This body of work reveals a novel role for WFS1 in the UPR, and a novel mechanism for regulating ER stress signaling. These findings also indicate that hyperactivation of the UPR can lead to cellular dysfunction and death. This supports the notion that tight regulation of ER stress signaling is crucial to cell survival. This unanticipated role of WFS1 for a feedback loop of the UPR is relevant to diseases caused by chronic hyperactivation of ER stress signaling network such as pancreatic β-cell death in diabetes and neurodegeneration

Valproate, a Mood Stabilizer, Induces WFS1 Expression and Modulates Its Interaction with ER Stress Protein GRP94

Valproate is a standard treatment for bipolar disorder and a first-line mood stabilizer. The molecular mechanisms underlying its actions in bipolar disorder are unclear. It has been suggested that the action of valproate is linked to changes in gene expression and induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-response proteins.Here we show that valproate modulates the ER stress response through the regulation of WFS1, an important component for mitigating ER stress. Therapeutic concentrations of valproate induce expression of WFS1 mRNA and activate the WFS1 promoter. In addition, WFS1 forms a complex with GRP94, an ER stress-response protein, in which valproate dose-dependently enhances its dissociation from GRP94.These results suggest that the therapeutic effects of valproate in bipolar disorder may be mediated by WFS1 expression and its dissociation from GRP94

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

BHPR research: qualitative1. Complex reasoning determines patients' perception of outcome following foot surgery in rheumatoid arhtritis

Background: Foot surgery is common in patients with RA but research into surgical outcomes is limited and conceptually flawed as current outcome measures lack face validity: to date no one has asked patients what is important to them. This study aimed to determine which factors are important to patients when evaluating the success of foot surgery in RA Methods: Semi structured interviews of RA patients who had undergone foot surgery were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted to explore issues that were important to patients. Results: 11 RA patients (9 ♂, mean age 59, dis dur = 22yrs, mean of 3 yrs post op) with mixed experiences of foot surgery were interviewed. Patients interpreted outcome in respect to a multitude of factors, frequently positive change in one aspect contrasted with negative opinions about another. Overall, four major themes emerged. Function: Functional ability & participation in valued activities were very important to patients. Walking ability was a key concern but patients interpreted levels of activity in light of other aspects of their disease, reflecting on change in functional ability more than overall level. Positive feelings of improved mobility were often moderated by negative self perception ("I mean, I still walk like a waddling duck”). Appearance: Appearance was important to almost all patients but perhaps the most complex theme of all. Physical appearance, foot shape, and footwear were closely interlinked, yet patients saw these as distinct separate concepts. Patients need to legitimize these feelings was clear and they frequently entered into a defensive repertoire ("it's not cosmetic surgery; it's something that's more important than that, you know?”). Clinician opinion: Surgeons' post operative evaluation of the procedure was very influential. The impact of this appraisal continued to affect patients' lasting impression irrespective of how the outcome compared to their initial goals ("when he'd done it ... he said that hasn't worked as good as he'd wanted to ... but the pain has gone”). Pain: Whilst pain was important to almost all patients, it appeared to be less important than the other themes. Pain was predominately raised when it influenced other themes, such as function; many still felt the need to legitimize their foot pain in order for health professionals to take it seriously ("in the end I went to my GP because it had happened a few times and I went to an orthopaedic surgeon who was quite dismissive of it, it was like what are you complaining about”). Conclusions: Patients interpret the outcome of foot surgery using a multitude of interrelated factors, particularly functional ability, appearance and surgeons' appraisal of the procedure. While pain was often noted, this appeared less important than other factors in the overall outcome of the surgery. Future research into foot surgery should incorporate the complexity of how patients determine their outcome Disclosure statement: All authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and pancreatic beta-cell death

In pancreatic beta-cells, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important cellular compartment for insulin biosynthesis, which accounts for half of the total protein production in these cells. Protein flux through the ER must be carefully monitored to prevent dysregulation of ER homeostasis and stress. ER stress elicits a signaling cascade known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), which influences both life and death decisions in cells. beta-cell loss is a pathological component of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and recent findings suggest that ER stress is involved. In this review, we address the transition from the physiological ER stress response to the pathological response, and explore the mechanisms of ER stress-mediated beta-cell loss during the progression of diabetes

Endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling in pancreatic beta-cells

Pancreatic beta-cells are specialized for the production and regulated secretion of insulin to control blood-glucose levels. Increasing evidence indicates that stress-signaling pathways emanating from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are important in the maintenance of beta-cell homeostasis. Under physiological conditions, ER stress signaling has beneficial effects on beta-cells. Timely and proper activation of ER stress signaling is crucial for generating the proper amount of insulin in proportion to the need for it. In contrast, chronic and strong activation of ER stress signaling has harmful effects, leading to beta-cell dysfunction and death. Therefore, to dissect the molecular mechanisms of beta-cell failure and death in diabetes, it is necessary to understand the complex network of ER stress-signaling pathways. This review focuses on the function of the ER stress-signaling network in pancreatic beta-cells

Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis and auto-immunity in diabetes

Increasing evidence suggests that stress signaling pathways emanating from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are important to the pathogenesis of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Recent observations indicate that ER stress signaling participates in maintaining the ER homeostasis of pancreatic beta-cells. Either a high level of ER stress or defective ER stress signaling in beta-cells may cause an imbalance in ER homeostasis and lead to beta-cell apoptosis and autoimmune response. In addition, it has been suggested that ER stress attributes to insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is necessary to study the relationship between ER stress and diabetes in order to develop new therapeutic approaches to diabetes based on drugs that block the ER stress-mediated cell-death pathway and insulin resistance

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in beta-cells and development of diabetes

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a cellular compartment responsible for multiple important cellular functions including the biosynthesis and folding of newly synthesized proteins destined for secretion, such as insulin. A myriad of pathological and physiological factors perturb ER function and cause dysregulation of ER homeostasis, leading to ER stress. ER stress elicits a signaling cascade to mitigate stress, the unfolded protein response (UPR). As long as the UPR can relieve stress, cells can produce the proper amount of proteins and maintain ER homeostasis. If the UPR, however, fails to maintain ER homeostasis, cells will undergo apoptosis. Activation of the UPR is critical to the survival of insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells with high secretory protein production. Any disruption of ER homeostasis in beta-cells can lead to cell death and contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes. There are several models of ER-stress-mediated diabetes. In this review, we outline the underlying molecular mechanisms of ER-stress-mediated beta-cell dysfunction and death during the progression of diabetes