ccn4 protein  (R&D Systems)

Journal: Cells

Article Title: WISP-1 Regulates Cardiac Fibrosis by Promoting Cardiac Fibroblasts’ Activation and Collagen Processing

doi: 10.3390/cells13110989

Figure Lengend Snippet: WISP-1 protein induced type I collagen processing in conditioned media of human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs). HCFs were cultured in supplemented fibroblast growth medium for 24 h and then in serum-free medium (SFM) for 48 h. The medium was replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL) for 24 h, and conditioned media were collected and concentrated for Western blotting. Stain-free gel bands from corresponding cell lysate samples were used as the loading control. Representative Western blots of ( A ) type I procollagen and pC-collagen (tropocollagen with PICP), detected using anti-C-telo antibody (n = 16), ( B ) type I procollagen, pC-collagen (tropocollagen with PICP), and PICP, detected using anti-PICP antibody (n = 8), and ( C ) type I procollagen, detected using anti-PINP antibody (n = 8). Schematic molecular structures and approximate molecular weights in kDa are indicated adjacent to representative immunoblots.

Article Snippet: Forty-eight hours later, SFM was replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL, Biotechne, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 1627-WS-050).

Techniques: Cell Culture, Recombinant, Western Blot, Staining

Journal: Cells

Article Title: WISP-1 Regulates Cardiac Fibrosis by Promoting Cardiac Fibroblasts’ Activation and Collagen Processing

doi: 10.3390/cells13110989

Figure Lengend Snippet: Silencing ADAMTS-2 inhibited WISP-1 protein-induced type I collagen processing in conditioned media of human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs). HCFs were either transfected with control SiRNA (1.228 μM), ADAMTS SiRNAs (614 nM/target gene), or left untransfected prior to seeding on a 12-well plate. After culture in supplemented fibroblast growth medium for 24 h, HCFs were starved in serum-free medium (SFM) for 48 h. The medium was then replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL) and HCFs cultured for 15 h for qPCR analysis, and 24 h or 96 h for Western blotting analysis. ( A ) Quantification of ADAMTS-2 mRNA expression using qPCR analysis. Data were normalised to 36B4 housekeeping gene and expressed as the relative fold change to the untransfected HCFs (Control). ( B ) Quantification of ADAMTS-2 protein expression (168 h post-transfection) using Western blotting analysis. Data were normalised to stain-free gel bands and expressed as the relative fold change to the untransfected HCFs (Control). ( C ) Representative Western blots of type I procollagen and pC-collagen (tropocollagen with PICP) detected using anti-C-telo antibody. Stain-free gel bands from corresponding cell lysate samples were used as loading control. Quantification of pC-collagen I protein expression (96 h post-transfection) was expressed as the relative fold change to the WISP-1 protein treatment group. Data shown as mean ± SEM (n = 4–6). Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis H test. * indicates p < 0.05. Approximate molecular weights in kDa are indicated adjacent to representative immunoblots.

Article Snippet: Forty-eight hours later, SFM was replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL, Biotechne, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 1627-WS-050).

Techniques: Transfection, Recombinant, Cell Culture, Western Blot, Expressing, Staining

Journal: Cells

Article Title: WISP-1 Regulates Cardiac Fibrosis by Promoting Cardiac Fibroblasts’ Activation and Collagen Processing

doi: 10.3390/cells13110989

Figure Lengend Snippet: WISP-1 protein promoted Akt phosphorylation via integrin β1/FAK/ILK in human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs). HCFs were cultured in supplemented fibroblast growth medium for 24 h and then starved in serum-free medium (SFM) for 48 h. The medium was replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL) for 30 min before cell lysis. Cell lysate samples were analysed by Western blotting using phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) (Ser473) and total Akt (t-Akt) antibodies. ( A ) Representative Western blots of p-Akt (Ser473) and t-Akt protein expression. The ratio of p-Akt (Ser473) to t-Akt was calculated and expressed as the relative fold change to the control. Data shown as mean ± SEM (n = 9). Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U test. * indicates p < 0.05. ( B ) Representative Western blots of p-Akt (Ser473) and t-Akt protein expression. The ratio of p-Akt (Ser473) to t-Akt was calculated and expressed as the relative fold change to WISP-1 + mouse non-immune IgG 1 control (mIgG) group. HCFs were pre-incubated with integrin β1-blocking antibodies (mouse IgG 1 clone) (β1 mAb, 10 μg/mL), integrin αVβ5-blocking antibodies (mouse IgG 1 clone) (αVβ5 mAb, 10 μg/mL), and mIgG control antibodies (10 μg/mL), respectively, for 30 min prior to WISP-1 protein treatment. Data shown as mean ± SEM (n = 5). Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis H test. * indicates p < 0.05. ( C ) Representative Western blots of p-Akt (Ser473) and t-Akt protein expression. The ratio of p-Akt (Ser473) to t-Akt was calculated and expressed as the relative fold change to WISP-1 group. HCFs were pre-incubated with defactinib (5 μM) or CPD22 (2.5 μM) for 30 min prior to WISP-1 protein treatment. Data shown as mean ± SEM (n = 4). Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U test. * indicates p < 0.05. Approximate molecular weights in kDa are indicated adjacent to representative immunoblots.

Article Snippet: Forty-eight hours later, SFM was replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL, Biotechne, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 1627-WS-050).

Techniques: Cell Culture, Recombinant, Lysis, Western Blot, Expressing, MANN-WHITNEY, Incubation, Blocking Assay

Journal: Cells

Article Title: WISP-1 Regulates Cardiac Fibrosis by Promoting Cardiac Fibroblasts’ Activation and Collagen Processing

doi: 10.3390/cells13110989

Figure Lengend Snippet: WISP-1 protein promoted human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) activation. HCFs were cultured on soft substrate plates (8 kPa) in supplemented fibroblast growth medium for 24 h. HCFs were starved in serum-free medium (SFM) for 48 h, then the medium was replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL) and cultured for 24 h. ( A ) HCFs were fixed for immunocytochemical staining with anti-α-SMA antibody. α-SMA positive cells are stained green, and nuclei are stained blue with DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole). Some positive cells are indicated by white arrows. Scale bar represents 50 μm. Quantification of positive α-SMA staining was expressed as the relative fold change to the control of the percentage of positive α-SMA staining cells to total cells on soft substrate. Data shown as mean ± SEM (n = 8). Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U test. * indicates p < 0.05. ( B ) Quantification of α-SMA protein expression and ( C ) quantification of PCNA protein expression using Western blotting analysis. Data were normalised to stain-free gel bands and expressed as the relative fold change to the control. Data shown as mean ± SEM (n = 9). Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U test. * indicates p < 0.05. ( D ) Quantification of accumulated migration distance per cell over the duration of consecutive images (21 h 30 min). Data shown as mean ± SEM (n = 4). Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t test. * indicates p < 0.05.

Article Snippet: Forty-eight hours later, SFM was replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL, Biotechne, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 1627-WS-050).

Techniques: Activation Assay, Cell Culture, Recombinant, Staining, MANN-WHITNEY, Expressing, Western Blot, Migration

Journal: Cells

Article Title: WISP-1 Regulates Cardiac Fibrosis by Promoting Cardiac Fibroblasts’ Activation and Collagen Processing

doi: 10.3390/cells13110989

Figure Lengend Snippet: WISP-1 deficiency attenuated angiotensin II (AngII)-induced coronary artery perivascular fibrosis. Cardiac fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous AngII infusion (1000 ng/kg/min) for 28 days via osmotic pumps in WISP-1 +/+ and WISP-1 −/− mice. Representative images showing type I collagen (dark brown) staining using anti-C-telo antibody in left ventricular tissues with and without AngII infusion. Nuclei are stained blue with haematoxylin. Non-immune IgG was used as the negative control. Quantification of positive type I collagen staining was expressed as the percentage of positive collagen I staining area to total tissue area. Data shown as mean ± SEM (n = 5–8). Red arrows indicate some positive staining (dark brown). Scale bar represents 100 μm. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis H test. * indicates p < 0.05.

Article Snippet: Forty-eight hours later, SFM was replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL, Biotechne, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 1627-WS-050).

Techniques: Staining, Negative Control

Journal: Cells

Article Title: WISP-1 Regulates Cardiac Fibrosis by Promoting Cardiac Fibroblasts’ Activation and Collagen Processing

doi: 10.3390/cells13110989

Figure Lengend Snippet: A schematic summary of the findings of this study. WISP-1 promotes cardiac fibroblasts’ phenotypic switch from quiescent fibroblasts to myofibroblasts (activated fibroblasts), promoting collagen processing and accumulation. WISP-1 activates Akt signalling via integrin β1/FAK/ILK in cardiac fibroblasts. Deletion of WISP-1 attenuates angiotensin II (AngII)-induced cardiac fibrotic remodelling in vivo. Figure key is illustrated on the top left-hand side of the figure. Purple ↓ denotes promotion; black ↑ denotes increase; ┤ denotes inhibition.

Article Snippet: Forty-eight hours later, SFM was replaced with fresh SFM in the presence or absence of recombinant human WISP-1 protein (500 ng/mL, Biotechne, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 1627-WS-050).

Techniques: In Vivo, Inhibition

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Data-driven learning how oncogenic gene expression locally alters heterocellular networks

doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-29636-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: Digital cytometry deconvolutes a bulk transcriptomic profile using gene signatures that correspond to different stromal, malignant, and immune cell types. The results estimate the prevalence of the different cell types within the tissue sample, that is the digital cytometry features. By using bulk transcriptomic profiles of defined patient populations, underlying variation in the inferred cellular composition coupled with features associated with a patient sample, such as over-expression of a secreted gene product by malignant cells, can be used to estimate how the heterocellular network is impacted by a genetic alteration intrinsic to the malignant cell using Bayesian Network inference. To illustrate the approach, we focused on malignant cell expression of Cell Communication Network factor 4 (CCN4), a secreted matricellular protein. The resulting directed acyclic graph represents the collective conditional independence among the modeled features, or nodes, of the network.

Article Snippet: The concentration of CCN4 protein in the cell culture media from those wells was assayed using the Human WISP-1/CCN4 DuoSet ELISA Kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) to confirm CCN4 knockout.

Techniques: Cytometry, Over Expression, Expressing

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Data-driven learning how oncogenic gene expression locally alters heterocellular networks

doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-29636-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: The nodes of the graph represent features, such as CCN4 gene expression (rectangle), sample attribute (hexagon), or the prevalence of a particular cell type/state (oval). The edges represent inferred causal relationships among the nodes. The black lines with arrow heads represent a positive causal relation while red lines with horizontal bars represent a negative or inhibitory causal relation, where the extent of influence of the parental node is annotated by the number beside the edge. The number included within the node symbol represents the average normalized value of the digital cytometry feature within the dataset with values of all of the parental nodes set to zero. The width of the edge is proportional to the posterior probability of inclusion into the DAG.

Article Snippet: The concentration of CCN4 protein in the cell culture media from those wells was assayed using the Human WISP-1/CCN4 DuoSet ELISA Kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) to confirm CCN4 knockout.

Techniques: Expressing, Cytometry

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Data-driven learning how oncogenic gene expression locally alters heterocellular networks

doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-29636-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: A The percentage of live CD45+ cells isolated from tumors generated by inoculating s.c. with WT (red) and CCN4 KO (blue) variants of B16F0 (o and x’s) and YUMM1.7 (□ and +’s) cells, where the log-linear trends are highlighted by dotted lines. CD45+ values were obtained from three different antibody panels that quantified T cells, B/NK cells, and myeloid cells in TIL isolates from each mouse. B A comparison of the ratio of NK cells (black), CD8+ T cells (red), CD4+ T cells (blue), and B cells (green) to live CD45+ TILs in s.c. tumors generated using WT B16F0 and YUMM1.7 cells (mean ± s.d.). C The difference in the mean prevalence of the infiltrating immune cell types was compared when CCN4 is present (WT) versus absent (CCN4 KO) as predicted by digital cytometry from the BRCA (dark gray) and SKCM (light gray) datasets and as observed experimentally using the B16F0 (red) and YUMM1.7 (black) mouse models. D TIL comparison upon CCN4 KO in B16F0 and YUMM1.7 mouse models stratified by NK cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and B cells (top to bottom) ( n = 7 biologically independent animals for YUMM1.7 and n = 4 biologically independent animals for B16F0 variants and mean ± s.d.). p -values calculated between WT and CCN4 KO pairs using two-sided Student’s t test.

Article Snippet: The concentration of CCN4 protein in the cell culture media from those wells was assayed using the Human WISP-1/CCN4 DuoSet ELISA Kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) to confirm CCN4 knockout.

Techniques: Isolation, Generated, Comparison, Cytometry

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Data-driven learning how oncogenic gene expression locally alters heterocellular networks

doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-29636-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: A A comparison of the ratio of CD11c- (black) and CD11c+ (gray) macrophages, Dendritic cells (yellow), CD11c+ MDSC (green), MDSC (blue), and Neutrophils (red) to live CD45+ TILs in s.c. tumors generated using WT B16F0 and YUMM1.7 cells (mean ± s.d.). B The difference in prevalence of the myeloid cell types was compared when CCN4 is present (WT) versus absent (CCN4 KO) as predicted by digital cytometry of the BRCA (dark gray) and SKCM (light gray) data sets and as observed experimentally using the B16F0 (red) and YUMM1.7 (black) mouse models. Macrophages are the only myeloid cell subset inferred from the BRCA and SKCM datasets and are assumed to be related to CD11c+ macrophages in mouse models. C A representative scatter plot of GR1 versus CD11c expression in gated live CD45+ CD11b+ TILs obtained from WT (top) and CCN4 KO (bottom) YUMM1.7 tumors. D – F TIL comparison upon CCN4 KO in B16F0 and YUMM1.7 mouse models stratified by myeloid-derived suppressor cell subsets ( D : MDSC (top) and CD11c+ MDSC (bottom)) and other myeloid cell subsets ( E : CD11c- (top) and CD11c+ (bottom) macrophages, F : neutrophils (top) and dendritic cells (bottom)) ( n = 7 biologically independent animals for YUMM1.7 and n = 4 biologically independent animals for B16F0 variants and mean ± s.d.). p -values calculated between WT and CCN4 KO variants using two-sided Student’s t test.

Article Snippet: The concentration of CCN4 protein in the cell culture media from those wells was assayed using the Human WISP-1/CCN4 DuoSet ELISA Kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) to confirm CCN4 knockout.

Techniques: Comparison, Generated, Cytometry, Expressing, Derivative Assay

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Data-driven learning how oncogenic gene expression locally alters heterocellular networks

doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-29636-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: A Expression of genes for transcription factors (left panel - Snai1: red triangle, Snai2: blue diamond, Zeb1: black circle, and Zeb2: gray square) and adhesion proteins (right panel - Cdh1: blue triangle, Cdh2: black circle, Fn1: red square) associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition were assayed as a function of time following addition of rmCCN4 to CCN4 KO YUMM1.7 (top row) and CCN4 KO B16F0 cells (bottom row). Colored asterisks indicate whether gene at a particular time point was significantly different than untreated cells, where n = 3 biological independent samples. B The distribution in cell trace staining among live CD4 + (left panel) and CD8 + (right panel) T cells stimulated with α CD3/ α CD28 (AP beads) alone or in the presence of media conditioned by WT B16F0 cells (AP beads + WT TCM), media conditioned by CCN4 KO B16F0 cells (AP beads + CCN4 KO TCM), or with 10 ng/ml of recombinant mouse CCN4 (AP beads + rCCN4). The distribution in the corresponding unstimulated cells (gray) are shown at the bottom. The colored vertical lines indicate the predicted dilution of cell trace staining in each generation based on the unstimulated controls. C Bivariate projection of the weights of genes within the resting (y-axis) and activated (x-axis) NK cell signatures. D Using spleens from C57BL/6 mice that were challenged with YUMM1.7 cells, isolated CD8+ T cells were assayed by in vitro ELISpot for IFN γ expression using variants of the YUMM1.7 cell line as targets (CCN4 KO YUMM1.7 with a blank inducible expression vector and CCN4 KO YUMM1.7 with a CCN4 inducible expression vector). To induce CCN4 expression, these YUMM1.7 variants were also cultured in the absence (−) or presence of doxycycline (+) and quantified following 24 h co-culture. Statistical significance between WT and CCN4 KO variants was assessed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison ad hoc post-test, where n = 6 biologically independent samples. Results summarized as mean ± s.d.

Article Snippet: The concentration of CCN4 protein in the cell culture media from those wells was assayed using the Human WISP-1/CCN4 DuoSet ELISA Kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) to confirm CCN4 knockout.

Techniques: Expressing, Staining, Recombinant, Isolation, In Vitro, Enzyme-linked Immunospot, Plasmid Preparation, Cell Culture, Co-Culture Assay, Comparison

Journal: Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)

Article Title: WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 regulates kidney inflammation through the NF-κB pathway

doi: 10.1042/CS20210663

Figure Lengend Snippet: ( A ) F4/80 positive cells were accumulated in mice kidney (kidney cortex) with WISP1 administration and reduced by PTL, which was verified by counting the percentage of F4/80 positive cells. ( B ) The expression of inflammation markers was up-regulated by WISP1 and alleviated by PTL treatment. ( C ) M1 and M2 marker expression. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM relative gene expression, *** P <0.001,** P <0.01, * P <0.05. n =3–5.

Article Snippet: Recombinant human WISP1 protein, IgG control and mouse WISP1 antibody were purchased commercially (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and used at specified concentrations.

Techniques: Expressing, Marker, Gene Expression

Journal: Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)

Article Title: WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 regulates kidney inflammation through the NF-κB pathway

doi: 10.1042/CS20210663

Figure Lengend Snippet: At 48 h after administration of WISP1 and/or PTL to healthy mice, there were: ( A ) no morphology changes (Masson staining) observed based on in the kidney at 48 h after administration of WISP1 and/or PTL in healthy mice. ( B ) No collagen (PSR staining) alteration was found in the WISP1-treated mice. ( C ) Q-PCR data showed no significant changes in collagen1a1 and fibronectin. ( D ) α-SMA expression were up-regulated with WISP1 treatment, reduced by PTL. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM relative gene expression, ** P <0.01, * P <0.05. n =3–5.

Article Snippet: Recombinant human WISP1 protein, IgG control and mouse WISP1 antibody were purchased commercially (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and used at specified concentrations.

Techniques: Staining, Expressing, Gene Expression

Journal: Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)

Article Title: WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 regulates kidney inflammation through the NF-κB pathway

doi: 10.1042/CS20210663

Figure Lengend Snippet: ( A ) The translocation of P-p65 into nucleus induced by WISP1 was inhibited by treatment of NFκB inhibitor PTL, with the inhibition on the up-regulated expression of TNF-α. ( B , C ) PTL inhibited the LPS-induced nucleus translocation of P-p65 and the up-regulated expression of inflammation markers. ( D ) Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM relative gene expression, *** P <0.001,** P <0.01. n =3–5.

Article Snippet: Recombinant human WISP1 protein, IgG control and mouse WISP1 antibody were purchased commercially (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and used at specified concentrations.

Techniques: Translocation Assay, Inhibition, Expressing, Gene Expression

Journal: Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)

Article Title: WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 regulates kidney inflammation through the NF-κB pathway

doi: 10.1042/CS20210663

Figure Lengend Snippet: ( A ) Knockdown (KD) of WISP1 by shRNA. ( B ) Knockdown of WISP1 in LPS-stimulated RAW macrophages inhibited ( B ) the translocation of P-p65 into nucleus, and up-regulated ( C ) expression of inflammation markers. *** P <0.001,** P <0.01. n =3–5.

Article Snippet: Recombinant human WISP1 protein, IgG control and mouse WISP1 antibody were purchased commercially (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and used at specified concentrations.

Techniques: Knockdown, shRNA, Translocation Assay, Expressing

Journal: Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)

Article Title: WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 regulates kidney inflammation through the NF-κB pathway

doi: 10.1042/CS20210663

Figure Lengend Snippet: ( A ) The addition of WISP1 antibody (Ab) inhibited the translocation of P-p65 induced by LPS and the expression of inflammation markers ( B,C ). ELISA showed that the up-regulation TNF-α was reduced by WISP1 knockdown and the addition of antibody. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM relative gene expression, *** P <0.001,** P <0.01, * P <0.05. n =3–5.

Article Snippet: Recombinant human WISP1 protein, IgG control and mouse WISP1 antibody were purchased commercially (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and used at specified concentrations.

Techniques: Translocation Assay, Expressing, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Knockdown, Gene Expression

Journal: Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)

Article Title: WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 regulates kidney inflammation through the NF-κB pathway

doi: 10.1042/CS20210663

Figure Lengend Snippet: The representative cell images were taken using 4× light microscope. ( A ) PTL inhibited kidney fibroblast cells proliferation induced by recombinant WISP1 protein (1 μg/ml), validated by counting cell numbers. ( B ) Wisp1 knocked-down using shRNA reduced the proliferation of kidney fibroblast cells by TNF-α, confirmed by counting cell number. ( C ) The addition of WISP1 antibody reduced the fibroblast cell growth in the presence of TNF-α, as confirmed by counting cell number. n =3.

Article Snippet: Recombinant human WISP1 protein, IgG control and mouse WISP1 antibody were purchased commercially (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and used at specified concentrations.

Techniques: Light Microscopy, Recombinant, shRNA

Journal: Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)

Article Title: WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 regulates kidney inflammation through the NF-κB pathway

doi: 10.1042/CS20210663

Figure Lengend Snippet: ( A ) STZ-induced DN mice at 18 weeks demonstrated the increased expression of TNF-α, MCP-1, CD68, α-SMA and WISP1 gene by qPCR, compared with control mice ( n =12–15 mice/group). Immunofluorescence staining indicated the elevated expression of WISP1 in DN model. Macrophage co-localized with WISP1 staining (white arrow). ( B ) High glucose-treated RAW cells expressed more WISP1, TNF-α and MCP-1 than low glucose-treated cells. ( C ) The kidneys of mice with 7 days post-UUO surgery showed an increased expression of inflammation genes, TNF-α, MCP-1 and IL6 and an up-regulation of WISP1, compared with control kidneys ( n =5 mice/group). Immunofluorescence staining indicated the elevated expression of WISP1 in UUO model. Macrophage co-localized with WISP1 staining (white arrow). *** P <0.001,** P <0.01.

Article Snippet: Recombinant human WISP1 protein, IgG control and mouse WISP1 antibody were purchased commercially (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and used at specified concentrations.

Techniques: Expressing, Control, Immunofluorescence, Staining

Journal: Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)

Article Title: WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 regulates kidney inflammation through the NF-κB pathway

doi: 10.1042/CS20210663

Figure Lengend Snippet: ( A ) Q-PCR analysis demonstrated that WISP1 antibody reduced inflammation gene expression in kidneys from UUO mice. ( B ) UUO kidneys without treatment or receiving IgG show an up-regulated F4/80 positive cells accumulation at 7 days. Administration of WISP1 antibody in UUO mice resulted in a reduction, verified by the percentage of F4/80 positive cells. ( C ) WISP1 antibody treatment rescued the degradation of IκBα expression in UUO kidneys, by Western blotting. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM relative gene expression, *** P <0.001, ** P <0.01, * P <0.05. n =3–7.

Article Snippet: Recombinant human WISP1 protein, IgG control and mouse WISP1 antibody were purchased commercially (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and used at specified concentrations.

Techniques: Gene Expression, Expressing, Western Blot

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Wisp1 is a circulating factor that stimulates proliferation of adult mouse and human beta cells

doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19657-1

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Representative images of antibody arrays incubated with p14 or 20wo mouse serum. Spots corresponding to Wisp1 are marked with an empty square box. b Serum levels of Wisp1 in p14 ( n = 7), p28 ( n = 4), 11wo ( n = 6) and 20wo ( n = 7) mice measured with ELISA. c Plasma levels of WISP1 in children ( n = 11) and adult ( n = 14) measured with ELISA. d Quantification by qPCR of the expression of the indicated CCN genes in p14 ( n = 7, green) and 20wo mouse islets ( n = 6 for Cyr61 , n = 7 for other genes, gray). Values are expressed relative to Tbp . e Quantification by qPCR of the expression of the indicated CCN genes in adult human islets ( n = 6 for CYR61 , n = 5 for other genes). Values are expressed relative to TBP . f Quantification by qPCR of Wisp1 gene expression in the indicated p14 (green) and 20wo (gray) mouse tissues. Wisp1 gene expression is shown relative to levels in p14 bone, given the value of 1 ( n = 9 for bone, n = 4 for all other tissues). WAT: white adipose tissue; Gastroc: gastrocnemius. All data shown represent mean ± SEM from the indicated n . Indicated comparisons were made using two-tailed Student’s t test ( c , d ), one-way ( b ) and two-way ( f ) ANOVA. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; **** p < 0.0001; ns: not significant. In f , at p14, bone Wisp1 gene expression was significantly higher than in all other tissues tested with p < 0.01–0.001.

Article Snippet: Recombinant mouse Wisp1 and human WISP1 proteins were purchased from R&D Systems.

Techniques: Incubation, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Clinical Proteomics, Expressing, Gene Expression, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Wisp1 is a circulating factor that stimulates proliferation of adult mouse and human beta cells

doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19657-1

Figure Lengend Snippet: a – c Beta cell proliferation in fixed pancreases from p14 Wisp1 + / + or Wisp1 − / − mice. a Representative images of pancreases co-immunostained for insulin (purple)/ki67 (green) or insulin (purple) /pHH3 (green). Nuclei are marked with Hoechst in blue. b Quantification of the percentage of beta (insulin+) cells that are ki67+ in Wisp1 + / + ( n = 5, yellow) or Wisp1 − / − ( n = 6, orange) mice. c Quantification of the percentage of beta (insulin+) cells that are pHH3+ in Wisp1 + / + ( n = 4, yellow) or Wisp1 − / − ( n = 5, orange) mice. d – f Beta cell proliferation in fixed pancreases from p12 Wisp1 − / − mice treated with saline or with rmWisp1 protein for three days (from p9 to p11). d Representative images of pancreases co-immunostained for insulin (purple)/ki67 (green) or insulin (purple)/pHH3 (green). Nuclei are marked with Hoechst in blue. e Quantification of the percentage of beta (insulin+) cells that are ki67+ in mice injected with rmWisp1 ( n = 4, orange) o saline ( n = 4, brown). f Quantification of the percentage of beta (insulin+) cells that are pHH3+ in mice injected with rmWisp1 ( n = 3, orange) o saline ( n = 3, brown). g – i Beta cell proliferation of 20wo mouse islet grafts transplanted into the anterior chamber of the eye of p16 Wisp1 + / + or Wisp1 − / − mouse recipients. g Representative images of islet grafts co-immunostained for insulin (purple)/ki67 (green) or insulin (purple)/pHH3 (green). Nuclei are marked with Hoechst in blue. h Quantification of the percentage of beta (insulin+) cells that are ki67+ in p16 Wisp1 + / + ( n = 7, yellow) or Wisp1 − / − ( n = 7, orange) mice. i Quantification of the percentage of beta (insulin+) cells that are pHH3+ in p16 Wisp1 + / + ( n = 4, yellow) or Wisp1 − / − ( n = 4, orange) mice. All data values represent mean ± SEM for the indicated n . * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01 using two-tailed Student’s t test. Scale bars are 25 μm. ND: not detectable.

Article Snippet: Recombinant mouse Wisp1 and human WISP1 proteins were purchased from R&D Systems.

Techniques: Saline, Injection, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Wisp1 is a circulating factor that stimulates proliferation of adult mouse and human beta cells

doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19657-1

Figure Lengend Snippet: Adenoviruses encoding human WISP1 (Ad-WISP1) or beta-galactosidase (Ad-betaGal) were injected via the tail vein into 12wo C57BL6/J mice. a Quantification by qPCR of human WISP1 transcripts in the livers of mice seven days and fourteen days ( n = 4) post-injection. Levels are expressed relative to values in mice injected with Ad-betaGal, given the value of 1. b Quantification by qPCR of mouse Wisp1 mRNA ( n = 5 for Ad-betaGal, red; n = 7 for Ad-WISP1, purple) and human WISP1 transcripts ( n = 5 for Ad-betaGal, red; n = 4 for Ad-WISP1, purple) in the livers of mice fourteen days post-injection. Expression levels are expressed relative to Tbp . c Serum human WISP1 levels were measured by ELISA at days 7 and 14 post-injection of Ad-betaGal ( n = 7) or Ad-WISP1 ( n = 8 at day 7; n = 4 at day 14, purple). Human WISP1 was not detectable (ND) in serum from mice injected with Ad-betaGal. d , e Beta cell proliferation following injection of Ad-WISP1 and Ad-betaGal. d Representative images of in toto immunofluorescence staining against ki67 (green) and insulin (purple) in islets isolated at day 7 after injection of the indicated adenoviruses. Nuclei are labeled with Hoechst (blue). e Percentage of beta cells (insulin+) that are ki67+ at day 7 after injection of Ad-betaGal ( n = 4, red) or Ad-WISP1 ( n = 7, purple). f Beta cell mass at day 14 following injection of Ad-betaGal ( n = 5, red) or Ad-WISP1 ( n = 7, purple). All data shown represent mean ± SEM for the indicated n . * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01 using two-tailed Student’s t test ( b , e , f ) or two-way ANOVA ( a , c ). Scale bars are 25 μm.

Article Snippet: Recombinant mouse Wisp1 and human WISP1 proteins were purchased from R&D Systems.

Techniques: Injection, Expressing, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Isolation, Labeling, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Wisp1 is a circulating factor that stimulates proliferation of adult mouse and human beta cells

doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19657-1

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Schematic of experimental plan. b Quantification by qPCR of mouse Wisp1 mRNA ( n = 6 for Ad-betaGal, yellow; n = 10 for Ad-WISP1, green) and human WISP1 transcripts ( n = 8 for Ad-betaGal, yellow; n = 6 for Ad-WISP1, green) in the livers of mice fourteen days post-injection. Expression levels are expressed relative to Tbp . c Serum human WISP1 levels were measured by ELISA at days 9 and 14 post-injection with Ad-betaGal ( n = 5) or Ad-WISP1 ( n = 4, green). Human WISP1 was not detectable (ND) in mice injected with Ad-betaGal. d Blood glucose concentrations measured at the indicated days post-injection with Ad-betaGal ( n = 8, yellow) or Ad-WISP1 ( n = 7, green). e Serum insulin at day 14 following administration of Ad-betaGal ( n = 11, yellow) or Ad-WISP1 ( n = 13, green). f , g Beta cell proliferation following injection of Ad-WISP1 and Ad-betaGal. f Representative images of immunofluorescence staining against ki67 (green) and insulin (purple) in fixed pancreases at day 14 after injection of the indicated adenoviruses. Nuclei are labeled with Hoechst (blue). g Percentage of beta cells (insulin+) that are ki67+ at day 14 days after injection of the indicated adenoviruses ( n = 7; Ad-betaGal in yellow, Ad-WISP1 in green). h Beta cell fractional area (insulin+ area relative to total pancreatic area) and i total beta cell mass at day 14 after injection of Ad-betaGal ( n = 8, yellow) or Ad-WISP1 ( n = 7, green). All data shown represent mean ± SEM for the indicated n . * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01 using two-tailed Student’s t test ( b , e) , one-tailed Student’s t test ( g – i ) and two-way ANOVA ( d ). Scale bars are 25 μm.

Article Snippet: Recombinant mouse Wisp1 and human WISP1 proteins were purchased from R&D Systems.

Techniques: Injection, Expressing, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Labeling, Two Tailed Test, One-tailed Test

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Wisp1 is a circulating factor that stimulates proliferation of adult mouse and human beta cells

doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19657-1

Figure Lengend Snippet: a , b Beta cell proliferation in mouse islets incubated with Wisp1 recombinant mouse protein (rmWisp1). a Representative images of in toto immunofluorescence showing ki67 (green) and insulin (purple) staining in mouse islets cultured for 48 h with increasing amounts of rmWisp1 protein or harmine. Nuclei are marked with Hoechst in blue. b Percentage of beta cells (insulin+) that are ki67+ in cultured islets under the indicated conditions (control, n = 49 islets, in gray; rmWisp1-250, n = 19 islets, in blue; rmWisp1-500, n = 45 islets, in green; harmine, n = 15 islets, in pink; from four independent experiments except for harmine that are from two independent experiments). c , d Beta cell proliferation in mouse islets co-cultured with NIH3T3 cells expressing WISP1. c Representative images of in toto immunofluorescence showing ki67 (green) and insulin (purple) staining in mouse islets co-cultured for 24 or 48 h with NIH3T3 cells infected with the indicated adenoviruses. Nuclei are marked with Hoechst in blue. d Percentage of beta cells (insulin+) that are ki67+ in mouse islets cultured under the indicated conditions for 24 h (control, in gray: n = 25 islets; 3T3/WISP1, in blue: n = 21 islets, from three independent experiments) and for 48 h (control, in gray: n = 100 islets; 3T3/WISP1, in blue: n = 88 islets, from three independent experiments). e , f Beta cell proliferation in human islets incubated with recombinant human WISP1 protein (rhWISP1). e Representative images of in toto immunofluorescence showing ki67 (green) and insulin (purple) staining in human islets incubated for 48 h with increasing amounts of rhWISP1 protein or with harmine. Nuclei are marked with Hoechst in blue. f Percentage of beta cells (insulin+) that are ki67+ in human islets cultured under the indicated conditions (control, in gray: n = 79 islets; rhWISP1-250, in blue: n = 60 islets; rhWISP1-500, in green: n = 98 islets; harmine, in pink: n = 17 islets; from four donors). All data shown represent mean ± SEM for the indicated n . Comparisons were made using one-way ANOVA. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; **** p < 0.0001. Scale bars are 25 μm.

Article Snippet: Recombinant mouse Wisp1 and human WISP1 proteins were purchased from R&D Systems.

Techniques: Incubation, Recombinant, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Cell Culture, Control, Expressing, Infection

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Wisp1 is a circulating factor that stimulates proliferation of adult mouse and human beta cells

doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19657-1

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Determination of Akt activation ( Ser473 phosphorylation) by immunoblot analysis in mouse islets incubated with recombinant mouse Wisp1 protein (rmWisp1) at 500 ng/ml for 30 min. Top: representative immunoblot image. Molecular weight markers are shown on the right. Bottom, quantification of Akt activation, expressed relative to control islets (no rmWisp1), given the value of 1 (control, in gray: n = 10; rmWisp1, in blue: n = 11, from five independent experiments). b , c Beta cell proliferation in mouse islets incubated with rmWisp1 protein and Akt inhibitors. b Representative immunofluorescence images showing ki67 staining in green and insulin in purple. Nuclei are marked with Hoechst (blue). c Percentage of beta cells (insulin+) that are ki67+ in islets incubated with rmWisp1protein at 500 ng/ml for 48 h alone ( n = 41 islets, blue) or with the Akt inhibitors AZD5363 ( n = 21 islets, pink) or Akti ( n = 25 islets, yellow), or left untreated (control, gray: n = 39 islets) from three different isolation experiments. d Determination of AKT activation ( Ser473 phosphorylation) by immunoblot analysis in human islets incubated with recombinant human WISP1 protein (rhWISP1) at 500 ng/ml for 15 min. Top: representative immunoblot image. Molecular weight markers are shown on the right. Bottom, quantification of AKT activation, expressed relative to control islets (no WISP1), given the value of 1 (control in gray: n = 12; rhWISP1 in blue: n = 7, from 3 donors) e , f Beta cell proliferation in human islets incubated with Wisp1 protein and Akt inhibitors. e Representative immunofluorescence images showing ki67 staining in green and insulin in red. Nuclei are marked with Hoechst (blue). f Percentage of beta cells (ins+) that are ki67+ in human islets incubated with rhWISP1 protein at 500 ng/ml for 48 h alone ( n = 21 islets, blue) or with the Akt inhibitors AZD5363 ( n = 31 islets, pink) or Akti ( n = 15 islets, yellow), or left untreated (control, gray: n = 20 islets) from 3 donors. All data shown represent mean ± SEM for the indicated n . Comparisons were made using two-tailed Student’s t test ( a , d ) or one-way ANOVA ( c , f ). * p < 0.05; *** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001. Scale bars are 25 μm.

Article Snippet: Recombinant mouse Wisp1 and human WISP1 proteins were purchased from R&D Systems.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Phospho-proteomics, Western Blot, Incubation, Recombinant, Molecular Weight, Control, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Isolation, Two Tailed Test