Hedgehog Signaling Gene Regulatory Networks

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Genomics and Genetic Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2015) | Viewed by 18632

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is not only a pivotal morphogenic driver during embryonic development but also a key regulator of stem cell function and fate within discrete populations of cells of many adult mammalian tissues. Hedgehog (Hh) ligands, namely Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Indian hedgehog (Ihh), and Desert hedgehog (Dhh), are all well known for their mitogenic and morphogenic functions during development but also re‐appear during adult organ homeostasis and tissue regeneration. Growing evidence now indicates that Hh regulates stem cell self-renewal and/or transition of diverse quiescent stem cell populations or niches within various tissues, but the exact gene regulatory networks that dictate Hh signaling in adult organ homeostasis and tissue regeneration remain poorly understood.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will help in understanding the biology of hedgehog gene regulatory networks during development, their contributory role in dictating the fate of cells/tissues, the genetic mechanisms responsible for Hh maintenance of quiescence in the adult stem cell niche, and the putative factors involved in mobilisation/recruitment of stem cells to the site of regeneration, as well as their differentiation capabilities.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Hedgehog gene regulatory networks in mammals, master regulators of development
  • Hedgehog signaling in the adult central nervous system, control of neural stem cell niche
  • Hedgehog signaling in adult tissues of ectodermal, mesoderm and/or endodermal origin
  • Hedgehog modulation of the behavior of tissue––specific adult stem and  progenitor cells during (i) homeostasis, (ii) regeneration and (iii) disease
  • Differentiation capabilities of adult stem cells following activation of Hh gene regulatory networks
  • Regulation of adult multipotent stem cells by hedgehog gene regulatory networks as a valuable therapeutic tool for the regeneration of injured tissue and prevention of disease
  • Generation of ES/IPS––derived adult stem cells by interfering with gene regulatory networks

Prof. Dr. Paul Cahill
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review
Hedgehog Signaling in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
by Emanuela Felley-Bosco, Isabelle Opitz and Mayura Meerang
Genes 2015, 6(3), 500-511; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes6030500 - 8 Jul 2015
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 7241
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos fibers, which accumulate in the pleural space, damage tissue and stimulate regeneration. Hedgehog signaling is a pathway important during embryonic mesothelium development and is inactivated in adult mesothelium. The pathway is [...] Read more.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos fibers, which accumulate in the pleural space, damage tissue and stimulate regeneration. Hedgehog signaling is a pathway important during embryonic mesothelium development and is inactivated in adult mesothelium. The pathway is reactivated in some MPM patients with poor clinical outcome, mainly mediated by the expression of the ligands. Nevertheless, mutations in components of the pathway have been observed in a few cases. Data from different MPM animal models and primary culture suggest that both autocrine and paracrine Hedgehog signaling are important to maintain tumor growth. Drugs inhibiting the pathway at the level of the smoothened receptor (Smo) or glioma-associated protein transcription factors (Gli) have been used mostly in experimental models. For clinical development, biomarkers are necessary for the selection of patients who can benefit from Hedgehog signaling inhibition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hedgehog Signaling Gene Regulatory Networks)
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Review
Hedgehog Signaling during Appendage Development and Regeneration
by Bhairab N. Singh, Naoko Koyano-Nakagawa, Andrew Donaldson, Cyprian V. Weaver, Mary G. Garry and Daniel J. Garry
Genes 2015, 6(2), 417-435; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes6020417 - 23 Jun 2015
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 10908
Abstract
Regulatory networks that govern embryonic development have been well defined. While a common hypothesis supports the notion that the embryonic regulatory cascades are reexpressed following injury and tissue regeneration, the mechanistic regulatory pathways that mediate the regenerative response in higher organisms remain undefined. [...] Read more.
Regulatory networks that govern embryonic development have been well defined. While a common hypothesis supports the notion that the embryonic regulatory cascades are reexpressed following injury and tissue regeneration, the mechanistic regulatory pathways that mediate the regenerative response in higher organisms remain undefined. Relative to mammals, lower vertebrates, including zebrafish and newts, have a tremendous regenerative capacity to repair and regenerate a number of organs including: appendages, retina, heart, jaw and nervous system. Elucidation of the pathways that govern regeneration in these lower organisms may provide cues that will enhance the capacity for the regeneration of mammalian organs. Signaling pathways, such as the hedgehog pathway, have been shown to play critical functions during development and during regeneration in lower organisms. These signaling pathways have been shown to modulate multiple processes including cellular origin, positional identity and cellular maturation. The present review will focus on the cellular and molecular regulation of the hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway and its interaction with other signaling factors during appendage development and regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hedgehog Signaling Gene Regulatory Networks)
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