Grainyhead-like 2 downstream targets act to suppress epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during neural tube closure

Abstract

The transcription factor grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) is expressed in non-neural ectoderm (NNE) and Grhl2 loss results in fully penetrant cranial neural tube defects (NTDs) in mice. GRHL2 activates expression of several epithelial genes; however, additional molecular targets and functional processes regulated by GRHL2 in the NNE remain to be determined, as well as the underlying cause of the NTDs in Grhl2 mutants. Here, we find that Grhl2 loss results in abnormal mesenchymal phenotypes in the NNE, including aberrant vimentin expression and increased cellular dynamics that affects the NNE and neural crest cells. The resulting loss of NNE integrity contributes to an inability of the cranial neural folds to move toward the midline and results in NTD. Further, we identified Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 and Lamc2 as novel NNE-expressed genes that are downregulated in Grhl2 mutants. Our in vitro assays show that they act as suppressors of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Thus, GRHL2 promotes the epithelial nature of the NNE during the dynamic events of neural tube formation by both activating key epithelial genes and actively suppressing EMT through novel downstream EMT suppressors.

Summary: The transcription factor Grhl2 activates novel EMT suppressors along with epithelial junctional proteins to robustly promote epithelial integrity during neural tube closure in mice.

INTRODUCTION

Neural tube closure (NTC) is a crucial embryological event that generates the primordia of the central nervous system. Complex molecular, cellular and tissue events must be coordinated to complete NTC correctly, and this complexity is reflected in the high frequency of neural tube defects (NTDs), a class of birth defects resulting from failure of NTC (Wilde et al., 2014; Copp et al., 1990, 2003). At the tissue level, NTC starts when the flat sheet of neuroectoderm (NE) bends at the median hinge point to elevate the neural folds. The neural folds then bend again at the dorsal-lateral hingepoints and come into contact at the midline. The NE separates from the non-neural ectoderm (NNE) and these tissues seal to form a closed neural tube (NT) with an overlying epithelial layer. The neural crest cells (NCCs) located at the NE/NNE border delaminate as the neural folds begin to close and then the NCCs migrate to distal sites to generate a number of different structures. The NE, NNE and NCCs all arise from the same continuous epithelial layer but they adopt different cellular morphologies. Whereas NE and NNE cells remain epithelial (pseudostratified columnar and squamous, respectively), NCCs undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and delaminate from the underlying basement membrane. These cellular changes are governed by the underlying molecular changes that promote these different cell fates.

The correct molecular and cellular regulation of these three distinct tissues is crucial, and studies from model systems have investigated how each tissue contributes to proper NTC. The NNE plays several roles in NT development, including proper patterning of the dorsal NT (Dickinson et al., 1995) and induction of the NCCs (Selleck and Bronner-Fraser, 1995). The NNE is positioned first lateral to, then overlying, the NE, and it also plays a key role in bringing the neural folds together. Studies in amphibians and chicks showed that removal of NNE from the developing neural folds inhibits their elevation and convergence toward the midline, while inclusion of only a small strip of NNE lateral to the NE allows for full NTC (Hackett et al., 1997; Jacobson and Moury, 1995; Moury and Schoenwolf, 1995). This ability of a small piece of NNE to promote full NTC was also seen in mouse NTC in the spinal region (Ybot-Gonzalez et al., 2002). While it has been proposed that this is due to a pushing force of the NNE against the NE, including NNE medial expansion and oriented cell division (Hackett et al., 1997; Morita et al., 2012; Sausedo et al., 1997), or to its signaling properties (Ybot-Gonzalez et al., 2002), the underlying molecular mechanisms within the NNE that promote NTC remain unclear.

An important molecular player within the NNE is the transcription factor (TF) grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2). In mouse, Grhl2 is expressed in many embryonic and adult epithelial tissues, and loss of Grhl2 function in the NNE results in fully penetrant NTDs (Gustavsson et al., 2008; Pyrgaki et al., 2011; Rifat et al., 2010; Werth et al., 2010). GRHL2 directly regulates genes that are essential for epithelial fate, such as those encoding E-cadherin (cadherin 1), claudin 3 and claudin 4 (Mostov et al., 2012; Werth et al., 2010), and other epithelial genes are downregulated in Grhl2 loss-of-function embryos (Pyrgaki et al., 2011). Despite the knowledge of these and other (Chen et al., 2012; Gao et al., 2013; Walentin et al., 2015) GRHL2-regulated downstream processes, it remains to be determined how Grhl2 loss in the NNE leads to failure of NTC. Thus, continuing studies of GRHL2 function could shed light on the molecular processes that underlie NNE-driven NTC.

Clues as to how GRHL2 functions during development can be found in recent work that implicate it as a tumor suppressor in some epithelial cancers (Cieply et al., 2012; Xiang et al., 2013). The Claudin-low subtype of breast cancer expresses low levels of GRHL2, E-cadherin and claudin 4, is highly metastatic, and GRHL2 expression positively correlates with distant metastasis-free survival (Cieply et al., 2012, 2013; Mlacki et al., 2015). GRHL2 acts as a suppressor of EMT in breast cancer cell lines and can directly repress the EMT-promoting TF ZEB1 (Cieply et al., 2012, 2013). Additionally, GRHL2 knockdown in IMCD-3 kidney epithelial cells caused increased expression of the EMT-associated genes vimentin and Twist2, although not through direct transcriptional repression by GRHL2 (Aue et al., 2015). Although GRHL2 can act as a direct transcriptional repressor (Cieply et al., 2012), combined ChIP-seq and gene expression profiling revealed that it acts predominately through direct target activation (Gao et al., 2013; Walentin et al., 2015). This suggests that GRHL2 might activate EMT suppressors, which themselves normally modulate mesenchymal gene expression, and these alterations in EMT regulation within the NNE could have consequences for epithelial integrity that impact NTC.

Here we studied mouse NTC in Grhl2 mutants and found that NNE cells lose epithelial integrity and gain mesenchymal characteristics. This disrupts the structure of the NNE and increases dynamic behavior, which contributes to an inability of the neural folds to meet at the midline, thus appearing to be the primary cause of NTDs. We identified a set of novel GRHL2-regulated genes expressed within the NNE that act as EMT suppressors and could promote NNE epithelialization, thus contributing to NTC. Our work highlights that embryonic epithelialization may be achieved by coordinating active promotion of epithelial fate with suppression of mesenchymal fate by the activation of a network of EMT suppressors.

RESULTS

Epithelial integrity of the NNE is lost in Grhl2^1Nisw/1Nisw mouse embryos

GRHL2 regulates the development of many epithelial tissues, with loss of function leading to multiple defects in mice, including cranial NTD (Pyrgaki et al., 2011; Rifat et al., 2010; Werth et al., 2010). The Grhl2^1Nisw line was generated by ENU mutagenesis, and homozygous mutants exhibit fully penetrant exencephaly from the hindbrain through the forebrain (Pyrgaki et al., 2011). Grhl2 is expressed in the NNE during NTC and is required for E-cadherin expression in the NNE (Pyrgaki et al., 2011). However, how loss of Grhl2 affects NNE function and how this leads to NTD remain unknown.

Histological examination of the cranial neural folds of 13-somite wild-type embryos showed that NNE cells are tightly connected within the squamous epithelial layer in both the forebrain and hindbrain regions, where the folds have yet to meet but are converging toward the midline (Fig. 1A,C, arrows). However, in Grhl2^1Nisw/1Nisw embryos some NNE cells are not connected with their neighbors and have a more mesenchymal appearance (Fig. 1B,D, arrows). The number of breaks between NNE cells within a 20-cell distance of the neural fold tips is significantly greater in Grhl2^1Nisw/1Nisw compared with wild type in 13- to 18-somite embryos in all regions examined (Fig. 1G). Moreover, the folds in mutant embryos do not bend dorsolaterally to the extent seen in wild type, similar to neurulating chick embryos upon NNE removal (Hackett et al., 1997). Wild-type NNE exhibits a regular pattern of punctate zona occludens (ZO-1; TJP1 – Mouse Genome Informatics) expression, indicating the tight junctions and a close association between NNE cells, and they do not express the mesenchymal filamentous protein vimentin above background levels (Fig. 1E). Grhl2 mutant NNE expresses ZO-1 but the regular punctate pattern is disrupted (Fig. 1F). In Grhl2 mutant embryos, the number of puncta per 100 µm of NNE has both a broader range and decreased mean (Fig. 1H) and the distance between puncta is significantly increased (Fig. 1I) compared with wild type, indicating an irregular distribution of tight junctions. Grhl2 mutant NNE also expresses significantly more vimentin than in wild-type embryos, with the highest levels at the neural fold tips (Fig. 1F,J). Thus, loss of Grhl2 causes NNE cells to change their molecular profile and lose epithelial and gain mesenchymal characteristics.

Fig. 1.

Grhl2 mutant NNE exhibits loss of epithelial integrity and increased mesenchymal properties. (A-D) H&E staining of transverse sections of cranial neural folds of 13-somite mouse embryos shows tightly associated wild-type NNE (A,C, arrows) versus the loosely associated epithelium and altered cellular phenotype of Grhl2 mutant NNE (B,D, arrows). (E,F) Immunostaining shows regular, punctate ZO-1 (green arrows) and low-level vimentin expression in wild-type NNE (E) versus an irregular ZO-1 expression pattern and aberrant vimentin (red arrows) in Grhl2 mutant NNE (F). (G-J) Quantitation of A-F. (G) NNE breaks in Grhl2 mutants (seven embryos, 50 sections each) are increased compared with wild type (five embryos, 50 sections each). (H,I) The number of ZO-1 puncta per 100 µm shows greater spread and overall smaller mean (H) and the distance between puncta is greater in Grhl2 mutant embryos than in wild type (I). (J) Vimentin expression is increased in Grhl2 mutant NNE compared with wild type. Experiments were performed on four embryos per genotype, ten sections each. Mean±s.d. **P<0.001, ***P<0.0001, Student's t-test. FB, forebrain; HB, hindbrain; RSC, rostral spinal cord; NNE, non-neural ectoderm; WT, wild type. Scale bars: 20 µm.

One hallmark of mesenchymal cells is a greater motility than epithelial cells. To dynamically assess whether these phenotypic and molecular changes affect the behavior of mutant NNE cells we used live imaging of cranial NTC (Massarwa and Niswander, 2013). The myr-Venus reporter mouse labels all cell membranes with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) (Rhee et al., 2006), and mating of myr-Venus:Grhl2^1Nisw/+ compound heterozygotes allowed us to visualize wild-type and mutant embryos by confocal microscopy (for numbers of embryos used in live imaging experiments see Table S1). Cranial NTC occurs via zippering of the neural folds moving rostrally from the cervical spinal region (closure point 1, 4-5 somites), and caudally from the anteriormost region of the future forebrain (closure point 3, 13-14 somites). Closure point 1 and initial zippering occur in Grhl2 mutants, so we started imaging at 11 somites in the hindbrain. In wild-type embryos, zippering proceeds rostrally and the cranial folds bend towards the midline and move towards each other (Fig. 2A, Movie 1). The NNE appears tightly intact, although at the neural fold tips we observe some dynamic cell membrane movement toward the open midline, most likely filopodial extensions from the NNE (Geelen and Langman, 1979; Pyrgaki et al., 2010). We consistently observe a bright line of YFP at the neural fold tips, suggesting localized membrane constriction at the NE/NNE border (Fig. 2A, arrows). In Grhl2 mutants, the cranial folds do not continue to elevate and ultimately fall away from each other, which in turn impedes further zippering, resulting in NTD (Fig. 2B, Movie 2). Moreover, the line of YFP at the NE/NNE border is less distinct (Fig. 2B, yellow arrows). As Grhl2 is expressed in the NNE, not the NE or cranial mesenchyme, this implies a crucial role for the NNE in helping to shape and move the neural folds toward one another in the cranial region in mice, as has been seen in amphibians and chicks.

Fig. 2.

Live imaging reveals dynamic alterations to NNE epithelial integrity in Grhl2 mutants. (A,B) Still images from movies of myr-Venus wild-type and Grhl2 mutant embryos (11 somites; dorsal view). Wild-type embryos exhibit a tight line of membrane association at the neural fold tips (A, arrows) and a smooth external epithelial surface, whereas Grhl2 mutant embryos lack the defined membrane association (B, yellow arrows) and have a rough epithelial surface (red arrow) as the neural folds fall away. (C,D) Time series still images from live imaging of closure point 3 of mTmG:Grhl3^Cre/+ wild-type and Grhl2 mutant embryos (11 somites). Wild-type NNE cells exhibit tight membrane association at the NE border (C, arrows) as the folds move toward the midline. Neural folds of Grhl2 mutants fall away and do not meet at the midline, and the membrane association at the NNE/NE border is discontinuous and ill-defined (D, arrows). Scale bars: 100 µm.

Grhl2^1Nisw/1Nisw mutants fail to close the anteriormost neural folds and we noted considerable cell movement in this region in mutants (Fig. 2B, red arrow, Movie 2), prompting us to image the region of closure point 3. Here, we employed a genetic system that allows for clear distinction of the NNE. The mTmG fluorescent reporter line (Muzumdar et al., 2007) highlights all cell membranes with red fluorescent protein (mTomato) until Cre-mediated recombination results in a switch to membrane-bound green fluorescent protein (mGFP) expression. By crossing mTmG mice to Grhl3-Cre mice, in which Cre expression is under control of the endogenous Grhl3 promoter (Camerer et al., 2010), NNE cells at the neural fold tips are highlighted with mGFP. Crosses of mTmG:Grhl2^1Nisw/+ and Grhl3-Cre:Grhl2^1Nisw/+ mice allowed us to evaluate NNE behavior in both wild-type and mutant embryos. Of note, embryos carrying the Grhl3-Cre allele are heterozygous for the wild-type Grhl3 allele, which could genetically interact with the loss of Grhl2. However, at the time points examined, Grhl2 is expressed much more broadly than Grhl3 such that we expect the impact to be minimal.

Starting with 11-somite wild-type embryos, the opposing neural folds move toward the midline and make contact at the anteriormost point after ∼6 h of imaging (Fig. 2C, Movie 3). As the neural folds curl towards each other, the NNE at the neural fold tips displays a distinct border with the NE (mGFP, Fig. 2C, white arrows), similar to that in myr-Venus embryos. In Grhl2 mutants, the neural folds do not move toward the midline and instead curve away from each other. mGFP expression at the NNE/NE border is indistinct and discontinuous (Fig. 2D, yellow arrows, Movie 4) and individual NNE cells display increased dynamic movement (Movie 4). Higher magnification and greatly increased speed of imaging over a 15 min timecourse revealed that wild-type NNE cells are fairly static (Movie 5). By contrast, Grhl2 mutant NNE cells appear highly dynamic and many cells round up on the outside of the epithelium (Movie 6). Together, these data indicate that loss of GRHL2 function alters NNE epithelial integrity and results in cellular changes consistent with the molecular changes accompanying a loss of epithelial character and a gain of mesenchymal properties.

NCCs form at the NNE/NE border and, as they develop, they express a number of TFs that direct cell fate (Sox10) and drive their EMT [Snail (Snai1), Zeb2]. Analysis of these genes by in situ hybridization showed no global changes in expression patterns between wild-type and Grhl2 mutant embryos, although in the mutant we occasionally noted a few cells in the NNE expressing Snail or Sox10 (Fig. S1). This could be indicative of individual NNE cells expressing these TFs, or of NCCs moving into the NNE due to the loss of NNE epithelial integrity. Therefore, we evaluated NCCs more specifically by crossing Wnt1-Cre:Grhl2^1Nisw/+ to mTmG:Grhl2^1Nisw/+ to label early and migrating NCCs (Danielian et al., 1998) in wild-type and Grhl2 mutant embryos. Transverse sections of wild-type embryos showed migrating NCC streams under the NNE layer (Fig. 3A) and an intact basement membrane containing fibronectin (Fig. 3C). In Grhl2 mutants, some NCCs lie within the NNE layer (Fig. 3B, arrows), appearing to coincide with regions of basement membrane disruption (Fig. 3D, arrows). Dynamic imaging of wild-type embryos starting at 7 somites (dorsal view) showed NCCs within the cranial neural folds rostral of the zippering front, and chains of NCCs migrating laterally away from the midline caudal to the closed NT (Movie 7). There was no obvious overall defect in NCC migration in this region in Grhl2 mutants (Movie 8); however, close inspection of the neural folds revealed local disruption of NCC behavior. In wild-type embryos (11 somites), NCCs arise within the neural folds bounded by the overlying NNE layer, and NCCs all move internally (Fig. 3E, arrow, Movie 9). In Grhl2 mutants, some individual cells are seen within the NNE layer and these NCCs extend cellular processes externally (Fig. 3F, yellow arrows, Movie 10). Although our data are not conclusive, we suggest the following: while Grhl2 loss results in increased mesenchymal properties (vimentin expression and increased cellular dynamics), the NNE does not undergo an NCC-driven EMT program, but instead the disruption in GRHL2-regulated NNE integrity fails to constrain NCCs along their migratory path under the NNE.

Fig. 3.

Aberrant localization of migrating NCCs reflects loss of NNE epithelial integrity in Grhl2 mutants. (A-D) Fibronectin immunostaining and NCC visualization (mTmG:Wnt1^Cre) shows NCC migration between the NE and NNE and an intact basement membrane under the NNE in wild type (A,C), whereas in Grhl2 mutants the NNE layer contains a few NCCs and this correlates with regions of basement membrane disruption (arrows, B,D). Three embryos per genotype were analyzed. (E,F) Time series from live imaging of mTmG:Wnt1^Cre/+ wild-type and Grhl2 mutant embryos (11 somites at start; dorsal view) showing NCCs at the edge of the closing neural folds and below the single layer of NNE (E,F, white arrows). In wild-type embryos, NCCs always move internally (E). In Grhl2 mutants, a few NCCs are seen within the NNE layer and they extend cellular processes externally (F, yellow arrows). Scale bars: 20 µm in A,B; 50 µm in E,F.

Wild-type NNE expresses potential EMT suppressors

Cellular behavior of the NNE, NE and NCCs must be highly regulated in time and space for proper NTC. As these tissues adopt different characteristics (epithelial versus mesenchymal), it is conceivable that regulation of EMT, both positive and negative, plays a crucial role in NTC. Thus, we hypothesized that GRHL2 is necessary to both activate important epithelial genes and actively suppress EMT during NTC, and set out to determine if the NNE expresses EMT suppressors during NTC.

To isolate the NNE, we used the mTmG×Grhl3-Cre genetic cross to differentially label the NNE (GFP) and remaining embryonic tissue (RFP). GFP⁺ embryos were collected (20-24 somites), dissected to remove non-NT tissue, dissociated into single-cell suspensions, and subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate the NNE (GFP⁺) and a mixed population of remaining neural and non-neural cells (RFP⁺). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed, and subsequent Cuffdiff analysis comparing the two populations identified genes enriched in the NNE compared with the RFP⁺ population (Table 1). Using q<0.20 and P<0.05, 48 genes were identified, including genes already characterized as NNE expressed and GRHL2 regulated [E-cadherin (Cdh1) and claudin 4 (Cldn4)], as well as genes not previously characterized in the NNE. Although GO term analysis did not identify EMT suppressors as an enriched category, an extensive literature search of all 48 genes identified six potential EMT suppressors based on work in other cell contexts (Table 1 and outlined below).

Table 1.

Genes significantly enriched in NNE

Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1, also known as RBM35A) is expressed in epithelial tissues, promotes epithelial-specific splicing of many genes, and was identified as an EMT suppressor in the context of breast cancer (Warzecha et al., 2010, 2009). Sclerostin domain-containing protein 1 (SOSTDC1, also known as WISE, USAG-1, ectodin) is a secreted protein that regulates tooth development (Kassai et al., 2005). SOSTDC1 inhibits BMP signaling (Kiso et al., 2014; Laurikkala et al., 2003) and, depending on the context, can activate or inhibit WNT signaling (Itasaki, 2003). BMP and WNT signaling can regulate EMT (Lim and Thiery, 2012; Micalizzi and Ford, 2009), and both are involved in NNE, NE and NCC specification (Steventon et al., 2005). Fermitin family homolog 1 (FERMT1, also known as kindlin-1) is a focal adhesion protein involved in integrin activation, adhesion of keratinocytes to fibronectin and laminin, wound healing, and EMT regulation in breast cancer cells, and FERMT1 mutations result in Kindler syndrome, which is characterized by skin blistering (Larjava et al., 2008; Siegel et al., 2003; Ussar et al., 2008; Sin et al., 2011). Tripartite motif-containing 29 (TRIM29, also known as ATDC) is tumor promoting or suppressive depending on the context, and acts as an EMT suppressor in breast cancer (Ai et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2012). Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2, also known as epitheliasin) is highly expressed in prostate and is involved in EMT regulation in prostate cancer metastasis (Lucas et al., 2014). Laminin gamma 2 (LAMC2) is an epithelial-specific isoform that is highly expressed in many embryonic tissues and adult skin, kidneys and lung, and is found at low levels in a highly invasive prostate cancer cell line (Aumailley and Smyth, 1998; Copp et al., 2011; Drake et al., 2010). LAMC2 helps anchor epithelial cells to the basement membrane (Pulkkinen et al., 1994) and its expression is directly inhibited by the EMT-inducing TF ZEB1 (Drake et al., 2010). These six genes were chosen to explore their relationship with GRHL2 during NT closure and whether each, individually, can repress EMT and help promote epithelial fate.

Expression of potential EMT suppressors is altered in Grhl2^1Nisw/1Nisw embryos

As GRHL2 is an important TF within the NNE, we first determined whether expression of these six genes is altered in Grhl2 mutant embryos. qRT-PCR analysis of cranial tissue showed that all six genes are downregulated in Grhl2^1Nisw/1Nisw relative to wild-type embryos (Fig. 4A). Whole-mount RNA in situ hybridization (17- to 18-somite embryos) showed altered gene expression patterns in Grhl2 mutant embryos in tissues in which Grhl2 is expressed (NNE, branchial arches) but not in tissues that are not GRHL2 regulated (gut endoderm) (Fig. S2). As gene expression within the single-cell layer of the NNE is difficult to see in whole-mount, we performed in situ hybridization on transverse sections to more specifically analyze expression. Fermt1, Trim29, Tmprss2 and Lamc2 expression was decreased within the mutant NNE along the length of the cranial neural folds, whereas Esrp1 was decreased only near the fold tip (Fig. 4B). Sostdc1 expression was not apparently affected, suggesting additional mechanisms for Sostdc1 regulation beyond GRHL2.

Fig. 4.

Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Trim29, Tmprss2 and Lamc2 expression is reduced in Grhl2 mutant embryos. (A) qRT-PCR analysis shows decreased expression of NNE genes in Grhl2 mutant versus wild-type embryos. Experiments were performed in biological quadruplicate with technical quintuplicates. Mean±s.d. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, Student's t-test. (B) In situ hybridization of transverse sections of cranial neural folds shows altered expression of Esrp1, Fermt1, Trim29, Tmprss2 and Lamc2 in Grhl2 mutant NNE. Four embryos per genotype were analyzed in separate technical replicates.

GRHL2 directly regulates transcription in the NNE and thus it is possible that GRHL2 directly activates these six genes. A comprehensive list of GRHL2-regulated genes in the NNE has yet to be determined, but several recent ChIP-seq studies in other tissues have identified genetic regions that are bound by GRHL2 (Aue et al., 2015; Gao et al., 2013; Walentin et al., 2015), including within the regulatory regions of Esrp1, Trim29, Sostdc1, Fermt1 and Lamc2. Although no data were found for Tmprss2, interrogation using the published GRHL2 binding motif (Werth et al., 2010) identified potential GRHL2 binding sites within the regulatory regions of Tmprss2. Together, these data suggest that GRHL2 activates Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt2, Trim29, Tmprss2 and Lamc2 in the NNE through direct DNA binding and transcriptional activation.

Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 and Lamc2 regulate EMT in vitro

To assess possible EMT function of the identified genes we utilized the IMCD-3 (mouse intermedullary collecting duct cells) cell line, which expresses high levels of GRHL2 and has been used previously to characterize GRHL2 activity (Werth et al., 2010). qRT-PCR analysis showed that Trim29 is not expressed in IMCD-3 cells, but Esrp1, Fermt1 and Tmprss2 are expressed at even higher levels than E-cadherin and Grhl2 (Fig. 5A). Knockdown (KD) of Grhl2 by stable expression of an shRNA causes IMCD-3 cells (shGrhl2) to exhibit a more mesenchymal appearance, versus the ‘cobblestone' epithelial morphology observed after ‘KD' with stably expressed control shRNA (shControl cells) (Fig. 5B), similar to previous results (Werth et al., 2010). As in Grhl2 mutant embryos, Esrp1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 and Lamc2 are downregulated in shGrhl2 compared with shControl cells (Fig. 5C). Sostdc1 showed the smallest fold change in expression (−1.67 fold), consistent with our in situ data suggesting that Sostdc1 may be regulated by mechanisms that act in conjunction with GRHL2.

Fig. 5.

Loss of Grhl2, Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 or Lamc2 in vitro results in a mesenchymal phenotype. (A) qRT-PCR analysis of RNA from IMCD-3 cells shows strong expression of Grhl2 and its targets relative to Grhl3. (B,C) Control KD IMCD-3 (shControl) cells have an epithelial cobblestone morphology, whereas Grhl2 KD (shGrhl2) cells appear mesenchymal and show a significant decrease in expression levels of Grhl2 and its targets as assessed by qRT-PCR. (A,C) Experiments were performed in biological quadruplicate with technical quintuplicates. Mean±s.d. **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, Student's t-test. (D) Cells subject to individual gene KD for Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 or Lamc2 exhibit a mesenchymal morphology.

Cell lines were generated that stably express shRNAs individually targeting Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 or Lamc2 (Fig. 5D). Similar to shGrhl2, cells of each KD cell line are more spindle-like and do not tightly associate with neighboring cells when in contact, indicative of EMT. IMCD-3 shControl cells express ZO-1 at cell-cell junctions and do not express vimentin (Fig. 6A). In shGrhl2 cells, ZO-1 is expressed in a jagged pattern, indicating that the connections between cells are not uniform. Strikingly, shGrhl2 cells express high levels of vimentin, a well-known marker of post-EMT cells, which also highlights the change to a mesenchymal shape (Fig. 6B). Stable shRNA KD of each of the five genes showed a pattern of ZO-1 and vimentin expression similar to that of shGrhl2 cells (Fig. 6C,E-G), with some slight differences in individual cell phenotypes.

Fig. 6.

Loss of Grhl2, Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 or Lamc2 expression in IMCD-3 cells causes altered protein expression indicative of an EMT. Immunofluorescence for ZO-1 and vimentin (A-G) or E-cadherin and N-cadherin (H-N) on stable KD cell lines. (A) shControl cells exhibit a highly regular pattern of ZO-1 at the tight junctions between cells, and do not express vimentin. (B) shGrhl2, (C) shEsrp1, (D) shSostdc1, (E) shFermt1, (F) shTmprss2 and (G) shLamc2 cells all show irregular ZO-1 and aberrant vimentin expression patterns. (H) shControl cells exclusively express E-cadherin at the adherens junctions. (I) shGrhl2, (J) shEsrp1, (K) shSostdc1, (L) shFermt1, (M) shTmprss2 and (N) shLamc2 cells all show a switch from E-cadherin to N-cadherin expression. Experiments were performed in triplicate. Scale bars: 20 µm.

Another characteristic of EMT is a switch from E-cadherin to N-cadherin (cadherin 2) expression. shControl cells exclusively express E-cadherin at their cell-cell junctions (Fig. 6H), whereas shGrhl2, shEsrp1, shFermt1, shTmprss2 and shLamc2 cells switch to N-cadherin junctional expression (Fig. 6I,J,L-N). shSostdc1 cells at low density appear mesenchymal, with individual scattered cells and vimentin expression. However, as cell density increases, forcing the cells into contact, the cells re-establish a more epithelial appearance and colony morphology. Some shSostdc1 cells exhibit an epithelial ZO-1 expression pattern, whereas others retain vimentin expression (Fig. 6D), and cadherin expression is mixed (Fig. 6K). Although these changes in shSostdc1 cell identity might be due to the intrinsic properties of SOSTDC1, the fact that SOSTDC1 functions as a modulator of BMP and WNT signaling suggests that signaling through both pathways might be required to push cells into a full EMT. These experiments show that individual loss of Grhl2, Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 or Lamc2 expression is sufficient to induce a phenotypic and molecular EMT.

Other hallmarks of EMT are an increase in cellular motility and invasion through a basement membrane. To assess a functional EMT, we measured the ability of KD cells to migrate through a Transwell filter toward a chemoattractant. A small number of shControl epithelial cells can migrate through the filter pores but shGrhl2 cells migrate in significantly greater numbers (Fig. 7A,B), consistent with a role for GRHL2 as a tumor suppressor (Cieply et al., 2012). Tmprss2 KD (shTmprss2) causes significantly greater migration than seen in shControl cells, and shEsrp1, shFermt1 and shLamc2 cells show greater migration than even shGrhl2 cells (Fig. 7A,B). Invasiveness was assessed by the ability to migrate through the filter in the presence of basement membrane. shGrhl2 cells show a significantly greater invasive phenotype than shControl cells (Fig. 7C). Interestingly, shSostdc1 cells showed a highly invasive phenotype, although their migratory ability was reduced relative to the control (Fig. 7B,C). Altogether, these data show that KD of Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 or Lamc2 each results in a functional EMT, although the differences between the cell lines in phenotype, migratory and invasive capacity suggest that each gene might regulate different aspects of the EMT program. These results support the hypothesis that GRHL2 actively regulates EMT within the NNE during NTC through the activation of the downstream EMT suppressors Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 and Lamc2.

Fig. 7.

Grhl2, Esrp1, Sostdc1, Fermt1, Tmprss2 and Lamc2 KD cells undergo a functional EMT. (A) Images of whole Transwell filters seeded with IMCD-3 cells in which the specified genes have been subject to KD by shRNA, showing their differential ability to migrate toward a chemoattractant. (B) Quantification of A. (C) Quantification of the total number of KD cells that invaded through a basement membrane relative to migration through the filter alone. Experiments were performed in biological and technical triplicate. Mean±s.d. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, Student's t-test.

DISCUSSION

NTDs constitute one of the most prevalent classes of birth defects worldwide. Genetic studies in mouse have been instrumental in teasing apart the genetic basis of NTC, with over 300 mouse NTD models (Harris and Juriloff, 2010). The majority of these mouse mutants exhibit cranial NTDs, and mechanistic studies have increased an understanding of the cellular processes necessary for cranial NTC, including regulation of the actin cytoskeleton (Hildebrand and Soriano, 1999; Morriss-Kay and Tuckett, 1985; Xu et al., 1998), neuroepithelial cell proliferation (Honarpour et al., 2001; Ishibashi et al., 1995; Lardelli et al., 1996), neural patterning (Copp and Greene, 2013; Huangfu et al., 2003), apoptosis (Cecconi et al., 1998; Leonard et al., 2002; Yamaguchi et al., 2011) and NCC emigration (Yamaguchi and Miura, 2013). Most studies have focused on the NE, whereas much less is known about how the NNE contributes to NTC. As Grhl2 is expressed exclusively in the NNE during NTC, and loss of GRHL2 function results in fully penetrant cranial NTDs, Grhl2 mutants offer a unique opportunity to study the role of the NNE in cranial NTC.

Here we found that loss of Grhl2 expression alters the epithelial integrity of the NNE, and that GRHL2 normally functions not only through the activation of downstream epithelial genes but also through the active suppression of EMT. Our studies provide the first transcriptome analysis of wild-type NNE and we identified five genes downstream of GRHL2 that act as EMT suppressors in epithelial cells. Loss of Grhl2 causes NNE disruption, including disorganized cell junctions, aberrant expression of the mesenchymal protein vimentin, and decreased epithelial integrity. Live imaging showed that the sharp border between NE and NNE is disrupted and individual NNE cells are more dynamic, with some leaving the epithelial layer. Grhl2 mutant cranial neural folds are initially able to elevate, but they do not continue to move toward the midline and instead fall away from each other.

It appears that the major cause of NTD in Grhl2^1Nisw/1Nisw embryos is the loss of NNE integrity. We speculate that this may lessen the force applied by the NNE against the underlying mesenchyme and NE to help push the neural folds together, although we cannot rule out other potential GRHL2-regulated processes. The forces involved in murine NTC have not been experimentally determined, but studies in other model organisms support this hypothesis. During chick cranial NTC, NNE removal does not affect initial neural fold elevation but the folds are unable to fully elevate and fail to converge toward the midline (Hackett et al., 1997). Moreover, it has been proposed that NNE cells preferentially expand in the medial direction and push against the underlying ECM to generate force to bring the neural folds together (Moury and Schoenwolf, 1995). In Xenopus laevis, the NNE is held under directional tensile forces that contribute to tissue movement, and disruption of the morphogenetic movement of the NNE results in failure of NTC (Morita et al., 2012). Grhl2^1Nisw/1Nisw mutants show only cranial NTD, although Grhl2 is also expressed in the spinal region. The mechanism underlying this differential phenotype is unclear. We hypothesize that the cranial NTD relates to differences in morphogenetic movements of the neural folds in the cranial region, which span a much greater distance than the spinal neural folds, thus perhaps requiring a greater contribution of the NNE to help move the cranial neural folds together. Indeed, we showed here that NNE integrity in Grhl2 mutant rostral spinal cord is also disrupted but that the spinal neural folds are able to meet and seal at the midline. Although we have not tested our hypothesis experimentally, the proposed mechanism could explain why the cranial folds are more sensitive to disruption of the NNE. Thus, we suggest that GRHL2 function is required throughout the cranial NNE to maintain the tissue structure necessary for appropriate bending and movement of the cranial neural folds toward one another.

As the neural folds approach one another, extensive tissue remodeling is required to separate the NE and NNE to allow new connections with the partner tissue on the opposing folds. Scanning electron microscopy and live imaging studies show that cellular projections emanate from the NNE towards the midline that may contribute to NTC (Geelen and Langman, 1979; Pyrgaki et al., 2010). Meanwhile, the NCCs delaminate from the epithelium at the NE/NNE border to migrate away, and our live imaging provides insight into NCC dynamics in the mouse embryo. It is currently unknown how remodeling of the neural folds occurs, but one can imagine that the NE and NNE cells must alter their adhesive, epithelial properties to release from each other. Also, NNE cells just at the tips alter their behavior to promote cellular extensions that project toward the dorsal midline. Thus, we propose the following model for how GRHL2 expression enforces NNE epithelial integrity, even during epithelial remodeling and NCC EMT (Fig. 8). During closure of the cranial neural folds, Grhl2 is expressed throughout the NNE. GRHL2 directly activates epithelial junctional proteins, such as E-cadherin and claudin 3/4 (Mostov et al., 2012; Werth et al., 2010), and activates expression of the EMT suppressor proteins ESRP1, SOSTDC1, FERMT1, TMPRSS2 and LAMC2. Concordantly, GRHL2 directly represses Zeb1 (Cieply et al., 2012) and possibly the NCC-expressed Zeb2. Together, this GRHL2-mediated gene regulatory network enforces the epithelial properties of the NNE during this period of extensive tissue remodeling.

Fig. 8.

Model for GRHL2 regulation of epithelial integrity in NNE. GRHL2 regulates integrity of the NNE through activation of epithelial junctional proteins, direct suppression of ZEB TFs, and activation of several EMT suppressors to enforce the epithelial phenotype of NNE. GRHL2 loss shifts the NNE properties, resulting in loss of epithelial and gain of mesenchymal characteristics.

EMT reflects a complex series of events in which epithelial cells lose their apicobasal polarity, decrease cell-cell adhesions, disrupt their interaction with the basement membrane, undergo cytoskeletal rearrangement including the generation of lamellipodia and filopodia, and become migratory (Lim and Thiery, 2012; Micalizzi and Ford, 2009). These changes are governed by extracellular signaling, transcriptional regulation, alternative splicing and miRNA expression. Thus, suppression of EMT requires multiple mechanisms working in concert. Here we characterized five GRHL2-regulated genes in the NNE that act as EMT suppressors, each of which might impact different aspects of the EMT program. We identified genes that affect signaling pathways (Sostdc1, Tmprss2), alter isoform expression from pro-mesenchymal to pro-epithelial (Esrp1), and are involved in cell-ECM interactions (Fermt1, Lamc2). Individual KD of each gene in vitro shows EMT and similar gross changes in protein expression indicating that they are EMT suppressors. However, fine differences can be appreciated in cell interactions, protein expression, and functional studies of migration and invasion. This suggests that these genes act in combination to fully suppress EMT and that GRHL2 ensures that the NNE remains epithelial through targeting multiple aspects of EMT. To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of GRHL2 as an EMT suppressor during development, and ChIP-seq studies in other systems (Gao et al., 2013; Walentin et al., 2015) reveal that GRHL2 binds to the regulatory regions of the majority of these genes during lung and placental development. This suggests a general mechanism during the development of epithelial tissues, whereby activation of epithelial-specific genes is accompanied by the active suppression of EMT pathways to ensure rapid and robust epithelial morphogenesis.

Genes that normally regulate development are often altered in cancer cells and EMT is a necessary step leading to metastasis. This begs the question: can we use developmental systems of EMT suppression to identify new EMT suppressors in the context of cancer and potential new therapeutic targets? Several genes studied here and additional genes identified in the RNA-seq show promise as EMT suppressors through the mining of publicly available databases of human tumors. Studies are currently underway to assess the potential of these genes to suppress both the EMT process itself and metastasis during in vivo tumorigenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice

Grhl2^1Nisw mice were generated through ENU mutagenesis (Pyrgaki et al., 2011) and maintained as heterozygous animals (Jackson Laboratory stock #016156). For live embryo imaging, the following transgenic mice were used: mTomato:mGFP [Jackson Laboratory #007576 (Muzumdar et al., 2007)], pCAG::myr-Venus [Jackson Laboratory #011107 (Rhee et al., 2006)], Grhl3-Cre (Camerer et al., 2010) and Wnt1-Cre (Danielian et al., 1998). Male breeder mice were used within 1 year of age and all female mice were mated between 6 and 16 weeks of age. Mice were housed at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in accordance with IACUC approved protocol.

Cell culture

The IMCD-3 cell line (a generous gift of Dr Christopher Rivard at UCDAMC) was cultured in DMEM/F12 and 10% FBS. Cells were transfected with shRNA plasmids using Lipofectamine 2000 (Thermo Scientific) followed by puromycin selection to generate clonal populations with stable shRNA integration. shRNA plasmids were obtained from the MISSION TRC1 shRNA plasmid bank at University of Colorado Boulder (Sigma): Grhl2-NM_026496.1-814s1c1, Esrp1-NM_194055.1-929s1c1, Fermt1-NM_198029.1-660s1c1, Sostdc1-NM_025312.1-419s1c1, Tmprss2-NM_015775.2-2761s1c1, Lamc2-NM_008485.2-4335s1c1.

Immunohistochemistry and western blots

Protocols for immunostaining of tissue cryosections and cell lines, including details of antibodies and stains and quantification using Imaris software (Bitplane), are provided in Table S2 and legend.

Histology and in situ hybridization

Whole-mount and section in situ hybridization were performed as described (Holmes and Niswander, 2001; Liu et al., 1998) using probes generated from cDNA made from embryonic mouse total RNA with the primer pairs listed in Table S3. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining employed standard methods. For further details see Table S3 and legend.

Whole-embryo culture and time-lapse microscopy

Embryos were dissected at E8.5, mounted and imaged as described (Massarwa and Niswander, 2013). For high-speed imaging, 11-somite embryos were imaged every 15 s for 15 min total on a Zeiss 5 Live confocal microscope system with images acquired using a Plan-Achromat 10×/0.45 objective at 2.0× magnification.

RNA-seq

mTmG homozygous females were mated to Grhl3-Cre males, embryos dissected at E9.5 in Tyrode's buffer, GFP⁺ embryos selected and dissected further to remove the brachial arch regions, heart and gut endoderm, then pooled according to somite stage. Tissue was placed in Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution without calcium and magnesium (HBSS-free, Gibco 14175) and centrifuged at 1000 rpm (100 g) for 4 min. HBSS was aspirated, 100 µl of dissociation medium (800 µl HBSS-free, 100 µl collagenase IV, 100 µl 0.25% trypsin/EDTA) was added and the sample incubated at 37°C for 4 min. Then 7.5 µg DNase in FACS staining medium [132 ml L15 medium without Phenol Red (Gibco), 1% pen/strep (10,000 U/ml), 1 mg/ml BSA, 10 mM HEPES pH 7.4, 10% water] was added and the sample immediately centrifuged at 1000 rpm (100 g) for 4 min followed by medium aspiration. Cells were dissociated in 1 ml FACS staining medium by gentle pipetting followed by passage through a 0.45 µm cell filter. Cells were sorted into GFP⁺ and Tomato⁺ pools using a MoFlo XDP 100 cell sorter (UC Cancer Center, Flow Cytometry Shared Resource) and immediately processed using the Arcturus PicoPure RNA Isolation Kit (Applied Biosystems). RNA libraries were prepared from 1 µg RNA using the TruSeq RNA Sample Preparation Kit (Illumina) and high-throughput RNA sequencing performed using an Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencer (Dr Jim Huntley, UC Boulder) to generate 1×100 reads. Data were analyzed by Dr Jay Hesselberth (UC Denver AMC) for NNE-specific gene expression (GFP⁺) in comparison to remaining tissue (Tomato⁺) using Bowtie/TopHat and Cufflinks analysis software (Roberts et al., 2012). Significant differences in gene expression were determined by q<0.20 and P<0.05. The complete RNA-seq dataset is available at GEO (accession number GSE72059).

Real-time PCR

E9.5 heads were isolated by dissecting above the first brachial arch dorsally to the otic vesicle, and tissue was snap frozen. RNA from Grhl2^+/+ and Grhl2^1Nisw/1Nisw embryos was isolated from individual samples and cDNA generated from 350 ng total RNA using the Superscript III Reverse Transcription Kit (Invitrogen). cDNA from cell lines was prepared from 2 µg total RNA. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed on a Roche LC480 thermocycler using either TaqMan probes or the Universal Probe Library system (UPL, Roche Diagnostics) with Gapdh as endogenous control. Fold changes in gene expression were calculated based on the ΔΔCT method of relative quantitation. All experiments were performed in biological quadruplicate with technical quintuplicates and statistical analysis was performed using the two-tailed Student's t-test.

Migration and invasion assays

Cells were plated in 10 cm dishes, incubated for 2 days until ∼75% confluency and serum starved for 24 h. Cells were dissociated with HyQtase (Hyclone), spun down and resuspended in serum-free medium. Using a modified Boyden chamber assay, 2.5×10⁴ cells were seeded in a Transwell permeable support (8 µm pore size, Corning) with or without basement membrane extract (BME, Trevigen), and medium with 10% FBS added into the bottom chamber as a chemoattractant. After 24 h, filters were fixed and stained using the Diff-Quick Staining Kit per protocol (Thermo Fisher), imaged and total cell numbers counted. Assays were performed in technical and biological triplicate and the two-tailed Student's t-test used for statistical analysis.