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Breslin JW. Edema and lymphatic clearance: molecular mechanisms and ongoing challenges. Clin Sci (Lond) 2023; 137:1451-1476. [PMID: 37732545 PMCID: PMC11025659 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Resolution of edema remains a significant clinical challenge. Conditions such as traumatic shock, sepsis, or diabetes often involve microvascular hyperpermeability, which leads to tissue and organ dysfunction. Lymphatic insufficiency due to genetic causes, surgical removal of lymph nodes, or infections, leads to varying degrees of tissue swelling that impair mobility and immune defenses. Treatment options are limited to management of edema as there are no specific therapeutics that have demonstrated significant success for ameliorating microvascular leakage or impaired lymphatic function. This review examines current knowledge about the physiological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms that control microvascular permeability and lymphatic clearance, the respective processes for interstitial fluid formation and removal. Clinical conditions featuring edema, along with potential future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome W Breslin
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, FL, U.S.A
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2
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Rezazadeh-Gavgani E, Oladghaffari M, Bahramian S, Majidazar R, Dolati S. MicroRNA-21: A critical underestimated molecule in diabetic retinopathy. Gene 2023; 859:147212. [PMID: 36690226 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) has grown in attention in recent years as a result of its debilitating complications and chronic disabilities. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic microvascular complication of DM and is considered as the primary reason for blindness in adults. Early diagnosis of diabetes complications along with targeted therapy options are critical in avoiding morbidity and mortality associated with complications of diabetes. miR-21 is an important and widely studied non-coding-RNA (ncRNA) with considerable roles in various pathologic conditions including diabetic complications. miR-21 is one of the most elevated miRNAs in response to hyperglycemia and its role in angiogenesis is a major culprit of a wide range of disorders including DR. The main role of miR-21 in DR pathophysiology is believed to be through regulating angiogenesis in retina. This article aims to outline miR-21 biogenesis and distribution in human body along with discussions about its role in DR pathogenesis and its biomarker value in order to facilitate understanding of the new characteristics of miR-21 in DR management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mobina Oladghaffari
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Shirin Bahramian
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Reza Majidazar
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Sanam Dolati
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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3
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El-Khouly OA, Henen MA, El-Sayed MAA, El-Messery SM. Design, synthesis and computational study of new benzofuran hybrids as dual PI3K/VEGFR2 inhibitors targeting cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17104. [PMID: 36224254 PMCID: PMC9556824 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21277-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Design and synthesis of a new series of benzofuran derivatives has been performed. 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, elemental analysis, and IR were used to confirm the structures of the produced compounds. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HePG2), mammary gland breast cancer (MCF-7), epithelioid carcinoma cervical cancer (Hela), and human prostate cancer are used to test anticancer activity (PC3). In compared to DOX (4.17-8.87 µM), Compound 8 demonstrated the highest activity against HePG and PC3 cell lines, with an IC50 range of 11-17 µM. Compound 8 inhibited PI3K and VEGFR-2 with IC50 values of 2.21 and 68 nM, respectively, compared to 6.18 nM for compound LY294002 and 31.2 nM for compound sorafenib as PI3K and VEGFR-2 reference inhibitors, selectively. The molecular docking and binding affinity of the generated compounds were estimated and studied computationally utilizing molecular operating environment software as a PI3K and VEGFR-2 inhibitor (MOE). In conclusion, compound 8 exhibited significant action against hepatocellular and cervical cancer cell lines. Mechanistic study showed that it had a dual inhibitory effect against PI3K and VEGFR-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar A. El-Khouly
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, P.O. Box 35516, Mansoura, Egypt ,grid.10251.370000000103426662Faculty of Pharmacy, New Mansoura University, P.O. Box 35712, New Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Morkos A. Henen
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, P.O. Box 35516, Mansoura, Egypt ,grid.241116.10000000107903411Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Denver, USA
| | - Magda A.-A. El-Sayed
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, P.O. Box 35516, Mansoura, Egypt ,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University, P.O. Box 34518, New Damietta, Egypt
| | - Shahenda M. El-Messery
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, P.O. Box 35516, Mansoura, Egypt ,grid.10251.370000000103426662Faculty of Pharmacy, New Mansoura University, P.O. Box 35712, New Mansoura, Egypt
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4
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Provis JM, Penfold PL, Cornish EE, Sandercoe TM, Madigan MC. Anatomy and development of the macula: specialisation and the vulnerability to macular degeneration. Clin Exp Optom 2021; 88:269-81. [PMID: 16255686 DOI: 10.1111/j.1444-0938.2005.tb06711.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2005] [Revised: 06/27/2005] [Accepted: 07/01/2005] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The central retina in primates is adapted for high acuity vision. The most significant adaptations to neural retina in this respect are: 1. The very high density of cone photoreceptors on the visual axis; 2. The dominance of Midget pathways arising from these cones and 3. The diminishment of retinal blood supply in the macula, and its absence on the visual axis. Restricted blood supply to the part of the retina that has the highest density of neural elements is paradoxical. Inhibition of vascular growth and proliferation is evident during foetal life and results in metabolic stress in ganglion cells and Muller cells, which is resolved during formation of the foveal depression. In this review we argue that at the macula stressed retinal neurons adapt during development to a limited blood supply from the choriocapillaris, which supplies little in excess of metabolic demand of the neural retina under normal conditions. We argue also that while adaptation of the choriocapillaris underlying the foveal region may initially augment the local supply of oxygen and nutrients by diffusion, in the long term these adaptations make the region more vulnerable to age-related changes, including the accumulation of insoluble material in Bruch's membrane and beneath the retinal pigment epithelium. These changes eventually impact on delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the RPE and outer neural retina because of reduced flow in the choriocapillaris and the increasing barriers to effective diffusion. Both the inflammatory response and the sequelae of oxidative stress are predictable outcomes in this scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M Provis
- Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University, GPO Box 475, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
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5
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Whole-Genome Uterine Artery Transcriptome Profiling and Alternative Splicing Analysis in Rat Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062079. [PMID: 32197362 PMCID: PMC7139363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, the uterine artery (UA) undergoes extensive remodeling to permit a 20–40 fold increase in blood flow with associated changes in the expression of a multitude of genes. This study used next-gen RNA sequencing technology to identify pathways and genes potentially involved in arterial adaptations in pregnant rat UA (gestation day 20) compared with non-pregnant rat UA (diestrus). A total of 2245 genes were differentially expressed, with 1257 up-regulated and 970 down-regulated in pregnant UA. Gene clustering analysis revealed a unique cluster of suppressed genes implicated in calcium signaling pathway and vascular smooth muscle contraction in pregnant UA. Transcription factor binding site motif scanning identified C2H2 ZF, AP-2 and CxxC as likely factors functional on the promoters of down-regulated genes involved in calcium signaling and vascular smooth muscle contraction. In addition, 1686 genes exhibited alternative splicing that were mainly implicated in microtubule organization and smooth muscle contraction. Cross-comparison analysis identified novel genes that were both differentially expressed and alternatively spliced; these were involved in leukocyte and B cell biology and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, this first comprehensive study provides a valuable resource for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying gestational uterine arterial adaptations during pregnancy.
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Reichard A, Asosingh K. The role of mitochondria in angiogenesis. Mol Biol Rep 2018; 46:1393-1400. [PMID: 30460535 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-018-4488-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis extends pre-existing blood vessels to improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to inflamed or otherwise hypoxic tissues. Mitochondria are integral in this process, controlling cellular metabolism to regulate the proliferation, migration, and survival of endothelial cells which comprise the inner lining of blood vessels. Mitochondrial Complex III senses hypoxic conditions and generates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species which stabilize hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) protein. HIF-1α induces the transcription of the vegfa gene, allowing the translation of vascular endothelial growth factor protein, which interacts with mature and precursor endothelial cells, mobilizing them to form new blood vessels. This cascade can be inhibited at specific points by means of gene knockdown, enzyme treatment, and introduction of naturally occurring small molecules, providing insight into the relationship between mitochondria and angiogenesis. This review focuses on current knowledge of the overall role of mitochondria in controlling angiogenesis and outlines known inhibitors that have been used to elucidate this pathway which may be useful in future research to control angiogenesis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Reichard
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, NC22 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Kewal Asosingh
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, NC22 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA. .,Flow Cytometry Core, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Chen Y, Ye L, Guan L, Fan P, Liu R, Liu H, Chen J, Zhu Y, Wei X, Liu Y, Bai H. Physiological electric field works via the VEGF receptor to stimulate neovessel formation of vascular endothelial cells in a 3D environment. Biol Open 2018; 7:7/9/bio035204. [PMID: 30232195 PMCID: PMC6176943 DOI: 10.1242/bio.035204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrical stimulation induces significant neovessel formation in vivo We have shown that electrical stimulation of endothelial cells functions as an important contributor to angiogenesis in monolayer culture. Because angiogenesis occurs in a three-dimensional (3D) environment, in this study we investigated the effects of a direct current (DC) electrical field (EF) on endothelial neovessel formation in 3D culture. There was a significant increase in tube formation when endothelial cells were stimulated with EF for 4 h. The lengths of the tube-like structures were augmented further by the continued EF exposure. The lengths of the tubes also increased dose-dependently in the EF-treated cultures in the field strengths of 50 mV/mm∼200 mV/mm for 6 h. Electrical fields of small physiological magnitude enhanced VEGF expression by endothelial cells in 3D culture. EF treatment also resulted in activation of VEGFR2, Akt, extracellular regulated kinase 1,2 (Erk1/2), as well as the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). The tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU1498 that blocks VEGFR2 activity exhibited a potent inhibition of tube growth, and the Akt inhibitor MK-2206 2HCl, the Erk1/2 inhibitor U0126 and the JNK inhibitor SB203580 significantly reduced EF-stimulated tubulogenesis. These results suggest the importance of the VEGFR2 signaling pathway during EF-induced angiogenesis. The results of this study provide novel evidence that endogenous EFs may promote blood vessel formation of endothelial cells by activating the VEGF receptor signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihong Chen
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Liyan Ye
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Linbo Guan
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Ping Fan
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Rui Liu
- Division of peptides related with human disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Jinxin Chen
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Yue Zhu
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Xing Wei
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Huai Bai
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China
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8
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Ye L, Guan L, Fan P, Liu Y, Xiong W, Liu R, Wei X, Zhu Y, Liu Y, Bai H. Effect of a Small Physiological Electric Field on Angiogenic Activity in First-Trimester Extravillous Trophoblast Cells. Reprod Sci 2018; 26:745-756. [PMID: 30111245 DOI: 10.1177/1933719118792102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Electrical stimulation induces significant angiogenesis in vivo. We have shown that electrical stimulation of trophoblast cells has important functions in aspects of angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of a direct current electrical field on trophoblast angiogenic tube formation. A 6-hour exposure to electric fields ranging from 50 to 150 mV/mm dose dependently increased tube growth and network formation. Additionally, the effect was time dependent, with increased tube formation occurring between 4 and 8 hours, indicating stimulation of trophoblast cell angiogenesis. Electrical fields of small physiological magnitude stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor expression by trophoblast cells in the culture. Electric field treatment also resulted in activation of Akt, while the activity of extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase was not significantly changed. Pretreatment with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 inhibitor, SU1498, resulted in potent inhibition of tube growth, and the Akt inhibitor, MK-2206 2HCl, significantly reduced electric field-stimulated tubulogenesis. These data suggest the importance of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway during electric field-induced trophoblastic angiogenesis. This novel evidence indicates that endogenous electrical fields may promote angiogenesis of trophoblast cells by stimulating the VEGFR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Ye
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Linbo Guan
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Fan
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinghui Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Liu
- Division of Peptides Related with Human Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing Wei
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Zhu
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Huai Bai
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
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Brader S, Eccles SA. Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signalling Pathways in Tumor Progression, Invasion and Angiogenesis. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 90:2-8. [PMID: 15143962 DOI: 10.1177/030089160409000102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Aims and background The PI3 kinase signalling pathway is now accepted as being at least as important as the ras-MAP kinase pathway in cell survival and proliferation, and hence its potential role in cancer is of great interest1. The purpose of this review is briefly to examine evidence for an involvement of PI3K in human cancers, discuss the mechanisms by which its activation promotes tumor progression, and consider its utility as a novel target for anticancer therapy. Methods and study design A Medline review of recent literature concerning the role of PI3 kinase in tumor progression -mechanisms of action and clinical implications. Results Evidence is presented that misregulation of the PI3 kinase pathway is a feature of many common cancers, either by loss of the suppressor protein PTEN, or by constitutive activation of PI3 kinase isoforms or downstream elements such as AKT and mTOR. This activation potentiates not only cell survival and proliferation, but also cytoskeletal deformability and motility; key elements in tumor invasion. In addition the PI3K pathway is implicated in many aspects of angiogenesis, including upregulation of angiogenic cytokines due to tumor hypoxia or oncogene activation and endothelial cell responses to them. These cytokines signal though receptors such as VEGF-R, FGF-R and Tie-2 and potentiate processes essential for neoangiogenesis including cell proliferation, migration, differentiation into tubules and “invasion” of these capillary sprouts into extracellular matrix (ECM). Conclusions A more complete understanding of the role of the PI3 kinase pathway in cancer will lead the way to the development of more potent and selective inhibitors which should be a useful adjunct to conventional therapies, potentially interfering with tumor progression at several pivotal points; in particular cell survival, invasion and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Brader
- Tumor Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, McElwain Laboratories, Belmont, Surrey, UK
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Pombero A, Garcia-Lopez R, Estirado A, Martinez S. Vascular pattern of the dentate gyrus is regulated by neural progenitors. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:1971-1987. [PMID: 29306978 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1603-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Neurogenesis is a vital process that begins during early embryonic development and continues until adulthood, though in the latter case, it is restricted to the subventricular zone and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus (DG). In particular, the DG's neurogenic properties are structurally and functionally unique, which may be related to its singular vascular pattern. Neurogenesis and angiogenesis share molecular signals and act synergistically, supporting the concept of a neurogenic niche as a functional unit between neural precursors cells and their environment, in which the blood vessels play an important role. Whereas it is well known that vascular development controls neural proliferation in the embryonary and in the adult brain, by releasing neurotrophic factors; the potential influence of neural cells on vascular components during angiogenesis is largely unknown. We have demonstrated that the reduction of neural progenitors leads to a significant impairment of vascular development. Since VEGF is a potential regulator in the neurogenesis-angiogenesis crosstalk, we were interested in assessing the possible role of this molecule in the hippocampal neurovascular development. Our results showed that VEGF is the molecule involved in the regulation of vascular development by neural progenitor cells in the DG.
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MESH Headings
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Blood Vessels/physiology
- CD13 Antigens/metabolism
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Proliferation
- Dentate Gyrus/anatomy & histology
- Dentate Gyrus/embryology
- Dentate Gyrus/growth & development
- Embryo, Mammalian
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/physiology
- Ki-67 Antigen/metabolism
- Luminescent Proteins/genetics
- Luminescent Proteins/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Nestin/genetics
- Nestin/metabolism
- Neural Stem Cells/physiology
- Neurogenesis/physiology
- RNA, Messenger
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/genetics
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pombero
- IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Av. Teniente Flomesta, 5, 30003, Murcia, Spain
| | - Raquel Garcia-Lopez
- IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Av. Teniente Flomesta, 5, 30003, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alicia Estirado
- IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Av. Teniente Flomesta, 5, 30003, Murcia, Spain
| | - Salvador Martinez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, UMH-CSIC, Campus de San Juan, 03550, Alicante, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain.
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11
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Yuan LH, Chen XL, Di Y, Liu ML. CCR7/p-ERK1/2/VEGF signaling promotes retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Int J Ophthalmol 2017; 10:862-869. [PMID: 28730075 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2017.06.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the role of CCR7/p-ERK1/2/VEGF signaling in the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). METHODS Neonatal C57BL/6J mice were evenly randomized into four groups: normoxia, OIR, OIR control (treated with scramble siRNA), and OIR treated (treated with CCR7 siRNA). Normoxia group was not specially handled. Postnatal day 7 (P7) mice in the OIR group were exposed to 75%±5% oxygen for 5d (P7-P12) and then maintained under normoxic conditions for 5d (P12-P17). Mice in the OIR control and OIR treated groups were given injections of scramble or CCR7 siRNA plasmid on P12 before returning to normoxic conditions for 5d (P12-P17). Retina samples were collected from all mice on P17, stained with adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase), and retinal neovascularization (RNV) was assessed. Retinas were also stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for RNV quantitation. The distribution and expression of CCR7, p-ERK1/2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed via immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS High oxygen promoted retinal neovascularization (P<0.05) and increased the number of endothelial nuclei in new vessels extending from the retina to the vitreous body; CCR7 promoted this process (P<0.05). CCR7 and VEGF mRNA were expressed at higher levels in the OIR and OIR control groups than in the normoxia and OIR treated groups. CCR7, p-ERK1/2, and VEGF protein were expressed in the retinas of mice in the OIR and OIR control groups. Intravitreal injection of CCR7 siRNA significantly reduced CCR7, p-ERK1/2, and VEGF expression in the OIR mouse model (all P<0.05). CCR7 significantly enhanced the neovascularization and non-perfusion areas in the OIR group (P<0.05). CCR7 siRNA significantly reduced levels of p-ERK1/2 and VEGF as compared to OIR controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that CCR7/p-ERK 1/2/VEGF signaling plays an important role in OIR. CCR7 may be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Hui Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xiao-Long Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yu Di
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Mei-Lin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
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12
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Toutounchian JJ, Pagadala J, Miller DD, Baudry J, Park F, Chaum E, Morales-Tirado V, Yates CR. Novel Small Molecule JP-153 Targets the Src-FAK-Paxillin Signaling Complex to Inhibit VEGF-Induced Retinal Angiogenesis. Mol Pharmacol 2016; 91:1-13. [PMID: 27913654 DOI: 10.1124/mol.116.105031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a common treatment strategy for neovascular eye disease, a major cause of vision loss in diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. However, the decline in clinical efficacy over time in many patients suggests that monotherapy of anti-VEGF protein therapeutics may benefit from adjunctive treatments. Our previous work has shown that through decreased activation of the cytoskeletal protein paxillin, growth factor-induced ischemic retinopathy in the murine oxygen-induced retinopathy model could be inhibited. In this study, we demonstrated that VEGF-dependent activation of the Src/FAK/paxillin signalsome is required for human retinal endothelial cell migration and proliferation. Specifically, the disruption of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin interactions using the small molecule JP-153 inhibited Src-dependent phosphorylation of paxillin (Y118) and downstream activation of Akt (S473), resulting in reduced migration and proliferation of retinal endothelial cells stimulated with VEGF. However, this effect did not prevent the initial activation of either Src or FAK. Furthermore, topical application of a JP-153-loaded microemulsion affected the hallmark features of pathologic retinal angiogenesis, reducing neovascular tuft formation and increased avascular area, in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, our results suggest that using small molecules to modulate the focal adhesion protein paxillin is an effective strategy for treating pathologic retinal neovascularization. To our knowledge, this is the first paradigm validating modulation of paxillin to inhibit angiogenesis. As such, we have identified and developed a novel class of small molecules aimed at targeting focal adhesion protein interactions that are essential for pathologic neovascularization in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan J Toutounchian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (J.J.T., J.P., D.D.M., F.P., C.R.Y.) and Department of Ophthalmology (E.C., C.R.Y.), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee; and UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (J.B.)
| | - Jayaprakash Pagadala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (J.J.T., J.P., D.D.M., F.P., C.R.Y.) and Department of Ophthalmology (E.C., C.R.Y.), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee; and UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (J.B.)
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (J.J.T., J.P., D.D.M., F.P., C.R.Y.) and Department of Ophthalmology (E.C., C.R.Y.), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee; and UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (J.B.)
| | - Jerome Baudry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (J.J.T., J.P., D.D.M., F.P., C.R.Y.) and Department of Ophthalmology (E.C., C.R.Y.), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee; and UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (J.B.)
| | - Frank Park
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (J.J.T., J.P., D.D.M., F.P., C.R.Y.) and Department of Ophthalmology (E.C., C.R.Y.), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee; and UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (J.B.)
| | - Edward Chaum
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (J.J.T., J.P., D.D.M., F.P., C.R.Y.) and Department of Ophthalmology (E.C., C.R.Y.), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee; and UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (J.B.)
| | | | - Charles R Yates
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (J.J.T., J.P., D.D.M., F.P., C.R.Y.) and Department of Ophthalmology (E.C., C.R.Y.), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee; and UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (J.B.)
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Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a fundamental role in angiogenesis and endothelial cell biology, and has been the subject of intense study as a result. VEGF acts via a diverse and complex range of signaling pathways, with new targets constantly being discovered. This review attempts to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding VEGF cell signaling in endothelial and cardiovascular biology, with a particular emphasis on its role in angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Evans
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, Division of Medicine, University College London, Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London, WC1E 6JF, UK,
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14
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Stumpf M, den Hertog J. Differential Requirement for Pten Lipid and Protein Phosphatase Activity during Zebrafish Embryonic Development. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148508. [PMID: 26848951 PMCID: PMC4743836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipid- and protein phosphatase PTEN is one of the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor genes in human cancers and many mutations found in tumor samples directly affect PTEN phosphatase activity. In order to understand the functional consequences of these mutations in vivo, the aim of our study was to dissect the role of Pten phosphatase activities during zebrafish embryonic development. As in other model organisms, zebrafish mutants lacking functional Pten are embryonically lethal. Zebrafish have two pten genes and pten double homozygous zebrafish embryos develop a severe pleiotropic phenotype around 4 days post fertilization, which can be largely rescued by re-introduction of pten mRNA at the one-cell stage. We used this assay to characterize the rescue-capacity of Pten and variants with mutations that disrupt lipid, protein or both phosphatase activities. The pleiotropic phenotype at 4dpf could only be rescued by wild type Pten, indicating that both phosphatase activities are required for normal zebrafish embryonic development. An earlier aspect of the phenotype, hyperbranching of intersegmental vessels, however, was rescued by Pten that retained lipid phosphatase activity, independent of protein phosphatase activity. Lipid phosphatase activity was also required for moderating pAkt levels at 4 dpf. We propose that the role of Pten during angiogenesis mainly consists of suppressing PI3K signaling via its lipid phosphatase activity, whereas the complex process of embryonic development requires lipid and protein phosphatase of Pten.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Stumpf
- Hubrecht Institute, Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen den Hertog
- Hubrecht Institute, Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (KNAW) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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15
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Li L, Zhang CL, Song HR, Tan CY, Ding HW, Jiang YY. Discovery of novel dual inhibitors of VEGFR and PI3K kinases containing 2-ureidothiazole scaffold. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2015.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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16
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The role of endothelial mechanosensitive genes in atherosclerosis and omics approaches. Arch Biochem Biophys 2015; 591:111-31. [PMID: 26686737 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S., and is a multifactorial disease that preferentially occurs in regions of the arterial tree exposed to disturbed blood flow. The detailed mechanisms by which d-flow induces atherosclerosis involve changes in the expression of genes, epigenetic patterns, and metabolites of multiple vascular cells, especially endothelial cells. This review presents an overview of endothelial mechanobiology and its relation to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis with special reference to the anatomy of the artery and the underlying fluid mechanics, followed by a discussion of a variety of experimental models to study the role of fluid mechanics and atherosclerosis. Various in vitro and in vivo models to study the role of flow in endothelial biology and pathobiology are discussed in this review. Furthermore, strategies used for the global profiling of the genome, transcriptome, miR-nome, DNA methylome, and metabolome, as they are important to define the biological and pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis. These "omics" approaches, especially those which derive data based on a single animal model, provide unprecedented opportunities to not only better understand the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis development in a holistic and integrative manner, but also to identify novel molecular and diagnostic targets.
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Prakash Muyal J, Kumar D, Kotnala S, Muyal V, Tyagi AK. Recombinant Human Keratinocyte Growth Factor Induces Akt Mediated Cell Survival Progression in Emphysematous Mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arbr.2015.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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18
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Accialini P, Hernández SF, Bas D, Pazos MC, Irusta G, Abramovich D, Tesone M. A link between Notch and progesterone maintains the functionality of the rat corpus luteum. Reproduction 2015; 149:1-10. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the interaction between the Notch pathway and progesterone to maintain the functionality of the corpus luteum (CL). When Notch signaling is activated, the γ-secretase complex releases the active intracellular domains (NICD) of their receptors, which exert survival effects. We designed studies to analyze whether thein vitroinhibition of Notch affects progesterone production, steroidogenic regulators, apoptotic parameters, and signaling transduction pathways in the cultures of CL isolated from pregnant and superovulated rats. We detected a decrease in progesterone production when corpora lutea (CL) were incubated withN-(N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl-l-alanyl))-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), a γ-secretase inhibitor. This effect could be in part due to the decrease detected in the CL protein levels of P450scc because STAR and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were not affected by Notch inhibition. Besides, the addition of aminoglutethimide to the CL culture medium decreased NICD of NOTCH1. We observed an increase in the expression of active CASPASE3 (CASP3) after inhibition by Notch, which was reversed by the presence of progesterone. The BAX:BCLXLratio was increased in CL treated with DAPT and the presence of progesterone reversed this effect. In addition, phosphorylation of AKT was inhibited in CL treated with DAPT, but had no effect on ERK activation. To demonstrate that the action of DAPT is specifically related with the inhibition of Notch, CLs were incubated with DLL4 antibody and a decrease in progesterone production was detected. These results suggest the existence of a novel link between progesterone and the Notch signaling pathway to maintain the functionality of the CL.
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Ollero M, Sahali D. Inhibition of the VEGF signalling pathway and glomerular disorders. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2014; 30:1449-55. [PMID: 25480873 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfu368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-cancer therapeutic approaches targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ligand (anti-VEGF) or inhibiting its receptors (RTKI) have recently been developed. In spite of the promising results achieved, a serious drawback and dose-limiting side effect is the development, among others, of renal complications. This encompasses two glomerular pathological entities, namely minimal change/focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and thrombotic micro-angiopathy, involving two distinct cell types, podocytes and endothelial cells, respectively. The mechanisms that link anti-cancer therapy by RTKI to podocyte dysfunction and nephrotic level proteinuria are still poorly understood. Nevertheless, recent findings strongly suggest a central role of RelA, the master subunit of NF-κB and c-mip, an active player in podocyte disorders. RelA, which is up-regulated following anti-VEGF therapy, is inactivated by RTKI, leading to c-mip over-expression in the podocyte. This results in severe alterations in the architecture of podocyte actin cytoskeleton and subsequent severe proteinuria. Hence, clarifying the mechanisms linking c-mip and RelA as key pathogenic factors represents a critical goal in the understanding of different glomerulopathies. In the context of VEGF-targeted anti-cancer therapy, the study of these mechanisms along with the molecular cross-talk between podocyte and endothelial cell constitutes the basis for the emerging field of onconephrology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Ollero
- INSERM, U955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne, Créteil, France
| | - Djillali Sahali
- INSERM, U955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne, Créteil, France AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Service de Néphrologie, Créteil, France
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20
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Stimulatory effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on progesterone production and survivability of cultured bubaline luteal cells. Anim Reprod Sci 2014; 148:251-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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21
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Firasat S, Hecker M, Binder L, Asif AR. Advances in endothelial shear stress proteomics. Expert Rev Proteomics 2014; 11:611-9. [DOI: 10.1586/14789450.2014.933673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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22
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Prakash Muyal J, Kumar D, Kotnala S, Muyal V, Kumar Tyagi A. Recombinant Human Keratinocyte Growth Factor Induces Akt Mediated Cell Survival Progression in Emphysematous Mice. Arch Bronconeumol 2014; 51:328-37. [PMID: 25017817 DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2014.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2014] [Revised: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emphysema has been associated with decreased VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression and the presence of high numbers of apoptotic alveolar cells. Keratinocyte growth factor stimulates VEGF synthesis which in turn confers normal lung structure maintenance via the Akt pathway. In this study the potential role of rHuKGF in the improvement of deregulated Akt mediated cell survival pathway in emphysematous mice was investigated. METHODS Three experimental groups, i.e., emphysema, treatment and control groups, were prepared. Lungs of mice were treated on 3 occasions by oropharyngeal instillation of 10mg rHuKGF per kg body weight after induction of emphysema with porcine pancreatic elastase. Subsequently, lung tissues from mice were collected for histopathology and molecular biology studies. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Histopathology photomicrographs and destructive index analysis have shown that elastase-induced airspace enlargement and loss of alveoli recovered in the treatment group. rHuKGF stimulates VEGF production which in turn induces the Akt mediated cell survival pathway in emphysematous lungs. mRNA expression of VEGF, VEGFR, PI3K and Akt was significantly increased while Pten, Caspase-9 and Bad was notably decreased in treatment group when compared with emphysema group, being comparable with the control group. Moreover, VEGF protein expression was in accordance with that found for mRNA. CONCLUSION Therapeutic rHuKGF supplementation improves the deregulated Akt pathway in emphysema, resulting in alveolar cell survival through activation of the endogenous VEGF-dependent cell survival pathway. Hence rHuKGF may prove to be a potential drug in the treatment of emphysema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Prakash Muyal
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Dhananjay Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sudhir Kotnala
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vandana Muyal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Alemania; 14/Type V, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Amit Kumar Tyagi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Defense Research Development Organization, Nueva Delhi, India
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23
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Liao X, Zhou X, Mak NK, Leung KN. Tryptanthrin inhibits angiogenesis by targeting the VEGFR2-mediated ERK1/2 signalling pathway. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82294. [PMID: 24358167 PMCID: PMC3864955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a key step for tumour growth and metastasis, and anti-angiogenesis has been proposed as an important strategy for cancer therapy. Tryptanthrin is a weakly basic alkaloid isolated from the dried roots of medicinal indigo plants and has been shown to possess anti-tumour activities on various cancer cell types. This study aims to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenic activities of tryptanthrin and to unravel its underlying molecular action mechanisms. Our results show that tryptanthrin inhibited the in vitro proliferation, migration, and tube formation of the human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) in a concentration-dependent manner and significantly suppressed angiogenesis in Matrigel plugs in mice. Mechanistic studies indicated that tryptanthrin reduced the expression of several pro-angiogenic factors (Ang-1, PDGFB and MMP2). Tryptanthrin was also found to suppress the VEGFR2-mediated ERK1/2 signalling pathway in HMEC-1 cells and molecular docking simulation indicated that tryptanthrin could bound to the ATP-binding site of VEGFR2. Collectively, the present study demonstrated that tryptanthrin exhibited both in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenic activities by targeting the VEGFR2-mediated ERK1/2 signalling pathway and might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Liao
- Biochemistry Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
| | - Xuelin Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
| | - Nai-ki Mak
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, HKSAR, China
| | - Kwok-nam Leung
- Biochemistry Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HKSAR, China
- * E-mail:
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24
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Izzedine H, Mangier M, Ory V, Zhang SY, Sendeyo K, Bouachi K, Audard V, Péchoux C, Soria JC, Massard C, Bahleda R, Bourry E, Khayat D, Baumelou A, Lang P, Ollero M, Pawlak A, Sahali D. Expression patterns of RelA and c-mip are associated with different glomerular diseases following anti-VEGF therapy. Kidney Int 2013; 85:457-70. [PMID: 24067439 DOI: 10.1038/ki.2013.344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Renal toxicity constitutes a dose-limiting side effect of anticancer therapies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In order to study this further, we followed up 29 patients receiving this treatment, who experienced proteinuria, hypertension, and/or renal insufficiency. Eight developed minimal change nephropathy/focal segmental glomerulopathy (MCN/FSG)-like lesions and 13 developed thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Patients receiving receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs) mainly developed MCN/FSG-like lesions, whereas TMA complicated anti-VEGF therapy. There were no mutations in factor H, factor I, or membrane cofactor protein of the complement alternative pathway, while plasma ADAMTS13 activity persisted and anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies were undetectable in patients with TMA. Glomerular VEGF expression was undetectable in TMA and decreased in MCN/FSG. Glomeruli from patients with TMA displayed a high abundance of RelA in endothelial cells and in the podocyte nuclei, but c-mip was not detected. Conversely, MCN/FSG-like lesions exhibited a high abundance of c-mip, whereas RelA was scarcely detected. RelA binds in vivo to the c-mip promoter and prevents its transcriptional activation, whereas RelA knockdown releases c-mip activation. The RTKI sorafenib inhibited RelA activity, which then promoted c-mip expression. Thus, our results suggest that c-mip and RelA define two distinct types of renal damage associated with VEGF-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Izzedine
- Department of Nephrology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Melanie Mangier
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France
| | - Virginie Ory
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France
| | - Shao-Yu Zhang
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France
| | - Kelhia Sendeyo
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France
| | - Khedidja Bouachi
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France [3] Service de Néphrologie, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Créteil, France
| | - Vincent Audard
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France [3] Service de Néphrologie, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Créteil, France
| | - Christine Péchoux
- INRA, UR1196 Génomique et Physiologie de la Lactation, Plateforme MIMA2, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | | | | | - Edward Bourry
- Department of Nephrology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France
| | - David Khayat
- Department of Medical Oncology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Alain Baumelou
- Department of Nephrology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Lang
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France [3] Service de Néphrologie, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Créteil, France
| | - Mario Ollero
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France
| | - Andre Pawlak
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France
| | - Djillali Sahali
- 1] INSERM U 955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France [2] Université Paris-Est Creteil, Créteil, France [3] Service de Néphrologie, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Créteil, France
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Neuropilin-1 modulates vascular endothelial growth factor-induced poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase leading to reduced cerebrovascular apoptosis. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 59:111-25. [PMID: 23816753 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia is encompassed by cerebrovascular apoptosis, yet the mechanisms behind apoptosis regulation are not fully understood. We previously demonstrated inhibition of endothelial apoptosis by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) through upregulation of poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) expression. However, PARP overactivation through oxidative stress can lead to necrosis. This study tested the hypothesis that neuropilin-1 (NP-1), an alternative VEGF receptor, regulates the response to cerebral ischemia by modulating PARP expression and, in turn, apoptosis inhibition by VEGF. In endothelial cell culture, NP-1 colocalized with VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and acted as its coreceptor. This significantly enhanced VEGF-induced PARP mRNA and protein expression demonstrated by receptor-specific inhibitors and VEGF-A isoforms. NP-1 augmented the inhibitory effect of VEGF/VEGFR-2 interaction on apoptosis induced by adhesion inhibition through the αV-integrin inhibitor cRGDfV. NP-1/VEGFR-2 signal transduction involved JNK and Akt. In rat models of permanent and temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion, the ischemic cerebral hemispheres displayed endothelial and neuronal apoptosis next to increased endothelial NP-1 and VEGFR-2 expression compared to non-ischemic cerebral hemispheres, sham-operated or untreated controls. Increased vascular superoxide dismutase-1 and catalase expression as well as decreased glycogen reserves indicated oxidative stress in the ischemic brain. Of note, protein levels of intact PARP remained stable despite pro-apoptotic conditions through increased PARP mRNA production during cerebral ischemia. In conclusion, NP-1 is upregulated in conditions of imminent cerebrovascular apoptosis to reinforce apoptosis inhibition and modulate VEGF-dependent PARP expression and activation. We propose that NP-1 is a key modulator of VEGF maintaining cerebrovascular integrity during ischemia. Modulating the function of NP-1 to target PARP could help to prevent cellular damage in cerebrovascular disease.
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Graupera M, Potente M. Regulation of angiogenesis by PI3K signaling networks. Exp Cell Res 2013; 319:1348-55. [PMID: 23500680 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2013.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Revised: 02/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are an evolutionary conserved family of lipid kinases that control cell growth, metabolism and survival. By generating lipid second messengers that interact with specialized lipid-binding domains found in a wide spectrum of signaling molecules, PI3Ks instigate signaling through a network of downstream effector pathways. Genetic studies in zebrafish and mice revealed the critical importance of intact PI3K signaling in the endothelium and provided first insights into how individual PI3K isoforms are utilized to control vascular development and function. Here, we review the myriad roles of PI3Ks in the endothelium and the mechanisms through which they couple environmental signals with specific steps of angiogenic vessel growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariona Graupera
- Vascular Signalling Lab, Angiogenesis Unit, Institut d´Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), 3a planta-Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199-203, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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Bhattacharya D, Singh MK, Chaudhuri S, Acharya S, Basu AK, Chaudhuri S. T11TS impedes glioma angiogenesis by inhibiting VEGF signaling and pro-survival PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway with concomitant upregulation of PTEN in brain endothelial cells. J Neurooncol 2013; 113:13-25. [PMID: 23471571 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-013-1095-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The crucial role of angiogenesis in malignant glioma progression makes it a potential target of therapeutic intervention in glioma. Previous studies from our lab showed that sheep erythrocyte membrane glycopeptide T11-target structure (T11TS) has potent anti-neoplastic and immune stimulatory effects in rodent glioma model. In the present study we investigated the anti-angiogenic potential of T11TS and deciphered the underlying molecular mechanism of its anti-angiogenic action in malignant glioma. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling is crucial for initiating tumor angiogenic responses. The present preclinical study was designed to evaluate the effect of T11TS therapy on VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression in glioma associated brain endothelial cells and to determine the effects of in vivo T11TS administration on expression of PTEN and downstream pro-survival PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway proteins in glioma associated brain endothelial cells. T11TS therapy in rodent glioma model significantly downregulated expression of VEGF along with its receptor VEGFR-2 and inhibited the expression of pro-survival PI3K/Akt/eNOS proteins in glioma associated brain endothelial cells. Furthermore, T11TS therapy in glioma induced rats significantly upregulated brain endothelial cell PTEN expression, inhibited eNOS phosphorylation and production of nitric oxide in glioma associated brain endothelial cells. Taken together our findings suggest that T11TS can be introduced as an effective angiogenesis inhibitor in human glioma as T11TS targets multiple levels of angiogenic signaling cascade impeding glioma neovascularisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debanjan Bhattacharya
- Immunology Research Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, India
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Sorafenib treatment improves hepatopulmonary syndrome in rats with biliary cirrhosis. Clin Sci (Lond) 2013; 124:457-66. [PMID: 23043394 DOI: 10.1042/cs20120052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
HPS (hepatopulmonary syndrome) is characterized by oxygen desaturation in patients with chronic liver disease. The initiation of HPS comes from abnormal pulmonary vasodilatation and/or angiogenesis. In the present study, we evaluated anti-angiogenesis therapy using sorafenib in experimental HPS animals. HPS was induced by CBDL (common bile duct ligation) in rats. A 2-week 10 mg·(kg of body weight)-1·day-1 treatment regimen of sorafenib or distilled water (control) was initiated 2 weeks after the surgical procedure. Haemodynamics, liver biochemistry, plasma VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) measurements and blood gas analysis of the CBDL rats were performed. The livers of the CBDL rats were dissected for histopathology examination, and the lungs were examined by immunohistochemical staining, real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. In another two parallel groups, intrapulmonary shunts were determined. The AaPO2 (alveolar-arterial O2 gradient) and plasma VEGF levels were reduced after sorafenib treatment [AaPO2, 7.2±3.4 mmHg in sorafenib-treated rats compared with 15.3±4.2 mmHg in controls (P=0.004); VEGF, 45.3±2.7 pg/ml in sorafenib-treated rats compared with 54.4±7.7 pg/ml in controls (P=0.021)]. Sorafenib attenuated pulmonary VEGF mRNA and VEGF, VEGFR-2 (VEGF receptor 2), phospho-VEGFR-2 and Akt protein expression. In addition, sorafenib significantly attenuated intrapulmonary angiogenesis and decreased the degree of intrapulmonary shunting by 33.7% (11.2±5.7% in sorafenib-treated rats compared with 16.9±5.9% in controls; P=0.003). Our findings suggest that sorafenib attenuates intrapulmonary shunting and decreases the AaPO2 in CBDL rats, implicating the improvement of HPS in this experimental animal model. The beneficial effect may be attributed to the reduction in intrapulmonary angiogenesis through inhibition of the VEGF/VEGFR-2/Akt pathway.
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Feucht N, Schönbach EM, Lanzl I, Kotliar K, Lohmann CP, Maier M. Changes in the foveal microstructure after intravitreal bevacizumab application in patients with retinal vascular disease. Clin Ophthalmol 2013; 7:173-8. [PMID: 23355773 PMCID: PMC3552477 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s37544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate changes in the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in patients with retinal vascular disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS This retrospective, consecutive study examined 53 eyes of 53 patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion in 25 patients (47.2%) and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in 28 patients (52.8%). The macular edema was treated with an intravitreal injection of 0.05 mL equal to 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Before and 6-8 weeks after the injection, best corrected visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopy of the anterior segment and fundus, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography were conducted. The FAZ was manually circumscribed on early-phase angiography images and the area of the FAZ was measured. RESULTS The preoperative overall mean FAZ area was 0.327 ± 0.126 mm(2) (median 0.310 mm(2)). At the control consultation, the overall mean area was significantly larger (0.422 ± 0.259 mm(2); median 0.380 mm(2); P < 0.001). In the nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy subpopulation, the mean area was 0.361 ± 0.129 mm(2) (median 0.330 mm(2)) before bevacizumab application and 0.434 mm(2) at the follow-up visit (mean increase 0.071 mm(2)/19.7%). In the branch retinal vein occlusion group, the baseline FAZ area was 0.290 ± 0.115 mm(2) and 0.407 ± 0.350 mm(2) at follow-up (median 0.330 mm(2); mean increase 0.117 mm(2)/40.3%). No cases of severe operation-associated complications were observed. CONCLUSION The results confirm the safety of intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with macular edema due to nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and branch retinal vein occlusion. The enlargement of the FAZ could be equivalent to an increase in retinal ischemia. These results may be transient; a potential vascular risk, however, when applying antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy in eyes with preexistent vascular disease must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus Feucht
- Department of Ophthalmology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Wang S, Yoon YC, Sung MJ, Hwang JT, Hur HJ, Kim HJ, Yang HJ, Kim MS, Kwon DY, Park JH. Citrus-derived auraptene stimulates angiogenesis by activating the Erk- and PI3K/Akt/eNOS-dependent signaling pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. J Funct Foods 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2012.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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Vieira JM, Ruhrberg C, Schwarz Q. VEGF receptor signaling in vertebrate development. Organogenesis 2012; 6:97-106. [PMID: 20885856 DOI: 10.4161/org.6.2.11686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2008] [Accepted: 04/10/2008] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The secreted glycoprotein vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF or VEGFA) affects many different cell types and modifies a wide spectrum of cellular behaviors in tissue culture models, including proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival. The versatility of VEGF signaling is reflected in the complex composition of its cell surface receptors and their ability to activate a variety of different downstream signaling molecules. A major challenge for VEGF research is to determine which of the specific signaling pathways identified in vitro control development and homeostasis of tissues containing VEGF-responsive cell types in vivo.
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Cao J, Chen Y, Fu J, Qian YW, Ren YB, Su B, Luo T, Dai RY, Huang L, Yan JJ, Wu MC, Yan YQ, Wang HY. High expression of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 is associated with poor survival of hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway. Ann Surg Oncol 2012; 20 Suppl 3:S312-23. [PMID: 22618716 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-012-2372-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The peritumoral environment has been implicated to be important in the process of metastasis and recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aims were to assess the prognostic value of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) in HCC and investigate related molecular mechanism. METHODS Expression of Pyk2 was tested by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays containing 141 paired HCC samples. Correlation between Pyk2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in clinical samples was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. Matrigel invasion, anchorage-independent growth assay and immunoblotting were performed to study the effect of Pyk2 on the invasion and progression of HCC cells and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway activation. RESULTS Higher Pyk2 density in both tumor and peritumor was associated with lower overall survival (P = 0.044; P = 0.041, respectively), serum AFP levels > 1,000 ng/ml (P = 0.013; P = 0.032, respectively) and postoperative distant metastasis (both P < 0.001). However, only higher peritumoral Pyk2 density was related to lower disease-free survival (P = 0.014) and vascular invasion (P = 0.035). A significant correlation between Pyk2 and VEGF density in tumor or peritumoral liver tissue was observed (r = 0. 3133, P = 0.0002; r = 0.5176, P < 0.0001, respectively). Immunoblotting showed that Pyk2 activated PI3K-AKT pathway to upregulate VEGF expression in HL-7702, SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS High Pyk2, especially peritumoral Pyk2 was associated with poor survival, disease recurrence, and metastasis in HCC. PI3K-AKT pathway was involved in Pyk2-mediated VEGF expression during HCC progression and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cao
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, Shanghai, China
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Finetti F, Basile A, Capasso D, Di Gaetano S, Di Stasi R, Pascale M, Turco CM, Ziche M, Morbidelli L, D'Andrea LD. Functional and pharmacological characterization of a VEGF mimetic peptide on reparative angiogenesis. Biochem Pharmacol 2012; 84:303-11. [PMID: 22554565 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Revised: 04/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the main regulator of physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Low molecular weight molecules able to stimulate angiogenesis have interesting medical application for example in regenerative medicine, but at present none has reached the clinic. We reported that a VEGF mimetic helical peptide, QK, designed on the VEGF helix sequence 17-25, is able to bind and activate the VEGF receptors, producing angiogenesis. In this study we evaluate the pharmacological properties of peptide QK with the aim to propose it as a VEGF-mimetic drug to be employed in reparative angiogenesis. We show that the peptide QK is able to recapitulate all the biological activities of VEGF in vivo and on endothelial cells. In experiments evaluating sprouting from aortic ring and vessel formation in an in vivo angiogenesis model, the peptide QK showed biological effects comparable with VEGF. At endothelial level, the peptide up-regulates VEGF receptor expression, activates intracellular pathways depending on VEGFR2, and consistently it induces endothelial cell proliferation, survival and migration. When added to angiogenic factors (VEGF and/or FGF-2), QK produces an improved biological action, which resulted in reduced apoptosis and accelerated in vitro wound healing. The VEGF-like activity of the short peptide QK, characterized by lower cost of production and easier handling compared to the native glycoprotein, suggests that it is an attractive candidate to be further developed for application in therapeutic angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Finetti
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Da Pozzo E, Barsotti MC, Bendinelli S, Martelli A, Calderone V, Balbarini A, Martini C, Di Stefano R. Differential effects of fondaparinux and bemiparin on angiogenic and vasculogenesis-like processes. Thromb Res 2012; 130:e113-22. [PMID: 22497885 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2012.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Revised: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Conventional therapy for venous thromboembolism or acute coronary syndrome involves the administration of glycoanticoagulants (heparins) or oligosaccharides (fondaparinux). We evaluated the effects of such drugs on angiogenesis and vasculogenesis-like models. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells or human endothelial progenitor cells were treated with bemiparin, fondaparinux or unfractionated heparin, at concentrations reflecting the doses used in clinical practice. After 24h, cell viability, proliferation, tubule formation and angiogenic molecular mechanisms, such as activation of the serine/threonine kinase AKT, were assessed. In vivo angiogenesis was studied using a Matrigel sponge assay in mice. RESULTS Bemiparin gave a significant decrease of in vitro angiogenesis as shown by the reduction of endothelial cell tubule network, while both fondaparinux and unfractionated heparin did not show any significant effect. In assays of Matrigel sponge invasion in mice, unfractionated heparin was able to stimulate angiogenesis and, conversely, bemiparin inhibited angiogenesis. Furthermore, both bemiparin and fondaparinux caused a significant reduction in an in vitro vasculogenesis-like model, as demonstrated by the decrease of tubule network after co-seeding of endothelial progenitor cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, unfractionated heparin but not bemiparin was able to increase AKT phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS In in vitro experiments, bemiparin was the only drug to show an anti-angiogenic and vasculogenic-like effect, unfractionated heparin showed only a trend to increase in angiogenesis assay and fondaparinux affected only the vasculogenesis-like model. Notably, the in vivo experiments corroborated these data. Such results are important for the choice of a patient-tailored therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Da Pozzo
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Chu L, Chen J, Yu K, Cheng K, Chen I, Wu P, Wu B. Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Atorvastatin in a Rat Chronic Constriction Injury Model. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2012; 25:219-30. [DOI: 10.1177/039463201202500124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used to treat hypercholesterolemic conditions associated with hypertension. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin on peripheral neuropathic pain. Peripheral neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were divided into 3 groups including sham-operated, CCI, and atorvastatin-treated. Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline was orally administered for 2 weeks. All animals were assessed by neurobehavioral tests before surgery and at days 3, 7, 14 after surgery. Inflammatory and neuroprotective factors were evaluated by Western blot analysis. eNOS, COX2 and iNOS in the sciatic nerve were also studied using immunohistochemistry. Atorvastatin attenuated CCI-induced nociceptive sensitization and thermal hyperalgesia in a time-dependent manner. Atorvastatin improved CCI-induced neurobehavioral/inflammatory activity by inhibition of TGF-β, PIκB/IκB, NFκB, COX2, iNOS, EP1 and EP4 in the sciatic nerve. Atorvastatin was also found to increase neuroprotection factors pAkt/Akt, eNOS and VEGF. Taken together, these data indicate that atorvastatin could protect the sciatic nerve against CCI-induced neuroinflammation and nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- L.W. Chu
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - J.Y. Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Institute of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - K.L. Yu
- Division of Anesthesiology, Pingtung Christian Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - K.I. Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University and Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - I.J. Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - P.C. Wu
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - B.N. Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Iyer S, Acharya KR. Tying the knot: the cystine signature and molecular-recognition processes of the vascular endothelial growth factor family of angiogenic cytokines. FEBS J 2011; 278:4304-22. [PMID: 21917115 PMCID: PMC3328748 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08350.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The cystine-knot motif, made up of three intertwined disulfide bridges, is a unique feature of several toxins, cyclotides and growth factors, and occurs in a variety of species, including fungi, insects, molluscs and mammals. Growth factor molecules containing the cystine-knot motif serve as ligands for a diverse range of receptors and play an important role in extracellular signalling. This superfamily of polypeptides comprises several homodimeric and heterodimeric molecules that are central characters in both health and disease. Amongst these molecules are a group of proteins that belong to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) subfamily. The members of this family are known angiogenic factors that regulate processes leading to blood vessel formation in physiological and pathological conditions. The focus of the present review is on the structural characteristics of proteins that belong to the VEGF family and on signal-transduction pathways that become initiated via the VEGF receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Iyer
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
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Watari K, Nakamura M, Fukunaga Y, Furuno A, Shibata T, Kawahara A, Hosoi F, Kuwano T, Kuwano M, Ono M. The antitumor effect of a novel angiogenesis inhibitor (an octahydronaphthalene derivative) targeting both VEGF receptor and NF-κB pathway. Int J Cancer 2011; 131:310-21. [PMID: 21826646 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.26356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Accepted: 07/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Development of a novel type of angiogenesis inhibitor will be essential for further improvement of therapeutics against cancer patients. We examined whether an octahydronaphthalene derivative, AMF-26, which was screened as an inhibitor of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) production stimulated by inflammatory stimuli in vascular endothelial cells, could block angiogenesis in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and/or inflammatory cytokines. Low dose AMF-26 effectively inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)- or the interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced production of ICAM-1 in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). We found that the TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (IκBα) and nuclear translocation of p65 were impaired by AMF-26 in both endothelial cells and cancer cells. AMF-26 was found to inhibit the phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1), VEGFR2 and the downstream signaling molecules Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 stimulated by VEGF in HUVECs. Therefore, the VEGF-induced proliferation, migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells was highly susceptible to inhibition by AMF-26. Oral administration of AMF-26 significantly blocked VEGF- or IL-1β-induced angiogenesis in the mouse cornea, and also tumor angiogenesis and growth. Together, our results indicate that AMF-26 inhibits angiogenesis through suppression of both VEGFR1/2 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways when stimulated by VEGF or inflammatory cytokines. AMF-26 could be a promising novel candidate drug for cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Watari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Oncology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Ji W, Yang J, Wang D, Cao L, Tan W, Qian H, Sun B, Qian Q, Yin Z, Wu M, Su C. hSulf-1 gene exhibits anticancer efficacy through negatively regulating VEGFR-2 signaling in human cancers. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23274. [PMID: 21853101 PMCID: PMC3154391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human sulfatase 1 (hSulf-1) is a heparin-degrading endosulfatase that desulfates cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in extracellular matrix and negatively modulates heparin-binding growth factor and cytokine signaling in cell proliferation. But hSulf-1 function is more complicated, and its molecular mechanism has not been well known. Principal Findings To further investigate the functions of hSulf-1 gene in regulating the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling, a series of vectors expressing hSulf-1, hSulf-1 small hairpin RNA (shRNA) and VEGFR-2 shRNA were generated. hSulf-1 re-expression could downregualte the VEGFR-2 phosphorylation and inhibit cancer cell proliferation both in ovarian and hepatocellular cancer cell lines. Knockdown of hSulf-1 expression by hSulf-1 shRNA enhanced the recovery of high levels of phosphorylated VEGFR-2, and knockdown of VEGFR-2 expression by VEGFR-2 shRNA inhibited the proliferation activity of cancer cells in vitro to some extent. In human cancer xenografts in nude mice, tumor growth was inhibited markedly after injections of adenovirus expressing hSulf-1, with the tumor inhibition rates of 46.19% and 49.56% in ovarian and hepatocellular tumor models, respectively. hSulf-1 expression significantly reduced tumor microvessel density. Conclusions The results demonstrated that hSulf-1 re-expression both in ovarian and hepatocellular cancer cells induces antitumor efficacy by attenuating the phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 and suppressing angiogenesis. Therefore, hSulf-1-mediated antiproliferation and antiangiogenesis could be a reasonable approach for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidan Ji
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiahe Yang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Duanming Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China
| | - Lu Cao
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weifeng Tan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haihua Qian
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Sun
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qijun Qian
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengfeng Yin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengchao Wu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changqing Su
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital & Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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Herzog B, Pellet-Many C, Britton G, Hartzoulakis B, Zachary IC. VEGF binding to NRP1 is essential for VEGF stimulation of endothelial cell migration, complex formation between NRP1 and VEGFR2, and signaling via FAK Tyr407 phosphorylation. Mol Biol Cell 2011; 22:2766-76. [PMID: 21653826 PMCID: PMC3145551 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e09-12-1061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2009] [Revised: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 06/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In endothelial cells, neuropilin-1 (NRP1) binds vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and is thought to act as a coreceptor for kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) by associating with KDR and enhancing VEGF signaling. Here we report mutations in the NRP1 b1 domain (Y297A and D320A), which result in complete loss of VEGF binding. Overexpression of Y297A and D320A NRP1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells reduced high-affinity VEGF binding and migration toward a VEGF gradient, and markedly inhibited VEGF-induced angiogenesis in a coculture cell model. The Y297A NRP1 mutant also disrupted complexation between NRP1 and KDR and decreased VEGF-dependent phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase at Tyr407, but had little effect on other signaling pathways. Y297A NRP1, however, heterodimerized with wild-type NRP1 and NRP2 indicating that nonbinding NRP1 mutants can act in a dominant-negative manner through formation of NRP1 dimers with reduced binding affinity for VEGF. These findings indicate that VEGF binding to NRP1 has specific effects on endothelial cell signaling and is important for endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis mediated via complex formation between NRP1 and KDR and increased signaling to focal adhesions. Identification of key residues essential for VEGF binding and biological functions provides the basis for a rational design of antagonists of VEGF binding to NRP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birger Herzog
- BHF Laboratories, Department of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6JJ, UK
- Ark Therapeutics, Department of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6JJ, UK
| | - Caroline Pellet-Many
- BHF Laboratories, Department of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6JJ, UK
| | - Gary Britton
- BHF Laboratories, Department of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6JJ, UK
| | | | - Ian C. Zachary
- BHF Laboratories, Department of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6JJ, UK
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Feucht N, Matthias H, Lohmann CP, Maier M. Pegaptanib sodium treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: clinical experience in Germany. Clin Ophthalmol 2011; 2:253-9. [PMID: 19668713 PMCID: PMC2693993 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s2842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The VEGF Inhibition Study In Ocular Neovascularisation (VISION) reported the efficacy of intravitreal (ITV) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition with pegaptanib sodium (Macugen((R))) for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This paper reports clinical experience with pegaptanib sodium for the treatment of occult or minimally classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to AMD. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 50 eyes (in 49 patients) with either occult CNV or minimally classic CNV secondary to neovascular AMD who were not eligible for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Study data were analyzed retrospectively. During the 6-month study, patients were administered an average 2.74 injections of 0.3 mg ITV pegaptanib sodium. Angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations were carried out and intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity (VA) were measured at baseline, at 3 months and at 6 months. An eye examination was performed and VA was measured the 2 days following treatment and then again at weeks 4-6, and at 3 and 6 months. OCT, VA, and IOP were also assessed at 1 month. RESULTS ITV pegaptanib sodium was well tolerated and no treatment complications arose. Mean VA was measured as: 0.37 +/- 0.24 at baseline; 0.37 +/- 0.25 at 1 month; 0.37 +/- 0.25 at 3 months and 0.40 +/- 0.26 at 6 months. VA was stabilized in approximately 90% of eyes treated with pegaptanib sodium. OCT examination showed a minimal change in central retinal thickness (CRT) during the course of the study, from 251.19 mum at baseline to 251.63 mum at 6 months. No elevation in IOP was measured during treatment at 4-6 months in patients receiving pegaptanib sodium. CONCLUSIONS ITV therapy with pegaptanib sodium for occult and minimally classic CNV secondary to neovascular AMD offered good efficacy with a favorable adverse events profile. The majority of patients showed stabilization in all assessed parameters. In clinical practice, careful consideration should be given to the use of nonselective VEGF inhibition in patients with a high cardiovascular risk profile or in those with a history of thromboembolic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus Feucht
- Augenklinik rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Germany
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Zhao YW, Jin L, Li ZM, Zhao CJ, Wei YQ, Yang HS. Enhanced antitumor efficacy by blocking activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway during anti-angiogenesis therapy. Cancer Sci 2011; 102:1469-75. [PMID: 21561530 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2011.01979.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-angiogenesis has been a promising strategy for cancer therapy. However, many signal pathways are activated during anti-angiogenic treatment to counteract the therapeutic efficacy. Among these pathways, evidence has directly pointed to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathway, whose activation resulted in tolerance to the absence of nutrients and oxygen when tumor angiogenesis has been inhibited. In the present study, we investigated the effects of blocking activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway on cell survival in vitro and tumor growth in vivo during anti-angiogenesis therapy. In modeled microenvironments in vitro, we observed that the phosphorylation of Akt in tumor cells was increased gradually in the absence of serum and oxygen in a time-dependent manner. The specific inhibitors of PI3K inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Moreover, inhibition was enhanced gradually with increased serum deprivation and/or hypoxia. In a mouse tumor model, we found the phosphorylation of Akt obviously increased following anti-angiogenic therapy using plasmids encoding soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, but significantly reduced after treatment with LY294002. Consequently, the combinational treatment exhibited better antitumor effects compared with single treatments, presenting larger necrosis-like areas, more apoptotic cells, less microvessel density and less phosphorylated Akt in tumors. These results suggest that blocking activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway during anti-angiogenesis therapy could enhance antitumor efficacy. Thus, targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway might be a promising strategy to reverse tumor resistance to anti-angiogenesis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Hörmann M, Mey L, Kharip Z, Hildenberg A, Nemeth K, Heidt M, Renz H, Al-Fakhri N. Vascular endothelial growth factor confers endothelial resistance to apoptosis through poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. J Thromb Haemost 2011; 9:1391-403. [PMID: 21605336 DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04368.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibits the endothelial apoptosis that is induced by caspases during vascular remodeling; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that VEGF upregulates poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP) as a caspase mediator, and sought to investigate the link between apoptosis inhibition by VEGF and PARP regulation in the human vasculature. METHODS Human endothelial cells (primary cells, macrovascular/microvascular lines) were incubated with 100 pg mL(-1) to 1 μg mL(-1) VEGF-A(165) in the absence or presence of PARP small interfering RNA (siRNA). Apoptosis induced by integrin inhibition was measured by flow cytometry, trypan blue exclusion, and nuclear morphology. PARP expression and activity were determined by real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and ribosylation assay. VEGF receptors and signal transduction were analyzed by inhibitor experiments, enzyme assays, western blot, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was applied to a vascular culture model and to 24 atherosclerotic and 10 normal human arteries. RESULTS VEGF-A(165) induced resistance to apoptosis caused by caspase activation in endothelial cells in a time-dependent manner. VEGF, but not fibroblast growth factor-2 or transforming growth factor-β, time-dependently and dose-dependently induced PARP expression and activity, involving VEGF receptor-2 colocalized with neuropilin-1 as well as the signal transduction molecules c-Jun N-terminal kinase and Akt. The antiapoptotic effect of VEGF was abrogated by PARP siRNA. The relationship between local VEGF influence and endothelial PARP expression was confirmed in human arteries and the vascular culture model. CONCLUSIONS VEGF exerts its antiapoptotic effect on the endothelium through the regulation of PARP expression. PARP has been attributed an ambiguous role in apoptosis; here, we show that PARP promotes vascular endothelial integrity in VEGF-associated processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hörmann
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
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Bai H, Forrester JV, Zhao M. DC electric stimulation upregulates angiogenic factors in endothelial cells through activation of VEGF receptors. Cytokine 2011; 55:110-5. [PMID: 21524919 PMCID: PMC4437767 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2011.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2010] [Revised: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Small direct current (DC) electric fields direct some important angiogenic responses of vascular endothelial cells. Those responses indicate promising use of electric fields to modulate angiogenesis. We sought to determine the regulation of electric fields on transcription and expression of a serial of import angiogenic factors by endothelial cells themselves. Using semi-quantitative PCR and ELISA we found that electric stimulation upregulates the levels of mRNAs and proteins of a number of angiogenic proteins, most importantly VEGF165, VEGF121 and IL-8 in human endothelial cells. The up-regulation of mRNA levels might be specific, as the mRNA encoding bFGF, TGF-beta and eNOS are not affected by DC electric stimulation at 24h time-point. Inhibition of VEGF receptor (VEGFR1 or VEGFR2) signaling significantly decreased VEGF production and completely abolished IL-8 production. DC electric stimulation selectively regulates production of some growth factors and cytokines important for angiogenesis through a feed-back loop mediated by VEGF receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai Bai
- School of Medical Sciences and Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
- Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine, West China Institute of Women and Children’s Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - John V. Forrester
- School of Medical Sciences and Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Min Zhao
- School of Medical Sciences and Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
- Dermatology and Ophthalmology Research, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Bekhite MM, Finkensieper A, Binas S, Müller J, Wetzker R, Figulla HR, Sauer H, Wartenberg M. VEGF-mediated PI3K class IA and PKC signaling in cardiomyogenesis and vasculogenesis of mouse embryonic stem cells. J Cell Sci 2011; 124:1819-30. [PMID: 21540297 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.077594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
VEGF-, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)- and protein kinase C (PKC)-regulated signaling in cardiac and vascular differentiation was investigated in mouse ES cells and in ES cell-derived Flk-1⁺ cardiovascular progenitor cells. Inhibition of PI3K by wortmannin and LY294002, disruption of PI3K catalytic subunits p110α and p110δ using short hairpin RNA (shRNA), or inhibition of p110α with compound 15e and of p110δ with IC-87114 impaired cardiac and vascular differentiation. By contrast, TGX-221, an inhibitor of p110β, and shRNA knockdown of p110β were without significant effects. Antagonists of the PKC family, i.e. bisindolylmaleimide-1 (BIM-1), GÖ 6976 (targeting PKCα/βII) and rottlerin (targeting PKCδ) abolished vasculogenesis, but not cardiomyogenesis. Inhibition of Akt blunted cardiac as well as vascular differentiation. VEGF induced phosphorylation of PKCα/βII and PKCδ but not PKCζ. This was abolished by PI3K inhibitors and the VEGFR-2 antagonist SU5614. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Akt and phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) was blunted upon inhibition of PI3K, but not upon inhibition of PKC by BIM-1, suggesting that activation of Akt and PDK1 by VEGF required PI3K but not PKC. In summary, we demonstrate that PI3K catalytic subunits p110α and p110δ are central to cardiovasculogenesis of ES cells. Akt downstream of PI3K is involved in both cardiomyogenesis and vasculogenesis, whereas PKC is involved only in vasculogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed M Bekhite
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology Division, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany
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Fernand VE, Losso JN, Truax RE, Villar EE, Bwambok DK, Fakayode SO, Lowry M, Warner IM. Rhein inhibits angiogenesis and the viability of hormone-dependent and -independent cancer cells under normoxic or hypoxic conditions in vitro. Chem Biol Interact 2011; 192:220-32. [PMID: 21457705 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2011.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia is a hallmark of solid tumors, including breast cancer, and the extent of tumor hypoxia is associated with treatment resistance and poor prognosis. Considering the limited treatment of hypoxic tumor cells and hence a poor prognosis of breast cancer, the investigation of natural products as potential chemopreventive anti-angiogenic agents is of paramount interest. Rhein (4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid), the primary anthraquinone in the roots of Cassia alata L., is a naturally occurring quinone which exhibits a variety of biologic activities including anti-cancer activity. However, the effect of rhein on endothelial or cancer cells under hypoxic conditions has never been delineated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether rhein inhibits angiogenesis and the viability of hormone-dependent (MCF-7) or -independent (MDA-MB-435s) breast cancer cells in vitro under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Rhein inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF(165))-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation, proliferation and migration under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In addition, rhein inhibited in vitro angiogenesis by suppressing the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) but showed no inhibitory effects on total AKT or ERK. Rhein dose-dependently inhibited the viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435s breast cancer cells under normoxic or hypoxic conditions, and inhibited cell cycle in both cell lines. Furthermore, Western blotting demonstrated that rhein inhibited heat shock protein 90alpha (Hsp90α) activity to induce degradation of Hsp90 client proteins including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), COX-2, and HER-2. Rhein also inhibited the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF(165)), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the phosphorylation of inhibitor of NF-κB (I-κB) under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Taken together, these data indicate that rhein is a promising anti-angiogenic compound for breast cancer cell viability and growth. Therefore, further studies including in vivo and pre-clinical need to be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian E Fernand
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
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Roberts OL, Holmes K, Müller J, Cross DAE, Cross MJ. ERK5 is required for VEGF-mediated survival and tubular morphogenesis of primary human microvascular endothelial cells. J Cell Sci 2010; 123:3189-200. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.072801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is activated in response to environmental stress and growth factors. Gene ablation of Erk5 in mice is embryonically lethal as a result of disruption of cardiovascular development and vascular integrity. We investigated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated ERK5 activation in primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) undergoing proliferation on a gelatin matrix, and tubular morphogenesis within a collagen gel matrix. VEGF induced sustained ERK5 activation on both matrices. However, manipulation of ERK5 activity by siRNA-mediated gene silencing disrupted tubular morphogenesis without impacting proliferation. Overexpression of constitutively active MEK5 and ERK5 stimulated tubular morphogenesis in the absence of VEGF. Analysis of intracellular signalling revealed that ERK5 regulated AKT phosphorylation. On a collagen gel, ERK5 regulated VEGF-mediated phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD and increased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2, resulting in decreased caspase-3 activity and apoptosis suppression. Our findings suggest that ERK5 is required for AKT phosphorylation and cell survival and is crucial for endothelial cell differentiation in response to VEGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owain Llŷr Roberts
- NWCRF Institute, School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Katherine Holmes
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK
| | - Jürgen Müller
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Darren A. E. Cross
- AstraZeneca, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Michael J. Cross
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK
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Irusta G, Abramovich D, Parborell F, Tesone M. Direct survival role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on rat ovarian follicular cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 325:93-100. [PMID: 20417686 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2010] [Revised: 03/26/2010] [Accepted: 04/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to analyze the direct effect of VEGF in follicular cell proliferation, apoptosis and activation of the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MEK signaling pathways in early antral follicles or granulosa cells. Antral follicles or granulosa cells were isolated from prepubertal female Sprague Dawley rats treated with DES.VEGF directly stimulates follicular cell proliferation and it also decreases apoptosis by inhibiting caspase 3 activation. In addition, VEGF increases the proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of isolated granulosa cells in culture. VEGF activates the PI3K/AKT pathway evidenced by an increase in AKT phosphorylation levels and induces the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in cultured antral follicles. These results demonstrate for the first time that VEGF has a proliferative and cytoprotective role in early antral follicles and in granulosa cells isolated from DES treated prepubertal rats and suggest that PI3K/AKT and ERK/MEK signaling pathways are involved in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Griselda Irusta
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bajaj A, Zheng Q, Adam A, Vincent P, Pumiglia K. Activation of endothelial ras signaling bypasses senescence and causes abnormal vascular morphogenesis. Cancer Res 2010; 70:3803-12. [PMID: 20388785 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-2648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is crucial for embryogenesis, reproduction, and wound healing and is a critical determinant of tumor growth and metastasis. The multifunctional signal transducer Ras is a proto-oncogene and frequently becomes mutated in a variety of human cancers, including angiosarcomas. Regulation of Ras is important for endothelial cell function and angiogenesis. Hyperactivation of Ras is linked with oncogene-induced senescence in many cell types. Given links between vascular malformations and angiosarcoma with activated Ras signaling, we sought to determine the consequence of sustained Ras activation on endothelial cell function. We find that sustained Ras activation in primary endothelial cells leads to prolonged activation of progrowth signaling, accompanied by a senescence bypass, enhanced proliferation, autonomous growth, and increased survival. Moreover, Ras severely compromises the ability of these cells to organize into vascular structures, instead promoting formation of planar endothelial sheets. This abnormal phenotype is regulated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling, highlighting the therapeutic potential of agents targeting this axis in dealing with vascular morphogenic disorders and vascular normalization of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshika Bajaj
- Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York 12208, USA
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Marwick JA, Edirisinghe I, Arunachalam G, Stevenson CS, Macnee W, Kirkham PA, Rahman I. Cigarette smoke regulates VEGFR2-mediated survival signaling in rat lungs. JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION-LONDON 2010; 7:11. [PMID: 20205917 PMCID: PMC2831890 DOI: 10.1186/1476-9255-7-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 02/13/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-mediated survival signaling is critical to endothelial cell survival, maintenance of the vasculature and alveolar structure and regeneration of lung tissue. Reduced VEGF and VEGFR2 expression in emphysematous lungs has been linked to increased endothelial cell death and vascular regression. Previously, we have shown that CS down-regulated the VEGFR2 and its downstream signaling in mouse lungs. However, the VEGFR2-mediated survival signaling in response to oxidants/cigarette smoke (CS) is not known. We hypothesized that CS exposure leads to disruption of VEGFR2-mediated endothelial survival signaling in rat lungs. Methods Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed CS for 3 days, 8 weeks and 6 months to investigate the effect of CS on VEGFR2-mediated survival signaling by measuring the Akt/PI3-kinase/eNOS downstream signaling in rat lungs. Results and Discussion We show that CS disrupts VEGFR2/PI3-kinase association leading to decreased Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. This may further alter the phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bad and increase the Bad/Bcl-xl association. However, this was not associated with a significant lung cell death as evidenced by active caspase-3 levels. These data suggest that although CS altered the VEGFR2-mediated survival signaling in the rat lungs, but it was not sufficient to cause lung cell death. Conclusion The rat lungs exposed to CS in acute, sub-chronic and chronic levels may be representative of smokers where survival signaling is altered but was not associated with lung cell death whereas emphysema is known to be associated with lung cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Marwick
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK.
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Liu Y, Figley S, Spratt SK, Lee G, Ando D, Surosky R, Fehlings MG. An engineered transcription factor which activates VEGF-A enhances recovery after spinal cord injury. Neurobiol Dis 2010; 37:384-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2009.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2009] [Revised: 10/09/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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