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Peng Q, Shan D, Cui K, Li K, Zhu B, Wu H, Wang B, Wong S, Norton V, Dong Y, Lu YW, Zhou C, Chen H. The Role of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cardiovascular Disease. Cells 2022; 11:1834. [PMID: 35681530 PMCID: PMC9180466 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is the process of endothelial cells progressively losing endothelial-specific markers and gaining mesenchymal phenotypes. In the normal physiological condition, EndoMT plays a fundamental role in forming the cardiac valves of the developing heart. However, EndoMT contributes to the development of various cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as atherosclerosis, valve diseases, fibrosis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying EndoMT in CVD should provide urgently needed insights into reversing this condition. This review summarizes a 30-year span of relevant literature, delineating the EndoMT process in particular, key signaling pathways, and the underlying regulatory networks involved in CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianman Peng
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Dan Shan
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Kui Cui
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Kathryn Li
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Bo Zhu
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Hao Wu
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Beibei Wang
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Scott Wong
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Vikram Norton
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Yunzhou Dong
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Yao Wei Lu
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Changcheng Zhou
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;
| | - Hong Chen
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
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52
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Ross RL, Mavria G, Del Galdo F, Elies J. Downregulation of Vascular Hemeoxygenase-1 Leads to Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Physiol 2022; 13:900631. [PMID: 35600300 PMCID: PMC9117635 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.900631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a terminal disease characterized by vasculopathy, tissue fibrosis, and autoimmunity. Although the exact etiology of SSc remains unknown, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and calcium handling dysregulation have been associated with a large number of SSc-related complications such as neointima formation, vasculogenesis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, impaired angiogenesis, and cardiac arrhythmias. Hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an antioxidant enzyme involved in multiple biological actions in the cardiovascular system including vascular tone, angiogenesis, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. The aim of this work was to investigate the physiological role of HO-1 and its relevance in the cardiovascular complications occurring in SSc. We found that, in early phases of SSc, the expression of HO-1 in dermal fibroblast is lower compared to those isolated from healthy control individuals. This is particularly relevant as reduction of the HO-1/CO signaling pathway is associated with endothelial dysfunction and vasculopathy. We show evidence of the role of HO-1/carbon monoxide (CO) signaling pathway in calcium handling. Using an in vitro model of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) we investigated the role of HO-1 in Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores. Our results indicate that HO-1 regulates calcium release from intracellular stores of human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. We interrogated the activity of HO-1 in angiogenesis using an organotypic co-culture of fibroblast-endothelial cell. Inhibition of HO-1 significantly reduced the ability of endothelial cells to form tubules. We further investigated if this could be associated with cell motility or migration of endothelial cells into the extracellular matrix synthesized by fibroblasts. By mean of holographic imaging, we studied the morphological and functional features of endothelial cells in the presence of an HO-1 activator and selective inhibitors. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of HO-1 significantly reduces cell proliferation and cell motility (migration) of cultured endothelial cells, whilst activation of HO-1 does not modify either morphology, proliferation or motility. In addition, we investigated the actions of CO on the Kv7.1 (KCQN1) channel current, an important component of the cardiac action potential repolarization. Using electrophysiology (whole-cell patch-clamp in a recombinant system overexpressing the KCQN1 channel), we assessed the regulation of KCQN1 by CO. CORM-2, a CO donor, significantly reduced the Kv7.1 current, suggesting that HO-1/CO signaling may play a role in the modulation of the cardiac action potential via regulation of this ion channel. In summary, our results indicate a clear link between: 1) downregulation of HO-1/CO signaling; and 2) pathophysiological processes occurring in early phases of SSc, such as calcium homeostasis dysregulation, impaired angiogenesis and cardiac arrhythmias. A better understanding of the canonical actions (mainly due to the biological actions of CO), and non-canonical actions of HO-1, as well as the interaction of HO-1/CO signaling with other gasotransmitters in SSc will contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Ross
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Scleroderma Programme, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Georgia Mavria
- Signal Transduction and Tumour Microenvironment Group, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Scleroderma Programme, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Jacobo Elies
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Jacobo Elies,
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Sun X, Fang J, Ye F, Zhang S, Huang H, Hou J, Wang T. Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Promotes Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via WNT10A/Beta-Catenin/Snail Signaling. Front Oncol 2022; 12:871788. [PMID: 35494062 PMCID: PMC9039659 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.871788] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one type of highly heterogeneous lymphoid malignancy with 30%~40% of patients experiencing treatment failure. Novel risk stratification and therapeutic approaches for DLBCL are urgently needed. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which contributes to tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, and cancer-associated fibroblast generation, has been detected in the microenvironment of many types of cancers. However, the existence of EndMT in the hematological malignancies microenvironment remains unknown. Here, we identified the existence of EndMT in DLBCL-associated endothelial cells and the clinical relevance of EndMT markers in DLBCL, which was associated with advanced clinical stage and poor prognosis. In vitro experiments confirmed that DLBCL cells stimulated angiogenesis and EndMT of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We further unveiled the molecular mechanisms underlying this process. We demonstrated that WNT10A, a WNT family member overexpressed in DLBCL tissues and correlated with clinical features in DLBCL, promoted EndMT through glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)/β-catenin/snail signaling. WNT10A inhibited the binding of GSK3β to β-catenin/snail, resulting in β-catenin and snail nuclear accumulation and target gene transcription. Silencing β-catenin and snail respectively attenuated WNT10A-induced angiogenesis and EndMT. The interplay between β-catenin-dependent and snail-dependent signaling was also confirmed in this study. Collectively, these findings identified that WNT10A/GSK3β/β-catenin/snail pathway performed vital roles in DLBCL-induced EndMT and indicated that EndMT markers and WNT10A may serve as novel predictors of clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianting Sun
- Department of Hematology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianchen Fang
- Department of Pathology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fen Ye
- Department of Hematology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuxian Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Honghui Huang
- Department of Hematology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Hou
- Department of Hematology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Hematology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
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54
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Pilard M, Ollivier EL, Gourdou-Latyszenok V, Couturaud F, Lemarié CA. Endothelial Cell Phenotype, a Major Determinant of Venous Thrombo-Inflammation. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:864735. [PMID: 35528838 PMCID: PMC9068971 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.864735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Reduced blood flow velocity in the vein triggers inflammation and is associated with the release into the extracellular space of alarmins or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These molecules include extracellular nucleic acids, extracellular purinergic nucleotides (ATP, ADP), cytokines and extracellular HMGB1. They are recognized as a danger signal by immune cells, platelets and endothelial cells. Hence, endothelial cells are capable of sensing environmental cues through a wide variety of receptors expressed at the plasma membrane. The endothelium is then responding by expressing pro-coagulant proteins, including tissue factor, and inflammatory molecules such as cytokines and chemokines involved in the recruitment and activation of platelets and leukocytes. This ultimately leads to thrombosis, which is an active pro-inflammatory process, tightly regulated, that needs to be properly resolved to avoid further vascular damages. These mechanisms are often dysregulated, which promote fibrinolysis defects, activation of the immune system and irreversible vascular damages further contributing to thrombotic and inflammatory processes. The concept of thrombo-inflammation is now widely used to describe the complex interactions between the coagulation and inflammation in various cardiovascular diseases. In endothelial cells, activating signals converge to multiple intracellular pathways leading to phenotypical changes turning them into inflammatory-like cells. Accumulating evidence suggest that endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) may be a major mechanism of endothelial dysfunction induced during inflammation and thrombosis. EndMT is a biological process where endothelial cells lose their endothelial characteristics and acquire mesenchymal markers and functions. Endothelial dysfunction might play a central role in orchestrating and amplifying thrombo-inflammation thought induction of EndMT processes. Mechanisms regulating endothelial dysfunction have been only partially uncovered in the context of thrombotic diseases. In the present review, we focus on the importance of the endothelial phenotype and discuss how endothelial plasticity may regulate the interplay between thrombosis and inflammation. We discuss how the endothelial cells are sensing and responding to environmental cues and contribute to thrombo-inflammation with a particular focus on venous thromboembolism (VTE). A better understanding of the precise mechanisms involved and the specific role of endothelial cells is needed to characterize VTE incidence and address the risk of recurrent VTE and its sequelae.
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55
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The “Third Violin” in the Cytoskeleton Orchestra—The Role of Intermediate Filaments in the Endothelial Cell’s Life. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040828. [PMID: 35453578 PMCID: PMC9027429 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelium plays an important role in the transcytosis of lipoproteins. According to one of the theories, endothelial injury is a triggering factor for the development of atherosclerosis, and intracellular structures, including components of the endotheliocyte cytoskeleton (microtubules, actin, and intermediate filaments), are involved in its development. In contrast to the proteins of tubulin-based microtubules and actin microfilaments, intermediate filaments are comprised of various tissue-specific protein members. Vimentin, the main protein of endothelial intermediate filaments, is one of the most well-studied of these and belongs to type-III intermediate filaments, commonly found in cells of mesenchymal origin. Vimentin filaments are linked mechanically or by signaling molecules to microfilaments and microtubules by which coordinated cell polarisation and migration are carried out, as well as control over several endotheliocyte functions. Moreover, the soluble vimentin acts as an indicator of the state of the cardiovascular system, and the involvement of vimentin in the development and course of atherosclerosis has been demonstrated. Here we discuss current concepts of the participation of vimentin filaments in the vital activity and functioning of endothelial cells, as well as the role of vimentin in the development of inflammatory processes and atherosclerosis.
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56
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Posadino AM, Erre GL, Cossu A, Emanueli C, Eid AH, Zinellu A, Pintus G, Giordo R. NADPH-derived ROS generation drives fibrosis and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in systemic sclerosis: Potential cross talk with circulating miRNAs. Biomol Concepts 2022; 13:11-24. [PMID: 35189048 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2021-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an immune disorder characterized by diffuse fibrosis and vascular abnormalities of the affected organs. Although the etiopathology of this disease is largely unknown, endothelial damage and oxidative stress appear implicated in its initiation and maintenance. Here, we show for the first time that circulating factors present in SSc sera increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, collagen synthesis, and proliferation of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). The observed phenomena were also associated with endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) as indicated by decreased von Willebrand factor (vWF) expression and increased alpha-smooth muscle actin, respectively, an endothelial and mesenchymal marker. SSc-induced fibroproliferative effects were prevented by HPMECs exposition to the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium, demonstrating ROS's causative role and suggesting their cellular origin. Sera from SSc patients showed significant changes in the expression of a set of fibrosis/EndMT-associated microRNAs (miRNA), including miR-21, miR-92a, miR-24, miR-27b, miR-125b, miR-29c, and miR-181b, which resulted significantly upregulated as compared to healthy donors sera. However, miR29b resulted downregulated in SSc sera, whereas no significant differences were found in the expression of miR-29a in the two experimental groups of samples. Taking together our data indicate NADPH oxidase-induced EndMT as a potential mechanism of SSc-associated fibrosis, suggesting fibrosis-associated miRNAs as potentially responsible for initiating and sustaining the vascular alterations observed in this pathological condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Posadino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Erre
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital (AOUSS) and University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Cossu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Costanza Emanueli
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0NN England, United Kingdom
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University Health, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, Qatar University Health, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar
| | - Angelo Zinellu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, University City Rd, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Roberta Giordo
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai 505055, United Arab Emirates
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57
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King NE, Brittain E. Emerging therapies: The potential roles SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP1 agonists, and ARNI therapy for ARNI pulmonary hypertension. Pulm Circ 2022; 12:e12028. [PMID: 35506082 PMCID: PMC9052991 DOI: 10.1002/pul2.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a highly morbid condition. PH due to left heart disease (PH-LHD) has no specific therapies and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has substantial residual risk despite several approved therapies. Multiple lines of experimental evidence link metabolic dysfunction to the pathogenesis and outcomes in PH-LHD and PAH, and novel metabolic agents hold promise to improve outcomes in these populations. The antidiabetic sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) agonists targeting metabolic dysfunction and improve outcomes in patients with LHD but have not been tested specifically in patients with PH. The angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) produce significant improvements in cardiac hemodynamics and may improve metabolic dysfunction that could benefit the pulmonary circulation and right ventricle function. On the basis of promising preclinical work with these medications and clinical rationale, we explore the potential of SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP1 agonists, and ARNIs as therapies for both PH-LHD and PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evan Brittain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular MedicineVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
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58
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Wang Z, Chen J, Babicheva A, Jain PP, Rodriguez M, Ayon RJ, Ravellette KS, Wu L, Balistrieri F, Tang H, Wu X, Zhao T, Black SM, Desai AA, Garcia JGN, Sun X, Shyy JYJ, Valdez-Jasso D, Thistlethwaite PA, Makino A, Wang J, Yuan JXJ. Endothelial upregulation of mechanosensitive channel Piezo1 in pulmonary hypertension. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 321:C1010-C1027. [PMID: 34669509 PMCID: PMC8714987 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00147.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Piezo is a mechanosensitive cation channel responsible for stretch-mediated Ca2+ and Na+ influx in multiple types of cells. Little is known about the functional role of Piezo1 in the lung vasculature and its potential pathogenic role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) are constantly under mechanic stretch and shear stress that are sufficient to activate Piezo channels. Here, we report that Piezo1 is significantly upregulated in PAECs from patients with idiopathic PAH and animals with experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH) compared with normal controls. Membrane stretch by decreasing extracellular osmotic pressure or by cyclic stretch (18% CS) increases Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation (p) of AKT and ERK, and subsequently upregulates expression of Notch ligands, Jagged1/2 (Jag-1 and Jag-2), and Delta like-4 (DLL4) in PAECs. siRNA-mediated downregulation of Piezo1 significantly inhibited the stretch-mediated pAKT increase and Jag-1 upregulation, whereas downregulation of AKT by siRNA markedly attenuated the stretch-mediated Jag-1 upregulation in human PAECs. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression level of Piezo1 in the isolated pulmonary artery, which mainly contains pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), from animals with severe PH was also significantly higher than that from control animals. Intraperitoneal injection of a Piezo1 channel blocker, GsMTx4, ameliorated experimental PH in mice. Taken together, our study suggests that membrane stretch-mediated Ca2+ influx through Piezo1 is an important trigger for pAKT-mediated upregulation of Jag-1 in PAECs. Upregulation of the mechanosensitive channel Piezo1 and the resultant increase in the Notch ligands (Jag-1/2 and DLL4) in PAECs may play a critical pathogenic role in the development of pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH and PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Wang
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiyuan Chen
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aleksandra Babicheva
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Pritesh P Jain
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Marisela Rodriguez
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Ramon J Ayon
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Keeley S Ravellette
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Linda Wu
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Francesca Balistrieri
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Haiyang Tang
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomin Wu
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Tengteng Zhao
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Stephen M Black
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Ankit A Desai
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Joe G N Garcia
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Xin Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - John Y-J Shyy
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Daniela Valdez-Jasso
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Ayako Makino
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Jian Wang
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jason X-J Yuan
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Departments of Medicine and Physiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
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59
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Declercq M, Treps L, Bousfia S, Carmeliet P, Witters P. Endothelial CFTR dysfunction and its involvement in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Eur Respir J 2021; 58:13993003.01645-2021. [PMID: 34385264 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01645-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Declercq
- Dept of Development and Regeneration, CF Centre, Woman and Child, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Centre for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Dept of Oncology and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Equal co-authorship
| | - Lucas Treps
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Centre for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Dept of Oncology and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, CRCINA, Nantes, France.,Equal co-authorship
| | - Siham Bousfia
- Dept of Development and Regeneration, CF Centre, Woman and Child, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Centre for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Dept of Oncology and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Centre for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium .,Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Dept of Oncology and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Co-corresponding authorship
| | - Peter Witters
- Dept of Development and Regeneration, CF Centre, Woman and Child, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Dept of Paediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Centre of Metabolic Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Co-corresponding authorship
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Yun E, Kook Y, Yoo KH, Kim KI, Lee MS, Kim J, Lee A. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Pulmonary Vascular Diseases. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8120639. [PMID: 33371458 PMCID: PMC7767472 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8120639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung diseases, such as pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis, are life-threatening diseases and have common features of vascular remodeling. During progression, extracellular matrix protein deposition and dysregulation of proteolytic enzymes occurs, which results in vascular stiffness and dysfunction. Although vasodilators or anti-fibrotic therapy have been mainly used as therapy owing to these characteristics, their effectiveness does not meet expectations. Therefore, a better understanding of the etiology and new therapeutic approaches are needed. Endothelial cells (ECs) line the inner walls of blood vessels and maintain vascular homeostasis by protecting vascular cells from pathological stimuli. Chronic stimulation of ECs by various factors, including pro-inflammatory cytokines and hypoxia, leads to ECs undergoing an imbalance of endothelial homeostasis, which results in endothelial dysfunction and is closely associated with vascular diseases. Emerging studies suggest that endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) contributes to endothelial dysfunction and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. EndMT is a process by which ECs lose their markers and show mesenchymal-like morphological changes, and gain mesenchymal cell markers. Despite the efforts to elucidate these molecular mechanisms, the role of EndMT in the pathogenesis of lung disease still requires further investigation. Here, we review the importance of EndMT in the pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular diseases and discuss various signaling pathways and mediators involved in the EndMT process. Furthermore, we will provide insight into the therapeutic potential of targeting EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunsik Yun
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea; (E.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.H.Y.); (K.I.K.); (M.-S.L.)
| | - Yunjin Kook
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea; (E.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.H.Y.); (K.I.K.); (M.-S.L.)
| | - Kyung Hyun Yoo
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea; (E.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.H.Y.); (K.I.K.); (M.-S.L.)
- Research Institute for Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea
| | - Keun Il Kim
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea; (E.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.H.Y.); (K.I.K.); (M.-S.L.)
- Research Institute for Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea
| | - Myeong-Sok Lee
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea; (E.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.H.Y.); (K.I.K.); (M.-S.L.)
- Research Institute for Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea
| | - Jongmin Kim
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea; (E.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.H.Y.); (K.I.K.); (M.-S.L.)
- Research Institute for Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (A.L.); Tel.: +82-2-710-9553 (J.K. & A.L.); Fax: +82-2-2077-7322 (J.K. & A.L.)
| | - Aram Lee
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea; (E.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.H.Y.); (K.I.K.); (M.-S.L.)
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (A.L.); Tel.: +82-2-710-9553 (J.K. & A.L.); Fax: +82-2-2077-7322 (J.K. & A.L.)
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