51
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Cantelli G, Crosas-Molist E, Georgouli M, Sanz-Moreno V. TGFΒ-induced transcription in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 42:60-69. [PMID: 27586372 PMCID: PMC6137079 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2016.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGFβ) pathway mediates a broad spectrum of cellular processes and is involved in several diseases, including cancer. TGFβ has a dual role in tumours, acting as a tumour suppressor in the early phase of tumorigenesis and as a tumour promoter in more advanced stages. In this review, we discuss the effects of TGFβ-driven transcription on all stages of tumour progression, with special focus on lung cancer. Since some TGFβ target genes are specifically involved in promoting metastasis, we speculate that these genes might be good targets to block tumour progression without compromising the tumour suppressor effects of the TGFβ pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Cantelli
- Tumour Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Eva Crosas-Molist
- Tumour Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Mirella Georgouli
- Tumour Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Victoria Sanz-Moreno
- Tumour Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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52
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Krishnan S, Szabo E, Burghardt I, Frei K, Tabatabai G, Weller M. Modulation of cerebral endothelial cell function by TGF-β in glioblastoma: VEGF-dependent angiogenesis versus endothelial mesenchymal transition. Oncotarget 2016; 6:22480-95. [PMID: 26090865 PMCID: PMC4673177 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma are among the most angiogenic tumors. The molecular mechanisms that control blood vessel formation by endothelial cells (EC) in glioblastoma remain incompletely understood. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a key regulatory cytokine that has proinvasive and stemness-maintaining autocrine properties in glioblastoma and confers immunosuppression to the tumor microenvironment. Here we characterize potential pro- and anti-angiogenic activities of TGF-β in the context of glioblastoma in vitro, using human brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) and glioblastoma-derived endothelial cells (GMEC) as model systems. We find that TGF-β induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) mRNA expression and protein release in a TGF-β receptor (TβR) II / activin-like kinase (ALK)-5-dependent manner under normoxia and hypoxia, defining potential indirect proangiogenic activity of TGF-β in glioblastoma. In parallel, exogenous TGF-β has also inhibitory effects on EC properties and induces endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in hCMEC and GMEC. Accordingly, direct inhibition of endogenous TGF-β/ALK-5 signalling increases EC properties such as tube formation, von-Willebrand factor (vWF) and claudin (CLDN) 5 expression. Yet, the supernatant of TGF-β-stimulated hCMEC and GMEC strongly promotes EC-related gene expression and tube formation in a cediranib-sensitive manner. These observations shed light on the complex pro- and anti-angiogenic pathways involving the cross-talk between TGF-β and VEGF/PLGF signalling in glioblastoma which may involve parallel stimulation of angiogenesis and EndMT in distinct target cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmugarajan Krishnan
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emese Szabo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Isabel Burghardt
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karl Frei
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ghazaleh Tabatabai
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Interdisciplinary Division of Neuro-Oncology, Departments of Vascular Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Weller
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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53
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Pérez L, Muñoz-Durango N, Riedel CA, Echeverría C, Kalergis AM, Cabello-Verrugio C, Simon F. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition: Cytokine-mediated pathways that determine endothelial fibrosis under inflammatory conditions. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2016; 33:41-54. [PMID: 27692608 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
During the last decade, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) process has attracted considerable attention due to associations with the onset of certain diseases, such as organ fibrosis and cancer. Several studies have assessed the mechanisms and signaling pathways that regulate endothelial fibrosis in the context of human pathologies. A number of inflammatory mediators, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, oxidative stress, and toxins, induce the conversion of endothelial cells into mesenchymal fibroblast-like cells that promote disease progression. This review is separated into five chapters that critically present current knowledge on EndMT in the context of pathology. First, the main characteristics of EndMT are summarized, with a focus on the endothelial protein pattern changes that modulate the expressions of endothelial/fibrotic markers and extracellular matrix proteins. These expressions could serve as mechanisms for explaining potential EndMT contributions to human pathologies in adults. Second, the main findings supporting a connection between EndMT-mediated endothelial fibrosis and inflammatory conditions are presented. These connections could be linked to the onset and progression of pathological conditions. Third, EndMT inducers are described in detail. This includes considerations on the actions of the first and most well-known EndMT inducer, TGF-β; of the most prominent pro-inflammatory cytokines released during inflammation, such as IL 1-β and TNF-α; and of the NF-κB transcription factor, a common player during inflammation-induced EndMT. Furthermore, thorough attention is given to EndMT induction by endotoxins in the context of bacterial infectious diseases. Additionally, the participation of the inflammatory oxidative stress environment in the EndMT induction was also reviewed. Fourth, the pathophysiological findings of inflammation-induced EndMT are presented, and, fifth, special focus is placed on associations with cancer onset and development. Altogether, this review highlights the important role of EndMT-mediated endothelial fibrosis during inflammation in human pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Pérez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Ave. Republica 239, 8370134, Santiago, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Muñoz-Durango
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia A Riedel
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Ave. Republica 239, 8370134, Santiago, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cesar Echeverría
- Laboratorio de Bionanotecnologia, Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, General Gana 1780, 8370854, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Reumatología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio Cabello-Verrugio
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Ave. Republica 239, 8370134, Santiago, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Simon
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Ave. Republica 239, 8370134, Santiago, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile.
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The Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor ARHGEF5 promotes tumor malignancy via epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Oncogenesis 2016; 5:e258. [PMID: 27617642 PMCID: PMC5047960 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2016.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial tumor cells often acquire malignant properties, such as invasion/metastasis and uncontrolled cell growth, by undergoing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the mechanisms by which EMT contributes to malignant progression remain elusive. Here we show that the Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) ARHGEF5 promotes tumor malignancy in a manner dependent on EMT status. We previously identified ARHGEF5, a member of the Dbl family of GEFs, as a multifunctional mediator of Src-induced cell invasion and tumor growth. In the present study, ARHGEF5 was upregulated during tumor growth factor-β-induced EMT in human epithelial MCF10A cells, and promoted cell migration by activating the Rho-ROCK pathway. ARHGEF5 was necessary for the invasive and in vivo metastatic activity of human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. These findings underscore the crucial role of ARHGEF5 in cell migration and invasion/metastasis. An in vivo tumorigenesis assay revealed that ARHGEF5 had the potential to promote tumor growth via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. However, ARHGEF5 was not required for tumor growth in epithelial-like human colorectal cancer HCT116 and HT29 cells, whereas the growth of mesenchymal-like SW480 and SW620 cells depended on ARHGEF5. Induction of EMT by tumor necrosis factor-α or Slug in HCT116 cells resulted in the dependence of tumor growth on ARHGEF5. In these mesenchymal-like cells, Akt was activated via ARHGEF5 and its activity was required for tumor growth. Analysis of a transcriptome data set revealed that the combination of ARHGEF5 upregulation and E-cadherin downregulation or Snail upregulation was significantly correlated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancers. Taken together, our findings suggest that EMT-induced ARHGEF5 activation contributes to the progression of tumor malignancy. ARHGEF5 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in a subset of malignant tumors that have undergone EMT.
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Kumawat K, Koopmans T, Menzen MH, Prins A, Smit M, Halayko AJ, Gosens R. Cooperative signaling by TGF-β1 and WNT-11 drives sm-α-actin expression in smooth muscle via Rho kinase-actin-MRTF-A signaling. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2016; 311:L529-37. [PMID: 27422998 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00387.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle (ASM) remodeling is a key feature in asthma and includes changes in smooth muscle-specific gene and protein expression. Despite this being a major contributor to asthma pathobiology, our understanding of the mechanisms governing ASM remodeling remains poor. Here, we studied the functional interaction between WNT-11 and TGF-β1 in ASM cells. We demonstrate that WNT-11 is preferentially expressed in contractile myocytes and is strongly upregulated following TGF-β1-induced myocyte maturation. Knock-down of WNT-11 attenuated TGF-β1-induced smooth muscle (sm)-α-actin expression in ASM cells. We demonstrate that TGF-β1-induced sm-α-actin expression is mediated by WNT-11 via RhoA activation and subsequent actin cytoskeletal remodeling, as pharmacological inhibition of either Rho kinase by Y27632 or actin remodeling by latrunculin A attenuated sm-α-actin induction. Moreover, we show that TGF-β1 regulates the nuclear expression of myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A) in a Rho kinase-dependent fashion, which in turn mediates sm-α-actin expression. Finally, we demonstrate that TGF-β1-induced MRTF-A nuclear translocation is dependent on endogenous WNT-11. The present study thus demonstrates a WNT-11-dependent Rho kinase-actin-MRTF-A signaling axis that regulates the expression of sm-α-actin in ASM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuldeep Kumawat
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; and
| | - Tim Koopmans
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; and
| | - Mark H Menzen
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; and
| | - Alita Prins
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Smit
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; and
| | - Andrew J Halayko
- Departments of Physiology and Pathophysiology & Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Reinoud Gosens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; and
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Pinto MT, Covas DT, Kashima S, Rodrigues CO. Endothelial Mesenchymal Transition: Comparative Analysis of Different Induction Methods. Biol Proced Online 2016; 18:10. [PMID: 27127420 PMCID: PMC4848831 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-016-0040-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial-Mesenchymal-Transition (EndMT) plays an essential role in cardiovascular development, and recently became an attractive therapeutic target based on evidence supporting its involvement in fibrosis and cancer. Important questions that remain to be answered are related to the molecular mechanisms that control EndMT in different organs and distinct pathological conditions. The lack of a detailed protocol for induction of EndMT and the assumption that TGF-β isoforms play similar roles on different types of endothelial cells, limit progress in the field. The aim of this study was to compare the induction of EndMT by TGF-β isoforms in endothelial cells of different sources, and define a detailed protocol for EndMT assessment in vitro. RESULTS We compared the dose-dependent effect of TGF-β isoforms, under normoxia and hypoxia, on the induction of EndMT in human coronary and pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Our results suggest that endothelial cells undergo spontaneous EndMT with time in culture under the conditions tested. The extent of EndMT induction by TGF-β was dependent on the dose and endothelial cell type. Furthermore, the potential of TGF-β to induce EndMT was reduced under hypoxia relative to normoxia. CONCLUSIONS Our work suggests that the response of endothelial cells to TGF-β is intrinsic to the dose, cell type and environment. Optimization of induction conditions may be essential, as pathways triggering EndMT may vary during development and pathological conditions. Therefore, caution is needed regarding indiscriminate use of TGF-β to induce EndMT for mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana T Pinto
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Room 826, Miami, FL 33136 USA ; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Células-Tronco e Terapia Celular e Fundação Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil ; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Dimas T Covas
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Células-Tronco e Terapia Celular e Fundação Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil ; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Simone Kashima
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Células-Tronco e Terapia Celular e Fundação Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil ; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Claudia O Rodrigues
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Room 826, Miami, FL 33136 USA ; Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
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57
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Gasparics Á, Rosivall L, Krizbai IA, Sebe A. When the endothelium scores an own goal: endothelial cells actively augment metastatic extravasation through endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2016; 310:H1055-63. [PMID: 26993222 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00042.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an important mechanism during organ development and in certain pathological conditions. For example, EndMT contributes to myofibroblast formation during organ fibrosis, and it has been identified as an important source of cancer-associated fibroblasts, facilitating tumor progression. Recently, EndMT was proposed to modulate endothelial function during intravasation and extravasation of metastatic tumor cells. Evidence suggests that endothelial cells are not passive actors during transendothelial migration (TEM) of cancer cells, as there are profound changes in endothelial junctional protein expression, signaling, permeability, and contractility. This review describes these alterations in endothelial characteristics during TEM of metastatic tumor cells and discusses them in the context of EndMT. EndMT could play an important role during metastatic intravasation and extravasation, a novel hypothesis that may lead to new therapeutic approaches to tackle metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ákos Gasparics
- Department of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Rosivall
- Department of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Pediatrics and Nephrology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István A Krizbai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary; Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania; and
| | - Attila Sebe
- Department of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
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58
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Endothelial Plasticity: Shifting Phenotypes through Force Feedback. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:9762959. [PMID: 26904133 PMCID: PMC4745942 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9762959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial lining of the vasculature is exposed to a large variety of biochemical and hemodynamic stimuli with different gradients throughout the vascular network. Adequate adaptation requires endothelial cells to be highly plastic, which is reflected by the remarkable heterogeneity of endothelial cells in tissues and organs. Hemodynamic forces such as fluid shear stress and cyclic strain are strong modulators of the endothelial phenotype and function. Although endothelial plasticity is essential during development and adult physiology, proatherogenic stimuli can induce adverse plasticity which contributes to disease. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), the hallmark of endothelial plasticity, was long thought to be restricted to embryonic development but has emerged as a pathologic process in a plethora of diseases. In this perspective we argue how shear stress and cyclic strain can modulate EndMT and discuss how this is reflected in atherosclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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59
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Varney SD, Betts CB, Zheng R, Wu L, Hinz B, Zhou J, Van De Water L. Hic-5 is required for myofibroblast differentiation by regulating mechanically dependent MRTF-A nuclear accumulation. J Cell Sci 2016; 129:774-87. [PMID: 26759173 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.170589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
How mechanical cues from the extracellular environment are translated biochemically to modulate the effects of TGF-β on myofibroblast differentiation remains a crucial area of investigation. We report here that the focal adhesion protein, Hic-5 (also known as TGFB1I1), is required for the mechanically dependent generation of stress fibers in response to TGF-β. Successful generation of stress fibers promotes the nuclear localization of the transcriptional co-factor MRTF-A (also known as MKL1), and this correlates with the mechanically dependent induction of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Hic-5 in response to TGF-β. As a consequence of regulating stress fiber assembly, Hic-5 is required for the nuclear accumulation of MRTF-A and the induction of α-SMA as well as cellular contractility, suggesting a crucial role for Hic-5 in myofibroblast differentiation. Indeed, the expression of Hic-5 was transient in acute wounds and persistent in pathogenic scars, and Hic-5 colocalized with α-SMA expression in vivo. Taken together, these data suggest that a mechanically dependent feed-forward loop, elaborated by the reciprocal regulation of MRTF-A localization by Hic-5 and Hic-5 expression by MRTF-A, plays a crucial role in myofibroblast differentiation in response to TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott D Varney
- Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research (MC-165), Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Courtney B Betts
- Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research (MC-165), Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Rui Zheng
- Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research (MC-165), Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Lei Wu
- Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research (MC-165), Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Boris Hinz
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Matrix Dynamics Group, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 150 College Street, FitzGerald Building, Room 234, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E2
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, CB-3628, 1459 Laney Walker Boulevard, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Livingston Van De Water
- Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research (MC-165), Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
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Katsura A, Suzuki HI, Ueno T, Mihira H, Yamazaki T, Yasuda T, Watabe T, Mano H, Yamada Y, Miyazono K. MicroRNA-31 is a positive modulator of endothelial-mesenchymal transition and associated secretory phenotype induced by TGF-β. Genes Cells 2015; 21:99-116. [PMID: 26663584 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays central roles in endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) involved in development and pathogenesis. Although EndMT and epithelial-mesenchymal transition are similar processes, roles of microRNAs in EndMT are largely unknown. Here, we report that constitutively active microRNA-31 (miR-31) is a positive regulator of TGF-β-induced EndMT. Although the expression is not induced by TGF-β, miR-31 is required for induction of mesenchymal genes including α-SMA, actin reorganization and MRTF-A activation during EndMT. We identified VAV3, a regulator of actin remodeling and MRTF-A activity, as a miR-31 target. Global transcriptome analysis further showed that miR-31 positively regulates EndMT-associated unique secretory phenotype (EndMT-SP) characterized by induction of multiple inflammatory chemokines and cytokines including CCL17, CX3CL1, CXCL16, IL-6 and Angptl2. As a mechanism for this phenomenon, TGF-β and miR-31 suppress Stk40, a negative regulator of NF-κB pathway. Interestingly, TGF-β induces alternative polyadenylation (APA)-coupled miR-31-dependent Stk40 suppression without concomitant miR-31 induction, and APA-mediated exclusion of internal poly(A) sequence in Stk40 3'UTR enhances target efficiency of Stk40. Finally, miR-31 functions as a molecular hub to integrate TGF-β and TNF-α signaling to enhance EndMT. These data confirm that constitutively active microRNAs, as well as inducible microRNAs, serve as phenotypic modifiers interconnected with transcriptome dynamics during EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Katsura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroshi I Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, 76-417, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Toshihide Ueno
- Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hajime Mihira
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tomoko Yamazaki
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takahiko Yasuda
- Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji-city, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mano
- Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Yamada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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61
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Zhang H, Chang H, Wang LM, Ren KF, Martins MCL, Barbosa MA, Ji J. Effect of Polyelectrolyte Film Stiffness on Endothelial Cells During Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Biomacromolecules 2015; 16:3584-93. [PMID: 26477358 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), during which endothelial cells (ECs) transdifferentiate into mesenchymal phenotype, plays a key role in the development of vascular implant complications such as endothelium dysfunction and in-stent restenosis. Substrate stiffness has been confirmed as a key factor to influence EC behaviors; however, so far, the relationship between substrate stiffness and EndMT has been rarely studied. Here, ECs were cultured on the (poly(L-lysine)/hyaluronate acid) (PLL/HA) multilayer films with controlled stiffness for 2 weeks, and their EndMT behaviors were studied. We demonstrated that ECs lost their markers (vWf and CD31) in a stiffness-dependent manner even without supplement of growth factors, and the softer film favored the maintaining of EC phenotype. Further, induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), ECs underwent EndMT, as characterized by losing their typical cobblestone morphology and markers and gaining smooth muscle cell markers (α-smooth muscle actin and calponin). Interestingly, stronger EndMT was observed when ECs were cultured on the stiffer film. Collectively, our findings suggest that substrate stiffness has significant effects on EndMT, and a softer substrate is beneficial to ECs by keeping their phenotype and inhibiting EndMT, which presents a new strategy for surface design of vascular implant materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Hao Chang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Li-mei Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ke-feng Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University , Shanghai, China
| | - M Cristina L Martins
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto , Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mário A Barbosa
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto , Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jian Ji
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
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Muylaert DEP, de Jong OG, Slaats GGG, Nieuweboer FE, Fledderus JO, Goumans MJ, Hierck BP, Verhaar MC. Environmental Influences on Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Developing Implanted Cardiovascular Tissue-Engineered Grafts. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2015; 22:58-67. [PMID: 26414174 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2015.0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tissue-engineered grafts for cardiovascular structures experience biochemical stimuli and mechanical forces that influence tissue development after implantation such as the immunological response, oxidative stress, hemodynamic shear stress, and mechanical strain. Endothelial cells are a cell source of major interest in vascular tissue engineering because of their ability to form a luminal antithrombotic monolayer. In addition, through their ability to undergo endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), endothelial cells may yield a cell type capable of increased production and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM is of major importance to the mechanical function of all cardiovascular structures. Tissue engineering approaches may employ EndMT to recapitulate, in part, the embryonic development of cardiovascular structures. Improved understanding of how the environment of an implanted graft could influence EndMT in endothelial cells may lead to novel tissue engineering strategies. This review presents an overview of biochemical and mechanical stimuli capable of influencing EndMT, discusses the influence of these stimuli as found in the direct environment of cardiovascular grafts, and discusses approaches to employ EndMT in tissue-engineered constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri E P Muylaert
- 1 Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Olivier G de Jong
- 1 Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gisela G G Slaats
- 1 Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frederieke E Nieuweboer
- 2 Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology , Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Joost O Fledderus
- 1 Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marie-Jose Goumans
- 3 Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Beerend P Hierck
- 4 Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne C Verhaar
- 1 Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht, The Netherlands
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63
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Fan Z, Hao C, Li M, Dai X, Qin H, Li J, Xu H, Wu X, Zhang L, Fang M, Zhou B, Tian W, Xu Y. MKL1 is an epigenetic modulator of TGF-β induced fibrogenesis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2015; 1849:1219-28. [PMID: 26241940 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2015.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) induced activation of portal fibroblast cells serves as a primary cause for liver fibrosis following cholestatic injury. The underlying epigenetic mechanism is not clear. We studied the role of a transcriptional modulator, megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MKL1) in this process. We report here that MKL1 deficiency ameliorated BDL-induced liver fibrosis in mice as assessed by histological stainings and expression levels of pro-fibrogenic genes. MKL1 silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated TGF-β induced transactivation of pro-fibrogenic genes in portal fibroblast cells. TGF-β stimulated the binding of MKL1 on the promoters of pro-fibrogenic genes and promoted the interaction between MKL1 and SMAD3. While SMAD3 was necessary for MKL1 occupancy on the gene promoters, MKL1 depletion impaired SMAD3 binding reciprocally. TGF-β treatment induced the accumulation of trimethylated histone H3K4 on the gene promoters by recruiting a methyltransferase complex. Knockdown of individual members of this complex significantly weakened the binding of SMAD3 and down-regulated the activation of portal fibroblast cells. In conclusion, we have identified an epigenetic pathway that dictates TGF-β induced pro-fibrogenic transcription in portal fibroblast thereby providing novel insights for the development of therapeutic solutions to treat liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Fan
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenzhi Hao
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Qin
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianfei Li
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huihui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bisheng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenfang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Haraguchi M, Sato M, Ozawa M. CRISPR/Cas9n-Mediated Deletion of the Snail 1Gene (SNAI1) Reveals Its Role in Regulating Cell Morphology, Cell-Cell Interactions, and Gene Expression in Ovarian Cancer (RMG-1) Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132260. [PMID: 26161782 PMCID: PMC4498756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Snail1 is a transcription factor that induces the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). During EMT, epithelial cells lose their junctions, reorganize their cytoskeletons, and reprogram gene expression. Although Snail1 is a prominent repressor of E-cadherin transcription, its precise roles in each of the phenomena of EMT are not completely understood, particularly in cytoskeletal changes. Previous studies have employed gene knockdown systems to determine the functions of Snail1. However, incomplete protein knockdown is often associated with these systems, which may cause incorrect interpretation of the data. To more precisely evaluate the functions of Snail1, we generated a stable cell line with a targeted ablation of Snail1 (Snail1 KO) by using the CRISPR/Cas9n system. Snail1 KO cells show increased cell–cell adhesion, decreased cell–substrate adhesion and cell migration, changes to their cytoskeletal organization that include few stress fibers and abundant cortical actin, and upregulation of epithelial marker genes such as E-cadherin, occludin, and claudin-1. However, morphological changes were induced by treatment of Snail1 KO cells with TGF-beta. Other transcription factors that induce EMT were also induced by treatment with TGF-beta. The precise deletion of Snail1 by the CRISPR/Cas9n system provides clear evidence that loss of Snail1 causes changes in the actin cytoskeleton, decreases cell–substrate adhesion, and increases cell–cell adhesion. Treatment of RMG1 cells with TGF-beta suggests redundancy among the transcription factors that induce EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misako Haraguchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Masahiro Sato
- Section of Gene Expression Regulation, Frontier Science Research Center, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ozawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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65
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A novel inhibitory mechanism of MRTF-A/B on the ICAM-1 gene expression in vascular endothelial cells. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10627. [PMID: 26024305 PMCID: PMC4448521 DOI: 10.1038/srep10627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The roles of myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) and MRTF-B in vascular endothelial cells are not completely understood. Here, we found a novel regulatory mechanism for MRTF-A/B function. MRTF-A/B tend to accumulate in the nucleus in arterial endothelial cells in vivo and human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) in vitro. In HAoECs, nuclear localization of MRTF-A/B was not significantly affected by Y27632 or latrunculin B, primarily due to the reduced binding of MRTF-A/B to G-actin and in part, to the low level of MRTF-A phosphorylation by ERK. MRTF-A/B downregulation by serum depletion or transfection of siRNA against MRTF-A and/or MRTF-B induced ICAM-1 expression in HAoECs. It is known that nuclear import of nuclear factor−κB (NF−κB) plays a key role in ICAM-1 gene transcription. However, nuclear accumulation of NF−κB p65 was not observed in MRTF-A/B-depleted HAoECs. Our present findings suggest that MRTF-A/B inhibit ICAM-1 mRNA expression by forming a complex with NF−κB p65 in the nucleus. Conversely, downregulation of MRTF-A/B alleviates this negative regulation without further translocation of NF−κB p65 into the nucleus. These results reveal the novel roles of MRTF-A/B in the homeostasis of vascular endothelium.
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66
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Xu X, Tan X, Tampe B, Sanchez E, Zeisberg M, Zeisberg EM. Snail Is a Direct Target of Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α (HIF1α) in Hypoxia-induced Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Human Coronary Endothelial Cells. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:16653-64. [PMID: 25971970 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.636944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was originally described in heart development where the endocardial endothelial cells that line the atrioventricular canal undergo an EndMT to form the endocardial mesenchymal cushion that later gives rise to the septum and mitral and tricuspid valves. In the postnatal heart specifically, endothelial cells that originate from the endocardium maintain increased susceptibility to undergo EndMT as remnants from their embryonic origin. Such EndMT involving adult coronary endothelial cells contributes to microvascular rarefaction and subsequent chronification of hypoxia in the injured heart, ultimately leading to cardiac fibrosis. Although in most endothelial beds hypoxia induces tip cell formation and sprouting angiogenesis, here we demonstrate that hypoxia is a stimulus for human coronary endothelial cells to undergo phenotypic changes reminiscent of EndMT via a mechanism involving hypoxia-inducible factor 1α-induced activation of the EndMT master regulatory transcription factor SNAIL. Our study adds further evidence for the unique susceptibility of endocardium-derived endothelial cells to undergo EndMT and provides novel insights into how hypoxia contributes to progression of cardiac fibrosis. Additional studies may be required to discriminate between distinct sprouting angiogenesis and EndMT responses of different endothelial cells populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingbo Xu
- From the Departments of Cardiology and Pneumology and
| | - Xiaoying Tan
- From the Departments of Cardiology and Pneumology and
| | - Björn Tampe
- Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg August University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany and
| | - Elisa Sanchez
- From the Departments of Cardiology and Pneumology and
| | - Michael Zeisberg
- Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg August University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany and
| | - Elisabeth M Zeisberg
- From the Departments of Cardiology and Pneumology and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) partner site, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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67
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Shiwen X, Stratton R, Nikitorowicz-Buniak J, Ahmed-Abdi B, Ponticos M, Denton C, Abraham D, Takahashi A, Suki B, Layne MD, Lafyatis R, Smith BD. A Role of Myocardin Related Transcription Factor-A (MRTF-A) in Scleroderma Related Fibrosis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126015. [PMID: 25955164 PMCID: PMC4425676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc), persistent activation of myofibroblast leads to severe skin and organ fibrosis resistant to therapy. Increased mechanical stiffness in the involved fibrotic tissues is a hallmark clinical feature and a cause of disabling symptoms. Myocardin Related Transcription Factor-A (MRTF-A) is a transcriptional co-activator that is sequestered in the cytoplasm and translocates to the nucleus under mechanical stress or growth factor stimulation. Our objective was to determine if MRTF-A is activated in the disease microenvironment to produce more extracellular matrix in progressive SSc. Immunohistochemistry studies demonstrate that nuclear translocation of MRTF-A in scleroderma tissues occurs in keratinocytes, endothelial cells, infiltrating inflammatory cells, and dermal fibroblasts, consistent with enhanced signaling in multiple cell lineages exposed to the stiff extracellular matrix. Inhibition of MRTF-A nuclear translocation or knockdown of MRTF-A synthesis abolishes the SSc myofibroblast enhanced basal contractility and synthesis of type I collagen and inhibits the matricellular profibrotic protein, connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF). In MRTF-A null mice, basal skin and lung stiffness was abnormally reduced and associated with altered fibrillar collagen. MRTF-A has a role in SSc fibrosis acting as a central regulator linking mechanical cues to adverse remodeling of the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Shiwen
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Stratton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Nikitorowicz-Buniak
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bahja Ahmed-Abdi
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markella Ponticos
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Abraham
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ayuko Takahashi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Bela Suki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Matthew D. Layne
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Robert Lafyatis
- Rheumatology Department, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Barbara D. Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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68
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p38 MAP kinase inhibitor suppresses transforming growth factor-β2-induced type 1 collagen production in trabecular meshwork cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120774. [PMID: 25799097 PMCID: PMC4370581 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is an age-related neurodegenerative disease of retinal ganglion cells, and appropriate turnover of the extracellular matrix in the trabecular meshwork is important in its pathology. Here, we report the effects of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) and p38 MAP kinase on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2–induced type I collagen production in human trabecular meshwork cells. TGF-β2 increased RhoA activity, actin polymerization, and myosin light chain 2 phosphorylation. These effects were significantly inhibited by Y-27632, but not SB203580. TGF-β2 also increased promoter activity, mRNA synthesis, and protein expression of COL1A2. These effects were significantly inhibited by SB203580, but not Y-27632. Additionally, Y-27632 did not significantly inhibit TGF-β2–induced promoter activation, or phosphorylation or nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, whereas SB203580 partially suppressed these processes. Collectively, TGF-β2–induced production of type 1 collagen is suppressed by p38 inhibition and accompanied by partial inactivation of Smad2/3, in human trabecular meshwork cells.
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69
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Krizbai IA, Gasparics Á, Nagyőszi P, Fazakas C, Molnár J, Wilhelm I, Bencs R, Rosivall L, Sebe A. Endothelial-mesenchymal transition of brain endothelial cells: possible role during metastatic extravasation. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119655. [PMID: 25742314 PMCID: PMC4350839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer progression towards metastasis follows a defined sequence of events described as the metastatic cascade. For extravasation and transendothelial migration metastatic cells interact first with endothelial cells. Yet the role of endothelial cells during the process of metastasis formation and extravasation is still unclear, and the interaction between metastatic and endothelial cells during transendothelial migration is poorly understood. Since tumor cells are well known to express TGF-β, and the compact endothelial layer undergoes a series of changes during metastatic extravasation (cell contact disruption, cytoskeletal reorganization, enhanced contractility), we hypothesized that an EndMT may be necessary for metastatic extravasation. We demonstrate that primary cultured rat brain endothelial cells (BEC) undergo EndMT upon TGF-β1 treatment, characterized by the loss of tight and adherens junction proteins, expression of fibronectin, β1-integrin, calponin and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). B16/F10 cell line conditioned and activated medium (ACM) had similar effects: claudin-5 down-regulation, fibronectin and SMA expression. Inhibition of TGF-β signaling during B16/F10 ACM stimulation using SB-431542 maintained claudin-5 levels and mitigated fibronectin and SMA expression. B16/F10 ACM stimulation of BECs led to phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. SB-431542 prevented SMA up-regulation upon stimulation of BECs with A2058, MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 ACM as well. Moreover, B16/F10 ACM caused a reduction in transendothelial electrical resistance, enhanced the number of melanoma cells adhering to and transmigrating through the endothelial layer, in a TGF-β-dependent manner. These effects were not confined to BECs: HUVECs showed TGF-β-dependent SMA expression when stimulated with breast cancer cell line ACM. Our results indicate that an EndMT may be necessary for metastatic transendothelial migration, and this transition may be one of the potential mechanisms occurring during the complex phenomenon known as metastatic extravasation.
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Affiliation(s)
- István A. Krizbai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, Liviu Rebreanu Str. 86, 310414, Arad, Romania
| | - Ákos Gasparics
- Department of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad Square 4, 1089, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Nagyőszi
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csilla Fazakas
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Judit Molnár
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Imola Wilhelm
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Bencs
- Department of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad Square 4, 1089, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Rosivall
- Department of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad Square 4, 1089, Budapest, Hungary
- Pediatrics and Nephrology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad Square 4, 1089, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Sebe
- Department of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad Square 4, 1089, Budapest, Hungary
- * E-mail:
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70
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Requisite role for Nck adaptors in cardiovascular development, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and directed cell migration. Mol Cell Biol 2015; 35:1573-87. [PMID: 25691664 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00072-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of the cardiovascular system is critically dependent on the ability of endothelial cells (ECs) to reorganize their intracellular actin architecture to facilitate migration, adhesion, and morphogenesis. Nck family cytoskeletal adaptors function as key mediators of actin dynamics in numerous cell types, though their role in EC biology remains largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate an essential requirement for Nck within ECs. Mouse embryos lacking endothelial Nck1/2 expression develop extensive angiogenic defects that result in lethality at about embryonic day 10. Mutant embryos show immature vascular networks, with decreased vessel branching, aberrant perivascular cell recruitment, and reduced cardiac trabeculation. Strikingly, embryos deficient in endothelial Nck also fail to undergo the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EnMT) required for cardiac valve morphogenesis, with loss of Nck disrupting expression of major EnMT markers, as well as suppressing mesenchymal outgrowth. Furthermore, we show that Nck-null ECs are unable to migrate downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-1, and they exhibit profound perturbations in cytoskeletal patterning, with disorganized cellular projections, impaired focal adhesion turnover, and disrupted actin-based signaling. Our collective findings thereby reveal a crucial role for Nck as a master regulator within the endothelium to control actin cytoskeleton organization, vascular network remodeling, and EnMT during cardiovascular development.
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71
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Yang S, Liu L, Xu P, Yang Z. MKL1 inhibits cell cycle progression through p21 in podocytes. BMC Mol Biol 2015; 16:1. [PMID: 25888165 PMCID: PMC4330937 DOI: 10.1186/s12867-015-0029-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The glomerular podocyte is a highly specialized cell type with the ability to ultrafilter blood and support glomerular capillary pressure. However, little is known about the genetic programs leading to this functionality or the final phenotype. RESULTS In the current study, we found that the expression of a myocardin/MKL family member, MKL1, was significantly upregulated during cell cycle arrest induced by a temperature switch in murine podocyte clone 5 (MPC5) cells. Further investigation demonstrated that overexpression of MKL1 led to inhibition of cell proliferation by decreasing the number of cells in S phase of the cell cycle. In contrast, MKL1 knockdown by RNA interference had the opposite effect, highlighting a potential role of MKL1 in blocking G1/S transition of the cell cycle in MPC5 cells. Additionally, using an RT(2) Profiler PCR Array, p21 was identified as a direct target of MKL1. We further revealed that MKL1 activated p21 transcription by recruitment to the CArG element in its promoter, thus resulting in cell cycle arrest. In addition, the expression of MKL1 is positively correlated with that of p21 in podocytes in postnatal mouse kidney and significantly upregulated during the morphological switch of podocytes from proliferation to differentiation. CONCLUSIONS Our observations demonstrate that MKL1 has physiological roles in the maturation and development of podocytes, and thus its misregulation might lead to glomerular and renal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Yang
- Medical School, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Lingjia Liu
- Medical School, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Pengjuan Xu
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China.
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Medical School, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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72
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Xu X, Friehs I, Zhong Hu T, Melnychenko I, Tampe B, Alnour F, Iascone M, Kalluri R, Zeisberg M, Del Nido PJ, Zeisberg EM. Endocardial fibroelastosis is caused by aberrant endothelial to mesenchymal transition. Circ Res 2015; 116:857-66. [PMID: 25587097 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.116.305629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) is a unique form of fibrosis, which forms a de novo subendocardial tissue layer encapsulating the myocardium and stunting its growth, and which is typically associated with congenital heart diseases of heterogeneous origin, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Relevance of EFE was only recently highlighted through the establishment of staged biventricular repair surgery in infant patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, where surgical removal of EFE tissue has resulted in improvement in the restrictive physiology leading to the growth of the left ventricle in parallel with somatic growth. However, pathomechanisms underlying EFE formation are still scarce, and specific therapeutic targets are not yet known. OBJECTIVE Here, we aimed to investigate the cellular origins of EFE tissue and to gain insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms to ultimately develop novel therapeutic strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS By utilizing a novel EFE model of heterotopic transplantation of hearts from newborn reporter mice and by analyzing human EFE tissue, we demonstrate for the first time that fibrogenic cells within EFE tissue originate from endocardial endothelial cells via aberrant endothelial to mesenchymal transition. We further demonstrate that such aberrant endothelial to mesenchymal transition involving endocardial endothelial cells is caused by dysregulated transforming growth factor beta/bone morphogenetic proteins signaling and that this imbalance is at least in part caused by aberrant promoter methylation and subsequent transcriptional suppression of bone morphogenetic proteins 5 and 7. Finally, we provide evidence that supplementation of exogenous recombinant bone morphogenetic proteins 7 effectively ameliorates endothelial to mesenchymal transition and experimental EFE in rats. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our data point to aberrant endothelial to mesenchymal transition as a common denominator of infant EFE development in heterogeneous, congenital heart diseases, and to bone morphogenetic proteins 7 as an effective treatment for EFE and its restriction of heart growth.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Antigens, CD/genetics
- Biomarkers
- Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7/genetics
- Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7/physiology
- Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7/therapeutic use
- Cadherins/genetics
- Cell Transdifferentiation/genetics
- Cell Transdifferentiation/physiology
- Cells, Cultured
- DNA Methylation
- Endocardial Fibroelastosis/drug therapy
- Endocardial Fibroelastosis/pathology
- Endocardium/pathology
- Epithelium/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Genes, Reporter
- Heart Transplantation
- Humans
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome/pathology
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome/surgery
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Mesoderm/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred Lew
- Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use
- Signal Transduction/physiology
- Smad Proteins/genetics
- Smad Proteins/physiology
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/physiology
- Transplantation, Heterotopic
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingbo Xu
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Ingeborg Friehs
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Tachi Zhong Hu
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Ivan Melnychenko
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Björn Tampe
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Fouzi Alnour
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Maria Iascone
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Michael Zeisberg
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Pedro J Del Nido
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.)
| | - Elisabeth M Zeisberg
- From the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology (X.X., F.A., E.M.Z.), Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology (B.T., M.Z.), University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA (I.F., I.V., P.J.d N.); Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (T.Z.H., R.K., E.M.Z.); Lab Genetica Molecolare, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy (M.I.); Department of Cancer Biology and the Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (R.K.); and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Germany (E.M.Z.).
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Daehn I, Bottinger EP. Microvascular endothelial cells poised to take center stage in experimental renal fibrosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2014; 26:767-9. [PMID: 25535302 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2014121170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Daehn
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Erwin P Bottinger
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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74
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Xu H, Wu X, Qin H, Tian W, Chen J, Sun L, Fang M, Xu Y. Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor A Epigenetically Regulates Renal Fibrosis in Diabetic Nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol 2014; 26:1648-60. [PMID: 25349198 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2014070678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications associated with diabetes and characterized by renal microvascular injury along with accelerated synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins causing tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Production of type I collagen, the major component of extracellular matrix, is augmented during renal fibrosis after chronic exposure to hyperglycemia. However, the transcriptional modulator responsible for the epigenetic manipulation leading to induction of type I collagen genes is not clearly defined. We show here that tubulointerstitial fibrosis as a result of DN was diminished in myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) -deficient mice. In cultured renal tubular epithelial cells and the kidneys of mice with DN, MRTF-A was induced by glucose and synergized with glucose to activate collagen transcription. Notably, MRTF-A silencing led to the disappearance of prominent histone modifications indicative of transcriptional activation, including acetylated histone H3K18/K27 and trimethylated histone H3K4. Detailed analysis revealed that MRTF-A recruited p300, a histone acetyltransferase, and WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5), a key component of the histone H3K4 methyltransferase complex, to the collagen promoters and engaged these proteins in transcriptional activation. Estradiol suppressed collagen production by dampening the expression and binding activity of MRTF-A and interfering with the interaction between p300 and WDR5 in renal epithelial cells. Therefore, targeting the MRTF-A-associated epigenetic machinery might yield interventional strategies against DN-associated renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Department of Pathophysiology and
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Department of Pathophysiology and Laboratory Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Department of Pathophysiology and
| | - Wenfang Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Department of Pathophysiology and
| | - Junliang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Department of Pathophysiology and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Lina Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Department of Pathophysiology and Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; and
| | - Mingming Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Department of Pathophysiology and Department of Medicine and Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Department of Pathophysiology and
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75
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Nie L, Lyros O, Medda R, Jovanovic N, Schmidt JL, Otterson MF, Johnson CP, Behmaram B, Shaker R, Rafiee P. Endothelial-mesenchymal transition in normal human esophageal endothelial cells cocultured with esophageal adenocarcinoma cells: role of IL-1β and TGF-β2. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2014; 307:C859-77. [PMID: 25163519 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00081.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) has been recognized as a key determinant of tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and metastasis. Endothelial cells undergoing EndoMT lose their endothelial markers, acquire the mesenchymal phenotype, and become more invasive with increased migratory abilities. Early stages of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are characterized by strong microvasculature whose impact in tumor progression remains undefined. Our aim was to determine the role of EndoMT in EAC by investigating the impact of tumor cells on normal primary human esophageal microvascular endothelial cells (HEMEC). HEMEC were either cocultured with OE33 adenocarcinoma cells or treated with IL-1β and transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) for indicated periods and analyzed for EndoMT-associated changes by real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and functional assays. Additionally, human EAC tissues were investigated for detection of EndoMT-like cells. Our results demonstrate an increased expression of mesenchymal markers [fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1), collagen1α2, vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Snail], decreased expression of endothelial markers [CD31, von Willebrand factor VIII (vWF), and VE-cadherin], and elevated migration ability in HEMEC following coculture with OE33 cells. The EndoMT-related changes were inhibited by IL-1β and TGF-β2 gene silencing in OE33 cells. Recombinant IL-1β and TGF-β2 induced EndoMT in HEMEC. Although the level of VEGF expression was elevated in EndoMT cells, the angiogenic property of these cells was diminished. In vivo, by immunostaining EndoMT-like cells were detected at the invasive front of EAC. Our findings underscore a significant role for EndoMT in EAC and provide new insights into the mechanisms and significance of EndoMT in the context of tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linghui Nie
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Orestis Lyros
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and
| | - Rituparna Medda
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Nebojsa Jovanovic
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and
| | - Jamie L Schmidt
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and
| | - Mary F Otterson
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | | | - Behnaz Behmaram
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Reza Shaker
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and
| | - Parvaneh Rafiee
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
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76
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Jin G, Cao Z, Sun X, Wang K, Huang T, Shen B. Protein O-glucosyltransferase 1 overexpression downregulates p16 in BT474 human breast cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2014; 8:594-600. [PMID: 25009645 PMCID: PMC4081438 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein O-glucosyltransferase 1 (POGLUT1) is a novel gene that was initially isolated and identified from the bone marrow cells of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia. Previous findings have suggested that POGLUT1 promotes the proliferation of U937 human tissue lymphoma cells. Furthermore, POGLUT1 has been identified in other tissues, including the mammary glands, lymph nodes, intestine, liver and spleen. In the present study, in order to investigate the function and target of POGLUT1 in BT474 breast cancer cells, the effect of POGLUT1 on cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and key proteins in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 signaling pathway was investigated in BT474 cells. The overexpression of POGLUT1 in the presence of TGF-β1 was found to significantly enhance cell viability. Flow cytometric and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed that POGLUT1 had an effect on the cell cycle and inhibited the TGF-β1-induced transcriptional upregulation of p16, a major cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI). Furthermore, phosphorylated (p)-Smad3, which has a key role in mediating the TGF-β antiproliferative response, was greatly inhibited by exogenous POGLUT1, suggesting a role for POGLUT1 in the TGF-β1-mediated signaling pathway in the BT474 cell cycle. However, no significant changes were observed in the expression of other CDKIs or in cell apoptosis. The findings of the present study show that the increase in BT474 cell viabilty induced by POGLUT1 is associated with POGLUT1-induced inhibition of the transcriptional upregulation of p16 by TGF-β1, which may be a result of the inhibition of p-Smad3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Jin
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China ; The No. 211 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Zhigang Cao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Xilin Sun
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Baozhong Shen
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
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77
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Pattabiraman PP, Maddala R, Rao PV. Regulation of plasticity and fibrogenic activity of trabecular meshwork cells by Rho GTPase signaling. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:927-42. [PMID: 24318513 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma, a prevalent blinding disease is commonly associated with increased intraocular pressure due to impaired aqueous humor (AH) drainage through the trabecular meshwork (TM). Although increased TM tissue contraction and stiffness in association with accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) are believed to be partly responsible for increased resistance to AH outflow, the extracellular cues and intracellular mechanisms regulating TM cell contraction and ECM production are not well defined. This study tested the hypothesis that sustained activation of Rho GTPase signaling induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), TGF-β, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) influences TM cell plasticity and fibrogenic activity which may eventually impact resistance to AH outflow. Various experiments performed using human TM cells revealed that constitutively active RhoA (RhoAV14), TGF-β2, LPA, and CTGF significantly increase the levels and expression of Fibroblast Specific Protein-1 (FSP-1), α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), collagen-1A1 and secretory total collagen, as determined by q-RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, immunoblot, flow cytometry and the Sircol assay. Significantly, these changes appear to be mediated by Serum Response Factor (SRF), myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF-A), Slug, and Twist-1, which are transcriptional regulators known to control cell plasticity, myofibroblast generation/activation and fibrogenic activity. Additionally, the Rho kinase inhibitor-Y27632 and anti-fibrotic agent-pirfenidone were both found to suppress the TGF-β2-induced expression of αSMA, FSP-1, and collagen-1A1. Taken together, these observations demonstrate the significance of RhoA/Rho kinase signaling in regulation of TM cell plasticity, fibrogenic activity, and myofibroblast activation, events with potential implications for the pathobiology of elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
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Abstract
The transdifferentiation of epithelial cells into motile mesenchymal cells, a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is integral in development, wound healing and stem cell behaviour, and contributes pathologically to fibrosis and cancer progression. This switch in cell differentiation and behaviour is mediated by key transcription factors, including SNAIL, zinc-finger E-box-binding (ZEB) and basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, the functions of which are finely regulated at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels. The reprogramming of gene expression during EMT, as well as non-transcriptional changes, are initiated and controlled by signalling pathways that respond to extracellular cues. Among these, transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family signalling has a predominant role; however, the convergence of signalling pathways is essential for EMT.
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79
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Wylie-Sears J, Levine RA, Bischoff J. Losartan inhibits endothelial-to-mesenchymal transformation in mitral valve endothelial cells by blocking transforming growth factor-β-induced phosphorylation of ERK. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 446:870-5. [PMID: 24632204 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adult cardiac valve endothelial cells (VEC) undergo endothelial to mesenchymal transformation (EndMT) in response to transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). EndMT has been proposed as a mechanism to replenish interstitial cells that reside within the leaflets and further, as an adaptive response that increases the size of mitral valve leaflets after myocardial infarction. To better understand valvular EndMT, we investigated TGFβ-induced signaling in mitral VEC, and carotid artery endothelial cells (CAEC) as a control. Expression of EndMT target genes α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Snai1, Slug, and MMP-2 were used to monitor EndMT. We show that TGFβ-induced EndMT increases phosphorylation of ERK (p-ERK), and this is blocked by Losartan, an FDA-approved antagonist of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1), that is known to indirectly inhibit phosphorylation of ERK (p-ERK). Blocking TGF-β-induced p-ERK directly with the MEK1/2 inhibitor RDEA119 was sufficient to prevent EndMT. In mitral VECs, TGFβ had only modest effects on phosphorylation of the canonical TGF-β signaling mediator mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3). These results indicate a predominance of the non-canonical p-ERK pathway in TGFβ-mediated EndMT in mitral VECs. AT1 and angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) were detected in mitral VEC, and high concentrations of angiotensin II (AngII) stimulated EndMT, which was blocked by Losartan. The ability of Losartan or MEK1/2 inhibitors to block EndMT suggests these drugs may be useful in manipulating EndMT to prevent excessive growth and fibrosis that occurs in the leaflets after myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Wylie-Sears
- Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Robert A Levine
- Cardiac Ultrasound Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Joyce Bischoff
- Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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Scharenberg MA, Pippenger BE, Sack R, Zingg D, Ferralli J, Schenk S, Martin I, Chiquet-Ehrismann R. TGF-β-induced differentiation into myofibroblasts involves specific regulation of two MKL1 isoforms. J Cell Sci 2014; 127:1079-91. [PMID: 24424023 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.142075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular transformation into myofibroblasts is a central physiological process enabling tissue repair. Its deregulation promotes fibrosis and carcinogenesis. TGF-β is the main inducer of the contractile gene program that drives myofibroblast differentiation from various precursor cell types. Crucial regulators of this transcriptional program are serum response factor (SRF) and its cofactor MKL1 (also known as MRTF-A). However, the exact mechanism of the crosstalk between TGF-β signaling and MKL1 remains unclear. Here, we report the discovery of a novel MKL1 variant/isoform, MKL1_S, transcribed from an alternative promoter and uncover a novel translation start for the published human isoform, MKL1_L. Using a human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell differentiation model, we show that TGF-β specifically upregulates MKL1_S during the initial phase of myofibroblast differentiation. We identified a functional N-terminal motif in MKL1_S that allows specific induction of a group of genes including the extracellular matrix (ECM) modifiers MMP16 and SPOCK3/testican-3. We propose that TGF-β-mediated induction of MKL1_S initiates progression to later stages of differentiation towards a stationary myofibroblast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias A Scharenberg
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Department of Mechanisms of Cancer, Maulbeerstrasse 66, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
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An EMT spectrum defines an anoikis-resistant and spheroidogenic intermediate mesenchymal state that is sensitive to e-cadherin restoration by a src-kinase inhibitor, saracatinib (AZD0530). Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e915. [PMID: 24201814 PMCID: PMC3847320 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 302] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The phenotypic transformation of well-differentiated epithelial carcinoma into a mesenchymal-like state provides cancer cells with the ability to disseminate locally and to metastasise. Different degrees of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been found to occur in carcinomas from breast, colon and ovarian carcinoma (OC), among others. Numerous studies have focused on bona fide epithelial and mesenchymal states but rarely on intermediate states. In this study, we describe a model system for appraising the spectrum of EMT using 43 well-characterised OC cell lines. Phenotypic EMT characterisation reveals four subgroups: Epithelial, Intermediate E, Intermediate M and Mesenchymal, which represent different epithelial-mesenchymal compositions along the EMT spectrum. In cell-based EMT-related functional studies, OC cells harbouring an Intermediate M phenotype are characterised by high N-cadherin and ZEB1 expression and low E-cadherin and ERBB3/HER3 expression and are more anoikis-resistant and spheroidogenic. A specific Src-kinase inhibitor, Saracatinib (AZD0530), restores E-cadherin expression in Intermediate M cells in in vitro and in vivo models and abrogates spheroidogenesis. We show how a 33-gene EMT Signature can sub-classify an OC cohort into four EMT States correlating with progression-free survival (PFS). We conclude that the characterisation of intermediate EMT states provides a new approach to better define EMT. The concept of the EMT Spectrum allows the utilisation of EMT genes as predictive markers and the design and application of therapeutic targets for reversing EMT in a selective subgroup of patients.
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82
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Charpentier MS, Taylor JM, Conlon FL. The CASZ1/Egfl7 transcriptional pathway is required for RhoA expression in vascular endothelial cells. Small GTPases 2013; 4:231-5. [PMID: 24150064 DOI: 10.4161/sgtp.26849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate development depends on the formation of a closed circulatory loop consisting of intricate networks of veins, arteries, and lymphatic vessels. The coordinated participation of multiple molecules including growth factors, transcription factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and regulators of signaling such as small GTPases is essential for eliciting the desired cellular behaviors associated with vascular assembly and morphogenesis. We have recently demonstrated that a novel transcriptional pathway involving activation of the Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 (Egfl7) gene by the transcription factor CASTOR (CASZ1) is required for blood vessel assembly and lumen morphogenesis. Furthermore, this transcriptional network promotes RhoA expression and subsequent GTPase activity linking transcriptional regulation of endothelial gene expression to direct physiological outputs associated with Rho GTPase signaling, i.e., cell adhesion and cytoskeletal dynamics. Here we will discuss our studies with respect to our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying regulation of RhoA transcription, protein synthesis, and activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta S Charpentier
- McAllister Heart Institute; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA; Department of Genetics; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Joan M Taylor
- McAllister Heart Institute; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA; Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Frank L Conlon
- McAllister Heart Institute; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA; Department of Biology; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA; Department of Genetics; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA
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83
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Kato H, Fu YY, Zhu J, Wang L, Aafaqi S, Rahkonen O, Slorach C, Traister A, Leung CH, Chiasson D, Mertens L, Benson L, Weisel RD, Hinz B, Maynes JT, Coles JG, Caldarone CA. Pulmonary vein stenosis and the pathophysiology of "upstream" pulmonary veins. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2013; 148:245-53. [PMID: 24084286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2013.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgical and catheter-based interventions on pulmonary veins are associated with pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS), which can progress diffusely through the "upstream" pulmonary veins. The mechanism has been rarely studied. We used a porcine model of PVS to assess disease progression with emphasis on the potential role of endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). METHODS Neonatal piglets underwent bilateral pulmonary vein banding (banded, n = 6) or sham operations (sham, n = 6). Additional piglets underwent identical banding and stent implantation in a single-banded pulmonary vein 3 weeks postbanding (stented, n = 6). At 7 weeks postbanding, hemodynamics and upstream PV pathology were assessed. RESULTS Banded piglets developed pulmonary hypertension. The upstream pulmonary veins exhibited intimal thickening associated with features of EndMT, including increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and Smad expression, loss of endothelial and gain of mesenchymal marker expression, and coexpression of endothelial and mesenchymal markers in banded pulmonary vein intimal cells. These immunopathologic changes and a prominent myofibroblast phenotype in the remodeled pulmonary veins were consistently identified in specimens from patients with PVS, in vitro TGF-β1-stimulated cells isolated from piglet and human pulmonary veins, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. After stent implantation, decompression of a pulmonary vein was associated with reappearance of endothelial marker expression, suggesting the potential for plasticity in the observed pathologic changes, followed by rapid in-stent restenosis. CONCLUSIONS Neonatal pulmonary vein banding in piglets recapitulates critical aspects of clinical PVS and highlights a pathologic profile consistent with EndMT, supporting the rationale for evaluating therapeutic strategies designed to exploit reversibility of upstream pulmonary vein pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideyuki Kato
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Labatt Family Heart Center and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yaqin Yana Fu
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Labatt Family Heart Center and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jiaquan Zhu
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Labatt Family Heart Center and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lixing Wang
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Labatt Family Heart Center and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shabana Aafaqi
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Labatt Family Heart Center and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Otto Rahkonen
- Division of Cardiology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cameron Slorach
- Division of Cardiology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra Traister
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Labatt Family Heart Center and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chung Ho Leung
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Labatt Family Heart Center and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Chiasson
- Division of Pathology and Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luc Mertens
- Division of Cardiology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lee Benson
- Division of Cardiology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard D Weisel
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Matrix Dynamics Group, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason T Maynes
- Division of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine and Molecular Structure and Function, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John G Coles
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Labatt Family Heart Center and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher A Caldarone
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Labatt Family Heart Center and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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84
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Role of endothelial to mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of the vascular alterations in systemic sclerosis. ISRN RHEUMATOLOGY 2013; 2013:835948. [PMID: 24175099 PMCID: PMC3794556 DOI: 10.1155/2013/835948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is extremely complex, and despite extensive studies, the exact mechanisms involved are not well understood. Numerous recent studies of early events in SSc pathogenesis have suggested that unknown etiologic factors in a genetically receptive host trigger structural and functional microvascular endothelial cell abnormalities. These alterations result in the attraction, transmigration, and accumulation of immune and inflammatory cells in the perivascular tissues, which in turn induce the phenotypic conversion of endothelial cells and quiescent fibroblasts into activated myofibroblasts, a process known as endothelial to mesenchymal transition or EndoMT. The activated myofibroblasts are the effector cells responsible for the severe and frequently progressive fibrotic process and the fibroproliferative vasculopathy that are the hallmarks of SSc. Thus, according to this hypothesis the endothelial and vascular alterations, which include the phenotypic conversion of endothelial cells into activated myofibroblasts, play a crucial role in the development of the progressive fibrotic process affecting skin and multiple internal organs. The role of endothelial cell and vascular alterations, the potential contribution of endothelial to mesenchymal cell transition in the pathogenesis of the tissue fibrosis, and fibroproliferative vasculopathy in SSc will be reviewed here.
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85
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Zeng L, Wang G, Ummarino D, Margariti A, Xu Q, Xiao Q, Wang W, Zhang Z, Yin X, Mayr M, Cockerill G, Li JYS, Chien S, Hu Y, Xu Q. Histone deacetylase 3 unconventional splicing mediates endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition through transforming growth factor β2. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:31853-66. [PMID: 24045946 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.463745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) plays a critical role in the maintenance of endothelial integrity and other physiological processes. In this study, we demonstrated that HDAC3 undergoes unconventional splicing during stem cell differentiation. Four different splicing variants have been identified, designated as HD3α, -β, -γ, and -δ, respectively. HD3α was confirmed in stem cell differentiation by specific antibody against the sequences from intron 12. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that the HD3α isoform co-localized with CD31-positive or α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells at different developmental stages of mouse embryos. Overexpression of HD3α reprogrammed human aortic endothelial cells into mesenchymal cells featuring an endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) phenotype. HD3α directly interacts with HDAC3 and Akt1 and selectively activates transforming growth factor β2 (TGFβ2) secretion and cleavage. TGFβ2 functioned as an autocrine and/or paracrine EndMT factor. The HD3α-induced EndMT was both PI3K/Akt- and TGFβ2-dependent. This study provides the first evidence of the role of HDAC3 splicing in the maintenance of endothelial integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfang Zeng
- From the Cardiovascular Division, King's College London BHF Centre, 125 Cold Harbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
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86
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Saito
- Division for Health Service Promotion, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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87
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Calabrese F, Kipar A, Lunardi F, Balestro E, Perissinotto E, Rossi E, Nannini N, Marulli G, Stewart JP, Rea F. Herpes virus infection is associated with vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55715. [PMID: 23468849 PMCID: PMC3585298 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) represents an important complication of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with a negative impact on patient survival. Herpes viruses are thought to play an etiological role in the development and/or progression of IPF. The influence of viruses on PH associated with IPF is unknown. We aimed to investigate the influence of viruses in IPF patients focusing on aspects related to PH. A laboratory mouse model of gamma-herpesvirus (MHV-68) induced pulmonary fibrosis was also assessed. Methods Lung tissue samples from 55 IPF patients and 41 controls were studied by molecular analysis to detect various viral genomes. Viral molecular data obtained were correlated with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and arterial remodelling. Different clinical and morphological variables were studied by univariate and multivariate analyses at time of transplant and in the early post-transplant period. The same lung tissue analyses were performed in MHV-68 infected mice. Results A higher frequency of virus positive cases was found in IPF patients than in controls (p = 0.0003) and only herpes virus genomes were detected. Viral cases showed higher mPAP (p = 0.01), poorer performance in the six minute walking test (6MWT; p = 0.002) and higher frequency of primary graft (PGD) dysfunction after lung transplant (p = 0.02). Increased arterial thickening, particularly of the intimal layer (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004) and higher TGF-β expression (p = 0.002) were demonstrated in viral cases. The remodelled vessels showed increased vessel cell proliferation (Ki-67 positive cells) in the proximity to metaplastic epithelial cells and macrophages. Viral infection was associated with higher mPAP (p = 0.03), poorer performance in the 6MWT (p = 0.008) and PGD (p = 0.02) after adjusting for other covariates/intermediate factors. In MHV-68 infected mice, morphological features were similar to those of patients. Conclusion Herpesviral infections may contribute to the development of PH in IPF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorella Calabrese
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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88
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Ly DL, Waheed F, Lodyga M, Speight P, Masszi A, Nakano H, Hersom M, Pedersen SF, Szászi K, Kapus A. Hyperosmotic stress regulates the distribution and stability of myocardin-related transcription factor, a key modulator of the cytoskeleton. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2012; 304:C115-27. [PMID: 23054059 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00290.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hyperosmotic stress initiates several adaptive responses, including the remodeling of the cytoskeleton. Besides maintaining structural integrity, the cytoskeleton has emerged as an important regulator of gene transcription. Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF), an actin-regulated coactivator of serum response factor, is a major link between the actin skeleton and transcriptional control. We therefore investigated whether MRTF is regulated by hyperosmotic stress. Here we show that hypertonicity induces robust, rapid, and transient translocation of MRTF from the cytosol to the nucleus in kidney tubular cells. We found that the hyperosmolarity-triggered MRTF translocation is mediated by the RhoA/Rho kinase (ROK) pathway. Moreover, the Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor GEF-H1 is activated by hyperosmotic stress, and it is a key contributor to the ensuing RhoA activation and MRTF translocation, since siRNA-mediated GEF-H1 downregulation suppresses these responses. While the osmotically induced RhoA activation promotes nuclear MRTF accumulation, the concomitant activation of p38 MAP kinase mitigates this effect. Moderate hyperosmotic stress (600 mosM) drives MRTF-dependent transcription through the cis-element CArG box. Silencing or pharmacological inhibition of MRTF prevents the osmotic stimulation of CArG-dependent transcription and renders the cells susceptible to osmotic shock-induced structural damage. Interestingly, strong hyperosmolarity promotes proteasomal degradation of MRTF, concomitant with apoptosis. Thus, MRTF is an osmosensitive and osmoprotective transcription factor, whose intracellular distribution is regulated by the GEF-H1/RhoA/ROK and p38 pathways. However, strong osmotic stress destabilizes MRTF, concomitant with apoptosis, implying that hyperosmotically induced cell death takes precedence over epithelial-myofibroblast transition, a potential consequence of MRTF-mediated phenotypic reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald L Ly
- Keenan Research Centre in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital and Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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MSC and Tumors: Homing, Differentiation, and Secretion Influence Therapeutic Potential. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2012; 130:209-66. [PMID: 22990585 DOI: 10.1007/10_2012_150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
: Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) are adult multipotent progenitors with fibroblast-like morphology able to differentiate into adipocytic, osteogenic, chondrogenic, and myogenic lineages. Due to these properties, MSC have been studied and introduced as therapeutics in regenerative medicine. Preliminary studies have also shown a possible involvement of MSC as precursors of cellular elements within tumor microenvironments, in particular tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAF). Among a number of different possible origins, TAF may originate from a pool of circulating progenitors from bone marrow or adipose tissue-derived MSC. There is growing evidence to corroborate that cells immunophenotypically defined as MSC are able to reside as TAF influencing the tumor microenvironment in a potentially bi-phasic and obscure manner: either promoting or inhibiting growth depending on tumor context and MSC sources. Here we focus on relationships between the tumor microenvironment, cancer cells, and MSC, analyzing their diverse ability to influence neoplastic development. Associated activities include MSC homing driven by the secretion of various mediators, differentiation towards TAF phenotypes, and reciprocal interactions with the tumor cells. These are reviewed here with the aim of understanding the biological functions of MSC that can be exploited for innovative cancer therapy.
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90
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Pardali E, Ten Dijke P. TGFβ signaling and cardiovascular diseases. Int J Biol Sci 2012; 8:195-213. [PMID: 22253564 PMCID: PMC3258560 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.3805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Accepted: 12/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) family members are involved in a wide range of diverse functions and play key roles in embryogenesis, development and tissue homeostasis. Perturbation of TGFβ signaling may lead to vascular and other diseases. In vitro studies have provided evidence that TGFβ family members have a wide range of diverse effects on vascular cells, which are highly dependent on cellular context. Consistent with these observations genetic studies in mice and humans showed that TGFβ family members have ambiguous effects on the function of the cardiovascular system. In this review we discuss the recent advances on TGFβ signaling in (cardio)vascular diseases, and describe the value of TGFβ signaling as both a disease marker and therapeutic target for (cardio)vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Pardali
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
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