Histone Deacetylase 7 Silencing Alters Endothelial Cell Migration, a Key Step in Angiogenesis

VEGF inhibitor (Iressa) arrests histone deacetylase expression: single-cell cotransfection imaging cytometry for multi-target-multi-drug analysis

Multi-target-multi-drug approaches are needed to accelerate the process of drug discovery screening and to design efficient therapeutic strategies against diseases that involve alterations in multiple cellular targets. Herein we report single-cell cotransfection imaging cytometry to quantitatively screen drug-induced off-target effects. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) genes amplified from the genomic DNA were cloned in fluorescently tagged gene constructs (RFP-HDAC/YFP-VEGF). These gene constructs were cotransfected in HEK-293 cells to explore the possibility of off-target effects of 4-phenylbutyrate and Iressa on the expression of VEGF and HDAC through single-cell imaging cytometry. Iressa (10 µM) treatment at the time of cotransfection or 48 h after cotransfection of RFP-HDAC/YFP-VEGF plasmids in HEK-293 cells resulted in off-target effects on HDAC expression. These results suggest possible applications of Iressa in the treatment of diseases in which expression of both HDAC and VEGF should be inhibited. 4-Phenylbutyrate (2.0 mM) did not show any off-target effects on VEGF expression. The developed quantitative multicolor live single-cell cotransfection imaging can be employed to select better drug combinations for faster screening and greater accuracy in multi-target-multi-drug analysis by increasing the on-target/desired off-target effects and eliminating the undesirable off-target effects.

Histone deacetylase inhibition enhances self renewal and cardioprotection by human cord blood-derived CD34 cells

Background

Use of peripheral blood- or bone marrow-derived progenitors for ischemic heart repair is a feasible option to induce neo-vascularization in ischemic tissues. These cells, named Endothelial Progenitors Cells (EPCs), have been extensively characterized phenotypically and functionally. The clinical efficacy of cardiac repair by EPCs cells remains, however, limited, due to cell autonomous defects as a consequence of risk factors. The devise of “enhancement” strategies has been therefore sought to improve repair ability of these cells and increase the clinical benefit.

Principal Findings

Pharmacologic inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) is known to enhance hematopoietic stem cells engraftment by improvement of self renewal and inhibition of differentiation in the presence of mitogenic stimuli in vitro. In the present study cord blood-derived CD34⁺ were pre-conditioned with the HDAC inhibitor Valproic Acid. This treatment affected stem cell growth and gene expression, and improved ischemic myocardium protection in an immunodeficient mouse model of myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Our results show that HDAC blockade leads to phenotype changes in CD34⁺ cells with enhanced self renewal and cardioprotection.

Protein kinase D signaling: multiple biological functions in health and disease

Protein kinase D (PKD) is an evolutionarily conserved protein kinase family with structural, enzymological, and regulatory properties different from the PKC family members. Signaling through PKD is induced by a remarkable number of stimuli, including G-protein-coupled receptor agonists and polypeptide growth factors. PKD1, the most studied member of the family, is increasingly implicated in the regulation of a complex array of fundamental biological processes, including signal transduction, cell proliferation and differentiation, membrane trafficking, secretion, immune regulation, cardiac hypertrophy and contraction, angiogenesis, and cancer. PKD mediates such a diverse array of normal and abnormal biological functions via dynamic changes in its spatial and temporal localization, combined with its distinct substrate specificity. Studies on PKD thus far indicate a striking diversity of both its signal generation and distribution and its potential for complex regulatory interactions with multiple downstream pathways, often regulating the subcellular localization of its targets.

TNF-α potentiates lysophosphatidic acid-induced COX-2 expression via PKD in human colonic myofibroblasts

The myofibroblast (MFB) has recently been identified as an important mediator of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-associated colitis and cancer, but the mechanism(s) involved remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that treatment of 18Co cells, a model of human colonic MFBs, with TNF-α and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induced striking synergistic cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression and production of PGE(2). This effect was prevented by the LPA(1) receptor antagonist Ki16425, the G(iα)-specific inhibitor pertussis toxin, and by the preferential protein kinase (PK) C inhibitors GF109203X and Go6983. As a known downstream target of LPA and PKC, we tested whether PKD, recently implicated in the regulation of COX-2 expression in MFB, was involved in this response. TNF-α, while having no detectable effect on the activation of PKD when added alone, augmented PKD activation stimulated by LPA, as measured by PKD autophosphorylation at Ser(910). LPA-induced PKD activation was also inhibited by Ki16425, pertussis toxin, GF109203X, and Go6983. Transfection of 18Co cells with short interfering RNA targeting PKD completely inhibited the synergistic increase in COX-2 protein, demonstrating a critical role of PKD in this response. Our results imply that cross talk between TNF-α and LPA results in the amplification of COX-2 protein expression via a conserved PKD-dependent signaling pathway that appears to involve the LPA(1) receptor and the G protein G(iα). PKD plays a critical role in the expression of COX-2 in human colonic MFBs and may contribute to an inflammatory microenvironment that promotes tumor growth.

NO points to epigenetics in vascular development

Our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms important for embryonic vascular development and cardiovascular differentiation is still in its infancy. Although molecular analyses, including massive genome sequencing and/or in vitro/in vivo targeting of specific gene sets, has led to the identification of multiple factors involved in stemness maintenance or in the early processes of embryonic layers specification, very little is known about the epigenetic commitment to cardiovascular lineages. The object of this review will be to outline the state of the art in this field and trace the perspective therapeutic consequences of studies aimed at elucidating fundamental epigenetic networks. Special attention will be paid to the emerging role of nitric oxide in this field.

Ubiquitin-dependent degradation of HDAC4, a new regulator of random cell motility

HDAC4 (histone deacetylase 4) belongs to class IIa of histone deacetylases, which groups important regulators of gene expression, controlling pleiotropic cellular functions. Here we show that, in addition to the well-defined nuclear/cytoplasmic shuttling, HDAC4 activity is modulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Serum starvation elicits the poly-ubiquitination and degradation of HDAC4 in nontransformed cells. Phosphorylation of serine 298 within the PEST1 sequence plays an important role in the control of HDAC4 stability. Serine 298 lies within a glycogen synthase kinase 3β consensus sequence, and removal of growth factors fails to trigger HDAC4 degradation in cells deficient in this kinase. GSK3β can phosphorylate HDAC4 in vitro, and phosphorylation of serine 302 seems to play the role of priming phosphate. We have also found that HDAC4 modulates random cell motility possibly through the regulation of KLF2 transcription. Apoptosis, autophagy, cell proliferation, and growth arrest were unaffected by HDAC4. Our data suggest a link between regulation of HDAC4 degradation and the control of cell motility as operated by growth factors.

The biology of HDAC in cancer: the nuclear and epigenetic components

Traditionally, cancer has been regarded to originate from genetic alterations such as mutations, deletions, rearrangements as well as gene amplifications, leading to abnormal expression of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. An increasing body of evidence indicates that in addition to changes in DNA sequence, epigenetic alterations contribute to cancer initiation and progression. In contrast to genetic mutations, epigenetic changes are reversible and therefore an attractive target for cancer therapy. Many epi-drugs such as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors showed anticancer activity in cell culture and animal models of carcinogenesis. Recently, the two HDAC inhibitors suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, Vorinostat) and Romidepsin (Depsipeptide, FK228) were FDA approved for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Although HDAC inhibitors are potent anticancer agents, these compounds act against several HDAC family members potentially resulting in numerous side effects. This stems from the fact that HDACs play crucial roles in a variety of biological processes including cell cycle progression, proliferation, differentiation, and development. Consistently, mice deficient in single HDACs mostly exhibit severe phenotypes. Therefore, it is necessary to specify the cancer-relevant HDACs in a given tumor type in order to design selective inhibitors that target only cancer cells without affecting normal cells. In this chapter, we summarize the current state of knowledge of individual nuclear HDAC family members in development and tumorigenesis, their contribution to the hallmarks of cancer, and the involvement of HDAC family members in different types of human malignancies.

Epigenetic therapeutics in autoimmune disease

Several lines of evidence suggest the involvement of disturbance in epigenetic processes in autoimmune disease. Most noteworthy is the global DNA hypomethylation seen in lupus. Epigenetic states in difference from genetic lesions are potentially reversible and hence candidates for pharmacological intervention. Potential targets for drug development are histone modification and DNA methylating and demethylating enzymes. The most advanced set of drugs in clinical development are histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. However, the prevalence of DNA hypomethylation in lupus suggests that we should shift our attention from HDAC inhibitors to DNA demethylation inhibitors. MBD2 was recently proposed to be involved in demethylation in T cells in lupus and is, therefore, a candidate target. Although this field is at its infancy, it carries great promise.

Rationale for possible targeting of histone deacetylase signaling in cancer diseases with a special reference to pancreatic cancer

There is ongoing interest to identify signaling pathways and genes that play a key role in carcinogenesis and the development of resistance to antitumoral drugs. Given that histone deacetylases (HDACs) interact with various partners through complex molecular mechanims leading to the control of gene expression, they have captured the attention of a large number of researchers. As a family of transcriptional corepressors, they have emerged as important regulators of cell differentiation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. Several HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) have been shown to efficiently protect against the growth of tumor cells in vitro as well as in vivo. The pancreatic cancer which represents one of the most aggressive cancer still suffers from inefficient therapy. Recent data, although using in vitro tumor cell cultures and in vivo chimeric mouse model, have shown that some of the HDACi do express antipancreatic tumor activity. This provides hope that some of the HDACi could be potential efficient anti-pancreatic cancer drugs. The purpose of this review is to analyze some of the current data of HDACi as possible targets of drug development and to provide some insight into the current problems with pancreatic cancer and points of interest for further study of HDACi as potential molecules for pancreatic cancer adjuvant therapy.

Resident vascular progenitor cells

Homeostasis of the vessel wall is essential for maintaining its function, including blood pressure and patency of the lumen. In physiological conditions, the turnover rate of vascular cells, i.e. endothelial and smooth muscle cells, is low, but markedly increased in diseased situations, e.g. vascular injury after angioplasty. It is believed that mature vascular cells have an ability to proliferate to replace lost cells normally. On the other hand, recent evidence indicates stem/progenitor cells may participate in vascular repair and the formation of neointimal lesions in severely damaged vessels. It was found that all three layers of the vessels, the intima, media and adventitia, contain resident progenitor cells, including endothelial progenitor cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, Sca-1+ and CD34+ cells. Data also demonstrated that these resident progenitor cells could differentiate into a variety of cell types in response to different culture conditions. However, collective data were obtained mostly from in vitro culture assays and phenotypic marker studies. There are many unanswered questions concerning the mechanism of cell differentiation and the functional role of these cells in vascular repair and the pathogenesis of vascular disease. In the present review, we aim to summarize the data showing the presence of the resident progenitor cells, to highlight possible signal pathways orchestrating cell differentiation toward endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and to discuss the data limitations, challenges and controversial issues related to the role of progenitors. This article is part of a special issue entitled, "Cardiovascular Stem Cells Revisited".

Repetitive busulfan administration after hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy associated with a dominant HDAC7 clone in a nonhuman primate

The risk of genotoxicity of retroviral vector-delivered gene therapy targeting hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has been highlighted by the development of clonal dominance and malignancies in human and animal gene therapy trials. Large-animal models have proven invaluable to test the safety of retroviral vectors, but the detection of clonal dominance may require years of follow-up. We hypothesized that hematopoietic stress may accelerate the proliferation and therefore the detection of abnormal clones in these models. We administered four monthly busulfan (Bu) infusions to induce hematopoietic stress in a healthy rhesus macaque previously transplanted with CD34+ cells transduced with retroviral vectors carrying a simple marker gene. Busulfan administration resulted in significant cytopenias with each cycle, and prolonged pancytopenia after the final cycle with eventual recovery. Before busulfan treatment there was highly polyclonal marking in all lineages. After Bu administration clonal diversity was markedly decreased in all lineages. Unexpectedly, we found no evidence of selection of the MDS1/EVI1 clones present before Bu administration, but a clone with a vector integration in intron 1 of the histone deacetylase-7 (HDAC7) gene became dominant in granulocytes over time after Bu administration. The overall marking level in the animal was increased significantly after Bu treatment and coincident with expansion of the HDAC7 clone, suggesting an in vivo advantage for this clone under stress. HDAC7 expression was upregulated in marrow progenitors containing the vector. Almost 5 years after Bu administration, the animal developed progressive cytopenias, and at autopsy the marrow showed complete lack of neutrophil or platelet maturation, with a new population of approximately 20% undifferentiated blasts. These data suggest that chemotherapeutic stress may accelerate vector-related clonal dominance, even in the absence of drug resistance genes expressed by the vector. This model may both accelerate the detection of abnormal clones to facilitate analysis of genotoxicity for human gene therapy, and help assess the safety of administering myelotoxic chemotherapeutic agents in patients previously engrafted with vector-containing cells.

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: Advancing Therapeutic Strategies in Hematological and Solid Malignancies

Advancement in the understanding of cancer development in recent years has identified epigenetic abnormalities as a common factor in both tumorigenesis and refractory disease. One such event is the dysregulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in both hematological and solid tumors, and has consequently resulted in the development of HDAC inhibitors (HDACI) to overcome this. HDACI exhibit pleiotropic biological effects including inhibition of angiogenesis and the induction of autophagy and apoptosis. Although HDACI exhibit modest results as single agents in preclinical and clinical data, they often fall short, and therefore HDACI are most promising in combinational strategies with either standard treatments or with other experimental chemotherapies and targeted therapies. This review will discuss the induction of autophagy and apoptosis and the inhibition of angiogenesis by HDACI, and also pre-clinical and clinical combination strategies using these agents.

Role of protein kinase D signaling in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers with dismal survival rates. Its intransigence to conventional therapy renders PDAC an aggressive disease with early metastatic potential. Thus, novel targets for PDAC therapy are urgently needed. Multiple signal transduction pathways are implicated in progression of PDAC. These pathways stimulate production of intracellular messengers in their target cells to modify their behavior, including the lipid-derived diacylglycerol (DAG). One of the prominent intracellular targets of DAG is the protein kinase C (PKC) family. However, the mechanisms by which PKC-mediated signals are decoded by the cell remain incompletely understood. Protein kinase D1 (PKD or PKD1, initially called atypical PKCμ), is the founding member of a novel protein kinase family that includes two additional protein kinases that share extensive overall homology with PKD, termed PKD2, and PKD3. The PKD family occupies a unique position in the signal transduction pathways initiated by DAG and PKC. PKD lies downstream of PKCs in a novel signal transduction pathway implicated in the regulation of multiple fundamental biological processes. We and others have shown that PKD-mediated signaling pathways promote mitogenesis and angiogenesis in PDAC. Our recent observations demonstrate that PKD also potentiates chemoresistance and invasive potential of PDAC cells. This review will briefly highlight diverse biological roles of PKD family in multiple neoplasias including PDAC. Further, this review will underscore our latest advancement with the development of a potent PKD family inhibitor and its effect both in vitro and in vivo in PDAC.

Deacetylase inhibitors - focus on non-histone targets and effects

Inhibitors of protein deacetylases have recently been established as a novel therapeutic principle for several human diseases, including cancer. The original notion of the mechanism of action of these compounds focused on the epigenetic control of transcriptional processes, especially of tumor suppressor genes, by interfering with the acetylation status of nuclear histone proteins, hence the name histone deacetylase inhibitors was coined. Yet, this view could not explain the high specificity for tumor cells and recent evidence now suggests that non-histone proteins represent major targets for protein deacetylase inhibitors and that the post-translational modification of the acetylome is involved in various cellular processes of differentiation, survival and cell death induction.

Hypoxia and angiogenesis: regulation of hypoxia-inducible factors via novel binding factors

The mechanisms that regulate angiogenesis in hypoxia or hypoxic microenvironment are modulated by several pro- and antiangiogenic factors. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) have been established as the basic and major inducers of angiogenesis, but understanding the role of interacting proteins is becoming increasingly important to elucidate the angiogenic processes of a hypoxic response. In particular, with regard to wound healing and the novel therapies for vascular disorders such as ischemic brain and heart attack, it is essential to gain insights in the formation and regulation of HIF transcriptional machineries related to angiogenesis. Further, identification of alternative ways of inhibiting tumor growth by disrupting the growth-triggering mechanisms of increasing vascular supply via angiogenesis depends on the knowledge of how tumor cells develop their own vasculature. Here, we review our findings on the interactions of basic HIFs, HIF-1 alpha and HIF-2 alpha, with their regulatory binding proteins, histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) and translation initiation factor 6 (Int6), respectively. The present results and discussion revealed new regulatory interactions of HIF-related mechanisms.

Histone deacetylase 7 controls endothelial cell growth through modulation of beta-catenin

RATIONALE

Histone deacetylase (HDAC)7 is expressed in the early stages of embryonic development and may play a role in endothelial function.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the role of HDAC7 in endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and growth and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Overexpression of HDAC7 by adenoviral gene transfer suppressed human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation by preventing nuclear translocation of beta-catenin and downregulation of T-cell factor-1/Id2 (inhibitor of DNA binding 2) and cyclin D1, leading to G(1) phase elongation. Further assays with the TOPFLASH reporter and quantitative RT-PCR for other beta-catenin target genes such as Axin2 confirmed that overexpression of HDAC7 decreased beta-catenin activity. Knockdown of HDAC7 by lentiviral short hairpin RNA transfer induced beta-catenin nuclear translocation but downregulated cyclin D1, cyclin E1 and E2F2, causing HUVEC hypertrophy. Immunoprecipitation assay and mass spectrometry analysis revealed that HDAC7 directly binds to beta-catenin and forms a complex with 14-3-3 epsilon, zeta, and eta proteins. Vascular endothelial growth factor treatment induced HDAC7 degradation via PLCgamma-IP3K (phospholipase Cgamma-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate kinase) signal pathway and partially rescued HDAC7-mediated suppression of proliferation. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor stimulation suppressed the binding of HDAC7 with beta-catenin, disrupting the complex and releasing beta-catenin to translocate into the nucleus.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that HDAC7 interacts with beta-catenin keeping ECs in a low proliferation stage and provides a novel insight into the mechanism of HDAC7-mediated signal pathways leading to endothelial growth.

Chemical phylogenetics of histone deacetylases

The broad study of histone deacetylases in chemistry, biology and medicine relies on tool compounds to derive mechanistic insights. A phylogenetic analysis of class I and II histone deacetylases (HDACs) as targets of a comprehensive, structurally diverse panel of inhibitors revealed unexpected isoform selectivity even among compounds widely perceived as nonselective. The synthesis and study of a focused library of cinnamic hydroxamates allowed the identification of, to our knowledge, the first nonselective HDAC inhibitor. These data will guide a more informed use of HDAC inhibitors as chemical probes and therapeutic agents.

Epigenetic regulation of endometrium during the menstrual cycle

The endometrium undergoes morphological and functional changes during the menstrual cycle which are essential for uterine receptivity. These changes are driven by estrogen and progesterone and involve the fine control of many different genes-several of which have been identified as being epigenetically regulated. Epigenetic modification may therefore influence the functional changes in the endometrium required for successful implantation. There is, however, only limited information on epigenetic regulation in endometrium. We review the potential role of epigenetic regulation of key processes during the menstrual cycle and present our own findings following a preliminary study into global acetylation levels in the human endometrium. A changing epigenetic state is associated with the differentiation of stem cells into different lineages and thus may be involved in endometrial regeneration. Histone acetylation is implicated in the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway during angiogenesis, and studies using histone deacetylase inhibitors suggest an involvement in endometrial proliferation and differentiation. The processes of decidualization and implantation are also associated with epigenetic change and epigenetic modulators show variable expression across the menstrual cycle. Our own studies found that endometrial global histone acetylation, as determined by western blotting, changed throughout the menstrual cycle and correlated well with expected transcription activity during the different phases. This suggests that epigenetics may be involved in the regulation of endometrial gene expression during the menstrual cycle and that abnormal epigenetic modifications may therefore be associated with implantation failure and early pregnancy loss as well as with other endometrial pathologies.

Protein kinase D mediates synergistic expression of COX-2 induced by TNF-{alpha} and bradykinin in human colonic myofibroblasts

Myofibroblasts have recently been identified as major mediators of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-associated colitis, but the precise mechanism(s) involved remains incompletely understood. In particular, the possibility that TNF-alpha signaling cross talks with other proinflammatory mediators, including bradykinin (BK), has not been examined in these cells. Here we show that treatment of 18Co cells, a model of human colonic myofibroblasts, with BK and TNF-alpha induced striking synergistic COX-2 protein expression that was paralleled by increases in the levels of transcripts encoding COX-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES-1) and by the production of PGE(2). COX-2 expression in 18Co cells treated with BK and TNF-alpha was prevented by the B(2) BK receptor antagonist HOE-140, the preferential protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors Ro31-8220 and GF-109203X, and Gö-6976, an inhibitor of conventional PKCs and protein kinase D (PKD). In a parallel fashion, TNF-alpha, while having no detectable effect on the activation of PKD when added alone, augmented PKD activation induced by BK, as measured by PKD phosphorylation at its activation loop (Ser(744)) and autophosphorylation site (Ser(916)). BK-induced PKD activation was also inhibited by HOE-140, Ro31-8220, and Gö-6976. Transfection of 18Co cells with small interfering RNA targeting PKD completely inhibited the synergistic increase in COX-2 protein in response to BK and TNF-alpha, demonstrating, for the first time, a critical role of PKD in the pathways leading to synergistic expression of COX-2. Our results imply that cross talk between TNF-alpha and BK amplifies a PKD phosphorylation cascade that mediates synergistic COX-2 expression in colonic myofibroblasts. It is plausible that PKD increases COX-2 expression in colonic myofibroblasts to promote an inflammatory microenvironment that supports tumor growth.

Histone deacetylase 7, a potential target for the antifibrotic treatment of systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

We have recently shown a significant reduction in cytokine-induced transcription of type I collagen and fibronectin in systemic sclerosis (SSc) skin fibroblasts upon treatment with trichostatin A (TSA). Moreover, in a mouse model of fibrosis, TSA prevented the dermal accumulation of extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to analyze the silencing of histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC-7) as a possible mechanism by which TSA exerts its antifibrotic function.

METHODS

Skin fibroblasts from patients with SSc were treated with TSA and/or transforming growth factor beta. Expression of HDACs 1-11, extracellular matrix proteins, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and the Sircol collagen assay. HDAC-7 was silenced using small interfering RNA.

RESULTS

SSc fibroblasts did not show a specific pattern of expression of HDACs. TSA significantly inhibited the expression of HDAC-7, whereas HDAC-3 was up-regulated. Silencing of HDAC-7 decreased the constitutive and cytokine-induced production of type I and type III collagen, but not fibronectin, as TSA had done. Most interestingly, TSA induced the expression of CTGF and ICAM-1, while silencing of HDAC-7 had no effect on their expression.

CONCLUSION

Silencing of HDAC-7 appears to be not only as effective as TSA, but also a more specific target for the treatment of SSc, because it does not up-regulate the expression of profibrotic molecules such as ICAM-1 and CTGF. This observation may lead to the development of more specific and less toxic targeted therapies for SSc.

Epigenetics in cancer: targeting chromatin modifications

Posttranslational modifications to histones affect chromatin structure and function resulting in altered gene expression and changes in cell behavior. Aberrant gene expression and altered epigenomic patterns are major features of cancer. Epigenetic changes including histone acetylation, histone methylation, and DNA methylation are now thought to play important roles in the onset and progression of cancer in numerous tumor types. Indeed dysregulated epigenetic modifications, especially in early neoplastic development, may be just as significant as genetic mutations in driving cancer development and growth. The reversal of aberrant epigenetic changes has therefore emerged as a potential strategy for the treatment of cancer. A number of compounds targeting enzymes that regulate histone acetylation, histone methylation, and DNA methylation have been developed as epigenetic therapies, with some demonstrating efficacy in hematological malignancies and solid tumors. This review highlights the roles of epigenetic modifications to histones and DNA in tumorigenesis and emerging epigenetic therapies being developed for the treatment of cancer.

HDAC5 is a repressor of angiogenesis and determines the angiogenic gene expression pattern of endothelial cells

Class IIa histone deacetylases (HDACs) are signal-responsive regulators of gene expression involved in vascular homeostasis. To investigate the differential role of class IIa HDACs for the regulation of angiogenesis, we used siRNA to specifically suppress the individual HDAC isoenzymes. Silencing of HDAC5 exhibited a unique pro-angiogenic effect evidenced by increased endothelial cell migration, sprouting, and tube formation. Consistently, overexpression of HDAC5 decreased sprout formation, indicating that HDAC5 is a negative regulator of angiogenesis. The antiangiogenic activity of HDAC5 was independent of myocyte enhancer factor-2 binding and its deacetylase activity but required a nuclear localization indicating that HDAC5 might affect the transcriptional regulation of gene expression. To identify putative HDAC5 targets, we performed microarray expression analysis. Silencing of HDAC5 increased the expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and angiogenic guidance factors, including Slit2. Antagonization of FGF2 or Slit2 reduced sprout induction in response to HDAC5 siRNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate that HDAC5 binds to the promoter of FGF2 and Slit2. In summary, HDAC5 represses angiogenic genes, such as FGF2 and Slit2, which causally contribute to capillary-like sprouting of endothelial cells. The derepression of angiogenic genes by HDAC5 inactivation may provide a useful therapeutic target for induction of angiogenesis.

Genetics, epigenetics and pharmaco-(epi)genomics in angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is controlled by a balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. Studies in mice and human beings have shown that this balance, as well as the general sensitivity of the endothelium to these factors, is genetically pre-determined. In an effort to dissect this genetic basis, different types of genetic variability have emerged: mutations and translocations in angiogenic factors have been linked to several vascular malformations and haemangiomas, whereas SNPs have been associated with complex genetic disorders, such as cancer, neurodegeneration and diabetes. In addition, copy number alterations of angiogenic factors have been reported in several tumours. More recently, epigenetic changes caused by aberrant DNA methylation or histone acetylation of anti-angiogenic molecules have been shown to determine angiogenesis as well. Initial studies also revealed a crucial role for microRNAs in stimulating or reducing angiogenesis. So far, most of these genetic studies have focused on tumour angiogenesis, but future research is expected to improve our understanding of how genetic variants determine angiogenesis in other diseases. Importantly, these genetic insights might also be of important clinical relevance for the use of anti-angiogenic strategies in cancer or macular degeneration.

Regulation of angiogenesis by oxygen and metabolism

Blood vessels form an important interface between the environment and the organism by carrying oxygen and nutrients to all cells and thus determining cellular metabolism. It is therefore not surprising that oxygen and metabolism influence the development of the vascular network. Here, we discuss recent insights regarding the emerging crosstalk between angiogenesis and metabolism. We will highlight advances in how oxygen and metabolism regulate angiogenesis as well as how angiogenic factors in turn also regulate metabolism.

Histone deacetylases modulate vascular smooth muscle cell migration induced by cyclic mechanical strain

The migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is found to participate in vascular remodeling which is pivotal in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases, for instance atherosclerosis and restenosis. However, the underlying mechanisms of how mechanical strain influence VSMC migration remain to be elucidated. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are involved in chromatin remodeling and modification of both histone and nonhistone transcription regulatory proteins, thus HDACs modulate genes important for complex biological processes. But whether HDACs take part in modulating migration of VSMCs induced by mechanical strain is poorly understood. Here, we showed that cyclic strain of 1 Hz at 10% elongation for 48 h significantly inhibited the migration of cultured VSMCs compared to the static one. The cyclic strain upregulated the levels of acetylased histone H3 and HDAC7 while downregulated the level of HDAC3/4 in VSMCs. Furthermore, the mechanically induced VSMC migration was diminished by treatment with tributyrin, a HDAC inhibitor. We also observed hyperacetylation of histone H3 and reduced expression of HDAC7 upon tributyrin treatment. These results provide convincing evidence that HDACs are involved in the migration of VSMCs induced by mechanical strain through chromatin remodeling. Thus, inhibition of HDAC may be beneficial in preventing the migration of VSMCs in treating proliferative vascular diseases.

Targeting tumor angiogenesis with histone deacetylase inhibitors

Solid tumor malignancies including breast, lung and prostate carcinomas are considered to be angiogenesis dependent. Tumor angiogenesis is often mediated by hypoxia secondary to tumor growth or by increased oncogenic signaling. Both mechanisms result in increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) signaling and its transcriptional target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Critical to HIF-1alpha signaling are post translational modifications including acetylation mediated by histone acetyltransferases (HATS) and deacetylation by histone deacetylases (HDACs). More recently, HDACs were shown to be up-regulated in response to hypoxia mediating increased HIF-1alpha signaling. HDAC inhibitors represent a new class of anti-cancer therapeutics which show great promise at inhibiting angiogenesis in pre-clinical animal models and early phase clinical trials. This review will discuss the role of HIF-1alpha and VEGF influence on tumor angiogenesis and how HDACs play a critical role in HIF-1alpha transcriptional activity. Furthermore it will also be discussed how targeting HDACs via their inhibition create new avenues in treating solid malignancies by increasing the activity of established and novel therapeutic applications.

Galpha13 regulates MEF2-dependent gene transcription in endothelial cells: role in angiogenesis

The alpha subunit of heterotrimeric G13 protein is required for the embryonic angiogenesis (Offermanns et al., Science 275:533-536, 1997). However, the molecular mechanism of Galpha13-dependent angiogenesis is not understood. Here, we show that myocyte-specific enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) mediates Galpha13-dependent angiogenesis. Our data showed that constitutively activated Galpha13Q226L stimulated MEF2-dependent gene transcription. In addition, downregulation of endogenous Galpha13 inhibited thrombin-stimulated MEF2-dependent gene transcription in endothelial cells. Both Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV) and histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) were involved in Galpha13-mediated MEF2-dependent gene transcription. Galpha13Q226L also increased Ca(2+)/calmodulin-independent CaMKIV activity, while dominant negative mutant of CaMKIV inhibited MEF2-dependent gene transcription induced by Galpha13Q226L. Furthermore, Galpha13Q226L was able to derepress HDAC5-mediated repression of gene transcription and induce the translocation of HDAC5 from nucleus to cytoplasm. Finally, downregulation of endogenous Galpha13 and MEF2 proteins in endothelial cells reduced cell proliferation and capillary tube formation. Decrease of endothelial cell proliferation that was caused by the Galpha13 downregulation was partially restored by the constitutively active MEF2-VP16. Our studies suggest that MEF2 proteins are an important component in Galpha13-mediated angiogenesis.

Targeting histone deacetylase activity in rheumatoid arthritis and asthma as prototypes of inflammatory disease: should we keep our HATs on?

Cellular activation, proliferation and survival in chronic inflammatory diseases is regulated not only by engagement of signal trans-duction pathways that modulate transcription factors required for these processes, but also by epigenetic regulation of transcription factor access to gene promoter regions. Histone acetyl trans-ferases coordinate the recruitment and activation of transcription factors with conformational changes in histones that allow gene promoter exposure. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) counteract histone acetyl transferase activity through the targeting of both histones as well as nonhistone signal transduction proteins important in inflammation. Numerous studies have indicated that depressed HDAC activity in patients with inflammatory airway diseases may contribute to local proinflammatory cytokine production and diminish patient responses to corticosteroid treatment. Recent observations that HDAC activity is depressed in rheumatoid arthritis patient synovial tissue have predicted that strategies restoring HDAC function may be therapeutic in this disease as well. Pharmacological inhibitors of HDAC activity, however, have demonstrated potent therapeutic effects in animal models of arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. In the present review we assess and reconcile these outwardly paradoxical study results to provide a working model for how alterations in HDAC activity may contribute to pathology in rheumatoid arthritis, and highlight key questions to be answered in the preclinical evaluation of compounds modulating these enzymes.

HDAC4 represses p21(WAF1/Cip1) expression in human cancer cells through a Sp1-dependent, p53-independent mechanism

Cancer cells have complex, unique characteristics that distinguish them from normal cells, such as increased growth rates and evasion of anti-proliferative signals. Global inhibition of class I and II histone deacetylases (HDACs) stops cancer cell proliferation in vitro and has proven effective against cancer in clinical trials, at least in part, through transcriptional reactivation of the p21(WAF1/Cip1)gene. The HDACs that regulate p21(WAF1/Cip1) are not fully identified. Using small interfering RNAs, we found that HDAC4 participates in the repression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) through Sp1/Sp3-, but not p53-binding sites. HDAC4 interacts with Sp1, binds and reduces histone H3 acetylation at the Sp1/Sp3 binding site-rich p21(WAF1/Cip1) proximal promoter, suggesting a key role for Sp1 in HDAC4-mediated repression of p21(WAF1/Cip1). Induction of p21(WAF1/Cip1) mediated by silencing of HDAC4 arrested cancer cell growth in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in an in vivo human glioblastoma model. Thus, HDAC4 could be a useful target for new anti-cancer therapies based on selective inhibition of specific HDACs.

HDAC family: What are the cancer relevant targets?

Histone deacetylases comprise a family of 18 genes, which are grouped into classes I-IV based on their homology to their respective yeast orthologues. Classes I, II, and IV consist of 11 family members, which are referred to as "classical" HDACs, whereas the 7 class III members are called sirtuins. Classical HDACs are a promising novel class of anti-cancer drug targets. First HDAC inhibitors have been evaluated in clinical trials and show activity against several cancer diseases. However, these compounds act unselectively against several or all 11 HDAC family members. As a consequence, clinical phase I trials document a wide range of side effects. Therefore, the current challenge in the field is to define the cancer relevant HDAC family member(s) in a given tumor type and to design selective inhibitors, which target cancer cells but leave out normal cells. Knockout of single HDAC family members in mice produces a variety of phenotypes ranging from early embryonic death to viable animals with only discrete alterations, indicating that potential side effects of HDAC inhibitors depend on the selectivity of the compounds. Recently, several studies have shown that certain HDAC family members are aberrantly expressed in several tumors and have non-redundant function in controlling hallmarks of cancer cells. The aim of this review is to discuss individual HDAC family members as drug targets in cancer taking into consideration their function under physiological conditions and their oncogenic potential in malignant disease.

VEGF stimulates HDAC7 phosphorylation and cytoplasmic accumulation modulating matrix metalloproteinase expression and angiogenesis

OBJECTIVE

Histone acetylation/deacetylation plays an important role in the control of gene expression, tissue growth, and development. In particular, histone deacetylases 7 (HDAC7), a member of class IIa HDACs, is crucial in maintaining vascular integrity. However, whether HDAC7 is involved in the processes of vascular endothelial signaling and angiogenesis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of HDAC7 in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling and angiogenesis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We show for the first time that VEGF stimulated phosphorylation of HDAC7 at the sites of Ser178, Ser344, and Ser479 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which leads to the cytoplasmic accumulation of HDAC7. Using pharmacological inhibitors, siRNA, and adenoviruses carrying dominant-negative mutants, we found that phospholipase Cgamma/protein kinase C/protein kinase D1 (PKD1)-dependent signal pathway mediated HDAC7 phosphorylation and cytoplasmic accumulation by VEGF. Infection of ECs with adenoviruses encoding a mutant of HDAC7 specifically deficient in PKD1-dependent phosphorylation inhibited VEGF-induced angiogenic gene expression, including matrix metalloproteinases MT1-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and MMP10. Moreover, HDAC7 and its targeting genes were involved in VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell migration, tube formation, and microvessel sprouting.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that VEGF stimulates PKD1-dependent HDAC7 phosphorylation and cytoplasmic accumulation in endothelial cells modulating gene expression and angiogenesis.

Epigenetic regulation of vascular endothelial gene expression

Epigenetics refers to chromatin-based pathways important in the regulation of gene expression and includes 3 distinct, but highly interrelated, mechanisms: DNA methylation, histone density and posttranslational modifications, and RNA-based mechanisms. Together, they offer a newer perspective on transcriptional control paradigms in vascular endothelial cells and provide a molecular basis for how the environment impacts the genome to modify disease susceptibility. This review provides an introduction to epigenetic concepts for vascular biologists. Using endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) as an example, we examine the growing body of evidence implicating epigenetic pathways in the control of vascular endothelial gene expression in health and disease.

Control of endothelial cell proliferation and migration by VEGF signaling to histone deacetylase 7

VEGF has been shown to regulate endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and migration. However, the nuclear mediators of the actions of VEGF in ECs have not been fully defined. We show that VEGF induces the phosphorylation of three conserved serine residues in histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) via protein kinase D, which promotes nuclear export of HDAC7 and activation of VEGF-responsive genes in ECs. Expression of a signal-resistant HDAC7 mutant protein in ECs inhibits proliferation and migration in response to VEGF. These results demonstrate that phosphorylation of HDAC7 serves as a molecular switch to mediate VEGF signaling and endothelial function.

Stem Cells and Transplant Arteriosclerosis

Stem cells can differentiate into a variety of cells to replace dead cells or to repair damaged tissues. Recent evidence indicates that stem cells are involved in the pathogenesis of transplant arteriosclerosis, an alloimmune initiated vascular stenosis that often results in transplant organ failure. Although the pathogenesis of transplant arteriosclerosis is not yet fully understood, recent developments in stem cell research have suggested novel mechanisms of vascular remodeling in allografts. For example, stem cells derived from the recipient may repair damaged endothelial cells of arteries in transplant organs. Further evidence suggests that stem cells or endothelial progenitor cells may be released from both bone marrow and non–bone marrow tissues. Vascular stem cells appear to replenish cells that died in donor vessels. Concomitantly, stem/progenitor cells may also accumulate in the intima, where they differentiate into smooth muscle cells. However, several issues concerning the contribution of stem cells to the pathogenesis of transplant arteriosclerosis are controversial, eg, whether bone marrow–derived stem cells can differentiate into smooth muscle cells that form neointimal lesions of the vessel wall. This review summarizes recent research on the role of stem cells in transplant arteriosclerosis, discusses the mechanisms of stem cell homing and differentiation into mature endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and highlights the controversial issues in the field.

Intramural delivery of rapamycin with alphavbeta3-targeted paramagnetic nanoparticles inhibits stenosis after balloon injury

BACKGROUND

Drug eluting stents prevent vascular restenosis but can delay endothelial healing. A rabbit femoral artery model of stenosis formation after vascular injury was used to study the effect of intramural delivery of alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin-targeted rapamycin nanoparticles on vascular stenosis and endothelial healing responses.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Femoral arteries of 48 atherosclerotic rabbits underwent balloon stretch injury and were locally treated with either (1) alpha(v)beta(3)-targeted rapamycin nanoparticles, (2) alpha(v)beta(3)-targeted nanoparticles without rapamycin, (3) nontargeted rapamycin nanoparticles, or (4) saline. Intramural binding of integrin-targeted paramagnetic nanoparticles was confirmed with MR molecular imaging (1.5 T). MR angiograms were indistinguishable between targeted and control arteries at baseline, but 2 weeks later they showed qualitatively less luminal plaque in the targeted rapamycin treated segments compared with contralateral control vessels. In a first cohort of 19 animals (38 vessel segments), microscopic morphometric analysis of the rapamycin-treated segments revealed a 52% decrease in the neointima/media ratio (P<0.05) compared to control. No differences (P>0.05) were observed among balloon injured vessel segments treated with alpha(v)beta(3)-targeted nanoparticles without rapamycin, nontargeted nanoparticles with rapamycin, or saline. In a second cohort of 29 animals, endothelial healing followed a parallel pattern over 4 weeks in the vessels treated with alpha(v)beta(3)-targeted rapamycin nanoparticles and the 3 control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Local intramural delivery of alpha(v)beta(3)-targeted rapamycin nanoparticles inhibited stenosis without delaying endothelial healing after balloon injury.

Histone deacetylases: target enzymes for cancer therapy

Epigenic regulation of gene transcription has recently been the subject of a fast growing interest particularly in the field of cancer. Enzymatic acetylation and deacetylation of the epsilon-amino groups of lysine residues from nucleosomal histones, represents major molecular epigenic mechanisms controlling gene expression. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyl transferases (HAT) represent the two families of enzymes in charge of the control of the level of acetylation of the histone tails. By removing the acetyl groups that abrogate the positive charge of the lysine residues that maintain the histone tails attached to DNA, HDACs repress transcription. In mammals, these latter enzymes form three groups of related enzymes based on their sequence homology and are classified as HDACs I, II and III. Global inhibition of the HDACs I and II groups results in cell growth arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells and alters tumor growth in in vivo experimental models. Their surprisingly low general toxicity and their impressive efficiency in preclinical cancer models has led to consider HDAC inhibitors as very promising new anticancer pharmacological agents. In this review, we attempt to give a comprehensive overview of the role and the involvement of HDAC in carcinogenesis as well as the current progress on the development of HDAC general and specific inhibitors as new cancer therapies.