Opposing actions of angiopoietin-2 on Tie2 signaling and FOXO1 activation

Dimerization of Tie2 mediated by its membrane-proximal FNIII domains

Tie1 and Tie2, members of the tyrosine kinase family with immunoglobulin and EGF homology domains, are receptor tyrosine kinases found primarily in endothelial cells with key roles in development and maintenance of the vasculature and in angiogenesis. They are attractive targets for therapeutic intervention in tumor angiogenesis, inflammation, and sepsis. Tie2 is regulated directly by the multimeric angiopoietin (Ang) ligands, with Ang1 being its primary activator. Structural studies have shown how Angs bind to the Tie2 ligand-binding region, but do not explain Tie2 activation and suggest a passive role for the Tie2 extracellular region (ECR) in ligand-induced receptor dimerization. Here we show that the Tie2 ECR forms strong dimers even in the absence of bound ligand. Dimerization is mediated by membrane-proximal fibronectin type III (FNIII) domains that were omitted in previous structural studies. We describe a 2.5-Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of the membrane-proximal three Tie2 FNIII domains, Tie2(FNIIIa-c), revealing two possible dimerization modes that primarily involve the third FNIII domain, FNIIIc. Mutating these dimer interfaces implicates one of them (dimer 1) in soluble Tie2 (sTie2) dimerization in solution but suggests that both could play a role in Ang1-induced Tie2 activation, possibly modulated by Tie1. Through small-angle X-ray scattering studies of sTie2 dimers in solution and modeling based on crystal structures, we suggest that Ang1 binding may cross-link Tie2 dimers into higher-order oligomers, potentially explaining how Tie2 is differentially clustered following ligand engagement in different cellular contexts. Our results also firmly implicate FNIII domain-mediated interactions in Tie2 activation, identifying a potential Achilles' heel for therapeutic inhibition.

Structural basis of Tie2 activation and Tie2/Tie1 heterodimerization

The endothelial cell (EC)-specific receptor tyrosine kinases Tie1 and Tie2 are necessary for the remodeling and maturation of blood and lymphatic vessels. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) growth factor is a Tie2 agonist, whereas Ang2 functions as a context-dependent agonist/antagonist. The orphan receptor Tie1 modulates Tie2 activation, which is induced by association of angiopoietins with Tie2 in cis and across EC-EC junctions in trans Except for the binding of the C-terminal angiopoietin domains to the Tie2 ligand-binding domain, the mechanisms for Tie2 activation are poorly understood. We report here the structural basis of Ang1-induced Tie2 dimerization in cis and provide mechanistic insights on Ang2 antagonism, Tie1/Tie2 heterodimerization, and Tie2 clustering. We find that Ang1-induced Tie2 dimerization and activation occurs via the formation of an intermolecular β-sheet between the membrane-proximal (third) Fibronectin type III domains (Fn3) of Tie2. The structures of Tie2 and Tie1 Fn3 domains are similar and compatible with Tie2/Tie1 heterodimerization by the same mechanism. Mutagenesis of the key interaction residues of Tie2 and Tie1 Fn3 domains decreased Ang1-induced Tie2 phosphorylation and increased the basal phosphorylation of Tie1, respectively. Furthermore, the Tie2 structures revealed additional interactions between the Fn 2 (Fn2) domains that coincide with a mutation of Tie2 in primary congenital glaucoma that leads to defective Tie2 clustering and junctional localization. Mutagenesis of the Fn2-Fn2 interface increased the basal phosphorylation of Tie2, suggesting that the Fn2 interactions are essential in preformed Tie2 oligomerization. The interactions of the membrane-proximal domains could provide new targets for modulation of Tie receptor activity.

Angiopoietin-2 in white adipose tissue improves metabolic homeostasis through enhanced angiogenesis

Despite many angiogenic factors playing crucial roles in metabolic homeostasis, effects of angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) in adipose tissue (AT) remain unclear. Utilizing a doxycycline-inducible AT-specific ANG-2 overexpression mouse model, we assessed the effects of ANG-2 in AT expansion upon a high-fat diet (HFD) challenge. ANG-2 is significantly induced, with subcutaneous white AT (sWAT) displaying the highest ANG-2 expression. ANG-2 overexpressing mice show increased sWAT vascularization and are resistant to HFD-induced obesity. In addition, improved glucose and lipid metabolism are observed. Mechanistically, the sWAT displays a healthier expansion pattern with increased anti-inflammatory macrophage infiltration. Conversely, ANG-2 neutralization in HFD-challenged wild-type mice shows reduced vascularization in sWAT, associated with impaired glucose tolerance and lipid clearance. Blocking ANG-2 causes significant pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic changes, hallmarks of an unhealthy AT expansion. In contrast to other pro-angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), this is achieved without any enhanced beiging of white AT.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.24071.001

Sustained inflammation after pericyte depletion induces irreversible blood-retina barrier breakdown

In the central nervous system, endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes (PCs) of blood vessel walls cooperatively form a physical and chemical barrier to maintain neural homeostasis. However, in diabetic retinopathy (DR), the loss of PCs from vessel walls is assumed to cause breakdown of the blood-retina barrier (BRB) and subsequent vision-threatening vascular dysfunctions. Nonetheless, the lack of adequate DR animal models has precluded disease understanding and drug discovery. Here, by using an anti-PDGFRβ antibody, we show that transient inhibition of the PC recruitment to developing retinal vessels sustained EC-PC dissociations and BRB breakdown in adult mouse retinas, reproducing characteristic features of DR such as hyperpermeability, hypoperfusion, and neoangiogenesis. Notably, PC depletion directly induced inflammatory responses in ECs and perivascular infiltration of macrophages, whereby macrophage-derived VEGF and placental growth factor (PlGF) activated VEGFR1 in macrophages and VEGFR2 in ECs. Moreover, angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2) upregulation and Tie1 downregulation activated FOXO1 in PC-free ECs locally at the leaky aneurysms. This cycle of vessel damage was shut down by simultaneously blocking VEGF, PlGF, and Angpt2, thus restoring the BRB integrity. Together, our model provides new opportunities for identifying the sequential events triggered by PC deficiency, not only in DR, but also in various neurological disorders.

Tie1: an orphan receptor provides context for angiopoietin-2/Tie2 signaling

Angiopoietin-1/Tie2 (ANG1/Tie2) signaling is well documented as regulating angiogenesis and vessel maturation. This pathway is complicated by involvement of the orphan receptor Tie1, which has been implicated as both a positive and negative regulator of ANG1/Tie2 signaling, and ANG2, which can serve as both a Tie2 agonist and antagonist, depending on the context. Two papers in this issue of the JCI provide new insight into this complicated pathway. Korhonen et al. reveal that Tie1 acts to modulate the effects of ANG1 and ANG2 on Tie2 in vitro and in vivo. Kim et al. demonstrate that ANG2 acts as a Tie2 agonist in non-pathological conditions, whereas in the setting of inflammation, ANG2 functions as a Tie2 antagonist and promotes vascular dysfunction. Both studies indicate that inflammation promotes cleavage of the ectodomain of Tie1 and that this cleavage event corresponds with the switch of ANG2 from a Tie2 agonist to an antagonist. The results of these studies lay the groundwork for future strategies to therapeutically exploit this pathway in diseases characterized by adverse vascular remodeling and increased permeability.

Tie1 controls angiopoietin function in vascular remodeling and inflammation

The angiopoietin/Tie (ANG/Tie) receptor system controls developmental and tumor angiogenesis, inflammatory vascular remodeling, and vessel leakage. ANG1 is a Tie2 agonist that promotes vascular stabilization in inflammation and sepsis, whereas ANG2 is a context-dependent Tie2 agonist or antagonist. A limited understanding of ANG signaling mechanisms and the orphan receptor Tie1 has hindered development of ANG/Tie-targeted therapeutics. Here, we determined that both ANG1 and ANG2 binding to Tie2 increases Tie1-Tie2 interactions in a β1 integrin-dependent manner and that Tie1 regulates ANG-induced Tie2 trafficking in endothelial cells. Endothelial Tie1 was essential for the agonist activity of ANG1 and autocrine ANG2. Deletion of endothelial Tie1 in mice reduced Tie2 phosphorylation and downstream Akt activation, increased FOXO1 nuclear localization and transcriptional activation, and prevented ANG1- and ANG2-induced capillary-to-venous remodeling. However, in acute endotoxemia, the Tie1 ectodomain that is responsible for interaction with Tie2 was rapidly cleaved, ANG1 agonist activity was decreased, and autocrine ANG2 agonist activity was lost, which led to suppression of Tie2 signaling. Tie1 cleavage also occurred in patients with hantavirus infection. These results support a model in which Tie1 directly interacts with Tie2 to promote ANG-induced vascular responses under noninflammatory conditions, whereas in inflammation, Tie1 cleavage contributes to loss of ANG2 agonist activity and vascular stability.