Shb null allele is inherited with a transmission ratio distortion and causes reduced viability in utero

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of EPH/EPHRIN signaling in evolution and development

The EPH receptor tyrosine kinases and their signaling partners, the EPHRINS, comprise a large class of cell signaling molecules that plays diverse roles in development. As cell membrane-anchored signaling molecules, they regulate cellular organization by modulating the strength of cellular contacts, usually by impacting the actin cytoskeleton or cell adhesion programs. Through these cellular functions, EPH/EPHRIN signaling often regulates tissue shape. Indeed, recent evidence indicates that this signaling family is ancient and associated with the origin of multicellularity. Though extensively studied, our understanding of the signaling mechanisms employed by this large family of signaling proteins remains patchwork, and a truly "canonical" EPH/EPHRIN signal transduction pathway is not known and may not exist. Instead, several foundational evolutionarily conserved mechanisms are overlaid by a myriad of tissue -specific functions, though common themes emerge from these as well. Here, I review recent advances and the related contexts that have provided new understanding of the conserved and varied molecular and cellular mechanisms employed by EPH/EPHRIN signaling during development.

Absence of the Shb gene in mixed-lineage leukemia MLL-AF9 cells increases latency in mice despite higher proliferation rates in vitro

Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) arises from several KMT2A-gene chromosomal translocations. Shb gene deficiency has been found to exhibit pleiotropic effects in different models of leukemia, and consequently, this study aimed to investigate MLL-AF9-induced leukemia in Shb deficiency. Bone marrow cells from wild type and Shb knockout (KO) mice were transduced with the MLL-AF9 gene. Shb KO MLL-AF9 cells proliferated at an increased rate, exhibited altered expression of certain cytokine genes (Kitl, Csf3, IL6, IL1b) and higher expression of cell cycle genes (Ccnd2, Ccne1). Mice receiving Shb KO MLL-AF9 cells showed longer latency without displaying any difference in rates of leukemic cell proliferation, indicating a dichotomy between the in vitro and in vivo phenotypes. The mice with Shb deficient MLL-AF9 cells had a lower content of leukemic bone marrow cells allowing elevated normal hematopoiesis, explaining the longer latency. Finally, Shb knockout GFP-positive bone marrow cells showed a higher percentage of cells expressing myeloid markers. The result suggests a role of Shb in the progression of leukemia and that the relevance of the Shb gene is context-dependent as inferred from the differences between the in vivo and in vitro responses. These findings help to obtain an increased understanding of human MLL-AF9 leukemia.

Temporal Dynamics of VEGFA-Induced VEGFR2/FAK Co-Localization Depend on SHB

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is essential for vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA)/VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2)-stimulated angiogenesis and vascular permeability. We have previously noted that presence of the Src homology-2 domain adapter protein B (SHB) is of relevance for VEGFA-stimulated angiogenesis in a FAK-dependent manner. The current study was conducted in order address the temporal dynamics of co-localization between these components in HEK293 and primary lung endothelial cells (EC) by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRF). An early (<2.5 min) VEGFA-induced increase in VEGFR2 co-localization with SHB was dependent on tyrosine 1175 in VEGFR2. VEGFA also enhanced SHB co-localization with FAK. FAK co-localization with VEGFR2 was dependent on SHB since it was significantly lower in SHB deficient EC after VEGFA addition. Absence of SHB also resulted in a gradual decline of VEGFR2 co-localization with FAK under basal (prior to VEGFA addition) conditions. A similar basal response was observed with expression of the Y1175F-VEGFR2 mutant in wild type EC. The distribution of focal adhesions in SHB-deficient EC was altered with a primarily perinuclear location. These live cell data implicate SHB as a key component regulating FAK activity in response to VEGFA/VEGFR2.

Pro-tumoral immune cell alterations in wild type and Shb-deficient mice in response to 4T1 breast carcinomas

To assess mechanisms responsible for breast carcinoma metastasis, 4T1 breast carcinomas were grown orthotopically in wild type or Shb knockout mice. Tumor growth, metastasis, vascular characteristics and immune cell properties were analyzed. Absence of Shb did not affect tumor growth although it increased lung metastasis. Shb knockout mouse tumors showed decreased redness and less developed vascular plexa located at the periphery of the tumors. No difference in overall tumor vascular density, leakage or pericyte coverage was noted between the genotypes although the average vessel size was smaller in the knockout. Tumors induced an increase of CD11b⁺ cells in spleen, lymph node, thymus, bone marrow and blood. Numbers of Shb knockout CD11b/CD8⁺ cells were decreased in lymph nodes and bone marrow of tumor bearing mice. Mice with tumors had reduced numbers of CD4⁺ lymphocytes in blood/lymphoid organs, whereas in most of these locations the proportion of CD4⁺ cells co-expressing FoxP3 was increased, suggesting a relative increase in Treg cells. This finding was reinforced by increased blood interleukin-35 (IL-35) in wild type tumor bearing mice. Shb knockout blood showed in addition an increased proportion of IL-35 expressing Treg cells, supporting the notion that absence of Shb further promotes tumor evasion from immune cell recognition. This could explain the increased number of lung metastases observed under these conditions. In conclusion, 4T1 tumors alter immune cell responses that promote tumor expansion, metastasis and escape from T cell recognition in an Shb dependent manner.

Evaluation and validation of commercial antibodies for the detection of Shb

Antibodies are among the most important tools for protein detection but, prior to their usage, proper validation of their appropriateness for given applications is required. The utility of an antibody depends on its sensitivity and specificity. We studied these two aspects in a panel of commercial antibodies against Shb, a platform protein involved in receptor tyrosine kinase signalling, but the function of which is still incompletely understood. Several of the antibodies showed shortcomings or were not acceptable for detection of the endogenous protein. The few that could detect Shb were doing so in either western blotting or immunoprecipitation experiments but a given antibody could not work in both applications. This article provides a resource for the available molecular tools that can be used in future research on Shb.

The role of the Src Homology-2 domain containing protein B (SHB) in β cells

This review will describe the SH2-domain signaling protein Src Homology-2 domain containing protein B (SHB) and its role in various physiological processes relating in particular to glucose homeostasis and β cell function. SHB operates downstream of several tyrosine kinase receptors and assembles signaling complexes in response to receptor activation by interacting with other signaling proteins via its other domains (proline-rich, phosphotyrosine-binding and tyrosine-phosphorylation sites). The subsequent responses are context-dependent. Absence of Shb in mice has been found to exert effects on hematopoiesis, angiogenesis and glucose metabolism. Specifically, first-phase insulin secretion in response to glucose was impaired and this effect was related to altered characteristics of focal adhesion kinase activation modulating signaling through Akt, ERK, β catenin and cAMP. It is believed that SHB plays a role in integrating adaptive responses to various stimuli by simultaneously modulating cellular responses in different cell-types, thus playing a role in maintaining physiological homeostasis.

Shb deficiency in endothelium but not in leucocytes is responsible for impaired vascular performance during hindlimb ischaemia

AIM

Myeloid cells have been suggested to participate in angiogenesis and regulation of vascular function. Shb-deficient mice display both vascular and myeloid cell abnormalities with possible consequences for recovery after hindlimb ischaemia. This study was conducted in order to assess the contribution of Shb deficiency in myeloid cells to impaired vascular function in ischaemia.

METHODS

Wild type and Shb-deficient mice were subjected to peritoneal vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) followed by intraperitoneal lavage, after which blood and peritoneal cells were stained for myeloid markers. VEGFA-induced leucocyte recruitment to cremaster muscle was investigated using intravital microscopy of both mouse strains. Blood flow after femoral artery ligation was determined on chimeric mice after bone marrow transplantation.

RESULTS

No differences in neutrophil numbers or cell surface phenotypes were detected. Moreover, neutrophil extravasation in VEGFA-activated cremaster muscle was unaffected by Shb deficiency. However, blood and peritoneal CXCR4+ monocytes/macrophages were reduced in response to intraperitoneal VEGFA but not lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence of Shb. Furthermore, the macrophage population in ischaemic muscle was unaffected by Shb deficiency after 2 days but reduced 7 days after injury. The bone marrow transplantation experiments revealed that mice with wild type vasculature showed better blood flow than those with Shb-deficient vasculature irrespective of leucocyte genotype.

CONCLUSION

The observed aberrations in myeloid cell properties in Shb-deficient mice are likely consequences of an abnormal vascular compartment and are not responsible for reduced muscle blood flow. Structural vascular abnormalities seem to be the primary cause of poor vascular performance under provoked vascular stress in this genetic model.

Vascular dysfunction and increased metastasis of B16F10 melanomas in Shb deficient mice as compared with their wild type counterparts

Background

Shb is a signaling protein downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and Shb deficiency has been found to restrict tumor angiogenesis. The present study was performed in order to assess metastasis in Shb deficiency using B16F10 melanoma cells.

Methods

B16F10 melanoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously on wild type or Shb +/− mice. Primary tumors were resected and lung metastasis determined after tumor relapse. Lung metastasis was also assessed after bone marrow transplantation of wild type bone marrow to Shb +/− recipients and Shb +/− bone marrow to wild type recipients. Primary tumors were subject to immunofluorescence staining for CD31, VE-cadherin, desmin and CD8, RNA isolation and isolation of vascular fragments for further RNA isolation. RNA was used for real-time RT-PCR and microarray analysis.

Results

Numbers of lung metastases were increased in Shb +/− or −/− mice and this coincided with reduced pericyte coverage and increased vascular permeability. Gene expression profiling of vascular fragments isolated from primary tumors and total tumor RNA revealed decreased expression of different markers for cytotoxic T cells in tumors grown on Shb +/− mice, suggesting that vascular aberrations caused altered immune responses.

Conclusions

It is concluded that a unique combinatorial response of increased vascular permeability and reduced recruitment of cytotoxic CD8+ cells occurs as a consequence of Shb deficiency in B16F10 melanomas. These changes may promote tumor cell intravasation and metastasis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1269-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Absence of Shb impairs insulin secretion by elevated FAK activity in pancreatic islets

The Src homology-2 domain containing protein B (SHB) has previously been shown to function as a pleiotropic adapter protein, conveying signals from receptor tyrosine kinases to intracellular signaling intermediates. The overexpression of Shb in β-cells promotes β-cell proliferation by increased insulin receptor substrate (IRS) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity, whereas Shb deficiency causes moderate glucose intolerance and impaired first-peak insulin secretion. Using an array of techniques, including live-cell imaging, patch-clamping, immunoblotting, and semi-quantitative PCR, we presently investigated the causes of the abnormal insulin secretory characteristics in Shb-knockout mice. Shb-knockout islets displayed an abnormal signaling signature with increased activities of FAK, IRS, and AKT. β-catenin protein expression was elevated and it showed increased nuclear localization. However, there were no major alterations in the gene expression of various proteins involved in the β-cell secretory machinery. Nor was Shb deficiency associated with changes in glucose-induced ATP generation or cytoplasmic Ca(2+) handling. In contrast, the glucose-induced rise in cAMP, known to be important for the insulin secretory response, was delayed in the Shb-knockout compared with WT control. Inhibition of FAK increased the submembrane cAMP concentration, implicating FAK activity in the regulation of insulin exocytosis. In conclusion, Shb deficiency causes a chronic increase in β-cell FAK activity that perturbs the normal insulin secretory characteristics of β-cells, suggesting multi-faceted effects of FAK on insulin secretion depending on the mechanism of FAK activation.

Functional identity of the gamma tropomyosin gene: Implications for embryonic development, reproduction and cell viability

The actin filament system is fundamental to cellular functions including regulation of shape, motility, cytokinesis, intracellular trafficking and tissue organization. Tropomyosins (Tm) are highly conserved components of actin filaments which differentially regulate filament stability and function. The mammalian Tm family consists of four genes; αTm, βTm, γTm and δTm. Multiple Tm isoforms (>40) are generated by alternative splicing and expression of these isoforms is highly regulated during development. In order to further identify the role of Tm isoforms during development, we tested the specificity of function of products from the γTm gene family in mice using a series of gene knockouts. Ablation of all γTm gene cytoskeletal products results in embryonic lethality. Elimination of just two cytoskeletal products from the γTm gene (NM1,2) resulted in a 50% reduction in embryo viability. It was also not possible to generate homozygous knockout ES cells for the targets which eliminated or reduced embryo viability in mice. In contrast, homozygous knockout ES cells were generated for a different set of isoforms (NM3,5,6,8,9,11) which were not required for embryogenesis. We also observed that males hemizygous for the knockout of all cytoskeletal products from the γTm gene preferentially transmitted the minus allele with 80-100% transmission. Since all four Tm genes are expressed in early embryos, ES cells and sperm, we conclude that isoforms of the γTm gene are functionally unique in their role in embryogenesis, ES cell viability and sperm function.

Absence of the adaptor protein Shb potentiates the T helper type 2 response in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis

Aberrant regulation of T helper (Th) cell maturation is associated with a number of autoimmune conditions, including allergic disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. The Src homology domain protein B (Shb) adaptor protein was recently implicated as a regulator of Th cell differentiation. Shb is an integral component of the T-cell receptor (TCR) signalling complex and in the absence of Shb the TCR is less responsive to stimulation, resulting in the preferential development of Th2 responses under conditions of in vitro stimulation. In the present study, we extend those observations to an in vivo situation using a murine model of atopic dermatitis. Shb knockout mice develop more pronounced symptoms of atopic dermatitis with increased localized oedema, epidermal hyperplasia and IgE production. Dermal infiltration of mast cells, eosinophils, CD4(+) Th cells and F4/80(+) macrophages was also significantly increased in Shb-deficient mice. This correlated with elevated transcription of the hallmark Th2 cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-5. The loss of Shb therefore alters TCR signalling ability, thereby favouring the development of Th2-driven inflammation and exacerbating symptoms of allergy.

The Mmachc gene is required for pre-implantation embryogenesis in the mouse

Patients with mutations in MMACHC have the autosomal recessive disease of cobalamin metabolism known as cblC. These patients are unable to convert cobalamin into the two active forms, methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin and consequently have elevated homocysteine and methylmalonic acid in blood and urine. In addition, some cblC patients have structural abnormalities, including congenital heart defects. MMACHC is conserved in the mouse and shows tissue and stage-specific expression pattern in midgestation stage embryos. To create a mouse model of cblC we generated a line of mice with a gene-trap insertion in intron 1 of the Mmachc gene, (Mmachc(Gt(AZ0348)Wtsi)). Heterozygous mice show a 50% reduction of MMACHC protein, and have significantly higher levels of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid in their blood. The Mmachc(Gt) allele was inherited with a transmission ratio distortion in matings with heterozygous animals. Furthermore, homozygous Mmachc(Gt) embryos were not found after embryonic day 3.5 and these embryos were unable to generate giant cells in outgrowth assays. Our findings confirm that cblC is modeled in mice with reduced levels of Mmachc and suggest an early requirement for Mmachc in mouse development.

The Src homology-2 protein Shb modulates focal adhesion kinase signaling in a BCR-ABL myeloproliferative disorder causing accelerated progression of disease

Background

The Src homology-2 domain protein B (Shb) is an adapter protein operating downstream of several tyrosine kinase receptors and consequently Shb regulates various cellular responses. Absence of Shb was recently shown to reduce hematopoietic stem cell proliferation through activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and thus we sought to investigate Shb’s role in the progression of leukemia.

Methods

Wild type and Shb knockout bone marrow cells were transformed with a retroviral BCR-ABL construct and subsequently transplanted to wild type or Shb knockout recipients. Disease latency, bone marrow and peripheral blood cell characteristics, cytokine expression, signaling characteristics and colony formation were determined by flow cytometry, qPCR, western blotting and methylcellulose colony forming assays.

Results

It was observed that Shb knockout BCR-ABL-transformed bone marrow cells produced a disease with death occurring at earlier time points compared with corresponding wild type controls due to elevated proliferation of transformed bone marrow cells. Moreover, significantly elevated interleukin-6 and granulocyte colony-stimulation factor mRNA levels were observed in Shb knockout c-Kit + leukemic bone marrow cells providing a plausible explanation for the concurrent peripheral blood neutrophilia. Shb knockout leukemic bone marrow cells also showed increased ability to form colonies in methylcellulose devoid of cytokines that was dependent on the concomitantly observed increased activity of FAK. Transplanting BCR-ABL-transformed Shb knockout bone marrow cells to Shb knockout recipients revealed decreased disease latency without neutrophilia, thus implicating the importance of niche-derived cues for the increase of blood granulocytes.

Conclusions

Absence of Shb accelerates disease progression by exerting dual roles in BCR-ABL-induced leukemia: increased cell expansion due to elevated FAK activity and neutrophilia in peripheral blood, the latter dependent on the genetic background of the leukemic niche.

VEGFA and tumour angiogenesis

In this review we summarize the current understanding of signal transduction downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and its receptor VEGFR2, and the relationship between these signal transduction pathways and the hallmark responses of VEGFA, angiogenesis and vascular permeability. These physiological responses involve a number of effectors, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), Src, phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Rho family GTPases, endothelial NO and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Several of these factors are involved in the regulation of both angiogenesis and vascular permeability. Tumour angiogenesis primarily relies on VEGFA-driven responses, which to a large extent result in a dysfunctional vasculature. The reason for this remains unclear, although it appears that certain aspects of the VEGFA-stimulated angiogenic milieu (high level of microvascular density and permeability) promote tumour expansion. The high degree of redundancy and complexity of VEGFA-driven tumour angiogenesis may explain why tumours commonly develop resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy targeting VEGFA signal transduction.

Vascular adaptation to a dysfunctional endothelium as a consequence of Shb deficiency

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A regulates angiogenesis, vascular morphology and permeability by signaling through its receptor VEGFR-2. The Shb adapter protein has previously been found to relay certain VEGFR-2 dependent signals and consequently vascular physiology and structure was assessed in Shb knockout mice. X-ray computed tomography of vessels larger than 24 μm diameter (micro-CT) after contrast injection revealed an increased frequency of 48-96 μm arterioles in the hindlimb calf muscle in Shb knockout mice. Intravital microscopy of the cremaster muscle demonstrated a less regular vasculature with fewer branch points and increased vessel tortuosity, changes that led to an increased blood flow velocity. Reduced in vivo angiogenesis was observed in Shb knockout Matrigel™ plugs. Unlike the wild-type situation, VEGF-A did not provoke a dissociation of VE-cadherin from adherens junctions in Shb knockout venules. The reduced angiogenesis and altered properties of junctions had consequences for two patho-physiological responses to arterial occlusion: vascular permeability was reduced in the Shb knockout cremaster muscle after ligation of one supplying artery and heat-induced blood flow determined by Laser-Doppler measurements was decreased in the hindlimb after ligation of the femoral artery. Consequently, the Shb knockout mouse exhibited structural and functional (angiogenesis and vascular permeability) vascular abnormalities that have implications for understanding the function of VEGF-A under physiological conditions.

Heterogeneity among RIP-Tag2 insulinomas allows vascular endothelial growth factor-A independent tumor expansion as revealed by studies in Shb mutant mice: implications for tumor angiogenesis

The Shb adapter protein is a signaling intermediate that operates downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) in endothelial cells. The Shb knockout mouse displays a dysfunctional microvasculature and impaired growth of subcutaneously implanted tumor cells. We decided to investigate tumor growth and angiogenesis in the absence of Shb in an inheritable tumor model, the RIP-Tag2 mouse, which produces insulinomas in a manner highly dependent on de novo angiogenesis. We observed a reduced tumor incidence and burden in both RIP-Tag2 Shb-/- and RIP-Tag2 Shb+/- mice. This correlated with a reduced microvascular density, measured as a percentage of insulinoma area positive for CD31 staining, and altered vascular morphology. However, treatment with a VEGF-A blocking antibody was without effect on the Shb mutant tumor volume whereas it significantly inhibited tumor volume in the wild-type mice, suggesting that in mice with reduced Shb expression tumor angiogenesis was primarily sustained by VEGF-A independent pathway(s). This notion was further substantiated by gene expression analysis of angiogenic markers showing reduced VEGF-A expression in Shb-deficient tumors. Considerable heterogeneity with respect to the gene expression profiles of other angiogenic markers and the signal-transduction characteristics was observed between different tumors, suggesting that multiple "rescue" pathways could be operating. The numbers of invasive tumors or metastases were unchanged in the Shb mutant. It is concluded that the Shb mutant background reduces tumor frequency by chronically suppressing VEGF-A dependent angiogenesis. However, VEGF-A independent angiogenesis supports a significant degree of tumor expansion in Shb-deficient mice, indicating heterogeneity in the mechanisms by which tumor expansion is promoted. Interference with Shb signaling may provide novel means for future cancer therapy.

Shb deficient mice display an augmented TH2 response in peripheral CD4+ T cells

Background

Shb, a ubiquitously expressed Src homology 2 domain-containing adaptor protein has previously been implicated in the signaling of various tyrosine kinase receptors including the TCR. Shb associates with SLP76, LAT and Vav, all important components in the signaling cascade governing T cell function and development. A Shb knockout mouse was recently generated and the aim of the current study was to address the importance of Shb deficiency on T cell development and function.

Results

Shb knockout mice did not display any major changes in thymocyte development despite an aberrant TCR signaling pattern, including increased basal activation and reduced stimulation-induced phosphorylation. The loss of Shb expression did however affect peripheral CD4+ T_H cells resulting in an increased proliferative response to TCR stimulation and an elevated IL-4 production of naïve T_H cells. This suggests a T_H2 skewing of the Shb knockout immune system, seemingly caused by an altered TCR signaling pattern.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that Shb appears to play an important modulating role on TCR signaling, thus regulating the peripheral CD4+ T_H2 cell response.

The Src homology 2 domain-containing adapter protein B (SHB) regulates mouse oocyte maturation

SHB (Src homology 2 domain-containing adapter protein B) is involved in receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Mice deficient in the Shb gene have been found to exhibit a transmission ratio distortion with respect to inheritance of the Shb null allele among offspring and this phenomenon was linked to female gamete production. Consequently, we postulated that Shb plays a role for oocyte biology and thus decided to investigate oocyte formation, meiotic maturation, and early embryo development in relation to absence of the Shb gene. Oogenesis was apparently accelerated judging from the stages of oocyte development on fetal day 18.5 and one week postnatally in Shb -/- mice; but in adulthood ovarian follicle maturation was impaired in these mice. Completion of meiosis I (first polar body extrusion) was less synchronized, with a fraction of oocytes showing premature polar body extrusion in the absence of Shb. In vitro fertilization of mature oocytes isolated from Shb +/+, +/- and -/- mice revealed impaired early embryo development in the -/- embryos. Moreover, the absence of Shb enhanced ERK (extracellular-signal regulated kinase) and RSK (ribosomal S6 kinase) signaling in oocytes and these effects were paralleled by an increased ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation and activation. It is concluded that SHB regulates normal oocyte and follicle development and that perturbation of SHB signaling causes defective meiosis I and early embryo development.

Increased Hsp70 expression attenuates cytokine-induced cell death in islets of Langerhans from Shb knockout mice

Type 1 diabetes may depend on cytokine-induced beta-cell death and therefore the current investigation was performed in order to elucidate this response in Shb-deficient islets. A combination of interleukin-1beta and interferon-gamma caused a diminished beta-cell death response in Shb null islets. Furthermore, the induction of an unfolded protein response (UPR) by adding cyclopiazonic acid did not increase cell death in Shb-deficient islets, despite simultaneous expression of UPR markers. The heat-shock protein Hsp70 was more efficiently induced in Shb knockout islets, providing an explanation for the decreased susceptibility of Shb-deficient islets to cytokines. It is concluded that islets deficient in the Shb protein are less susceptible to cytotoxic conditions, and that this partly depends on their increased ability to induce Hsp70 under such circumstances. Interference with Shb signaling may provide means to improve beta-cell viability under conditions of beta-cell stress.

Dysfunctional microvasculature as a consequence of shb gene inactivation causes impaired tumor growth

Shb (Src homology 2 protein B) is an adapter protein downstream of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Previous experiments have suggested a role for Shb in endothelial cell function. Recently, the Shb gene was inactivated and Shb null mice were obtained on a mixed genetic background, but not on C57Bl6 mice. The present study was performed to address endothelial function in the Shb knockout mouse and its relevance for tumor angiogenesis. Tumor growth was retarded in Shb mutant mice, and this correlated with decreased angiogenesis both in tumors and in Matrigel plugs. Shb null mice display an abnormal endothelial ultrastructure in liver sinusoids and heart capillaries with cytoplasmic extensions projecting toward the lumen. Shb null heart VE-cadherin staining was less distinct than that of control heart, exhibiting in the former case a wavy and punctuate pattern. Experiments on isolated endothelial cells suggest that these changes could partly reflect cytoskeletal abnormalities. Vascular permeability was increased in Shb null mice in heart, kidney, and skin, whereas VEGF-stimulated vascular permeability was reduced in Shb null mice. It is concluded that Shb plays an important role in maintaining a functional vasculature in adult mice, and that interference with Shb signaling may provide novel means to regulate tumor angiogenesis.