PPAR-γ Promotes Endothelial Cell Migration By Inducing the Expression of Sema3g

SEMA3G regulates BMP9 inhibition of VEGF-mediated migration and network formation in pulmonary endothelial cells

AIMS

Bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP9) is critical for bone morphogenetic protein receptor type-2 (BMPR2) signalling in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, human genetics studies support the central role of disrupted BMPR2 mediated BMP9 signalling in vascular endothelial cells in the initiation of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In addition, loss-of-function mutations in BMP9 have been identified in PAH patients. BMP9 is considered to play an important role in vascular homeostasis and quiescence.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We identified a novel BMP9 target as the class-3 semaphorin, SEMA3G. Although originally identified as playing a role in neuronal development, class-3 semaphorins may have important roles in endothelial function. Here we show that BMP9 transcriptional regulation of SEMA3G occurs via ALK1 and the canonical Smad pathway, requiring both Smad1 and Smad5. Knockdown studies demonstrated redundancy between type-2 receptors in that BMPR2 and ACTR2A were compensatory. Increased SEMA3G expression by BMP9 was found to be regulated by the transcription factor, SOX17. Moreover, we observed that SEMA3G regulates VEGF signalling by inhibiting VEGFR2 phosphorylation and that VEGF, in contrast to BMP9, negatively regulated SEMA3G transcription. Functional endothelial cell assays of VEGF-mediated migration and network formation revealed that BMP9 inhibition of VEGF was abrogated by SEMA3G knockdown. Conversely, treatment with recombinant SEMA3G partially mimicked the inhibitory action of BMP9 in these assays.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides further evidence for the anti-angiogenic role of BMP9 in microvascular endothelial cells and these functions are mediated at least in part via SOX17 and SEMA3G induction.

Orchestrating Resilience: How Neuropilin-2 and Macrophages Contribute to Cardiothoracic Disease

Immunity has evolved to balance the destructive nature of inflammation with wound healing to overcome trauma, infection, environmental insults, and rogue malignant cells. The inflammatory response is marked by overlapping phases of initiation, resolution, and post-resolution remodeling. However, the disruption of these events can lead to prolonged tissue damage and organ dysfunction, resulting long-term disease states. Macrophages are the archetypic phagocytes present within all tissues and are important contributors to these processes. Pleiotropic and highly plastic in their responses, macrophages support tissue homeostasis, repair, and regeneration, all while balancing immunologic self-tolerance with the clearance of noxious stimuli, pathogens, and malignant threats. Neuropilin-2 (Nrp2), a promiscuous co-receptor for growth factors, semaphorins, and integrins, has increasingly been recognized for its unique role in tissue homeostasis and immune regulation. Notably, recent studies have begun to elucidate the role of Nrp2 in both non-hematopoietic cells and macrophages with cardiothoracic disease. Herein, we describe the unique role of Nrp2 in diseases of the heart and lung, with an emphasis on Nrp2 in macrophages, and explore the potential to target Nrp2 as a therapeutic intervention.

MiR-146b-5p/SEMA3G regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The primary purpose was to unveil how the miR-146b-5p/SEMA3G axis works in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

METHODS

ccRCC dataset was acquired from TCGA database, and target miRNA to be studied was further analyzed using survival analysis. We performed miRNA target gene prediction through the database, and those predicted miRNAs were intersected with differential mRNAs. After calculating the correlation between miRNAs and mRNAs, we completed the GSEA pathway enrichment analysis on mRNAs. MiRNA and mRNA expression was examined by qRT-PCR. Western blot was introduced to detect SEMA3G, MMP2, MMP9 expression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker proteins, and Notch/TGF-β signaling pathway-related proteins. Targeted relationship between miRNA and mRNA was validated using a dual-luciferase test. Transwell assay was employed to assess cell migration and invasion. Wound healing assay was adopted for evaluation of migration ability. The effect of different treatments on cell morphology was observed by a microscope.

RESULTS

In ccRCC cells, miR-146b-5p was remarkably overexpressed, yet SEMA3G was markedly less expressed. MiR-146b-5p was capable of stimulating ccRCC cell invasion, migration and EMT, and promoting the transformation of ccRCC cell morphology to mesenchymal state. SEMA3G was targeted and inhibited via miR-146b-5p. MiR-146b-5p facilitated ccRCC cell migration, invasion, morphology transforming to mesenchymal state and EMT process by targeting SEMA3G and regulating Notch and TGF-β signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

MiR-146b-5p regulated Notch and TGF-β signaling pathway by suppressing SEMA3G expression, thus promoting the growth of ccRCC cells, which provides a possible target for ccRCC therapy and prognosis prediction.

Knockdown of SEMA7A alleviates MPP+ -induced apoptosis and inflammation in BV2 microglia via PPAR-γ activation and MAPK inactivation

INTRODUCTION

The inflammation mediated by microglial cells plays an important role in the process of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent evidence indicates that semaphorin 7A (SEMA7A) is implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases, but whether it plays a role in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unclear.

METHODS

In this study, 1.0 mmol/L 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺ )-stimulated mouse microglia (BV2) cells were used as an in vitro model of PD. The expression of SEMA7A was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell Counting Kit-8 and apoptosis kits were used to analyze the viability and apoptosis of BV-2 cells. The content of IL-6, IL-β, and tumor necrosis factor-α was determined by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of the inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2.

RESULTS

Our findings indicated that SEMA7A expression in BV2 cells was upregulated after MPP⁺ stimulation. Knockdown of SEMA7A promoted cell viability while it inhibited apoptosis and the expression of proinflammatory enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines. Silencing SEMA7A-induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway inactivation. Furthermore, a PPAR-γ inhibitor and an MAPK activator promoted the effect of MPP⁺ on cell viability, apoptosis, and inflammation of BV2 cells; what is more, the PPAR-γ inhibitor and MAPK activator blocked the inhibitory effect of SEMA7A downregulation on MPP⁺ -induced injury.

CONCLUSION

In general, knockdown of SEMA7A inhibits MPP⁺ -induced BV2 cell apoptosis and inflammation via PPAR-γ activation and MAPK inactivation, which may provide a new therapy target for PD.

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Activation in Precision-Cut Bovine Liver Slices Reveals Novel Putative PPAR Targets in Periparturient Dairy Cows

Metabolic challenges experienced by dairy cows during the transition between pregnancy and lactation (also known as peripartum), are of considerable interest from a nutrigenomic perspective. The mobilization of large amounts of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) leads to an increase in NEFA uptake in the liver, the excess of which can cause hepatic accumulation of lipids and ultimately fatty liver. Interestingly, peripartum NEFA activate the Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor (PPAR), a transcriptional regulator with known nutrigenomic properties. The study of PPAR activation in the liver of periparturient dairy cows is thus crucial; however, current in vitro models of the bovine liver are inadequate, and the isolation of primary hepatocytes is time consuming, resource intensive, and prone to errors, with the resulting cells losing characteristic phenotypical traits within hours. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the use of precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) from liver biopsies as a model for PPAR activation in periparturient dairy cows. Three primiparous Jersey cows were enrolled in the experiment, and PCLS from each were prepared prepartum (−8.0 ± 3.6 DIM) and postpartum (+7.7± 1.2 DIM) and treated independently with a variety of PPAR agonists and antagonists: the PPARα agonist WY-14643 and antagonist GW-6471; the PPARδ agonist GW-50156 and antagonist GSK-3787; and the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone and antagonist GW-9662. Gene expression was assayed through RT-qPCR and RNAseq, and intracellular triacylglycerol (TAG) concentration was measured. PCLS obtained from postpartum cows and treated with a PPARγ agonist displayed upregulation of ACADVL and LIPC while those treated with PPARδ agonist had increased expression of LIPC, PPARD, and PDK4. In PCLS from prepartum cows, transcription of LIPC was increased by all PPAR agonists and NEFA. TAG concentration tended to be larger in tissue slices treated with PPARδ agonist compared to CTR. Use of PPAR isotype-specific antagonists in PCLS cultivated in autologous blood serum failed to decrease expression of PPAR targets, except for PDK4, which was confirmed to be a PPARδ target. Transcriptome sequencing revealed considerable differences in response to PPAR agonists at a false discovery rate-adjusted p-value of 0.2, with the most notable effects exerted by the PPARδ and PPARγ agonists. Differentially expressed genes were mainly related to pathways involved with lipid metabolism and the immune response. Among differentially expressed genes, a subset of 91 genes were identified as novel putative PPAR targets in the bovine liver, by cross-referencing our results with a publicly available dataset of predicted PPAR target genes, and supplementing our findings with prior literature. Our results provide important insights on the use of PCLS as a model for assaying PPAR activation in the periparturient dairy cow.

Semaphorin 3G exacerbates joint inflammation through the accumulation and proliferation of macrophages in the synovium

Objectives

Methotrexate (MTX) is an anchor drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the precise mechanisms by which MTX stalls RA progression and alleviates the ensuing disease effects remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify novel therapeutic target molecules, the expression patterns of which are affected by MTX in patients with RA.

Methods

CD4⁺ T cells from 28 treatment-naïve patients with RA before and 3 months after the initiation of MTX treatment were subjected to DNA microarray analyses. The expression levels of semaphorin 3G, a differentially expressed gene, and its receptor, neuropilin-2, were evaluated in the RA synovium and collagen-induced arthritis synovium. Collagen-induced arthritis and collagen antibody-induced arthritis were induced in semaphorin3G-deficient mice and control mice, and the clinical score, histological score, and serum cytokines were assessed. The migration and proliferation of semaphorin 3G-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages were analyzed in vitro. The effect of local semaphorin 3G administration on the clinical score and number of infiltrating macrophages during collagen antibody-induced arthritis was evaluated.

Results

Semaphorin 3G expression in CD4⁺ T cells was downregulated by MTX treatment in RA patients. It was determined that semaphorin 3G is expressed in RA but not in the osteoarthritis synovium; its receptor neuropilin-2 is primarily expressed on activated macrophages. Semaphorin3G deficiency ameliorated collagen-induced arthritis and collagen antibody-induced arthritis. Semaphorin 3G stimulation enhanced the migration and proliferation of bone marrow-derived macrophages. Local administration of semaphorin 3G deteriorated collagen antibody-induced arthritis and increased the number of infiltrating macrophages.

Conclusions

Upregulation of semaphorin 3G in the RA synovium is a novel mechanism that exacerbates joint inflammation, leading to further deterioration, through macrophage accumulation.

An evaluation of maternal serum dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia modified albumin changes in pregnant women with COVID-19

Objective:

It is thought that oxidative stress, free radicals, reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species affect the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative status in pregnant patients with COVID-19 infection according to the changes seen in the levels of maternal serum thiol-disulfide and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA).

Materials and Methods:

A study group was formed of 40 pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 infection (study group) and a control group of 40 healthy pregnant women with no risk factors determined. In this prospective, case-controlled study, analyses were made of the maternal serum native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, IMA, and disulfide/native thiol concentrations.

Results:

The maternal serum native thiol and total thiol concentrations in the study group were determined to be statistically significantly lower (p=0.007 and p=0.006, respectively), and the disulfide/native thiol ratio was higher but not to a level of statistical significance (p=0.473). There was no difference between the two groups regarding IMA levels (p=0.731).

Conclusion:

The thiol-disulfide balance was seen to shift in the oxidant direction in pregnancies with COVID-19, which might support the view that ischemic processes play a role in the etiopathogenesis of this novel disease.

DNA methylome profiling reveals epigenetic regulation of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in human vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability is a key feature of atheroprogression and precipitating acute cardiovascular events. Although the pivotal role of epigenetic regulation in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization is being recognized, the DNA methylation profile and its potential role in driving the progression and destabilization of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains largely unknown. We conducted a genome-wide analysis to identify differentially methylated genes in vulnerable and non-vulnerable atherosclerotic lesions to understand more about pathogenesis.

RESULTS

We compared genome-wide DNA methylation profiling between carotid artery plaques of patients with clinically symptomatic (recent stroke or transient ischemic attack) and asymptomatic disease (no recent stroke) using Infinium Methylation BeadChip arrays, which revealed 90,368 differentially methylated sites (FDR < 0.05, |delta beta|> 0.03) corresponding to 14,657 annotated genes. Among these genomic sites, 30% were located at the promoter regions and 14% in the CpG islands, according to genomic loci and genomic proximity to the CpG islands, respectively. Moreover, 67% displayed hypomethylation in symptomatic plaques, and the differentially hypomethylated genes were found to be involved in various aspects of inflammation. Subsequently, we focus on CpG islands and revealed 14,596 differentially methylated sites (|delta beta|> 0.1) located at the promoter regions of 7048 genes. Integrated analysis of methylation and gene expression profiles identified that 107 genes were hypomethylated in symptomatic plaques and showed elevated expression levels in both advanced plaques and ruptured plaques. The imprinted gene PLA2G7, which encodes lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂), was one of the top hypomethylated genes with an increased expression upon inflammation. Further, the hypomethylated CpG site at the promoter region of PLA2G7 was identified as cg11874627, demethylation of which led to increased binding of Sp3 and expression of Lp-PLA₂ through bisulfate sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These effects were further enhanced by deacetylase.

CONCLUSION

Extensive DNA methylation modifications serve as a new and critical layer of biological regulation that contributes to atheroprogression and destabilization via inflammatory processes. Revelation of this hitherto unknown epigenetic regulatory mechanism could rejuvenate the prospects of Lp-PLA₂ as a therapeutic target to stabilize the atherosclerotic plaque and reduce clinical sequelae.

Changes in white adipose tissue gene expression in a randomized control trial of dieting obese men with lowered serum testosterone alone or in combination with testosterone treatment

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine early weight loss-associated changes in subcutaneous abdominal white adipose tissue (WAT) gene expression in obese men with lowered serum testosterone by RNA next-generation sequencing.

METHODS

Fourteen men, mean age (IQR) 51.6 years (43.4-54.5), BMI 38.3 kg/m² (34.6-40.8) and total testosterone 8.4 nmol/L (7.5-9.5) provided subcutaneous WAT samples at baseline and after 2 weeks of a very low energy diet.

RESULTS

Body weight loss was similar in participants receiving testosterone (n = 6), -5.27 kg [95% CI -6.17; -4.26], and placebo (n = 8), -4.57 kg [95% CI -6.10; -3.55], p = 0.86. In placebo-treated men, of the 14,410 genes expressed in subcutaneous WAT, four genes, Angiopoietin-like 4, Semaphorin 3 G, Neuropilin 2 and Angiopoietin 4, were upregulated (adjusted false discovery rate P < 0.05). In an exploratory analysis comparing men receiving testosterone and placebo, the most-upregulated gene in the testosterone group (exploratory p < 0.0005) was the neuropeptide y receptor 2.

CONCLUSIONS

In obese men, dieting is associated with upregulation of WAT-expressed Angiopoietin-like 4, a secreted protein that regulates lipid metabolism, Semaphorin 3 G, a proposed adipocyte differentiation factor and secreted adipokine, and its receptor Neuropilin 2, as well as Angiopoietin 4, a vascular integrity factor. In an exploratory analysis, testosterone was associated with the upregulation of neuropeptide y receptor 2, a receptor involved in appetite regulation. Further studies are needed to confirm these observations and their potential biological implications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier NCT01616732, Registration date: June 8, 2012.

The Role of Semaphorins in Metabolic Disorders

Semaphorins are a family originally identified as axonal guidance molecules. They are also involved in tumor growth, angiogenesis, immune regulation, as well as other biological and pathological processes. Recent studies have shown that semaphorins play a role in metabolic diseases including obesity, adipose inflammation, and diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic wound healing, and diabetic osteoporosis. Evidence provides mechanistic insights regarding the role of semaphorins in metabolic diseases by regulating adipogenesis, hypothalamic melanocortin circuit, immune responses, and angiogenesis. In this review, we summarize recent progress regarding the role of semaphorins in obesity, adipose inflammation, and diabetic complications.

Immune-related genes play an important role in the prognosis of patients with testicular germ cell tumor

Background

Testicular cancer is a very common malignancy in young men. Although testicular cancer has a high cure rate, patients have a high long-term risk of secondary malignant tumors and cardiovascular disease. In addition, for patients resistant to traditional treatment methods, new treatment methods and methods for predicting prognosis are also urgently needed.

Methods

Gene expression profiles of 165 normal testicular tissues and 156 testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) tissues from GTEx database and TCGA database were used to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in TGCT. Through the ImmPort database, we obtained immune-related genes (IRGs). Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify prognostic IRGs. A transcription factor regulatory network was constructed to clarify the possible regulatory mechanism for the differential expression of these IRGs. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to establish a prognostic model. Gene expression data and related survival data of 108 TCGT patients from GEO database were used for external validation. Survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) curve analysis, independent prognostic analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and clinical correlation analysis were performed to evaluate this model.

Results

Three hundred and thirty-three IRGs were differentially expressed between TGCT and normal testicular tissues. We established a prognostic model (riskScore) based on 5 risk genes (SEMA6B, SEMA3G, OBP2B, INSL6 and RETN). Whether in the training cohort, the testing cohort or the entire TCGA cohort, this model could accurately stratify patients with different survival outcomes. The prognostic value of riskScore and 5 risk genes was also confirmed in the GEO database. GSEA analysis showed that DEGs in patients with better prognosis were enriched in immune-related pathways, while DEGs in patients with poorer prognosis were enriched in cancer-related pathways and cardiovascular disease-related pathways. Finally, a new Nomogram with higher prognostic value was constructed to better predict the 1-year PFS, 3-year PFS and 5-year PFS of TCGT patients.

Conclusions

We successfully established an immune-related risk model with high prognostic value and created a new Nomogram. We found that different immune status in tumor microenvironment may be responsible for the different survival outcomes among TGCT patients.

Upregulation of adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 in endothelial cells promotes tumor angiogenesis in colorectal cancer

Tumor angiogenesis is an important therapeutic target in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to identify novel genes associated with angiogenesis in CRC. Using RNA sequencing analysis in normal and tumor endothelial cells (TECs) isolated from primary CRC tissues, we detected frequent upregulation of adipocyte enhancer‐binding protein 1 (AEBP1) in TECs. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that AEBP1 is upregulated in TECs and stromal cells in CRC tissues. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed that there is little or no AEBP1 expression in CRC cell lines, but that AEBP1 is well expressed in vascular endothelial cells. Levels of AEBP1 expression in Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were upregulated by tumor conditioned medium derived from CRC cells or by direct coculture with CRC cells. Knockdown of AEBP1 suppressed proliferation, migration, and in vitro tube formation by HUVECs. In xenograft experiments, AEBP1 knockdown suppressed tumorigenesis and microvessel formation. Depletion of AEBP1 in HUVECs downregulated a series of genes associated with angiogenesis or endothelial function, including aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and periostin (POSTN), suggesting that AEBP1 might promote angiogenesis through regulation of those genes. These results suggest that upregulation of AEBP1 contributes to tumor angiogenesis in CRC, which makes AEBP1 a potentially useful therapeutic target.

Contributions of Aging to Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is characterized by changes in the pial and parenchymal microcirculations. SVD produces reductions in cerebral blood flow and impaired blood-brain barrier function, which are leading contributors to age-related reductions in brain health. End-organ effects are diverse, resulting in both cognitive and noncognitive deficits. Underlying phenotypes and mechanisms are multifactorial, with no specific treatments at this time. Despite consequences that are already considerable, the impact of SVD is predicted to increase substantially with the growing aging population. In the face of this health challenge, the basic biology, pathogenesis, and determinants of SVD are poorly defined. This review summarizes recent progress and concepts in this area, highlighting key findings and some major unanswered questions. We focus on phenotypes and mechanisms that underlie microvascular aging, the greatest risk factor for cerebrovascular disease and its subsequent effects.

Circadian Regulation of Hepatic Cytochrome P450 2a5 by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ

Human CYP2A6 (Cyp2a5 in mice) plays an important role in metabolism and detoxification of various drugs and chemicals. Here, we investigated a potential role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (Ppar-γ) in circadian regulation of the Cyp2a5 enzyme. We first showed that Cyp2a5 mRNA and protein in mouse liver displayed robust circadian oscillations. Consistent with a circadian protein pattern, Cyp2a5-mediated 7-hydroxylation of coumarin was circadian time-dependent. Formation of 7-hydroxycoumarin was more extensive at a dosing time of Zeitgeber time 2 (ZT2) than that at ZT14. Interestingly, the nuclear receptor Ppar-γ was also a circadian gene. Circadian Ppar-γ protein level was strongly correlated with the Cyp2a5 mRNA level (r = 0.989). Furthermore, Ppar-γ activation (by a selective agonist, rosiglitazone) upregulated Cyp2a5 expression in Hepa-1c1c7 cells, whereas Ppar-γ knockdown downregulated Cyp2a5 expression. Also, Ppar-γ knockdown blunted the rhythmicity of Cyp2a5 mRNA in serum-shocked Hepa-1c1c7 cells. In addition, a combination of promoter truncation analysis, mobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Ppar-γ directly bound to a PPAR response element (i.e., the -1418- to -1396-bp region) within Cyp2a5 promoter and activated the gene transcription. Taken together, Ppar-γ was a transcriptional activator of Cyp2a5, and its rhythmic expression contributed to circadian expression of Cyp2a5.

A novel podocyte gene, semaphorin 3G, protects glomerular podocyte from lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation

Kidney diseases including diabetic nephropathy have become huge medical problems, although its precise mechanisms are still far from understood. In order to increase our knowledge about the patho-physiology of kidney, we have previously identified >300 kidney glomerulus-enriched transcripts through large-scale sequencing and microarray profiling of the mouse glomerular transcriptome. One of the glomerulus-specific transcripts identified was semaphorin 3G (Sema3G) which belongs to the semaphorin family. The aim of this study was to analyze both the in vivo and in vitro functions of Sema3G in the kidney. Sema3G was expressed in glomerular podocytes. Although Sema3G knockout mice did not show obvious glomerular defects, ultrastructural analyses revealed partially aberrant podocyte foot processes structures. When these mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide to induce acute inflammation or streptozotocin to induce diabetes, the lack of Sema3G resulted in increased albuminuria. The lack of Sema3G in podocytes also enhanced the expression of inflammatory cytokines including chemokine ligand 2 and interleukin 6. On the other hand, the presence of Sema3G attenuated their expression through the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced Toll like receptor 4 signaling. Taken together, our results surmise that the Sema3G protein is secreted by podocytes and protects podocytes from inflammatory kidney diseases and diabetic nephropathy.

Tumor-derived microRNA-494 promotes angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer

Angiogenesis, a crucial step in tumor growth and metastasis, is regulated by various pro- or anti-angiogenic factors. Recently, microRNAs have been shown to modulate angiogenic processes by modulating the expression of critical angiogenic factors. However, roles of tumor-derived microRNAs in regulating tumor vascularization remain to be elucidated. In this study, we found that delivery of miR-494 into human vascular endothelial cells (ECs) enhanced the EC migration and promoted angiogenesis. The angiogenic effect of miR-494 was mediated by the targeting of PTEN and the subsequent activation of Akt/eNOS pathway. Importantly, co-culture experiments demonstrated that a lung cancer cell line, A549, secreted and delivered miR-494 into ECs via a microvesicle-mediated route. In addition, we found that the expression of miR-494 was induced in the tumor cells in response to hypoxia, likely via a HIF-1α-mediated mechanism. Furthermore, a specific miR-494 antagomiR effectively inhibited angiogenesis and attenuated the growth of tumor xenografts in nude mice. Taken together, these results demonstrated that miR-494 is a novel tumor-derived paracrine signal to promote angiogenesis and tumor growth under hypoxic condition.