PKC/MAPK signaling suppression by retinal pericyte conditioned medium prevents retinal endothelial cell proliferation

Hemodynamic force dictates endothelial angiogenesis through MIEN1-ERK/MAPK-signaling axis

It is well-recognized that blood flow at branches and bends of arteries generates disturbed shear stress, which plays a crucial in driving atherosclerosis. Flow-generated fluid shear stress (FSS), as one of the key hemodynamic factors, is appreciated for its critical involvement in regulating angiogenesis to facilitate wound healing and tissue repair. Endothelial cells can directly sense FSS but the mechanobiological mechanism by which they decode different patterns of FSS to trigger angiogenesis remains unclear. In the current study, laminar shear stress (LSS, 15 dyn/cm2) was employed to mimic physiological blood flow, while disturbed shear stress (DSS, ranging from 0.5 ± 4 dyn/cm2) was applied to simulate pathological conditions. The aim was to investigate how these distinct types of blood flow regulated endothelial angiogenesis. Initially, we observed that DSS impaired angiogenesis and downregulated endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGFB) expression compared to LSS. We further found that the changes in membrane protein, migration and invasion enhancer 1 (MIEN1) play a role in regulating ERK/MAPK signaling, thereby contributing to endothelial angiogenesis in response to FSS. We also showed the involvement of MIEN1-directed cytoskeleton organization. These findings suggest the significance of shear stress in endothelial angiogenesis, thereby enhancing our understanding of the alterations in angiogenesis that occur during the transition from physiological to pathological blood flow.

Newly-established in vitro inner BRB spheroids to elucidate retinal Ang2-linked substance transfer

Conjugation of angiopep-2 (Ang2) with drugs/compounds is known to increase plasma membrane permeability across endothelial barriers. The inner blood-retinal barrier (BRB) regulates retinal drug distribution and is formed by retinal capillary endothelial cells, supported by Müller cells and retinal pericytes. To elucidate the potential of Ang2 conjugation in promoting retinal drug distribution after peripheral administration across the inner BRB, an in vivo administration study and in vitro transport experiments using newly developed multicellular inner BRB spheroids were performed. After intravenous administration of Ang2-linked green fluorescence protein (GFP-Ang2) in mice, GFP-derived signals were observed in the neural retina. In contrast, GFP-derived signals were not observed after intravenous GFP administration, suggesting the promotion of the retinal distribution of substances by Ang2 conjugation. To overcome the limitations of in vitro studies using cells cultured on dishes, inner BRB spheroids were established using conditionally immortalized rat retinal capillary endothelial cells, Müller cells, and retinal pericytes. Immunocytochemistry of marker molecules suggests that the central part of the spheroids is occupied by Müller cells, and encapsulated by retinal pericytes and capillary endothelial cells. Studies on the expression and functions of tight junctions suggest that tight junctions are formed on the surface of the inner BRB spheroids by retinal capillary endothelial cells. The functional expression of drug transporters, such as P-glycoprotein, was observed in the spheroids, implying that the inner side of the spheroids reflects the retinal side of the inner BRB. In the inner BRB spheroids, energy-dependent accumulation of GFP-Ang2 and Ang2-linked 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (FAM-Ang2) was observed. Moreover, an endocytic inhibition study revealed that clathrin-dependent endocytosis/transcytosis was involved in the transcellular transport of Ang2-conjugated drugs/compounds across the inner BRB. Consequently, it is suggested that the Ang2 linkage is useful for promoting retinal drug distribution via clathrin-dependent transcytosis at the inner BRB.

Mechanisms of oxidative stress in methylmercury-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a long-lasting organic environmental pollutant that poses a great threat to human health. Ingestion of seafood containing MeHg is the most important way by which it comes into contact with human body, where the central nervous system (CNS) is the primary target of MeHg toxicity. During periods of pre-plus postnatal, in particular, the brain of offspring is vulnerable to specific developmental insults that result in abnormal neurobehavioral development, even without symptoms in mothers. While many studies on neurotoxic effects of MeHg on the developing brain have been conducted, the mechanisms of oxidative stress in MeHg-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity is less clear. Hitherto, no single process can explain the many effects observed in MeHg-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity. This review summarizes the possible mechanisms of oxidative stress in MeHg-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity, highlighting modulation of Nrf2/Keap1/Notch1, PI3K/AKT, and PKC/MAPK molecular pathways as well as some preventive drugs, and thus contributes to the discovery of endogenous and exogenous molecules that can counteract MeHg-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity.

Baicalein potently suppresses angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor through the p53/Rb signaling pathway leading to G1/S cell cycle arrest

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key modulator of angiogenesis. Recent studies have shown that VEGF stimulates endothelial cell growth and modulates the cell cycle by reactivation of G0 cells and by reducing the duration of the G1 phase. This study examined the effect of baicalein, a well-known flavonoid, on VEGF-induced angiogenesis and further investigated the role of cell cycle regulators on the antiangiogenic effects of baicalein. Classic in vivo and in vitro models, including a rat aortic ring model, a wound healing model and a tube formation model were used to evaluate angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Baicalein exerted marked inhibition of angiogenesis, significantly inhibited migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), suppressed tube formation and reduced new blood vessel growth inducted by VEGF. Baicalein reduced phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, two major signaling elements modulating endothelial cell proliferation. Baicalein also inhibited colony formation by HUVECs, further confirming the suppression of proliferation. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that baicalein-treated HUVECs were arrested in the G1/S phase. Baicalein also induced a decline in the expression of G1-related proteins that normally promote transition from the G1 phase to the S phase, including cyclin D, cyclin E, cdk-4, cdk-6 and p-Rb. In contrast, several proteins upstream of cdks and cyclins, including p16, p21, p27 and p53, were up-regulated by baicalein, indicating that baicalein may inhibit angiogenesis, at least in part, by effects on the p53/Rb signaling pathway. Baicalein could exert antitumor effects by inhibiting VEGF-induced angiogenesis and endothelial cell proliferation.

NADPH oxidase-mediated redox signaling: roles in cellular stress response, stress tolerance, and tissue repair

NADPH oxidase (Nox) has a dedicated function of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Accumulating evidence suggests that Nox has an important role in signal transduction in cellular stress responses. We have reviewed the current evidence showing that the Nox system can be activated by a collection of chemical, physical, and biological cellular stresses. In many circumstances, Nox activation fits to the cellular stress response paradigm, in that (1) the response can be initiated by various forms of cellular stresses; (2) Nox-derived ROS may activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38) and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, which are the core of the cell stress-response signaling network; and (3) Nox is involved in the development of stress cross-tolerance. Activation of the cell survival pathway by Nox may promote cell adaptation to stresses, whereas Nox may also convey signals toward apoptosis in irreversibly injured cells. At later stage after injury, Nox is involved in tissue repair by modulating cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis. We suggest that Nox may have an integral role in cell stress responses and the subsequent tissue repair process. Understanding Nox-mediated redox signaling mechanisms may be of prominent significance at the crossroads of directing cellular responses to stress, aiming at either enhancing the stress resistance (in such situations as preventing ischemia-reperfusion injuries and accelerating wound healing) or sensitizing the stress-induced cytotoxicity for proliferative diseases such as cancer. Therefore, an optimal outcome of interventions on Nox will only be achieved when this is dealt with in a timely and disease-and stage-specific manner.

The pericyte: cellular regulator of microvascular blood flow

The vascular system - through its development, response to injury, and remodeling during disease - constitutes one of the key organ systems sustaining normal human physiology; conversely, its dysregulation also underlies multiple pathophysiologic processes. Regulation of vascular endothelial cell function requires the integration of complex signals via multiple cell types, including arterial smooth muscle, capillary and post-capillary pericytes, and other perivascular cells such as glial and immune cells. Here, we focus on the pericyte and its roles in microvascular remodeling, reviewing current concepts in microvascular pathophysiology and offering new insights into the specific roles that pericyte-dependent signaling pathways may play in modulating endothelial growth and microvascular tone during pathologic angiogenesis and essential hypertension.

Activated pericyte attenuates endothelial functions: nitric oxide-cGMP rescues activated pericyte-associated endothelial dysfunctions

Hepatic stellate cells are liver-specific pericytes and exist in close proximity with endothelial cells. The activation of liver pericytes is intrinsic to liver pathogenesis, and leads to endothelial dysfunction, including the low bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). However, the role of nitric oxide in pericyte-endothelium cross-talk has not yet been elucidated. This work examines the cellular mechanism of action of NO in pericyte-mediated endothelial dysfunction. We used in vitro coculture and conditioned medium systems to study the effects of activated liver pericytes on endothelial function, and an egg yolk vascular bed model was used to study the effects of activated pericytes on angiogenesis. This study also demonstrates that activated pericytes attenuate the migration, proliferation, permeability, and NO production of endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate that activated pericytes restrict angiogenesis in egg yolk vascular bed models, and NO supplementation recovers 70% of the inhibition. Our results also demonstrate that supplementation with NO, sildenafil citrate (phosphodiesterase inhibitor), and 8-bromo-cGMP (cGMP analog) partially recovers activated-pericyte-mediated endothelium dysfunction. We conclude that NO-cGMP alleviates activated-pericyte-associated endothelial dysfunction, including angiogenesis, in a cGMP-dependent manner.

Pericyte Rho GTPase mediates both pericyte contractile phenotype and capillary endothelial growth state

Pericytes regulate microvascular development and maturation through the control of endothelial cell motility, proliferation, and differentiation. The Rho GTPases have recently been described as key regulators of pericyte shape and contractile phenotype by signaling through the actin cytoskeleton in an isoactin-specific manner. In this report, we reveal that Rho GTPase-dependent signal transduction not only influences pericyte shape and contractile potential but also modulates capillary endothelial proliferative status and pericyte-endothelial interactions in vitro. We provide evidence that overexpression of mutant Rho GTPases, but not other Ras-related small GTPases, significantly alters pericyte shape, contractility, and endothelial growth state in microvascular cell co-cultures. In particular, we describe the use of a silicon substrate deformation assay to demonstrate that pericyte contractility is Rho GTP- and Rho kinase-dependent; further, we describe a novel in vitro system for examining pericyte-mediated endothelial growth arrest and show that control pericytes are capable of growth-arresting capillary endothelial cells in a cell contact-dependent manner, whereas pericytes overexpressing dominant-active and -negative Rho GTPase are comparably incompetent. These data strongly suggest that signaling through the pericyte Rho GTPase pathway may provide critical cues to the processes of microvascular stabilization, maturation, and contractility during development and disease.

Dopamine regulates cell cycle regulatory proteins via cAMP, Ca(2+)/PKC, MAPKs, and NF-kappaB in mouse embryonic stem cells

This study examined the effect of dopamine on DNA synthesis and its related signal cascades in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Dopamine inhibited DNA synthesis in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dopamine, SKF 38393 (D1 receptor agonist), and quinpirole (D2 receptor agonist) decreased the level of [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. The level of cyclic adenosine 3, 5-monophosphate (cAMP) was increased by SKF 38393 but not by quinpirole. The protein kinase C (PKC) protein was translocated from the cytosolic fraction to the membrane compartment by dopamine. Dopamine also increased [Ca(2+)](i), which was blocked by EGTA (an extracellular Ca(2+) chelator), BAPTA-AM (an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator), nifedipine (a L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker), SQ 22536 [an adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibitor] and neomycin [a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor]. Dopamine, SKF 38393, and quinpirole increased the level of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), p38 MAPK, and stress-activated protein kinase/Jun-N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) phosphorylation. Dopamine also increased level of H(2)O(2) formation and activated the transcription factor family NF-kappaB. Moreover, SKF 38393, quinpirole, and dopamine inhibited cell cycle regulatory proteins, which is consistent with the change in the level of [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation observed. The dopamine-induced decrease in cyclin E, cyclin-dependent protein kinase-2 (CDK-2), and cyclin D1, CDK-4 were blocked by pertussis toxin (G protein inhibitor), SQ 22536, neomycin, bisindolylmaleimide I (PKC inhibitor), SB 203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), PD 98059 (p44/42 inhibitor), and SP 600125 (SAPK/JNK inhibitor). In conclusion, dopamine inhibits DNA synthesis in mouse ES cells via the cAMP, Ca(2+)/PKC, MAPKs, and NF-kappaB signaling pathways.

Potential of fibroblasts to regulate the formation of three-dimensional vessel-like structures from endothelial cells in vitro

The development of vessel-like structures in vitro to mimic as well as to realize the possibility of tissue-engineered small vascular networks presents a major challenge to cell biologists and biotechnologists. We aimed to establish a three-dimensional (3-D) culture system with an endothelial network that does not require artificial substrates or ECM compounds. By using human skin fibroblasts and endothelial cells (ECs) from the human umbilical vein (HUVECs) in diverse spheroid coculture strategies, we verified that fibroblast support and modulate EC migration, viability, and network formation in a 3-D tissue-like stromal environment. In mixed spheroid cultures consisting of human ECs and fibroblasts, a complex 3-D network with EC tubular structures, lumen formation, pinocytotic activity, and tight junction complexes has been identified on the basis of immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopic imaging. Tubular networks with extensions up to 400 μm were achieved. When EC suspensions were used, EC migration and network formation were critically affected by the status of the fibroblast. However, the absence of EC migration into the center of 14-day, but not 3-day, precultured fibroblast spheroids could not be attributed to loss of F viability. In parallel, it was also confirmed that migrated ECs that entered cluster-like formations became apoptotic, whereas the majority of those forming vessel-like structures remained viable for >8 days. Our protocols allow us to study the nature of tubule formation in a manner more closely related to the in vivo situation as well as to understand the basis for the integration of capillary networks in tissue grafts and develop methods of quantifying the amount of angiogenesis in spheroids using fibroblast and other cells isolated from the same patient, along with ECs.