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Zhao Y, Yu B, Wang Y, Tan S, Xu Q, Wang Z, Zhou K, Liu H, Ren Z, Jiang Z. Ang-1 and VEGF: central regulators of angiogenesis. Mol Cell Biochem 2024:10.1007/s11010-024-05010-3. [PMID: 38652215 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-05010-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) are central regulators of angiogenesis and are often inactivated in various cardiovascular diseases. VEGF forms complexes with ETS transcription factor family and exerts its action by downregulating multiple genes. Among the target genes of the VEGF-ETS complex, there are a significant number encoding key angiogenic regulators. Phosphorylation of the VEGF-ETS complex releases transcriptional repression on these angiogenic regulators, thereby promoting their expression. Ang-1 interacts with TEK, and this phosphorylation release can be modulated by the Ang-1-TEK signaling pathway. The Ang-1-TEK pathway participates in the transcriptional activation of VEGF genes. In summary, these elements constitute the Ang-1-TEK-VEGF signaling pathway. Additionally, Ang-1 is activated under hypoxic and inflammatory conditions, leading to an upregulation in the expression of TEK. Elevated TEK levels result in the formation of the VEGF-ETS complex, which, in turn, downregulates the expression of numerous angiogenic genes. Hence, the Ang-1-dependent transcriptional repression is indirect. Reduced expression of many target genes can lead to aberrant angiogenesis. A significant overlap exists between the target genes regulated by Ang-1-TEK-VEGF and those under the control of the Ang-1-TEK-TSP-1 signaling pathway. Mechanistically, this can be explained by the replacement of the VEGF-ETS complex with the TSP-1 transcriptional repression complex at the ETS sites on target gene promoters. Furthermore, VEGF possesses non-classical functions unrelated to ETS and DNA binding. Its supportive role in TSP-1 formation may be exerted through the VEGF-CRL5-VHL-HIF-1α-VH032-TGF-β-TSP-1 axis. This review assesses the regulatory mechanisms of the Ang-1-TEK-VEGF signaling pathway and explores its significant overlap with the Ang-1-TEK-TSP-1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanqin Zhao
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Yanxia Wang
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Shiming Tan
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Zhaoyue Wang
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Huiting Liu
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Zhong Ren
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Zhisheng Jiang
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
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Matrone C, Ferretti G. Semaphorin 3A influences neuronal processes that are altered in patients with autism spectrum disorder: Potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105338. [PMID: 37524141 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive disorder that most frequently manifests in early childhood and lasts for their entire lifespan. Several behavioural traits characterise the phenotype of patients with ASD, including difficulties in reciprocal social communication as well as compulsive/repetitive stereotyped verbal and non-verbal behaviours. Although multiple hypotheses have been proposed to explain the aetiology of ASD and many resources have been used to improve our understanding of ASD, several aspects remain largely unexplored. Class 3 semaphorins (SEMA3) are secreted proteins involved in the organisation of structural and functional connectivity in the brain that regulate synaptic and dendritic development. Alterations in brain connectivity and aberrant neuronal development have been described in some patients with ASD. Mutations and polymorphisms in SEMA3A and alterations in its receptors and signalling have been associated with some neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and epilepsy, which are comorbidities in ASD, but also with ASD itself. In addition, SEMA3A is a key regulator of the immune response and neuroinflammatory processes, which have been found to be dysregulated in mothers of children who develop ASD and in affected patients. In this review, we highlight neurodevelopmental-related processes in which SEMA3A is involved, which are altered in ASD, and provide a viewpoint emphasising the development of strategies targeting changes in the SEMA3A signal to identify patterns of anomalies distinctive of ASD or to predict the prognosis of affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Matrone
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Ferretti
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Yellapragada V, Eskici N, Wang Y, Madhusudan S, Vaaralahti K, Tuuri T, Raivio T. Time and dose-dependent effects of FGF8-FGFR1 signaling in GnRH neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:276003. [PMID: 35833364 PMCID: PMC9403748 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8), acting through the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), has an important role in the development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-expressing neurons (GnRH neurons). We hypothesized that FGF8 regulates differentiation of human GnRH neurons in a time- and dose-dependent manner via FGFR1. To investigate this further, human pluripotent stem cells were differentiated during 10 days of dual-SMAD inhibition into neural progenitor cells, followed either by treatment with FGF8 at different concentrations (25 ng/ml, 50 ng/ml or 100 ng/ml) for 10 days or by treatment with 100 ng/ml FGF8 for different durations (2, 4, 6 or 10 days); cells were then matured through DAPT-induced inhibition of Notch signaling for 5 days into GnRH neurons. FGF8 induced expression of GNRH1 in a dose-dependent fashion and the duration of FGF8 exposure correlated positively with gene expression of GNRH1 (P<0.05, Rs=0.49). However, cells treated with 100 ng/ml FGF8 for 2 days induced the expression of genes, such as FOXG1, ETV5 and SPRY2, and continued FGF8 treatment induced the dynamic expression of several other genes. Moreover, during exposure to FGF8, FGFR1 localized to the cell surface and its specific inhibition with the FGFR1 inhibitor PD166866 reduced expression of GNRH1 (P<0.05). In neurons, FGFR1 also localized to the nucleus. Our results suggest that dose- and time-dependent FGF8 signaling via FGFR1 is indispensable for human GnRH neuron ontogeny. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: This article demonstrates the essential role FGF8–FGFR1 signaling has in the development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-expressing neurons by using a human stem cell model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatram Yellapragada
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nazli Eskici
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yafei Wang
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shrinidhi Madhusudan
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Vaaralahti
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Timo Tuuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00029 Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Taneli Raivio
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,New Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, 00029 Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Men M, Chen DN, Li JD, Wang X, Zeng W, Jiang F, Zheng R, Dai W. Analysis of PLXNA1, NRP1, and NRP2 variants in a cohort of patients with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1816. [PMID: 34636164 PMCID: PMC8606218 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is a clinical syndrome described by failure of gonadal function secondary to defects on the synthesis, secretion, or action of the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH). The secreted glycoprotein SEMA3A binds its receptors NRP1 or NRP2 and PLXNA to participate in axonal projection, dendritic branching, synaptic formation, and neuronal migration. Deficiency in SEMA3A, NRP1, NRP2, and PLXNA1 have been related to abnormal GnRH neuron development in mice and IHH in humans. Methods The aim of this study was to examine the genotypic and phenotypic spectra of the NRP1, NRP2, and PLXNA1 genes in a large cohort of IHH probands from China. We screened NRP1, NRP2, and PLXNA1 variants in Chinese IHH patients by whole exome sequencing and pedigree analysis. Results We identified 10 heterozygous missense variants in PLXNA1, five heterozygous missense variants in NRP1, and two heterozygous missense variants in NRP2. NRP1 variants were found only in IHH patients with defective olfaction (i.e., Kallmann syndrome, KS). In addition, 85% (17/20) of patients harbored variants in other IHH‐associated genes. Conclusion Our study greatly enriched the genotypic and phenotypic spectra of PLXNA1, NRP1, and NRP2 in IHH. It may be conducive to the genetic counseling, diagnosis, and treatment of IHH with mutations in the PLXNA1, NRP1, and NRP2 genes. Furthermore, our results indicated that NRP1 were strongly linked to hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meichao Men
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China.,Health Management Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dan-Na Chen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Jia-Da Li
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinying Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wang Zeng
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fang Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ruizhi Zheng
- Department of Endocrinology, The People's Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenting Dai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
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