In Lyl1-/- mice, adipose stem cell vascular niche impairment leads to premature development of fat tissues

The Role and Mechanism of the Vascular Endothelial Niche in Diseases: A Review

Vascular endothelial cells, forming the inner wall of the blood vessels, participate in the body’s pathological and physiological processes of immunity, tumors, and infection. In response to an external stimulus or internal pathological changes, vascular endothelial cells can reshape their microenvironment, forming a “niche”. Current research on the vascular endothelial niche is a rapidly growing field in vascular biology. Endothelial niches not only respond to stimulation by external information but are also decisive factors that act on neighboring tissues and circulating cells. Intervention through the vascular niche is meaningful for improving the treatment of several diseases. This review aimed to summarize reported diseases affected by endothelial niches and signal molecular alterations or release within endothelial niches. We look forward to contributing knowledge to increase the understanding the signaling and mechanisms of the vascular endothelial niche in multiple diseases.

In Lyl1-/- mice, adipose stem cell vascular niche impairment leads to premature development of fat tissues

Lyl1 encodes a hematopoietic‐ and endothelial‐specific bHLH transcription factor. Lyl1‐deficient mice are viable, but they display mild hematopoietic and vascular defects. Specifically, LYL1 is required for the maturation and stabilization of blood vessel endothelial adherens junctions. Here, we report that young adult Lyl1^−/− mice exhibit transient overweight associated with general expansion of adipose tissue, without signs of metabolic disorder and unrelated to food intake. The increased fat tissue development in Lyl1^−/− mice resulted from earlier differentiation of adipose stem cells (ASCs) into adipocytes through noncell autonomous mechanisms. Specifically, we found that in Lyl1^−/− mice, the adipose tissue vascular structures are immature, as indicated by their high permeability, reduced coverage by pericytes, lower recruitment of VE‐cadherin and ZO1 at cell junctions, and more prone to angiogenesis. Together, our data show that in Lyl1^−/− mice, the impaired vascular compartment of the adipose niche promotes ASC differentiation, leading to early adipocyte expansion and premature ASC depletion. Our study highlights the major structural role of the adipose tissue vascular niche in coordinating stem cell self‐renewal and differentiation into adipocytes.