p55γ functional mimetic peptide N24 blocks vascular proliferative disorders

p55PIK deficiency and its NH2-terminal derivative inhibit inflammation and emphysema in COPD mouse model

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is composed of chronic airway inflammation and emphysema. Recent studies show that Class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) play an important role in the regulation of inflammation and emphysema. However, there are few studies on their regulatory subunits. p55PIK is a regulatory subunit of Class IA PI3Ks, and its unique NH₂-terminal gives it special functions. p55PIK expression in the lungs of nonsmokers, smokers, and patients with COPD was examined. We established a fusion protein TAT-N15 from the NH₂-terminal effector sequence of p55PIK and TAT (the transduction domain of HIV transactivator protein) and investigated the effects of silencing p55PIK or adding TAT-N15 on cigarette smoke exposure at the cellular and animal level. p55PIK expression was increased in patients with COPD. p55PIK deficiency and TAT-N15 significantly inhibited the cigarette smoke extract-induced IL-6, IL-8, and activation of the Akt and the NF-κB pathway in BEAS-2B. p55PIK deficiency and TAT-N15 intranasal administration prevented emphysema and the lung function decline in mice exposed to smoke for 6 mo. p55PIK deficiency and TAT-N15 significantly inhibited lung inflammatory infiltration, reduced levels of IL-6 and KC in mice lung homogenate, and inhibited activation of the Akt and the NF-κB signaling in COPD mice lungs. Our studies indicate that p55PIK is involved in the pathogenesis of COPD, and its NH₂-terminal derivative TAT-N15 could be an effective drug in the treatment of COPD by inhibiting the activation of the Akt and the NF-κB pathway.

SRSF1 promotes vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through a Δ133p53/EGR1/KLF5 pathway

Though vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation underlies all cardiovascular hyperplastic disorders, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for this cellular process is still incomplete. Here we report that SRSF1 (serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1), an essential splicing factor, promotes VSMC proliferation and injury-induced neointima formation. Vascular injury in vivo and proliferative stimuli in vitro stimulate SRSF1 expression. Mice lacking SRSF1 specifically in SMCs develop less intimal thickening after wire injury. Expression of SRSF1 in rat arteries enhances neointima formation. SRSF1 overexpression increases, while SRSF1 knockdown suppresses the proliferation and migration of cultured human aortic and coronary arterial SMCs. Mechanistically, SRSF1 favours the induction of a truncated p53 isoform, Δ133p53, which has an equal proliferative effect and in turn transcriptionally activates Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) via the Δ133p53-EGR1 complex, resulting in an accelerated cell-cycle progression and increased VSMC proliferation. Our study provides a potential therapeutic target for vascular hyperplastic disease.

The hyperproliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells underlies many vascular diseases. Here Xie et al. show that the splicing factor SRSF1 is an endogenous stimulator of human and mouse aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation via the Δ133p53/EGR1/KLF5 signalling axis, identifying potential therapeutic targets for vascular proliferative disorders.

A Rat Carotid Balloon Injury Model to Test Anti-vascular Remodeling Therapeutics

The rat carotid balloon injury is a well-established surgical model that has been used to study arterial remodeling and vascular cell proliferation. It is also a valuable model system to test, and to evaluate therapeutics and drugs that negate maladaptive remodeling in the vessel. The injury, or barotrauma, in the vessel lumen caused by an inflated balloon via an inserted catheter induces subsequent neointimal growth, often leading to hyperplasia or thickening of the vessel wall that narrows, or obstructs the lumen. The method described here is sufficiently sensitive, and the results can be obtained in relatively short time (2 weeks after the surgery). The efficacy of the drug or therapeutic against the induced-remodeling can be evaluated either by the post-mortem pathological and histomorphological analysis, or by ultrasound sonography in live animals. In addition, this model system has also been used to determine the therapeutic window or the time course of the administered drug. These studies can leadto the development of a better administrative strategy and a better therapeutic outcome. The procedure described here provides a tool for translational studies that bring drug and therapeutic candidates from bench research to clinical applications.