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Ugwu N, Atzmony L, Ellis KT, Panse G, Jain D, Ko CJ, Nassiri N, Choate KA. Cutaneous and hepatic vascular lesions due to a recurrent somatic GJA4 mutation reveal a pathway for vascular malformation. HGG ADVANCES 2021; 2. [PMID: 33912852 PMCID: PMC8078848 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2021.100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The term “cavernous hemangioma” has been used to describe vascular anomalies with histology featuring dilated vascular spaces, vessel walls consisting mainly of fibrous stromal bands lined by a layer of flattened endothelial cells, and an irregular outer rim of interrupted smooth muscle cells. Hepatic hemangiomas (HHs) and cutaneous venous malformations (VMs) share this histologic pattern, and we examined lesions in both tissues to identify genetic drivers. Paired whole-exome sequencing (WES) of lesional tissue and normal liver in HH subjects revealed a recurrent GJA4 c.121G>T (p.Gly41Cys) somatic mutation in four of five unrelated individuals, and targeted sequencing in paired tissue from 9 additional HH individuals identified the same mutation in 8. In cutaneous lesions, paired targeted sequencing in 5 VMs and normal epidermis found the same GJA4 c.121G>T (p.Gly41Cys) somatic mutation in three. GJA4 encodes gap junction protein alpha 4, also called connexin 37 (Cx37), and the p.Gly41Cys mutation falls within the first transmembrane domain at a residue highly conserved among vertebrates. We interrogated the impact of the Cx37 mutant via lentiviral transduction of primary human endothelial cells. We found that the mutant induced changes in cell morphology and activated serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1), a serine/threonine kinase known to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis, via non-canonical activation. Treatment with spironolactone, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, suppressed mutant SGK1 activation and reversed changes in cell morphology. These findings identify a recurrent somatic GJA4 c.121G>T mutation as a driver of hepatic and cutaneous VMs, revealing a new pathway for vascular anomalies, with spironolactone a potential pathogenesis-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Ugwu
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.,Vascular Malformations Program (VaMP), Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lihi Atzmony
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Vascular Malformations Program (VaMP), Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Katharine T Ellis
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gauri Panse
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Vascular Malformations Program (VaMP), Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dhanpat Jain
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christine J Ko
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Vascular Malformations Program (VaMP), Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Naiem Nassiri
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.,Vascular Malformations Program (VaMP), Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA.,Senior author
| | - Keith A Choate
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Vascular Malformations Program (VaMP), Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA.,Senior author
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Fortini F, Vieceli Dalla Sega F, Caliceti C, Lambertini E, Pannuti A, Peiffer DS, Balla C, Rizzo P. Estrogen-mediated protection against coronary heart disease: The role of the Notch pathway. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 189:87-100. [PMID: 30817989 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen regulates a plethora of biological processes, under physiological and pathological conditions, by affecting key pathways involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, fate, survival and metabolism. The Notch receptors are mediators of communication between adjacent cells and are key determinants of cell fate during development and in postnatal life. Crosstalk between estrogen and the Notch pathway intervenes in many processes underlying the development and maintenance of the cardiovascular system. The identification of molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between these types of endocrine and juxtacrine signaling are leading to a deeper understanding of physiological conditions regulated by these steroid hormones and, potentially, to novel therapeutic approaches to prevent pathologies linked to reduced levels of estrogen, such as coronary heart disease, and cardiotoxicity caused by hormone therapy for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cristiana Caliceti
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lambertini
- Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antonio Pannuti
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Daniel S Peiffer
- Oncology Research Institute, Loyola University Chicago: Health Sciences Division, Maywood, Illinois, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago: Health Sciences Division, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Cristina Balla
- Cardiovascular Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Rizzo
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Cotignola, RA, Italy; Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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Zhang T, Liang X, Shi L, Wang L, Chen J, Kang C, Zhu J, Mi M. Estrogen receptor and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway involvement in S-(-)equol-induced activation of Nrf2/ARE in endothelial cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79075. [PMID: 24260155 PMCID: PMC3833998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
S-(-)equol, a natural product of the isoflavone daidzein, has been reported to offer cytoprotective effects with respect to the cardiovascular system, but how this occurs is unclear. Interestingly, S-(-)equol is produced by the human gut, suggesting a role in physiological processes. We report that treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and EA.hy926 cells with S-(-)equol induces ARE-luciferase reporter gene activity that is dose and time dependent. S-(-)equol (10-250 nM) increases nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) as well as gene products of Nrf2 target genes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H (nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-phosphate) quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Endothelial cells transfected with an HA-Nrf2 expression plasmid had elevated HA-Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 in response to S-(-)equol exposure. S-(-)equol treatment affected Nrf2 mRNA only slightly but significantly increased HO-1 and NQO1 mRNA. The pretreatment of cells with specific ER inhibitors or PI3K/Akt (ICI182,780 and LY294002) increased Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 protein, impaired nuclear translocation of HA-Nrf2, and decreased ARE-luciferase activity. Identical experiments were conducted with daidzein, which had effects similar to S-(-)equol. In addition, DPN treatment (an ERβ agonist) induced the ARE-luciferase reporter gene, promoting Nrf2 nuclear translocation. Cell pretreatment with an ERβ antagonist (PHTPP) impaired S-(-)equol-induced Nrf2 activation. Pre-incubation of cells followed by co-treatment with S-(-)equol significantly improved cell survival in response to H2O2 or tBHP and reduced apoptotic and TUNEL-positively-stained cells. Notably, the ability of S-(-)equol to protect against H2O2-induced cell apoptosis was attenuated in cells transfected with an siRNA against Nrf2. Thus, beneficial effects of S-(-)equol with respect to cytoprotective antioxidant gene activation may represent a novel strategy to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xinyu Liang
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Linying Shi
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Li Wang
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Junli Chen
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Chao Kang
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Jundong Zhu
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Mantian Mi
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- * E-mail:
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Caliceti C, Aquila G, Pannella M, Morelli MB, Fortini C, Pinton P, Bonora M, Hrelia S, Pannuti A, Miele L, Rizzo P, Ferrari R. 17β-estradiol enhances signalling mediated by VEGF-A-delta-like ligand 4-notch1 axis in human endothelial cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71440. [PMID: 23967210 PMCID: PMC3742772 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogens play a protective role in coronary artery disease. The mechanisms of action are still poorly understood, although a role for estrogens in stimulation of angiogenesis has been suggested. In several cell types, estrogens modulate the Notch pathway, which is involved in controlling angiogenesis downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). The goal of our study was to establish whether estrogens modulate Notch activity in endothelial cells and the possible consequences on angiogenesis. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with 17β-estradiol (E2) and the effects on Notch signalling were evaluated. E2 increased Notch1 processing as indicated by i) decreased levels of Notch1 transmembrane subunit ii) increased amount of Notch1 in nuclei iii) unaffected level of mRNA. Similarly, E2 increased the levels of the active form of Notch4 without altering Notch4 mRNA. Conversely, protein and mRNA levels of Notch2 were both reduced suggesting transcriptional repression of Notch2 by E2. Under conditions where Notch was activated by upregulation of Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) following VEGF-A treatment, E2 caused a further increase of the active form of Notch1, of the number of cells with nuclear Notch1 and of Hey2 mRNA. Estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182.780 antagonized these effects suggesting that E2 modulation of Notch1 is mediated by estrogen receptors. E2 treatment abolished the increase in endothelial cells sprouting caused by Notch inhibition in a tube formation assay on 3D Matrigel and in mouse aortic ring explants. In conclusion, E2 affects several Notch pathway components in HUVECs, leading to an activation of the VEGF-A-Dll4-Notch1 axis and to a modulation of vascular branching when Notch signalling is inhibited. These results contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular protection exerted by estrogens by uncovering a novel role of E2 in the Notch signalling-mediated modulation of angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Caliceti
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Arcispedale Sant’Anna, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgio Aquila
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Arcispedale Sant’Anna, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Micaela Pannella
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Arcispedale Sant’Anna, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Bruno Morelli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Arcispedale Sant’Anna, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cinzia Fortini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Arcispedale Sant’Anna, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Department of Surgeon, Morphology and Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Inflammation (ICSI), Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Massimo Bonora
- Department of Surgeon, Morphology and Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Inflammation (ICSI), Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvana Hrelia
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Pannuti
- University of Mississippi, Medical Center Cancer Institute, Jackson, Mississippi, United States of America
| | - Lucio Miele
- University of Mississippi, Medical Center Cancer Institute, Jackson, Mississippi, United States of America
| | - Paola Rizzo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Arcispedale Sant’Anna, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Arcispedale Sant’Anna, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Novella S, Dantas AP, Segarra G, Medina P, Hermenegildo C. Vascular Aging in Women: is Estrogen the Fountain of Youth? Front Physiol 2012; 3:165. [PMID: 22685434 PMCID: PMC3368545 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2012.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with structural and functional changes in the vasculature, including endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening and remodeling, impaired angiogenesis, and defective vascular repair, and with increased prevalence of atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular risk is similar for older men and women, but lower in women during their fertile years. This age- and sex-related difference points to estrogen as a protective factor because menopause is marked by the loss of endogenous estrogen production. Experimental and some clinical studies have attributed most of the protective effects of estrogen to its modulatory action on vascular endothelium. Estrogen promotes endothelial-derived NO production through increased expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and modulates prostacyclin and thromboxane A(2) release. The thromboxane A(2) pathway is key to regulating vascular tone in females. Despite all the experimental evidence, some clinical trials have reported no cardiovascular benefit from estrogen replacement therapy in older postmenopausal women. The "Timing Hypothesis," which states that estrogen-mediated vascular benefits occur only before the detrimental effects of aging are established in the vasculature, offers a possible explanation for these discrepancies. Nevertheless, a gap remains in current knowledge of cardiovascular aging mechanisms in women. This review comprises clinical and experimental data on the effects of aging, estrogens, and hormone replacement therapy on vascular function of females. We aim to clarify how menopause and aging contribute jointly to vascular aging and how estrogen modulates vascular response at different ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Novella
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universitat de València Valencia, Spain
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Sanchez AM, Flamini MI, Zullino S, Gopal S, Genazzani AR, Simoncini T. Estrogen receptor-{alpha} promotes endothelial cell motility through focal adhesion kinase. Mol Hum Reprod 2010; 17:219-26. [PMID: 21127007 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaq097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex steroids play a key role in cell movement and tissue organization. Cell migration requires the integration of events that induce changes in cell structure such as protrusion, polarization and traction toward the direction of migration. These actions are driven by actin remodeling and are stabilized by the development of adhesion sites to extracellular matrix via transmembrane receptors linked to the actin cytoskeleton. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that facilitates cell migration via the control of the turnover of focal adhesion complexes. In this work, we demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E(2)) regulates actin remodeling and cell movement in human umbilical vein endothelial cells through the recruitment of FAK. E(2) induces phosphorylation of FAK and its translocation toward membrane sites where focal adhesion complexes are assembled. This process is triggered via a Gα/Gβ protein-dependent, rapid extra-nuclear signaling of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) that interacts in a multiprotein complex with c-Src, phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase and FAK. Phosphorylation of FAK is fundamental for its activation, translocation to the plasmatic membrane and the subsequent formation of focal adhesion complexes. In conclusion, we found that ERα enhances endothelial cell motility through the dynamic control of actin arrangement and the formation of focal adhesion complexes. The identification of these processes broadens the understanding of the actions of estrogens on endothelial cells and could be relevant in physiological or pathological settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Matias Sanchez
- Molecular and Cellular Gynecological Endocrinology Laboratory (MCGEL), Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 57, Pisa 56100, Italy
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Thor D, Uchizono JA, Lin-Cereghino GP, Rahimian R. The effect of 17 beta-estradiol on intracellular calcium homeostasis in human endothelial cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2010; 630:92-9. [PMID: 20044991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2009] [Revised: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 12/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The cardiovascular effects of estrogen are mediated in part by augmenting the function of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity is dependent on many cofactors including Ca(2+). Hence, we investigated the effect of chronic 17 beta-estradiol treatment on the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein expression in the human endothelial cell line, EA.hy926, using spectrofluorometry and Western blot, respectively. Inhibiting the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase with thapsigargin caused an increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, which was higher in chronically 17 beta-estradiol-treated (1muM, 24h) cells loaded with Fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester compared to vehicle-treated cells, suggesting a higher endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) content in 17 beta-estradiol-treated cells. An enhanced Ca(2+) influx pathway in chronically 17 beta-estradiol-treated cells was also observed. In addition, 17 beta-estradiol-treated cells expressed higher levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein in comparison to vehicle-treated cells. The chronic effect of 17 beta-estradiol on Ca(2+) homeostasis and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression was attenuated with the nonselective estrogen receptor inhibitor, ICI 182,780 (10muM, 7alpha, 17beta-[9-[(4,4,5,5,5-Pentafluoropentyl)sulfinyl]nonyl] estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol). Furthermore, analysis of the thapsigargin-evoked Ca(2+) response in chronically 17 beta-estradiol-treated estrogen receptor alpha-knockdown cells showed no significant difference in Ca(2+) response compared to vehicle-treated estrogen receptor alpha-knockdown cells, indicating that the regulation of Ca(2+) homeostasis by 17 beta-estradiol is mediated through an estrogen receptor alpha-dependent pathway. These data revealed an estrogen receptor alpha-dependent modulation of Ca(2+) homeostasis accompanying the enhancement of endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in 17 beta-estradiol-treated human endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Der Thor
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 751 Brookside Rd, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA
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Sobrino A, Mata M, Laguna-Fernandez A, Novella S, Oviedo PJ, García-Pérez MA, Tarín JJ, Cano A, Hermenegildo C. Estradiol stimulates vasodilatory and metabolic pathways in cultured human endothelial cells. PLoS One 2009; 4:e8242. [PMID: 20011585 PMCID: PMC2785884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2009] [Accepted: 11/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular effects of estradiol are being investigated because there are controversies among clinical and experimental studies. DNA microarrays were used to investigate global gene expression patterns in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to 1 nmol/L estradiol for 24 hours. When compared to control, 187 genes were identified as differentially expressed with 1.9-fold change threshold. Supervised principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the differences between control and estradiol-treated samples. Physiological concentrations of estradiol are sufficient to elicit significant changes in HUVEC gene expression. Notch signaling, actin cytoskeleton signaling, pentose phosphate pathway, axonal guidance signaling and integrin signaling were the top-five canonical pathways significantly regulated by estrogen. A total of 26 regulatory networks were identified as estrogen responsive. Microarray data were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR in cardiovascular meaning genes; cyclooxygenase (COX)1, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH)2, phospholipase A2 group IV (PLA2G4) B, and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase were up-regulated by estradiol in a dose-dependent and estrogen receptor-dependent way, whereas COX2, DDAH1 and PLA2G4A remained unaltered. Moreover, estradiol-induced COX1 gene expression resulted in increased COX1 protein content and enhanced prostacyclin production. DDAH2 protein content was also increased, which in turn decreased asymmetric dimethylarginine concentration and increased NO release. All stimulated effects of estradiol on gene and protein expression were estrogen receptor-dependent, since were abolished in the presence of the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780. This study identifies new vascular mechanisms of action by which estradiol may contribute to a wide range of biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agua Sobrino
- Research Foundation, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Mata
- Research Foundation, Hospital General Universitario, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrés Laguna-Fernandez
- Research Foundation, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Susana Novella
- Research Foundation, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar J. Oviedo
- Research Foundation, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Juan J. Tarín
- Department of Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Cano
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Hermenegildo
- Research Foundation, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- * E-mail:
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