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Fan L, Yao D, Fan Z, Zhang T, Shen Q, Tong F, Qian X, Xu L, Jiang C, Dong N. Beyond VICs: Shedding light on the overlooked VECs in calcific aortic valve disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117143. [PMID: 39024838 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is prevalent in developed nations and has emerged as a pressing global public health concern due to population aging. The precise etiology of this disease remains uncertain, and recent research has primarily focused on examining the role of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) in the development of CAVD. The predominant treatment options currently available involve open surgery and minimally invasive interventional surgery, with no efficacious pharmacological treatment. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of valvular endothelial cells (VECs) from the aspects of valvular endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO), valvular endothelial mechanotransduction, valvular endothelial injury, valvular endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and valvular neovascularization, which have received less attention, and aims to establish their role and interaction with VICs in CAVD. The ultimate goal is to provide new perspectives for the investigation of non-invasive treatment options for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dingyi Yao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengfeng Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tailong Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiang Shen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fuqiang Tong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingyu Qian
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Chen Jiang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Nianguo Dong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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2
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Singh B, Cui K, Eisa-Beygi S, Zhu B, Cowan DB, Shi J, Wang DZ, Liu Z, Bischoff J, Chen H. Elucidating the crosstalk between endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) and endothelial autophagy in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 155:107368. [PMID: 38548093 PMCID: PMC11303600 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2024.107368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, a chronic systemic inflammatory condition, is implicated in most cardiovascular ischemic events. The pathophysiology of atherosclerosis involves various cell types and associated processes, including endothelial cell activation, monocyte recruitment, smooth muscle cell migration, involvement of macrophages and foam cells, and instability of the extracellular matrix. The process of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) has recently emerged as a pivotal process in mediating vascular inflammation associated with atherosclerosis. This transition occurs gradually, with a significant portion of endothelial cells adopting an intermediate state, characterized by a partial loss of endothelial-specific gene expression and the acquisition of "mesenchymal" traits. Consequently, this shift disrupts endothelial cell junctions, increases vascular permeability, and exacerbates inflammation, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that drives atherosclerotic progression. While endothelial cell dysfunction initiates the development of atherosclerosis, autophagy, a cellular catabolic process designed to safeguard cells by recycling intracellular molecules, is believed to exert a significant role in plaque development. Identifying the pathological mechanisms and molecular mediators of EndoMT underpinning endothelial autophagy, may be of clinical relevance. Here, we offer new insights into the underlying biology of atherosclerosis and present potential molecular mechanisms of atherosclerotic resistance and highlight potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bandana Singh
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kui Cui
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shahram Eisa-Beygi
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bo Zhu
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas B Cowan
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinjun Shi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Da-Zhi Wang
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of South Florida Health Heart Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Joyce Bischoff
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hong Chen
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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3
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Boucetta H, Zhang L, Sosnik A, He W. Pulmonary arterial hypertension nanotherapeutics: New pharmacological targets and drug delivery strategies. J Control Release 2024; 365:236-258. [PMID: 37972767 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, serious, and incurable disease characterized by high lung pressure. PAH-approved drugs based on conventional pathways are still not exhibiting favorable therapeutic outcomes. Drawbacks like short half-lives, toxicity, and teratogenicity hamper effectiveness, clinical conventionality, and long-term safety. Hence, approaches like repurposing drugs targeting various and new pharmacological cascades and/or loaded in non-toxic/efficient nanocarrier systems are being investigated lately. This review summarizes the status of conventional, repurposed, either in vitro, in vivo, and/or in clinical trials of PAH treatment. In-depth description, discussion, and classification of the new pharmacological targets and nanomedicine strategies with a description of all the nanocarriers that showed promising efficiency in delivering drugs are discussed. Ultimately, an illustration of the different nucleic acids tailored and nanoencapsulated within different types of nanocarriers to restore the pathways affected by this disease is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Boucetta
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Alejandro Sosnik
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Nanomaterials Science, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 3200003, Israel.
| | - Wei He
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China.
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4
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Mimouni M, Lajoix AD, Desmetz C. Experimental Models to Study Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Myocardial Fibrosis and Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:382. [PMID: 38203553 PMCID: PMC10779210 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a common feature of cardiovascular diseases and targets multiple organs, such as the heart and vessels. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition is a complex, vital process that occurs during embryonic formation and plays a crucial role in cardiac development. It is also a fundamental process implicated in cardiac fibrosis and repair, but also in other organs. Indeed, in numerous cardiovascular diseases, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition has been shown to be involved in the generation of fibroblasts that are able to produce extracellular matrix proteins such as type I collagen. This massive deposition results in tissue stiffening and organ dysfunction. To advance our understanding of this process for the development of new specific diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, it is essential to develop relevant cellular and animal models of this process. In this review, our aim was to gain an in-depth insight into existing in vitro and in vivo models of endothelial to mesenchymal transition in cardiovascular diseases with a focus on cardiac fibrosis. We discuss important parameters impacting endothelial to mesenchymal transition, and we give perspectives for the development of relevant models to decipher the underlying mechanisms and ultimately find new treatments specific to fibrosis happening in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Mimouni
- Biocommunication in Cardio-Metabolism (BC2M), University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Anne-Dominique Lajoix
- Biocommunication in Cardio-Metabolism (BC2M), University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Desmetz
- Biocommunication in Cardio-Metabolism (BC2M), University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
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Balistrieri A, Makino A, Yuan JXJ. Pathophysiology and pathogenic mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension: role of membrane receptors, ion channels, and Ca 2+ signaling. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:1827-1897. [PMID: 36422993 PMCID: PMC10110735 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00030.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The pulmonary circulation is a low-resistance, low-pressure, and high-compliance system that allows the lungs to receive the entire cardiac output. Pulmonary arterial pressure is a function of cardiac output and pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary vascular resistance is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the intraluminal radius of the pulmonary artery. Therefore, a very small decrease of the pulmonary vascular lumen diameter results in a significant increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a fatal and progressive disease with poor prognosis. Regardless of the initial pathogenic triggers, sustained pulmonary vasoconstriction, concentric vascular remodeling, occlusive intimal lesions, in situ thrombosis, and vascular wall stiffening are the major and direct causes for elevated pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and other forms of precapillary pulmonary hypertension. In this review, we aim to discuss the basic principles and physiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of lung vascular hemodynamics and pulmonary vascular function, the changes in the pulmonary vasculature that contribute to the increased vascular resistance and arterial pressure, and the pathogenic mechanisms involved in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension. We focus on reviewing the pathogenic roles of membrane receptors, ion channels, and intracellular Ca2+ signaling in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Balistrieri
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ayako Makino
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jason X-J Yuan
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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6
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Zhao W, Wang L, Wang Y, Yuan H, Zhao M, Lian H, Ma S, Xu K, Li Z, Yu G. Injured Endothelial Cell: A Risk Factor for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108749. [PMID: 37240093 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathological features of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) are the abnormal activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts and the extraordinary deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the pathogenesis of PF is still indistinct. In recent years, many researchers have realized that endothelial cells had a crucial role in the development of PF. Studies have demonstrated that about 16% of the fibroblasts in the lung tissue of fibrotic mice were derived from endothelial cells. Endothelial cells transdifferentiated into mesenchymal cells via the endothelial-mesenchymal transition (E(nd)MT), leading to the excessive proliferation of endothelial-derived mesenchymal cells and the accumulation of fibroblasts and ECM. This suggested that endothelial cells, a significant component of the vascular barrier, played an essential role in PF. Herein, this review discusses E(nd)MT and its contribution to the activation of other cells in PF, which could provide new ideas for further understanding the source and activation mechanism of fibroblasts and the pathogenesis of PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Lan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Yaxuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Hongmei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Mengxia Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Hui Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Shuaichen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Kai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Zhongzheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Guoying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
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Abstract
The endothelium is one of the largest organ systems in the body, and data continue to emerge regarding the importance of endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction in vascular aging and a range of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Over the last two decades and as a process intimately related to EC dysfunction, an increasing number of studies have also implicated endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) as a potentially disease-causal pathobiologic process that is involved in a multitude of differing CVDs. However, EndMT is also involved in physiologic processes (e.g., cardiac development), and transient EndMT may contribute to vascular regeneration in certain contexts. Given that EndMT involves a major alteration in the EC-specific molecular program, and that it potentially contributes to CVD pathobiology, the clinical translation opportunities are significant, but further molecular and translational research is needed to see these opportunities realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; .,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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8
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KITLG Promotes Glomerular Endothelial Cell Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy by an Autocrine Effect. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911723. [PMID: 36233032 PMCID: PMC9569900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is an increasing threat to human health. The impact of hyperglycemia or its metabolites, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), on glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) and their pathophysiologic mechanisms are not well explored. Our results reveal that AGEs increased the expression and secretion of the KIT ligand (KITLG) in GECs. Both AGEs and KITLG promoted endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in GECs and further increased the permeability of GECs through the AKT/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase pathway. Inhibition of KITLG’s effects by imatinib prevented AGE-medicated EndoMT in GECs, supporting the belief that KITLG is a critical factor for GEC injury. We found higher KITLG levels in the GECs and urine of db/db mice compared with db/m mice, and urinary KITLG levels were positively correlated with the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Furthermore, type 2 diabetic patients had higher urinary KITLG levels than normal individuals, as well as urinary KITLG levels that were positively correlated with urinary ACR and negatively correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate. KITLG plays a pathogenic role in GEC injury in DN and might act as a biomarker of DN progression.
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Chen F, Yue LL, Ntsobe TE, Qin LL, Zeng Y, Xie MF, Huang HJ, Peng W, Zeng LS, Liu HJ, Liu Q. Endothelial mesenchymal transformation and relationship with vascular abnormalities. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrras.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Peng Q, Shan D, Cui K, Li K, Zhu B, Wu H, Wang B, Wong S, Norton V, Dong Y, Lu YW, Zhou C, Chen H. The Role of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cardiovascular Disease. Cells 2022; 11:1834. [PMID: 35681530 PMCID: PMC9180466 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is the process of endothelial cells progressively losing endothelial-specific markers and gaining mesenchymal phenotypes. In the normal physiological condition, EndoMT plays a fundamental role in forming the cardiac valves of the developing heart. However, EndoMT contributes to the development of various cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as atherosclerosis, valve diseases, fibrosis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying EndoMT in CVD should provide urgently needed insights into reversing this condition. This review summarizes a 30-year span of relevant literature, delineating the EndoMT process in particular, key signaling pathways, and the underlying regulatory networks involved in CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianman Peng
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Dan Shan
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Kui Cui
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Kathryn Li
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Bo Zhu
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Hao Wu
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Beibei Wang
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Scott Wong
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Vikram Norton
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Yunzhou Dong
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Yao Wei Lu
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
| | - Changcheng Zhou
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;
| | - Hong Chen
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Q.P.); (D.S.); (K.C.); (K.L.); (B.Z.); (H.W.); (B.W.); (S.W.); (V.N.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.L.)
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Solinc J, Ribot J, Soubrier F, Pavoine C, Dierick F, Nadaud S. The Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Pathway in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Still an Interesting Target? Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050658. [PMID: 35629326 PMCID: PMC9143262 DOI: 10.3390/life12050658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of curative options for pulmonary arterial hypertension drives important research to understand the mechanisms underlying this devastating disease. Among the main identified pathways, the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) pathway was established to control vascular remodeling and anti-PDGF receptor (PDGFR) drugs were shown to reverse the disease in experimental models. Four different isoforms of PDGF are produced by various cell types in the lung. PDGFs control vascular cells migration, proliferation and survival through binding to their receptors PDGFRα and β. They elicit multiple intracellular signaling pathways which have been particularly studied in pulmonary smooth muscle cells. Activation of the PDGF pathway has been demonstrated both in patients and in pulmonary hypertension (PH) experimental models. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are numerous but without real specificity and Imatinib, one of the most specific, resulted in beneficial effects. However, adverse events and treatment discontinuation discouraged to pursue this therapy. Novel therapeutic strategies are currently under experimental evaluation. For TKI, they include intratracheal drug administration, low dosage or nanoparticles delivery. Specific anti-PDGF and anti-PDGFR molecules can also be designed such as new TKI, soluble receptors, aptamers or oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Solinc
- INSERM, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, UMR_S1166, F-75013 Paris, France; (J.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Jonathan Ribot
- INSERM, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, UMR_S1166, F-75013 Paris, France; (J.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Florent Soubrier
- INSERM, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, UMR_S1166, F-75013 Paris, France; (J.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Catherine Pavoine
- INSERM, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, UMR_S1166, F-75013 Paris, France; (J.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (C.P.)
| | - France Dierick
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada;
| | - Sophie Nadaud
- INSERM, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, UMR_S1166, F-75013 Paris, France; (J.S.); (J.R.); (F.S.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-14077-9681
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12
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Wang F, Fan X, Kong J, Wang C, Ma B, Sun W, Ye Z, Liu P, Wen J. Inhibition of mitochondrial fission alters neo-intimal hyperplasia via PI3K/Akt signaling in arteriovenous fistulas. Vascular 2022; 31:533-543. [PMID: 35130772 DOI: 10.1177/17085381211068685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis of patients with end-stage renal disease. However, there is a high incidence of AVF failures caused by insufficient outward remodeling or venous neo-intimal hyperplasia formation. Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an important role in many cardiovascular diseases. Abnormal VSMC proliferation and migration could be abolished by inhibition of mitochondrial division. METHOD We found that abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs and increased mitochondrial fission were associated with AVF stenosis in patients. We also investigated the mechanisms, particularly the role of mitochondrial dynamics, underlying these VSMC behaviors. In vitro, we observed that inhibition of mitochondrial fission and Akt phosphorylation can diminish proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). In vivo, daily intraperitoneal injections of mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1) decreased VSMC proliferation and reduced AVF wall thickness in a rat AVF model. CONCLUSION AND RESULT Our results suggest that inhibition of mitochondrial fission improves AVF patency by reducing wall thickening through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, inhibition of mitochondrial fission has the clinical potential to improve AVF patency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 36635China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xueqiang Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 36635China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Kong
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Bo Ma
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 36635China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weiliang Sun
- 36635Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhidong Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 36635China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 36635China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyan Wen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 36635China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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13
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Li P, Song J, Du H, Lu Y, Dong S, Zhou S, Guo Z, Wu H, Zhao X, Qin Y, Zhu N. MicroRNA-663 prevents monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension by targeting TGF-β1/smad2/3 signaling. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2021; 161:9-22. [PMID: 34339758 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pulmonary vascular remodeling due to excessive growth factor production and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation is the hallmark feature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Recent studies suggest that miR-663 is a potent modulator for tumorigenesis and atherosclerosis. However, whether miR-663 involves in pulmonary vascular remodeling is still unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS By using quantitative RT-PCR, we found that miR-663 was highly expressed in normal human PASMCs. In contrast, circulating level of miR-663 dramatically reduced in PAH patients. In addition, in situ hybridization showed that expression of miR-663 was decreased in pulmonary vasculature of PAH patients. Furthermore, MTT and cell scratch-wound assay showed that transfection of miR-663 mimics significantly inhibited platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced PASMCs proliferation and migration, while knockdown of miR-663 expression enhanced these effects. Mechanistically, dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-663 directly targets the 3'UTR of TGF-β1. Moreover, western blots and ELISA results showed that miR-663 decreased PDGF-induced TGF-β1 expression and secretion, which in turn suppressed the downstream smad2/3 phosphorylation and collagen I expression. Finally, intratracheal instillation of adeno-miR-663 efficiently inhibited the development of pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rat models. CONCLUSION These results indicate that miR-663 is a potential biomarker for PAH. MiR-663 decreases PDGF-BB-induced PASMCs proliferation and prevents pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy in MCT-PAH by targeting TGF-β1/smad2/3 signaling. These findings suggest that miR-663 may represent as an attractive approach for the diagnosis and treatment for PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Li
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jingwen Song
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - He Du
- Department of Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yuwen Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shaohua Dong
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Siwei Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhifu Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xianxian Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yongwen Qin
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Ni Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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14
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Ciszewski WM, Wawro ME, Sacewicz-Hofman I, Sobierajska K. Cytoskeleton Reorganization in EndMT-The Role in Cancer and Fibrotic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111607. [PMID: 34769036 PMCID: PMC8583721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation promotes endothelial plasticity, leading to the development of several diseases, including fibrosis and cancer in numerous organs. The basis of those processes is a phenomenon called the endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which results in the delamination of tightly connected endothelial cells that acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. EndMT-derived cells, known as the myofibroblasts or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), are characterized by the loss of cell–cell junctions, loss of endothelial markers, and gain in mesenchymal ones. As a result, the endothelium ceases its primary ability to maintain patent and functional capillaries and induce new blood vessels. At the same time, it acquires the migration and invasion potential typical of mesenchymal cells. The observed modulation of cell shape, increasedcell movement, and invasion abilities are connected with cytoskeleton reorganization. This paper focuses on the review of current knowledge about the molecular pathways involved in the modulation of each cytoskeleton element (microfilaments, microtubule, and intermediate filaments) during EndMT and their role as the potential targets for cancer and fibrosis treatment.
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15
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Huang N, Zhu TT, Liu T, Ge XY, Wang D, Liu H, Zhu GX, Zhang Z, Hu CP. Aspirin ameliorates pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension by dampening endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 908:174307. [PMID: 34245748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary vascular remodeling (PVR) is the pathological basis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Incomplete understanding of PVR etiology has hindered drug development for this devastating disease, which exhibits poor prognosis despite the currently available therapies. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a process of cell transdifferentiation, has been recently implicated in cardiovascular diseases, including PH. But the questions of how EndMT occurs and how to pharmacologically target EndMT in vivo have yet to be further answered. Herein, by performing hematoxylin-eosin and immunofluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting, we found that EndMT plays a key role in the pathogenesis of PH, and importantly that aspirin, a FDA-approved widely used drug, was capable of ameliorating PVR in a preclinical rat model of hypoxia-induced PH. Moreover, aspirin exerted its inhibitory effects on EndMT in vitro and in vivo by suppressing HIF-1α/TGF-β1/Smads/Snail signaling pathway. Our data suggest that EndMT represents an intriguing drug target for the prevention and treatment of hypoxic PH and that aspirin may be repurposed to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of hypoxic PH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Tian-Tian Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453000, China; Henan International Joint Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Drug Intervention, Xinxiang, Henan, 453000, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou First Peoples Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao-Yue Ge
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Guang-Xuan Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
| | - Chang-Ping Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
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16
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Valero-Muñoz M, Oh A, Faudoa E, Bretón-Romero R, El Adili F, Bujor A, Sam F. Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction: Insights Into the Cardiorenal Syndrome. Circ Heart Fail 2021; 14:e008372. [PMID: 34407636 DOI: 10.1161/circheartfailure.121.008372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The management of clinical heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is often complicated by concurrent renal dysfunction, known as the cardiorenal syndrome. This, combined with the notable lack of evidence-based therapies for HFpEF, highlights the importance of examining mechanisms and targetable pathways in HFpEF with the cardiorenal syndrome. METHODS HFpEF was induced in mice by uninephrectomy, infusion of d-aldosterone (HFpEF; N=10) or saline (Sham; N=8), and given 1% NaCl drinking water for 4 weeks. Renal fibrosis and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (endo-MT) were evident once HFpEF developed. Human aortic endothelial cells were treated for 4 days with 10% serum obtained from patients with chronically stable HFpEF with the cardiorenal syndrome (N=12) and compared with serum-treated human aortic endothelial cells from control subjects (no cardiac/renal disease; N=12) to recapitulate the in vivo findings. RESULTS Kidneys from HFpEF mice demonstrated hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis (1.9-fold increase; P<0.05) with increased expression of endo-MT transcripts, including pdgfrβ (platelet-derived growth factor receptor β), snail, fibronectin, fsp1 (fibroblast-specific protein 1), and vimentin by 1.7- (P=0.004), 1.7- (P=0.05), 1.8- (P=0.005), 2.6- (P=0.001), and 2.0-fold (P=0.001) versus Sham. Immunostaining demonstrated co-localization of CD31 and ACTA2 (actin α2) in kidney sections suggesting evidence of endo-MT. Similar to the findings in HFpEF mice, comparable endo-MT markers were also significantly elevated in human aortic endothelial cells treated with serum from patients with HFpEF compared with human aortic endothelial cells treated with serum from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS These translational findings demonstrate a plausible role for endo-MT in HFpEF with cardiorenal syndrome and may have therapeutic implications in drug development for patients with HFpEF and concomitant renal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Valero-Muñoz
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Albin Oh
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Elizabeth Faudoa
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Rosa Bretón-Romero
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Fatima El Adili
- Department of Rheumatology, Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Research Center (F.E.A., A.B.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Andreea Bujor
- Department of Rheumatology, Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Research Center (F.E.A., A.B.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Flora Sam
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
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17
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. New Insights into Profibrotic Myofibroblast Formation in Systemic Sclerosis: When the Vascular Wall Becomes the Enemy. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:610. [PMID: 34202703 PMCID: PMC8307837 DOI: 10.3390/life11070610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In systemic sclerosis (SSc), abnormalities in microvessel morphology occur early and evolve into a distinctive vasculopathy that relentlessly advances in parallel with the development of tissue fibrosis orchestrated by myofibroblasts in nearly all affected organs. Our knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying such a unique relationship between SSc-related vasculopathy and fibrosis has profoundly changed over the last few years. Indeed, increasing evidence has suggested that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a process in which profibrotic myofibroblasts originate from endothelial cells, may take center stage in SSc pathogenesis. While in arterioles and small arteries EndoMT may lead to the accumulation of myofibroblasts within the vessel wall and development of fibroproliferative vascular lesions, in capillary vessels it may instead result in vascular destruction and formation of myofibroblasts that migrate into the perivascular space with consequent tissue fibrosis and microvessel rarefaction, which are hallmarks of SSc. Besides endothelial cells, other vascular wall-resident cells, such as pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, may acquire a myofibroblast-like synthetic phenotype contributing to both SSc-related vascular dysfunction and fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the differentiation of myofibroblasts inside the vessel wall provides the rationale for novel targeted therapeutic strategies for the treatment of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
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18
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Gorelova A, Berman M, Al Ghouleh I. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 34:891-914. [PMID: 32746619 PMCID: PMC8035923 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process that encompasses extensive transcriptional reprogramming of activated endothelial cells leading to a shift toward mesenchymal cellular phenotypes and functional responses. Initially observed in the context of embryonic development, in the last few decades EndMT is increasingly recognized as a process that contributes to a variety of pathologies in the adult organism. Within the settings of cardiovascular biology, EndMT plays a role in various diseases, including atherosclerosis, heart valvular disease, cardiac fibrosis, and myocardial infarction. EndMT is also being progressively implicated in development and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This review covers the current knowledge about EndMT in PH and PAH, and provides comprehensive overview of seminal discoveries. Topics covered include evidence linking EndMT to factors associated with PAH development, including hypoxia responses, inflammation, dysregulation of bone-morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2), and redox signaling. This review amalgamates these discoveries into potential insights for the identification of underlying mechanisms driving EndMT in PH and PAH, and discusses future directions for EndMT-based therapeutic strategies in disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Gorelova
- Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mariah Berman
- Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Imad Al Ghouleh
- Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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19
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Di Benedetto P, Ruscitti P, Berardicurti O, Vomero M, Navarini L, Dolo V, Cipriani P, Giacomelli R. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in systemic sclerosis. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 205:12-27. [PMID: 33772754 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by significant vascular alterations and multi-organ fibrosis. Microvascular alterations are the first event of SSc and injured endothelial cells (ECs) may transdifferentiate towards myofibroblasts, the cells responsible for fibrosis and collagen deposition. This process is identified as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and understanding of its development is pivotal to identify early pathogenetic events and new therapeutic targets for SSc. In this review, we have highlighted the molecular mechanisms of EndMT and summarize the evidence of the role played by EndMT during the development of progressive fibrosis in SSc, also exploring the possible therapeutic role of its inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Di Benedetto
- Clinical Pathology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - P Ruscitti
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - O Berardicurti
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - M Vomero
- Unit of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Rome 'Campus Biomedico', Rome, Italy
| | - L Navarini
- Unit of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Rome 'Campus Biomedico', Rome, Italy
| | - V Dolo
- Clinical Pathology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - P Cipriani
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - R Giacomelli
- Unit of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Rome 'Campus Biomedico', Rome, Italy
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20
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Liu R, Xu J, Jiang Y, Hong W, Li S, Fu Z, Cao W, Li B, Ran P, Peng G. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB induces pulmonary venous smooth muscle cells proliferation by upregulating calcium sensing receptor under hypoxic conditions. Cytotechnology 2021; 73:189-201. [PMID: 33927476 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-021-00456-5] [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: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, which exists in both pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins. Pulmonary vascular remodeling stems from excessive proliferation of pulmonary vascular myocytes. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) is a vital vascular regulator whose level increases in PH human lungs. Although the mechanisms by which pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells respond to PDGF-BB have been studied extensively, the effects of PDGF-BB on pulmonary venous smooth muscle cells (PVSMCs) remain unknown. We herein examined the involvement of calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) in PDGF-BB-induced PVSMCs proliferation under hypoxic conditions. In PVSMCs isolated from rat intrapulmonary veins, PDGF-BB increased the cell number and DNA synthesis under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, which was accompanied by upregulated CaSR expression. The influences of PDGF-BB on proliferation and CaSR expression in hypoxic PVSMCs were greater than that in normoxic PVSMCs. In hypoxic PVSMCs superfused with Ca2+-free solution, restoration of extracellular Ca2+ induced an increase of [Ca2+]i, which was significantly smaller than that in PDGF-BB-treated hypoxic PVSMCs. The positive CaSR modulator spermine enhanced, whereas the negative CaSR modulator NPS2143 attenuated, the extracellular Ca2+-induced [Ca2+]i increase in PDGF-BB-treated hypoxic PVSMCs. Furthermore, the spermine enhanced, whereas the NPS2143 inhibited, PDGF-BB-induced proliferation in hypoxic PVSMCs. Silencing CaSR with siRNA attenuated the extracellular Ca2+-induced [Ca2+]i increase in PDGF-BB-treated hypoxic PVSMCs and inhibited PDGF-BB-induced proliferation in hypoxic PVSMCs. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that CaSR mediating PDGF-BB-induced excessive PVSMCs proliferation is an important mechanism involved in the initiation and progression of PVSMCs proliferation under hypoxic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongmin Liu
- Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120 China
| | - Juan Xu
- Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120 China
| | - Yongliang Jiang
- Respiratory Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Hong
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoxing Li
- Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120 China
| | - Zhenli Fu
- Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120 China
| | - Weitao Cao
- Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120 China
| | - Bing Li
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pixin Ran
- Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120 China
| | - Gongyong Peng
- Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120 China
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21
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mTOR Signaling in Pulmonary Vascular Disease: Pathogenic Role and Therapeutic Target. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042144. [PMID: 33670032 PMCID: PMC7926633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and fatal disease without a cure. The exact pathogenic mechanisms of PAH are complex and poorly understood, yet a number of abnormally expressed genes and regulatory pathways contribute to sustained vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling of the distal pulmonary arteries. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is one of the major signaling pathways implicated in regulating cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and protein synthesis. Here we will describe the canonical mTOR pathway, structural and functional differences between mTOR complexes 1 and 2, as well as the crosstalk with other important signaling cascades in the development of PAH. The pathogenic role of mTOR in pulmonary vascular remodeling and sustained vasoconstriction due to its contribution to proliferation, migration, phenotypic transition, and gene regulation in pulmonary artery smooth muscle and endothelial cells will be discussed. Despite the progress in our elucidation of the etiology and pathogenesis of PAH over the two last decades, there is a lack of effective therapeutic agents to treat PAH patients representing a significant unmet clinical need. In this review, we will explore the possibility and therapeutic potential to use inhibitors of mTOR signaling cascade to treat PAH.
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22
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Cheng W, Li X, Liu D, Cui C, Wang X. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Cardiac Fibrosis. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2020; 26:3-11. [PMID: 32851865 DOI: 10.1177/1074248420952233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a complex biological process by which endothelial cells lose their endothelial cell characteristics and acquire mesenchymal cell properties under certain physiological or pathological conditions. Recently, it has been found that EndMT plays an important role in the occurrence and development of fibrotic cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we first summarize the main induction pathways involved in EndMT process. In addition, we discuss the role of EndMT in fibrotic cardiovascular diseases and its potential implication in new therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijia Cheng
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, 91593Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, 91593Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Dongling Liu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, 91593Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Chaochu Cui
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, 91593Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Xianwei Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, 91593Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
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Gaikwad AV, Eapen MS, McAlinden KD, Chia C, Larby J, Myers S, Dey S, Haug G, Markos J, Glanville AR, Sohal SS. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Expert Rev Respir Med 2020; 14:1027-1043. [PMID: 32659128 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2020.1795832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible fibrotic disease associated with respiratory failure. The disease remains idiopathic, but repeated alveolar epithelium injury, disruption of alveolar-capillary integrity, abnormal vascular repair, and pulmonary vascular remodeling are considered possible pathogenic mechanisms. Also, the development of comorbidities such as pulmonary hypertension (PH) could further impact disease outcome, quality of life and survival rates in IPF. AREAS COVERED The current review provides a comprehensive literature survey of the mechanisms involved in the development and manifestations of IPF and their links to PH pathology. This review also provides the current understanding of molecular mechanisms that link the two pathologies and will specifically decipher the role of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) along with the possible triggers of EndMT. The possibility of targeting EndMT as a therapeutic option in IPF is discussed. EXPERT OPINION With a steady increase in prevalence and mortality, IPF is no longer considered a rare disease. Thus, it is of utmost importance and urgency that the underlying profibrotic pathways and mechanisms are fully understood, to enable the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Vijay Gaikwad
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Mathew Suji Eapen
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Kielan D McAlinden
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Collin Chia
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - Josie Larby
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - Stephen Myers
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Surajit Dey
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Greg Haug
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - James Markos
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - Allan R Glanville
- Lung Transplant Unit, Department of Thoracic Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital , Sydney, Australia
| | - Sukhwinder Singh Sohal
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
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Sun X, Lu Q, Yegambaram M, Kumar S, Qu N, Srivastava A, Wang T, Fineman JR, Black SM. TGF-β1 attenuates mitochondrial bioenergetics in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells via the disruption of carnitine homeostasis. Redox Biol 2020; 36:101593. [PMID: 32554303 PMCID: PMC7303661 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) signaling is increased and mitochondrial function is decreased in multiple models of pulmonary hypertension (PH) including lambs with increased pulmonary blood flow (PBF) and pressure (Shunt). However, the potential link between TGF-β1 and the loss of mitochondrial function has not been investigated and was the focus of our investigations. Our data indicate that exposure of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAEC) to TGF-β1 disrupted mitochondrial function as determined by enhanced mitochondrial ROS generation, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and disrupted mitochondrial bioenergetics. These events resulted in a decrease in cellular ATP levels, decreased hsp90/eNOS interactions and attenuated shear-mediated NO release. TGF-β1 induced mitochondrial dysfunction was linked to a nitration-mediated activation of Akt1 and the subsequent mitochondrial translocation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) resulting in the nitration of carnitine acetyl transferase (CrAT) and the disruption of carnitine homeostasis. The increase in Akt1 nitration correlated with increased NADPH oxidase activity associated with increased levels of p47phox, p67phox, and Rac1. The increase in NADPH oxidase was associated with a decrease in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor type gamma (PPARγ) and the PPARγ antagonist, GW9662, was able to mimic the disruptive effect of TGF-β1 on mitochondrial bioenergetics. Together, our studies reveal for the first time, that TGF-β1 can disrupt mitochondrial function through the disruption of cellular carnitine homeostasis and suggest that stimulating carinitine homeostasis may be an avenue to treat pulmonary vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xutong Sun
- Department of Medicine, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Qing Lu
- Department of Medicine, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Manivannan Yegambaram
- Department of Medicine, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Sanjiv Kumar
- Center for Blood Disorders, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Ning Qu
- Department of Medicine, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Anup Srivastava
- Department of Medicine, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, The Department of Pediatrics and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Fineman
- Department of Internal Medicine University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, The Department of Pediatrics and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Stephen M Black
- Department of Medicine, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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25
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Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in anticancer therapy and normal tissue damage. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:781-792. [PMID: 32467609 PMCID: PMC7272420 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0439-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) involves the phenotypic conversion of endothelial-to-mesenchymal cells, and was first discovered in association with embryonic heart development. EndMT can regulate various processes, such as tissue fibrosis and cancer. Recent findings have shown that EndMT is related to resistance to cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy, antiangiogenic therapy, and radiation therapy. Based on the known effects of EndMT on the cardiac toxicity of anticancer therapy and tissue damage of radiation therapy, we propose that EndMT can be targeted as a strategy for overcoming tumor resistance while reducing complications, such as tissue damage. In this review, we discuss EndMT and its roles in damaging cardiac and lung tissues, as well as EndMT-related effects on tumor vasculature and resistance in anticancer therapy. Modulating EndMT in radioresistant tumors and radiation-induced tissue fibrosis can especially increase the efficacy of radiation therapy. In addition, we review the role of hypoxia and reactive oxygen species as the main stimulating factors of tissue damage due to vascular damage and EndMT. We consider drugs that may be clinically useful for regulating EndMT in various diseases. Finally, we argue the importance of EndMT as a therapeutic target in anticancer therapy for reducing tissue damage. A process of cellular conversion known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) may offer a valuable target for treating cancer and other diseases. In EndMT, the cells lining blood vessels undergo a striking change in shape and physiology, acquiring features of cells called fibroblasts. Fibroblasts form the body’s connective tissue, but also produce scar tissue that impairs organ function. Researchers led by Yoon-Jin Lee of the Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences in Seoul, South Korea, have reviewed the impact of this transformation on human disease. EndMT is seen as a prelude to heart failure, in lung tissue affected by pulmonary fibrosis, and within tumors, where the process recruits cells that further stimulate cancer progression. The authors highlight the potential of using drugs that target EndMT to bolster the efficacy and safety of tumor therapy.
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26
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Yan D, Liu X, Xu H, Guo SW. Platelets induce endothelial-mesenchymal transition and subsequent fibrogenesis in endometriosis. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 41:500-517. [PMID: 32709523 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Do endometriotic lesions undergo endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT)? DESIGN Lesion samples from 30 patients with ovarian endometriomas and deep endometriosis, and control endometrial tissue samples from 30 women without endometriosis, were analysed. In-vitro experimentation using the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) line were conducted. Immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry analysis using antibodies against endothelial cell and mesenchymal cell markers were conducted. The HUVEC cells were co-cultured with activated platelets or control medium with and without neutralization of TGF-β1 PDGFR, or both. Their morphology, proliferation and expression levels of genes and proteins known to be involved in EndoMT were evaluated, along with their migratory and invasive propensity, contractility and collagen production capability. RESULTS The proportion of CD31 and FSP-1 dual-positive cells in FSP-1+ fibroblasts was 74.7% (±5.4%) in ovarian endometrioma lesions, significantly higher than that in deep endometriosis lesions (26.8% ± 26.0%; P = 5.7 × 10-5), and was zero in normal endometrium. The extent of lesional fibrosis correlated positively with staining levels of the lesional mesenchymal markers FSP-1 and α-SMA (r = 0.91; P < 2.2 × 10-16, r = 0.81; P = 5.8 × 10-15, respectively). Human endothelial cells co-cultured with activated platelets acquire a morphology suggestive of EndoMT, concomitant with increased proliferation, loss of CD31 but marked increase in expression of mesenchymal markers. Morphological and gene and protein expression changes are accompanied by functional differentiation reflected by increased migratory and invasive capacity, contractility and collagen production. Neutralization of TGF-β1 and PDGFR signalling abolished platelet-induced EndoMT in human endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Multiple sources of myofibroblasts exist in endometriotic lesions, and implicates platelets, EndoMT, or both, as potential therapeutic targets for treating endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingmin Yan
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xishi Liu
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 100045, China
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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27
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Zhang Y, Zhang M, Xie W, Wan J, Tao X, Liu M, Zhen Y, Lin F, Wu B, Zhai Z, Wang C. Gremlin-1 is a key regulator of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Exp Cell Res 2020; 390:111941. [PMID: 32145252 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been implicated in initiation and progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Gremlin-1 promotes vascular remodeling of PAH and mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which is similar to EndMT. In the present study we investigated the potential role of gremlin-1 plays in EndMT of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). METHODS Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and von Willebrand factor (VWF). Migration and angiogenic responses of PAECs were determined by transwell assay and tube formation assay, respectively. Protein expression levels were determined by western blotting. RESULTS Gremlin-1 induced EndMT of PAECs in a phospho-smad2/3-dependent manner. This was characterized by the loss of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 and an increase in protein levels of a-SMA, nerve-cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinase 2. It was also determined that gremlin-1 facilitated the migration and angiogenic responses of PAECs in a dose-dependent manner. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) was found to attenuate gremlin-1-mediated EndMT, migration and angiogenesis of PAECs by inducing phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 and suppressing phosphorylation of Smad2/3. CONCLUSION Gremlin-1 mediates EndMT in PAECs, and BMP-7 reverses gremlin-1-induced EndMT by an induction of p-Smad1/5/8 and suppression of p-Smad2/3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxia Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, NO 2, Anzhen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Wanmu Xie
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xincao Tao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yanan Zhen
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Fan Lin
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of Lung Transplantation, the People's Hospital of Wuxi, 299 Qingyang Rd, Wuxi, 214023, China
| | - Zhenguo Zhai
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
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28
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Correale M, Mallardi A, Mazzeo P, Tricarico L, Diella C, Romano V, Ferraretti A, Leopizzi A, Merolla G, Di Biase M, Brunetti ND. Sacubitril/valsartan improves right ventricular function in a real-life population of patients with chronic heart failure: The Daunia Heart Failure Registry. IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2020; 27:100486. [PMID: 32140553 PMCID: PMC7044512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2020.100486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Previous studies and case-series showed improvement in left ventricular (LV) function and reverse remodeling after sacubitril/valsartan therapy in real-world studies. We therefore aimed to evaluate whether also right ventricular (RV) function may improve after sacubitril/valsartan therapy. Methods Sixty consecutive patients with chronic heart failure and NYHA class II-III were followed up for 12 months after therapy with sacubitril/valsartan. Left and (RV) function was assessed at baseline and after 12 months of therapy. Results At 12-month control, therapy with sacubitril/valsartan was associated with a significant improvement in a series of echo parameters: LVEF (p < 0.05), LV end-systolic volume (p < 0.01), left atrium area (p < 0.05).Right ventricular echo parameters were also improved after sacubitril/valsartan therapy: PAsP (31.0 ± 12.8 vs 34.7 ± 12.5 mmHg, p < 0.05), TAPSE (17.8 ± 3.9 vs 16.5 ± 4.0 mm, p < 0.001); mean PAsP reduction was 3.7 ± 11.4 mmHg (-6.3 ± 37.7%), mean TAPSE increase 1.3 ± 2.5 mm (+9.5 ± 15.7%).Indexed (%) improvement in PAsP (r 0.33, p < 0.01) and TAPSE (r -0.42, p < 0.01) values were proportional to baseline levels. Improvement in PAsP and TAPSE were independent of left ventricular improvements except for PAsP and end-systolic volumes (r 0.44, p < 0.01). Conclusions In a real world scenario, sacubitril/valsartan was associated with an improved RV function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriana Mallardi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Pietro Mazzeo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Lucia Tricarico
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Claudia Diella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Valentina Romano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Leopizzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Di Biase
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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Yu B, Wu Y, Li Z. KLF4/Ch25h axis activated by metformin suppresses EndoMT in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 522:838-844. [PMID: 31801667 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.11.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Metformin, an anti-hyperglycemia drug, protected endothelial cells (ECs) from dysfunction while high glucose (HG) caused endothelial dysfunction. Previously, we found that metformin suppressed endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a cellular process that promoted endothelial dysfunction. However, the involved mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we found that metformin increased the expression of krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and cholesterol-25-hydroxylase (Ch25h) while HG decreased the expression of KLF4 and Ch25h. In addition, HG promoted EndoMT indicting by the decrease of endothelial maker genes and increase of mesenchymal maker genes. Furthermore, RNA sequence (RNA-seq) data showed that KLF4 suppressed EndoMT. Moreover, we proved that metformin increased Ch25h expression through not only KLF4 but also epigenetic modification including DNA methylation and active histone modification. Lastly, we proved that Ch25h/25 hydroxycholesterol (25 HC)/Liver X receptor α (LXRα) suppressed EndoMT. Altogether, our study demonstrated that KLF4/Ch25h/axis activated by metformin suppressed EndoMT. Therefore, KLF4/Ch25h/axis may be a new potential therapeutic target for endothelial dysfunction diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beixin Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingying Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhao Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Mao A, Zhang M, Liu J, Cao Y, Wang Q. PDGF signaling from pharyngeal pouches promotes arch artery morphogenesis. J Genet Genomics 2019; 46:551-559. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Platel V, Faure S, Corre I, Clere N. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndoMT): Roles in Tumorigenesis, Metastatic Extravasation and Therapy Resistance. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:8361945. [PMID: 31467544 PMCID: PMC6701373 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8361945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells evolve in a very complex tumor microenvironment, composed of several cell types, among which the endothelial cells are the major actors of the tumor angiogenesis. Today, these cells are also characterized for their plasticity, as endothelial cells have demonstrated their potential to modify their phenotype to differentiate into mesenchymal cells through the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). This cellular plasticity is mediated by various stimuli including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and is modulated dependently of experimental conditions. Recently, emerging evidences have shown that EndoMT is involved in the development and dissemination of cancer and also in cancer cell to escape from therapeutic treatment. In this review, we summarize current updates on EndoMT and its main induction pathways. In addition, we discuss the role of EndoMT in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and its potential implication in cancer therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Platel
- Micro & Nanomédecines Translationnelles-MINT, Univ Angers, INSERM U1066, CNRS UMR 6021, Angers, France
| | - Sébastien Faure
- Micro & Nanomédecines Translationnelles-MINT, Univ Angers, INSERM U1066, CNRS UMR 6021, Angers, France
| | - Isabelle Corre
- Sarcomes Osseux et Remodelage des Tissus Calcifiés Phy-OS, Université de Nantes INSERM UMR U1238, Faculté de Médecine, F-44035 Nantes, France
| | - Nicolas Clere
- Micro & Nanomédecines Translationnelles-MINT, Univ Angers, INSERM U1066, CNRS UMR 6021, Angers, France
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Tsutsumi T, Nagaoka T, Yoshida T, Wang L, Kuriyama S, Suzuki Y, Nagata Y, Harada N, Kodama Y, Takahashi F, Morio Y, Takahashi K. Nintedanib ameliorates experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension via inhibition of endothelial mesenchymal transition and smooth muscle cell proliferation. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214697. [PMID: 31339889 PMCID: PMC6656344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neointimal lesion and medial wall thickness of pulmonary arteries (PAs) are common pathological findings in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling contribute to intimal and medial vascular remodeling in PAH. Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor whose targets include PDGF and FGF receptors. Although the beneficial effects of nintedanib were demonstrated for human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, its efficacy for PAH is still unclear. Thus, we hypothesized that nintedanib is a novel treatment for PAH to inhibit the progression of vascular remodeling in PAs. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of nintedanib both in endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndMT)-induced human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMVECs) and human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) stimulated by growth factors. We also tested the effect of chronic nintedanib administration on a PAH rat model induced by Sugen5416 (a VEGF receptor inhibitor) combined with chronic hypoxia. Nintedanib was administered from weeks 3 to 5 after Sugen5416 injection, and we evaluated pulmonary hemodynamics and PAs pathology. Nintedanib attenuated the expression of mesenchymal markers in EndMT-induced HPMVECs and HPASMCs proliferation. Phosphorylation of PDGF and FGF receptors was augmented in both intimal and medial lesions of PAs. Nintedanib blocked these phosphorylation, improved hemodynamics and reduced vascular remodeling involving neointimal lesions and medial wall thickening in PAs. Additionally, expressions Twist1, transcription factors associated with EndMT, in lung tissue was significantly reduced by nintedanib. These results suggest that nintedanib may be a novel treatment for PAH with anti-vascular remodeling effects.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endothelial Cells/metabolism
- Endothelial Cells/pathology
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/drug therapy
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/pathology
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/physiopathology
- Indoles/pharmacology
- Muscle, Smooth/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth/physiopathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Rats
- Vascular Remodeling/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Tsutsumi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsutaro Nagaoka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Takashi Yoshida
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Kuriyama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Suzuki
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Nagata
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihiro Harada
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuzo Kodama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Takahashi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiteru Morio
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Takahashi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Ge Z, Yang Y, Zhou X, Zhang J, Li B, Wang X, Luo X. Overexpression of the hyperplasia suppressor gene inactivates airway fibroblasts obtained from a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:2754-2762. [PMID: 31322244 PMCID: PMC6691245 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of hyperplasia suppressor gene (HSG) overexpression on the activation of airway fibroblasts in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and assess the underlying molecular mechanisms. The rat model of COPD was established by injection of papain and confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Airway fibroblasts were identified using immunofluorescence, and HSG expression was facilitated by an HSG vector. Cell viability, apoptosis and the levels of matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured via Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry and ELISA analyses, respectively, and potential mechanisms were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Airway fibroblasts from COPD rats were isolated and identified based on vimentin expression. Compared with the control group, HSG overexpression reduced cell viability, promoted apoptosis, and reduced the protein levels of TGF-β1, MMP-9 and PDGF. Additionally, HSG overexpression reduced β-catenin and Ras homology family member A (RhoA) expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Conversely, Wnt signaling pathway agonists lithium chloride (LiCl) and 4-ethyl-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl- (1,3)dioxolo(4,5-j)phenanthridine (HLY78), significantly reduced the effects of HSG overexpression (P<0.05 vs. HSG). Cell viability in the HSG + LiCl and HSG + HLY78 groups was increased, whereas apoptosis was reduced compared with HSG treatment alone. The protein levels of TGF-β1, MMP-9 and PDGF were also decreased in the HSG + LiCl and HSG + HLY78 groups compared with the HSG group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression of β-catenin and RhoA was higher in the HSG + LiCl and HSG + HLY78 groups compared with the HSG group (P<0.05). Collectively, the results indicated that HSG overexpression inactivated airway fibroblasts from COPD by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghang Ge
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Xun Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Xinxing Wang
- Department of Research and Teaching, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Xian Luo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
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Suh JS, Kim S, Boström KI, Wang CY, Kim RH, Park NH. Periodontitis-induced systemic inflammation exacerbates atherosclerosis partly via endothelial-mesenchymal transition in mice. Int J Oral Sci 2019; 11:21. [PMID: 31257363 PMCID: PMC6802639 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-019-0054-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests close associations between periodontitis and atherosclerosis. To further understand the pathological relationships of these associations, we developed periodontitis with ligature placement around maxillary molars or ligature placement in conjunction with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide injection at the ligature sites (ligature/P.g. LPS) in Apolipoprotein E knock out mice and studied the atherogenesis process in these animals. The mice were fed with high fat diet for 11 weeks and sacrificed for analyzing periodontitis, systemic inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Controls did not develop periodontitis or systemic inflammation and had minimal lipid deposition in the aortas, but mice receiving ligature or ligature/P.g. LPS showed severe periodontitis, systemic inflammation, and aortic plaque formation. The aortic plaque contained abundant macrophages and cells expressing both endothelial and mesenchymal cell markers. The severity of periodontitis was slightly higher in mice receiving ligature/P.g. LPS than ligature alone, and the magnitude of systemic inflammation and aortic plaque formation were also notably greater in the mice with ligature/P.g. LPS. These observations indicate that the development of atherosclerosis is due to systemic inflammation caused by severe periodontitis. In vitro, P.g. LPS enhanced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from macrophages and increased the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells by upregulating the expression of adhesion molecules from endothelial cells. Moreover, secretory proteins, such as TNF-α, from macrophages induced endothelial–mesenchymal transitions of the endothelial cells. Taken together, systemic inflammation induced by severe periodontitis might exacerbate atherosclerosis via, in part, causing aberrant functions of vascular endothelial cells and the activation of macrophages in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Sook Suh
- The Shapiro Family Laboratory of Viral Oncology and Aging Research, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sol Kim
- The Shapiro Family Laboratory of Viral Oncology and Aging Research, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kristina I Boström
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cun-Yu Wang
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Reuben H Kim
- The Shapiro Family Laboratory of Viral Oncology and Aging Research, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - No-Hee Park
- The Shapiro Family Laboratory of Viral Oncology and Aging Research, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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35
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Lu X, Gong J, Dennery PA, Yao H. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition: Pathogenesis and therapeutic targets for chronic pulmonary and vascular diseases. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 168:100-107. [PMID: 31251941 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is a process of transdifferentiation where endothelial cells gradually adopt the phenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal cells. This phenomenon was first discovered in embryonic heart development. The mechanisms underlying EndoMT are due to the activation of transforming growth factor-β, bone morphogenetic protein, Wingless/Integrated, or Notch signaling pathways. The EndoMT can be modulated by pathological processes, including inflammation, disturbed shear stress, vascular stiffness, and metabolic dysregulation. Recent studies have shown that EndoMT is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases, including pulmonary hypertension and lung fibrosis. Lung pathology of bronchopulmonary dysplasia can be mimicked in rodents exposed to hyperoxia as neonates. Although hyperoxic exposure reduces an endothelial cell marker platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule but increases a mesenchymal cell biomarker α-smooth muscle actin in vitro in human pulmonary endothelial cells, there is no direct evidence showing EndoMT in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Both pulmonary hypertension and lung fibrosis occur in long-term survivors with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In this review, we discuss the EndoMT and its modulation by pathological processes. We then focus on the role of EndoMT in the pathogenesis of these chronic lung diseases, and discuss therapeutic approaches targeting the EndoMT using its negative regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexin Lu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Jiannan Gong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Phyllis A Dennery
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Hongwei Yao
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.
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36
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Sabbineni H, Verma A, Artham S, Anderson D, Amaka O, Liu F, Narayanan SP, Somanath PR. Pharmacological inhibition of β-catenin prevents EndMT in vitro and vascular remodeling in vivo resulting from endothelial Akt1 suppression. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 164:205-215. [PMID: 30991049 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), where endothelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics has been implicated in several cardiopulmonary, vascular and fibrotic diseases. The most commonly studied molecular mechanisms involved in EndMT include TGFβ, Notch, interleukin, and interferon-γ signaling. As of today, the contributions of Akt1, an important mediator of TGFβ signaling and a key regulator of endothelial barrier function to EndMT remains unclear. By using the ShRNA based gene silencing approach and endothelial-specific inducible Akt1 knockdown (ECKOAkt1) mice, we studied the role of Akt1 in EndMT in vitro and pathological vascular remodeling in vivo. Stable, Akt1 silenced (ShAkt1) human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) indicated increased expression of mesenchymal markers such as N-cadherin and α-SMA, phosphorylation of Smad2/3, cellular stress via activation of p38 MAP Kinase and the loss of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) accompanied by a change in the morphology of HMECs in vitro and co-localization of endothelial and mesenchymal markers promoting EndMT in vivo. EndMT as a result of Akt1 loss was associated with increased expression of TGFβ2, a potent inducer of EndMT and mesenchymal transcription factors Snail1, and FoxC2. We observed that hypoxia-induced lung vascular remodeling is exacerbated in ECKOAkt1 mice, which was reversed by pharmacological inhibition of β-catenin. Thus, we provide novel insights into the role of Akt1-mediated β-catenin signaling in EndMT and pathological vascular remodeling, and present β-catenin as a potential target for therapy for various cardiopulmonary diseases involving vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harika Sabbineni
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Arti Verma
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Sandeep Artham
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Daniel Anderson
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Oge Amaka
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Fang Liu
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Subhadra P Narayanan
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Payaningal R Somanath
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States; Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center and Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States.
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37
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Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Physiology and in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1281-1324. [PMID: 30864875 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 334] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable of undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype displaying typical mesenchymal cell morphology and functions, including the acquisition of cellular motility and contractile properties. Endothelial cells undergoing EndMT lose the expression of endothelial cell-specific proteins such as CD31/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, von Willebrand factor, and vascular-endothelial cadherin and initiate the expression of mesenchymal cell-specific genes and the production of their encoded proteins including α-smooth muscle actin, extra domain A fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibroblast specific protein-1, also known as S100A4 protein, and fibrillar type I and type III collagens. Transforming growth factor-β1 is considered the main EndMT inducer. However, EndMT involves numerous molecular and signaling pathways that are triggered and modulated by multiple and often redundant mechanisms depending on the specific cellular context and on the physiological or pathological status of the cells. EndMT participates in highly important embryonic development processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of numerous genetically determined and acquired human diseases including malignant, vascular, inflammatory, and fibrotic disorders. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of EndMT remain to be elucidated. The identification of molecules and regulatory pathways involved in EndMT and the discovery of specific EndMT inhibitors should provide novel therapeutic approaches for various human disorders mediated by EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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38
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Zhang X, Kim SR, Ferguson CM, Ebrahimi B, Hedayat AF, Lerman A, Lerman LO. The Metabolic Syndrome Does Not Affect Development of Collateral Circulation in the Poststenotic Swine Kidney. Am J Hypertens 2018; 31:1307-1316. [PMID: 30107490 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpy127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The collateral circulation is important in maintenance of blood supply to the ischemic kidney distal to renal artery stenosis (RAS). Obesity metabolic syndrome (MetS) preserves renal blood flow (RBF) in the stenotic kidney, but whether this is related to an increase of collateral vessel growth is unknown. We hypothesized that MetS increased collateral circulation around the renal artery. METHODS Twenty-one domestic pigs were randomly divided into unilateral RAS fed an atherogenic (high-fat/high-fructose, MetS-RAS) or standard diet, or controls (n = 7 each). RBF, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and the peristenotic collateral circulation were assessed after 10 weeks using multidetector computed tomography (CT) and the intrarenal microcirculation by micro-CT. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was studied in the renal artery wall, kidney, and perirenal fat. Renal fibrosis and stiffness were examined by trichrome and magnetic resonance elastography. RESULTS Compared with controls, RBF and GFR were decreased in RAS, but not in MetS-RAS. MetS-RAS formed peristenotic collaterals to the same extent as RAS pigs but induced greater intrarenal microvascular loss, fibrosis, stiffness, and inflammation. MetS-RAS also attenuated VEGF expression in the renal tissue compared with RAS, despite increased expression in the perirenal fat. CONCLUSIONS MetS does not interfere with collateral vessel formation in the stenotic kidney, possibly because decreased renal arterial VEGF expression offsets its upregulation in perirenal fat, arguing against a major contribution of the collateral circulation to preserve renal function in MetS-RAS. Furthermore, preserved renal function does not protect the poststenotic kidney from parenchymal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Seo Rin Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christopher M Ferguson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Behzad Ebrahimi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ahmad F Hedayat
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Amir Lerman
- Department of Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lilach O Lerman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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39
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Exosomal 15-LO2 mediates hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery hypertension in vivo and in vitro. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:1022. [PMID: 30282973 PMCID: PMC6170379 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1073-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Our previous studies have shown that 15-LO2/15-HETE induced by hypoxia played an important role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH). However, the transportations of 15-LO2/15-HETE among the cells remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the specific involvement of 15-LO2-containing exosomes in the overproliferation of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) induced by hypoxia and the underlying mechanism. In vitro, 15-LO2 was abundantly expressed and enriched in exosomes secreted from hypoxic PAECs, which subsequently activated the STAT3 signaling pathway, resulting in a robust increase in PAECs proliferation. In vivo treatment with the exosomes inhibitor GW4869 protected the pulmonary vascular homeostasis from dysfunctional and abnormal remodeling. Moreover, 15-LO2 was ubiquitinated under hypoxia, and further inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system significantly suppressed PAECs proliferation, suggesting that ubiquitination of 15-LO2 may contribute to its sorting into exosomes. Overall, these findings indicate a previously unrecognized effect of exosomes and the cargo 15-LO2 in pulmonary vascular homeostasis on the pathogenesis of PH.
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40
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Man S, Sanchez Duffhues G, Ten Dijke P, Baker D. The therapeutic potential of targeting the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Angiogenesis 2018; 22:3-13. [PMID: 30076548 PMCID: PMC6510911 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-018-9639-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) have been found to be capable of acquiring a mesenchymal phenotype through a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). First seen in the developing embryo, EndMT can be triggered postnatally under certain pathological conditions. During this process, ECs dedifferentiate into mesenchymal stem-like cells (MSCs) and subsequently give rise to cell types belonging to the mesoderm lineage. As EndMT contributes to a multitude of diseases, pharmacological modulation of the signaling pathways underlying EndMT may prove to be effective as a therapeutic treatment. Additionally, EndMT in ECs could also be exploited to acquire multipotent MSCs, which can be readily re-differentiated into various distinct cell types. In this review, we will consider current models of EndMT, how manipulation of this process might improve treatment of clinically important pathologies and how it could be harnessed to advance regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Man
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gonzalo Sanchez Duffhues
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - David Baker
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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41
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Granzyme B deficiency promotes osteoblastic differentiation and calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:221. [PMID: 29445095 PMCID: PMC5833422 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0315-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Calcification is a major risk factor for vascular integrity. This pathological symptom and the underlying mechanisms in hypoxic pulmonary artery hypertension remain elusive. Here we report that pulmonary vascular medial calcification is elevated in pulmonary artery hypertension models as a result of an osteoblastic phenotype change of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells induced by hypoxia. Notably, inhibiting store-operated calcium channels significantly decreased osteoblastic differentiation and calcification of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells under hypoxia. We identified granzyme B, a major constituent of cytotoxic T lymphocytes/natural killer cell granules involved in apoptosis, as the main regulator of pulmonary arterial calcification. Overexpression of granzyme B blocked the mineralization through its effect on store-operated calcium channels in cultured pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells under hypoxic conditions. Mice with overexpression of granzyme B exposed to hypoxia for 3 weeks showed attenuated vascular calcification and pathological progression of hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Our findings emphasize the central function of granzyme B in coordinating vascular calcification in hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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42
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Zhang H, Liu Y, Yan L, Du W, Zhang X, Zhang M, Chen H, Zhang Y, Zhou J, Sun H, Zhu D. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 inhibits endothelial-mesenchymal transition in pulmonary artery endothelial cell under hypoxia. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:4077-4090. [PMID: 28926108 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is characterized by structural changes in pulmonary arteries. Increased numbers of cells expressing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is a nearly universal finding in the remodeled artery. It has been confirmed endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) may be a source of those α-SMA-expressing cells. In addition, the EndoMT is reversible. Here, we show that under hypoxia, the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) was decreased both in vivo and in vitro. We also found that under normoxia, BMP-7 deficiency induced spontaneous EndoMT and cell migration. The hypoxia-induced EndoMT and cell migration were markedly attenuated after pretreatment with rh-BMP-7. Moreover, m-TOR phosphorylation was involved in EndoMT and BMP-7 suppressed hypoxia-induced m-TORC1 phosphorylation in pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate that BMP-7 attenuates the hypoxia-induced EndoMT and cell migration by suppressing the m-TORC1 signaling pathway. Our study revealed a novel mechanism underlying the hypoxia-induced EndoMT in pulmonary artery endothelial cells and suggested a new therapeutic strategy targeting EndoMT for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyue Zhang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China.,Biopharmaceutical Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China.,Biopharmaceutical Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Lixin Yan
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China.,Biopharmaceutical Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Wei Du
- School of Pharmacy, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiaodan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China.,Biopharmaceutical Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - He Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and gynecology, The Second affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Yafeng Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Jianqiu Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Hanliang Sun
- Medical Laboratory Technology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Daling Zhu
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China.,Biopharmaceutical Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin Medical University, China
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43
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Chen Y, Yuan T, Zhang H, Yan Y, Wang D, Fang L, Lu Y, Du G. Activation of Nrf2 Attenuates Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling via Inhibiting Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: an Insight from a Plant Polyphenol. Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13:1067-1081. [PMID: 28924387 PMCID: PMC5599911 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.20316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been demonstrated to be involved in pulmonary vascular remodeling. It is partly attributed to oxidative and inflammatory stresses in endothelial cells. In current study, we conducted a series of experiments to clarify the effect of salvianolic acid A (SAA), a kind of polyphenol compound, in the process of EndMT in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and in vivo therapeutic efficacy on vascular remodeling in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced EndMT. EndMT was induced by TGFβ1 in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs). SAA significantly attenuated EndMT, simultaneously inhibited cell migration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. In MCT-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) model, SAA improved vascular function, decreased TGFβ1 level and inhibited inflammation. Mechanistically, SAA stimulated Nrf2 translocation and subsequent heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) up-regulation. The effect of SAA on EndMT in vitro was abolished by ZnPP, a HO-1 inhibitor. In conclusion, this study indicates a deleterious impact of oxidative stress on EndMT. Polyphenol antioxidant treatment may provide an adjunctive action to alleviate pulmonary vascular remodeling via inhibiting EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Tianyi Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening
| | - Huifang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Yu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Danshu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Lianhua Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Yang Lu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymorphic Drugs, Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guanhua Du
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening
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44
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Acetylated cyclophilin A is a major mediator in hypoxia-induced autophagy and pulmonary vascular angiogenesis. J Hypertens 2017; 35:798-809. [PMID: 28079595 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000001224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autophagy is a major intracellular degradation and recycling process that maintains cellular homeostasis, which is involved in structural and functional abnormalities of pulmonary vasculature in hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH). Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is a secreted, oxidative stress-induced factor. Its role in inducing autophagy and augmenting endothelial cell dysfunction has never been explored. METHODS Lungs from rats exposed to chronic hypoxia were examined for autophagy with electron microscopy, western blotting, and fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS Activated autophagy was seen in the endothelium of the pulmonary artery from experimental rat models of HPAH and cultured bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells under hypoxia. Inhibiting autophagy attenuated the pathological progression of HPAH and repressed endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. We also showed that CyPA was upregulated and acetylated under hypoxia and led to the abnormal occurrence of autophagy through its interaction with autophagy protein 5 and autophagy protein 7. Moreover, acetylated CyPA was essential for the excessive proliferation, migration, and tube formation networks of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. CONCLUSION Our results indicate the crucial role of acetylated CyPA in the abnormal occurrence of autophagy and subsequent pulmonary vascular angiogenesis.
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Feng J, Zhang J, Jackson AO, Zhu X, Chen H, Chen W, Gui Q, Yin K. Apolipoprotein A1 Inhibits the TGF-β1-Induced Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells. Cardiology 2017; 137:179-187. [PMID: 28434000 DOI: 10.1159/000464321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is the major cytokine for stimulating endothelial cells (ECs) to transdifferentiate to mesenchymal cells (MCs) in the process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Recently, TGF-β1-induced EndMT has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). It has been identified that apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA-I) obstructs TGF-β1-induced endothelial dysfunction, providing a protective effect for ECs and also anti-AS activity. However, the exact role of ApoA-I in TGF-β1-induced EndMT is not clear. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether ApoA-I can modulate TGF-β1-induced EndMT in human coronary artery ECs (HCAECs). METHODS AND RESULTS The HCAECs were treated with TGF-β1 with or without ApoA-I. Morphological changes in HCAECs and the expression of EndMT-related markers were evaluated. HCAECs treated with TGF-β1 were found to transform to MC morphology, with inconspicuous expression of EC markers such as vascular endothelial cadherin and CD31, and conspicuous expression of fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP-1) and α-smooth muscle actin. The treatment of HCAECs with ApoA-I inhibited the TGF-β1-induced EndMT, and elevated expression of EC markers was observed but reduced expression of MC markers. Moreover, ApoA-I impeded the expression level of Slug and Snail, crucial transcriptional factors of EndMT, and it inhibited the TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 which affected the EC morphology. In addition, the knockdown of ABCA1 by RNA interference eliminated the inhibition effect of ApoA-I on TGF-β1-induced EndMT. CONCLUSIONS Our findings revealed a novel mechanism for the ApoA-I protective effect on endothelium function via the inhibition of TGF-β1-induced EndMT. This might provide new insights for developing strategies for modulating AS and vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juling Feng
- Research Lab of Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition: A novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2017; 27:383-393. [PMID: 28438397 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells lose their specific markers and acquire a mesenchymal or myofibroblastic phenotype. Similar to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), EndMT can be induced by multiple stimulants such as cytokines and metabolic factors that play crucial roles in the development of the cardiovascular system. Recent studies have demonstrated that EndMT may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and may represent a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular remodeling and fibrotic disorders. The exact molecular mechanisms involved in cardiovascular pathogenesis that occur as a result of EndMT, however, are not fully explained. In this review, we reveal the multiple intercellular mechanisms of EndMT including stimulants, signaling pathways, and seek to explore the relationship between this biological process, cardiovascular system development, and CVDs that may lead to new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of CVDs.
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