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The Role of Connexin in Ophthalmic Neovascularization and the Interaction between Connexin and Proangiogenic Factors. J Ophthalmol 2022; 2022:8105229. [PMID: 35783340 PMCID: PMC9242797 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8105229] [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: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of new blood vessels is an important physiological process that occurs during development. When the body is injured, new blood vessel formation helps the body recuperate by supplying more oxygen and nutrients. However, this mechanism can have a negative effect. In ophthalmologic diseases, such as corneal new blood vessels, neonatal vascular glaucoma, and diabetes retinopathy, the formation of new blood vessels has become a critical component in patient survival. Connexin is a protein that regulates the cellular and molecular material carried by cells. It has been demonstrated that it is widely expressed in vascular endothelial cells, where it forms a slit connection between adjacent cells to promote cell-cell communication via hemichannels, as well as substance exchange into intracellular environments. Numerous studies have demonstrated that connexin in vascular endothelial cells plays an important role in angiogenesis and vascular leakage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect between the angiogenesis-associated factor and the connexin. It also reveals the effect of connexin on ophthalmic neovascularization.
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Vicente-Steijn R, Kelder TP, Tertoolen LG, Wisse LJ, Pijnappels DA, Poelmann RE, Schalij MJ, deRuiter MC, Gittenberger-de Groot AC, Jongbloed MRM. RHOA-ROCK signalling is necessary for lateralization and differentiation of the developing sinoatrial node. Cardiovasc Res 2018; 113:1186-1197. [PMID: 28899000 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvx104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims RHOA-ROCK signalling regulates cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and transcription. RHOA is expressed in the developing cardiac conduction system in chicken and mice. In early development, the entire sinus venosus myocardium, including both the transient left-sided and the definitive sinoatrial node (SAN), has pacemaker potential. Later, pacemaker potential is restricted to the right-sided SAN. Disruption of RHOA expression in adult mice causes arrhythmias including bradycardia and atrial fibrillation, the mechanism of which is unknown but presumed to affect the SAN. The aim of this study is to assess the role of RHOA-ROCK signalling in SAN development in the chicken heart. Methods and results ROCK signalling was inhibited chemically in embryonic chicken hearts using Y-27632. This prolonged the immature state of the sinus venosus myocardium, evidenced by up-regulation of the transcription factor ISL1, wide distribution of pacemaker potential, and significantly reduced heart rate. Furthermore ROCK inhibition caused aberrant expression of typical SAN genes: ROCK1, ROCK2, SHOX2, TBX3, TBX5, ISL1, HCN4, CX40, CAV3.1, and NKX2.5 and left-right asymmetry genes: PITX2C and NODAL. Anatomical abnormalities in pulmonary vein development were also observed. Patch clamp electrophysiology confirmed the immature phenotype of the SAN cells and a residual left-sided sinus venosus myocardium pacemaker-like potential. Conclusions RHOA-ROCK signalling is involved in establishing the right-sided SAN as the definitive pacemaker of the heart and restricts typical pacemaker gene expression to the right side of the sinus venosus myocardium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Vicente-Steijn
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,ICIN Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tim P Kelder
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leon G Tertoolen
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lambertus J Wisse
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniël A Pijnappels
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robert E Poelmann
- Sylvius Laboratory, Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martin J Schalij
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marco C deRuiter
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriana C Gittenberger-de Groot
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Monique R M Jongbloed
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Logue OC, Mahdi F, Chapman H, George EM, Bidwell GL. A Maternally Sequestered, Biopolymer-Stabilized Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Chimera for Treatment of Preeclampsia. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:e007216. [PMID: 29629873 PMCID: PMC5779036 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.007216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preeclampsia is a hypertensive syndrome that complicates 3% to 5% of pregnancies in the United States. Preeclampsia originates from an improperly vascularized and ischemic placenta that releases factors that drive systemic pathophysiology. One of these factors, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, is believed to sequester vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leading to systemic endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. With the goal of targeting soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 while simultaneously preventing fetal exposure to VEGF, we fused VEGF to elastin-like polypeptide, a biopolymer carrier that does not cross the placental barrier (ELP-VEGF). METHODS AND RESULTS ELP-VEGF restored in vitro endothelial cell tube formation in the presence of plasma from placental ischemic rats. Long-term administered ELP-VEGF in pregnant rats accumulated in maternal kidneys, aorta, liver, and placenta, but the protein was undetectable in the pups when administered at therapeutic doses in dams. Long-term administration of ELP-VEGF in a placental ischemia rat model achieved dose-dependent attenuation of hypertension, with blood pressure equal to sham controls at a dose of 5 mg/kg per day. ELP-VEGF infusion increased total plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 levels but dramatically reduced free plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and induced urinary excretion of nitrate/nitrite, indicating enhanced renal nitric oxide signaling. ELP-VEGF at up to 5 mg/kg per day had no deleterious effect on maternal or fetal body weight. However, dose-dependent adverse events were observed, including ascites production and neovascular tissue encapsulation around the minipump. CONCLUSIONS ELP-VEGF has the potential to treat the preeclampsia maternal syndrome, but careful dosing and optimization of the delivery route are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar C Logue
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - Fakhri Mahdi
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - Heather Chapman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - Eric M George
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - Gene L Bidwell
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
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Kelder TP, Vicente-Steijn R, Poelmann RE, Mummery CL, DeRuiter MC, Jongbloed MRM. The avian embryo to study development of the cardiac conduction system. Differentiation 2016; 91:90-103. [PMID: 26856662 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The avian embryo has long been a popular model system in developmental biology. The easy accessibility of the embryo makes it particularly suitable for in ovo microsurgery and manipulation. Re-incubation of the embryo allows long-term follow-up of these procedures. The current review focuses on the variety of techniques available to study development of the cardiac conduction system in avian embryos. Based on the large amount of relevant data arising from experiments in avian embryos, we conclude that the avian embryo has and will continue to be a powerful model system to study development in general and the developing cardiac conduction system in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim P Kelder
- Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Rebecca Vicente-Steijn
- Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; ICIN Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert E Poelmann
- Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; Integrative Zoology, Institute Biology, University Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marco C DeRuiter
- Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Monique R M Jongbloed
- Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
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