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D’Agostino A, Lanzafame LG, Buono L, Crisci G, D’Assante R, Leone I, De Vito L, Bossone E, Cittadini A, Marra AM. Modulating NO-GC Pathway in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:36. [PMID: 38203205 PMCID: PMC10779316 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010036] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of complex diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is entirely rooted in changes in the expression of some vasoactive factors. These play a significant role in the onset and progression of the disease. Indeed, PAH has been associated with pathophysiologic alterations in vascular function. These are often dictated by increased oxidative stress and impaired modulation of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway. NO reduces the uncontrolled proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells that leads to occlusion of vessels and an increase in pulmonary vascular resistances, which is the mainstay of PAH development. To date, two classes of NO-pathway modulating drugs are approved for the treatment of PAH: the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PD5i), sildenafil and tadalafil, and the soluble guanylate cyclase activator (sGC), riociguat. Both drugs provide considerable improvement in exercise capacity and pulmonary hemodynamics. PD5i are the recommended drugs for first-line PAH treatment, whereas sGCs are also the only drug approved for the treatment of resistant or inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. In this review, we will focus on the current information regarding the nitric oxide pathway and its modulation in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna D’Agostino
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (A.D.); (L.B.); (I.L.)
| | - Lorena Gioia Lanzafame
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi Hospital, University of Catania, Via Palermo 636, 95122 Catania, Italy;
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Lorena Buono
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (A.D.); (L.B.); (I.L.)
| | - Giulia Crisci
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Roberta D’Assante
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Ilaria Leone
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (A.D.); (L.B.); (I.L.)
| | - Luigi De Vito
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonio Cittadini
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
- Gender Interdipartimental Institute of Research (GENESIS), “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Maria Marra
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
- Gender Interdipartimental Institute of Research (GENESIS), “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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2
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Wang P, Luo N, Zhao L, Zhao Y. Vascular Distribution and Expression Patterns of Angiogenic Factors in Caruncle during the Early Stage of Pregnancy in Goats ( Capra hircus). Animals (Basel) 2022; 13:ani13010099. [PMID: 36611709 PMCID: PMC9818016 DOI: 10.3390/ani13010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a temporary maternal−fetal organ, and its maternal placenta (caruncle) is essential for fetal growth and development. The exchange function of the placenta requires vascular development (angiogenesis). However, the angiogenesis of the caruncle is poorly understood in goats during the early stage of pregnancy. Here, we investigated the vascular distribution, mRNA expression of major angiogenic factors, and the methylation levels of ANGPT2 in the goat caruncle. It showed that CAD (capillary area density), CSD (capillary surface density), and APC (area per capillary) increased gradually, while CND (capillary number density) showed an insignificant change, probably due to the variability between animals. The proportion of proliferating cells was observed to be very high (>26%) and increased (p < 0.002) approximately 2-fold from day 20 to 60 of pregnancy. Furthermore, the expression patterns of major angiogenic factors changed during the early stage of pregnancy. Interestingly, we discovered an absolute correlation between the mRNA for ANGPT2, TEK, FGF2, and vascular distribution. Subsequently, we evaluated the DNA methylation of ANGPT2, where we found that mean methylation was negatively correlated with CAD. The methylation at the CpG sites, such as CpG 4/18, CpG 9.10.11, and CpG 15, showed significant changes during the early stage of pregnancy. Thus, our findings suggest that the methylation of ANGPT2 may be involved in the regulation of caruncle angiogenesis during the early stage of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yongju Zhao
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-023-68-250-205; Fax: +86-023-68-251-196
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3
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Lázár Z, Mészáros M, Bikov A. The Nitric Oxide Pathway in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Pathomechanism, Biomarkers and Drug Targets. Curr Med Chem 2021; 27:7168-7188. [PMID: 32442078 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200522215047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The altered Nitric Oxide (NO) pathway in the pulmonary endothelium leads to increased vascular smooth muscle tone and vascular remodelling, and thus contributes to the development and progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The pulmonary NO signalling is abrogated by the decreased expression and dysfunction of the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and the accumulation of factors blocking eNOS functionality. The NO deficiency of the pulmonary vasculature can be assessed by detecting nitric oxide in the exhaled breath or measuring the degradation products of NO (nitrite, nitrate, S-nitrosothiol) in blood or urine. These non-invasive biomarkers might show the potential to correlate with changes in pulmonary haemodynamics and predict response to therapies. Current pharmacological therapies aim to stimulate pulmonary NO signalling by suppressing the degradation of NO (phosphodiesterase- 5 inhibitors) or increasing the formation of the endothelial cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which mediates the downstream effects of the pathway (soluble guanylate cyclase sensitizers). Recent data support that nitrite compounds and dietary supplements rich in nitrate might increase pulmonary NO availability and lessen vascular resistance. This review summarizes current knowledge on the involvement of the NO pathway in the pathomechanism of PAH, explores novel and easy-to-detect biomarkers of the pulmonary NO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsófia Lázár
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Martina Mészáros
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andras Bikov
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary,Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
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4
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Silva H. The Vascular Effects of Isolated Isoflavones-A Focus on the Determinants of Blood Pressure Regulation. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:49. [PMID: 33445531 PMCID: PMC7827317 DOI: 10.3390/biology10010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Isoflavones are phytoestrogen compounds with important biological activities, including improvement of cardiovascular health. This activity is most evident in populations with a high isoflavone dietary intake, essentially from soybean-based products. The major isoflavones known to display the most important cardiovascular effects are genistein, daidzein, glycitein, formononetin, and biochanin A, although the closely related metabolite equol is also relevant. Most clinical studies have been focused on the impact of dietary intake or supplementation with mixtures of compounds, with only a few addressing the effect of isolated compounds. This paper reviews the main actions of isolated isoflavones on the vasculature, with particular focus given to their effect on the determinants of blood pressure regulation. Isoflavones exert vasorelaxation due to a multitude of pathways in different vascular beds. They can act in the endothelium to potentiate the release of NO and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization factors. In the vascular smooth muscle, isoflavones modulate calcium and potassium channels, leading to hyperpolarization and relaxation. Some of these effects are influenced by the binding of isoflavones to estrogen receptors and to the inhibition of specific kinase enzymes. The vasorelaxation effects of isoflavones are mostly obtained with plasma concentrations in the micromolar range, which are only attained through supplementation. This paper highlights isolated isoflavones as potentially suitable alternatives to soy-based foodstuffs and supplements and which could enlarge the current therapeutic arsenal. Nonetheless, more studies are needed to better establish their safety profile and elect the most useful applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Silva
- Informetrics Research Group, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 758307, Vietnam;
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 758307, Vietnam
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5
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Steins A, Klaassen R, Jacobs I, Schabel MC, van Lier MGJTB, Ebbing EA, Hectors SJ, Tas SW, Maracle CX, Punt CJA, Siebes M, Bergman JJGHM, Medema JP, Wilmink JW, Mathot RAA, Strijkers GJ, Bijlsma MF, van Laarhoven HWM. Rapid stromal remodeling by short-term VEGFR2 inhibition increases chemotherapy delivery in esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:704-720. [PMID: 31733011 PMCID: PMC7138404 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-angiogenic agents combined with chemotherapy is an important strategy for the treatment of solid tumors. However, survival benefit is limited, urging the improvement of combination therapies. We aimed to clarify the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) targeting on hemodynamic function and penetration of drugs in esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EAC). Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of EAC were subjected to long-term and short-term treatment with anti-VEGFR2 therapy followed by chemotherapy injection or multi-agent dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-) MRI and vascular casting. Long-term anti-VEGFR2-treated tumors showed a relatively lower flow and vessel density resulting in reduced chemotherapy uptake. On the contrary, short-term VEGFR2 targeting resulted in relatively higher flow, rapid vasodilation, and improved chemotherapy delivery. Assessment of the extracellular matrix (ECM) revealed that short-term anti-angiogenic treatment drastically remodels the tumor stroma by inducing nitric oxide synthesis and hyaluronan degradation, thereby dilating the vasculature and improving intratumoral chemotherapy delivery. These previously unrecognized beneficial effects could not be maintained by long-term VEGFR2 inhibition. As the identified mechanisms are targetable, they offer direct options to enhance the treatment efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy combined with chemotherapy in EAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Steins
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Remy Klaassen
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Igor Jacobs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical NMR, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Oncology Solutions, Philips Research, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Matthias C Schabel
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Monique G J T B van Lier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eva A Ebbing
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stefanie J Hectors
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sander W Tas
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chrissta X Maracle
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J A Punt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Siebes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques J G H M Bergman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Paul Medema
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna W Wilmink
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ron A A Mathot
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gustav J Strijkers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten F Bijlsma
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Do HS, Park SW, Im I, Seo D, Yoo HW, Go H, Kim YH, Koh GY, Lee BH, Han YM. Enhanced thrombospondin-1 causes dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells derived from Fabry disease-induced pluripotent stem cells. EBioMedicine 2020; 52:102633. [PMID: 31981984 PMCID: PMC6992938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fabry disease (FD) is a recessive X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-galactosidase A (GLA) deficiency. Although the mechanism is unclear, GLA deficiency causes an accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), leading to vasculopathy. METHODS To explore the relationship between the accumulation of Gb3 and vasculopathy, induced pluripotent stem cells generated from four Fabry patients (FD-iPSCs) were differentiated into vascular endothelial cells (VECs). Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 system was carried out to correct the GLA mutation or to delete Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). Global transcriptomes were compared between wild-type (WT)- and FD-VECs by RNA-sequencing analysis. FINDINGS Here, we report that overexpression of TSP-1 contributes to the dysfunction of VECs in FD. VECs originating from FD-iPSCs (FD-VECs) showed aberrant angiogenic functionality even upon treatment with recombinant α-galactosidase. Intriguingly, FD-VECs produced more p-SMAD2 and TSP-1 than WT-VECs. We also found elevated TSP-1 in the peritubular capillaries of renal tissues biopsied from FD patients. Inhibition of SMAD2 signaling or knock out of TSP-1 (TSP-1-/-) rescues normal vascular functionality in FD-VECs, like in gene-corrected FD-VECs. In addition, the enhanced oxygen consumption rate is reduced in TSP-1-/- FD-VECs. INTERPRETATION The overexpression of TSP-1 secondary to Gb3 accumulation is primarily responsible for the observed FD-VEC dysfunction. Our findings implicate dysfunctional VEC angiogenesis in the peritubular capillaries in some of the complications of Fabry disease. FUNDING This study was supported by grant 2018M3A9H1078330 from the National Research Foundation of the Republic of Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo-Sang Do
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Wook Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilkyun Im
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyuk Seo
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Wook Yoo
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Heounjeong Go
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Hyung Kim
- College of Natural Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Sciences, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Gou Young Koh
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Sciences, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom-Hee Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yong-Mahn Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Zhang L, Zhang S. Learning common and specific patterns from data of multiple interrelated biological scenarios with matrix factorization. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:6606-6617. [PMID: 31175825 PMCID: PMC6649783 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput biological technologies (e.g. ChIP-seq, RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq) rapidly accelerate the accumulation of genome-wide omics data in diverse interrelated biological scenarios (e.g. cells, tissues and conditions). Integration and differential analysis are two common paradigms for exploring and analyzing such data. However, current integrative methods usually ignore the differential part, and typical differential analysis methods either fail to identify combinatorial patterns of difference or require matched dimensions of the data. Here, we propose a flexible framework CSMF to combine them into one paradigm to simultaneously reveal Common and Specific patterns via Matrix Factorization from data generated under interrelated biological scenarios. We demonstrate the effectiveness of CSMF with four representative applications including pairwise ChIP-seq data describing the chromatin modification map between K562 and Huvec cell lines; pairwise RNA-seq data representing the expression profiles of two different cancers; RNA-seq data of three breast cancer subtypes; and single-cell RNA-seq data of human embryonic stem cell differentiation at six time points. Extensive analysis yields novel insights into hidden combinatorial patterns in these multi-modal data. Results demonstrate that CSMF is a powerful tool to uncover common and specific patterns with significant biological implications from data of interrelated biological scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Zhang
- NCMIS, CEMS, RCSDS, Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shihua Zhang
- NCMIS, CEMS, RCSDS, Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
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8
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Tian FY, Wang XM, Xie C, Zhao B, Niu Z, Fan L, Hivert MF, Chen WQ. Placental surface area mediates the association between FGFR2 methylation in placenta and full-term low birth weight in girls. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:39. [PMID: 29588807 PMCID: PMC5863829 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0472-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene encodes a protein of the fibroblast growth factor receptor family. FGFR2 gene expression is associated with the regulation of implantation process of placenta which plays a vital role in fetal growth. DNA methylation is widely known as a mechanism of fetal growth. However, it is unclear whether and how DNA methylation of FGFR2 gene in the placenta is associated with full-term low birth weight. This case-control study aims to explore the links between FGFR2 methylation in placenta and full-term low birth weight and to further examine the mediation effect of placental surface area on this association. Results We conducted analyses for each of the five valid CpG sites at FGFR2 in 165 mother-baby pairs (86 FT-LBW vs. 79 FT-NBW) and found that per one standard deviation increase in the DNA methylation of CpG 11 at FGFR2 was associated with 1.64-fold higher risk of full-term low birth weight (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = [1.07, 2.52]) and 0.18 standard deviation decrease in placental surface area (β = - 0.18; standard error = 0.08, p = 0.02). The mediation effect of placental surface area on the association between DNA methylation and full-term low birth weight was significant in girls (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = [1.05, 1.80]) but not in boys. The estimated mediation proportion was 48.38%. Conclusion Our findings suggested that placental surface area mediated the association between DNA methylation of FGFR2 in placenta and full-term low birth weight in a sex-specific manner. Our study supported the importance of placental epigenetic changes in placental development and fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Ying Tian
- 1Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Room 715, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080 Guangdong China
| | - Xi-Meng Wang
- 1Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Room 715, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080 Guangdong China
| | - Chuanbo Xie
- Department of Cancer Prevention Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- 3Children's Hospital Boston and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Zhongzheng Niu
- 4Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, 265 Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214 USA
| | - Lijun Fan
- 1Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Room 715, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080 Guangdong China
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- 5Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Drive, Suite 401, Boston, MA USA.,6Diabetes Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford Street, Boston, MA USA.,7Department of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, Québec Canada.,8Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12th Avenue North, wing 9, door 6, Sherbrooke, Québec Canada
| | - Wei-Qing Chen
- 1Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Room 715, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080 Guangdong China.,9Department of Information Management, Xinhua College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
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9
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Sun T, Cao L, Ping NN, Wu Y, Liu DZ, Cao YX. Formononetin upregulates nitric oxide synthase in arterial endothelium through estrogen receptors and MAPK pathways. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 68:342-51. [PMID: 26786718 DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Formononetin, a phytoestrogen, can improve arterial endothelial cell function by upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The estrogen receptor plays an important role in the regulation of eNOS. This study investigated the hypothesis that formononetin upregulates eNOS through estrogen receptors and MAPK pathways. METHODS The rat superior mesenteric arteries were cultured with formononetin or formononetin plus inhibitors for 24 h. The isometric tension of the arteries was measured using a myograph system. The mRNA and protein expression levels of eNOS were determined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. KEY FINDINGS Acetylcholine (ACh) relaxed the mesenteric arteries precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine. This relaxation could be enhanced by formononetin. The removal of endothelium or incubation with l-NAME (a NOS inhibitor) completely abolished the formononetin-enhanced relaxation induced by ACh, suggesting that the formononetin-enhanced vasodilatation is dependent on endothelium and NO pathway. The estrogen receptor inhibitor ICI 182780 attenuated the formononetin-enhanced vasodilatation induced by ACh, suggesting that the formononetin-enhanced arterial relaxation is mediated by the estrogen receptor. Formononetin increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of eNOS. ICI 182780, U0126 (an ERK1/2 inhibitor) and SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) prevented the increases in arterial relaxation and eNOS levels. CONCLUSIONS Formononetin upregulates eNOS expression in mesenteric arteries via estrogen receptors, ERK1/2 and JNK pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Na-Na Ping
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dong-Zheng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yong-Xiao Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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10
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Chen DB, Zheng J. Regulation of placental angiogenesis. Microcirculation 2014; 21:15-25. [PMID: 23981199 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ample interest has been evoked in using placental angiogenesis as a target for the development of diagnosis tools and potential therapeutics for pregnancy complications based on the knowledge of placental angiogenesis in normal and aberrant pregnancies. Although these goals are still far from reach, one would expect that two complementary processes should be balanced for therapeutic angiogenesis to be successful in restoring a mature and functional vascular network in the placenta in any pregnancy complication: (i) pro-angiogenic stimulation of new vessel growth and (ii) anti-angiogenic inhibition of vessel overgrowth. As the best model of physiological angiogenesis, investigations of placental angiogenesis provide critical insights not only for better understanding of normal placental endothelial biology but also for the development of diagnosis tools for pregnancy complications. Such investigations will potentially identify novel pro-angiogenic factors for therapeutic intervention for tissue damage in various obstetric complications or heart failure or anti-angiogenic factors to target on cancer or vision loss in which circulation needs to be constrained. This review summarizes the genetic and molecular aspects of normal placental angiogenesis as well as the signaling mechanisms by which the dominant angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor regulates placental angiogenesis with a focus on placental endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Bao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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Grazul-Bilska AT, Johnson ML, Borowicz PP, Bilski JJ, Cymbaluk T, Norberg S, Redmer DA, Reynolds LP. Placental development during early pregnancy in sheep: effects of embryo origin on vascularization. Reproduction 2014; 147:639-48. [PMID: 24472816 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Utero-placental growth and vascular development are critical for pregnancy establishment that may be altered by various factors including assisted reproductive technologies (ART), nutrition, or others, leading to compromised pregnancy. We hypothesized that placental vascularization and expression of angiogenic factors are altered early in pregnancies after transfer of embryos created using selected ART methods. Pregnancies were achieved through natural mating (NAT), or transfer of embryos from NAT (NAT-ET), or IVF or in vitro activation (IVA). Placental tissues were collected on day 22 of pregnancy. In maternal caruncles (CAR), vascular cell proliferation was less (P<0.05) for IVA than other groups. Compared with NAT, density of blood vessels was less (P<0.05) for IVF and IVA in fetal membranes (FM) and for NAT-ET, IVF, and IVA in CAR. In FM, mRNA expression was decreased (P<0.01-0.08) in NAT-ET, IVF, and IVA compared with NAT for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor FLT1, placental growth factor (PGF), neuropilin 1 (NP1) and NP2, angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1) and ANGPT2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), hypoxia-inducible factor 1A (HIF1A), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and its receptor FGFR2. In CAR, mRNA expression was decreased (P<0.01-0.05) in NAT-ET, IVF, and IVA compared with NAT for VEGF, FLT1, PGF, ANGPT1, and TEK. Decreased mRNA expression for 12 of 14 angiogenic factors across FM and CAR in NAT-ET, IVF, and IVA pregnancies was associated with reduced placental vascular development, which would lead to poor placental function and compromised fetal and placental growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna T Grazul-Bilska
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, USA
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Shiota M, Hikita Y, Kawamoto Y, Kusakabe H, Tanaka M, Izumi Y, Nakao T, Miura K, Funae Y, Iwao H. Pravastatin-induced proangiogenic effects depend upon extracellular FGF-2. J Cell Mol Med 2013; 16:2001-9. [PMID: 22117815 PMCID: PMC3822970 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2011.01494.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to exert several protective effects on the vasculature that are unrelated to changes in the cholesterol profile, and to induce angiogenesis. The proangiogenic effect exerted by statins has been attributed to the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in endothelial cells; however, it is unclear how statins activate this pathway. Pravastatin-mediated activation of Akt and MAPK occurs rapidly (within 10 min.) and at low doses (10 nM). Here, we hypothesized that FGF-2 contributes to the proangiogenic effect of statins. We found that pravastatin, a hydrophilic statin, induced phosphorylation of the FGF receptor (FGFR) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. SU5402, an inhibitor of FGFR, abolished pravastatin-induced PI3K/Akt and MAPK activity. Likewise, anti-FGF-2 function-blocking antibodies inhibited Akt and MAPK activity. Moreover, depletion of extracellular FGF-2 by heparin prevented pravastatin-induced phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK. Treatment with FGF-2 antibody inhibited pravastatin-enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation. These observations indicate that pravastatin exerts proangiogenic effects in endothelial cells depending upon the extracellular FGF-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Shiota
- Department of Pharmacology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.
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Han L, Gotlieb AI. Fibroblast growth factor-2 promotes in vitro heart valve interstitial cell repair through the Akt1 pathway. Cardiovasc Pathol 2012; 21:382-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2011.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Revised: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 12/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
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Feng L, Liao WX, Luo Q, Zhang HH, Wang W, Zheng J, Chen DB. Caveolin-1 orchestrates fibroblast growth factor 2 signaling control of angiogenesis in placental artery endothelial cell caveolae. J Cell Physiol 2012; 227:2480-91. [PMID: 21830216 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 1 (FGFR1) protein was expressed as the long and short as well as some truncated forms in ovine fetoplacental artery ex vivo and in vitro. Upon FGF2 stimulation, both the long and short FGFR1s were tyrosine phosphorylated and the PI3K/AKT1 and ERK1/2 pathways were activated in a concentration- and time- dependent manner in ovine fetoplacental artery endothelial (oFPAE) cells. Blockade of the PI3K/AKT1 pathway attenuated FGF2-stimulated cell proliferation and migration as well as tube formation; blockade of the ERK1/2 pathway abolished FGF2-stimulated tube formation and partially inhibited cell proliferation and did not alter cell migration. Both AKT1 and ERK1/2 were co-fractionated with caveolin-1 and activated by FGF2 in the caveolae. Disruption of caveolae by methyl-β-cyclodextrin inhibited FGF2 activation of AKT1 and ERK1/2. FGFR1 was found in the caveolae where it physically binds to caveolin-1. FGF2 stimulated dissociation of FGFR1 from caveolin-1. Downregulation of caveolin-1 significantly attenuated the FGF2-induced activation of AKT1 and ERK1/2 and inhibited FGF2-induced cell proliferation, migration and tube formation in oFPAE cells. Pretreatment with a caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide to mimic caveolin-1 overexpression also inhibited these FGF2-induced angiogenic responses. These data demonstrate that caveolae function as a platform for regulating FGF2-induced angiogenesis through spatiotemporally compartmentalizing FGFR1 and the AKT1 and ERK1/2 signaling modules; the major caveolar structural protein caveolin-1 interacts with FGFR1 and paradoxically regulates FGF2-induced activation of PI3K/AKT1 and ERK1/2 pathways that coordinately regulate placental angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Feng
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
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Abstract
During normal pregnancy, dramatically increased placental blood flow is critical for fetal growth and survival as well as neonatal birth weights and survivability. This increased blood flow results from angiogenesis, vasodilatation, and vascular remodeling. Locally produced growth factors including fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) are key regulators of placental endothelial functions including cell proliferation, migration, and vasodilatation. However, the precise signaling mechanisms underlying such regulation in fetoplacental endothelium are less well defined, specifically with regard to the interactions amongst protein kinases (PKs), protein phosphatase, and nitric oxide (NO). Recently, we and other researchers have obtained solid evidence showing that different signaling mechanisms participate in FGF2- and VEGFA-regulated fetoplacental endothelial cell proliferation and migration as well as NO production. This review will briefly summarize currently available data on signaling mediating fetoplacental angiogenesis with a specific emphasis on PKs, ERK1/2, AKT1, and p38 MAPK and protein phosphatases, PPP2 and PPP3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jing Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Jing Zheng, Ph.D., Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Research Laboratories, University of Wisconsin, PAB1 Meriter Hospital, 202 S Park St., Madison, WI 53715. Phone: (608) 417-6314 Fax: (608) 257-1304.
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Mertz HL, Mele L, Spong CY, Dudley DJ, Wapner RJ, Iams JD, Sorokin Y, Peaceman A, Leveno KJ, Caritis SN, Miodovnik M, Mercer BM, Thorp JM, O'Sullivan MJ, Ramin SM, Carpenter M, Rouse DJ, Sibai B. Placental endothelial nitric oxide synthase in multiple and single dose betamethasone exposed pregnancies. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011; 204:545.e11-6. [PMID: 21529755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2010] [Revised: 01/13/2011] [Accepted: 02/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and capillary density (CDS) in placentas exposed to single or multiple courses of betamethasone. STUDY DESIGN Placental specimens exposed to single vs repeat courses of betamethasone were analyzed through immunohistochemistry and digital image quantification for endothelial nitric oxide synthase and CD34. Quantified endothelial nitric oxide synthase staining, calculated capillary density, ratio of endothelial nitric oxide synthase to capillary density, and clinical characteristics were compared. Linear regression was performed with these as dependent variables. RESULTS Mean and maximum capillary density were increased (P = .013 and .005) and the ratio of endothelial nitric oxide synthase to capillary density decreased (P = .016) in specimens exposed to 4 courses of betamethasone compared with 1 to 3 courses. Exposure to 4 courses of betamethasone was associated with increased capillary density, but not with endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression. CONCLUSION Exposure to 4 courses of betamethasone is associated with increased placental capillary density. The placental effects of multiple courses of betamethasone are unrelated to endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Mertz
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Li SM, Zeng LW, Feng L, Chen DB. Rac1-dependent intracellular superoxide formation mediates vascular endothelial growth factor-induced placental angiogenesis in vitro. Endocrinology 2010; 151:5315-25. [PMID: 20844008 PMCID: PMC2954717 DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the best characterized angiogenic factors controlling placental angiogenesis; however, how VEGF regulates placental angiogenesis has not yet completely understood. In this study, we found that all the components of assembling a functional NADPH oxidase (NOX2, p22(phox), p47(phox), p67(phox), and Rac1) are expressed in ovine fetoplacental artery endothelial cells (oFPAECs) in vitro and ex vivo. Treatment with VEGF (10 ng/ml) rapidly and transiently activated Rac1 in oFPAECs in vitro and increased Rac1 association with p67(phox) in 5 min. Intracellular superoxide formation began to significantly increase after 25-30 min of VEGF stimulation, which was mediated by both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. VEGF also stimulated oFPAE cell proliferation and migration and enhanced the formation of tube-like structures on Matrigel matrix. In oFAPEC transfected with specific Rac1 small interfering RNA (siRNA, 40 nm), VEGF-induced intracellular superoxide formation was completely abrogated in association with a 78% reduction of endogenous Rac1. In oFPAE cells transfected with the specific Rac1 siRNA, but not with transfection reagent alone or scrambled control siRNA, VEGF-induced cell proliferation, migration, and tube-like structure formation were dramatically inhibited. Pretreatment of an NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin also abrogates the VEGF-stimulated intracellular superoxide production and DNA synthesis in oFPAECs. Taken together, our results demonstrated that a Rac1/Nox2-based NADPH oxidase system is present in placental endothelial cells. This NADPH oxidase system appears to generate the second messenger superoxide that plays a critical role in the signaling control of the VEGF-induced placental angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-min Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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Liao WX, Feng L, Zheng J, Chen DB. Deciphering mechanisms controlling placental artery endothelial cell migration stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor. Endocrinology 2010; 151:3432-44. [PMID: 20463056 PMCID: PMC2903938 DOI: 10.1210/en.2009-1305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulated fetoplacental artery endothelial (oFPAE) cell migration and activated multiple signaling pathways including ERK2/1, p38MAPK, Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1/2), v-Akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (Akt1), and c-Src in oFPAE cells. VEGF-induced cell migration was blocked by specific kinase inhibitors of JNK1/2 (SP600125), c-Src (4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (wortmannin) but not ERK2/1 (U0126) and p38MAPK (SB203580). VEGF-induced cell migration was associated with dynamic actin reorganization and focal adhesion as evidenced by increased stress fiber formation and phosphorylation of cofilin-1 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin. Inhibition of JNK1/2, c-Src, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt suppressed VEGF-induced stress fiber formation and cofilin-1 phosphorylation. c-Src inhibition suppressed VEGF-induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, paxillin, and focal adhesion. VEGF-induced cell migration requires endogenous nitric oxide (NO) as: 1) VEGF-stimulated phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) via activation of Akt, JNK1/2, and Src; 2) a NO donor diethylenetriamine-NO-stimulated cell migration; and 3) NO synthase inhibition blocked VEGF-induced cell migration. Targeted down-regulation and overexpression of caveolin-1 both inhibited VEGF-induced cell migration. Caveolin-1 down-regulation suppressed VEGF-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt, JNK, eNOS, c-Src, and FAK; however, basal activities of c-Src and FAK were elevated in parallel with increased stress fiber formation and focal adhesion. Caveolin-1 overexpression also inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of Akt, JNK, c-Src, FAK, and eNOS. Thus, VEGF-induced placental endothelial cell migration requires activation of complex pathways that are paradoxically regulated by caveolin-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu-xiang Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California-Irvine, Orange, CA 92673, USA
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Mata-Greenwood E, Liao WX, Wang W, Zheng J, Chen DB. Activation of AP-1 transcription factors differentiates FGF2 and vascular endothelial growth factor regulation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase expression in placental artery endothelial cells. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:17348-58. [PMID: 20371606 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.092791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor 2), but not vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stimulates sustained activation of ERK2/1 for endothelial NOS3 (nitric-oxide synthase 3) protein expression in ovine fetoplacental artery endothelial cells (oFPAEC). We deciphered herein the downstream signaling of ERK2/1 responsible for NOS3 expression by FGF2 in oFPAEC. FGF2, but not VEGF, increased NOS3 mRNA levels without altering its degradation. FGF2, but not VEGF, trans-activated sheep NOS3 promoter, and this was dependent on ERK2/1 activation. FGF2 did not trans-activate NOS3 promoters with deletions upstream of the consensus AP-1 site (TGAGTC A, -678 to -685). Trans-activation of wild-type NOS3 promoter by FGF2 was significantly inhibited when either the AP-1 or the cAMP-response element (CRE)-like sequence (TGCGTCA, -752 to -758) was mutated and was completely blocked when both were mutated. EMSA analyses showed that FGF2, but not VEGF, stimulated AP-1 and CRE DNA-protein complexes primarily composed of JunB and Fra1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed JunB/Fra1 binding to NOS3 promoter AP-1 and CRE elements in intact cells. FGF2, but not VEGF, stimulated JunB and Fra1 expressions; all preceded NOS3 up-regulation and were inhibited by PD98059. Down-regulation of JunB or Fra-1, but not c-Jun, blocked FGF2 stimulation of NOS3 expression and NO production. AP-1 inhibition suppressed FGF2 stimulation of NOS3 expression in human umbilical vein EC and uterine artery endothelial cells. Thus, FGF2 induction of NOS3 expression is mainly mediated by AP-1-dependent transcription involving JunB and Fra1 up-regulation via sustained ERK2/1 activation in endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Mata-Greenwood
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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Wang K, Jiang YZ, Chen DB, Zheng J. Hypoxia enhances FGF2- and VEGF-stimulated human placental artery endothelial cell proliferation: roles of MEK1/2/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT1 pathways. Placenta 2009; 30:1045-51. [PMID: 19892399 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2009.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 10/13/2009] [Accepted: 10/15/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Placental development occurs under a low oxygen (2-8% O(2)) environment, which is critical for placental development and angiogenesis. In this study, we examined if hypoxia affected fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2)- and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-stimulated cell proliferation via the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2)/extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/v-akt murine thymomaviral oncogene homologue (AKT1) pathways in human placental artery endothelial (HPAE) cells. We observed that under normoxia (approximately 20% O(2)), FGF2 and VEGF dose-dependently stimulated cell proliferation. Hypoxia (3% O(2)) significantly promoted FGF2- and VEGF-stimulated cell proliferation as compared to normoxia. Under both normoxia and hypoxia, FGF2 rapidly induced ERK1/2 and AKT1 phosphorylation, while VEGF-induced ERK1/2, but not AKT1 phosphorylation. However, hypoxia did not significantly alter FGF2- and VEGF-induced ERK1/2 and AKT1 phosphorylation as compared to normoxia. PD98059 (a MEK1/2 inhibitor) at 20microM and LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) at 5microM attenuated FGF2- and VEGF-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT1, respectively. PD98059, even at doses that drastically inhibited FGF2-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation (20microM) and caused cell loss (40microM), did not affect FGF2-stimulated cell proliferation, which was confirmed by U0126 (another potent MEK1/2 inhibitor). PD98059, however, dose-dependently inhibited VEGF-stimulated cell proliferation. Conversely, LY294002 dose-dependently inhibited FGF2-, but not VEGF-stimulated cell proliferation. These data suggest that in the MEK1/2/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT1 pathways differentially mediate FGF2- and VEGF-stimulated HPAE cell proliferation. These results also indicate that hypoxia promotes FGF2- and VEGF-stimulated cell proliferation without further activation of the PI3K/AKT1 and MEK1/2/ERK1/2, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Research Laboratories, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA
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Song Y, Wang K, Chen DB, Magness RR, Zheng J. Suppression of protein phosphatase 2 differentially modulates VEGF- and FGF2-induced signaling in ovine fetoplacental artery endothelial cells. Placenta 2009; 30:907-13. [PMID: 19692121 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2009.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2009] [Revised: 07/08/2009] [Accepted: 07/09/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) elicit cellular responses via activation of protein kinases and phosphatases. We have reported that the MEK1/2/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT1 pathways are critical for VEGF- and FGF2-stimulated ovine fetoplacental artery endothelial (OFPAE) cell proliferation. We have also shown that protein phosphatase 3 (PPP3) differentially modulates VEGF- and FGF2-stimulated cell proliferation and activation of ERK1/2 and AKT1 in OFPAE cells. Herein, we investigated if protein phosphatase 2 (PPP2) modulated VEGF- and FGF2-induced ERK1/2, AKT1, and p38 MAPK activation and VEGF- and FGF2-stimulated cell proliferation in OFPAE cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) specifically targeting human PPP2CA catalytic subunit alpha (PPP2CA) was used to suppress PPP2CA expression in OFPAE cells. When compared with scrambled siRNA, PPP2CA siRNA decreased (p<0.05) PPP2CA protein levels (approximately 70%) and activity (approximately 50%) without altering protein levels of PPP3 catalytic subunit alpha (PPP3CA), nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), ERK1/2, AKT1, and p38 MAPK. FGF2, but not VEGF rapidly (< or =5 min) induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Suppression of PPP2CA enhanced (p<0.05) VEGF-induced AKT1, but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation, whereas inhibited (p<0.05) FGF2-induced ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK and slightly attenuated FGF2-induced AKT1 phosphorylation. Suppression of PPP2CA did not significantly affect VEGF- and FGF2-stimulated OFPAE cell proliferation. Thus, suppression of PPP2CA alone differentially modulated VEGF- and FGF2-induced ERK1/2, AKT1, and p38 MAPK activation, without altering VEGF- and FGF2-stimulated cell proliferation in OFPAE cells. These data also suggest that signaling molecules other than ERK1/2, AKT1, and p38 MAPK are important mediators for VEGF- and FGF2-stimulated OFPAE cell proliferation after PPP2CA suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Research Laboratories, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA
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Liao WX, Feng L, Zhang H, Zheng J, Moore TR, Chen DB. Compartmentalizing VEGF-induced ERK2/1 signaling in placental artery endothelial cell caveolae: a paradoxical role of caveolin-1 in placental angiogenesis in vitro. Mol Endocrinol 2009; 23:1428-44. [PMID: 19477952 DOI: 10.1210/me.2008-0475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
On vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation, both VEGF R1 and R2 receptors were phosphorylated in ovine fetoplacental artery endothelial (oFPAE) cells. Treatment with VEGF stimulated both time- and dose-dependent activation of ERK2/1 in oFPAE cells. VEGF-induced ERK2/1 activation was mediated by VEGFR2, but not VEGFR1, and was linked to intracellular calcium, protein kinase C, and Raf-1. VEGF stimulated oFPAE cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro. Blockade of ERK2/1 pathway attenuated VEGF-induced cell proliferation and tube formation but failed to inhibit migration in oFPAE cells. Disruption of caveolae by cholesterol depletion with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin or by down-regulation of its structural protein caveolin-1 blunted VEGF-induced ERK2/1 activation, proliferation, and tube formation in oFPAE cells, indicating an essential role of integral caveolae in these VEGF-induced responses. Adenoviral overexpression of caveolin-1 and addition of a caveolin scaffolding domain peptide also inhibited VEGF-stimulated ERK2/1 activation, cell proliferation, and tube formation in oFPAE cells. Furthermore, molecules comprising the ERK2/1 signaling module, including VEGFR2, protein kinase Calpha, Raf-1, MAPK kinase 1/2, and ERK2/1, resided with caveolin-1 in caveolae. VEGF transiently stimulated ERK2/1 activation in the caveolae similarly as in intact cells. Caveolae disruption greatly diminished ERK2/1 activation by VEGF in oFPAE cell caveolae. We conclude that caveolae function as a platform for compartmentalizing the VEGF-induced ERK2/1 signaling module. Caveolin-1 and caveolae play a paradoxical role in regulating VEGF-induced ERK2/1 activation and in vitro angiogenesis as evidenced by the similar inhibitory effects of down-regulation and overexpression of caveolin-1 and disruption of caveolae in oFPAE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu-Xiang Liao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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