1
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Sun A, Liu S, Yin F, Li Z, Liu Z. Circulating inflammatory cytokines and sarcopenia-related traits: a mendelian randomization analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1351376. [PMID: 39193020 PMCID: PMC11347448 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1351376] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the causal relationships between 91 circulating inflammatory cytokines and sarcopenia-related traits (low hand grip strength, appendicular lean mass, and usual walking pace) by Mendelian randomized analysis. Methods Independent genetic variations of inflammatory cytokines and sarcopenia-related traits were selected as instrumental variables from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The MR analysis was primarily conducted using the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method. Sensitivity analyses included Steiger filtering and MR PRESSO, with additional assessments for heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Results The IVW method indicated a causal relationship between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) and low hand grip strength (OR = 1.05654, 95% CI: 1.02453 to 1.08956, P = 0.00046). Additionally, Tumor Necrosis Factor-beta (TNF-β) was found to have a causal relationship with appendicular lean mass (ALM) (β = 0.04255, 95% CI: 0.02838 to 0.05672, P = 3.96E-09). There was no evidence suggesting a significant causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and usual walking pace. Conclusion Our research substantiated the causal association between inflammatory cytokines, such as VEGF-A and TNF-β, and sarcopenia. This finding may provide new avenues for future clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aochuan Sun
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Saiya Liu
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fen Yin
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuangzhuang Li
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengtang Liu
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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2
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Ji RC. The emerging importance of lymphangiogenesis in aging and aging-associated diseases. Mech Ageing Dev 2024; 221:111975. [PMID: 39089499 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2024.111975] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Lymphatic aging represented by cellular and functional changes, is involved in increased geriatric disorders, but the intersection between aging and lymphatic modulation is less clear. Lymphatic vessels play an essential role in maintaining tissue fluid homeostasis, regulating immune function, and promoting macromolecular transport. Lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic remodeling following cellular senescence and organ deterioration are crosslinked with the progression of some lymphatic-associated diseases, e.g., atherosclerosis, inflammation, lymphoedema, and cancer. Age-related detrimental tissue changes may occur in lymphatic vessels with diverse etiologies, and gradually shift towards chronic low-grade inflammation, so-called inflammaging, and lead to decreased immune response. The investigation of the relationship between advanced age and organ deterioration is becoming an area of rapidly increasing significance in lymphatic biology and medicine. Here we highlight the emerging importance of lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic remodeling in the regulation of aging-related pathological processes, which will help to find new avenues for effective intervention to promote healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Cheng Ji
- Faculty of Welfare and Health Science, Oita University, Oita 870-1192, Japan.
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3
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Longoni A, Major GS, Jiang S, Farrugia BL, Kieser DC, Woodfield TBF, Rnjak-Kovacina J, Lim KS. Pristine gelatin incorporation as a strategy to enhance the biofunctionality of poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. Biomater Sci 2023; 12:134-150. [PMID: 37933486 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01172k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic polymers, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), are popular biomaterials for the fabrication of hydrogels for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) applications, as they provide excellent control over the physico-chemical properties of the hydrogel. However, their bioinert nature is known to limit cell-biomaterial interactions by hindering cell infiltration, blood vessel recruitment and potentially limiting their integration with the host tissue. Efforts in the field have therefore focused on increasing the biofunctionality of synthetic hydrogels, without limiting the advantages associated with their tailorability and controlled release capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of pristine gelatin to enhance the biofunctionality of tyraminated PVA (PVA-Tyr) hydrogels, by promoting cell infiltration and host blood vessel recruitment for TERM applications. Pure PVA-Tyr hydrogels and PVA-Tyr hydrogels incorporated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a well-known pro-angiogenic stimulus, were used for comparison. Incorporating increasing concentrations of VEGF (0.01-10 μg mL-1) or gelatin (0.01-5 wt%) did not influence the physical properties of PVA-Tyr hydrogels. However, their presence within the polymer network (>0.1 μg mL-1 VEGF and >0.1 wt% gelatin) promoted endothelial cell interactions with the hydrogels. The covalent binding of unmodified gelatin or VEGF to the PVA-Tyr network did not hamper their inherent bioactivity, as they both promoted angiogenesis in a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, performing comparably with the unbound VEGF control. When the PVA-Tyr hydrogels were implanted subcutaneously in mice, it was observed that cell infiltration into the hydrogels was possible in the absence of gelatin or VEGF at 1- or 3-weeks post-implantation, highlighting a clear difference between in vitro an in vivo cell-biomaterial interaction. Nevertheless, the presence of gelatin or VEGF was necessary to enhance blood vessel recruitment and infiltration, although no significant difference was observed between these two biological molecules. Overall, this study highlights the potential of gelatin as a standalone pro-angiogenic cue to enhance biofunctionality of synthetic hydrogels and provides promise for their use in a variety of TERM applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Longoni
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | - Gretel S Major
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | - Shaoyuan Jiang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Brooke L Farrugia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - David C Kieser
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | - Tim B F Woodfield
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | | | - Khoon S Lim
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Light-Activated Biomaterials Group, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia
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4
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Liu H, Yu B, Deng Z, Zhao H, Zeng A, Li R, Fu M. Role of immune cell infiltration and small molecule drugs in adhesive capsulitis: Novel exploration based on bioinformatics analyses. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1075395. [PMID: 36875119 PMCID: PMC9976580 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1075395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a type of arthritis that causes shoulder joint pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. The pathogenesis of AC is still controversial. This study aims to explore the role of immune related factors in the occurrence and development of AC. Methods The AC dataset was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data repository. Differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs) were obtained based on R package "DESeq2" and Immport database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were performed to explore the functional correlation of DEIRGs. MCC method and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression were conducted to identify the hub genes. The immune cell infiltration in shoulder joint capsule between AC and control was evaluated by CIBERSORTx, and the relationship between hub genes and infiltrating immune cells was analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation. Finally, potential small molecule drugs for AC were screened by the Connectivity Map database (CMap) and further verified by molecular docking. Results A total of 137 DEIRGs and eight significantly different types of infiltrating immune cells (M0 macrophages, M1 macrophages, regulatory T cells, Tfh cells, monocytes, activated NK cells, memory resting CD4+T cells and resting dendritic cells) were screened between AC and control tissues. MMP9, FOS, SOCS3, and EGF were identified as potential targets for AC. MMP9 was negatively correlated with memory resting CD4+T cells and activated NK cells, but positively correlated with M0 macrophages. SOCS3 was positively correlated with M1 macrophages. FOS was positively correlated with M1 macrophages. EGF was positively correlated with monocytes. Additionally, dactolisib (ranked first) was identified as a potential small-molecule drug for the targeted therapy of AC. Conclusions This is the first study on immune cell infiltration analysis in AC, and these findings may provide a new idea for the diagnosis and treatment of AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Liu
- Department of Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Baoxi Yu
- Department of Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zengfa Deng
- Department of Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hang Zhao
- China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Anyu Zeng
- Department of Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruiyun Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Fu
- Department of Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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5
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Cell-Free Filtrates (CFF) as Vectors of a Transmissible Pathologic Tissue Memory Code: A Hypothetical and Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911575. [PMID: 36232877 PMCID: PMC9570059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular memory is a controversial concept representing the ability of cells to "write and memorize" stressful experiences via epigenetic operators. The progressive course of chronic, non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, and arteriosclerosis, is likely driven through an abnormal epigenetic reprogramming, fostering the hypothesis of a cellular pathologic memory. Accordingly, cultured diabetic and cancer patient-derived cells recall behavioral traits as when in the donor's organism irrespective to culture time and conditions. Here, we analyze the data of studies conducted by our group and led by a cascade of hypothesis, in which we aimed to validate the hypothetical existence and transmissibility of a cellular pathologic memory in diabetes, arteriosclerotic peripheral arterial disease, and cancer. These experiments were based on the administration to otherwise healthy animals of cell-free filtrates prepared from human pathologic tissue samples representative of each disease condition. The administration of each pathologic tissue homogenate consistently induced the faithful recapitulation of: (1) Diabetic archetypical changes in cutaneous arterioles and nerves. (2) Non-thrombotic arteriosclerotic thickening, collagenous arterial encroachment, aberrant angiogenesis, and vascular remodeling. (3) Pre-malignant and malignant epithelial and mesenchymal tumors in different organs; all evocative of the donor's tissue histopathology and with no barriers for interspecies transmission. We hypothesize that homogenates contain pathologic tissue memory codes represented in soluble drivers that "infiltrate" host's animal cells, and ultimately impose their phenotypic signatures. The identification and validation of the actors in behind may pave the way for future therapies.
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6
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Becker AB, Chen L, Ning B, Hu S, Hossack JA, Klibanov AL, Annex BH, French BA. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Reveals Partial Perfusion Recovery After Hindlimb Ischemia as Opposed to Full Recovery by Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:1058-1069. [PMID: 35287996 PMCID: PMC9872654 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Mouse models are critical in developing new therapeutic approaches to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Despite decades of research and numerous clinical trials, the efficacy of available therapies is limited. This may suggest shortcomings in our current animal models and/or methods of assessment. We evaluated perfusion measurement methods in a mouse model of PAD by comparing laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI, the most common technique), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS, an emerging technique) and fluorescent microspheres (conventional standard). Mice undergoing a femoral artery ligation were assessed by LDPI and CEUS at baseline and 1, 4, 7, 14, 28, 60, 90 and 150 d post-surgery to evaluate perfusion recovery in the ischemic hindlimb. Fourteen days after surgery, additional mice were measured with fluorescent microspheres, LDPI, and CEUS. LDPI and CEUS resulted in broadly similar trends of perfusion recovery until 7 d post-surgery. However, by day 14, LDPI indicated full recovery of perfusion, whereas CEUS indicated ∼50% recovery, which failed to improve even after 5 mo. In agreement with the CEUS results, fluorescent microspheres at day 14 post-surgery confirmed that perfusion recovery was incomplete. Histopathology and photoacoustic microscopy provided further evidence of sustained vascular abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa B Becker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Lanlin Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Bo Ning
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Song Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - John A Hossack
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Alexander L Klibanov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Brian H Annex
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Brent A French
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
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7
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Wang H, Li Q, Jiang Y, Wang X. Functional Hydrogels with Chondroitin Sulfate Release Properties Regulate the Angiogenesis Behaviors of Endothelial Cells. Gels 2022; 8:gels8050261. [PMID: 35621559 PMCID: PMC9141759 DOI: 10.3390/gels8050261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional hydrogels with properties that mimic the structure of extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulate cell behaviors have drawn much attention in biomedical applications. Herein, gelatin-based hydrogels were designed and loaded with chondroitin sulfate (CS) to endow biological regulation on the angiogenesis behaviors of endothelial cells (ECs). Manufactured hydrogels containing various amounts of CS were characterized via methods including mechanical tests, cytocompatibility, hemolysis, and angiogenesis assays. The results showed that the prepared hydrogels exhibited excellent mechanical stability, cytocompatibility, and hemocompatibility. Additionally, the angiogenesis behaviors of ECs were obviously promoted. However, excessive loading of CS would weaken the effect due to a higher proportion of occupation on the cell membrane. In conclusion, this investigation highlights the great potential of these hydrogels in treating ischemic diseases and accelerating tissue regeneration in terms of regulating the angiogenesis process via CS release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haonan Wang
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (H.W.); (X.W.)
| | - Qian Li
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (H.W.); (X.W.)
- Correspondence: (Q.L.); or (Y.J.)
| | - Yongchao Jiang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Correspondence: (Q.L.); or (Y.J.)
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (H.W.); (X.W.)
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8
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Capturing Aligned Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Nanofibers Promote Patellar Ligament Regeneration. Acta Biomater 2022; 140:233-246. [PMID: 34852300 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Ligament injuries are common in sports and other rigorous activities. It is a great challenge to achieve ligament regeneration after an injury due the avascular structure and low self-renewal capability. Herein, we developed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-binding aligned electrospun poly(caprolactone)/gelatin (PCL/Gel) scaffolds by incorporating prominin-1-binding peptide (BP) sequence and exploited them for patellar ligament regeneration. The adsorption of BP onto scaffolds was discerned by various techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscope. The accumulation of VEGF onto scaffolds correlated with the concentration of the peptide in vitro. BP-anchored PCL/Gel scaffolds (BP@PCL/Gel) promoted the tubular formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and wound healing in vitro. Besides, BP containing scaffolds exhibited higher content of CD31+ cells than that of the control scaffolds at 1 week after implantation in vivo. Moreover, BP containing scaffolds improved biomechanical properties and facilitated the regeneration of matured collagen in patellar ligament 4 weeks after implantation in mice. Overall, this strategy of peptide-mediated orchestration of VEGF provides an enticing platform for the ligament regeneration, which may also have broad implications for tissue repair applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Ligament injuries are central to sports and other rigorous activities. Given to the avascular nature and poor self-healing capability of injured ligament tissues, it is a burgeoning challenge to fabricate tissue-engineered scaffolds for ligament reconstruction. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is pivotal to the neo-vessel formation. However, the high molecular weight of VEGF as well as its short half-life in vitro and in vivo limits its therapeutic potential. To circumvent these limitations, herein, we functionalized aligned electrospun polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/Gel)-based scaffolds with VEGF-binding peptide (BP) and assessed their biocompatibility and performance in vitro and in vivo. BP-modified scaffolds accumulated VEGF, improved tube formation of HUVECs, and induced wound healing in vitro, which may have broad implications for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
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9
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Berlanga-Acosta J, Fernández-Mayola M, Mendoza-Marí Y, García-Ojalvo A, Martinez-Jimenez I, Rodriguez-Rodriguez N, Playford RJ, Reyes-Acosta O, Lopez-Marín L, Guillén-Nieto G. Intralesional Infiltrations of Arteriosclerotic Tissue Cells-Free Filtrate Reproduce Vascular Pathology in Healthy Recipient Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1511. [PMID: 35163435 PMCID: PMC8835913 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lower-extremity arterial disease is a major health problem with increasing prevalence, often leading to non-traumatic amputation, disability and mortality. The molecular mechanisms underpinning abnormal vascular wall remodeling are not fully understood. We hypothesized on the existence of a vascular tissue memory that may be transmitted through soluble signaling messengers, transferred from humans to healthy recipient animals, and consequently drive the recapitulation of arterial wall thickening and other vascular pathologies. We examined the effects of the intralesional infiltration for 6 days of arteriosclerotic popliteal artery-derived homogenates (100 µg of protein) into rats' full-thickness wounds granulation tissue. Animals infiltrated with normal saline solution or healthy brachial arterial tissue homogenate obtained from traumatic amputation served as controls. The significant thickening of arteriolar walls was the constant outcome in two independent experiments for animals receiving arteriosclerotic tissue homogenates. This material induced other vascular morphological changes including an endothelial cell phenotypic reprogramming that mirrored the donor's vascular histopathology. The immunohistochemical expression pattern of relevant vascular markers appeared to match between the human tissue and the corresponding recipient rats. These changes occurred within days of administration, and with no cross-species limitation. The identification of these "vascular disease drivers" may pave novel research avenues for atherosclerosis pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Berlanga-Acosta
- Tissue Repair, Wound Healing and Cytoprotection Research Group, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 S/N. e/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba; (M.F.-M.); (Y.M.-M.); (A.G.-O.); (I.M.-J.); (N.R.-R.); (O.R.-A.); (G.G.-N.)
| | - Maday Fernández-Mayola
- Tissue Repair, Wound Healing and Cytoprotection Research Group, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 S/N. e/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba; (M.F.-M.); (Y.M.-M.); (A.G.-O.); (I.M.-J.); (N.R.-R.); (O.R.-A.); (G.G.-N.)
| | - Yssel Mendoza-Marí
- Tissue Repair, Wound Healing and Cytoprotection Research Group, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 S/N. e/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba; (M.F.-M.); (Y.M.-M.); (A.G.-O.); (I.M.-J.); (N.R.-R.); (O.R.-A.); (G.G.-N.)
| | - Ariana García-Ojalvo
- Tissue Repair, Wound Healing and Cytoprotection Research Group, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 S/N. e/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba; (M.F.-M.); (Y.M.-M.); (A.G.-O.); (I.M.-J.); (N.R.-R.); (O.R.-A.); (G.G.-N.)
| | - Indira Martinez-Jimenez
- Tissue Repair, Wound Healing and Cytoprotection Research Group, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 S/N. e/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba; (M.F.-M.); (Y.M.-M.); (A.G.-O.); (I.M.-J.); (N.R.-R.); (O.R.-A.); (G.G.-N.)
| | - Nadia Rodriguez-Rodriguez
- Tissue Repair, Wound Healing and Cytoprotection Research Group, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 S/N. e/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba; (M.F.-M.); (Y.M.-M.); (A.G.-O.); (I.M.-J.); (N.R.-R.); (O.R.-A.); (G.G.-N.)
| | - Raymond J. Playford
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of West London, St Marys Rd, Ealing, London W5 5RF, UK;
| | - Osvaldo Reyes-Acosta
- Tissue Repair, Wound Healing and Cytoprotection Research Group, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 S/N. e/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba; (M.F.-M.); (Y.M.-M.); (A.G.-O.); (I.M.-J.); (N.R.-R.); (O.R.-A.); (G.G.-N.)
| | - Laura Lopez-Marín
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Arteriosclerosis Research, Institute of Nephrology “Dr. Abelardo Buch”, Calle 26 y Línea del Ferrocarril, Vedado, Havana 10400, Cuba;
| | - Gerardo Guillén-Nieto
- Tissue Repair, Wound Healing and Cytoprotection Research Group, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 S/N. e/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba; (M.F.-M.); (Y.M.-M.); (A.G.-O.); (I.M.-J.); (N.R.-R.); (O.R.-A.); (G.G.-N.)
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10
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Ding J, Mellergaard M, Zhu Z, Kwan P, Edge D, Ma Z, Hebert L, Alrobaiea S, Iwasaki T, Nielsen MCE, Tredget EE. Fluorescent light energy modulates healing in skin grafted mouse model. Open Med (Wars) 2021; 16:1240-1255. [PMID: 34522783 PMCID: PMC8402934 DOI: 10.1515/med-2021-0329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin grafting is often the only treatment for skin trauma when large areas of tissue are affected. This surgical intervention damages the deeper dermal layers of the skin with implications for wound healing and a risk of scar development. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy modulates biological processes in different tissues, with a positive effect on many cell types and pathways essential for wound healing. This study investigated the effect of fluorescent light energy (FLE) therapy, a novel type of PBM, on healing after skin grafting in a dermal fibrotic mouse model. Split-thickness human skin grafts were transplanted onto full-thickness excisional wounds on nude mice. Treated wounds were monitored, and excised xenografts were examined to assess healing and pathophysiological processes essential for developing chronic wounds or scarring. Results demonstrated that FLE treatment initially accelerated re-epithelialization and rete ridge formation, while later reduced neovascularization, collagen deposition, myofibroblast and mast cell accumulation, and connective tissue growth factor expression. While there was no visible difference in gross morphology, we found that FLE treatment promoted a balanced collagen remodeling. Collectively, these findings suggest that FLE has a conceivable effect at balancing healing after skin grafting, which reduces the risk of infections, chronic wound development, and fibrotic scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ding
- Wound Healing Research Group, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 161 HMRC, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Maiken Mellergaard
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Research and Development, Klox Technologies Europe Ltd, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zhensen Zhu
- Wound Healing Research Group, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 161 HMRC, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Peter Kwan
- Wound Healing Research Group, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 161 HMRC, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Deirdre Edge
- Department of Research and Development, Klox Technologies Europe Ltd, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zengshuan Ma
- Wound Healing Research Group, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 161 HMRC, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Lise Hebert
- Department of Research and Development, Klox Technologies Inc., Laval, Canada
| | - Saad Alrobaiea
- Wound Healing Research Group, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 161 HMRC, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Takashi Iwasaki
- Wound Healing Research Group, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 161 HMRC, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Michael Canova Engelbrecht Nielsen
- Department of Research and Development, Klox R&D Center, Guangdong Klox Biomedical Group Co., Ltd, Room 603, 6/F, Building 8, No. 6, Nanjiang Second Road, Zhujiang Street, Nansha District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Edward E. Tredget
- Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Critical Care, 2D2.28 Walter C MacKenzie Health Sciences Centre & Wound Healing Research Group, 161 HMRC, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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11
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Zhao Z, Ma S, Wu C, Li X, Ma X, Hu H, Wu J, Wang Y, Liu Z. Chimeric Peptides Quickly Modify the Surface of Personalized 3D Printing Titanium Implants to Promote Osseointegration. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:33981-33994. [PMID: 34260195 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c11207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Titanium (Ti) and titanium alloys have been widely used in the field of biomedicine. However, the unmatched biomechanics and poor bioactivities of conventional Ti implants usually lead to insufficient osseointegration. To tackle these challenges, it is critical to develop a novel Ti implant that meets the bioadaptive requirements for load-bearing critical bone defects. Notably, three-dimensional (3D)-printed Ti implants mimic the microstructure and mechanical properties of natural bones. Additionally, eco-friendly techniques based on inorganic-binding peptides have been applied to modify Ti surfaces. Herein, in our study, Ti surfaces were modified to reinforce osseointegration using chimeric peptides constructed by connecting W9, RP1P, and minTBP-1 directly or via (GP)4, respectively. PR1P is derived from the extracellular VEGF-binding domain of prominin-1, which increases the expression of VEGF and promotes the binding of VEGF to endothelial cells, thereby accelerating angiogenesis. W9 induces osteoblast differentiation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and human mesenchymal stem cells to promote bone formation. Overall, chimeric peptides promote osseointegration by promoting angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Additionally, chimeric peptides with P3&4 were more effective than those with P1&2 in improving osseointegration, which might be ascribed to the capacity of P3&4 to provide a greater range for chimeric peptides to express their activity. This work successfully used chimeric peptides to modify 3D-Ti implant surfaces to improve osseointegration on the implant-bone surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhezhe Zhao
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiqing Ma
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenxuan Wu
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuewen Li
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinying Ma
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Hu
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Wu
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonglan Wang
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Zihao Liu
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
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12
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Huang SJ, Lee SY, Teng YH, Lee SD, Cheng YJ. Photobiomodulation Therapy to Promote Angiogenesis in Diabetic Mice with Hindlimb Ischemia. PHOTOBIOMODULATION PHOTOMEDICINE AND LASER SURGERY 2021; 39:453-462. [PMID: 34264768 DOI: 10.1089/photob.2020.4896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To assess whether photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) induces angiogenesis in diabetic mice with hindlimb ischemia (HLI). Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the lower extremities. PBMT has been shown to promote angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo and could be a treatment for DM patients with PAD. Methods: Femoral artery ligation/excision in mice was performed to induce HLI as an animal model of PAD. PBMT at a dose of 660 nm and 1.91 J/cm2 was delivered for 10 min on 5 consecutive days after the HLI surgery. Control mice received HLI only. Mice in the DM group were injected with streptozocin to induce diabetes before HLI surgery. Mice in the laser and DM+ laser groups received both HLI and PBMT, and the latter group had induced DM. After the laser treatment, lower limb blood flow was evaluated by laser Doppler. The capillary density and CD31 were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining, and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) were measured by Western blotting of tissue samples. Results: Compared with the control and DM mice, the laser and DM+ laser groups had more than double the capillary density and blood perfusion rate. Levels of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in groups that received laser were increased by 1.9- to 3.2-fold compared with groups that did not undergo laser treatment. Animals treated with PBMT exhibited significantly increased HIF-1α expression and ERK phosphorylation compared with animals that did not receive this treatment, and the amount of phospho-eNOS and iNOS increased and decreased, respectively. Conclusions: PBMT can induce therapeutic angiogenesis, indicating that low intensity laser could be a novel treatment for PAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Jie Huang
- Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Yi Lee
- General Education Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Teng
- Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Da Lee
- Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jung Cheng
- Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Rehabilitation, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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13
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Yu Y, Dai K, Gao Z, Tang W, Shen T, Yuan Y, Wang J, Liu C. Sulfated polysaccharide directs therapeutic angiogenesis via endogenous VEGF secretion of macrophages. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/7/eabd8217. [PMID: 33568481 PMCID: PMC7875536 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd8217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Notwithstanding the remarkable progress in the clinical treatment of ischemic disease, proangiogenic drugs mostly suffer from their abnormal angiogenesis and potential cancer risk, and currently, no off-the-shelf biomaterials can efficiently induce angiogenesis. Here, we reported that a semisynthetic sulfated chitosan (SCS) readily engaged anti-inflammatory macrophages and increased its secretion of endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to induce angiogenesis in ischemia via a VEGF-VEGFR2 signaling pathway. The depletion of host macrophages abrogated VEGF secretion and vascularization in implants, and the inhibition of VEGF or VEGFR2 signaling also disrupted the macrophage-associated angiogenesis. In addition, in a macrophage-inhibited mouse model, SCS efficiently helped to recover the endogenous levels of VEGF and the number of CD31hiEmcnhi vessels in ischemia. Thus, both sulfated group and pentasaccharide sequence in SCS played an important role in directing the therapeutic angiogenesis, indicating that this highly bioactive biomaterial can be harnessed to treat ischemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanman Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Kai Dai
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Zehua Gao
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Wei Tang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Nanobiomechanics, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Tong Shen
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Changsheng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
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14
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Capillary Rarefaction in Obesity and Metabolic Diseases-Organ-Specificity and Possible Mechanisms. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122683. [PMID: 33327460 PMCID: PMC7764934 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and its comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Metabolic diseases cause vascular dysfunction and loss of capillaries termed capillary rarefaction. Interestingly, obesity seems to affect capillary beds in an organ-specific manner, causing morphological and functional changes in some tissues but not in others. Accordingly, treatment strategies targeting capillary rarefaction result in distinct outcomes depending on the organ. In recent years, organ-specific vasculature and endothelial heterogeneity have been in the spotlight in the field of vascular biology since specialized vascular systems have been shown to contribute to organ function by secreting varying autocrine and paracrine factors and by providing niches for stem cells. This review summarizes the recent literature covering studies on organ-specific capillary rarefaction observed in obesity and metabolic diseases and explores the underlying mechanisms, with multiple modes of action proposed. It also provides a glimpse of the reported therapeutic perspectives targeting capillary rarefaction. Further studies should address the reasons for such organ-specificity of capillary rarefaction, investigate strategies for its prevention and reversibility and examine potential signaling pathways that can be exploited to target it.
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15
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Räsänen M, Sultan I, Paech J, Hemanthakumar KA, Yu W, He L, Tang J, Sun Y, Hlushchuk R, Huan X, Armstrong E, Khoma OZ, Mervaala E, Djonov V, Betsholtz C, Zhou B, Kivelä R, Alitalo K. VEGF-B Promotes Endocardium-Derived Coronary Vessel Development and Cardiac Regeneration. Circulation 2020; 143:65-77. [PMID: 33203221 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.050635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent discoveries have indicated that, in the developing heart, sinus venosus and endocardium provide major sources of endothelium for coronary vessel growth that supports the expanding myocardium. Here we set out to study the origin of the coronary vessels that develop in response to vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) in the heart and the effect of VEGF-B on recovery from myocardial infarction. METHODS We used mice and rats expressing a VEGF-B transgene, VEGF-B-gene-deleted mice and rats, apelin-CreERT, and natriuretic peptide receptor 3-CreERT recombinase-mediated genetic cell lineage tracing and viral vector-mediated VEGF-B gene transfer in adult mice. Left anterior descending coronary vessel ligation was performed, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-mediated proliferating cell cycle labeling; flow cytometry; histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods; single-cell RNA sequencing and subsequent bioinformatic analysis; microcomputed tomography; and fluorescent- and tracer-mediated vascular perfusion imaging analyses were used to study the development and function of the VEGF-B-induced vessels in the heart. RESULTS We show that cardiomyocyte overexpression of VEGF-B in mice and rats during development promotes the growth of novel vessels that originate directly from the cardiac ventricles and maintain connection with the coronary vessels in subendocardial myocardium. In adult mice, endothelial proliferation induced by VEGF-B gene transfer was located predominantly in the subendocardial coronary vessels. Furthermore, VEGF-B gene transduction before or concomitantly with ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery promoted endocardium-derived vessel development into the myocardium and improved cardiac tissue remodeling and cardiac function. CONCLUSIONS The myocardial VEGF-B transgene promotes the formation of endocardium-derived coronary vessels during development, endothelial proliferation in subendocardial myocardium in adult mice, and structural and functional rescue of cardiac tissue after myocardial infarction. VEGF-B could provide a new therapeutic strategy for cardiac neovascularization after coronary occlusion to rescue the most vulnerable myocardial tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Räsänen
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine (M.R., I.S., J.P., K.A.H., E.A., R.K., K.A.)
| | - Ibrahim Sultan
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine (M.R., I.S., J.P., K.A.H., E.A., R.K., K.A.)
| | - Jennifer Paech
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine (M.R., I.S., J.P., K.A.H., E.A., R.K., K.A.)
| | - Karthik Amudhala Hemanthakumar
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine (M.R., I.S., J.P., K.A.H., E.A., R.K., K.A.)
| | - Wei Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (W.Y., J.T., X.H., B.Z.)
| | - Liqun He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, China (L.H.).,Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden (L.H., Y.S., C.B.)
| | - Juan Tang
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (W.Y., J.T., X.H., B.Z.)
| | - Ying Sun
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden (L.H., Y.S., C.B.)
| | - Ruslan Hlushchuk
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Switzerland (R.H., O.-Z.K., V.D.)
| | - Xiuzheng Huan
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (W.Y., J.T., X.H., B.Z.)
| | - Emma Armstrong
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine (M.R., I.S., J.P., K.A.H., E.A., R.K., K.A.)
| | | | - Eero Mervaala
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland (E.M.)
| | - Valentin Djonov
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Switzerland (R.H., O.-Z.K., V.D.)
| | - Christer Betsholtz
- Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden (C.B.)
| | - Bin Zhou
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (W.Y., J.T., X.H., B.Z.)
| | - Riikka Kivelä
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine (M.R., I.S., J.P., K.A.H., E.A., R.K., K.A.)
| | - Kari Alitalo
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine (M.R., I.S., J.P., K.A.H., E.A., R.K., K.A.)
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16
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Marinaro F, Casado JG, Blázquez R, Brun MV, Marcos R, Santos M, Duque FJ, López E, Álvarez V, Usón A, Sánchez-Margallo FM. Laparoscopy for the Treatment of Congenital Hernia: Use of Surgical Meshes and Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Clinically Relevant Animal Model. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:01332. [PMID: 33101010 PMCID: PMC7546355 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
More than a century has passed since the first surgical mesh for hernia repair was developed, and, to date, this is still the most widely used method despite the great number of complications it poses. The purpose of this study was to combine stem cell therapy and laparoscopy for the treatment of congenital hernia in a swine animal model. Porcine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were seeded on polypropylene surgical meshes using a fibrin sealant solution as a vehicle. Meshes with (cell group) or without (control group) MSCs were implanted through laparoscopy in Large White pigs with congenital abdominal hernia after the approximation of hernia borders (implantation day). A successive laparoscopic biopsy of the mesh and its surrounding tissues was performed a week after implantation, and surgical meshes were excised a month after implantation. Ultrasonography was used to measure hernia sizes. Flow cytometry, histological, and gene expression analyses of the biopsy and necropsy samples were performed. The fibrin sealant solution was easy to prepare and preserved the viability of MSCs in the surgical meshes. Ultrasonography demonstrated a significant reduction in hernia size 1 week after implantation in the cell group relative to that on the day of implantation (p < 0.05). Flow cytometry of the mesh-infiltrated cells showed a non-significant increase of M2 macrophages when the cell group was compared with the control group 1 week after implantation. A significant decrease in the gene expression of VEGF and a significant increase in TNF expression were determined in the cell group 1 month after implantation compared with gene expressions in the control group (p < 0.05). Here, we propose an easy and feasible method to combine stem cell therapy and minimally invasive surgical techniques for hernia repair. In this study, stem cell therapy did not show a great immunomodulatory or regenerative effect in overcoming hernia-related complications. However, our clinically relevant animal model with congenital hernia closely resembles the clinical human condition. Further studies should be focused on this valuable animal model to evaluate stem cell therapies in hernia surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Marinaro
- Stem Cell Therapy Unit, Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Javier G Casado
- Stem Cell Therapy Unit, Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Cáceres, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Blázquez
- Stem Cell Therapy Unit, Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Cáceres, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mauricio Veloso Brun
- Department of Small Animal Clinics, Center of Rural Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Marcos
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Department of Microscopy, Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Santos
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Department of Microscopy, Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Javier Duque
- Animal Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Esther López
- Stem Cell Therapy Unit, Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Verónica Álvarez
- Stem Cell Therapy Unit, Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Alejandra Usón
- Stem Cell Therapy Unit, Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco Miguel Sánchez-Margallo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain.,Scientific Direction, Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Cáceres, Spain
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17
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Chen L, Bai J, Li Y. miR‑29 mediates exercise‑induced skeletal muscle angiogenesis by targeting VEGFA, COL4A1 and COL4A2 via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:661-670. [PMID: 32467996 PMCID: PMC7339600 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the molecular changes and related regulatory mechanisms in the response of skeletal muscle to exercise. The microarray dataset ‘GSE109657’ of the skeletal muscle response to high-intensity intermittent exercise training (HIIT) was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened and analyzed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify the significant functional co-expressed gene modules. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis was performed for the DEGs in the significant modules. In addition, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and microRNA (miR)-transcription factor (TF)-target regulatory network were constructed. A total of 530 DEGs in the skeletal muscle were screened after HIIT, suggesting an effect of HIIT on the skeletal muscle. Moreover, three significant modules (brown, blue and red modules) were identified after WGCNA, and the genes Collagen Type IV α1 Chain (COL4A1) and COL4A2 in the brown module showed the strongest correlation with HIIT. The DEGs in the three modules were significantly enriched in focal adhesion, extracellular matrix organization and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, the PPI network contained 104 nodes and 211 interactions. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), COL4A1 and COL4A2 were the hub genes in the PPI network, and were all regulated by miR-29a/b/c. In addition, VEGFA, COL4A1 and COL4A2 were significantly upregulated in the skeletal muscle response to HIIT. Therefore, the present results suggested that the growth and migration of vascular endothelial cells, and skeletal muscle angiogenesis may be regulated by miR-29a/b/c targeting VEGFA, COL4A1 and COL4A2 via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The present results may provide a theoretical basis to investigate the effect of exercise on skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China
| | - Jun Bai
- Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
| | - Yanfei Li
- Office of Academic Research, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai 201318, P.R. China
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Abstract
While clinical gene therapy celebrates its first successes, with several products already approved for clinical use and several hundreds in the final stages of the clinical approval pipeline, there is not a single gene therapy approach that has worked for the heart. Here, we review the past experience gained in the several cardiac gene therapy clinical trials that had the goal of inducing therapeutic angiogenesis in the ischemic heart and in the attempts at modulating cardiac function in heart failure. Critical assessment of the results so far achieved indicates that the efficiency of cardiac gene delivery remains a major hurdle preventing success but also that improvements need to be sought in establishing more reliable large animal models, choosing more effective therapeutic genes, better designing clinical trials, and more deeply understanding cardiac biology. We also emphasize a few areas of cardiac gene therapy development that hold great promise for the future. In particular, the transition from gene addition studies using protein-coding cDNAs to the modulation of gene expression using small RNA therapeutics and the improvement of precise gene editing now pave the way to applications such as cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction and gene correction for inherited cardiomyopathies that were unapproachable until a decade ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cannatà
- From the King's College London, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (A.C., H.A., M.G.).,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy (A.C., G.S., M.G.)
| | - Hashim Ali
- From the King's College London, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (A.C., H.A., M.G.).,Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy (H.A., M.G.)
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy (A.C., G.S., M.G.)
| | - Mauro Giacca
- From the King's College London, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (A.C., H.A., M.G.).,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy (A.C., G.S., M.G.).,Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy (H.A., M.G.)
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Spatiotemporal release of VEGF from biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic acid microspheres induces angiogenesis in chick chorionic allantoic membrane assay. Int J Pharm 2019; 561:236-243. [PMID: 30853484 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
While vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an acknowledged potent pro-angiogenic agent there is a need to deliver it at an appropriate concentration for several days to achieve angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to produce microspheres of biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) tailored to achieve sustained release of VEGF at an appropriate concentration over seven days, avoiding excessive unregulated release of VEGF that has been associated with the formation of leaky blood vessels. Several formulations were examined to produce microspheres loaded with both human serum albumin (HSA) and VEGF to achieve release of VEGF between 3 and 10 ng per ml for seven days to match the therapeutic window desired for angiogenesis. In vitro experiments showed an increase in endothelial cell proliferation in response to microspheres bearing VEGF. Similarly, when microspheres containing VEGF were added to the chorionic membrane of fertilised chicken eggs, there was an increase in the development of blood vessels over seven days in response, which was significant for microspheres bearing VEGF and HSA, but not VEGF alone. There was an increase in both blood vessel density and branching - both signs of proangiogenic activity. Further, there was clearly migration of cells to the VEGF loaded microspheres. In summary, we describe the development of an injectable delivery vehicle to achieve spatiotemporal release of physiologically relevant levels of VEGF for several days and demonstrate the angiogenic response to this. We propose that such a treatment vehicle would be suitable for the treatment of ischemic tissue or wounds.
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20
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Liu Z, Li Y, Li W, Lian W, Kemell M, Hietala S, Figueiredo P, Li L, Mäkilä E, Ma M, Salonen J, Hirvonen JT, Liu D, Zhang H, Deng X, Santos HA. Close-loop dynamic nanohybrids on collagen-ark with in situ gelling transformation capability for biomimetic stage-specific diabetic wound healing. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2019; 6:385-393. [DOI: 10.1039/c8mh01145a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
A self-regulated dynamic nanohybrid that can sensitively respond to hyperglycemic microenvironment is developed. The nanohybrid with a core/shell structure is produced through a single-step microfluidics nanoprecipitation method, where drugs-loaded porous silicon (PSi) nanoparticles are encapsulated by H2O2 responsive polymeric matrix.
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21
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Skeletal muscle fibrosis: an overview. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:575-588. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2955-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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22
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Bagno L, Hatzistergos KE, Balkan W, Hare JM. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease: Progress and Challenges. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1610-1623. [PMID: 29807782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to diseased hearts improves cardiac function and reduces scar size. These effects occur via the stimulation of endogenous repair mechanisms, including regulation of immune responses, tissue perfusion, inhibition of fibrosis, and proliferation of resident cardiac cells, although rare events of transdifferentiation into cardiomyocytes and vascular components are also described in animal models. While these improvements demonstrate the potential of stem cell therapy, the goal of full cardiac recovery has yet to be realized in either preclinical or clinical studies. To reach this goal, novel cell-based therapeutic approaches are needed. Ongoing studies include cell combinations, incorporation of MSCs into biomaterials, or pre-conditioning or genetic manipulation of MSCs to boost their release of paracrine factors, such as exosomes, growth factors, microRNAs, etc. All of these approaches can augment therapeutic efficacy. Further study of the optimal route of administration, the correct dose, the best cell population(s), and timing for treatment are parameters that still need to be addressed in order to achieve the goal of complete cardiac regeneration. Despite significant progress, many challenges remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Bagno
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Konstantinos E Hatzistergos
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Wayne Balkan
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Joshua M Hare
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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Yu Y, Chen R, Sun Y, Pan Y, Tang W, Zhang S, Cao L, Yuan Y, Wang J, Liu C. Manipulation of VEGF-induced angiogenesis by 2-N, 6-O-sulfated chitosan. Acta Biomater 2018; 71:510-521. [PMID: 29501817 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that vascular endothelial growth facto (VEGF) is important in the treatment of various ischemic and cardiovascular diseases. However, it often suffers from high cost and easy deactivation with a short half-life. Here, we describe a synthetic 2-N, 6-O-sulfated chitosan (26SCS) with a high affinity to VEGF promoting the binding of the signaling protein to its VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), activating receptor phosphorylation and pro-angiogenic related genes expression, and further stimulating downstream VEGF-dependent endothelial cell viability, migration, tube formation and rat aortic rings outgrowth. Interestingly, the obvious recruitment of mural cells were occurred to stabilize the sprouted microvessels. In addition, the pro-angiogenic potential of 26SCS composited VEGF was confirmed in vivo using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay with an extensive perfusable vascular network. A longer monitoring was administered subcutaneously to mice in a biocompatible gelatin sponge and showed that VEGF with 26SCS had the capability to efficiently enhance neovascularization. These findings highlight that 26SCS, the semi-synthetic natural polymer, may be a promising coagent with VEGF for vascular therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is crucial for facilitating angiogenesis to supply oxygen and nutrient during wound healing and tissue regeneration. However, appropriate use of VEGF is an ongoing challenge due to its rapidly clearance and severe side effects at higher dosage. In this study, we described a synthetic 2-N, 6-O-sulfated chitosan (26SCS) with a high affinity to VEGF, which could significantly promote its binding capacity to VEGF receptor 2 and further stimulate the angiogenic behavior of endothelial cells. We further confirmed that 26SCS was spatially combined with VEGF in a "lying manner", and this spatial arrangement was more conducive to exposure of the receptor binding domain of VEGF. Additionally, it also promoted in vivo angiogenesis in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay and mouse subcutaneous implant model. This strategy may afford a new avenue to enhance pro-angiogenic capacity of VEGF.
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24
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Gaudiello E, Melly L, Cerino G, Boccardo S, Jalili-Firoozinezhad S, Xu L, Eckstein F, Martin I, Kaufmann BA, Banfi A, Marsano A. Scaffold Composition Determines the Angiogenic Outcome of Cell-Based Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression by Modulating Its Microenvironmental Distribution. Adv Healthc Mater 2017; 6. [PMID: 28994225 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Delivery of genetically modified cells overexpressing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a promising approach to induce therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic tissues. The effect of the protein is strictly modulated by its interaction with the components of the extracellular matrix. Its therapeutic potential depends on a sustained but controlled release at the microenvironmental level in order to avoid the formation of abnormal blood vessels. In this study, it is hypothesized that the composition of the scaffold plays a key role in modulating the binding, hence the therapeutic effect, of the VEGF released by 3D-cell constructs. It is found that collagen sponges, which poorly bind VEGF, prevent the formation of localized hot spots of excessive concentration, therefore, precluding the development of aberrant angiogenesis despite uncontrolled expression by a genetically engineered population of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells. On the contrary, after seeding on VEGF-binding egg-white scaffolds, the same cell population caused aberrantly enlarged vascular structures after 14 d. Collagen-based engineered tissues also induced a safe and efficient angiogenesis in both the patch itself and the underlying myocardium in rat models. These findings open new perspectives on the control and the delivery of proangiogenic stimuli, and are fundamental for the vascularization of engineered tissues/organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Gaudiello
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Surgery; University Hospital Basel; Spitalstrasse 21 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Ludovic Melly
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Surgery; University Hospital Basel; Spitalstrasse 21 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Giulia Cerino
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Surgery; University Hospital Basel; Spitalstrasse 21 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Stefano Boccardo
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Surgery; University Hospital Basel; Spitalstrasse 21 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Sasan Jalili-Firoozinezhad
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Surgery; University Hospital Basel; Spitalstrasse 21 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Lifen Xu
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Friedrich Eckstein
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Surgery; University Hospital Basel; Spitalstrasse 21 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Ivan Martin
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Surgery; University Hospital Basel; Spitalstrasse 21 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Beat A. Kaufmann
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Andrea Banfi
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Surgery; University Hospital Basel; Spitalstrasse 21 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
| | - Anna Marsano
- Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Hebelstrasse 20 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
- Department of Surgery; University Hospital Basel; Spitalstrasse 21 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland
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25
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Ylä-Herttuala S, Baker AH. Cardiovascular Gene Therapy: Past, Present, and Future. Mol Ther 2017; 25:1095-1106. [PMID: 28389321 PMCID: PMC5417840 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases remain a large global health problem. Although several conventional small-molecule treatments are available for common cardiovascular problems, gene therapy is a potential treatment option for acquired and inherited cardiovascular diseases that remain with unmet clinical needs. Among potential targets for gene therapy are severe cardiac and peripheral ischemia, heart failure, vein graft failure, and some forms of dyslipidemias. The first approved gene therapy in the Western world was indicated for lipoprotein lipase deficiency, which causes high plasma triglyceride levels. With improved gene delivery methods and more efficient vectors, together with interventional transgene strategies aligned for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of these diseases, new approaches are currently tested for safety and efficacy in clinical trials. In this article, we integrate a historical perspective with recent advances that will likely affect clinical development in this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 100, 70029 KYS Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Andrew H Baker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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26
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A novel strategy to enhance angiogenesis in vivo using the small VEGF-binding peptide PR1P. Angiogenesis 2017; 20:399-408. [PMID: 28397127 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-017-9556-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic angiogenesis is an experimental frontier in vascular biology that seeks to deliver angiogenic growth factors to ischemic or injured tissues to promote targeted formation of new blood vessels as an alternative approach to surgical revascularization procedures. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic signal protein that is locally upregulated at sites of tissue injury. However, therapies aimed at increasing VEGF levels experimentally by injecting VEGF gene or protein failed to improve outcomes in human trials in part due to its short half-life and systemic toxicity. We recently designed a novel 12-amino acid peptide (PR1P) whose sequence was derived from an extracellular VEGF-binding domain of the pro-angiogenic glycoprotein prominin-1. In this study, we characterized the molecular binding properties of this novel potential therapeutic for targeted angiogenesis and provided the foundation for its use as an angiogenic molecule that can potentiate endogenous VEGF. We showed that PR1P bound VEGF directly and enhanced VEGF binding to endothelial cells and to VEGF receptors VEGFR2 and neuropilin-1. PR1P increased angiogenesis in the murine corneal micropocket assay when combined with VEGF, but had no activity without added VEGF. In addition, PR1P also enhanced angiogenesis in murine choroidal neovascularization and wound-healing models and augmented reperfusion in a murine hind-limb ischemia model. Together our data suggest that PR1P enhanced angiogenesis by potentiating the activity of endogenous VEGF. In so doing, this novel therapy takes advantage of endogenous VEGF gradients generated in injured tissues and may improve the efficacy of and avoid systemic toxicity seen with previous VEGF therapies.
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27
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Gutpell KM, Tasevski N, Wong B, Hrinivich WT, Su F, Hadway J, Desjardins L, Lee TY, Hoffman LM. ANG1 treatment reduces muscle pathology and prevents a decline in perfusion in DMD mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174315. [PMID: 28334037 PMCID: PMC5363921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other pro-angiogenic growth factors have been investigated to enhance muscle tissue perfusion and repair in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Current understanding is limited by a lack of functional data following in vivo delivery of these growth factors. We previously used dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography to monitor disease progression in murine models of DMD, but no study to date has utilized this imaging technique to assess vascular therapy in a preclinical model of DMD. In the current study, we locally delivered VEGF and ANG1 alone or in combination to dystrophic hind limb skeletal muscle. Using functional imaging, we found the combination treatment as well as ANG1 alone prevented decline in muscle perfusion whereas VEGF alone had no effect compared to controls. These findings were validated histologically as demonstrated by increased alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive vessels in muscles that received either VEGF+ANG1 or ANG1 alone compared to the sham group. We further show that ANG1 alone slows progression of fibrosis compared to either sham or VEGF treatment. The findings from this study shed new light on the functional effects of vascular therapy and suggest that ANG1 alone may be a candidate therapy in the treatment of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Gutpell
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Boaz Wong
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - William Thomas Hrinivich
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Feng Su
- Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Ting-Yim Lee
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Marie Hoffman
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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28
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García JR, García AJ. Biomaterial-mediated strategies targeting vascularization for bone repair. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2016; 6:77-95. [PMID: 26014967 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-015-0236-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Repair of non-healing bone defects through tissue engineering strategies remains a challenging feat in the clinic due to the aversive microenvironment surrounding the injured tissue. The vascular damage that occurs following a bone injury causes extreme ischemia and a loss of circulating cells that contribute to regeneration. Tissue-engineered constructs aimed at regenerating the injured bone suffer from complications based on the slow progression of endogenous vascular repair and often fail at bridging the bone defect. To that end, various strategies have been explored to increase blood vessel regeneration within defects to facilitate both tissue-engineered and natural repair processes. Developments that induce robust vascularization will need to consolidate various parameters including optimization of embedded therapeutics, scaffold characteristics, and successful integration between the construct and the biological tissue. This review provides an overview of current strategies as well as new developments in engineering biomaterials to induce reparation of a functional vascular supply in the context of bone repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- José R García
- Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andrés J García
- Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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29
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Ellies LG. Collagen and fibronectin: threads linking obesity and breast cancer. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2016; 4:S50. [PMID: 27868018 PMCID: PMC5104618 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2016.10.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lesley G Ellies
- Department of Pathology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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30
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Latroche C, Gitiaux C, Chrétien F, Desguerre I, Mounier R, Chazaud B. Skeletal Muscle Microvasculature: A Highly Dynamic Lifeline. Physiology (Bethesda) 2016; 30:417-27. [PMID: 26525341 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00026.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is highly irrigated by blood vessels. Beyond oxygen and nutrient supply, new vessel functions have been identified. This review presents vessel microanatomy and functions at tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. Mechanisms of vessel plasticity are described during skeletal muscle development and acute regeneration, and in physiological and pathological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Latroche
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France; CNRS 8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Cyril Gitiaux
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France; CNRS 8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Isabelle Desguerre
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France; CNRS 8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Rémi Mounier
- CGPhyMC, CNRS UMR5534, Villeurbanne, France; and Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Bénédicte Chazaud
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France; CNRS 8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France; CGPhyMC, CNRS UMR5534, Villeurbanne, France; and Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Villeurbanne, France
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31
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Boccardo S, Gaudiello E, Melly L, Cerino G, Ricci D, Martin I, Eckstein F, Banfi A, Marsano A. Engineered mesenchymal cell-based patches as controlled VEGF delivery systems to induce extrinsic angiogenesis. Acta Biomater 2016; 42:127-135. [PMID: 27469308 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Therapeutic over-expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) by transduced progenitors is a promising strategy to efficiently induce angiogenesis in ischemic tissues (e.g. limb muscle and myocardium), but tight control over the micro-environmental distribution of the dose is required to avoid induction of angioma-like tumors. Therapeutic VEGF release was achieved by purified transduced adipose mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC) that homogeneously produce specific VEGF levels, inducing only normal angiogenesis after injection in non-ischemic tissues. However, the therapeutic potential of this approach mostly in the cardiac field is limited by the poor cell survival and the restricted area of effect confined to the cell-injection site. The implantation of cells previously organized in vitro in 3D engineered tissues could overcome these issues. Here we hypothesized that collagen sponge-based construct (patch), generated by ASC expressing controlled VEGF levels, can function as delivery device to induce angiogenesis in surrounding areas (extrinsic vascularization). A 7-mm-thick acellular collagen scaffold (empty), sutured beneath the patch, provided a controlled and reproducible model to clearly investigate the ongoing angiogenesis in subcutaneous mice pockets. VEGF-expressing ASC significantly increased the capillary in-growth inside both the patch itself and the empty scaffold compared to naïve cells, leading to significantly improved survival of implanted cells. These data suggest that this strategy confers control (i) on angiogenesis efficacy and safety by means of ASC expressing therapeutic VEGF levels and (ii) over the treated area through the specific localization in an engineered collagen sponge-based patch. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Development of efficient pro-angiogenic therapies to restore the micro-vascularization in ischemic tissues is still an open issue. Although extensively investigated, the promising approach based on injections of progenitors transduced to over-express Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) has still several limitations: (i) need of a tight control over the microenvironmental VEGF dose to avoid angioma-like tumor growth; (ii) poor implanted cell survival; (iii) effect area restricted mainly to the injection sites. Here, we aimed to overcome these drawbacks by generating a novel cell-based controlled VEGF delivery device. In particular, transduced mesenchymal cells, purified to release a sustained, safe and efficient VEGF dose, were organized in three-dimensional engineered tissues to improve cell survival and provide a uniform vascularization throughout both the mm-thick implanted constructs themselves and the surrounding area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Boccardo
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emanuele Gaudiello
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ludovic Melly
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Cerino
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Davide Ricci
- CTNSC, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ivan Martin
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Friedrich Eckstein
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Banfi
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Marsano
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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32
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Jazwa A, Florczyk U, Grochot-Przeczek A, Krist B, Loboda A, Jozkowicz A, Dulak J. Limb ischemia and vessel regeneration: Is there a role for VEGF? Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 86:18-30. [PMID: 27620809 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as an endothelial cell-specific mitogen, is crucial for new blood vessels formation. Atherosclerosis affecting the cardiovascular system causes ischemia and functio laesa in tissues supplied by the occluded vessels. When such a situation occurs in the lower extremities, it causes critical limb ischemia (CLI) often requiring leg amputation. Low oxygen tension leads to upregulation of hypoxia-regulated genes (i.e. VEGF), that should help to restore the impaired blood flow. In CLI these rescue mechanisms are, however, often inefficient. Moreover, there are many contradictory reports showing either induction, no changes or even down-regulation of VEGF in specimens taken from patients with CLI, as well as in samples collected from animals subjected to hindlimb ischemia. Additionally, taking into account numerous experimental and clinical data demonstrating rather insufficient therapeutic potential of VEGF, we called into question the role of this protein in limb ischemia and vessel regeneration. In this review we are also summarizing several aspects which can influence VEGF expression and its measurement in the ischemic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Jazwa
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Urszula Florczyk
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Grochot-Przeczek
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Bart Krist
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Loboda
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Alicja Jozkowicz
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jozef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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Muir LA, Murry CE, Chamberlain JS. Prosurvival Factors Improve Functional Engraftment of Myogenically Converted Dermal Cells into Dystrophic Skeletal Muscle. Stem Cells Dev 2016; 25:1559-1569. [PMID: 27503462 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2016.0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and other muscle wasting disorders, cell therapies are a promising route for promoting muscle regeneration by supplying a functional copy of the missing dystrophin gene and contributing new muscle fibers. The clinical application of cell-based therapies is resource intensive, and it will therefore be necessary to address key limitations that reduce cell engraftment into muscle tissue. A pressing issue is poor donor cell survival following transplantation, which in preclinical studies limits the ability to effectively test the impact of cell-based therapy on whole muscle function. We, therefore, sought to improve engraftment and the functional impact of in vivo myogenically converted dermal fibroblasts (dFbs) using a prosurvival cocktail (PSC) that includes heat shock followed by treatment with insulin-like growth factor-1, a caspase inhibitor, a Bcl-XL peptide, a KATP channel opener, basic fibroblast growth factor, Matrigel, and cyclosporine A. Advantages of dFbs include compatibility with the autologous setting, ease of isolation, and greater proliferative potential than DMD satellite cells. dFbs expressed tamoxifen-inducible MyoD and carried a mini-dystrophin gene driven by a muscle-specific promoter. After transplantation into muscles of mdx mice, a 70% reduction in donor cells was observed by day 5, and a 94% reduction by day 28. However, treatment with PSC gave a nearly three-fold increase in donor cells in early engraftment, and greatly increased the number of donor-contributed muscle fibers and total engrafted area in transplanted muscles. Furthermore, dystrophic muscles that received dFbs with PSC displayed reduced injury with eccentric contractions and an increase in maximum isometric force. Thus, enhancing survival of myogenic cells increases engraftment and improves structure and function of dystrophic muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Muir
- 1 Department of Neurology, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
- 2 Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Charles E Murry
- 3 Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
- 4 Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
- 5 Department of Pathology, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
- 6 Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
- 7 Department of Medicine/Cardiology, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- 1 Department of Neurology, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
- 8 Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
- 9 Department of Medicine/Medical Genetics, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
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34
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Laumonier T, Menetrey J. Muscle injuries and strategies for improving their repair. J Exp Orthop 2016; 3:15. [PMID: 27447481 PMCID: PMC4958098 DOI: 10.1186/s40634-016-0051-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Satellite cells are tissue resident muscle stem cells required for postnatal skeletal muscle growth and repair through replacement of damaged myofibers. Muscle regeneration is coordinated through different mechanisms, which imply cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions as well as extracellular secreted factors. Cellular dynamics during muscle regeneration are highly complex. Immune, fibrotic, vascular and myogenic cells appear with distinct temporal and spatial kinetics after muscle injury. Three main phases have been identified in the process of muscle regeneration; a destruction phase with the initial inflammatory response, a regeneration phase with activation and proliferation of satellite cells and a remodeling phase with maturation of the regenerated myofibers. Whereas relatively minor muscle injuries, such as strains, heal spontaneously, severe muscle injuries form fibrotic tissue that impairs muscle function and lead to muscle contracture and chronic pain. Current therapeutic approaches have limited effectiveness and optimal strategies for such lesions are not known yet. Various strategies, including growth factors injections, transplantation of muscle stem cells in combination or not with biological scaffolds, anti-fibrotic therapies and mechanical stimulation, may become therapeutic alternatives to improve functional muscle recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Laumonier
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals & Faculty of Medicine, 4, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil, 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland.
| | - Jacques Menetrey
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals & Faculty of Medicine, 4, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil, 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland
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Groppa E, Brkic S, Bovo E, Reginato S, Sacchi V, Di Maggio N, Muraro MG, Calabrese D, Heberer M, Gianni-Barrera R, Banfi A. VEGF dose regulates vascular stabilization through Semaphorin3A and the Neuropilin-1+ monocyte/TGF-β1 paracrine axis. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 7:1366-84. [PMID: 26323572 PMCID: PMC4604689 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201405003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
VEGF is widely investigated for therapeutic angiogenesis, but while short-term delivery is desirable for safety, it is insufficient for new vessel persistence, jeopardizing efficacy. Here, we investigated whether and how VEGF dose regulates nascent vessel stabilization, to identify novel therapeutic targets. Monoclonal populations of transduced myoblasts were used to homogeneously express specific VEGF doses in SCID mouse muscles. VEGF was abrogated after 10 and 17 days by Aflibercept treatment. Vascular stabilization was fastest with low VEGF, but delayed or prevented by higher doses, without affecting pericyte coverage. Rather, VEGF dose-dependently inhibited endothelial Semaphorin3A expression, thereby impairing recruitment of Neuropilin-1-expressing monocytes (NEM), TGF-β1 production and endothelial SMAD2/3 activation. TGF-β1 further initiated a feedback loop stimulating endothelial Semaphorin3A expression, thereby amplifying the stabilizing signals. Blocking experiments showed that NEM recruitment required endogenous Semaphorin3A and that TGF-β1 was necessary to start the Semaphorin3A/NEM axis. Conversely, Semaphorin3A treatment promoted NEM recruitment and vessel stabilization despite high VEGF doses or transient adenoviral delivery. Therefore, VEGF inhibits the endothelial Semaphorin3A/NEM/TGF-β1 paracrine axis and Semaphorin3A treatment accelerates stabilization of VEGF-induced angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Groppa
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sime Brkic
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuela Bovo
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Reginato
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Veronica Sacchi
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nunzia Di Maggio
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuele G Muraro
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Diego Calabrese
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Heberer
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Gianni-Barrera
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Banfi
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
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Kirby GTS, White LJ, Steck R, Berner A, Bogoevski K, Qutachi O, Jones B, Saifzadeh S, Hutmacher DW, Shakesheff KM, Woodruff MA. Microparticles for Sustained Growth Factor Delivery in the Regeneration of Critically-Sized Segmental Tibial Bone Defects. MATERIALS 2016; 9:ma9040259. [PMID: 28773384 PMCID: PMC5502923 DOI: 10.3390/ma9040259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study trialled the controlled delivery of growth factors within a biodegradable scaffold in a large segmental bone defect model. We hypothesised that co-delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) followed by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) could be more effective in stimulating bone repair than the delivery of BMP-2 alone. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA ) based microparticles were used as a delivery system to achieve a controlled release of growth factors within a medical-grade Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold. The scaffolds were assessed in a well-established preclinical ovine tibial segmental defect measuring 3 cm. After six months, mechanical properties and bone tissue regeneration were assessed. Mineralised bone bridging of the defect was enhanced in growth factor treated groups. The inclusion of VEGF and PDGF (with BMP-2) had no significant effect on the amount of bone regeneration at the six-month time point in comparison to BMP-2 alone. However, regions treated with VEGF and PDGF showed increased vascularity. This study demonstrates an effective method for the controlled delivery of therapeutic growth factors in vivo, using microparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giles T S Kirby
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisban, QLD 4006, Australia.
- School of Pharmacy, University Park, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Lisa J White
- School of Pharmacy, University Park, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Roland Steck
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisban, QLD 4006, Australia.
| | - Arne Berner
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisban, QLD 4006, Australia.
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93164, Germany.
| | - Kristofor Bogoevski
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisban, QLD 4006, Australia.
| | - Omar Qutachi
- School of Pharmacy, University Park, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Brendan Jones
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisban, QLD 4006, Australia.
| | - Siamak Saifzadeh
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisban, QLD 4006, Australia.
| | - Dietmar W Hutmacher
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisban, QLD 4006, Australia.
| | - Kevin M Shakesheff
- School of Pharmacy, University Park, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Maria A Woodruff
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisban, QLD 4006, Australia.
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Long-term safety and stability of angiogenesis induced by balanced single-vector co-expression of PDGF-BB and VEGF164 in skeletal muscle. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21546. [PMID: 26882992 PMCID: PMC4756385 DOI: 10.1038/srep21546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic angiogenesis by growth factor delivery is an attractive treatment strategy for ischemic diseases, yet clinical efficacy has been elusive. The angiogenic master regulator VEGF-A can induce aberrant angiogenesis if expressed above a threshold level. Since VEGF remains localized in the matrix around expressing cells, homogeneous dose distribution in target tissues is required, which is challenging. We found that co-expression of the pericyte-recruiting factor PDGF-BB at a fixed ratio with VEGF from a single bicistronic vector ensured normal angiogenesis despite heterogeneous high VEGF levels. Taking advantage of a highly controlled gene delivery platform, based on monoclonal populations of transduced myoblasts, in which every cell stably produces the same amount of each factor, here we rigorously investigated a) the dose-dependent effects, and b) the long-term safety and stability of VEGF and PDGF-BB co-expression in skeletal muscle. PDGF-BB co-expression did not affect the normal angiogenesis by low and medium VEGF doses, but specifically prevented vascular tumors by high VEGF, yielding instead normal and mature capillary networks, accompanied by robust arteriole formation. Induced angiogenesis persisted unchanged up to 4 months, while no tumors appeared. Therefore, PDGF-BB co-expression is an attractive strategy to improve safety and efficacy of therapeutic angiogenesis by VEGF gene delivery.
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Nailfold videocapillaroscopy and serum VEGF levels in scleroderma are associated with internal organ involvement. AUTOIMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 2016; 7:5. [PMID: 26878864 PMCID: PMC4754208 DOI: 10.1007/s13317-016-0077-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) identifies the microvascular hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and may play
a pivotal role in the associated vasculopathy. The aim of the present study was to compare NVC alterations with clinical subsets, internal organ involvement, and serum VEGF levels in a cohort of selected SSc cases. Methods We studied 44 patients with SSc who were evaluated within 3 months from enrollment by NVC, skin score, severity index, pulmonary function tests, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO), echocardiography, pulmonary high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), gastroesophageal (GE) endoscopy or manometry or X-ray, and serum autoantibodies. Serum VEGF-A levels were determined by ELISA in 72 SSc patients and 31 healthy controls. Results Giant capillaries were inversely correlated with age (p = 0.034, r = −0.34) and to the extent of reticular pattern at HRCT (p = 0.04, r = −0.5). Avascular areas were directly correlated with capillaroscopy skin ulcer risk index (CSURI) (p = 0.006, r = +0.4) and severity index (p = 0.004, r = +0.5). The mean capillary density was directly correlated to the ulcer number (p = 0.02, r = +0.4) and to DLCO/alveolar volume (p = 0.02, r = +0.4) and inversely correlated with severity index (p = 0.01, r = −0.4) and skin score (p = 0.02, r = −0.4). Serum VEGF levels were higher in the SSc population vs controls (p = 0.03) and inversely correlated with DLCO (p = 0.01, r =−0.4) and directly with ground-glass and reticular pattern at HRCT (p = 0.04, r = +0.4 for both). Conclusions Our data suggest the importance of NVC not only for the diagnosis, but also for the global evaluation of SSc patients. Of note, serum VEGF levels may act as a biomarker of interstitial lung involvement.
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Jazwa A, Stoszko M, Tomczyk M, Bukowska-Strakova K, Pichon C, Jozkowicz A, Dulak J. HIF-regulated HO-1 gene transfer improves the post-ischemic limb recovery and diminishes TLR-triggered immune responses — Effects modified by concomitant VEGF overexpression. Vascul Pharmacol 2015; 71:127-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2015.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Martino MM, Brkic S, Bovo E, Burger M, Schaefer DJ, Wolff T, Gürke L, Briquez PS, Larsson HM, Gianni-Barrera R, Hubbell JA, Banfi A. Extracellular matrix and growth factor engineering for controlled angiogenesis in regenerative medicine. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2015; 3:45. [PMID: 25883933 PMCID: PMC4381713 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2015.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood vessel growth plays a key role in regenerative medicine, both to restore blood supply to ischemic tissues and to ensure rapid vascularization of clinical-size tissue-engineered grafts. For example, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the master regulator of physiological blood vessel growth and is one of the main molecular targets of therapeutic angiogenesis approaches. However, angiogenesis is a complex process and there is a need to develop rational therapeutic strategies based on a firm understanding of basic vascular biology principles, as evidenced by the disappointing results of initial clinical trials of angiogenic factor delivery. In particular, the spatial localization of angiogenic signals in the extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial to ensure the proper assembly and maturation of new vascular structures. Here, we discuss the therapeutic implications of matrix interactions of angiogenic factors, with a special emphasis on VEGF, as well as provide an overview of current approaches, based on protein and biomaterial engineering that mimic the regulatory functions of ECM to optimize the signaling microenvironment of vascular growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaël M Martino
- Host Defense, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University , Osaka , Japan
| | - Sime Brkic
- Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University , Basel , Switzerland ; Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Emmanuela Bovo
- Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University , Basel , Switzerland ; Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Maximilian Burger
- Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University , Basel , Switzerland ; Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland ; Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Dirk J Schaefer
- Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Thomas Wolff
- Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University , Basel , Switzerland ; Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland ; Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Gürke
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Priscilla S Briquez
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Hans M Larsson
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Roberto Gianni-Barrera
- Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University , Basel , Switzerland ; Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey A Hubbell
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , Lausanne , Switzerland ; Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago , Chicago, IL , USA ; Argonne National Laboratory, Materials Science Division , Argonne, IL , USA
| | - Andrea Banfi
- Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University , Basel , Switzerland ; Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital , Basel , Switzerland
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Guyot M, Pagès G. VEGF Splicing and the Role of VEGF Splice Variants: From Physiological-Pathological Conditions to Specific Pre-mRNA Splicing. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1332:3-23. [PMID: 26285742 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2917-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
During this past decade, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway has been extensively studied. VEGF is a paradigm of molecular regulation since its expression is controlled at all possible steps including transcription, mRNA stability, translation, and pre-mRNA splicing. The latter form of molecular regulation is probably the least studied. This field has been neglected; yet different forms of VEGF with different sizes and different physiological properties issued from alternative splicing have been described a long time ago. Recently a new level of complexity was added to the field of splicing of VEGF pre-mRNA. Whereas thousands of publications have described VEGF as a pro-angiogenic factor, an alternative splicing event generates specific anti-angiogenic forms of VEGF that only differ from the others by a modification in the last six amino acids of the protein. According to the scientists who discovered these isoforms, which are indistinguishable from the pro-angiogenic ones with pan VEGF antibodies, some of the literature on VEGF is at least inexact if not completely false. Moreover, the presence of anti-angiogenic forms of VEGF may explain the disappointing efficacy of anti-VEGF therapies on the overall survival of patients with different forms of cancers and with wet age-related macular degeneration. This review focuses on the existence of the different alternative splice variants of VEGF and the molecular mechanisms associated with their expression and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Guyot
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Centre Antoine Lacassagne 33 Avenue de Valombrose, UMR CNRS 7284/INSERM U 1081, Nice, 06189, France
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Wang C, Dong L. Exploring 'new' bioactivities of polymers at the nano-bio interface. Trends Biotechnol 2014; 33:10-4. [PMID: 25441258 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A biological system is essentially an elegant assembly of polymeric nanostructures. The polymers in the body, biomacromolecules, are both building blocks and versatile messengers. We propose that non-biologically derived polymers can be potential therapeutic candidates with unique advantages. Emerging findings about polycations, polysaccharides, immobilised multivalent ligands, and biomolecular coronas provide evidence that polymers are activated at the nano-bio interface, while emphasising the current theoretical and practical challenges. Our increasing understanding of the nano-bio interface and evolving approaches to establish the therapeutic potential of polymers enable the development of polymer drugs with high specificities for broad applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Lei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093 China.
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Zacchigna S, Zentilin L, Giacca M. Adeno-associated virus vectors as therapeutic and investigational tools in the cardiovascular system. Circ Res 2014; 114:1827-46. [PMID: 24855205 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.114.302331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The use of vectors based on the small parvovirus adeno-associated virus has gained significant momentum during the past decade. Their high efficiency of transduction of postmitotic tissues in vivo, such as heart, brain, and retina, renders these vectors extremely attractive for several gene therapy applications affecting these organs. Besides functional correction of different monogenic diseases, the possibility to drive efficient and persistent transgene expression in the heart offers the possibility to develop innovative therapies for prevalent conditions, such as ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Therapeutic genes are not only restricted to protein-coding complementary DNAs but also include short hairpin RNAs and microRNA genes, thus broadening the spectrum of possible applications. In addition, several spontaneous or engineered variants in the virus capsid have recently improved vector efficiency and expanded their tropism. Apart from their therapeutic potential, adeno-associated virus vectors also represent outstanding investigational tools to explore the function of individual genes or gene combinations in vivo, thus providing information that is conceptually similar to that obtained from genetically modified animals. Finally, their single-stranded DNA genome can drive homology-directed gene repair at high efficiency. Here, we review the main molecular characteristics of adeno-associated virus vectors, with a particular view to their applications in the cardiovascular field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Zacchigna
- From the Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy (S.Z., L.Z., M.G.); and Department of Medical, Surgical, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy (S.Z., M.G.)
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- From the Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy (S.Z., L.Z., M.G.); and Department of Medical, Surgical, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy (S.Z., M.G.)
| | - Mauro Giacca
- From the Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy (S.Z., L.Z., M.G.); and Department of Medical, Surgical, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy (S.Z., M.G.).
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Rowe GC, Raghuram S, Jang C, Nagy JA, Patten IS, Goyal A, Chan MC, Liu LX, Jiang A, Spokes KC, Beeler D, Dvorak H, Aird WC, Arany Z. PGC-1α induces SPP1 to activate macrophages and orchestrate functional angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. Circ Res 2014; 115:504-17. [PMID: 25009290 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.115.303829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Mechanisms of angiogenesis in skeletal muscle remain poorly understood. Efforts to induce physiological angiogenesis hold promise for the treatment of diabetic microvascular disease and peripheral artery disease but are hindered by the complexity of physiological angiogenesis and by the poor angiogenic response of aged and patients with diabetes mellitus. To date, the best therapy for diabetic vascular disease remains exercise, often a challenging option for patients with leg pain. Peroxisome proliferation activator receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a powerful regulator of metabolism, mediates exercise-induced angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. OBJECTIVE To test whether, and how, PGC-1α can induce functional angiogenesis in adult skeletal muscle. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, we show that muscle PGC-1α robustly induces functional angiogenesis in adult, aged, and diabetic mice. The process involves the orchestration of numerous cell types and leads to patent, nonleaky, properly organized, and functional nascent vessels. These findings contrast sharply with the disorganized vasculature elicited by induction of vascular endothelial growth factor alone. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that PGC-1α induces the secretion of secreted phosphoprotein 1 and the recruitment of macrophages. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 stimulates macrophages to secrete monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, which then activates adjacent endothelial cells, pericytes, and smooth muscle cells. In contrast, induction of PGC-1α in secreted phosphoprotein 1(-/-) mice leads to immature capillarization and blunted arteriolarization. Finally, adenoviral delivery of PGC-1α into skeletal muscle of either young or old and diabetic mice improved the recovery of blood flow in the murine hindlimb ischemia model of peripheral artery disease. CONCLUSIONS PGC-1α drives functional angiogenesis in skeletal muscle and likely recapitulates the complex physiological angiogenesis elicited by exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn C Rowe
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Srilatha Raghuram
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Cholsoon Jang
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Janice A Nagy
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ian S Patten
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Amrita Goyal
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mun Chun Chan
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Laura X Liu
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Aihua Jiang
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Katherine C Spokes
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - David Beeler
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Harold Dvorak
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - William C Aird
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Zolt Arany
- From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (G.C.R., S.R., C.J., I.S.P., A.G., M.C.C., L.X.L., A.J., Z.A.), Center for Vascular Biology Research (J.A.N., K.C.S., D.B., H.D., W.C.A., Z.A.), and Department of Pathology (J.A.N., H.D.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
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Wang C, Poon S, Murali S, Koo CY, Bell TJ, Hinkley SF, Yeong H, Bhakoo K, Nurcombe V, Cool SM. Engineering a vascular endothelial growth factor 165-binding heparan sulfate for vascular therapy. Biomaterials 2014; 35:6776-86. [PMID: 24854095 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.04.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic use of VEGF165 to stimulate blood vessel formation for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease or cardiovascular-related disease has met with limited success. Here we describe an affinity-isolated heparan sulfate glycotherapeutic (HS7(+ve)) that binds to, and enhances the bioactivity of, VEGF165. Application of HS7(+ve) complexed with VEGF165 results in enhanced VEGF165-VEGFR2 interaction, prolonged downstream pErk1/2 signalling, and increased cell proliferation and tube formation in HUVECs, compared with VEGF165 alone. The pro-angiogenic potential of HS7(+ve) was further assessed in vivo using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Exogenous dosing with HS7(+ve) alone significantly enhanced the formation of new blood vessels with potencies comparable to VEGF165. These results demonstrate the potential for vascular therapy of glycotherapeutic agents targeted at augmenting the bioactivity of VEGF165.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunming Wang
- Glycotherapeutics Group, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Selina Poon
- Glycotherapeutics Group, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Sadasivam Murali
- Glycotherapeutics Group, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Chuay-Yeng Koo
- Glycotherapeutics Group, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Tracey J Bell
- The Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Simon F Hinkley
- The Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Huiqing Yeong
- Glycotherapeutics Group, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Kishore Bhakoo
- Translational Molecular Imaging Group, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Victor Nurcombe
- Glycotherapeutics Group, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University-Imperial College London, Singapore
| | - Simon M Cool
- Glycotherapeutics Group, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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47
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Mujagic E, Gianni-Barrera R, Trani M, Patel A, Gürke L, Heberer M, Wolff T, Banfi A. Induction of aberrant vascular growth, but not of normal angiogenesis, by cell-based expression of different doses of human and mouse VEGF is species-dependent. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2013; 24:28-37. [PMID: 23360398 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2012.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic angiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene delivery is an attractive approach to treat ischemia. VEGF remains localized around each producing cell in vivo, and overexpression of mouse VEGF(164) (mVEGF(164)) induces normal or aberrant angiogenesis, depending strictly on its dose in the microenvironment in vivo. However, the dose-dependent effects of the clinically relevant factor, human VEGF(165) (hVEGF(165)), are unknown. Here we exploited a highly controlled gene delivery platform, based on clonal populations of transduced myoblasts overexpressing specific VEGF levels, to rigorously compare the in vivo dose-dependent effects of hVEGF(165) and mVEGF(164) in skeletal muscle of severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice. While low levels of both factors efficiently induced similar amounts of normal angiogenesis, only high levels of mVEGF(164) caused widespread angioma-like structures, whereas equivalent or even higher levels of hVEGF(165) induced exclusively normal and mature capillaries. Expression levels were confirmed both in vitro and in vivo by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). However, in vitro experiments showed that hVEGF(165) was significantly more effective in activating VEGF receptor signaling in human endothelial cells than mVEGF(164), while the opposite was true in murine endothelial cells. In conclusion, we found that, even though hVEGF is similarly efficient to the syngenic mVEGF in inducing angiogenesis at lower doses in a widely adopted and convenient mouse preclinical model, species-dependent differences in the relative activation of the respective receptors may specifically mask the toxic effects of high doses of the human factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edin Mujagic
- Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital and Basel University, Basel CH-4031, Switzerland
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Maurer B, Distler A, Suliman YA, Gay RE, Michel BA, Gay S, Distler JHW, Distler O. Vascular endothelial growth factor aggravates fibrosis and vasculopathy in experimental models of systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis 2013; 73:1880-7. [PMID: 23918036 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES High levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key angiogenic factor, are present in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), but its role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis and its contribution to the disturbed angiogenesis of SSc remains hypothetical. METHODS Mono (+/-) and double (+/+) VEGF transgenic (tg) mice and their wildtype (wt) controls were analysed. The bleomycin model was applied to VEGF tg mice to evaluate effects of VEGF under proinflammatory conditions. Additionally, tight skin (TSK) 1/VEGF+/+ mice were generated to mimic later non-inflammatory stages of SSc. RESULTS VEGF+/+, but not VEGF+/- tg mice, spontaneously developed significant skin fibrosis, indicating profibrotic effect of VEGF in a gene-dosing manner. In the proinflammatory bleomycin model, the profibrotic effect became more pronounced with induction of skin fibrosis in VEGF+/- tg mice and even more enhanced fibrosis in VEGF+/+ tg mice. Analysis in TSK1/VEGF+/+ mice showed similar profibrotic effects of VEGF also under non-inflammatory in vivo conditions. In vitro analysis revealed that VEGF is able to directly induce collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts. Additionally, there was an inverse gene-dosing effect on the efficacy of angiogenesis in that a higher number of microvessels was observed in VEGF+/- tg mice than in VEGF+/+ tg mice. CONCLUSIONS These data provide the first evidence for VEGF as a novel molecular link between fibrosis and vasculopathy in the pathogenesis of SSc. They suggest that high levels of VEGF potently induce fibrosis in inflammatory and non-inflammatory stages, and also contribute to the relatively insufficient angiogenesis characteristic for SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Maurer
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alfiya Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yossra A Suliman
- Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University Hospitals, Assuit, Egypt
| | - Renate E Gay
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat A Michel
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steffen Gay
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Jazwa A, Florczyk U, Jozkowicz A, Dulak J. Gene therapy on demand: Site specific regulation of gene therapy. Gene 2013; 525:229-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.03.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Revised: 03/02/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Jazwa A, Tomczyk M, Taha HM, Hytonen E, Stoszko M, Zentilin L, Giacca M, Yla-Herttuala S, Emanueli C, Jozkowicz A, Dulak J. Arteriogenic therapy based on simultaneous delivery of VEGF-A and FGF4 genes improves the recovery from acute limb ischemia. Vasc Cell 2013; 5:13. [PMID: 23816205 PMCID: PMC3703285 DOI: 10.1186/2045-824x-5-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gene therapy stimulating the growth of blood vessels is considered for the treatment of peripheral and myocardial ischemia. Here we aimed to achieve angiogenic synergism between vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A, VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) in murine normoperfused and ischemic limb muscles. Methods Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) carrying β-galactosidase gene (AAV-LacZ), VEGF-A (AAV-VEGF-A) or two angiogenic genes (AAV-FGF4-IRES-VEGF-A) were injected into the normo-perfused adductor muscles of C57Bl/6 mice. Moreover, in a different experiment, mice were subjected to unilateral hindlimb ischemia by femoral artery ligation followed by intramuscular injections of AAV-LacZ, AAV-VEGF-A or AAV-FGF4-IRES-VEGF-A below the site of ligation. Post-ischemic blood flow recovery was assessed sequentially by color laser Doppler. Mice were monitored for 28 days. Results VEGF-A delivered alone (AAV-VEGF-A) or in combination with FGF4 (AAV-FGF4-IRES-VEGF-A) increased the number of capillaries in normo-perfused hindlimbs when compared to AAV-LacZ. Simultaneous overexpression of both agents (VEGF-A and FGF4) stimulated the capillary wall remodeling in the non-ischemic model. Moreover, AAV-FGF4-IRES-VEGF-A faster restored the post-ischemic foot blood flow and decreased the incidence of toe necrosis in comparison to AAV-LacZ. Conclusions Synergy between VEGF-A and FGF4 to produce stable and functional blood vessels may be considered a promising option in cardiovascular gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Jazwa
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mateusz Tomczyk
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Hevidar M Taha
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Elisa Hytonen
- Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mateusz Stoszko
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Seppo Yla-Herttuala
- Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Costanza Emanueli
- Laboratory of Vascular Pathology and Regeneration, School of Clinical Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Section, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Alicja Jozkowicz
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jozef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
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