Exploring and challenging the network of angiogenesis

Icariin, an Up-and-Coming Bioactive Compound Against Neurological Diseases: Network Pharmacology-Based Study and Literature Review

Icariin is a biologically active substance in Epimedii herba that is used for the treatment of neurologic disorders. However, a comprehensive analysis of the molecular mechanisms of icariin is lacking. In this review, we present a brief history of the use of icariin for medicinal purposes; describe the active chemical components of Epimedii herba; and examine the evidence from experimental studies that have uncovered molecular targets of icariin in different diseases. We also constructed a protein–protein interaction network and carried out Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analyses to predict the therapeutic actions of icariin in nervous system diseases including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, ischemic stroke, depressive disorder, multiple sclerosis, glioblastoma, and hereditary spastic paraplegias. The results of our analyses can guide future studies on the application of icariin to the treatment of neurologic disorders.

Endothelial cell mineralocorticoid receptors oppose VEGF-induced gene expression and angiogenesis

Aldosterone is a key factor in adverse cardiovascular remodeling by acting on the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in different cell types. Endothelial MR activation mediates hypertrophy, inflammation and fibrosis. Cardiovascular remodeling is often accompanied by impaired angiogenesis, which is a risk factor for the development of heart failure. In this study, we evaluated the impact of MR in endothelial cells on angiogenesis. Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertension was associated with capillary rarefaction in the heart of WT mice but not of mice with cell type-specific MR deletion in endothelial cells. Consistently, endothelial MR deletion prevented the inhibitory effect of aldosterone on the capillarization of subcutaneously implanted silicon tubes and on capillary sprouting from aortic ring segments. We examined MR-dependent gene expression in cultured endothelial cells by RNA-seq and identified a cluster of differentially regulated genes related to angiogenesis. We found opposing effects on gene expression when comparing activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor in ECs to treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent activator of angiogenesis. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that activation of endothelial cell MR impaired angiogenic capacity and lead to capillary rarefaction in a mouse model of MR-driven hypertension. MR activation opposed VEGF-induced gene expression leading to the dysregulation of angiogenesis-related gene networks in endothelial cells. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of endothelial cell MR in the pathophysiology of hypertension and related heart disease.

In silico prediction of targets for anti-angiogenesis and their in vitro evaluation confirm the involvement of SOD3 in angiogenesis

Biocomputational network approaches are being successfully applied to predict and extract previously unknown information of novel molecular components of biological systems. In the present work, we have used this approach to predict new potential targets of anti-angiogenic therapies. For experimental validation of predictions, we made use of two in vitro assays related to two key steps of the angiogenic process, namely, endothelial cell migration and formation of "tubular-like" structures on Matrigel. From 7 predicted candidates, experimental tests clearly show that superoxide dismutase 3 silencing or blocking with specific antibodies inhibit both key steps of angiogenesis. This experimental validation was further confirmed with additional in vitro assays showing that superoxide dismutase 3 blocking produces inhibitory effects on the capacity of endothelial cells to form "tubular-like" structure within type I collagen matrix, to adhere to elastin-coated plates and to invade a Matrigel layer. Furthermore, angiogenesis was also inhibited in the en vivo aortic ring assay and in the in vivo mouse Matrigel plug assay. Therefore, superoxide dismutase 3 is confirmed as a putative target for anti-angiogenic therapy.

Drug-target networks for Tanshinone IIA identified by data mining

Tanshinone IIA is a pharmacologically active compound isolated from Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the management of cardiac diseases and other disorders. But its underlying molecular mechanisms of action are still unclear. The present investigation utilized a data mining approach based on network pharmacology to uncover the potential protein targets of Tanshinone IIA. Network pharmacology, an integrated multidisciplinary study, incorporates systems biology, network analysis, connectivity, redundancy, and pleiotropy, providing powerful new tools and insights into elucidating the fine details of drug-target interactions. In the present study, two separate drug-target networks for Tanshinone IIA were constructed using the Agilent Literature Search (ALS) and STITCH (search tool for interactions of chemicals) methods. Analysis of the ALS-constructed network revealed a target network with a scale-free topology and five top nodes (protein targets) corresponding to Fos, Jun, Src, phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1), whereas analysis of the STITCH-constructed network revealed three top nodes corresponding to cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), cytochrome P450 A1 (CYP1A1), and nuclear factor kappa B1 (NFκB1). The discrepancies were probably due to the differences in the divergent computer mining tools and databases employed by the two methods. However, it is conceivable that all eight proteins mediate important biological functions of Tanshinone IIA, contributing to its overall drug-target network. In conclusion, the current results may assist in developing a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of in a simple, compact, and visual manner.

Bioactive baculovirus nanohybrids for stent based rapid vascular re-endothelialization

Present study, for the first time, reports the development of a nanohybridized baculovirus based stent that can locally promote vascular re-endothelialization by efficient delivery of pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) genes. In vitro data demonstrated rapid expression of functionally active Vegf by the bioactive stent-transduced vascular cells. In vivo site-specific transgene expression was observed at the stented regions of balloon-denuded canine femoral artery, which eventually lead to significant endothelial recovery at the injured sites. A significant reduction in neointima formation (2.23 ± 0.56 mm² vs 2.78 ± 0.49 mm² and 3.11 ± 0.23 mm², p < 0.05; n = 8) and percent stenosis was observed in treated stent group compared to negative control and bare metal stent groups. These findings collectively implicate the potential of this newly developed baculovirus based biotherapeutic stent to ameliorate damaged vascular biology and attenuate re-narrowing of stented artery by inhibiting neointima formation.

Systems biology for molecular life sciences and its impact in biomedicine

Modern systems biology is already contributing to a radical transformation of molecular life sciences and biomedicine, and it is expected to have a real impact in the clinical setting in the next years. In this review, the emergence of systems biology is contextualized with a historic overview, and its present state is depicted. The present and expected future contribution of systems biology to the development of molecular medicine is underscored. Concerning the present situation, this review includes a reflection on the "inflation" of biological data and the urgent need for tools and procedures to make hidden information emerge. Descriptions of the impact of networks and models and the available resources and tools for applying them in systems biology approaches to molecular medicine are provided as well. The actual current impact of systems biology in molecular medicine is illustrated, reviewing two cases, namely, those of systems pharmacology and cancer systems biology. Finally, some of the expected contributions of systems biology to the immediate future of molecular medicine are commented.