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Harary Søndergaard R, Drozd Højgaard L, Haack-Sørensen M, Hoeeg C, Mønsted Johansen E, Follin B, Kastrup J, Ekblond A, Juhl M. Investigating the paracrine and juxtacrine abilities of adipose-derived stromal cells in angiogenesis triple cell co-cultures. Stem Cell Res 2024; 77:103417. [PMID: 38608355 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2024.103417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The pro-angiogenic abilities of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) make them attractive candidates for cellular therapy, especially for ischemic disease indications. However, details regarding the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate paracrine and juxtacrine abilities of ASCs in angiogenesis triple cell co-cultures by detailed image analysis of the vascular-like structures. Fibroblast-endothelial cell co-cultures were established, and ASCs were added directly or indirectly through inserts. The cultures were treated with antibodies or subjected to analyses using ELISA and RT2 PCR Arrays. The model consistently generated vascular-like structures. ASCs increased the total branch lengths equally well in paracrine and juxtacrine conditions, by increasing the number of branches and average branch lengths (ABL). In contrast, addition of VEGF to the model increased the number of branches, but not the ABL. Still, ASCs increased the VEGF levels in supernatants of paracrine and juxtacrine co-cultures, and anti-VEGF treatment decreased the sprouting. ASCs themselves up-regulated collagen type V in response to paracrine signals from the co-cultures. The results suggest that ASCs initiate sprouting through secretion of several paracrine factors, among which VEGF is identified, but VEGF alone does not recapitulate the paracrine actions of ASCs. By employing neutralizing antibodies and dismantling common model outputs using image analysis, the triple cell co-culture is an attractive tool for discovery of the paracrine factors in ASCs' secretome which act in concert with VEGF to improve angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Harary Søndergaard
- Cardiology Stem Cell Centre, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4C, Dept. 9302, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Lisbeth Drozd Højgaard
- Cardiology Stem Cell Centre, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4C, Dept. 9302, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mandana Haack-Sørensen
- Cardiology Stem Cell Centre, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4C, Dept. 9302, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Hoeeg
- Cardiology Stem Cell Centre, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4C, Dept. 9302, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ellen Mønsted Johansen
- Cardiology Stem Cell Centre, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4C, Dept. 9302, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bjarke Follin
- Cardiology Stem Cell Centre, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4C, Dept. 9302, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Kastrup
- Cardiology Stem Cell Centre, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4C, Dept. 9302, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Annette Ekblond
- Cardiology Stem Cell Centre, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4C, Dept. 9302, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Juhl
- Cardiology Stem Cell Centre, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4C, Dept. 9302, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Krattiger LA, Moser LO, Odabasi R, Odriozola A, Simona BR, Djonov V, Tibbitt MW, Ehrbar M. Recovery of Therapeutically Ablated Engineered Blood-Vessel Networks on a Plug-and-Play Platform. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2301142. [PMID: 37946678 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Limiting the availability of key angiogenesis-promoting factors is a successful strategy to ablate tumor-supplying blood vessels or to reduce excessive vasculature in diabetic retinopathy. However, the efficacy of such anti-angiogenic therapies (AATs) varies with tumor type, and regrowth of vessels is observed upon termination of treatment. The ability to understand and develop AATs remains limited by a lack of robust in vitro systems for modeling the recovery of vascular networks. Here, complex 3D micro-capillary networks are engineered by sequentially seeding human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs) on a previously established, synthetic plug-and-play hydrogel platform. In the tightly interconnected vascular networks that form this way, the two cell types share a basement membrane-like layer and can be maintained for several days of co-culture. Pre-formed networks degrade in the presence of bevacizumab. Upon treatment termination, vessel structures grow back to their original positions after replenishment with new ECs, which also integrate into unperturbed established networks. The data suggest that this plug-and-play platform enables the screening of drugs with blood-vessel inhibiting functions. It is believed that this platform could be of particular interest in studying resistance or recovery mechanisms to AAT treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Krattiger
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Lukas O Moser
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
| | - Rodi Odabasi
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
| | - Adolfo Odriozola
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin R Simona
- Ectica Technologies AG, Raeffelstrasse 24, Zurich, 8045, Switzerland
| | - Valentin Djonov
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
| | - Mark W Tibbitt
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Martin Ehrbar
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
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Patel AS, Ludwinski FE, Mondragon A, Nuthall K, Saha P, Lyons O, Squadrito ML, Siow R, De Palma M, Smith A, Modarai B. HTATIP2 regulates arteriogenic activity in monocytes from patients with limb ischemia. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e131419. [PMID: 37847559 PMCID: PMC10807724 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.131419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Use of autologous cells isolated from elderly patients with multiple comorbidities may account for the modest efficacy of cell therapy in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI). We aimed to determine whether proarteriogenic monocyte/macrophages (Mo/MΦs) from patients with CLTI were functionally impaired and to demonstrate the mechanisms related to any impairment. Proarteriogenic Mo/MΦs isolated from patients with CLTI were found to have an impaired capacity to promote neovascularization in vitro and in vivo compared with those isolated from healthy controls. This was associated with increased expression of human HIV-1 TAT interactive protein-2 (HTATIP2), a transcription factor known to suppress angiogenesis/arteriogenesis. Silencing HTATIP2 restored the functional capacity of CLTI Mo/MΦs, which was associated with increased expression of arteriogenic regulators Neuropilin-1 and Angiopoietin-1, and their ability to enhance angiogenic (endothelial tubule formation) and arteriogenic (smooth muscle proliferation) processes in vitro. In support of the translational relevance of our findings, silencing HTATIP2 in proarteriogenic Mo/MΦs isolated from patients with CLTI rescued their capacity to enhance limb perfusion in the ischemic hindlimb by effecting greater angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Ex vivo modulation of HTATIP2 may offer a strategy for rescuing the functional impairment of pro-angio/arteriogenic Mo/MΦs prior to autologous delivery and increase the likelihood of clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish S. Patel
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, South Bank Section, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca E. Ludwinski
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, South Bank Section, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Angeles Mondragon
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, South Bank Section, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Nuthall
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, South Bank Section, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Prakash Saha
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, South Bank Section, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Lyons
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, South Bank Section, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Mario Leonardo Squadrito
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Richard Siow
- Department of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, South Bank Section, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Michele De Palma
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alberto Smith
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, South Bank Section, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Bijan Modarai
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, South Bank Section, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, United Kingdom
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Koukorava C, Ward K, Ahmed K, Almaghrabi S, Dauleh S, Pereira SM, Taylor A, Haddrick M, Cross MJ, Wilm B. Mesothelial Cells Exhibit Characteristics of Perivascular Cells in an In Vitro Angiogenesis Assay. Cells 2023; 12:2436. [PMID: 37887280 PMCID: PMC10605208 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesothelial cells have been shown to have remarkable plasticity towards mesenchymal cell types during development and in disease situations. Here, we have characterized the potential of mesothelial cells to undergo changes toward perivascular cells using an in vitro angiogenesis assay. We demonstrate that GFP-labeled mesothelial cells (GFP-MCs) aligned closely and specifically with endothelial networks formed when human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) were cultured in the presence of VEGF-A165 on normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) for a 7-day period. The co-culture with GFP-MCs had a positive effect on branch point formation indicating that the cells supported endothelial tube formation. We interrogated the molecular response of the GFP-MCs to the angiogenic co-culture by qRT-PCR and found that the pericyte marker Ng2 was upregulated when the cells were co-cultured with HDMECs on NHDFs, indicating a change towards a perivascular phenotype. When GFP-MCs were cultured on the NHDF feeder layer, they upregulated the epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker Zeb1 and lost their circularity while increasing their size, indicating a change to a more migratory cell type. We analyzed the pericyte-like behavior of the GFP-MCs in a 3D cardiac microtissue (spheroid) with cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts and cardiac endothelial cells where the mesothelial cells showed alignment with the endothelial cells. These results indicate that mesothelial cells have the potential to adopt a perivascular phenotype and associate with endothelial cells to potentially support angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysa Koukorava
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
| | - Kelly Ward
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
| | - Katie Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
| | - Shrouq Almaghrabi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
| | - Sumaya Dauleh
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
| | - Sofia M. Pereira
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
| | - Arthur Taylor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
- Medicines Discovery Catapult, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4ZF, UK
| | - Malcolm Haddrick
- Medicines Discovery Catapult, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4ZF, UK
| | - Michael J. Cross
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
| | - Bettina Wilm
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK
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Seavey CE, Doshi M, Panarello AP, Felice MA, Dickerson AK, Jewett MW, Willenberg BJ. Engineered Human Tissue as A New Platform for Mosquito Bite-Site Biology Investigations. INSECTS 2023; 14:514. [PMID: 37367330 PMCID: PMC10299109 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases transmitted through the bites of hematophagous arthropods, such as mosquitoes, continue to be a significant threat to human health globally. Transmission of disease by biting arthropod vectors includes interactions between (1) saliva expectorated by a vector during blood meal acquisition from a human host, (2) the transmitted vector-borne pathogens, and (3) host cells present at the skin bite site. Currently, the investigation of bite-site biology is challenged by the lack of model 3D human skin tissues for in vitro analyses. To help fill this gap, we have used a tissue engineering approach to develop new stylized human dermal microvascular bed tissue approximates-complete with warm blood-built with 3D capillary alginate gel (Capgel) biomaterial scaffolds. These engineered tissues, termed a Biologic Interfacial Tissue-Engineered System (BITES), were cellularized with either human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Both cell types formed tubular microvessel-like tissue structures of oriented cells (82% and 54% for HDFs and HUVECs, respectively) lining the unique Capgel parallel capillary microstructures. Female Aedes (Ae.) aegypti mosquitoes, a prototypic hematophagous biting vector arthropod, swarmed, bit, and probed blood-loaded HDF BITES microvessel bed tissues that were warmed (34-37 °C), acquiring blood meals in 151 ± 46 s on average, with some ingesting ≳4 µL or more of blood. Further, these tissue-engineered constructs could be cultured for at least three (3) days following blood meal acquisitions. Altogether, these studies serve as a powerful proof-of-concept demonstration of the innovative BITES platform and indicate its potential for the future investigation of arthropod bite-site cellular and molecular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey E. Seavey
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Mona Doshi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Andrew P. Panarello
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Michael A. Felice
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Andrew K. Dickerson
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, Tickle College of Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Mollie W. Jewett
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Bradley J. Willenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
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Chesnais F, Joel J, Hue J, Shakib S, Di Silvio L, Grigoriadis AE, Coward T, Veschini L. Continuously perfusable, customisable, and matrix-free vasculature on a chip platform. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:761-772. [PMID: 36722906 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00930g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Creating vascularised cellular environments in vitro is a current challenge in tissue engineering and a bottleneck towards developing functional stem cell-derived microtissues for regenerative medicine and basic investigations. Here we have developed a new workflow to manufacture vasculature on chip (VoC) systems efficiently, quickly, and inexpensively. We have employed 3D printing for fast-prototyping of bespoke VoC and coupled them with a refined organotypic culture system (OVAA) to grow patent capillaries in vitro using tissue-specific endothelial and stromal cells. Furthermore, we have designed and implemented a pocket-size flow driver to establish physiologic perfusive flow throughout our VoC-OVAA with minimal medium use and waste. Using our platform, we have created vascularised microtissues and perfused them at physiologic flow rates for extended time (>2 weeks) observing flow-dependent vascular remodelling. Overall, we present for the first time a scalable and customisable system to grow vascularised and perfusable microtissues, a key initial step to grow mature and functional tissues in vitro. We envision that this technology will empower fast prototyping and validation of increasingly biomimetic in vitro systems, including interconnected multi-tissue systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Chesnais
- Academic Centre of Reconstructive Science, Centre for Oral, Clinical and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - Jordan Joel
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Jonas Hue
- Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Sima Shakib
- Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Lucy Di Silvio
- Centre for Oral, Clinical and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Agamemnon E Grigoriadis
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Trevor Coward
- Academic Centre of Reconstructive Science, Centre for Oral, Clinical and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - Lorenzo Veschini
- Academic Centre of Reconstructive Science, Centre for Oral, Clinical and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
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7
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Bradbury JJ, Lovegrove HE, Giralt-Pujol M, Herbert SP. Analysis of mRNA Subcellular Distribution in Collective Cell Migration. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2608:389-407. [PMID: 36653719 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2887-4_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The movement of groups of cells by collective cell migration requires division of labor between group members. Therefore, distinct cell identities, unique cell behaviors, and specific cellular roles are acquired by cells undergoing collective movement. A key driving force behind the acquisition of discrete cell states is the precise control of where, when, and how genes are expressed, both at the subcellular and supracellular level. Unraveling the mechanisms underpinning the spatiotemporal control of gene expression in collective cell migration requires not only suitable experimental models but also high-resolution imaging of messenger RNA and protein localization during this process. In recent times, the highly stereotyped growth of new blood vessels by sprouting angiogenesis has become a paradigm for understanding collective cell migration, and consequently this has led to the development of numerous user-friendly in vitro models of angiogenesis. In parallel, single-molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH) has come to the fore as a powerful technique that allows quantification of both RNA number and RNA spatial distribution in cells and tissues. Moreover, smFISH can be combined with immunofluorescence to understand the precise interrelationship between RNA and protein distribution. Here, we describe methods for use of smFISH and immunofluorescence microscopy in in vitro angiogenesis models to enable the investigation of RNA and protein expression and localization during endothelial collective cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J Bradbury
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Holly E Lovegrove
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Marta Giralt-Pujol
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Shane P Herbert
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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8
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Albertini S, Martuscelli L, Borgogna C, Virdi S, Indenbirken D, Lo Cigno I, Griffante G, Calati F, Boldorini R, Fischer N, Gariglio M. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Exert Proangiogenic Activity in Merkel Cell Carcinoma. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 143:965-976.e15. [PMID: 36572089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a complex niche enveloping a tumor formed by extracellular matrix, blood vessels, immune cells, and fibroblasts constantly interacting with cancer cells. Although tumor microenvironment is increasingly recognized as a major player in cancer initiation and progression in many tumor types, its involvement in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) pathogenesis is currently unknown. In this study, we provide a molecular and functional characterization of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the major tumor microenvironment component, in patient-derived xenografts of patients with MCC. We show that subcutaneous coinjection of patient-derived CAFs and human MCC MKL-1 cells into severe combined immunodeficient mice significantly promotes tumor growth and metastasis. These fast-growing xenografts are characterized by areas densely populated with human CAFs, mainly localized around blood vessels. We provide evidence that the growth-promoting activity of MCC-derived CAFs is mediated by the aminopeptidase A/angiotensin II and III/angiotensin II type 1 receptor axis, with the expression of aminopeptidase A in CAFs being a triggering event. Together, our findings point to aminopeptidase A as a potential marker for MCC prognostic stratification and as a candidate for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Albertini
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Novara Medical School, Novara, Italy
| | - Licia Martuscelli
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Novara Medical School, Novara, Italy
| | - Cinzia Borgogna
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Novara Medical School, Novara, Italy
| | - Sanamjeet Virdi
- Technology Platform Next Generation Sequencing, Leibniz Institute for Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Indenbirken
- Technology Platform Next Generation Sequencing, Leibniz Institute for Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irene Lo Cigno
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Novara Medical School, Novara, Italy
| | - Gloria Griffante
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Novara Medical School, Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Calati
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Novara Medical School, Novara, Italy
| | - Renzo Boldorini
- Pathology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Novara Medical School, Novara, Italy
| | - Nicole Fischer
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marisa Gariglio
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Novara Medical School, Novara, Italy.
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9
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Hurley-Novatny AC, Allbritton-King JD, Jha S, Cowen EW, Colbert RA, Navid F, Bhattacharyya T. Fibroblasts from Patients with Melorheostosis Promote Angiogenesis in Healthy Endothelial Cells through Secreted Factors. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2406-2414.e5. [PMID: 35189151 PMCID: PMC9388700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Melorheostosis is a rare sclerosing bone disease with associated vascular abnormalities in skin and bone, which is caused by somatic mosaic single nucleotide variations in the MAP2K1 gene, which encodes MAPK/extracellular signal‒regulated kinase (ERK) kinase 1. However, disease pathogenesis is poorly understood. Using patient-derived cells, we found that affected skin fibroblasts carrying the single nucleotide variations have increased activation of ERK1/2, which results in increased expression and secretion of proangiogenic factors, including VEGF. VEGF secretion was strongly reduced in affected cells after treatment with MAPK/ERK kinase 1 inhibitor trametinib. Treatment of healthy endothelial cells on matrigel with conditioned medium from affected fibroblasts induces the adoption of a proangiogenic phenotype. Direct coculture of fibroblasts and endothelial cells further shows that both secreted factors and extracellular matrix are capable of inducing a proangiogenic phenotype in healthy endothelial cells. Blocking VEGF with bevacizumab reduces the proangiogenic effect of affected fibroblasts in both the matrigel and direct coculture angiogenesis models, indicating that elevated VEGF secretion is a key mediator of increased angiogenesis in melorheostosis tissue. In conclusion, this work identifies the role of several important molecular mediators in the pathogenesis of melorheostosis, including MAPK/ERK kinase 1, phosphorylated ERK1/2, and VEGF, all of which have clinically available pharmacologic inhibitors, which could be further explored as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia C Hurley-Novatny
- Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Jules D Allbritton-King
- Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Smita Jha
- Signal Transduction Section, Metabolic Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetic and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Edward W Cowen
- Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert A Colbert
- Pediatric Translational Research Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Fatemeh Navid
- Pediatric Translational Research Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy Bhattacharyya
- Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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10
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Yavvari P, Laporte A, Elomaa L, Schraufstetter F, Pacharzina I, Daberkow AD, Hoppensack A, Weinhart M. 3D-Cultured Vascular-Like Networks Enable Validation of Vascular Disruption Properties of Drugs In Vitro. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:888492. [PMID: 35769106 PMCID: PMC9234334 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.888492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular-disrupting agents are an interesting class of anticancer compounds because of their combined mode of action in preventing new blood vessel formation and disruption of already existing vasculature in the immediate microenvironment of solid tumors. The validation of vascular disruption properties of these drugs in vitro is rarely addressed due to the lack of proper in vitro angiogenesis models comprising mature and long-lived vascular-like networks. We herein report an indirect coculture model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to form three-dimensional profuse vascular-like networks. HUVECs embedded and sandwiched in the collagen scaffold were cocultured with HDFs located outside the scaffold. The indirect coculture approach with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) producing HDFs triggered the formation of progressively maturing lumenized vascular-like networks of endothelial cells within less than 7 days, which have proven to be viably maintained in culture beyond day 21. Molecular weight-dependent Texas red-dextran permeability studies indicated high vascular barrier function of the generated networks. Their longevity allowed us to study the dose-dependent response upon treatment with the three known antiangiogenic and/or vascular disrupting agents brivanib, combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P), and 6´-sialylgalactose (SG) via semi-quantitative brightfield and qualitative confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) image analysis. Compared to the reported data on in vivo efficacy of these drugs in terms of antiangiogenic and vascular disrupting effects, we observed similar trends with our 3D model, which are not reflected in conventional in vitro angiogenesis assays. High-vascular disruption under continuous treatment of the matured vascular-like network was observed at concentrations ≥3.5 ng·ml−1 for CA4P and ≥300 nM for brivanib. In contrast, SG failed to induce any significant vascular disruption in vitro. This advanced model of a 3D vascular-like network allows for testing single and combinational antiangiogenic and vascular disrupting effects with optimized dosing and may thus bridge the gap between the in vitro and in vivo experiments in validating hits from high-throughput screening. Moreover, the physiological 3D environment mimicking in vitro assay is not only highly relevant to in vivo studies linked to cancer but also to the field of tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Laporte
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Laura Elomaa
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Inga Pacharzina
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Anke Hoppensack
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marie Weinhart
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Marie Weinhart, ,
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11
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Phenotypic drug discovery: recent successes, lessons learned and new directions. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:899-914. [DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00472-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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12
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Ross RL, Mavria G, Del Galdo F, Elies J. Downregulation of Vascular Hemeoxygenase-1 Leads to Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Physiol 2022; 13:900631. [PMID: 35600300 PMCID: PMC9117635 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.900631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a terminal disease characterized by vasculopathy, tissue fibrosis, and autoimmunity. Although the exact etiology of SSc remains unknown, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and calcium handling dysregulation have been associated with a large number of SSc-related complications such as neointima formation, vasculogenesis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, impaired angiogenesis, and cardiac arrhythmias. Hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an antioxidant enzyme involved in multiple biological actions in the cardiovascular system including vascular tone, angiogenesis, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. The aim of this work was to investigate the physiological role of HO-1 and its relevance in the cardiovascular complications occurring in SSc. We found that, in early phases of SSc, the expression of HO-1 in dermal fibroblast is lower compared to those isolated from healthy control individuals. This is particularly relevant as reduction of the HO-1/CO signaling pathway is associated with endothelial dysfunction and vasculopathy. We show evidence of the role of HO-1/carbon monoxide (CO) signaling pathway in calcium handling. Using an in vitro model of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) we investigated the role of HO-1 in Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores. Our results indicate that HO-1 regulates calcium release from intracellular stores of human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. We interrogated the activity of HO-1 in angiogenesis using an organotypic co-culture of fibroblast-endothelial cell. Inhibition of HO-1 significantly reduced the ability of endothelial cells to form tubules. We further investigated if this could be associated with cell motility or migration of endothelial cells into the extracellular matrix synthesized by fibroblasts. By mean of holographic imaging, we studied the morphological and functional features of endothelial cells in the presence of an HO-1 activator and selective inhibitors. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of HO-1 significantly reduces cell proliferation and cell motility (migration) of cultured endothelial cells, whilst activation of HO-1 does not modify either morphology, proliferation or motility. In addition, we investigated the actions of CO on the Kv7.1 (KCQN1) channel current, an important component of the cardiac action potential repolarization. Using electrophysiology (whole-cell patch-clamp in a recombinant system overexpressing the KCQN1 channel), we assessed the regulation of KCQN1 by CO. CORM-2, a CO donor, significantly reduced the Kv7.1 current, suggesting that HO-1/CO signaling may play a role in the modulation of the cardiac action potential via regulation of this ion channel. In summary, our results indicate a clear link between: 1) downregulation of HO-1/CO signaling; and 2) pathophysiological processes occurring in early phases of SSc, such as calcium homeostasis dysregulation, impaired angiogenesis and cardiac arrhythmias. A better understanding of the canonical actions (mainly due to the biological actions of CO), and non-canonical actions of HO-1, as well as the interaction of HO-1/CO signaling with other gasotransmitters in SSc will contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Ross
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Scleroderma Programme, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Georgia Mavria
- Signal Transduction and Tumour Microenvironment Group, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Scleroderma Programme, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Jacobo Elies
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Jacobo Elies,
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13
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In Vitro Co-culture of Fibroblast and Endothelial Cells to Assess Angiogenesis. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2441:277-286. [PMID: 35099744 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2059-5_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis relies on the spatial and temporal coordination of endothelial migration and proliferation to form new blood vessels. This occurs through synchronous activation of multiple downstream pathways which facilitate vascular development. Proangiogenic growth factors and supporting extracellular matrix allow the formation of capillary-like tubules, reminiscent of microvascular beds, in vitro. In this chapter, we describe a methodology for the establishment of vascular networks by co-culture of endothelial cells and fibroblasts to facilitate the study of tubulogenic and angiogenic potential. We detail the use of siRNA mediated knockdown to deplete target genes of interest, in either the endothelial or fibroblast cells, to allow the assessment of their role in angiogenesis. Finally, we detail how these vascular networks may be stained using immunofluorescence to allow quantification of angiogenic potential in vitro.
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14
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Alaqeeli M, Mayaki D, Hussain SNA. Long Non-coding RNA Rhabdomyosarcoma 2-Associated Transcript Regulates Angiogenesis in Endothelial Cells. Front Physiol 2021; 12:729157. [PMID: 34744768 PMCID: PMC8567064 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.729157] [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: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that have more than 200 nucleotides. They have recently emerged as important regulators of angiogenesis. To identify novel lncRNAs that may be involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, we detected the mRNA of 84 lncRNAs in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to hypoxia for 24h. One of these, rhabdomyosarcoma 2-associated transcript (RMST), is significantly upregulated by hypoxia. Little is known about the presence and roles of RMST in EC function. Objective: The main objective of the study was to investigate the regulation of RMST in ECs and to determine its role in EC survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Methods: Using qPCR, basal mRNA levels of 10 RMST isoforms in HUVECs were measured. Levels were then measured in response to 24h of hypoxia, 7days of differentiation in a co-culture assay, and exposure to four different angiogenesis factors. Functional roles of RMST in EC survival, migration, and differentiation were quantified by using a loss-of-function approach (transfection with single-stranded antisense LNA GapmeRs). EC survival was measured using cell counts and crystal violet assays. Cell migration and differentiation were measured using scratch wound healing and Matrigel® differentiation assays, respectively. Results: Five RMST isoforms (RMST-202, -203, -204, -206, and -207) were detected in HUVECs and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1s). Other types of vascular cells, including human aortic valve interstitial cells and human aortic smooth muscle cells, did not display this expression profile. RMST was significantly upregulated in response to 24h of hypoxia and in response to 7days of HUVEC co-culture with human lung fibroblasts. RMST was significantly downregulated by angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), but not by VEGF, FGF-2, or angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). Selective knockdown of RMST demonstrated that it promotes EC survival in response to serum deprivation. It is also required for VEGF- and Ang-1-induced EC survival and migration, but not for differentiation. Conclusion: We conclude that RMST is expressed in human ECs and that this expression is upregulated in response to hypoxia and during differentiation into capillary-like structures. We also conclude that RMST plays important roles in EC survival and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Alaqeeli
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Dominique Mayaki
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sabah N A Hussain
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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15
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Green CE, Clarke J, Bicknell R, Turner AM. Pulmonary MicroRNA Changes Alter Angiogenesis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 9:830. [PMID: 34356894 PMCID: PMC8301412 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The pulmonary endothelium is dysfunctional in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a known risk factor for lung cancer. The pulmonary endothelium is altered in emphysema, which is disproportionately affected by cancers. Gene and microRNA expression differs between COPD and non-COPD lung. We hypothesised that the alteration in microRNA expression in the pulmonary endothelium contributes to its dysfunction. A total of 28 patients undergoing pulmonary resection were recruited and endothelial cells were isolated from healthy lung and tumour. MicroRNA expression was compared between COPD and non-COPD patients. Positive findings were confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Assays assessing angiogenesis and cellular migration were conducted in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (n = 3-4) transfected with microRNA mimics and compared to cells transfected with negative control RNA. Expression of miR-181b-3p, miR-429 and miR-23c (all p < 0.05) was increased in COPD. Over-expression of miR-181b-3p was associated with reduced endothelial sprouting (p < 0.05). miR-429 was overexpressed in lung cancer as well and exhibited a reduction in tubular formation. MicroRNA-driven changes in the pulmonary endothelium thus represent a novel mechanism driving emphysema. These processes warrant further study to determine if they may be therapeutic targets in COPD and lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara E. Green
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Joseph Clarke
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (J.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Roy Bicknell
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (J.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Alice M. Turner
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
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16
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Truelsen SLB, Mousavi N, Wei H, Harvey L, Stausholm R, Spillum E, Hagel G, Qvortrup K, Thastrup O, Harling H, Mellor H, Thastrup J. The cancer angiogenesis co-culture assay: In vitro quantification of the angiogenic potential of tumoroids. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253258. [PMID: 34234354 PMCID: PMC8263287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment response to anti-angiogenic agents varies among cancer patients and predictive biomarkers are needed to identify patients with resistant cancer or guide the choice of anti-angiogenic treatment. We present “the Cancer Angiogenesis Co-Culture (CACC) assay”, an in vitro Functional Precision Medicine assay which enables the study of tumouroid induced angiogenesis. This assay can quantify the ability of a patient-derived tumouroid to induce vascularization by measuring the induction of tube formation in a co-culture of vascular cells and tumoroids established from the primary colorectal tumour or a metastasis. Furthermore, the assay can quantify the sensitivity of patient-derived tumoroids to anti-angiogenic therapies. We observed that tube formation increased in a dose-dependent manner upon treatment with the pro-angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). When investigating the angiogenic potential of tumoroids from 12 patients we found that 9 tumoroid cultures induced a significant increase in tube formation compared to controls without tumoroids. In these 9 angiogenic tumoroid cultures the tube formation could be abolished by treatment with one or more of the investigated anti-angiogenic agents. The 3 non-angiogenic tumoroid cultures secreted VEGF-A but we observed no correlation between the amount of tube formation and tumoroid-secreted VEGF-A. Our data suggests that the CACC assay recapitulates the complexity of tumour angiogenesis, and when clinically verified, could prove a valuable tool to quantify sensitivity towards different anti-angiogenic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nabi Mousavi
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Haoche Wei
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Harvey
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Klaus Qvortrup
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Henrik Harling
- 2cureX, Symbion, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Harry Mellor
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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17
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Cathery W, Faulkner A, Jover E, Rodriguez-Arabaolaza I, Thomas AC, Avolio E, Caputo M, Madeddu P. Umbilical Cord Pericytes Provide a Viable Alternative to Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Neonatal Vascular Engineering. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 7:609980. [PMID: 33553259 PMCID: PMC7859275 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.609980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Reconstructive surgery of congenital heart disease (CHD) remains inadequate due to the inability of prosthetic grafts to match the somatic growth of pediatric patients. Functionalization of grafts with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may provide a solution. However, MSCs represent a heterogeneous population characterized by wide diversity across different tissue sources. Here we investigated the suitability of umbilical cord pericytes (UCPs) in neonatal vascular engineering. Explant outgrowth followed by immunomagnetic sorting was used to isolate neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2)+/CD31- UCPs. Expanded NG2 UCPs showed consistent antigenic phenotype, including expression of mesenchymal and stemness markers, and high proliferation rate. They could be induced to a vascular smooth muscle cell-like phenotype after exposure to differentiation medium, as evidenced by the expression of transgelin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain. Analysis of cell monolayers and conditioned medium revealed production of extracellular matrix proteins and the secretion of major angiocrine factors, which conferred UCPs with ability to promote endothelial cell migration and tube formation. Decellularized swine-derived grafts were functionalized using UCPs and cultured under static and dynamic flow conditions. UCPs were observed to integrate into the outer layer of the graft and modify the extracellular environment, resulting in improved elasticity and rupture strain in comparison with acellular grafts. These findings demonstrate that a homogeneous pericyte-like population can be efficiently isolated and expanded from human cords and integrated in acellular grafts currently used for repair of CHD. Functional assays suggest that NG2 UCPs may represent a viable option for neonatal tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Cathery
- Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ashton Faulkner
- Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Jover
- Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Cardiovascular Translational Research, Navarrabiomed, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iker Rodriguez-Arabaolaza
- Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Vascular Pathophysiology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anita C. Thomas
- Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Avolio
- Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Caputo
- Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Madeddu
- Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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18
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Costa G, Bradbury JJ, Tarannum N, Herbert SP. RAB13 mRNA compartmentalisation spatially orients tissue morphogenesis. EMBO J 2020; 39:e106003. [PMID: 32946121 PMCID: PMC7604621 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Polarised targeting of diverse mRNAs to cellular protrusions is a hallmark of cell migration. Although a widespread phenomenon, definitive functions for endogenous targeted mRNAs and their relevance to modulation of in vivo tissue dynamics remain elusive. Here, using single-molecule analysis, gene editing and zebrafish live-cell imaging, we report that mRNA polarisation acts as a molecular compass that orients motile cell polarity and spatially directs tissue movement. Clustering of protrusion-derived RNAseq datasets defined a core 192-nt localisation element underpinning precise mRNA targeting to sites of filopodia formation. Such targeting of the small GTPase RAB13 generated tight spatial coupling of mRNA localisation, translation and protein activity, achieving precise subcellular compartmentalisation of RAB13 protein function to create a polarised domain of filopodia extension. Consequently, genomic excision of this localisation element and perturbation of RAB13 mRNA targeting-but not translation-depolarised filopodia dynamics in motile endothelial cells and induced mispatterning of blood vessels in zebrafish. Hence, mRNA polarisation, not expression, is the primary determinant of the site of RAB13 action, preventing ectopic functionality at inappropriate subcellular loci and orienting tissue morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Costa
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Joshua J Bradbury
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Nawseen Tarannum
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Shane P Herbert
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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19
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Carlsson E, Supharattanasitthi W, Jackson M, Paraoan L. Increased Rate of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Migration and Pro-Angiogenic Potential Ensuing From Reduced Cystatin C Expression. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:9. [PMID: 32049341 PMCID: PMC7324439 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.2.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Variant B precursor cysteine protease inhibitor cystatin C, a known recessive risk factor for developing exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), presents altered intracellular trafficking and reduced secretion from retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Because cystatin C inhibits multiple extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading cathepsins, this study evaluated the role of this mutation in inducing ECM-related functional changes in RPE cellular behavior. Methods Induced pluripotent stem cells gene-edited bi-allelically by CRISPR/Cas9 to express the AMD-linked cystatin C variant were differentiated to RPE cells and assayed for their ability to degrade fluorescently labeled ECM proteins. Cellular migration and adhesion on multiple ECM proteins, differences in transepithelial resistance and polarized protein secretion were tested. Vessel formation induced by gene edited cells-conditioned media was quantified using primary human dermal microvascular epithelial cells. Results Variant B cystatin C-expressing induced pluripotent stem cells-derived RPE cells displayed a significantly higher rate of laminin and fibronectin degradation 3 days after seeding on fluorescently labeled ECM (P < 0.05). Migration on matrigel, collagen IV and fibronectin was significantly faster for edited cells compared with wild-type (WT) cells. Both edited and WT cells displayed polarized secretion of cystatin C, but transepithelial resistance was lower in gene-edited cells after 6 weeks culture, with significantly lower expression of tight junction protein claudin-3. Media conditioned by gene-edited cells stimulated formation of significantly longer microvascular tubes (P < 0.05) compared with WT-conditioned media. Conclusions Reduced levels of cystatin C lead to changes in the RPE ability to degrade, adhere, and migrate supporting increased invasiveness and angiogenesis relevant for AMD pathology.
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20
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Pausch TM, Aue E, Wirsik NM, Freire Valls A, Shen Y, Radhakrishnan P, Hackert T, Schneider M, Schmidt T. Metastasis-associated fibroblasts promote angiogenesis in metastasized pancreatic cancer via the CXCL8 and the CCL2 axes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5420. [PMID: 32214219 PMCID: PMC7096431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62416-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The characteristic desmoplastic stroma of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a key contributor to its lethality. This stromal microenvironment is populated by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that interact with cancer cells to drive progression and chemo-resistance. Research has focused on CAFs in the primary tumour but not in metastases, calling into question the role of analogous metastasis-associated fibroblasts (MAFs). We infer a role of MAFs in murine hepatic metastases following untargeted treatment with the anti-angiogenic drug sunitinib in vivo. Treated metastases were smaller and had fewer stromal cells, but were able to maintain angiogenesis and metastasis formation in the liver. Furthermore, sunitinib was ineffective at reducing MAFs alongside other stromal cells. We speculate that cancer cells interact with MAFs to maintain angiogenesis and tumour progression. Thus, we tested interactions between metastatic pancreatic cancer cells and fibroblasts using in vitro co-culture systems. Co-cultures enhanced fibroblast proliferation and induced angiogenesis. We identify carcinoma-educated fibroblasts as the source of angiogenesis via secretions of CXCL8 (aka IL-8) and CCL2 (aka MCP-1). Overall, we demonstrate that metastasis-associated fibroblasts have potential as a therapeutic target and highlight the CXCL8 and CCL2 axes for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Pausch
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elisa Aue
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Naita M Wirsik
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Aida Freire Valls
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Praveen Radhakrishnan
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thilo Hackert
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
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21
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Gaspar D, Peixoto R, De Pieri A, Striegl B, Zeugolis DI, Raghunath M. Local pharmacological induction of angiogenesis: Drugs for cells and cells as drugs. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 146:126-154. [PMID: 31226398 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The past decades have seen significant advances in pro-angiogenic strategies based on delivery of molecules and cells for conditions such as coronary artery disease, critical limb ischemia and stroke. Currently, three major strategies are evolving. Firstly, various pharmacological agents (growth factors, interleukins, small molecules, DNA/RNA) are locally applied at the ischemic region. Secondly, preparations of living cells with considerable bandwidth of tissue origin, differentiation state and preconditioning are delivered locally, rarely systemically. Thirdly, based on the notion, that cellular effects can be attributed mostly to factors secreted in situ, the cellular secretome (conditioned media, exosomes) has come into the spotlight. We review these three strategies to achieve (neo)angiogenesis in ischemic tissue with focus on the angiogenic mechanisms they tackle, such as transcription cascades, specific signalling steps and cellular gases. We also include cancer-therapy relevant lymphangiogenesis, and shall seek to explain why there are often conflicting data between in vitro and in vivo. The lion's share of data encompassing all three approaches comes from experimental animal work and we shall highlight common technical obstacles in the delivery of therapeutic molecules, cells, and secretome. This plethora of preclinical data contrasts with a dearth of clinical studies. A lack of adequate delivery vehicles and standardised assessment of clinical outcomes might play a role here, as well as regulatory, IP, and manufacturing constraints of candidate compounds; in addition, completed clinical trials have yet to reveal a successful and efficacious strategy. As the biology of angiogenesis is understood well enough for clinical purposes, it will be a matter of time to achieve success for well-stratified patients, and most probably with a combination of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Gaspar
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland
| | - Rita Peixoto
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland
| | - Andrea De Pieri
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Proxy Biomedical Ltd., Coilleach, Spiddal, Galway, Ireland
| | - Britta Striegl
- Competence Centre Tissue Engineering for Drug Development (TEDD), Centre for Cell Biology & Tissue Engineering, Institute for Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dimitrios I Zeugolis
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland
| | - Michael Raghunath
- Competence Centre Tissue Engineering for Drug Development (TEDD), Centre for Cell Biology & Tissue Engineering, Institute for Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
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22
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Epidermal Growth Factor Like-domain 7 and miR-126 are abnormally expressed in diffuse Systemic Sclerosis fibroblasts. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4589. [PMID: 30872612 PMCID: PMC6418261 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39485-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by microangiopathy with impaired reparative angiogenesis and fibrosis. Epidermal Growth Factor Like-domain 7 (EGFL7), firstly described in endothelial cells plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis. Fibroblasts (FBs) are involved in vascular remodeling, under physiological and pathological conditions. In this study, we investigated: (i) the expression of EGFL7 and its miR-126 in patients affected by diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc); (ii) the ability of Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) to modulate EGFL7 expression; (iii) the ability of EGFL7 to modulate COL1A1 expression and proliferation/migration, and (iv) the functional role of EGFL7 on angiogenesis. Patients were divided in 2 subsets: patients fulfilling the classification criteria in less than one year from Raynaud’s Phenomenon onset (Early Onset Subset–EOS), and all the others (Long Standing Subset–LSS). We show that EGFL7 expression is increased in EOS dcSSc skin and cultured FBs. EGFL7 is inducible by TGF-β on Healthy Controls (HC) FBs but not in SSc-FBs. EGFL7 decreases COL1A1 expression in EOS SSc-FBs while EGFL7 silencing up-regulates COL1A1 expression. EGFL7 promotes migration/invasion of EOS SSc-FBs but not proliferation. Finally, SSc-FBs, partially inhibit angiogenesis in organotypic coculture assays, and this is reversed by treatment with human recombinant (rh)EGFL7. We conclude that EGFL7 and its specific microRNA miR-126 may be involved in the pathogenesis of SSc vasculopathy and fibrosis.
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23
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Zhou Q, Yu B, Anderson C, Huang ZP, Hanus J, Zhang W, Han Y, Bhattacharjee PS, Srinivasan S, Zhang K, Wang DZ, Wang S. LncEGFL7OS regulates human angiogenesis by interacting with MAX at the EGFL7/miR-126 locus. eLife 2019; 8:e40470. [PMID: 30741632 PMCID: PMC6370342 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In an effort to identify human endothelial cell (EC)-enriched lncRNAs,~500 lncRNAs were shown to be highly restricted in primary human ECs. Among them, lncEGFL7OS, located in the opposite strand of the EGFL7/miR-126 gene, is regulated by ETS factors through a bidirectional promoter in ECs. It is enriched in highly vascularized human tissues, and upregulated in the hearts of dilated cardiomyopathy patients. LncEGFL7OS silencing impairs angiogenesis as shown by EC/fibroblast co-culture, in vitro/in vivo and ex vivo human choroid sprouting angiogenesis assays, while lncEGFL7OS overexpression has the opposite function. Mechanistically, lncEGFL7OS is required for MAPK and AKT pathway activation by regulating EGFL7/miR-126 expression. MAX protein was identified as a lncEGFL7OS-interacting protein that functions to regulate histone acetylation in the EGFL7/miR-126 promoter/enhancer. CRISPR-mediated targeting of EGLF7/miR-126/lncEGFL7OS locus inhibits angiogenesis, inciting therapeutic potential of targeting this locus. Our study establishes lncEGFL7OS as a human/primate-specific EC-restricted lncRNA critical for human angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinbo Zhou
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansUnited States
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansUnited States
| | - Chastain Anderson
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansUnited States
| | - Zhan-Peng Huang
- Department of CardiologyBoston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Jakub Hanus
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansUnited States
| | - Wensheng Zhang
- Department of Computer ScienceXavier UniversityNew OrleansUnited States
| | - Yu Han
- Aab Cardiovascular Research InstituteUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and DentistryRochesterUnited States
| | | | - Sathish Srinivasan
- Cardiovascular Biology Research ProgramOklahoma Medical Research FoundationOklahomaUnited States
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Computer ScienceXavier UniversityNew OrleansUnited States
| | - Da-zhi Wang
- Department of CardiologyBoston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Shusheng Wang
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansUnited States
- Department of OphthalmologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansUnited States
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24
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Weber D, Knaak S, Hettrich K, Andrulis M, Momburg F, Quade M, Gelinsky M, Schwartz-Albiez R. Influence of Regioselectively Sulfated Cellulose on in Vitro Vascularization of Biomimetic Bone Matrices. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:4228-4238. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b01004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Weber
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sven Knaak
- Centre for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscher Strasse 74, 1307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Kay Hettrich
- Fraunhofer Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung (IAP), Geiselbergstrasse 69, 14476 Potsdam-Golm Germany
| | - Mindaugas Andrulis
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Momburg
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mandy Quade
- Centre for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscher Strasse 74, 1307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Gelinsky
- Centre for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscher Strasse 74, 1307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schwartz-Albiez
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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25
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Manikowski D, Andrée B, Samper E, Saint-Marc C, Olmer R, Vogt P, Strauß S, Haverich A, Hilfiker A. Human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells in combination with exogenous stimuli facilitate three-dimensional network formation of human endothelial cells derived from various sources. Vascul Pharmacol 2018; 106:28-36. [PMID: 29452238 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In natural tissues, the nutrition of cells and removal of waste products is facilitated by a dense capillary network which is generated during development. This perfusion system is also indispensable for tissue formation in vitro. Nutrition depending solely on diffusion is not sufficient to generate tissues of clinically relevant dimensions, which is a core aim in tissue engineering research. In this study, the establishment of a vascular network was investigated in a self-assembling approach employing endothelial and mural cells. The process of vascularization was analyzed in constructs based on a carrier matrix of decellularized porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS). A three-dimensional hydrogel containing Matrigel™, collagen, and respective cells was casted on top of the SIS. Various types of human endothelial cells (hECs), e.g. HUVECs, cardiac tissue ECs (hCECs), pulmonary artery ECs (hPAECs), and iPSC-derived ECs, were co-cultured with human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hASCs) within the hydrogel. Analyzed hECs were able to self-assemble and form three-dimensional networks harboring small caliber lumens within the hydrogel constructs in the presence of hASCs as supporting cells. Additionally, microvessel assembling required exogenous growth factor supplementation. This study demonstrates the development of stable vascularized hydrogels applying hASCs as mural cells in combination with various types of hECs, paving the way for the generation of clinically applicable tissue engineered constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Manikowski
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Birgit Andrée
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Esther Samper
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Clémence Saint-Marc
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Ruth Olmer
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Hannover Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Peter Vogt
- Department of Plastic, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Sarah Strauß
- Department of Plastic, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Axel Haverich
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Andres Hilfiker
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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26
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Liakouli V, Elies J, El-Sherbiny YM, Scarcia M, Grant G, Abignano G, Derrett-Smith EC, Esteves F, Cipriani P, Emery P, Denton CP, Giacomelli R, Mavria G, Del Galdo F. Scleroderma fibroblasts suppress angiogenesis via TGF-β/caveolin-1 dependent secretion of pigment epithelium-derived factor. Ann Rheum Dis 2017; 77:431-440. [PMID: 29259049 PMCID: PMC5867407 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-212120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by tissue fibrosis and vasculopathy with defective angiogenesis. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) plays a major role in tissue fibrosis, including downregulation of caveolin-1 (Cav-1); however, its role in defective angiogenesis is less clear. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a major antiangiogenic factor, is abundantly secreted by SSc fibroblasts. Here, we investigated the effect of TGF-β and Cav-1 on PEDF expression and the role of PEDF in the ability of SSc fibroblasts to modulate angiogenesis. Methods PEDF and Cav-1 expression in fibroblasts and endothelial cells were evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry on human and mouse skin biopsies. PEDF and Cav-1 were silenced in cultured SSc and control fibroblasts using lentiviral short-hairpin RNAs. Organotypic fibroblast–endothelial cell co-cultures and matrigel assays were employed to assess angiogenesis. Results PEDF is highly expressed in myofibroblasts and reticular fibroblasts with low Cav-1 expression in SSc skin biopsies, and it is induced by TGF-β in vitro. SSc fibroblasts suppress angiogenesis in an organotypic model. This model is reproduced by silencing Cav-1 in normal dermal fibroblasts. Conversely, silencing PEDF in SSc fibroblasts rescues their antiangiogenic phenotype. Consistently, transgenic mice with TGF-β receptor hyperactivation show lower Cav-1 and higher PEDF expression levels in skin biopsies accompanied by reduced blood vessel density. Conclusions Our data reveal a new pathway by which TGF-β suppresses angiogenesis in SSc, through decreased fibroblast Cav-1 expression and subsequent PEDF secretion. This pathway may present a promising target for new therapeutic interventions in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Liakouli
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Jacobo Elies
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Yasser Mohamed El-Sherbiny
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.,NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Margherita Scarcia
- Signal Transduction and Tumour Microenvironment Group, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Gary Grant
- Signal Transduction and Tumour Microenvironment Group, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Giuseppina Abignano
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Rheumatology Department of Lucania, Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy.,Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, Potenza, Italy
| | - Emma C Derrett-Smith
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue, UCL Medical School Royal Free Campus, London, UK
| | - Filomena Esteves
- Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Paola Cipriani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paul Emery
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue, UCL Medical School Royal Free Campus, London, UK
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Georgia Mavria
- Signal Transduction and Tumour Microenvironment Group, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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27
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Moreno-Jiménez I, Kanczler JM, Hulsart-Billstrom G, Inglis S, Oreffo RO. The Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay for Biomaterial Testing in Tissue Engineering: A Short-TermIn VivoPreclinical Model. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2017; 23:938-952. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2017.0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Inés Moreno-Jiménez
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Center for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Janos M. Kanczler
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Center for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Gry Hulsart-Billstrom
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Center for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Stefanie Inglis
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Center for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Richard O.C. Oreffo
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Center for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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28
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Kaessmeyer S, Sehl J, Khiao In M, Merle R, Richardson K, Plendl J. Subcellular Interactions during Vascular Morphogenesis in 3D Cocultures between Endothelial Cells and Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18122590. [PMID: 29194374 PMCID: PMC5751193 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18122590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Increasing the complexity of in vitro systems to mimic three-dimensional tissues and the cellular interactions within them will increase the reliability of data that were previously collected with in vitro systems. In vivo vascularization is based on complex and clearly defined cell–matrix and cell–cell interactions, where the extracellular matrix (ECM) seems to play a very important role. The aim of this study was to monitor and visualize the subcellular and molecular interactions between endothelial cells (ECs), fibroblasts, and their surrounding microenvironment during vascular morphogenesis in a three-dimensional coculture model. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative analyses during the generation of a coculture tissue construct consisting of endothelial cells and fibroblasts were done using transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Results: Dynamic interactions were found in cocultures between ECs, between fibroblasts (FBs), between ECs and FBs, and between the cells and the ECM. Microvesicles were involved in intercellular information transfer. FBs took an active and physical part in the angiogenesis process. The ECM deposited by the cells triggered endothelial angiogenic activity. Capillary-like tubular structures developed and matured. Moreover, some ECM assembled into a basement membrane (BM) having three different layers equivalent to those seen in vivo. Finally, the three-dimensional in vitro construct mirrored the topography of histological tissue sections. Conclusion: Our results visualize the importance of the physical contact between all cellular and acellular components of the cocultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Kaessmeyer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Koserstraße 20, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Julia Sehl
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Koserstraße 20, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Maneenooch Khiao In
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Koserstraße 20, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Roswitha Merle
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Koenigsweg 67, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ken Richardson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
| | - Johanna Plendl
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Koserstraße 20, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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29
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DiCara DM, Chirgadze DY, Pope AR, Karatt-Vellatt A, Winter A, Slavny P, van den Heuvel J, Parthiban K, Holland J, Packman LC, Mavria G, Hoffmann J, Birchmeier W, Gherardi E, McCafferty J. Characterization and structural determination of a new anti-MET function-blocking antibody with binding epitope distinct from the ligand binding domain. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9000. [PMID: 28827556 PMCID: PMC5567289 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09460-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth and motility factor Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor (HGF/SF) and its receptor, the product of the MET proto-oncogene, promote invasion and metastasis of tumor cells and have been considered potential targets for cancer therapy. We generated a new Met-blocking antibody which binds outside the ligand-binding site, and determined the crystal structure of the Fab in complex with its target, which identifies the binding site as the Met Ig1 domain. The antibody, 107_A07, inhibited HGF/SF-induced cell migration and proliferation in vitro and inhibited growth of tumor xenografts in vivo. In biochemical assays, 107_A07 competes with both HGF/SF and its truncated splice variant NK1 for MET binding, despite the location of the antibody epitope on a domain (Ig1) not reported to bind NK1 or HGF/SF. Overlay of the Fab-MET crystal structure with the InternalinB-MET crystal structure shows that the 107_A07 Fab comes into close proximity with the HGF/SF-binding SEMA domain when MET is in the “compact”, InternalinB-bound conformation, but not when MET is in the “open” conformation. These findings provide further support for the importance of the “compact” conformation of the MET extracellular domain, and the relevance of this conformation to HGF/SF binding and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M DiCara
- MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QH, UK.,Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ, UK.,Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, 94080, USA
| | - Dimitri Y Chirgadze
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Anthony R Pope
- IONTAS Ltd, Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridgeshire, CB22 3AT, UK
| | | | - Anja Winter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK.,Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Peter Slavny
- IONTAS Ltd, Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridgeshire, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Joop van den Heuvel
- Helmholtz Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Kothai Parthiban
- IONTAS Ltd, Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridgeshire, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Jane Holland
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Len C Packman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Georgia Mavria
- Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James' University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Jens Hoffmann
- Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Walter Birchmeier
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ermanno Gherardi
- MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QH, UK. .,Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ, UK. .,Division of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, 1 via A Ferrata, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - John McCafferty
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK. .,IONTAS Ltd, Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridgeshire, CB22 3AT, UK.
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30
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Unterleuthner D, Kramer N, Pudelko K, Burian A, Hengstschläger M, Dolznig H. An Optimized 3D Coculture Assay for Preclinical Testing of Pro- and Antiangiogenic Drugs. SLAS DISCOVERY 2017; 22:602-613. [DOI: 10.1177/2472555216686529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a promising target for anticancer therapies, but also for treating other diseases with pathologic vessel development. Targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway did not proof as effective as expected due to emerging intrinsic resistance mechanisms, as well as stromal contributions leading to drug insensitivity. Therefore, alternative strategies affecting the interaction of endothelial cells (ECs) with other stromal cells seem to be more promising. Human preclinical in vitro angiogenesis models successfully recapitulating these interactions are rare, and two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures cannot mimic tissue architecture in vivo. Consequently, models combining three-dimensionality with heterotypic cell interaction seem to be better suited. Here, we report on an improved human fibroblast–EC coculture assay mimicking sprouting angiogenesis from EC-covered microbeads resembling existing endothelial structures. Culture conditions were optimized to assess pro- and antiangiogenic compounds. Important characteristics of angiogenesis, that is, the number of sprouts and branch points, sprout length protrusion, and overall vessel structure areas, were quantified. Notably, the endothelial sprouts display lumen formation and basal membrane establishment. In this model, angiogenesis can be inhibited by genetic interference of pro-angiogenic factors expressed in the fibroblasts. Moreover, bona fide antiangiogenic drugs decreased, whereas pro-angiogenic factors increased vessel formation in 24-well and 96-well settings, demonstrating the applicability for screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Unterleuthner
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nina Kramer
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karoline Pudelko
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Burian
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Hengstschläger
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmut Dolznig
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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31
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Kaessmeyer S, Sehl J, Khiao In M, Hiebl B, Merle R, Jung F, Franke RP, Plendl J. Organotypic soft-tissue co-cultures: Morphological changes in microvascular endothelial tubes after incubation with iodinated contrast media. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2016; 64:391-402. [PMID: 27935551 DOI: 10.3233/ch-168119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clinical complications like thrombosis or anaphylaxis have been described to go along with the intra-venous or intra-arterial injection of iodinated contrast media (CM). It has been suggested that the administration of CM affects rheological parameters and thereby causes reduced blood velocity in microvessels. In vitro studies revealed significant buckling of endothelial cells after exposure to CM reducing the lumen of vessels. The aim of this study was to test the influence of CM on three-dimensional microvascular tubules with open lumina within an organotypic soft-tissue co-culture assay in vitro. This model, which is based on the co-culture of endothelial cells and fibroblasts, allows the analysis and quantitation of different parameters of microvascular endothelial capillary structures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human dermal fibroblasts and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells were co-cultured for 10 days. Fibroblasts were adapted to the endothelial cell medium before co-culture and allowed to proliferate as well as produce extracellular matrix. The co-cultures were exposed to three different CM, i.e., Iomeprol (Imeron 400MCT), Iodixanol (Visipaque 320) or Iohexol (Accupaque 350) for 1.5 minutes or 5.0 minutes, respectively. For this, a mixture of CM and cell culture medium in a ratio of 30% CM by volume was prepared. After fixation in methanol/acetone, the endothelial cells were immunolabeled with the endothelial marker anti-CD31 and the tubular structures were assessed morphometrically. RESULTS In the organotypic soft-tissue co-cultures with fibroblasts, the endothelial cells developed three-dimensional capillary-like structures which expanded via sprouting branches. After incubation with the different CM, the numbers of endothelial tubes (p = 0.001) and their lengths (p = 0.003) were significantly lower after the 5 minutes incubation time, when compared to the 1.5 minutes incubation time. The tubular diameters were significantly reduced after 5 minutes (p < 0.001), when compared to the 1.5 minutes incubation duration. Interestingly, Iomeprol and Iodixanol induced an elongation of the tubular branches during incubation duration of 1.5 minutes (p = 0.015). However, after 5 minutes incubation, the tubular branches were drastically shorter in the presence of Iomeprol and Iodixanol than the tubular branches of the control (p = 0.007). SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION All CM exerted a negative effect on the parameters of in vitro blood vessel development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kaessmeyer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Sehl
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Khiao In
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - B Hiebl
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - R Merle
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - F Jung
- Institute of Biomaterial Science and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Teltow, Germany
| | - R P Franke
- Central Institute for Biomedical Technology, Biomaterials Division, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - J Plendl
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Paluck S, Nguyen TH, Lee JP, Maynard HD. A Heparin-Mimicking Block Copolymer Both Stabilizes and Increases the Activity of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2). Biomacromolecules 2016; 17:3386-3395. [PMID: 27580376 PMCID: PMC5059753 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a protein involved in cellular functions in applications such as wound healing and tissue regeneration. Stabilization of this protein is important for its use as a therapeutic since the native protein is unstable during storage and delivery. Additionally, the ability to increase the activity of FGF2 is important for its application, particularly in chronic wound healing and the treatment of various ischemic conditions. Here we report a heparin mimicking block copolymer, poly(styrenesulfonate-co-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-b-vinyl sulfonate) (p(SS-co-PEGMA)-b-VS, that contains a segment that enhances the stability of FGF2 and one that binds to the FGF2 receptor. The FGF2 conjugate retained activity after exposure to refrigeration (4 °C) and room temperature (23 °C) for 7 days, while unmodified FGF2 was inactive after these standard storage conditions. A cell study performed with a cell line lacking native heparan sulfate proteoglycans indicated that the conjugated block copolymer facilitated binding of FGF2 to its receptor similar to the addition of heparin to FGF2. A receptor-based enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) confirmed the results. The conjugate also increased the migration of endothelial cells by 80% compared to FGF2 alone. Additionally, the FGF2-p(SS-co-PEGMA)-b-VS stimulated endothelial cell sprouting 250% better than FGF2 at low concentration. These data verify that this rationally designed protein-block copolymer conjugate enhances receptor binding, cellular processes such as migration and tube-like formation, and stability, and suggest that it may be useful for applications in biomaterials, tissue regeneration, and wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha
J. Paluck
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569 United States
| | - Thi H. Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569 United States
| | - Jonghan P. Lee
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569 United States
| | - Heather D. Maynard
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569 United States
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Strand and Cell Type-specific Function of microRNA-126 in Angiogenesis. Mol Ther 2016; 24:1823-1835. [PMID: 27203443 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2016.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
microRNAs or miRs have been shown to be pivotal modulators of vascular development. The strand and cell type-specific function of miR-126 in angiogenesis, especially pathological angiogenesis, remains poorly defined. We characterized the retinal vascular phenotype of miR-126-/- mice, and tested the function of miR-126 strands (miR-126-3p and -5p) using in vitro angiogenesis models and a mouse model of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. We found that miR-126 is critical for retinal vascular development but has dual function in pathological angiogenesis. miR-126-/- mice showed defective postnatal retinal vascular development and remodeling, which is partially rescued by genetic knockout of its target gene Spred-1. Surprisingly, either silencing miR-126-3p by LNA-antimiR or overexpressing miR-126-3p by miRNA mimic repressed laser-induced choroidal neovascularization. To dissect the underlying mechanism, we found in endothelial cells, silencing of miR-126-3p repressed angiogenesis, while overexpression of miR-126-5p enhanced angiogenesis. However, in retinal pigment epithelial cells, miR-126-3p repressed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) expression via a novel mechanism of regulating αB-Crystallin promoter activity and by directly targeting VEGF-A 3'-untranslated region. These findings provide first genetic evidence that miR-126 is required for the development of different retinal vascular layers, and also uncover a strand and cell type-specific function of miR-126 in ocular pathological angiogenesis.
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34
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NOTCH3 Is Induced in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Promotes Angiogenesis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154112. [PMID: 27124156 PMCID: PMC4849776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that Notch signaling is involved in many types of cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). However, the role of Notch signaling in the tumor microenvironment is not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of NOTCH3 signaling in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in OSCCs. Immunohistochemical study of 93 human tongue OSCC cases indicated that about one third of OSCCs showed NOTCH3 expression in CAFs, and that this expression significantly correlated with tumor-size. In vitro study showed that OSCC cell lines, especially HO1-N-1 cells stimulated NOTCH3 expression in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) through direct cell-to-cell contact. Immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis using human OSCC samples demonstrated that NOTCH3 expression in CAFs significantly correlated with micro-vessel density in cancer stroma. In vitro angiogenesis assays involving co-culture of NHDFs with HO1-N-1 and human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs), and NOTCH3 knockdown in NHDFs using siRNA, demonstrated that HO1-N-1 cells significantly promoted tube formation dependent on NOTCH3-expression in NHDFs. Moreover, NOTCH3 expression in CAFs was related to poor prognosis of the OSCC patients. This work provides a new insight into the role of Notch signaling in CAFs associated with tumor angiogenesis and the possibility of NOTCH3-targeted molecular therapy in OSCCs.
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Chávez MN, Aedo G, Fierro FA, Allende ML, Egaña JT. Zebrafish as an Emerging Model Organism to Study Angiogenesis in Development and Regeneration. Front Physiol 2016; 7:56. [PMID: 27014075 PMCID: PMC4781882 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the process through which new blood vessels are formed from preexisting ones and plays a critical role in several conditions including embryonic development, tissue repair and disease. Moreover, enhanced therapeutic angiogenesis is a major goal in the field of regenerative medicine and efficient vascularization of artificial tissues and organs is one of the main hindrances in the implementation of tissue engineering approaches, while, on the other hand, inhibition of angiogenesis is a key therapeutic target to inhibit for instance tumor growth. During the last decades, the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this process has been matter of intense research. In this regard, several in vitro and in vivo models have been established to visualize and study migration of endothelial progenitor cells, formation of endothelial tubules and the generation of new vascular networks, while assessing the conditions and treatments that either promote or inhibit such processes. In this review, we address and compare the most commonly used experimental models to study angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In particular, we focus on the implementation of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model to study angiogenesis and discuss the advantages and not yet explored possibilities of its use as model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myra N Chávez
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technische Universität MünchenMunich, Germany; Department of Biology, FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Faculty of Science, Universidad de ChileSantiago, Chile; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, FONDAP Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS) and Center for Molecular Studies of the Cell (CEMC), Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Geraldine Aedo
- Department of Biology, FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Chile Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando A Fierro
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Miguel L Allende
- Department of Biology, FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Chile Santiago, Chile
| | - José T Egaña
- Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biological Sciences and Medicine, Pontifícia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago, Chile
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36
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Decker CG, Wang Y, Paluck SJ, Shen L, Loo JA, Levine AJ, Miller LS, Maynard HD. Fibroblast growth factor 2 dimer with superagonist in vitro activity improves granulation tissue formation during wound healing. Biomaterials 2016; 81:157-168. [PMID: 26731578 PMCID: PMC4715972 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Site-specific chemical dimerization of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) with the optimal linker length resulted in a FGF2 homodimer with improved granulation tissue formation and blood vessel formation at exceptionally low concentrations. Homodimers of FGF2 were synthesized through site-specific linkages to both ends of different molecular weight poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs). The optimal linker length was determined by screening dimer-induced metabolic activity of human dermal fibroblasts and found to be that closest to the inter-cysteine distance, 70 Å, corresponding to 2 kDa PEG. A straightforward analysis of the kinetics of second ligand binding as a function of tether length showed that, as the polymerization index (the number of monomer repeat units in the polymer, N) of the tether decreases, the mean time for second ligand capture decreases as ∼N(3/2), leading to an enhancement of the number of doubly bound ligands in steady-state for a given (tethered) ligand concentration. FGF2-PEG2k-FGF2 induced greater fibroblast metabolic activity than FGF2 alone, all other dimers, and all monoconjugates, at each concentration tested, with the greatest difference observed at low (0.1 ng/mL) concentration. FGF2-PEG2k-FGF2 further exhibited superior activity compared to FGF2 for both metabolic activity and migration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, as well as improved angiogenesis in a coculture model in vitro. Efficacy in an in vivo wound healing model was assessed in diabetic mice. FGF2-PEG2k-FGF2 increased granulation tissue and blood vessel density in the wound bed compared to FGF2. The results suggest that this rationally designed construct may be useful for improving the fibroblast matrix formation and angiogenesis in chronic wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin G Decker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, United States
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans St., Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Samantha J Paluck
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, United States
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, United States
| | - Joseph A Loo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, United States; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, and UCLA/DOE Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Alex J Levine
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, United States; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, United States; Department of Biomathematics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, United States
| | - Lloyd S Miller
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans St., Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Heather D Maynard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, United States.
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Abstract
During angiogenesis, endothelial cells invade into the stromal matrix: a complex, structured array of extracellular matrix proteins. This three-dimensional deformable substrate also contains a mixture of angiogenic factors as well as embedded stromal cells. Interactions between endothelial cells and the stromal tissue make complex and important contributions to the process of angiogenesis; however, the composition of the stromal matrix is hard to replicate in vitro. The coculture angiogenesis assay is a long-term assay that uses fibroblasts to secrete and condition a stromal matrix that more closely mimics tissue than a simple collagen gel. Like all in vitro assays of angiogenesis, it has both strengths and weaknesses. Here we give protocols for the two of the most useful applications of the assay: screening for regulators of angiogenesis and high-resolution imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Richards
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Harry Mellor
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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38
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Chowdhury R, Webber JP, Gurney M, Mason MD, Tabi Z, Clayton A. Cancer exosomes trigger mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into pro-angiogenic and pro-invasive myofibroblasts. Oncotarget 2015; 6:715-31. [PMID: 25596732 PMCID: PMC4359250 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Stromal fibroblasts become altered in response to solid cancers, to exhibit myofibroblastic characteristics, with disease promoting influence. Infiltrating mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) may contribute towards these changes, but the factors secreted by cancer cells that impact MSC differentiation are poorly understood. We investigated the role of nano-metre sized vesicles (exosomes), secreted by prostate cancer cells, on the differentiation of bone-marrow MSC (BM-MSC), and the subsequent functional consequences of such changes. Purified exosomes impaired classical adipogenic differentiation, skewing differentiation towards alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) positive myofibroblastic cells. A single exosomes treatment generated myofibroblasts secreting high levels of VEGF-A, HGF and matrix regulating factors (MMP-1, −3 and −13). Differentiated MSC had pro-angiogenic functions and enhanced tumour proliferation and invasivity assessed in a 3D co-culture model. Differentiation was dependent on exosomal-TGFβ, but soluble TGFβ at matched dose could not generate the same phenotype. Exosomes present in the cancer cell secretome were the principal factors driving this phenotype. Prostate cancer exosomes dominantly dictate a programme of MSC differentiation generating myofibroblasts with functional properties consistent with disease promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ridwana Chowdhury
- Institute of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whitchurch, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF14 2TL
| | - Jason P Webber
- Institute of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whitchurch, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF14 2TL.,Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University
| | - Mark Gurney
- Institute of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whitchurch, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF14 2TL
| | - Malcolm D Mason
- Institute of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whitchurch, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF14 2TL
| | - Zsuzsanna Tabi
- Institute of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whitchurch, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF14 2TL
| | - Aled Clayton
- Institute of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whitchurch, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF14 2TL.Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University.,Institute of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whitchurch, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF14 2TL.Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University
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The Formin FMNL3 Controls Early Apical Specification in Endothelial Cells by Regulating the Polarized Trafficking of Podocalyxin. Curr Biol 2015; 25:2325-31. [PMID: 26299518 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the fundamental process by which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vasculature. It plays a critical role in the formation of the vasculature during development and is triggered in response to tissue hypoxia in adult organisms. This process requires complex and coordinated regulation of the endothelial cell cytoskeleton to control cell shape and polarity. In our previous work, we showed that the cytoskeletal regulator FMNL3/FRL2 controls the alignment of stabilized microtubules during polarized endothelial cell elongation and that depletion of FMNL3 retards elongation of the intersegmental vessels in zebrafish. Recent work has shown that FMNL3 is also needed for vascular lumen formation, a critical element of the formation of functional vessels. Here, we show that FMNL3 interacts with Cdc42 and RhoJ, two Rho family GTPases known to be required for lumen formation. FMNL3 and RhoJ are concentrated at the early apical surface, or AMIS, and regulate the formation of radiating actin cables from this site. In diverse biological systems, formins mediate polarized trafficking through the generation of similar actin filaments tracks. We show that FMNL3 and RhoJ are required for polarized trafficking of podocalyxin to the early apical surface--an important event in vascular lumenogenesis.
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40
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Abstract
Angiogenesis is a complex process involving the interactions of endothelial cells not only with pro-angiogenic factors but also with stromal cells and stromal matrix components. Modeling this process in vitro is challenging, and many different assays have been described, each with their own particular strengths and weaknesses. The coculture assay is a long-term assay of angiogenesis that uses fibroblasts to secrete and condition a stromal matrix that more closely mimics tissue than a simple collagen gel. The assay is particularly suited to screening for angiogenic regulators and also for high-resolution imaging of endothelial cells undergoing angiogenic morphogenesis.
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41
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Jin X, Yu H, Kong N, Chang J, Li H, Ye J. Superparamagnetic plasmonic nanoshells for improved imaging, separation and seeding of co-cultured cells. J Mater Chem B 2015; 3:7787-7795. [DOI: 10.1039/c5tb01420d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Multifunctional superparamagnetic nanoshells were applied for improved 2D and 3D two-photon luminescence imaging, separation and seeding of co-cultured cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiulong Jin
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Shanghai 200030
- China
| | - Hongfei Yu
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Shanghai 200030
- China
| | - Ni Kong
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Shanghai 200030
- China
| | - Jiang Chang
- Shanghai institute of Ceramics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai 200050
- China
| | - Haiyan Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Shanghai 200030
- China
| | - Jian Ye
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Shanghai 200030
- China
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42
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Differentiation of tumour-promoting stromal myofibroblasts by cancer exosomes. Oncogene 2014; 34:290-302. [PMID: 24441045 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 330] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Activation of myofibroblast rich stroma is a rate-limiting step essential for cancer progression. The responsible factors are not fully understood, but TGFβ1 is probably critical. A proportion of TGFβ1 is associated with extracellular nano-vesicles termed exosomes, secreted by carcinoma cells, and the relative importance of soluble and vesicular TGFβ in stromal activation is presented. Prostate cancer exosomes triggered TGFβ1-dependent fibroblast differentiation, to a distinctive myofibroblast phenotype resembling stromal cells isolated from cancerous prostate tissue; supporting angiogenesis in vitro and accelerating tumour growth in vivo. Myofibroblasts generated using soluble TGFβ1 were not pro-angiogenic or tumour-promoting. Cleaving heparan sulphate side chains from the exosome surface had no impact on TGFβ levels yet attenuated SMAD-dependent signalling and myofibroblastic differentiation. Eliminating exosomes from the cancer cell secretome, targeting Rab27a, abolished differentiation and lead to failure in stroma-assisted tumour growth in vivo. Exosomal TGFβ1 is therefore required for the formation of tumour-promoting stroma.
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43
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Obika M, Vernon RB, Gooden MD, Braun KR, Chan CK, Wight TN. ADAMTS-4 and biglycan are expressed at high levels and co-localize to podosomes during endothelial cell tubulogenesis in vitro. J Histochem Cytochem 2013; 62:34-49. [PMID: 24051360 DOI: 10.1369/0022155413507727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis of the extracellular matrix influences vascular growth. We examined the expression of ADAMTS-1, -4, and -5 metalloproteinases and their proteoglycan substrates versican, decorin, and biglycan as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) formed tubes within type I collagen gels in vitro. Tubulogenic and control HUVEC cultures expressed low levels of ADAMTS-1 and -5 mRNAs, but ADAMTS-4 mRNA was relatively abundant and was significantly elevated (as was ADAMTS-4 protein) in tubulogenic cultures versus controls. Immunocytochemistry revealed ADAMTS-4 in f-actin- and cortactin-positive podosome-like puncta in single cells and mature tubes. Tubulogenic and control cultures expressed low levels of versican and decorin mRNAs; however, peak levels of biglycan mRNA were 400- and 16,000-fold that of versican and decorin, respectively. Biglycan mRNA was highest at 3 hr, declined steadily through day 7 and, at 12 hr and beyond, was significantly lower in tubulogenic cultures than in controls. Western blots of extracellular matrix from tubulogenic cultures contained bands corresponding to biglycan and its cleavage products. By immunocytochemistry, biglycan was found in the pericellular matrix surrounding endothelial tubes and in cell-associated puncta that co-localized with ADAMTS-4 and cortactin. Collectively, our results suggest that ADAMTS-4 and its substrate biglycan are involved in tubulogenesis by endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanari Obika
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan (MO)
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44
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Friis T, Engel AM, Bendiksen CD, Larsen LS, Houen G. Influence of levamisole and other angiogenesis inhibitors on angiogenesis and endothelial cell morphology in vitro. Cancers (Basel) 2013; 5:762-85. [PMID: 24202320 PMCID: PMC3795364 DOI: 10.3390/cancers5030762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels is required for many physiological processes and for growth of solid tumors. Initiated by hypoxia, angiogenesis involves binding of angiogenic factors to endothelial cell (EC) receptors and activation of cellular signaling, differentiation, migration, proliferation, interconnection and canalization of ECs, remodeling of the extracellular matrix and stabilization of newly formed vessels. Experimentally, these processes can be studied by several in vitro and in vivo assays focusing on different steps in the process. In vitro, ECs form networks of capillary-like tubes when propagated for three days in coculture with fibroblasts. The tube formation is dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and omission of VEGF from the culture medium results in the formation of clusters of undifferentiated ECs. Addition of angiogenesis inhibitors to the coculture system disrupts endothelial network formation and influences EC morphology in two distinct ways. Treatment with antibodies to VEGF, soluble VEGF receptor, the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU5614, protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor (PTPI) IV or levamisole results in the formation of EC clusters of variable size. This cluster morphology is a result of inhibited EC differentiation and levamisole can be inferred to influence and block VEGF signaling. Treatment with platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, rapamycin, suramin, TNP-470, salubrinal, PTPI I, PTPI II, clodronate, NSC87877 or non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) results in the formation of short cords of ECs, which suggests that these inhibitors have an influence on later steps in the angiogenic process, such as EC proliferation and migration. A humanized antibody to VEGF is one of a few angiogenesis inhibitors used clinically for treatment of cancer. Levamisole is approved for clinical treatment of cancer and is interesting with respect to anti-angiogenic activity in vivo since it inhibits ECs in vitro with a morphology resembling that obtained with antibodies to VEGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Friis
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology and Genetics, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Falcon BL, O'Clair B, McClure D, Evans GF, Stewart J, Swearingen ML, Chen Y, Allard K, Lee LN, Neote K, McEwen DP, Uhlik MT, Chintharlapalli S. Development and characterization of a high-throughput in vitro cord formation model insensitive to VEGF inhibition. J Hematol Oncol 2013; 6:31. [PMID: 23622716 PMCID: PMC3648446 DOI: 10.1186/1756-8722-6-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Anti-VEGF therapy reduces tumor blood vessels, however, some vessels always remain. These VEGF insensitive vessels may help support continued tumor growth and metastases. Many in vitro assays examining multiple steps of the angiogenic process have been described, but the majority of these assays are sensitive to VEGF inhibition. There has been little focus on the development of high-throughput, in vitro assays to model the vessels that are insensitive to VEGF inhibition. Methods Here, we describe a fixed end-point and kinetic, high-throughput stem cell co-culture model of cord formation. Results In this system, cords develop within 24 hours, at which point they begin to lose sensitivity to VEGF inhibitors, bevacizumab, and ramucirumab. Consistent with the hypothesis that other angiogenic factors maintain VEGF-independent vessels, pharmacologic intervention with a broad spectrum anti-angiogenic antagonist (suramin), a vascular disrupting agent (combretastatin), or a combination of VEGF and Notch pathway inhibitors reduced the established networks. In addition, we used our in vitro approach to develop an in vivo co-implant vasculogenesis model that connects with the endogenous vasculature to form functional blood vessels. Similar to the in vitro system, over time these vessels become insensitive to VEGF inhibition. Conclusion Together, these models may be used to identify novel drugs targeting tumor vessels that are not sensitive to VEGF inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly L Falcon
- Department of Cancer Angiogenesis, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
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Imoukhuede PI, Popel AS. Expression of VEGF receptors on endothelial cells in mouse skeletal muscle. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44791. [PMID: 22984559 PMCID: PMC3440347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
VEGFR surface localization plays a critical role in converting extracellular VEGF signaling towards angiogenic outcomes, and the quantitative characterization of these parameters is critical for advancing computational models; however the levels of these receptors on blood vessels is currently unknown. Therefore our aim is to quantitatively determine the VEGFR localization on endothelial cells from mouse hindlimb skeletal muscles. We contextualize this VEGFR quantification through comparison to VEGFR-levels on cells in vitro. Using quantitative fluorescence we measure and compare the levels of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 on endothelial cells isolated from C57BL/6 and BALB/c gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior hindlimb muscles. Fluorescence measurements are calibrated using beads with known numbers of phycoerythrin molecules. The data show a 2-fold higher VEGFR1 surface localization relative to VEGFR2 with 2,000-3,700 VEGFR1/endothelial cell and 1,300-2,000 VEGFR2/endothelial cell. We determine that endothelial cells from the highly glycolytic muscle, tibialis anterior, contain 30% higher number of VEGFR1 surface receptors than gastrocnemius; BALB/c mice display ~17% higher number of VEGFR1 than C57BL/6. When we compare these results to mouse fibroblasts in vitro, we observe high levels of VEGFR1 (35,800/cell) and very low levels of VEGFR2 (700/cell), while in human endothelial cells in vitro, we observe that the balance of VEGFRs is inverted, with higher levels VEGFR2 (5,800/cell) and lower levels of VEGFR1 (1,800/cell). Our studies also reveal significant cell-to-cell heterogeneity in receptor expression, and the quantification of these dissimilarities ex vivo for the first time provides insight into the balance of anti-angiogenic or modulatory (VEGFR1) and pro-angiogenic (VEGFR2) signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Princess I. Imoukhuede
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Advances in the cellular and molecular biology of angiogenesis. Biochem Soc Trans 2011; 39:1551-5. [PMID: 22103485 DOI: 10.1042/bst20110749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Capillaries have been recognized for over a century as one of the most important components in regulating tissue oxygen transport, and their formation or angiogenesis a pivotal element of tissue remodelling during development and adaptation. Clinical interest stems from observations that both excessive and inadequate vascular growth plays a major role in human diseases, and novel developments in treatments for cancer and eye disease increasingly rely on anti-angiogenic therapies. Although the discovery of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) provided the first clue for specificity of signalling in endothelial cell activation, understanding the integrative response that drives angiogenesis requires a much broader perspective. The Advances in the Cellular and Molecular Biology of Angiogenesis meeting brought together researchers at the forefront of this rapidly moving field to provide an update on current understanding, and the most recent insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms of vascular growth. The plenary lecture highlighted the integrative nature of the angiogenic process, whereas invited contributions from basic and clinician scientists described fundamental mechanisms and disease-associated issues of blood vessel formation, grouped under a number of themes to aid discussion. These articles will appeal to academic, clinical and pharmaceutical scientists interested in the molecular and cellular basis of angiogenesis, their modulation or dysfunction in human diseases, and application of these findings towards translational medicine.
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