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Liang Y, Jiang Y, Liu J, Li X, Cheng X, Bao L, Zhou H, Guo Z. Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Imaging Assessment in Stroke. Transl Stroke Res 2024:10.1007/s12975-024-01300-6. [PMID: 39322815 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-024-01300-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an important pathological hallmark of ischemic stroke. Blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) is a consequence of ischemia and may also exacerbate damage to brain parenchyma. Therefore, maintaining BBB integrity is critical for the central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. This review offers a concise overview of BBB structure and function, along with the mechanisms underlying its impairment following a stroke. In addition, we review the recent imaging techniques employed to study blood-brain barrier permeability (BBBP) in the context of ischemic brain injury with the goal of providing imaging guidance for stroke diagnosis and treatment from the perspective of the BBBD. This knowledge is vital for developing strategies to safeguard the BBB during cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Liang
- Department of Radiology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yueluan Jiang
- MR Research and Collaboration Team, Diagnostic Imaging, Siemens Healthineers Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- Department of Radiology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuewei Li
- Department of Radiology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinyue Cheng
- Department of Radiology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Bao
- Department of Radiology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- Department of Radiology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Zhenni Guo
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Yang D, Dan H. Authors' reply: "MRTF-A/SRF signaling suppresses invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma". Oral Dis 2024. [PMID: 39049588 DOI: 10.1111/odi.15091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yang
- Department of Oral Biology & Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Wang X, Chen H, Song F, Zuo K, Chen X, Zhang X, Liang L, Ta Q, Zhang L, Li J. Resveratrol: a potential medication for the prevention and treatment of varicella zoster virus-induced ischemic stroke. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:400. [PMID: 37794518 PMCID: PMC10552394 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01291-4] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection rate of varicella zoster virus (VZV) is 95% in humans, and VZV infection is strongly associated with ischemic stroke (IS). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of VZV-induced IS are still unclear, and there are no effective agents to treat and prevent VZV-induced IS. OBJECTIVE By integrating bioinformatics, this study explored the interactions between VZV and IS and potential medication to treat and prevent VZV-induced IS. METHODS In this study, the VZV and IS datasets from the GEO database were used to specify the common genes. Then, bioinformatics analysis including Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genomes and Protein-Protein Interaction network analysis was performed. Further, the hub genes, transcription factor (TF) gene interactions, TF-miRNA co-regulatory network and potential drug were obtained. Finally, validation was performed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS The potential molecular mechanisms of VZV-induced IS were studied using multiple bioinformatics tools. Ten hub genes were COL1A2, DCN, PDGFRB, ACTA2, etc. TF genes and miRNAs included JUN, FOS, CREB, BRCA1, PPARG, STAT3, miR-29, etc. A series of mechanism may be involved, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier disruption, foam cell generation and among others. Finally, we proposed resveratrol as a potential therapeutic medicine for the prevention and treatment of VZV-induced IS. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics results showed that resveratrol and hub genes exhibited strong binding score. CONCLUSIONS Resveratrol could be an alternative for the prevention and treatment of VZV-IS. More in vivo and in vitro studies are needed in the future to fully explore the molecular mechanisms between VZV and IS and for medication development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, Jilin, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Neurovascular Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Feiyu Song
- Jilin Connell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, JilinJilin, 132013, China
| | - Kuiyang Zuo
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Lanqian Liang
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Qiyi Ta
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, Jilin, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Jinhua Li
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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Mohan K, Gasparoni G, Salhab A, Orlich MM, Geffers R, Hoffmann S, Adams RH, Walter J, Nordheim A. Age-Associated Changes in Endothelial Transcriptome and Epigenetic Landscapes Correlate With Elevated Risk of Cerebral Microbleeds. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e031044. [PMID: 37609982 PMCID: PMC10547332 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.031044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Stroke is a leading global cause of human death and disability, with advanced aging associated with elevated incidences of stroke. Despite high mortality and morbidity of stroke, the mechanisms leading to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and development of stroke with age are poorly understood. In the vasculature of brain, endothelial cells (ECs) constitute the core component of the blood-brain barrier and provide a physical barrier composed of tight junctions, adherens junctions, and basement membrane. Methods and Results We show, in mice, the incidents of intracerebral bleeding increases with age. After isolating an enriched population of cerebral ECs from murine brains at 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, we studied age-associated changes in gene expression. The study reveals age-dependent dysregulation of 1388 genes, including many involved in the maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and vascular integrity. We also investigated age-dependent changes on the levels of CpG methylation and accessible chromatin in cerebral ECs. Our study reveals correlations between age-dependent changes in chromatin structure and gene expression, whereas the dynamics of DNA methylation changes are different. Conclusions We find significant age-dependent downregulation of the Aplnr gene along with age-dependent reduction in chromatin accessibility of promoter region of the Aplnr gene in cerebral ECs. Aplnr is associated with positive regulation of vasodilation and is implicated in vascular health. Altogether, our data suggest a potential role of the apelinergic axis involving the ligand apelin and its receptor to be critical in maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and vascular integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshitij Mohan
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell BiologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “From Molecules to Organisms”TübingenGermany
| | | | | | - Michael M. Orlich
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell BiologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “From Molecules to Organisms”TübingenGermany
| | - Robert Geffers
- Genome AnalyticsHelmholtz Centre for Infection ResearchBraunschweigGermany
| | - Steve Hoffmann
- Leibniz Institute on AgingFritz Lipmann InstituteJenaGermany
| | - Ralf H. Adams
- Department of Tissue MorphogenesisMax Planck Institute for Molecular BiomedicineMünsterGermany
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of SaarlandSaarbrückenGermany
| | - Alfred Nordheim
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell BiologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- Leibniz Institute on AgingFritz Lipmann InstituteJenaGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “From Molecules to Organisms”TübingenGermany
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Guo X, Liu R, Jia M, Wang Q, Wu J. Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Induced Blood Brain Barrier Dysfunction and the Involved Molecular Mechanism. Neurochem Res 2023:10.1007/s11064-023-03923-x. [PMID: 37017889 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03923-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is characterized by the abrupt failure of blood flow to a specific brain region, resulting in insufficient supply of oxygen and glucose to the ischemic tissues. Timely reperfusion of blood flow can rescue dying tissue but can also lead to secondary damage to both the infarcted tissues and the blood-brain barrier, known as ischemia/reperfusion injury. Both primary and secondary damage result in biphasic opening of the blood-brain barrier, leading to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and vasogenic edema. Importantly, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and microglial activation are critical factors that worsen stroke outcomes. Activated microglia secrete numerous cytokines, chemokines, and inflammatory factors during neuroinflammation, contributing to the second opening of the blood-brain barrier and worsening the outcome of ischemic stroke. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and other microglia-derived molecules have been shown to be involved in the breakdown of blood-brain barrier. Additionally, other non-microglia-derived molecules such as RNA, HSPs, and transporter proteins also participate in the blood-brain barrier breakdown process after ischemic stroke, either in the primary damage stage directly influencing tight junction proteins and endothelial cells, or in the secondary damage stage participating in the following neuroinflammation. This review summarizes the cellular and molecular components of the blood-brain barrier and concludes the association of microglia-derived and non-microglia-derived molecules with blood-brain barrier dysfunction and its underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Guo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine for Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10070, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, 10070, China
| | - Ru Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine for Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10070, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, 10070, China
| | - Meng Jia
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10070, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, 10070, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, 10070, China
| | - Jianping Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine for Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China.
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10070, China.
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, 10070, China.
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Cerebrovascular G i Proteins Protect Against Brain Hypoperfusion and Collateral Failure in Cerebral Ischemia. Mol Imaging Biol 2023; 25:363-374. [PMID: 36074223 PMCID: PMC10006265 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-022-01764-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral hypoperfusion and vascular dysfunction are closely related to common risk factors for ischemic stroke such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and smoking. The role of inhibitory G protein-dependent receptor (GiPCR) signaling in regulating cerebrovascular functions remains largely elusive. We examined the importance of GiPCR signaling in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and its stability after sudden interruption using various in vivo high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging techniques. To this end, we induced a functional knockout of GiPCR signaling in the brain vasculature by injection of pertussis toxin (PTX). Our results show that PTX induced global brain hypoperfusion and microvascular collapse. When PTX-pretreated animals underwent transient unilateral occlusion of one common carotid artery, CBF was disrupted in the ipsilateral hemisphere resulting in the collapse of the cortically penetrating microvessels. In addition, pronounced stroke features in the affected brain regions appeared in both MRI and histological examination. Our findings suggest an impact of cerebrovascular GiPCR signaling in the maintenance of CBF, which may be useful for novel pharmacotherapeutic approaches to prevent and treat cerebrovascular dysfunction and stroke.
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Andjelkovic AV, Situ M, Citalan-Madrid AF, Stamatovic SM, Xiang J, Keep RF. Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Normal Aging and Neurodegeneration: Mechanisms, Impact, and Treatments. Stroke 2023; 54:661-672. [PMID: 36848419 PMCID: PMC9993074 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.122.040578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral endothelial cells and their linking tight junctions form a unique, dynamic and multi-functional interface, the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The endothelium is regulated by perivascular cells and components forming the neurovascular unit. This review examines BBB and neurovascular unit changes in normal aging and in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly focusing on Alzheimer disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy and vascular dementia. Increasing evidence indicates BBB dysfunction contributes to neurodegeneration. Mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction are outlined (endothelium and neurovascular unit mediated) as is the BBB as a therapeutic target including increasing the uptake of systemically delivered therapeutics across the BBB, enhancing clearance of potential neurotoxic compounds via the BBB, and preventing BBB dysfunction. Finally, a need for novel biomarkers of BBB dysfunction is addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuska V. Andjelkovic
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor MI, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Muyu Situ
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | | | | | - Jianming Xiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Richard F Keep
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor MI, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor MI, USA
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8
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Ke L, Zhong C, Chen Z, Zheng Z, Li S, Chen B, Wu Q, Yao H. Tanshinone I: Pharmacological activities, molecular mechanisms against diseases and future perspectives. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 110:154632. [PMID: 36608501 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tanshinone I (Tan I) is known as one of the important active components in Salvia miltiorrhiza. In recent years, Tan I has received a substantial amount of attention from the research community for various studies being updated and has been shown to possess favorable activities including anti-oxidative stress, regulation of cell autophagy or apoptosis, inhibition of inflammation, etc. PURPOSE: To summarize the investigation progress on the anti-disease efficacy and effect mechanism of Tan I in recent years, and provide perspectives for future study on the active ingredient. METHOD Web of Science and PubMed databases were used to search for articles related to "Tanshinone I" published from 2010 to 2022. Proteins or genes and signaling pathways referring to Tan I against diseases were summarized and classified along with its different therapeutic actions. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was then performed, followed by molecular docking between proteins with high node degree and Tan I, as well as bioinformactic analysis including GO, KEGG and DO enrichment analysis with the collected proteins or genes. RESULTS Tan I shows multiple therapeutic effects, including protection of the cardiovascular system, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-neurodegenerative diseases, etc. The targets (proteins or genes) affected by Tan I against diseases involve Bcl-2, Bid, ITGA2, PPAT, AURKA, VEGF, PI3K, AKT, PRK, JNK, MMP9, ABCG2, CASP3, Cleaved-caspase-3, AMPKα, PARP, etc., and the regulatory pathways refer to Akt/Nrf2, SAPK/JNK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT3, ATF-2/ERK, etc. What's more, AKT1, CASP3, and STAT3 were predicted as the key action targets for Tan I by PPI analysis combined with molecular docking, and the potential therapeutic effects mechanisms against diseases were also further predicted by bioinformatics analyses based on the reported targets, providing new insights into the future investigation and helping to facilitate the drug development of Tan I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Ke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Chenhui Zhong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Zhijie Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Ziyao Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Shaoguang Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Bing Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Key Laboratory of Nanomedical Technology (Education Department of Fujian Province), School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiaoyi Wu
- Department of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Chazhong Road, Fuzhou, 350004, China.
| | - Hong Yao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Key Laboratory of Nanomedical Technology (Education Department of Fujian Province), School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Drug Target Discovery and Structural and Functional Research, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
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9
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Becker H, Castaneda-Vega S, Patzwaldt K, Przystal JM, Walter B, Michelotti FC, Canjuga D, Tatagiba M, Pichler B, Beck SC, Holland EC, la Fougère C, Tabatabai G. Multiparametric Longitudinal Profiling of RCAS-tva-Induced PDGFB-Driven Experimental Glioma. Brain Sci 2022; 12:1426. [PMID: 36358353 PMCID: PMC9688186 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12111426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas are incurable primary brain tumors harboring a heterogeneous landscape of genetic and metabolic alterations. Longitudinal imaging by MRI and [18F]FET-PET measurements enable us to visualize the features of evolving tumors in a dynamic manner. Yet, close-meshed longitudinal imaging time points for characterizing temporal and spatial metabolic alterations during tumor evolution in patients is not feasible because patients usually present with already established tumors. The replication-competent avian sarcoma-leukosis virus (RCAS)/tumor virus receptor-A (tva) system is a powerful preclinical glioma model offering a high grade of spatial and temporal control of somatic gene delivery in vivo. Consequently, here, we aimed at using MRI and [18F]FET-PET to identify typical neuroimaging characteristics of the platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB)-driven glioma model using the RCAS-tva system. Our study showed that this preclinical glioma model displays MRI and [18F]FET-PET features that highly resemble the corresponding established human disease, emphasizing the high translational relevance of this experimental model. Furthermore, our investigations unravel exponential growth dynamics and a model-specific tumor microenvironment, as assessed by histology and immunochemistry. Taken together, our study provides further insights into this preclinical model and advocates for the imaging-stratified design of preclinical therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Becker
- Department of Neurology & Interdisciplinary Neuro-Oncology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Tubingen, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Salvador Castaneda-Vega
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Kristin Patzwaldt
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Justyna M. Przystal
- Department of Neurology & Interdisciplinary Neuro-Oncology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- German Translational Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Partner Site, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Bianca Walter
- Department of Neurology & Interdisciplinary Neuro-Oncology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Filippo C. Michelotti
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Denis Canjuga
- Department of Neurology & Interdisciplinary Neuro-Oncology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Marcos Tatagiba
- Department of Neurology & Interdisciplinary Neuro-Oncology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Tubingen, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Pichler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- German Translational Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Partner Site, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, Eberhard Karls University, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Susanne C. Beck
- Department of Neurology & Interdisciplinary Neuro-Oncology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Eric C. Holland
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, DC 98109, USA
| | - Christian la Fougère
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- German Translational Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Partner Site, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, Eberhard Karls University, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
| | - Ghazaleh Tabatabai
- Department of Neurology & Interdisciplinary Neuro-Oncology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- German Translational Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Partner Site, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, Eberhard Karls University, 72072 Tubingen, Germany
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10
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Xi Y, LaCanna R, Ma HY, N'Diaye EN, Gierke S, Caplazi P, Sagolla M, Huang Z, Lucio L, Arlantico A, Jeet S, Brightbill H, Emson C, Wong A, Morshead KB, DePianto DJ, Roose-Girma M, Yu C, Tam L, Jia G, Ramalingam TR, Marsters S, Ashkenazi A, Kim SH, Kelly R, Wu S, Wolters PJ, Feldstein AE, Vander Heiden JA, Ding N. A WISP1 antibody inhibits MRTF signaling to prevent the progression of established liver fibrosis. Cell Metab 2022; 34:1377-1393.e8. [PMID: 35987202 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the major risk factor associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-driven chronic liver disease. Although numerous efforts have been made to identify the mediators of the initiation of liver fibrosis, the molecular underpinnings of fibrosis progression remain poorly understood, and therapies to arrest liver fibrosis progression are elusive. Here, we identify a pathway involving WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) and myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) as a central mechanism driving liver fibrosis progression through the integrin-dependent transcriptional reprogramming of myofibroblast cytoskeleton and motility. In mice, WISP1 deficiency protects against fibrosis progression, but not fibrosis onset. Moreover, the therapeutic administration of a novel antibody blocking WISP1 halted the progression of existing liver fibrosis in NASH models. These findings implicate the WISP1-MRTF axis as a crucial determinant of liver fibrosis progression and support targeting this pathway by antibody-based therapy for the treatment of NASH fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xi
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ryan LaCanna
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hsiao-Yen Ma
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Elsa-Noah N'Diaye
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Gierke
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Caplazi
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Meredith Sagolla
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zhiyu Huang
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura Lucio
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Arlantico
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Surinder Jeet
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hans Brightbill
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Claire Emson
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aaron Wong
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katrina B Morshead
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daryle J DePianto
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Merone Roose-Girma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Charles Yu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lucinda Tam
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Guiquan Jia
- Department of Biomarker Discovery, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Scot Marsters
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Avi Ashkenazi
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Si Hyun Kim
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Kelly
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shuang Wu
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paul J Wolters
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ariel E Feldstein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Ning Ding
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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11
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Dupont S, Wickström SA. Mechanical regulation of chromatin and transcription. Nat Rev Genet 2022; 23:624-643. [DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00493-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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12
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Tutino VM, Kuo CC, Avasthi N, Rai HH, Waqas M, Siddiqui AH, Jarvis JN, Poppenberg KE. Chromatin architecture around stroke haplotypes provides evidence that genetic risk is conferred through vascular cells. Epigenomics 2022; 14:243-259. [PMID: 35184600 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous stroke-associated SNPs. To understand how SNPs affect gene expression related to increased stroke risk, we studied epigenetic landscapes surrounding 26 common, validated stroke-associated loci. Methods: We mapped the SNPs to linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks and examined H3K27ac, H3K4me1, H3K9ac, and H3K4me3 histone marks and transcription-factor binding-sites in pathologically relevant cell types (hematopoietic and vascular cells). Hi-C data were used to identify topologically associated domains (TADs) encompassing the LD blocks and overlapping genes. Results: Fibroblasts, smooth muscle, and endothelial cells showed significant enrichment for enhancer-associated marks within stroke-associated LD blocks. Genes within encompassing TADs reflected vessel homeostasis, cellular turnover, and enzymatic activity. Conclusions: Stroke-associated genetic variants confer risk predominantly through vascular cells rather than hematopoietic cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent M Tutino
- Canon Stroke & Vascular Research Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Department of Pathology & Anatomical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Cathleen C Kuo
- Canon Stroke & Vascular Research Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Naval Avasthi
- Canon Stroke & Vascular Research Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Hamid H Rai
- Canon Stroke & Vascular Research Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Canon Stroke & Vascular Research Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Adnan H Siddiqui
- Canon Stroke & Vascular Research Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Department of Radiology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - James N Jarvis
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology & Anatomical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Genetics, Genomics, & Bioinformatics Program, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Kerry E Poppenberg
- Canon Stroke & Vascular Research Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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13
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Wang HL, Zhang CL, Qiu YM, Chen AQ, Li YN, Hu B. Dysfunction of the Blood-brain Barrier in Cerebral Microbleeds: from Bedside to Bench. Aging Dis 2021; 12:1898-1919. [PMID: 34881076 PMCID: PMC8612614 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are a disorder of cerebral microvessels that are characterized as small (<10 mm), hypointense, round or ovoid lesions seen on T2*-weighted gradient echo MRI. There is a high prevalence of CMBs in community-dwelling healthy older people. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the significance of CMBs in stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, gait disturbances and late-life depression. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is considered to be the event that initializes CMBs development. However, the pathogenesis of CMBs has not yet been clearly elucidated. In this review, we introduce the pathogenesis of CMBs, hypertensive vasculopathy and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and review recent research that has advanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction and CMBs presence. CMBs-associated risk factors can exacerbate BBB breakdown through the vulnerability of BBB anatomical and functional changes. Finally, we discuss potential pharmacological approaches to target the BBB as therapy for CMBs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - An-qi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Ya-nan Li
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
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14
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Wu S, Yin Y, Du L. Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis of Major Depressive Disorder. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:2571-2591. [PMID: 34637015 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01153-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Major depression represents a complex and prevalent psychological disease that is characterized by persistent depressed mood, impaired cognitive function and complicated pathophysiological and neuroendocrine alterations. Despite the multifactorial etiology of depression, one of the most recent factors to be identified as playing a critical role in the development of depression is blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. The occurrence of BBB integrity disruption contributes to the disturbance of brain homeostasis and leads to complications of neurological diseases, such as stroke, chronic neurodegenerative disorders, neuroinflammatory disorders. Recently, BBB associated tight junction disruption has been shown to implicate in the pathophysiology of depression and contribute to increased susceptibility to depression. However, the underlying mechanisms and importance of BBB damage in depression remains largely unknown. This review highlights how BBB disruption regulates the depression process and the possible molecular mechanisms involved in development of depression-induced BBB dysfunction. Moreover, insight on promising therapeutic targets for treatment of depression with associated BBB dysfunctions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusheng Wu
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuye Yin
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Longfei Du
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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15
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Liu L, Rippe C, Hansson O, Kryvokhyzha D, Fisher S, Ekman M, Swärd K. Regulation of the Muscarinic M 3 Receptor by Myocardin-Related Transcription Factors. Front Physiol 2021; 12:710968. [PMID: 34539433 PMCID: PMC8446542 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.710968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: myocardin/MYOCD, MRTF-A/MRTFA, and MRTF-B/MRTFB) are co-factors of serum response factor (SRF) that activate the smooth muscle cell (SMC) gene program and that play roles in cardiovascular development and mechanobiology. Gain and loss of function experiments have defined the SMC gene program under control of MRTFs, yet full understanding of their impact is lacking. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the muscarinic M3 receptor (CHRM3) is regulated by MRTFs together with SRF. Forced expression of MYOCD (8d) in human coronary artery (SMC) followed by RNA-sequencing showed increased levels of M2, M3, and M5 receptors (CHRM2: 2-fold, CHRM3: 16-fold, and CHRM5: 2-fold). The effect of MYOCD on M3 was confirmed by RT-qPCR using both coronary artery and urinary bladder SMCs, and correlation analyses using human transcriptomic datasets suggested that M3 may also be regulated by MRTF-B. Head-to-head comparisons of MYOCD, MRTF-A and MRTF-B, argued that while all MRTFs are effective, MRTF-B is the most powerful transactivator of CHRM3, causing a 600-fold increase at 120h. Accordingly, MRTF-B conferred responsiveness to the muscarinic agonist carbachol in Ca2+ imaging experiments. M3 was suppressed on treatment with the MRTF-SRF inhibitor CCG-1423 using SMCs transduced with either MRTF-A or MRTF-B and using intact mouse esophagus in culture (by 92±2%). Moreover, silencing of SRF with a short hairpin reduced CHRM3 (by >60%) in parallel with α-actin (ACTA2). Tamoxifen inducible knockout of Srf in smooth muscle reduced Srf (by 54±4%) and Chrm3 (by 41±6%) in the urinary bladder at 10days, but Srf was much less reduced or unchanged in aorta, ileum, colon, trachea, and esophagus. Longer induction (21d) further accentuated the reduction of Chrm3 in the bladder and ileum, but no change was seen in the aorta. Single cell RNA-sequencing revealed that Mrtfb dominates in ECs, while Myocd dominates in SMCs, raising the possibility that Chrm3 may be driven by Mrtfb-Srf in the endothelium and by Myocd-Srf in SMCs. These findings define a novel transcriptional control mechanism for muscarinic M3 receptors in human cells, and in mice, that could be targeted for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Urology, Qingyuan People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, China
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ola Hansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Malmö, Sweden.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dmytro Kryvokhyzha
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Steven Fisher
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology) and Physiology and Biophysics, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mari Ekman
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
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16
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Xia XD, Yu XH, Chen LY, Xie SL, Feng YG, Yang RZ, Zhao ZW, Li H, Wang G, Tang CK. Myocardin suppression increases lipid retention and atherosclerosis via downregulation of ABCA1 in vascular smooth muscle cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:158824. [PMID: 33035679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Myocardin (MYOCD) plays an important role in cardiovascular disease. However, its underlying impact on atherosclerosis remains to be elucidated. ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), a key membrane-associated lipid transporter which maintains intracellular lipid homeostasis, has a protective function in atherosclerosis progress. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and how the effect of MYOCD on atherosclerosis is associated with ABCA1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We found both MYOCD and ABCA1 expression were dramatically decreased in atherosclerotic patient aortas compared to control. MYOCD knockdown inhibited ABCA1 expression in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HAVSMCs), leading to reduced cholesterol efflux and increased intracellular cholesterol contents. MYOCD overexpression exerted the opposite effect. Mechanistically, MYOCD regulates ABCA1 expression in an SRF-dependent manner. Consistently, apolipoprotein E-deficient mice treated with MYOCD shRNA developed more plaques in the aortic sinus, which is associated with reduced ABCA1 expression, increased cholesterol retention in the aorta, and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the plasma. Our data suggest that MYOCD deficiency exacerbates atherosclerosis by downregulating ABCA1 dependent cholesterol efflux from VSMCs, thereby providing a novel strategy for the therapeutic treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1/genetics
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1/metabolism
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Animals
- Aorta/cytology
- Aorta/metabolism
- Aorta/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Cells, Cultured
- Down-Regulation
- Female
- Humans
- Lipid Metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Middle Aged
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dan Xia
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Guangdong Province, Qingyuan 511518, China; Department of Microsurgery, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xiao-Hua Yu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China
| | - Ling-Yan Chen
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Song-Lin Xie
- Department of Microsurgery, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Yao-Guang Feng
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Rui-Zhe Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Zhen-Wang Zhao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Heng Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| | - Chao-Ke Tang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
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17
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Rippe C, Morén B, Liu L, Stenkula KG, Mustaniemi J, Wennström M, Swärd K. NG2/CSPG4, CD146/MCAM and VAP1/AOC3 are regulated by myocardin-related transcription factors in smooth muscle cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5955. [PMID: 33727640 PMCID: PMC7966398 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85335-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The present work addressed the hypothesis that NG2/CSPG4, CD146/MCAM, and VAP1/AOC3 are target genes of myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: myocardin/MYOCD, MRTF-A/MKL1, MRTF-B/MKL2) and serum response factor (SRF). Using a bioinformatics approach, we found that CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 correlate with MYOCD, MRTF-A/MKL1, and SRF across human tissues. No other transcription factor correlated as strongly with these transcripts as SRF. Overexpression of MRTFs increased both mRNA and protein levels of CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 in cultured human smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Imaging confirmed increased staining for CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 in MRTF-A/MKL1-transduced cells. MRTFs exert their effects through SRF, and the MCAM and AOC3 gene loci contained binding sites for SRF. SRF silencing reduced the transcript levels of these genes, and time-courses of induction paralleled the direct target ACTA2. MRTF-A/MKL1 increased the activity of promoter reporters for MCAM and AOC3, and transcriptional activation further depended on the chromatin remodeling enzyme KDM3A. CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 responded to the MRTF-SRF inhibitor CCG-1423, to actin dynamics, and to ternary complex factors. Coincidental detection of these proteins should reflect MRTF-SRF activity, and beyond SMCs, we observed co-expression of CD146/MCAM, NG2/CSPG4, and VAP1/AOC3 in pericytes and endothelial cells in the human brain. This work identifies highly responsive vascular target genes of MRTF-SRF signaling that are regulated via a mechanism involving KDM3A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Morén
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Urology, Qingyuan People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, China
| | - Karin G Stenkula
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Mustaniemi
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Wennström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
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18
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Castaneda-Vega S, Katiyar P, Russo F, Patzwaldt K, Schnabel L, Mathes S, Hempel JM, Kohlhofer U, Gonzalez-Menendez I, Quintanilla-Martinez L, Ziemann U, la Fougere C, Ernemann U, Pichler BJ, Disselhorst JA, Poli S. Machine learning identifies stroke features between species. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:3017-3034. [PMID: 33456586 PMCID: PMC7806470 DOI: 10.7150/thno.51887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification and localization of ischemic stroke (IS) lesions is routinely performed to confirm diagnosis, assess stroke severity, predict disability and plan rehabilitation strategies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In basic research, stroke lesion segmentation is necessary to study complex peri-infarction tissue changes. Moreover, final stroke volume is a critical outcome evaluated in clinical and preclinical experiments to determine therapy or intervention success. Manual segmentations are performed but they require a specialized skill set, are prone to inter-observer variation, are not entirely objective and are often not supported by histology. The task is even more challenging when dealing with large multi-center datasets, multiple experimenters or large animal cohorts. On the other hand, current automatized segmentation approaches often lack histological validation, are not entirely user independent, are often based on single parameters, or in the case of complex machine learning methods, require vast training datasets and are prone to a lack of model interpretation. Methods: We induced IS using the middle cerebral artery occlusion model on two rat cohorts. We acquired apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T2-weighted (T2W) images at 24 h and 1-week after IS induction. Subsets of the animals at 24 h and 1-week post IS were evaluated using histology and immunohistochemistry. Using a Gaussian mixture model, we segmented voxel-wise interactions between ADC and T2W parameters at 24 h using one of the rat cohorts. We then used these segmentation results to train a random forest classifier, which we applied to the second rat cohort. The algorithms' stroke segmentations were compared to manual stroke delineations, T2W and ADC thresholding methods and the final stroke segmentation at 1-week. Volume correlations to histology were also performed for every segmentation method. Metrics of success were calculated with respect to the final stroke volume. Finally, the trained random forest classifier was tested on a human dataset with a similar temporal stroke on-set. Manual segmentations, ADC and T2W thresholds were again used to evaluate and perform comparisons with the proposed algorithms' output. Results: In preclinical rat data our framework significantly outperformed commonly applied automatized thresholding approaches and segmented stroke regions similarly to manual delineation. The framework predicted the localization of final stroke regions in 1-week post-stroke MRI with a median Dice similarity coefficient of 0.86, Matthew's correlation coefficient of 0.80 and false positive rate of 0.04. The predicted stroke volumes also strongly correlated with final histological stroke regions (Pearson correlation = 0.88, P < 0.0001). Lastly, the stroke region characteristics identified by our framework in rats also identified stroke lesions in human brains, largely outperforming thresholding approaches in stroke volume prediction (P<0.01). Conclusion: Our findings reveal that the segmentation produced by our proposed framework using 24 h MRI rat data strongly correlated with the final stroke volume, denoting a predictive effect. In addition, we show for the first time that the stroke imaging features can be directly translated between species, allowing identification of acute stroke in humans using the model trained on animal data. This discovery reduces the gap between the clinical and preclinical fields, unveiling a novel approach to directly co-analyze clinical and preclinical data. Such methods can provide further biological insights into human stroke and highlight the differences between species in order to help improve the experimental setups and animal models of the disease.
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19
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Xiao M, Xiao ZJ, Yang B, Lan Z, Fang F. Blood-Brain Barrier: More Contributor to Disruption of Central Nervous System Homeostasis Than Victim in Neurological Disorders. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:764. [PMID: 32903669 PMCID: PMC7438939 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic but solid shield in the cerebral microvascular system. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis by regulating the exchange of materials between the circulation and the brain and protects the neural tissue from neurotoxic components as well as pathogens. Here, we discuss the development of the BBB in physiological conditions and then focus on the role of the BBB in cerebrovascular disease, including acute ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Finally, we summarize recent advancements in the development of therapies targeting the BBB and outline future directions and outstanding questions in the field. We propose that BBB dysfunction not only results from, but is causal in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders; the BBB is more a contributor to the disruption of CNS homeostasis than a victim in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjia Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Jie Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Binbin Yang
- Department of Neurology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziwei Lan
- Department of Neurology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Neurology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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20
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Ishibashi Y, Shoji S, Ihara D, Kubo Y, Tanaka T, Tanabe H, Hakamata T, Miyata T, Satou N, Sakagami H, Mizuguchi M, Kikuchi K, Fukuchi M, Tsuda M, Takasaki I, Tabuchi A. Expression of SOLOIST/MRTFB i4, a novel neuronal isoform of the mouse serum response factor coactivator myocardin-related transcription factor-B, negatively regulates dendritic complexity in cortical neurons. J Neurochem 2020; 159:762-777. [PMID: 32639614 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Megakaryoblastic leukemia 2 (MKL2)/myocardin-related transcription factor-B (MRTFB), a serum response factor (SRF) coactivator, is an important regulator of gene expression and neuronal morphology. Here, we show that different mouse MRTFB splice isoforms, including a novel fourth MRTFB isoform named spliced neuronal long isoform of SRF transcriptional coactivator (SOLOIST)/MRTFB isoform 4 (MRTFB i4), play distinct roles in this process. SOLOIST/MRTFB i4 has a short exon that encodes 21 amino acid residues ahead of the first RPXXXEL (RPEL) motif in MRTFB isoform 3. Quantitative PCR revealed that SOLOIST/MRTFB i4 and isoform 1 were enriched in the forebrain and neurons, and up-regulated during brain development. Conversely, isoform 3 was detected in various tissues, including both neurons and astrocytes, and was down-regulated in the developing brain. Reporter assays supported the SRF-coactivator function of SOLOIST/MRTFB i4 as well as isoform 1. Acute expression of MRTFB isoform 1, but not isoform 3 or SOLOIST/MRTFB i4, in neuronal cells within 24 hr drastically increased endogenous immediate early gene [c-fos, egr1, and activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein] expression, but not endogenous actinin α1, β-actin, gelsolin, or srf gene expression measured by qPCR. Over-expression of SOLOIST/MRTFB i4 reduced the dendritic complexity of cortical neurons, whereas over-expression of isoform 1 increased this complexity. Co-expression of isoform 1 and SOLOIST/MRTFB i4 in cortical neurons revealed that isoform 1 competitively counteracted down-regulation by SOLOIST/MRTFB i4. Our findings indicate that MRTFB isoforms have unique expression patterns and differential effects on gene expression and dendritic complexity, which contribute to shaping neuronal circuits, at least in part.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Ishibashi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Shizuku Shoji
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ihara
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yukimi Kubo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Takuro Tanaka
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tanabe
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Hakamata
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Miyata
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Natsumi Satou
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sakagami
- Department of Anatomy, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mineyuki Mizuguchi
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Keietsu Kikuchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Mamoru Fukuchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Present affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharmacy, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
| | - Masaaki Tsuda
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Ichiro Takasaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Innovative Life Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Akiko Tabuchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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21
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Moon S, Lee S, Caesar JA, Pruchenko S, Leask A, Knowles JA, Sinon J, Chaqour B. A CTGF-YAP Regulatory Pathway Is Essential for Angiogenesis and Barriergenesis in the Retina. iScience 2020; 23:101184. [PMID: 32502964 PMCID: PMC7270711 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) or cellular communication network 2 (CCN2) is a matricellular protein essential for normal embryonic development and tissue repair. CTGF exhibits cell- and context-dependent activities, but CTGF function in vascular development and barrier function is unknown. We show that endothelial cells (ECs) are one of the major cellular sources of CTGF in the developing and adult retinal vasculature. Mice lacking CTGF expression either globally or specifically in ECs exhibit impaired vascular cell growth and morphogenesis and blood barrier breakdown. The global molecular signature of CTGF includes cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix protein, growth factor, and transcriptional co-regulator genes such as yes-associated protein (YAP). YAP, itself a transcriptional activator of CTGF, mediates several CTGF-controlled angiogenic and barriergenic transcriptional programs. Re-expression of YAP rescues, at least partially, angiogenesis and barriergenesis in CTGF mutant mouse retinas. Thus, the CTGF-YAP regulatory loop is integral to retinal vascular development and barrier function. CTGF has a strong and persistent expression in the retinal vasculature Mice lacking CTGF exhibit defects in angiogenesis and blood barrier integrity CTGF-targeted genes include matrix, growth, and transcription co-factors like YAP YAP re-expression partly rescues angiogenic and barriergenic defects of CTGF loss
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohyun Moon
- State University of New York, Downstate Health Science University, Department of Cell Biology, 450 Clarkson Avenue, MSC 5, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Sangmi Lee
- State University of New York, Downstate Health Science University, Department of Cell Biology, 450 Clarkson Avenue, MSC 5, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Joy Ann Caesar
- State University of New York, Downstate Health Science University, Department of Cell Biology, 450 Clarkson Avenue, MSC 5, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Sarah Pruchenko
- State University of New York, Downstate Health Science University, Department of Cell Biology, 450 Clarkson Avenue, MSC 5, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Andrew Leask
- University of Saskatchewan, College of Dentistry, E3338 HS - 105 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E4, Canada
| | - James A Knowles
- State University of New York, Downstate Health Science University, Department of Cell Biology, 450 Clarkson Avenue, MSC 5, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Jose Sinon
- State University of New York, Downstate Health Science University, Department of Cell Biology, 450 Clarkson Avenue, MSC 5, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Brahim Chaqour
- State University of New York, Downstate Health Science University, Department of Cell Biology, 450 Clarkson Avenue, MSC 5, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Health Science University, Department of Ophthalmology, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; SUNY Eye Institute, SUNY Downstate Health Science University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
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22
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Bittencourt LO, Dionizio A, Nascimento PC, Puty B, Leão LKR, Luz DA, Silva MCF, Amado LL, Leite A, Buzalaf MR, Crespo-Lopez ME, Maia CSF, Lima RR. Proteomic approach underlying the hippocampal neurodegeneration caused by low doses of methylmercury after long-term exposure in adult rats. Metallomics 2020; 11:390-403. [PMID: 30525157 DOI: 10.1039/c8mt00297e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is an important toxicant that causes cognitive dysfunctions in humans. This study aimed to investigate the proteomic and biochemical alterations of the hippocampus associated with behavioural consequences of low doses of MeHg in a long-term exposure model, and to realistically mimic in vivo the result of human exposure to this toxicant. Adult Wistar male rats were exposed to a dose of MeHg at 0.04 mg kg-1 day-1 by gavage for 60 days. Total mercury (Hg) content was significantly increased in the hippocampal parenchyma. The increase in the Hg levels was capable of reducing neuron and astrocyte cell density in the CA1, CA3, hilus and dentate gyrus regions, increasing both malondialdehyde and nitrite levels and decreasing antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals. The proteomic analysis detected 1041 proteins with altered expression due to MeHg exposure, including 364 proteins with no expression, 295 proteins with de novo expression and 382 proteins with up- or down-regulated expression. This proteomic approach revealed alterations in pathways related to chemical synapses, metabolism, amino acid transport, cell energy, neurodegenerative processes and myelin maintenance. Therefore, even at low doses of MeHg exposure, it is possible to cause hippocampal damage in adult rats at many organisational levels, triggering oxidative stress and proteome misbalance, featuring a neurodegenerative process and culminating in long- and short-term memory and learning deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt
- Laboratory of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, No 125, Augusto Corrêa Street N. 01, Guamá, 66075-900, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
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23
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Vega SC, Leiss V, Piekorz R, Calaminus C, Pexa K, Vuozzo M, Schmid AM, Devanathan V, Kesenheimer C, Pichler BJ, Beer-Hammer S, Nürnberg B. Selective protection of murine cerebral G i/o-proteins from inactivation by parenterally injected pertussis toxin. J Mol Med (Berl) 2019; 98:97-110. [PMID: 31811326 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-019-01854-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pertussis toxin (PTX) is a potent virulence factor in patients suffering from whooping cough, but in its detoxified version, it is applied for vaccination. It is thought to contribute to the pathology of the disease including various CNS malfunctions. Based on its enzymatic activity, PTX disrupts GPCR-dependent signaling by modifying the α-subunit of heterotrimeric Gi/o-proteins. It is also extensively used as a research tool to study neuronal functions in vivo and in vitro. However, data demonstrating the penetration of PTX from the blood into the brain are missing. Here, we examined the Gαi/o-modifying activity of PTX in murine brains after its parenteral application. Ex vivo biodistribution analysis of [124I]-PTX displayed poor distribution to the brain while relatively high concentrations were visible in the pancreas. PTX affected CNS and endocrine functions of the pancreas as shown by open-field and glucose tolerance tests, respectively. However, while pancreatic islet Gαi/o-proteins were modified, their neuronal counterparts in brain tissue were resistant towards PTX as indicated by different autoradiographic and immunoblot SDS-PAGE analyses. In contrast, PTX easily modified brain Gαi/o-proteins ex vivo. An attempt to increase BBB permeability by application of hypertonic mannitol did not show PTX activity on neuronal G proteins. Consistent with these findings, in vivo MRI analysis did not point to an increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability following PTX treatment. Our data demonstrate that the CNS is protected from PTX. Thus, we hypothesize that the BBB hinders PTX to penetrate into the CNS and to deliver its enzymatic activity to brain Gαi/o-proteins. KEY MESSAGES: i.p. applied PTX is poorly retained in the brain while reaches high concentration in the pancreas. Pancreatic islet Gαi/o- but not cerebral Gαi/o-proteins are modified by i.p. administered PTX. Gαi/o-proteins from isolated cerebral cell membranes were easily modified by PTX ex vivo. CNS is protected from i.p. administered PTX. PTX does not permeabilize the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Castaneda Vega
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen and University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Veronika Leiss
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapy, Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Interfaculty Center for Pharmacogenomics and Drug Research, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Roland Piekorz
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Carsten Calaminus
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen and University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katja Pexa
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marta Vuozzo
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen and University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas M Schmid
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen and University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vasudharani Devanathan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapy, Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Interfaculty Center for Pharmacogenomics and Drug Research, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
- Neuroscience Lab, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati, India
| | - Christian Kesenheimer
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen and University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernd J Pichler
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen and University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Beer-Hammer
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapy, Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Interfaculty Center for Pharmacogenomics and Drug Research, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Nürnberg
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapy, Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Interfaculty Center for Pharmacogenomics and Drug Research, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.
- Department of Toxicology, Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, and University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany.
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24
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Costea L, Mészáros Á, Bauer H, Bauer HC, Traweger A, Wilhelm I, Farkas AE, Krizbai IA. The Blood-Brain Barrier and Its Intercellular Junctions in Age-Related Brain Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215472. [PMID: 31684130 PMCID: PMC6862160 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
With age, our cognitive skills and abilities decline. Maybe starting as an annoyance, this decline can become a major impediment to normal daily life. Recent research shows that the neurodegenerative disorders responsible for age associated cognitive dysfunction are mechanistically linked to the state of the microvasculature in the brain. When the microvasculature does not function properly, ischemia, hypoxia, oxidative stress and related pathologic processes ensue, further damaging vascular and neural function. One of the most important and specialized functions of the brain microvasculature is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which controls the movement of molecules between blood circulation and the brain parenchyma. In this review, we are focusing on tight junctions (TJs), the multiprotein complexes that play an important role in establishing and maintaining barrier function. After a short introduction of the cell types that modulate barrier function via intercellular communication, we examine how age, age related pathologies and the aging of the immune system affects TJs. Then, we review how the TJs are affected in age associated neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Lastly, we summarize the TJ aspects of Huntington's disease and schizophrenia. Barrier dysfunction appears to be a common denominator in neurological disorders, warranting detailed research into the molecular mechanisms behind it. Learning the commonalities and differences in the pathomechanism of the BBB injury in different neurological disorders will predictably lead to development of new therapeutics that improve our life as we age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Costea
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania.
| | - Ádám Mészáros
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Hannelore Bauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Hans-Christian Bauer
- Institute of Tendon and Bone Regeneration, Paracelsus Medical University-Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Andreas Traweger
- Institute of Tendon and Bone Regeneration, Paracelsus Medical University-Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Imola Wilhelm
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania.
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Attila E Farkas
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - István A Krizbai
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania.
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
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25
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Majesky MW. Vascular Development. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 38:e17-e24. [PMID: 29467221 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.310223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The vascular system forms as a branching network of endothelial cells that acquire identity as arterial, venous, hemogenic, or lymphatic. Endothelial specification depends on gene targets transcribed by Ets domain-containing factors, including Ets variant gene 2 (Etv2), together with the activity of chromatin-remodeling complexes containing Brahma-related gene-1 (Brg1). Once specified and assembled into vessels, mechanisms regulating lumen diameter and axial growth ensure that the structure of the branching vascular network matches the need for perfusion of target tissues. In addition, blood vessels provide important morphogenic cues that guide or direct the development of organs forming around them. As the embryo grows and lumen diameters increase, smooth muscle cells wrap around the nascent vessel walls to provide mechanical strength and vasomotor control of the circulation. Increasing mechanical stretch and wall strain promote smooth muscle cell differentiation via coupling of actin cytoskeletal remodeling to myocardin and serum response factor-dependent transcription. Remodeling of artery walls by developmental signaling pathways reappears in postnatal blood vessels during physiological and pathological adaptation to vessel wall injury, inflammation, or chronic hypoxia. Recent reports providing insights into major steps in vascular development are reviewed here with a particular emphasis on studies that have been recently published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Majesky
- From the Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, WA; and Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle.
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26
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Abstract
Located at the interface of the circulation system and the CNS, the basement membrane (BM) is well positioned to regulate blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Given the important roles of BBB in the development and progression of various neurological disorders, the BM has been hypothesized to contribute to the pathogenesis of these diseases. After stroke, a cerebrovascular disease caused by rupture (hemorrhagic) or occlusion (ischemic) of cerebral blood vessels, the BM undergoes constant remodeling to modulate disease progression. Although an association between BM dissolution and stroke is observed, how each individual BM component changes after stroke and how these components contribute to stroke pathogenesis are mostly unclear. In this review, I first briefly introduce the composition of the BM in the brain. Next, the functions of the BM and its major components in BBB maintenance under homeostatic conditions are summarized. Furthermore, the roles of the BM and its major components in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke are discussed. Last, unsolved questions and potential future directions are described. This review aims to provide a comprehensive reference for future studies, stimulate the formation of new ideas, and promote the generation of new genetic tools in the field of BM/stroke research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yao
- Yao Yao, Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, 340 Pharmacy South Building, 250 West Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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27
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Abdullahi W, Tripathi D, Ronaldson PT. Blood-brain barrier dysfunction in ischemic stroke: targeting tight junctions and transporters for vascular protection. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2018; 315:C343-C356. [PMID: 29949404 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00095.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 346] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a physical and biochemical barrier that precisely controls cerebral homeostasis. It also plays a central role in the regulation of blood-to-brain flux of endogenous and exogenous xenobiotics and associated metabolites. This is accomplished by molecular characteristics of brain microvessel endothelial cells such as tight junction protein complexes and functional expression of influx and efflux transporters. One of the pathophysiological features of ischemic stroke is disruption of the BBB, which significantly contributes to development of brain injury and subsequent neurological impairment. Biochemical characteristics of BBB damage include decreased expression and altered organization of tight junction constituent proteins as well as modulation of functional expression of endogenous BBB transporters. Therefore, there is a critical need for development of novel therapeutic strategies that can protect against BBB dysfunction (i.e., vascular protection) in the setting of ischemic stroke. Such strategies include targeting tight junctions to ensure that they maintain their correct structure or targeting transporters to control flux of physiological substrates for protection of endothelial homeostasis. In this review, we will describe the pathophysiological mechanisms in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells that lead to BBB dysfunction following onset of stroke. Additionally, we will utilize this state-of-the-art knowledge to provide insights on novel pharmacological strategies that can be developed to confer BBB protection in the setting of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wazir Abdullahi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Dinesh Tripathi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Patrick T Ronaldson
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
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28
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GPR182 is a novel marker for sinusoidal endothelial differentiation with distinct GPCR signaling activity in vitro. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 497:32-38. [PMID: 29408502 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.01.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (EC) along the vascular tree exhibit organ-specific angiodiversity. Compared to most other ECs, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) that constitute the organ-specific microvasculature of the liver are morphologically and functionally unique. Previously, we showed that transcription factor Gata4 acts as a master regulator controlling LSEC differentiation. Upon analysis of the molecular signature of LSEC, we identified GPR182 as a potential LSEC-specific orphan G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). Here, we demonstrate that GPR182 is expressed by LSEC and by EC with sinusoidal differentiation in spleen, lymph node and bone marrow in healthy human tissues. In a tissue microarray analysis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples, endothelial GPR182 expression was significantly reduced in tumor samples compared to peritumoral liver tissue samples (p = 0.0105). Loss of endothelial GPR182 expression was also seen in fibrotic and cirrhotic liver tissues. In vitro, GPR182 differentially regulated canonical GPCR signaling pathways as shown using reporter luciferase assays in HEK293T cells. Whereas ERK and RhoA signaling were inhibited, CREB and Calcium signaling were activated by ectopic GPR182 overexpression. Our data demonstrate that GPR182 is an endothelial subtype-specific marker for human sinusoidal EC of the liver, spleen, lymph node and bone marrow. In addition, we provide evidence for GPR182-dependent downstream signaling via ERK and SRF pathways that may be involved in regulating endothelial subtype-specific sinusoidal differentiation and sinusoidal functions such as permeability.
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29
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Huang B, Zhou ZY, Li S, Huang XH, Tang JY, Hoi MPM, Lee SMY. Tanshinone I prevents atorvastatin-induced cerebral hemorrhage in zebrafish and stabilizes endothelial cell–cell adhesion by inhibiting VE-cadherin internalization and actin-myosin contractility. Pharmacol Res 2018; 128:389-398. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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30
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Gasparics Á, Sebe A. MRTFs- master regulators of EMT. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:396-404. [PMID: 28681541 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence implicates the myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) as key mediators of the phenotypic plasticity leading to the conversion of various cell types into myofibroblasts. This review highlights the function of MRTFs during development, fibrosis and cancer, and the role of MRTFs during epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) underlying these processes. EMT is a sequentially orchestrated process where cells undergo a rearrangement of their cell contacts and activate a fibrogenic and myogenic expression program. MRTFs interact with and regulate the major signaling pathways and the expression of key markers and transcription factors involved in EMT. These functions indicate a central role for MRTFs in controlling the process of EMT. Developmental Dynamics 247:396-404, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ákos Gasparics
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Sebe
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Paul Ehrlich Institute, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Langen, Germany
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31
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Menendez MT, Ong EC, Shepherd BT, Muthukumar V, Silasi-Mansat R, Lupu F, Griffin CT. BRG1 (Brahma-Related Gene 1) Promotes Endothelial Mrtf Transcription to Establish Embryonic Capillary Integrity. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017; 37:1674-1682. [PMID: 28729363 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.117.309785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The chromatin remodeling enzyme BRG1 (brahma-related gene 1) transcriptionally regulates target genes important for early blood vessel development and primitive hematopoiesis. However, because Brg1 deletion in vascular progenitor cells results in lethal anemia by embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5), roles for BRG1 in embryonic vascular development after midgestation are unknown. In this study, we sought to determine whether endothelial cell BRG1 regulates genes important for vascular development or maintenance later in embryonic development. APPROACH AND RESULTS Using mice with temporally inducible deletion of endothelial BRG1 (Brg1fl/fl;Cdh5(PAC)-CreERT2 ), we found that Brg1 excision between E9.5 and 11.5 results in capillary dilation and lethal hemorrhage by E14.5. This phenotype strongly resembles that seen when the SRF (serum response factor) transcription factor is deleted from embryonic endothelial cells. Although expression of Srf and several of its known endothelial cell target genes are downregulated in BRG1-depleted endothelial cells, we did not detect binding of BRG1 at these gene promoters, indicating that they are not direct BRG1 target genes. Instead, we found that BRG1 binds to the promoters of the SRF cofactors Mrtfa and Mrtfb (myocardin-related transcription factors A and B) in endothelial cells, and these genes are downregulated in Brg1-deficient endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS BRG1 promotes transcription of endothelial Mrtfa and Mrtfb, which elevates expression of SRF and SRF target genes that establish embryonic capillary integrity. These data highlight a new and temporally specific role for BRG1 in embryonic vasculature and provide novel information about epigenetic regulation of Mrtf expression and SRF signaling in developing blood vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Menendez
- From the Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City (M.T.M., E.-C.O., B.T.S, V.M., R.S.-M., F.L., C.T.G.); and Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City (F.L., C.T.G.)
| | - E-Ching Ong
- From the Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City (M.T.M., E.-C.O., B.T.S, V.M., R.S.-M., F.L., C.T.G.); and Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City (F.L., C.T.G.)
| | - Brian T Shepherd
- From the Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City (M.T.M., E.-C.O., B.T.S, V.M., R.S.-M., F.L., C.T.G.); and Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City (F.L., C.T.G.)
| | - Vijay Muthukumar
- From the Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City (M.T.M., E.-C.O., B.T.S, V.M., R.S.-M., F.L., C.T.G.); and Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City (F.L., C.T.G.)
| | - Robert Silasi-Mansat
- From the Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City (M.T.M., E.-C.O., B.T.S, V.M., R.S.-M., F.L., C.T.G.); and Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City (F.L., C.T.G.)
| | - Florea Lupu
- From the Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City (M.T.M., E.-C.O., B.T.S, V.M., R.S.-M., F.L., C.T.G.); and Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City (F.L., C.T.G.)
| | - Courtney T Griffin
- From the Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City (M.T.M., E.-C.O., B.T.S, V.M., R.S.-M., F.L., C.T.G.); and Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City (F.L., C.T.G.).
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Castaneda Vega S, Weinl C, Calaminus C, Wang L, Harant M, Ehrlichmann W, Thiele D, Kohlhofer U, Reischl G, Hempel JM, Ernemann U, Quintanilla Martinez L, Nordheim A, Pichler BJ. Characterization of a novel murine model for spontaneous hemorrhagic stroke using in vivo PET and MR multiparametric imaging. Neuroimage 2017; 155:245-256. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Yu-Wai-Man C, Spencer-Dene B, Lee RMH, Hutchings K, Lisabeth EM, Treisman R, Bailly M, Larsen SD, Neubig RR, Khaw PT. Local delivery of novel MRTF/SRF inhibitors prevents scar tissue formation in a preclinical model of fibrosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:518. [PMID: 28364121 PMCID: PMC5428058 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00212-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The myocardin-related transcription factor/serum response factor (MRTF/SRF) pathway represents a promising therapeutic target to prevent fibrosis. We have tested the effects of new pharmacological inhibitors of MRTF/SRF signalling in a preclinical model of fibrosis. CCG-222740, a novel MRTF/SRF inhibitor, markedly decreased SRF reporter gene activity and showed a greater inhibitory effect on MRTF/SRF target genes than the previously described MRTF-A inhibitor CCG-203971. CCG-222740 was also five times more potent, with an IC50 of 5 μM, in a fibroblast-mediated collagen contraction assay, was less cytotoxic, and a more potent inhibitor of alpha-smooth muscle actin protein expression than CCG-203971. Local delivery of CCG-222740 and CCG-203971 in a validated and clinically relevant rabbit model of scar tissue formation after glaucoma filtration surgery increased the long-term success of the surgery by 67% (P < 0.0005) and 33% (P < 0.01), respectively, and significantly decreased fibrosis and scarring histologically. Unlike mitomycin-C, neither CCG-222740 nor CCG-203971 caused any detectable epithelial toxicity or systemic side effects with very low drug levels measured in the aqueous, vitreous, and serum. We conclude that inhibitors of MRTF/SRF-regulated gene transcription such as CCG-222740, potentially represent a new therapeutic strategy to prevent scar tissue formation in the eye and other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Yu-Wai-Man
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK. .,National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK. .,Signalling and Transcription Group, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| | | | - Richard M H Lee
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Kim Hutchings
- Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Erika M Lisabeth
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Richard Treisman
- Signalling and Transcription Group, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Scott D Larsen
- Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Richard R Neubig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Peng T Khaw
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
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Alajbegovic A, Turczyńska KM, Hien TT, Cidad P, Swärd K, Hellstrand P, Della Corte A, Forte A, Albinsson S. Regulation of microRNA expression in vascular smooth muscle by MRTF-A and actin polymerization. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1864:1088-1098. [PMID: 27939432 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic properties of the actin cytoskeleton in smooth muscle cells play an important role in a number of cardiovascular disease states. The state of actin does not only mediate mechanical stability and contractile function but can also regulate gene expression via myocardin related transcription factors (MRTFs). These transcriptional co-activators regulate genes encoding contractile and cytoskeletal proteins in smooth muscle. Regulation of small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) by actin polymerization may mediate some of these effects. MiRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that modulate gene expression by post-transcriptional regulation of target messenger RNA. In this study we aimed to determine a profile of miRNAs that were 1) regulated by actin/MRTF-A, 2) associated with the contractile smooth muscle phenotype and 3) enriched in muscle cells. This analysis was performed using cardiovascular disease-focused miRNA arrays in both mouse and human cells. The potential clinical importance of actin polymerization in aortic aneurysm was evaluated using biopsies from mildly dilated human thoracic aorta in patients with stenotic tricuspid or bicuspid aortic valve. By integrating information from multiple qPCR based miRNA arrays we identified a group of five miRNAs (miR-1, miR-22, miR-143, miR-145 and miR-378a) that were sensitive to actin polymerization and MRTF-A overexpression in both mouse and human vascular smooth muscle. With the exception of miR-22, these miRNAs were also relatively enriched in striated and/or smooth muscle containing tissues. Actin polymerization was found to be dramatically reduced in the aorta from patients with mild aortic dilations. This was associated with a decrease in actin/MRTF-regulated miRNAs. In conclusion, the transcriptional co-activator MRTF-A and actin polymerization regulated a subset of miRNAs in vascular smooth muscle. Identification of novel miRNAs regulated by actin/MRTF-A may provide further insight into the mechanisms underlying vascular disease states, such as aortic aneurysm, as well as novel ideas regarding therapeutic strategies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: ECS Meeting edited by Claus Heizmann, Joachim Krebs and Jacques Haiech.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Alajbegovic
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Tran Thi Hien
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pilar Cidad
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Fisiología and Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valladolid, Spain
| | - Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Per Hellstrand
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Amalia Forte
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Askenase MH, Sansing LH. Stages of the Inflammatory Response in Pathology and Tissue Repair after Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Semin Neurol 2016; 36:288-97. [PMID: 27214704 DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1582132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major health concern, with high rates of mortality and morbidity and no highly effective clinical interventions. Basic research in animal models of ICH has provided insight into its complex pathology, in particular revealing the role of inflammation in driving neuronal death and neurologic deficits after hemorrhage. The response to ICH occurs in four distinct phases: (1) initial tissue damage and local activation of inflammatory factors, (2) inflammation-driven breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, (3) recruitment of circulating inflammatory cells and subsequent secondary immunopathology, and (4) engagement of tissue repair responses that promote tissue repair and restoration of neurologic function. The development of CNS inflammation occurs over many days after initial hemorrhage and thus may represent an ideal target for treatment of the disease, but further research is required to identify the mechanisms that promote engagement of inflammatory versus anti-inflammatory pathways. In this review, the authors examine how experimental models of ICH have uncovered critical mediators of pathology in each of the four stages of the inflammatory response, and focus on the role of the immune system in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Askenase
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Lauren H Sansing
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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36
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Swärd K, Stenkula KG, Rippe C, Alajbegovic A, Gomez MF, Albinsson S. Emerging roles of the myocardin family of proteins in lipid and glucose metabolism. J Physiol 2016; 594:4741-52. [PMID: 27060572 DOI: 10.1113/jp271913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the myocardin family bind to the transcription factor serum response factor (SRF) and act as coactivators controlling genes of relevance for myogenic differentiation and motile function. Binding of SRF to DNA is mediated by genetic elements called CArG boxes, found often but not exclusively in muscle and growth controlling genes. Studies aimed at defining the full spectrum of these CArG elements in the genome (i.e. the CArGome) have in recent years, unveiled unexpected roles of the myocardin family proteins in lipid and glucose homeostasis. This coactivator family includes the protein myocardin (MYOCD), the myocardin-related transcription factors A and B (MRTF-A/MKL1 and MRTF-B/MKL2) and MASTR (MAMSTR). Here we discuss growing evidence that SRF-driven transcription is controlled by extracellular glucose through activation of the Rho-kinase pathway and actin polymerization. We also describe data showing that adipogenesis is influenced by MLK activity through actions upstream of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ with consequences for whole body fat mass and insulin sensitivity. The recently demonstrated involvement of myocardin coactivators in the biogenesis of caveolae, Ω-shaped membrane invaginations of importance for lipid and glucose metabolism, is finally discussed. These novel roles of myocardin proteins may open the way for new unexplored strategies to combat metabolic diseases such as diabetes, which, at the current incidence, is expected to reach 333 million people worldwide by 2025. This review highlights newly discovered roles of myocardin-related transcription factors in lipid and glucose metabolism as well as novel insights into their well-established role as mediators of stretch-dependent effects in smooth muscle. As co-factors for serum response factor (SRF), MKLs regulates transcription of genes involved in the contractile function of smooth muscle cells. In addition to mechanical stimuli, this regulation has now been found to be promoted by extracellular glucose levels in smooth muscle. Recent reports also suggest that MKLs can regulate a subset of genes involved in the formation of lipid-rich invaginations in the cell membrane called caveolae. Finally, a potential role of MKLs in non-muscle cells has been discovered as they negatively influence adipocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin G Stenkula
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Azra Alajbegovic
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria F Gomez
- Department of Clinical Sciences, CRC, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Albinsson
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor A Activation by Competition with WH2 Domain Proteins for Actin Binding. Mol Cell Biol 2016; 36:1526-39. [PMID: 26976641 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01097-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) are coactivators of serum response factor (SRF)-mediated gene expression. Activation of MRTF-A occurs in response to alterations in actin dynamics and critically requires the dissociation of repressive G-actin-MRTF-A complexes. However, the mechanism leading to the release of MRTF-A remains unclear. Here we show that WH2 domains compete directly with MRTF-A for actin binding. Actin nucleation-promoting factors, such as N-WASP and WAVE2, as well as isolated WH2 domains, including those of Spire2 and Cobl, activate MRTF-A independently of changes in actin dynamics. Simultaneous inhibition of Arp2-Arp3 or mutation of the CA region only partially reduces MRTF-A activation by N-WASP and WAVE2. Recombinant WH2 domains and the RPEL domain of MRTF-A bind mutually exclusively to cellular and purified G-actin in vitro The competition by different WH2 domains correlates with MRTF-SRF activation. Following serum stimulation, nonpolymerizable actin dissociates from MRTF-A, and de novo formation of the G-actin-RPEL complex is impaired by a transferable factor. Our work demonstrates that WH2 domains activate MRTF-A and contribute to target gene regulation by a competitive mechanism, independently of their role in actin filament formation.
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38
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Calderón-Garcidueñas L, Reynoso-Robles R, Vargas-Martínez J, Gómez-Maqueo-Chew A, Pérez-Guillé B, Mukherjee PS, Torres-Jardón R, Perry G, Gónzalez-Maciel A. Prefrontal white matter pathology in air pollution exposed Mexico City young urbanites and their potential impact on neurovascular unit dysfunction and the development of Alzheimer's disease. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 146:404-17. [PMID: 26829765 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Millions of urban children are chronically exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants, i.e., fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone, associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. Compared with children living with clear air those in Mexico City (MC) exhibit systemic, brain and intrathecal inflammation, low CSF Aβ42, breakdown of the BBB, attention and short-term memory deficits, prefrontal white matter hyperintensities, damage to epithelial and endothelial barriers, tight junction and neural autoantibodies, and Alzheimer and Parkinson's hallmarks. The prefrontal white matter is a target of air pollution. We examined by light and electron microscopy the prefrontal white matter of MC dogs (n: 15, age 3.17±0.74 years), children and teens (n: 34, age: 12.64±4.2 years) versus controls. Major findings in MC residents included leaking capillaries and small arterioles with extravascular lipids and erythrocytes, lipofuscin in pericytes, smooth muscle and endothelial cells (EC), thickening of cerebrovascular basement membranes with small deposits of amyloid, patchy absence of the perivascular glial sheet, enlarged Virchow-Robin spaces and nanosize particles (20-48nm) in EC, basement membranes, axons and dendrites. Tight junctions, a key component of the neurovascular unit (NVU) were abnormal in MC versus control dogs (χ(2)<0.0001), and white matter perivascular damage was significantly worse in MC dogs (p=0.002). The integrity of the NVU, an interactive network of vascular, glial and neuronal cells is compromised in MC young residents. Characterizing the early NVU damage and identifying biomarkers of neurovascular dysfunction may provide a fresh insight into Alzheimer pathogenesis and open opportunities for pediatric neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Calderón-Garcidueñas
- The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; Universidad del Valle de México, Mexico City 04850, México.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ricardo Torres-Jardón
- Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04310, México
| | - George Perry
- College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Stamatovic SM, Johnson AM, Keep RF, Andjelkovic AV. Junctional proteins of the blood-brain barrier: New insights into function and dysfunction. Tissue Barriers 2016; 4:e1154641. [PMID: 27141427 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2016.1154641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly complex and dynamic barrier. It is formed by an interdependent network of brain capillary endothelial cells, endowed with barrier properties, and perivascular cells (astrocytes and pericytes) responsible for inducing and maintaining those properties. One of the primary properties of the BBB is a strict regulation of paracellular permeability due to the presence of junctional complexes (tight, adherens and gap junctions) between the endothelial cells. Alterations in junction assembly and function significantly affect BBB properties, particularly barrier permeability. However, such alterations are also involved in remodeling the brain endothelial cell surface and regulating brain endothelial cell phenotype. This review summarizes the characteristics of brain endothelial tight, adherens and gap junctions and highlights structural and functional alterations in junctional proteins that may contribute to BBB dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allison M Johnson
- Department of Pathology; University of Michigan Medical School ; Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Richard F Keep
- Department of Neurosurgery; University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI USA; Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Anuska V Andjelkovic
- Department of Pathology; University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI USA; Department of Neurosurgery; University of Michigan Medical School; Ann Arbor, MI USA
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