1
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Cheng Z, Yang C, Zhao Q, Zhong J, Zhang J, Jin R, Li Y, Ta N, Wu D, Yuan Z, Sun W, Wang R. Efficacy and predictors of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with gallbladder cancer. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:1979-1988. [PMID: 38487949 PMCID: PMC11145113 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16142] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promising efficacy in multiple cancers including biliary tract cancers (BTCs). However, the data focusing on the efficacy of ICIs in patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) is still limited. In this study, we aim to assess the efficacy of ICIs in GBC and explore the clinicopathologic and molecular markers associated with ICI benefit. We retrospective analyzed 69 GBC patients who had received ICI therapy between January 2016 and December 2020. Tumor samples were obtained for genomic sequencing and immunohistochemical analysis. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 4.4 months and 8.5 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that alcohol intake history, carcinoma embryonic antigen (CEA) level ≥100 U/mL, and cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were independent prognostic factors for PFS. CEA level ≥100 U/mL and cutaneous irAEs were independent prognostic factors for OS. The objective response rate and disease control rate (DCR) were 15.9% and 37.7%, respectively. Patients with cutaneous irAEs, high CD8+ T cell infiltrated or immune inflamed GBCs had higher DCR. Patients with high CD8+ T cell infiltrated or immune inflamed GBCs also had a notably improved prognosis. These results suggest that ICIs were effective in patients with GBC. High CEA level, cutaneous irAEs, high CD8+ T cell infiltration, and immune inflamed phenotype could be useful for predicting the efficacy of ICIs in GBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Cheng
- Department of Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Cheng Yang
- Department of Special Treatment I and Liver Transplantation, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of PathologyShanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Jingjiao Zhong
- Department of RadiologyChanghai Hospital, Naval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jin Zhang
- The First Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Riming Jin
- The First Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yao Li
- The First Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Na Ta
- Department of Pathology, Changhai HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Dong Wu
- The First Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhengang Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wen Sun
- National Center for Liver CancerNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- The First Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
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2
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Lei H, Fang F, Yang C, Chen X, Li Q, Shen X. Lifting the veils on transmembrane proteins: Potential anticancer targets. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 963:176225. [PMID: 38040080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer, as a prevalent cause of mortality, poses a substantial global health burden and hinders efforts to enhance life expectancy. Nevertheless, the prognosis of patients with malignant tumors remains discouraging, owing to the lack of specific diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Therefore, the development of early diagnostic indicators and novel therapeutic drugs for the prevention and treatment of cancer is essential. Transmembrane proteins (TMEMs) are a class of proteins that can span the phospholipid bilayer and are stably anchored. They are associated with fibrotic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, developmental disorders, and cancer. It has been found that the expression levels of TMEMs were elevated or reduced in cancer cells, exerting pro/anticancer effects. These aberrant expression levels have also been linked to the prognostic and clinicopathological features of diverse tumors. In this review, the structures, functions, and roles of TMEMs in cancer were discussed, and the scientific perspectives were described. This review also explored the potential of TMEMs as tumor drug candidates from the perspective of targeted therapies, and the challenges that need to be overcome in a wide range of preclinical and clinical anticancer research were summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Lei
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fujin Fang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuanli Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaowei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiong Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaobing Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
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3
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Rocha JJ, Jayaram SA, Stevens TJ, Muschalik N, Shah RD, Emran S, Robles C, Freeman M, Munro S. Functional unknomics: Systematic screening of conserved genes of unknown function. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002222. [PMID: 37552676 PMCID: PMC10409296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The human genome encodes approximately 20,000 proteins, many still uncharacterised. It has become clear that scientific research tends to focus on well-studied proteins, leading to a concern that poorly understood genes are unjustifiably neglected. To address this, we have developed a publicly available and customisable "Unknome database" that ranks proteins based on how little is known about them. We applied RNA interference (RNAi) in Drosophila to 260 unknown genes that are conserved between flies and humans. Knockdown of some genes resulted in loss of viability, and functional screening of the rest revealed hits for fertility, development, locomotion, protein quality control, and resilience to stress. CRISPR/Cas9 gene disruption validated a component of Notch signalling and 2 genes contributing to male fertility. Our work illustrates the importance of poorly understood genes, provides a resource to accelerate future research, and highlights a need to support database curation to ensure that misannotation does not erode our awareness of our own ignorance.
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Affiliation(s)
- João J. Rocha
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tim J. Stevens
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rajen D. Shah
- Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sahar Emran
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina Robles
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Freeman
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Munro
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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4
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Wang AJ, Ren J, Wang A, Hascall VC. Heparin and calreticulin interact on the surface of early G0/G1 dividing rat mesangial cells to regulate hyperglycemic glucose-induced responses. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:103074. [PMID: 36858200 PMCID: PMC10060746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.103074] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Heparin can block pathological responses associated with diabetic nephropathy in animal models and human patients. Our previous studies showed that the interaction of heparin on the surface of rat mesangial cells (RMCs) entering G1 of cell division in hyperglycemic glucose: 1) blocked glucose uptake by glucose transporter 4; 2) inhibited cytosolic uridine diphosphate-glucose elevation that would occur within 6 h from G0/G1; and 3) prevented subsequent activation of hyaluronan synthesis in intracellular compartments and subsequent inflammatory responses. However, specific proteins that interact with heparin are unresolved. Here, we showed by live cell imaging that fluorescent heparin was rapidly internalized into the cytoplasm and then into the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and nuclei compartments. Biotinylated-heparin was applied onto the surface of growth arrested G0/G1 RMCs in order to extract heparin-binding protein(s). SDS-PAGE gels showed two bands at ∼70 kDa in the extract that were absent when unlabeled heparin was used to compete. Trypsin digests of the bands were analyzed by MS and identified as calreticulin and prelamin A/C. Immunostaining with their antibodies identified the presence of calreticulin on the G0/G1 RMC cell surface. Previous studies have shown that calreticulin can be on the cell surface and can interact with the LDL receptor-related protein, which has been implicated in glucose transport by interaction with glucose transporter 4. Thus, cell surface calreticulin can act as a heparin receptor through a mechanism involving LRP1, which prevents the intracellular responses in high glucose and reprograms the cells to synthesize an extracellular hyaluronan matrix after division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jun Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Juan Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Aimin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Vincent C Hascall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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5
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Parikh MN, Brokamp C, Rasnick E, Ding L, Mersha TB, Bowers K, Folger AT. Epigenome-wide association of neonatal methylation and trimester-specific prenatal PM 2.5 exposure. Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e227. [PMID: 36249271 PMCID: PMC9556110 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) can affect birth outcomes through physiological pathways such as inflammation. One potential way PM2.5 affects physiology could be through altering DNA methylation (DNAm). Considering that exposures during specific windows of gestation may have unique effects on DNAm, we hypothesized a timing-specific association between PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy and DNAm in the neonatal epithelial-cell epigenome. Methods After collecting salivary samples from a cohort of 91 neonates, DNAm was assessed at over 850,000 cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) methylation sites on the epigenome using the MethylationEPIC array. Daily ambient PM2.5 concentrations were estimated based on the mother's address of primary residence during pregnancy. PM2.5 was averaged over the first two trimesters, separately and combined, and tested for association with DNAm through an epigenome-wide association (EWA) analysis. For each EWA, false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected P < 0.05 constituted a significant finding and every CpG site with uncorrected P < 0.0001 was selected to undergo pathway and network analysis to identify molecular functions enriched by them. Results Our analysis showed that cg18705808 was associated with the combined average of PM2.5. Pathway and network analysis revealed little similarity between the first two trimesters. Previous studies reported that TMEM184A, the gene regulated by cg18705808, has a putative role in inflammatory pathways. Conclusions The differences in pathway and network analyses could potentially indicate trimester-specific effects of PM2.5 on DNAm. Further analysis with greater temporal resolution would be valuable to fully characterize the effect of PM2.5 on DNAm and child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan N. Parikh
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Cole Brokamp
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Erika Rasnick
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lili Ding
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Tesfaye B. Mersha
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Katherine Bowers
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Alonzo T. Folger
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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6
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Field CJ, Perez AM, Samet T, Ricles V, Iovine MK, Lowe-Krentz LJ. Involvement of transmembrane protein 184a during angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos. Front Physiol 2022; 13:845407. [PMID: 36117693 PMCID: PMC9478037 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.845407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the outgrowth of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, is critical during development, tissue formation, and wound healing. In response to vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), endothelial cells are activated to proliferate and move towards the signal, extending the vessel. These events are directed by VEGF-VEGF receptor (Vegfr2) signal transduction, which in turn is modulated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). HSPGs are glycoproteins covalently attached to HS glycosaminoglycan chains. Transmembrane protein 184a (Tmem184a) has been recently identified as a heparin receptor, which is believed to bind heparan sulfate chains in vivo. Therefore, Tmem184a has the potential to fine-tune interactions between VEGF and HS, modulating Vegfr2-dependent angiogenesis. The function of Tmem184a has been investigated in the regenerating zebrafish caudal fin, but its role has yet to be evaluated during developmental angiogenesis. Here we provide insights into how Tmem184a contributes to the proper formation of the vasculature in zebrafish embryos. First, we find that knockdown of Tmem184a causes a reduction in the number of intact intersegmental vessels (ISVs) in the zebrafish embryo. This phenotype mimics that of vegfr2b knockout mutants, which have previously been shown to exhibit severe defects in ISV development. We then test the importance of HS interactions by removing the binding domain within the Tmem184a protein, which has a negative effect on angiogenesis. Tmem184a is found to act synergistically with Vegfr2b, indicating that the two gene products function in a common pathway to modulate angiogenesis. Moreover, we find that knockdown of Tmem184a leads to an increase in endothelial cell proliferation but a decrease in the amount of VE-cadherin present. Together, these findings suggest that Tmem184a is necessary for ISVs to organize into mature, complete vessels.
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7
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Kaczor DM, Kramann R, Hackeng TM, Schurgers LJ, Koenen RR. Differential Effects of Platelet Factor 4 (CXCL4) and Its Non-Allelic Variant (CXCL4L1) on Cultured Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020580. [PMID: 35054772 PMCID: PMC8775478 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Platelet factor 4 (CXCL4) is a chemokine abundantly stored in platelets. Upon injury and during atherosclerosis, CXCL4 is transported through the vessel wall where it modulates the function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by affecting proliferation, migration, gene expression and cytokine release. Variant CXCL4L1 is distinct from CXCL4 in function and expression pattern, despite a minor three-amino acid difference. Here, the effects of CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 on the phenotype and function of human VSMCs were compared in vitro. VSMCs were found to constitutively express CXCL4L1 and only exogenously added CXCL4 was internalized by VSMCs. Pre-treatment with heparin completely blocked CXCL4 uptake. A role of the putative CXCL4 receptors CXCR3 and DARC in endocytosis was excluded, but LDL receptor family members appeared to be involved in the uptake of CXCL4. Incubation of VSMCs with both CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 resulted in decreased expression of contractile marker genes and increased mRNA levels of KLF4 and NLRP3 transcription factors, yet only CXCL4 stimulated proliferation and calcification of VSMCs. In conclusion, CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 both modulate gene expression, yet only CXCL4 increases the division rate and formation of calcium-phosphate crystals in VSMCs. CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 may play distinct roles during vascular remodeling in which CXCL4 induces proliferation and calcification while endogenously expressed CXCL4L1 governs cellular homeostasis. The latter notion remains a subject for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid M. Kaczor
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology and Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Erasmus Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tilman M. Hackeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Leon J. Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Rory R. Koenen
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-433-881-674
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8
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Feng ZG, Fang Z, Xing Y, Wang H, Geng X, Ye L, Zhang A, Gu Y. Remodeling of Structurally Reinforced (TPU+PCL/PCL)-Hep Electro-spun Small Diameter Bilayer Vascular Grafts Interposed in Rat Ab-dominal Aorta. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:4257-4270. [DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01653a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
As the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer possesses good biocompatibility and mechanical properties similar to native vascular tissues as well, it is intended to co-electrospin with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) onto the outer...
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9
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McLaughlin K, Nadeem L, Wat J, Baczyk D, Lye SJ, Kingdom JC. Low molecular weight heparin promotes transcription and release of placental growth factor from endothelial cells. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 318:H1008-H1017. [PMID: 32196359 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00109.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Circulating levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) are significantly reduced in women who develop preeclampsia. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been shown to acutely elevate circulating PlGF levels in pregnant women at increased risk of preeclampsia. The objective of the current investigation was to determine the mechanisms by which LMWH mediates the extracellular release of PlGF from endothelial cells. Cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to LMWH; PlGF transcription, translation, mobilization, and secretion were then assessed. LMWH significantly increased the release of PlGF from both HAECs and HUVECs. LMWH treatment promoted a significant increase of PlGF-1 mRNA expression in HAECs, accompanied by the intracellular transport and release of PlGF into the conditioned media. LMWH-mediated release of PlGF from HAECs was not directly mediated by extracellular mobilization, synthesis, or stability of PlGF mRNA/protein. LMWH exposure promotes the release of PlGF from endothelial cells through the upregulation of PlGF-1 mRNA expression. Stimulation of circulating PlGF levels by LMWH may be an important mechanism by which LMWH could reduce the risk of preeclampsia or minimize disease severity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY There are few therapeutic options available for the prevention of preeclampsia, a serious hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Women who subsequently develop preeclampsia exhibit significantly reduced circulating levels of the proangiogenic placental growth factor protein. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has previously been investigated as a preventative therapy against the development of preeclampsia; however, its mechanism of action is not known. The current study determined that LMWH promotes the transcription and release of placental growth factor protein from endothelial cells, providing a mechanistic basis by which LMWH could reduce the risk of preeclampsia or minimize disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey McLaughlin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,The Centre for Women's and Infant's Health at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lubna Nadeem
- The Centre for Women's and Infant's Health at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jovian Wat
- The Centre for Women's and Infant's Health at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dora Baczyk
- The Centre for Women's and Infant's Health at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephen J Lye
- The Centre for Women's and Infant's Health at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sinai Health System, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - John C Kingdom
- The Centre for Women's and Infant's Health at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sinai Health System, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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10
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Li Y, Talotta-Altenburg LM, Silimperi KA, Ciabattoni GO, Lowe-Krentz LJ. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation is required for heparin receptor effects on vascular smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019; 318:C463-C475. [PMID: 31891520 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00284.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Published studies indicate that TMEM184A is a heparin receptor that interacts with and transduces stimulation from heparin in vascular cells. Previous studies have indicated that heparin increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity in bovine endothelial cells. However, the precise mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the impact of heparin treatment and TMEM184A on eNOS's activation and the role of eNOS in heparin signaling in the cloned A7r5 rat vascular smooth muscle cell line and confirmed results in endothelial cells. We employed a combination of TMEM184A knockdown A7r5 cells along with transient eNOS knockdown and enzyme inhibitor strategies. The results indicate that heparin induces phosphorylation of eNOS. eNOS can be immunoprecipitated with TMEM184A and is internalized to the perinuclear region in a TMEM184A-dependent manner in response to heparin. We also examined how heparin treatment leads to phosphorylation of eNOS and confirmed that TMEM184A and Ca2+ were required to mediate heparin-elicited eNOS phosphorylation. Evidence supporting the involvement of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 with TMEM184A in this eNOS activation process is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiu Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Kayli A Silimperi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | - Grace O Ciabattoni
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | - Linda J Lowe-Krentz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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11
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Tsuji S, Matsuzaki H, Iseki M, Nagasu A, Hirano H, Ishihara K, Ueda N, Honda Y, Horiuchi T, Nishikomori R, Morita Y, Mukai T. Functional analysis of a novel G87V TNFRSF1A mutation in patients with TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 198:416-429. [PMID: 31429073 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is an autoinflammatory disease that is caused by heterozygous mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene. Although more than 150 TNFRSF1A mutations have been reported to be associated with TRAPS phenotypes only a few, such as p.Thr79Met (T79M) and cysteine mutations, have been functionally analyzed. We identified two TRAPS patients in one family harboring a novel p.Gly87Val (G87V) mutation in addition to a p.Thr90Ile (T90I) mutation in TNFRSF1A. In this study, we examined the functional features of this novel G87V mutation. In-vitro analyses using mutant TNF receptor 1 (TNF-R1)-over-expressing cells demonstrated that this mutation alters the expression and function of TNF-R1 similar to that with the previously identified pathogenic T79M mutation. Specifically, cell surface expression of the mutant TNF-R1 in transfected cells was inhibited with both G87V and T79M mutations, whereas the T90I mutation did not affect this. Moreover, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TRAPS patients harboring the G87V and T90I mutations showed increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the effect of various Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands on inflammatory responses was explored, revealing that PBMCs from TRAPS patients are hyper-responsive to TLR-2 and TLR-4 ligands and that interleukin (IL)-8 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of TRAPS. These findings suggest that the newly identified G87V mutation is one of the causative mutations of TRAPS. Our findings based on unique TRAPS-associated mutations provide novel insight for clearer understanding of inflammatory responses, which would be basic findings of developing a new therapeutic and prophylactic approach to TRAPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tsuji
- Department of Rheumatology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - H Matsuzaki
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Shobara, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - M Iseki
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - A Nagasu
- Department of Rheumatology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - H Hirano
- Department of Rheumatology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - K Ishihara
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - N Ueda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Miyazaki Prefectural Miyazaki Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Y Honda
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - T Horiuchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, Beppu, Oita, Japan
| | - R Nishikomori
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Y Morita
- Department of Rheumatology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - T Mukai
- Department of Rheumatology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
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12
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A heparin-functionalized woven stent graft for endovascular exclusion. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019; 180:118-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2019.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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13
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Liu XM, Yamasaki A, Du XM, Coffman VC, Ohsumi Y, Nakatogawa H, Wu JQ, Noda NN, Du LL. Lipidation-independent vacuolar functions of Atg8 rely on its noncanonical interaction with a vacuole membrane protein. eLife 2018; 7:41237. [PMID: 30451685 PMCID: PMC6279349 DOI: 10.7554/elife.41237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin-like protein Atg8, in its lipidated form, plays central roles in autophagy. Yet, remarkably, Atg8 also carries out lipidation-independent functions in non-autophagic processes. How Atg8 performs its moonlighting roles is unclear. Here we report that in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the lipidation-independent roles of Atg8 in maintaining normal morphology and functions of the vacuole require its interaction with a vacuole membrane protein Hfl1 (homolog of human TMEM184 proteins). Crystal structures revealed that the Atg8-Hfl1 interaction is not mediated by the typical Atg8-family-interacting motif (AIM) that forms an intermolecular β-sheet with Atg8. Instead, the Atg8-binding regions in Hfl1 proteins adopt a helical conformation, thus representing a new type of AIMs (termed helical AIMs here). These results deepen our understanding of both the functional versatility of Atg8 and the mechanistic diversity of Atg8 binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Man Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Xiao-Min Du
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yoshinori Ohsumi
- Unit for Cell Biology, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Nakatogawa
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Jian-Qiu Wu
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, United States
| | | | - Li-Lin Du
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
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14
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Belanger K, Nutter CA, Li J, Tasnim S, Liu P, Yu P, Kuyumcu-Martinez MN. CELF1 contributes to aberrant alternative splicing patterns in the type 1 diabetic heart. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:3205-3211. [PMID: 30158053 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.08.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated alternative splicing (AS) that contributes to diabetes pathogenesis has been identified, but little is known about the RNA binding proteins (RBPs) involved. We have previously found that the RBP CELF1 is upregulated in the diabetic heart; however, it is unclear if CELF1 contributes to diabetes-induced AS changes. Utilizing genome wide approaches, we identified extensive changes in AS patterns in Type 1 diabetic (T1D) mouse hearts. We discovered that many aberrantly spliced genes in T1D hearts have CELF1 binding sites. CELF1-regulated AS affects key genes within signaling pathways relevant to diabetes pathogenesis. Disruption of CELF1 binding sites impairs AS regulation by CELF1. In sum, our results indicate that CELF1 target RNAs are aberrantly spliced in the T1D heart leading to abnormal gene expression. These discoveries pave the way for targeting RBPs and their RNA networks as novel therapies for cardiac complications of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- KarryAnne Belanger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Curtis A Nutter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering & TEES-AgriLife Center for Bioinformatics and Genomic Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sadia Tasnim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Peiru Liu
- Ball High School, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Peng Yu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering & TEES-AgriLife Center for Bioinformatics and Genomic Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Muge N Kuyumcu-Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Department of Neuroscience,Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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15
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Wat JM, Audette MC, Kingdom JC. Molecular actions of heparin and their implications in preventing pre-eclampsia. J Thromb Haemost 2018; 16:S1538-7836(22)02212-7. [PMID: 29877031 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, continues to be a significant cause of global maternal morbidity. Low-dose aspirin remains the only standard-of-care prophylactic therapy for preventing pre-eclampsia, but is limited in efficacy. Heparin and its derivatives may further enhance the efficacy of aspirin therapy to prevent pre-eclampsia, but the mechanisms mediating this augmentative effect are not known. Although heparin is an anticoagulant agent, it also possesses many anticoagulant-independent properties that may be relevant in the prevention of pre-eclampsia, including effects on placental, vascular and inflammatory function. This review summarizes the non-anticoagulant properties of heparin, and extrapolates how these actions may influence the trajectory of pre-eclampsia pathogenesis as a means of pathway-specific therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Wat
- Research Centre for Women's and Infant's Health, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M C Audette
- Research Centre for Women's and Infant's Health, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - J C Kingdom
- Research Centre for Women's and Infant's Health, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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16
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Farwell SLN, Reylander KG, Iovine MK, Lowe-Krentz LJ. Novel Heparin Receptor Transmembrane Protein 184a Regulates Angiogenesis in the Adult Zebrafish Caudal Fin. Front Physiol 2017; 8:671. [PMID: 28936181 PMCID: PMC5594097 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmembrane protein 184A (TMEM184A) was recently identified as the heparin receptor in vascular cells. Heparin binds specifically to TMEM184A and induces anti-proliferative signaling in vitro. Though it is highly conserved, the physiological function of TMEM184A remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression and effects on vascular regeneration of TMEM184A using the adult zebrafish regenerating caudal fin as an in vivo model. Here, we show that Tmem184a is expressed in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) of mature and regenerating zebrafish fins. Transient morpholino (MO)-mediated knockdown of Tmem184a using two validated MOs results in tangled regenerating vessels that do not grow outward and limit normal overall fin regeneration. A significant increase in EC proliferation is observed. Consistent with in vitro work with tissue culture vascular cells, heparin has the opposite effect and decreases EC proliferation which also hinders overall fin regeneration. Collectively, our study suggests that Tmem184a is a novel regulator of angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Lynn N Farwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA, United States
| | - Kimberly G Reylander
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA, United States
| | - M Kathryn Iovine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA, United States
| | - Linda J Lowe-Krentz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA, United States
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17
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Farwell SLN, Slee JB, Li Y, Lowe-Krentz LJ. Using a GFP-tagged TMEM184A Construct for Confirmation of Heparin Receptor Identity. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28287514 DOI: 10.3791/55053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
When novel proteins are identified through affinity-based isolation and bioinformatics analysis, they are often largely uncharacterized. Antibodies against specific peptides within the predicted sequence allow some localization experiments. However, other possible interactions with the antibodies often cannot be excluded. This situation provided an opportunity to develop a set of assays dependent on the protein sequence. Specifically, a construct containing the gene sequence coupled to the GFP coding sequence at the C-terminal end of the protein was obtained and employed for these purposes. Experiments to characterize localization, ligand affinity, and gain of function were originally designed and carried out to confirm the identification of TMEM184A as a heparin receptor1. In addition, the construct can be employed for studies addressing membrane topology questions and detailed protein-ligand interactions. The present report presents a range of experimental protocols based on the GFP-TMEM184A construct expressed in vascular cells that could easily be adapted for other novel proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yaqiu Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University
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18
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Farwell SLN, Kanyi D, Hamel M, Slee JB, Miller EA, Cipolle MD, Lowe-Krentz LJ. Heparin Decreases in Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα)-induced Endothelial Stress Responses Require Transmembrane Protein 184A and Induction of Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:5342-54. [PMID: 26769965 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.681288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the large number of heparin and heparan sulfate binding proteins, the molecular mechanism(s) by which heparin alters vascular cell physiology is not well understood. Studies with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) indicate a role for induction of dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) that decreases ERK activity and results in decreased cell proliferation, which depends on specific heparin binding. The hypothesis that unfractionated heparin functions to decrease inflammatory signal transduction in endothelial cells (ECs) through heparin-induced expression of DUSP1 was tested. In addition, the expectation that the heparin response includes a decrease in cytokine-induced cytoskeletal changes was examined. Heparin pretreatment of ECs resulted in decreased TNFα-induced JNK and p38 activity and downstream target phosphorylation, as identified through Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Through knockdown strategies, the importance of heparin-induced DUSP1 expression in these effects was confirmed. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy indicated that heparin treatment of ECs reduced TNFα-induced increases in stress fibers. Monoclonal antibodies that mimic heparin-induced changes in VSMCs were employed to support the hypothesis that heparin was functioning through interactions with a receptor. Knockdown of transmembrane protein 184A (TMEM184A) confirmed its involvement in heparin-induced signaling as seen in VSMCs. Therefore, TMEM184A functions as a heparin receptor and mediates anti-inflammatory responses of ECs involving decreased JNK and p38 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Lynn N Farwell
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
| | - Daniela Kanyi
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, the Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103
| | - Marianne Hamel
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
| | - Joshua B Slee
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, the Department of Natural Sciences, DeSales University, Center Valley, Pennsylvania 18034
| | - Elizabeth A Miller
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
| | - Mark D Cipolle
- the Department of Surgery, Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103, and
| | - Linda J Lowe-Krentz
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015,
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