Delivery and expression of fluid shear stress-inducible promoters to the vessel wall: applications for cardiovascular gene therapy

Novel expression cassettes for increasing apolipoprotein AI transgene expression in vascular endothelial cells

Transduction of endothelial cells (EC) with a vector that expresses apolipoprotein A-I (APOAI) reduces atherosclerosis in arteries of fat-fed rabbits. However, the effects on atherosclerosis are partial and might be enhanced if APOAI expression could be increased. With a goal of developing an expression cassette that generates higher levels of APOAI mRNA in EC, we tested 4 strategies, largely in vitro: addition of 2 types of enhancers, addition of computationally identified EC-specific cis-regulatory modules (CRM), and insertion of the rabbit APOAI gene at the transcription start site (TSS) of sequences cloned from genes that are highly expressed in cultured EC. Addition of a shear stress-responsive enhancer did not increase APOAI expression. Addition of 2 copies of a Mef2c enhancer increased APOAI expression from a moderately active promoter/enhancer but decreased APOAI expression from a highly active promoter/enhancer. Of the 11 CRMs, 3 increased APOAI expression from a moderately active promoter (2-7-fold; P < 0.05); none increased expression from a highly active promoter/enhancer. Insertion of the APOAI gene into the TSS of highly expressed EC genes did not increase expression above levels obtained with a moderately active promoter/enhancer. New strategies are needed to further increase APOAI transgene expression in EC.

Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis is initiated by endothelium activation and, followed by a cascade of events (accumulation of lipids, fibrous elements, and calcification), triggers the vessel narrowing and activation of inflammatory pathways. The resultant atheroma plaque, along with these processes, results in cardiovascular complications. This review focuses on the different stages of atherosclerosis development, ranging from endothelial dysfunction to plaque rupture. In addition, the post-transcriptional regulation and modulation of atheroma plaque by microRNAs and lncRNAs, the role of microbiota, and the importance of sex as a crucial risk factor in atherosclerosis are covered here in order to provide a global view of the disease.

Endothelial cell calpain as a critical modulator of angiogenesis

Calpains are a family of calcium-dependent non-lysosomal cysteine proteases. In particular, calpains residing in the endothelial cells play important roles in angiogenesis. It has been shown that calpain activity can be increased in endothelial cells by growth factors, primarily vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF/VEGFR2 induces calpain 2 dependent activation of PI3K/AMPK/Akt/eNOS pathway, and consequent nitric oxide production and physiological angiogenesis. Under pathological conditions such as tumor angiogenesis, endothelial calpains can be activated by hypoxia. This review focuses on the molecular regulatory mechanisms of calpain activation, and the newly identified mechanistic roles and downstream signaling events of calpains in physiological angiogenesis, and in the conditions of pathological tumor angiogenesis and diabetic wound healing, as well as retinopathy and atherosclerosis that are also associated with an increase in calpain activity. Further discussed include the differential strategies of modulating angiogenesis through manipulating calpain expression/activity in different pathological settings. Targeted limitation of angiogenesis in cancer and targeted promotion of angiogenesis in diabetic wound healing via modulations of calpains and calpain-dependent signaling mechanisms are of significant translational potential. Emerging strategies of tissue-specific targeting, environment-dependent targeting, and genome-targeted editing may turn out to be effective regimens for targeted manipulation of angiogenesis through calpain pathways, for differential treatments including both attenuation of tumor angiogenesis and potentiation of diabetic angiogenesis.

A study of the ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction based triplex-forming oligodexinucleotide delivery system to inhibit tissue factor expression

The efficiency of cellular uptake of triplex‑forming oligodexinucleotides (TFO), and the inhibition of tissue factor (TF) is low. The aim of the present study was to improve the absorption of TFO, and increase the inhibition of TF induced by shear stress both in vitro and in vivo, by using an ultrasound‑targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD)‑based delivery system. TFO‑conjugated lipid ultrasonic microbubbles (TFO‑M) were first constructed and characterised. The absorption of TFO was observed by a fluorescence‑based method, and the inhibition of TF by immunofluorescence and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. ECV304 human umbilical vein endothelial cells were subjected to fluid shear stress for 6 h after treatment with TFO conjugated lipid ultrasonic microbubbles without sonication (TFO‑M group); TFO alone; TFO conjugated lipid ultrasonic microbubbles, plus immediate sonication (TFO+U group and TFO‑M+U group); or mock treated with 0.9% NaCl only (SSRE group). The in vivo experiments were established in a similar manner to the in vitro experiments, except that TFO or TFO‑M was injected into rats through the tail vein. Six hours after the preparation of a carotid stenosis model, the rats were humanely sacrificed. The transfection efficiency of TFO in the TFO‑M+U group was higher as compared with the TFO‑M and TFO+U group (P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression of TF in the TFO‑M+U group was significantly decreased both in vitro and in vivo (P<0.01), as compared with the TFO‑M, TFO+U and SSRE groups. The UTMD‑based TFO delivery system promoted the -absorption of TFO and the inhibition of TF, and was therefore considered to be favorable for preventing thrombosis induced by shear stress.

Arterial flow reduces oxidative stress via an antioxidant response element and Oct-1 binding site within the NADPH oxidase 4 promoter in endothelial cells

The main sources of oxidative stress in the vessel wall are nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (Nox) complexes. The endothelium mainly expresses the Nox4-containing complex; however, the mechanism by which shear stress in endothelial cells regulates Nox4 is not well understood. This study demonstrates that long-term application of arterial laminar shear stress using a cone-and-plate viscometer reduces endothelial superoxide anion formation and Nox4 expression. In primary human endothelial cells, we identified a 47 bp 5'-untranslated region of Nox4 mRNA by 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'-RACE) PCR. Cloning and functional analysis of human Nox4 promoter revealed a range between -1,490 and -1,310 bp responsible for flow-dependent downregulation. Mutation of an overlapping antioxidative response element (ARE)-like and Oct-1 binding site at -1,376 bp eliminated shear stress-dependent Nox4 downregulation. Consistent with these observations, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated an enhanced shear stress-dependent binding of Nox4 oligonucleotide containing the ARE-like/Oct-1 binding site, which could be inhibited by specific antibodies against the transcription factors nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and octamer transcription factor 1 (Oct-1). Furthermore, shear stress caused the translocation of Nrf2 and Oct-1 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Knockdown of Nrf2 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased Nox4 expression twofold, indicating a direct cross-talk between Nrf2 and Nox4. In conclusion, an ARE-like/Oct-1 binding site was noticed to be essential for shear stress-dependent downregulation of Nox4. This novel mechanism may be involved in the flow-dependent downregulation of endothelial superoxide anion formation.

Effects of disturbed flow on vascular endothelium: pathophysiological basis and clinical perspectives

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are exposed to hemodynamic forces, which modulate EC functions and vascular biology/pathobiology in health and disease. The flow patterns and hemodynamic forces are not uniform in the vascular system. In straight parts of the arterial tree, blood flow is generally laminar and wall shear stress is high and directed; in branches and curvatures, blood flow is disturbed with nonuniform and irregular distribution of low wall shear stress. Sustained laminar flow with high shear stress upregulates expressions of EC genes and proteins that are protective against atherosclerosis, whereas disturbed flow with associated reciprocating, low shear stress generally upregulates the EC genes and proteins that promote atherogenesis. These findings have led to the concept that the disturbed flow pattern in branch points and curvatures causes the preferential localization of atherosclerotic lesions. Disturbed flow also results in postsurgical neointimal hyperplasia and contributes to pathophysiology of clinical conditions such as in-stent restenosis, vein bypass graft failure, and transplant vasculopathy, as well as aortic valve calcification. In the venous system, disturbed flow resulting from reflux, outflow obstruction, and/or stasis leads to venous inflammation and thrombosis, and hence the development of chronic venous diseases. Understanding of the effects of disturbed flow on ECs can provide mechanistic insights into the role of complex flow patterns in pathogenesis of vascular diseases and can help to elucidate the phenotypic and functional differences between quiescent (nonatherogenic/nonthrombogenic) and activated (atherogenic/thrombogenic) ECs. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of disturbed flow in EC physiology and pathophysiology, as well as its clinical implications. Such information can contribute to our understanding of the etiology of lesion development in vascular niches with disturbed flow and help to generate new approaches for therapeutic interventions.

Construction of a novel expression cassette for increasing transgene expression in vivo in endothelial cells of large blood vessels

The success of gene therapy hinges on achievement of adequate transgene expression. To ensure high transgene expression, many gene-therapy vectors include highly active virus-derived transcriptional elements. Other vectors include tissue-specific eukaryotic transcriptional elements, intended to limit transgene expression to specific cell types, avoid toxicity and prevent immune responses. Unfortunately, tissue specificity is often accompanied by lower transgene expression. Here, we use eukaryotic (murine) transcriptional elements and a virus-derived posttranscriptional element to build cassettes designed to express a potentially therapeutic gene (interleukin (IL)-10) in large-vessel endothelial cells (ECs) at levels as high as obtained with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early promoter, while retaining EC specificity. The cassettes were tested by incorporation into helper-dependent adenoviral vectors, and transduction into bovine aortic EC in vitro and rabbit carotid EC in vivo. The murine endothelin-1 promoter showed EC specificity, but expressed only 3% as much IL-10 mRNA as CMV. Inclusion of precisely four copies of an EC-specific enhancer and a posttranscriptional regulatory element increased IL-10 expression to a level at or above the CMV promoter in vivo, while retaining--and possibly enhancing--EC specificity, as measured in vitro. The cassette reported here will likely be useful for maximizing transgene expression in large-vessel EC, while minimizing systemic effects.

Shear stress-induced transcriptional regulation via hybrid promoters as a potential tool for promoting angiogenesis

Among the key effects of fluid shear stress on vascular endothelial cells is modulation of gene expression. Promoter sequences termed shear stress response elements (SSREs) mediate the responsiveness of endothelial genes to shear stress. While previous studies showed that shear stress responsiveness is mediated by a single SSRE, these endogenous promoters often encode for multiple SSREs. Moreover, hybrid promoters encoding a single SSRE rarely respond to shear stress at the same magnitude as the endogenous promoter. Thus, to better understand the interplay between the various SSREs, and between SSREs and endothelial-specific sequences (ESS), we generated a series of constructs regulated by SSREs cassettes alone, or in combination with ESS, and tested their response to shear stress and endothelial specific expression. Among these constructs, the most responsive promoter (NR1/2) encoded a combination of two GAGACC/SSREs, the Sp1/Egr1 sequence, as well as a TPA response element (TRE). This construct was four- to five-fold more responsive to shear stress than a promoter encoding a single SSRE. The expression of constructs containing other SSRE combinations was unaffected or suppressed by shear stress. Addition of ESS derived from the Tie2 promoter, either 5' or 3' to NR1/2 resulted in shear stress transcriptional suppression, yet retained endothelial specific expression. Thus, the combination and localization order of the various SSREs in a single promoter is crucial in determining the pattern and degree of shear stress responsiveness. These shear stress responsive cassettes may prove beneficial in our attempt to time the expression of an endothelial transgene in the vasculature.

Antioxidant gene therapy for cardiovascular disease: current status and future perspectives

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species has been implicated to play an important role in a number of cardiovascular pathologies, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and restenosis after angioplasty or venous bypass grafting. The formation of reactive oxygen species is balanced out by antioxidant defenses, and augmenting this defense by antioxidant therapies could therefore provide a potential means to treat conditions in which the formation of reactive oxygen species exceeds the capability of natural protective mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the studies in which antioxidant gene therapy has been used successfully to treat cardiovascular diseases. We also discuss the current limitations of antioxidant gene therapy and envision future therapeutic targets and methodological approaches for an improved outcome.

Osmotic polyuria: an overlooked mechanism in diabetic nephropathy

Tubulo-interstitial pathology in diabetic nephropathy is thought to be caused by cell injury that is induced by high ambient glucose levels and increased proportions of glycated proteins. Other mechanistic hypotheses engage glomerular ultrafiltration of proteins and bioactive growth factors and their effects on tubular cells. Some scholars promote tubular ischaemia due to reduced peritubular blood flow as a response to glomerular injury. All of these mechanisms contribute to renal tubulo-interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy. However, they do not well explain observations that have been made in studies of experimental animals and evaluations of human biopsies showing dilated collecting ducts in early diabetic nephropathy. Dilatation of distal nephron segments is routinely seen in human biopsies or in histological sections from experimental diabetic nephropathy and is reminiscent of similar findings in obstructive nephropathy. Moreover, it is these dilated tubules that are the primary source for pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic cytokines and regulators. Based on this large body of observations from this laboratory and the published literature this narrative develops a novel hypothesis where hyperglycaemic, osmotic polyuria play important contributory roles in the initiation and progression of tubulo-interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy.

Protein kinase C beta/early growth response-1 pathway: a key player in ischemia, atherosclerosis, and restenosis

Atherosclerosis, restenosis, and the consequences of ischemia are the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Elucidation of key contributing pathways in animal models of ischemia-reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, and restenosis consequent to vascular injury may lead to great interest in determining if blocking these pathways could prevent vascular disease in human subjects. This review details the evidence that the protein kinase C (PKC) beta/early growth response-1 axis plays a central role in the response to both acute and chronic vascular stresses in animal models and also indicates the clinical implications of a specific inhibitor of PKCbeta, ruboxistaurin (LY333531).

Downregulation of human endothelial nitric oxide synthase promoter activity by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation

Human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure homeostasis and vascular integrity. eNOS gene expression may be upregulated by a signaling pathway, including PI-3Kgamma--> Jak2--> MEK1 --> ERK1/2--> PP2A. It remains unclear whether other mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members, such as JNK, p38 kinase, and ERK5/BMK1, also modulate eNOS gene expression. Our purpose, therefore, is to shed light on the effect of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway on the regulation of eNOS promoter activity. The results showed that a red fluorescent protein reporter gene vector containing the full length of the human eNOS promoter was first successfully constructed, expressing efficiently in ECV304 cells with the characteristics of real time observation. The wild-types of p38alpha, p38beta, p38gamma, and p38delta signal molecules all markedly downregulated promoter activity, which could be reversed by their negative mutants, including p38alpha (AF), p38beta (AF), p38gamma (AF), and p38delta (AF). Promoter activity was also significantly downregulated by MKK6b (E), an active mutant of an upstream kinase of p38 MAPK. The reduction in promoter activity by p38 MAPK could be blocked by treatment with a p38 MAPK specific inhibitor, SB203580. Moreover, the activation of endogenous p38 MAPK induced by lipopolysaccharide resulted in a prominent reduction in promoter activity. These findings strongly suggest that the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway may be implicated in the downregulation of human eNOS promoter activity.

Role of AP1 element in the activation of human eNOS promoter by lysophosphatidylcholine

Human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure homeostasis and vascular integrity. It, therefore, is very essential to elucidate the regulation of it. In the current study, a red fluorescent protein (RFP) reporter system containing human eNOS promoter was first constructed, being characteristics of real time morphologic and quantitative analysis for the same sample. It was observed by DNA sequence deletion that 68% of the basal activity of the promoter was controlled by the region from -1 to -166 bp, and 32% of it was dependent on the region from -1,033 to -1,600 bp. The mutation of SSRE element (-999 to -994 bp) and wild-type SSRE decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) did not alter the basal activity and the stimulating activity by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). The mutation of upstream AP1 element (-1,530 to -1,524 bp) did not affect the basal activity, but resulted in near 30% reduction in the stimulating activity by LPC. Moreover, wild-type AP1 decoy ODN also remarkably attenuated it. It was proved by EMSA analysis that LPC indeed enhanced the activity of AP1 transcriptional factor binding to AP1 element. However, the role of AP1 was dependent on the presence of SP1, which was proved by the combining mutation of AP1 with SP1. The mutation of downstream AP1 element (-662 to -656 bp) had no influence on the basal and stimulating activities by LPC. These results strongly suggest that the main functional region of the promoter is from -1 bp to -166 bp, that the upstream AP1 participates in the activation of the promoter by LPC on the premise of the presence of SP1, and that the downstream AP1 and SSRE do not involve the basal and stimulating activity by LPC.

Function and regulation of osteopontin in response to mechanical stress

Extensive histological study revealed the impairment of bone remodeling caused by mechanical stress in OPN knockout mice in a tooth movement system. Analysis of OPN promoter transgenic mice showed the mechanical stress response element(s) in the 5.5-kb upstream region. These results were also obtained with the primary cultured cells.

INTRODUCTION

Mechanical loading system changes the bone architecture through the stimulation of bone remodeling by the action of a numbers of molecules. Among them, we showed that osteopontin (OPN) plays an important role in response to mechanical loading in rats with an experimental system for tooth movement. The results indicate the important role of OPN in bone remodeling. However, the molecular mechanism of OPN expression in response to mechanical stress is unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OPN knockout mice and transgenic mice carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the control of the OPN promoter were used for analysis. Orthodontic closed coil springs were bonded to the maxillary first molars and incisors for the experimental tooth movement. Spatial expression of GFP and OPN was detected by in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

In contrast to wildtype mice, a smaller number of TRACP+ cells was detected in OPN knockout mice after treatment. In GFP-OPN5.5 mice, OPN and GFP mRNA-expressing cells were detected in bone cells after treatment, and the localization of GFP was consistent with that of endogenous OPN. An increase in the co-expression of GFP and OPN was detected when primary cultured osteoblastic cells derived from the transgenic mice were exposed to strain or pressure force. Significant increase in the number of OPN+ osteocyte was detected in the pressure side at 48 h after treatment. At 72 h, increase in the number of TRACP+ cells was detected predominantly in the pressure side.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone remodeling in response to mechanical stress was suppressed in OPN knockout mice. These results indicate the critical role of OPN in the process of bone remodeling. The analysis of GFP expression in the promoter transgenic mice indicated the presence of an in vivo mechanical stress response element in the 5.5-kb upstream region of the OPN gene.

Euroconference on tissue repair and ulcer/wound healing: molecular mechanisms, therapeutic targets and future directions

The meeting was part of the Euroconference series organised at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Comprising delegates from both academia and industry, it drew on expertise from many aspects of tissue repair in a wide range of human disease. The principal component of this report concerns progress with the therapeutic application of biological agents in promoting tissue repair, as gene therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins. In addition, the effect of pioglitazone on the rate and quality of wound healing in diabetic rats is also reported.

Convective flow increases lipoplex delivery rate to in vitro cellular monolayers

The mass transport characteristics of cationic, nonviral liposome-DNA plasmid complexes (lipoplexes) were evaluated over a range of fluid shear stresses. The typical case of stagnant flow transfection was expanded to include controlled fluid convection provided by constant flow through a parallel plate flow chamber. Equations describing the transport of lipoplex by sedimentation and convection were derived from theory and solved numerically. Instantaneous lipoplex delivery rate and total lipoplex surface delivery during a 72-h transfection were estimated for two shear stress levels and for static conditions. Theory predicted that lipoplex is delivered to the cell surface more than 12- to 19-fold faster through the addition of convection, at least for physiologic shear stresses of 2.3-9.7 dyn/cm2, respectively. These calculations were tested experimentally using a cell line (ECV-304) transfected with fluorescently labeled plasmid DNA formulated into a lipoplex. Transfections were conducted during cellular exposure to the same known, uniform levels of fluid shear stress presumed in theoretical calculations. Lipoplex delivery was increased by more than nine-fold at 2.3 dyn/cm2 compared to the static case as assessed by flow cytometric measurement. Lipoplex delivery was modestly reduced at the highest fluid shear stress, to six-fold of the static case, consistent with the disruption of lipoplex-cell binding mediated by hydrodynamic forces. The complicated relationship between fluid convection and lipoplex delivery has important implications for nonviral gene therapy.

Endothelium-Targeted Gene and Cell-Based Therapies for Cardiovascular Disease

Most common cardiovascular diseases are accompanied by endothelial dysfunction. Because of its predominant role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, the vascular endothelium is an attractive therapeutic target. The identification of promoter sequences capable of rendering endothelial-specific transgene expression together with the recent development of vectors with enhanced tropism for endothelium may offer opportunities for the design of new strategies for modulation of endothelial function. Such strategies may be useful in the treatment of chronic diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and ischemic artery disease, as well as in acute myocardial infarction and during open heart surgery for prevention of ischemia and reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury. The recent identification of putative endothelial progenitor cells in peripheral blood may allow the design of autologous cell-based strategies for neovascularization of ischemic tissues and for the repair of injured blood vessels and bioengineering of vascular prosthesis. "Proof-of-concept" for some of these strategies has been established in animal models of cardiovascular disease. However the successful translation of these novel strategies into clinical application will require further developments in vector and delivery technologies. Further characterization of the processes involved in mobilization, migration, homing, and incorporation of endothelial progenitor cells into the target tissues is necessary, and the optimal conditions for therapeutic application of these cells need to be defined and standardized.

Fluid shear stress and the vascular endothelium: for better and for worse

As blood flows, the vascular wall is constantly subjected to physical forces, which regulate important physiological blood vessel responses, as well as being implicated in the development of arterial wall pathologies. Changes in blood flow, thus generating altered hemodynamic forces are responsible for acute vessel tone regulation, the development of blood vessel structure during embryogenesis and early growth, as well as chronic remodeling and generation of adult blood vessels. The complex interaction of biomechanical forces, and more specifically shear stress, derived by the flow of blood and the vascular endothelium raise many yet to be answered questions:How are mechanical forces transduced by endothelial cells into a biological response, and is there a "shear stress receptor"?Are "mechanical receptors" and the final signaling pathways they evoke similar to other stimulus-response transduction systems?How do vascular endothelial cells differ in their response to physiological or pathological shear stresses?Can shear stress receptors or shear stress responsive genes serve as novel targets for the design of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for cardiovascular pathologies?The current review attempts to bring together recent findings on the in vivo and in vitro responses of the vascular endothelium to shear stress and to address some of the questions raised above.

The transcription factor Egr-1: a potential drug in wound healing and tissue repair

In the United States, between 40 and 90 million hospital days are lost per year as a result of trauma and surgical procedures which result in the loss of functional tissue. This is estimated to cost the economy and healthcare providers in excess of US$ 500 billion, a figure that is increasing because of extending population lifespan. Tissue engineering and gene therapies are radical new treatments that are aimed at tissue regeneration ranging from dermal, osteal and occular repair to the replacement of failing tissue with entire biosynthetic organs. Over the last decade, numerous proteins have been identified that are able to direct the synthesis of new tissue. Such proteins include growth factors, cytokines and, more recently, transcription factors.

The transcriptional corepressor NAB2 blocks Egr-1-mediated growth factor activation and angiogenesis

Effective tissue repair results from a rapid, temporally orchestrated series of events. At the site of local tissue injury, the production of many growth factors and cytokines is, in part, stimulated by the early growth response transcription factors such as Egr-1. Egr-1 protein binds to a family of corepressor proteins called NAB which function to block or limit Egr-1 trans-activation of cognate target genes. NAB2 blocks Egr-1 activation of the tissue factor (TF) promoter, Egr-1 stimulated production of PDGF-AB, HGF, TGFbeta(1), and VEGF and the endogenous expression of PDGF-AB and TGFbeta(1). Expression of a wild-type NAB2 but not a dominant negative NAB2 mutant abrogates Egr-1 driven TF promoter activity and tubule formation in an in vitro model of angiogenesis. These findings may have importance in any tissue that is subject to scarring after acute or chronic injury.

Homing markers for atherosclerosis: applications for drug delivery, gene delivery and vascular imaging

Endothelial dysfunction plays a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha activate endothelial cells changing their resting phenotype to become pro-adhesive, pro-thrombotic and pro-atherogenic. Phage display in vivo biopanning has been used to identify peptide sequences that home to diseased regions of the vessel wall in low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) knockout mice. In LDLr knockout mice, peptide sequence determinants exhibiting organ specificity have been isolated. These sequences have applications for gene delivery, drug delivery and for improving contrast agents for vascular imaging.

Controlled production of active cathepsin D in retinal pigment epithelial cells following adenovirus-mediated gene delivery

The transduction of a low cathepsin D-producing retinal pigment epithelial cell line with a recombinant adenovirus, Ad.proCatD, carrying a viral promoter and the precursor form of the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D, procathepsin D, led to the upregulation of proCatD expression. However, the resultant aspartic protease activity did not exceed that observed in normal primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Following the injection of Ad. proCatD into rat eyes, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis localized the expression of procathepsin D to the retinal pigment epithelial cell layer and to the sclera/choroid/retinal epithelial cell layers, respectively. This upregulation of procathepsin D expression was accompanied by a limited increase in aspartic protease activity. The injected eyes did not demonstrate any of the retinal changes that have been associated with the overproduction and secretion of active cathepsin D. Immunoelectronmicroscopy of Ad.proCatD-transduced retinal pigment epithelial cells demonstrated the presence of cathepsin D not only in cytoplasmic vesicles and lysosomes but also in the nucleoli and, less strongly, elsewhere in euchromatic regions of some 10% of cells. In spite of the upregulated expression of procathepsin D, the production of active cathepsin D in Ad.proCatD-transduced retinal pigment epithelial cells was strictly controlled. It is proposed that active cathepsin D production is controlled at the point of posttranslational modification by an intranuclear feedback mechanism initiated by the relative excess of procathepsin D in Ad. proCatD-transduced retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Tissue repair with a therapeutic transcription factor

The healing of tissue involves a wide range of molecular, cellular, and physiological events that are coordinated in a temporally specific manner. The cellular transcription factor early growth response factor 1 (Egr-1) is expressed minutes after acute injury and serves to stimulate the production of a class of growth factors whose role is to promote tissue repair. We have studied the effects of Egr-1 expression at the site of dermal wounding in rodents. We find that Egr-1 promotes angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, increases collagen production, and accelerates wound closure. These results show that Egr-1 gene therapy accelerates the normal healing process and raises the potential use of this therapeutic transcription factor for any aspect of tissue repair.