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Cheng YW, Anzell AR, Morosky SA, Schwartze TA, Hinck CS, Hinck AP, Roman BL, Davidson LA. Shear Stress and Sub-Femtomolar Levels of Ligand Synergize to Activate ALK1 Signaling in Endothelial Cells. Cells 2024; 13:285. [PMID: 38334677 PMCID: PMC10854672 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030285] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) respond to concurrent stimulation by biochemical factors and wall shear stress (SS) exerted by blood flow. Disruptions in flow-induced responses can result in remodeling issues and cardiovascular diseases, but the detailed mechanisms linking flow-mechanical cues and biochemical signaling remain unclear. Activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) integrates SS and ALK1-ligand cues in ECs; ALK1 mutations cause hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), marked by arteriovenous malformation (AVM) development. However, the mechanistic underpinnings of ALK1 signaling modulation by fluid flow and the link to AVMs remain uncertain. We recorded EC responses under varying SS magnitudes and ALK1 ligand concentrations by assaying pSMAD1/5/9 nuclear localization using a custom multi-SS microfluidic device and a custom image analysis pipeline. We extended the previously reported synergy between SS and BMP9 to include BMP10 and BMP9/10. Moreover, we demonstrated that this synergy is effective even at extremely low SS magnitudes (0.4 dyn/cm2) and ALK1 ligand range (femtogram/mL). The synergistic response to ALK1 ligands and SS requires the kinase activity of ALK1. Moreover, ALK1's basal activity and response to minimal ligand levels depend on endocytosis, distinct from cell-cell junctions, cytoskeleton-mediated mechanosensing, or cholesterol-enriched microdomains. However, an in-depth analysis of ALK1 receptor trafficking's molecular mechanisms requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Wen Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA;
| | - Anthony R. Anzell
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Stefanie A. Morosky
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Tristin A. Schwartze
- Department of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Cynthia S. Hinck
- Department of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Andrew P. Hinck
- Department of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Beth L. Roman
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Lance A. Davidson
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA;
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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Bai H, Lu Q, Wu C, Xu F, Liu J, Wang K, Ding H, Yin Y, Liu Y, Lai X, Cao J. Bone morphogenetic protein 9 is a candidate prognostic biomarker and host-directed therapy target for sepsis. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadi3275. [PMID: 38295185 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi3275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Defining next-generation immune therapeutics for the treatment of sepsis will involve biomarker-based therapeutic decision-making. Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) is a cytokine in the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. Here, circulating BMP9 concentrations were quantified in two independent cohorts of patients with sepsis. Decreased concentrations of serum BMP9 were observed in the patients with sepsis at the time of admission as compared with healthy controls. Concentrations of BMP9 at the time of admission were also associated with 28-day mortality, because patients with sepsis at a higher risk of death had lower BMP9 concentrations. The mechanism driving the contribution of BMP9 to host immunity was further investigated using in vivo murine sepsis models and in vitro cell models. We found that BMP9 treatment improved outcome in mice with experimental sepsis. BMP9-treated mice exhibited increased macrophage influx into the peritoneal cavity and more efficient bacterial clearance than untreated mice. In vitro, BMP9 promoted macrophage recruitment, phagocytosis, and subsequent bacterial killing. We further found that deletion of the type 1 BMP receptor ALK1 in macrophages abolished BMP9-mediated protection against polymicrobial sepsis in vivo. Further experiments indicated that the regulation of macrophage activation by the BMP9-ALK1 axis was mainly mediated through the suppressor of mother against decapentaplegic 1/5 signaling pathway. Together, these results suggest that BMP9 can both serve as a biomarker for patient stratification with an independent prognostic value and be developed as a host-directed therapy for sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Bai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Qian Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Biology Science Institutes of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Chunxiang Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Fang Xu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jiayu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics Designated by the Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Hao Ding
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yibing Yin
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics Designated by the Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xiaofei Lai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Ju Cao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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Sharma S, Ehrlich M, Zhang M, Blobe GC, Henis YI. NRP1 interacts with endoglin and VEGFR2 to modulate VEGF signaling and endothelial cell sprouting. Commun Biol 2024; 7:112. [PMID: 38242992 PMCID: PMC10799020 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells express neuropilin 1 (NRP1), endoglin (ENG) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), which regulate VEGF-A-mediated vascular development and angiogenesis. However, the link between complex formation among these receptors with VEGF-A-induced signaling and biology is yet unclear. Here, we quantify surface receptor interactions by IgG-mediated immobilization of one receptor, and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements of the mobility of another coexpressed receptor. We observe stable ENG/NRP1, ENG/VEGFR2, and NRP1/VEGFR2 complexes, which are enhanced by VEGF-A. ENG augments NRP1/VEGFR2 interactions, suggesting formation of tripartite complexes bridged by ENG. Effects on signaling are measured in murine embryonic endothelial cells expressing (MEEC+/+) or lacking (MEEC-/-) ENG, along with NRP1 and/or ENG overexpression or knockdown. We find that optimal VEGF-A-mediated phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and Erk1/2 requires ENG and NRP1. ENG or NRP1 increase VEGF-A-induced sprouting, becoming optimal in cells expressing all three receptors, and both processes are inhibited by a MEK1/2 inhibitor. We propose a model where the maximal potency of VEGF-A involves a tripartite complex where ENG bridges VEGFR2 and NRP1, providing an attractive therapeutic target for modulation of VEGF-A signaling and biological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Sharma
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Marcelo Ehrlich
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Manqi Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Gerard C Blobe
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Yoav I Henis
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
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Sánchez-Duffhues G, Hiepen C. Human iPSCs as Model Systems for BMP-Related Rare Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:2200. [PMID: 37681932 PMCID: PMC10487005 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172200] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Disturbances in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling contribute to onset and development of a number of rare genetic diseases, including Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). After decades of animal research to build a solid foundation in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms, the progressive implementation of iPSC-based patient-derived models will improve drug development by addressing drug efficacy, specificity, and toxicity in a complex humanized environment. We will review the current state of literature on iPSC-derived model systems in this field, with special emphasis on the access to patient source material and the complications that may come with it. Given the essential role of BMPs during embryonic development and stem cell differentiation, gain- or loss-of-function mutations in the BMP signalling pathway may compromise iPSC generation, maintenance, and differentiation procedures. This review highlights the need for careful optimization of the protocols used. Finally, we will discuss recent developments towards complex in vitro culture models aiming to resemble specific tissue microenvironments with multi-faceted cellular inputs, such as cell mechanics and ECM together with organoids, organ-on-chip, and microfluidic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Sánchez-Duffhues
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), ISPA-HUCA, Avda. de Roma, s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Hiepen
- Department of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, August-Schmidt-Ring 10, 45665 Recklinghausen, Germany
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Mavri M, Glišić S, Senćanski M, Vrecl M, Rosenkilde MM, Spiess K, Kubale V. Patterns of human and porcine gammaherpesvirus-encoded BILF1 receptor endocytosis. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:14. [PMID: 36810008 PMCID: PMC9942385 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00427-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The viral G-protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR) BILF1 encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogene and immunoevasin and can downregulate MHC-I molecules at the surface of infected cells. MHC-I downregulation, which presumably occurs through co-internalization with EBV-BILF1, is preserved among BILF1 receptors, including the three BILF1 orthologs encoded by porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV BILFs). This study aimed to understand the detailed mechanisms of BILF1 receptor constitutive internalization, to explore the translational potential of PLHV BILFs compared with EBV-BILF1. METHODS A novel real-time fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based internalization assay combined with dominant-negative variants of dynamin-1 (Dyn K44A) and the chemical clathrin inhibitor Pitstop2 in HEK-293A cells was used to study the effect of specific endocytic proteins on BILF1 internalization. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-saturation analysis was used to study BILF1 receptor interaction with β-arrestin2 and Rab7. In addition, a bioinformatics approach informational spectrum method (ISM) was used to investigate the interaction affinity of BILF1 receptors with β-arrestin2, AP-2, and caveolin-1. RESULTS We identified dynamin-dependent, clathrin-mediated constitutive endocytosis for all BILF1 receptors. The observed interaction affinity between BILF1 receptors and caveolin-1 and the decreased internalization in the presence of a dominant-negative variant of caveolin-1 (Cav S80E) indicated the involvement of caveolin-1 in BILF1 trafficking. Furthermore, after BILF1 internalization from the plasma membrane, both the recycling and degradation pathways are proposed for BILF1 receptors. CONCLUSIONS The similarity in the internalization mechanisms observed for EBV-BILF1 and PLHV1-2 BILF1 provide a foundation for further studies exploring a possible translational potential for PLHVs, as proposed previously, and provides new information about receptor trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maša Mavri
- Institute for preclinical sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sanja Glišić
- Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Senćanski
- Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milka Vrecl
- Institute for preclinical sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mette M Rosenkilde
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katja Spiess
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Valentina Kubale
- Institute for preclinical sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Evans ET, Horst B, Arend RC, Mythreye K. Evolving roles of activins and inhibins in ovarian cancer pathophysiology. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C428-C437. [PMID: 36622068 PMCID: PMC9902228 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00178.2022] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Activins and inhibins are unique members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family of growth factors, with the ability to exert autocrine, endocrine, and paracrine effects in a wide range of complex physiologic and pathologic processes. Although first isolated within the pituitary, emerging evidence suggests broader influence beyond reproductive development and function. Known roles of activin and inhibin in angiogenesis and immunity along with correlations between gene expression and cancer prognosis suggest potential roles in tumorigenesis. Here, we present a review of the current understanding of the biological role of activins and inhibins as it relates to ovarian cancers, summarizing the underlying signaling mechanisms and physiologic influence, followed by detailing their roles in cancer progression, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Evans
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ben Horst
- Department of Pathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Rebecca C Arend
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Karthikeyan Mythreye
- Department of Pathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Szilágyi SS, Amsalem-Zafran AR, Shapira KE, Ehrlich M, Henis YI. Competition between type I activin and BMP receptors for binding to ACVR2A regulates signaling to distinct Smad pathways. BMC Biol 2022; 20:50. [PMID: 35177083 PMCID: PMC8855587 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play critical, sometimes opposing roles, in multiple physiological and pathological processes and diseases. They signal to distinct Smad branches; activins signal mainly to Smad2/3, while BMPs activate mainly Smad1/5/8. This gives rise to the possibility that competition between the different type I receptors through which activin and BMP signal for common type II receptors can provide a mechanism for fine-tuning the cellular response to activin/BMP stimuli. Among the transforming growth factor-β superfamily type II receptors, ACVR2A/B are highly promiscuous, due to their ability to interact with different type I receptors (e.g., ALK4 vs. ALK2/3/6) and with their respective ligands [activin A (ActA) vs. BMP9/2]. However, studies on complex formation between these full-length receptors situated at the plasma membrane, and especially on the potential competition between the different activin and BMP type I receptors for a common activin type II receptor, were lacking. Results We employed a combination of IgG-mediated patching-immobilization of several type I receptors in the absence or presence of ligands with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements on the lateral diffusion of an activin type II receptor, ACVR2A, to demonstrate the principle of competition between type I receptors for ACVR2. Our results show that ACVR2A can form stable heteromeric complexes with ALK4 (an activin type I receptor), as well as with several BMP type I receptors (ALK2/3/6). Of note, ALK4 and the BMP type I receptors competed for binding ACVR2A. To assess the implications of this competition for signaling output, we first validated that in our cell model system (U2OS cells), ACVR2/ALK4 transduce ActA signaling to Smad2/3, while BMP9 signaling to Smad1/5/8 employ ACVR2/ALK2 or ACVR2/ALK3. By combining ligand stimulation with overexpression of a competing type I receptor, we showed that differential complex formation of distinct type I receptors with a common type II receptor balances the signaling to the two Smad branches. Conclusions Different type I receptors that signal to distinct Smad pathways (Smad2/3 vs. Smad1/5/8) compete for binding to common activin type II receptors. This provides a novel mechanism to balance signaling between Smad2/3 and Smad1/5/8. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01252-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabina Szófia Szilágyi
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ayelet R Amsalem-Zafran
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Keren E Shapira
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marcelo Ehrlich
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav I Henis
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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