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Long X, Wei J, Fang Q, Yuan X, Du J. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the transcriptional heterogeneity of Tbx18-positive cardiac cells during heart development. Funct Integr Genomics 2024; 24:18. [PMID: 38265516 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01290-6] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The T-box family transcription factor 18 (Tbx18) has been found to play a critical role in regulating the development of the mammalian heart during the primary stages of embryonic development while the cellular heterogeneity and landscape of Tbx18-positive (Tbx18+) cardiac cells remain incompletely characterized. Here, we analyzed prior published single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) mouse heart data to explore the heterogeneity of Tbx18+ cardiac cell subpopulations and provide a comprehensive transcriptional landscape of Tbx18+ cardiac cells during their development. Bioinformatic analysis methods were utilized to identify the heterogeneity between cell groups. Based on the gene expression characteristics, Tbx18+ cardiac cells can be classified into a minimum of two distinct cell populations, namely fibroblast-like cells and cardiomyocytes. In terms of temporal heterogeneity, these cells exhibit three developmental stages, namely the MEM stage, ML_P0 stage, and P stage Tbx18+ cardiac cells. Furthermore, Tbx18+ cardiac cells encompass several cell types, including cardiac progenitor-like cells, cardiomyocytes, and epicardial/stromal cells, as determined by specific transcriptional regulatory networks. The scRNA-seq results revealed the involvement of extracellular matrix (ECM) signals and epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the development of Tbx18+ cardiac cells. The utilization of a lineage-tracing model served to validate the crucial function of Tbx18 in the differentiation of cardiac cells. Consequently, these findings offer a comprehensive depiction of the cellular heterogeneity within Tbx18+ cardiac cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianglin Long
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Jiangjun Wei
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Qinghua Fang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China.
| | - Jianlin Du
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China.
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2
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Hu Z, Zhao X, Wu Z, Qu B, Yuan M, Xing Y, Song Y, Wang Z. Lymphatic vessel: origin, heterogeneity, biological functions, and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:9. [PMID: 38172098 PMCID: PMC10764842 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01723-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic vessels, comprising the secondary circulatory system in human body, play a multifaceted role in maintaining homeostasis among various tissues and organs. They are tasked with a serious of responsibilities, including the regulation of lymph absorption and transport, the orchestration of immune surveillance and responses. Lymphatic vessel development undergoes a series of sophisticated regulatory signaling pathways governing heterogeneous-origin cell populations stepwise to assemble into the highly specialized lymphatic vessel networks. Lymphangiogenesis, as defined by new lymphatic vessels sprouting from preexisting lymphatic vessels/embryonic veins, is the main developmental mechanism underlying the formation and expansion of lymphatic vessel networks in an embryo. However, abnormal lymphangiogenesis could be observed in many pathological conditions and has a close relationship with the development and progression of various diseases. Mechanistic studies have revealed a set of lymphangiogenic factors and cascades that may serve as the potential targets for regulating abnormal lymphangiogenesis, to further modulate the progression of diseases. Actually, an increasing number of clinical trials have demonstrated the promising interventions and showed the feasibility of currently available treatments for future clinical translation. Targeting lymphangiogenic promoters or inhibitors not only directly regulates abnormal lymphangiogenesis, but improves the efficacy of diverse treatments. In conclusion, we present a comprehensive overview of lymphatic vessel development and physiological functions, and describe the critical involvement of abnormal lymphangiogenesis in multiple diseases. Moreover, we summarize the targeting therapeutic values of abnormal lymphangiogenesis, providing novel perspectives for treatment strategy of multiple human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoliang Hu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Xushi Zhao
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Zhonghua Wu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Bicheng Qu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Minxian Yuan
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Yanan Xing
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Yongxi Song
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Zhenning Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
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3
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Buckingham M, Kelly RG. Cardiac Progenitor Cells of the First and Second Heart Fields. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1441:103-124. [PMID: 38884707 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44087-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The heart forms from the first and second heart fields, which contribute to distinct regions of the myocardium. This is supported by clonal analyses, which identify corresponding first and second cardiac cell lineages in the heart. Progenitor cells of the second heart field and its sub-domains are controlled by a gene regulatory network and signaling pathways, which determine their behavior. Multipotent cells in this field can also contribute cardiac endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, the skeletal muscles of the head and neck are clonally related to myocardial cells that form the arterial and venous poles of the heart. These lineage relationships, together with the genes that regulate the heart fields, have major implications for congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Buckingham
- Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
| | - Robert G Kelly
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Biologie du Dévelopment de Marseille, Marseille, France.
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Wang W, Li X, Ding X, Xiong S, Hu Z, Lu X, Zhang K, Zhang H, Hu Q, Lai KS, Chen Z, Yang J, Song H, Wang Y, Wei L, Xia Z, Zhou B, He Y, Pu J, Liu X, Ke R, Wu T, Huang C, Baldini A, Zhang M, Zhang Z. Lymphatic endothelial transcription factor Tbx1 promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment to facilitate post-myocardial infarction repair. Immunity 2023; 56:2342-2357.e10. [PMID: 37625409 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The heart is an autoimmune-prone organ. It is crucial for the heart to keep injury-induced autoimmunity in check to avoid autoimmune-mediated inflammatory disease. However, little is known about how injury-induced autoimmunity is constrained in hearts. Here, we reveal an unknown intramyocardial immunosuppressive program driven by Tbx1, a DiGeorge syndrome disease gene that encodes a T-box transcription factor (TF). We found induced profound lymphangiogenic and immunomodulatory gene expression changes in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) after myocardial infarction (MI). The activated LECs penetrated the infarcted area and functioned as intramyocardial immune hubs to increase the numbers of tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs) and regulatory T (Treg) cells through the chemokine Ccl21 and integrin Icam1, thereby inhibiting the expansion of autoreactive CD8+ T cells and promoting reparative macrophage expansion to facilitate post-MI repair. Mimicking its timing and implementation may be an additional approach to treating autoimmunity-mediated cardiac diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Wang
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Gene Editing Laboratory, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoning Ding
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Shanshan Xiong
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Zhenlei Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xuan Lu
- Silver Snake (Shanghai) Medical Science and Technique Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Kan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qianwen Hu
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Kaa Seng Lai
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Zhongxiang Chen
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Junjie Yang
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Hejie Song
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Lu Wei
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Zeyang Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yulong He
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jun Pu
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Division of Cardiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Rongqin Ke
- School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, Fujian 362021, China
| | - Tao Wu
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovative Center of Intelligent Medical Device and Active Health, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Chuanxin Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Antonio Baldini
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "ABT," CNR, Naples 80131, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Min Zhang
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China.
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute and Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Shanghai Collaborative Innovative Center of Intelligent Medical Device and Active Health, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China.
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5
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Cioffi S, Flore G, Martucciello S, Bilio M, Turturo MG, Illingworth E. VEGFR3 modulates brain microvessel branching in a mouse model of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/12/e202101308. [PMID: 36216515 PMCID: PMC9553901 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The loss of a single copy of TBX1 accounts for most of the clinical signs and symptoms of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a common genetic disorder that is characterized by multiple congenital anomalies and brain-related clinical problems, some of which likely have vascular origins. Tbx1 mutant mice have brain vascular anomalies, thus making them a useful model to gain insights into the human disease. Here, we found that the main morphogenetic function of TBX1 in the mouse brain is to suppress vessel branching morphogenesis through regulation of Vegfr3 We demonstrate that inactivating Vegfr3 in the Tbx1 expression domain on a Tbx1 mutant background enhances brain vessel branching and filopodia formation, whereas increasing Vegfr3 expression in this domain fully rescued these phenotypes. Similar results were obtained using an in vitro model of endothelial tubulogenesis. Overall, the results of this study provide genetic evidence that VEGFR3 is a regulator of early vessel branching and filopodia formation in the mouse brain and is a likely mediator of the brain vascular phenotype caused by Tbx1 loss of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Cioffi
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "ABT," CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Gemma Flore
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "ABT," CNR, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Marchesa Bilio
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "ABT," CNR, Naples, Italy
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6
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Putotto C, Unolt M, Lambiase C, Marchetti F, Anaclerio S, Favoriti A, Tancredi G, Mastromoro G, Pugnaloni F, Liberati N, De Luca E, Tarani L, De Canditiis D, Caputo V, Bernardini L, Digilio MC, Marino B, Versacci P. Cardiac function in adolescents and young adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome without congenital heart disease. Eur J Med Genet 2022; 66:104651. [PMID: 36404488 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2022.104651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosis and treatment of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) have led to improved life expectancy and achievement of adulthood. Limited data on long-term outcomes reported an increased risk of premature death for cardiovascular causes, even without congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to assess the cardiac function in adolescents and young adults with 22q11.2DS without CHDs. METHODS A total of 32 patients (20M, 12F; mean age 26.00 ± 8.08 years) and a healthy control group underwent transthoracic echocardiography, including Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) and 2-dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (2D-STE). RESULTS Compared to controls, 22q11.2DS patients showed a significant increase of the left ventricle (LV) diastolic and systolic diameters (p = 0.029 and p = 0.035 respectively), interventricular septum thickness (p = 0.005), LV mass index (p < 0.001) and aortic root size (p < 0.001). 2D-STE analysis revealed a significant reduction of LV global longitudinal strain (p < 0.001) in 22q11.2DS than controls. Moreover, several LV diastolic parameters were significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that an echocardiographic follow-up in 22q11.2DS patients without CHDs can help to identify subclinical impairment of the LV and evaluate a potential progression of aortic root dilation over time, improving outcomes, reducing long-term complications and allowing for a better prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Putotto
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Unolt
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy; Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Lambiase
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Flaminia Marchetti
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Anaclerio
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Favoriti
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Tancredi
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Gioia Mastromoro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Flaminia Pugnaloni
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Natascia Liberati
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Enrica De Luca
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Viviana Caputo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Bernardini
- Cytogenetics Unit, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Foundation, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Digilio
- Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Marino
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Versacci
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
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7
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Cardiac lymphatics: state of the art. Curr Opin Hematol 2022; 29:156-165. [PMID: 35220321 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The beneficial role of cardiac lymphatics in health and disease has begun to be recognized, with both preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrating that lymphangiogenesis is activated in cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of the regulation and impact of cardiac lymphatic remodeling during development and in adult life, highlighting emerging concepts regarding distinguishing traits of cardiac lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC). RECENT FINDINGS Genetic lineage-tracing and clonal analyses have revealed that a proportion of cardiac LECs originate from nonvenous sources. Further, these sources may vary between different regions of the heart, and could translate to differences in LEC sensitivity to molecular regulators. Several therapeutic approaches have been applied to investigate how lymphatics contribute to resolution of myocardial edema and inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. From these studies have emerged novel insights, notably concerning the cross-talk between lymphatics and cardiac interstitial cells, especially immune cells. SUMMARY Recent years have witnessed a significant expansion in our knowledge of the molecular characteristics and regulation of cardiac lymphatics. The current body of work is in support of critical contributions of cardiac lymphatics to maintain both fluid and immune homeostasis in the heart.
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8
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Harris NR, Nielsen NR, Pawlak JB, Aghajanian A, Rangarajan K, Serafin DS, Farber G, Dy DM, Nelson-Maney NP, Xu W, Ratra D, Hurr SH, Qian L, Scallan JP, Caron KM. VE-Cadherin Is Required for Cardiac Lymphatic Maintenance and Signaling. Circ Res 2022; 130:5-23. [PMID: 34789016 PMCID: PMC8756423 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.318852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adherens protein VE-cadherin (vascular endothelial cadherin) has diverse roles in organ-specific lymphatic vessels. However, its physiological role in cardiac lymphatics and its interaction with lymphangiogenic factors has not been fully explored. We sought to determine the spatiotemporal functions of VE-cadherin in cardiac lymphatics and mechanistically elucidate how VE-cadherin loss influences prolymphangiogenic signaling pathways, such as adrenomedullin and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-C/VEGFR3 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3) signaling. METHODS Cdh5flox/flox;Prox1CreERT2 mice were used to delete VE-cadherin in lymphatic endothelial cells across life stages, including embryonic, postnatal, and adult. Lymphatic architecture and function was characterized using immunostaining and functional lymphangiography. To evaluate the impact of temporal and functional regression of cardiac lymphatics in Cdh5flox/flox;Prox1CreERT2 mice, left anterior descending artery ligation was performed and cardiac function and repair after myocardial infarction was evaluated by echocardiography and histology. Cellular effects of VE-cadherin deletion on lymphatic signaling pathways were assessed by knockdown of VE-cadherin in cultured lymphatic endothelial cells. RESULTS Embryonic deletion of VE-cadherin produced edematous embryos with dilated cardiac lymphatics with significantly altered vessel tip morphology. Postnatal deletion of VE-cadherin caused complete disassembly of cardiac lymphatics. Adult deletion caused a temporal regression of the quiescent epicardial lymphatic network which correlated with significant dermal and cardiac lymphatic dysfunction, as measured by fluorescent and quantum dot lymphangiography, respectively. Surprisingly, despite regression of cardiac lymphatics, Cdh5flox/flox;Prox1CreERT2 mice exhibited preserved cardiac function, both at baseline and following myocardial infarction, compared with control mice. Mechanistically, loss of VE-cadherin leads to aberrant cellular internalization of VEGFR3, precluding the ability of VEGFR3 to be either canonically activated by VEGF-C or noncanonically transactivated by adrenomedullin signaling, impairing downstream processes such as cellular proliferation. CONCLUSIONS VE-cadherin is an essential scaffolding protein to maintain prolymphangiogenic signaling nodes at the plasma membrane, which are required for the development and adult maintenance of cardiac lymphatics, but not for cardiac function basally or after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie R. Harris
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - Natalie R. Nielsen
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - John B. Pawlak
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - Amir Aghajanian
- Department of Medicine Division of Cardiology, University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 160 Dental Circle, Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
USA 27599
| | - Krsna Rangarajan
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - D. Stephen Serafin
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - Gregory Farber
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
USA 27599,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 27599
| | - Danielle M. Dy
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - Nathan P. Nelson-Maney
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - Wenjing Xu
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - Disha Ratra
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - Sophia H. Hurr
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
| | - Li Qian
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
USA 27599
| | - Joshua P. Scallan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology,
University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA 33612
| | - Kathleen M. Caron
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
27599
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9
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Monaghan RM, Page DJ, Ostergaard P, Keavney BD. The physiological and pathological functions of VEGFR3 in cardiac and lymphatic development and related diseases. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:1877-1890. [PMID: 33067626 PMCID: PMC8262640 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) are part of the evolutionarily conserved VEGF signalling pathways that regulate the development and maintenance of the body's cardiovascular and lymphovascular systems. VEGFR3, encoded by the FLT4 gene, has an indispensable and well-characterized function in development and establishment of the lymphatic system. Autosomal dominant VEGFR3 mutations, that prevent the receptor functioning as a homodimer, cause one of the major forms of hereditary primary lymphoedema; Milroy disease. Recently, we and others have shown that FLT4 variants, distinct to those observed in Milroy disease cases, predispose individuals to Tetralogy of Fallot, the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease, demonstrating a novel function for VEGFR3 in early cardiac development. Here, we examine the familiar and emerging roles of VEGFR3 in the development of both lymphovascular and cardiovascular systems, respectively, compare how distinct genetic variants in FLT4 lead to two disparate human conditions, and highlight the research still required to fully understand this multifaceted receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Monaghan
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Donna J Page
- School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Pia Ostergaard
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Bernard D Keavney
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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Lin Q, Zhang Y, Bai J, Liu J, Li H. VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 axis protects against pressure-overload induced cardiac dysfunction through regulation of lymphangiogenesis. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e374. [PMID: 33783987 PMCID: PMC7989711 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolonged pressure overload triggers cardiac hypertrophy and frequently leads to heart failure (HF). Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and its receptor VEGFR-3 are components of the central pathway for lymphatic vessel growth (also known as lymphangiogenesis), which has crucial functions in the maintenance of tissue fluid balance and myocardial function after ischemic injury. However, the roles of this pathway in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction during pressure overload remain largely unknown. Eight- to 10-week-old male wild-type (WT) mice, VEGFR-3 knockdown (VEGFR-3f/- ) mice, and their WT littermates (VEGFR-3f/f ) were subjected to pressure overload induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) for 1-6 weeks. We found that cardiac lymphangiogenesis and the protein expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 were upregulated in the early stage of cardiac hypertrophy but were markedly reduced in failing hearts. Moreover, TAC for 6 weeks significantly reduced cardiac lymphangiogenesis by inhibiting activation of VEGFR-3-mediated signals (AKT/ERK1/2, calcineurin A/NFATc1/FOXc2, and CX43), leading to increased cardiac edema, hypertrophy, fibrosis, apoptosis, inflammation, and dysfunction. These effects were further aggravated in VEGFR-3f/- mice and were dose-dependently attenuated by delivery of recombinant VEGF-C156S in WT mice. VEGF-C156s administration also reversed pre-established cardiac dysfunction induced by sustained pressure overload. Thus, these results demonstrate, for the first time, that activation of the VEGF-C-VEGFR-3 axis exerts a protective effect during the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to HF and highlight selective stimulation of cardiac lymphangiogenesis as a potential new therapeutic approach for hypertrophic heart diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu‐Yue Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalianChina
| | - Yun‐Long Zhang
- Department of Emergency MedicineBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Beijing Chaoyang HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jie Bai
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalianChina
| | - Jin‐Qiu Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalianChina
| | - Hui‐Hua Li
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalianChina
- Department of Emergency MedicineBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Beijing Chaoyang HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
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