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Al-Nuaimi DA, Rütsche D, Abukar A, Hiebert P, Zanetti D, Cesarovic N, Falk V, Werner S, Mazza E, Giampietro C. Hydrostatic pressure drives sprouting angiogenesis via adherens junction remodelling and YAP signalling. Commun Biol 2024; 7:940. [PMID: 39097636 PMCID: PMC11297954 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06604-9] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell physiology is governed by its unique microenvironment at the interface between blood and tissue. A major contributor to the endothelial biophysical environment is blood hydrostatic pressure, which in mechanical terms applies isotropic compressive stress on the cells. While other mechanical factors, such as shear stress and circumferential stretch, have been extensively studied, little is known about the role of hydrostatic pressure in the regulation of endothelial cell behavior. Here we show that hydrostatic pressure triggers partial and transient endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in endothelial monolayers of different vascular beds. Values mimicking microvascular pressure environments promote proliferative and migratory behavior and impair barrier properties that are characteristic of a mesenchymal transition, resulting in increased sprouting angiogenesis in 3D organotypic model systems ex vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, this response is linked to differential cadherin expression at the adherens junctions, and to an increased YAP expression, nuclear localization, and transcriptional activity. Inhibition of YAP transcriptional activity prevents pressure-induced sprouting angiogenesis. Together, this work establishes hydrostatic pressure as a key modulator of endothelial homeostasis and as a crucial component of the endothelial mechanical niche.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dominic Rütsche
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - Asra Abukar
- ETH Zürich, DMAVT, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Paul Hiebert
- Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
- Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, The University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Dominik Zanetti
- Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nikola Cesarovic
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Volkmar Falk
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Werner
- Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- ETH Zürich, DMAVT, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland.
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland.
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- ETH Zürich, DMAVT, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland.
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland.
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Yang Q, Langston JC, Prosniak R, Pettigrew S, Zhao H, Perez E, Edelmann H, Mansoor N, Merali C, Merali S, Marchetti N, Prabhakarpandian B, Kiani MF, Kilpatrick LE. Distinct functional neutrophil phenotypes in sepsis patients correlate with disease severity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1341752. [PMID: 38524125 PMCID: PMC10957777 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341752] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Sepsis is a clinical syndrome defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis is a highly heterogeneous syndrome with distinct phenotypes that impact immune function and response to infection. To develop targeted therapeutics, immunophenotyping is needed to identify distinct functional phenotypes of immune cells. In this study, we utilized our Organ-on-Chip assay to categorize sepsis patients into distinct phenotypes using patient data, neutrophil functional analysis, and proteomics. Methods Following informed consent, neutrophils and plasma were isolated from sepsis patients in the Temple University Hospital ICU (n=45) and healthy control donors (n=7). Human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC) were cultured in the Organ-on-Chip and treated with buffer or cytomix ((TNF/IL-1β/IFNγ). Neutrophil adhesion and migration across HLMVEC in the Organ-on-Chip were used to categorize functional neutrophil phenotypes. Quantitative label-free global proteomics was performed on neutrophils to identify differentially expressed proteins. Plasma levels of sepsis biomarkers and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were determined by ELISA. Results We identified three functional phenotypes in critically ill ICU sepsis patients based on ex vivo neutrophil adhesion and migration patterns. The phenotypes were classified as: Hyperimmune characterized by enhanced neutrophil adhesion and migration, Hypoimmune that was unresponsive to stimulation, and Hybrid with increased adhesion but blunted migration. These functional phenotypes were associated with distinct proteomic signatures and differentiated sepsis patients by important clinical parameters related to disease severity. The Hyperimmune group demonstrated higher oxygen requirements, increased mechanical ventilation, and longer ICU length of stay compared to the Hypoimmune and Hybrid groups. Patients with the Hyperimmune neutrophil phenotype had significantly increased circulating neutrophils and elevated plasma levels NETs. Conclusion Neutrophils and NETs play a critical role in vascular barrier dysfunction in sepsis and elevated NETs may be a key biomarker identifying the Hyperimmune group. Our results establish significant associations between specific neutrophil functional phenotypes and disease severity and identify important functional parameters in sepsis pathophysiology that may provide a new approach to classify sepsis patients for specific therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingliang Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jordan C. Langston
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Roman Prosniak
- Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Samantha Pettigrew
- Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Huaqing Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Education and Data Science, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Edwin Perez
- Center for Inflammation and Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hannah Edelmann
- Center for Inflammation and Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nadia Mansoor
- Center for Inflammation and Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Carmen Merali
- School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Salim Merali
- School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nathaniel Marchetti
- Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Mohammad F. Kiani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Laurie E. Kilpatrick
- Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Inflammation and Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Wu X, Cesarovic N, Falk V, Mazza E, Giampietro C. Mechanical factors influence β-catenin localization and barrier properties. Integr Biol (Camb) 2024; 16:zyae013. [PMID: 38952079 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyae013] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical forces are of major importance in regulating vascular homeostasis by influencing endothelial cell behavior and functions. Adherens junctions are critical sites for mechanotransduction in endothelial cells. β-catenin, a component of adherens junctions and the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, plays a role in mechanoactivation. Evidence suggests that β-catenin is involved in flow sensing and responds to tensional forces, impacting junction dynamics. The mechanoregulation of β-catenin signaling is context-dependent, influenced by the type and duration of mechanical loads. In endothelial cells, β-catenin's nuclear translocation and signaling are influenced by shear stress and strain, affecting endothelial permeability. The study investigates how shear stress, strain, and surface topography impact adherens junction dynamics, regulate β-catenin localization, and influence endothelial barrier properties. Insight box Mechanical loads are potent regulators of endothelial functions through not completely elucidated mechanisms. Surface topography, wall shear stress and cyclic wall deformation contribute overlapping mechanical stimuli to which endothelial monolayer respond to adapt and maintain barrier functions. The use of custom developed flow chamber and bioreactor allows quantifying the response of mature human endothelial to well-defined wall shear stress and gradients of strain. Here, the mechanoregulation of β-catenin by substrate topography, wall shear stress, and cyclic stretch is analyzed and linked to the monolayer control of endothelial permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wu
- ETH Zürich, DMAVT, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Leonhardstrasse 21, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Nikola Cesarovic
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Leopold-Ruzicka-Weg 4, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Volkmar Falk
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Leopold-Ruzicka-Weg 4, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- ETH Zürich, DMAVT, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Leonhardstrasse 21, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- ETH Zürich, DMAVT, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Leonhardstrasse 21, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Experimental Continuum Mechanics, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
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Pramotton FM, Abukar A, Hudson C, Dunbar J, Potterton A, Tonnicchia S, Taddei A, Mazza E, Giampietro C. DYRK1B inhibition exerts senolytic effects on endothelial cells and rescues endothelial dysfunctions. Mech Ageing Dev 2023; 213:111836. [PMID: 37301518 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Aging is the major risk factor for chronic disease development. Cellular senescence is a key mechanism that triggers or contributes to age-related phenotypes and pathologies. The endothelium, a single layer of cells lining the inner surface of a blood vessel, is a critical interface between blood and all tissues. Many studies report a link between endothelial cell senescence, inflammation, and diabetic vascular diseases. Here we identify, using combined advanced AI and machine learning, the Dual Specificity Tyrosine Phosphorylation Regulated Kinase 1B (DYRK1B) protein as a possible senolytic target for senescent endothelial cells. We demonstrate that upon induction of senescence in vitro DYRK1B expression is increased in endothelial cells and localized at adherens junctions where it impairs their proper organization and functions. DYRK1B knock-down or inhibition restores endothelial barrier properties and collective behavior. DYRK1B is therefore a possible target to counteract diabetes-associated vascular diseases linked to endothelial cell senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca M Pramotton
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland; Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Asra Abukar
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland; Senecell AG, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Simone Tonnicchia
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland; Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | | | - Edoardo Mazza
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland; Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland; Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland; Senecell AG, Zurich 8057, Switzerland.
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Molecular Framework of Mouse Endothelial Cell Dysfunction during Inflammation: A Proteomics Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158399. [PMID: 35955534 PMCID: PMC9369400 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A key aspect of cytokine-induced changes as observed in sepsis is the dysregulated activation of endothelial cells (ECs), initiating a cascade of inflammatory signaling leading to leukocyte adhesion/migration and organ damage. The therapeutic targeting of ECs has been hampered by concerns regarding organ-specific EC heterogeneity and their response to inflammation. Using in vitro and in silico analysis, we present a comprehensive analysis of the proteomic changes in mouse lung, liver and kidney ECs following exposure to a clinically relevant cocktail of proinflammatory cytokines. Mouse lung, liver and kidney ECs were incubated with TNF-α/IL-1β/IFN-γ for 4 or 24 h to model the cytokine-induced changes. Quantitative label-free global proteomics and bioinformatic analysis performed on the ECs provide a molecular framework for the EC response to inflammatory stimuli over time and organ-specific differences. Gene Ontology and PANTHER analysis suggest why some organs are more susceptible to inflammation early on, and show that, as inflammation progresses, some protein expression patterns become more uniform while additional organ-specific proteins are expressed. These findings provide an in-depth understanding of the molecular changes involved in the EC response to inflammation and can support the development of drugs targeting ECs within different organs. Data are available via ProteomeXchange (identifier PXD031804).
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Endothelial Injury and Glycocalyx Degradation in Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: Implications for Microvascular Platelet Aggregation. Crit Care Explor 2020; 2:e0194. [PMID: 32904031 PMCID: PMC7449254 DOI: 10.1097/cce.0000000000000194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus. Patients admitted to the ICU suffer from microvascular thrombosis, which may contribute to mortality. Our aim was to profile plasma thrombotic factors and endothelial injury markers in critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 ICU patients to help understand their thrombotic mechanisms. Design Daily blood coagulation and thrombotic factor profiling with immunoassays and in vitro experiments on human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Setting Tertiary care ICU and academic laboratory. Subjects All patients admitted to the ICU suspected of being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, using standardized hospital screening methodologies, had daily blood samples collected until testing was confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 negative on either ICU day 3 or ICU day 7 if the patient was coronavirus disease 2019 positive. Interventions None. Measurement and Main Results Age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects and ICU patients that were either coronavirus disease 2019 positive or coronavirus disease 2019 negative were enrolled. Cohorts were well balanced with the exception that coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients were more likely than coronavirus disease 2019 negative patients to suffer bilateral pneumonia. Mortality rate for coronavirus disease 2019 positive ICU patients was 40%. Compared with healthy control subjects, coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients had higher plasma von Willebrand factor (p < 0.001) and glycocalyx-degradation products (chondroitin sulfate and syndecan-1; p < 0.01). When compared with coronavirus disease 2019 negative patients, coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients had persistently higher soluble P-selectin, hyaluronic acid, and syndecan-1 (p < 0.05), particularly on ICU day 3 and thereafter. Thrombosis profiling on ICU days 1-3 predicted coronavirus disease 2019 status with 85% accuracy and patient mortality with 86% accuracy. Surface hyaluronic acid removal from human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells with hyaluronidase treatment resulted in depressed nitric oxide, an instigating mechanism for platelet adhesion to the microvascular endothelium. Conclusions Thrombosis profiling identified endothelial activation and glycocalyx degradation in coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients. Our data suggest that medications to protect and/or restore the endothelial glycocalyx, as well as platelet inhibitors, should be considered for further study.
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Raza A, Xie Z, Chan EC, Chen WS, Scott LM, Robin Eisch A, Krementsov DN, Rosenberg HF, Parikh SM, Blankenhorn EP, Teuscher C, Druey KM. A natural mouse model reveals genetic determinants of systemic capillary leak syndrome (Clarkson disease). Commun Biol 2019; 2:398. [PMID: 31701027 PMCID: PMC6823437 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0647-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS, Clarkson disease) is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent episodes of vascular leakage of proteins and fluids into peripheral tissues, resulting in whole-body edema and hypotensive shock. The pathologic mechanisms and genetic basis for SCLS remain elusive. Here we identify an inbred mouse strain, SJL, which recapitulates cardinal features of SCLS, including susceptibility to histamine- and infection-triggered vascular leak. We named this trait "Histamine hypersensitivity" (Hhs/Hhs) and mapped it to Chromosome 6. Hhs is syntenic to the genomic locus most strongly associated with SCLS in humans (3p25.3), revealing that the predisposition to develop vascular hyperpermeability has a strong genetic component conserved between humans and mice and providing a naturally occurring animal model for SCLS. Genetic analysis of Hhs may reveal orthologous candidate genes that contribute not only to SCLS, but also to normal and dysregulated mechanisms underlying vascular barrier function more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Raza
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
| | - Zhihui Xie
- Lung and Vascular Inflammation Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Eunice C. Chan
- Lung and Vascular Inflammation Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Wei-Sheng Chen
- Lung and Vascular Inflammation Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Linda M. Scott
- Lung and Vascular Inflammation Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - A. Robin Eisch
- Lung and Vascular Inflammation Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Dimitry N. Krementsov
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
| | - Helene F. Rosenberg
- Inflammation Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Samir M. Parikh
- Division of Nephrology and Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Elizabeth P. Blankenhorn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129 USA
| | - Cory Teuscher
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
| | - Kirk M. Druey
- Lung and Vascular Inflammation Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
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