Activated pericyte attenuates endothelial functions: nitric oxide-cGMP rescues activated pericyte-associated endothelial dysfunctions

Vascularized Tissue Organoids

Tissue organoids hold enormous potential as tools for a variety of applications, including disease modeling and drug screening. To effectively mimic the native tissue environment, it is critical to integrate a microvasculature with the parenchyma and stroma. In addition to providing a means to physiologically perfuse the organoids, the microvasculature also contributes to the cellular dynamics of the tissue model via the cells of the perivascular niche, thereby further modulating tissue function. In this review, we discuss current and developing strategies for vascularizing organoids, consider tissue-specific vascularization approaches, discuss the importance of perfusion, and provide perspectives on the state of the field.

cGMP Signaling in the Neurovascular Unit—Implications for Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival in Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a progressive age-related disease of the visual system and the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Currently, intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor for the disease, but even as IOP is lowered, the pathology of the disease often progresses. Hence, effective clinical targets for the treatment of glaucoma remain elusive. Glaucoma shares comorbidities with a multitude of vascular diseases, and evidence in humans and animal models demonstrates an association between vascular dysfunction of the retina and glaucoma pathology. Integral to the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is functional neurovascular coupling (NVC), providing RGCs with metabolic support in response to neuronal activity. NVC is mediated by cells of the neurovascular unit (NVU), which include vascular cells, glial cells, and neurons. Nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) signaling is a prime mediator of NVC between endothelial cells and neurons, but emerging evidence suggests that cGMP signaling is also important in the physiology of other cells of the NVU. NO-cGMP signaling has been implicated in glaucomatous neurodegeneration in humans and mice. In this review, we explore the role of cGMP signaling in the different cell types of the NVU and investigate the potential links between cGMP signaling, breakdown of neurovascular function, and glaucoma pathology.

Methods for vascularization and perfusion of tissue organoids

Tissue organoids or "mini organs" can be invaluable tools for understanding health and disease biology, modeling tissue dynamics, or screening potential drug candidates. Effective vascularization of these models is critical for truly representing the in vivo tissue environment. Not only is the formation of a vascular network, and ultimately a microcirculation, essential for proper distribution and exchange of oxygen and nutrients throughout larger organoids, but vascular cells dynamically communicate with other cells to modulate overall tissue behavior. Additionally, interstitial fluid flow, mediated by a perfused microvasculature, can have profound influences on tissue biology. Thus, a truly functionally and biologically relevant organoid requires a vasculature. Here, we review existing strategies for fabricating and incorporating vascular elements and perfusion within tissue organoids.

Study of the cellular mechanism of Sunitinib mediated inactivation of activated hepatic stellate cells and its implications in angiogenesis

The development of hepatocellular carcinomas from malignant hepatocytes is frequently associated with intra- and peritumoral accumulation of connective tissue arising from activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling showed promise in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the effects of RTK inhibitors on the tumor supportive cells. We performed in vitro experiments to study whether Sunitinib, a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) RTKs' inhibitor, could block both activated HSC functions and angiogenesis and thus prevent the progression of cirrhotic liver to hepatocellular carcinoma. In immortalized human activated HSC LX-2, treatment with Sunitinib 100 nM blocked collagen synthesis by 47%, as assessed by Sirius Red staining, attenuated HSC contraction by 65%, and reduced cell migration by 28% as evaluated using a Boyden's chamber, without affecting cell viability, measured by Trypan blue staining, and apoptosis, measured by propidium iodide (PI) incorporation assay. Our data revealed that Sunitinib treatment blocked the transdifferentiation of primary human HSC (hHSC) to activated myofibroblast-like cells by 65% without affecting hHSC apoptosis and migration. In in vitro angiogenic assays, Sunitinib 100 nM reduced endothelial cells (EC) ring formation by 46% and tube formation by 68%, and decreased vascular sprouting in aorta ring assay and angiogenesis in vascular bed of chick embryo. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the RTK inhibitor Sunitinib blocks the activation of HSC and angiogenesis suggesting its potential as a drug candidate in pathological conditions like liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Thalidomide attenuates nitric oxide-driven angiogenesis by interacting with soluble guanylyl cyclase

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Nitric oxide (NO) promotes angiogenesis by activating endothelial cells. Thalidomide arrests angiogenesis by interacting with the NO pathway, but its putative targets are not known. Here, we have attempted to identify these targets.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Cell-based angiogenesis assays (wound healing of monolayers and tube formation in ECV304, EAhy926 and bovine arterial endothelial cells), along with ex vivo and in vivo angiogenesis assays, were used to explore interactions between thalidomide and NO. We also carried out in silico homology modelling and docking studies to elucidate possible molecular interactions of thalidomide and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC).

KEY RESULTS

Thalidomide inhibited pro-angiogenic functions in endothelial cell cultures, whereas 8-bromo-cGMP, sildenafil (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) or a NO donor [sodium nitroprusside (SNP)] increased these functions. The inhibitory effects of thalidomide were reversed by adding 8-bromo-cGMP or sildenafil, but not by SNP. Immunoassays showed a concentration-dependent decrease of cGMP in endothelial cells with thalidomide, without affecting the expression level of sGC protein. These results suggested that thalidomide inhibited the activity of sGC. Molecular modelling and docking experiments revealed that thalidomide could interact with the catalytic domain of sGC, which would explain the inhibitory effects of thalidomide on NO-dependent angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Our results showed that thalidomide interacted with sGC, suppressing cGMP levels in endothelial cells, thus exerting its anti-angiogenic effects. These results could lead to the formulation of thalidomide-based drugs to curb angiogenesis by targeting sGC.