Knockout of Vasohibin-1 Gene in Mice Results in Healthy Longevity with Reduced Expression of Insulin Receptor, Insulin Receptor Substrate 1, and Insulin Receptor Substrate 2 in Their White Adipose Tissue

Extracellular vesicles enriched with an endothelial cell pro-survival microRNA affects skin tissue regeneration

Endothelial cell (EC) activity is essential for tissue regeneration in several (patho)physiological contexts. However, our capacity to deliver in vivo biomolecules capable of controlling EC fate is relatively limited. Here, we screened a library of microRNA (miR) mimics and identified 25 miRs capable of enhancing the survival of ECs exposed to ischemia-mimicking conditions. In vitro, we showed that miR-425-5p, one of the hits, was able to enhance EC survival and migration. In vivo, using a mouse Matrigel plug assay, we showed that ECs transfected with miR-425-5p displayed enhanced survival compared with scramble-transfected ECs. Mechanistically, we showed that miR-425-5p modulated the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibition of miR-425-5p target genes (DACH1, PTEN, RGS5, and VASH1) phenocopied the pro-survival. For the in vivo delivery of miR-425-5p, we modulated small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) with miR-425-5p and showed, in vitro, that miR-425-5p-modulated sEVs were (1) capable of enhancing the survival of ECs exposed to ischemia-mimic conditions, and (2) efficiently internalized by skin cells. Finally, using a streptozotocin-induced diabetic wound healing mouse model, we showed that, compared with miR-scrambled-modulated sEVs, topical administration of miR-425-5p-modulated sEVs significantly enhanced wound healing, a process mediated by enhanced vascularization and skin re-epithelialization.

Serum levels of vasohibin-1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic retinopathy

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To determine whether Vasohibin-1 which is a potential clinical biomarker is an independent risk factor in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common chronic microangiopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Vasohibin-1 (VASH-1) is an angiogenesis regulator that is closely related to pathological vascularization in DM. This study aimed to determine whether the serum levels of VASH-1 were related to the occurrence of DR in T2DM patients.

METHODS

T2DM patients were divided into three groups: the nondiabetic retinopathy (NDR) group (n = 41), the nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPRD) group (n = 40), and the proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group (n = 41). A control (CON) group consisting of 40 healthy subjects was also recruited. The serum levels of VASH-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

RESULTS

The concentration of VASH-1 in the CON groups was less significantly than that of the NDR, NPDR and PDR groups. (P < 0.05). Body mass index, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobina1c (HbA1C), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and diabetic durations were positively correlated with the serum concentration of VASH-1 (all P < 0.05). In univariate logistic regression analyses, the HbA1C, diabetic durations, HDL-c, eGFR and VASH1 were associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that duration of diabetes were significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

We have shown that VASH-1 is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. But the serum levels of VASH-1 are not independent risk factors for DR in T2DM.

Targeting angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in kidney disease

The kidney is permeated by a highly complex vascular system with glomerular and peritubular capillary networks that are essential for maintaining the normal functions of glomerular and tubular epithelial cells. The integrity of the renal vascular network depends on a balance of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, and disruption of this balance has been identified in various kidney diseases. Decreased levels of the predominant proangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), can result in glomerular microangiopathy and contribute to the onset of preeclampsia, whereas upregulation of VEGFA has roles in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Other factors that regulate angiogenesis, such as angiopoietin 1 and vasohibin 1, have been shown to be protective in animal models of DKD and renal fibrosis. The renal lymphatic system is important for fluid homeostasis in the kidney, as well as the transport of immune cells and antigens. Experimental studies suggest that the lymphangiogenic factor VEGFC might have protective effects in PKD, DKD and renal fibrosis. Understanding the physiological and pathological roles of factors that regulate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the kidney has led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for kidney diseases.

Renal tubular injury exacerbated by vasohibin-1 deficiency in a murine cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury model

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently encountered in clinical practice, particularly secondarily to cardiovascular surgery and administration of nephrotoxic agents, and is increasingly recognized for initiating a transition to chronic kidney disease. Clarifying the pathogenesis of AKI could facilitate the development of novel preventive strategies, because the occurrence of hospital-acquired AKI is often anticipated. Vasohibin-1 (VASH1) was initially identified as an antiangiogenic factor derived from endothelial cells. VASH1 expression in endothelial cells has subsequently been reported to enhance cellular stress tolerance. Considering the importance of maintaining peritubular capillaries in preventing the progression of AKI, the present study aimed to examine whether VASH1 deletion is involved in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced AKI. For this, we injected male C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) and VASH1 heterozygous knockout (VASH1^+/-) mice intraperitoneally with either 20 mg/kg cisplatin or vehicle solution. Seventy-two hours after cisplatin injection, increased serum creatinine concentrations and renal tubular injury accompanied by apoptosis and oxidative stress were more prominent in VASH1^+/- mice than in WT mice. Cisplatin-induced peritubular capillary loss was also accelerated by VASH1 deficiency. Moreover, the increased expression of ICAM-1 in the peritubular capillaries of cisplatin-treated VASH1^+/- mice was associated with a more marked infiltration of macrophages into the kidney. Taken together, VASH1 expression could have protective effects on cisplatin-induced AKI probably by maintaining the number and function of peritubular capillaries.

miR-335-5p induces insulin resistance and pancreatic islet β-cell secretion in gestational diabetes mellitus mice through VASH1-mediated TGF-β signaling pathway

Multiple studies have reported different methods in treating gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, the relationship between miR-335-5p and GDM still remains unclear. Here, this study explores the effect of miR-335-5p on insulin resistance and pancreatic islet β-cell secretion via activation of the TGFβ signaling pathway by downregulating VASH1 expression in GDM mice. The GDM mouse model was established and mainly treated with miR-335-5p mimic, miR-335-5p inhibitor, si-VASH1, and miR-335-5p inhibitor + si-VASH1. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted to detect fasting blood glucose (FBG) fasting insulin (FINS). The OGTT was also used to calculate a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). A hyperglycemic clamp was performed to measure the glucose infusion rate (GIR), which estimated β-cell function. Expressions of miR-335-5p, VASH1, TGF-β1, and c-Myc in pancreatic islet β-cells were determined by RT-qPCR, western blot analysis, and insulin release by ELISA. The miR-335-5p mimic and si-VASH1 groups showed elevated blood glucose levels, glucose area under the curve (GAUC), and HOMA-IR, but a reduced GIR and positive expression of VASH1. Overexpression of miR-335-5p and inhibition of VASH1 contributed to activated TGFβ1 pathway, higher c-Myc, and lower VASH1 expressions, in addition to downregulated insulin and insulin release levels. These findings provided evidence that miR-335-5p enhanced insulin resistance and suppressed pancreatic islet β-cell secretion by inhibiting VASH1, eventually activating the TGF-β pathway in GDM mice, which provides more clinical insight on the GDM treatment.

Double-Face of Vasohibin-1 for the Maintenance of Vascular Homeostasis and Healthy Longevity

The structural and functional integrity of endothelium is essential for the maintenance of vascular health. Vasohibin-1 (VASH1), originally isolated as an endothelium-derived angiogenesis inhibitor, has another function to promote stress tolerance of endothelial cells (ECs), and these functions are critical for the maintenance of vascular homeostasis preventing both pathological angiogenesis and stress-induced vascular diseases. The expression of VASH1 is downregulated during replicative senescence of ECs by the alteration of microRNA expression, and this age-associated downregulation of VASH1 might be a risk of deterioration of vascular homeostasis and age-related vascular diseases. Contrary to this expectation, the lack of Vash1 gene in mice exhibited healthy longevity. Thus, VASH1 has double-face for the maintenance of vascular homeostasis and healthy longevity. This feature of VASH1 and its mechanism will be described in this mini review.