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Sun F, Peers de Nieuwburgh M, Hubinont C, Debiève F, Colson A. Gene therapy in preeclampsia: the dawn of a new era. Hypertens Pregnancy 2024; 43:2358761. [PMID: 38817101 DOI: 10.1080/10641955.2024.2358761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a severe complication of pregnancy, affecting an estimated 4 million women annually. It is one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal mortality worldwide, and it has life-long consequences. The maternal multisystemic symptoms are driven by poor placentation, which causes syncytiotrophoblastic stress and the release of factors into the maternal bloodstream. Amongst them, the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) triggers extensive endothelial dysfunction by acting as a decoy receptor for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the placental growth factor (PGF). Current interventions aim to mitigate hypertension and seizures, but the only definite treatment remains induced delivery. Thus, there is a pressing need for novel therapies to remedy this situation. Notably, CBP-4888, a siRNA drug delivered subcutaneously to knock down sFLT1 expression in the placenta, has recently obtained Fast Track approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is undergoing a phase 1 clinical trial. Such advance highlights a growing interest and significant potential in gene therapy to manage preeclampsia. This review summarizes the advances and prospects of gene therapy in treating placental dysfunction and illustrates crucial challenges and considerations for these emerging treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengxuan Sun
- Department of Reproduction Physiopathology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maureen Peers de Nieuwburgh
- Department of Reproduction Physiopathology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Neonatology, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Corinne Hubinont
- Department of Obstetrics, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Debiève
- Department of Reproduction Physiopathology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arthur Colson
- Department of Reproduction Physiopathology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Therapeutics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Leitch IM, Gerometta M, Eichenbaum D, Finger RP, Steinle NC, Baldwin ME. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C and D Signaling Pathways as Potential Targets for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Narrative Review. Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:1857-1875. [PMID: 38824253 PMCID: PMC11178757 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-024-00973-4] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of treatments targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways have traditionally been firstly investigated in oncology and then advanced into retinal disease indications. Members of the VEGF family of endogenous ligands and their respective receptors play a central role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis during both development and physiological homeostasis. They can also play a pathogenic role in cancer and retinal diseases. Therapeutic approaches have mostly focused on targeting VEGF-A signaling; however, research has shown that VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling pathways are also important to the disease pathogenesis of tumors and retinal diseases. This review highlights the important therapeutic advances and the remaining unmet need for improved therapies targeting additional mechanisms beyond VEGF-A. Additionally, it provides an overview of alternative VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling involvement in both health and disease, highlighting their key contributions in the multifactorial pathophysiology of retinal disease including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Strategies for targeting VEGF-C/-D signaling pathways will also be reviewed, with an emphasis on agents currently being developed for the treatment of nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Leitch
- Opthea Limited, 650 Chapel Street, Level 4, Melbourne, VIC, 3141, Australia.
| | - Michael Gerometta
- Opthea Limited, 650 Chapel Street, Level 4, Melbourne, VIC, 3141, Australia
| | - David Eichenbaum
- Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, 33711, USA
| | - Robert P Finger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Megan E Baldwin
- Opthea Limited, 650 Chapel Street, Level 4, Melbourne, VIC, 3141, Australia
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Malekan M, Haass NK, Rokni GR, Gholizadeh N, Ebrahimzadeh MA, Kazeminejad A. VEGF/VEGFR axis and its signaling in melanoma: Current knowledge toward therapeutic targeting agents and future perspectives. Life Sci 2024; 345:122563. [PMID: 38508233 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122563] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is responsible for most skin cancer-associated deaths globally. The progression of melanoma is influenced by a number of pathogenic processes. Understanding the VEGF/VEGFR axis, which includes VEGF-A, PlGF, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D and their receptors, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, is of great importance in melanoma due to its crucial role in angiogenesis. This axis generates multifactorial and complex cellular signaling, engaging the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, PKC, PLC-γ, and FAK signaling pathways. Melanoma cell growth and proliferation, migration and metastasis, survival, and acquired resistance to therapy are influenced by this axis. The VEGF/VEGFR axis was extensively examined for their potential as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in melanoma patients and results showed that VEGF overexpression can be associated with unfavorable prognosis, higher level of tumor invasion and poor response to therapy. MicroRNAs linking to the VEGF/VEGFR axis were identified and, in this review, divided into two categories according to their functions, some of them promote melanoma angiogenesis (promotive group) and some restrict melanoma angiogenesis (protective group). In addition, the approach of treating melanoma by targeting the VEGF/VEGFR axis has garnered significant interest among researchers. These agents can be divided into two main groups: anti-VEGF and VEGFR inhibitors. These therapeutic options may be a prominent step along with the modern targeting and immune therapies for better coverage of pathological processes leading to melanoma progression and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Malekan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | | | - Ghasem Rahmatpour Rokni
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nasim Gholizadeh
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Armaghan Kazeminejad
- Department of Dermatology, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences,Sari, Iran
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4
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Kim DY, Ko E, Ryu YH, Lee SJ, Jun YJ. Hyaluronic Acid Based Adipose Tissue-Derived Extracellular Matrix Scaffold in Wound Healing: Histological and Immunohistochemical Study. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2024:10.1007/s13770-024-00644-2. [PMID: 38647955 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-024-00644-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this study, we explored the potential of human adipose tissue-derived extracellular matrix (adECM) sheets augmented with crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) as advanced wound dressings. We aimed to enhance healing efficacy while optimizing cost efficiency. METHODS The adECM was processed from healthy donor tissue and combined with crosslinked HA to form ECM-HA sheets (Scaffiller, Medikan, Korea). In vitro experiments involved seeding adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) onto these sheets and assessing cell survival and cytokine production. In vivo testing utilized a rat wound model, comparing ECM-HA sheet with HA-based dressing and polyurethane foam dressing. Re-epithelialization and collagen deposition were examined through histopathological examinations, whereas immunohistochemistry was used to assess CD31, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Tenascin C expression as contributing factors to wound healing. RESULTS Results indicated that ECM-HA sheets were produced efficiently, with enhanced growth factor production and ASC survival observed in vitro. In vivo, ECM-HA sheets demonstrated accelerated wound healing, evidenced by improved epithelialization, thicker dermis, increased collagen deposition, and enhanced vascularity. Notably, they exhibited reduced myofibroblast activity and increased expression of Tenascin C, suggesting a favorable healing environment. CONCLUSION ECM-HA sheets offer a promising approach for wound management, combining the benefits of adECM and HA. They present improved stability and cost-effectiveness while promoting essential aspects of wound healing such as angiogenesis and collagen formation. This study underscores the therapeutic potential of ECM-HA sheets in clinical applications aimed at facilitating wound repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yeon Kim
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjeong Ko
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Hee Ryu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Jin Lee
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joon Jun
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea.
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Tang X, Cui K, Wu P, Hu A, Fan M, Lu X, Yang F, Lin J, Yu S, Xu Y, Liang X. Acrizanib as a Novel Therapeutic Agent for Fundus Neovascularization via Inhibitory Phosphorylation of VEGFR2. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:1. [PMID: 38165719 PMCID: PMC10768700 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.1.1] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of acrizanib, a small molecule inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), on physiological angiogenesis and pathological neovascularization in the eye and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We investigated the potential role of acrizanib in physiological angiogenesis using C57BL/6J newborn mice, and pathological angiogenesis using the mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) models. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used as an in vitro model for studying the molecular mechanism underlying acrizanib's antiangiogenic effects. Results The intravitreal injection of acrizanib did not show a considerable impact on physiological angiogenesis and retinal thickness, indicating a potentially favorable safety profile. In the mouse models of OIR and CNV, acrizanib showed promising results in reducing pathological neovascularization, inflammation, and vascular leakage, indicating its potential efficacy against pathological angiogenesis. Consistent with in vivo results, acrizanib blunted angiogenic events in VEGF-treated HUVECs such as proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Furthermore, acrizanib inhibited the multisite phosphorylation of VEGFR2 to varying degrees and the activation of its downstream signal pathways in VEGF-treated HUVECs. Conclusions This study suggested the potential efficacy and safety of acrizanib in suppressing fundus neovascularization. Acrizanib functioned through inhibiting multiple phosphorylation sites of VEGFR2 in endothelial cells to different degrees. Translational Relevance These results indicated that acrizanib might hold promise as a potential candidate for the treatment of ocular vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kaixuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Andina Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Matthew Fan
- Yale College, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Xi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengmei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jicheng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
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Nashine S, Kenney MC. Effects of Humanin G (HNG) on angiogenesis and neurodegeneration markers in Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Mitochondrion 2024; 74:101818. [PMID: 38029849 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.11.001] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Advanced stages of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are characterized by retinal neurodegeneration and aberrant angiogenesis, and mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of AMD. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Humanin G (HNG), a cytoprotective mitochondrial-derived peptide, positively regulates cell proliferation, cell death, and the protein levels of angiogenesis and neurodegeneration markers, in normal (control) and AMD RPE transmitochondrial cybrid cell lines. These normal and AMD RPE transmitochondrial cybrid cell lines had identical nuclei derived from mitochondria-deficient ARPE-19 cell line, but differed in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content that was derived from clinically characterized AMD patients and normal (control) subjects. Cell lysates were extracted from untreated and HNG-treated AMD and normal (control) cybrid cell lines, and the Luminex XMAP multiplex assay was used to examine the protein levels of angiogenesis and neurodegeneration markers. Humanin G reduced Caspase-3/7-mediated apoptosis, improved cell proliferation, and normalized the protein levels of angiogenesis and neurodegeneration markers in AMD RPE cybrid cell lines, thereby suggesting Humanin G's positive regulatory role in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Nashine
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - M Cristina Kenney
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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Jorgensen R, Gao H, Arul Arasan TS, Van Antwerp C, Sundar V, Ng PKW, Gangur V. Is Wheat Glutenin Extract Intrinsically Allergenic? Evaluation Using a Novel Adjuvant-Free Mouse Model of Systemic Anaphylaxis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17247. [PMID: 38139075 PMCID: PMC10743909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417247] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Wheat is a prominent allergenic food that can trigger life-threatening anaphylaxis. Presently, it remains unclear whether wheat glutenin (WG) extract possesses inherent sensitization potential independently, without the use of adjuvants, and whether it can sensitize mice to the extent of inducing life-threatening systemic anaphylaxis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that repeated skin exposures to WG extract without adjuvant will sensitize mice with the resultant anaphylactic reaction upon systemic WG challenge. Balb/c mice were bred and maintained on a strict plant protein-free diet and were repeatedly exposed to a WG extract or vehicle once a week for 9 weeks. WG-specific (s)IgE and total (t)IgE levels were quantified. Mice were challenged with WG extract to induce anaphylactic reactions as measured by hypothermic shock response (HSR) and mucosal mast cell degranulation response (MMCR). We also conducted proteomic analysis of 120 spleen immune markers. These skin-sensitized mice exhibited exposure-dependent IgE responses and near-fatal anaphylaxis upon challenge. Proteomic analysis identified seven dramatically elevated immune biomarkers in anaphylactic mice. These data reveal that WG is intrinsically allergenic, and that chronic skin exposure to WG extract can prime the mice for potentially fatal anaphylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick Jorgensen
- Food Allergy and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; (R.J.); (H.G.); (T.S.A.A.); (C.V.A.); (V.S.)
| | - Haoran Gao
- Food Allergy and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; (R.J.); (H.G.); (T.S.A.A.); (C.V.A.); (V.S.)
| | - Tamil Selvan Arul Arasan
- Food Allergy and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; (R.J.); (H.G.); (T.S.A.A.); (C.V.A.); (V.S.)
| | - Chris Van Antwerp
- Food Allergy and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; (R.J.); (H.G.); (T.S.A.A.); (C.V.A.); (V.S.)
| | - Vaisheswini Sundar
- Food Allergy and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; (R.J.); (H.G.); (T.S.A.A.); (C.V.A.); (V.S.)
| | - Perry K. W. Ng
- Cereal Science Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA;
| | - Venu Gangur
- Food Allergy and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; (R.J.); (H.G.); (T.S.A.A.); (C.V.A.); (V.S.)
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Leikas AJ, Ylä-Herttuala S, Hartikainen JEK. Adenoviral Gene Therapy Vectors in Clinical Use-Basic Aspects with a Special Reference to Replication-Competent Adenovirus Formation and Its Impact on Clinical Safety. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16519. [PMID: 38003709 PMCID: PMC10671366 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216519] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenoviral vectors are commonly used in clinical gene therapy. Apart from oncolytic adenoviruses, vector replication is highly undesired as it may pose a safety risk for the treated patient. Thus, careful monitoring for the formation of replication-competent adenoviruses (RCA) during vector manufacturing is required. To render adenoviruses replication deficient, their genomic E1 region is deleted. However, it has been known for a long time that during their propagation, some viruses will regain their replication capability by recombination in production cells, most commonly HEK293. Recently developed RCA assays have revealed that many clinical batches contain more RCA than previously assumed and allowed by regulatory authorities. The clinical significance of the higher RCA content has yet to be thoroughly evaluated. In this review, we summarize the biology of adenovirus vectors, their manufacturing methods, and the origins of RCA formed during HEK293-based vector production. Lastly, we share our experience using minimally RCA-positive serotype 5 adenoviral vectors based on observations from our clinical cardiovascular gene therapy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksi J. Leikas
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland; (S.Y.-H.); (J.E.K.H.)
- Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland; (S.Y.-H.); (J.E.K.H.)
- Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha E. K. Hartikainen
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland; (S.Y.-H.); (J.E.K.H.)
- Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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Bokhari SMZ, Hamar P. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-D (VEGF-D): An Angiogenesis Bypass in Malignant Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13317. [PMID: 37686121 PMCID: PMC10487419 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are the key regulators of vasculogenesis in normal and oncological development. VEGF-A is the most studied angiogenic factor secreted by malignant tumor cells under hypoxic and inflammatory stress, which made VEGF-A a rational target for anticancer therapy. However, inhibition of VEGF-A by monoclonal antibody drugs led to the upregulation of VEGF-D. VEGF-D was primarily described as a lymphangiogenic factor; however, VEGF-D's blood angiogenic potential comparable to VEGF-A has already been demonstrated in glioblastoma and colorectal carcinoma. These findings suggested a role for VEGF-D in facilitating malignant tumor growth by bypassing the anti-VEGF-A antiangiogenic therapy. Owing to its high mitogenic ability, higher affinity for VEGFR-2, and higher expression in cancer, VEGF-D might even be a stronger angiogenic driver and, hence, a better therapeutic target than VEGF-A. In this review, we summarized the angiogenic role of VEGF-D in blood vasculogenesis and its targetability as an antiangiogenic therapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Hamar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary;
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10
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Davidsson P, Eketjäll S, Eriksson N, Walentinsson A, Becker RC, Cavallin A, Bogstedt A, Collén A, Held C, James S, Siegbahn A, Stewart R, Storey RF, White H, Wallentin L. Vascular endothelial growth factor-D plasma levels and VEGFD genetic variants are independently associated with outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:1596-1605. [PMID: 36869765 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family is involved in pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cardiovascular (CV) diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between circulating VEGF ligands and/or soluble receptors and CV outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). METHODS AND RESULTS Levels of VEGF biomarkers, including bFGF, Flt-1, KDR (VEGFR2), PlGF, Tie-2, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D, were measured in the PLATO ACS cohort (n = 2091, discovery cohort). Subsequently, VEGF-D was also measured in the STABILITY CCS cohort (n = 4015, confirmation cohort) to verify associations with CV outcomes. Associations between plasma VEGF-D and outcomes were analysed by multiple Cox regression models with hazard ratios (HR [95% CI]) comparing the upper vs. the lower quartile of VEGF-D. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) of VEGF-D in PLATO identified SNPs that were used as genetic instruments in Mendelian randomization (MR) meta-analyses vs. clinical endpoints. GWAS and MR were performed in patients with ACS from PLATO (n = 10 013) and FRISC-II (n = 2952), and with CCS from the STABILITY trial (n = 10 786). VEGF-D, KDR, Flt-1, and PlGF showed significant association with CV outcomes. VEGF-D was most strongly associated with CV death (P = 3.73e-05, HR 1.892 [1.419, 2.522]). Genome-wide significant associations with VEGF-D levels were identified at the VEGFD locus on chromosome Xp22. MR analyses of the combined top ranked SNPs (GWAS P-values; rs192812042, P = 5.82e-20; rs234500, P = 1.97e-14) demonstrated a significant effect on CV mortality [P = 0.0257, HR 1.81 (1.07, 3.04) per increase of one unit in log VEGF-D]. CONCLUSION This is the first large-scale cohort study to demonstrate that both VEGF-D plasma levels and VEGFD genetic variants are independently associated with CV outcomes in patients with ACS and CCS. Measurements of VEGF-D levels and/or VEGFD genetic variants may provide incremental prognostic information in patients with ACS and CCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Davidsson
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Susanna Eketjäll
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Niclas Eriksson
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Walentinsson
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Richard C Becker
- Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way ML 0542, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Anders Cavallin
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Anna Bogstedt
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Anna Collén
- Projects, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Claes Held
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefan James
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Agneta Siegbahn
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ralph Stewart
- Green Lane Cardiovascular Service, Auckland City Hospital, 2 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Robert F Storey
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Harvey White
- Green Lane Cardiovascular Service, Auckland City Hospital, 2 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Lars Wallentin
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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11
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Suarez AC, Hammel JH, Munson JM. Modeling lymphangiogenesis: Pairing in vitro and in vivo metrics. Microcirculation 2023; 30:e12802. [PMID: 36760223 PMCID: PMC10121924 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Lymphangiogenesis is the mechanism by which the lymphatic system develops and expands new vessels facilitating fluid drainage and immune cell trafficking. Models to study lymphangiogenesis are necessary for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and to identify or test new therapeutic agents that target lymphangiogenesis. Across the lymphatic literature, multiple models have been developed to study lymphangiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, lymphangiogenesis can be modeled with varying complexity, from monolayers to hydrogels to explants, with common metrics for characterizing proliferation, migration, and sprouting of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and vessels. In comparison, in vivo models of lymphangiogenesis often use genetically modified zebrafish and mice, with in situ mouse models in the ear, cornea, hind leg, and tail. In vivo metrics, such as activation of LECs, number of new lymphatic vessels, and sprouting, mirror those most used in vitro, with the addition of lymphatic vessel hyperplasia and drainage. The impacts of lymphangiogenesis vary by context of tissue and pathology. Therapeutic targeting of lymphangiogenesis can have paradoxical effects depending on the pathology including lymphedema, cancer, organ transplant, and inflammation. In this review, we describe and compare lymphangiogenic outcomes and metrics between in vitro and in vivo studies, specifically reviewing only those publications in which both testing formats are used. We find that in vitro studies correlate well with in vivo in wound healing and development, but not in the reproductive tract or the complex tumor microenvironment. Considerations for improving in vitro models are to increase complexity with perfusable microfluidic devices, co-cultures with tissue-specific support cells, the inclusion of fluid flow, and pairing in vitro models of differing complexities. We believe that these changes would strengthen the correlation between in vitro and in vivo outcomes, giving more insight into lymphangiogenesis in healthy and pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen C. Suarez
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Jennifer H. Hammel
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Jennifer M. Munson
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
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12
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Gu L, Wang Z, Gu H, Wang H, Liu L, Zhang WB. Atf4 regulates angiogenic differences between alveolar bone and long bone macrophages by regulating M1 polarization, based on single-cell RNA sequencing, RNA-seq and ATAC-seq analysis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:193. [PMID: 36918894 PMCID: PMC10012539 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04046-1] [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: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In the repair of maxillofacial bone defects, autogenous craniofacial bone can often provide superior clinical results over long bone grafts. Most current studies have focused on the osteogenic differences between alveolar bone marrow (ABM) and long bone marrow (LBM), however, studies about the angiogenic differences between the two are currently lacking. We downloaded single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of mouse ABM and LBM respectively from the public database, and the data were processed by using Seurat package. CellphoneDB2 results showed that macrophages had the strongest interaction with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and endothelial cells (ECs). ELISA results confirmed that ABM macrophages secreted a higher level of vascular endothelial growth factor A (Vegfa) compared to LBM macrophages, which further promoted angiogenesis of ECs and MSCs. Using SCENIC package, six key transcription factors (TFs) were identified to regulate the difference between ABM and LBM macrophages, and activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4) was confirmed to be more expressed in ABM macrophages by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot (WB), with predicted target genes including Vegfa. Besides, the result of scRNA-seq implied ABM macrophages more in M1 status than LBM macrophages, which was confirmed by the following experiments. From the results of another assay for transposase accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA-seq about M1 macrophages, Atf4 was also confirmed to regulate the M1 polarization. So, we suspected that Atf4 regulated the different expression of Vegfa between ABM and LBM macrophages by activating M1 polarization. After knocking down Atf4, the expression of M1 polarization markers and Vegfa were downregulated and vasculogenic differences were eliminated, which were subsequently reversed by the addition of LPS/IFN-γ. Our study might provide a new idea to improve the success rate of autologous bone grafting and treatment of oral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanxin Gu
- Department of Orthodontics, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zhongyuan Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Hong Gu
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Orthodontics, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Luwei Liu
- Department of Orthodontics, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Wei-Bing Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
- Department of Stomatology, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
- Department of Stomatology, Suzhou Dushu Lake Hospital, Suzhou, China.
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13
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Romeo FJ, Mavropoulos SA, Ishikawa K. Progress in Clinical Gene Therapy for Cardiac Disorders. Mol Diagn Ther 2023; 27:179-191. [PMID: 36641770 PMCID: PMC10023344 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-022-00632-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in novel treatments and approaches, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally. Gene therapy is a promising option for many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. In the last 30 years, gene therapy has slowly proceeded towards clinical translation and recently reached US Food and Drug Administration approval for several diseases such as Leber congenital amaurosis and spinal muscular atrophy, among others. Previous attempts at developing gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases have yielded promising results in preclinical studies and early-phase clinical trials. However, larger trials failed to demonstrate consistent benefits in patients with ischemic heart disease and heart failure. In this review, we summarize the history and current status of clinical cardiac gene therapy. Starting with angiogenic gene therapy, we also cover more recent gene therapy trials for heart failure and cardiomyopathies. New programs are actively vying to be the first to get Food and Drug Administration approval for a cardiac gene therapy product by taking advantage of novel techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Romeo
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1014, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Spyros A Mavropoulos
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1014, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Kiyotake Ishikawa
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1014, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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14
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Fang B, Wang X, Sun Y, Xiong X, Meng X, Li W, Yi Z. Hypoxia-induced CCL2/CCR2 axis in adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) promotes angiogenesis by human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) in flap tissues. J Physiol Biochem 2023:10.1007/s13105-023-00944-6. [PMID: 36786974 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-023-00944-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Flap expansion has become an important method widely used in wound repair and organ reconstruction. However, distal skin flap ischemic necrosis remains a problematic complication. In this study, integrative bioinformatics analyses indicated the upregulation of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) in reperfusion-exposed skin flap tissues. In adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs, CD90-positive, CD29-positive, CD34-negative, and CD106-negative) exposed to hypoxia, HIF-1α and CCL2 levels were significantly elevated. Conditioned medium (CM) from hypoxia-stimulated ADSCs promoted HDMEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation, partially inhibited by sh-CCL2-induced CCL2 knockdown or neutralized antibody-induced CCL2 depletion in ADSCs. Consistently, CCL2, CCR2, TNF-α, TLR2, and TLR4 protein levels in HDMECs were significantly increased by hypoxia-treated ADSCs CM, and partially decreased by sh-CCL2-induced CCL2 knockdown or neutralizing antibody-induced CCL2 knockdown in ADSCs. In the flap expansion model, ADSCs transplantation significantly improved flap survival and angiogenesis by endothelial cells in flap tissues, whereas CCL2 knockdown in ADSCs partially eliminated the improvement by ADSCs transplantation; overexpression of CCL2 in ADSCs further promoted the effects of ADSCs transplantation on skin flap. In conclusion, the CCL2/CCR2 axis in ADSCs could be induced by hypoxia, promoting HDMEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation and improving flap survival and angiogenesis in flap tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bairong Fang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xiancheng Wang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
| | - Xiang Xiong
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xianxi Meng
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Wenbo Li
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Zhongjie Yi
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
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15
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Changes in Serum Growth Factors during Resistance to Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Treatment in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030593. [PMID: 36765554 PMCID: PMC9913372 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The possible mechanisms of resistance to atezolizumab/bevacizumab for unresectable HCC, and the subsequent response to these therapies, remain underexplored. The sequential changes in serum growth factors, including VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, ANG-2, FGF-19, HGF, and EGF during atezolizumab/bevacizumab for unresectable HCC were evaluated in 46 patients. Patients who experienced PD after CR, PR, or SD to atezolizumab/bevacizumab were evaluated. A total of 4, 9, 19, and 14 patients showed CR, PR, SD, and PD, respectively. Of 32 patients with disease control, 28 experienced PD after CR, PR, or SD with atezolizumab/bevacizumab. Baseline growth factor levels were similar between patients with or without disease control and those with or without an objective response. Growth factor changes between the baseline and the best overall response points (BOR) for patients with disease control showed that FGF-19 significantly increased and ANG2 significantly decreased at the BOR. Growth factor changes between the BOR and the PD point in 28 patients who experienced PD after disease control showed that VEGF-D and ANG2 significantly increased at the PD point compared with that at the BOR. Summarily, increased serum VEGF-D and ANG-2 levels might contribute to developing resistance to atezolizumab/bevacizumab for unresectable HCC and might be target molecules in subsequent salvage therapies.
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16
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Pajula J, Lähteenvuo J, Lähteenvuo M, Honkonen K, Halonen P, Hätinen OP, Kuivanen A, Heikkilä M, Nurro J, Hartikainen J, Ylä-Herttuala S. Adenoviral VEGF-D ΔN ΔC gene therapy for myocardial ischemia. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:999226. [PMID: 36619378 PMCID: PMC9817830 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.999226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. In spite of the availability of improved treatments, there is still a large group of chronic ischemia patients who suffer from significant symptoms and disability. Thus, there is a clear need to develop new treatment strategies for these patients. Therapeutic angiogenesis is a novel therapy method which has shown promising results in preclinical studies. In this study, we evaluated safety and efficacy of adenoviral (Ad) VEGF-DΔNΔC gene transfer for the treatment of myocardial ischemia in a pig model. Methods: Adenoviral VEGF-DΔNΔC gene transfer was given to pigs (n = 26) via intramyocardial injections using an electromechanical injection catheter. Angiogenic effects were evaluated in an acute myocardial infarction model (n = 18) and functionality of the lymphatic vessels were tested in healthy porcine myocardium (n = 8). AdLacZ was used as a control. Results: AdVEGF-DΔNΔC induced safe and effective myocardial angiogenesis by inducing a four-fold increase in mean capillary area at the edge of the myocardial infarct six days after the gene transfer relative to the control AdLacZ group. The effect was sustained over 21 days after the gene transfer, and there were no signs of vessels regression. AdVEGF-DΔNΔC also increased perfusion 3.4-fold near the infarct border zone relative to the control as measured by fluorescent microspheres. Ejection fraction was 8.7% higher in the AdVEGF-DΔNΔC treated group 21 days after the gene transfer relative to the AdLacZ control group. Modified Miles assay detected a transient increase in plasma protein extravasation after the AdVEGF-DΔNΔC treatment and a mild accumulation of pericardial effusate was observed at d6. However, AdVEGF-DΔNΔC also induced the growth of functional lymphatic vasculature, and the amount of pericardial fluid and level of vascular permeability had returned to normal by d21. Conclusion: Endovascular intramyocardial AdVEGF-DΔNΔC gene therapy proved to be safe and effective in the acute porcine myocardial infarction model and provides a new potential treatment option for patients with severe coronary heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juho Pajula
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Markku Lähteenvuo
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Krista Honkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Paavo Halonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Antti Kuivanen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Minja Heikkilä
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jussi Nurro
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha Hartikainen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland,Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland,Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland,*Correspondence: Seppo Ylä-Herttuala,
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17
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Engelbrecht E, Kooistra T, Knipe RS. The Vasculature in Pulmonary Fibrosis. CURRENT TISSUE MICROENVIRONMENT REPORTS 2022; 3:83-97. [PMID: 36712832 PMCID: PMC9881604 DOI: 10.1007/s43152-022-00040-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The current paradigm of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) pathogenesis involves recurrent injury to a sensitive alveolar epithelium followed by impaired repair responses marked by fibroblast activation and deposition of extracellular matrix. Multiple cell types are involved in this response with potential roles suggested by advances in single-cell RNA sequencing and lung developmental biology. Notably, recent work has better characterized the cell types present in the pulmonary endothelium and identified vascular changes in patients with IPF. Recent Findings Lung tissue from patients with IPF has been examined at single-cell resolution, revealing reductions in lung capillary cells and expansion of a population of vascular cells expressing markers associated with bronchial endothelium. In addition, pre-clinical models have demonstrated a fundamental role for aging and vascular permeability in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Summary Mounting evidence suggests that the endothelium undergoes changes in the context of fibrosis, and these changes may contribute to the development and/or progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Additional studies will be needed to further define the functional role of these vascular changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tristan Kooistra
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Rachel S. Knipe
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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18
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Poojari A, Dev K, Rabiee A. Lipedema: Insights into Morphology, Pathophysiology, and Challenges. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123081. [PMID: 36551837 PMCID: PMC9775665 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipedema is an adipofascial disorder that almost exclusively affects women. Lipedema leads to chronic pain, swelling, and other discomforts due to the bilateral and asymmetrical expansion of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Although various distinctive morphological characteristics, such as the hyperproliferation of fat cells, fibrosis, and inflammation, have been characterized in the progression of lipedema, the mechanisms underlying these changes have not yet been fully investigated. In addition, it is challenging to reduce the excessive fat in lipedema patients using conventional weight-loss techniques, such as lifestyle (diet and exercise) changes, bariatric surgery, and pharmacological interventions. Therefore, lipedema patients also go through additional psychosocial distress in the absence of permanent treatment. Research to understand the pathology of lipedema is still in its infancy, but promising markers derived from exosome, cytokine, lipidomic, and metabolomic profiling studies suggest a condition distinct from obesity and lymphedema. Although genetics seems to be a substantial cause of lipedema, due to the small number of patients involved in such studies, the extrapolation of data at a broader scale is challenging. With the current lack of etiology-guided treatments for lipedema, the discovery of new promising biomarkers could provide potential solutions to combat this complex disease. This review aims to address the morphological phenotype of lipedema fat, as well as its unclear pathophysiology, with a primary emphasis on excessive interstitial fluid, extracellular matrix remodeling, and lymphatic and vasculature dysfunction. The potential mechanisms, genetic implications, and proposed biomarkers for lipedema are further discussed in detail. Finally, we mention the challenges related to lipedema and emphasize the prospects of technological interventions to benefit the lipedema community in the future.
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Thanaskody K, Jusop AS, Tye GJ, Wan Kamarul Zaman WS, Dass SA, Nordin F. MSCs vs. iPSCs: Potential in therapeutic applications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1005926. [PMID: 36407112 PMCID: PMC9666898 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1005926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 2 decades, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted a lot of interest as a unique therapeutic approach for a variety of diseases. MSCs are capable of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation capacity, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties allowing it to play a role in regenerative medicine. Furthermore, MSCs are low in tumorigenicity and immune privileged, which permits the use of allogeneic MSCs for therapies that eliminate the need to collect MSCs directly from patients. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be generated from adult cells through gene reprogramming with ectopic expression of specific pluripotency factors. Advancement in iPS technology avoids the destruction of embryos to make pluripotent cells, making it free of ethical concerns. iPSCs can self-renew and develop into a plethora of specialized cells making it a useful resource for regenerative medicine as they may be created from any human source. MSCs have also been used to treat individuals infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. MSCs have undergone more clinical trials than iPSCs due to high tumorigenicity, which can trigger oncogenic transformation. In this review, we discussed the overview of mesenchymal stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. We briefly present therapeutic approaches and COVID-19-related diseases using MSCs and iPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalaiselvaan Thanaskody
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Amirah Syamimi Jusop
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Gee Jun Tye
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
| | - Wan Safwani Wan Kamarul Zaman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sylvia Annabel Dass
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
| | - Fazlina Nordin
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,*Correspondence: Fazlina Nordin,
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20
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Suppression of VEGFD expression by S-nitrosylation promotes the development of lung adenocarcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:239. [PMID: 35941690 PMCID: PMC9358865 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02453-8] [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: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGFD), a member of the VEGF family, is implicated in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, and is deemed to be expressed at a low level in cancers. S-nitrosylation, a NO (nitric oxide)-mediated post-translational modification has a critical role in angiogenesis. Here, we attempt to dissect the role and underlying mechanism of S-nitrosylation-mediated VEGFD suppression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods Messenger RNA and protein expression of VEGFD in LUAD were analyzed by TCGA and CPTAC database, respectively, and Assistant for Clinical Bioinformatics was performed for complex analysis. Mouse models with urethane (Ure)–induced LUAD or LUAD xenograft were established to investigate the role of S-nitrosylation in VEGFD expression and of VEGFD mutants in the oncogenesis of LUAD. Molecular, cellular, and biochemical approaches were applied to explore the underlying mechanism of S-nitrosylation-mediated VEGFD suppression. Tube formation and wound healing assays were used to examine the role of VEGFD on the angiogenesis and migration of LUAD cells, and the molecular modeling was applied to predict the protein stability of VEGFD mutant. Results VEGFD mRNA and protein levels were decreased to a different extent in multiple primary malignancies, especially in LUAD. Low VEGFD protein expression was closely related to the oncogenesis of LUAD and resultant from excessive NO-induced VEGFD S-nitrosylation at Cys277. Moreover, inhibition of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase consistently decreased the VEGFD denitrosylation at Cys277 and consequently promoted angiogenesis of LUAD. Finally, the VEGFDC277S mutant decreased the secretion of mature VEGFD by attenuating the PC7-dependent proteolysis and VEGFDC277S mutant thus reversed the effect of VEGFD on angiogenesis of LUAD. Conclusion Low-expression of VEGFD positively correlates with LUAD development. Aberrant S-nitrosylation of VEGFD negates itself to induce the tumorigenesis of LUAD, whereas normal S-nitrosylation of VEGFD is indispensable for its secretion and repression of angiogenesis of LUAD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02453-8.
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Solorzano E, Alejo AL, Ball HC, Magoline J, Khalil Y, Kelly M, Safadi FF. Osteopathy in Complex Lymphatic Anomalies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158258. [PMID: 35897834 PMCID: PMC9332568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex Lymphatic Anomalies (CLA) are lymphatic malformations with idiopathic bone and soft tissue involvement. The extent of the abnormal lymphatic presentation and boney invasion varies between subtypes of CLA. The etiology of these diseases has proven to be extremely elusive due to their rarity and irregular progression. In this review, we compiled literature on each of the four primary CLA subtypes and discuss their clinical presentation, lymphatic invasion, osseous profile, and regulatory pathways associated with abnormal bone loss caused by the lymphatic invasion. We highlight key proliferation and differentiation pathways shared between lymphatics and bone and how these systems may interact with each other to stimulate lymphangiogenesis and cause bone loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Solorzano
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (E.S.); (A.L.A.); (H.C.B.); (J.M.); (Y.K.); (M.K.)
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
| | - Andrew L. Alejo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (E.S.); (A.L.A.); (H.C.B.); (J.M.); (Y.K.); (M.K.)
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
| | - Hope C. Ball
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (E.S.); (A.L.A.); (H.C.B.); (J.M.); (Y.K.); (M.K.)
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
| | - Joseph Magoline
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (E.S.); (A.L.A.); (H.C.B.); (J.M.); (Y.K.); (M.K.)
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
| | - Yusuf Khalil
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (E.S.); (A.L.A.); (H.C.B.); (J.M.); (Y.K.); (M.K.)
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
| | - Michael Kelly
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (E.S.); (A.L.A.); (H.C.B.); (J.M.); (Y.K.); (M.K.)
- Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Blood, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Fayez F. Safadi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (E.S.); (A.L.A.); (H.C.B.); (J.M.); (Y.K.); (M.K.)
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, OH 44308, USA
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44243, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-330-325-6619
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22
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Leikas AJ, Hassinen I, Kivelä A, Hedman A, Mussalo H, Ylä-Herttuala S, Hartikainen JEK. Intramyocardial adenoviral vascular endothelial growth factor-D ∆N∆C gene therapy does not induce ventricular arrhythmias. J Gene Med 2022; 24:e3437. [PMID: 35750637 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3437] [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: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phase I KAT301 trial investigated the use of intramyocardial adenoviral vascular endothelial growth factor -DΔNΔC (AdVEGF-D) gene therapy (GT) to alleviate symptoms in refractory angina (RA) patients. In KAT301, 30 patients with RA were randomized to AdVEGF-D or control group in 4:1 ratio. The treatment was found feasible, increased myocardial perfusion, and reduced angina symptoms at 1-year follow-up. However, there is some evidence suggesting that intramyocardial delivery route and overexpression of VEGFs might induce ventricular arrhythmias. Thus, we investigated whether intramyocardial AdVEGF-D GT increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias in patients treated for RA. METHODS We analyzed non-invasive risk predictors of ventricular arrhythmias from 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) as well as heart rate variability (HRV) and the incidence of arrhythmias from 24 h ambulatory ECG at baseline and 3 and 12 months after the GT. In addition, we analyzed the incidence of new-onset arrhythmias and pacemaker implantations during 8.2-year (range 6.3 - 10.4 years) follow-up. RESULTS We found no significant increase in arrhythmias, including supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats, atrial fibrillation, non-sustained ventricular tachycardias, and life-threatening tachycardias, nor changes in the non-invasive risk predictors of ventricular arrhythmias in the AdVEGF-D treated patients. Instead, we found a significant improvement in the very low and high-frequency bands of HRV suggestive of improved cardiac autonomic regulation after GT. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our results suggest that AdVEGF-D GT does not predispose to arrhythmias and might improve HRV metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksi J Leikas
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Iiro Hassinen
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Mikkeli Central Hospital, Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Antti Kivelä
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Antti Hedman
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna Mussalo
- Center of Diagnostic Imaging, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha E K Hartikainen
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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23
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Akbarian M, Bertassoni LE, Tayebi L. Biological aspects in controlling angiogenesis: current progress. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:349. [PMID: 35672585 PMCID: PMC10171722 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04348-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
All living beings continue their life by receiving energy and by excreting waste products. In animals, the arteries are the pathways of these transfers to the cells. Angiogenesis, the formation of the arteries by the development of pre-existed parental blood vessels, is a phenomenon that occurs naturally during puberty due to certain physiological processes such as menstruation, wound healing, or the adaptation of athletes' bodies during exercise. Nonetheless, the same life-giving process also occurs frequently in some patients and, conversely, occurs slowly in some physiological problems, such as cancer and diabetes, so inhibiting angiogenesis has been considered to be one of the important strategies to fight these diseases. Accordingly, in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, the highly controlled process of angiogenesis is very important in tissue repairing. Excessive angiogenesis can promote tumor progression and lack of enough angiogensis can hinder tissue repair. Thereby, both excessive and deficient angiogenesis can be problematic, this review article introduces and describes the types of factors involved in controlling angiogenesis. Considering all of the existing strategies, we will try to lay out the latest knowledge that deals with stimulating/inhibiting the angiogenesis. At the end of the article, owing to the early-reviewed mechanical aspects that overshadow angiogenesis, the strategies of angiogenesis in tissue engineering will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Akbarian
- Department of Chemistry, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan
| | - Luiz E Bertassoni
- Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lobat Tayebi
- Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.
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24
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Identification of Angiogenic Cargoes in Human Fibroblasts-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Induction of Wound Healing. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060702. [PMID: 35745621 PMCID: PMC9230817 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060702] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A complete redevelopment of the skin remains a challenge in the management of acute and chronic wounds. Recently, the application of extracellular vesicles (EVs) for soft tissue wound healing has received much attention. As fibroblasts are fundamental cells for soft tissues and skin, we investigate the proangiogenic factors in human normal fibroblast-derived EVs (hNF-EVs) and their effects on wound healing. Normal fibroblasts were isolated from human skin tissues and characterized by immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blotting (WB). hNF-EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and WB. The proangiogenic cargos in hNF-EVs were identified by a TaqMan assay and a protein array. Other in vitro assays, including internalization assays, cell counting kit-8 analysis, scratch wound assays, WBs, and tube formation assays were conducted to assess the effects of hNF-EVs on fibroblasts and endothelial cells. A novel scaffold-free noninvasive delivery of hNF-EVs with or without fibrin glue was applied onto full-thickness skin wounds in mice. The wound healing therapeutical effect of hNF-EVs was assessed by calculating the rate of wound closure and through histological analysis. Isolated hNF was confirmed by verifying the expression of the fibroblast markers vimentin, αSMA, Hsp70, and S100A4. Isolated hNF-EVs showed intact EVs with round morphology, enriched in CD81 and CD63, and devoid of the cell markers GM130, Calnexin, and Cytochrome C. Our TaqMan assay showed that hNF-EVs were enriched in miR130a and miR210, and protein arrays showed enriched levels of the proangiogenic proteins’ vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D and CXCL8. Next, we found that the internalization of hNF-EVs into hNF increased the proliferation and migration of hNF, in addition to increasing the expression of bFGF, MMP2, and αSMA. The internalization of hNF-EVs into the endothelial cells increased their proliferation and tube formation. A scaffold-free noninvasive delivery of hNF-EVs with or without fibrin glue accelerated the wound healing rate in full-thickness skin wounds in mice, and the treatments increased the cellular density, deposition, and maturation of collagens in the wounds. Moreover, the scaffold-free noninvasive delivery of hNF-EVs with or without fibrin glue increased the VEGF and CD31 expression in the wounds, indicating that hNF-EVs have an angiogenic ability to achieve complete skin regeneration. These findings open up for new treatment strategies to be developed for wound healing. Further, we offer a new approach to the efficient, scaffold-free noninvasive delivery of hNF-EVs to wounds.
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25
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Abstract
The development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common and has adverse prognostic implications in patients with heart failure due to left heart disease (LHD), and thus far, there are no known treatments specifically for PH-LHD, also known as group 2 PH. Diagnostic thresholds for PH-LHD, and clinical classification of PH-LHD phenotypes, continue to evolve and, therefore, present a challenge for basic and translational scientists actively investigating PH-LHD in the preclinical setting. Furthermore, the pathobiology of PH-LHD is not well understood, although pulmonary vascular remodeling is thought to result from (1) increased wall stress due to increased left atrial pressures; (2) hemodynamic congestion-induced decreased shear stress in the pulmonary vascular bed; (3) comorbidity-induced endothelial dysfunction with direct injury to the pulmonary microvasculature; and (4) superimposed pulmonary arterial hypertension risk factors. To ultimately be able to modify disease, either by prevention or treatment, a better understanding of the various drivers of PH-LHD, including endothelial dysfunction, abnormalities in vascular tone, platelet aggregation, inflammation, adipocytokines, and systemic complications (including splanchnic congestion and lymphatic dysfunction) must be further investigated. Here, we review the diagnostic criteria and various hemodynamic phenotypes of PH-LHD, the potential biological mechanisms underlying this disorder, and pressing questions yet to be answered about the pathobiology of PH-LHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica H Huston
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA (J.H.H.)
| | - Sanjiv J Shah
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (S.J.S.)
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26
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D'Alessandro R, Refolo MG, Schirizzi A, De Leonardis G, Donghia R, Guerra V, Giannelli G, Lolli IR, Laterza MM, De Vita F, Messa C, Lotesoriere C. Variations in Circulating Levels of Angiopoietin-2 Over Time Are Predictive of Ramucirumab-Paclitaxel Therapy Outcome in Advanced Gastric Cancer: Results of Prospective Study. Front Oncol 2022; 12:862116. [PMID: 35463372 PMCID: PMC9019360 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.862116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of paclitaxel and ramucirumab is the second-line therapy of choice in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. To date, no biomarkers are available in gastric cancer to predict the outcome of antiangiogenic therapy. The present prospective study included 35 patients undergoing second-line therapy with ramucirumab and paclitaxel. Serum samples were systematically collected from the beginning of therapy and at each cycle until disease progression. Multiplex analysis of a panel of angiogenic factors identified markers for which the changes at defined time intervals were significantly different in patients with progression-free survival ≤3 (Rapid Progression Group) compared to those with progression-free survival >3 (Control Disease Group). Comparative analysis revealed significantly different results in the two groups of patients for VEGFC and Angiopoietin-2, both involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. VEGFC increased in the progressive-disease group, while it decreased in the control-disease group. This decrease persisted beyond the third cycle, and it was statistically significant compared to the basal level in patients with longer progression-free survival. Angiopoietin-2 decreased significantly after 2 months of therapy. At progression time, there was a significant increase in VEGFC and Angiopoietin-2, suggesting the activation pathways counteracting the blockade of VEGFR2 by ramucirumab. Overall results showed that a greater change in VEGFC and Angiopoietin-2 levels measured at the beginning of the third cycle of therapy corresponded to a lower risk of progression and thus to longer progression-free survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba D'Alessandro
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Refolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Annalisa Schirizzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Giampiero De Leonardis
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Rossella Donghia
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Vito Guerra
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- Scientific Direction, National Institute of Gastroenterology "Saverio de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Ivan Roberto Lolli
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Laterza
- Complex Operating Unit Oncologia, Local Health Authority Napoli 2 Nord, P.O. "S.M. delle Grazie", Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando De Vita
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Messa
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Claudio Lotesoriere
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
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27
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Signaling cascades in the failing heart and emerging therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:134. [PMID: 35461308 PMCID: PMC9035186 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00972-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic heart failure is the end stage of cardiac diseases. With a high prevalence and a high mortality rate worldwide, chronic heart failure is one of the heaviest health-related burdens. In addition to the standard neurohormonal blockade therapy, several medications have been developed for chronic heart failure treatment, but the population-wide improvement in chronic heart failure prognosis over time has been modest, and novel therapies are still needed. Mechanistic discovery and technical innovation are powerful driving forces for therapeutic development. On the one hand, the past decades have witnessed great progress in understanding the mechanism of chronic heart failure. It is now known that chronic heart failure is not only a matter involving cardiomyocytes. Instead, chronic heart failure involves numerous signaling pathways in noncardiomyocytes, including fibroblasts, immune cells, vascular cells, and lymphatic endothelial cells, and crosstalk among these cells. The complex regulatory network includes protein-protein, protein-RNA, and RNA-RNA interactions. These achievements in mechanistic studies provide novel insights for future therapeutic targets. On the other hand, with the development of modern biological techniques, targeting a protein pharmacologically is no longer the sole option for treating chronic heart failure. Gene therapy can directly manipulate the expression level of genes; gene editing techniques provide hope for curing hereditary cardiomyopathy; cell therapy aims to replace dysfunctional cardiomyocytes; and xenotransplantation may solve the problem of donor heart shortages. In this paper, we reviewed these two aspects in the field of failing heart signaling cascades and emerging therapeutic strategies based on modern biological techniques.
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28
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Chen CL, Kao CC, Yang MH, Fan GY, Cherng JH, Tsao CW, Wu ST, Cha TL, Meng E. A Novel Intravesical Dextrose Injection Improves Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms on Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:755615. [PMID: 34975473 PMCID: PMC8715092 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.755615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a painful recurrent condition characterized by the discomfort of the bladder, and current treatment options have limited effectiveness. Prolotherapy is a well-known treatment that involves the injection of non-biologic solutions to reduce pain and/or promote proliferation of soft tissue, and dextrose is the most common injectate. This study investigated the effects of dextrose prolotherapy in a rat model of IC/BPS and patients with IC/BPS. We used cyclophosphamide to induce IC/BPS in rats, and intravesical instillation of 10% dextrose solution was performed. After 1 week, we conducted a urodynamic test, bladder staining, and ECM-related gene expression analysis to examine the treatment’s efficacy. We found that dextrose treatment could recover the instability of the bladder, reduce frequent urination, and improve the glycosaminoglycan layer regeneration and the bladder wall thickness along with a significant intense expression of CD44 receptors. Furthermore, we enrolled 29 IC/BPS patients with previous hyaluronic acid/Botox treatment for more than 6 months with remained unchanged condition. In this study, they received intravesical injections of 10% dextrose solution followed by assessments for up to 12 weeks. Patient characteristics and a 3-day voiding diary before treatment were recorded. Patient responses were examined using IC/BPS-related questionnaires. Moreover, expressions of growth factors and cytokines were analyzed. The results demonstrated that dextrose prolotherapy in patients with IC/BPS reduced the frequency of treatment over time, with the mean number of treatments being 3.03 ± 1.52, and significantly reduced the incidence of nocturia and questionnaire scores associated with symptoms. Dextrose prolotherapy significantly enhanced EGF level and, in contrast, reduced the level of HGF, PIGF-1, and VEGF-D after several weeks following treatment. The cytokine analysis showed that the expressions of IL-12p70 and IL-10 were significantly up-regulated after dextrose prolotherapy in IC/BPS patients. The levels of most growth factors and cytokines in IC/BPS patients had no significant difference and showed a similar tendency as time progressed when compared to healthy controls. Overall, the alteration of growth factors and cytokines exhibited safe treatment and potential stimulation of tissue remodeling. In summary, our study demonstrated that dextrose prolotherapy is a promising treatment strategy for IC/BPS disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Li Chen
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chang Kao
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsin Yang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Gang-Yi Fan
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Juin-Hong Cherng
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department and Graduate Institute of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Tsao
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Tang Wu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Lung Cha
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - En Meng
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department and Graduate Institute of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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29
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Seet LF, Yap ZL, Chu SWL, Toh LZ, Ibrahim FI, Teng X, Wong TT. Effects of Valproic Acid and Mitomycin C Combination Therapy in a Rabbit Model of Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:30. [PMID: 35044442 PMCID: PMC8787605 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.1.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of combination therapy consisting of low-dose mitomycin C (MMC) and valproic acid (VPA) against high-dose MMC for improving the scar phenotype in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Methods A rabbit model of MIGS incorporating the PreserFlo MicroShunt was treated with high (0.4 mg/mL) or low (0.1 mg/mL) doses of MMC or with combination therapy consisting of low-dose (0.1 mg/mL) MMC and VPA. Operated eyes were examined by live ocular imaging, histochemical evaluation, multiphoton quantitation of collagen characteristics, and molecular analyses. Results Although high-dose MMC obliterated the vasculature, combination therapy vastly improved the postoperative tissue morphology by maintaining the vasculature without increased vascularization. Combination therapy also altered collagen morphology and reduced encapsulation of the MicroShunt distal end, which remained at risk with MMC treatment alone. Multiphoton quantitation indicated that the combination therapy significantly reduced collagen density and fiber dimensions compared with monotherapy. At the molecular level, combination therapy significantly reduced Vegfa, Vegfc, and Vegfd expression and inhibited Col1a1 upregulation from baseline levels, all of which low-dose MMC alone was unable to achieve. Notably, COL1A1 protein levels appeared more consistently suppressed by combination therapy compared with high-dose MMC alone. Conclusions Compared with high-dose MMC, combination therapy was less toxic by sparing the vasculature and potentially more effective in reducing scarring via the regulation of collagen content and organization. Translational Relevance VPA may be combined with low-dose MMC to replace high-dose MMC to deliver safe and effective anti-scarring outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Fong Seet
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhu Li Yap
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | | | | | | | | | - Tina T Wong
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
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30
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Abstract
Adipose tissue, once thought to be an inert receptacle for energy storage, is now recognized as a complex tissue with multiple resident cell populations that actively collaborate in response to diverse local and systemic metabolic, thermal, and inflammatory signals. A key participant in adipose tissue homeostasis that has only recently captured broad scientific attention is the lymphatic vasculature. The lymphatic system's role in lipid trafficking and mediating inflammation makes it a natural partner in regulating adipose tissue, and evidence supporting a bidirectional relationship between lymphatics and adipose tissue has accumulated in recent years. Obesity is now understood to impair lymphatic function, whereas altered lymphatic function results in aberrant adipose tissue deposition, though the molecular mechanisms governing these phenomena have yet to be fully elucidated. We will review our current understanding of the relationship between adipose tissue and the lymphatic system here, focusing on known mechanisms of lymphatic-adipose crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory P Westcott
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Evan D Rosen
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Correspondence: Evan D. Rosen, MD, PhD, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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31
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Korpela H, Hätinen OP, Nieminen T, Mallick R, Toivanen P, Airaksinen J, Valli K, Hakulinen M, Poutiainen P, Nurro J, Ylä-Herttuala S. Adenoviral VEGF-B186R127S gene transfer induces angiogenesis and improves perfusion in ischemic heart. iScience 2021; 24:103533. [PMID: 34917905 PMCID: PMC8666349 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) is an interesting therapeutic candidate for coronary artery disease. However, it can also cause ventricular arrhythmias, potentially preventing its use in clinics. We cloned VEGF-B isoforms with different receptor binding profiles to clarify the roles of VEGFR-1 and Nrp-1 in angiogenesis and to see if angiogenic properties can be maintained while avoiding side effects. VEGF-B constructs were studied in vivo using adenovirus (Ad)-mediated intramyocardial gene transfers into the normoxic and ischemic porcine heart (n = 51). It was found that the unprocessed isoform VEGF-B186R127S is as efficient angiogenic growth factor as the native VEGF-B186 in normoxic and ischemic heart. In addition, AdVEGF-B186R127S increased myocardial perfusion reserve by 22% in ischemic heart without any side effects. AdVEGF-B127 (VEGFR-1 and Nrp-1 ligand) and AdVEGF-B109 (VEGFR-1 ligand) did not induce angiogenesis. Thus, VEGF-B186 is angiogenic only before its proteolytic processing to VEGF-B127. Only the VEGF-B186 C-terminal fragment was associated with arrhythmias. AdVEGF-B186R127S induces angiogenesis and improves perfusion in the ischemic heart No significant side effects were observed after AdVEGF-B186R127S therapy VEGF-B186 is angiogenic only prior to its proteolytic processing C-terminal fragment of VEGF-B186 is associated with ventricular arrhythmias
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Affiliation(s)
- Henna Korpela
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olli-Pekka Hätinen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tiina Nieminen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rahul Mallick
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pyry Toivanen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jonna Airaksinen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kaisa Valli
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | | | - Jussi Nurro
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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32
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Malone M, Radzieta M, Peters TJ, Dickson HG, Schwarzer S, Jensen SO, Lavery LA. Host-microbe metatranscriptome reveals differences between acute and chronic infections in diabetes-related foot ulcers. APMIS 2021; 130:751-762. [PMID: 34888950 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Virtually all diabetes-related foot ulcers (DRFUs) will become colonized by microorganisms that may increase the risk of developing an infection. The reasons why some ulcerations develop acute clinical infections (AI-DRFUs) whilst others develop chronic infection (CI-DRFUs) and the preceding host-microbe interactions in vivo remain largely unknown. Establishing that acute and chronic infections are distinct processes requires demonstrating that these are two different strategies employed by microbes when interacting with a host. In this study, dual-RNA seq was employed to differentiate the host-microbe metatranscriptome between DRFUs that had localized chronic infection or acute clinical infection. Comparison of the host metatranscriptome in AI-DRFUs relative to CI-DRFUs identified upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that functioned as regulators of vascular lymphatic inflammatory responses, T-cell signalling and olfactory receptors. Conversely, CI-DRFUs upregulated DEGs responsible for cellular homeostasis. Gene set enrichment analysis using Hallmark annotations revealed enrichment of immune and inflammatory profiles in CI-DRFUs relative to AI-DRFUs. Analysis of the microbial metatranscriptome identified the DEGs being enriched within AI-DRFUs relative to CI-DRFUs included several toxins, two-component systems, bacterial motility, secretion systems and genes encoding for energy metabolism. Functions relevant to DRFU pathology were further explored, including biofilm and bacterial pathogenesis. This identified that the expression of biofilm-associated genes was higher within CI-DRFUs compared to that of AI-DRFUs, with mucR being the most highly expressed gene. Collectively, these data provide insights into the host-microbe function in two clinically-distinct infective phenotypes that affect DRFUs. The data reveal that bacteria in acutely infected DRFUs prioritize motility over biofilm and demonstrate greater pathogenicity and mechanisms, which likely subvert host cellular and immune pathways to establish infection. Upregulation of genes for key vascular inflammatory mediators in acutely infected ulcers may contribute, in part, to the clinical picture of a red, hot, swollen foot, which differentiates an acutely infected ulcer from that of a chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Malone
- South West Sydney Limb Preservation and Wound Research, South Western Sydney LHD, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Radzieta
- South West Sydney Limb Preservation and Wound Research, South Western Sydney LHD, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy J Peters
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hugh G Dickson
- South West Sydney Limb Preservation and Wound Research, South Western Sydney LHD, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Saskia Schwarzer
- South West Sydney Limb Preservation and Wound Research, South Western Sydney LHD, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Slade O Jensen
- Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lawrence A Lavery
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, Dallas, TX, USA
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33
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Floriano JF, Emanueli C, Vega S, Barbosa AMP, Oliveira RGD, Floriano EAF, Graeff CFDO, Abbade JF, Herculano RD, Sobrevia L, Rudge MVC. Pro-angiogenic approach for skeletal muscle regeneration. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1866:130059. [PMID: 34793875 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.130059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The angiogenesis process is a phenomenon in which numerous molecules participate in the stimulation of the new vessels' formation from pre-existing vessels. Angiogenesis is a crucial step in tissue regeneration and recovery of organ and tissue function. Muscle diseases affect millions of people worldwide overcome the ability of skeletal muscle to self-repair. Pro-angiogenic therapies are key in skeletal muscle regeneration where both myogenesis and angiogenesis occur. These therapies have been based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), exosomes, microRNAs (miRs) and delivery of biological factors. The use of different calls of biomaterials is another approach, including ceramics, composites, and polymers. Natural polymers are use due its bioactivity and biocompatibility in addition to its use as scaffolds and in drug delivery systems. One of these polymers is the natural rubber latex (NRL) which is biocompatible, bioactive, versatile, low-costing, and capable of promoting tissue regeneration and angiogenesis. In this review, the advances in the field of pro-angiogenic therapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Ferreira Floriano
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo 18.618-687, Brazil; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Costanza Emanueli
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sofia Vega
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo 18.618-687, Brazil; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | | | | | | | | | - Joelcio Francisco Abbade
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo 18.618-687, Brazil
| | | | - Luis Sobrevia
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo 18.618-687, Brazil; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville E-41012, Spain; University of Queensland, Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4029, Queensland, Australia; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713GZ Groningen, the Netherlands.
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34
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Korpela H, Järveläinen N, Siimes S, Lampela J, Airaksinen J, Valli K, Turunen M, Pajula J, Nurro J, Ylä-Herttuala S. Gene therapy for ischaemic heart disease and heart failure. J Intern Med 2021; 290:567-582. [PMID: 34033164 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy has been expected to become a novel treatment method since the structure of DNA was discovered in 1953. The morbidity from cardiovascular diseases remains remarkable despite the improvement of percutaneous interventions and pharmacological treatment, underlining the need for novel therapeutics. Gene therapy-mediated therapeutic angiogenesis could help those who have not gained sufficient symptom relief with traditional treatment methods. Especially patients with severe coronary artery disease and heart failure could benefit from gene therapy. Some clinical trials have reported improved myocardial perfusion and symptom relief in CAD patients, but few trials have come up with disappointing negative results. Translating preclinical success into clinical applications has encountered difficulties in successful transduction, study design, endpoint selection, and patient selection and recruitment. However, promising new methods for transducing the cells, such as retrograde delivery and cardiac-specific AAV vectors, hold great promise for myocardial gene therapy. This review introduces gene therapy for ischaemic heart disease and heart failure and discusses the current status and future developments in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Korpela
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - N Järveläinen
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - S Siimes
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J Lampela
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J Airaksinen
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - K Valli
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - M Turunen
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J Pajula
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J Nurro
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - S Ylä-Herttuala
- From the, A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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35
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Rossi C, Lees M, Mehta V, Heikura T, Martin J, Zachary I, Spencer R, Peebles DM, Shaw R, Karhinen M, Yla-Herttuala S, David AL. Comparison of Efficiency and Function of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Adenovirus Vectors in Endothelial Cells for Gene Therapy of Placental Insufficiency. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 31:1190-1202. [PMID: 32988220 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects 1:500 pregnancies, is untreatable and causes serious neonatal morbidity and death. Reduced uterine blood flow (UBF) and lack of bioavailable VEGF due to placental insufficiency is a major cause. Transduction of uterine arteries in normal or FGR sheep and guinea pigs using an adenovirus (Ad) encoding VEGF isoforms A (Ad.VEGF-A165) and a FLAG-tagged pre-processed short form D (DΔNΔC, Ad.VEGF-DΔNΔC-FLAG) increases endothelial nitric oxide expression, enhances relaxation and reduces constriction of the uterine arteries and their branches. UBF and angiogenesis are increased long term, improving fetal growth in utero. For clinical trial development we compared Ad.VEGF vector transduction efficiency and function in endothelial cells (ECs) derived from different species. We aimed to compare the transduction efficiency and function of the pre-clinical study Ad. constructs (Ad.VEGF-A165, Ad.VEGF-DΔNΔC-FLAG) with the intended clinical trial construct (Ad.VEGF-DΔNΔC) where the FLAG tag is removed. We infected ECs from human umbilical vein, pregnant sheep uterine artery, pregnant guinea pig aorta and non-pregnant rabbit aorta, with increasing multiplicity of infection (MOI) for 24 or 48 hours of three Ad.VEGF vectors, compared to control Ad. containing the LacZ gene (Ad.LacZ). VEGF supernatant expression was analysed by ELISA. Functional assessment used tube formation assay and Erk-Akt phosphorylation by ELISA. VEGF expression was higher after Ad.VEGF-DΔNΔC-FLAG and Ad.VEGF-DΔNΔC transduction compared to Ad.VEGF-A165 in all EC types (*p < 0.001). Tube formation was higher in ECs transduced with Ad.VEGF-DΔNΔC in all species compared to other constructs (***p < 0.001, *p < 0.05 with rabbit aortic ECs). Phospho-Erk and phospho-Akt assays displayed no differences between the three vector constructs, whose effect was, as in other experiments, higher than Ad.LacZ (***p < 0.001). In conclusion, we observed high transduction efficiency and functional effects of Ad.VEGF-DΔNΔC vector with comparability in major pathway activation to constructs used in pre-clinical studies, supporting its use in a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Rossi
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health.,Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine; University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Lees
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health.,Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine; University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vedanta Mehta
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine; University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tommi Heikura
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - John Martin
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine; University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Zachary
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine; University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Seppo Yla-Herttuala
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anna L David
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health
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36
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Stritt S, Koltowska K, Mäkinen T. Homeostatic maintenance of the lymphatic vasculature. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:955-970. [PMID: 34332911 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The lymphatic vasculature is emerging as a multifaceted regulator of tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Lymphatic vessels drain fluid, macromolecules, and immune cells from peripheral tissues to lymph nodes (LNs) and the systemic circulation. Their recently uncovered functions extend beyond drainage and include direct modulation of adaptive immunity and paracrine regulation of organ growth. The developmental mechanisms controlling lymphatic vessel growth have been described with increasing precision. It is less clear how the essential functional features of lymphatic vessels are established and maintained. We discuss the mechanisms that maintain lymphatic vessel integrity in adult tissues and control vessel repair and regeneration. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the pathological vessel changes that contribute to disease, and provides an opportunity for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Stritt
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Katarzyna Koltowska
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Taija Mäkinen
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
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37
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Kaur K, Hadas Y, Kurian AA, Żak MM, Yoo J, Mahmood A, Girard H, Komargodski R, Io T, Santini MP, Sultana N, Kabir Sharkar MT, Magadum A, Fargnoli A, Yoon S, Chepurko E, Chepurko V, Eliyahu E, Pinto D, Lebeche D, Kovacic JC, Hajjar RJ, Rafii S, Zangi L. Direct Reprogramming Induces Vascular Regeneration Post Muscle Ischemic Injury. Mol Ther 2021; 29:3042-3058. [PMID: 34332145 PMCID: PMC8531157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming non-cardiomyocytes (non-CMs) into cardiomyocyte (CM)-like cells is a promising strategy for cardiac regeneration in conditions such as ischemic heart disease. Here, we used a modified mRNA (modRNA) gene delivery platform to deliver a cocktail, termed 7G-modRNA, of four cardiac-reprogramming genes—Gata4 (G), Mef2c (M), Tbx5 (T), and Hand2 (H)—together with three reprogramming-helper genes—dominant-negative (DN)-TGFβ, DN-Wnt8a, and acid ceramidase (AC)—to induce CM-like cells. We showed that 7G-modRNA reprogrammed 57% of CM-like cells in vitro. Through a lineage-tracing model, we determined that delivering the 7G-modRNA cocktail at the time of myocardial infarction reprogrammed ∼25% of CM-like cells in the scar area and significantly improved cardiac function, scar size, long-term survival, and capillary density. Mechanistically, we determined that while 7G-modRNA cannot create de novo beating CMs in vitro or in vivo, it can significantly upregulate pro-angiogenic mesenchymal stromal cells markers and transcription factors. We also demonstrated that our 7G-modRNA cocktail leads to neovascularization in ischemic-limb injury, indicating CM-like cells importance in other organs besides the heart. modRNA is currently being used around the globe for vaccination against COVID-19, and this study proves this is a safe, highly efficient gene delivery approach with therapeutic potential to treat ischemic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keerat Kaur
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Yoav Hadas
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Ann Anu Kurian
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Magdalena M Żak
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Jimeen Yoo
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Asharee Mahmood
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Hanna Girard
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Rinat Komargodski
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Toshiro Io
- Research Department, Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan, 103-0023
| | - Maria Paola Santini
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Nishat Sultana
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Mohammad Tofael Kabir Sharkar
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Ajit Magadum
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Anthony Fargnoli
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Seonghun Yoon
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Elena Chepurko
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Vadim Chepurko
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Efrat Eliyahu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Multiscale Biology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Dalila Pinto
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Djamel Lebeche
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Roger J Hajjar
- Phospholamban Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1775 ZH
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029
| | - Lior Zangi
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, 10029.
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38
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Regulation of VEGFR Signalling in Lymphatic Vascular Development and Disease: An Update. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147760. [PMID: 34299378 PMCID: PMC8306507 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of lymphatic vessels in a myriad of human diseases is rapidly gaining recognition; lymphatic vessel dysfunction is a feature of disorders including congenital lymphatic anomalies, primary lymphoedema and obesity, while improved lymphatic vessel function increases the efficacy of immunotherapy for cancer and neurological disease and promotes cardiac repair following myocardial infarction. Understanding how the growth and function of lymphatic vessels is precisely regulated therefore stands to inform the development of novel therapeutics applicable to a wide range of human diseases. Lymphatic vascular development is initiated during embryogenesis following establishment of the major blood vessels and the onset of blood flow. Lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells arise from a combination of venous and non-venous sources to generate the initial lymphatic vascular structures in the vertebrate embryo, which are then further ramified and remodelled to elaborate an extensive lymphatic vascular network. Signalling mediated via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinases is crucial for development of both the blood and lymphatic vascular networks, though distinct components are utilised to different degrees in each vascular compartment. Although much is known about the regulation of VEGFA/VEGFR2 signalling in the blood vasculature, less is understood regarding the mechanisms by which VEGFC/VEGFD/VEGFR3 signalling is regulated during lymphatic vascular development. This review will focus on recent advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating VEGFA-, VEGFC- and VEGFD-mediated signalling via VEGFRs which are important for driving the construction of lymphatic vessels during development and disease.
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39
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Miyazaki T, Miyazaki A. Hypercholesterolemia and Lymphatic Defects: The Chicken or the Egg? Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:701229. [PMID: 34250049 PMCID: PMC8262609 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.701229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic vessels are necessary for maintaining tissue fluid balance, trafficking of immune cells, and transport of dietary lipids. Growing evidence suggest that lymphatic functions are limited under hypercholesterolemic conditions, which is closely related to atherosclerotic development involving the coronary and other large arteries. Indeed, ablation of lymphatic systems by Chy-mutation as well as depletion of lymphangiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor-C and -D, in mice perturbs lipoprotein composition to augment hypercholesterolemia. Several investigations have reported that periarterial microlymphatics were attracted by atheroma-derived lymphangiogenic factors, which facilitated lymphatic invasion into the intima of atherosclerotic lesions, thereby modifying immune cell trafficking. In contrast to the lipomodulatory and immunomodulatory roles of the lymphatic systems, the critical drivers of lymphangiogenesis and the details of lymphatic insults under hypercholesterolemic conditions have not been fully elucidated. Interestingly, cholesterol-lowering trials enable hypercholesterolemic prevention of lymphatic drainage in mice; however, a causal relationship between hypercholesterolemia and lymphatic defects remains elusive. In this review, the contribution of aberrant lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic cholesterol transport to hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis was highlighted. The causal relationship between hypercholesterolemia and lymphatic insults as well as the current achievements in the field were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuro Miyazaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Miyazaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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40
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Gromadziński L, Paukszto Ł, Skowrońska A, Holak P, Smoliński M, Łopieńska-Biernat E, Lepiarczyk E, Lipka A, Jastrzębski JP, Majewska M. Transcriptomic Profiling of Femoral Veins in Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Porcine Model. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071576. [PMID: 34206566 PMCID: PMC8304794 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a severe disease affecting the human venous system, accompanied by high morbidity and mortality rates caused by early and late complications. The study aimed at analyzing the changes in the transcriptome of the femoral vein caused by DVT in the porcine model based on the formation of the thrombus in vivo. The study was performed on 11 castrated male pigs: A thrombus was formed in each left femoral vein in six animals; the remaining five served as a control group. Total RNA was isolated from the left femoral veins of the experimental and control animals. High-throughput RNA sequencing was used to analyze the global changes in the transcriptome of veins with induced DVT. Applied multistep bioinformatics revealed 1474 differentially expressed genes (DEGs): 1019 upregulated and 455 downregulated. Functional Gene Ontology annotated 1220 of DEGs into 225 biological processes, 30 molecular functions and 40 cellular components categories. KEGG analysis disclosed TNF, NF-κB and apoptosis pathways’ overexpression in DVT samples. A thorough analysis of the detected DEGs indicated that a dysregulated inflammatory response and disturbed balance between clotting and anti-clotting factors play a crucial role in the process of DVT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leszek Gromadziński
- Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Łukasz Paukszto
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (Ł.P.); (J.P.J.)
| | - Agnieszka Skowrońska
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland; (A.S.); (E.L.)
| | - Piotr Holak
- Department of Surgery and Radiology with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Michał Smoliński
- Clinic of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, University Clinical Hospital in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Elżbieta Łopieńska-Biernat
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Ewa Lepiarczyk
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland; (A.S.); (E.L.)
| | - Aleksandra Lipka
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-561 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Jan Paweł Jastrzębski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (Ł.P.); (J.P.J.)
| | - Marta Majewska
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland; (A.S.); (E.L.)
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (M.M.)
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41
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Szőke D, Kovács G, Kemecsei É, Bálint L, Szoták-Ajtay K, Aradi P, Styevkóné Dinnyés A, Mui BL, Tam YK, Madden TD, Karikó K, Kataru RP, Hope MJ, Weissman D, Mehrara BJ, Pardi N, Jakus Z. Nucleoside-modified VEGFC mRNA induces organ-specific lymphatic growth and reverses experimental lymphedema. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3460. [PMID: 34103491 PMCID: PMC8187400 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23546-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack or dysfunction of the lymphatics leads to secondary lymphedema formation that seriously reduces the function of the affected organs and results in degradation of quality of life. Currently, there is no definitive treatment option for lymphedema. Here, we utilized nucleoside-modified mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) encoding murine Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (VEGFC) to stimulate lymphatic growth and function and reduce experimental lymphedema in mouse models. We demonstrated that administration of a single low-dose of VEGFC mRNA-LNPs induced durable, organ-specific lymphatic growth and formation of a functional lymphatic network. Importantly, VEGFC mRNA-LNP treatment reversed experimental lymphedema by restoring lymphatic function without inducing any obvious adverse events. Collectively, we present a novel application of the nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP platform, describe a model for identifying the organ-specific physiological and pathophysiological roles of the lymphatics, and propose an efficient and safe treatment option that may serve as a novel therapeutic tool to reduce lymphedema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dániel Szőke
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE "Lendület" Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kovács
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE "Lendület" Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Kemecsei
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE "Lendület" Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Bálint
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE "Lendület" Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kitti Szoták-Ajtay
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE "Lendület" Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Petra Aradi
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE "Lendület" Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Styevkóné Dinnyés
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE "Lendület" Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Raghu P Kataru
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Drew Weissman
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Babak J Mehrara
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Zoltán Jakus
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
- MTA-SE "Lendület" Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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42
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Snake venom vascular endothelial growth factors (svVEGFs): Unravelling their molecular structure, functions, and research potential. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2021; 60:133-143. [PMID: 34090786 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of angiogenesis, a physiological process characterized by the formation of new vessels from a preexisting endothelium. VEGF has also been implicated in pathologic states, such as neoplasias, intraocular neovascular disorders, among other conditions. VEGFs are distributed in seven different families: VEGF-A, B, C, D, and PIGF (placental growth factor), which are identified in mammals; VEGF-E, which are encountered in viruses; and VEGF-F or svVEGF (snake venom VEGF) described in snake venoms. This is the pioneer review of svVEGF family, exploring its distribution among the snake venoms, molecular structure, main functions, and potential applications.
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43
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Identification of Angiogenic Cargo in Extracellular Vesicles Secreted from Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells and Induction of Angiogenesis In Vitro and In Vivo. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13040495. [PMID: 33916460 PMCID: PMC8066163 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13040495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is defined as the generation of new blood vessels or the sprouting of endothelial cells from a pre-existing vascular network. Angiogenesis occurs during the growth and development of an organism, the response of organs or tissues to injury, and during cancer development and progression. The majority of studies on stem-cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have used cell lines, and have primarily focused on well-known solitary proteins. Here, we isolated stem cells from human adipose tissue (ADSCs), and we isolated EVs from them (ADSC-EVs). The ADSC-EVs were characterised and 20 angiogenic proteins were analysed using an angiogenic antibody array. Furthermore, we analysed the ability of ADSC-EVs to induce angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. ADSC-EVs were positive for CD81 and negative for GM130, calnexin, and cytochrome-C. ADSC-EVs showed typical EV spherical morphology and were ~200 nm in size. ADSC-EVs were found to contain angiogenic proteins as cargo, among which interleukin 8 (IL-8) was the most abundant, followed by chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), TIMP-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D). ADSC-EVs treatment increased the proliferation, migration, total vessel length, total number of junctions, and junction density of endothelial cells in vitro. The results of an in vivo Matrigel plug assay revealed that ADSC-EVs induced more blood vessels in the Matrigel compared with the control. These results demonstrate that ADSC-EVs contain angiogenic proteins as cargo and promote angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, ADSC-EVs have potential for therapeutic use in ischaemia.
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44
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Leikas AJ, Laham-Karam N, Agtereek E, Peltonen HM, Selander T, Korpisalo P, Holappa L, Hartikainen JEK, Heikura T, Ylä-Herttuala S. Efficacy and Safety of Clinical-Grade Human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-D ΔNΔC Gene Therapy Containing Residual Replication-Competent Adenoviruses. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:761-770. [PMID: 33371775 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological bypass through induced angiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) gene therapy (GT) is a new concept for the treatment of cardiac ischemia. Serotype 5 adenoviruses are used in the clinical trials for transferring the VEGF-D cDNA into the ischemic myocardium. However, the presence of replication-competent vectors in the adenovirus products is a widely recognized problem that may pose a potential safety risk to the treated patients. We compared three different VEGF-D GT production lots containing different levels of replication-competent adenoviruses (RCA) tested in 3 × 1010 viral particles (vp): <10 RCA (VEGF-D L-RCA1), 10-100 RCA (VEGF-D H-RCA2), and 100-200 RCA (VEGF-D H-RCA3), as measured by a novel droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) RCA assay in a preclinical rabbit model (n = 21). β-galactosidase encoding nonclinical-grade preparation was used as a nonangiogenic control. Each preparation was injected into the right semimembranosus muscle using dose of 1 × 1011 vp. Efficacy of the products was tested by the combination of contrast pulse sequencing ultrasound and modified Miles assay as well as quantifying the total cross-sectional area of capillaries. Safety, immunogenicity, toxicity, biodistribution, and shedding were assessed by general histology, serial measurements of C-reactive protein, white blood cell count and body temperature as well as using quantitative real-time PCR with primers targeted to the VEGF-D and replication-permitting E1 sequences. We found no significant differences in the efficacy or safety between the study groups. Most importantly, no detectable presence of RCA-specific E1 sequence was found in any samples tested, indicating that no detectable vector replication took place in vivo. We conclude that relatively low levels of RCA in adenoviral GT products may not be as important major safety issue as previously anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksi J Leikas
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nihay Laham-Karam
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eline Agtereek
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Tuomas Selander
- Science Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Petra Korpisalo
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lari Holappa
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha E K Hartikainen
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tommi Heikura
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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45
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Künnapuu J, Bokharaie H, Jeltsch M. Proteolytic Cleavages in the VEGF Family: Generating Diversity among Angiogenic VEGFs, Essential for the Activation of Lymphangiogenic VEGFs. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10020167. [PMID: 33672235 PMCID: PMC7926383 DOI: 10.3390/biology10020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) regulate the growth of blood and lymphatic vessels. Some of them induce the growth of blood vessels, and others the growth of lymphatic vessels. Blocking VEGF-A is used today to treat several types of cancer (“antiangiogenic therapy”). However, in other diseases, we would like to increase the activity of VEGFs. For example, VEGF-A could generate new blood vessels to protect from heart disease, and VEGF-C could generate new lymphatics to counteract lymphedema. Clinical trials are testing the latter concept at the moment. Because VEGF-C and VEGF-D are produced as inactive precursors, we propose that novel drugs could also target the enzymatic activation of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. However, because of the delicate balance between too much and too little vascular growth, a detailed understanding of the activation of the VEGFs is needed before such concepts can be converted into safe and efficacious therapies. Abstract Specific proteolytic cleavages turn on, modify, or turn off the activity of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs). Proteolysis is most prominent among the lymphangiogenic VEGF-C and VEGF-D, which are synthesized as precursors that need to undergo enzymatic removal of their C- and N-terminal propeptides before they can activate their receptors. At least five different proteases mediate the activating cleavage of VEGF-C: plasmin, ADAMTS3, prostate-specific antigen, cathepsin D, and thrombin. All of these proteases except for ADAMTS3 can also activate VEGF-D. Processing by different proteases results in distinct forms of the “mature” growth factors, which differ in affinity and receptor activation potential. The “default” VEGF-C-activating enzyme ADAMTS3 does not activate VEGF-D, and therefore, VEGF-C and VEGF-D do function in different contexts. VEGF-C itself is also regulated in different contexts by distinct proteases. During embryonic development, ADAMTS3 activates VEGF-C. The other activating proteases are likely important for non-developmental lymphangiogenesis during, e.g., tissue regeneration, inflammation, immune response, and pathological tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis. The better we understand these events at the molecular level, the greater our chances of developing successful therapies targeting VEGF-C and VEGF-D for diseases involving the lymphatics such as lymphedema or cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaana Künnapuu
- Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.K.); (H.B.)
| | - Honey Bokharaie
- Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.K.); (H.B.)
| | - Michael Jeltsch
- Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.K.); (H.B.)
- Individualized Drug Therapy Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Wihuri Research Institute, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-50-3200235
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46
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Zhang Y, Gao Z, Zhang X, Yuan Z, Ma T, Li G, Gao X. Effect of intravitreal conbercept injection on VEGF-A and -B levels in the aqueous and vitreous humor of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:332. [PMID: 33732305 PMCID: PMC7903486 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of anti-VEGF treatment prior to eye surgery to reduce intraoperative bleeding. A total of 30 patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy after clinical diagnosis were enrolled in the present study as the surgical group. Furthermore, 30 patients underwent intravitreal injection of the anti-VEGF drug conbercept and were considered the drug pretreatment group. The aqueous and vitreous humors from the eyes of patients in the surgical group were drawn during pars plana vitrectomy surgery. The aqueous humor in the eyes of patients in the drug pretreatment group was drawn prior to conbercept treatment and seven days after conbercept treatment immediately prior to surgery. The vitreous humor in this group was only taken during surgery. Furthermore, ELISA was used to detect the levels of VEGF-A and -B in the aqueous and vitreous humors. Semi-quantitative determination of VEGF-A and VEGF-B levels in fibrovascular proliferative membranes was performed using immunohistochemical staining. The results indicated that in the drug group, the levels of VEGF-A in the aqueous humor of patients prior to and after conbercept injection were 197.66±48.00 and 3.39±2.54 pg/ml, respectively. The levels of VEGF-A in the vitreous humor of patients in the surgical and drug groups were 267.53±179.60 and 21.43±5.81 pg/ml after injection, respectively. The levels of VEGF-B in the aqueous humor of patients prior to and after conbercept injection were 13.66±3.30 (before injection) and 2.17±0.94 pg/ml (after injection), respectively. The levels of VEGF-B in the vitreous humor of patients in the surgical and drug groups were 127.36±16.72 and 18.56±9.82 pg/ml after injection, respectively (P<0.05). Furthermore, in the drug group, the surgery time, bleeding and capillary formation were significantly reduced compared with those in the surgical group. Taken together, these results suggested that the levels of VEGF-A and -B decreased significantly in the aqueous humor of patients with PDR after conbercept injection. Furthermore, the levels of VEGF-A and -B in the vitreous humor of patients dropped significantly in the drug group compared with those in the surgical group. These results provide theoretical clinical support for the preoperative application of conbercept for patients with PDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunda Zhang
- Department of Vitreoretinopathy, Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030002, P.R. China
| | - Zhao Gao
- Department of Vitreoretinopathy, Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030002, P.R. China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Ximei Zhang
- Department of Vitreoretinopathy, Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030002, P.R. China
| | - Zhigang Yuan
- Department of Vitreoretinopathy, Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030002, P.R. China
| | - Tao Ma
- Department of Vitreoretinopathy, Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030002, P.R. China
| | - Gaiyun Li
- Department of Vitreoretinopathy, Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030002, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohong Gao
- Department of Vitreoretinopathy, Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030002, P.R. China
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Todd N, Lai YC. Current Understanding of Circulating Biomarkers in Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:570016. [PMID: 33117832 PMCID: PMC7575769 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.570016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD; Group 2), especially in the setting of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), is the most frequent cause of PH. Despite its prevalence, no effective therapies for PH-LHD are available at present. This is largely due to the lack of a concise definition for hemodynamic phenotyping, existence of significant gaps in the understanding of the underlying pathology and the impact of associated comorbidities, as well as the absence of specific biomarkers that can aid in the early diagnosis and management of this challenging syndrome. Currently, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) are guideline-recommended biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure (HF) and PH. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D), and microRNA-206 have also been recently identified as new potential circulating biomarkers for patients with PH-LHD. In this review, we aim to present the current state of knowledge of circulating biomarkers that can be used to guide future research toward diagnosis, refine specific patient phenotype, and develop therapeutic approaches for PH-LHD, with a particular focus on PH-HFpEF. Potential circulating biomarkers identified in pre-clinical models of PH-LHD are also summarized here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Todd
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Yen-Chun Lai
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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48
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Izawa N, Shitara K, Yonesaka K, Yamanaka T, Yoshino T, Sunakawa Y, Masuishi T, Denda T, Yamazaki K, Moriwaki T, Okuda H, Kondoh C, Nishina T, Makiyama A, Baba H, Yamaguchi H, Nakamura M, Hyodo I, Muro K, Nakajima TE. Early Tumor Shrinkage and Depth of Response in the Second-Line Treatment for KRAS exon2 Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: An Exploratory Analysis of the Randomized Phase 2 Trial Comparing Panitumumab and Bevacizumab in Combination with FOLFIRI (WJOG6210G). Target Oncol 2020; 15:623-633. [PMID: 32960408 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-020-00750-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Predictive markers for the clinical outcomes of second-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE This retrospective biomarker study was conducted to explore predictive markers for patients with KRAS exon 2 wild-type mCRC who were treated with FOLFIRI plus panitumumab (Pani) or bevacizumab (Bev) in the WJOG6210G trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS The associations of early tumor shrinkage (ETS), tumor location, and VEGF-D with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the association of depth of response (DpR) with PFS and OS. Serum VEGF-D levels were measured in samples collected before treatment using magnetic bead panel Milliplex xMAP kits. RESULTS In total, 101 patients (Pani, n = 49; Bev, n = 52) were enrolled in this study. Patients with ETS had longer PFS (Pani: hazard ratio (HR) 0.40, P = 0.009; Bev: HR 0.078, P = 0.0002) and OS (Pani: HR 0.49, P = 0.044; Bev: HR 0.35, P = 0.048) than patients without ETS. The DpR was moderately correlated with PFS and OS in Pani (rs = 0.75, P < 0.001; rs = 0.60, P < 0.001) and Bev groups (rs = 0.68, P < 0.001; rs = 0.44, P = 0.002). No significant differences were observed in PFS and OS between the two treatment groups even if in left-sided tumors. No significant interaction between VEGF-D levels and treatment was observed in PFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS ETS and DpR serve as surrogate markers of PFS and OS in the second-line treatment with FOLFIRI plus targeted agent for mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Izawa
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Kohei Shitara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Kimio Yonesaka
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-sayama, Japan
| | - Takeharu Yamanaka
- Department of Biostatistics, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takayuki Yoshino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Yu Sunakawa
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Toshiki Masuishi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tadamichi Denda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chiba Cancer Center Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kentaro Yamazaki
- Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shimonagakubo, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Moriwaki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Okuda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Keiyukai Sapporo Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Chihiro Kondoh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Nishina
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Akitaka Makiyama
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Japan Community Healthcare Organization Kyushu Hospital, Kita-Kyushu, Japan
- Cancer Center, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Masato Nakamura
- Aizawa Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aizawa Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Ichinosuke Hyodo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kei Muro
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takako Eguchi Nakajima
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
- Kyoto Innovation Center for Next Generation Clinical Trials and iPS Cell Therapy (Ki-CONNECT), Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawaharacho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
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49
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Vogrin AJ, Bower NI, Gunzburg MJ, Roufail S, Okuda KS, Paterson S, Headey SJ, Stacker SA, Hogan BM, Achen MG. Evolutionary Differences in the Vegf/Vegfr Code Reveal Organotypic Roles for the Endothelial Cell Receptor Kdr in Developmental Lymphangiogenesis. Cell Rep 2020; 28:2023-2036.e4. [PMID: 31433980 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic vascular development establishes embryonic and adult tissue fluid balance and is integral in disease. In diverse vertebrate organs, lymphatic vessels display organotypic function and develop in an organ-specific manner. In all settings, developmental lymphangiogenesis is considered driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-3 (VEGFR3), whereas a role for VEGFR2 remains to be fully explored. Here, we define the zebrafish Vegf/Vegfr code in receptor binding studies. We find that while Vegfd directs craniofacial lymphangiogenesis, it binds Kdr (a VEGFR2 homolog) but surprisingly, unlike in mammals, does not bind Flt4 (VEGFR3). Epistatic analyses and characterization of a kdr mutant confirm receptor-binding analyses, demonstrating that Kdr is indispensible for rostral craniofacial lymphangiogenesis, but not caudal trunk lymphangiogenesis, in which Flt4 is central. We further demonstrate an unexpected yet essential role for Kdr in inducing lymphatic endothelial cell fate. This work reveals evolutionary divergence in the Vegf/Vegfr code that uncovers spatially restricted mechanisms of developmental lymphangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Vogrin
- Tumour Angiogenesis and Microenvironment Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Neil I Bower
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Menachem J Gunzburg
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sally Roufail
- Tumour Angiogenesis and Microenvironment Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Kazuhide S Okuda
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Scott Paterson
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Stephen J Headey
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Steven A Stacker
- Tumour Angiogenesis and Microenvironment Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Benjamin M Hogan
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Marc G Achen
- Tumour Angiogenesis and Microenvironment Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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Increased levels of VEGF-C and macrophage infiltration in lipedema patients without changes in lymphatic vascular morphology. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10947. [PMID: 32616854 PMCID: PMC7331572 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67987-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder characterized by the disproportional subcutaneous deposition of fat and is commonly misdiagnosed as lymphedema or obesity. The molecular determinants of the lipedema remain largely unknown and only speculations exist regarding the lymphatic system involvement. The aim of the present study is to characterize the lymphatic vascular involvement in established lipedema. The histological and molecular characterization was conducted on anatomically-matched skin and fat biopsies as well as serum samples from eleven lipedema and ten BMI-matched healthy patients. Increased systemic levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C (P = 0.02) were identified in the serum of lipedema patients. Surprisingly, despite the increased VEGF-C levels no morphological changes of the lymphatic vessels were observed. Importantly, expression analysis of lymphatic and blood vessel-related genes revealed a marked downregulation of Tie2 (P < 0.0001) and FLT4 (VEGFR-3) (P = 0.02) consistent with an increased macrophage infiltration (P = 0.009), without changes in the expression of other lymphatic markers. Interestingly, a distinct local cytokine milieu, with decreased VEGF-A (P = 0.04) and VEGF-D (P = 0.02) expression was identified. No apparent lymphatic anomaly underlies lipedema, providing evidence for the different disease nature in comparison to lymphedema. The changes in the lymphatic-related cytokine milieu might be related to a modified vascular permeability developed secondarily to lipedema progression.
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